What Lights Us Up

Christina Minutillo
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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/

  1. #35: Ignite Your Italian Way of Life: Giorgio Arcamone on Slow Tourism in Italy

    FEB 1

    #35: Ignite Your Italian Way of Life: Giorgio Arcamone on Slow Tourism in Italy

    What if the key to reconnecting with yourself is to slow down—and learn to live the Southern Italian way? Tune in to explore how Italy’s work–life balance and daily rhythms can reshape your perspective, your purpose, and your sense of self. Giorgio Arcamone, founder of Vicus, is building a passion-driven startup dedicated to offering slow-living travel experiences for remote workers—designed to help regenerate small villages in Southern Italy, beginning with his home island of Ischia where his Italian roots run deep. In this episode, Giorgio shares the story behind his project in Ischia: a labor of love inspired by his late grandmother and rooted in 20 years of imagining a different kind of tourism—one that invites you to pause, breathe, and truly feel the world around you. Christina and Giorgio connect over their shared passion for helping people reconnect with their roots, traditions, and the grounding rhythm of Italian life. Their conversation explores what it means to truly live slow, disconnect from performance culture, and remember who you are through food, people, and place. Together, they reflect on the contrast between fast-paced American life and the soulful slowness of Southern Italy—discovering what we can learn from the Neapolitan way of living: hospitality that feels like home, connection over productivity, and the small daily rituals that bring us back to joy. They explore how food heritage, ancestral identity, and the natural cadence of Southern Italy can radically reshape how we work, live, and experience meaning. If you’ve ever wondered how to experience the Italian way of life, this episode is your invitation to slow down, return to your roots, and reimagine what joy can look like in your everyday life. Explore the Vicus Travel Experiences: https://vicus.it Follow Giorgio on Instagram: @giorgio_arcamone Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    48 min
  2. #34: Color Your Life: Sara Joy Annapolen on the Art of Joyful Reinvention

    JAN 5

    #34: Color Your Life: Sara Joy Annapolen on the Art of Joyful Reinvention

    What if the key to joy is giving yourself permission to change—and create from a place of authenticity? Tune in to hear how letting yourself evolve, follow curiosity, and create from the heart can open the door to deeper joy and purpose. Artist Sara Joy Annapolen shares her journey of pivoting from creating wearable joy to a life rooted in art, community, and meaning. From launching a resortwear line to painting murals and exploring her Jewish heritage through modern art, Sara’s story is a masterclass in trusting the unknown and letting passion lead the way. Christina and Sara reflect on choosing joy in everyday life—how slowing down, having fun, and leaning into what lights you up can shift everything. They talk about the art of pivoting in midlife, creating community through creativity, and how honoring your roots (whether through food, art, or tradition) helps preserve connection across generations. If you’ve ever questioned what’s next, felt the fear of starting over, or longed to create more joy in your life, this episode will remind you that joy isn’t a destination—it’s something you can choose and create every day. Follow Sara Joy @shopsarajoy Explore Her World of Art at shopsarajoy.com Connect with Christina at christinaminutillo.com

    40 min
  3. #33: Write Your Story: Janna Tamargo on Finding Authenticity Through Food, Culture & What Lights You Up

    12/01/2025

    #33: Write Your Story: Janna Tamargo on Finding Authenticity Through Food, Culture & What Lights You Up

    What if the most authentic version of yourself is waiting to be uncovered through food, travel, and the stories we share around the table? Tune in to explore how embracing curiosity, following your gut, and daring to ask deeper questions can guide you back to your authenticity—and your purpose. Janna Tamargo, sociologist, media entrepreneur, and founder of AuthenticFood.com, shares the unexpected path that led her to pursue a PhD in sociology to study what makes food truly “authentic.” From spontaneous dinners with airline crews in Milan to teaching food studies in Rome, Janna’s story is a reminder that depth, connection, and joy are often found in the least expected places. Christina and Janna talk about building community through food, what it means to share tradition, and how authenticity can be a personal, evolving experience. Janna opens up about the turning point that inspired her to launch her platform, how she collects stories from around the world, and why our obsession with authenticity reveals something deeper about who we are. If you’ve ever felt lit up by a meal, wondered how to connect with locals while traveling, or wanted to live more authentically but didn’t know where to start—this episode is for you. Janna’s insights will leave you craving meaningful conversation, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and the courage to live out your authenticity. Sign up for the weekly newsletter at: AuthenticFood.com Follow Authentic Food on Instagram: @authenticfoodinsta Follow Janna Tamargo on Instagram: @jannatamargo Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    45 min
  4. #32: Discover Your Italian American Roots: Marianna Gatto on History, Heritage & the Power of Purpose

    11/03/2025

    #32: Discover Your Italian American Roots: Marianna Gatto on History, Heritage & the Power of Purpose

    What if your roots held the key to your passion—and your path forward? In this heartfelt episode, recorded inside the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Christina sits down with historian, author, and museum director Marianna Gatto, whose lifelong love for her Italian heritage has fueled decades of work preserving the stories of Italian Americans in LA—stories often left untold. Marianna shares how growing up in a diverse Los Angeles neighborhood sparked a deep curiosity about her family’s past—one that ultimately became her calling. That calling led her to restore a crumbling historic building and transform it into a vibrant cultural institution, honoring the legacies of those who came before her. Her journey from educator to historian and cultural advocate is a testament to what happens when we follow the spark within. Christina and Marianna explore the power of reconnecting with your roots, the magic of storytelling, and how honoring the past can illuminate your purpose. Marianna shares powerful insights about resilience, faith, and the unseen hands that guide us when we step into our purpose. If you're looking for inspiration to create something meaningful, reconnect with your heritage, or rediscover what lights you up—this conversation is a heartfelt reminder that our past often holds the key to our future. Visit the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles: https://www.iamla.org Follow the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles on Instagram @italianamericanmuseumofla Follow the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles on Facebook @iamofla Buy a signed copy of The Italian Americans of Los Angeles: https://losangeleslittleitaly.com Find the book at I AM BOOKS in Boston Follow Marianna Gatto on Instagram @gattolosangeles Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    34 min
  5. #31: Unearth Hidden Stories: Stephanie Detton on Finding Passion and Purpose Through Italian American History

    10/06/2025

    #31: Unearth Hidden Stories: Stephanie Detton on Finding Passion and Purpose Through Italian American History

    Ever wonder how stories from the past can guide your path today? Tune in to discover how uncovering buried family histories, long-forgotten newspaper clippings, and everyday heroes can spark your sense of connection, curiosity, and courage to follow what lights you up. Stephanie Detton, host and creator of the Italian American Stories Podcast, is on a mission to bring forgotten stories of Italian Americans—past and present—back to life. What started as a personal passion for exploring her own family history has grown into a living archive of voices that honor ancestors, preserve heritage, and help families rediscover their roots. Christina and Stephanie dive deep into what it means to celebrate those who came before us, the joy of breathing new life into forgotten stories, and the power of human connection that bridges generations. They even bond over the quirks of being only children and the shared pride they find in Italian American culture. If you’re searching for your creative spark, curious about your heritage, or simply need a reminder that storytelling connects us all, this episode will inspire you to slow down, listen, and share the stories that bind us together. Explore the Italian American Stories Website Follow the Italian American Stories Podcast on Instagram Listen to the Italian American Stories Podcast on Spotify Connect with Christina at: https://christinaminutillo.com

    32 min
  6. #30: Find Your Recipe for Joy: Michele Di Pietro on Building a Brand by Cooking from the Heart

    09/08/2025

    #30: Find Your Recipe for Joy: Michele Di Pietro on Building a Brand by Cooking from the Heart

    Ever wonder what the secret ingredient to finding joy is? Tune in to feed your soul and get the inspiration you need to reconnect with your roots, follow your creative calling, and rediscover joy in everyday moments. In this episode, Christina sits down with Michele Di Pietro—better known to her followers as Mangia with Michele—a cookbook author, food writer, recipe developer, professional chef, and culinary consultant who shares her journey from a successful career in public accounting and how that led to a transformative international assignment that became the spark that led her to embracing her true passion in the culinary world and ultimately to building a brand centered on heritage, heart, and flavor. Together, Christina and Michele explore the deep emotional power of food—the way it connects us to our past, our people, and ourselves. They dive into the Italian tradition of gathering around the table, the joy of sharing meals, and how scents and flavors can bring back powerful memories. Michele’s story is a reminder that joy often begins with a single choice to listen to your inner voice. When we pause, share, and savor life—one bite at a time—we find the recipe for something truly meaningful. Mangia with Michele and Get on the List: https://mangiawithmichele.com Follow Mangia with Michele on Instagram Follow Mangia with Michele on Facebook Subscribe to Mangia with Michele on You Tube Buy Michele’s Cookbook on Amazon Connect with Christina at: https://christinaminutillo.com

    39 min
  7. #29: Find Your Why: Evelyn Moon on Burnout to Purpose and Joy

    08/04/2025

    #29: Find Your Why: Evelyn Moon on Burnout to Purpose and Joy

    Are you feeling lost, burned out, or stuck chasing success that doesn’t truly fulfill you? Tune in to discover how hitting rock bottom, surrendering control, and reconnecting with your inner voice can guide you toward a life of purpose, joy, and true alignment. Evelyn Moon, an immigration attorney, born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, shares her story of immigrating to the US and how one decision to help her family led to a life changing accident that would inspire her path to become an attorney. Evelyn opens up about her personal journey through law school, burnout, postpartum psychosis, and how losing everything led her to surrender, rediscover joy, and ultimately awaken to her life’s mission. Christina and Evelyn dive into the realities of immigration law, identity, and the intense pressure many high-achieving women face, especially in immigrant communities. Evelyn shares how she learned to pause, awaken her senses, and find her “why” after years of chasing success defined by others. If you’re searching for your path, your “why,” or a reminder that joy is still possible — this episode is for you. Evelyn’s story shows us that the most powerful transformations happen when we surrender and start listening to the voice within. To work with Evelyn and her law firm: https://evelynmoon.com Connect with Evelyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelynmoonlaw/ Connect with Evelyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneyevelyn/ Email Evelyn at: evelynm@evelynmoon.com Connect with Christina at: https://christinaminutillo.com

    50 min
  8. #28: The Power of High-Vibe Living: Whitney Aronoff on A Journey of Healing Through Food

    07/07/2025

    #28: The Power of High-Vibe Living: Whitney Aronoff on A Journey of Healing Through Food

    Are you ready to embrace your passion and live a high vibe life? Tune in to discover how healing with food and connecting with the energy that nourishes you can lead to a life full of joy, fulfillment, and high vibe transformative energy. Chef Whitney Aronoff is a Health Supportive Personal Chef who shares her inspiring journey of leaving a corporate career to pursue her true calling of inspiring healing through food which started with making her own spice blends in high school. After years of battling stomach issues and feeling unfulfilled, Whitney followed a calling to culinary school, where she learned the power of food to heal both the body and soul. She opens up about her bold career change, her struggles with self-doubt, and how she found the courage to bet on herself and follow her dream, even when it meant starting over in her 30s. Christina and Whitney dive deep into the spiritual side of cooking and food where Whitney shares her practice of infusing high-vibration energy into her food while offering tips on how to build a high vibe   life to find what lights us up. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to trust your passion and make a bold career change, Whitney’s story will inspire you to listen to your inner guidance and create a life that nourishes both your body and soul. Sometimes, the most transformative experiences come when we step into the unknown and embrace what truly lights us up. To buy Whitney’s magical Starseed Kitchen spices to invite wealth, abundance, and good health: https://starseedkitchen.com Follow Whitney on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneyaronoff/ Follow Starseed Kitchen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starseedkitchen/ Listen to the High Vibration Living Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-vibration-living-with-chef-whitney-aronoff/id1591675394 Watch Whitney and Christina cook together on You Tube Connect with Christina at: https://christinaminutillo.com

    48 min
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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
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Christina Minutillo
  • Show Website
    What Lights Us Up