Deborah Kobylt Live

We are pleased to welcome to our show, Raffaella Valentini, esteemed Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles. Raffaella has years of experience having worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseeing projects promoted by Italy in the Balkins, North Africa, and Middle East. She’s also worked at the Embassy’s economic office in Albania and Cairo before coming to Los Angeles. Raffaella has keen ideas on how she sees her position here, as it covers a large territory from California to Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada, and she wants to make sure to serve the various economic and cultural groups in each region. For example, Los Angeles is so vast, and she sees her job as serving the many Italians and Italian Americans from each area in a variety of capacities including science, technology, film, food, travel, and more. And as a woman in such high office, she also knows how important it is to set an example for other women looking to leave their mark in political office. We will talk with Raffaella about her role

It was an extraordinary day this week at Anaheim White House Restaurant, where Chef Bruno Serato opened his doors to raise money for his beloved Caterina’s Club so Bruno and his team can feed near 25,000 kids and families in need every month! That’s A LOT of Pasta! And we’ll find out just how much was raised at yesterday’s #PastaThon when we speak with him. Bruno has become a friend over the years, and many of us call him a saint. His generosity was inspired by his mom, Caterina, who gave him the inspiration to feed hungry children in nearby Anaheim. He took the challenge, and 13 years later, he’s been recognized by Time Magazine, CNN Heros, the Pope, and others around the globe. We will talk with Bruno about his humble beginnings before moving to the United States, where his restaurant quickly became a fixture in Southern California. But he’s faced plenty of tough times, like the evening his restaurant burned to the ground a few years ago, and his first thought was, “how will I feed the children.” He rebuilt

It was an extraordinary day this week at Anaheim White House Restaurant, where Chef Bruno Serato opened his doors to raise money for his beloved Caterina’s Club so Bruno and his team can feed near 25,000 kids and families in need every month! That’s A LOT of Pasta! And we’ll find out just how much was raised at yesterday’s #PastaThon when we speak with him. Bruno has become a friend over the years, and many of us call him a saint. His generosity was inspired by his mom, Caterina, who gave him the inspiration to feed hungry children in nearby Anaheim. He took the challenge, and 13 years later, he’s been recognized by Time Magazine, CNN Heros, the Pope, and others around the globe. We will talk with Bruno about his humble beginnings before moving to the United States, where his restaurant quickly became a fixture in Southern California. But he’s faced plenty of tough times, like the evening his restaurant burned to the ground a few years ago, and his first thought was, “how will I feed the children.” He rebuilt

Rick Caruso has become a household name, known as a mega-successful real-estate developer, philanthropist, and LA mayoral candidate, but I know him as the family man who has Sunday dinners with his family, no matter what’s going on. And he credits much of that to his strong Italian roots. Please join me in welcoming Rick to our show, where we’ll talk about some little-known facts about the man behind some of THE most successful retail shopping centers in the country. Did you know #TheGroveLA attracts more visitors each year than Disneyland? What’s his secret sauce? We’ll talk about that. How did a man who started out in the parking lot business make the move into retail development? And how did his traditional, Italian upbringing play a part in it all, being the grandson of Italian immigrants from Calabria who made their way to the coal mines in Pennsylvania before moving to California? We talk about that, too. Rick says he learns as much from what does work from what doesn’t. And that’s a big part of his suc

Please join me today as we welcome my beautiful friend, Cristina Ferrare - supermodel, New York Times best selling author, TV talk show host, chef, cancer survivor, mom, and much more. Cristina is of Italian descent, born to Renata and Tavio Ferrare, who was a butcher in Ohio. But they didn’t stay in Ohio long, because Cristina’s beauty was so blinding, she was signed by a top modeling agency in LA, and her career took off. She’s been on too many magazine covers to count, has been a spokesperson for Max Factor and other top brands, has written seven books and hit The NY Times best seller list. Cristina’s hosted numerous TV shows including Home and Family and AM Los Angeles, she’s a cancer survivor, mom, nona, and has led a very public life that has included it’s share of highs and lows. And she joins us today to talk all about it, including her passion for cooking, in particular, Italian cooking. Please join #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyPodcast on all video and audio platforms, and

Love Italian food, wine, fashion, accessories and more? Then you MUST listen to our show today, featuring Lorenzo Lisi, creator of the Nexxt - Made in Italy Expo, happening this week Oct. 19-22 at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles. This is an extraordinary event featuring 120 of the finest vendors from Italy, there will be food tastings and more, and it’s FREE! Also joining us will be the legendary Celestino Drago, owner of Drago Centro, where he will presenting and evening of Italian elegance and fine dining to end the Expo and celebrate the Nexxt Foundation, which we will be discussing on our show. Celestino is a LEGEND, and we are honored to have him on our show to talk about his incredible career and life in the culinary arts, running one of America’s finest restaurants in downtown LA. Please tune into our show on #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE on all video and audio platforms, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I’m excited to have you h

#Monica is a film worthy of an Oscar nomination, and I recently interviewed Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson, producer, and Andrea Pallaoro, director, about the making of this this beautiful movie. Monica is played Trace Lysette and Patricia Clarkson stars as her mother. The film is about a trans woman who was driven out of her home decades earlier because her family would not accept her life choice. But Monica returns to care for her ailing mother, and the humanity and emotions that evolve throughout this film are nothing short of extraordinary. Here’s a clip from our interview with Eleonora and Andrea, representing Italian-American filmmaking at its finest. They talk about making this movie, and the choices made to depict the story with such beauty. Monica is also getting Oscar nods, and the team will be fundraising to raise money for an Oscar campaign, and we also talked about that during our interview. Please find our full conversation with Eleonora and Andrea on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPod

Today we celebrate Italian food and excellence in art. Please welcome to our show Evelyne Joan, owner of the infamous Mauro Cafe on Melrose, whose restaurant is as well known for its Italian cuisine as it is for supporting artists, which brings us to Lynne Deutch, also featured on our program. Lynne’s photography of her travels throughout the island of Capri will be featured at Mauro’s cafe beginning tomorrow. We speak with her about her work and her love of Capri, which is captured through her work. The exhibit was carefully executed by Italian artist and internationally acclaimed curator, Piero Addis, who will join us from Italy to discuss the exhibit and how he designed it to compliment the restaurant. We’re thrilled to be interviewing such a dynamic and talented team for our #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyPodcast, & #DeborahKobyltLIVE as part of our #ItalianHeritageMonth series of interviews. Please join us, invite your friends, and come see the show at Mauro’s, which runs through November. I’m your

I’m thrilled to welcome our friend, Maestro #CarloPonti, joining us to discuss the opening of his Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra 2023/2024 Season this month. I’m passionate about music education, and Maestro Ponti has dedicated his time to raise money and awareness to bring music education to young people in schools through the work of his LAV Orchestra. All proceeds from the Los Angeles Virtuoso Orchestra funds musical education programs so young people have the opportunity to study music in schools throughout Los Angeles, regardless of economics. Of course, we will also talk about Mr. Ponti's early days, growing up with legendary mom, #SophiaLoren, his dad, film producer Carlo Ponti, Sr, and younger brother, Eduardo, also a filmmaker. Carlo tells us his home was filled with music and arts growing up. I can only imagine! The Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra premieres its upcoming season on Friday, October 20, at the Theater Raymond Kabbaz in West LA, one of my favorite theaters in the City of Angels. Carlo Pon

Got breast implants? Listen up. Please welcome Ashley Penner, creator of the upcoming No Double Bogies Charity Golf Tournament, and Robyn Towt, global patient advocate for women the many who have had breast implants that have given them a variety of serious health issues. This is an important show. The NoDOUBLEbogies Foundation brings awareness about the dangers of many types of breast implants, and their upcoming golf tournament raises money to help those who need care the many health issues associated with leaky breast implants, and there are many. An estimated 15 million women have breast implants worldwide, and a study by MDAnderson in 2018 said many implants have been associated with cancer, autoimmune illness, and other rare disease. And these brave women join us today to talk about their journey into getting help. The No Double Bogies Charity Golf Tournament takes place on 10/16 in Rancho Santa Margarita at the Dove Canyon Country Club, and we’ll be talking more about that. Please join #DeborahKobyltLI

Kicking off Italian American Heritage Month with ABC’s 20/20 Correspondent and friend, Pat Lalama, who joins our #LittleItalyPodcast to talk about growing up Italian, and how one talk from her dad, Nunzio, convinced her that she could do anything she set her sights on. Pat’s family is from both northern and southern Italy, which she says was always complicated growing up. Life wasn’t always easy, her dad left her mom when Pat was just 17, and she learned to accept a blended family. There were lots of laughs, complications, drinking, and then there was Uncle Johnny. She’ll explain all of that. Pat says she was always independent, had no interest in getting married, until she met famed attorney Tony Brooklier. She was widowed unexpectedly, and she’ll talk about that, too, because she wants to discuss the incredible grief associated with family and friends who take their own lives. Pat has had an enormously successful career as a TV correspondent, working in LA and nationally on Inside Edition, 20/20 where she w

Taste of Italy is back! Join us in DTLA on Sept. 23 for THE premiere Italian Food and Wine event in Los Angeles, featuring award-winning restaurants & wineries, fantastic LIVE entertainment, and some celeb guests, too! This is on of my favorite events in LA all year! Today, we speak with Taste of Italy creator and founder of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Marianna Gatto, telling us all about this upscale food and wine tasting event, which also benefits arts and educational programming for youth at #IAMLA. According to Marianna, #TasteOfItaly provides an opportunity to connect with some of SoCal’s most interesting, well-traveled, cross-cultural audiences, including philanthropists, celebs, influencers, and dignitaries. Not to mention some of the top restaurants and award-winning wines in the world. Tickets available at IAMLA.org Please find our full interview with Marianna on all #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, & #DeborahKobyltLIVE video and audio platforms. And please invite

Did you know, 4 out of 10 children are living in single parent households? Please welcome to our show Neferteri Plessy and Cole Patterson, co-founders of Single Moms Planet, which works to empower single moms and their families through education and business development to transform the lives of single mothers so they can be financially independent to provide for themselves and their families. How does it work? Neferteri and Cole explain how Single Moms Planet works to train  over 10,000 single mother households in the U.S. each year, providing them with training and business opportunities to enable them to end the cycle of poverty and dependency for good. Their work is boots on the ground, they’ve had real success with so many women and families. And wait until you hear their individual stories, and how they overcame. Please join us to learn more, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt. All of our interviews of #DeborahKobyltLIVE are available on all video and audio platforms, wherev

Please welcome to our show Terri Allen, co-founder of Angels of Light Children’s Foundation, a non-profit that provides children, teachers, parents, and professionals with effective “mindfulness” techniques for the whole child.  Currently, children worldwide are exposed to enormous stress that many adults find too challenging to process. The mission of the Foundation is to help children develop the skills to nurture wellness from within to make solid choices for themselves. She hopes to incorporate this into schools, too.  Terri has co-written two books she’ll be speaking about, “My Magical Garden” and “My Magical Tree.” These are fun, interactive books where children are encouraged to use their imagination and creativity to make choices that feel comfortable to them. Her mindfulness programs are designed to help young people regulate emotions, manage stress, and any other challenges they may be facing. She talks about this, and how our society needs to better support mental health issues to combat anxiety

Love Streisand? Then you must turn in to our show today, featuring Scott Ryan, author, designer, and publisher who joins us to to talk about his latest publication, “Barbra Streisand, The Music.” This is a stunning book, filled with gorgeous photos and stories about each Streisand song, collaboration, and film she’s ever worked on. It’s a comprehensive look at one of the biggest female recording stars of a generation, her life, and journey as a woman in charge of her own work and career. Scott will also be talking about his upcoming festival he’s producing in Beverly Hills about David Lynch, and discuss his two other books, “Lost Highway: The Fist Of Love,” and “Firewalk With Me: Your Laura Disappeared,” both based on the works of David Lynch. Please join us at 10amPST on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE and #TheSarasotaPodcast. If you have any questions for Scott, DM us, and I’ll try to work them in. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt. Thanks for tuning in.

Please welcome to our show Dr. Greg Hammer, physician, Stanford professor, and author, “Gain Without Pain,” a “happiness” handbook for health care professionals and the rest of us to learn valuable tools to guide us to our happy in life.  Happiness has a different meaning for all of us, and Dr. Hammer first talks about GAIN - Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, Non-Judgement, and how to begin each day with this in mind. It might sound cliche, but it’s not. Being grateful, meditating, sleeping, exercise, and setting aside time each day to do it, matters. It’s about setting a routine and sticking with it, and we talk about how to get motivated to do that. And there’s more. Please join us on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, please invite your friends, too. I hope you enjoy our program.

Please welcome #JoanRanquet, author, “Communication With All Life,” who is also a world-renowned animal communicator, helping clients understand animal behaviors and create deeper connections with all animals from birds to horses, cats and dogs. Joan uses telepathy to communicate with animals, and share with families what animals are picking up and also explain animal behaviors. In our interview, we’ll talk about  decoding animal feelings, lessons learned from animals, family dynamics, animal energy and so much more. Please join us for this wonderful conversation, and DM me me with any questions you’d like to ask. Thanks for joining us on #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt. Please also invite your friends to watch and listen to our show, available on all video and audio podcast platforms.

Please welcome to our show, professor and author Celia Stahr, who wrote this outstanding book, “Frida In America,” chronicling a young Frida Kahlo accompanying her husband, renowned artist Diego Rivera, to America for the first time. Frida wasn’t yet known for her artwork, and the three years she spent on American soil, namely San Francisco, Detroit, New York, inspired Frida to become the political activist and artist she was famous for. We speak with Celia about Frida becoming politically and socially aware of American social circles, the divide between rich and poor, the cultural divide of white, black, and brown America, where women stood in the framework of this changing country, just a few years after given the right to vote, and much more. All of it helped to shape this 23-year-old woman’s view on the world and ultimately her art. It’s a well-documented, fascinating read. Please join me on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host and creator, #DeborahZaraKobylt. Thanks for tuni

Please give a warm welcome to Robert Allegrini, the distinguished president of the National Italian American Foundation, which does tremendous work preserving and highlighting the image and legacy of Italian Americans (for which I am one). Robert joins our #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast to discuss NIAF’s mission for the Italian-American Community throughout the U.S. and beyond, and it’s very forward-thinking and exciting.  As Robert describes, one of the main goals of NIAF is to strengthen ties between the United States and Italy by reflecting positive images of Italians in business, film, politics, and more. NIAF also provides grants and scholarships, travel opportunities to Italy particularly to first-time visitors, called Voyage of Discovery, there’s a NIAF museum, GALA events to raise money for education and cultural initiatives. And Robert is here to tell us the vision of NIAF moving forward in a changing world, but the one constant remains preserving our cultural heritage and encouragin

Valorie Kondos Field is a true legend. As a former UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame Coach of 7 NCAA Championship Teams, she’s been responsible for shaping the gymnastics program there into not just winning, but teaching life skills that athletes have taken with them off the balance beam, too. Valorie joins us today to speak about her hard-earned career, her life, and her magnificent book, “Life Is Short, Don’t Wait to Dance.” This book isn’t about winning, rather it’s about the one’s mindset, and how what’s in your head that fuels everything else. And by the way, Valorie was dancer, and NOT a gymnast when she snagged the coaching job at UCLA. We’ll ask her about that, too, along with so many other moments that have shaped her life, including lessons learned from her mentor, legendary basketball coach John Wooden. She talks about putting those lessons to the test when faced with some rough times, including her breast cancer diagnosis. There’s a lot to cover, and a lot to learn from this maverick. Valorie is current