The Good Italian Girl

"I was determined not to simply be a good Italian girl.

I was secretly dreaming big. Far bigger than what good Australian-Italian girls were expected to. I wanted to have it all - travel the world, have a successful career and tick off everything on my bucket list. Plus, I'd get married, raise a big Italian family, and achieve all that other stuff I was pre-programmed to do. And no one was going to stop me!"

The Good Italian Girl contains the journey of Claudia Callisto, told through her proud Australian-Italian eyes. Claudia shares her experiences of growing up in an Italian family, both the highs and lows, as she struggled to find her own identity due to the unwritten cultural rules she often felt pressured to follow.

After taking the leap from feeling stuck to re-energised, Claudia has emerged as a woman on a mission with new insights to share with her ethnic soul sisters, Giussas and mothers of the world! Claudia also discusses the positive cultural experiences instilled during her childhood that she believes will give today's new generation of tech-minded children a sense of belonging.

Through her personal stories, humour, and practical resources, Claudia shows the way to other ethnic women who are struggling to find their passion and live life on their terms. In these pages, you'll also discover bonus material that will inspire you to:
Find your passion, and share your innate abilities with the world

• Connect with others and live life the way you have envisioned it
• Live a life free of guilt and obligations that is equally fulfilling for yourself and your children
• Embrace your dreams and become your authentic self

ANTHOLOGIA
A Collection of Stories by Women

An expansive collection from a stellar line-up of twenty-two women, written with verve and clear insight.

Powerful, tender and intimate, Anthologia is engaging and emotionally resonant.

The Good Italian Girl & Friends.

Stories, Coffee, Culture

Based on her bestselling book, ‘The Good Italian Girl’, Claudia Callisto gathers fellow
daughters of Italian immigrant parents for an Italian style coffee catch-up, sharing heartfelt and humorous stories of their life growing up between two cultures.

Each episode feels like sitting around the kitchen table, laughing at cultural quirks, reflecting on challenges and celebrating the joys and struggles of growing up in a multicultural world. From hilarious highs to relatable lows, Claudia and her guests explore how their culture has shaped them into strong resilient and fabulous ethnic women.

Born in Adelaide to Italian immigrant parents, Claudia is an Amazon International Bestselling Author whose work inspires readers and listeners to embrace their cultural roots, traditions and identity – while making space to live life on their own terms.

A champion of multi-generational storytelling, Claudia creates spaces where voices are heard. She doesn’t just share her own story - she invites others into a circle of shared experiences, fostering connections, understanding and celebration of culture. 

Claudia Callisto is an Italian-Australian cultural storyteller preserving the untold stories of migrant daughters, womanhood, grief, identity and the generation caught between two worlds.

Her Fringe show is based on her bestselling book "The Good Italian Girl" Claudia Callisto presents a culturally orientated comedy performance infused with 80s music on the battles ethnic females faced with their immigrant parents to...

Live and Love the Italian Way is a Photography Exhibition that captures the essence of being Italian and the Italian way of life both in Italy and Adelaide.

This exhibition of 25 unique photographs is the work of John Callisto who passed away unexpectedly in 2022 at the age of 53.

This exhibition champions John’s passion for photography which commenced at the age of 16 when his parents bought him his first Pentax professional film camera. It also celebrates John’s love of

Italian heritage, culture and people and highlights some of his work taken in Puglia during his photography educational trip, as well as during other holidays to Italy, and at home in Rostrevor.

John was the third child of Italian immigrant parents from Molinara (Provincia di Benevento, Campania). John was born and lived his entire life in Rostrevor and was a proud son, husband, father, brother, cousin and great friend to many within his local community and beyond.

When people pass away you usually remember the person that they were, their passions in life and how they made you feel. It is hoped that when people remember John and his photography, they smile and see the Italian beauty and the heart and soul of people he saw through the end of his camera lens.

The photography exhibition is curated by his wife Claudia Callisto.

Shining Light promotes the message of gratitude, positivity and resilience through the offering of a range of gratitude journals and affirmation cards and motivational products & gifts for adults, youth and children.

Our mantra is to show gratitude, be kind to yourself and others and accept yourself just the way you are.