Podcast from Italy: Ashley & Jason Bartner (Ashley Bartner & Jason Bartner)

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!

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

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

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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...

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

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!!

#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

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!

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:

• 4
• nights accommodations at our farmhouse inn with your own spacious
• private apartment with ensuite bathroom & kitchen/living room
• breakfast daily
• 4 dinners + 2 lunches
• local Marche wine included in all meals
• 2 truffle hunts with expert guides
• guided market tour/tasting in Apecchio
• half day cooking class with custom handmade apron to take home
• quiz night with snacks & wine
• aperitivo & truffle tasting at the White Truffle Festival in Acqualagna.

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

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

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

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

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

After a little local gossip - we share our thoughts on fine Italian dining after a lunch at a Michellin Starred restaurant in Le Marche. Another chapter from the book: Porchetta Passion

Thanks for listening!

This is our longest podcast yet! We chat about the local summer festivals from the hill town of Piandimeleto to Senigallia along the Adriatic Coast and what festival food we love to order. Then we are out buying more wine from the vineyards and the latest updates from the garden. How many kilos of pasta did Jason make this week?! We address the question: Who is Doctor Gaggi…and is he really a doctor? Plus the word/phrase of the week: “Facciamo le corna”

Thanks for subscribing & leave a comment!!

Ashley & Jason

We woke to the first hard frost of the year after a light snow on Saturday. Jason shares his tips for menu planning and preparing your holiday feast! From brining the turkey to making the most of your equipment - plan ahead & you'll do great! We talk Italian politics from the new garbage bins to Renzi's reform. Happy Holidays & thanks for listening!