Advertise on podcast: Deborah Kobylt LIVE

Actor Gary Sinise narrates the powerful documentary, "The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph," and today we speak with the director/producer of the film, Michael Gier, who says his documentary focuses on some of the uplifting stories that rose from the ashes of 9/11, attempting to bring hope to thousands who have been affected by this great American tragedy. This year is the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and the film highlights the bravery of first responders, survivors, and everyday citizens who spring into action on September 11th and the days and weeks that followed. The film focuses on the World Trade Center and Pentagon response, in addition to the bravery of the passengers on Flight 93. It is produced in association with SoldierStrong and The 9/11 Legacy Foundation, and will stream on Amazon Prime and Apple TV starting August 21. It's an important part of our history, told from the perspective of hope. Please find my full interview with #MichaelGier on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here and support this film.

The life, career, and loves of Italian journalist and author Oriana Fallaci is historic, complicated, and needs to be told on a grand stage. Please welcome award-winning Hollywood screenwriter Gary Hoffman, along with internationally-acclaimed producer Valentina Castellani Quinn, who join us to speak about their one-woman play currently in production, "Fallaci - A One Woman Show," which they hope to premiere soon in New York and London. A world-renowned Italian journalist and political interviewer, Oriana was well-known for her aggressive, uncompromising interviewing style. As a teenage partisan in the anti-fascist Italian resistance during WWII, she developed a life-long distain for authoritarianism, which later defined her career as a war correspondent and political interrogator - almost unheard of for a woman. Oriana interviewed Kissinger, Khomeini, Gaddafi, Meir, Arafat, Gandhi, among others. In fact, Kissinger called his interview with Oriana, "the most disastrous conversation I ever had with the press." In addition, Oriana was a front line reporter during the Vietnam War, Indo-Pakistani War, and conflicts across Latin America, the Middle East, and in Mexico City. Oriana also had a very complicated love life, as her need for affection often dominated her personal life. There's much to uncover with this multi-talented, iconic woman, and we'll get into all of it with Gary and Valentina. Please join our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here. And please share with your friends, too.

Please welcome Diana Giovinazzo, author, "Daughters of Naples," whose newly-released historical fiction is inspired by the real-life Italian women who risked everything to fight for their homeland against Fascist domination and Nazism. It's a fascinating read, one I could not put down! The story centers around three Cozzolino sisters who navigate changing wartime dynamics that threaten to tear their family apart. Set in 1940s Naples under Mussolini's regime, it's got all the elements of survival, sisterhood, romance, and shifting loyalties during the time of Italian resistance, a complicated time in the history of Italia. We will speak with Diana about the historical significance behind this book, and the research that went behind it. A self-proclaimed "history nerd," Diana enjoys writing about historical fiction based in Italy, and has achieved high acclaim for her previous novels. She is also the creator of the Wine, Women, and Words Podcast, a weekly show featuring interviews with authors over a glass of wine! Love this! Please find my full interview with Diana on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

Dogs aren't just our best friends. They have the power to connect with humans on a spiritual level, providing emotional comfort and even physical safety because they can read us intuitively. And dogs react accordingly. Please welcome to our show JJ Flowers, author, "The Spiritual Dog, Emissary of Unconditional Love and Healing," which details physical, emotional, and spiritual gifts dogs are born with, and how they instinctively use those gifts to provide spiritual guidance to the people in their lives. Flowers details how the canine energy field physically and emotionally connects to the human energy, allowing dogs to connect to humans and help them to heal by providing comfort. Anyone who has a dog as a family member knows this to be true, and JJ goes deeper into the understanding of dogs and humans and the powerful bond between them. Please find my full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

Mike Crispi, president of The Italian American Civil Rights League, joins us to discuss the recent uproar over the Little Italy New York enclave being removed from the City's list of immigrant neighborhoods. Italians took notice and fought back. In fact, Crispi's resume reads as a man who has been fighting for justice much of his life as a political activist, frequent commentator, and talk show host. And this topic made the top of his list. Cristi points out that much of New York - from the skyscrapers to underground tunnels, was built on the backs of Italian immigrant laborers, many of them settling into the lower east side of Manhattan, commonly referred to as #LittleItaly, so he joins us today to talk about the history of the people there and how it matters today. It's a lesson in history that many might not know, and one that should not be forgotten. Please join us today on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

Award-winning author and co-founder/editor-in-chief of Appetito Magazine, #AndrewCotto, joins us to discuss the deep-rooted history of Italians and Italian Americans in New York through hard-work, grit, culture and their culinary expertise, literally taking over the food scene from the moment the Italians landed on our shores. When it was discovered that #LittleItaly was no longer included on the map of immigrant communities in NYC, Italians stood up and fought back for their ancestors to be recognized for their contributions to making NY and America prosperous. Andrew has written extensively for the New York Times, Appetito, Condé Nast Traveler, Italy magazine, and others, and has extensive knowledge of Italians in NY, and he joins us today to talk about that and the strong sense of pride Italian Americans continue to fight for, including the history Italians want to make sure is not forgotten. Please join us on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's an honor to have you with us.

Please welcome infamous mandolin player #JohnnyAnello, also the founder of Italian American Radio, who joins us to talk about the history of Italians who came to this country through Ellis Island, settled primarily in #LittleItaly on the lower east side of Manhattan, and became the heart and soul of New York, building bridges, digging subway tracks and tunnels and anything else that needed to be done to help make the City of New York great. Johnny has had a decorated career as a musician, performing LIVE throughout NY and the entire tri-state area, but particularly in Little Italy, New York. In fact, he will be opening this year for the 100th anniversary of the San Gennaro Festival in NY, a terrific honor. Needless to say, Johnny knows much about current life in New York's Little Italy, in addition to its rich history. And since the recent uproar over Little Italy not being included in the map of immigrant communities in NYC, he's got a lot to say about it. Johnny also founded Italian American Radio, and we'll be talking about that, too. He's a terrific preservationist of all things Italian, and I'm honored to speak with him today. Please find my full discussion with Johnny "Mandolin" Anello on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

"Moodtopia for Kids: Nurturing Emotional Wellness with Nature's Remedies" is a guide to help parents balance medical and holistic care for their children, written by Sara Chana Silverstein," a renowned homeopath and master herbalist. And her research is based in years of research working with children and families, helping to find balance while treating various issues that young people are facing, from neurological to emotional. The book focuses on supporting a child's nervous system first to build long-term resilience rather than defaulting immediately to pharmaceuticals. She talks about how to alleviate day-to-day anxiety, tension, insomnia, anger, depression, and other issues. Sara also talks about how to manage ADHD and other neurological issues to help children grow into functioning adults without the constant need for meds. Sara also wrote "Moodtopia," which applies the same principals in adults, and has been wildly successful. Please find my full interview with Sara Chana Silverstein on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

What was superstar #MichaelJackson really like when he wasn't performing, particularly when he was much younger? Darls Centola, who wrote "Finding Truth With Michael: A Memoir of Friendship, Faith, and First Love" takes us there in a way that's never been done before. Darls befriended Michael and sister La Toya during their high school years, and she was one of the only friends outside of the Jackson's performing world to cut through all the noise and just be a friend. The memoir chronicles the everyday life of the famous Jacksons, from roller skating in Sherman Oaks to joyriding in her beat-up yellow Toyota. It also talks about the faith they shared, and the crush she ultimately developed on the superstar Michael Finding Truth With Michael offers a personal look at Michael away from peering eyes, and is certainly well-timed with the release of the film "Michael," sharing his nephew Jaafar Jackson. Please find my full interview with Darls on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

Idanna Pucci's latest book, "Emilio Pucci: The Astonishing Odyssey of a Fashion Icon," is a biography co-authored by the niece of the famed designer along with her husband, Terence Ward. The narrative moves beyond Emilio Pucci's vibrant prints to uncover his harrowing experience during World War II and his role in postwar Italian reconstruction. Carefully detailed and researched by Idanna Pucci and her husband, this is an inside look at an extraordinary story of bravery long before anyone knew #EmilioPucci as the fashion artist he became. The authors recount Pucci's capture, imprisonment, and torture by Nazis following a secret mission to assist the opposition, and they explore his transition from war hero to fashion icon, with details about his shop on the island of Capri. It's a captivating read, in part because it comes first-hand from family members, most notably Idanna, who grew up in the Pucci palace in Florence and later worked for her uncle at his Saks Fifth Avenue boutique in New York. The biography draws from intimate family sources, including personal diaries and declassified war records. Please join me in welcoming #IdannaPucci on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and the #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

I started my summer reading a little early this year with "Bel-Air Confidential," a futuristic romance by Jeni Lynn, a journalist who has spent much of her career writing about technology and NASA. This is her first novel and series of "Confidential" books, each set in a different historic hotel. I must say, I'm already hooked. The book takes place in LA in the year 2172, and follows Alex and her boss, Eric, as they navigate a dangerous world where a secret society wants to prevent humanity from leaving earth. In the process, the two develop an epic romance. This is a clever book with lots of intrigue, and while I don't often read or interview authors who write fiction, this one caught my eye, particularly for the summer reading season. I ponder a Los Angeles in the future and what it might be like, and she's got all the elements of possibility here. It kept me turning the pages. Throughout our interview, I'll be asking Jeni about her process from journalist to novelist, which isn't so easy. We'll also talk about character development, where she got some of her character ideas from, in addition to what's next in the series. I hope you'll join me on this futuristic ride with Jeni Lynn, and please tell your friends, too. I'm your host, @DeborahZaraKobylt, and I want to thank you for joining us today on our podcast, #DeborahKobyltLIVE.

Let's rewrite the narrative on aging. Simply put, as long as we have our health, getting older can be a fun and invigorating, a time to live with no boundaries and try whatever it is we've always wanted to do but didn't because everyday living got in the way. So how do we age with purpose? We invited Beverly Hills psychiatrist Dr. Arnold Gilberg, author, "The Myth of Aging," to join the conversation. Dr. Gilbert argues that aging itself isn't the enemy, disengagement is, and he uses decades of clinical experience to provide a "prescription" for happiness that includes brain health, finding purpose in retirement, and how to cultivate meaningful relationships at a certain age. Not always easy, but Dr. Gilbert shows us how. Dr. Gilberg says emotional and physical well-being work hand-in-hand, and he shows us how to find true happiness as we age, even if we're alone and living far from loved ones. He talks about finding joy and the energy to "speed up," as we age, and not "slow down." His practical methods work, and he's still working after 60 years helping people find their bliss into the twilight years. Because let's face it, we're never too old to embrace our dreams as long as we're alive. So let's go for it. Please find my interview with Dr. Gilberg on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

Linda Stasi is synonymous with NY media royalty. She's a well known critic and columnist for the NY Post. She is also a familiar face on the NY1 News Channel, and has appeared on the Today Show, The View, CBS Morning Show, among others. And we're thrilled to have her join us to talk about her latest book The Descendant: a historical family saga based on her own Sicilian-American ancestors, following the Barbera family from Sicily to the Colorado mines and eventually to the Mafia in Brooklyn. The story blends real history with folklore, and focuses on the resilience of the family, particularly strong women, as they navigate poverty, violence, and the American dream. Let's just say it's got all the right elements of adventure, crime, and magical realism. I see a film here. Throughout our interview, we will also discuss Staci's Italian roots and the strong bond we all share as Italians and Italian Americans. There's something about Traci that I totally relate to, perhaps it's the journalist in me or the Italian family bonds. Whatever it is, she's got some incredible stories to share, and I'm thrilled to bring them to you. Please find our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

James Conlon is known as one of the most versatile and respected conductors of a generation, and throughout his career, has cultivated a vast symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire. Today, we are honored to welcome him to our show. Since his 1974 debut with the NY Philharmonic, he has conducted virtually every major American and European symphony orchestra with precision. Needless to say, Mr. Conlon is one of classical music's most recognized interpreters. We will be speaking with him about his early days in music and conducting, his influences, and how he earned a spot as one of the premiere influences in this genre. His finale with the LA Opera with Falstaff was simply jaw-dropping, an event that will be hard to replicate for even the most seasoned and decorated conductors. Mr. Conlon makes it look effortless, which is part of his magic, because his work and career are nothing short of extraordinary. Please find our full interview with Mr. Conlon on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

LA Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt means business. He's pissed and wants to turn the city he grew up in to a city that functions without debilitating crime, drugs, homelessness, in addition to helping thousands of Angelenos cut through red tape so they can rebuild after losing their homes in the LA fires of 2025. It's a tall order, and he says he's fired up and wants the job. And he's working the streets every day to earn the trust of voters to be their next mayor. Spencer, a USC grad, is passionate, well-spoken, and killed it in the recent LA Mayoral debates against incumbent Mayor Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman. He claims their progressive policies have turned Los Angeles into a walking criminal and drug addicted city that was once the envy of the country, a place where kids could play outside, walk to the local ice cream store and feel safe. No more, and I can attest to that. Today, he joins us to tell us his plan and vision to turn LA around. For anyone who claims a former reality TV star can't do the job, I welcome you to listen to our interview. Spencer is a father, husband, son, and he loves his city. He's a college grad who is outspoken and has sensible and practice ideas on how to get this city back on track. And for anyone who wants the same old politics, I hope you'll listen to our interview and hear what Spencer has to say. He just might be what LA needs, because we certainly don't need more of the same. Please join my full interview with Spencer on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.