Emanuele Amendola, Director at the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LALeave a comment

Please welcome to our show, the director of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Los Angeles, AKA the Italian Cultural Institute, Emanuele Amendola, and he joins us to discuss the mission of the @iiclosangeles in bringing cultural, scientific, academic, and culinary experiences that highlight everything authentic direct from Italy. The programs are all free, engaging, and open to everyone.

Emanuele works closely with our Consul General of Italy in LA, Raffaella Valentini, and together they have forged a partnership that brings us the best of everything from Italia, including products direct from Italy.

Each exhibit, talk, and experience is unique. Recently, there was a showing and discussion about the film, Womeness, followed a few days later with the opening and lecture about the Volterra exhibit. There was a Q&A and demonstration with famed chef Nancy Silverton, and the list goes on. So we wanted to know, how does Emanuele select what to present to the public, because the Cultural Institite goes beyond the walls of their physical location in Westwood.

Their work extends down to San Diego in addition to nine states, so in effect, they take their work on the road! Also, in addition to top exhibitions, musical performances and more, the @IICLosAngeles offers language courses and incentives for exchange programs.

Before coming on board here in Los Angeles, Emanuele was appointed Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington DC, where his duties included fostering partnerships between Italian and American cultural institutions. He started his tenure at the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles in January 2022.

Please give a warm welcome to Emanuele, and join our interview on all video and audio podcast platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and the #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

Yvonne Scio, Writer & Director of Womeness; Actress & Model

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LALeave a comment

As we continue to celebrate #InternationalWomensMonth, please welcome my guest, Yvonne Scio, actress, model, and the writer/director of the documentary, Womeness, which was just recently screened at the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles to rave reviews!

Yvonne, who was raised in Italy, is also known for her work in the 2006 version of The Pink Panther, in addition to Redline, and Rose Red. She’s appeared on TV in both Italia and the States, including The Nanny. In fact, here’s a bit of trivia for you – her best friend is Fran Drescher, who was in attendance at the screening of #Womeness.

Yvonne’s film is a magnificent look into the stories of five extraordinary women, offering a portrait into female resilience, identity, and the evolution of feminism. Womeness unfolds in two parallel narratives: on one side, three women who lived through the formidable season of Italian feminism, who reflect on the battles fought, the victories won, and the challenges that remain. On the other side of the story, and the world, are the lives of two women who defied societal prejudice by following the painter Balthus to Italy, and embracing what became her silent revolution. Through music and performance, they turn art into resistance, amplifying the voices of women from Iran and beyond in their fight to reclaim control over their bodies. The film remains with me, it is extremely powerful. In addition, my dear friend, Lorenza Calamandrei, composed the music in the film.

During our interview, we will ask Yvonne about the inspiration behind Womeness, and the impact the film is expected to create throughout the world. Now more than ever.

Please find my full interview with Yvonne Scio on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to have you join us. Please invite your friends as well to this important conversation.

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

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

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.

Maria Elena Infantino, International Singer and Actress

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

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

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

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.

Valentina Castellani, President, Quinn Studios Entertainment and Malibu Fire Victim

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Valentina Castellani Quinn, president of Quinn Studios Entertainment, has been living the American dream, arriving from Florence and making a formidable mark in Hollywood as an award-winning producer and filmmaker, with films “One Rock, Three Religions,” “Wonderful Losers,” “Augie,” and others to her credit. She also recently signed a joint deal with Big M Entertainment Pictures and Sony Pictures Studios, but that’s been put on temporary hold because Valentina recently lost everything to the devastating fires in Malibu where she lives. And now, she faces the harrowing ordeal of finding a new place while trying to rebuild everything from clothing to work folders.

Valentina joins us to talk about not just what it’s like to find your home and everything in it gone, but to discuss the long haul of dealing with insurance, price gauging, and more. She also wants answers as to how these fires got so out of control in Malibu, Palisades, Altadena and other parts of Los Angeles, and she talks about what she calls a lack of leadership that led thousands to homes to burn to the ground.

We will also talk about the ramifications these horrendous fires could have on the Hollywood industry moving forward. And while many look at Los Angeles as a place of wealth and movie stars, it’s really a working class town much like any other, and right now, there’s a big struggle and huge hurdles to overcome.

Please join me and Valentina on #DeborahKobyltLIVE, the #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast on all video and audio podcast platforms to hear our discussion. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I thank you for joining us.

Chef Amy Riolo and Simon Poole, MD, Authors, “Olive Oil for Dummies,”

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Do you love olive oil? I do, and it’s not just for cooking and eating. In fact, it’s been used for everything from bathing to skin and hair care, too. 

But how does a person know what’s the best type of olive oil to use, to consume, to cook with? Please welcome my friend and award-winning chef, Amy Riolo, and Dr. Simon Poole, to discuss their latest book, “Olive Oil for Dummies.”

In their latest book, Amy and Dr. Simon they walk us through the different types of olive oils from around the world, particularly the olive oils from italy. What’s the difference between extra-virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, and standard olive oil? We discuss that. Can olive oil be put directly on your skin as a moisturizer? We talk about that, too. And what about using olive oil to eat and cook with? Now that’s the yummy part of our discussion.

Please join me in welcoming our guests as we explore the beautiful world of olive oil. And if you like what you hear, you can order their book in time for the holidays, too! Please tune into all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and the #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to have you join us. Make sure to share with your friends, too!

Dr. Mary Reid Gaudio & Gino Gaudio, Filmmakers & Founders of the Tony Gaudio Foundation

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please join me in welcoming my friends, Dr. Mary Reid Gaudio and Gino Gaudio, filmmakers and founders of the Tony Gaudio Foundation, who joined us today to discuss the magnificent film they will soon debut about Oscar-winning cinematographer, Gaetano Gaudio, the first Italian-born filmmaker from Italy to win an Academy Award. And his story is fascinating.

In 1906, Gaetano “Tony” Gaudio, a young man from Calabria, set out for the American Dream, arriving in the United States with a passion for cinematography, which was just developing in the motion picture industry. His family ran a successful photography studio in Cosenza, Italy, so making pictures was in his DNA.

Tony eventually made his way from New York to Hollywood, where he quickly grew to be one of the most prized cinematographers in the industry, working with Hollywood’s elite such as Betty Davis, Errol Flynn, and dozens of others. He won an Academy Award for his work in 1937 for Anthony Adverse. His statuette is missing, just like his story was for decades, until Gino, Mary, and other descendants of the Gaudio family brought his story to life in this documentary, with the hope of also finding his prized Oscar.

Please join my interview with Gino and Mary on all video and audio platforms of #littleItalyPodcast, #DeborahKobyltLIVE and the #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

Michelle Danner, Founder, The Creative Center for the Arts” & “TheLos Angeles Acting Conservatory,

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Michelle Danner, film director and founder, “The Creative Center for the Arts” & “The Los Angeles Acting Conservatory,” has had a remarkable career in multiple areas of the arts, and she joins us today to talk about longevity, how the business is changing, and how a good story always rules.

Michelle is behind some of the industry’s most notable films, from “The Italians,” “Miranda’s Victim,” and “The Runner.” She is also set to direct the outer-space, sci-fi action thriller, “Helios.” Michelle is also a gifted acting instructor, and says this may be one of the best times to get into the business and hone your craft. With film and various network and streaming opportunities for actors, she teaches actors how to be their best, and teaches various techniques from Adler to Strasberg, Meisner, and Hagen.

She’s also had an eclectic and interesting career starting at a young age, and she talks about that, in addition to being a women in a business that had been primarily male-centric when it came to making decisions, but that’s changed. A lot. Also, Michelle is Italian, and we ask her about growing up Italian and those influences on her as a young professional until now.

Please join us on our #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, & #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast on all video and audio platforms. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to have you here to enjoy our show.

Alexo Wandael, Italian Director

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please welcome to our shows, Alexo Wandael, Italian film director, producer, and director based out of LA and NY, and he joins us to discuss an incredibly interesting project he’s been working on called ITALIANY.US, where he photographs his subjects and black and white, all of them from Italy, and interviews them about the life they’ve created here in America.
Why did they come here, what are their dreams, their passion for life. And we turn the tables and ask him this same question.

Alexo has been a celebrated fashion and celebrity photographer, having worked for some of the more prestigious magazines in the world. He is also an award-winning filmmaker, featuring “To My Pink Lady,” “A Woman Makes A Plan,” and “Tomato Soup In Skid Row.” These are magnificently insightful works of art, and we will discuss his continued passion for his ongoing film and video projects, including “Vanity Fair Italia, Maye Musk.”

Please join us on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s a pleasure to have you as part of our community.