Season 8 Team

Founder, Executive Producer & Host, CRAVE Italy
Samantha Ferro
Journalist • Producer • Cultural Connector
Born in Milan and based in San Francisco, Samantha Ferro is an Italian-American journalist, producer, television host, educator, and media entrepreneur dedicated to connecting people through the power of storytelling. Before founding CRAVE Italy, Samantha built a diverse career in Italy's media and entertainment industry, working as a model, actress, television host, and presenter, including appearances on Mediaset and Canale 5. Her professional journey later brought her to California, where she expanded her work in media production while earning a degree in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts from San Francisco State University. Her professional background also includes work in education and child development, where she taught and mentored young learners. This experience strengthened her appreciation for communication, empathy, and the importance of creating meaningful connections—qualities that continue to shape her approach to storytelling, interviewing, and community building today. Living between Italy and California shaped Samantha's perspective on culture, identity, and community. Inspired by her own experience navigating two worlds, she created CRAVE Italy to celebrate the people, ideas, and stories that connect both countries. What began as a university radio project has grown into an international multimedia platform and podcast now entering its eighth season. Through conversations with innovators, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, diplomats, and community leaders, CRAVE Italy explores the evolving relationship between Italy and America while highlighting the voices shaping the future of both communities. As Founder and Executive Producer, Samantha leads CRAVE Italy with a commitment to authentic storytelling, cultural exchange, and meaningful dialogue. Through interviews, original content, and collaborations with organizations including the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco, she continues to create opportunities for connection across cultures and generations. At the heart of Samantha's work is a simple belief: stories bring people together. Through CRAVE Italy, she creates a space where culture, innovation, heritage, and human experience intersect—informing, inspiring, and fostering a deeper sense of connection between Italy, the United States, and the global Italian community. Now entering its eighth season, CRAVE Italy continues to grow as a trusted platform for meaningful conversations that celebrate Italian culture, elevate diverse voices, and strengthen the bonds between communities on both sides of the Atlantic.

CRAVE ITALY Guest and Chief Director at Corriere della Sera
Iacopo Gori
A well-known journalist and Chief Director at Corriere della Sera, Iacopo Gori brings his passion for storytelling, music, art, and all things Italian to CRAVE. With a degree in philosophy from the University of Florence, he has built an illustrious career while living between Milan and Florence. Specializing in video and multimedia, Iacopo leads live broadcasts and video investigations for CorriereTv, delivering real-time updates that connect audiences with Italy’s rich culture. Now returning for Season 8, Iacopo is thrilled to continue his role on CRAVE Italy alongside Samantha, offering his unique perspective and expertise to our growing community.

Creative Director & Designer
Simone Mazzetto
"Infinitely open to the surprising, the unusual, to questioning even in the utmost uncertainty. Searching is immensely more important than finding: listening." – Luigi Nono
Simone Mazzetto is a visionary architect and designer whose work blends curiosity, innovation, and storytelling through space and form. Born in Padova in 1969 and a graduate of IUAV in Venice, he draws inspiration from masters like Carlo Scarpa, Giò Ponti, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright, merging tradition with contemporary creativity.
His career spans collaborations with leading architecture and design firms, directing projects in restoration, interiors, hospitality, and artistic campaigns. In 2024, he led the remodeling of the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco, redefining the space with sustainability and cultural identity at its core.
Now Creative Director for Season 8 of CRAVE, Simone brings his vision and artistry to foster innovation, beauty, and connection within a dynamic creative community.
🔗 Discover more: www.simonemazzetto.com/bio

Audio Engineer
Mario B.
Radio broadcasting veteran with extensive expertise in audio engineering, voiceover artistry, and podcast production. His illustrious career includes work at renowned stations, and he has produced hundreds of radio commercials and podcasts—most notably, Gas Station Radio, where his voice reached over 1,200 gas stations nationwide.
Happy to be back on Season 8 of Crave, he continues to channel his passion for radio, podcasts, and storytelling into crafting immersive audio experiences that truly resonate with our audience.

Video Editor
Jarod Woodbury
Jarod graduated with B.A. in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts and a Minor in Video Game Studies. He has a passion for video production and editing, and is excited to join the CRAVE team on their seventh season. Just recently returning from a trip to Italy to document a folk dance festival, he is eager to be more involved with Italian culture and facilitate the sharing of unique stories with the use of digital media. Jarod can’t wait to help CRAVE’s social media platform give fans a bite-sized look at the wonderful people who make the show possible.




