Learning Italian Advanced: Lady Italy Podcast

Rossella hosts Lady Italy as a bilingual podcast for advanced Italian learners, and the dual Italian-English format gives it a distinctive flavor. The show is framed as a journey through Italian culture — music, literature, cinema, history, and language itself — with Rossella serving as a knowledgeable guide who clearly loves sharing her country's cultural heritage with the world. The 88 episodes cover impressive ground. Rossella has dedicated episodes to Italian songwriting legends like Fabrizio De Andre, Pino Daniele, Lucio Dalla, and Luca Carboni. She has explored Italo Svevo's novel "La coscienza di Zeno," examined Italian stereotypes with both humor and critical thinking, discussed the history of the Italian Resistance during World War II in Reggio Emilia, and analyzed how Italian football culture shapes national identity. Episodes range from quick 10-minute segments to substantial 54-minute explorations. The show holds a 5.0 star average, though from just 2 Apple ratings — so the audience is small. The most recent episode aired in February 2025, suggesting the show may be on hiatus. But the existing catalog is a rich resource for advanced learners who want cultural content delivered in sophisticated Italian. Rossella's bilingual approach means she can explain nuanced cultural concepts in English when needed without breaking the immersion entirely. For learners at B2 or above who want to explore Italian culture through music, literature, and history — and improve their advanced comprehension at the same time — Lady Italy offers content that most Italian learning podcasts never attempt.