Meet Stephanie Detton | Creator and Co-Host of The Italian American Stories Podcast.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Detton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always had a fascination with uncovering my ancestors’ stories, which led me to delve into genealogy from a young age. As I researched my own Italian American roots, I stumbled upon captivating articles about other Italian Americans in historical newspaper databases. These stories resonated with my love for history and all things Italian, prompting me to collect the articles.
One day, while going through my collection of articles, I realized I needed to do something with all these stories that are, in a way, forgotten in past newspapers. This realization sparked the idea of starting my podcast, Italian American Stories Podcast, as a way to bring these forgotten tales back to life and share them with a wider audience.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The podcast is a fun and fulfilling project; however, it is not my career. Despite this, I plan to keep expanding it and look forward to seeing how it develops in the future.

I currently work as a third-grade teacher in Palisade, Colorado, a role that has been a rewarding part of my life for many years. Teaching is not always easy, especially in today’s environment, but I worked really hard to get where I am in my career, and I truly enjoy working with kids every day.

Navigating the demands of teaching and managing a podcast has not been without its hurdles, but each challenge has been an opportunity for growth and learning.

Ultimately, my goal with both teaching and podcasting is to make a positive impact. I want my students to know that learning and growth never stop, and that hard work and dedication is a powerful driving force.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living on the Western Slope of Colorado, offers a fantastic mix of outdoor adventures and culinary delights! For a week-long trip with my best friend, we would start by exploring the Colorado National Monument, which is filled with beautiful hiking trails and amazing views. We would definitely spend time in the downtown area of Grand Junction, where there are great boutiques, shops, and amazing local restaurants like The Rockslide and Dream Cafe.

Lastly, you can’t visit this area without spending time in Palisade, Colorado. Palisade is so close to the Book Cliff Mountains, you feel like you could reach out and grab a handful of its dirt. Palisade is also known for its peaches and wine. Taking a winery tour would be a must! Visiting the farmer’s market on Sunday and ending the day at Peach Street Distillers would be a memorable trip for someone visiting the area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family, including those who have passed on, plays a significant role in fueling my passion for this project. The love and values they instilled in me, especially the importance of family, serve as a guiding force for my research and storytelling. Most importantly though, I want to dedicate a special shoutout to my co-host, who happens to also be my amazing mom! Her unwavering support and love are the reason behind the podcast’s creation and ongoing success. Plus, she makes an incredible co-host!

Website: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stephanie-detton

Instagram: @italianamerican_storiespodcast

Twitter: @itamstories

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiI3RqyHVvM-uM2m5iIKL5w