Podcast
15 with Fosca
Hosted by Fosca D'Acierno · EN
15 with Fosca takes you on a journey to contemporary Italy and, through a plurality of voices, offers insights into Italian culture today and prepares you, in a meaningful way, for your time here.
The podcast features authentic stories from Italy in real time and strives to create and build a sense of community across space and borders through conversations about what’s going on in Italian society right now.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Quality of the Question featuring Alessandro Bruni
2w ago00:26:37Tap to summarize“I use dialogue. I ask questions. And I don’t give answers.” Alessandro Bruni In this episode of 15 with Fosca, I sit down with philosopher, strategist, professor, author, and musician Alessandro Bruni for a conversation about philosophy, business, Italy, AI, and how to keep our footing in a world that seems to be changing faster than we can name it.Alessandro teaches at the University of Pisa and leads the Naima Brain Trust, bringing philosophical thinking into the world of companies, brands, strategy, sustainability, and transformation. But this is not a conversation about abstract theory. It is about how we think, how we ask questions, how organizations lose and recover their sense of direction, and why philosophy may be more necessary than ever in an age obsessed with answers.We talk about why markets and organizations are, in Alessandro’s words, “objects of conversation”; why real strategy begins with dialogue rather than ready-made solutions; and why companies must understand their own DNA before they can grow. We also discuss his latest book, I 4 pilastri per le aziende B2B, which looks at innovation, design, brand, and sustainability as the four legs of a table, and what happens when one of those legs is missing.From B2B companies “staying in the kitchen” like Cinderella, to Italy’s creativity and provincialismo, to AI as the “genie in a lamp,” Alessandro reminds us that the future belongs not to those with the fastest answers, but to those capable of asking better questions.And because no conversation with Alessandro could stay entirely in the boardroom, we also touch on Beckett, Nietzsche, Cole Porter, Livorno, saxophone gigs, and the possibility of finding beauty, and even joy, in chaos.BiographyAlessandro Bruni graduated with a degree in Philosophy from the University of Pisa. In 2012, he founded Naima, a consultancy and braintrust dedicated to business development and transformation based on innovation, design, branding and sustainability. He operated as both a manager and a consultant in companies of all sectors before founding Abla, a leader in speech-automated business solutions. Based on his experience, he says that business is – as most of human activities – is an endless and meaningful conversation: open, often unpredictable, surprising but structured. Strategy is the process of articulating such a conversation. This is what he teaches in Strategic Development as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pisa, Engineering Faculty, Business Management Course. From his contact and discussions with his students he derives and tests most of the methods he applies in business. And the other way round. He is a Certified International Trainer in Strategic Selling e Conceptual Selling and coach at Palestre Digitali (a post graduate business innovation program sponsored by Accenture Foundation and Samsung). He contributed to several tech start-ups in and is currently a tutor for competitive innovation hubs on new sustainable business ventures. He regularly consults businesses on Strategy & Transformation, Marketing Research, and Sales Practices. He has served as Chairman of Parchi Val di Cornia, the aggregation of the most important (and beautiful) Archeo&Natural Parks along the coast of Tuscany. He practices and applies Joe Weston’s Respectful Confrontation as a core part of his commitment to Strategic Thinking and to support positive behavioral shifts in individuals and companies. He is the author of Senza aspettare Godot, literally ‘Don’t wait for Godot’ a method in SME business growth and of I 4 pilastri per le aziende B2B, edited by Franco Angeli Editore.His personal project is to help enterprises and their people focus on sustainable growth. He loves music and plays jazz piano and saxophone. Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-bruni-773223/?skipRedirect=true https://www.naimaconsulting.it https://www.francoangeli.it/Libro/I-4-pilastri-per-le-aziende-B2B-Innovazione,-Design,-Marchio,-Sostenibilità?Id=29685
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Open Doors featuring Lauren Mouat
3w ago00:46:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sit down with writer, professional tour guide, and Florence Literary Society co-founder Lauren Mouat for a conversation about Italy, writing, community, and the strange, unexpected doors that open when life doesn’t follow the plan.Lauren first came to Italy as a study abroad student in Rome, thinking she might stay for a year. More than fifteen years later, that year has become a life: first in Rome, then, by way of love, lockdown, and a Florence apartment she never moved into, in Livorno.We talk about the particular beauty of a city that does not perform itself for tourists, and how living slightly outside the obvious Italian dream has shaped Lauren’s sense of belonging. We also trace her life as a writer: from childhood stories to her bilingual short story collection Intermezzo, born in part out of the suspended time of Covid and built around characters caught in moments of transformation.At the heart of the episode is Open Doors, the literary magazine Lauren founded during lockdown when she was searching for a writing community and ended up creating one. What began as a small experiment became a space for fiction, poetry, essays, art, and interviews in English and Italian; and a platform for writers and artists from around the world who were also looking for connection.We also talk about the Florence Literary Society, the necessity of creative community, the discipline and chaos of writing, the trap of perfectionism, and how Lauren’s work as a tour guide has sharpened her instincts as a storyteller.Ours is a conversation about becoming, belonging, attention, and the stubborn hope that literature still matters. Especially now.BiographyLauren Mouat is an author and tour guide who has called Italy home for over a decade. She is the founder and editor in chief of the bilingual literary magazine the Open Doors Review and a co-founder of the Florence Literary Society which is dedicated to fostering the writing community of Florence. Lauren's short story collection Intermezzo was published by Ali Ribelli Edizioni in 2022 and she writes about life in Italy on her Substack. LinksOfficial Website: https://www.laurenmouat.comSubstack: https://substack.com/@laurenmouatOpen Doors Review: http://www.opendoorsreview.comFLS: https://www.florenceliterarysociety.comUnlock Italy: http://www.unlockitaly.comShare, like, comment, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis Production Intern: Nicole StevensRecording and post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency
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The Longevity Camp: Designing a Life Built to Last | Andrea Longinotti Buitoni
4w ago00:23:59Tap to summarizeWhat does it mean to build a life designed not just to last, but to function well over time?In this conversation with Andrea Longinotti Buitoni, we move beyond the usual language of wellness and into something more structured and demanding. His Longevity Camp is not a retreat in the traditional sense, but what he describes as an ecosystem: a framework that connects environment, behavior, and long-term change.At the center is the distinction between lifespan and healthspan: not how long we live, but how well we live across those years. From there, the conversation opens into the gap between what science already tells us and the way most of us actually move through our days.Andrea’s model is built around six pillars—Breathwork, Mindfulness & Meditation, Nutrition, Movement, Restorative Sleep, and Multisensory Experiences —but what emerges is less a checklist and more a system. One that extends beyond a single experience into something ongoing, designed to support consistency rather than intensity.We also talk about the people drawn to this work, often high-performing individuals, and whether longevity is becoming a form of strategy, or even control. And underlying it all, a more personal question: what shifts when you begin to see your life as something you are actively constructing, day by day?Biography and Links Andrea Longinotti Buitoni, Co‑Founder & CEOWith over 25 years of experience in the financial sector, including major investment banks (ING- Barings, Lehman Brothers, UBS, and Credit Suisse), multi-family offices, and PE startups across London, Tokyo, New York, Geneva, UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, a sector change became necessary.Andrea is deeply committed to humanitarian projects, particularly those focused on children; he worked in Syria in 2015 with the Amal ou Salam Organization and led a humanitarian mission in Ukraine in March 2022 in collaboration with ITA Airways. Fluent in Italian, English, French, Spanish, and portuguese, Andrea, driven by his passion for reading, technology, personal growth, healthy living, sports, and travel, co-founded The Longevity Camp with his partner Claudio. The goal is to provide participants with a holistic approach to their health, enhancing their health span.https://thelongevitycamp.com/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582497905402https://www.instagram.com/thelongevitycamp/https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-longinotti-buitoni-1380135/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-longevity-camp/posts/?feedView=allShare, like, comment, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis Production Intern: Nicole StevensRecording and post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency
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On Writing and Instinct featuring R.J. Sinclaire
May 100:40:40Tap to summarize“Writing was my escape. But at some point it became something I needed to share.” R.J. SinclaireIn this episode of 15 with Fosca, I sit down with author and fellow American expat in Italy, RJ Sinclaire, for a conversation that moves between place, instinct, and the long road to writing a first novel.What began with a chance meeting in Florence unfolded into a deeper exploration of what it means to follow an inner voice, across countries, careers, and creative lives. RJ shares the story of her move to Italy, a decision rooted in something she first imagined as a child, and reflects on the reality of building a life abroad as a single mother.At the heart of our conversation is writing, not as a profession, but as a lifelong instinct. RJ speaks candidly about her creative process, the unexpected turn toward crime fiction, and the moment of anger in Rome that sparked her current novel. Together, we explore the vulnerability of the drafting process, the humility of revision, and the challenge of putting you work into the world.This episode is also a quiet but powerful reflection on voice, especially for women, and the importance of listening to what insists on being heard.It’s a conversation about writing, but also one about instinct, courage, and beginning (again).Bio and Links R.J. Sinclaire is an American writer who now resides in Milan, Italy with her Italian husband. Writing has been a lifelong passion, a creative outlet and that safe place for her to return to throughout her life. After becoming an empty nester she finally found the courage to bet on herself and make the decision to write fulltime. She is currently completing her debut novel, a crime and psychological thriller.https://www.instagram.com/rjsinclaire?igsh=Y29sMmdjZHB6Y2Fw&utm_source=qrShare, like, comment, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis Production Intern: Nicole StevensRecording and post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency
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The Human Side of AI featuring Elettra Fiumi
Apr 2400:51:15Tap to summarize“AI started unlocking a creative portal of stories I didn’t even know I had in me.” Elettra Fiumi In this episode of 15 with Fosca, I’m joined by filmmaker, educator, and AI expert Elettra Fiumi for a wide-ranging conversation about artificial intelligence, creativity, education, storytelling, and the future of work.Rather than treating AI as something abstract, threatening, or distant, Elettra makes a compelling case for engaging with it directly: learning the tools, experimenting hands-on, and understanding both their risks and their extraordinary potential. She explains why AI literacy is now essential, why fear is holding so many people back, and why the most important thing we can do is stop talking about AI in the abstract and start using it in practical, thoughtful ways.The conversation also explores how AI can transform education by supporting different learning styles, encouraging curiosity, and giving students more agency. Elettra shares how tools like NotebookLM and custom GPTs can help people learn better, work smarter, and personalize the way they interact with information.For creatives, this episode is especially fascinating. Elettra discusses how AI has expanded her own filmmaking practice, unlocked new kinds of storytelling she hadn’t imagined for herself before, and even helped her reshape footage in post-production for a recent Patagonia project. She speaks candidly about motherhood, artistic identity, the emotional dimensions of technology, and why AI, at its best, can be a profound creative partner.This is not a conversation about replacing human beings, it’s a conversation about expanding human potential. AI is not just a technology story, it’s a human story, and those who learn to engage with it thoughtfully, creatively, and courageously are the ones who will help shape what comes next.Biography Elettra Fiumi is a Florentine-born AI filmmaker, documentary director, and educator based in Lugano, Switzerland. She is the founder and CEO of Fiumi Studios, a boutique creative studio specializing in documentaries, branded content, and AI filmmaking. Her documentary "Radical Landscapes" premiered at DOC NYC and aired on RAI as "Radical Love," and her AI short film "Mamma Robot" won four international awards. Her latest film, "Alma Robot," created under the mentorship of Paolo Sorrentino, is forthcoming. Elettra holds Creative Partner relationships with leading AI platforms including Runway, Leonardo, ElevenLabs, and Seedance / Dreamina. She is an Adjunct Professor at Franklin University Switzerland, where she teaches AI for Cinema, and has taught at universities, film festivals, and museums worldwide. Elettra holds an M.Sc. in Digital Media from Columbia University, a B.A. with Honors from Mount Holyoke College, and a Master's in AI for Business from the Italian Tech Academy. She is the custodian of the 9999 Archive, the legacy of her late father's radical architecture collective active in Florence in the late 1960s and 70s. She co-leads Machine Cinema Women and co-hosts the Machine Cinema podcast.Links https://fiumistudios.com/elettra-fiumi/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elettrafiumi/https://substack.com/@aicinemahttps://www.instagram.com/efiumi/Share, like, comment, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis Production Intern: Nicole StevensRecording and post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency
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In the Parlour featuring Esther Tadjiev
Apr 1700:56:58Tap to summarize“I wanted to build a space where nobody would feel unseen.” Esther TadjievMy guest today is Esther Tadjiev, founder and owner of The Parlour in Florence, a beautifully designed space that goes far beyond nails or aesthetics. What Esther has created is a study in hospitality, community, and the emotional architecture of luxury.Before moving to Florence, Esther worked at the highest levels of the luxury sector, including roles at Sotheby’s and Chanel. In this conversation, she reflects on what brought her from New York to Florence, how a personal frustration sparked a business idea, and what it took to build something truly original here.We talk about entrepreneurship in Italy, the evolution of Florence after the pandemic, the importance of detail, and why the deepest luxury may simply be feeling welcomed, recognized, and cared for.BiographyEsther Tadjiev is the founder of The Parlour, a design-led beauty studio on the Arno that has redefined nail care in Florence as both a ritual and a place of connection. Originally from New York, she built her career in the luxury sector, including a senior leadership role at Sotheby’s auction house, before arriving in Florence in 2018 for what was meant to be a short stay. She never quite left.Drawing on her background in luxury, fashion, and design, Esther created The Parlour as a space that balances high standards with a sense of ease — where clients feel cared for, seen, and part of something. Known for its monobrand philosophy and its quietly social atmosphere, The Parlour has become a destination for locals, expats, and those passing through the city.Today, Esther continues to lead the studio hands-on while exploring new ways to expand the brand, always with a focus on experience, integrity, and building meaningful connections.The Parlour Firenze +39 0550880101 Borgo San Jacopo 30RFirenze 50125Links www.theparlour.ithttps://www.instagram.com/theparlourfirenze/linkedin.com/in/esther-t-67781431
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The Innocents of Florence with Joseph Luzzi
Apr 1000:51:53Tap to summarizeThe ultimate indicator of a society is how you treat the most vulnerable. Joseph LuzziIn this episode of 15 with Fosca, I speak with Professor Joseph Luzzi, Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature at Bard College and acclaimed scholar of Italian culture.Our conversation centers on his latest book, The Innocents of Florence, a powerful exploration of the Ospedale degli Innocenti, the Renaissance institution that cared for abandoned children for over five centuries. But this episode goes far beyond history.Together, we explore the intersection of art, childhood, grief, civic responsibility, and the role of the humanities in shaping a more humane society.Luzzi shares the deeply personal moment that led him to write the book, connecting his own experience of loss and fatherhood to the mission of the Innocenti. He reflects on the Renaissance belief in beauty as a form of care, and on what it means to dignify human life, especially for the most vulnerable.We also discuss the crisis and resurgence of the humanities, particularly in an age increasingly shaped by technology and AI, and pose important questions on why literature, art, and history still matter and what they give us that no algorithm can. Don’t miss this conversation on what it means to build a society that’s worth living in.Biography Joseph Luzzi received his PhD from Yale University. He is the Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature at Bard College, where he also teaches courses on film and Italian Studies.He is the author of eight books, including his recent The Innocents of Florence. His other books include Botticelli’s Secret: The Lost Drawings and the Rediscovery of the Renaissance (Norton, 2022), a New Yorker Best Books of 2022 selection and shortlisted for the Phi Beta Kappa Ralph Waldo Emerson Award.Romantic Europe and the Ghost of Italy (Yale University Press, 2008), which received the MLA’s Scaglione Prize for Italian Studies; A Cinema of Poetry: Aesthetics of the Italian Art Film (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014), a finalist for the international prize “The Bridge Book” Award; My Two Italies (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2014), a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice; and In a Dark Wood: What Dante Taught Me About Grief, Healing, and the Mysteries of Love (HarperCollins, 2015), which has been translated into multiple languages.Joseph’s essays and reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chronicle of Higher Education, TLS, Bookforum, and American Scholar, among others, and his scholarly writing has appeared in PMLA, Modern Language Notes, Modern Language Quarterly, Raritan, Italica, and Studies on Voltaire and the Eighteenth Century. His media appearances include a profile in the Guardian and an interview with National Public Radio. Among his honors are a Dante Society of America essay prize, Yale College teaching prize, a National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholars Award, and fellowships from the National Humanities Center and Yale’s Whitney Humanities Center. The first American-born child in his Italian immigrant family, Luzzi was named Cittadino Onorario / Honorary Citizen of Acri, Calabria, in 2017.A widely sought-after speaker, he has presented worldwide on literature, art, film, and the power of the humanities. Joseph is the founder of the Virtual Book Club, an international online community devoted to exploring some of the best books ever written.Links https://josephluzzi.com/https://josephluzzi.com/virtual-book-club/https://josephluzzi.com/book/the-innocents-of-florence/https://www.facebook.com/luzzi.josephShare, like, comment, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis Production Intern: Nicole StevensRecorded via Zoom, post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency
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Reading Energy, Reading Time featuring Aelita Leto
Apr 301:07:08Tap to summarizeMastery is when you don’t know if it’s intuition, experience, or knowledge. It just feels right.” Aelita LetoWhat if your life isn’t something you need to fix, but something you need to understand?In this intimate conversation recorded in Florence just before the Year of the Fire Horse, I sit down with Feng Shui master and Chinese astrologer Aelita Leto to explore what it really means to read energy within ourselves, within our spaces, and within time itself.From her early training with classical masters to her deeply embodied practice today, Aelita shares a perspective that challenges the Western instinct to control, fix, and predict. Instead, she invites us into something far more nuanced: adaptation, awareness, and alignment.We talk about why Feng Shui is not about “cures” or objects, the differences between intuition and mastery, how space reflects who we are (and vice versa), ancestral energy, rhythm, and cycles, and the real meaning of the Lunar New Year and what the Year of the Fire Horse actually representsAnd in a moment I didn’t plan, but gently nudged, Aelita reads my chart live on the podcast, offering a powerful, deeply personal glimpse into her work.Biography Aelita Leto is a renowned Feng Shui master known for her profound understanding of ancient Chinese metaphysics and its practical applications inmodern living spaces. Born with an innate curiosity about the interconnectedness of energy, space, and human well-being, Aelita embarked on her journey into the world of Feng Shui at a young age.Her passion for the subject led her to study under several esteemed masters, immersing herself in the intricate principles of Feng Shui, including the balance of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and the flow of Qi. Aelita has studied extensively Daoist mysticism and Christian mysticism, has received her Master of Chinese Energetic Medicine and a preistly Doctorate in Chinese Energetic Medicine from Bian Hua Gong- The Temple of Change and Transformation. Aelita's unique approach combines traditional wisdom with contemporary insights, making her a sought-after consultant for individuals, businesses, and organizations seeking to harmonize their environments for improved prosperity, health, and happiness. Throughout her career, Aelita has traveled extensively, sharing her expertise through teaching, workshops, lectures, and consultations across the globe. She has authored several publications on Feng Shui, offering readers practical guidance on creating harmonious spaces that support personal growth and success.With a deep commitment to empowering others through the transformative power of Feng Shui, Aelita continues to inspire people to cultivate balance and harmony in their lives, one space at a time.Links https://aelitaleto.com/https://www.facebook.com/FengShuiAelita/https://www.instagram.com/fengshuiaelita/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aelita-leto/https://linktr.ee/fengshuiaelita?utm_source=linktree_profile_sharehttps://www.zenitybiolabs.com/Share, like, comment, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis Production Intern: Nicole StevensRecording and post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency
Transcribe →A Renaissance Life featuring Vincenzo Lodato
Mar 2700:51:28Tap to summarize“Just do what you enjoy doing. Be curious. You don’t know where your path will take you.” Vincenzo Lodato There are people you meet at the end of a party, when the night is winding down and you’re already halfway out the door, who stop you dead in your tracks. Vincenzo Lodato was that person for me.We met at one of Mary Shea’s unforgettable vineyard dinners at Querceto di Castellina, talked for maybe two minutes, and I knew before I reached my car that I had to have him as a guest on the podcast.Vincenzo is a Los Angeles native whose first time on a plane was when he left for Rome for a junior year abroad, a trip that turned into nearly two years, dual Italian-American citizenship, and eventually a permanent life in a restored farmhouse outside Cortona. His career reads like a fever dream of creative range: a fine arts degree, a stint in advertising, Design Director overseeing a division of Barbie at Mattel, Creative Director managing the Jurassic Park franchise at Universal Studios, Disney, Warner Bros., GQ Magazine in New York, and now teaching at Polimoda and FIT in Florence. The thread running through all of it? He was almost never looking. The Mattel job led to Universal because a castmate in West Side Story mentioned his boss couldn’t find a creative director. Vincenzo showed up to the interview in a t-shirt and jeans, portfolio in hand, on his way to dress rehearsal. His first day on the job, he sat across from Steven Spielberg.We also talk about Café Society, the intimate performance group he founded in Florence to bring American standards and musical theater to expat audiences; his illustrated children’s book BuppaLaPaloo & The I Love MEs, created with actress Dee Wallace of E.T. fame, now in conversations about becoming an animated series; and the art show he’s been quietly dreaming about for years. This is a conversation about what it looks like to live a creative life on your own terms, the importance of staying curious, and of always yes to things you don’t fully understand yet.Biography Vincezo Lodato is one of the most respected global branding and marketing executives in the licensing and publishing industries with 30+ years of consumer products experience in apparel, accessories, footwear, toys, gifts, stationery, interactive games, publishing, fragrance, food, beverage and retail. He has studied in both the USA & in Europe and is currently living Tuscany, Italy. He has held Vice President and Creative Director positions at Universal Studios, Disney, Mattel, Warner Bros/New Line Cinema, FAO Schwarz, GQ Magazine / Conde Nast Publications and IMG Worldwide. Throughout his many years in Licensing and Brand Marketing, Vincenzo has managed and developed successful brand strategies for properties such as: Barbie, The Lord Of the Rings, The Jurassic Park Franchise, Mickey Mouse, Toy Story, Curious George, Harry Potter, Universal Studios Classics, GQ Magazine, and The Nutcracker with Martha Stewart. While living in New York, Vincenzo became the Creative Director and acted as Executive Producer for GQ Magazine / Conde Nast Publications, for the - “2003 GQ Man of the Year Awards” show with MTV / Spike TV hosted by Jon Stewart with celebrity guests that included The Black-Eyed Peas, Jay Z, Beyonce, Colin Farrell, Charlize Theron, Adrian Brody, and others. While at GQ Magazine, he developed marketing and special programs with many top luxury advertisers such as Prada, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Mercedes-Benz, Hummer, David Yurman, L’Oreal, Revlon, and others.
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The Stories that Find Us: Featuring Katherine Mezzacappa
Mar 1300:46:06Tap to summarize“When I write under different names, I can be a different person. So, if I got stuck on whatever I was writing as Katherine Mezzacappa, that was a bit more literary, then I could dive off into a romance, if you like, and be Kate Zarrelli, and that does feel a bit different.” Katherine MezzacappaIn this episode, I’m joined by author Katherine Mezzacappa, the Irish-born, Tuscany-based novelist behind The Maiden of Florence and a wide-ranging body of work written under more than one name.We talk about Katherine’s long relationship with Italy, from her first trip to Florence as a child to the life she eventually built in Tuscany, and about the beauty, history, and cultural inheritance that shape her work. We also discuss her path to writing seriously later in life, and why her fiction so often returns to women and working people whose stories official history has ignored, distorted, or erased.Katherine shares the surprising ways books begin, how she researches the worlds she writes, and the unusual method she uses to understand her characters from the inside out. We also talk about discipline, time, artistic community, and what aspiring writers need to hear most: that there is no single right way to write a book, only the way that allows you to keep going.BiographyKatherine Mezzacappa is an Irish author of mainly historical fiction, long resident in Carrara. Ten of her novels have been published under three different names. The Maiden of Florence (Fairlight, 2024, also available in Italian translation with Piemme) was shortlisted for the Historia Gold Crown award, 2025 and this month achieved first place in Kindle sales in the US in the Italian Historical Fiction category.Katherine is also a manuscript assessor for a London literary consultancy, lead organiser for this year's Historical Novel Society's conference in Maynooth, Co Kildare, and is an executive committee member of the Irish Writers Union. She's also proud to be a member of the Florence Literary Society.Katherine holds degrees from East Anglia, Durham and Canterbury Christ Church universities.Linkshttps://katherinemezzacappa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-mezzacappa-09407815/https://www.instagram.com/katmezzacappa/https://www.facebook.com/katherinemezzacappafictionShare, like, comment, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis Production Intern: Nicole StevensRecorded via Zoom, post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency
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