Catona Calabria

Embarking on a nostalgic journey to the heart of Italian-American life, we sit down with Margaret Fontana, more affectionately known as the Italian American Girl. Her story unfolds like a rich tapestry woven with threads of cultural heritage and familial pride, offering an intimate glance at the Italian-American dream. Margaret’s tales of Reggio Calabria, the land of her ancestors, and the enduring tradition of family homes passed down through generations, serve as a poignant backdrop to our conversation, inviting you to rediscover the scenic landscapes of Southern Italy and the cherished summer experiences that shape our Italian-American worldview. As we taste our way through the regional flavors of Italian cuisine, the resilience and hope emblematic of our immigrant forebears come alive. Margaret recounts her father’s post-war emigration to Newark, New Jersey, and the strength it took to forge a new path in a foreign land. The vivid family narratives continue with homage paid to the matriarchs who tightly held onto their Italian roots while nurturing an American identity. These stories of hardship, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of the American dream not only resonate with those of Italian heritage but echo the universal experiences of families who have bridged the gap between old and new worlds. Our episode culminates in a reflection on the vital role of media in preserving and educating about our Italian-American heritage, a task Margaret has passionately undertaken. We delve into the transformative power of storytelling and community building, essential threads that bind the tapestry of our shared cultural identity. As we look forward with excitement to reconnecting with family and friends in anticipation of the summer, we invite you to join us in this episode, where memories intertwine with aspirations, and the Italian spirit continues to thrive within the heart of the American experience. 

Margaret Fontana is a highly accomplished media executive renowned for her extensive expertise spanning various industries, including nonprofit, healthcare, film, media, television, technology, and digital-driven broadcast. Her career boasts a remarkable track record of accomplishments and a storied reputation in these diverse fields. Margaret is also the Founder of The Filmmaker Forum, an online resource and community for aspiring and experienced arts, media and filmmaking professionals. Students are welcome as well. In keeping with her cultural first generation Italian roots, Margaret is also the Founder of another popular online community and blog called Italian American Girl with over 45,000 members across various social media networks. The community has become an online networking resource for many Italian Americans to share educational stories, history, ancestry traditions and connections. Margaret also features celebrities, musicians and filmmakers on the blog. 

In her “free” time, Margaret acts as a guest speaker and influencer while regularly presenting and teaching on media topics at Rider University and national digital conferences including Advertising Week in New York City Margaret is the host of the self produced podcast called, The Margaret Fontana Media Podcast The podcast covers topics from media, marketing, public relations, film, production, business, lifestyle and more. She features guests from the entertainment, design, lifestyle, style, culinary, cultural, wellness, business, & media industries. (Available on iTunes, Spotify and other digital platforms– Search ‘Margaret Fontana Media’ ) 

Margaret leads marketing and public relations for the The Ashley Lauren Foundation, which provides hope & help for children with cancer throughout New Jersey.