Stephanie Detton shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Stephanie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day usually start with greeting my two golden retrievers, Benny and Lucy. They’re always the best way to start the morning. After that, I’ll check in on my podcast stats to see how Italian American Stories is reaching listeners. Then it’s time to get ready for my day of teaching and head to my classroom, where I set everything up for my fourth graders. And, of course, none of this happens without coffee!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Stephanie Detton, and I wear a couple of different hats in life. I’m both a fourth-grade teacher and the creator and co-host of the Italian American Stories Podcast, which I host alongside my mom, Sandy. Together, we dive into old newspapers, archives, and personal stories to bring the lives of everyday Italian Americans back to light.
What makes our podcast unique is that it’s not just about famous names or well-known history. It’s about honoring the real, everyday people whose stories are just as powerful and inspiring. We’ve built a community of listeners who connect deeply with this storytelling, and it’s been incredible to see how many people feel represented and moved by these voices from the past.
Right now, we’re continuing to expand our reach, experimenting with video, and even working toward turning some of our stories into book form. For me, it’s all about preserving history, celebrating culture, and creating connections between generations.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Without a doubt, the relationship that has shaped me most is the one I have with my mom. She taught me how to be independent, caring, and to work incredibly hard. We’ve always shared a very close bond. She’s not just my mom, but truly my best friend. That connection is also what makes our work on the Italian American Stories Podcast so meaningful, because it’s something we get to build and share together.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me resilience in a way success never could. It showed me that even in the hardest moments, there are lessons about strength, empathy, and gratitude. Success can feel wonderful, but it doesn’t always shape your character the way struggles do. Facing challenges has made me more compassionate as a teacher, a podcaster, and a person. It reminds me to cherish the small victories along the way.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
For me, it comes down to staying rooted in storytelling and research. That’s how the Italian American Stories Podcast began, and it will always be the heart of what we do. Interviews are a valuable part of our work (and sometimes even easier to produce), but they aren’t the core of our mission. What really matters is digging into history, uncovering everyday stories, and sharing voices that might otherwise be forgotten. I also stay true to my own Italian American identity rather than chasing the mainstream version of what people think it should look like. That’s what keeps our work authentic, rather than just following trends.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I think it’s a little bit of both. Teaching is a path I pursued through college and is very much a traditional career path. But the podcast is something I feel I was truly born to do. It’s where my passion lies. In many ways, I’m balancing both: fulfilling my role as a teacher while also following my heart through storytelling and preserving Italian American history.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.italianamericanstories.com
- Instagram: @italianamerican_storiespodcast
- Twitter: @itamstories
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564181574736
- Youtube: @italianamericanstories
