ITALIAN, FOR SURE  |  Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture
ITALIAN, FOR SURE  |  Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture

ITALIAN, FOR SURE | Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture

Catrin Skaperdas

Overview
Episodes

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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.)

Recent Episodes

Buying Property in Italy - 1 Euro Homes, Mortgages from Italian Banks, First-Time Buyer Perks, and the One Costly Mistake to Avoid
MAY 20, 2026
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 it The top websites for Italian property listings:Immobiliare.itIdealista.it This 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 Italy Chapters (Apple Podcasts, Spotify): 2:02 Intro 2:33 The most researched city by foreign buyers of property in Italy 6:02 Jacopo explains why he’s the right person to speak about the topic of real estate in Italy 8:22 Where foreign buyers are looking for property in Italy 11:44 If it's worth it to buy 1 euro homes in Italy 13:34 Revealing budgets someone should consider when looking to buy in Italy 15:39 If foreigners can get a loan from an Italian bank if they’re not a resident in Italy 17:26 What costs you should consider when buying property in Italy 17:51 Perks for 1st time home buyers 20:04 One very helpful tip to avoid spending thousands of dollars and having a major headache in the future 23:15 Why you can’t trust Italian real estate agents 25:22 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 castle 29:12 Where you can find Italian property listings online 34:43 Why you shouldn’t overlook a property listing with "bad” photos 37:57 Is buying property in Italy worth it 38:30 Property tax benefits in Italy 40:18 Outro Jacopo 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.
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38 MIN
The Italian Podcast Market - Co-founder of the Largest Italian Podcast Media Company Offers Insights into the Podcasting Industry in Italy
MAY 6, 2026
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 now Chapters: 01:14 Intro 3:01 The Italian podcast market from 2019 to now 7:03 The reaction of Italians when Francesco told people in his life that he was starting a podcast company 10:03 Italian work culture vs the US work culture 13:39 How VOIS / the Italian market has changed from 2019 until now 16:15 Dynamic ad insertion (DAI) in Italian podcasts 22:56 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” explained 37:55 Average podcast length in Italy 44:28 How non-verbal in Italian culture affects Italian podcast listening, or doesn’t 50:00 Francesco’s final thoughts on the Italian podcast market 52:00 Outro To 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.
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50 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
APR 22, 2026
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 Italy Chapters: 1:08 Intro 3:50 How an Italian views America and Italy  8:06 The cost of living and taxes in Italy 9:58 Amedeo tells us about Abruzzo 13:03 Living like an Italian in Washington DC / An Italian’s view of America’s cost of living 16:39 Getting a drivers license in Italy 18:29 Saving money in the US vs Italy 19:13 Drinking culture in Italy vs America  22:26 Independence in Italy 24:58 The way Italians do business in Italy 28:38 Cost of labor in Italy vs America 31:28 How to be self-employed in Italy 33:54 Healthcare in Italy vs America 44:32 Breakups in Italy vs America 52:22 Why Amedeo calls people peasants 55:23 Outro To 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.
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52 MIN
Clip "Community in Venice, Italy" from Episode 9
MAR 19, 2025
Clip "Community in Venice, Italy" from Episode 9
This clip is from Episode 9: "Venice Through the Eyes of a Local - Avoid Getting Pickpocketed, Identify Tourist Traps, and Learn the Origins of Ciao, Spritz, and Fascinating Historical Anecdotes about Italy" Find the full episode here: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube In the full episode, Federico Blumer reveals a lot of uncommonly told insights about "Venezia," as it's known in Italy, by sharing insider information, local stories, and uncommon facts. Find the full episode on ITALIAN, FOR SURE to join host Catrin Skaperdas and guest Federico as they laugh and chat their way through fun facts about Venice to bring you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian culture inclusive of: Pickpocketing and how to avoid it Tourism in Venice, Italy: Do they want it? Do they need it? The truth about "La Dolce Vita" A typical day for someone who lives in Venice How Federico feels about living in a place with no cars If locals really use gondolas in Venice What happens when you have a disagreement with someone in Venice The origin story of "Spritz" Why you shouldn't get a pizza in Venice How "carbonara" originated The anti-pasta movement A fascinating story of a guy who single handedly saved the day for Venice Advice for when people come to Venice The origin story of "Ciao" -- This interview is available to watch on Spotify or YouTube or to listen-only wherever you get podcasts, such as Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music. -- Federico Blumer, Venetian by adoption, born in Milan in 1986, is a cultural influencer and uses his social channels called "Il Viaggio di Scoperta" (The Journey of Discovery) to share fun and important facts about the city of Venice, Italy. To check out Il Viaggio di Scoperta on Instagram, click here https://www.instagram.com/ilviaggiodiscoperta/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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9 MIN
Clip "How Growing up in Italy as a Black Woman Shaped her Identity" from Episode 8
MAR 12, 2025
Clip "How Growing up in Italy as a Black Woman Shaped her Identity" from Episode 8
This clip is from Episode 8: "Growing Up Black in Italy - Stefania Okereke's Journey from Childhood in Cremona to Producing a Show with Amazon Prime that Taught her the Italian Food Fun Facts she Shares" Find the full episode here: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube In the full episode, Stefania Okereke gets deep about her experience as a Black woman that grew up in Cremona, Italy, but not before she shares delicious details about Italian food that she learned while touring Italy to produce a show with Amazon Prime: the first time Stefania saw pappardelle, how to cook a perfect bistecca alla Fiorentina, and more. Find the full episode on ITALIAN, FOR SURE to join host Catrin Skaperdas and guest Stefania as they have an educational, entertaining, and important chat about Italian culture inclusive of: Stefania's experience as a Black woman that grew up in Italy "Cheese rolling is a thing!" The time Stefania met Anna Wintour and Khaby Lame at the first ever Black Carpet Awards in Italy Stefania warns you of the 3 Ps: The essential P foods for Italians The importance of time at the table within the Italian culture "I like you so much...but you're not the same." How to cook a perfect bistecca alla Fiorentina Advice to balance the Italian and London ways of living The first time Stefania saw pappardelle Stefania leaves us with her thoughts on what needs to change in Italy -- This interview is available to watch on Spotify or YouTube or to listen-only wherever you get podcasts, such as Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music. -- More information about Stefania Okereke: Stefania Okereke is a dynamic Italian-Nigerian multimedia broadcast journalist with a wealth of experience in producing and presenting for TV, digital platforms, radio, and podcasts. Over the past five years, Stefania has been at the forefront of news and current affairs, shaping narratives, breaking news, and bringing world events to audiences through acclaimed programs. Her impressive portfolio includes contributions to The One Show, Panorama, Today Programme, BBC London, and BBC World Service’s Newsday, Africa Daily, and Focus on Africa. Additionally, she has worked on reputable programs like What’s Up TV, Sky TV, Channel 4, ITV, BAFTA Awards, and Italy’s Rai 1. A storyteller at heart, Stefania is passionate about bringing people together, amplifying diverse voices, and connecting with underserved communities, making her a true advocate for inclusion and representation in media. -- In support of the Black community in Italy: https://www.instagram.com/weafricansunited/?igsh=OTFhYnNsZGRqcnA%3D https://www.instagram.com/colory.it/?igsh=N2hwY3YyMjB5OW5u https://blackcarpetawards.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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7 MIN