IAP 375: Celebrating the 150th Annual Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Hammonton, New Jersey!
Release Date: 07/11/2025
IAP 393 From South Jersey to the Frontlines: Culture, Community, and the Journey Toward Healing with Dr. Keith McNally
The Italian American Podcast
Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Keith McNally—combat veteran, author, coach, and hiker—as we explore the intersections of culture, history, and mental health. We begin in South Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware, tracing the Italian influence in Ocean City and the socio-economic contrasts that shape life in the region. Along the way, we share personal stories of family roots at the shore and reflections on community, tradition, and belonging. The discussion then turns to the vital issue of mental health among veterans. We highlight community-driven initiatives such as...
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IAP 392 Comedy, Coffee, and Culture: A Conversation with Mike Marino, “New Jersey’s Bad Boy"
The Italian American Podcast
Comedian Mike Marino, affectionately known as New Jersey’s Bad Boy, brings his sharp wit and Italian American charm to our latest episode. Brandon Ficarra and I swap laughs over a hilarious mix-up with lost episodes and dive into the unpredictable world of podcasting. Mike shares candid insights on self-promotion, audience connection, and creative resilience—lessons that have shaped Brandon’s comedic path and resonate with anyone navigating the entertainment industry. We explore the rich tapestry of Italian American traditions, from Sunday dinners filled with the aroma of homemade gravy...
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IAP 391 The Italian Soul: Heritage, Faith, and Community with Judith Valente and Marianna Gatto
The Italian American Podcast
Join us for a captivating conversation celebrating the vibrant tapestry of Italian and Italian American heritage. Our guest, Judith Valente, award-winning author of The Italian Soul, reflects on the contemplative spirituality, cultural traditions, and communal bonds that define Italian life. Guest host Marianna Gatto, Executive Director of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, offers her unique perspective—sharing the challenges faced by the museum, including recent acts of vandalism, while highlighting the enduring resilience of the Italian American community. Together, we...
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IAP 390 Federico Marchetti: Bridging Fashion, Technology, and Tradition
The Italian American Podcast
From Ravenna to New York, the visionary entrepreneur reflects on innovation, identity, and the art of sustainable style. Visionary entrepreneur Federico Marchetti shares his remarkable journey from the quiet streets of Ravenna to the vibrant world of New York City. As we chat, he offers a vivid window into the Feast of All Feasts in Little Italy, drawing playful contrasts with his hometown celebrations and humorously imagining a fusion of this street festival with New York Fashion Week. His story captures the search for belonging across cities—rooted in his formative years at Columbia...
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IAP 389 Cristiana Dell’Anna on Naples, Mother Cabrini, and the Soul of Italian American Culture
The Italian American Podcast
Cristiana Dell'Anna—celebrated for her cinematic flair and proud Neapolitan roots—brings vibrant energy to our latest deep dive into Italian American culture. We open with a whimsical idea: a Neapolitan-themed Sesame Street, setting the tone for a lively conversation that stretches from Abruzzo to Sicily. With humor and heart, we touch on everything from the sacred Sunday pot of gravy to iconic places like “Sopranoland,” tracing the indelible mark Italian culture has left on the American imagination. Cristiana’s reflections on Southern Italy add both authenticity and emotional depth,...
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IAP 388 Between Two Worlds: The Bello Bros and the Heart of the Italian Candian Story
The Italian American Podcast
Experience the vibrant world of the Bello Brothers as they share their Italian Canadian upbringing and meteoric rise as TikTok sensations. Known for their humor and cultural insights, the brothers take us from the sun-drenched hills of Calabria to the cosmopolitan streets of Canada, reflecting on what it means to grow up between two worlds. Their engaging stories reveal how life as children of Italian immigrants has resonated globally, especially during the pandemic, offering a heartfelt and humorous look at the immigrant experience and the power of TikTok in shaping modern cultural...
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IAP 387 Bridging Heritage and Academia: Italian American Identity with Dr. Fred Gardaphé
The Italian American Podcast
Celebrated scholar Dr. Fred Gardaphé joins us in the studio to shed light on the vibrant tapestry of Italian American culture, identity, and scholarship. With warmth, humor, and memorable stories, Fred reflects on the moments that have shaped his journey—like how one of his books inspired our host’s grandmother to embrace reading at the age of seventy. Together, we explore the delightful intersections of food, literature, and family traditions, while honoring the indelible mark Italian Americans have left on both the United States and their ancestral homeland. Our conversation also delves...
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IAP 386 Italian American Voices, the Hidden Threads of History with Don Caprio and Anthony Colombo
The Italian American Podcast
What really happened on 9/11 when a New Jersey home became a frenzied trading floor as the World Trade Center went silent? Guest Don Capria takes us inside that day, connecting its ripple effects to Italian American heritage, family legacies, and the way history is remembered. From the golden age of radio to the rise of new media, we explore nostalgia, generational shifts, and the mysteries that bind families together—stories laced with conspiracy, unsolved crimes, and the power of community activism. Don shares his unique perspective on how culture and technology intersect across...
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IAP 385 Brooklyn Bites and the Fight to Preserve Italian American Culinary Culture
The Italian American Podcast
Can the charm of classic Italian American culture withstand the pace of a modern world? Giuseppe Falanga of Brooklyn Bites takes us inside beloved Brooklyn institutions like Ferdinando’s and Bari Pork Store—businesses now threatened by the “Great Extinction” of traditional Italian shops. Through personal anecdotes and community stories, Giuseppe reveals the urgency of preserving these cultural landmarks while painting a vivid picture of Brooklyn’s changing landscape. Our journey then extends beyond Brooklyn to Edmonton’s Little Italy, reborn as Piazza Italia. Here we...
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IAP 384 From Heritage to Hope: Exploring Italian Identity, Thalassemia, and Community Strength
The Italian American Podcast
Have you ever wondered how your last name connects to your cultural identity? In this episode, hosts John Viola and Patrick O’Boyle, alongside co-host Dr. Marcella Martin, dive into the deep ties between Italian heritage and personal identity. The conversation takes a powerful turn with guests Janice Cenzoprano and Ralph Colasanti from the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, who guide us through the genetic story of thalassemia. Together, we trace its Mediterranean roots, its links to malaria zones, and even its surprising historical connections to explorers like Marco Polo. Through a moving...
info_outlineJoin us as we journey through the vibrant world of Italian American feast traditions, focusing on the rich history and cultural significance of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
This episode spotlights the oldest celebration of the feast in the United States, held in Hammonton, New Jersey. Louis Pantalone shares captivating stories about the Italian immigrant experience and how these traditions endured through hardships like the World Wars.
We delve into the origins of the Carmelite Order and the importance of July 16th—the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Southern Italian culture. Explore the evolution of Marian imagery, from Greek Byzantine influences to depictions in the Carmelite habit, and the widespread devotion to the brown scapular. Through historical context and personal anecdotes, we show how these devotions became a powerful unifying force for Southern Italians, both in their homeland and in immigrant communities across America.
Discover the unique customs and modern revitalizations that keep these feasts alive—from candlelit processions to innovations like drone shows. We examine how these events continue to draw crowds and maintain cultural vibrancy through strategic outreach and strong community involvement.
Through heartfelt stories and historical insight, we celebrate the enduring legacy of Italian American feast traditions and the deep emotional bonds they continue to foster across generations.
HIS SOCIALS
Facebook: The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society, Hammonton, NJ FEAST
WEBSITE: Website: https://www.mountcarmelsociety.org/