Celia Stahr, Author, “Frida in America”

Deborah Kobylt Live

Please welcome to our show, professor and author Celia Stahr, who wrote this outstanding book, “Frida In America,” chronicling a young Frida Kahlo accompanying her husband, renowned artist Diego Rivera, to America for the first time. Frida wasn’t yet known for her artwork, and the three years she spent on American soil, namely San Francisco, Detroit, New York, inspired Frida to become the political activist and artist she was famous for.

We speak with Celia about Frida becoming politically and socially aware of American social circles, the divide between rich and poor, the cultural divide of white, black, and brown America, where women stood in the framework of this changing country, just a few years after given the right to vote, and much more. All of it helped to shape this 23-year-old woman’s view on the world and ultimately her art. It’s a well-documented, fascinating read.

Please join me on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host and creator, #DeborahZaraKobylt. Thanks for tuning in, and please invite your friends, too!

Robert Alegrinni, NIAF’s President

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please give a warm welcome to Robert Allegrini, the distinguished president of the National Italian American Foundation, which does tremendous work preserving and highlighting the image and legacy of Italian Americans (for which I am one). Robert joins our #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast to discuss NIAF’s mission for the Italian-American Community throughout the U.S. and beyond, and it’s very forward-thinking and exciting.

As Robert describes, one of the main goals of NIAF is to strengthen ties between the United States and Italy by reflecting positive images of Italians in business, film, politics, and more. NIAF also provides grants and scholarships, travel opportunities to Italy particularly to first-time visitors, called Voyage of Discovery, there’s a NIAF museum, GALA events to raise money for education and cultural initiatives. And Robert is here to tell us the vision of NIAF moving forward in a changing world, but the one constant remains preserving our cultural heritage and encouraging the next generation of Italians to carry the torch.

NIAF does so much, and I hope you’ll join me in welcoming Robert so he can tell you all about it. As an aside, Robert has enjoyed an incredible career in public relations and marketing with some of the top hotel brands in the world (Waldorf Astoria for one), he’s an author, and let’s just say this isn’t his first time with NIAF. He’s been a champion for so long, it’s only fitting he’s now President🇮🇹

Please join our full interview LIVE on all video and audio platforms of our #LittleItaly Podcasts, also simulcast on #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, creator, and beyond-proud Italian American, #DeborahZaraKobylt. Thanks for tuning in, and please invite your friends as wel l❤️💚

Valorie Kondos Field, Author, “Life Is Short, DON’T WAIT to Dance”

Deborah Kobylt Live

Valorie Kondos Field is a true legend. As a former UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame Coach of 7 NCAA Championship Teams, she’s been responsible for shaping the gymnastics program there into not just winning, but teaching life skills that athletes have taken with them off the balance beam, too.

Valorie joins us today to speak about her hard-earned career, her life, and her magnificent book, “Life Is Short, Don’t Wait to Dance.” This book isn’t about winning, rather it’s about the one’s mindset, and how what’s in your head that fuels everything else. And by the way, Valorie was dancer, and NOT a gymnast when she snagged the coaching job at UCLA. We’ll ask her about that, too, along with so many other moments that have shaped her life, including lessons learned from her mentor, legendary basketball coach John Wooden. She talks about putting those lessons to the test when faced with some rough times, including her breast cancer diagnosis.

There’s a lot to cover, and a lot to learn from this maverick. Valorie is currently a successful life coach to some high powered individuals, well ask about that, too.

Join us LIVE at 10amPST, and invite your friends, too. Make SURE to pick up her book, it’s absolutely magnificent, and I’ve footnoted some of my favorite parts to talk with Valorie about as well.

Thanks for tuning into #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt. And thank you to my dear friend, Terry Hamermesh, for this wonderful introduction.

Randi Braun, author, “Something Major: The New Playbook For Women At Work”

Deborah Kobylt Live

Please welcome to our show, Randi Braun, author, “Something Major: The New Playbook For Women At Work,” which lays out the changing playing field for women to succeed at work.

Randi says the rules have changed for women, and she talks about ways to mentally prepare for leadership, and it starts with what’s going on in our heads. For example, ditch perfectionism, quiet your inner critic, listen to your intuition build boundaries, and rebounding from blow ups. It’s all part of the bigger plan, she says, and she teaches us how to navigate through the workforce like a pro.

Please join our interview with Randi on all video and audio platforms of Deborah Kobylt LIVE, and invite your friends, too. Randi is filled with stories from her corporate life, and shares many mishaps of her own. This is a book for all women, young and old, married, single, with or without kids. A must for any woman in business. #DeborahZaraKobylt

Lucy Broadbent, Author, What Would Ted Lasso Do?

Deborah Kobylt Live

Have you seen “Ted Lasso” on Apple TV+? Because if you didn’t, you MUST.

Meet Lisa Broadbent, journalist and author of this incredible clever book, “What Would Ted Lasso Do?” For those of you who don’t know Ted Lasso, here’s the skinny: he’s the lead character in the show, plays a football (soccer) coach in England, hired to actually fumble the job by the owner of the team looking to get back at her husband. But nothing seems to stick to Ted, who perseveres on with his positive attitude and “Believe” mantra that he uses to inspire the team.

Like a cleverly-disguised self-help guru, Ted is intent on motivating all of us, which he does. Lucy has taken this positive attitude a step further, and actually has used it in her real life by following his heart-warming philosophies. And guess what? These positive anecdotes have come in handy day-to-day, and she writes about how Ted’s world can actually brighten ours. For real.

Please join me in welcoming Lucy, and invite your friends, too. How refreshing to meet such a positive-thinking person, and I know Lucy and her book will have an effect on you, too. #DeborahZaraKobylt #DeborahKobyltLIVE

Lorenza Calamandrei, DJ, Music Producer, Composer

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Lorenza Calamandrei is known around the world as one of the most creative DJ’s, music producers, and songwriters of our time, and it’s so exciting to welcome her to our shows today.

Born in Florence to a family of trapeze artists, artists, and even a priest, Lorenza recalls her dad reading philosophy to her at a young age. And she always recalls loving music. She started in Italy as the first female DJ, made her way to London and played in clubs like Met Bar, then to NY and eventually LA. She’s worked with everyone from Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Madonna, Beyoncé, and even Elton John’s birthday bash! Lots of stories there!

As a resident of Los Angeles now, Lorenza has appeared on numerous TV shows, and spends much of her time producing original music of a variety of films, most recently Seven Women with Fran Drescher and Rosita Missoni, Maia with Rumer Willis, and Un Italiano Nel Mondo with Giuliano Gemma.

Please welcome Lorenza to #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast on all video and audio platforms, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt.

Cecelia Feiler and Terry Hyman Hamermesh, WOW, Wisdom of Wellness, The Mental Health Summit

Deborah Kobylt Live

Please welcome to our show, two extraordinary women making BIG changes in the area of mental health. Terry Hyman Hamermesh and Cecelia Feiler, co-founders of #WOW, the Wisdom of Wellness Summit that will take place next month at UCLA, with an extraordinary panel that includes Oprah Winfrey, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, and so many others who will be talking the myriad of mental health issues that plague our nation, young and old, and the extraordinary work and research being done at UCLA to combat mental illness and get people the help they need. The Summit is hosted by actor and mental health advocate Lisa Kudrow.

This is an important conversation you won’t want to miss, and an opportunity to learn what’s cutting edge at UCLA, and were being done to help. Please tune in to all video and audio platforms of our show on #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, thank you for joining us.

Mike Diamond, Speaker & Author, A DOSE of Positivity

Deborah Kobylt Live

Sometimes, we’re stuck and need to reframe how we look at ourselves. Meet Mike Diamond, author of “A Dose Of Positivity,” and believe me, this is a dose of something we all could use.

Mike talks about his extraordinary spiral from drug addiction, how he found his way to recovery, and now works with others to help them find their way out of whatever is plaguing them, whether it’s drugs, food, alcohol, or anything that holds a person back.

Mike has also been a successful actor, he’s a speaker, husband and father, and when you hear his story, you’ll realize that you’re not alone, and you can help yourself with some specific tools, and a dose of positivity. This is real stuff, not “let’s be happy” sort of stuff. Mike lays out common sense ways of working through life’s toughest moments, and how to keep up the momentum, too.

Please find our full show of #DeborahKobyltLIVE on all audio and video podcast platforms, and please invite your friends and family to this important conversation, too.

I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt And I thank you for joining us.

Alyssa Cheatham & Sharra Dade, Teen actress and Emmy-nominated / Mom & Acting Coach

Deborah Kobylt Live

Please welcome to our show 13-year-old actress Alyssa Cheatham and her mom, Sharra Dade, who join us to talk about growing up in the spotlight and some of the pressures that come with it.

Alyssa has decided to take a proactive approach to the pressures of being on set, and formed, “Stars Who Brunch,” which tackles subjects like bullying by providing a safe space for young people to come together and talk about it, and other topics, too.

Alyssa has been on a variety of notable TV shows, but she says it’s her passion to pay it forward that gets her up everyday. She’ll tell us about that, too, and some of her latest projects as well.

Join us on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE on all video and audio platforms. And invite your friends and family, too❤️💚

Annalisa / Inanna, Singer, Co-Founder of Better Earth Media, Author of Acrotopia

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please welcome Annalisa Giolo, aka Inanna, who joins our show today to talk about how her singing and songwriting is completely inspired by what’s happening here on earth.

Inanna was born and raised in Italy, decided to make LA her home after she did a house swap and fell in love with Southern California, which inspired her songwriting and performing.

As a nature and animal rights advocate, and founder of Better Earth Media, she uses her platform as an artist to draw attention to our environment and now we can keep it from blowing up.

As an Italian having grown up just outside of Venice, Inanna says music, dance, and nature were always a constant as a child, and she talks about growing up Italian, too, and how that has inspired her work.

Join us on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, & #DeborahKOBYLTLIVE on all video and audio platforms. And invite your friends and family, too❤️💚