Why are U in Rome ?

What a pleasure to welcome Somto Ajuluchukwu to the podcast for such an incredibly spontaneous episode.We actually met in the most unexpected way. I recognized him in the streets of San Lorenzo from an exhibition he had just opened. I simply stopped him to say congratulations, and just two hours later, we found ourselves sitting in the studio having this deep, intimate conversation.Somto’s journey to this moment is fascinating. He came to Rome to present his exhibition, "Objects of Power"—a project born from a wonderful encounter during his visit to the MIA market. Through sculpture and new experimentations, he delivers a strong message, asking a powerful question: What if African civilizations were allowed to evolve uninterrupted?In this episode, we dive into his creative process and what it means to truly express yourself as an artist. We talk about the magic of crossing paths with people, the art of experimenting, and his approach to the city. We also discuss why bringing this specific narrative to Rome is so significant, especially since, as he points out, "Rome was a city that thrived on conquest."Somto brings a profound perspective to art, legacy, and life. Through our dialogue, we discover a beautiful reflection when he notes that "we give too much credit to remembering our names," and we explore how, amidst his artistic research and deep connection to the city, he has quietly found a true sense of home here in Rome.

Finally, the sun came out in Rome, and it’s the perfect time to start meeting the characters of the city again.I had the pleasure of encountering my guest, Djarah Kan, at the New Year Forum at Palazzo Farnese, where she was invited to talk about the future. Her peaceful and genuine energy left a mark on me, so I decided to invite her on the podcast.Originally from Castel Volturno, a small town near Naples, she moved here four years ago seeking to experience invisibility in the capital—a fair place to start. Rome is so huge, with so many neighborhoods that seem like dozens of different cities.In this episode, we go back to her first memories of visiting with her school and seeing the Colosseum and that blue sky. As she explains, it's a profound feeling of wonder when you come from a different place where you don’t have this kind of access to beauty.We also talked about coming to a new city, making friends, and redefine what it means to belong, while also sharing the places she holds closest to her heart. You’ll hear us dive deep into her work as an author—questioning fake realities, stepping out of imposed narratives, and the complex art of rebuilding your own identity.Not surprisingly, after this intimate dialogue, it’s with love that we closed the chapter for today. Sharing, caring, and feeling at home.

What a pleasure to welcome Mahithi to the podcast in the heart of November.We met during the last edition of Casa Good Dramma. It reminds me exactly why I started organizing these gatherings: to spark connections like this one.Mahithi’s story is unique: she moved to Rome just two weeks before the COVID lockdown. Yet, even isolated in a new city by herself, she never felt alone. It was that powerful initial experience that drew her back to finally make a home here. Surprisingly, she even found a deep resonance between the chaos and warmth of Rome and her birth city, Bangalore.In this episode, we dive into the nuances of Roman daily life. We talk about the "village" feel of the neighborhoods (and why you rarely leave them!), the community you build on your doorstep, the art of saying "ciao," and the beauty of having a routine. You'll hear about how simple daily habits can bring unexpected happiness and connection.Mahithi is truly a perfect match for this city. Through her journey, we discover that sometimes, being fully present is far more valuable than just being focused.And stick around for the end—she shares her Top 5 favorite spots around Monteverde!

To kick off the podcast again, I’m delighted to welcome Sergio Beercock to the show. We met by chance in Pigneto, where a friend of his was playing Italian music, and I realized I had already seen him perform once before.Sergio is a self-described "gothic mediterranean." He comes from two islands—Sicily and England—and this duality has profoundly shaped his human and artistic path.This mix leads to a deep and tender conversation about the impact our environment has on our lives, exploring the complexity and unique character of Rome. In this episode, you’ll hear what it means to hold a critical point of view about your own city, and how to always bring creativity into your life.We recorded this when it was hot as hell in Rome this summer, and I hope it brings you some tenderness and light during this fall.

This special end-of-summer episode marks the four-year anniversary of the podcast's very first recording—made even before Good Dramma existed.I reconnected with my first-ever guest, Cristina from NYC, who was the inspiration for this project. She continues to return to Rome, and this summer, I wanted to explore why she keeps coming back and what she has learned from the city.If you'd like to learn more about the project's origins, you can subscribe to my Italian newsletter on Substack. I released this episode there as an exclusive premiere back in July and wrote more about the genesis of the podcast ;)

"All roads lead back to Rome." This is what my guest, Federico Geremei, told me during our conversation, and it perfectly captures his story.Federico is a travel journalist who has seen the world - a lot, yet he always finds his way back to his home base: Monteverde, Rome. Two words that perfectly describe Federico? Curious and interested. He never stops at the basics and likes to go beyond the clichés, to explore all the layers of a place and its people — especially in his own city. Passionate about so many things that it would be impossible to summarize them all, Rome is his "stimulus," and that’s the word I’ll keep in mind for a new adjective for the city.In this episode, you’ll dive deep into the neighborhood of Monteverde, explore the Roman mentality, and unpack the feeling of being home in a place that constantly evolves. You'll also hear us discuss the art of storytelling in Rome and how a city can be a source of endless discovery, never growing old.This is a conversation about seeing the familiar with fresh eyes and finding infinite stories in the place you call home. And stick around until the end — you might just hear the best advice for visiting Rome I've ever recorded.

I met my new guest Emiliane twice before truly meeting her on the third occasion: and this, already predicts a lot about our conversation.Emiliane is from Paris. She came to Rome for love, and — maybe even more powerfully — she stayed for love. Not just romantic love, but a love of the city, of the life she built here, of the version of herself she found in Rome.In this episode, you’ll hear about what it means to choose a city without always being able to explain why, about feeling home (again!), about the culture and the daily life in Rome, and what it’s like to feel more Roman than Parisian — and yet still, somehow, foreign.You’ll also hear about Emiliane’s inspiring path through philosophy at La Sapienza, how she learned Italian by thinking in it, and how she’s now helping reshape the way we teach and learn through transformative pedagogies.This is a story of trying, creating, staying. Of not knowing, and doing it anyway. And maybe that’s the most beautiful part of Emiliane’s journey — she doesn’t know exactly why she loves Rome. She just does.

For this new season, I wanted to start with the story that’s closest to me — the one of my neighbor, Nicoletta.Nicoletta is Italian, but she still doesn’t quite know how to answer the question, “Where are you from?” She lives in San Lorenzo and is actively involved in several local communities. She loves doing, meeting, discovering, and most of all, living alongside others.In this episode, you’ll get a glimpse into what it means to find — or build — your community, and how sometimes, it takes a second chance to truly connect. Because for Nicoletta, Rome wasn’t love at first sight. And maybe that’s the most powerful part of her story: sometimes you have to try again, and that new beginning can lead you somewhere entirely unexpected.