Libby DeLana, Author, Do Walk.

Deborah Kobylt Live

Libby DeLana has great hair. And she’s cool. The kind of cool so many women would love to have the balls to be, but she just is. And I’m thrilled to be interviewing this award winning ad executive, author, mega-walker, podcaster, and cold-exposure swimmer on my show today.

Libby recently wrote about her walking experiences in her new book, “DO/WALK/ Navigate earth, mind and body. Step by step. It’s a journey about walking through nature, paying attention to every step, and eventually finding an inner peace and creativity that will guide us. And it does.

We’ll talk to Libby about what drove her to walking, her high-powered advertising career, and this new journey she’s on, step by step, which includes cold- exposure swimming (not sure I could do this, but I’ll listen), sky jumping (yikes), activism, empowering and encouraging female leadership, and much more. She’s raised two awesome adult children, is single and loving the experience of where life will take her next. She also hosts the successful podcast, This Morning Walk, oh, and did I mention she’s a Clinique model? And she’s just starting, which gives inspiration to the rest of us, yes?

Please join me in welcoming Libby to our show, #DeborahKobyltLIVE, on all video and audio platforms. And invite your friends to join our conversation, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to have you here. And a big shout out to my dear friend, Brian Martin, for this wonderful introduction.

Christine Devine, Fox 11 News Anchor

Deborah Kobylt Live

She’s been on the air practically EVERY NIGHT in LA on Fox 11 News for more than 30 years, earning 16 Emmys and the respect and admiration from her peers, community leaders, and the public. Please welcome Christine Devine to our show today, and I’m honored to have her share HER story. And what a story it is!

Christine grew up in Arizona and lived on a Navajo reservation where her mom was a teacher and dad was a principal. Earlier in her life, mom served in the Peace Corps, and that’s where this story begins, because Christine’s birth dad was from Brazil. Christine didn’t look like her mother, who was of German descent, and her dad, Jack Devine, adopted her was she was little. She grew up knowing she was adopted by her dad, but looking and feeling different, she wondered, “who am I?” Fast forward, and shortly before her mom passed away from cancer a few years ago, she opened the pages of social media and pointed, “that’s your father.”

It’s been nearly seven years, and Christine found located him. But the rest of the story is for Christine to tell. I’ve been following her writings about finding dad on Christine’s social media, and I’ve been captivated, and absolutely riveted. The women who cares so deeply about the stories she covers, who is behind the success of the Wednesday’s Child adoption program, where nearly 500 children have been adopted since 1994, is finally finding her roots, and what she’s uncovered is astounding.

We will also talk to Christine about her successful work in the news business, along with her love of fashion and music (her husband, Sean McNabb, is a successful musician).

So much to talk about, and so excited to share Christine’s story with you. Please find our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and please invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s an honor to have you join us.

Bob Gardner, Author, “Built For Freedom”

Deborah Kobylt Live

Please welcome to our show Bob Gardner, author, “Built For Freedom: Adventures Through Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, Trauma, Pain, and Our Body’s Innate Ability to Leave Them All Behind.” Bob has what appears to be a blueprint on how to get out of negative thinking, and reframe how we think of ourselves. And his approach works, incorporating specific
physical activity with mind-strengthening exercises. And in our interview, he shows us how. We will also speak with Bob on how to get through the holidays which can often be a trigger point for so many, but he’s got tips on how to manage all of that. And not a moment too soon!

Please find our full interview with Bob on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends to join the conversation, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and thanks for joining us.

Raffaella Valentini, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

We are pleased to welcome to our show, Raffaella Valentini, esteemed Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles.

Raffaella has years of experience having worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseeing projects promoted by Italy in the Balkins, North Africa, and Middle East. She’s also worked at the Embassy’s economic office in Albania and Cairo before coming to Los Angeles. Raffaella has keen ideas on how she sees her position here, as it covers a large territory from California to Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada, and she wants to make sure to serve the various economic and cultural groups in each region.

For example, Los Angeles is so vast,
and she sees her job as serving the many Italians and Italian Americans from each area in a variety of capacities including science, technology, film, food, travel, and more. And as a woman in such high office, she also knows how important it is to set an example for other women looking to leave their mark in political office.

We will talk with Raffaella about her role with the cultural institute, as well as delve into her early life. Did she always want to be a diplomat? Were her parents in public service? What is perhaps the greatest challenge she sees serving the Los Angeles community? What are her immediate goals here? And for those Americans asking, the Consulate can guide on how to apply for an Italian passport, but it is not necessarily their job.

I can tell you Raffaella has already left her mark. She is poised and a sharp learner. Diplomatic and effective. But there’s lots of work she wants to get done, and we’ll talk to her about that, too.

Please join me on my #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, a proud Italian-American whose family is from Avellino. Thank you for joining me, and please invite your friends as well.

Susan Bartz Herrick and Jacob Taylor, Author, “Slow Dancing with the Devil” and Actor

Deborah Kobylt Live

Please welcome to our show Susan Bartz Herrick, whose memoir, “Slow Dancing with the Devil: A Son’s Substance Use Disorder, A Mother’s Anguish,” follows the story of her only son, Luke, through his struggle with opioid addiction, recovery, sobriety, and untimely death. Susan is joined by Luke’s closest friend, actor Jacob Taylor, who is seeking to bring Luke’s story to life as a film. Jacob was recently in the movie, “Oppenheimer.”

Speaking with Susan, I was taken how determined she is – even through her gut-wrenching grief – to to expose how so many continue to struggle with opioid addiction, how the medical community continues to prescribe the drug, and what can be done to keep the drugs from being overprescribed, and how best to help a person once they become addicted. And it’s very difficult.

Please join our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and please invite anyone you know who can benefit from this conversation. Susan is a professor, and her book is well researched with documentation from authorities in the medical profession. We look forward to having you join us. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt.

Ed Begley, Jr., Author, In TO THE TEMPLE OF TRANQUILITY…AND STEP ON IT!

Deborah Kobylt Live

Think you know Ed Begley Jr.? He’s the guy rumored to power his toaster by riding a stationary bike to produce energy, also best known for his break-out role in “St. Elsewhere.” Well, let’s just say there’s A LOT more to Ed, and he joins us to talk about it and his latest book, “To The Temple of Tranquility…and Step On It.”

The stories in this real-life biography are more like the lives of five or six people, not one. But it’s all Ed. In fact, the book keeps unfolding “he did what??” moment after another. Here’s a tease – Ed talks about drinking a quart of vodka every day, and how actor John Belushi helped him to get sober. He talks about smoking a joint with Charles Manson, working with Nicholson and Streep, hanging with Brando’, escorting Annette Bening to the Oscars, and stories about The Beatles, Cesar Chavez, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carrie Fisher, and there’s not enough room to write much more. Although we will talk about his Oscar-winning dad, his dedication to the environment, and his magnificent wife and children, whom he is most proud of!

Tune into our interview and please invite your friends, too. This is an extraordinary man who has lived so much life, and he’s quite transparent about all of the ups and downs, including his Parkinson’s diagnosis which he manages to keep under control. Our interview is available on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and thanks for joining us.

Chef Bruno Serato, Anaheim White House Restaurant & Caterina’s Club

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

It was an extraordinary day this week at Anaheim White House Restaurant, where Chef Bruno Serato opened his doors to raise money for his beloved Caterina’s Club so Bruno and his team can feed near 25,000 kids and families in need every month! That’s A LOT of Pasta! And we’ll find out just how much was raised at yesterday’s #PastaThon when we speak with him.

Bruno has become a friend over the years, and many of us call him a saint. His generosity was inspired by his mom, Caterina, who gave him the inspiration to feed hungry children in nearby Anaheim. He took the challenge, and 13 years later, he’s been recognized by Time Magazine, CNN Heros, the Pope, and others around the globe.

We will talk with Bruno about his humble beginnings before moving to the United States, where his restaurant quickly became a fixture in Southern California. But he’s faced plenty of tough times, like the evening his restaurant burned to the ground a few years ago, and his first thought was, “how will I feed the children.” He rebuilt, and came back stronger than ever.

Please join me in welcoming Bruno to our #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast and #DeborahKobyltLIVE on all video and audio platforms.

Dr. Bob and Elizabeth Uslander Co-Founders, Empowered Endings

Deborah Kobylt Live

Making end-of-life decisions can seem scary, and often patients and family members put it off – until it’s too late. And this includes passing with dignity, medical and emotional support for the patient and also family members.

Dr. Bob Uslander spent over 25 years as an emergency medical physician, and he identified a need to help dying patients plan their transition peacefully so that they and their loved ones feel calm and supported. He and his wife, Elizabeth, a medical social worker and spiritual counselor, work together and formed Empowered Endings together.

Please welcome Dr. and Mrs. Uslander to our program, who really got me thinking about this. We ask them the difference between what they do and hospice, we also discuss medically-induced end-of-life options, and other concerns. We talk about the health care system, and how they want to get more specialists from the medical field involved in this critically important phase in a patient’s life.

Our interview on #DeborahKobyltLIVE can be found on all video and audio platforms. Please join us today, and share with your friends, too. This is something we all need to know and think about. Thanks for tuning in. #DeborahZaraKobylt

Rick Caruso, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Rick Caruso has become a household name, known as a mega-successful real-estate developer, philanthropist, and former LA mayoral candidate, but I know him as the family man who has Sunday dinners with his family, no matter what’s going on. And he credits much of that to his strong Italian roots.

Please join me in welcoming Rick to our show, where we’ll talk about some little-known facts about the man behind some of THE most successful retail shopping centers in the country. Did you know #TheGroveLA attracts more visitors each year than Disneyland? What’s his secret sauce? We’ll talk about that. How did a man who started out in the parking lot business make the move into retail development? And how did his traditional, Italian upbringing play a part in it all, being the grandson of Italian immigrants from Calabria who made their way to the coal mines in Pennsylvania before moving to California? We talk about that, too.

Rick says he learns as much from what does work from what doesn’t. And that’s a big part of his success. And philanthropy. Providing opportunities to others has been a big part of his DNA long before running for public office. He and his wife, Tina, impart that on their four children, too. It seems to drive him.

Please join our full interview with #RickCaruso on #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, & #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt.
Thanks for joining our show (for which I was just nominated Journalist of the Year).

Please invite your friends to our conversation with Rick, which can be found on YouTube, Facebook, and all audio platforms including iHeart and Apple Podcasts.

Cristina Ferrare, Supermodel, TV Host, Author, Cancer Survivor, Influencer.

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please join me today as we welcome my beautiful friend, Cristina Ferrare – supermodel, New York Times best selling author, TV talk show host, chef, cancer survivor, mom, and much more.

Cristina is of Italian descent, born to Renata and Tavio Ferrare, who was a butcher in Ohio. But they didn’t stay in Ohio long, because Cristina’s beauty was so blinding, she was signed by a top modeling agency in LA, and her career took off.

She’s been on too many magazine covers to count, has been a spokesperson for Max Factor and other top brands, has written seven books and hit The NY Times best seller list. Cristina’s hosted numerous TV shows including Home and Family and Good Day LA, she’s a cancer survivor, mom, nona, and has led a very public life that has included it’s share of highs and lows. And she joins us today to talk all about it, including her passion for cooking, in particular, Italian cooking.

Please join #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyPodcast on all video and audio platforms, and invite your friends to join, too. I’m your host, Deborah Zara Kobylt, and it’s a pleasure to have you join us 🇮🇹