EPISODE 32 | MARIANNA GATTO

Discover Your Italian American Roots: Marianna Gatto on History, Heritage & the Power of Purpose

There is a tremendous history here. Italians began settling in Los Angeles in 1827. Italians were here before California statehood. And if you look at all the ways in which they’ve shaped California and the imprint they’ve left. It’s really in every part of California and Los Angeles.

What if your roots held the key to your passion—and your path forward?

In this heartfelt episode, recorded inside the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Christina sits down with historian, author, and museum director Marianna Gatto, whose lifelong love for her Italian heritage has fueled decades of work preserving the stories of Italian Americans in LA—stories often left untold.

Marianna shares how growing up in a diverse Los Angeles neighborhood sparked a deep curiosity about her family’s past—one that ultimately became her calling. That calling led her to restore a crumbling historic building and transform it into a vibrant cultural institution, honoring the legacies of those who came before her. Her journey from educator to historian and cultural advocate is a testament to what happens when we follow the spark within.

Christina and Marianna explore the power of reconnecting with your roots, the magic of storytelling, and how honoring the past can illuminate your purpose. Marianna shares powerful insights about resilience, faith, and the unseen hands that guide us when we step into our purpose.

If you're looking for inspiration to create something meaningful, reconnect with your heritage, or rediscover what lights you up—this conversation is a heartfelt reminder that our past often holds the key to our future.

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