We were truly delighted to chat with Frank Lotito in this episode. Frank has had a long and successful journey in the entertainment industry, he has pretty much done it all from theatre, film and television. He is multi talented as an actor, comedian, writer, producer and director. He is well known for the films ‘Big Mamma’s Boy’ and ‘Wog Boys Forever’

It was fascinating to hear Frank’s story and to hear about one of his current projects- ‘The Italian Divorce’ - a comedy stage show which captures the love, chaos and guilt driven drama of Italian family life. The show has been a huge success and sold out multiple times in Melbourne and Sydney. Great news for our Perth based listeners- The Italian Divorce is coming to Perth for 3 shows- 27th February, 28th February and 1st March. Tickets are selling very fast, click the link below to get yours!

Website:

https://theitaliandivorce.com

Frank on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/franklotito?igsh=YmJmMnM3Z2h3OXd4

Italian Divorce on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/the_italian_divorce?igsh=dzJwd2o1a3UycWc2

In this episode we are also joined by two of our favourite return guests, Etta D’Elia and James Liotta and we are talking about Etta’s new show Nonna Mia, which will feature as part of Perth Fringe Festival 2026. The show is a celebration of the matriarch in Italian families- the Nonna. Etta and James are both outstanding performers and we loved hearing about how they will be working together in some of the Nonna Mia shows.

The first show is the 29th of January at Shelter Brewing Co in Busselton, next is the 6th of February in Rockingham followed by 2 shows at the State Theatre of WA in Perth on the 12th and 13th of February. Tickets are selling fast, go to the Fringe World Festival website to get yours or you can click on the links below:

Fringeworld:

https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/nonnamia-fw2026

Etta on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/etta.delia.vocalist?igsh=MWMxMngycTNoMDcw

James on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jamesliottaentertainer?igsh=YmZzaXIydXE3cWll

Previous episodes with Etta:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GFlPvcsnSj5EBw6gbzdi2?si=7cha7KBQTpK0eDkAdhhgoQ

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2SQefqO4EUHKKs9cKOE6q1?si=zERPFszrSIeaCmyfwHgbaQ

Previous episodes with James:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XEA4iSiE1xIAIoU6jUYHr?si=dgBgGUFnR5SHvJj8cjqHpQ

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JxOYloLji1oSXpgvTZMAd?si=4UHIE-IMR0OByoosBjjnlQ

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0At6zSUzutLvM8GH3ziTtl?si=jCzIg8hxTcyrIKbsYX57Jg

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7iStMoVvrxrizbx6msLCVG?si=K7QRyauvREO9CY9TRZNIRA

We have an another amazing chat with Rose Inserra for you in this episode. If you missed episode 125 with Rose it’s a good idea to go back and listen to that one first.

Rose Inserra has literally written the book on Italian folk magic, dream interpretation and more, as well as being an author, she is an experienced Malocchio healer. In this episode she shared her knowledge about dream interpretation. And as this episode is coming to you on the Feast of the Epiphany we also chatted about the legend of La Befana.

Make sure you listen to the end to hear Rose’s advice on some simple things you can do to bring positivity into your 2026.

It’s a new year and we are looking for new sponsors. If you are interested in promoting your business on the Italian Australian Podcast, send us an email at italianaustralianpodcast@gmail.com for more details.

To find out more about Rose click the links below:

Episode 125: Malocchio and Italian Folk Magic

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OwboOYXBEGZYRcgcgdpKe?si=TOi6FIVxRvCV6asI3fXJJQ

Rose on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/inserrarose?igsh=cXA4enFmNTZvbHlj

Rose’s link tree:

https://linktr.ee/roseinserra

Rose’s website:

https://roseinserra.com/

Ragazzi we have an amazing episode for you, with tomorrow being Christmas Eve- it’s the perfect time to talk Malocchio!

Our guest is Rose Inserra, she has literally written the book on Italian folk magic, as well as being an author, she is an experienced Malocchio healer and she shared some of her knowledge with us. We were enthralled during this conversation and we are so excited for you guys to hear it, we know this is one our listeners are going to absolutely love!!

To find out more about Rose and get yourself some of her books- click the links below:

Rose on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/inserrarose?igsh=cXA4enFmNTZvbHlj

Rose’s link tree:

https://linktr.ee/roseinserra

Rose’s website:

https://roseinserra.com/

This week we’re joined by Josephine Paone, a young Melbourne-based Italian Australian with a strong connection to her heritage. Josephine had so many wonderful insights to share — from her journey as a tarantella dancer, to her time living overseas, to her reflections on what it truly means to be Italian Australian.

To find out more about Josephine click the links below:

@josephinepaone THE FOUNDER

https://www.instagram.com/josephinepaone?igsh=Y3hzbXh1dmtxbm00&utm_source=qr

@sudculture_ Cultural Marketing Agency

https://www.instagram.com/sudculture_?igsh=OHB1bWhpY2Z0NWF3

@thebagnarota - Tarantella & Pasta workshops preserving Southern Italian culture

https://www.instagram.com/thebagnarota?igsh=a2QzN2phZHNoemN0

THE COMMUNITY

@theitalianrunclub.au - AUSTRALIA’s FIRST RUN CLUB - DM to become an Ambassador in your city

https://www.instagram.com/theitalianrunclub.au?igsh=NTcwNGtzZWtwOTQ=

@radici.au - Italian meet-ups & curated experiences for the next generation

https://www.instagram.com/radici.au?igsh=MTIzc2Jiem1jYjN1aQ==

WHATSAPP CHANNEL

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBvSODFnSzF3Dht7j2a

This week our guest is Mark D’Angelica from Adelaide. Mark is a proud Italian Australian and is a committee member of Com.It.Es South Australia. Com.It.Es is the Committee for Italians Abroad and work on many initiatives which are focused on celebrating the culture and keeping it strong in Italian communities outside of Italy. For more information click the link below:

https://www.sacomites.com.au/

We were especially excited to record this week’s episode as we are joined by three fantastic guests, Andrew, Joe and Carlo otherwise known as Sooshi Mango.

These three hilarious Italian Australians are famous worldwide for their comedy and we love how they use entertainment and laughter to celebrate our heritage.

We loved chatting with the guys about their Italian heritage, hearing of their passion to keep the culture alive and why being Italian is the best thing ever!

Thanks for listening and a big thanks to our sponsors for this week's episode- Melbourne Arancini. In 2016 husband and wife team Paul and Laura Muscara started Melbourne Arancini, supplying Melbourne and regional Victoria with handmade, delicious arancini made with the freshest ingredients. Arancini flavours range from traditional Bolognese Ragu, Four Cheese Broccolini, Pizzaiola, Arrabiata and fan favourite Chicken, Leek and Mushroom. The Christmas season is here and that means their famous Garlic Prawn Arancini are back and available now for something extra special for your Christmas celebrations! They really are Melbourne's best, made fresh.

Sooshi Mango on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sooshimango?igsh=MThzM3Vrb2o2cmNwZw==

Melbourne Arancini on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melbournearancini?igsh=NmtjbGFpMmoyd2U5

Melbourne Arancini Website:

https://www.melbournearancini.com.au/

This week we are chatting with Tony Guseli.

Born in Australia to Italian immigrant parents, Tony has discovered a strong passion into family research. He shared with us some of the interesting stories he has uncovered, particularly in relation to his Grandfather’s story of being abandoned at birth in Italy.

Tony also told us some fascinating details about the Snowy Scheme, a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex located in New South Wales. With work on the scheme commencing in 1949, it is the largest engineering project ever undertaken in Australia. The Snowy Scheme employed hundreds of migrant men from several places, including Italy. Many people don’t know the story of the Snowy Scheme and of its many accidents which claimed the lives of 121 men, 27 of whom were Italian. One of those men was Tony’s uncle Antonio. Tony is on a mission to tell the story of these men and has already spent countless hours on research. It’s a huge task and without Tony’s efforts these stories will not be told.

If you have any details which can be added to Tony’s research he asks that you please reach out, you can do this getting in touch with us or by clicking the links in the show notes.

Tony’s email:

guselitvg@bigpond.com

Italian Australian Podcast email:

italianaustralianpodcast@gmail.com