James Tumminia, Actor. Producer

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Please welcome to our show James Tumminia, award-winning actor, producer, and
lover of all things Italian, beloved for his role as Angelo in the TV series, “Melissa &
Joey” and much more. And we’ll be talking with James about his work and how he
gets his fix of Italian food and culture in this great city of LA.

As a kid growing up in an Italian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn, James
Tumminia knew two things: he loved all things Italian, and he wanted to be an actor.
And he’s living both.

I first met James at an event at the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles, and
noticed he seemed to be at every Italian gathering throughout the city – and there’s
many. So I thought it appropriate to invite him to talk about all things Italian, in
addition to his life and career, as part of Italian-American Heritage Month.
James studied Italian at Georgetown, which led him to living, studying, and working in
Florence. He played Mario in “Two Scoops of Italy” a Hallmark film, and has been
involved on the producer side of many projects, including, “Love, Guilda,” “1st Strike,”
and many more.

James said he feels the guidance of his ancestral grandparents, all four born in Italy,
and he became an Italian citizen in 2009. He’s currently working on a project he’s
super excited about, “PER CHI,” a short doc he’s producing. We’ll be talking about that.
And while James hails from NY and moved to LA to pursue a career in entertainment,
he says Italy always feels like home, which is why he frequents so many Italian events
in this great city.

Gregg Schwenk, Creator, Newport Beach Film Festival

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

We’re so excited about this year’s Newport Beach Film Festival from October
16-23, featuring over 100 film and 250 shorts from 32 countries.

The festival opens with a screening of Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon” starring
Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Canavalle and Andrew Scott. The closing
night film will include a screening of Guillermo Del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” starring
Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Oscar Isaac & Christoph Waltz. And for the International
Film category, the Italian film, “When Mom Is Away…With The In-Laws” is already
said to be a show stopper.

We will be speaking with the creator of the NBFF, Gregg Schwenk, who joins us to
talk about what’s become one of the industry’s most exciting festivals, including
some of the special events over the week-long event. Make sure to go on the
website for details, but Gregg will give us an inside peek during our interview.
Please join us on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE,
#LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host,
#DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you.

Maura Fanti, PhD, Research Assoc. Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at USC

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Want to live longer? It’s all about our food. In fact, “we are what we eat” isn’t just a
phrase about weight. Maura Fanti, researcher at USC’s longevity institute, has been
connecting the benefits of calculated fasting and metabolism, inflammation, and a
healthier life, and she says to live longer, we need to give our digestive system a
break.

Please welcome Maura to our show, who joins us to discuss how fasting doesn’t just
help shed pounds, it can increase our life span, too. She talks about the benefits to
our liver, which we know filters out toxins in our systems, and she wants people to be
educated to make healthy decisions because our lives literally depend on it.
Maura is from Italy and studied at the University of Cagliari (Italy) before joining USC, and
she points to how the American diet is so radically different from the Italian diet, and
how incorporating proper fasting with certain foods can drastically reduce
inflammation, which we all know is the culprit to declining health and weight gain. And
we don’t have to fast all day. Maura gives us practical tips on the best way to achieve
a healthy fast without feeling famished.

I met Maura at an event sponsored by @ItalyInLA and @IICLosAngeles, and we
spent some time discussing how to get people to make healthy, which is often difficult,
but perhaps approaching from a clinical perspective might be more beneficial. We’ll
talk about that, in addition to her early work in Italy, eventually leading her to Los
Angeles. And she’s one of our featured guests as part of Italian Heritage Month.
Please welcome Maura Fanti to our #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, &
#DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I thank you for joining
us.

Vicky Carabini, NIAF Regional VP & Chair of the Italian Studies Council at Chapman University

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Italians are known for their vibrant culture worldwide, and when I hear the term, “it
takes a village,” I think of Vicky Colarossi Carabini, a woman who serves as her own
village promoting Italian culture throughout Southern California. Please give a warm
welcome to Vicky as one of our featured guests for Italian Heritage Month.
Since 2007, Vicky Carabini has served as Ambassador to San Juan Capistrano’s
Sister City, Capestrano, Italy. She is Chair of the Italian Studies Council and Board
Member of the Ferrucci Institute at Chapman University, which has one of the most
active Italian Studies programs in the country. Vicky is also Regional VP for the
National Italian American Foundation, aka NIAF, which promotes Italian heritage at its
highest level through programs based out of D.C., and she’s working hard to ensure
California has a large presence within the organization. Vicky is also forever hosting
fundraisers, Italian film nights, parades and food drives to keep the Italian community
actively involved in Orange County where she lives. And if you’re looking for
something to do, check out her newsletter that keeps So Cal peeps informed on all
things Italian.

Why does this all matter? Because to keep our culture, or any culture alive and active
within a community, it requires committed involvement, and that’s Vicky. In 2003, Vicky
and her husband, Michael, purchased a farmhouse in southern Tuscany and have
been producing olive oil ever since. She and her family have since attained Italian
citizenship and are now residents of Sarteano, where the farmhouse is located.
In recognition of her work in 2020, Silvia Chiave, then Consul General of Italy in Los
Angeles, knighted Vicky Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Knight of the Order
of the Star of Italy) on behalf of Italian President Sergio Mattarella. This honor is one
of Italy’s highest recognitions for Italians abroad and is awarded to those who
distinguish themselves through philanthropy, cultural advocacy, research, and
strengthening international ties. Bravo, Vicky!

The world is such a complicated place, and the more we give and get involved in our
communities, the better place it will be. Being of Italian heritage myself, I wanted to
open this discussion with Vicky about how we can all be better stewards to our
heritage and community, and we’ll talk about that. Please welcome Vicky Colarossi
Carabini on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast,
#LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE.

I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

Dr. Cinzia Zuffada, President, ISSNAF & Former Deputy Chief Scientist, NASA/JPL

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Some of the greatest innovations in modern history are from Italy, and today, we welcome Dr. Cinzia Zuffada, former deputy chief scientist at NASA/JPL and president of ISSNAF, the Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation, to discuss the incredible achievements in science, engineering, and innovation from Italy in recognition of the upcoming Italian History Month.

Did you know the founder of Logitech, Pierluigi Zappacosta, is an innovator from Italy, as are dozens if not hundreds of scientists who have literally changed so much in our world from medicine and healthcare, to arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences and much more.

ISSNAF was founded with 36 members and now spans more than 3000 members, including four Nobel Prize recipients. Their goal? To grow the next generation of innovators by connecting students with universities and professional experiences to continue into the next generation. The group works strongly with the Italian Cultural Institute and Italian Consulate to promote programs throughout the year, in addition to the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles.

I believe in the mission of ISSNAF, and am honored to highlight all they do in the name of progress and excellence as we celebrate Italian Heritage Month. Won’t you please join me in welcoming Dr. Cinzia Zuffada to all of our video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to have you here with us. And please check out ISSNAF and join!

Salvo Lo Castro, Owner, Casasalvo in NYC and Former Vatican Chef

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Imagine growing up in a small town in Sicily, dreaming of coming to America to open a restaurant, and surpassing all of your dreams? Chef Salvo Lo Castro did just that, where he began his culinary career at a young age in Sicily and now feeds the world from his NYC Soho restaurant, Casasalvo, considered a truly divine experience for the senses. Perhaps it’s because Chef Salvo was formerly the lead chef at the Vatican for Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and now, we can eat like kings, royalty, and the
spiritual leaders, too, at his magnificent new eatery.

I’m honored to welcome Chef Salvo to our show, sharing not only his experiences in the kitchen, but behind the scenes, too. He’s cooked for the likes of Vadimir Putin, the Saudi Royal family, Muammar Gaddafi, Tom Cruise, Robert DeNiro and dozens of other world leaders, presidents, and celebrities. In fact, he’s quoted as saying that after a meal, some high-profile guests will surprise him in the kitchen and thank him for a meal well served. Imagine!

We’ll talk about Chef Salvo’s start in the culinary world, and how he ended up cooking at the Vatican after working around the world at top hotels and five-star Michelin restaurants. He says he does not get star-struck, because to him, every guest is treated like family. And no doubt, that’s been part of his incredible success, along with his hand-crafted pastas and sauces. Chef Salvo says his ingredients are all fresh or from specialty farms with tradition in mind. He says he combines tradition with taste, and creativity with authenticity. Among his favorite dishes? His mother’s meatballs, a
recipe he cooks up to this day.

For Chef Salvo, owning a restaurant in N.Y. is a dream come true. He first opened three espresso bars in the City which he still checks on each morning before riding down to his restaurant in Soho on his Vespa. He spends 18-hours a day there, which he calls home and his patrons invited guests. No doubt part of his success.

We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Salvo into our home, particularly with Italian History Month upon us. Please find my full interview with him on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

Davide Fiore, Director, A LITTLE FELLOW: The Legacy of A.P. Giannini

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Sometimes, there are films that stay with us, and A LITTLE FELLOW: The Legacy of A.P. Giannini, directed by Davide Fiore, is one of those films, and I’m pleased to present Davide today on our #LittleItalyPodcast.

Back in the day, banks were primarily for the wealthy, and the poor and working class immigrants often stashed their savings under a mattress. But at the turn of the 20th century, A.P. Giannini revolutionized the industry with his small bank in San Francisco. A first-generation Italian-American, his goal was to serve “the little fellow” and breed prosperity within his immigrant community. By building trust and giving loans on a simple handshake, he created one of the largest banks in the country – Bank of America.

A LITTLE FELLOW tells his story, and it’s remarkable. In addition, A.P. Giannini was also one of the first investors in Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Hewlett-Packard. His forward-thinking helped the country through two World Wars and the Great Depression.

Davide is a native of Torino, Italy, and has made a name for himself directing and editing in the Italian fashion and advertising industry. He eventually started filming music videos, working along side major Italian labels, singers, and DJ’s, when he embarked on his first documentary, titled JUST US, about two Italian DJ’s. That documentary gained worldwide distribution, and Davide went on to work in Germany, and London. His subsequent photo exhibition, I’VE ALREADY SEEN IT SOMEWHERE, showcased New York movie locations, and has been hosted in Torino, Rome, and Miami, and published by Vogue Italia.

His latest film, A LITTLE FELLOW, is blowing up for its incredible vision and artistic expression. I simply loved it, and had no idea about the story of A.P. Giannini. Please join me in welcoming Davide Fiore on all video and audio podcast platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, & #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

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

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

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.