Podcast from Italy: Ashley & Jason Bartner

The summer heat has arrived! A look back on the last month's hapennings from the Hunter's Summer Lunch with Gaggi where everyone is fair game for his antics. Lots of HOT local gossip from stolen cows to new road signs to nowhere and preparing for an upcoming fish lunch with the oldies crew! Thanks for listening!! #latavolamarche #podcastfromItaly #Italypodcast #Italianfestivals #lifeinItaly #expatlife

For the first time in a long time, I go back and read a chapter summary from the untitled, unfinished, unpublished book about our first year in Italy - I expand and tell the story of how we meet good ol' Dr. Gaggi! Plus we are starting to feel old with all this summer work - wood chipping, pool cleaning, power washing.... Spring is in full swing! Thanks for listening! Stay & cook with us in Italy - www.latavolamarche.com

Finishing up winter projects and starting spring ones - from sharpening knives to hauling manure, there's a little bit of everything to do before the first guests of the season arrive. As usual a classic Gaggi & Rossana story to lighten the mood, along with Jason's first attempt at Pastrami! Thanks for listening!

Our big Great Dane, Leroy had a medical emergency that turned into a House episode & has been a month and a half of vet trips. In between his appointments I went to the Boar Hunter's end of the season lunch which is always fun! (A video and post are coming on Instagram!) And this last weekend was Gaggi's birthday - which means there was a plethora of funny stories to share of the birthday boy! (there may just be a post for this too, definitely a video!) Our neighbor Pierangelo has been working on a stretch of our road - some spots better than others and has inspired Jason to chip in! Plus it's that time of year to start restocking the cantina with olive oil & we chat about what oils we like, when to use different ones and where they are from. Speaking of ordering things for the upcoming season of guests - we finally kick our crappy KitchenAid to curb, after a short bitch session we share a few details about our new Swedish mixer. Thanks for listening and we hope you can join us at our farm, inn and cooking school this year! www.latavolamarche.com #lifeinItaly #expatsinItaly #countryliving #homesteading #italianfestivals #italianfeasts #extravirginoliveoil #sentiremedia

We first do a recap of the holidays - from Christmas Eve's fish dinner to La Befana festival in our tiny neighboring village of Urbania. Boar hunting season is nearly over and we live right in the thick of it - find out what gifts the hunters left us this year! Finally after nearly 11 months of curing our lard is ready - find out how it turned out! And the latest water cooler talk from our valley - the wood harvesting has begun! Then we chat about Spain's new decision to have a 100% tax on properties purchased by non-EU citizens - could Italy be next?! #lifeinItaly #movetoItaly #expatsinItaly #expatpodcast #Italypodcast #Italyfestivals #Italianholidays #Italytravel

Finally a proper full episode - starting with a recap from a November to remember! We took our first road trip since getting dogs and visited the marble quarries above Cararra for an unforgettable private tour & then our thoughts on visiting: Lucca, Prato, Pisa and Padova! We chat about a few holiday favorites: mazzafegato & cotechino. And Jason is on a new donkey kick...! Happy Holidays and thanks for listening!! Buon Natale!

Welcome to another episode of New Life in Italy! I'm Samantha Wilson, and today, we’re diving deep into the power of chasing big dreams—especially the dream of moving to Italy and building a meaningful life here. In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Bartner, the co-founder of La Tavola Marche, an organic farm, inn, and cooking school tucked away in the stunning countryside of Le Marche. Ashley and her husband, Jason, took the plunge 17 years ago, leaving their fast-paced lives in New York to start fresh in rural Italy. They didn’t have all the answers—just a dream, a lot of courage, and a willingness to figure things out along the way. Ashley opens up about what it was really like to make such a big move, from learning the ropes of farming and hosting guests to teaching cooking classes and navigating life in Italy. She gets honest about the challenges too—like dealing with unexpected power outages in the middle of a Thanksgiving dinner for their neighbors—and how those moments helped them grow. One of my favorite parts of our chat is hearing Ashley talk about the mindset it takes to follow a dream, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. Her story is such a great reminder that the only person who needs to believe in your dream is you. We also dig into the realities of running an agriturismo—the hard work, the surprises, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. As we wrap up, I challenge you to think about your own dreams. What’s that one thing you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t taken the leap yet? Whether it’s moving to Italy, starting a new career, or stepping into something completely unknown, I hope this episode inspires you to take the first step. And don’t forget—if you’re serious about making Italy your new home, check out all the resources waiting for you at SmartMoveItaly.com. I’ve got guides, tips, and expert advice to make your move easier. Stick around until the end of the episode, too! I’ll be answering listener questions about energy ratings for properties, pet passports, and the process of applying for a Permesso di Soggiorno. So grab your espresso (or a glass of wine!), and let’s get inspired together. This is your New Life in Italy. Let’s make it happen! Resources: La Tavola Marche The Podcast From Italy Smart Move Italy Rate, Review, & Follow If you loved this episode and want to hear more, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move toward their new life in Italy and live the life they deserve. Tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes every week and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now! If you want to learn more about ways that my team and I can help you live your dream life in Italy, visit us at www.smartmoveitaly.com or send me an email! Until next time! Ci vediamo! Mentioned in this episode: Sentire Media Website...

An autumn episode of all of our favorite October happenings in our neck of the woods of Le Marche, Italy. Truffle season has begun along with each weekend another truffle festival! We took the guests to Sant'Angelo in Vado's festival to see and taste a gigantic frittata made with 600 eggs and 6 kilos of truffles! Then we were invited to the annual boar hunter's lunch which is always small town fun and especially since Gaggi joined us this year! An update on the garden and the saffron harvest is underway! Plus the countdown to closing for the season.... #lifeinItaly #Italianfestivals #truffles #trufflefestivals #expatsinItaly #Italy #travel

The air changed quickly and autumn has arrived, along with hunters of all sorts along our road - from mushrooms to hunting and tomorrow opens white truffles!! A short recap of September and a bit of history on the legendary Club dei Brutti - Ugly Club of Piobbico. And yes, we are both card carrying proud members! Thanks for listening!!

The height of summer is over but the heat is still strong! This short but jam packed episode is all about August - jarring tomatoes with ol' Dr. Gaggi and the usual shenanigans ensued + we packed a summer worth of festivals in the last 2 weeks: the Corn Races, Rally Drift Car Racing on Monte Nerone, a feast of Crostolo and today's the big Polenta feast in Piobbico! Thanks for listening!! And there are only a few spots left for our 4 night Truffle Hunting Holiday! OCTOBER 30-NOVEMER 3, 2024 NOVEMBER 6-10, 2024 Day 1 - Arrive to Welcome Prosecco Aperitivi, Followed by a Five Course Seasonal Feast paired with Superiore Wines from Le Marche ​Day 2 - Morning Truffle Hunt & Lesson on Cultivated Truffle Gardens with Light Lunch Afternoon: Four Course Dinner Party Cooking Class Day 3 - Market Tour, Tasting & Lunch Evening Italian Quiz Night, Aperitivi & Light Dinner or Visit the local Festivals Day 4- Morning free to explore, Afternoon Truffle Hunt - this one is off the trails, over the rivers and deep into the woods Evening - Aperitivi & Truffle Tasting at the White Truffle Festival Day 5 - Breakfast & Departure Includes: Get the details and RSVP: https://www.latavolamarche.com/truffle-hunting-holiday.html #lifeinItaly #expatsinItaly #Italianculture #Italianfestivals #summerinItaly #Italytravel #LeMarche #trufflehunting #italianfeasts #agriturismo #sustainabletravel #sustainableliving #tuscany

It's the dog days of summer, but here's an update on the garden and growing tomatoes 3 different ways and getting out & about as summer festival season kicks off! Then we discuss Italian kids and car seats or the lack there of!

A fan favorite segment is back - Bitchn' bout Bureaucracy! However, this time it's not about immigration but Italian property taxes. Plus we share our number one tip while making a reservation for a table! An update on the farm, a sand storm and latest with Leroy, plus we voted in the latest EU elections! Thanks for listening!! www.latavolamarche.com #latavolamarche #podcastfromItaly #italypodcast #lifeinItaly #italianculture #expatsinItaly #Italytravel #agriturismo #expatlife #expatentrepreneur

Newsflash: Jason broke the plow, right away! So we are calling this the transition year in the garden & we explain what that means and why. After an unsuccessful trip into the woods for mushroom with the guests, it reminds me that we get asked a lot why we didn't get truffle hunting dogs or if we are training our dogs - the answer is darker than you may think as to why we won't ever get a truffle hunting dog. Speaking of animals - I had the opportunity to ride a quarter horse when I accidentally spent a morning with a group of Italian cowboys! Then we talk slice of life - Italian funerals (and Gaggi misbehaving) and 1st communion parties, as well as an unorthodox visit to the doctor's 'office.' Thanks for listening!! www.latavolamarche.com #lifeinItaly #italy #italianculture #trufflehunting #expatsinItaly #expatlife #travel #italytravel #truffles #italianfestivals #italiancelebrations

In this short & sweet or as Jason called it 'quick & dirty' episode we reminice about our first trip to Italy 18 years ago for our honeymoon and a few of the highlights & low points! Leroy is becoming an international stud, literally! And we shout out listeners from across the globe in interesting locations. Thanks for listening!! Join our Truffle Hunting Holiday in October & November: https://www.latavolamarche.com/truffle-hunting-holiday.html #lifeinItaly #italy #italianculture #trufflehunting #expatsinItaly #expatlife #travel #italytravel #truffles #italianfestivals #italiancelebrations

An Easter episode and recap of Spring! Jason explains not only how to make Crescia or Pizza di Pasqua a savory peppery Easter bread, as well as making homemade ciccioli (think pork cracklings), plus he shares his thoughts on using spent sourdough starter. We put our old & new tractor to their first real test, hilarious stories from dinners with Gaggi & his wife Rossana, bidding on farm equipment and a flatbed dump truck at an online auction and then what happens when you 'win'?! Thanks for listening and Buona Pasqua! Ashley & Jason from La Tavola Marche (farm, inn and cooking school) in Le Marche, Italy New dates added for this summer: https://www.latavolamarche.com/calendar.html #Italy #Easter #lifeinItaly #homesteading #recipes #breadbaking #sustainableliving #sustainabletravel #agriturismo

#165 - Slaughtering our 1st pig, Carnevale Dolce & Boar Hunter's Lunch Kicking off a new season of the podcast with a whirlwind of activity in our valley! We slaughtered our first pig with the help of our neighbors and then took nearly a week to process it all to be either cured, eaten right away or into the freezer! The same week Jason took his driver's test and we were invited to a hearty lunch hosted by the boar hunters to celebrate the end of the season. We found out the hard way Italian's thoughts on puzzles, it's puzzling!! And of course winter dinners with Gaggi & Rossana a.k.a. our version of the Costanza's! And for any weather station fans - you can find us on www.wunderground.com search station id: ISANTA1503 Thanks so much for listening! #lifeinItaly #italy #italianculture #trufflehunting #expatsinItaly #expatlife #travel #italytravel #truffles #italianfestivals #italiancelebrations #homesteading

So much is talked about in this jam-packed episode! From buying a used tractor and figuring out the transportation to the logistics of slaughtering our pigs. In local life talk - we take the dogs to the blessing of the animals for Santo Antonio di Abate and Gaggi and Rossana pop over for an impromptu dinner. The winter party time is over and it's time to get back to work with projects before the first guests arrive ... Thanks for listening!

A little holiday recap and memories of La Befana and the living nativity scenes of years past. Jason shares a local boar sauce recipe after the hunters left us a nice little thank you gift! And we return with a listener favorite and name the winner of a 'major award'... Join us September 5-8 for the Polenta Feast & Ugly Club (Club dei Brutti) festival in Piobbico and get evaluated and inaugurated into the internationally famous Ugly Club! Thanks for listening!

We are finally back after a great season of guests with stories about the farm, animals, guests and of course Gaggi!

Spring is in full swing and we decided to procrastinate on a rainy evening & instead of working down our to-do list we recorded a new episode! We share crazy and funny wild life encounters at our farmhouse and along our road throughout the last 16 years! An update on our wifi (thanks to all that reached out with ideas!!), the garden, pigs and other projects. Plus we are now living that sweet warehouse life! Jason talks gelato now that we finally have a machine, he's busy recipe testing away!