Podcasts about Sicily

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma. Ordinary Weekday First Reading: Joel 1: 13-15; 2: 1-2 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 9: 2-3, 6 and 16, 8-9 Alleluia: John 12: 31b-32 Gospel: Luke 11: 15-26   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

When New York Times bestselling author Tembi Locke faced sending her only child to college, she created what she calls a "college moon" - a transformative journey through Sicily that offers fresh wisdom for anyone navigating major life transitions.In her new audio memoir, Someday, Now: A Memoir of Family, Reclaiming Possibility, and One Sicilian Summer, Locke shares intimate insights about blending families after loss, finding presence during change, and how the places we love can become anchors for our well-being.You can find Tembi at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode, you'll also love the conversations we had with Suleika Jaouad about turning illness and upheaval into creative meaning and wonder.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesCheck out our offerings & partners: Beam Dream Powder: Visit https://shopbeam.com/GOODLIFE and use code GOODLIFE to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time by Ms. Joan Watson. Ordinary Weekday/ Denis, Bishop, Martyr, & Companions, Martyrs/ John Leonardi, Priest First Reading: Malachi 3: 13-18, 4: 1-2b Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 1: 1-2, 3, 4 and 6 Alleluia: Acts 16: 14b Gospel: Luke 11: 5-13   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

King James II of Aragon and Sicily attempts to hold on to both his crowns in the face of insurmountable difficulties. 

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma. Ordinary Weekday First Reading: Jonah 4: 1-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 86: 3-4, 5-6, 9-10 Alleluia: Romans 8: 15bc Gospel: Luke 11: 1-4   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Shane Owens. Our Lady of the Rosary Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Jonah 3: 1-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 130: 1b-2, 3-4ab, 7-8 Alleluia: Luke 11: 28 Gospel: Luke 10: 38-42   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn. Ordinary Weekday/ Bruno, Priest, Hermit, Religious Founder/ Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, Virgin, Religious Founder First Reading: Jonah 1: 1 – 2: 1-2, 11 Responsorial Psalm: Jonah 2: 3, 4, 5, 8 Alleluia: John 13: 34 Gospel: Luke 10: 25-37   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

Thucydides called his work a “possession for all time,” and his History of the Peloponnesian War has been essential reading for generals and politicians for centuries.    Robin Waterfield's translation of Thucydides's sweeping narrative vividly depicts the events of the war between Athens and Sparta that began in 431 BCE and would continue until 404, a conflict that embroiled not only mainland Greece but Greek states from the eastern Mediterranean and as far west as Italy and Sicily. The only extant contemporary narrative of this conflict, Thucydides's History brims with military, moral, and political reflections, offering critical commentary on challenges that still dominate our world today, from the strife of civil war to the devastation of widespread plague to the nature of political power.   Thucydides died before completing the account—it ends in 410—but his legacy is timeless. One of the great masterpieces of classical Greece, The History of the Peloponnesian War offers an incisive and timely window into the conflicts of the past. BUY THE BOOK

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn. Ordinary Weekday/ Bruno, Priest, Hermit, Religious Founder/ Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, Virgin, Religious Founder First Reading: Jonah 1: 1 – 2: 1-2, 11 Responsorial Psalm: Jonah 2: 3, 4, 5, 8 Alleluia: John 13: 34 Gospel: Luke 10: 25-37   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

They say that whatever happens on vacation stays on vacation. But, what if your vacation involves a trip to Sicily and being inspired by Fifty Shades Of Grey? The end result is a trilogy of films that tries to add the X to Netflix while seeking to find how low the bottom of the barrel can be. It's a trifecta of titillation as we spend our 200th episode trying to see if the 365 Days trilogy is not that bad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HEADLINE: The Zanclean Flood, Dwarfed Island Life, and Transatlantic Rafting in the Miocene and Oligocene BOOK TITLE: Other Lands, a journey through Earth's Extinct Worlds GUEST AUTHOR NAME: Thomas Halliday 200-WORD SUMMARY: This segment covers the Miocene and Oligocene eras. In the Miocene (5.3 million years ago), the Mediterranean basin dried out after losing its connection to the Atlantic at the Straits of Gibraltar. This basin was dramatically refilled during the spectacular Zanclean Flood, caused by an earthquake that allowed the Atlantic to surge back, resulting in a mile-high waterfall near Sicily. Before the flood, Gargano Island (now a peninsula in Italy) was home to dwarf fauna. Fossils recovered from its caves include Hoplomeryx, a deer-like organism characterized by saber teeth and five horns. Its main predators were giant birds, such as eagles and buzzard relatives. Moving to the Oligocene(33 million years ago), the discussion centers on South America as an island continent and the spread of grasslands. Grasses defended themselves with silica crystals, necessitating the evolution of specialized grazers with continually growing teeth, like early horses. A key evolutionary event was transoceanic rafting. African monkeys, rodents, freshwater fish, and amphibians crossed the Atlantic Ocean—which was two-thirds its modern width—on structurally sound fragments of land that detached during storms.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi by Dr. John Bergsma. Francis of Assisi, Religious Founder Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Baruch 4: 5-12, 27-29 or Galatians 6:14-18 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 69: 33-35, 36-37 or 16:1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 11 Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25 Gospel: Luke 10: 17-24 or Matthew 11:25-30   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi by Dr. John Bergsma. Francis of Assisi, Religious Founder Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Baruch 4: 5-12, 27-29 or Galatians 6:14-18 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 69: 33-35, 36-37 or 16:1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 11 Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25 Gospel: Luke 10: 17-24 or Matthew 11:25-30   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma. Ordinary Weekday First Reading: Baruch 1: 15-22 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 79: 1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9 Alleluia: Psalms 95: 8 Gospel: Luke 10: 13-16   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

The Sicilian Expedition stands as one of history's most infamous military disasters—a bold gamble that crippled Athenian power and ultimately sealed their fate in the Peloponnesian War. But what drove Athens to stake everything on this distant campaign?When Segesta, a small Sicilian city, came seeking help against their rivals, Athens faced a pivotal choice. Though initially cautious, requesting proof of Segesta's resources and sending scouts to assess the situation, the Athenian assembly's deliberations quickly spiraled beyond simple alliance politics. The real drama unfolded in the clash between two visions of Athens' future: Nicias, the cautious veteran, warning against imperial overreach, and Alcibiades, the brilliant young aristocrat, painting visions of easy conquest and unlimited wealth.What makes this moment so compelling is how Nicias' attempt to discourage the expedition by demanding excessive resources spectacularly backfired. Rather than deterring the assembly, his warnings only inflamed their ambition. The expedition ballooned from 60 ships to an unprecedented armada of 130 triremes and 5,000 hoplites—transforming a limited intervention into an all-or-nothing gamble on conquest.Thucydides frames this decision as inevitable tragedy, the product of Athens' unchecked imperial appetite. Yet other ancient writers suggest the expedition wasn't doomed from inception—its failure stemmed from divided leadership, political sabotage, and cruel twists of fortune. This tension between deterministic failure and contingent possibility makes the Sicilian debate a perfect case study in how democracies make catastrophic military decisions despite warning signs.The expedition's planning reveals deeper truths about Athenian society: their confidence after dominating the Aegean, their hunger for new conquests after the brutal subjugation of Melos, and the factional politics that would soon tear apart their command structure when religious scandals erupted on the eve of departure.Listen as we explore this pivotal moment when Athens reached beyond its grasp—a decision still studied by military strategists today for its timeless lessons about ambition, overextension, and the dangers of democratic war-making. Support the show

Brent revisits some of his favorite conversations about street food around the world. There's the famous Arepa Lady in Jackson Heights, New York, the queen of street food in Palermo, Sicily, and delicious treats in the Chinatown neighborhood of Sydney, Australia. Plus, everything on a stick in Seoul, South Korea. [Ep 357] Show Notes: Destination Eat Drink foodie travel guides Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi Local Sauce Tours in Sydney Alternative Tours Palermo with Enrica Seoul Eats food tours

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma. Ordinary Weekday First Reading: Baruch 1: 15-22 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 79: 1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9 Alleluia: Psalms 95: 8 Gospel: Luke 10: 13-16   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

Tembi Locke is a New York Times best-selling author, screenwriter, producer, actor and podcast host. Tembi sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her new immersive audio memoir ‘Someday, Now,' where she returns to Sicily for one last summer with her daughter before she leaves for college. Blending her intimate narration with the sounds of Sicily, it's a beautiful story of motherhood, memory, and the bittersweet art of releasing a child into adulthood. Tembi shares her experience of staying hopeful after heartbreak, finding love after loss, and the power of writing to heal.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time by Ms. Joan Watson. The Guardian Angels Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11 Alleluia: Psalms 103: 21 Gospel: Matthew 18: 1-5, 10   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

A President for AllAll three candidates in the Presidential election have made commitments in support of Irish Unity. Clear evidence of the growing importance of Irish Unity to the electorate.Last Saturday Catherine Connolly was invited to address a Sinn Fein conference in Dublin. There was a palpable buzz of anticipation in Dublin City University as over 500 party activists gathered to discuss ‘Building For Unity.'  It was an opportunity to judge her style, hear at first hand her vision for the future of our island, and to assess her ability to challenge the establishment parties and their candidates.Connolly has been an outspoken critic of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil and an advocate for workers, communities, and equality. She supports the need for the Irish government to plan for the future unity referendums. A call Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and their candidates refuse to make.Real sanctions needed nowLast Friday I spoke on my podcast to Chris Andrews a Sinn Fein Senator who is on the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea which, as a I write this, is trying to bring much needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people of Gaza. The flotilla, which has already been bombed by Israeli drones, sails under the constant threat of Israeli assault. The 50 boats involved left the coast of Crete on Sunday. Another flotilla of ten vessels also left Sicily on Sunday. When I spoke to Chris we discussed the danger and challenges facing the flotilla. He urged the Irish government and Tánaiste Simon Harris to do more in support of the flotilla's mission and the Palestinian people.Last week at the United Nations most state representatives refused to sit while Israeli PM Netanyahu ranted against those who opposed his genocidal policies.  Every day Israeli forces are continuing to assault the people of Gaza City and scores of Palestinians are being killed, and others, mostly children, are dying from forced starvation.Using your Loaf!This week I want to highlight the virtues of the humble Belfast Bap and the man who created it. During the week I breakfasted on boiled eggs served on a sliced  bap plastered with butter and sprinkled with black pepper. An bhlasta. Really scrumptious. Try it. You won't be disappointed. This particular bap came ready sliced. I prefer to slice my bap myself so that the slices are thick and well able to carry the butter and the boiled  egg. This is real finger food.  The ready sliced baps can be a wee bit thin. Still tasty but a bit messy. So slice your own. 

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time by Ms. Joan Watson. The Guardian Angels Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11 Alleluia: Psalms 103: 21 Gospel: Matthew 18: 1-5, 10   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Mr. Clement Harrold. Thérèse of Lisieux, Virgin, Religious, Doctor Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Nehemiah 2: 1-8 or Isaiah 66:10-14c Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 137: 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 or 131: 1bcde, 2, 3 Alleluia: Philippians 3: 8-9 or Matthew 11:25 Gospel: Luke 9: 57-62 or Matthew 18:1-4   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Mr. Clement Harrold. Thérèse of Lisieux, Virgin, Religious, Doctor Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Nehemiah 2: 1-8 or Isaiah 66:10-14c Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 137: 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 or 131: 1bcde, 2, 3 Alleluia: Philippians 3: 8-9 or Matthew 11:25 Gospel: Luke 9: 57-62 or Matthew 18:1-4   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com This December, consider joining Catholic author Mike Aquilina, historian James L. Papandrea, and Fr. Kevin Barrett on a unique pilgrimage to Sicily. Please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/pilgrimages to learn more.

This interview is with Angela Gargano of Fresh Take Creative. In this interview, Angela talks about her journey to start her boutique marketing agency and some of the careers and hobbies she's explored along the way.Angela shares about growing up in the midwest and working in her family's fine-dining Italian restaurant. She remembers wine being very special to her family, and her dad asking her opinion about wines brought by merchants. She also speaks to visiting family in Sicily and discovering how important wine was to that culture.Angela talks about her various careers since high school, including buying wine for Cost Plus World Market, owning a yoga studio, working harvests in Sonoma, and acting as the wine director at Triple Creek Ranch in Montana. After planning to move back to Sonoma in 2020, wildfires caused her to spend some time on in Oregon instead, and she's been here ever since.Angela shares about beginning to work in marketing for wineries, and that leading her to open her own marketing agency, Fresh Take Creative. She speaks to the current challenges she sees in the wine industry as well as her hopes for the future, and she encourages wineries to pinpoint a unique point in their story that sets them apart from other labels.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Angela's home in Amity on September 11, 2025.

It's been a month since Kris and Tara have seen each other's faces and they have a lot to catch up on!  Kris is in hell, physically and otherwise, dreaming of her recent relaxing, internet-free trip to the lake. Tara's kids are back in the September school rush, so everything's a blur between that and work. They talk Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, as well as Harlequin's recent sapphic releases, which are a nice change from yesteryear.  Official Recommendations  From Kris: Can We Skip to the Good Part by Melissa Brayden Kris's official recommendation this week is Can We Skip to the Good Part by Melissa Brayden, her first independently published book. It's a story of new beginnings, as a woman is let go from her job and starts fresh in a new town with her best friend and a new book club. This story offers love, insane chemistry, and some tricky maneuvering. If you haven't read anything by Brayden before, Kris thinks it's a great place to start. From Tara: One Weekend in Tahoe by Jaime Clevenger Tara's official recommendation this week is the one-night-to-forever One Weekend in Tahoe by Jaime Clevenger. It's a trope-filled erotic romance set in the worlds of philanthropy and sex parties (not at the same time) that balances enough sweetness with a little bit of the real world.  Works/People Discussed How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future by Maria Ressa Women's Week - Provincetown The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC) The Lazarus Project (Sky Max) They Came From Below by Luc Dreamer Wylde Flowers (Studio Drydock Pty Ltd) The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee The Fortune Hunter's Guide to Love by Emma-Claire Sunday (Tara previously recommended The Duke's Sister and I by Sunday in QR 093) Her Fake Wedding Date in Sicily by Jenny Lane Sapphic World Book Club One Weekend in Aspen by Jaime Clevenger Make or Break by E. J. Noyes (recommended in QR 115) Support & follow the show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads  Bluesky TikTok YouTube  Get all our links on Linktr.ee

Londinium Chronicles Part 2 Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: The Verres Moment: Indictment, Corruption, and the Threatened Legitimacy of the American Vote SPEAKERS: Gaius and Germanicus 200 WORD SUMMARY: Gaiusand Germanicus draw parallels between the collapse of the Roman Republic—where the people lost confidence in the Senate—and modern America. They recount the trial of Verres, the notoriously corrupt governor of Sicily in 70 B.C.E., whom Cicero prosecuted to expose corruption not just of Verres, but of the entire Roman establishment. Cicerofamously appealed to common sense and immediately brought in witnesses to demonstrate the blatant nature of the corruption. Gaius asks if the indictment of former FBI Director Comey represents a modern "Verres moment," a necessary "hinge moment" to expose deep corruption in the US political system. Germanicus confirms the goal is to expose the systemic failure that is strangling representative government. Gaius views Trump as a "tribune of the people" seeking payback against a corrupt system that undermined the vote's credibility in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Gaius expects more indictments, noting that, like Cicero, the current political appeal is to sentiment rather than solely evidence. Germanicus worries that the escalation of political combat into "lawfare" could lead to a complete breakdown of constitutional order and legitimate transfers of power, citing the Spanish Civil War. The underlying cause is the extreme inequality of wealth and income, where a tiny minority holds immense political status while the majority is reduced to "plebeians." 1902

The Italian government has approved the construction of a suspension bridge between the island of Sicily and the mainland. It would be 3,300 metres long and 400 metres high. The bridge has been designed to allow nearly 140,000 vehicles to cross it every day. This colossal project, estimated to cost €13.5 billion, has been presented by Rome as a strategic asset for NATO defence. But the initiative has received much criticism – those who oppose the plan see it as a costly waste of public funds. Our Italy correspondents Natalia Mendoza, Tommaso Marro and Charlotte Davan Wetton report.

"One summer morning, my husband, son, and I arrived by car from Sirmione and spent the day wandering through the city's walkable center. Verona revealed itself slowly, with Roman ruins beside medieval churches, Renaissance palaces glowing in the sun, and piazzas alive with the laughter of locals. The soft pink of its buildings shimmered in the warmth, giving the city a dreamy, romantic air" - Katerina Ferrara, Venice and the Veneto Ultimate Festival & Travel GuideToday is a fun conversation with Katerina Ferrara about her connection to Italy and how she immersed herself in traveling and exploring the many places you can go in Italy on a unique travel adventure. We talk about Katerina's journey falling in love with Italy, learning the language and discovering the magic of the festival days while on holiday in Italy. There is much to enjoy and celebrate. Soon after Katerina researched the many traditions, the food and wine festivals, the holy days and the saints days for her Travel Guides on Italy. Katerina loves to immerse herself in a place and discover the heart of the location. Katerina has captured the magic of the festival days and the time to celebrate with the locals while in Sicily, Puglia or Venice. Katerina is great traveler and seeker of Italy and shares her experiences and discoveries on the Immersion Travel Podcast and on there is so much more on her information packed website.Enjoy this Conversation and do check the Shownotes below for all of the special details and places that were mentioned in today's show.Shownotes at MichelleJohnston.lifeVisit - Katerina Ferrara Instagram - Katerina FerraraGet your hand on Katerina's Travel Guides for Immersive Travel and Festivals in ItalyImmersion Travel Podcast on You TubeImmersion Travel Podcast on Apple Podcasts Immersion Travel Podcast on SpotifyShownotes at MichelleJohnston.lifeA Writer in Italy InstagramSubstack - At My TableMichelle's Books© 2025  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and lifeMusic Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025Today's end music - 'Chances'Richard's Music is available on Spotify and Apple Music - Album 4240Support the show

James Holland is the author of Cassino '44, The Savage Storm, Brothers in Arms, Sicily '43, Normandy '44, Big Week, The Rise of Germany, and The Allies Strike Back in the War in the West trilogy, Burma '44, and Dam Busters. He has written and presented the BAFTA shortlisted documentaries Battle of Britain and Dam Busters for the BBC. He is also the co-host of the brilliant WW2 Pod with Al Murray. Get a copy of his brilliant book Cassino '44: The Brutal Battle for Rome, you won't regret it: https://amzn.to/4gB8OZ2 Listen to the podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/34VlAepHmeloDD76RX4jtc?si=6695d3eef52944c0 Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. He is the host of the podcast Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci. A graduate of Tufts University and Harvard Law School, he lives in Manhasset, Long Island. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the show this week: Reese Witherspoon has teamed up with Harlan Coben to write a thriller, an AI R&B artist has just landed a £2.4 million record deal and Matthew McConaughey's take on the secret to lasting love has gone viral. Plus, Harry Styles' marathon run, Charli XCX's Sicily wedding, the controversial new Kanye West doc In Whose Name and our review of the Bumble founder biopic Swiped. Does Lily James' portrayal of Whitney Wolfe Herd signal the return of the girl boss, or provide proof that dating apps really are dead? Enjoy hunnies! Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required!Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.comThanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsReese Witherspoon, The Interview, NYTGone Before Goodbye, Reese WitherspoonGen Z Only Watches TV Through Social Clips. Hollywood is Scrambling, The AnklerMatthew McConaughey, Diary of a CEOCornfield Chase, Hans Zimmer's Interstellar soundtrack In Whose Name Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes, from all good bookshopsSwiped, Hulu / Disney+ Tell Me Lies, Disney+ Culture Debrief: Are We Witnessing The Second Coming Of The Girlboss? Grazia Black Rabbit, NetflixLily James leads a Girl Boss social network that is half film, half Bumble advert, Independent Lily James: ‘Would I use a dating app? Maybe I don't need one', Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angelo Vivolo, guardian of Italian-American tradition and leader of the annual Christopher Columbus State Parade, joins John Catsimatidis and Curtis Sliwa for a wide-ranging conversation. Speaking from Sicily, he reflects on his work with the Columbus Citizens Foundation, the importance of family and heritage, and the celebrations that bring the community together. The discussion highlights the upcoming parade and gala, efforts to protect Columbus statues across New York, the shared history of Italians and Greeks, and the need to keep cultural traditions alive for future generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Holland is the author of Cassino '44, The Savage Storm, Brothers in Arms, Sicily '43, Normandy '44, Big Week, The Rise of Germany, and The Allies Strike Back in the War in the West trilogy, Burma '44, and Dam Busters. He has written and presented the BAFTA shortlisted documentaries Battle of Britain and Dam Busters for the BBC. He is also the co-host of the brilliant WW2 Pod with Al Murray. Get a copy of his brilliant book "Victory '45: The End of the War in Eight Surrenders", you won't regret it: https://amzn.to/3IlwaW3 Listen to the podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/34VlAepHmeloDD76RX4jtc?si=6695d3eef52944c0 Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. He is the host of the podcast Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci. A graduate of Tufts University and Harvard Law School, he lives in Manhasset, Long Island. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this warm conversation Tembi and Albiona cover:How From Scratch began — writing personal grief into a story that reaches others, and how that book later became a Netflix limited series. (Simon & Schuster)What “re-nesting” means (replacing the idea of an “empty nest” with a more generative, whole concept) and practical ways parents can prepare emotionally for children leaving home. (People.com)The creative process Tembi uses: listening, journaling, & exploring different art forms; writing as a practice to slow down and make meaning. (tembilocke.com)Concrete ideas listeners can use right away: short daily rituals (15–45 min), journaling prompts, scheduling “pre-planned joy,” somatic self-care, and negotiating new family rhythms like weekly check-ins.A deep look at Someday, Now — why Tembi created an immersive audio experience (ambient Sicily soundscapes plus narration), and what she hopes listeners will feel after they finish it: that there is possibility, love, and room for transformation even in endings. (Audible.com)Resources & linksTembi Locke — official site / about & book resources. (tembilocke.com)From Scratch — publisher page (Simon & Schuster). (Simon & Schuster)Someday, Now — Simon & Schuster audio page (audio edition/details). (Simon & Schuster)Someday, Now — Audible audio listing/preorder. (Narrated by Tembi Locke; release details & preorder.) (Audible.com)Tembi Locke on Instagram (announcements & behind-the-scenes). (Instagram) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Imagine growing up in a small town in Sicily, dreaming of coming to America to open a restaurant, and surpassing all of your dreams? Chef Salvo Lo Castro did just that, where he began his culinary career at a young age in Sicily and now feeds the world from his NYC Soho restaurant, Casasalvo, considered a truly divine experience for the senses. Perhaps it's because Chef Salvo was formerly the lead chef at the Vatican for Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and now, we can eat like kings, royalty, and the spiritual leaders, too, at his magnificent new eatery. I'm honored to welcome Chef Salvo to our show, sharing not only his experiences in the kitchen, but behind the scenes, too. He's cooked for the likes of Vadimir Putin, the Saudi Royal family, Muammar Gaddafi, Tom Cruise, Robert DeNiro and dozens of other world leaders, presidents, and celebrities. In fact, he's quoted as saying that after a meal, some high-profile guests will surprise him in the kitchen and thank him for a meal well served. Imagine! We'll talk about Chef Salvo's start in the culinary world, and how he ended up cooking at the Vatican after working around the world at top hotels and five-star Michelin restaurants. He says he does not get star-struck, because to him, every guest is treated like family. And no doubt, that's been part of his incredible success, along with his hand-crafted pastas and sauces. Chef Salvo says his ingredients are all fresh or from specialty farms with tradition in mind. He says he combines tradition with taste, and creativity with authenticity. Among his favorite dishes? His mother's meatballs, a recipe he cooks up to this day. For Chef Salvo, owning a restaurant in N.Y. is a dream come true. He first opened three espresso bars in the City which he still checks on each morning before riding down to his restaurant in Soho on his Vespa. He spends 18-hours a day there, which he calls home and his patrons invited guests. No doubt part of his success. We're thrilled to welcome Chef Salvo into our home, particularly with Italian History Month upon us. Please find my full interview with him on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here. @realchefsalvolocastro @casasalvonyc @casasalvorestaurant #italianfood #italianchef #italianamerican #littleItaly

Imagine growing up in a small town in Sicily, dreaming of coming to America to open a restaurant, and surpassing all of your dreams? Chef Salvo Lo Castro did just that, where he began his culinary career at a young age in Sicily and now feeds the world from his NYC Soho restaurant, Casasalvo, considered a truly divine experience for the senses. Perhaps it's because Chef Salvo was formerly the lead chef at the Vatican for Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and now, we can eat like kings, royalty, and the spiritual leaders, too, at his magnificent new eatery. I'm honored to welcome Chef Salvo to our show, sharing not only his experiences in the kitchen, but behind the scenes, too. He's cooked for the likes of Vadimir Putin, the Saudi Royal family, Muammar Gaddafi, Tom Cruise, Robert DeNiro and dozens of other world leaders, presidents, and celebrities. In fact, he's quoted as saying that after a meal, some high-profile guests will surprise him in the kitchen and thank him for a meal well served. Imagine! We'll talk about Chef Salvo's start in the culinary world, and how he ended up cooking at the Vatican after working around the world at top hotels and five-star Michelin restaurants. He says he does not get star-struck, because to him, every guest is treated like family. And no doubt, that's been part of his incredible success, along with his hand-crafted pastas and sauces. Chef Salvo says his ingredients are all fresh or from specialty farms with tradition in mind. He says he combines tradition with taste, and creativity with authenticity. Among his favorite dishes? His mother's meatballs, a recipe he cooks up to this day. For Chef Salvo, owning a restaurant in N.Y. is a dream come true. He first opened three espresso bars in the City which he still checks on each morning before riding down to his restaurant in Soho on his Vespa. He spends 18-hours a day there, which he calls home and his patrons invited guests. No doubt part of his success. We're thrilled to welcome Chef Salvo into our home, particularly with Italian History Month upon us. Please find my full interview with him on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here. @realchefsalvolocastro @casasalvonyc @casasalvorestaurant #italianfood #italianchef #italianamerican #littleItaly

In this episode of Teacher Show Me the World, I share unforgettable experiences from Southern Africa and Sicily. From visiting a school in Zimbabwe to sunset cruises on the Zambezi, and from climbing Mount Etna to exploring crystal-clear Sicilian waters, I break down the lessons, logistics, and takeaways that teachers can use when planning their own student trips abroad.Episode Highlights:Southern Africa:Visiting a school in Zimbabwe and playing a pick-up soccer game with students.Touring Nelson Mandela's house.Safari adventures, including close encounters with wildlife.Crossing into Zambia by bicycle and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, complete with hippos and the thunder of Victoria Falls.Sicily:Why Sicily stole my heart and how it compares to hotspots like Amalfi.Mount Etna adventures and body rafting experiences.Exploring Palermo catacombs and crystal-clear coastal waters.Wrapping Up:Key takeaways from each destination: student engagement, cultural immersion, and logistical lessons.To help market your world travel program, be sure to use the Ultimate Marketing Tool Kit . The Tool Kit comes with a dedicated marketing plan and all of the resources you will need to help advertise and build your world travel program. Check out more World Travel Resources that will help prepare your students for traveling overseas by clicking here! In addition, be sure to join the Teacher Show Me the World Facebook group to be a part of a community of like-minded educators who show their students the world!

When most people think of Sicily, images of citrus spring to mind: lemons, oranges, mandarins. For centuries these fruits defined the island's agricultural identity. Even Sicilian ceramics that often overflow with lemons and blood oranges. But today, something unexpected is ripening under the Sicilian sun: avocados. This isn't the first time Italy has embraced an outsider and eventually made it feel essential. Tomatoes were once considered poisonous, corn and potatoes were foreign intruders, and citrus itself was introduced to Sicily by the Arabs in the Middle Ages. Over time, all of these became cornerstones of Italian cuisine. Sicilian Avocados may be following the same path. Listen for the details, along with recipes!

My Story   Talk 27  More Activities in Europe Welcome to Talk 27 in our series where I'm reflecting on God's goodness to me throughout my life. Last time I was talking about our off-campus activities while we were at Mattersey. I began by talking about activities in Britain and concluded with our activities in Europe, particularly in connection with EPTA, the European Pentecostal Theological Association. Today we'll be saying more about Europe, first with regard to our activities in the Pentecostal European Fellowship, and then about my preaching in national leaders' conferences as well as in local churches. The Pentecostal European Fellowship As I have already explained, PEF was formed as a result of a merger between PEC and EPF. Little did I know when I accepted the invitation to preach at the PEC conference in 1978 that it would eventually lead not only to the founding of EPTA but also to a ministry within PEF itself, and ultimately to representing Europe on the Presidium of the Pentecostal World Conference. Because of my experience in Europe, I was first asked by the AoG Executive Council, as its chairman, to represent AoG on the PEF committee. Jakob Zopfi from Swtizerland had been its chairman for many years and, after Reinhold Ulonska retired as vice-chairman, the PEF Committee elected me to take his place. Major features of the work of PEF were the conferences it usually held once every three years. Thousands of people from all over Europe came to these conferences, though the majority on each occasion came from the country that was hosting it. Relatively few, however, came from the UK. This may have been because of the cost of crossing the channel, or even because the preaching was always done through an interpreter which English speaking people often find it hard to get used to. After preaching at the conference in The Hague in 1978, the next PEF conference we attended was in Böblingen near Stuttgart in 1984, but not in any official capacity. Eileen and I went on to attend conferences in Jönköping, (Sweden, 1991), Bordeaux (France, 1994), Fridek-Mistek (Czech Republic, 1997), Helsinki (Finland, 2000), and Berlin (Germany, 2003). There are many towns in Sweden with a name ending in -koping. It's connected with our English word shopping and is roughly equivalent to market. It was at Jönköping (pronounced yernsherping) that I was appointed to serve as Vice Chairman of PEF. We travelled there by car, which may seem surprising bearing in mind the distance, but it meant that Eileen could come with me, and the trip would cost no more than the price of one air ticket for me. And it turned out that, as most of the delegates had arrived by plane, there was little transport available between the hotel and the conference centre. This meant that we were able to transport Dr Ray Hughes, who was the chairman of the Pentecostal World Conference and the guest speaker from America, to and from the meetings. It gave him the opportunity to get to know us and may have been partly the reason why the following year I was appointed to serve on the PWC advisory committee, and eventually as a member of its presidium. We also travelled by car to the Bordeaux conference in 1994, combining it with a holiday exploring south-western France and visiting Castera Verduzan in Gascony, and Mauléon-Licharre and Eaux Bonnes in the Pyrenees. The conference was particularly significant for Eileen because she was the wife of the Vice-Chairman. This normally carried no specific responsibility, but Sylvia Zopfi, the wife of the Chairman, had broken her leg and was unable to attend. Consequently, it fell to Eileen to preside at a meal for ladies, most of whom were French speaking. Of course there was an interpreter, but Eileen never saw herself as an ‘up front' person and was understandably nervous. Because it was a meal for ladies, I was unable to attend, but I found out later that Herman von Ameron, the husband of the guest speaker, had crept in at the back. So I asked him privately how Eileen had got on, and he replied, She was magnificent. She was like the Queen! Following the political reforms known as perestroika introduced by Russian President Mikhail Gorbachov in the late 1980s, Czechoslovakia was divided into two separated nations, the Czech Republic (or Czechia) and Slovakia. Fridek-Mistek was the venue chosen for the 1997 PEF conference, because it lies on the border of these two countries and so provided delegates from both equal opportunities to attend. Once again, Eileen and I travelled by car, taking extra care in Czechia not to exceed the speed limit, as we'd heard that the Czech police were likely to impose heavy fines on foreigners for any minor infringement. We took the opportunity to visit Prague, a beautiful city, for a weekend before travelling on to the conference. It was now almost 20 years since I had first preached at the conference in The Hague, but for the next decade I was to become a regular speaker with the special responsibility of preaching on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and praying for people to receive. Sadly there are still many people who attend Pentecostal churches who have not yet come into the experience and in a conference where thousands are in attendance the numbers coming forward for prayer were likely to be enormous. Pentecostal pastors often seem reluctant to teach on the subject, possibly because they are frightened that, when they lay hands on those they pray for, they will not begin to speak in tongues. So I felt the need to preach not only to the people, but also to the pastors. And at Fridek-Mistek I decided to pray for the pastors before I prayed for the people. I asked all the pastors who wanted the Lord to use them in laying hands on people to receive the baptism, to come forward first. I explained that I would pray for them first so that they could then join with me in praying for the people. Dozens of pastors came forward and after I had prayed for them I asked them to turn round and face the congregation. I then called the people to come forward. Hundreds came and each pastor had a queue of people to pray for. Of course, it's impossible to know how many spoke in tongues for the first time, especially in a meeting where so many different languages are spoken! And, even with the people I personally prayed for, there was no way of knowing if they were speaking in tongues or if they were just praying in their own native language. But one thing was particularly noteworthy. When teaching on the baptism I have always been careful to stress that the evidence we are expecting is tongues, not tingles – or shaking, or falling over, or anything else that has no clear biblical basis! However, when one of the people I prayed for did fall over, there was an immediate reaction in the queue next to mine. People started to move into my queue. Perhaps they felt that, despite all I had said, they would somehow get something extra if they fell over! There is still a desperate need for teaching on this throughout the Pentecostal movement and the charismatic renewal worldwide. After the conference we drove into Austria and stayed in an apartment in the church in Bad Ischl where Klaus Winter, the PEF treasurer, was the pastor. I preached in his church and we had a wonderful ten days there exploring Salzburg and the Salzkammergut, the wonderful area where The Sound of Music was filmed. The Helsinki conference was held in the summer of the year 2000 but was preceded by an EPTA conference held in Kaggeholme near Stockholm. We travelled by car as far as Kaggeholme but after EPTA we parked it at Arlanda airport and flew to Helsinki. As Jakob Zopfi was unable to attend because of an illness, it was my responsibility to chair the conference. I also preached on the baptism in the Holy Spirit and, as at Fridek-Mistek, had the privilege of praying for many who were seeking. Shortly after that Jakob Zopfi retired as the PEF chairman and I confess that I was rather relieved not to be appointed as his successor. I too was soon to retire from Mattersey and frankly I didn't want the responsibility. Ingolf Ellsel, a younger man who was the leader of the BFP in Germany, was appointed as chairman, and I was happy to continue to serve as vice chairman. In 2003 the conference was held in Berlin in June. En route we stopped at Liège preaching there over the weekend. We reached Berlin in good time for the conference travelling at times at almost 150 m.p.h. on the autobahns where there was no speed limit. We stayed in a hotel on the outskirts of Berlin in Spandau, famous for its ballet company, and travelled in by underground train to the conference meetings. As in previous years I preached and prayed for people to receive the baptism and hundreds came forward. When Ingolf Ellsel asked who had spoken in tongues for the first time it seemed like just about everybody who had been prayed for raised their hand. It was experiences like this that were undoubtedly the reason why I was asked to speak at so many churches and conferences for national leaders. Churches and National Leaders' Conferences During the years I was at Mattersey I spoke at several national leaders' conferences as well as ministering in local churches. Most of the teaching I did at national conferences centred on the baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit and how to encourage them at local church level.  These included Germany and Hungary (1989), Iceland (1990), Austria (1999), Belgium (2003) and France (2004) where I was required to preach six times in French on a variety of topics.   The conference was held in Léognan, near Bordeaux, and close to the site of the ADD Bible College. (ADD Assemblées de Dieu i.e. AoG). I taught several sessions in the college in the week preceding the conference and then preached at a youth event held in a marquee in the college grounds. This was an occasion where I really needed the Lord to help me. Of course we always need his help, but this time even more so. I had completely forgotten that I was scheduled to be the speaker at this event, so I said to the principal of the college,             I don't really need to be at the youth meeting this afternoon, do I? To which he replied,             Mais si, vous êtes le prédicteur! (But yes, you are the preacher!) But I had nothing prepared, and I had never preached to young people in French before. Fortunately, several of my books have been translated into French including The Holy Spirit – an Introduction. I had little more than an hour before the meeting began and so, helped the French text of the section on the fruit of the Spirit, I hurriedly prepared a message on this, using examples from the life of Jesus. And the Lord really blessed it. Dozens of young people came forward responding to the appeal to seek to rededicate their lives to Christ. That really encouraged me as the I was preaching in the thousand strong assembly in Bordeaux where Daniel Hébert, whom I had met through PEF, was the pastor. But before leaving the subject of national conferences I need to mention that it was at that conference that David Cizéron gave me a book about his father's work in a part of France I had never heard of, something which will become relevant in a later talk. As far as preaching in local churches is concerned, there are of course far too many to mention them all. I have already talked about my trips to Sweden when I preached in local churches as well as teaching in Bible Colleges. One highlight of these trips was preaching in the Filadelfia church in Stockholm founded by the renowned Pentecostal pioneer, Lewi Pethrus (whose name, incidentally, features immediately before mine in the International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements). Another highlight was travelling with Eileen to Kristinehamn at the northern end of Lake Vänern, the largest lake in Sweden, and preaching for a week for Paul Gren, one of our former Mattersey students. Germany was another country I also visited frequently. My contact with Germany came from three different though interrelated sources – EPTA which I have already mentioned, the national leaders of the Volksmission group of churches, and the local church in Heidenheim. Herbert Ros and Günter Kaupp were president and vice-president of Volksmission and had both been students at Kenley under the principalships of Donald Gee and John Carter respectively. They both had a great respect for what we were doing at Mattersey and over the years sent us a good number of excellent students who, after they had returned to Germany to take up pastorates there, invited us to minister for them whenever we were in Germany. It was also through my contacts with the leadership of Volksmission that I was invited on several occasions to travel round the churches for a couple of weeks often preaching for just one evening in each church. I was usually accompanied by Eileen, who loved travelling with me and enjoying the beautiful scenery of southern Germany and the warm hospitality we received in homes wherever we went. We undertook such trips in 1998, and 1999, when I was also the guest speaker at the BFP national leaders' conference. (BFP was the wider Pentecostal movement in Germany of which Volksmission had become a part). We made similar trips in 1994, '95, and '96. But it was the church at Heidenheim that we visited most frequently. The pastor there was Albert Bühler. In the early eighties his son-in-law Jürgen Single had heard about a youth camp we were holding at Mattersey during the summer vacation and asked if he could visit it with a coachload of young people from their church as they were arranging a tour of England. We were delighted to receive them and that was the beginning of a lovely relationship we enjoyed with the Bühler-Single family and the church in Heidenheim. We also visited Luxembourg on several occasions due to our relationship with John and Ann Leese who, as AoG missionaries, did an amazing job over many years planting a church there. John had been a student at Kenley when I first started teaching there. We first visited them for a weekend with William and Anthea Kay in 1990 and then again for a holiday in '92 with our daughter Debbie, her husband David, and their one-year-old daughter, Emily, who was our first grandchild. We have visited them many times since including 2001 when John asked me to take care of the preaching (in French, not Luxembourgish) while he and Ann were on holiday. It's also through our contact with Luxembourg that some of my books were translated into French. I will always be grateful to Caroline Hutin, a French schoolteacher who specialised in English, who spent many hours translating You'd Better Believe It, Body Builders, and Just a Taste of Heaven. Having these available was very helpful when I was preaching or teaching in French-speaking countries like France and Belgium. I am so grateful to the Lord that people have enjoyed my teaching and have usually wanted to know more. And my books, in whatever language, have made that possible. My ministry in Belgium was concentrated largely in and around Brussels, at the Continental Theological Seminary where I taught regularly for several years, and at the Christian Centre which held services in both English and French. Daniel Costanza, the pastor of the French speaking church, has used my books as a basis for teaching various courses of Bible study. Jacques Dernelle, who teaches regular courses at CTS, also pastors a great church in Tubize where I have also had the privilege of teaching and preaching. And on at least two occasions I visited Liège and gave a series of teaching which seemed to be well appreciated by the people there. In France where we frequently went on holiday we always sought to attend the nearest ADD church on Sunday mornings and I was often asked to preach. I remember preaching in Versailles, Pau, Mourrenx, Clermont-Ferrand, and Toulouse. However, in Embrun they didn't know who I was and anyway there was already a guest preacher, a French pastor, Samuel Foucart, from Pavilly near Rouen. I enjoyed his preaching and spoke with him afterwards. We exchanged contact details and as a result I was invited in the year 2000 to do a week's teaching on the Holy Spirit. Countries I visited only once or twice during this period were Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, and Italy. In 1982 at the invitation of Carl Pocklington we went to Austria for a week and I preached in Villach and Klagenfürt. And in 2000 I taught for a few days in the church in Linz where Eddie Griesfelder was the pastor. On two occasions I preached for a week in Messina in Sicily where Giuseppe Melusso was the pastor of large AoG church. In 1991 I preached in Reykjavik (Iceland), and in Nokia (Finland) where Teuvo Valkama, one of our former students was the pastor. And in 2002 I preached in Copenhagen (Denmark) and Limerick in Ireland. I look back on all these experiences with great joy and a profound sense of gratitude to the Lord for the privilege of declaring his word in so many places and to so many people. Next time we'll be talking about our service for the Lord beyond Europe.

On 17 November 1943 Allied troops began their campaign against the Germans and Italians in the Tunisian campaign, in the last effort to push the Axis out of North  Africa, and open the way to Sicily and Italy, and,  as you heard from the Winston Churchill quote at the top, meaning Germany would be surrounded in the last 18 months of the war. So why was this campaign so important, and who was involved? Bestselling historian Saul David joins to discuss Tunisgrad, the long running fight to secure Africa. His new book is out, and links are in the shownotes. Saul David Links Tunisgrad⁠ Aspects of History Links ⁠⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Ollie on X⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠⁠ Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nora and Nathan chat about some music and pop culture news from the week, like the 2026 Coachella lineup, which surprisingly features Justin Bieber as a headliner (1:00); Charli XCX's second wedding in Sicily, featuring Matty Healy (15:07); and whether or not Taylor Swift was really at the Chiefs game last Sunday (25:26). Hosts: Nora Princiotti and Nathan HubbardProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I have the great pleasure of welcoming Gianpiero Petriglieri, one of the world's leading voices in leadership development. A professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD, Gianpiero's work bridges psychology, management, and education. Trained first as a medical doctor and psychiatrist in Italy, he later reinvented himself as a leadership scholar and educator. His unique journey brings a rare depth to his teaching and research, which focus on how we lead, how we learn, and—most importantly—how we stay human in times of constant change. We explore together: His childhood influences and formative years in Sicily. The lessons he carried from psychiatry into leadership education. Why he believes leadership is not just about skills, but about “the inner work” of becoming yourself—on purpose. How bravery, humility, and emotional courage are reshaping leadership today. Why he describes leadership as “a kind of love”, and what that means for organizations navigating uncertainty and reinvention. Gianpiero's voice is poetic, deeply human, and a powerful reminder that leadership is not about perfection or performance—but about presence, purpose, and connection. 

We're back with a new episode, bringing you a little espresso lesson in between main seasons of Coffee Break Italian.In this mini-lesson, join Francesca as she shares her travel tips for visiting Sicilia and its vibrant capital, Palermo. From curiosities about the island to the delicious local gastronomy, she shares useful Italian words and phrases. You'll be inspired to add Trinacria, as Sicily is also referred to, to your travel list.

Italian American, Cristian Alaimo an active member of the Società di San Francesco di Paola (Calabria) and Beato Giovanni Liccio Society Chicago (Caccamo, Sicily). Here is a link to Cristian's LinkedIn: Click Here Recorded: September 12, 2025 Running Time: 26 minutes 34 seconds

One-on-one pod recorded live and uncut from the hotel moments before a wedding in Sicily. We chat about an upsell dessert in the Italian countryside, tutto limone at The River Cafe, The Clipse performing live at The Vatican, the Tiny Desk stagedive, we tuck into Zoe and Harry now that we're a few weeks in, Oasis in LA, Kirk's shooter dry snitched on his self, Chris enlightens Jason about the Brooks Naderverse, and on the heels of even more SNL cast changes, we fantasize a world where Druski is their newest member. twitter.com/donetodeath twitter.com/themjeans howlonggone.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pantelleria has a way of pulling very different lives into the same orbit. This wind-brushed crescent of volcanic rock in the Mediterranean sits closer to Tunisia than to Sicily, and its landscape of black stone terraces, dammusi homes, and low, bowl-trained vines shapes everything from architecture to what ends up on the plate. In this post I'm weaving together two lives that touched Pantelleria—Giorgio Armani and Ugo Ponzi—and the island's essential foods and wines that speak its language of restraint and character.

Enjoy this week's episode with Italian Dj & producer LEO GUARDO. Originating from the vibrant mosaic of Sicily, Leo Guardo emerges as a versatile DJ, Music Producer, and Sound Engineer, crafting sonic narratives that resonate with diverse hearts. His journey began amidst the dynamic landscapes of the TV and film industry, where he cultivated his artistry as an audio producer, laying the foundation for a musical journey that defies genre boundaries. Leo Guardo's sonic canvas is a rich blend, where the rhythms of deep tech and house interlace with the global tapestry of tribal and ethnic influences. A true sonic alchemist, Leo's mixes carve a unique soundscape that has animated dance floors across genres for over a decade. From MoBlack to Connected, Sondela, Villahangar, Wired, and many more, Leo's tracks are the melodic threads weaving through the eclectic fabric of electronic music. Leo continues to shape the multifaceted future of electronic music. Adriatique, Bipolar Sunshine - Love's A Game (Leo Guardo & MAMoro Unofficial Remix) DSF - Shake Your Body Walid Martinez - Nawe Feat. Lin Njoroge (Extended Mix) REDOLENT Foozak, Leo Guardo - Spirit Rise Tebra, Bakean - Outra Vez (DiMO (BG) Extended Remix) REDOLENT Dancing on Lego, La Santa - Play That Fact (Extended Mix) REDOLENT RÜFÜS DU SOL - Music is Better (Maxi Meraki Remix) Leo Guardo, DJ Chus - Find You feat. Jordan Arts (Extended Mix) Angus & Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane (Raphael Palacci Remix) RÜFÜS DU SOL - In the Moment (Adriatique Extended Remix) Husa & Zeyada - Got It Bad (Hernan Cattaneo & Mercurio Remix) Haska & Be No Rain - Thin Air (Extended Mix) Vintage Culture & Layla Benitez feat. Max Milner - Nirvana (Hot Since 82 Remix) This show is syndicated & distributed exclusively by Syndicast. If you are a radio station interested in airing the show or would like to distribute your podcast / radio show please register here: https://syndicast.co.uk/distribution/registration

What happens when your worst nightmare doesn't stay in your dreams? For Sicily, a Chicago native with a lifelong sensitivity to the paranormal, the strange became terrifying during her stay in a historic New York apartment. The address itself was an omen: 666. At first, her life there was ordinary. She locked the chain, threw the deadbolt, and settled into bed like she always did. But within minutes, everything changed. Sicily heard the unmistakable sound of the chain sliding free, the bolt unlocking, and the heavy creak of her apartment door opening—then closing. Slow, deliberate bootsteps echoed through the loft. Step by step, they climbed the staircase toward her bedroom. Frozen in bed, Sicily's body betrayed her. She couldn't move, scream, or even whisper for help. It felt like sleep paralysis, but this was no dream. She was wide awake. Desperate, Sicily remembered the mantras she had been taught years earlier by psychics who warned her of a dark attachment. She whispered them silently, imagining herself surrounded by white light. And then—just like that—the figure was gone. Was this sleep paralysis, an old attachment finding its way back, or something darker drawn to the infamous address of 666? #666Apartment #SleepParalysisDemon #HauntedApartments #RealGhostStoriesOnline #ShadowPeople #SleepParalysis #ParanormalActivity #CreepyStories #SupernaturalEncounters #DemonicPresence Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

In 388 BCE, Plato, at the age of about forty and in the midst of writing The Republic, visited for the first time the then-Greek city state of Syracuse, on the eastern shores of Sicily. Syracuse was ruled by a tyrant, Dionysius, who on death was followed by his son, also a tyrant. Over the course of his three separate visits to Syracuse over the years, encountering both father and son, Plato arrived at the model for tyranny laid out in The Republic. That's the argument of James Romm's splendid book, Plato and the Tyrant: The Fall of Greece's Greatest Dynasty and the Making of a Philosophic Masterpiece (W.W. Norton, 2025). In our conversation, Romm renders, not the familiar “marble Plato” of his God-like dialogues, but an altogether human figure grappling with his own personal vulnerabilities. We discuss, too, the parallels to today's times, in which tyrants and would-be tyrants continue to plague the world. The tyrant, as Romm ably shows, is an archetype for all time. James Romm is the James H. Ottaway Jr. Professor of Classics at Bard College and editor of the Ancient Lives biography series from Yale University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Raising a child while carrying the weight of grief after losing your husband is no easy task. Learning to love again, knowing that loss is always a possibility, adds another layer of complexity. In this Language of Love Conversation, I sit down with the incredible Tembi Locke, actor, advocate, and New York Times bestselling author of From Scratch, which many of you may know as the hit Netflix series she co-created. Tembi's newest project, Someday, Now, is a fully immersive audiobook that completely moved me. We talk about her journey through grief, caregiving, and parenting after the loss of her beloved husband Saro. How do you keep going when the person you planned your future with is no longer here? Tembi shares how her grief has transformed over the years, what it was like to raise her daughter while healing herself, and how she still feels her husband's presence in everyday life, from hummingbirds outside her window to cherished memories in Sicily. We dive into: How grief evolves over time and why it never really ends The surprising ways caregiving prepares (and fails to prepare) you for loss What no one tells you about the physical exhaustion of grieving The best ways to support a child on the grief journey   The quiet ways our loved ones continue to guide us after they're gone Why so many of us are grief-illiterate and what we can do about it What it means to show up for others in grief, even when words fall short How becoming an empty nester stirred up old wounds and new revelations What it really takes to open your heart to love again after devastating loss What makes this conversation so special is how honest Tembi is. She doesn't shy away from the messy truths about the physical toll of grief, the emotional fatigue of caregiving, and the quiet courage it takes to choose love again. Whether you're grieving, supporting someone who is, or simply wondering how to keep going when life breaks your heart this one is for you. Want more from Tembi? Explore Someday, Now and her memoir From Scratch at her website. Follow her on Instagram: @tembilocke or LinkedIn. And if you're on your own healing journey, I'd love to invite you into my Good Grief Course, a safe space filled with tools, practices, and support to help you grow through loss. If this conversation touched you, I'd love to hear from you. Share your story or a sign you've received at languageoflovepod@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To Italians, bread is life. With 250 varieties across the country, it's eaten with almost every meal. Its importance speaks to national values of community, tradition, quality and - above all - religion.Australian-Japanese food writer Emiko Davies takes a tasty journey into the spiritual significance of bread in Italy, her adopted home. In the west of Sicily, residents honour Saint Joseph by constructing intricate sculptural breads, adorning altars with baked symbols, and staging a ritualised feast attended by the entire community. On the coast of Puglia, locals queue to receive blessed loaves in celebration of Saint Anthony. Finally, with food historian Fabrizia Lanza, she reflects on the origins of religious superstitions surrounding bread, and what the nation's diverse culinary traditions tell us about faith in Italy today.Presenter: Emiko Davies Producer: Jude Shapiro Executive Producer: Jack Howson Production Coordinator: Ieva SabaliauskaiteA Peanut & Crumb production for BBC World Service