What happens when you mix age-old traditions with the passion of modern entrepreneurs? Join us as we uncover the inspiring story of Miriam Pugliese, co-owner of Nido di Seta, who left the bustle of Milan to breathe new life into Calabria’s ancient silk industry. Miriam, along with her partners Domenico and Giovanna, transformed a forgotten silk museum and mulberry orchard in San Floro into a thriving hub of traditional silk production, blending historical techniques with sustainable practices. Their mission is to show the world that Calabria is a land brimming with potential and opportunities.
From the legacy of Domenico and Giovanna’s grandparents to the contemporary global fashion market, we explore the journey of bringing a centuries-old craft back to prominence. Discover the intricate process of silk production, from the life cycle of silkworms to weaving on ancient looms, and learn how you can experience this firsthand at their museum. This episode is a treasure trove of personal stories, regional beauty, and the untold history of Calabria’s once-thriving silk industry. Don’t miss the chance to support and engage with this remarkable revival by exploring Nido di Seta’s exquisite silk products.
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How God Created Calabria
Great conversation with Gianluca about Calabria, including it’s Greek beginning, food and people, including his grandmother’s story about “How God Created Calabria”, on the eighth day. Gianluca is a licensed Italian tour guide with twenty years of experience, including leading hiking groups in the Calabrian mountains, working at ski resorts in the Alps and Finland, guiding cultural tours in South Italy and arranging travel for tourist agencies with his own company. He has a passion
Calabria “The Other Italy”
Bob interviews Karen Haid who lived and taught in Italy and wrote a fascinating book about her travels through Calabria. Karen gives insight into the food, customs, things to do and much much more. ONCE THE HUB OF THE MEDITERRANEAN, Calabria now dangles, largely ignored, at the bottom of the Italian boot, struggling for survival, acceptance and a place in modern Italy and the world. Little-known even to Italians outside the nefarious activities of
The Journey Home — Day 9 — Montebello/Fossato Calabria
Click here to join out Facebook group The drive from Scilla to Montebello is about an hour and on the way we stopped to view the mountain “ghost town” Pentedattilo, which is derived from the Greek language and means five fingers. You can read the interesting story of two barons here. Our day in Montebello and Fossato turned out to be one of the more special days. Mostly due to my cousin Cinzia Piromallo (
Researching Cropani Calabria and Utica NY
In this episode I talk to Dan Zongrone again with his mom Lucrezia who grew up in Utica NY. Lucrezia tells about growing up Italian in pre-war Utica and about the war years, her family and first trip to Italy. Visit Dan’s Facebook Page Cropani nel Cuore Taking advance orders for my book to be released Oct 21. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video
Researching Acri Calabria
I talk with John Polverino about his just starting his research, Italian citizenship and how he opened an Italian Restaurant in Tennessee. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Visit Our Shop
The Journey Home — Day 8 — Scilla Calabria
Click here to join out Facebook group Day 8 had us taking the train from Naples to Scilla. When Gianfranco picked us up he asked if we had pastry at Gran Cafe Gambrinus the day before. When we said no that we did not have the chance. “We have time, we’ll go now” was the answer. You can’t refuse Gianfranco. We hated to say goodbye at the station as Gianfranco became a real friend. The