Hardcore Italians Podcast

About Hardcore Italians Podcast

Talking all things Italian-American culture.

Publisher

Hardcore Italians

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

10 Nov 2020

Latest episode

2 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 70 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   2 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Sal “The Voice” on Hitting on Heidi Klum, AGT & Why Italian Traditions Matter

   In this episode of the Hardcore Italians Podcast, Mike sits down with Sal “The Voice” for one of our most fun and heartfelt conversations yet. Sal shares the unbelievable story of how he went from delivering pizzas in Queens to becoming an America’s Got Talent finalist, including the moment he flirted with Jennifer Lopez on American Idol, hit on Heidi Klum on live TV, and turned those viral moments into a 10-year career. We also get deep into Italian-American culture—why traditions matter, the difference between “sauce” and “gravy,” why Toronto and Chicago Italians keep the culture alive, and Sal’s ranking of the best Little Italys' in America. Plus, Sal opens up about family, growing up with Sinatra, how his late uncle changed his life, and why Italian-Americans sometimes feel “too Italian” for America and “too American” for Italy. Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel, leave a like, and drop a comment! Be sure to follow Hardcore Italians on all platforms as well! 👇🏻 YouTube:   ‪@hardcoreitalians‬ Instagram:     / hardcoreitalians Facebook:    / hardcoreitalians TikTok:     / hardcoreitalians

2. 

   20 Nov 2025

   The Story Will Sasso Wasn’t Supposed to Tell… Until Now

   Will Sasso joins Mike to talk Mad TV, building his legendary impressions, working with Chris Farley, breaking Jeremy Piven on Entourage, and stepping into the WWE ring. From Italian roots to Hollywood stories — this one’s packed. Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ YouTube: / @hardcoreitalians Instagram: / hardcoreitalians Facebook: / hardcoreitalians TikTok: / ucvoqb5ibakqiztabclazcra

3. 

   11 Nov 2025

   Drea de Matteo on The Sopranos, Adriana’s Death, and Being Proudly Italian

   Actress Drea de Matteo (best known as Adriana La Cerva from The Sopranos) joins us to talk about her Italian roots, growing up in Queens, and how playing Adriana became one of TV’s most iconic roles. From her family’s journey “fresh off the boat” from Naples to hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from The Sopranos, Drea opens up about embracing her Italian-American identity, the real story behind Adriana’s death scene, and her favorite memories of James Gandolfini. This episode is full of lau...

Inside a recent episode

Sal “The Voice” on Hitting on Heidi Klum, AGT & Why Italian Traditions Matter

Published 2 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] That's crazy. I wouldn't expect that. I've never gone, obviously. All Sicilian immigrants. All Cigi, right? And they make all the traditional Sicilian street food, the arancina, like the cone-shaped arancina, right? The inus, the little donuts, right? The cartocha with the cannoli cream in the middle. right love it they have all the restaurants they have a lot of the businesses you know and you you start seeing those uh those more traditional italian american businesses coming back with the new generation over there boston boston's a great little italy yeah boston is is my favorite Little Italy in the country. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

32 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

42

Social presence

97

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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