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 🇮🇹

Lorenzo Lisi & Celestino Drago – Made In Italy Expo

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Love Italian food, wine, fashion, accessories and more? Then you MUST listen to our show today, featuring Lorenzo Lisi, creator of the Nexxt – Made in Italy Expo, happening this week Oct. 19-22 at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles. This is an extraordinary event featuring 120 of the finest vendors from Italy, there will be food tastings and more, and it’s FREE!

Also joining us will be the legendary Celestino Drago, owner of Drago Centro, where he will presenting and evening of Italian elegance and fine dining to end the Expo and celebrate the Nexxt Foundation, which we will be discussing on our show. Celestino is a LEGEND, and we are honored to have him on our show to talk about his incredible career and life in the culinary arts, running one of America’s finest restaurants in downtown LA.

Please tune into our show on #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE on all video and audio platforms, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I’m excited to have you here and hope to see you at the #Expo🇮🇹

Eleonora Granata Jenkinson & Andrea Pallaoro – The Film MONICA

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

#Monica is a film worthy of an Oscar nomination, and I recently interviewed Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson, producer, and Andrea Pallaoro, director, about the making of this this beautiful movie. Monica is played Trace Lysette and Patricia Clarkson stars as her mother. The film is about a trans woman who was driven out of her home decades earlier because her family would not accept her life choice. But Monica returns to care for her ailing mother, and the humanity and emotions that evolve throughout this film are nothing short of extraordinary.

Here’s a clip from our interview with Eleonora and Andrea, representing Italian-American filmmaking at its finest. They talk about making this movie, and the choices made to depict the story with such beauty.
Monica is also getting Oscar nods, and the team will be fundraising to raise money for an Oscar campaign, and we also talked about that during our interview. Please find our full conversation with Eleonora and Andrea on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I’m honored to have you joining us

Carlo Ponti , Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

I’m thrilled to welcome our friend, Maestro #CarloPonti, joining us to discuss the opening of his Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra 2023/2024 Season this month.

I’m passionate about music education, and Maestro Ponti has dedicated his time to raise money and awareness to bring music education to young people in schools through the work of his LAV Orchestra. All proceeds from the Los Angeles Virtuoso Orchestra funds musical education programs so young people have the opportunity to study music in schools throughout Los Angeles, regardless of economics.

Of course, we will also talk about Mr.
Ponti’s early days, growing up with legendary mom, #SophiaLoren, his dad, film producer Carlo Ponti, Sr, and younger brother, Eduardo, also a filmmaker. Carlo tells us his home was filled with music and arts growing up. I can only imagine!

The Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra
premieres its upcoming season on Friday, October 20, at the Theater Raymond Kabbaz in West LA, one of my favorite theaters in the City of Angels. Carlo Ponti and the Orchestra look forward to sharing an exciting lineup of performances, featuring emerging young soloists who will make their debut with LAV’s world-class musicians, LIVE.

Please join us on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I hope you invite your friends to listen to our interview AND attend the upcoming LAV performances with Maestro Carlo Ponti.

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@maestrocarloponti @lavirtuosiorchestra