Shows
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies9 - Ali Firoozi on Turning Finance Teams Into Strategic Business PartnersWhat if you could transform your finance team from simply reporting numbers to being strategic business partners in the organization's growth?In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Ali Firoozi, CFO of The Pac Group, to explore how finance leaders can drive business growth through strategic insight and tech adoption. Ali shares his journey from aspiring lawyer to CFO and explains how finance teams must evolve from number crunchers to business storytellers. They discuss best practices for implementing new systems, selecting impactful KPIs, managing fixed vs. variable costs, and...2025-06-1737 min
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies8 - Ex-Facebook Director: This AI Solves Finance's #1 BottleneckFinance's #1 bottleneck is reconciliation. What if you could revolutionize your financial operations with AI while maintaining complete control and transparency?In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with ex-Facebook director and CEO and co-founder of Ledge, Tal Kirschenbaum, to discuss how AI is transforming financial operations for businesses in the accelerated scaling phase. He draws on his experience at BCG, Facebook, and Melio, to share actionable strategies for automating reconciliation, improving financial reporting, and building trust in AI-driven systems. The conversation covers the shift from manual to continuous close processes...2025-06-0336 min
The Peel with Turner NovakMichael Kim @ Cendana | Lessons from the Top VCs, How Cendana Does Diligence, Portfolio Construction Best Practices, the 60x Rule, How Seed Funds Compete vs Multi-stage, Inside Cendana's Early DaysMichael Kim is the Founder of Cendana Capital, a fund of funds that makes anchor investments in very early stage VC funds.We talk characteristics of the best investors, how Cendana does diligence on fund managers, portfolio construction best practices, Michael’s “60x rule”, and why high ownership to fund size is the main driver of returns.We also get in to how VCs are using AI, the competition between Seed and multi-stage investors, why US endowments are under siege, and how secondaries are driving most early stage venture return...2025-05-221h 54
Small Town ScuttlebuttE243:The Dude Show w/ Veteran Seaman Tom StrubleIt's like "The Man Show" but they identify as a Dudes. America's Favorite Seaman, Lt. Tom Struble, U.S. Navy (E198) sits in for Liz and calls out "Things that piss me off!" But first, Rick and Evan hype the live show coming to The Zullo Art Gallery, Friday, June 6 at 8 p.m. They close with Tom remembering two fallen friends ahead of Memorial Day, STS1(SS) Eric Skinner and 1LT Laura Walker.2025-05-211h 13
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies7 - Alex Glueckler on Turning Finance into a Growth Engine at CrossFitIn this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Alex Glueckler, VP of Accounting at CrossFit, to discuss how finance can evolve from a reactive function into a proactive, strategic partner. Alex shares insights on simplifying financial metrics, building cross-functional relationships, and creating a finance culture that supports, not stifles, growth. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership, the balance sheet’s role in long-term sustainability, and the value of early embedding finance in strategic planning. Whether you’re scaling or optimizing, this episode delivers actionable strategies for financial leadership at every stage.2025-05-2037 min
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies6 - The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and SellingWhat if you could learn from someone who successfully scaled and sold a SaaS company in Europe before launching their next venture?In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Johan Hoernell, CEO and co-founder of Reveal Automation. Johan shares his journey from McKinsey consultant to successful SaaS entrepreneur, offering practical insights on scaling businesses, building transparent financial systems, and preparing for successful exits. He explains why empowering teams through context, rather than control, is vital for sustainable growth. Whether you're growing your first startup or leading a growth-stage SaaS...2025-05-0636 min
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies5 - Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica QuonIn this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with the dynamic duo of Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic. They share their evolution from crafting small-batch jams to leading a thriving manufacturing enterprise serving major meal kit brands. Learn how they balanced intuition with data, scaled operations with lean teams, and made tough calls while prioritizing long-term growth. With hard-won insights on pivoting business models, optimizing systems, and maintaining profitability, this episode is a must-listen for CPG founders looking to scale smartly without sacrificing sustainability.2025-04-2235 min
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies4 - Bootstrapped to $4M ARR: Tom Hunt’s Insights on Sustainable ScalingIn this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, to uncover how he built a $4M ARR B2B podcast agency—without external funding. Tom shares lessons from 17 business attempts, the importance of financial discipline, and why focusing on core services drives sustainable success. They explore risk assessment, EOS implementation, and the role of culture in scaling. Whether you're bootstrapping or scaling, this episode delivers actionable strategies on cash flow, profitability, operational efficiency, and team incentives. Tune in to learn why doing less—exceptionally well—is the ke...2025-04-0840 min
CleanTechies#239 Climate Risk, a New Era for Climate Tech | Grace & Adam from Equal Ventures 📺 Watch on YouTubeWhat’s up, everyone! Today we have a great episode with Grace Penders and Adam Chadroff from Equal Ventures. If you're not familiar with Equal, I recommend checking out episode 116 where we had on Rick Zullo, the Founder of Equal.Today, we're continuing the conversation about the climate tech vibe shift. However, our conversation with Equal is a little bit different. Equal has, from the very beginning, had a thesis broader than just climate. One of those other areas is insurance. This is an area that is increasingly intersecting with climate...2025-03-2633 min
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies3 - Scaling Smart: Financial & Growth Strategies for Service-Based Businesses with Kenny DettmanIn this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, a three-time founder and former Big 4 accounting partner, to discuss scaling service-based businesses. They explore building scalable processes, managing rapid team growth, and navigating regulatory challenges. Kenny shares insights on financial metrics, risk management, and decision-making frameworks that drive sustainable growth. Whether you're a corporate leader eyeing entrepreneurship or a founder looking to scale, this episode delivers actionable financial strategies.Here are some key discussion topics:From Big 4 Partner to Entrepreneur: Kenny's JourneyThe Entrepreneurial Mindset...2025-03-2536 min
Investing in StartupsE24: Venture Alpha, Seed Investing, and Climate Volatility with Rick ZulloRick Zullo is the Founder and Managing Partner of Equal Ventures. Equal is a New York-based early stage venture capital firm that takes a concentrated approach with investing themes around climate, insurance, retail, and supply chain. We talked about why Rick invests with conviction, the state of seed investing, what climate volatility means for insurers and investors, and why being kind is more important than being nice. Enjoy.
Investing in Startups is hosted by Joe Magyer and produced by Seaplane Ventures.2025-03-1741 min
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies2 - The Secrets to Scaling Startups with Rick Zullo of Equal VenturesWelcome to 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies. In this episode, Jeff Rudner talks with Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, about his transition from consulting to venture capital. They discuss talent's importance in startups, early-stage investing challenges, and the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. Rick shares insights on building successful companies, from managing team dynamics to knowing when to implement structure as businesses scale. This episode offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs navigating the world of venture capital and scaling startups.Here are some key discussion topics:The Journey to Entrepreneurship The Realities of Small B...2025-03-1144 min
The Future of Supply Chain: a Dynamo Ventures PodcastRe-Air: Bridging the Digital Divide for Freight Brokers with Rick Zullo of Equal VenturesHighlights from their conversation include:The origin story of Equal Ventures (0:41The challenges of the new brokerage concept (5:16)Impacts of market dynamics on brokerage business models (8:16)The Entrepreneur's Agency (11:11)Rolling Over Equity (12:13)Platform Solution for Freight Forwarders (15:27)The freight cycle and the future of startups (22:18)Consolidation and partnerships in the industry (26:39)Enabling rather than disrupting the industry (28:07)The success of brokers based on relationships (31:20)Appreciation for the supply chain ecosystem (32:21)Dynamo is a VC firm led by supply chain and mobility specialists that focus on seed-stage, enterprise startups.Find out more at: https://www.dynamo...2025-02-2632 min
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies1 - Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial GrowthWelcome to 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies. In this episode, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic. Adam shares his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the power of aligning intention with attention, leveraging AI for workplace efficiency, and understanding operational data. From scaling TeePublic to launching Parable, Adam offers valuable lessons on adaptability, team alignment, and driving impactful growth. Don’t miss this insightful conversation filled with actionable advice!Here are some key discussion topics:The Early Entrepreneurial Spirit Wearing Multiple Hats Speed Over Perfection The Seasonal Nature of Entre...2025-02-2538 min
5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing CompaniesFive to Fifty Podcast🚀 The Wait is Almost Over!After months of preparation, we’re just ONE day away from launching the 5 to 50 Podcast by Proseer! 🎙️If you're an entrepreneur or business owner managing $5M–$50M in revenue, this podcast is built for you. We’ll bring you expert financial insights, cash flow strategies, operational efficiencies, and cutting-edge tech solutions to help you scale smarter and faster.💡 What to expect?✅ Actionable advice from top industry experts✅ Real-world strategies to master cash flow & optimize operations✅ Insights on leveraging the latest financial technologiesThe trailer is live NOW—get a sneak pe...2025-02-2401 min
The Peel with Turner NovakRick Zullo on Building Equal Ventures, Why Traction is Overrated, Advice for Emerging ManagersRick Zullo is the Founder of Equal Ventures. Our conversation gets into Equal’s unique approach to venture capital, thinking more like public market and private equity investors, and why they also think traction is overrated at Seed.We talk through Equal’s thesis-driven model, employing a team of product owners, only investing in only 3 to 5 themes at once, and Rick’s admiration of Charlie Munger.We also talk AI - who will benefit the most, what he does and doesn’t like in terms of investing in the space, why venture capital is not really v...2025-02-131h 39
Superclusters - The Emerging LP PodcastHow to Build an Emerging Manager Community | Rick Zullo | Superclusters | S3PSE1Rick Zullo is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Equal Ventures. which invests into the future of four verticals: climate, insurance, retail, and supply chain, and boasts a portfolio including the likes of Threeflow, Leap, Smarthop, Ghost, Starday, David Energy, Leap, Odyssey, Vquip or Texture, just to name a few — many of which Rick serves on the board of.
Prior to co-founding Equal Ventures, Rick was an investor at Lightbank, an early-stage venture fund based in Chicago, where he led investments in companies like Riskmatch (acquired by Vertafore), Vettery (acquired by Adecco), Neumob (acquired by...2024-09-091h 44
Tech of SportsEmily Johnson, Miss Hooters International, 2024 Hooters Calendar Cover GirlRick is joined by the new Miss Hooters International, Emily Johnson, this week. The 2024 Hooters Calendar has just been released. To celebrate the 2024 Hooters Calendar, Hooters hosted calendar signings at some Metro Atlanta locations featuring: Cover Girl: Emily Johnson (Jacksonville, Fla.) Miss March: Sophia Zullo (Mason, Ohio) Miss July: Cassidy Marginean (Grand Prairie, … Continue reading Emily Johnson, Miss Hooters International, 2024 Hooters Calendar Cover Girl →2023-12-1406 minThe Future of Supply Chain: a Dynamo Ventures PodcastBridging the Digital Divide for Freight Brokers with Rick Zullo of Equal VenturesHighlights from their conversation include:The origin story of Equal Ventures (0:41)The challenges of the new brokerage concept (5:16)Impacts of market dynamics on brokerage business models (8:16)The Entrepreneur's Agency (11:11)Rolling Over Equity (12:13)Platform Solution for Freight Forwarders (15:27)The freight cycle and the future of startups (22:18)Consolidation and partnerships in the industry (26:39)Enabling rather than disrupting the industry (28:07)The success of brokers based on relationships (31:20)Appreciation for the supply chain ecosystem (32:21)Dynamo is a VC firm led by supply chain and mobility specialists that focus on seed-stage, enterprise startups.Find out more at: https://www.dynamo...2023-11-2932 min
CleanTechies#129 A Decade of Energy Investing, Impact Investment Hurdles, & Launching a 2nd Fund w/ Jason Blumberg (Earth Foundry)Why you should listen:**How to succeed in building your company from a seasoned ClimateTech and energy investor**How to successfully expand your thesis and launch a new fund**Learn the best ClimateTech industries of the futureShow notes:In this episode, Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) & Somil Aggarwal (@somil_agg) speak with Jason Blumberg from Earth Foundry. Earth Foundry came out of Energy Foundry, who after a successful decade of investing in energy technologies is expanding its scope to other areas of climate tech.Jason...2023-10-151h 04
CleanTechies#121 Size Matters...Fund Size, Re-industrializing the World, Hardware is NOT Hard, & More w/ Matt McGraw (Anthro Ventures)In this episode Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) & Matt McGraw (@mjm11), Co-Founder and GP of Anthro Ventures. In the ep we cover his story, their focus, why being a VC is a hard job, how ClimateTech is essentially re-industrializing the world & why that's a good thing, he offered his advice to founders, and we closed off by discussing the role of CT startups in the governance and ESG movement towards a more equitable future. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📆 Book a time w/ Silas during Climate Week in NYC (IRL): https://calendar.app.google/STXX7pMNmsWRsafd6📺...2023-09-0859 minCleanTechies#119 Partnering w/ Energy Majors in the Climate Revolution, Houston's Role in the Movement, Discovery Framework, & More w/ Eric Rubenstein (New Climate Ventures)In this episode Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) interviews Eric Rubenstein about his journey into climate tech, the importance of partnering with Energy Majors in the Climate Revolution, the role of Houston in that movement, Eric's discovery framework, and his ideal founder traits. Overall, a super good episode packed full of insights. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter. Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5...2023-08-291h 03
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: NEW FORMAT: Mega Funds Will Come Back, Why Markups Have Corrupted VC, Why RIFs Should Always Be An Embarrassment To SaaS Founders and Why Pitching is BS and Fake with Jason Lemkin and Rick Zullo Jason Lemkin is the Founder @ SaaStr one of the best-performing early-stage venture funds focused on SaaS. In the past, Jason has led investments in Algolia, Pipedrive, Salesloft, TalkDesk, and RevenueCat to name a few. Prior to SaaStr, Jason was an entrepreneur, selling EchoSign to Adobe for $100M where it is now a $250M ARR product. Rick Zullo is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Equal Ventures. Prior to co-founding Equal Ventures, Rick was an investor at Lightbank, Prior to Lightbank, Rick worked with investment firms Foundation Capital, Bowery Capital, and Lightview Capital. ...2023-08-2354 minCleanTechies#117 Early Stage Hiring Decisions, Heeding the Lessons from CleanTech 1.0, Energize's $300m Growth Fund Close, & More w/ Eileen Waris (Energize Capital)In this episode Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) and Eileen Waris (@eileen_waris) have a conversation about her experience, what they are doing at Energize Capital (FKA Energize Ventures), the state of climate tech VC, advice to founders, and a lot more. We had the pleasure to speak with them on the day they changed their name and announced the close of their second growth fund ($300m)Reach out to Eileen: ewaris@energizecap.comEnjoy the Episode! 🌎📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Sub...2023-08-1550 minCleanTechies#116 Consultative VC, Understanding Customers (as a VC), Developing Industry Networks for Your PortCos, & More w/ Rick Zullo (Equal Ventures)In this episode Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) and Rick Zullo (@Rick_Zullo) discuss, Rick's career trajectory to VC, the thesis behind Equal Ventures, his thoughts on the CTVC's H1 Funding report, and his advice to founders and VCs. This episode is densely packed with value as Rick has clearly thought a lot about these problems. Perhaps my favorite takeaways are 1) that he views VC as more Consulting with Equity than banking and 2) was how they develop industry connections and understanding so that they can actually help their PortCos succeed. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📺 👀 Prefer to watch: su...2023-08-0859 min
Heavy Hitters: The Digital Industrial Podcast68. Rick Zullo, Equal Ventures - Having a Prepared MindRick discusses the advantages of having a prepared mind in the 5 key sectors Equal Ventures focuses on, shares a review and look-ahead for the supply chain sector, defines what “Climate Tech” is and how it squarely aligns to the digital industrial ecosystem, and outlines what an Emerging Manager is and how critical it is for an Emerging Manager to have a real, unique competitive advantage in order to stand out in today’s VC landscape.
2023-07-3145 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing DemystifiedInvestor Stories 301: Lessons Learned (Zullo, Dockery, Biederman) On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Rick Zullo Catharine Dockery Rob Biederman Each investor illustrates a critical lesson learned about startup investing and how it's changed their approach. The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran, General Partner of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our Website. Also, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter! 2023-06-2206 min
InevitableCapital Series: Rick Zullo, Equal VenturesThis episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by MCJ partner, Jason Jacobs. This series will explore a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we'll take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Rick Zullo is co-founder and general partner at Equal Ventures, a firm that is purpose-built to deploy technology across society and industry. And as they say on their website, they back the non-obvious founders b...2023-06-0756 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing DemystifiedInvestor Stories 298: Strange & Unusual (Zullo, Shakir, Andelman) On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Rick Zullo Deena Shakir Jim Andelman Each investor describes the most unusual situation or pitch that they've encountered as an investor. The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran, General Partner of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our Website. Also, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter! 2023-06-0104 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing DemystifiedInvestor Stories 294: What's Next (Chan & Ebrahim, Shakir, Zullo) On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Wesley Chan & Pegah Ebrahimi Deena Shakir Rick Zullo Each investor discusses sectors, drivers and/or trends that may have significant impact in the future and are potentially positioned for outsized-returns. 2023-05-0410 min
Dr. Vincent Buscemi Podcast: The Jaw-Body ConnectionEpisode 64: The Mediterranean Lifestyle and Longevity with Dr. Rick Zullo
Hi, I’m Dr. Rick Zullo, and I’ve been preaching about the Mediterranean diet since back in my days of living in Italy. Those years showed me first-hand how the Italian lifestyle is at once delicious, healthy, and easy to maintain. I didn’t set out to make these “discoveries,” but rather they came as the natural consequence of trying my best to adapt to the local culture.
Years later, when I eventually found myself back in the United States, I couldn’t believe how difficult it was to export those same eating habits and lifestyle norms. Our c...2023-04-2758 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing DemystifiedInvestor Stories 292: Lessons Learned (Zullo, Shakir, Pruden) On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Rick Zullo Deena Shakir Alex Pruden 2023-04-2007 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing DemystifiedInvestor Stories 291: Why I Passed (Ross, Shakir, Zullo) On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Kristi Ross Deena Shakir Rick Zullo Each investor highlights a situation where they decided not to invest, why they passed, and how it played out. The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran, General Partner of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our Website. Also, follow us on LinkedIn and T...2023-04-1306 min
Pit Stops to Podium: B2B RevOps PodcastVertical vs Horizontal: One Size Doesn’t Fits All // With Rick ZulloIn this episode of Pit Stops To Podium, we have Rick Zullo, Co-Founder and General Partner at Equal Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on bridging the digital divide. Rick is currently on the board of multiple companies including Threeflow, Smarthop, Leap Retail, Ghost Retail, MVMNT, Starday Foods, David Energy, Odyssey Energy Solutions and vQuip Insurance.
In this conversation, we dive into the topic of Vertical vs. Horizontal solutions, discussing why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to growth. We explore the need to combine industry networks with modern sales practices to scale vertical solutions...2023-03-3125 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing DemystifiedInvestor Stories 289: Post Mortems (Schlacks, Hershenson, Zullo) On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Willy Schlacks Mar Hershenson Rick Zullo Each investor discusses a portfolio company that did not survive and why it was that they failed. 2023-03-3005 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified376. Architecting a Thesis-Driven Philosophy, Why There's Riches in Niches, How Founder-Market Fit is Changing, and Building the Largest Community of Emerging Managers (Rick Zullo)2023-03-2753 min
Insurtech Unscripted | with Ali SafaviIs purely digital overrated compared to digital enabled in creating generational companies? | with Rick ZulloOn our episode 4 of Insurtech Unscripted “Is purely digital overrated compared to digital enabled in creating generational companies?" Ali Safavi talks to Rick Zullo about investment solutions, and how being a startup founder of long tale has given him big opportunities. They talk about the digitalization of insurance agencies, startups and much more...#COVU #insurance #insuranceagency #insuranceagent #insurtech #investment #business #agencies #podcasts #businesspodcast #technology #tech ————————COVU is founded and advised by a team of insurance, finance, and tech industry veterans with a passion for transparent and unbiased advice. Vero’s mission is to help both everyday peo...2023-03-2236 minSmall Town ScuttlebuttE131: "No Apologies World Tour" Live ShowWe emerge from the basement to record before a live audience at the Zullo Gallery and Center for the Arts in Medfield, MA. Special guest Will Noonan performs stand-up and sits down for some fun conversation. Also, Townie Topics and other bits of fun!2023-02-071h 08Small Town ScuttlebuttE128: The Differences Between Raising Sons and DaughtersBoys and girls are different and so often is the approach to raising them. Why? We discuss this parental conundrum while citing our own double standards and biases. Also, the worst would-be bride in human history, our live show at the Zullo Gallery and Center for the Arts is sold out, and perfect pants for the effortlessly cool mom.2023-01-1758 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyGay Travel in ItalyWhen you talk about gay travel in Italy, you must begin the conversation with the Puglia region. It’s the top gay summer destination for Italy’s gay community, and furthermore, it’s recognised as one of Europe’s top 5 gay destinations.
So what draws LGBTQ visitors to Puglia, and for that matter, why would anyone want to go to this more remote corner in Italy, not often on the tourist map?
In this episode of my Fatal Charm of Italy podcast, I spoke with Scott Maxwell. He's from the Big Gay Podcast from Pulia, and he talks to me about tr...2023-01-0737 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyTuscany Food Tours with Judy Witts Francini - FCI 048On this episode I'm joined by Judy Witts Francini, who lives in Tuscany, midway between Florence and Siena. I guess I might describe her as an “Italian Food Concierge,” because she seems to be involved in every aspect of regional Italian cuisine; from shopping at the local markets, to cooking classes, to creating unique foodie experiences for curious travelers.2022-06-1636 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyVisiting Venice with Monica Cesarato - FCI 047We're visiting Venice with Monica Cesarato, blogger, chef, food tour leader, and an unofficial ambassador for the city. We talk about the current state of tourism in the post-pandemic era, and she tells us about a few sites that aren't on the typical tourist itinerary. Ciao! (and yes, that's a Venetian word)2022-02-2028 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyColumbus and Italian Heritage Month - FCI 046Evert October I find myself reflecting—and maybe scratching my head a little bit—about the connection between Columbus and Italian Heritage Month. At first glance, the connection seems obvious enough. But it’s my contention that if we dive a little deeper into this discussion, the relationship gets cloudier.2021-10-1014 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyMy Cheap Italian Home with Kristina and Michelle - FCI 045My Cheap Italian Home is a house hunting platform for expats dreaming of the beautiful life in Italy. Great deals to be found!2021-05-0829 min
WHAT THE TRUCK?!?Cutting back on freight’s empty caloriesOn today’s episode, Dooner and The Dude are LIVE from FreightWaves’ Net-Zero Carbon Summit where they’re spending this Earth Day trying to solve some of freight’s sustainability issues. It’s time to trim the fat on trucking’s empty calories: the empty mile.Plus, what can we expect on Earth Day a year from now, FreightWaves Carbon Intelligence offsets freight companies’ carbon footprint, and how much carbon does the transportation industry emit annually?They’re joined by special guests Glenn Jones, GVP, Product Strategy, Blume Global; Daniela Perlmutter, SVP Marketing, Bringg; Rick Zullo, Co-Founde...2021-04-2246 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyThe Italian Approach to Wellness and Beauty with Amy Parsons - FCI 044The Italian approach to wellness and beauty is rooted in traditions and generational knowledge. Craftmanship and a commitment to quality. Today I speak about these ideas with Amy Parsons from Mozzafiato.2021-03-2225 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFascism and Feminism in Italy with Jennifer Anton - FCI 043Fascism and Feminism in Italy under Mussolini can find some scary comparison today. Just in time for International Women's Day.2021-03-0229 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyEating Healthy While Traveling with Lisa Ortigara Crego - FCI 042Eating healthy while traveling in Italy present some odd challenges. Surrounded by all the abundance, how do you make smart choices?2020-10-1737 min
The Sure Shot EntrepreneurBe bold, compete against incumbentsRick Zullo talks about bridging the digital divide in legacy industries by supporting founders with experience. Authentic relationships with industry experts is important, not just a rolodex of CXOs. Highlights: Industries with complex problems need cataclysmic changes with tail winds lasting many years.Founders with experience in industries like employee benefits, staffing, senior care, and healthcare understand intricacies much better than a typical tech entrepreneur.The pitch is not as critical founders think it is. Honesty, self-awareness and having a network are more important.Future of entrepreneurship is more geographically dispersed, not concentrated in hubs like the S...2020-08-0628 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyThe Fasting Mimicking Diet From Eat Like An ItalianThe Fasting Mimicking Diet was conceived by the “Guru of Longevity,” Dr. Valter Longo. He is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of aging studies and related diseases. He’s come up with a program that “mimics” fasting without causing undue hardship.2020-05-0119 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyThe Coronavirus Crisis in Italy - FCI 041The coronavirus crisis in Italy is getting worse, and having an effect on everyone, especially in the tourism industry, even if they're not infected.2020-03-191h 21
Village Global PodcastRick Zullo on Technology Revolutions and the Golden Age for InvestingRick Zullo (@Rick_Zullo), General Partner at Equal Ventures, joins Erik on this episode.They discuss:- The different phases of technological revolutions- Will incumbents become stronger in the next platform shift- What Carlota Perez’s work means for the venture capital landscape- Which categories will create the most successful startups in the next decadeThanks for listening — if you like what you hear, please review us on your favorite podcast platform. Check us out on the web at villageglobal.vc or get in t...2020-02-2441 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 040 - Ways to Tour Italy with Victoria De MaioDiverse options for traveling to Italy, from large tour groups to independent travel, we discuss the pros and cons of different ways to tour Italy.2020-02-0538 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 039 - Top Sites to See in Rome with Elyssa BernardTop Sites to See in Rome with Elyssa Bernard on The Fatal Charm of Italy Podcast. Elyssa tells us what to see after we've seen the Vatican and Colosseum.2020-01-1141 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 038 - Move to Italy the Right Way with Damien O’FarrellI am speaking with Damien O'Farrell, a Global Mobility Specialist, focusing on tailor-made solutions for corporate and individual clients who want or need to relocate to Italy. Damien covers all aspects of how to make a new life for yourself in the land of dolce vita... and how to do it the right way.2019-11-0932 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 037 - In the Cucina with Adina AntonucciAn Interview with Adina Antonucci, creator of Adina Cucina, a blog dedicated to creating simple Italian recipes that are both healthy and delicious. We talk about the differences regarding food culture in Italy as compared to the United States.2019-10-3135 min
The Iceberg Project (Unofficial)Episode 82: How to Get Your Visa and Work Abroad in Italy with Rick ZulloUnofficial share of Cher's The Iceberg Project podcasts. Please go here: http://icebergproject.co/italian/ for her site and for more info on each podcast.2019-02-2027 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 036 - Writing About Italian Ancestors with Carol FaenziOn this episode, I talk with Carol Faenzi about writing about Italian ancestors, and traveling back to Italy to find our roots through the stories handed down across generations. Join us as we discuss her great-grandfather, a stonecutter and opera tenor who traveled to the New World and back in search of a better life for his family.2018-08-1139 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 035 - Italian Pronunciation GuideRick Zullo discusses some of the most common mistakes made by English speakers when learning Italian. There is also a brief interview with his three year-old daughter, Demetra.2017-02-1522 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyLe practiche relative alla Green CardQuando si tratta di iniziare le pratiche relative alla Green Card, é meglio affidarsi ad un avvocato, oppure no?2016-12-2810 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyPalm Beach PodcastingHere is the demo that we made in class for the Palm Beach Podcaster at the Mandel Public Library in downtown West Palm Beach. Interviews with attendees and a really bad intro by the teacher (that's me).2016-09-1107 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 034 - Unique Rome Tours with Beth from Select ItalyThere are some unique tours of Rome that will help the curious traveler get to know the Eternal City on a deeper level. Today on the show I talk with Beth Rubin from Select Italy Tours about some of the different offerings for an "off the beaten path" experience while visiting Rome and Italy.2016-06-1325 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 033 - Digging Up Roots In The Boot With Laura WatsonItalian genealogy expert Laura Watson from Digging up Roots in the Boot explains the process of researching your family tree, planning a heritage tour, and claiming your Italian citizenship. She also talks about life in Calabria as an American expat.2016-05-1633 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 032 - Under The Puglia Sun With Paul And StevenMany foreigners dream of moving to Italy and restoring a farmhouse in a small village. Paul and Steven have done exactly that in the town of Terlizzi, Puglia, and they share their experience with me on this episode of my podcast.2016-04-0337 min
Living Villa Cappelli035: Italian Superstitions & Expat Life with Rick Zullo
Italian superstitions
While Italian superstitions aren't any crazier than any other country's, but they are interesting for someone who didn't grow up with them. We're talking with Rick Zullo today who wrote about a lot of these on his blog which talks about his expat experiences throughout Italy.
Topics we cover with Rick:
Rick's Italian heritage
The Italian-American ghettos created by Italian immigrants in the U.S.
How these ghettos kept some traditions more strict than even in Italy
Where all these ghettos are located, everywhere from New York to Chicago to Lousiana
Italian wines
How mythology, superstitions...2016-03-3145 min
The Italian American PodcastIAP 11: An interview with Rick Zullo, an Italian-American who made the move to ItalyIn this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak with Rick Zullo, an American writer, teacher, and relentless Italophile. He was born in Chicago, raised in Florida, but always dreamt of Italy. In 2010, he left his career in the United States to live in Rome, where he met his wife. When he’s not writing for his blog, he enjoys exploring the hidden areas of Italy and studying the Italian language, trying to become fully fluent before his two-year-old daughter Demetra beats him to it. We also talk about the feast of St. Joseph in...2016-03-1356 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 031 - Eastern Sicily Highlights With Saskia BalmaekersSaskia Balmaekers from Ciao Tutti discusses for of the Eastern Sicily Highlights during a recent trip to the Aeolian Islands with Rick Zullo and 8 other international travel bloggers.2016-02-1119 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 030 - Coastal Italy Hotspots With Gillian McGuireMy guest Gillian McGuire answers questions about some of the coastal Italy hotspots for your next vacation. From beaches, to islands, to fishing villages, she knows the best places enjoy La Dolce Vita with a sea view.2016-01-1016 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 029 - Promoting Italian Culture In America With Il CircoloThe group Il Circolo in Palm Beach County, Florida does a great deal towards promoting Italian culture in America. Today's episode has four short interviews with influential leaders within their group, including the Consulate General of Italy in Miami.
6Y4ZvO6P83Hq9QfnANDV2015-12-2832 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 028 - Offbeat Museums Of Rome With Elizabeth JossSome offbeat museums of Rome are even more interesting than the mainstream ones. Writer Elizabeth Joss tried to visit them all during her three months in the Eternal City. Listen to her advice on this episode of The Fatal Charm of Italy.2015-12-1425 min
Travel with Amateur Traveler PodcastTravel to the Aeolian IslandsHear about travel to the Aeolian Islands as the Amateur Traveler talks to Rick Zullo from rickzullo.com about these historic but lesser known islands off the coast of Sicily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2015-12-0535 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 026 - Passing Through Piedmont With Diana ZahuranecNot many foreign tourists make it up to Italy's Northeast corner. This is a shame, because passing through Piedmont you discover a region rich in history and food traditions. And some of the best wines in Italy. My guest Diana Zahuranec takes us on a quick tour of the area.2015-11-2244 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 025 - The Italian Travel Industry From RiminiInterviews with brands and destinations in Italy from the travel trade show in Rimini. Italian travel insiders share their "pitches" as to why you should visit them on your next vacation to Italy.2015-11-1156 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 024 - The Rome Expat Interviews Session 2The second part of the Rome expats interviews, recorded live in Rome at the Antica Biblioteca Valle near Piazza Navona in October. People from various countries explain what roads led them to Rome.2015-10-2420 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 023 - The Rome Expat Interviews Session 1The Rome expat interviews, Session 1, recorded live at Antica Biblioteca Valle in the heart of the Eternal City on October 6th. Both foreigners and Italians share their individual experiences on living in Rome, Italy.2015-10-2435 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 022 - Expats Living In Rome With Patrizia DiGregorioRick Zullo interviews Expats Living in Rome founder Patrizia Di Gregorio to learn a few tips for people wanting to relocate to Italy's capital city. Join her group on any given Tuesday evening in Rome for a happy hour aperitivo and conversation.2015-10-2431 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 021 - Visiting Levanto With Silvia MoggiaThe Cinque Terre has quickly become one of the most popular spots to visit in Italy. But the five small villages can't really handle the daily influx of tourists, so over-crowding has become a problem. The smart travelers are now staying in nearby towns such as Levanto to enjoy and appreciate the natural beauty of this coastal area.2015-10-0225 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 020 - Funny Things About Living In Italy With Marsha DeSalvatoreThere are many funny things about living in Italy, and so for a comedienne, the jokes practically write themselves. My guest Marsha De Salvatore takes on every humorous aspect of life in Rome as an expat. No topic is off-limits, from dating to driving to the bizarre ailments that afflict only Italians.2015-09-2037 min
Thoughts on the TableDecoding Italy and the Italians with Rick Zullo - from Superstition to the Bidet!Join us for a fascinating chat on regional differences in Italy, the complex relationship between Catholicism and superstition, how to dress like an Italian, and the significance of the bidet in Italy!2015-09-0832 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 019 - Finding A Job In Italy With Liz KnightThe biggest obstacle for many North Americans who would like to live in Italy is the prospect of finding a job. Actually, there are two hurdles to overcome: legal permission to work in Italy, and then finding gainful employment. Liz Knight is an American lawyer living in Rome and she shares her experiences about being an expat in Italy.2015-09-0344 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 018 - Reasons To Dress Well In Italy With Angie NardielloLearning the reasons to dress well in Italy will help you make better fashion choices. Italians are known for their innate sense of style, and fashion blogger Angie Nardiello gives some great tips on how foreigners can dress like their Italian hosts.2015-08-2736 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 017 - Answering Your Questions About ItalyRick Zullo answers some of the most common questions about life in Rome as an expat, and gives some advice on making the most of your Italy vacation.2015-08-2420 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 016 - Touring Italian Wine Regions With Jen MartinItaly's many diverse wine regions are a wonderland for anybody who love to travel through their taste buds. Jen Martin has devoted her website to educating curious travels about the bounty of Italian wine. Today we explore Lazio, Campania, and Sicily. Salute!2015-08-0728 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 015 - An Unplugged Guide to Naples with Bonnie AlbertsAuthor and blogger Bonnie Alberts shares her tips on visiting Naples, Italy. She has a new guide book out called, "The Unplugged Guide to Napoli," which divulges everything from restaurant suggestions, to must-see sites, to side trips into the countryside.2015-07-2739 min
The Fatal Charm of ItalyFCI 014 - Finding Accommodations In Italy With Linda Martinez And Steve BrennerWith all the massive websites out there, choosing accommodations for your Italian vacation can be overwhelming. Steve Brenner and Linda Martinez own a hotel in Rome called The Beehive, but the also have a website that helps people find apartments for vacation stays in Rome, and other European cities.2015-07-1733 min