Marianna Gatto, Author, The Italian Americans Of Los Angeles & Museum Director, IAMLA

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Italians have shaped the culture of America throughout this great nation, and
particularly here in Los Angeles. Please welcome to our show an expert in this field,
Marianna Gatto, Director of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles & Author,
The Italian Americans Of Los Angeles. And let me tell you, this book is incredible and
comprehensive. Marianna seems to have uncovered every inch of Italian heritage
throughout this great city.

Since Italians first came to this region, they have been agriculturalists, pioneers,
outlaws and dreamers, and have brought with them tremendous culture, science,
culinary expertise, and vibrancy to a variety of neighborhoods in Los Angeles, from
the ports in Long Beach and San Pedro up to the northern most sections of Los
Angeles.

Marianna’s comprehensive book talks about the trailblazers, winemakers, the original
Italian Hall and Little Italy, Hollywood, and of course the secret History that she has
uncovered. It wasn’t easy being the first Italians to grace the soil here, but hard work,
family, and perseverance carried them through. Today, Italians throughout Los
Angeles are honored and respected for their many contributions here, much of it
heralded at the #IAMLA Museum that Marianna has dedicated much of her life to
running in downtown LA.

Please welcome Marianna Gatto to our show today on our #LittleItalyPodcast,
LittleItaly Of LA Podcast and Deborah Kobylt LIVE.

I’m your host, Deborah Zara Kobylt, and it’s my honor to welcome you here

Antonello Pierro, Attorney & Italian Real Estate Expert

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Whenever I return from Italy, where my family is from, I wonder why I don’t get a place there for my family to enjoy. But I have no idea where to start, who to call, or what it involves.

Please welcome Antonello Pierro, attorney and Italian real estate expert to our show, who can walk us through the steps on how it done.

First up, purchasing property in Italy is different than buying a place in the states. So you need to know the rules so that you don’t run around in circles wasting time and spending money you don’t need to spend. Also, once you find that coveted property, what’s involved in terms of contracts, and you need to be fully protected. For example, there’s different types of properties to purchase, and Antonello can walk us through those steps, too.

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

Lavinia Errico, Conscious Entrepreneur. Co-Founder EquinoxFounder MoveJoyLife

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please welcome to our show a woman I’ve long admired, Lavinia Errico, co-founder/owner of the powerhouse gym #Equinox, in addition to the founder of MOVEJOY, a platform that guides women through movement to heal, rise up, and feel more joy. And that it does!

But it’s not just Lavinia’s business chops that are impressive, it’s her sincere mission to help others, whether it’s in the fitness space, spiritual, or change-of-life. Lavinia walks her talk when it comes to building others up so we can all be mentally and physically healthier. I recently attended one of MOVEJOY’s events in Malibu, not sure what to expect. But I came away feeling understood, like there was a genuine sisterhood in that space, acknowledging we were all there to learn and grow. There were interesting speakers with real take-aways, physical movement, art therapy, and friendship. And I mean it when I say people were there from every walk of life to learn, and we did.

We will also journey into Lavinia’s background that ultimately led her to create one of the most exclusive gyms on the planet, #Equinox, and how she’s extended her work into the space of healing of wellness. Lavinia is also a sought-after speaker, and we’ll talk about that, too. In addition, she’s Italian from New Jersey, so you can bet we’ll do a little diving there, too.

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

Barbara Pollastrini, Chef-owner, Da Barbara

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Award-winning chef, @Barbara_Pollastrini, owner of @da_Barbara_P restaurant in
Hollywood, has been cooking up masterpieces in the kitchen since she was a little girl
in Rome. And dining at her restaurant here, it’s easy to see why Appetito and Los
Angeles Magazine named her one of the top Italian restaurants not to miss in LA. The
entire experience is like being in someone’s home. In fact, the kitchen at da Barbara is
literally part of the dining space, so you can watch your meal being prepared while
enjoying a glass of wine.

Please join me in welcoming Barbara to our #LittleItalyPodcast &
#DeborahKobyltLIVE, where we will dive into her early years studying in Rome and
her dream of coming to California, making a name for herself while competing in
shows on the Food Network and Discovery Channel. Clearly her dream came true, as
she is not just a famed chef, but also a female entrepreneur. Barbara also serves on
the board of the Italian-America Chamber of Commerce West @IACCW_LA, led by
president Genny Nevoso and a group of dedicated professionals – all women.

Please join our discussion with Barbara on all video and audio platforms of
@deborahkobyltlive, @littleitalypodcast, and @littleitalyoflapodcast. I’m your host,
#DeborahZaraKobylt, and I thank you for joining us.

Valentina Castellani Quinn and Marvin Williams

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

It’s been just 100 years since silent films were all the rage in Hollywood, followed by talkies, moving color, digital, and now AI.

Please join me in welcoming two experts in the film world who join us to talk about the ever-changing world of Hollywood, Valentina Castellani Quinn, president of Quinn Studios Entertainment, and Marvin Williams, founder of Big M Entertainment Pictures, discussing their latest venture on the Sony Pictures Studios lot to combine the best of Hollywood with the latest technologies.

Valentina’s father-in-law was Anthony Quinn, and she talks about the timing of this venture with Sony, once Columbia Pictures, which produced one of Mr. Quinn’s greatest films, Lawrence of Arabia. The film’s poster hangs proudly in the halls of Sony to celebrate its 100-year anniversary making motion pictures. Marvin, best known for producing “The Jungle Book,” among other classics, said he plans to combine the past with the future of Hollywood projects by merging AI technology with art. He says much like Netflix, Apple, and Hulu, streaming is where it’s at. At least for now. Will they transform older films with AI technology? We be talking about that, too.

We’ll also discuss some new ventures, including involvement with the Canne Film Festival and a very “passionate” film development that’s in the works as well. Please tune into #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.

Debora Medici-Guetta, Visual Artist, Women’s Rights Advocate, Philanthropist

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Debora Medici-Guetta has inspired me since the day I met her. I could feel her intense passion for her work, her support of women, and for being someone not afraid to talk about her journey in life.

So won’t you please welcome her to our show this incredibly talented photographer & photojournalist, graphic artist, and documentary filmmaker.

Debora was born in Rome, and the first time she landed in Los Angeles, she felt at home among other creatives free to express their art unfiltered. She now divides her time between here and Italy.

Debora took time off, like many women, to focus on family. Her husband is famed artist #MrBrainwash, aka Thierry Guetta, and that alone is a full time job managing that level of notoriety.

But a decade ago, Debora decided to get back into the game and began the intuitive process of reframing who she was, one image at a time.

A return to making art meant embarking, in Debora’s words, on “a big, long, introspective journey.” After several years refining her technique and honing her perspective, she would reveal a series of photographs aptly titled, “Out of The Shadow,” a haunting body of images that reflected Debora’s desire to shed the trappings of the past and position herself as an artist in the world.

She followed this exhibition with “Landed”, a series of collages that capture the frenetic and freeing energy of the world’s great urban centers.

As her vision grew, so did Debora’s interests, so she started working with, and eventually joined, the board of directors for We Do It Together (WDIT), a nonprofit that produces films, documentaries, TV, and new media uniquely dedicated to the empowerment of women.

Recently, for International Women’s Day, the group launched “One of Us,” a documentary for which Debora served as honorary set photographer. The film, sponsored by Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles, follows four Italian women who are challenging gender bias and discrimination in their fields of work.

We will talk with Debora about her incredibly successful career, and how she encourages women to discover who they are. She says her work “prioritizes emotions over mere moments,” and we’ll talk with her about that, in addition to her life, and of course living with #MrBrainwash himself. Lots to ask there.

Please join my interview with Deborah Medici-Guetta on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, & #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to have you with us.

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

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

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 LA

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.