Shows
Bring Your Guard DownEpisode 23 - Martin Ross - Will the real Martin Ucci please stand up.Send us a textIn this episode Rocco and Tony sit down with Martin Ross to discuss the amazing journey of his grandfather Salvator Ucci and how he became Sam Ross. From Abruzzi to the US then to Canada in the 1920s. The legacy of his grandfather and what he had to endure as an early Italian immigrant. An amazing story!RIng The Bell 2025-07-271h 03Bring Your Guard DownRocco and Tony - Episode 22 - Italian myths, legends and Nutella.Send us a textRocco and Tony discuss many Italian subjects from why Italian Americans call Sugo, gravy, what is the evil eye and how to protect against it, Nutella and Italian Superstitions or as Rocco calls is Stupidstitions. RIng The Bell 2025-07-071h 01Bring Your Guard DownFrom the Archives - Episode 21 - Lemon Parties and Meat SpinningSend us a textRocco and Tony discuss a number of current event issues. Have fun!RIng The Bell 2025-07-0458 minBring Your Guard DownElio P. - Episode 20 - Working Day to Day at Nino D'Aversa BakerySend us a textLong before Eataly and others, there was Nino D’Aversa Bakery. Established in 1969, they've been committed to delivering top-quality breads, pizzas, pastries, and more. In this special first on-location episode of the BringYourGuardDown podcast, Rocco and Tony sit down with Elio, the owner of the Thornhill location. Elio shares insights into the bakery's daily operations and the evolving demographics of the area. It's an engaging and often hilarious look at the journey of this iconic spot.RIng The Bell 2025-06-301h 03Bring Your Guard DownFrom The Archives - Episode 19 - Drew The Fitness TrainerSend us a textRocco and Tony discuss all things fitness, health and other oddities with Trainer Drew. RIng The Bell 2025-06-271h 02Bring Your Guard DownJoe Di Principe - Episode 18 - From Butcher Shop to a Very Good Morning.Send us a textIn this episode, Rocco and Tony catch up with Joey D from Buon Giorno Caffe and Panini, a local gem in Etobicoke. Joey shares the incredible journey of his family business, which began in the mid-1960s as an Italian grocery store and butcher shop started by his father. Together, they explore how the neighbourhood has changed over the decades—socially, culturally, and economically—through the unique lens of the Italian-Canadian experience. A conversation filled with memories, tradition, and a whole lot of flavour.RIng The Bell 2025-06-231h 03Bring Your Guard DownFrom The Archives - Episode 17 - It's All About Maria Guana.Send us a textRocco and Tony do a deep dive on the effects of the Italian Marijuana on the Italian population. RIng The Bell 2025-06-1649 minBring Your Guard DownFrom The Archives - Episode 16 - Rocco and Tony Talk Mexican Waffles and Hot Tubs.Send us a textRocco and Tony touch on a variety of interesting subjects including Mexican Waffles, Hot Tubs and Italian Backyard Farms in the city.RIng The Bell 2025-06-1158 minBring Your Guard DownThey Call Me DBG - Episode 15 - From Woodbridge to Sicily Italia and More!Send us a textRocco and Tony sit down with the famous DBG. Comedian and Mintest Guido & DJ on the Planet. RIng The Bell 2025-06-0850 minBring Your Guard DownMichael Sarracini - Episode 14 - We're Not Done Yet. The Making of HistorySend us a textIn this episode, we speak with Michael Sarracini, one of the original members of the comedy group The Impalites. Alongside Vito Rezza, Michael helped bring to life the unforgettable character Rocco Rompamuro—a name that’s become synonymous with outrageous humor and cult classic sketches.Michael and Vito (Rocco Rompamuro) recounts some of the wildest behind-the-scenes moments from their recordings and live shows, including improvised antics, unexpected audience reactions, and the kind of creative chaos that only The Impalites could deliver. From...2025-06-0250 minBring Your Guard DownBed Time Story - Episode 13 - Goldilocks and the Tree Bears.Send us a textRocco reads the Italian Version of the famous bed time story Goldilocks and the Three Bears. RIng The Bell 2025-05-2907 minBring Your Guard DownRocco and Tony - Episode 12 - The Real Italian Wedding Crashers and More!Send us a textRocco and Tony take you back to the Italian Wedding Scene in Toronto during the 70's and 80's. RIng The Bell 2025-05-2750 minBring Your Guard DownPunjabi Power Hour - Episode 11 -The World Meets Rocco Rompamuro !Send us a textTune in for the original interview that introduced the world to Rocco Rompamuro on the Punjabi Power Hour. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this 12-minute journey offers an inside look at the rise of the legendary boxer from Calabria.RIng The Bell 2025-05-2612 minBring Your Guard DownFrom the Archives - Episode 10 - Rocco and Tony with Frank Vessio and Josh BoniSend us a textRocco and Tony go back to the archives and present one of the early podcasts with Frank the Tank Vessio and Josh Boni. RIng The Bell 2025-05-251h 18Bring Your Guard DownJonny Venturo - Episode 9 - Did the 'Thelma and Louise' wannabees shut down a multi million dollar operation?Send us a textIn this episode, we speak with Jonny Venturo, a successful entrepreneur who grew up in Toronto and turned a $100 loan into a million-dollar business. We also dive into his various side ventures and investments — including his operation of a major 1-900 sex chat line, which was eventually shut down after the real-life 'Thelma and Louise' bank robbers were apprehended in his offices.RIng The Bell 2025-05-131h 08Bring Your Guard DownJT (John Thistlethwaite) - Episode 8 - Talking life from the field to the future.Send us a textIn this episode, JT and the boys dive into a wide range of engaging topics—from the latest in the sports world to insights on business moves and entrepreneurship. They also get personal, sharing thoughts on family life and what the future might hold. Whether you're here for the laughs, the lessons, or a little of both, this conversation has something for everyone.RIng The Bell 2025-05-051h 12Bring Your Guard DownChris T. – Episode 7 – Legal Definitions and how they are used against you.Send us a textIn this episode, we take a closer look at how governments use various tactics to craft agreements in ways that keep the average person in line. One of the key tools in this process is legalese—a dense, technical form of language filled with jargon, old-fashioned terms, and complex sentence structures.Legalese is often intentionally confusing. It’s written in a way that makes it difficult for everyday people to fully understand what they’re agreeing to, unless they have legal training. This creates a power imbalance—those who write and interpre...2025-04-161h 29Bring Your Guard DownClaudio Coppola - Episode 6 - Being an Italian teenager in the 1970's and early 80's.Send us a textThe 1970s was the best decade ever for music, fashion, and cultural change. It was a time of rebellion, creativity, and freedom. Claudio masterfully captures the essence of an Italian teenager's life in Willowdale during the late 70s and early 80s. No one tells a story quite like him, adding sound effects for extra flair. Rocco and Tony struggle to hold it together as Claudio recounts his various part-time jobs at local restaurants and burger joints. RIng The Bell 2025-04-071h 21Bring Your Guard DownTony G - Episode 5 - Tony Giallonardo is known by OTTO simply as “the Curatore."Send us a textHear Tony share his journey through years of experience in the luxury menswear market, starting in Italy and later in Toronto, Canada, where he managed and worked as a fashion buyer in the stylish Yorkville district. From working with icons like Elton John, Prince, and Rod Stewart to engaging with successful local Italian businessmen, Tony's stories are truly unforgettable.From his base in Toronto, Tony consults for an array of clients from across the world. Through his charismatic and engaging personality and impeccable taste, Tony has developed a dedicated and loyal...2025-04-041h 06Bring Your Guard DownVito Rezza - Episode 4 - The Origins of the world famous Rocco RompamuroSend us a textStep into the world of a legend as we go beyond the ring to uncover the incredible origins of the world-renowned Italian boxer, Rocco Rompamuro. In 2003, Rocco didn’t just make his mark in boxing—he sparked an entirely new genre of comedy with a performance so iconic, it’s still talked about 22 years later. Discover the man who revolutionized both the fight game and the comedy scene, leaving an unforgettable legacy!RIng The Bell 2025-03-2957 minBring Your Guard DownChuck Stone - Episode 3 - 28 Piece Drum KitsSend us a textRocco and Tony sit down with the legendary drummer Chuck Stone. Join them as they trace Chuck's journey from jamming at the Auto Body Shop on Wednesday nights to his retirement. It’s an open conversation that will have you wondering, “Why did they even book this guy for the podcast?”RIng The Bell 2025-03-221h 11Bring Your Guard DownBobby Bozic - Episode 2 - So what happens is......Send us a textBob Bozic talks about his tumultuous childhood to his challenging return to Serbia and his efforts to reclaim his roots. As a legendary bartender at Finelli's in Soho New York, his narrative is a rollercoaster of highs and lows involving disparate subjects such as prizefighting, smuggling and some major brushes with the law. We invite you to ponder the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of redemption. Bob definitely bring his guard down. RIng The Bell 2025-03-051h 07Bring Your Guard DownMichael Ciccone - Episode 1 - Chico's Cafe 80 Years of Italian HistorySend us a textIn 1917 Chico's cafe opened on Beaver Street in the Dufferin and Davenport area and for over 80 years was the place where the whos who of the Italian community hung out. Hear the stories of Sweet Pete, Jonny Jumper, Bobby Slack and Jesse James. RIng The Bell 2025-02-261h 06Bring Your Guard DownIntroducing our new PodCastSend us a textRocco Rompamuro and Tony Incomparable introduce their new Bring Your Guard Down Pod Cast RIng The Bell 2025-02-2006 min