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ITALIAN, FOR SURE | Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Catrin Skaperdas
Your ultimate (and accurate) guide to Italian culture! ITALIAN, FOR SURE goes beyond the cliches and stereotypes to reveal the true Italian way of living.Catrin Skaperdas, an American living in Italy, hosts lively interviews with locals in an effort to give Italians the (befitting) stage to passionately share their wisdom, stories and insights about Italy.* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *ITALIAN, FOR SURE is perfect for listeners who desire to learn more about Italian culture, dream of moving to Italy, plan on visiting or studying abroad in Italy, or have Italian roots or heritage. It covers topics that help develop your cultural awareness, making it easier to navigate Italy, and equip you with fun facts to share.Listen and embark on a culturally rich journey every other Wednesday at 6:00am CEST that will transport you to different corners of Italy through the voices of locals who make this country truly special. Italians will set the record straight, allowing you to know what’s truly Italian and what’s not by unveiling hidden gems about the Italian customs.(ITALIAN, FOR SURE is created and hosted by Catrin Skaperdas.)
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- 2 days ago1h 2m
Cultural Confessions of an Italian - Middle Names, Religion, Dating and Sex, Fashion, Egg Freezing and Surrogacy in Italy
In Italy, without a comma in-between a first name and a middle name [e.g. Catrin, Austin], the two names become one, legally binding first name [e.g. Catrin Austin]. Did you know that? Or how about the fact that a woman cannot legally thaw eggs she’s had frozen in Italy to use them unless she is in a documented heterosexual relationship; Blows your mind, right?* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *Milanese local Giulia Lavinia Futura Baroni and host Catrin Austin Skaperdas have an entertaining and uncensored conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:Middle NamesPopular Given Names, like Giulia: If you grew up in Italy during the 1990s, half of your friends were named Giulia.Religion in a Modern Society: While Italian-Americans fiercely preserve old-school Catholic traditions, modern young families in Northern Italy are increasingly raising their kids completely detached from the Church.Dating, Sex, and Circumcision: An unfiltered look into Italy's view regarding sexual culture, dating rules, and modern intimacy.Fashion in Milan: Milanese fashion is effortless elegance.Egg Freezing: We look at the practical, emotional, and financial realities of freezing your eggs in Italy.Surrogacy: Surrogacy is illegal in Italy.Italian Food: Why Italians don't all balloon in weight despite eating pasta and pizza nearly daily comes down to ingredient quality, processing standards, and walking culture.Trigger Warning: This episode contains open conversations regarding sex, anatomy, and reproductive topics.Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The views expressed are personal experiences and opinions of non-healthcare professionals. Always consult a qualified medical professional for any health-related questions or treatments.Recording Date: This episode was recorded in 2024. All personal reflections reflect the timeline of recording.Chapters:00:02:08 Intro00:03:32 Middle names in Italy00:08:15 Common given names in Italy00:14:35 Religion in Italy00:23:47 Dating in Italy00:39:17 Sex in Italy00:43:30 Circumcision: Italy vs U.S.00:47:19 Fashion in Milan, Italy00:54:28 Egg freezing in Italy00:58:38 Surrogacy in Italy01:00:56 Italian food01:05:23 OutroThis interview of ITALIAN, FOR SURE is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 2 weeks ago38 min
Buying Property in Italy - 1 Euro Homes, Mortgages from Italian Banks, First-Time Buyer Perks, and the One Costly Mistake to Avoid
The essential steps to navigating the Italian real estate market are mapped out in this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE. Want to buy property in Italy without the stress of landing on financial landmines, or simply curious to learn what it would take to live in the land of the No.1 cuisine in the world, according to TasteAtlas rankings (2025/2026)?* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *Specializing in helping foreign buyers buy, invest in, and manage property in Italy, Jacopo Tartaglia (an Italian real estate agent and the founder of Valente Italian Properties) and host Catrin Skaperdas (an American who has bought property in Italy) help make the property buying process in Italy understandable. Jacopo walks you through the process of buying property in Italy, step by step, making it very easy to understand so you’re prepared for your property buying journey - even if you want to buy a castle.Jacopo and Catrin have an entertaining and useful conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:If foreigners can buy a property in Italy, without being a residentIf Italy’s 1 euro homes are worth itOne very helpful tip to avoid spending thousands of dollars unnecessarily and having a major headache to deal withWhat budgets you should consider when looking to buy in ItalyIf foreigners can get a loan from an Italian bank if they’re not a resident in ItalyPerks for 1st time home buyers What costs you should consider when buying property in ItalyPlaces where you can find Italian property listings onlineWhy you shouldn’t overlook a property listing with bad photosIf buying property in Italy is really worth itThe top websites for Italian property listings:Immobiliare.itIdealista.itThis episode is perfect for people who:Want to buy property in Italy while still living in the USAre moving to Italy and looking for propertyForeigners already living in Italy that want to buy propertyWould be interested in investing in rental property in ItalyWant to understand what it would be like to buy property in ItalyChapters (Apple Podcasts, Spotify):2:02 Intro2:33 The most researched city by foreign buyers of property in Italy6:02 Jacopo explains why he’s the right person to speak about the topic of real estate in Italy8:22 Where foreign buyers are looking for property in Italy11:44 If it's worth it to buy 1 euro homes in Italy13:34 Revealing budgets someone should consider when looking to buy in Italy15:39 If foreigners can get a loan from an Italian bank if they’re not a resident in Italy17:26 What costs you should consider when buying property in Italy17:51 Perks for 1st time home buyers20:04 One very helpful tip to avoid spending thousands of dollars and having a major headache in the future23:15 Why you can’t trust Italian real estate agents25:22 Jacopo walks you through the process of buying property in Italy, step by step, making it very easy to understand so you’re prepared for your property buying journey - even if you want to buy a castle29:12 Where you can find Italian property listings online34:43 Why you shouldn’t overlook a property listing with "bad” photos37:57 Is buying property in Italy worth it38:30 Property tax benefits in Italy40:18 OutroJacopo Tartaglia is a real estate agent and the founder of Valente Italian Properties. Through his work and social channels, he shares practical insights on buying, investing, and living in Italy, helping international clients navigate the Italian real estate market.https://valenteit.com/ This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- May 6, 202650 min
The Italian Podcast Market - Co-founder of the Largest Italian Podcast Media Company Offers Insights into the Podcasting Industry in Italy
Get the inside scoop on the Italian podcast market, like what podcast genres are popular (or not) in Italy, how the non-verbal in Italian culture - like Italian hand gestures - affects podcast listening, and growth and monetization techniques.* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *Francesco Tassi, co-founder and CEO of VOIS, the Milan-based podcast creators network achieving 6M monthly listens, and host Catrin Skaperdas sit down at the VOIS studios (on March 3, 2026) to navigate the evolution of the Italian podcast industry from 2019 to today, bringing you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian media culture inclusive of:The Italian podcast market in 2019 and why VOIS only worked because of where in Italy it was launchedFrancesco gives a podcast 101 lesson about the two waves of podcasting (2004 and 2014)The reaction of Francesco telling his Italian friends and family that he was starting a podcast company in 2019How the podcast market in Italy has changed from 2019 to now and how VOIS has changed from then until nowCross-promotion and monetization techniques in Italy, including dynamic ad insertion (DAI)How podcasts moving toward video has affected the Italian podcast marketHow other forms of media perceive podcasts (e.g. how radio stations see podcasts)How competition exists between podcasts and between podcasts and radioHow the Italian podcast market differs from other markets around the world Podcast genres that are not popular in Italy: comedy and sportsFrancesco describes what they call at VOIS “responsible entertainment”Average length of podcasts in Italy and when people are listening, according to the data, and what Francisco thinks about itHow non-verbal in Italian culture affects Italian podcast listening, or doesn’t (affect it)Francesco talks about how the Italian podcast market is a great opportunity right nowChapters: 01:14 Intro3:01 The Italian podcast market from 2019 to now7:03 The reaction of Italians when Francesco told people in his life that he was starting a podcast company10:03 Italian work culture vs the US work culture13:39 How VOIS / the Italian market has changed from 2019 until now16:15 Dynamic ad insertion (DAI) in Italian podcasts22:56 The sense of competition in the Italian podcast market between radio v podcasts or podcasts v podcasts 27:13 How the Italian podcast market differs from other podcast markets around the world 28:22 Italian podcast genres and why certain ones are more popular than others 33:38 “Responsible entertainment” explained37:55 Average podcast length in Italy44:28 How non-verbal in Italian culture affects Italian podcast listening, or doesn’t50:00 Francesco’s final thoughts on the Italian podcast market52:00 OutroTo learn more about VOIS, check out their website https://vois.fm/This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Apr 22, 202652 min
Living in Italy vs the U.S. - Culture Shocks Between an American and an Italian, Including Cost of Living, Drivers License Exams, Breakups, Health Care, and the Drinking Age
Uncover where "Tuscany without the tourists" is and healthcare hacks that can save Americans money, and laugh with us through a cross-cultural roadmap between Italy and the US, on this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE.* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *Italian D.C. resident Amedeo Jashi, real estate and affordable healthcare entrepreneur and content creator, and host Catrin Skaperdas chat their way through cultural differences between Italians and Americans to bring you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian culture inclusive of:Amedeo's views of America and Italy, as an Italian that lives in AmericaAreas of Italy that feel more “Italian” vs lessCost of living in Italy vs AmericaIncome taxes for the employee vs employer in Italy vs AmericaWhy Amedeo thinks Abruzzo is amazingLiving like an Italian in Washington DCHow hard it is to get a drivers license in ItalyDrinking culture in Italy vs AmericaThe difference of Amedeo’s independence as a child growing up in Italy vs Catrin’s independence as a child growing up in the U.S.Gross vs net income in US vs AmericaCost of labor in Italy vs AmericaThe differences of American and Italian health careHow in Italy it’s more common than in the U.S. to have friends who are of the opposite sexBreakup “culture” in the US vs ItalyChapters:1:08 Intro3:50 How an Italian views America and Italy 8:06 The cost of living and taxes in Italy9:58 Amedeo tells us about Abruzzo13:03 Living like an Italian in Washington DC / An Italian’s view of America’s cost of living16:39 Getting a drivers license in Italy18:29 Saving money in the US vs Italy19:13 Drinking culture in Italy vs America 22:26 Independence in Italy24:58 The way Italians do business in Italy28:38 Cost of labor in Italy vs America31:28 How to be self-employed in Italy33:54 Healthcare in Italy vs America44:32 Breakups in Italy vs America52:22 Why Amedeo calls people peasants55:23 OutroTo check out Amedeo on Instagram, click here https://www.instagram.com/amedeo_iasci/This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Nov 13, 202437 min
Italian Fashion as it Relates to Italian Culture - Made in Italy, Luxury vs Fast Fashion, and How Italians Dress Described by CEO of Stefano Ricci in Florence, Italy
In Italy, dressing well is more than just a fashion statement. Stefano Ricci's CEO, Niccolò Ricci, explains the deep-rooted traditions and cultural nuances of Italian style.* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *While revealing insights into one of Italy's most prestigious luxury brands, Niccolò and host Catrin Skaperdas have a fun and informative conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:Tips for how to feel comfortable in your clothes and look greatThe different ways to tie a tie (Italy vs U.S.)What "Made in Italy" really meansThe influence of family in Italian fashion brandsWhy proper attire is important to ItaliansFast fashion and quiet fashionWhat Niccolò recommends you to avoid when getting dressedWhat Stefano Ricci does to give back to FlorencePassing along Italian crafts to the future generations--Stefano Ricci is an International Luxury Fashion and Lifestyle company.For more information about Stefano Ricci, check out https://www.stefanoricci.com/.This interview is also available to watch on Spotify and YouTube.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Oct 30, 202434 min
Weddings in Italy - Italian Wedding Traditions, Food, Superstitions, Gifts, Attire, Party Favors, Stories, and More
How are weddings in Italy different than weddings in America?As an American that recently got married in Italy, host Catrin Skaperdas noticed a lot of cultural differences between weddings she had experienced in the U.S. and traditions in Italy.* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *Join newly-wed American host Catrin Skaperdas and guest Carolina Cornaglia - Event Manager at Casa Scaparone - as they laugh and smile their way through a conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:What do Italians wear to weddings in ItalyWedding superstitionsPre-wedding traditionsBridesmaids/Groomsmen vs TestimoniesIf there is religion present in weddings in ItalyParty favors and "confetti"Wedding bandsSeating planWhat gifts do Italians give at weddings in ItalyFood culture at weddings in ItalyWhat's thrown at the end of Italian wedding ceremoniesStay tuned until the end to hear Carolina share 3 funny, cute, and shocking stories of weddings at Casa Scaparone.--To learn more about Casa Scaparone, check out: https://www.casascaparone.it/en/--This interview was recorded inside the flower atelier at Casa Scaparone.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Oct 16, 202429 min
Workout Culture in Italy - Head of Curriculum at Barry's Milan Offers Insights into the Italian Fitness Scene
Discover the vibrant world of workout culture in Italy, and join host Catrin Skaperdas and guest Gabriele Tortorella - Head of Curriculum at Barry's Milan - as they laugh their way through a conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:Athleisure in ItalyBoutique fitness studios in ItalyWhat time Barry's opens in Milan vs New York CityWhat clothes people are wearing when they arrive at Barry’s MilanKG (kilograms) vs LB (pounds) and Kilometers vs MilesLocker room habits in Milan (Italy) vs Miami (United States of America)Smoothies and breakfast culture in ItalyHow the Barry's Milan community is reflective of Italian cultureWhat language is spoken at Barry's around the world* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *--(This interview was recorded inside the iconic Red Room at Barry's Milan and can be watched on Spotify or YouTube.)--For more information about Barry's Milan, check out https://www.barrys.com/studio/senato/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Oct 2, 202446 min
Becoming an Adult in Italy - What Age are Italians Considered Adults? How Hard is the Driving Test? Is Getting a Job at 18 Easy? Freelancer or Employer?
Sharing her journey between childhood and adulthood in Italy - full of cultural differences that shocked our American host - is Federica Mutti. Content Creator (47k+ YouTube), Published Author, and Co-Founder of MUNU Communications Agency.* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *From describing the university experience, to when Italians typically get a first job and why, to the difficulties of obtaining a drivers license, to pros and cons of employment types, and more, join host Catrin Skaperdas, guest Federica, and friend-of-the-podcast Kenneth Hurley as they have an entertaining and thorough chat about what it's like growing up in Italy, inclusive of:Why Federica didn't get her drivers license at the legal age in ItalyWhen Federica got her first job and why her father wasn't happy about itAn Italian's perspective on freelancingWhat the "holy grail" of employment contracts is and why the trust in this contract is decliningHow work-life balance is in ItalyWhat age Italians are considered adultsWhat a resident of Italy needs (by law) before they can freelanceFederica's interesting and inspiring experiences between 18 until 27 years old--For more information about Federica Mutti, check out https://www.federicamutti.com/.This interview is also available to watch on Spotify and YouTube.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
About ITALIAN, FOR SURE | Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture
Your ultimate (and accurate) guide to Italian culture! ITALIAN, FOR SURE goes beyond the cliches and stereotypes to reveal the true Italian way of living.Catrin Skaperdas, an American living in Italy, hosts lively interviews with locals in an effort to give Italians the (befitting) stage to passionately share their wisdom, stories and insights about Italy.* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *ITALIAN, FOR SURE is perfect for listeners who desire to learn more about Italian culture, dream of moving to Italy, plan on visiting or studying abroad in Italy, or have Italian roots or heritage. It covers topics that help develop your cultural awareness, making it easier to navigate Italy, and equip you with fun facts to share.Listen and embark on a culturally rich journey every other Wednesday at 6:00am CEST that will transport you to different corners of Italy through the voices of locals who make this country truly special. Italians will set the record straight, allowing you to know what’s truly Italian and what’s not by unveiling hidden gems about the Italian customs.(ITALIAN, FOR SURE is created and hosted by Catrin Skaperdas.)
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