#39: Travel to Creativity: Adele French on Experimenting with Surf, Art, and Reinvention

#39: Travel to Creativity: Adele French on Experimenting with Surf, Art, and Reinvention

What if creativity isn’t just about talent — but about experimenting, showing up, and allowing our passions to shape who we become? Tune in to hear how embracing experimentation, exploring your passions, and following curiosity can transform your life and the way you show up in the world.  Adele French is a well-traveled global citizen and stencil artist who blends surf culture, international influence, and creative expression into a life that bridges career and art. She shares her journey from navigating burnout and personal reinvention to creating space for art and a meaningful side hustle. From growing up in France, to finding a passion for art and surf in Australia, to navigating perimenopause, Adele’s story shows how experimenting with passion and purpose can shape who we are and who we’re becoming. Christina and Adele dive into how creativity and professional life don’t have to compete — they can complement one another. They explore burnout and the power of small steps in rediscovering what lights us up, the role of travel and new experiences in sparking inspiration, and how community and creative expression help us reconnect with ourselves.  If you’ve ever wondered how creativity can help you reconnect with yourself or how to build a life that honors both practicality and passion, this episode is a reminder that experimentation and curiosity can lead to transformation.Creativity isn’t a destination — it’s a practice of discovery. Explore the Adele French Website: adelefrench.com [https://www.adelefrench.com] Follow Adele on Instagram: @whoisadelefrench [https://www.instagram.com/whoisadelefrench/] Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com [https://christinaminutillo.com/]

#38: Exploring the Italian Diaspora: Anthony Castelvecchi on Building the Oriundi Community

What if the food you eat, the stories you hear, and the traditions you grew up with are part of a bigger story  — one that connects Italians across the world? Tune in to discover how curiosity about culture, heritage, and shared traditions can spark connection, wherever you are.  Anthony Castelvecchi is the founder of Oriundi, a media project and Italian lifestyle brand connecting the global Italian diaspora to modern-day Italy. He shares his journey from the corporate world to building Oriundi, inspired by his Italian American upbringing and curiosity about his roots. From Italy to communities around the world, Anthony explores how traditions evolved — from Brazilian polenta to Argentine Milanese — reminding us that culture adapts, it doesn’t disappear. Christina and Anthony dive into what it means to preserve heritage while adapting to new places, the differences between Italian communities across the US and beyond, and how migration shapes food, traditions, and identity. They explore the power of food as a bridge between cultures and why knowing the history behind what we eat matters. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your roots or wondered how to keep culture alive, this episode is a reminder that community begins with you. Preserving culture happens one connection at a time. Explore Oriundi Website: oriundi.info [https://oriundi.info] Follow Anthony on Instagram: @oriundi_ [https://www.instagram.com/oriundi_/] Follow Anthony on TikTok: @oriundi_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@oriundi_] Follow Anthony on Facebook: @anthony.castelvecchi [https://www.facebook.com/anthony.castelvecchi/] Subscribe to Oriundi on YouTube: @oriundigroup [https://www.youtube.com/@oriundigroup] Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com [https://christinaminutillo.com/]

#37: Take the Leap: Lauri Schmidt on Turning a Solo Safari into a Life of Freedom and Adventure

What if the thing you can’t stop thinking about is actually pointing you toward the life you’re meant to live? Tune in to learn how trusting a feeling, taking small steps, and redefining success can lead to freedom, confidence, and a life that truly lights you up. Lauri Schmidt is the founder of Safari Lauri, a travel company sparked by a single solo trip to Africa that lit her up and inspired her to share that magic with others. Lauri shares how following that feeling led her to leave a long corporate career and build a life centered around travel, adventure, and freedom. From solo travel to small-group safaris, Lauri offers practical tips on financial independence, pursuing your passions, and creating experiences that open doors to perspective, presence, and connection. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or caught waiting for the “right” time, this episode is a reminder to take one step toward what lights you up. Lauri reminds us that life is short—and sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to book the trip and trust the feeling that keeps calling you forward. Your Dream Safari Starts Here: https://safarilauri.com [https://safarilauri.com/] Follow Lauri on Instagram: @safari_lauri [https://www.instagram.com/safari_lauri] Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com [https://christinaminutillo.com/]

#36: Gather at the Table: Remi Attia on Creating Joy Through Hospitality

What if the simplest way to reconnect—with yourself, your roots, and the people you love—was to gather around the table? Tune in to explore how food, tradition, and thoughtful hosting can transform everyday moments into meaningful experiences rooted in culture, memory, and joy. Remi Attia is founder of The Nosh Table, a brand dedicated to creating playful, beautiful tableware and tablescapes that spark connection and conversation. Remi shares the story of building her brand inspired by her Jewish and Italian roots and the vibrant gatherings that shaped her childhood. From colorful napkins printed with Italian and Jewish phrases to modern heirloom pieces designed to bring people together, Remi’s work is built around one core belief: hospitality should nourish both the stomach and the soul. Christina and Remi bond over their shared love for the Italian culture and the deep cultural importance of the table—exploring how Italians express love through food, stories of ancestral towns, grandmothers setting unforgettable tables, and how reconnecting with tradition can be profoundly grounding in a chaotic modern world. Together, they reflect on why Italy continues to captivate us: the craftsmanship, the small-scale artistry, time-honored rituals, and the way food ties us to memory through taste, smell, and shared experience. If you’ve ever felt called to slow down, honor where you come from, or bring more meaning and warmth into your everyday life, this episode is a reminder that the table is where it all begins. Remi reminds us that there’s always a reason to celebrate—and that joy can begin with something as simple as inviting one person over for a meal. Explore The Nosh Table: thenoshtable.com [https://thenoshtable.com] Follow The Nosh Table on Instagram: @thenoshtable [https://www.instagram.com/thenoshtable/] Connect with Christina: christinaminutillo.com [https://www.christinaminutillo.com]

#35: Ignite Your Italian Way of Life: Giorgio Arcamone on Slow Tourism in Italy

What if the key to reconnecting with yourself is to slow down—and learn to live the Southern Italian way? Tune in to explore how Italy’s work–life balance and daily rhythms can reshape your perspective, your purpose, and your sense of self. Giorgio Arcamone, founder of Vicus, is building a passion-driven startup dedicated to offering slow-living travel experiences for remote workers—designed to help regenerate small villages in Southern Italy, beginning with his home island of Ischia where his Italian roots run deep. In this episode, Giorgio shares the story behind his project in Ischia: a labor of love inspired by his late grandmother and rooted in 20 years of imagining a different kind of tourism—one that invites you to pause, breathe, and truly feel the world around you. Christina and Giorgio connect over their shared passion for helping people reconnect with their roots, traditions, and the grounding rhythm of Italian life. Their conversation explores what it means to truly live slow, disconnect from performance culture, and remember who you are through food, people, and place. Together, they reflect on the contrast between fast-paced American life and the soulful slowness of Southern Italy—discovering what we can learn from the Neapolitan way of living: hospitality that feels like home, connection over productivity, and the small daily rituals that bring us back to joy. They explore how food heritage, ancestral identity, and the natural cadence of Southern Italy can radically reshape how we work, live, and experience meaning. If you’ve ever wondered how to experience the Italian way of life, this episode is your invitation to slow down, return to your roots, and reimagine what joy can look like in your everyday life. Explore the Vicus Travel Experiences: https://vicus.it [https://vicus.it/] Follow Giorgio on Instagram: @giorgio_arcamone [https://www.instagram.com/giorgio_arcamone/] Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com [https://christinaminutillo.com/]