In this episode, Monica meets two extraordinary women who brought the rhythm of the East to the heart of the lagoon.

Katerina, from Russia, and Regina, from Kazakhstan, met by chance in Venice — and chose to stay.

Together, they created Venetians (By Choice and By Occasion), the very first Russian-language radio show on Radio Ca' Foscari.

Their story is one of identity, migration, and transformation — a testament to how Venice can welcome, inspire, and redefine belonging in the most unexpected ways.

🔑 Key Show Notes:

• Meet Katerina and Regina: their journey from Russia and Kazakhstan to Venice
• How a casual meeting in the lagoon turned into a life-changing friendship
• Behind the scenes of Venetians (By Choice and By Occasion) on RCF
• What it means to be "Venetian" without being born in Venice
• Finding a voice — and a purpose — in a new language and a new land
• Cultural integration, unexpected challenges, and proud moments
• Why Venice has a magnetic pull on those who come from far away
• The role of language, radio, and community in feeling at home

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Regina & Katerina from Venetians by Choice & by Occasion

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

🌟 Follow and subscribe to Venice Talks to never miss an episode filled with voices, stories, and secrets of La Serenissima.

📩 And do not forget to share it with fellow lovers of Venice — wherever they may be.

In this special episode of Venice Talks, Monica sits down with journalist and CNN anchor Erica Hill, who recently hosted the powerful documentary Saving Venice as part of The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper. Together, they explore what it means to tell the story of a fragile, beloved city through an international lens.

What happens when a global media giant turns its cameras on Venice? How does storytelling impact preservation? And what was it like, for Erica, to walk through the calli and canals with a microphone in hand and a mission to share Venice’s truth?

Whether you love Venice, live in Venice, or dream of Venice — this conversation is a must-listen.

🔑 Key Show Notes:

• What inspired Erica Hill and CNN to create Saving Venice

• Behind-the-scenes moments from filming in the city

• Erica Hill’s personal impressions of Venice

• The challenge of balancing beauty with urgency in storytelling

• Reflections on overtourism, climate change, and local voices

• How media can be a force for cultural preservation

• Monica’s own perspective as a Venetian insider

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Erica Hill from CNN

✨ Listen now, subscribe to never miss a story, and follow Monica on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes of Venice’s soul.

In this new episode of Venice Talks, Monica Cesarato steps aboard Il Nuovo Trionfo and speaks with Martino Rizzi, one of the founding members of the Compagnia della Marineria Tradizionale Il Nuovo Trionfo. Together, they recount the extraordinary story of Venice’s last great trabaccolo — a sturdy cargo boat of the Adriatic, lovingly restored to sail once more thanks to passion, perseverance, and a deep love for the sea and the lagoon.

⚓ Key points you will discover in this episode:

• The inspiring journey of Il Nuovo Trionfo and how Martino Rizzi and the association helped bring it back to life
• The trabaccolo’s role in Venetian and Adriatic maritime history
• The challenges of restoring and maintaining such a historic vessel
• The mission and spirit of the Compagnia della Marineria Tradizionale
• Martino’s personal memories and magical moments aboard the Nuovo Trionfo
• How all of us can contribute to safeguarding this floating treasure

Set sail with Monica and Martino on a journey through wood, wind, and water — a living tribute to Venice’s seafaring soul.

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Martino Rizzi from la Compagnia della marineria tradizionale Il Nuovo Trionfo

🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform — and do not forget to subscribe, follow, and share this episode with fellow lovers of Venice’s history!

In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica Cesarato sits down with Valeria Boncompagni, the creative force behind one of Venice’s most intimate and soulful jewelry ateliers. Nestled under the arcades of Piazza San Marco, Valeria's workshop is a sanctuary of emotion, craftsmanship, and timeless beauty.

A master of the ancient lost-wax casting technique, Valeria doesn't just design jewelry—she sculpts feelings, memories, and personal stories into bronze and silver. Her pieces are not made to follow trends but to follow emotions. Each creation is a wearable sculpture, infused with history, heritage, and heart.

🔑 Key Highlights of the Episode

• Valeria’s deep connection to the lost-wax tradition—and how she makes it contemporary
• The story of her family-run atelier and the legacy passed down her family
• The emotional process behind each unique piece
• How the rhythms and light of Venice shape her artistic vision
• The meaning of jewelry as personal storytelling and emotional memory
• Why Valeria views herself as both an artisan and a sculptor
• The challenges (and joys) of running a boutique art space in Piazza San Marco
• Her philosophy of slow, intentional creation in a world that rushes toward the disposable

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Valeria Boncompagni

📢 Listen & Subscribe

Love hearing stories of powerful women, Venetian artisans, and the quiet revolution of handmade art? This episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, or wherever you listen.

❤️ Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review to keep Venice’s voices alive in the world!

In this captivating episode of Venice Talks, Monica sits down with internationally renowned artist Judi Harvest to explore the luminous, layered world she has built between Murano’s glass furnaces and Venice’s buzzing garden beehives.

Judi shares how a brief trip to Venice decades ago became a lifelong journey — one that has shaped her art, her activism, and her sense of belonging. From collaborating with Murano glassmasters to creating installations that highlight the fragility of both nature and culture, her work is a powerful blend of beauty and urgency.

This is not just a conversation about art — it’s about transformation, memory, and the deep emotional threads that connect people to place.

🔹 Key Notes from the Episode:

• How a brief visit to Venice became a lifelong artistic and personal journey
• The magic and heartbreak of working with Murano’s master glassmakers
• Why bees, gardens, and endangered ecosystems have taken center stage in her work
• The intersection of art, activism, and preservation in a city at risk
• Reflections on legacy, inspiration, and staying rooted through change

🎧 If you love Venice, art with meaning, and stories that shimmer with life, this episode is for you.

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Judi Harvest

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe to Venice Talks on your favorite podcast platform — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

👉 And if this episode moved you, please leave a review and share it with fellow Venice lovers!

In this evocative episode of Venice Talks, Monica speaks to Laura Pritchard, a British-born artisan who swapped the foggy landscapes of the UK for the light and tides of Venice. Today, Laura is one of the few women working as a maestra d’ascia, a traditional boatbuilder shaping the iconic vessels of the lagoon with age-old tools and timeless care.

Together, they talk about what it means to embrace an ancient craft in a foreign land, how wood and water can become a language of belonging, and the quiet revolution of carving one’s place—literally and metaphorically—in a deeply rooted tradition.

It’s a story of reinvention, resilience, and reverence for Venice’s maritime soul.

Laura’s journey from the UK to Venice:

• beginnings, motives, transformation
• what it means to be a maestro d’ascia in a city built on water
• gender and tradition: carving out space in a male-dominated craft
• the relationship between wood, water, and identity
• how craftsmanship bridges cultures and generations

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Laura Pritchard

If you love stories of transformation, tradition, and the quiet power of craft, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in to Venice Talks on your favorite podcast platform—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, or wherever you listen.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a voice from the lagoon!

In this episode of Venice Talks, we sit down with Cesare Peris, president of the historic Società di Mutuo Soccorso fra Carpentieri e Calafati, a unique Venetian institution rooted in solidarity, shipbuilding, and memory.

🔑 In this episode, we explore:

• The fascinating origins and mission of one of Venice’s oldest mutual aid societies
• Who the carpentieri e calafati were, and their essential role in the life of the Arsenale
• How the SMSCC has evolved through the centuries, adapting to today’s challenges
• Why preserving historical memory and traditional crafts matters now more than ever
• The society’s vision for the future of mutual support and intergenerational knowledge in Venice
• Personal reflections from Cesare on a life dedicated to culture, community, and commitment

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Cesare Peris from Società di Mutuo Soccorso fra Carpentieri e Calafati

📍Whether you’re passionate about Venice, history, or community-led initiatives, this is a conversation not to miss.

👉 Listen now on your favorite platform — and don’t forget to follow Venice Talks for more stories from the heart of the lagoon.

Join us on Venice Talks as we dive deep into the story behind NoCDA (No Contributo D’Accesso a Venezia), the grassroots movement formed by Venetians standing against the controversial tourist access fee.

In this episode, Monica interviews Alessandro Tonin, the creator of the NoCDA website and the visionary mind rallying locals to protect Venice’s accessibility and spirit.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Origins and motivations behind NoCDA: why this group was created
• Alessandro Tonin’s personal journey and vision for Venice’s future
• The impact of the tourist access fee on Venetians and visitors alike
• Alternative ideas for sustainable tourism without access fees
• The power of local activism and citizen voices in shaping policy
• How Venetians see their city evolving amid tourism pressures

Whether you live in Venice, love the city, or are curious about urban tourism challenges, this episode offers unique insights into a critical local debate.

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Alessandro Tonin, creator of NoCDA

Don’t forget to listen, subscribe, and share Venice Talks to stay connected with authentic stories from the heart of Venice.