Italy Inside Out

Jacqueline Alio, historian, author and guide, returns for a second episode to tell the fascinating and often tragic stories of the women who have influenced the history, myth and religion of Sicily. From the myths of Persephone and Aphrodite, the saints of Agatha and Lucy, the queens of the middle ages and the rebels and heroines of more current history, we hear their stories and learn of the impact they had on the people of Sicily.
Jacqueline's website: http://www.palermoguide.net/
Link to Amazon page for her books: Jacqueline Alio
Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected]

Jacqueline Alio, a historian and author, returned to Sicily with her family in the 1980's and found the city of Palermo under the impact of Mafia power. In subsequent years the people protested tirelessly for government intervention and help. The city is now a safe and beautiful place again in which to live and to visit. Jacqueline also describes the periods during the rule of the Arabs and then the Normans in the middle ages and their lasting influences on government, culture and cuisine. Your mouth will be watering as she describes traditional Sicilian foods and their regional peculiarities.
Jacqueline's website: http://www.palermoguide.net/
Link to Amazon page for her books: Jacqueline Alio
Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected]

Rita Cipalla is a journalist whose work has appeared in many prestigious publications. Looking for a city with a vibrant cultural vibe, she moved to Seattle from Washington DC in the 1990’s and launched her business, Cipalla Communications . Working primarily with nonprofits, she uses simple, clear language and storytelling techniques to communicate her client’s message. Rita continues her work as a freelance journalist and contributes feature stories to various publications, including L'Italo-Americano and Washington State's History Link.

A few years ago Rita began searching for her Italian heritage on her father’s side which led her to the small but historically important town in southeast Sicily, Palazzolo Acreide. She shares her journey with us in this episode of Italy Inside Out.
Cipalla Communications, https://cipalla.com/http://www.italoamericano.org/
Washington History Link, https://www.historylink.org
Perugia Sister City Organization, https://seattle-perugia.org/
L’Italo-Americano, http://www.italoamericano.org/
Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

Paola Messana was a successful international journalist living in many of the world's largest cities. When she retired, she found her way to a small village in Sardegna where she bought and renovated a house into a B&B. She then purchased a small farm outside of the town with olive and fruit trees and a view over the Mediterranean Sea. She has discovered a sense of peacefulness and serenity caring for her farm and recommends such a life to others. Paola has Russian and Italian heritage and so it is not surprising that she feels at home in an Italian village where many Russian people have vacation residences.
Paola Messana's Contact Information: [email protected]
Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) presents Cinema Italian Style every year at this time. This year, because of the pandemic, the festival will be virtual which has brought a whole new set of production challenges for SIFF. During the festival, new films are shown by established film makers and the debut of new film makers. This engaging interview with Beth Barrett, Artistic Director for SIFF, discloses the history of the organization and the changes made throughout its 47 year existence, the emergence of the Italian film festival, the search for new films each year and a synopsis of some of her favorites in this year's lineup.
SIFF, Cinema Italian Style: https://www.siff.net/year-round-cinema/film-festivals/cinema-italian-stylePodcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]