What Lights Us Up

Christina Minutillo
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Monthly

Are you ready to uncover what truly lights you up? Join Christina each month on What Lights Us Up as she dives into heartfelt conversations with passionate people who’ve turned their dreams into reality. Through inspiring stories of purpose, creativity, and courage, you’ll be reminded that joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a direction. Start your journey to joyful living. Follow the show on Instagram www.instagram.com/whatlightsusup For more information about Christina and the show: www.christinaminutillo.com/whatlightsusuppodcast/

WHAT LIGHTS US UP+

Monthly exclusive solo episodes from Christina

$1.99/month or $19.99/year

  1. Oct 19 · Subscribers Only

    Solo Episode: My 2,000-Mile Solo Road Trip: What If You Just Went?

    A little permission. A little push. And maybe the reminder you’ve been waiting for. What are we waiting for—and what might happen if we just went? In this subscriber-only episode of What Lights Us Up, I share the solo road trip I almost talked myself out of—and what happened when I finally just went. I drove more than 2,000 miles from Los Angeles to The Gorge in Washington to see Dave Matthews, something that had been on my bucket list for years. Along the way, I discovered unexpected connections, new adventures, and a few lessons about doing the things we want—even when the timing isn’t perfect. In this episode, you’ll get: Permission to do something you’ve been putting off, without waiting for someone else’s availability or approval. Clarity around recognizing when you’re making something more complicated than it needs to be. Momentum to take one small, doable step toward something that’s been on your list. Possibility through the reminder that solo doesn’t have to mean lonely. Practical ideas for making a big adventure feel more manageable. Perspective that an experience doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth doing. Thank you for supporting What Lights Us Up. Your subscription makes these personal stories, reflections, and behind-the-scenes episodes possible. I hope this episode gives you the permission—and maybe the push—to think about what you’ve been putting off and ask yourself: What might happen if I just went? What would you like to hear more about? Send me a note through my website or leave a comment on the Substack post. I’d love to hear what you’re curious about and I’ll make it my next episode!

    Solo Episode: My 2,000-Mile Solo Road Trip: What If You Just Went?

  2. Oct 5

    #43: Find Your Way Home: Maria Liotta on the Wines and Places of Origin of Southern Italy

    What happens when you can’t find the information you’re looking for, so you decide to go find it—and write it yourself? Tune in to hear how listening to your heart and following your authentic self can lead you home. Maria Liotta, an Italian Wine Scholar and Certified Specialist of Wine, is the author of Places of Origin: Wines of Southern Italy, a book that brings to life the wines, history, and traditions of Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, and Puglia. Maria shares how growing up with a family history in wine sparked a lifelong passion and, while working on Wall Street, she became curious about why she couldn’t find more information about the wines of Southern Italy. From studying wine at night during her Wall Street career to traveling throughout Southern Italy’s DOP regions, Maria shares how not finding the stories and information she was looking for in New York led her to go find them herself, spending years traveling throughout the region and uncovering the stories behind the wines. Together, Christina and Maria explore the traditions of Southern Italy and why traveling beyond the major cities and into its villages can reveal the stories of the food, people, land, and wine that make each place unique. They talk about the winemakers preserving generations-old traditions, how wine can help us connect more deeply to the places we travel, and how following a passion can ultimately reconnect us to our ancestry and places of origin. If you've ever felt called to something without knowing exactly where it would lead, this conversation is a reminder to follow your curiosity, listen to your heart, and trust that the path may lead you somewhere unexpected—perhaps even home. Buy the book: Places of Origin: Wines of Southern Italy Follow Maria on Instagram: @DrinkSouthernItaly Email Maria: maria@italiangrapefan.com Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    #43: Find Your Way Home: Maria Liotta on the Wines and Places of Origin of Southern Italy

  3. Sep 14 · Subscribers Only

    Solo Episode: How I Afford to Travel Solo: My Secrets to Making Travel Work

    People often ask me how I afford to travel so much, especially when I’m traveling solo. My answer? I can’t afford not to. In this subscriber-only solo episode of What Lights Us Up, I’m sharing how I make travel work for me—from how I plan and budget for a trip to where I save, where I splurge, how I find flight deals, and the choices I make to keep traveling. I’ll share some of the strategies I’ve picked up along the way, plus what solo travel has taught me about spending money on the experiences that matter most to me. Thank you for supporting What Lights Us Up. Your subscription makes these personal stories, reflections, and behind-the-scenes episodes possible. I hope this episode gives you a few ideas for your own travels—and maybe the push you need to start planning that trip you’ve been thinking about. What would you like to hear more about? Send me a note through my website or leave a comment on the Substack post. I'd love to hear what you're curious about.

    Solo Episode: How I Afford to Travel Solo: My Secrets to Making Travel Work

  4. Sep 7

    #42: Find Your Path Through Food: Chef Tara Punzone on Italian Roots, Plant-Based Cooking, and Community

    What happens when you go against the grain, do things differently, and follow what lights you up? Tune in to hear how curiosity, courage, and staying true to yourself can lead you exactly where you're meant to be. Chef Tara Punzone is the chef and owner of Pura Vita, the first plant-based Italian restaurant of its kind in the United States, located in Los Angeles. She is also the author of Vegana Italiana, a cookbook that brings traditional Italian flavors to the plant-based table. Tara shares the moment that changed everything—watching a slaughterhouse video at just 10 years old and telling her Italian American family she would never eat meat again, a decision that eventually led her to becoming vegan and opening her groundbreaking restaurant. From growing up in a traditional Italian American family in Brooklyn to moving to Los Angeles, she reflects on the unexpected path that led her into the restaurant industry, despite her family’s hopes for a different direction. Together, Christina and Tara explore what happens when you leave behind a strong Italian American community—and how distance from your roots can deepen your connection to them in surprising ways. They discuss growing up with Italian traditions, creating joy through food, and why plant-based eating isn’t as far removed from Italian cuisine as it might seem. If you've ever felt pulled toward something different, questioned whether it's too late to change course, or wondered how to stay connected to your roots while creating your own path, this conversation is for you. Follow Chef Tara Punzone on Instagram: @cheftarapunzone  Visit Pura Vita in Los Angeles: https://puravitalosangeles.com Follow Pura Vita on Instagram: @puravita_la Get Tara’s cookbook, Vegana Italiana: https://puravitalosangeles.com/vegana-italiana-cookbook Episode Thumbnail Photo by Giovanni Reda: @giovannireda Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    #42: Find Your Path Through Food: Chef Tara Punzone on Italian Roots, Plant-Based Cooking, and Community

  5. Aug 17 · Subscribers Only

    Solo Episode: Behind the Scenes at an Italian Feast: Preserving Italian American Traditions

    In this first subscriber-only solo episode of What Lights Us Up, I'm taking you behind the scenes of volunteering at one of Connecticut's beloved Italian feasts, where I spent two days helping make the famous pizzelles alongside generations of volunteers. From showing up after a red-eye flight to meeting the women who have quietly preserved these family traditions for decades, this experience became about much more than fried dough. It became a reflection on Italian American heritage, the people who carry it forward, and why preserving these traditions matters. Thank you for supporting What Lights Us Up. Your subscription makes these personal stories and reflections possible. I'd love to hear what traditions have been passed down in your own family and which ones you hope will continue for generations to come.

    Solo Episode: Behind the Scenes at an Italian Feast: Preserving Italian American Traditions

  6. Aug 3

    #41: Find Your Cultural Oasis: Vincent Fauceglia on Building Italian American Community and Connection

    What if the sense of home you’ve been missing isn’t something you have to go back to—but something you can create right where you are? Tune in to hear how reconnecting with your heritage, following what lights you up, and building community from the ground up can turn a cultural desert into your own oasis. Vincent Fauceglia is the founder and first president of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) Charlotte Lodge, where he has built a thriving Italian American community rooted in culture, connection, and tradition. From growing up in a strong Italian American community in Ohio to moving to what he describes as the “cultural desert” of Charlotte, Vincent faced a difficult chapter in his life. Through that experience, he discovered that creating a community around his Italian American roots helped him reconnect with his authentic self and find a path forward. Together, Christina and Vincent explore what it means to grow up in a cultural “oasis” and then find yourself searching for that same connection somewhere new. From hosting dinners and reviving traditions like bocce and Sunday meals, to building a community from scratch, they explore how culture, food, and shared experiences can bring people together in meaningful ways. If you’ve ever felt like you’re living in a cultural desert, this conversation will inspire you to find—or create—your own oasis. Follow Vincent on Instagram: @vfauceglia Follow Charlotte Sons & Daughters of Italy on Social Media: Instagram @cltosdia | Facebook CLT OSDIA Join or Find a Local Lodge: https://www.osdia.org Learn More About IAFL: https://www.iafuture.org Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    #41: Find Your Cultural Oasis: Vincent Fauceglia on Building Italian American Community and Connection

  7. Jul 6

    #40: Let Yourself Be Guided: MaryAnn DiMarco on Intuition, Spirit Guides, and What Lights You Up

    What if your grandmother’s recipe and your intuition are more connected than you think? Tune in to hear how trusting your intuition and embracing spiritual guidance can lead you toward a deeper sense of connection, joy, and messages from the other side. MaryAnn DiMarco is an internationally recognized spiritual teacher, bestselling author, and speaker known as The Medium Mentor. Her path wasn’t something she planned—it was something she felt. From growing up surrounded by spirituality to finally answering a deep inner calling later in life, MaryAnn shares how trusting that voice changed everything and led her to empower others to do the same. Together, Christina and MaryAnn reflect on their Italian American culture and family traditions. From stories of grandmothers guiding from the other side to channeling tips in Italian recipes, they explore how food and ritual can keep us connected to those who came before us. If you’ve ever wondered how to trust your intuition, recognize the signs guiding your path, or even recreate a lost family recipe, this episode is a reminder that you are more connected than you think—and that the answers you’re searching for have been with you all along. Visit MaryAnn’s Website: https://maryanndimarco.com Follow MaryAnn on Instagram: ⁠@maryannthemedium⁠ Buy The Guide(s) Deck {Here}  Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    #40: Let Yourself Be Guided: MaryAnn DiMarco on Intuition, Spirit Guides, and What Lights You Up

  8. Jun 1

    #39: Travel to Creativity: Adele French on Experimenting with Surf, Art, and Reinvention

    What if creativity isn’t just about talent — but about experimenting, showing up, and allowing our passions to shape who we become? Tune in to hear how embracing experimentation, exploring your passions, and following curiosity can transform your life and the way you show up in the world.  Adele French is a well-traveled global citizen and stencil artist who blends surf culture, international influence, and creative expression into a life that bridges career and art. She shares her journey from navigating burnout and personal reinvention to creating space for art and a meaningful side hustle. From growing up in France, to finding a passion for art and surf in Australia, to navigating perimenopause, Adele’s story shows how experimenting with passion and purpose can shape who we are and who we’re becoming. Christina and Adele dive into how creativity and professional life don’t have to compete — they can complement one another. They explore burnout and the power of small steps in rediscovering what lights us up, the role of travel and new experiences in sparking inspiration, and how community and creative expression help us reconnect with ourselves.  If you’ve ever wondered how creativity can help you reconnect with yourself or how to build a life that honors both practicality and passion, this episode is a reminder that experimentation and curiosity can lead to transformation.Creativity isn’t a destination — it’s a practice of discovery. Explore the Adele French Website: adelefrench.com Follow Adele on Instagram: @whoisadelefrench Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    #39: Travel to Creativity: Adele French on Experimenting with Surf, Art, and Reinvention
See All (47)

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Are you ready to uncover what truly lights you up? Join Christina each month on What Lights Us Up as she dives into heartfelt conversations with passionate people who’ve turned their dreams into reality. Through inspiring stories of purpose, creativity, and courage, you’ll be reminded that joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a direction. Start your journey to joyful living. Follow the show on Instagram www.instagram.com/whatlightsusup For more information about Christina and the show: www.christinaminutillo.com/whatlightsusuppodcast/

Information

  • Creator
    Christina Minutillo
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Christina Minutillo
  • Show Website
    What Lights Us Up
  • Provider
    CM Design Consulting

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