Chris Gialandella, President/Publisher. Los Angeles Magazine|Orange Coast Magazine

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Love LA Magazine? I don’t miss an issue. How about Orange Coast, Pasadena, and SoCal Magazines for those folks living there? Well, the brains behind all of them is President and Publisher Christopher Gialanella, and I’m thrilled to welcome him to our shows today.

Chris is from Livingston, New Jersey, and when I found that out, the two of us couldn’t stop chatting about it because I went to the Livingston Mall all the time as a kid, shopping at Spencer’s and all kinds of stores we both loved. After working in PR in New York, Chris made his way to LA, and quickly rose within the ranks of publishing, working for Modern Luxury and LA Confidential. And who doesn’t get these magazines in their mailboxes, oohing and aahing at the gorgeous home and fashion spreads on the inside. Well, that’s Chris’ vision, too.

And these days, we can’t go anywhere without seeing Chris on the red carpet, including at the Oscars this year, and just about anywhere that’s relevant in SoCal, you’ll find Chris front and center. And he’s a master at branding, too. We’ll talk about that. We will also talk about the future of magazines and how they’re pivoting to online, like most things. And it’s profitable. Also, Chris is of ITALIAN descent, and we will discuss the Italian influences in his early life and today.

Please join my #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast on all video and audio platforms, and please invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

Ira DeWitt, Founder, SAINT Candles

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Dr. Ira Dewitt inspires me. And a lot of other people, too. Ira grew up a sickly kid, but she clearly had some devine intervention because she’s healthy now, traveling the globe, and is the founder of something not only beautiful, but truly inspirational, SAINT Candles. And recently, she founded the SAINT app, and she also hosts her beyond SAINT Podcast. Oh, and her husband is Bill Dewitt, President of the St. Louis Cardinals. On top of that, Ira is the proud mama of three children.

How does she do it all? She credits her faith, and determination to live life to the fullest. In fact, she lives part-time in Rome, and says she embraces Italian life and culture as if she were born Italian. She’s wasn’t, but she has the spirit of one.

We’ll talk about Ira’s faith and how it guides her, also her infamous SAINT candles have became the “it” candles in Hollywood, inspiring a place many say doesn’t embrace faith, but it does. I’ve experienced it firsthand. Her SAINT app offers daily devotionals and inspiring messages, and her beyond SAINT Podcast will have you clinging to your chair. Check it out!

Please welcome Dr. Ira Dewitt to #DeborahKobyltLIVE on all video and audio podcast platforms. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I hope you invite your friends to join us, too! Should be a very inspiring chat🙏🏻

Maria Elena Infantino, International Singer and Actress

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For a woman who never wanted to be a singer, international sensation Maria Elena Infantino has certainly made her mark. And we’re thrilled to welcome her to our show today.

Maria grew up in Rome to a famously talented family of opera singers. In fact, Maria is working on a documentary about her father, tenor Luigi Infantino, and we’ll talk about that.

Maria was schooled in London and studied drama, but upon graduating, her first job wasn’t acting, instead, she sang a rendition of “Do You Want To Know A Secret” for the 50th Beatles Anniversary with Shirley Bassey at the Royal Albert Hall.

She debuted as a professional actress on the ITV British series “Emmerdale.” She’s hosted and produced a one woman show in London as a tribute to her father, and that same year, she was nominated for the 21st annual L.A. Music Awards as best International artist.

Maria eventually made her way to Los Angeles, where she lives in addition to Europe. There, she created another one woman show based on legendary French Icon Edith Piaf. She’s done so much, and often performs at one of my favorite spots in LA – Vibrato.

What I notice most about Maria is how vibrant she is, always on the move and living life to the fullest. Did I mention she speaks five languages fluently?

Please find join my discussion with Maria on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE #LittleItalyPodcast and the #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast on all video and audio platforms.
Please invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

Tom Dreesen, Legendary Actor & Comedian; Italian Culture Enthusiast

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Please join me in welcoming one of the most talented comics of a generation, Tom Dreesen, who’s appeared on Carson over 60 times, toured with Sinatra for nearly 15 years, was half of the comedy team Tim and Tom (with Tim Reid), and has written a best-selling book, “Still Standing…My Journey from Streets and Saloons to the Stage, and Sinatra,” that talks about it all, including when he found out he was Italian because who he thought was his dad, actually wasn’t!

There’s so much to cover in our interview, including how he started along the Sunset Strip, appearing with comics such as Billy Crystal and Leno, performing with Sammy Davis Jr., and so much more. We’re so honored to have Tom join our show and share his many experiences about life and career.

Please join us and invite your friends, too. It’s a pleasure to have you here, and share one of the greatest entertainment stories of a generation, and particularly about Tom’s life as an Italian American, too.

You’ll find our show on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, & #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I’m thrilled to have you here with us.