The CIAO DMV! Podcast: Italian-American Life in the DMV
This podcast is dedicated to all things Italian-American in the DMV aka DC, Maryland and Virginia. We focus on the Italian-American Experience -- from family stories, to little known history, to businesses, cultural events, etc. Mostly the good, but sometimes the not so good.
Although born and raised on the Lower East Side of NYC (think Chinatown/Little Italy), your host Joseph Barone has been living, working and raising a family in the DMV since June of 1991.
So, how did this podcast come about? Well we need to go back a few years.
In February of 2019, Joseph met Pete Blank (Pete's Points) at a training/learning conference in Florida. From that chance meeting, he learned that one way in which to get noticed as a thought leader or expert in your field is via podcasting. So, in October 2019, he launched his Foolish Thoughts by A Fool for Learning Podcast. The focus was on training/learning, business, consulting, etc., or whatever foolish thought came to his mind.
In 2025, Joseph was looking for a way to help promote the vast amount of philanthropic work undertaken by the Lido Civic Club of Washington DC.
As he was researching podcasts to reach out to, he discovered that although there were those who focused on Italians and Italian-Americans in NYC, Chicago, and other areas, there were really none in the DMV. And yes, the Italian American experience in the DMV is different from that of NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, etc. And so, CIAO DMV was born!
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
32 min
This final episode is actually comprised of three separate interviews: (1) life after CUA and the publications which he feels made the most impact upon his field of study; (2) his work on researching the life of John Volpe; and (3) the honors bestowed upon him. Dr. Damiani is a former Professor of Romance Languages and Literature, specializing in the Spanish and Italian Renaissance, who taught at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
#italian #italianamerican #dmv #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #CUA
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
Jul 21, 2026
Jul 21, 2026
19 min
In this second of a three part series, I interview Bruno M. Damiani, Ph.D about his time as a professor at CUA. Dr. Damiani is a former Professor of Romance Languages and Literature, specializing in the Spanish and Italian Renaissance, who taught at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
#italian #italianamerican #dmv #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #CUA
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
Jul 14, 2026
Jul 14, 2026
22 min
In this first of a three part series, I interview Bruno M. Damiani, Ph.D.. Dr. Damiani is a former Professor of Romance Languages and Literature, specializing in the Spanish and Italian Renaissance, who taught at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Hear about growing up in Italy, coming to the US and his life up until he accepted a position at CUA.
#italian #italianamerican #dmv #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #CUA
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
Jun 30, 2026
Jun 30, 2026
18 min
Not long ago, a young lady took me up on my open invitation to be interviewed. Giorgia Barrow is a high school senior and the youngest person interviewed on my channel to date. Have a listen as she talks about visiting her Nonna, her studies and her future plans.
#itlaianamerican #italianamericans #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #italian
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
Jun 16, 2026
Jun 16, 2026
12 min
In the last episode, we focused on Tom's life in Ohio and Pennsylvania, his time in the US Navy and as a Business Development Leader, with a focus on federal contracting. Now, have a listen to Tom regarding his years as a Lido Civic Club member.
#itlaianamerican #italianamericans #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #italian #lidocivicclub
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
Jun 9, 2026
Jun 9, 2026
28 min
When I joined the Lido Civic Club a few years ago, I met Tom. I was impressed with his networking skills and his work navigating US federal government contracting. In fact, I did a series of episodes in March 2023 with him on Federal contracting on my FOOLISH THOUGHTS Podcast Channel. BTW, you can still find those episodes on all major podcast channels.
#itlaianamerican #italianamericans #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #italian
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
May 26, 2026
May 26, 2026
22 min
Have a listen to the story of Anthony Solazzo. He is not only involved in Talent Acquisition but is an Angel Investor. Don't have a clue about either, then have a listen to the story of another locally born and raised Italian-American.
#italianamerican #italianamericans #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #italian
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
May 19, 2026
May 19, 2026
24 min
Have a listen to Tom Regnante reminisce about being one half of the 2 Dudes Who Love Food Blog!
#italian #italianamerican #dmv #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #food
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
36 min
Although he now lives in the Philippines, Natale "Lino" Stracuzzi lived almost his entire live in Maryland and DC. In this Special Episode, I chat with him about growing up in this area, his various professions and his running for office in Washington DC.
#itlaianamerican #italianamericans #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #italian
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
May 5, 2026
May 5, 2026
29 min
This past December I met Francesco Bardazzi of PD Properties, when he was inducted into the Lido Club. Hear about his background, journey to the US and what makes him and his firm a valuable partner in real estate.
#itlaianamerican #italianamericans #washingtondc #virginia #maryland #italian
Intro Music: Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano provided courtesy of Tony et Claudo on L'Ambiance Italienne (Vol. 2)
This podcast is dedicated to all things Italian-American in the DMV aka DC, Maryland and Virginia. We focus on the Italian-American Experience -- from family stories, to little known history, to businesses, cultural events, etc. Mostly the good, but sometimes the not so good.
Although born and raised on the Lower East Side of NYC (think Chinatown/Little Italy), your host Joseph Barone has been living, working and raising a family in the DMV since June of 1991.
So, how did this podcast come about? Well we need to go back a few years.
In February of 2019, Joseph met Pete Blank (Pete's Points) at a training/learning conference in Florida. From that chance meeting, he learned that one way in which to get noticed as a thought leader or expert in your field is via podcasting. So, in October 2019, he launched his Foolish Thoughts by A Fool for Learning Podcast. The focus was on training/learning, business, consulting, etc., or whatever foolish thought came to his mind.
In 2025, Joseph was looking for a way to help the Lido Civic Club of Washington DC promote the vast amount of philanthropic work done for the community as a whole.
As he was researching podcasters to reach out to, he discovered that although there were those who focused on Italians and Italian-Americans in NYC, Chicago, and other areas, there were none in the DMV. And yes, the Italian American experience in the DMV is different from that of NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, etc. And so, CIAO DMV was born!