What Lights Us Up

Christina Minutillo

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

    1일 전

    #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

    43분
  2. #39: Travel to Creativity: Adele French on Experimenting with Surf, Art, and Reinvention

    6월 1일

    #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

    46분
  3. #38: Exploring the Italian Diaspora: Anthony Castelvecchi on Building the Oriundi Community

    5월 4일

    #38: Exploring the Italian Diaspora: Anthony Castelvecchi on Building the Oriundi Community

    What if the food you eat, the stories you hear, and the traditions you grew up with are part of a bigger story  — one that connects Italians across the world? Tune in to discover how curiosity about culture, heritage, and shared traditions can spark connection, wherever you are.  Anthony Castelvecchi is the founder of Oriundi, a media project and Italian lifestyle brand connecting the global Italian diaspora to modern-day Italy. He shares his journey from the corporate world to building Oriundi, inspired by his Italian American upbringing and curiosity about his roots. From Italy to communities around the world, Anthony explores how traditions evolved — from Brazilian polenta to Argentine Milanese — reminding us that culture adapts, it doesn’t disappear. Christina and Anthony dive into what it means to preserve heritage while adapting to new places, the differences between Italian communities across the US and beyond, and how migration shapes food, traditions, and identity. They explore the power of food as a bridge between cultures and why knowing the history behind what we eat matters. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your roots or wondered how to keep culture alive, this episode is a reminder that community begins with you. Preserving culture happens one connection at a time. Explore Oriundi Website: oriundi.info Follow Anthony on Instagram: @oriundi_ Follow Anthony on TikTok: @oriundi_ Follow Anthony on Facebook: @anthony.castelvecchi Subscribe to Oriundi on YouTube: @oriundigroup Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    48분
  4. #36: Gather at the Table: Remi Attia on Creating Joy Through Hospitality

    3월 2일

    #36: Gather at the Table: Remi Attia on Creating Joy Through Hospitality

    What if the simplest way to reconnect—with yourself, your roots, and the people you love—was to gather around the table? Tune in to explore how food, tradition, and thoughtful hosting can transform everyday moments into meaningful experiences rooted in culture, memory, and joy. Remi Attia is founder of The Nosh Table, a brand dedicated to creating playful, beautiful tableware and tablescapes that spark connection and conversation. Remi shares the story of building her brand inspired by her Jewish and Italian roots and the vibrant gatherings that shaped her childhood. From colorful napkins printed with Italian and Jewish phrases to modern heirloom pieces designed to bring people together, Remi’s work is built around one core belief: hospitality should nourish both the stomach and the soul. Christina and Remi bond over their shared love for the Italian culture and the deep cultural importance of the table—exploring how Italians express love through food, stories of ancestral towns, grandmothers setting unforgettable tables, and how reconnecting with tradition can be profoundly grounding in a chaotic modern world. Together, they reflect on why Italy continues to captivate us: the craftsmanship, the small-scale artistry, time-honored rituals, and the way food ties us to memory through taste, smell, and shared experience. If you’ve ever felt called to slow down, honor where you come from, or bring more meaning and warmth into your everyday life, this episode is a reminder that the table is where it all begins. Remi reminds us that there’s always a reason to celebrate—and that joy can begin with something as simple as inviting one person over for a meal. Explore The Nosh Table: thenoshtable.com Follow The Nosh Table on Instagram: @thenoshtable Connect with Christina: christinaminutillo.com

    42분
  5. #35: Ignite Your Italian Way of Life: Giorgio Arcamone on Slow Tourism in Italy

    2월 1일

    #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

    48분
  6. #33: Write Your Story: Janna Tamargo on Finding Authenticity Through Food, Culture & What Lights You Up

    2025. 12. 01.

    #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

    45분

소개

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/