Episode 99: Finding Family in Italy: Kris Rini's Journey to Citizenship, Calabria & Home

When Kris Rini began researching his Italian family history, he had no idea it would lead him to living relatives in Calabria, the restoration of his family's original surname, and the emotional experience of becoming an Italian citizen.

In this episode, Kris shares how growing up in a close-knit Italian American family on Long Island sparked a lifelong curiosity about his heritage. What started as genealogy research eventually uncovered long-lost cousins in a small Calabrian village, unforgettable reunions in Italy, and a journey that forever changed the way he sees himself and his family's story.

We also talk about:

Growing up in an Italian American household on Long Island
The surprising truth behind his family's surname
Researching Italian ancestors and tracing family records
Finding living relatives in Calabria through social media
The emotional experience of visiting his ancestral villages
Navigating Italy's ever-changing citizenship laws
Why preserving our family's stories matters for future generations

If you've ever wondered where your family came from—or dreamed of walking the same streets your ancestors once did—this conversation is a reminder that the journey is about much more than documents. It's about connection, belonging, and bringing your family's story back to life.

🇮🇹 Because every family has a story worth remembering.

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Episode 98: American Destiny — A Life Between Bari and New York

At just 14 years old, Marcella Flanagan left New York and returned with her family to post-war Bari, Italy—a journey that would shape the rest of her remarkable life.In this episode of Italian America...

3 Juli 32min

Episode 97: The Italian Mummy – The Strange Story of Concetto Formica

One of the very first episodes of Italian American Stories has been revisited. Join Stephanie and Sandy as they take a fresh look at the remarkable—and heartbreaking—story of Concetto Formica, adding ...

27 Juni 28min

Episode 96: From Rome to Potenza: A Journey Back to Our Roots

After years of dreaming about it, Jared and I finally made our trip to Italy!In this special episode, Mom and I sit down and talk through the entire journey—from racing through the Denver airport to c...

19 Juni 48min

Episode 95: Leno & Rosemary LaBianca — The Other Side of the Manson Murders

In August of 1969, the world became consumed by the shocking murders of actress Sharon Tate and her friends at Cielo Drive. But what many people forget is that the terror did not end there.Just one ni...

8 Maj 20min

Episode 94: The Mosconi Mystery & The Ouija House of El Cerrito

In this episode of Italian American Stories, we’re telling two unsettling and lesser-known stories that feel almost too strange to be real.First, we head to Denver in 1905, where Mercy Mosconi returns...

30 Apr 18min

Episode 93: Finding Her Italian Identity Later in Life | Christine McBurney

In this episode, we’re joined by actress, writer, and storyteller Christine McBurney, whose life took an unexpected turn when, in her 50s, a DNA test revealed something she never imagined… she was hal...

16 Apr 23min

Episode 92: Carmelina Fiorino

In 1906 Denver, a young Italian immigrant named Carmelina Fiorino stood in her kitchen and made a decision that would change her life forever.After leaving Calabria at just 15 years old, Carmelina fou...

9 Apr 19min