Christophe

What a pleasure to welcome Christophe Rémi to the podcast. Born in Belgium, having traveled to London, and lived pretty much all his life in Brussels, it has now been a couple of years since he made the eternal city his home.Interestingly, Christophe didn't choose Rome first. Yet, the constant stimulation of navigating this unique city invited him not only to stay, but to create. Settling here allowed him to explore a whole new artistic path as a designer, leading to the creation of his project, Atelier Ornamento, and establishing his studio at the vibrant Ombrelloni Art Space.In this episode, we talk about the different layers you dive into as you change neighborhoods, the art of contemplating, and "the big shift". We explore his creative process and Christophe shares his top 4 favorite places in Rome—spots I couldn't agree with more!Through his journey, we reflect on how stepping into the chaotic beauty of Rome can spark unexpected transformations, proving that sometimes the places we don't plan for end up becoming our greatest sources of inspiration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We met a couple of days ago for her exhibition and a special project we will do together, but what’s amazing is that we connected instantly in an emotional way.Gabriela is a flower designer, but above all a scent artist, explaining what it means and how you create smells to express yourself. She opened Condominio Fiore, a former greenhouse she turned into an artist studio for residencies and exhibitions, but above all to create a place of beauty and revendicate the right to beauty.This conversation led us to explore our roots and what it means to haven’t chosen a city, that tough love-hate relationship we hear so much about in Rome, and the highness of Roman monuments that keep fascinating you through the years. We exchanged about the difficulty of bringing newness to Rome and the feeling of being rejected here, but also how that frustration can turn into a drive for change. In an honest conversation about being an artist working in the creative industry, and touching upon her recent exhibition Mutuus, born from a collective residency, she shares her habits in Rome, her passion for seeing Circo Massimo under the rain, and her love for the Roman light that exists nowhere else.This conversation was born from an encounter and a partnership with Culture Finder and Art Files for Rome Future Week. Good Dramma will be present for a special event in Condominio Fiore, the studio of Gabriela Grandi, presenting a new artistic project that combines live music by ColaSuono and a drawing performance by Agathe Briot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a pleasure to welcome Daniela to the podcast for this hot summer episode. We actually couldn't remember exactly when we first met, but we remembered through whom: Tania, another wonderful past guest of this show!Originally from Taranto in Puglia, Daniela is an international lawyer who has a truly unique relationship with the city: she has moved to Rome three separate times. Her journey took her from arriving as an 18-year-old law student seeking the freedom to be "invisible," to venturing abroad to cities like Los Angeles and Dublin, before the rise of remote work allowed her to finally return on her own terms.In this episode, we dive into how moving from one neighborhood to another feels like completely changing your life and identity. We take a journey through the areas she has lived in, and we even draw a surprising comparison between the chaotic, creative spirits of Los Angeles and Rome.We also explore the tougher side of her journey, discussing the reverse cultural shock and the patriarchal work environment she faced during her second stint in the city. We learn how she eventually channeled that anger into finding her underground community through her trans-feminist project, the 'humvn podcast'. Through our deep conversation, she explains her "Hannah Montana story », having the best of both worlds with her career and the city she loves ; and shares a profound definition of Rome's beauty as something "clearly lived by people". It's this exact feeling that makes Rome the place she has confidently chosen as her definitive "adult home". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a pleasure to welcome Nordine Sajot to the podcast. We actually met a couple of years ago right here on my terrace for the launch of Good Dramma—a beautiful reminder of the energies and connections these gatherings bring to life.Originally from France, Nordine is a multidisciplinary artist who first moved to Rome over 20 years ago. After living in Holland, it was a mix of work opportunities, love, and a deep longing for the Mediterranean sun that led her to the Italian capital.In this episode, we dive into how daily new habits shape your identity when arriving in a new country. We discuss the verb "to build" and how Rome's complex, chaotic environment forces you to adapt. As Nordine beautifully points out, in Rome, "people always found a way to solve" things. The city becomes a daily exercise in survival where, ultimately, "you have two possibilities: or you get mad or you got creative".We also explore the "not-so-dolce vita" side of Italy—the darker mirror of the city, touching upon its patriarchal history and conservative roots. We delve deep into her profound artistic practice, including her project "I was here," which questions mass tourism, the representation of the body, and modern consumerism. Through our conversation, we take a journey across the numerous neighborhoods she has called home over the decades, proving that it truly takes time to know this magnetic city.Share your impressions with us on Instagram or on Spotify. You can also send this podcast to someone you think could be interested to know more about Rome. And if you know someone that you'd love to hear from about this city, please write to me and it could be my next guest :) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a pleasure to introduce my guest Andrea Paone on the podcast. We actually connected through another podcast—a beautiful reminder of how randomly you can meet people here, and how Rome's community is an impressive, intertwined network.Originally from Formia, a small coastal town between Naples and Rome, he is someone who loves to travel but is always drawn back to his roots. He first moved to the capital to study, and as he beautifully puts it: "I can feel all the years I’ve spent here, but I still remember the first day."In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane to those early days in Rome—living with roommates, building a community from scratch, and embracing the city's unique creativity. We touch on that distinct Mediterranean energy and the art of the "little chat" that helps you connect with others daily.We also dive into how to navigate this famously chaotic city by taking your time back. He shares his fascinating practice of going out alone, using the city as a mirror to see himself more clearly.After 14 years, he has fully accepted Rome for all that it is. Through his profound reflections, we also get to explore three special spots that help us understand the city better: Villa Gordiani, Ostia, and I Vinilli del Pigneto. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ;) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.