IAP 27: Listener stories on Italian names, Italian-American family traditions, and the language of your soul

Dina, third from left, with her Italian family. [Photo courtesy of Dina Horwedel]

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In this episode we feature listener stories that have been submitted by listeners of The Italian American Podcast.

mama3yearsold-closeup — Virginia Mastroianni’s mother, age 3, posing in Campochiaro, Italy. [Photo credit: Virginia Mastroianni]

In the first story, Dina Horwedel explains how an Indian College President inspired her to learn Italian and travel to Italy to re-connect with her family. Since she made her first trip, she has been back seven times.

In the second story, Amadeo Lauria explains how his teacher refused to call him by his true Italian name, so she changed it.

Lastly, Virginia Mastroianni talks about how close she is with her Italian mother. She talks about the homemade food, the clothes her mother made for her, and more.

In the Italian American Stories Segment, I talk about overcoming grief when you lose a loved one. We feature my Grandmother Jo telling a story about Saint Rita.

Episode Quote

“Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire.” – Italian saying.
Translation: “No matter where you go or turn, you’ll always end up at home.”

Tweetables

“Your ancestral language is the language of your heart and your soul.” – Indian College President
“I feel like I have gained part of my family back, and my ancestry back.” – Dina Horwedel on finding her Italian relatives
“The closeness of an Italian family is significant.” – Virginia Mastroianni