Italy Unedited

Lorena Bignamini & Kristi Derkacy
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Places & Travel

Parliamoci chiaro—let’s be honest: The real Italy—its language, people, contemporary life, and contradictions—is messier, funnier, rougher, and infinitely more interesting than any of the widespread ideas about it. Hosted by Lorena, a native Italian living in Los Angeles, and Kristi, an American born with an Italian spirit, Italy Unedited will invite you to travel far beyond la dolce vita. The Italy we are here for will take you deeper into the language, closer to the culture, and more into la vera vita italiana—real Italian life. For all of us who love it enough to want to see it more clearly, this is Italy—unfiltered, unpolished, unscripted.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Contemporary Italian Musicians & Singers You Will Want to Get to Know

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. We are getting into music that has come into the Italian music scene within the last 10-15 years. We have some great suggestions of fresh Italian artists that are as great for learning and immersing in the Italian language as they are for eliciting emotion and connecting to feelings, even if you don’t understand the meaning of (all) the words! This episode are going to take you beyond the more globally famous Italian artists, like Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, maybe even Elisa, because there are so many incredible musicians you will want to know—Either to enjoy the language and feel the vibe, because you want to learn the language through the vehicle of music (which is highly recommended by the way), or both. Our list goes across the spectrum of genres, so hopefully there is something for all musical preferences and tastes here. Throughout, we address the power of music to make you feel, and to transport you back to memories and moments that carry meaning and significance. And we guide Italian language learners on how to make the most of music to learn different components of the language, such as past and future tenses, vocabulary, and native phrasing. We open with the song that always makes us say “yes! This one!” and sing along, and flow into songs that transport us to a different time of life. Kristi goes into a sweet list of contemporary artists that are definitely worth getting to know, each of them with a different sound and style. We also discuss: The two ways to express love in Italian (ti amo, to voglio bene) The sea as a motif in Italian music and lyrics The northern Italian word ‘balorda’ and what it means and how to use it Full list of the songs and artists we mention at www.italyuneditedpodcast.wordpress.com/show-notes/

    Contemporary Italian Musicians & Singers You Will Want to Get to Know

  2. Sep 7

    Untranslatable Italian Words & Phrases That Will Make You Sound More Like a Native Speaker

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of Italy Unedited, we are giving you some key words and phrases that are going to bring your Italian into native territory. Why? Because there comes a point in a language learning journey where immersion in conversation will leave you lost without the native flavors and particles that people actually use! Flavors like “un sacco di roba”, and “per forza”. And particles like “boh” or “allora”, which takes on a ton of meanings! These are expressions you will hear often in casual conversation, but won’t find in a classroom or on DuoLingo. They will help you keep up in the chat—and don't worry— we will provide the context for where they will appear! And speaking of flavors, we get into the social reality of the Spaghettata, the Italian version of fast food and how to do this correctly. This week, we are giving you a first round of our favorite words and phrases, so get ready to give your Italian a big native boost! By the end of this episode, you will be able to: Discern colloquial expressions and spot them in dialogue Try them out on your own and pronounce them correctly Be ready to engage in native conversations with more confidence Sound more native while speaking Italian Uplevel your polemic capacity, skepticism and bantering abilities in Italian (hallmarks of Italian conversations) Teach the other Italian language learners a little something extra and useful For a full list of the phrases we mention and what they mean, head over to our Show Notes page on the show’s website: https://italyuneditedpodcast.wordpress.com/blog/

    Untranslatable Italian Words & Phrases That Will Make You Sound More Like a Native Speaker

  3. Aug 31

    The Best Souvenirs to Bring Back from Itay

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. If you want to invest in bringing back an authentic piece of Italy when your travels are over, skip the trinkets! We have the perfect suggestions for you! Our list is creative, surprising, and fun. At times, practical, at others whimsical! Either way, you will definitely feel inspired by all of the great things you will want to look around for while in Italy! Beyond the usual small souvenir perusal, we get into products and places that are one hundred percent made-in-Italy, some of which are one of a kind! That said, we go across the spectrum of prices and interests, so there will be something for everyone you love, options for all budgets, and plenty for you to get excited about to pick up for yourself! Feel good (and do a bella figura) by investing in Italian quality, while there, and come away with items that are totally unique to Italy. This episode covers clothing and articles of dress as well as everything else— and believe us, our suggestions will include things you haven’t thought of but will be ready to find! We include easy-to-find national brands and shops, as well as bespoke and boutique recommendations as well. Our list promises to deliver across a variety of tastes and budgets. We finish with a brief overview of things we do not recommend buying and bringing back, or even to avoid because they can get you into serious trouble! Find full show notes and photos of our recommendations at www.italyuneditedpodcast.wordpress.com/show-notes/ Places We Mention: Cotton & Silk (Italian men’s clothing shop) https://www.cottonsilk.it/it L’Erbolario ( natural skin care, fragrances, cosmetics) https://international.erbolario.com/ Santa Maria Novella (one of the oldest perfumeries in Florence) https://us.smnovella.com/ Brera street in Milan (boutiques for house-made personal fragrances) Aqua e Sapone (Italy-wide hair & body care, cosmetics store) https://www.acquaesapone.it/

    The Best Souvenirs to Bring Back from Itay

  4. Aug 24

    Italian Food and Flavor to Take Home from Your Trip

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. If you want the sapori d’Italia—the unforgettable flavors of Italy to follow you home, we are with you! We will take you through our best ideas of wonderful edible Italian products that you safely pack and bring back with you! Chocolates, cheeses, coffees...along with a few surprises that are a must for replicating Italian recipes in your home kitchen! These aren't just last minute buys—these will be items you have tasted and savored over your time in Italy. For Italians, food is tied to oral tradition, and you will excited to gift your loved ones full-flavored food memories that they can indulge in for themselves! To infuse authentic Italian flavors into your at-home repertoire—and to remind of some of the best meals of your life!—our list will get you ready to find the perfect food souvenirs for you and all of the people you love back home who didn’t get to taste it on Italian soil. Places We Mention: Sant’ Eustachio coffee (Rome) https://caffesanteustachio.com/?lang=en Find full show notes and photos of our recommendations at www.italyuneditedpodcast.wordpress.com/show-notes/

    Italian Food and Flavor to Take Home from Your Trip

  5. Aug 17

    How to Eat (More) Like an Italian

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. All of the unspoken, but super important “rules” about food in Italy! Why don’t we put cheese on fish? What about bread with olive oil? Is Italian breakfast only sweet? Can I have ice in my drinks? Don’t worry, we will explain it all so you can avoid classic faux pas and general confusion. By the end of the episode, you will know how to be una buona forchetta—a good fork, which is a compliment Italians give to people who love and enjoy eating! We will cover: How to recognize tourist restaurants and what you actually want to look for to have an authentic Italian meal (it might not look as aesthetically sexy, but trust us, the food is spectacular!) No matter what, we feel that you won’t have a bad meal in Italy! Reading an Italian menu, how to follow it correctly and eating a meal in structured courses Unique to Italian meals, the Bis—what it is and why you probably want to do this! And, Santo Cielo, for goodness sake, what about cappuccino after lunch?? What is an amazzacaffe`? We will tell you, and you will want to add this after dinner! All the details on aperitivo—Italian happy hour, which Lorena calls “happy hour in heaven”. When, where and what (and aperitivo is born in Milan!) Wine with dinner and the culture of drinking wine with a meal The complimentary Italian expression ‘essere una buona forchetta” and why you want to be described like this Italian breakfast and how it diverges from the American standard, plus counter culture and ordering breakfast at an Italian bar And a mini language lesson to help you order, be understood, and know what you are getting when eating at a restaurant! Full show notes including pictures and visuals at www.italyuneditedpodcast.wordpress.com

    How to Eat (More) Like an Italian

  6. Aug 10

    Sun, Sand & Spiaggia: The Magic of the Italian Seaside, with Francesca Magnoli

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. We feature our very first voice from Italy this week where we welcome Francesca Magnoli to Italy Unedited! Francesca is a dear friend and someone who is full of knowledge when it comes to the Italian seaside. She lives in a coastal town in Lazio, and has grown up with the sea as a constant companion. From her unique and knowledgable perspective, she advises us on how living near the Italian coast brings the freshest seafood to the table, in which ways it influences and shapes everyday life, how to enjoy the Italian coast in the most uplifting ways possible, and why the Italian seaside is just so incredibly special. Stay to the end of our conversation to hear what you should avoid doing so you don’t look like a tourist! (Hint: Day drinking at the beach isn’t really part of the Italian beach culture like it is in the U.S.) You can find photos of some of these places we mention, as well as a cameo of our beautiful guest at www.italyuneditedpodcast.wordpress.com And, per carita—for goodness sake (and your skin’s)—DONT FORGET the sunscreen!! We also get in to: The rocky reality of some parts and pieces of the coast and why they are uniquely magicalDifferences between the Tyrrhenian and the Adriatic sidesNightlife on the seaside and the best things to do near the beach at nightThe Italian Lungomare concept and what you will find thereWhen to take a passeggiata and where to go We mention Italian festivities celebrated beachside: Ferragosto, which Francesca calls “a national festival for teenagers”!Francesca also talks about her upcoming birthday party and the seaside staging of the festivities We note some important Italian beach cultural realities, such as: The falò, the beloved ritual of having a bonfire at the beachThe lido, the Italian beach club and which amenities you get if you pay to play for the dayThe Italian version of modesty (or not) that may surprise youHow Italians dress for the beach (trust us, there is a whole look that goes with a bathing suit!) and beach attire to boast.A taste you don’t want to miss: drink a crema di caffe at the beach bar!The scarf hack to add to your seaside fashion statement Finally, we discuss the impacts of tourism on Seaside places: Amalfi for real and the price of over tourism—the woes beyond the beauty and what it is like for people who live there and navigate everyday life amidst the amass of touristsThe impact of high-volume tourism on places that were not built for this many bodies and how to minimize your impact if you tour thereFollow Francesca on Instagram @francescaamagnoli Places We Mentioned: Santa Maria, CilentoCasa del Conte, CilentoGrotto di Nerone, Anzio, LazioNettuno, LazioCetara, Amalfi CoastCala Luna, SardiniaManarola, Cinque TerreAgropoli, Campania

    Sun, Sand & Spiaggia: The Magic of the Italian Seaside, with Francesca Magnoli

  7. Aug 3

    Our Best Tips for Touring Italy...Especially in the Summer

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. A must-listen for anyone dreaming of a trip to Italy, planning one, or already has something booked! In this episode, we will share our inside knowledge on touring the Bel Paese (an euphemism for Italy you will hear a lot!) during the summer months, including everything you need to know (and try!) while you are there! With over 40 years of combined knowledge on how to immerse in and travel Italy authentically, and in un modo indimenticabile—in an unforgettable way, we offer our best tips via a fun and inspiring conversation. What We will cover: General Tips for Touring: Some general tips including how to dress as an upleved tourist what to look for when choosing a restaurant how to dress and what to bring to get into sacred locations (like churches and cathedrals) How to plan a trip and choose an itinerary that will allow you to actually immerse for the time you are there Interacting with people in uniform and officers Preparing for any and all bathroom needs and situations (guys, you want to know this, trust us) We will also cover: Summer specific trip optimization: Spending a day seaside and what you need (and don’t need) to make a day trip to the beach Where to find food and drinks at the beach Attending a Sagra as a beautiful, authentic way to immerse in the local food and artisanal products All about Ferragosto, Italy’s biggest holiday on the 15th of August, and how to celebrate it and navigate this day Northern Italy versus southern Italy schedules and when things are open (or not…expect to see the phrase turno subito Eating seasonally, and picking local dishes and specialties

    Our Best Tips for Touring Italy...Especially in the Summer

  8. Jul 27

    Basic Italian Words and Phrases You Need to Know (and How to Pronounce & Use Them Correctly)

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Here on Italy Unedited Podcast, our travel ethos includes the belief that anyone can learn the basics. So, this week, we are bringing you some very useful, relatively simple basic Italian words and phrases to help your time in Italy go a little more smoothly, and to support you in giving off a nicer impression—una bella figura—as a tourist. We open with how to say bruschetta correctly, and why you should gently correct everyone in your life on the pronunciation! From there, we move on to how to pronounce some tricky Italian sounds and letter combinations (think gnocchi, pistacchio), and get into the important difference between /sch/ and /sc/ letter combinations, including why things may get lost in translation if Italian sounds get mixed up or pronounced incorrectly! We also cover: Greetings for every time of day and situation Please/thank you/excuse me basics Getting the pronunciation of grazie just right What to say when you are entering/exiting places Introducing yourself, others, and expressing pleasure to meet someone How to order and ask for things politely How to order food and drinks with modifications (think vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, with ice, etc.) How to ask where something is (pharmacy, restaurant, store, mall, etc.) Navigating a clothing store, questions to ask the salespeople, and let them know if you are just browsing The key questions that will help you get the information you want and need Why ‘questo’ can be your magic word Plus! Stick around until the end for Kristi’s bonus phrase (and life philosophy!) in Italian that you don’t want to miss!

    Basic Italian Words and Phrases You Need to Know (and How to Pronounce & Use Them Correctly)

  9. Jul 20

    Beyond La Dolce Vita, Italian Culture is Sweet for Many Reasons

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. We’ve all heard it, and we may even think we know what it means! But this episode is all above diving deep into the heart of the phrase, what it actually means for Italian daily life and culture, and—bonus—how you can live la dolce vita authentically, no matter where you are. Our chat gets into: Origins and Stereotypes of this phraseWhy this phrase conjures such a seductive picture of ItalyWhat La Dolce Vita actually means in Italian Culture (believe us: they are SO much more beautiful than the perfect photos of a sunset in Capri!)A real snapshot of la dolce vita as it shows itself in Italian daily lifeThe flow of Italian conversation, the volume, and norms about interrupting someone elseHow to live the real dolce vita, wherever you areBonus: Lorena teaches us how to say grazie properly! Read Kristi's Alle Stelle article 'A Review of Fellini's Film 'La Dolce Vita'' here: https://allestelle1.wordpress.com/2025/04/24/a-review-of-fellinis-la-dolce-vita/

    Beyond La Dolce Vita, Italian Culture is Sweet for Many Reasons

  10. Jul 13

    What It Means to Shop Small and Local in Italy

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Italian fashion and flair for style is world famous. But in this episode, we get close to home and discuss the reality of where to find unique, one-of-a-kind, and even Made in Italy products that are worth investing in. We chat about how shopping where you are can turn into a meaningful investment in the Italian people and their craft, as well as Italian culture and generations of artistry. We share how leaving your money locally translates (literally) into positive impact tourism. And, guess what? In return, it gives you high-quality products you will enjoy (and remember!) for a lot of time to come! how to navigate market culture and what you might find locally the reality of discounts and negotiations when shopping locally local products and how to appreciate them more Italy’s legacy of cose artiaginali how to invest your money meaningfully as a tourist why unique products are well worth the investment A secret about why Italian men dress so well (believe us, it will surprise you!)

    What It Means to Shop Small and Local in Italy

  11. Jul 13

    Ciao Bella!...Who Actually Says This?

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Ciao Bella is an iconic phrase that almost everybody knows...but where did it come from and how did it get such a renowned status? Our first episode takes you into the origins of some of the most oft-used Italian words, how to greet politely (or create intimacy when appropriate!) and the cultural know-how of saying ‘hello’ that is stereotype-free. We discuss: Italian greetings that actually belong in your repertoire How to use greetings appropriately and effectively Words Italians use and ways they actually create nicknames and terms of endearment Simple ways to fare una bella figura—make a good impression The reality of how often you can expect to hear ‘bella’ and ‘brutta’ in Italian conversation A recap of the greetings and salutations you need to know in order to have a better, more fluid experience in Italy

    Ciao Bella!...Who Actually Says This?

  12. Season 1 Trailer

    Italy Unedited Podcast Trailer

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. When you think of Italy, what comes to your mind most readily? Pasta, pizza, espresso, amore? We are Kristi and Lorena, an American born with an Italian spirit, and a native Italian who want to take you deeper into the language, closer to the culture, and further away from the versions of Italy that have been packaged for export. Join us every Monday for a new episode about this beautiful, complex country you think you know and love.

    Italy Unedited Podcast Trailer

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Parliamoci chiaro—let’s be honest: The real Italy—its language, people, contemporary life, and contradictions—is messier, funnier, rougher, and infinitely more interesting than any of the widespread ideas about it. Hosted by Lorena, a native Italian living in Los Angeles, and Kristi, an American born with an Italian spirit, Italy Unedited will invite you to travel far beyond la dolce vita. The Italy we are here for will take you deeper into the language, closer to the culture, and more into la vera vita italiana—real Italian life. For all of us who love it enough to want to see it more clearly, this is Italy—unfiltered, unpolished, unscripted.

Information

  • Creator
    Lorena Bignamini & Kristi Derkacy
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lorena Bignamini & Kristi Derkacy 2026
  • Show Website
    Italy Unedited

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