Podcasts about cefalu

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Dishing with Stephanies Dish." In this episode, I am joined by my fellow travel enthusiast, Michael Kenney from Defined Destinations, as we dive into the world of adventurous group travel. Fresh from their trips to Croatia and Asia, they're setting their sights on a new journey to Sicily, Italy. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a wanderlust-driven explorer, you'll discover the unique experiences that Sicily promises, from breathtaking historic cities to mesmerizing volcanoes and, of course, delectable Italian cuisine. Join Stephanie and the Michaels for a delightful conversation about the joys of traveling with a group, the thrill of meeting new people, and the authentic charm that awaits in Sicily. Whether you're considering joining their next adventure or simply living vicariously through their tales, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into the magic of defined destinations. Let the journey begin!Stephanie Hansen:Hello, everybody. Welcome to the podcast, Dishing with Stephanie's Dish. I hope you're doing great today. I am here with my friend, Michael Kenney, and Michael and I have been traveling together a couple years now. Right, Michael?Michael Kenney:Yeah. We've had, two trips under our belt. So it's, a trip to Croatia and, just recently that Cambodia Vietnam trip. So we've been we've been putting some miles down, Stephanie.Stephanie Hansen:I actually actually was somewhere last night and ran into someone from our trip, and we were comparing our bracelets from when we met the Buddhist monk because both of us still have ours on. Yes.Michael Kenney:Mine, like, just kinda fell apart.Stephanie Hansen:It was such a Oh,Michael Kenney:I woke up in the sun.Stephanie Hansen:Trip. Yes. I'm I'm gonna keep it on as long as I can. It was such a life changing trip. Asia was somewhere that I'd always wanted to go and really didn't have the confidence to do it by myself. So you gave me confidence. Going with other people gave me confidence, and we ended up having such a great time. Pretty good.Stephanie Hansen:I have had another great trip with you. We went to Croatia, and that was an awesome trip. We were on kind of like an exclusive private yacht with, Stan, our tour guide, who was probably one of the best tour guides ever.Michael Kenney:For sure.Stephanie Hansen:And you're going back there to Croatia this summer, aren't you?Michael Kenney:Yeah. Personally, I'm not. I'm gonna have somebody else. I'm a little envious because, yeah, that that trip was straight out of a dream. And, you and your, listeners, followers, they were so much fun.Stephanie Hansen:So Yeah. We did have a good time.Michael Kenney:Yeah. It was great.Stephanie Hansen:So I wanted to podcast with you because people ask me all the time about these trips and, like, how it works and what we do and, you know, like, are you, like, checking people's passports? I'm like, no. Silly. I'm not. But we have a trip coming up to Sicily, a taste of Sicily, which you have so sweetly on your your background there. That's smart. October 14 through the twenty second. And our final payments, I think, are due in June. So we're kind of in the hunt for getting everybody signed up and confirmed.And I wanted to talk with you. I've been to Italy a lot, actually, but I've never been to Sicily. So I'm excited about what that area is gonna be like and you've been. So I thought, alright. Let's just talk a little bit about this and get to know a little bit about how these trips work. So, I like to do trips with people because I like to travel with others. And people always ask me, well, are they food trips? Yes. They are food.Like, we eat food. We enjoy food. We talk about food, but it isn't, like, exclusively a food trip. We know that when you're going to some of these historic destinations that you also wanna see some of the beautiful sites. So we try to mix in some food things like special tastings, special wine events, or special dinners, but we also wanna give you some time to explore the region on your own so that you can go to the restaurants that really appeal to you. And, you know, when you're going with the group, sometimes it's not easy to go to some of these really exclusive special places because you have a larger group. Our group on a trip like this would be, what, would you say, like, less than, like, 26 probably?Michael Kenney:Yeah. It this group size will be anywhere from 20 to 30 maximum on this trip. So it's a real nice, you know, size group for sure.Stephanie Hansen:And you've been to Sicily before. When was the last time you went?Michael Kenney:I was with a group two years ago in Sicily. So I've been there three other times. So just most recently, just two years ago.Stephanie Hansen:And you and I like, I kinda gave you my short list of places. And you asked me about Sicily, and I was like, oh, well, I don't know. I've never really thought about that. And you were like, oh my gosh. It's one of your favorite places in Italy. So tell me what it is that you love about Sicily in particular.Michael Kenney:Yeah. No. That that that's a great question. You already mentioned you've been to Italy several times, and we get a lot of people that have been to Italy. And they're like, alright. I've already done that. Or maybe you haven't, you know, seen the the Colosseum and Venice and things like that. Sicily is is Italian, but it's an island in the middle of the Mediterranean.Michael Kenney:So it's just it's it's it's similar, but it's different. I think everything is elevated. Their food, their sites. I mean, the history has a whole Greek, northern the Arabs. It's a Spanish influence in Normans. They've all kinda come to this island in the middle of the the Mediterranean and put, like, their best foods, their their best everything. And it's kinda mixes and makes a Sicilian dish, which is really cool. So it's it's similar, yes, with their pastas and things like that in Mainland Europe, but it's it's a different notch.Michael Kenney:I think it's above, regular standard Italian food. It's just the flavors, the the spices, everything like that is just it's so good. And that's just the food side of it. And then, of course, I already mentioned with with the Greeks in the Spanish and the Normans, they have their own architectures that they brought, a mix of different languages. So you really feel like you're in a whole another country. It says in Italy, but the Sicilians say we're Sicilian first, then we're Italian.Stephanie Hansen:That's funny.Michael Kenney:So it's it's really so different, of an experience on that end. And I even have, a couple of friends going on this trip, and they've never been to Europe before. And they're saying, hey. We're we're gonna join you on this trip because it sounds lovely, but we've never been to Europe. We've never seen the Colosseum, things like that. Like, is this a good trip for us to take? I go, for sure it is. I mean, you don't have these, you know, the Leaning Tower Of Pisa, but once you get get to these places, you'll say, oh my gosh. I mean, a church that's, a thousand years old, or the little villages that are, you know, 500 years old and just oozing with this with charm.So you're really, having this real great Italian Sicilian experience, but maybe not knowing the sites, but it'll kinda resonate even better when you come back and tell your stories. It's just a beautiful, beautiful trip.Stephanie Hansen:And I think, you know, I've been to Rome. I've been to a lot of the little Italian islands on sailing trips with my husband. And we've been to Naples. We've been to Venice. We've been all over, really. And each of Italy has its own uniqueness, but the islands themselves are just something different because you really did get a lot of influences of people coming through and the trading that happened. And they also weren't as involved in the wars because they were sort of moving to the mainland. So you get a lot of different preservation possibilities, and the culture just held up because they weren't impacted by the wars in the same way.Michael Kenney:Exactly. And I think even early on, Sicilians were were very poor as well. So a lot of things just really, held. So they didn't, you know, knock down buildings and build new skyscrapers, things like that. It's like you're being, on the set of The Godfather, which was filmed there too, part of it at least. And, it was, like, set in time, and you're going there and just really experiencing the the feel, the taste, the smell, even you could call, like, the grit of, like, Palermo. I mean, it has this edge to it in a sense, like, this is a real living city. It sound like all spruced up to be perfect, like, on a set, but that's what makes it so so fantastic.It it's it's real. And I don't think you always get that experience that you're in in Central Rome, and they they, you know, it's all beautiful up. Again Palermo and all these cities that will visit are extremely beautiful but it has it's just a different edge to it and every group that I've ever been there with Stephanie if they've come back and said wow this is a dream. Not just the food, the sites, the experiences, the people. The people are real. They're they're fabulous. So it's it's a real real, just an amazing immersion, if you will, to Sicily.Stephanie Hansen:One of the things that people ask me about too, and I'll be honest with you. I'm not really, like, someone that you would think of as a group traveler. I like a certain amount of, alone time. I don't love to have every single thing coordinated for me. My husband, as you know, is a big adventurer and explorer. He's always the first one to do anything crazy on these trips. But it having a group is it's so nice when it's a smaller group like this because you do get to meet new people. You do get to create a community amongst your travelers.And I'll tell you, my friend Laurie Bargini that went on our Asia trip with us, she was very she's a big traveler too, and she was like, I don't know about this group thing. I was like, just give it a try. Like, Asia's a good one to test it out because it's probably a destination you wouldn't go alone. And she signed up right away for Sicily. She was like, I loved the group elements because when I wanted to, I had a group of friends and it was fun and we could hang out together and do fun things, but also when I wanted to be alone, I could do that too. It she thought it added a whole another layer to the travel experience than you just get either with you and your spouse or you and your friends because you have this whole other dynamic of people that for the most part is pretty great.Michael Kenney:Yeah. I know. And I and that's great. And Laurie was great. I'm glad she signed up because on the flight back from Asia, she sat next to me on the flight, and that's a seventeen hour flight. And if she wants to go back, then that that that's great.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. It's good. Well, you know she talked to you the whole time probably.Michael Kenney:No. I tried to again, maybe it's like the group element. You know, have time on, time off. So I'm glad that was brought up. And I've been doing group tours for twenty eight years now, which I I I can't believe. And I I first started getting into tourism because I wanted to see sites. I'm like, I know I can't pay for it, so I need to be a tour guide and and going from that. I didn't realize the whole experience and having shared experiences with others was gonna be my highlight.And to this day, that's my favorite part is going to meet people that I've never met before and going having these shared experiences with. And and sometimes, you know, you build friends for a lifetime off of that.Michael Kinney:I think especially our last group too, we we really, built that with several of the the travelers, which is great. So and I so if you're hesitant, like, well, I'd like to this trip sounds great or any of our trips, but I am kind of worried about that. We really try to balance all our tours out. It's it's it's imperative that we have that balance of, some of the group time to have these, shared experiences to leisure time so that you can go and have your own adventures. And that is so crucial to all of our trips. That's why our hotels, and we can talk about that later, are centrally located. So once we go out and do, say, our city tour, our our our food tour in Palermo and walking around, you'll have, like, the remainder of the day to go explore on your own or some of those new friends that you met. Maybe you can go out and have a glass of wine with them.But again, it's all about that balance. And we each and every itinerary that we put together, we really work on making sure we have that balance in in the trips itself. Because I think that is the success of it. So we don't pack the days all day long on, like, seeing this, this, and this. We give you the nice highlights, and we'll have some other fun inclusions. But again, each place that we go to centrally located hotels, we have that free time too. So you can do your own thing or jump on with a group that you've met and have cocktails, Aperol spritzes in the main, Piazza later on. So it it's so fun, but it it really comes back.You register for a trip, but you don't know you're gonna meet some great people. And at at the end of the trip, it's typically these, these people and these, shared experiences come back, and that's where the meaning of the the trip comes in. It's so it's it's so much fun to see them build together.Stephanie Hansen:On each of the trips that I've done with you, we've had solo travelersMichael Kenney:Mhmm.Stephanie Hansen:Which I think people are like, oh, you know, I don't know. I don't have a partner to go with or my friend can't go. And that to me has also been super fun, like the solo travelers and the friends that they've made. And, like, one of the gals I saw from our Asia trip, I saw our friend Annie last night, and she was a solo traveler. Ended up pairing up with Laurie in a room and sharing, actually, actually, which a lot of solo travelers don't wanna share. I get that. But in this case, they both did, and they are like fast friends.Michael Kenney:That I mean, that's that's so much fun to see that. First off, if, you know, we all have it like your maybe your husband or wife or friend they don't want to go but you're like interested in this trip. We get that on all of our trips and we specifically specifically have, several single rooms set aside for those, adventure traveler seekers to have that. So you can pick your own room and go as a single or maybe you want us to to pair you up. We can do that too and get you in contact with another solo traveler like lorian annie did and that typically works out really well too but it's it's I think the like minded people looking for adventures you'll never feel like you're by yourself on any of our trips So, like, oh, I'm a third wheel. Never ever ever. And sometimes that's the best way to travel because you don't have to make sure your traveling partner is having a great time. You only can worry about yourself.Hey. I'm gonna have a great time. And, you know, all of our trip travelers that I've I've ever heard from, they've had a great time going solo, and they meet these like minded people. And, again, all of a sudden, they have friends for a lifetime, like, you know, Lori and Annie did. So if you're you're even thinking about it, like, I'm solo and I'm a little skeptical about going by myself, give us a call. Send us an email. We we can get you your own, room, single, room. They are filling up quick, though.We have a few left, or we can pair you up with somebody too to share that single supplement. But, again, you'll never feel like a third wheel with any of our tours. And this, in addition, just works really, really well for single travelers, and you'll meet some probably good friends on it.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. And, also, like, ladies, some of you I know, like, getting coming out of relationships or divorce, you wanna do something unique. I have someone in my family who are shall remain nameless, who's gonna be joining us, who wanted to get back to Europe, but she's just not in a relationship status that would work for that as the way she thought it was gonna be. So I was like, come with us. Like, we're gonna have a ball. There's men. There's women. You know, my husband has come on some trips, but others, he hasn't.And Mhmm. It's just there's a great mix of people.Michael Kenney:Yeah. No. It it it it's great. Now this isn't a singles trip, but maybe you can find Giuseppe at the local cafe. You never know. So you never know. So anyway, yeah, it it works great for whatever status you are in life, single, you know, whatever. It these really, really work really nice.And sometimes, like, my brother came, and we shared a room on our the last trip, and he just wanted to kind of have a experience and get away from, you know, what's going on in life over here and just do a reset. And he came back and said, I'm really recharged. And he's kinda like going into he's retired, and he wants to do something else in his, you know, second part of his life. And he he's going after something right now because he he was able to kinda just disconnect Yeah. And then just take it all in and then kinda come back and, like, let's go. So regardless from relationships to job hunting or whatever, sometimes these trips are great. Even if you go solo, that could even be better.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Just to get a reset.Can you give us, like, without, like, going into all the detail, like, a high level, not day by day, but just, like, what are the towns we're gonna visit? What are because we're gonna be in, I think, three different areas.Michael Kenney:Yeah. Correct. So if you if you go on our, at definedestinations.com and look at, taste of Sicily Twenty Twenty Five, you can find the day by day, itinerary on that, and you'll get to be able to see through it. But again, it reads like a brochure, and you go through each item. And everything that we mentioned on that, it's, it is included. But the neat thing is we go from the North to the South and then all the way over to the, the East side of the island. So you're really having a great feel for the entire island itself. And, we have three nights in Palermo, and then we have one night in Agrigento, which is at the very southern on the beach, our hotel's right on the beach.You can walk right down there. And even October mid October is a great time to go too because the temperatures are, like, mid seventies, so it's super comfortable. And the water temperature is still pretty nice if you want to jump in. And then we have three nights in Siracoosa. So we we have these, like, kind of, hub and spoke places that we we do our adventures from the but we always come back to our centrally located place. So, anyway, we'll we'll find the Palermo. We have a connection. If you do our included flights, there's no, direct flights from from Minneapolis into Sicily.So we have a connection, on that.Stephanie Hansen:And let me just touch on that because some people want to work with the travel agent to have all of the flight things arranged for them, and that is an option with you. But you also do have options where people can meet you at the destination. So, like, for me, we have a lot of miles that we're always trying to burn up. Yeah. So for us, we book our own airfare so that we can use our miles, and then we sometimes add a few days on at the end, or we might even go to a different destination. With your group travel plans, both of those options are available to people.Michael Kenney:A %. I'm glad you asked that too because, yes, there's people that have miles or if they only wanna stay exclusively with Delta or United or whatever, that's fine. Our trips truly begin and end at at the hotels. With that, we do offer an included group package you can jump on, but the whole group will not be on that flight for sure. It's just an option to do that. And my my team can also, get you, flights separate from that too if you wanted to come early like you said, Stephanie, or stay light. Hey. I wanna go see the Colosseum on this trip.Great. My team can put a pre tour, post tour package together if you want to do that. Or even if you don't want any of our help, that's fine. You can just book our land only. You'll be able to see our group flight numbers on there too so you can kinda coordinate that. But the great thing is that both, airports, in Palermo we fly into, and then we fly out of Catania. They're close to both, towns, so you can easily take an Uber. So it's really pretty easy to get to and from, and that's where the, the the the tour start from.So if you're hesitant, hey. I need to book the group air. Don't worry about that. You don't have to do that by any means. We're happy to help you, on all the other aspects too to to get the airfare, with that. So, yep, we fly into Palermo. We'll settle into our our our three, our centrally located hotel, which is fabulous. Again, remind me that we need to touch on the the hotels too a little bit.Stephanie Hansen:Yep.Michael Kenney:But it's right in the center. We'll do a food tour of one of the local markets. Again, like you mentioned, maybe we have some guests on the trip that could care less about food or wine tastings. It's just a a piece of of our trip. So even if you're, a modest food lover or you only like cornflakes, there's gonna be some fun things to do on this as well. And we find that, you learn a lot about the culture through the food. Yeah. That's the reason we we do part of that too.So it'll be fun regardless. You're going through the markets. You're learning about the foods. Things like that. We go to, the the Cathedral Of Monreali, which, hey. We're seeing another church. We typically don't always do that, but this is really specific. This church is beautiful.It's got, it's it's a massive church built in the twelfth century, and they're famous for all its mosaics. The whole interior, the churches, all these fine mosaics they did almost a thousand years ago. It's unreal. So it's beautiful that we'll be doing that. We'll go to Cefalu, a little, seaside village, which is outside of Palermo a little ways. Maybe you've seen White Lotus. Part of that was filmed there or all parts of the, that, season two was filmed in Sicily. So we'll have a lot of White Lotus moments, as well on that, which which will be a lot of fun.And then from there, we'll be driving after our three nights in, in Palermo. We'll be heading south, crossing the entire, island itself. Absolutely beautiful. Even our coach rides, which aren't a lot, that they're just stunning. And and enjoying the countryside is absolutely beautiful. And we'll be going to that's where Agrigento is, and it feels like you're being stuck in Greece. Like, wow. There's all these Greek ruins, you know, two, three thousand years old.It's like, this is unbelievable. They have some of the better Greek ruins even outside of Athens, which is amazing. So walking through Agrigento, experiencing that, seeing that during the sunset, it's it's it's magical. I use that word a lot, but I think the whole trip really is. And then we we we settle into our hotel right on the beach, which is lovely. And then from there, we'll be going over to Siracusa, which is one of my favorite places ever. My first time I went to Sicily, we didn't go there. And I went back and I said, how do we skip that the first time? Siracoosa is, it's unbelievable.And you've agreed too. We we're staying right in they called it Ortega. That's like the old city of Siracusa. And we're staying right inside the city wall. So our bus will drop our private bus for our group will drop us off, and then we have to walk about ten minutes to our hotel, which is on a small little alleyway. And we'll talk about that later on. But it's a great location that we'll be doing, having different experiences, seeing all the the ruins, walking around at night. It's just beautiful.And from there, we'll be out we'll also be going to see Mount Etna, which is still an active volcano. We'll be on the sides of it. It's unbelievable. All of a sudden, you feel like you're being transported onto the moon. You see the vents and things like that. It's beautiful. And they grow some amazing wines there too on the slopes of it, and we'll be tasting some of those.Stephanie Hansen:That's so cool.Michael Kenney:Yeah. It's it's it's it really is pretty cool, because of that that rich soil just offers great Sicilian wines and the dry and the the elevation. So it it culminates to be really, really good. So, work on your Sicilian, reds. They're they're quite good.Stephanie Hansen:It will be exciting. Yeah.Michael Kenney:No. It it it's great. So I mean, it's it's seven, nights, a nine day trip, in Sicily. You'll have a real good flavor of the city, of all the areas that we visit. So it's it's quite nice. And if you go on the, the website, you'll see all the the inclusions as well. So we include mostly everything that we've talked about. There's really, we don't include all the meals because we want some experiences, for yourself too to go out and go, hey.Michael Kenney:We're gonna go to this little restaurant or whatever. Mhmm. And we have a local guide with us the entire time that will really help, talk about the history, and, you know, what's going on with the people itself, but then just pointing out great restaurants and other little experiences you can doStephanie Hansen:during the free And that's I love that because when we go to some of these places, like, I think I told you my husband is, he's kind of an you know, he's in venture. He always wants to do his own thing. So if we land in a place, he's like, okay. We're gonna take off. We're gonna go do this. We're gonna do that. And, you know, we try to balance, like, doing the group things with also him having his best life and doing some unique, food experiences just on our own. So every everybody gets a little bit of everything.It's a real delightful mix. You've been to Sicily. Now I think this will be, you said, your third time, fourth time?Michael Kenney:Fourth time.Stephanie Hansen:I'm so impressed that you're coming.Michael Kenney:Yeah. I'd well, I can't miss with your groups too. I can't go on all our trips, but this is definitely one I I, notched away because I think, part of me still is in Sicily. There's there's just something about it, and you can't you know, I've been to other parts of Italy plenty of times, and I feel like I'm an Italian, but, there's just something with Sicily. Maybe I meant I meant the grit. I've talked about that. It feels like a real city, real sites, real food, just from the the different markets, the fish markets is just everything seems really authentic.Stephanie Hansen:I love it.Michael Kenney:That's what I really, really love, and I think the guests do too. I'm I'm just envisioning myself walking and through Palermo with my last group, and there was, like, there was music being played in the streets, and people are sitting down and having glasses of wine. There was no festival going on. It was just this this zest for life thatStephanie Hansen:Yeah. The Italians just in general, they stay up late. They eat late. So they have, like, a happy hour kind of at, like, six to seven, and then they go home and get ready to go out for the dinner time in a lot of cases. So they spend a lot of time outdoors, and they like to do it when it's not in the blazing hot sun. So things really there's a great nightlife. People are, out and about into all hours of the evening, which is fun. So I'm just super excited.So if people wanna join us, you said I mean, I know we've got some rooms booked already. Yeah. So are there some rooms left if people wanna book, and what is the timeline that they should be doing that, and how do they do it?Michael Kenney:Yeah. That's a great question. So I said we have about we can handle maximum of 30 people. So we have about seven rooms up, so about 14 people. So if someone calls and say, well, will this be booked up by next week? It probably won't be, but I always tell people, go ahead, put your deposit down, hold the seat on the trip itself. And you just have to go to definedestinations.com. You can book everything right then then and there. It's super simple process.You just put your your information in. You don't need a valid passport right now to to enter that in. But you just go ahead and you fill that out, put your deposit down, at least then you'll you'll have a, a seat held for you. Then you can work on if you wanna get your own air fryer or if you wanna stay earlier, you know, stay after later on the trip itself. You you can do that all right there as well. So it's pretty simple.Stephanie Hansen:And then once you're booked and we know who's coming, we usually try to have a call to kinda give everybody the particulars of that trip. Sometimes depending on our time frame, we try to get together in person. I wasn't able for the last one because I had so many things coming, and I'm not sure what'll happen with this one because I've got the cookbook coming out, in September. But one way or another, we will see each other's faces, and we will get on that plane, and we will arrive together and have a blast. So I'm looking forward to it, and we've got other trips planned. I know we're trying to book another Croatia trip possibly for the following year for the fall and something in the spring. So if you guys have any destinations you wanna check out with me, let me know. I'm always looking for new places to go. You just went to the Galapagos. It sounded like it was amazing.Michael Kenney:Yeah. It that that was, fabulous. I was just doing a site inspection because we're looking about having groups go to the Galapagos and the Amazon, and it it was it was unreal. I loved it. Completely different experience from going to, to going to Sicily. Well, that's great. There's so many experiences to have on our on the world, and we only have so much time to be able to do those. So you gotta kinda hit that hierarchy of, you know, what's what's important.For anybody that's just thinking about it or if this is the first time you've ever even heard of Sicily, please take a look at this because it is really a magical trip, and we have so many fun inclusions. Our hotel locations are in the city center. I wanted to mention that, not, just because we're on tiny little streets. So you mentioned, like, the the nightlife. It's we're not on a bustling street where all the cars are going by. It's like you feel like you're a local. You'll go out the door, and there's mama Rosita across the street, you know, cutting herStephanie Hansen:Yeah. Sitting outside. Yes.Michael Kenney:That's the experience we want, not just on this trip, all of our trips. We want you to feel like you're kind of a, a local for even three nights when we're there, so you'll know where the the nearest bakery is and, the restaurants. And I think you'll have that on this trip. I it's it's reallyStephanie Hansen:I love it.Michael Kenney:Something else with all our hotels. You'll absolutely love that. We know exactly where to stay, and sometimes that's overwhelming when you're looking at doing a trip in your own, like, where should I go? What should I where should I stay? Like, it's overwhelming. We want this to be just book the trip. We're gonna be taking care of all the highlights for you.Stephanie Hansen:Pack your bags and come along. Yes.Michael Kenney:Exactly. So that's that's what's really important to us. And IStephanie Hansen:think I'm looking forward to it. It's gonna be awesome. I'm gonna release this podcast, not this Friday, but next Friday. So k. Between now and then, you guys, I hope you get your seats booked, and I hope to see you on this amazing trip. Thanks, Michael.Michael Kenney:Wonderful. Thanks, Michael.Stephanie Hansen:It was awesome. It's defined destinations. You can find them at defineddestinations.com. Taste of Italy is right on the front page. Click that, and you can see all the itinerary of the whole trip. And we're gonna have a great time.Michael Kenney:Taste of Sicily.Stephanie Hansen:Yes. The tasteMichael Kenney:of Sicily.Stephanie Hansen:Oh, what did I call it? What did I say? Taste ofMichael Kenney:Italy. We have one of those too. Oh, okay. The Sicily one.Stephanie Hansen:Taste of Sicily specifically. Yes. And then if you like Italy, you can go back because there are a lot of places to go back to. Amalfi Coast is great, but it's different. And, like, I there I've been to a lot of different places in Italy, and they're all a little bit different. And I like them all for different reasons. So I'm really excited to explore Sicily.Michael Kenney:Yep. It's gonna be great. Well, thanks so much for the time.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. We'll talk soon.Michael Kenney:Yep.Stephanie Hansen:Bye. Bye bye.Stephanie's Dish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Dishing with Stephanies Dish." In this episode, I am joined by my fellow travel enthusiast, Michael Kenney from Defined Destinations, as we dive into the world of adventurous group travel. Fresh from their trips to Croatia and Asia, they're setting their sights on a new journey to Sicily, Italy. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a wanderlust-driven explorer, you'll discover the unique experiences that Sicily promises, from breathtaking historic cities to mesmerizing volcanoes and, of course, delectable Italian cuisine. Join Stephanie and the Michaels for a delightful conversation about the joys of traveling with a group, the thrill of meeting new people, and the authentic charm that awaits in Sicily. Whether you're considering joining their next adventure or simply living vicariously through their tales, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into the magic of defined destinations. Let the journey begin!Stephanie Hansen:Hello, everybody. Welcome to the podcast, Dishing with Stephanie's Dish. I hope you're doing great today. I am here with my friend, Michael Kenney, and Michael and I have been traveling together a couple years now. Right, Michael?Michael Kenney:Yeah. We've had, two trips under our belt. So it's, a trip to Croatia and, just recently that Cambodia Vietnam trip. So we've been we've been putting some miles down, Stephanie.Stephanie Hansen:I actually actually was somewhere last night and ran into someone from our trip, and we were comparing our bracelets from when we met the Buddhist monk because both of us still have ours on. Yes.Michael Kenney:Mine, like, just kinda fell apart.Stephanie Hansen:It was such a Oh,Michael Kenney:I woke up in the sun.Stephanie Hansen:Trip. Yes. I'm I'm gonna keep it on as long as I can. It was such a life changing trip. Asia was somewhere that I'd always wanted to go and really didn't have the confidence to do it by myself. So you gave me confidence. Going with other people gave me confidence, and we ended up having such a great time. Pretty good.Stephanie Hansen:I have had another great trip with you. We went to Croatia, and that was an awesome trip. We were on kind of like an exclusive private yacht with, Stan, our tour guide, who was probably one of the best tour guides ever.Michael Kenney:For sure.Stephanie Hansen:And you're going back there to Croatia this summer, aren't you?Michael Kenney:Yeah. Personally, I'm not. I'm gonna have somebody else. I'm a little envious because, yeah, that that trip was straight out of a dream. And, you and your, listeners, followers, they were so much fun.Stephanie Hansen:So Yeah. We did have a good time.Michael Kenney:Yeah. It was great.Stephanie Hansen:So I wanted to podcast with you because people ask me all the time about these trips and, like, how it works and what we do and, you know, like, are you, like, checking people's passports? I'm like, no. Silly. I'm not. But we have a trip coming up to Sicily, a taste of Sicily, which you have so sweetly on your your background there. That's smart. October 14 through the twenty second. And our final payments, I think, are due in June. So we're kind of in the hunt for getting everybody signed up and confirmed.And I wanted to talk with you. I've been to Italy a lot, actually, but I've never been to Sicily. So I'm excited about what that area is gonna be like and you've been. So I thought, alright. Let's just talk a little bit about this and get to know a little bit about how these trips work. So, I like to do trips with people because I like to travel with others. And people always ask me, well, are they food trips? Yes. They are food.Like, we eat food. We enjoy food. We talk about food, but it isn't, like, exclusively a food trip. We know that when you're going to some of these historic destinations that you also wanna see some of the beautiful sites. So we try to mix in some food things like special tastings, special wine events, or special dinners, but we also wanna give you some time to explore the region on your own so that you can go to the restaurants that really appeal to you. And, you know, when you're going with the group, sometimes it's not easy to go to some of these really exclusive special places because you have a larger group. Our group on a trip like this would be, what, would you say, like, less than, like, 26 probably?Michael Kenney:Yeah. It this group size will be anywhere from 20 to 30 maximum on this trip. So it's a real nice, you know, size group for sure.Stephanie Hansen:And you've been to Sicily before. When was the last time you went?Michael Kenney:I was with a group two years ago in Sicily. So I've been there three other times. So just most recently, just two years ago.Stephanie Hansen:And you and I like, I kinda gave you my short list of places. And you asked me about Sicily, and I was like, oh, well, I don't know. I've never really thought about that. And you were like, oh my gosh. It's one of your favorite places in Italy. So tell me what it is that you love about Sicily in particular.Michael Kenney:Yeah. No. That that that's a great question. You already mentioned you've been to Italy several times, and we get a lot of people that have been to Italy. And they're like, alright. I've already done that. Or maybe you haven't, you know, seen the the Colosseum and Venice and things like that. Sicily is is Italian, but it's an island in the middle of the Mediterranean.Michael Kenney:So it's just it's it's it's similar, but it's different. I think everything is elevated. Their food, their sites. I mean, the history has a whole Greek, northern the Arabs. It's a Spanish influence in Normans. They've all kinda come to this island in the middle of the the Mediterranean and put, like, their best foods, their their best everything. And it's kinda mixes and makes a Sicilian dish, which is really cool. So it's it's similar, yes, with their pastas and things like that in Mainland Europe, but it's it's a different notch.Michael Kenney:I think it's above, regular standard Italian food. It's just the flavors, the the spices, everything like that is just it's so good. And that's just the food side of it. And then, of course, I already mentioned with with the Greeks in the Spanish and the Normans, they have their own architectures that they brought, a mix of different languages. So you really feel like you're in a whole another country. It says in Italy, but the Sicilians say we're Sicilian first, then we're Italian.Stephanie Hansen:That's funny.Michael Kenney:So it's it's really so different, of an experience on that end. And I even have, a couple of friends going on this trip, and they've never been to Europe before. And they're saying, hey. We're we're gonna join you on this trip because it sounds lovely, but we've never been to Europe. We've never seen the Colosseum, things like that. Like, is this a good trip for us to take? I go, for sure it is. I mean, you don't have these, you know, the Leaning Tower Of Pisa, but once you get get to these places, you'll say, oh my gosh. I mean, a church that's, a thousand years old, or the little villages that are, you know, 500 years old and just oozing with this with charm.So you're really, having this real great Italian Sicilian experience, but maybe not knowing the sites, but it'll kinda resonate even better when you come back and tell your stories. It's just a beautiful, beautiful trip.Stephanie Hansen:And I think, you know, I've been to Rome. I've been to a lot of the little Italian islands on sailing trips with my husband. And we've been to Naples. We've been to Venice. We've been all over, really. And each of Italy has its own uniqueness, but the islands themselves are just something different because you really did get a lot of influences of people coming through and the trading that happened. And they also weren't as involved in the wars because they were sort of moving to the mainland. So you get a lot of different preservation possibilities, and the culture just held up because they weren't impacted by the wars in the same way.Michael Kenney:Exactly. And I think even early on, Sicilians were were very poor as well. So a lot of things just really, held. So they didn't, you know, knock down buildings and build new skyscrapers, things like that. It's like you're being, on the set of The Godfather, which was filmed there too, part of it at least. And, it was, like, set in time, and you're going there and just really experiencing the the feel, the taste, the smell, even you could call, like, the grit of, like, Palermo. I mean, it has this edge to it in a sense, like, this is a real living city. It sound like all spruced up to be perfect, like, on a set, but that's what makes it so so fantastic.It it's it's real. And I don't think you always get that experience that you're in in Central Rome, and they they, you know, it's all beautiful up. Again Palermo and all these cities that will visit are extremely beautiful but it has it's just a different edge to it and every group that I've ever been there with Stephanie if they've come back and said wow this is a dream. Not just the food, the sites, the experiences, the people. The people are real. They're they're fabulous. So it's it's a real real, just an amazing immersion, if you will, to Sicily.Stephanie Hansen:One of the things that people ask me about too, and I'll be honest with you. I'm not really, like, someone that you would think of as a group traveler. I like a certain amount of, alone time. I don't love to have every single thing coordinated for me. My husband, as you know, is a big adventurer and explorer. He's always the first one to do anything crazy on these trips. But it having a group is it's so nice when it's a smaller group like this because you do get to meet new people. You do get to create a community amongst your travelers.And I'll tell you, my friend Laurie Bargini that went on our Asia trip with us, she was very she's a big traveler too, and she was like, I don't know about this group thing. I was like, just give it a try. Like, Asia's a good one to test it out because it's probably a destination you wouldn't go alone. And she signed up right away for Sicily. She was like, I loved the group elements because when I wanted to, I had a group of friends and it was fun and we could hang out together and do fun things, but also when I wanted to be alone, I could do that too. It she thought it added a whole another layer to the travel experience than you just get either with you and your spouse or you and your friends because you have this whole other dynamic of people that for the most part is pretty great.Michael Kenney:Yeah. I know. And I and that's great. And Laurie was great. I'm glad she signed up because on the flight back from Asia, she sat next to me on the flight, and that's a seventeen hour flight. And if she wants to go back, then that that that's great.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. It's good. Well, you know she talked to you the whole time probably.Michael Kenney:No. I tried to again, maybe it's like the group element. You know, have time on, time off. So I'm glad that was brought up. And I've been doing group tours for twenty eight years now, which I I I can't believe. And I I first started getting into tourism because I wanted to see sites. I'm like, I know I can't pay for it, so I need to be a tour guide and and going from that. I didn't realize the whole experience and having shared experiences with others was gonna be my highlight.And to this day, that's my favorite part is going to meet people that I've never met before and going having these shared experiences with. And and sometimes, you know, you build friends for a lifetime off of that.Michael Kinney:I think especially our last group too, we we really, built that with several of the the travelers, which is great. So and I so if you're hesitant, like, well, I'd like to this trip sounds great or any of our trips, but I am kind of worried about that. We really try to balance all our tours out. It's it's it's imperative that we have that balance of, some of the group time to have these, shared experiences to leisure time so that you can go and have your own adventures. And that is so crucial to all of our trips. That's why our hotels, and we can talk about that later, are centrally located. So once we go out and do, say, our city tour, our our our food tour in Palermo and walking around, you'll have, like, the remainder of the day to go explore on your own or some of those new friends that you met. Maybe you can go out and have a glass of wine with them.But again, it's all about that balance. And we each and every itinerary that we put together, we really work on making sure we have that balance in in the trips itself. Because I think that is the success of it. So we don't pack the days all day long on, like, seeing this, this, and this. We give you the nice highlights, and we'll have some other fun inclusions. But again, each place that we go to centrally located hotels, we have that free time too. So you can do your own thing or jump on with a group that you've met and have cocktails, Aperol spritzes in the main, Piazza later on. So it it's so fun, but it it really comes back.You register for a trip, but you don't know you're gonna meet some great people. And at at the end of the trip, it's typically these, these people and these, shared experiences come back, and that's where the meaning of the the trip comes in. It's so it's it's so much fun to see them build together.Stephanie Hansen:On each of the trips that I've done with you, we've had solo travelersMichael Kenney:Mhmm.Stephanie Hansen:Which I think people are like, oh, you know, I don't know. I don't have a partner to go with or my friend can't go. And that to me has also been super fun, like the solo travelers and the friends that they've made. And, like, one of the gals I saw from our Asia trip, I saw our friend Annie last night, and she was a solo traveler. Ended up pairing up with Laurie in a room and sharing, actually, actually, which a lot of solo travelers don't wanna share. I get that. But in this case, they both did, and they are like fast friends.Michael Kenney:That I mean, that's that's so much fun to see that. First off, if, you know, we all have it like your maybe your husband or wife or friend they don't want to go but you're like interested in this trip. We get that on all of our trips and we specifically specifically have, several single rooms set aside for those, adventure traveler seekers to have that. So you can pick your own room and go as a single or maybe you want us to to pair you up. We can do that too and get you in contact with another solo traveler like lorian annie did and that typically works out really well too but it's it's I think the like minded people looking for adventures you'll never feel like you're by yourself on any of our trips So, like, oh, I'm a third wheel. Never ever ever. And sometimes that's the best way to travel because you don't have to make sure your traveling partner is having a great time. You only can worry about yourself.Hey. I'm gonna have a great time. And, you know, all of our trip travelers that I've I've ever heard from, they've had a great time going solo, and they meet these like minded people. And, again, all of a sudden, they have friends for a lifetime, like, you know, Lori and Annie did. So if you're you're even thinking about it, like, I'm solo and I'm a little skeptical about going by myself, give us a call. Send us an email. We we can get you your own, room, single, room. They are filling up quick, though.We have a few left, or we can pair you up with somebody too to share that single supplement. But, again, you'll never feel like a third wheel with any of our tours. And this, in addition, just works really, really well for single travelers, and you'll meet some probably good friends on it.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. And, also, like, ladies, some of you I know, like, getting coming out of relationships or divorce, you wanna do something unique. I have someone in my family who are shall remain nameless, who's gonna be joining us, who wanted to get back to Europe, but she's just not in a relationship status that would work for that as the way she thought it was gonna be. So I was like, come with us. Like, we're gonna have a ball. There's men. There's women. You know, my husband has come on some trips, but others, he hasn't.And Mhmm. It's just there's a great mix of people.Michael Kenney:Yeah. No. It it it it's great. Now this isn't a singles trip, but maybe you can find Giuseppe at the local cafe. You never know. So you never know. So anyway, yeah, it it works great for whatever status you are in life, single, you know, whatever. It these really, really work really nice.And sometimes, like, my brother came, and we shared a room on our the last trip, and he just wanted to kind of have a experience and get away from, you know, what's going on in life over here and just do a reset. And he came back and said, I'm really recharged. And he's kinda like going into he's retired, and he wants to do something else in his, you know, second part of his life. And he he's going after something right now because he he was able to kinda just disconnect Yeah. And then just take it all in and then kinda come back and, like, let's go. So regardless from relationships to job hunting or whatever, sometimes these trips are great. Even if you go solo, that could even be better.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Just to get a reset.Can you give us, like, without, like, going into all the detail, like, a high level, not day by day, but just, like, what are the towns we're gonna visit? What are because we're gonna be in, I think, three different areas.Michael Kenney:Yeah. Correct. So if you if you go on our, at definedestinations.com and look at, taste of Sicily Twenty Twenty Five, you can find the day by day, itinerary on that, and you'll get to be able to see through it. But again, it reads like a brochure, and you go through each item. And everything that we mentioned on that, it's, it is included. But the neat thing is we go from the North to the South and then all the way over to the, the East side of the island. So you're really having a great feel for the entire island itself. And, we have three nights in Palermo, and then we have one night in Agrigento, which is at the very southern on the beach, our hotel's right on the beach.You can walk right down there. And even October mid October is a great time to go too because the temperatures are, like, mid seventies, so it's super comfortable. And the water temperature is still pretty nice if you want to jump in. And then we have three nights in Siracoosa. So we we have these, like, kind of, hub and spoke places that we we do our adventures from the but we always come back to our centrally located place. So, anyway, we'll we'll find the Palermo. We have a connection. If you do our included flights, there's no, direct flights from from Minneapolis into Sicily.So we have a connection, on that.Stephanie Hansen:And let me just touch on that because some people want to work with the travel agent to have all of the flight things arranged for them, and that is an option with you. But you also do have options where people can meet you at the destination. So, like, for me, we have a lot of miles that we're always trying to burn up. Yeah. So for us, we book our own airfare so that we can use our miles, and then we sometimes add a few days on at the end, or we might even go to a different destination. With your group travel plans, both of those options are available to people.Michael Kenney:A %. I'm glad you asked that too because, yes, there's people that have miles or if they only wanna stay exclusively with Delta or United or whatever, that's fine. Our trips truly begin and end at at the hotels. With that, we do offer an included group package you can jump on, but the whole group will not be on that flight for sure. It's just an option to do that. And my my team can also, get you, flights separate from that too if you wanted to come early like you said, Stephanie, or stay light. Hey. I wanna go see the Colosseum on this trip.Great. My team can put a pre tour, post tour package together if you want to do that. Or even if you don't want any of our help, that's fine. You can just book our land only. You'll be able to see our group flight numbers on there too so you can kinda coordinate that. But the great thing is that both, airports, in Palermo we fly into, and then we fly out of Catania. They're close to both, towns, so you can easily take an Uber. So it's really pretty easy to get to and from, and that's where the, the the the tour start from.So if you're hesitant, hey. I need to book the group air. Don't worry about that. You don't have to do that by any means. We're happy to help you, on all the other aspects too to to get the airfare, with that. So, yep, we fly into Palermo. We'll settle into our our our three, our centrally located hotel, which is fabulous. Again, remind me that we need to touch on the the hotels too a little bit.Stephanie Hansen:Yep.Michael Kenney:But it's right in the center. We'll do a food tour of one of the local markets. Again, like you mentioned, maybe we have some guests on the trip that could care less about food or wine tastings. It's just a a piece of of our trip. So even if you're, a modest food lover or you only like cornflakes, there's gonna be some fun things to do on this as well. And we find that, you learn a lot about the culture through the food. Yeah. That's the reason we we do part of that too.So it'll be fun regardless. You're going through the markets. You're learning about the foods. Things like that. We go to, the the Cathedral Of Monreali, which, hey. We're seeing another church. We typically don't always do that, but this is really specific. This church is beautiful.It's got, it's it's a massive church built in the twelfth century, and they're famous for all its mosaics. The whole interior, the churches, all these fine mosaics they did almost a thousand years ago. It's unreal. So it's beautiful that we'll be doing that. We'll go to Cefalu, a little, seaside village, which is outside of Palermo a little ways. Maybe you've seen White Lotus. Part of that was filmed there or all parts of the, that, season two was filmed in Sicily. So we'll have a lot of White Lotus moments, as well on that, which which will be a lot of fun.And then from there, we'll be driving after our three nights in, in Palermo. We'll be heading south, crossing the entire, island itself. Absolutely beautiful. Even our coach rides, which aren't a lot, that they're just stunning. And and enjoying the countryside is absolutely beautiful. And we'll be going to that's where Agrigento is, and it feels like you're being stuck in Greece. Like, wow. There's all these Greek ruins, you know, two, three thousand years old.It's like, this is unbelievable. They have some of the better Greek ruins even outside of Athens, which is amazing. So walking through Agrigento, experiencing that, seeing that during the sunset, it's it's it's magical. I use that word a lot, but I think the whole trip really is. And then we we we settle into our hotel right on the beach, which is lovely. And then from there, we'll be going over to Siracusa, which is one of my favorite places ever. My first time I went to Sicily, we didn't go there. And I went back and I said, how do we skip that the first time? Siracoosa is, it's unbelievable.And you've agreed too. We we're staying right in they called it Ortega. That's like the old city of Siracusa. And we're staying right inside the city wall. So our bus will drop our private bus for our group will drop us off, and then we have to walk about ten minutes to our hotel, which is on a small little alleyway. And we'll talk about that later on. But it's a great location that we'll be doing, having different experiences, seeing all the the ruins, walking around at night. It's just beautiful.And from there, we'll be out we'll also be going to see Mount Etna, which is still an active volcano. We'll be on the sides of it. It's unbelievable. All of a sudden, you feel like you're being transported onto the moon. You see the vents and things like that. It's beautiful. And they grow some amazing wines there too on the slopes of it, and we'll be tasting some of those.Stephanie Hansen:That's so cool.Michael Kenney:Yeah. It's it's it's it really is pretty cool, because of that that rich soil just offers great Sicilian wines and the dry and the the elevation. So it it culminates to be really, really good. So, work on your Sicilian, reds. They're they're quite good.Stephanie Hansen:It will be exciting. Yeah.Michael Kenney:No. It it it's great. So I mean, it's it's seven, nights, a nine day trip, in Sicily. You'll have a real good flavor of the city, of all the areas that we visit. So it's it's quite nice. And if you go on the, the website, you'll see all the the inclusions as well. So we include mostly everything that we've talked about. There's really, we don't include all the meals because we want some experiences, for yourself too to go out and go, hey.Michael Kenney:We're gonna go to this little restaurant or whatever. Mhmm. And we have a local guide with us the entire time that will really help, talk about the history, and, you know, what's going on with the people itself, but then just pointing out great restaurants and other little experiences you can doStephanie Hansen:during the free And that's I love that because when we go to some of these places, like, I think I told you my husband is, he's kind of an you know, he's in venture. He always wants to do his own thing. So if we land in a place, he's like, okay. We're gonna take off. We're gonna go do this. We're gonna do that. And, you know, we try to balance, like, doing the group things with also him having his best life and doing some unique, food experiences just on our own. So every everybody gets a little bit of everything.It's a real delightful mix. You've been to Sicily. Now I think this will be, you said, your third time, fourth time?Michael Kenney:Fourth time.Stephanie Hansen:I'm so impressed that you're coming.Michael Kenney:Yeah. I'd well, I can't miss with your groups too. I can't go on all our trips, but this is definitely one I I, notched away because I think, part of me still is in Sicily. There's there's just something about it, and you can't you know, I've been to other parts of Italy plenty of times, and I feel like I'm an Italian, but, there's just something with Sicily. Maybe I meant I meant the grit. I've talked about that. It feels like a real city, real sites, real food, just from the the different markets, the fish markets is just everything seems really authentic.Stephanie Hansen:I love it.Michael Kenney:That's what I really, really love, and I think the guests do too. I'm I'm just envisioning myself walking and through Palermo with my last group, and there was, like, there was music being played in the streets, and people are sitting down and having glasses of wine. There was no festival going on. It was just this this zest for life thatStephanie Hansen:Yeah. The Italians just in general, they stay up late. They eat late. So they have, like, a happy hour kind of at, like, six to seven, and then they go home and get ready to go out for the dinner time in a lot of cases. So they spend a lot of time outdoors, and they like to do it when it's not in the blazing hot sun. So things really there's a great nightlife. People are, out and about into all hours of the evening, which is fun. So I'm just super excited.So if people wanna join us, you said I mean, I know we've got some rooms booked already. Yeah. So are there some rooms left if people wanna book, and what is the timeline that they should be doing that, and how do they do it?Michael Kenney:Yeah. That's a great question. So I said we have about we can handle maximum of 30 people. So we have about seven rooms up, so about 14 people. So if someone calls and say, well, will this be booked up by next week? It probably won't be, but I always tell people, go ahead, put your deposit down, hold the seat on the trip itself. And you just have to go to definedestinations.com. You can book everything right then then and there. It's super simple process.You just put your your information in. You don't need a valid passport right now to to enter that in. But you just go ahead and you fill that out, put your deposit down, at least then you'll you'll have a, a seat held for you. Then you can work on if you wanna get your own air fryer or if you wanna stay earlier, you know, stay after later on the trip itself. You you can do that all right there as well. So it's pretty simple.Stephanie Hansen:And then once you're booked and we know who's coming, we usually try to have a call to kinda give everybody the particulars of that trip. Sometimes depending on our time frame, we try to get together in person. I wasn't able for the last one because I had so many things coming, and I'm not sure what'll happen with this one because I've got the cookbook coming out, in September. But one way or another, we will see each other's faces, and we will get on that plane, and we will arrive together and have a blast. So I'm looking forward to it, and we've got other trips planned. I know we're trying to book another Croatia trip possibly for the following year for the fall and something in the spring. So if you guys have any destinations you wanna check out with me, let me know. I'm always looking for new places to go. You just went to the Galapagos. It sounded like it was amazing.Michael Kenney:Yeah. It that that was, fabulous. I was just doing a site inspection because we're looking about having groups go to the Galapagos and the Amazon, and it it was it was unreal. I loved it. Completely different experience from going to, to going to Sicily. Well, that's great. There's so many experiences to have on our on the world, and we only have so much time to be able to do those. So you gotta kinda hit that hierarchy of, you know, what's what's important.For anybody that's just thinking about it or if this is the first time you've ever even heard of Sicily, please take a look at this because it is really a magical trip, and we have so many fun inclusions. Our hotel locations are in the city center. I wanted to mention that, not, just because we're on tiny little streets. So you mentioned, like, the the nightlife. It's we're not on a bustling street where all the cars are going by. It's like you feel like you're a local. You'll go out the door, and there's mama Rosita across the street, you know, cutting herStephanie Hansen:Yeah. Sitting outside. Yes.Michael Kenney:That's the experience we want, not just on this trip, all of our trips. We want you to feel like you're kind of a, a local for even three nights when we're there, so you'll know where the the nearest bakery is and, the restaurants. And I think you'll have that on this trip. I it's it's reallyStephanie Hansen:I love it.Michael Kenney:Something else with all our hotels. You'll absolutely love that. We know exactly where to stay, and sometimes that's overwhelming when you're looking at doing a trip in your own, like, where should I go? What should I where should I stay? Like, it's overwhelming. We want this to be just book the trip. We're gonna be taking care of all the highlights for you.Stephanie Hansen:Pack your bags and come along. Yes.Michael Kenney:Exactly. So that's that's what's really important to us. And IStephanie Hansen:think I'm looking forward to it. It's gonna be awesome. I'm gonna release this podcast, not this Friday, but next Friday. So k. Between now and then, you guys, I hope you get your seats booked, and I hope to see you on this amazing trip. Thanks, Michael.Michael Kenney:Wonderful. Thanks, Michael.Stephanie Hansen:It was awesome. It's defined destinations. You can find them at defineddestinations.com. Taste of Italy is right on the front page. Click that, and you can see all the itinerary of the whole trip. And we're gonna have a great time.Michael Kenney:Taste of Sicily.Stephanie Hansen:Yes. The tasteMichael Kenney:of Sicily.Stephanie Hansen:Oh, what did I call it? What did I say? Taste ofMichael Kenney:Italy. We have one of those too. Oh, okay. The Sicily one.Stephanie Hansen:Taste of Sicily specifically. Yes. And then if you like Italy, you can go back because there are a lot of places to go back to. Amalfi Coast is great, but it's different. And, like, I there I've been to a lot of different places in Italy, and they're all a little bit different. And I like them all for different reasons. So I'm really excited to explore Sicily.Michael Kenney:Yep. It's gonna be great. Well, thanks so much for the time.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. We'll talk soon.Michael Kenney:Yep.Stephanie Hansen:Bye. Bye bye.Stephanie's Dish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

In this "Best Of" episode which originally aired on October 9th, 2024, Adam, Curtis, and Jim are joined by Jonathan Cefalu, the founder of Preamble. Mr. Cefalu shares insights on enhancing artificial intelligence (AI) trust, specifically in nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) systems. https://warontherocks.com/2023/04/ai-at-war/

Dans cet extrait, Aurélie nous raconte le début de leur superbe road trip : Palerme, Cefalu, Milazzo et Taormine.Pour écouter l'épisode en entier :Road trip en famille en Sicile******************************************Production : Stéphanie CordierMusique : Luk & Jo

Adam, Curtis, and Jim are joined by Jonathan Cefalu, the founder of Preamble. Mr. Cefalu shares insights on enhancing artificial intelligence (AI) trust, specifically in nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) systems.

Like the conception of Frankenstein, Our friend Derrik not only spent many years working for the band RUSH, but has revolutionized art and art history,.... especially in music. His company "BRANDEDSTEIN" has recently partnered up with one of the WORLDS most notorious graphic designers that is responsible for album covers like an original design of the Rolling Stones tongue, Alice Cooper, The Bee Gees, Aerosmith, Jesus Christ Superstar and so many more. Derrik will be using his multi million dollar equipment to allow anyone to choose from Ernies 1000's of designs and have them displayed on almost anything. You want a Rolling Stones Tongue on a tshirt, a mug and a jacket from the original artwork, here you go. Not only can you replicate an existing design, but his website allows you to design your own with or without AI. We dont want to pretend to sound smart, but listen in and Derrik tells all. The possibilities are endless. Go to WWW.BRANDEDSTEIN.COM and tell Derrik that John and Mark sent ya. Truly cool stuff --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musiciansandbeyond/support

Since we have yet to unravel the profound topic of pregnancy loss, particularly from a sovereign woman's perspective, we invite you to witness Alex's moving story of the loss of her daughter Lila in the moments after birth. Alex chose to experience a wild pregnancy— a pregnancy outside the obstetric industrial complex, devoid of ultrasounds, blood work, measuring, tracking, and testing— and despite the emotional suffering she endured as a result of her tragic loss, she explains why she would not hesitate to proceed with another wild pregnancy and freebirth the second time around.We discuss themes such as the fine line between birth and death, how nobody and no technology can "save" us, the way our society views miscarriage and stillbirth in the hospital vs. at home, setting boundaries with well-meaning yet fearful friends and family, and we hear Alex's theory on the likely cause of death of her sweet baby girl.Follow Alex on instagram and DM her to join her virtual loss support group.Regardless of whether you've experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth or where you chose to give birth, you are welcome to join Alex's support group.Support the Show.DONATE (Thank you!!

On this month's mafia episode, we take a look at the last three bosses of the Gambino family. We got Domenico Cefalu who is believed to be the current boss, and with his ascension to the top, it marked the end of the Gotti era of the family. Frank Cali was believed to be an acting boss at the time he was killed outside of his home in 2019. It was the first hit on a mafia boss since the 80's when Gotti took out Paul Castellano. Then there is Lorenzo Mannino which not much is known about him, but he is believed to be the current front boss of the family.Subscribe to our YouTube!youtube.com/@bangdangnetworkJoin our Facebook group to discuss this episode, past episodes, or true crime in general! Use this link! https://www.facebook.com/groups/9379857109287Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/outlaws-gunslingers--4737234/support.

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we engage in a dynamic discussion with Kevin Cefalu. Kevin shares managerial insights, valuable lessons from the Summit, and the workings of Azure Durable Functions. The conversation shifts to the power of Pair Programming and Call for Presentations (CFP) and how this involved Andrew. We explore the usage of the .vscode folder and Plaster for workspace customization and conclude with Kevin's intriguing thoughts on AI applications. A powerful blend of knowledge, experience, and technology.   Guest Bio and links:  In the heart of southern Louisiana, a DevOps Engineering Manager masters the arts of C#.NET and PowerShell, wielding over a decade of experience with a Microsoft Azure wizard's touch. Away from the techno-tangle, he's a 3D printing enthusiast, gamer, and project tinkerer, often joined by his wife Linsay, daughter Olivia, and their pups Ajax and Callie. His world is a vibrant mix of tech mastery, playful hobbies, and joyful family moments. Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CrUWrUKtCw https://discord.gg/pdq Podcast Survey: https://forms.office.com/r/dJXs31pAd3 https://blog.ironmansoftware.com/powershell-universal-apis-cve/ https://devblogs.microsoft.com/powershell/powershell-7-4-general-availability/ https://sid-500.com/2023/11/14/powershell-search-for-empty-folders-and-delete-them/ https://mdgrs.hashnode.dev/speeding-up-powershell-module-development-with-restartablesession https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/VSTeam/7.2.0  

Darin and John interview legendary contemporary artist and art director Ernie Cefalu whose company Pacific Eye and Ear worked on the album cover for Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.  For more information on Ernie please visit the links below: www.thefineartofrock.com www.pacificeyeandear.com www.originalalbumcoverart.com  

Herzlich willkommen zu einer neuen Folge Bits and Bobs Brunch Club! Nach meinem traumhaften Sizilien Urlaub bin ich zurück mit einer Solofolge zu unserem Roadtrip. Ich hatte unglaublich hohe Erwartungen an unseren 14-tägigen Urlaub und wollte unbedingt das Beste daraus machen. Ich erzähle euch in dieser Folge also alle Details dazu, wie ich bei der Planung und Buchung unserer Unterkünfte vorgegangen bin, welche Stopps ich besonders empfehlen kann und welche mich eher enttäuscht haben. Viel Spaß beim Hören – vielleicht inspiriert es ja, den ein oder anderen auch bald eine Reise zur faszinierenden, italienischen Insel zu machen.

Musicians And Beyond just keeps digging deeper into the stories from the mouth of Ernie Cefalu. Ernie tells us in this episode about a original Rolling Stones tongue piece that was "lost" for 53 years and how he recently reunited with it a month ago. Humor, facts and storytelling are Ernies traits as he reflects his 50 plus years of working with so many well known musicians. Although he is known for the disruptive antics at Pacific Eye And Ear, it has brought his works tremendous attention and success. Ernie delivers new news to our listeners about his intentions to sell his original & iconic works to the public. Now is your chance to own a ORIGINAL piece of history and the rights to brag about it to your fellow collectors... --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musiciansandbeyond/support

Cerramos la IV Temporada con este episodio tan interesante: ¿Quién era Abderramán III? ¿Por qué se proclamó califa? ¿Qué extensión y control tenía el califato de Córdoba? ¿Α quienes se tuvo que enfrentar Abderramán III? Estas y más cuestiones en este episodio de Mesokosmos Historia, además no te pierdas la noticias de la Historia, sobre el hallazgo de una milenaria espada en Alemania y Daniel Ellsberg el filtrador de los papeles del Pentágono; Los personajes del mes: Mariana Pineda y Pablo Picasso; además en este episodio en exclusiva los momentos de la Historia con los invitados: Αntonio Campos, Esteban Mira Caballos, Alejandra Hernández @tcuentounahistoria, María Leblich, Mario Αmorós y Nair Αnaya @contartearte ¿Dónde puedes encontrar a Mesokosmos Historia? Somos iVoox Originals https://mesokosmoshistoria.ga/ Facebook: Mesokosmos Historia Twitter: @mesokosmos2019 Instagram: Mesokosmos Historia Linkedin: Mesokosmos Historia Correo electrónico: mesokomoshistoria@gmail.com Canal de Telegram: https://t.me/mesokosmoshistoria Puedes patrocinarnos a través de iVoox en la pestaña azul de apoyar y tendrás acceso a material adicional. La música que se ha usado en este episodio les bajo la licencia de Jamendo Music contratada y gestionada por IVOOX (SGAE RRDD/4/1074/1012). Excepto los tracks: Mesokosmos Historia by Shek - https://oldboyshek.bandcamp.com Tramonto a Cefalù by MK ORTIZ - https://soundcloud.com/mkortiz EL CALIFATO DE ΑBDERRΑMΑN III (Capítulo: 134; Temporada: 4) Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

Enter a mysterious realm with the classic Nekrophile Rekords compilation "The Beast 666." A truly legendary release, we discuss all the details and references with the titles, cover art and more. Assume the entry pose and let the sea of Cefalu wash over your mind's landscape. "The Beast 666" is one of the great artifacts of the industrial underground.

Our final "Under The Covers" episode part, but surely not the last time M&B will be working with the legendary Ernie Cefalu. In this episode, we chat with the Godfather of Album covers about future news in the making! Ernie has the largest Original album art collection and numerous art pieces. We walk through the recent past as he paints a picture of recent Art museum shows including Forest Lawn, The Smithsonian Rock and Soul, Gallery 13 and The Disciple. Part 10n tells a great story! This history explored here should and will last for ever. Although Ernie constantly showed his appreciation to Musicians And Beyond (and others) for keeping his story alive and getting it out to the world, MnB will forever be grateful to been entrusted to do this. We are fortunate to be able to call Ernie a friend. "Thank you for being our Friend". #erniecefalu #graphicdesigner #albumcover #rollingstones #alicecooper #cheechandchong #Beegees #friendsforever #newfriends #grateful --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musiciansandbeyond/support

Sex, Drugs and Rock N Roll, we hit them all in our enlightening conversations with the legendary Ernie Cefalu. Ernie, founder of Pacific Eye And Ear, takes us down the road of marijuana and CBD. Ernie is part owner of a very successful facility that grows and sells a variety of products. If its "Grand Daddy Purp", "Love", or even the "Medusa" strain, Ernies creatitivity has brought him to master the packaging and branding for his and other companies. Ernie also self proclaims that he often "samples" these products prior to design sessions to increase his creative palette. He tells us about therecreational and medicinal properties of these products. Ernie, best known for his album cover designs and corporate work is the single largest owner of original album art in the word!!! Listen in to hear his plan and find out how YOU can own one of these original pieces. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musiciansandbeyond/support

Believe it or not !!! Ernie gets "Under The Covers" in this part of our multipart series. Ernie Cefalu, a graphic designer for the corporate world as well as the music album cover industry tells us about his biggest competition from the record labels , the artist version vs the clients version and restraints on the artists. The godfather of album covers has over 50 years experience and gives fantastic advise to existing and up and coming artists regarding legal issues. The info and all the twists and turns make this series part exciting, interesting and informative. You just never know what Ernie or the M&B hosts will say. Buckle Up and enjoy #Erniecefalu #artist #historymaker #albumart #musiciansandbeyond #coveryourears #buckleup --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musiciansandbeyond/support

Not only are there 1000's of corporate pieces and 250 Album artwork that were used, there were quite a few great iconic art and lettering that were not used for various reasons. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musiciansandbeyond/support

150 Aniversario de la Primera República española, repasamos en este episodio los aspectos más destacados de aquella experiencia republicana. ¿Cómo fue la llegada de la República en España? ¿Qué tendencias republicanas se enfrentaron? ¿Cuántos presidentes tuvo la Primera República? ¿A qué problemas se enfrentó la primera república? Estas y más cuestiones en este episodio de Mesokosmos Historia, además no te pierdas la noticias de la Historia y los personajes del mes. ¿Dónde puedes encontrar a Mesokosmos Historia? Somos iVoox Originals https://mesokosmoshistoria.ga/ Facebook: Mesokosmos Historia Twitter: @mesokosmos2019 Instagram: Mesokosmos Historia Linkedin: Mesokosmos Historia Correo electrónico: mesokomoshistoria@gmail.com Canal de Telegram: https://t.me/mesokosmoshistoria Puedes patrocinarnos a través de iVoox en la pestaña azul de apoyar y tendrás acceso a material adicional. La música que se ha usado en este episodio les bajo la licencia de Jamendo Music contratada y gestionada por IVOOX (SGAE RRDD/4/1074/1012). Excepto los tracks: Mesokosmos Historia by Shek https://iamshek.bandcamp.com Tramonto a Cefalù by MK ORTIZ -- https://soundcloud.com/mkortiz Puedes patrocinarnos a través de iVoox en la pestaña azul de apoyar y tendrás acceso a sorteos, material adicional y podcast exclusivos. 150 ANIVERSARIO PRIMERA REPÚBLICA ESPAÑOLA (Capítulo: 133; Temporada: 4) Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

And the journey continues with the legendary & iconic Ernie Cefalu when we go "Under The Covers". In this part of our multipart series, Ernie reveals how his creative process is only a small part to his success. Ernie credits many around him for their contributions to his pieces and how together, they have created some of the most recognizable album cover art in the World. His album covers are many,.... 249 to be exact ! Some of the most notable ones include Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, The Bee Gees, Rolling Stones, Jesus Christ Super Star, Cheech and Chong, Grand Funk Railroad, Burton Cummings, Black Sabbath, Iron Butterfly and The Doors and so many more. Listen in to hear the crazy but true antics and stories Ernie tells us about what went into some of the covers he created at his Pacific Eye And Ear facility. His stories are endless and are truly iconic. You will be on the edge of your seat wanting more. Not to worry,... follow our Under The Covers series and hear it right from the creator himself. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiciansandbeyond/support

My guest today is the first guest invited back to the podcast. Why is that, you ask? Well, he was the first guest ever on My First Season just over two years ago, but back then, I stuck to the script. Meaning, we only talked about his first season and none of the other 10 seasons or more that he did. He was kind enough to be a test subject of sorts for my podcast, and like all things, My First Season has only evolved from that very first interview with him. He has agreed to come back to the podcast and talk about his other seasons and make you laugh your butts off! From Boston, Massachusetts, now living in Montreal, please help me welcome back to My First Season, James “Joker” Cradle!! I have known Joker for 23 years now and counting and we met on the dock in beautiful Lindeman Island, Australia in 2000 for the very first time. Joker worked for Club Med from 1997 to 2005. He worked in villages such as Cancun, Huatulco, Cefalu, Moorea, Foca, Paradise Island, Punta Cana, and Ixtapa. You want funny stories?! Joker has them!! From getting a nasty head injury during a show in Moorea to the famous “Singles Mingles” cruise in Lindeman Island (The CDV sent me on the cruise to control Joker's enthusiasm). How did that turn out? Like you'd expect! From the Kusadasi (Greg) versus Foca (Joker) G.O. volleyball game during the summer of 2001 to a Razor scooter wipe-out at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island to an interesting choice of dress (or lack thereof) for the Christmas party at Hendel's place in Cancun in December 2004, it's all here!! Joker mentions a lot of people from the past that he enjoyed working with, his three favorite Crazy Signs of all time (Tiffany?!), and the three things he misses most about working at Club Med. Hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane with Joker!! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review at Apple podcasts. This is the video (part 1) where France's Woman's Olympic Beach Volleyball team handed our butts to me and Joker in Lindeman Island, Australia on September 3, 2000: CM Lindeman Island-Sept 3 2000-Beach VB Part 1 - YouTube And, if you want to listen to the first ever "My First Season" interview with Joker, see below: My First Season-Joker | My First Season    

We go "Under The Covers" again with Ernie Cefalu as part of our multipart series.  Ernie and Pacific Eye & Ear may be best known for their 250 album cover designs. These opportunities would have never have come to fruition without the solid foundation of corporate pieces. This series part talks about some of his album cover designs and his factual timeline on his design of the first Rolling Stones Tongue and the controversy that came with it. These historical facts are told to you, the listener, directly from Ernie himself. Our series is designed to give you a chronological timeline in documentary form to paint a clear and factual picture of this true history. Please share with your friends and thank you for listening to our action packed & entertaining series. #erniecefalu #albumart #art #Rollingstones #tongue #Cheechandchong #bigbamboo #georgecarlin #alicecooper #beegees #blacksabbath #musiciansandbeyond #lawhorne #surabian #controversy  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiciansandbeyond/support

Lets go "Under The Covers" with Ernie Cefalu. As expected, this is an action packed behind the scenes look to some of the many iconic corporate pieces in Ernies portfolio. His freelance & corporate work is only a piece to the whole puzzle of Ernies life. Scholastic books, The Garden Of Eden, Jazz On Grass, New York Life, Waring Mixers, Omega watches and Ralston Purina are just a handful of his works. Find out never been heard stories from the man himself as John and Mark join him in his story telling adventures. Buckle up,.......... This is one wild ride he is taking us on. We dont even need a ticket!!!! #erniecefalu #rollingstones #tongue #designer #graphics #corporate #gentleman #freelance #scholasticbooks #jazzongrass #gardenofeden #newyorklife #waring #omegawatches #Ralston #purina #podcast #lawhorne #surabian --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiciansandbeyond/support

Bonjour à tous, et bienvenue à nouveau dans le podcast sur le voyage et le tourisme, My First Season. J'ai rencontré mon invitée aujourd'hui sur le groupe Facebook «Club Med Le groupe des G.O.'s». Elle a travaillé pour le Club Med de 1981 à 1988. Sa première saison a eu lieu en 1981 à Cefalu, en Sicile, et elle a travaillé dans des villages tels que Pompadour, Agadir, Vittel, les Boucaniers, Santa Teresa, les Bermudes, Cap Skirring, la Caravelle et Sainte-Lucie. Elle a occupé plusieurs postes au Club Med dont ceux de tir à l'arc, de yoga, de snorkeling, de fitness, Repsonsable du restaurant typique et des relations publiques. Joignez-vous à moi pour souhaiter la bienvenue à Nadine Reynaud de Paris! Avant son passage au Club Med, Nadine travaillait à l'Opéra national de Paris comme caissière ou sa mère y était costumière. Nadine a travaillé pour des chefs de villages tells que Yanis Giourgas, Pierre Simaeys, Mery Beillili, Ricardo Gonzales, Josanne «Jojo Desmartes» et André Lentini. Nadine partage avec nous tant d'histoires étonnantes, j'espère donc que vous apprécierez cet épisode avec une personne très amusante!  Le podcast Ma première Saison a toujours été sans publicité et gratuit à écouter et est disponible sur Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. Et si vous aimez ce que vous entendez, veuillez laisser un commentaire sur les podcasts Apple.      

We interrupt this program... M&B sat in on an unscripted conversation with the super talented writer for GOLDMINE MAGAZINE, Ivor Levene and the iconic history maker Ernie Cefalu. We chat about the newly released Goldmine Magazine issue that consists of an unprecedented 20 page feature article, written by, Ivor Levene. The article consists of an annotated story on the history of California based ad agency Pacific Eye And Ear's Ernie Cefalu. Ernie is credited with thousands of corporate pieces as well as 250 music album covers including those of Alice Cooper, Cheech and Chong, The Bee Gees, Aerosmith and also credited with designing the original Rolling Stones Tongue. The article paints an incredible picture and gives the reader backed up facts that makes the article super interesting and easy to follow. This history and story must be preserved and told so future generations know the real backstories behind all of these works. This limited edition is a must have for your collection. The conversation even foreshadows big things to come. Listen to Musicians And Beyond Podcast's special multi-part series "Under The Covers" and hear the chronological documentary on Ernie's life, his works and the history he has made. These stories are told right from the man himself. Buckle up and enjoy this ride with the colorful Ernie Cefalu. #erniecefalu #erniescorner #goldmine #magazine #rollingstones #aerosmith #cheechchong #pacificeyeandear #ivorlevene #musiciansandbeyond #lawhornesurabian #art #cover #story --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiciansandbeyond/support

Part 2 "Under The Covers" with the iconic history maker Ernie Cefalu. The excitement builds in this episode when Ernie brings us back to his college years and his big move to New York and how "Dolls Alive" came to life. A time when his fuse was lit and his album cover design work was about to blow up. You will never believe the story behind how the successful Pacific Eye And Ear came about; it's possible that mind altering substances played a part. Listen into another action packed, storytelling extravaganza you won't want to miss. *"Love You Crazy" courtesy of Batson Haines Music Nashville TN --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiciansandbeyond/support

Buckle up for for this journey! M&B takes you through a multipart series “Under The Covers” with Ernie Cefalu. We document all of Ernie's life, artwork and career. Ernie is a true history maker and is responsible for over 250 album cover deigns, including Alice Cooper, Cheech and Chong, Aerosmith and is even the original designer of the iconic Rolling Stones Tongue Logo. His portfolio also includes 1000s of corporate work. This is a fascinating story of a legendary career. Join Mark, John and the storyteller himself. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiciansandbeyond/support

Ernie Cefalu began his career as an advertising executive in the late 1960s and quickly drew himself into music history. They say timing is everything and for Ernie he swears by it, a lucky break put him in the right place at the right time. This encounter led him to influencing the design of one of the most iconic album covers ever. His higher ups recognized his talent and so did those who were their clients. Within a short period of time, Ernie became well known for his artistic design sense and ability to manage projects. After attaining his life long dream of working on Madison Avenue in New York, Ernie returned home and started "Pacific Eye & Ear" as his own shop. He and his team quickly became the pre-eminent album cover design firms in the country. Cefalu has received three Grammy nominations and ten Music Hall of Fame Awards for his album cover work. The accolades are many and yet, Cefalu consistently points to lucky timing and his teams for his achieving so many successes. His could talk a dog of a meat wagon and fills this episode with so many stories and lessons learned from his years of moving and shaking in the ad world. Stay tuned and be ready for an an amazing series of conversations where, along with Ernie, we explore his career, influence and impact on society. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiciansandbeyond/support

Tom and Dave are joined by KLEW TV Reporter, formerly of the PAC-12, Gianna Cefalu as she joins the show again. Talking MLB Trade Deadline and the dumpster fire that is the Milwaukee Brewers Organization. A highlight of the weeks wacky sports news and Dan Campbell motivational speaking, all this and more, on Down The Wire.About the Chairshot Radio NetworkCreated in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts, including POD is WAR, Women's Wrestling Talk, The #Miranda Show, Badlands' Wrestling Mount Rushmores, The Outsider's Edge, DWI Podcast, Bandwagon Nerds, the Greg DeMarco Show, 3 Man Weave, Five Rounds, Turnbuckle Talk, The Reaction and more! You can find these great shows each week at theChairshot.com and through our distribution partners, including podcasting's most popular platforms.The Chairshot Radio NetworkYour home for the hardest hitting podcasts and radio shows!All Shows On DemandListen on your favorite platform!iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | SpotifyListen, like, subscribe, and share, and share!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/chairshot-radio-network/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tom and Dave are joined by KLEW TV Reporter, formerly of the PAC-12, Gianna Cefalu as she joins the show again. Talking MLB Trade Deadline and the dumpster fire that is the Milwaukee Brewers Organization. A highlight of the weeks wacky sports news and Dan Campbell motivational speaking, all this and more, Down The Wire

Jonathan Rodriguez Cefalu is the co-founder and CEO of Preamble, a company on a mission to provide ethical guardrails for AI systems by creating an AI-as-a-Service with a focus on ethics and safety. Jon earned a BS in Computer Science from Stanford University, where he discovered a passion for the coming age of VR and AR technologies. He went on to co-found Vergence Labs, which had ambitious plans to create the AR glasses of the future. Evan Spiegel shared that vision and brought Vergence Labs into Snap as its first acquisition. Jon's work became the foundation for Spectacles, and he went on to be the Project Lead for the first version of Spectacles and the most recent version with a display.In this conversation, Jon shares his perspective on the history, hurdles, and future of AR glasses. He also discusses his perspective on the risks and challenges of creating and engaging with AI systems, which among other risks, increases the likelihood of misinformation and manipulation.He goes on to describe the path he and his team are taking at Preamble to create ethical guardrails for these systems.You can find all of the show notes at thearshow.com.

KLEW CBS 3, Lewiston, ID

Tonight on Who Moved My Freedom I am joined by Vincent Cefalu, Former ATF Agent and Author of the book Ratsnakes: Cheating Death by Living A Lie: Inside the Explosive World of ATF's Undercover Agents and How We Changed the Game. Available on Amazon https://amzn.to/3mdVpL3 I am also joined by FlyingRich #wmmfpodcast

Dünyadaki en kafa rahatlatan yerlerden biri Sicilya adası. Birkaç sene önce gitmiştim, dönünce de bloga notlarımı yazmıştım, ne zamandır aklımdaydı şunu podcaste dönüştüreyim diye, kısmet bugüneymiş. Bölümün ilk yarısında adanın karman çorman tarihini ve genel izlenimlerimi anlatacağım, ikinci yarısında da rotamız üstündeki başlıca yerlerin özetini geçeceğim.Duyuru: Safsatalar Ansiklopedisi Kısaltılmış Edisyon çıktı! Daha çevik, zeki ve ahlaklı.Bölümler:(01:00) Bonus podcast: Gürman ile Sığınmacı Meselesi (42 Dakika versiyonu / Patreon versiyonu). (02:00) Sicilya: orijinal blog yazısı.(02:50) Sicilya'nın kısa tarihi.(04:30) Siraküz seferi.(07:10) carthago delenda est!(14:50) Araba kiralama macerası.(17:25) Mafiosi.(20:45) Palermo.(24:05) Cefalu.(25:05) Zingaro Rezervi.(25:55) Trapani ve Erice.(27:15) Hayalet kasaba Poggioreale.(28:20) Tapınaklar Vadisi ve küvetler.(30:05) Piazza Armerina mozaikleri.(32:20) Barok mezarlık.(33:00) Cavagrande.(33:30) Syracuse.(34:55) Patreon teşekkürleri.Sponsorlar:..Bu podcast, Decathlon hakkında reklam içerir.Decathlon Mayfest kapsamında 5 büyük şehirde gerçekleşecek olan (İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa ve Antalya'da) ücretsiz ve sürpriz ödüllerle dolu spor etkinliklerine ev sahipliği yapıyor. Mayıs ayı boyunca atölye hizmeti veren Decathlon mağazalarında ücretsiz bisiklet check up hizmetinden yararlanabilir ve aya özel fırsat ürünlerini keşfedebilirsiniz.Decathlon Mayfest fırsatlarını detaylı incelemek için tıklayın...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

RatSnakes: Cheating Death by Living A Lie: Inside the Explosive World of ATF's Undercover Agents Get ready to infiltrate the dangerous, secret world of criminals and cover identities by way of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)—where the world's greatest undercover agents are known as RatSnakes. RatSnakes are rarely, if ever, visible to the public they move among and risk their lives to protect. In fact, because of their cover personas, they're often assumed to be members of the clandestine criminal world they investigate. Real undercover work is a far cry from the sexy, candy-colored world you've seen in movies. Vincent A. Cefalu would know. He spent 30 years as an ATF undercover operative, in assignments ranging from the Symbionese Liberation Army to Asian organized crime. He has infiltrated notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs as well as splinter groups of the Ku Klux Klan, and in RatSnakes he provides an up-close look at the organization and the operatives with whom he risked his life. In this heart-pounding thrill-ride, Cefalu takes readers on a tour of what it's like to confront death on a daily basis. En route, he gives us a look at the on-the-job techniques of kicking in doors, orchestrating “street theater” to ensnare criminals, and making high-stakes gun buys. His irreverent, explicit stories from the inside are a mix of danger and unexpected hilarity that will have readers laughing one minute and then biting their nails when things break bad. Immersive and brutal, RatSnakes offers an in-depth look into the lives of an elite group of men and women who volunteer to do things most couldn't stomach.

RatSnakes: Cheating Death by Living A Lie: Inside the Explosive World of ATF's Undercover Agents Get ready to infiltrate the dangerous, secret world of criminals and cover identities by way of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)—where the world's greatest undercover agents are known as RatSnakes. RatSnakes are rarely, if ever, visible to the public they move among and risk their lives to protect. In fact, because of their cover personas, they're often assumed to be members of the clandestine criminal world they investigate. Real undercover work is a far cry from the sexy, candy-colored world you've seen in movies. Vincent A. Cefalu would know. He spent 30 years as an ATF undercover operative, in assignments ranging from the Symbionese Liberation Army to Asian organized crime. He has infiltrated notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs as well as splinter groups of the Ku Klux Klan, and in RatSnakes he provides an up-close look at the organization and the operatives with whom he risked his life. In this heart-pounding thrill-ride, Cefalu takes readers on a tour of what it's like to confront death on a daily basis. En route, he gives us a look at the on-the-job techniques of kicking in doors, orchestrating “street theater” to ensnare criminals, and making high-stakes gun buys. His irreverent, explicit stories from the inside are a mix of danger and unexpected hilarity that will have readers laughing one minute and then biting their nails when things break bad. Immersive and brutal, RatSnakes offers an in-depth look into the lives of an elite group of men and women who volunteer to do things most couldn't stomach.

RatSnakes: Cheating Death by Living A Lie: Inside the Explosive World of ATF's Undercover AgentsGet ready to infiltrate the dangerous, secret world of criminals and cover identities by way of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)—where the world's greatest undercover agents are known as RatSnakes.RatSnakes are rarely, if ever, visible to the public they move among and risk their lives to protect. In fact, because of their cover personas, they're often assumed to be members of the clandestine criminal world they investigate. Real undercover work is a far cry from the sexy, candy-colored world you've seen in movies.Vincent A. Cefalu would know. He spent 30 years as an ATF undercover operative, in assignments ranging from the Symbionese Liberation Army to Asian organized crime. He has infiltrated notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs as well as splinter groups of the Ku Klux Klan, and in RatSnakes he provides an up-close look at the organization and the operatives with whom he risked his life.In this heart-pounding thrill-ride, Cefalu takes readers on a tour of what it's like to confront death on a daily basis. En route, he gives us a look at the on-the-job techniques of kicking in doors, orchestrating “street theater” to ensnare criminals, and making high-stakes gun buys. His irreverent, explicit stories from the inside are a mix of danger and unexpected hilarity that will have readers laughing one minute and then biting their nails when things break bad.Immersive and brutal, RatSnakes offers an in-depth look into the lives of an elite group of men and women who volunteer to do things most couldn't stomach.

Ernie Cefalu is one of the most influential artists in Rock n Roll history. He created the infamous Rolling Stones lips & tongue logo, designed the album covers for "Jesus Christ Superstar", Alice Cooper's "School's Out", and hundreds more.  In 1972 he opened the legendary “Pacific Eye and Ear”. Over the next 14 years, he created another 183 album covers for rock legends like: The Doors, Aerosmith, The Bee Gees, The Guess Who, Black Sabbath, Jefferson Airplane, Grand Funk Railroad, Iron Butterfly, and Burton Cummings new “Above The Ground” album.  Ernie has received three Grammy nominations for his work, 10 Music Hall Of Fame awards, 4 awards of excellence from the Los Angeles Art Directors Club, and has been presented with 25 gold albums and a triple platinum album by some of the bands whose album covers he had designed.  Ernie is also the owner of “The Largest, Privately Owned, Original Album Cover Art Collection In The World” (www.originalalbumcoverart.com) boasting over 350 signed originals and 3,000 photographs.  He is also retained by three Fortune 50 companies as their in-house creative director, with Cott Beverage (the number one non-name brand beverage company in the World), Avery/Dennison, Southern Wine And Spirits, HSBC Financial (the Worlds third largest lender), Chang Beer (Southeast Asia's #1 Beer and Mekong Rum). He is a dynamic speaker that captivates and electrifies audiences as he travels the country. If you ask him to reflect on his illustrious career his response is always the same - "Career? What do you mean, I'm just warming up. Wait 'til you see what's next!” If you like this episode and you want to listen to the next one - don't forget to follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter: @BeatlesEarth and check out our website: BeatlesEarth.com

Tom and Dave are joined by Gianna Cefalu from the Pac-12 Network. A wild Championship Weekend led by Joe Burrow and Aaron Donald, The Super Bowl is set, Bengals vs Rams, and what athletes deserve a movie? About #ChairshotRadioNetworkCreated in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts, including POD is WAR, Women's Wrestling Talk, Chairshot Radio daily editions, The #Miranda Show, Badlands' Wrestling Mount Rushmores, The Outsider's Edge, DWI Podcast, Bandwagon Nerds, the Greg DeMarco Show, 3 Man Weave, Five Rounds, Turnbuckle Talk, The Reaction and more! You can find these great shows each week at theChairshot.com and through our distribution partners, including podcasting's most popular platforms.The Chairshot Radio NetworkYour home for the hardest hitting podcasts and radio shows!All Shows On DemandListen on your favorite platform!iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | SpotifyListen, like, subscribe, and share!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/chairshot-radio-network/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Vincent A. Cefalu spent 30 years as an ATF undercover operative, in assignments ranging from the Symbionese Liberation Army to Asian organized crime. He has infiltrated notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs as well as splinter groups of the Ku Klux Klan, and in RatSnakes he provides a transparent look at the organization and the operatives with whom he risked his life.Buy the book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/692422/ratsnakes-by-vincent-a-cefalu/Join our Patreon and enjoy early and ad-free episodes, tons of bonus episodes, discounts on our merchandise and more! www.patreon.com/paradiseafterdarkpodcastVisit our website paradiseafterdark.com for links to our store, Patreon, tip jar and more! facebook.com/paradiseafterdarkpodcastInstagram @paradiseafterdarkpodcastTwitter @paradisedark239TikTok @paradiseafterdarkpodcastIf you see something say something!!Music by Captain Fathands @ captainfathands.com

Experienced clinicians Chrystalbelle Rogers, Clinical Director for Mölnlycke Post-Acute, and Dr. Jean Cefalu, full-time Nurse Practitioner at New Orleans VA Medical Center/adjunct Clinical Instructor for LSU Health Science Center's School of Nursing, join Liz on this episode to discuss both the challenges and the impact of COVID with a focus on pressure-injury management. Dr. Cefalu and Chrystalbelle explain the factors putting people at risk for developing pressure injuries and why COVID caused them, describe preventative measures and new challenges wound care nurses face while protecting and treating pressure-injuries during the pandemic, and share with listeners their best advice for managing skin breakdown/improving the health and quality of life for our loved ones. Visit Mölnlycke's Website to view their wide selection of pressure injury prevention and treatment solutions, including Mepilex Border products.

Part Two of STEVEN BLUSH and TONY MANN speaking with legendary album designer (Big Bambu, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, School's Out, Jesus Christ Superstar) and cannabis impresario ERNIE CEFALU

STEVEN BLUSH and TONY MANN speak with legendary album designer (Big Bambu, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, School's Out, Jesus Christ Superstar) and cannabis impresario ERNIE CEFALU

The pandemic and accompanying challenges of 2020 have changed so much, and have forced many of us to really look at what we want and don't want in life. One thing we've realized is that we want to find new ways to empower and inspire your journey to wellness. That's why we've decided to start a podcast so we can start a conversation with you about natural healing. In our very first episode, I interview Salvador about his journey into the healing arts. You might be surprised that he began on a completely different path, only to find "love at first sight" with his first exposure to Chinese Medicine. Once you've listened, we'd love to hear from you - what did you found most intriguing about Salvador's story? Your presence in this community is the inspiration behind the Natural Healing Podcast. We hope it'll inspire you with hope, insights and possibilities to elevate your wellbeing. Visit acenterfornaturalhealing.com/podcast/1 to let us know what inspired you most about Salvador's journey. Join our community and get a free 5 step guide to fatigue relief at acenterfornaturalhealing.com/guide Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.setarehmoafi/ https://www.instagram.com/salvadorcefalu/ https://www.instagram.com/acenterfornaturalhealing/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/setareh.moafi https://www.facebook.com/salvador.cefalu.9 https://www.facebook.com/acenterfornaturalhealing

On this special episode of the Resistance Library Podcast, Sam Jacobs speaks with the author and former ATF agent, Vincent Cefalu. Vincent Cefalu is best known as the primary whistleblower who exposed Operation Fast and Furious and Project Gunrunner to the American public - but that's not how he wants to be remembered. Cefalu is a curious figure, one who strongly believes in the mission of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and for reasons that are not easily dismissed by the same canned arguments we've all spouted at one time or another. A humble figure, he's ready to provide credit to the other, lesser-known whistleblowers of the ATF.  Sam talked with Mr. Cefalu about his history working with the ATF, his role in exposing arguably the biggest scandal of the Obama Administration and his memoir, Ratsnakes, which is an account of his several decades long career with the ATF with scant mention of the high-profile scandal that he helped to break.  Vincent's Links:  CleanUpATF.org Ratsnakes: Cheating Death by Living a Lie (check out the book's official site for an autographed copy) Ratsnakes: Cheating Death by Living a Lie (Amazon link) BenBella Books | Vincent A. Cefalu  Helpful Links:  Operation Fast and Furious: The Forgotten History of the ATF's Notorious Gunwalking Scandal History of the ATF: How the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Became Corrupt & Abusive The Resistance Library Sam Jacobs For $20 off your $200 purchase, go to https://ammo.com/podcast (a special deal for our listeners). Follow Sam Jacobs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamJacobs45 And check out our sponsor, Libertas Bella, for all of your favorite 2nd Amendment shirts at LibertasBella.com.

The Endocrine Society's chief professional and clinical affairs officer, Robert Lash, MD, talks with Griffin Rodgers, MD, director of the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and William Cefalu, MD, director of NIDDK's Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease. They talk about the institute's mission, the months since Dr. Cefalu took over the division, and their interactions with professional organizations like the Endocrine Society. For more information, including helpful links and other episodes, visit our website at https://www.endocrine.org/podcast.

The Endocrine Society's chief professional and clinical affairs officer, Robert Lash, MD, talks with Griffin Rodgers, MD, director of the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and William Cefalu, MD, director of NIDDK's Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease. They talk about the institute's mission, the months since Dr. Cefalu took over the division, and their interactions with professional organizations like the Endocrine Society. For more information, including helpful links and other episodes, visit our website at https://www.endocrine.org/podcast.

Today's highlights focus on Sicily in Italy. I spent a week here and it was the pinnacle of my European travels last summer. True, the transportation connections haven't been completely modernized but I'd love to return and explore more.   Palermo can feel a bit rough around the edges after Florence but it's charm was not lost on me. I had my best cannoli here.   And then there's Cefalu. I remember waking up to the sound of the sea and the light streaming through the tiny attic window of my room in a building at the edge of the Mediterranean. And then walking out to the terrace with it's dramatic seascape, breathtaking way to start the day.   Then the star of it all. Siracusa. More specifically Ortigia, the tiny island with even tinier streets making the interior inaccessible by car. Restaurants will line the narrow alleys with tables and you can walk right past to see what everyone is eating as you zigag through. My stay in authentic Giudecca, the Jewish quarter was lovely in every way.   Sicily is a place where you can really feel the old world and the tradition. My dream is to come back for a month.   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life universe@thelinlife.com   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you've been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 

Biography from the official website of BenBella Books: Vincent A. Cefalu was born and raised just North of San Francisco in Marin County, California. After a troubled youth and lackluster academic performance, He enlisted in the U.S. Marines where he spent 6 years in the military police and ultimately served in a classified Special Operations unit. The hook was set. Continuing to pursue his law enforcement career, he joined the Athens Ga. Police Department while finishing his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice in hopes of securing a position in Federal Law Enforcement. After Being hired by and spending a couple years with the U.S. Customs Service chasing drug smugglers in S. Florida, Vince had a life changing experience with some very scary ATF Special Agents, and as they say, “the rest is history.” Vince had found a home. Later earning a master's degree in the Psychological sciences, Vince's trajectory took him into the shadows of undercover work, SRT, (Special response team member and hostage negotiations). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/themichaelcalderinshow/message