Venice Talks

Venice: The Republic That Changed the World | Joseph LoconteWhat if Venice was much more than a beautiful city of canals, palaces and art? What if its extraordinary history helped shape some of the ideas about freedom, government and democracy that still influence our world today?In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica Cesarato welcomes Joseph Loconte, New York Times bestselling author, historian, educator and filmmaker, to uncover a fascinating side of Venetian history that often gets overlooked.Joseph is the director of the Rivendell Center in New York City and a senior fellow at the Sagamore Institute. His work brings history to life through books and documentaries, including Benjamin Rush: The American Revolution's Indispensable Doctor, available on Amazon Prime.He is currently working on a new documentary, Venice: The Freedom Republic, exploring the remarkable political history of the Serenissima, its institutions and its lasting influence on the modern world.From the extraordinary longevity of the Venetian Republic to its surprising connections with America's Founding Fathers, Joseph takes us on a journey through centuries of political innovation, independence and ideas.But was Venice really a republic of freedom? How did it manage to survive for over a thousand years? And what can its history teach us about the challenges facing democracies today?Monica also shares her personal connection to the documentary, having been invited to participate in the filming, and talks with Joseph about the experience of bringing Venice's history to the screen.It's a conversation about history, politics, storytelling and why Venice still has so much to teach us.In This Episode – Key Show NotesThe inspiration behind Joseph Loconte's documentary Venice: The Freedom Republic.Why Venice was one of the most extraordinary political experiments in European history.How the Venetian Republic maintained its independence for more than a thousand years.The surprising connections between Venice and the American Founding Fathers.Venice's contribution to printing, publishing and the circulation of ideas.Freedom, censorship and power: the contradictions of the Venetian political system.The relationship between religion, politics and Venetian identity.Behind the scenes of filming a historical documentary in Venice and the importance of local voices.What modern democracies can learn from the successes and failures of the Venetian Republic.Follow Venice Talks!If you love Venice, its history and the people who bring its stories to life, Venice Talks is the podcast for you!✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Vivace MediaGuest: Joseph Loconte from Joseph LoconteListen to the full episode, subscribe to Venice Talks on your favourite podcast platform and follow the show so you never miss a new conversation.You can also visit www.monicacesarato.com for more stories, articles and insights into Venice.And if you enjoy this episode, please share it with someone who loves history or Venice as much as we do!Because Venice is so much more than what you see. It's the stories behind the city that make it truly extraordinary.

What if the best way to experience Venice was to turn the entire city into a treasure hunt, while also making a difference for a good cause?In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica Cesarato welcomes Simone Pavlovich, the creative mind behind A Caccia con Filippo, a project that transforms Venice's streets, bridges and hidden corners into an exciting adventure filled with clues, discoveries and unexpected stories.Venice is a city where every detail has a story to tell, but how often do we actually stop to notice them?Through their treasure hunts, Simone and Michele invite participants to look beyond the familiar landmarks, pay attention to the little things and experience Venice with a fresh sense of curiosity.But there's another important side to A Caccia con Filippo: its connection to charity. The project supports CDKL5 – Insieme verso la Cura, an association dedicated to helping families affected by CDKL5 deficiency disorder, a rare genetic neurological condition, and supporting the search for treatments.It's a wonderful example of how creativity, community spirit and a love for Venice can come together to support something much bigger than a game.During our conversation, we talk about how the project began, the challenges of designing treasure hunts in a city as extraordinary as Venice and why getting lost can sometimes be the best way to find something special.We also discuss the importance of giving back, the people who have embraced the initiative and the ambitious plans to make the experience accessible to an even wider audience through a multilingual web app.From the stories behind the clues to the meaningful cause at the heart of the initiative, this conversation reminds us that sometimes the greatest treasure isn't something you find, but something you help create.Key Notes from This EpisodeHow A Caccia con Filippo began and the story behind its unusual name.The creative process of turning Venice's history and hidden details into treasure hunt clues.How games can encourage visitors and residents to experience Venice differently.The funniest and most unexpected moments from previous treasure hunts.Why slowing down and paying attention can change the way we see Venice.The charitable mission behind the project and its support for CDKL5 – Insieme verso la Cura.How a treasure hunt can bring people together while raising awareness for an important cause.The challenges of transforming a creative idea into a growing community project.The plans for a multilingual web app and the role of technology in making the experience more accessible.What Simone and Michele hope participants will remember long after the game is over.Follow Venice TalksIf you love Venice, its hidden stories and the people who are making a positive difference in the city, this episode is for you!Listen to Venice Talks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and your favourite podcast platforms.✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Vivace MediaGuest: Simone Pavlovich from A Caccia con Filippo,Don't forget to follow the podcast, subscribe and share this episode with anyone who loves Venice, enjoys an adventure or believes in the power of community.And if you've enjoyed listening, please leave a review. It really helps Venice Talks reach more people around the world.Follow Venice Talks and join us for more conversations about the real Venice, one story at a time!Learn more about A Caccia con Filippo: https://www.acacciaconfilippo.com/Visit: https://www.monicacesarato.com/

In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica sits down with Regina Maksimova and Alexandra Zagrebelnaia, the team behind Venice Art Insider, a platform created to help people discover and understand the extraordinary art world of Venice.From historic masterpieces and museums to foundations, galleries, independent spaces and the Biennale, Venice Art Insider looks at the city as one vast cultural landscape. Regina and Alexandra explain how they select what to feature, how they build curated routes and how they help visitors navigate a city where art is quite literally everywhere.The conversation also explores the relationship between art and place, the impact of the Biennale on Venice, the role of social media in the way we experience exhibitions and the challenge of making art accessible without oversimplifying it.This is an episode about looking at Venice differently, slowing down and learning how to notice what is often hidden in plain sight.Show NotesWho Regina and Alexandra are and how Venice Art Insider beganWhy Venice needed a clearer way to navigate its immense art sceneHow they choose exhibitions, museums, galleries and cultural spaces to featureThe importance of connecting art with the neighbourhoods and architecture of VeniceHow the Biennale changes the city and what remains once it is overDiscovering Venice beyond the major museums and famous masterpiecesThe different perspectives Regina and Alexandra bring to the projectHow social media is changing the way people discover and experience artMaking art more accessible without losing depth or contextHow to approach Venice as one enormous, layered art experienceA conversation about art, Venice, discovery and the many layers of a city where masterpieces, galleries, museums and unexpected cultural spaces are waiting around almost every corner.If you enjoy Venice Talks, follow the podcast and subscribe on your favourite platform so you never miss a new episode. And if you enjoyed this conversation, share it with someone who loves Venice, books and a good mystery.Remember to follow and subscribe to Venice Talks so you never miss a new conversation with the people who make Venice the extraordinary, complex and endlessly fascinating city it is.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Vivace MediaGuest: Regina Maksimova and Alexandra Zagrebelnaia from Venice Art InsiderIf you love hearing the voices of Venice, subscribe and leave a review — it helps others discover these stories too.💌 Want to share your own Venice?Send me a short audio clip (1 minutes max) telling me what you loved most about the city — at [email protected].

In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica sits down with Gregory Dowling, Philip Gwynne Jones and David Hewson, the three writers behind Venice Noir, Venice’s international festival dedicated to crime writing, noir and the darker side of storytelling.What began as an ambitious literary idea has grown into a distinctive festival bringing together Italian and international authors, historians, journalists and readers in the heart of Venice.We talk about how Venice Noir has evolved, how the programme is shaped, the relationship between Italian crime writing and the international noir scene and what happens when three crime writers have to agree on what actually belongs in a noir festival.There is also plenty of discussion about growth, identity, literary festivals, dream guests and, inevitably, a little friendly disagreement.Key Notes from This EpisodeHow Venice Noir has evolved from an idea into an international literary festivalThe role of Italian authors within an international programmeThe relationship between Italian giallo and English-language crime fictionHow Gregory, Philip and David choose writers, themes and eventsHow broad the definition of “noir” can really becomeThe festival’s relationship with the international crime-writing worldWhat organising a literary festival teaches writers about being guests themselvesHow the three founders balance different tastes and ideasThe challenges of growing while keeping the festival intimateThe authors they would love to invite in the futureA conversation about books, murder, Venice and the dark literary creature that Gregory Dowling, Philip Gwynne Jones and David Hewson continue to shape year after year.If you enjoy Venice Talks, follow the podcast and subscribe on your favourite platform so you never miss a new episode. And if you enjoyed this conversation, share it with someone who loves Venice, books and a good mystery.Remember to follow and subscribe to Venice Talks so you never miss a new conversation with the people who make Venice the extraordinary, complex and endlessly fascinating city it is.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Vivace MediaGuest: Gregory Dowling, Philip Gwynne Jones and David Hewson From Venice NoirIf you love hearing the voices of Venice, subscribe and leave a review — it helps others discover these stories too.💌 Want to share your own Venice?Send me a short audio clip (1 minutes max) telling me what you loved most about the city — at [email protected].

In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica speaks with Simon and Jess from The History of Venice Podcast about the women who lived, worked and helped shape Venice across the centuries.Moving beyond the better-known stories of noblewomen and courtesans, the conversation explores what everyday life was really like for Venetian women from different levels of society. From work and family life to money, independence, marriage and social expectations, Simon and Jess bring to light the stories of women whose contribution to Venice has often remained in the background.The episode also looks at lesser-known female figures, the kinds of jobs women carried out and what historical records can reveal about their lives. A fascinating journey into another side of Venetian history: the city seen through the experiences of its women.Show Key NotesSimon and Jess from The History of Venice Podcast on telling the story of Venice through the people who lived it.Lesser-known women whose stories deserve a place alongside Venice’s more famous female figures.What everyday life looked like for women from different social classes.The jobs and trades carried out by Venetian women.Women as artisans, shopkeepers, servants, market sellers and workers.Money, property and the economic independence available to women.Marriage, widowhood and the options open to women outside traditional family structures.The differences between the lives of noblewomen and working women.Women from Venice’s different communities and backgrounds.What archives, legal records and other historical sources can tell us about women’s lives.How women contributed to the economic and social life of the Venetian Republic.Why so many of these stories have remained less visible in traditional accounts of Venetian history.Tune in for a journey beyond the familiar names and discover the women whose work, choices and everyday lives were part of the fabric of Venice.Listen now and subscribe to Venice Talks for more stories about Venice, its history, its people and its culture.And remember to follow and subscribe to Venice Talks so you never miss a new conversation with the people who make Venice the extraordinary, complex and endlessly fascinating city it is.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire MediaGuest: Simon & Jess from History of Venice PodcastIf you love hearing the voices of Venice, subscribe and leave a review — it helps others discover these stories too.💌 Want to share your own Venice?Send me a short audio clip (1 minutes max) telling me what you loved most about the city — at [email protected].

n this episode of Venice Talks, Monica speaks with drinks writer, podcaster and author Susan L. Schwartz about her new book, A Guide to Drinking in Venice.Venice is a city where drinking is never just about what is in the glass. It is about ritual, place, history and the people behind the bar. Susan takes us through the research and stories behind the book, from traditional bacari and Venetian drinking habits to cocktails, wine, coffee and the changing bar scene of the city.We also talk about what surprised her while researching the book, how Venice’s drinking culture differs from what visitors often expect and why understanding where and how Venetians drink can reveal so much about the city itself.Key Notes from This EpisodeHow the idea for A Guide to Drinking in Venice beganWhat inspired Susan to dedicate an entire book to Venice’s drinking cultureThe research behind the book and the people she met along the wayWhy Venice is about much more than just SpritzBacari, wine bars, cocktail bars and the different ways of drinking in the cityThe role of tradition in Venetian drinking cultureHow Venice’s bar and cocktail scene has evolved in recent yearsWhat visitors often misunderstand about drinking in VeniceSome of Susan’s favourite discoveries while researching the bookHow a drink can become a way of understanding the history and identity of a placeIf you love Venice, food, wine, cocktails and the stories hidden behind everyday Venetian rituals, this is an episode to listen to with a glass in hand.Remember to follow and subscribe to Venice Talks so you never miss a new conversation with the people who make Venice the extraordinary, complex and endlessly fascinating city it is.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Vivace MediaGuest: Susan L. Schwartz from A Lush Life ManualIf you love hearing the voices of Venice, subscribe and leave a review — it helps others discover these stories too.💌 Want to share your own Venice?Send me a short audio clip (1 minutes max) telling me what you loved most about the city — at [email protected].

What happens when two history lovers decide to tell the story of Venice from the very beginning?In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica Cesarato is joined by Simon and Jess, the creators and hosts of The History of Venice Podcast, a chronological journey through the people, politics, conflicts and extraordinary events that shaped the Venetian Republic.Simon and Jess share how their mutual fascination with Venice inspired them to begin the podcast, and what it is like to research, write and present such an ambitious historical project together.We talk about the challenge of separating historical fact from legend, especially in a city where myths have been repeated for centuries. They explain how they approach conflicting sources, complex political events and the colourful personalities who brought Venetian history to life.The conversation also explores how studying Venice’s past changes the way we experience the city today. Behind every bridge, campo and palace lies a story—and the deeper we look, the more Venice reveals itself as far more than a beautiful destination.From the origins of the lagoon settlements to the rise of one of Europe’s most powerful republics, Simon and Jess invite listeners to discover the real history behind the Serenissima.Key Notes from This EpisodeIn this episode, we talk about:How Simon and Jess created The History of Venice PodcastTheir personal connection with Venice and its historyWhat it is like to produce a podcast together as a coupleHow they divide the research, writing and presentingThe difficulties of separating Venetian history from legendHow they make complex historical events accessibleThe personalities and stories that have surprised them mostCommon misconceptions about the Venetian RepublicHow historical research has changed the way they see VeniceWhat Venice’s past can teach us about the city todayListen to The History of Venice Podcast to follow Simon and Jess on their chronological journey through more than a thousand years of Venetian history.And remember to follow and subscribe to Venice Talks so you never miss a new conversation with the people who make Venice the extraordinary, complex and endlessly fascinating city it is.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire MediaGuest: Simon & Jess from History of Venice PodcastIf you love hearing the voices of Venice, subscribe and leave a review — it helps others discover these stories too.💌 Want to share your own Venice?Send me a short audio clip (1 minutes max) telling me what you loved most about the city — at [email protected].

Before Peggy Guggenheim became one of the most influential collectors of modern art—and before Palazzo Venier dei Leoni became her Venetian home and museum—she opened a small but remarkably ambitious gallery in London.In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica Cesarato speaks with Gražina Subelytė, curator at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, about the exhibition Peggy Guggenheim in London: The Making of a Collector.The exhibition explores the crucial years of 1938 and 1939, when Peggy founded Guggenheim Jeune, her first London gallery. During its brief eighteen-month existence, the gallery presented more than twenty exhibitions, promoted abstraction and Surrealism, introduced London audiences to major European artists and helped Peggy develop the vision that would eventually shape her celebrated collection.Gražina guides us through this formative period, revealing a Peggy Guggenheim who was still learning, experimenting and finding her place in the international art world. We discuss the artists, advisers and friendships that influenced her, the radical exhibitions she organised and the archival discoveries that offer a more complex understanding of her development as a collector.The conversation also explores the role of women artists within Guggenheim Jeune, the gallery’s controversial contemporary sculpture exhibition and the first signs of Peggy’s dream of creating a museum of modern art.Presented inside Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, the exhibition allows visitors to look back at the moment when Peggy’s extraordinary story was only beginning—and to understand how her London years laid the foundations for the collection we know in Venice today.Key Notes from This EpisodeGražina Subelytė’s journey into art history and curatorial workPeggy Guggenheim’s life before she became a legendary collectorThe opening of Guggenheim Jeune in London in 1938How Marcel Duchamp, Samuel Beckett and Mary Reynolds influenced Peggy’s artistic educationThe gallery’s extraordinary programme of more than twenty exhibitions in eighteen monthsKandinsky’s first solo exhibition in LondonPeggy’s support for abstraction, Surrealism and experimental contemporary artThe role of women artistsThe controversial contemporary sculpture exhibitionLetters, photographs and archival documents that reveal a more personal side of PeggyThe origins of Peggy’s ambition to establish a museum of modern artHow the London years anticipated the collection now housed in Venice🎧 Listen to the full episode of Venice Talks and discover the story of Peggy Guggenheim before Venice—when a small London gallery became the starting point for one of the most important collections of modern art in the world.Follow Venice Talks on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss a new conversation about the people, history, art and culture shaping Venice.Follow Monica Cesarato and Venice Talks for new episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and more voices from the lagoon.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire MediaGuest: Gražina Subelytė curator at Peggy Guggenheim CollectionIf you love hearing the voices of Venice, subscribe and leave a review — it helps others discover these stories too.💌 Want to share your own Venice?Send me a short audio clip (1 minutes max) telling me what you loved most about the city — at [email protected].

In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica speaks with Sara Cattani, co-founder of Staging Alive, a new Venetian project created to bring fresh, joyful and high-quality live entertainment formats to the city.From musical theatre to live performance, from historical costumes to private productions, Sara’s work asks an important question: can Venice still be a place that creates culture, rather than only a place where culture is consumed?Together, we talk about the need for more accessible, inclusive and entertaining cultural experiences in Venice — shows that can speak to residents, visitors and new audiences without losing quality or identity.The conversation also takes us inside Atelier Le Boudoir, the new spin-off connected to the historic costumes of Atelier Pietro Longhi: not a large costume warehouse, but a hidden dressing room near Campo della Bragora, surrounded by artisans and Venetian life.A conversation about theatre, costumes, creativity, courage, and the dream of seeing Venice once again as a port of departure for new ideas.In this episode:How Staging Alive was born and what Sara felt was missing in VeniceWhy musical theatre and joyful entertainment deserve more space in the cityThe divide between “tourist product” and “local product”How to create cultural experiences that can speak to different audiencesThe role of fun, beauty and lightness in contemporary cultureThe story behind Atelier Le BoudoirThe legacy of the historical costumes from Atelier Pietro LonghiWhat it means to build a creative company in Venice todayWhy Venice should not only be a destination, but a place that produces ideasThe dream of bringing Venetian creativity beyond the lagoonFollow Sara and her projects:Staging AliveAtelier Le Boudoir🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire MediaGuest: Sara Cattani for Staging Alive and Atelier Le BoudoirIf you love hearing the voices of Venice, subscribe and leave a review — it helps others discover these stories too.💌 Want to share your own Venice?Send me a short audio clip (1 minutes max) telling me what you loved most about the city — at [email protected].

In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica speaks with Sara and Virginia, the two friends behind Due Fie Venexiane, a digital project sharing Venice through the voices, flavours and everyday experiences of two Venetian women.What began as a spontaneous collaboration between friends has grown into a lively online community, with videos, recommendations and downloadable guides helping visitors discover where Venetians really eat and how the city is experienced beyond its most famous landmarks.Sara and Virginia talk about the friendship at the heart of the project, the different personalities they bring to their content and what it means to present their own city to a large online audience.The conversation moves beyond food to explore Venetian identity, authenticity and the responsibility that comes with recommending small restaurants, bacari and local businesses in a city as delicate and intensely visited as Venice.They also discuss how they select the places they feature, how they balance commercial collaborations with honest recommendations and why they decided to create detailed digital guides dedicated to bacari and seafood restaurants.In this episode, we talk about:The meaning behind the name Due Fie VenexianeHow Sara and Virginia’s friendship became a shared digital projectTheir first videos and the growth of their online communityHow they divide the work and combine their different personalitiesWhat makes a restaurant or bacaro feel authentically VenetianHow they choose the businesses and experiences they recommendThe importance of remaining honest when working with local brandsShowing a side of Venice that goes beyond postcard imagesCreating downloadable guides to bacari and seafood restaurantsThe responsibility of influencing where visitors spend their time and moneyTheir hopes for the future of Venice and Due Fie VenexianeThis is a conversation about food, friendship and the power of telling a city’s story from the inside—with humour, affection and a deeply Venetian point of view.Listen to the episode and discover Venice through the eyes of two women who live it, love it and are determined to share it with honesty.Follow Due Fie Venexiane on social media to discover their latest recommendations, videos and guides.And remember to follow and subscribe to Venice Talks so you never miss a new conversation with the people who make Venice the extraordinary, complex and endlessly fascinating city it is.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.✨ Credits:Hosted by Monica CesaratoProduced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire MediaGuest: Sara & Virgina from Due Fie VenexianeIf you love hearing the voices of Venice, subscribe and leave a review — it helps others discover these stories too.💌 Want to share your own Venice?Send me a short audio clip (1 minutes max) telling me what you loved most about the city — at [email protected].