[B1] Were you a Millennial kid growing up in Italy? Or just curious about what childhood was like before smartphones and social media?

In this episode, I'll take you you on a nostalgic trip through the Italian Millennial childhood — from small families and overprotective parents, to magical toys like Tamagotchi and My Little Pony, and the early days of the internet and iconic TV shows like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball.

🎮 Discover what made growing up in the ’90s and early 2000s in Italy so unique.

📺 Whether you’re learning Italian or simply love cultural stories, this episode is full of warm memories, cultural insights, and relatable moments.

My Website: https://dilloinitaliano.com

Instagram italiano_concristina

[B1/B2] Tuscany is one of the most iconic regions in Italy — but what exactly makes it so captivating? In this episode, Cristina takes you on a journey through Tuscany’s breathtaking landscapes, Renaissance masterpieces, perfectly preserved medieval villages, world-famous wines, and rich artisanal traditions.

You’ll learn surprising facts (like where cypress trees really come from!) and discover why Tuscany continues to enchant visitors from around the globe.

Whether you’ve been to Tuscany or dream of visiting one day, this episode is your perfect Italian escape.

🎧 Ideal for learners of Italian who love culture and history.

My Website: https://dilloinitaliano.com

Instagram italiano_concristina

[B1] Discover 7 everyday Italian expressions related to food!

In this episode of the podcast Italiano a modo mio, I explain the meaning and origins of popular idioms like:

• To be good as bread (essere buono come il pane)

• To give back pan for focaccia (rendere pan per focaccia)

• Like cabbage at snack time (c’entra come i cavoli a merenda)

• To have prosciutto on your eyes (avere il prosciutto sugli occhi)

• To end with tarallucci and wine (finire a tarallucci e vino)

• To be like parsley (essere come il prezzemolo)

• To put too much meat on the fire (mettere troppa carne al fuoco)

These expressions will enrich your Italian and help you understand Italian culture better — especially Italians’ special relationship with food!

👉 Which expression is your favorite? How do you say it in your language? Share in the comments!

[B1] What is la dolce vita, really? In this episode, we go beyond movies and clichés to discover the true meaning of the Italian lifestyle. I’ll share stories, cultural insights, and the testimony of an American who’s been living in Florence for 15 years — and how it changed his view on time, work, and happiness.

You’ll learn:

– Why slowing down doesn’t mean being lazy

– How “quality over quantity” shapes Italian life

– Why food is more than fuel — it’s culture

– How beauty is part of everyday life

– And whether la dolce vita still exists today (it does, but… it’s complicated)

[B2] In this episode, I’ll tell you the true and fascinating story of Michel Siffre — a French scientist who, in 1972, chose to live underground for six months, in complete darkness, with no sunlight, no clock, and no human contact.

An extreme experiment to understand how our brain perceives time when it loses all external references. What happens to our mind when we have no idea what time it is? And how long can we endure isolation?

We’ll talk about:

– How the brain creates its own sense of time

– The psychological risks of extreme solitude

– Siffre’s biological rhythm: 36 hours awake, 12 hours asleep

– The emotional and mental consequences of the experiment

– The scientific discoveries that came from his sacrifice

At the end, I’ll ask you some big questions:

Could you survive in such conditions? What is time, really? Is it real… or is it just a creation of our mind?

🧠 A powerful story, perfect for practicing your Italian… and for thinking deeply.

[B1] Episode 2 – Strategies for Introverts When Italian

🇬🇧 In this episode, I talk about a topic I know well: how to face the challenge of speaking Italian when you’re an introvert.

Many people think introversion is a barrier to language learning — but that’s not true! On the contrary, if you’re reflective, attentive, and sensitive, you have many strengths you can use to your advantage.

This episode offers practical strategies to:

– Prepare for conversations without pressure

– Take a gradual approach that respects your pace

– Practice on your own with reading aloud and imagined dialogues

– Choose your language partners carefully

– Use “rescue phrases” when you feel stuck

– Let go of perfectionism and focus on effective communication

I’ll also share some of the superpowers of introverts: listening, observing, and speaking with more awareness.

Being introverted isn’t a weakness — it’s just a different (and totally valid) way of learning.

💬 If even one of these tips resonates with you, send me a message on Instagram: @italiano_concristina. I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Episode 1 – Who I am and why this podcast exists

🇬🇧 In this first episode, I’ll tell you a bit about myself and why I decided to create Italiano a modo mio.

I’m Cristina, I’ve been teaching Italian online for four years, and I’m lucky enough to meet students from all over the world.

After many lessons, I’ve realized something important: there’s no perfect method — but there is a way that works for you.

In this podcast, we’ll talk about the Italian language and culture, but also about psychology, personal growth, science, technology, and much more.

This is a space for curious, introverted, and thoughtful learners — those who love learning by listening.

I’ll also share bits of my life: yoga, nature, the languages I study (English and Hungarian), and my love for books, movies, and quiet moments.

In the meantime, you can check out my website dilloinitaliano.com, or find me on Instagram: @italiano_concristina.