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In this episode of The Italian American Podcast episode, I have two guests. Firstly I speak with Helene Stapinski, author of the wonderful book Murder in Matera, a true story of passion, family, and forgiveness in Southern Italy.

In the stories segment, I speak with Danielle Oteri from Feast on History where she hosts Arthur Avenue Food Tours, and she will be hosting one for our listener on December 9^th. It will be focused on the Christmas Seven fishes meal (click for details).

Episode Quote

“Vita had the same crooked smile I had, and that many of the women in my family had, what we called our Mona Lisa smile, a hesitant smirk that didn’t give much away. You didn’t get the full-on smile until we knew you better, and then we would bend over backward for you, cook you elaborate meals, and do anything you asked. Well, almost anything. Vita” ― Helene Stapinski, Murder In Matera: A True Story of Passion, Family, and Forgiveness in Southern Italy

Tweetables

• ”Try to do as much research as you can before doing research in your ancestral villages in Italy.” – Helene Stapinski
• ”Be open to people and don’t be stubborn.” – Helene Stapinski
• ”It might take you a few visits to Italy, but you will find what you are looking for in time.” – Helene Stapinski
• ”The whole immigrant experience is so crucial to the Italian American experience.” – Helene Stapinski
• ”Our country is a revolving door of cultures that keep coming in.” – Helene Stapinski

About our Guests…

Helene Stapinski

Helene Stapinski began her career at her hometown newspaper, The Jersey Journal. She is the author of three memoirs: Five-Finger Discount: A Crooked Family History and Baby Plays Around: A Love Affair, with Music, and Murder In Matera: A True Story of Passion, Family, and Forgiveness in Southern Italy. Helene has also written extensively for The New York Times, for Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, Salon, Real Simple, New York magazine and dozens of other newspapers, magazines, and blogs. She’s been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, The Today Show and as a performer with The Moth main stage.

Danielle Oterri 

Danielle Oteri is an art historian, writer and founder of Feast On History and Arthur Avenue Food Tours. Her food, history and travel writing has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, Dream of Italy, Grove Dictionary of Art, Roads & Kingdoms, Gothamist, NPR and Metropolitan Museum of Art’s blog. She is also the editor of Museum Travel for TripSavvy. Danielle writes feature stories, lists, deeply researched pieces and adaptations of academic papers for a general audience. She draws on her professional experience in art and design to create visually compelling slideshows and Instagram takeovers for brands and editorial publications. Her favorite projects include developing a visual component.

Episode Sponsors

The National Italian American Foundation

Resources Mentioned

The New Neighborhood
Italian Christmas Eve Food Tour
Helene Stapinski Website
Harper Collins
Feast On History
Arthur Avenue Food Tours

Books Mentioned

Murder In Matera	Five-Finger Discount	Baby Plays Around	Forty Days in Italy

Grazie Mille,

Anthony Fasano
Co-Host, The Italian American Podcast