Episode #41
#41: Find Your Cultural Oasis: Vincent Fauceglia on Building Italian American Community and Connection
What if the sense of home you’ve been missing isn’t something you have to go back to—but something you can create right where you are? Tune in to hear how reconnecting with your heritage, following what lights you up, and building community from the ground up can turn a cultural desert into your own oasis. Vincent Fauceglia is the founder and first president of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) Charlotte Lodge, where he has built a thriving Italian American community rooted in culture, connection, and tradition. From growing up in a strong Italian American community in Ohio to moving to what he describes as the “cultural desert” of Charlotte, Vincent faced a difficult chapter in his life. Through that experience, he discovered that creating a community around his Italian American roots helped him reconnect with his authentic self and find a path forward. Together, Christina and Vincent explore what it means to grow up in a cultural “oasis” and then find yourself searching for that same connection somewhere new. From hosting dinners and reviving traditions like bocce and Sunday meals, to building a community from scratch, they explore how culture, food, and shared experiences can bring people together in meaningful ways. If you’ve ever felt like you’re living in a cultural desert, this conversation will inspire you to find—or create—your own oasis. Follow Vincent on Instagram: @vfauceglia Follow Charlotte Sons & Daughters of Italy on Social Media: Instagram @cltosdia | Facebook CLT OSDIA Join or Find a Local Lodge: https://www.osdia.org Learn More About IAFL: https://www.iafuture.org Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com
