Home Podcasts Little Italy Podcast & Little Italy of LA Podcast
Little Italy Podcast & Little Italy of LA Podcast

Little Italy Podcast & Little Italy of LA Podcast

Deborah Zara KOBYLT & Little Italy Podcast 132 Episodes Jul 22, 2026

Little Italy Podcast & Little Italy of LA Podcast celebrate Italians and Italian Americans who contribute to art, culture, science, travel, community, and more throughout the U.S., Los Angeles, and beyond. The show is created and hosted by Deborah Zara Kobylt, an award-winning journalist and proud Italian American living in Los Angeles, who grew up in NJ, NY, and Florida.

Episodes

Diana Giovinazzo, The Story of Three Sisters from 1940s Naples
Diana Giovinazzo, The Story of Three Sisters from 1940s Naples Jul 22, 2026 19:04 Please welcome Diana Giovinazzo, author, "Daughters of Naples," whose newly-released historical fiction is inspired by the real-life Italian women who risked everything to fight for their homeland against Fascist domination and Nazism. It's a fascinating read, one I could not put down! The story centers around three Cozzolino sisters who navigate changing wartime dynamics that threaten to tear the
Andrew Cotto, The History of Little Italy in NYC
Andrew Cotto, The History of Little Italy in NYC Jul 15, 2026 33:37 Award-winning author and co-founder/editor-in-chief of Appetito Magazine, #AndrewCotto, joins us to discuss the deep-rooted history of Italians and Italian Americans in New York through hard-work, grit, culture and their culinary expertise, literally taking over the food scene from the moment the Italians landed on our shores. When it was discovered that #LittleItaly was no longer included on the
Johnny Anello,  Italian American Radio Founder & Musician
Johnny Anello, Italian American Radio Founder & Musician Jul 15, 2026 27:50 Please welcome infamous mandolin player #JohnnyAnello, also the founder of Italian American Radio, who joins us to talk about the history of Italians who came to this country through Ellis Island, settled primarily in #LittleItaly on the lower east side of Manhattan, and became the heart and soul of New York, building bridges, digging subway tracks and tunnels and anything else that needed to be d
Mike Crispi, President, The Italian American Civil Right League
Mike Crispi, President, The Italian American Civil Right League Jul 15, 2026 25:58 Mike Crispi, president of The Italian American Civil Rights League, joins us to discuss the recent uproar over the Little Italy New York enclave being removed from the City's list of immigrant neighborhoods. Italians took notice and fought back. In fact, Crispi's resume reads as a man who has been fighting for justice much of his life as a political activist, frequent commentator, and talk show ho
Idanna Pucci, Co-Author, "Emilio Pucci"
Idanna Pucci, Co-Author, "Emilio Pucci" Jun 10, 2026 57:13 Idanna Pucci's latest book, "Emilio Pucci: The Astonishing Odyssey of a Fashion Icon," is a biography co-authored by the niece of the famed designer along with her husband, Terence Ward. The narrative moves beyond Emilio Pucci's vibrant prints to uncover his harrowing experience during World War II and his role in postwar Italian reconstruction. Carefully detailed and researched by Idanna Pucci an
Linda Stasi, Author, "The Descendant"
Linda Stasi, Author, "The Descendant" May 27, 2026 43:20 Linda Stasi is synonymous with NY media royalty. She's a well known critic and columnist for the NY Post. She is also a familiar face on the NY1 News Channel, and has appeared on the Today Show, The View, CBS Morning Show, among others. And we're thrilled to have her join us to talk about her latest book The Descendant: a historical family saga based on her own Sicilian-American ancestors, followi
James Conlon, ONE OF LA OPERA'S FINEST CONDUCTORS
James Conlon, ONE OF LA OPERA'S FINEST CONDUCTORS May 27, 2026 46:52 James Conlon is known as one of the most versatile and respected conductors of a generation, and throughout his career, has cultivated a vast symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire. Today, we are honored to welcome him to our show. Since his 1974 debut with the NY Philharmonic, he has conducted virtually every major American and European symphony orchestra with precision. Needless to say, Mr.
Spencer Pratt, LA Mayoral Candidate & Former Reality TV Star
Spencer Pratt, LA Mayoral Candidate & Former Reality TV Star May 21, 2026 32:32 LA Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt means business. He's pissed and wants to turn the city he grew up in to a city that functions without debilitating crime, drugs, homelessness, in addition to helping thousands of Angelenos cut through red tape so they can rebuild after losing their homes in the LA fires of 2025. It's a tall order, and he says he's fired up and wants the job. And he's working the
Stephen Pishner, Italian American Member & Performer
Stephen Pishner, Italian American Member & Performer May 13, 2026 32:20 California and Los Angeles are at a crossroads, and it's up to each of us to determine the future of both our state and beloved city. Please welcome #JohnKobylt, host of the award-winning #JohnKobyltShow on #iheart radio and #kfiam640 powerhouse station, who joins us to talk about the gubernatorial and mayoral races here. Last week, candidates duked it out during scheduled debates, and everyone se
Monica Guerritore, Actor, "Anna"
Monica Guerritore, Actor, "Anna" Apr 1, 2026 53:58 Please welcome acclaimed actress Monica Guerritore to our show, who joins us to talk about her magnificent film, "Anna - The Untold Story" - about the life of legendary actress Anna Magnini, specifically set on the night of 1956 when Anna won the Academy Award for Best Actress for "The Rose Tattoo." She was the first Italian actress to win an Oscar. The film portrays Anna as a woman of immense str
Mike Marino,  Actor, Comedian, Podcast Host
Mike Marino, Actor, Comedian, Podcast Host Apr 1, 2026 46:28 Please welcome one of the funniest guys in comedy today, Mike Marino, who hails from New Jersey, next to the town where I was born. Mike manages to turn circumstances from everyday life as a proud Italian-American into something we can all relate to - funny, relatable, ridiculous. He went on a campaign to "Make America Italian Again" which attracted a cult following. He hosts the popular podcast,
Suzanne Cope, for promo Italian Women Warriors
Suzanne Cope, for promo Italian Women Warriors Mar 18, 2026 42:32 Today, I present an extraordinary true story for Women's History Month, written by Suzanne Cope, "Women Of War: The Italian Assassins, Spies, and Couriers Who Fought the Nazis." This is the untold story of the women who risked their lives to secretly pass messages, ammunition, and other secrets to help fight the Nazis who were occupying Italy in the 1940's. The book focuses on four women - in thei

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