Italian American Stories Podcast

Italian American Stories

A podcast that rediscovers the forgotten stories of Italian Americans in the newspapers of the past.

  1. May 8

    Episode 95: Leno & Rosemary LaBianca — The Other Side of the Manson Murders

    In August of 1969, the world became consumed by the shocking murders of actress Sharon Tate and her friends at Cielo Drive. But what many people forget is that the terror did not end there. Just one night later, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were brutally murdered inside their Los Angeles home by members of the Manson Family. While the media focused heavily on the Hollywood victims, the story of the LaBiancas was often pushed into the background. In this episode, we tell the heartbreaking and often overlooked story of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca — who they were before the murders, the lives they built, their Italian American roots, and the horrifying events that unfolded inside their Waverly Drive home. We explore Leno’s family history, his father’s successful grocery business, Rosemary’s rise from a difficult childhood to becoming a successful businesswoman, and the strange events that seemed to haunt the couple in the months leading up to their deaths. This is the story of the “other side” of the Manson murders — the side many people rarely hear about. Italian American Stories is hosted by Stephanie and Sandy and brings forgotten Italian American stories back to life through old newspapers, historical research, and storytelling.

    21 min

  2. Apr 30

    Episode 94: The Mosconi Mystery & The Ouija House of El Cerrito

    In this episode of Italian American Stories, we’re telling two unsettling and lesser-known stories that feel almost too strange to be real. First, we head to Denver in 1905, where Mercy Mosconi returns home to find two men in her house. What follows is a brutal attack, a ransacked home, and a fire that nearly kills her. But as investigators dig deeper, they begin to question everything—was this a violent robbery… or something staged much closer to home?  Then, we travel to 1920 California, where police break into a small house in El Cerrito and uncover a disturbing scene—seven adults, five children, burned money, shaved heads, and multiple Ouija boards. What began as an attempt to contact a lost loved one quickly spiraled into obsession, fear, and near tragedy.  These are stories of grief, belief, and the moments when reality begins to blur—leaving behind questions that were never fully answered. If you enjoy strange, forgotten stories from the past, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast.

    18 min

  3. Apr 16

    Episode 93: Finding Her Italian Identity Later in Life | Christine McBurney

    In this episode, we’re joined by actress, writer, and storyteller Christine McBurney, whose life took an unexpected turn when, in her 50s, a DNA test revealed something she never imagined… she was half Italian.  What began as a search for answers about her father quickly turned into something much deeper uncovering family secrets, long-hidden truths, and a completely new understanding of who she is. Christine shares her incredible journey of discovering her Italian roots, connecting with relatives she never knew existed, and piecing together a story that had been kept from her for decades. Along the way, she reflects on identity, family, and the emotional impact of finally learning the truth. Now, she’s bringing this powerful story to life through her solo show DNA Doesn’t Lie, But My Mother Did and an upcoming short film, Tutto inspired by her experience. ✨ If you’d like to support Christine’s film project Tutto (Everything) or learn more about her work, check out the links below: 🎬 Film Fundraiser: https://seedandspark.com/fund/tutto-everything#story🌐 Website: https://www.christinemcburney.com/📸 Instagram: @christinemcbc

    24 min

  4. Apr 9

    Episode 92: Carmelina Fiorino

    In 1906 Denver, a young Italian immigrant named Carmelina Fiorino stood in her kitchen and made a decision that would change her life forever. After leaving Calabria at just 15 years old, Carmelina found herself in a troubled marriage with a much older man who had abandoned his family in Italy to pursue her. What followed was a relationship marked by control, jealousy, and alleged abuse—one that would ultimately end in violence. When Carmelina shot and killed her husband, the question quickly became: was this murder… or self-defense? As newspapers sensationalized her story and the courtroom filled with conflicting testimonies, Carmelina’s case forced a jury to decide whether she was a cold-blooded killer—or a young woman pushed to her breaking point. In this episode, we explore the life of Carmelina Fiorino, the events leading up to that tragic night, and the trial that captivated Denver in the early 20th century.

    19 min

  5. Mar 26

    Episode 91: The Land of Milk and Honey — The True Story Behind Joseph Benvenuti

    In this episode, I sit down with Deron Benvenuti, author of The Land of Milk and Honey An Immigrant Tale of Rags to Riches In America, to talk about the incredible life of his grandfather, Joseph Benvenuti. An Italian immigrant who built a life in America through grit, resilience, and determination. From shining shoes at just six years old…to supporting his family during the Great Depression…to starting over and chasing opportunity out west… This is a powerful, multi-generational story of hardship, faith, and the true meaning of the American Dream. We also dive into the deeper layers of family history—what gets passed down, what gets left out, and why these stories matter more than ever. Buy the book and follow Deron at gowestmyboy.com Instagram @landofmilkandhoney2025 Facebook - The Land Of Milk And Honey 2025

    34 min

  6. Mar 19

    Episode 90: Nick Guardione – From Italian Roots to the Arnold Strongman Stage

    In this episode of the Italian American Stories Podcast, we sit down with professional strongman Nick Guardione, a first-generation Italian American with roots in Sicily and a powerful story of strength, resilience, and family. Nick recently competed in the Arnold Strongman Classic, one of the most elite competitions in the world, and shares what it’s like to step onto that stage alongside legends of the sport. From the pressure of performing in front of thousands to hitting personal records, he gives us an inside look at the life of a professional strongman. But this story goes far beyond competition. Nick opens up about his Italian heritage, his family’s journey from Italy to the United States, and the deep influence of his father—whose legacy continues to drive him every time he steps onto the competition floor. What began as a way to cope with loss turned into a passion, and ultimately, a career.  We also dive into: His journey from cross country runner to elite strongman The mindset required to compete at the highest level The culture and camaraderie within the strongman world His connection to Italy, including family vineyards and summers abroad This is a story about strength—but also about identity, purpose, and carrying your family name with pride. Italian American, strongman, Arnold Classic, Nick Guardione, fitness, strength training, heritage, family story, World’s Strongest Man

    42 min

  7. Mar 19

    Episode 89: Brian D’Ambrosio — Italian Americana: Explorers, Entertainers, and Eccentrics

    In this episode of the Italian American Stories Podcast, Stephanie welcomes writer and historian Brian D’Ambrosio, author of the book Italian-Americana: Explorers, Entertainers, and Eccentrics. Brian’s book highlights more than forty fascinating individuals whose lives helped shape the Italian American experience across centuries—from early explorers and Revolutionary War patriots to entertainers, athletes, and unforgettable personalities. During the conversation, Brian discusses several figures featured in the book, including legendary bodybuilder Charles Atlas, football player Brian Piccolo, and other notable Italian Americans whose stories reflect the wide range of accomplishments, struggles, and contributions within the Italian American community. Rather than focusing only on immigration through Ellis Island, Brian’s work explores a much broader timeline, revealing how Italian heritage has been woven into the fabric of American history long before and long after the great waves of immigration.  If you enjoy discovering lesser-known stories and unique personalities from Italian American history, this episode offers a brief look into the many remarkable individuals featured in Italian-Americana. You can find Brian’s book Italian-Americana: Explorers, Entertainers, and Eccentrics through major booksellers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

    17 min

  8. Mar 5

    Episode 88: A Wednesday in Boston’s Little Italy

    In 1919, Boston’s North End—often called Boston’s Little Italy—was home to thousands of Italian immigrants building new lives in America. Families lived close together in crowded tenements, neighbors shared meals, and children filled the narrow streets while their parents worked along the busy waterfront. Among them were people like Caesar, a delivery driver who guided his horse and wagon through the neighborhood each day… Flaminio, a hardworking immigrant raising a young family… and two children, Maria Distasio and Pasquale Iantasco, who spent their days going to school and helping their families. For them, Wednesday, January 15th, 1919 began like any other ordinary day in Boston’s North End. But by the afternoon, everything would change. In this episode of the Italian American Stories Podcast, we explore the lives of the Italian immigrants who lived in Boston’s Little Italy and the tragic event that would later become known as The Great Molasses Flood—one of the most unusual disasters in American history. Join us as we uncover the human stories behind a day Boston would never forget.

    24 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

A podcast that rediscovers the forgotten stories of Italian Americans in the newspapers of the past.

Information

  • Creator
    Italian American Stories
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Italian American Stories
  • Show Website
    Italian American Stories Podcast

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