Buckle Up Podcast Universe with Brandon Rush & Mama Rush

From Sicily With Wisdom: Giovanni Sparta. The Sparta Family Italian Tale

• Brandon Rush • Season 4 • Episode 10

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Oggi nel Buckle Up Podcast Universe

Siamo onorati di dare nuovamente il benvenuto a Roberta Sparta—ma questa volta ha portato con sé qualcuno di davvero speciale: suo padre, Giovanni Sparta, in collegamento in diretta dall’Italia 🇮🇹

In questo episodio pieno di cuore, Giovanni ci racconta il suo incredibile percorso di vita—dall’infanzia in Sicilia, al servizio militare, fino alla costruzione di un’azienda di abbigliamento insieme a sua moglie. Tra risate, saggezza e racconti profondi, ci trasmette le lezioni di vita che lo hanno reso l’uomo che è oggi.

Roberta ha tradotto perfettamente dall’italiano all’inglese, aiutandoci a immergerci nelle esperienze di suo padre, e ha anche tradotto le mie parole (Brandon Rush) dall’inglese all’italiano per suo padre. È stato uno scambio bilingue bellissimo, pieno di connessione, comprensione e eredità familiare.

Giovanni è davvero una luce brillante—uno spirito che ci ricorda quanto siamo tutti collegati, ovunque siamo nati. Questo episodio è ricco di saggezza, calore e risate, e siamo davvero fortunati ad aver condiviso questo momento con lui. Ascoltatelo. Questo è speciale. 🌍❤️

Today on the Buckle Up Podcast Universe

We’re honored to welcome back Roberta Sparta—but this time, she brought someone very special: her father, Giovanni Sparta, joining us live from Italy 

In this heartfelt episode, Giovanni takes us on a journey through his incredible life—from growing up in Sicily, serving in the military, to building a clothing company alongside his wife. Through laughter, wisdom, and rich storytelling, he shares the life lessons that shaped him into the man he is today.

Roberta translated beautifully between Italian and English, helping us dive into her father’s experiences while also translating my words (Brandon Rush) back to Giovanni in Italian. It was a beautiful, bilingual exchange filled with connection, understanding, and family legacy.

Giovanni is truly a bright spirit—a light that reminds us how connected we all are, no matter where we come from. This episode is full of wisdom, warmth, and laughter, and we are truly blessed to have shared this moment with him.

Tune in. This one’s special. 


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“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”

Brandon Rush:

Drop it soon.

Roberta Sparta:

Go through the interview. URL, okay, this meeting is being recorded.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, you're good! Take your time.

Roberta Sparta:

What do I say? I cannot.

Brandon Rush:

Hey, mister, Mr. Sparta, how you doing, sir? Glad to have you on here today.

Roberta Sparta:

But do you see him? Cause I don't see him.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, I don't see your dad, either, but I hear him.

Roberta Sparta:

Papa!

Brandon Rush:

Oh, oh, I have to admit him. Hold a second, Roberta. Let's see here, hold on one second. I see 2. Roberto's on here. He just needs to turn on.

Roberta Sparta:

He's using my computer in Italy. So that's why he shows as me.

Brandon Rush:

Okay, he has to. He has to turn on his video. It looks like in his his video. He has to press the sound.

Roberta Sparta:

Lo devia priore! Otherwise I have to call him back. Hold on.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, you're good! I'm so glad you guys will be speaking in Italian. I'm so excited for it.

Roberta Sparta:

Let's see. I think I hang up the phone too soon, cause I I have him on on Whatsapp.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, yeah, no, you're good. You're.

Roberta Sparta:

No worries.

Brandon Rush:

How are you doing today.

Roberta Sparta:

I'm good. I'm good. I'm happy to. Why is he not.

Brandon Rush:

Sorry I'm happy to be home and getting a lot of you know, I had a lot of admin work left to do. Yeah, so.

Roberta Sparta:

I'm really glad like this weekend I get to to catch up.

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely.

Roberta Sparta:

Then overall. It's just good that I'm on a good kick of, like I'm doing, you know, just eating super clean, having.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

You know, stable routines. I I love not being on set for like 16 h every.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, yeah, like, I remember just having to like work out early early in the morning when I had the energy to and like work out before going to set, because I knew that if I didn't get it in, I just it was part of my routine. What do you mean?

Roberta Sparta:

I don't know what my dad is doing, because I know he can hear us here.

Brandon Rush:

Okay, it's all good. Yeah. He just needs to. If he, I'm gonna figure out how to do it. All he has to do is cut on the video button and the sound button.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, I I told them in Italian, but I don't think he I don't know why he's not answering his phone.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, okay, it's no worries. It's absolutely no worries at all.

Roberta Sparta:

So I think I have to now call reinforcement and call my mom.

Brandon Rush:

Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

That has to go next, because usually what happens like for some reason he's not. Oh, wait! He did it. Oh. Oh!

Brandon Rush:

Going.

Roberta Sparta:

Also. But if that's okay. See? Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. You are a new, animate animation. Give it, or try. Cool man. Avenue animation. Give it a try. Yes. Okay.

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely won't. Yes, sir, Mr. Sparta, it's so nice to meet you.

Roberta Sparta:

Ddc. Oh, privacy! He's clicking. I'll be.

Brandon Rush:

Like, what's that, Roberta.

Roberta Sparta:

Know that he's like cause. There's a lot of windows that are popping up.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, yeah, if he just scrolls to the side.

Roberta Sparta:

Okay. Like.

Brandon Rush:

Yes, sir.

Roberta Sparta:

Says he's very expensive, like Clint Hisfordiamos tai fermo. Do we say.

Brandon Rush:

And then let your dad know I worked with Clint Eastwood one time, too.

Roberta Sparta:

He's asking if you sell watches or buy watches because.

Brandon Rush:

I buy. Oh, this watch. Yeah, I buy watches. But I promise you, Mr. Sparta, the watches you have are way nicer, but I buy watches in New York.

Roberta Sparta:

He has no watches.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

No Barda. Also, yeah, la faca tua.

Brandon Rush:

Wow!

Roberta Sparta:

Wow!

Brandon Rush:

Raise it a little higher.

Roberta Sparta:

Well.

Brandon Rush:

That's super nice.

Roberta Sparta:

Oh, oh, boy!

Brandon Rush:

Stop. That's so amazing. Watch.

Roberta Sparta:

No, but it's it's. It's fake. That's what he's saying. It's fake.

Brandon Rush:

Hey? You know what? That's smarter, because these days they all look the same. It looks the part to me.

Roberta Sparta:

That's it. Thank you. Yeah.

Brandon Rush:

Well, please tell your dad, I said, thank you for him coming on today to the buckle up podcast. Universe with Brandon Rush. I didn't.

Roberta Sparta:

Not the Internet. He's asking if he has to buckle up.

Brandon Rush:

Yes.

Roberta Sparta:

Should he go to his car.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, my gosh! I I love that I.

Roberta Sparta:

Right Rondo, Gerando.

Brandon Rush:

Yes, sir.

Roberta Sparta:

Yes, sir, yes, Giovanni no, sir. Giovanni is his 1st name, so you can call him Giovanni.

Brandon Rush:

Okay. Okay. Giovanni.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, they do want.

Brandon Rush:

Okay, that sounds good. I'll do that. Let your dad know I'm from the South, so I usually say, Mr. Sparta. But I will call him Giovanni right.

Roberta Sparta:

Giovanni. No. As you wish, Brandon. He doesn't wanna change your habits.

Brandon Rush:

It's just. It's a sign of respect.

Roberta Sparta:

Then, now, if you want, give me you, boy, what better is this. Yes, sir.

Brandon Rush:

That sounds good. Well, Roberta.

Roberta Sparta:

No. 2 ways to. That he's he's saying that he's thankful that I'm like, basically the bridge that is like enabling the conversation.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, I'm I'm grateful as well. I'm I actually think it's beautiful because Italian is so beautiful. So I'm so glad that you 2 were able to. I'm so glad that we have that. I'm I'm glad that you're speaking Italian. I wanted that on here so that when we played.

Roberta Sparta:

You can ask your questions, Brent.

Brandon Rush:

Okay, so let your dad know it's all about him. I would love to know either. It's I would love to know about Sicily, but also about how he got started his company. So I would actually love to hear about his life in Sicily leading to him kind of like how we talked before Roberta, his start from growing up in Sicily, what that was like, and what and what got him to do like kind of his life. I would love to hear about his life.

Roberta Sparta:

Right. As fit. See? I spit on it, you know. rejects one of them. He says he has to focus because he would. He thought you would have Amanda fartimila la cristing mode cola mama. She's just. However, I'm entertaining through Pasado. He lived in Sicily for 25 years of his life.

Brandon Rush:

Amazing.

Roberta Sparta:

5 years. Yeah.

Brandon Rush:

Big family or small family.

Roberta Sparta:

I vivid una familia grande una familia picola. So he had mom, dad, an older brother. And then his grandma was.

Brandon Rush:

Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

With them too. Grandmother, no no.

Brandon Rush:

Yes, sir.

Roberta Sparta:

So he would talk. I don't know how to say that in English, but basically he would never say like he would never address his grandma on a you basis. It was always like, What is it like? 1st person? Plural, like? Very formal. So it was never, you know, like.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, yeah, it was he respect for his.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, yeah, exactly. Hmm. Okay. His was like in the 19 fifties. So like even like his dad would talk to, you know his.

Brandon Rush:

Mom respectfully.

Roberta Sparta:

Using? Yeah? Like, the person. Oh. Dava! The voice. Yeah got it. He's saying that they like his mom and dad came from a very, very small village on the water.

Brandon Rush:

Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

Was. He was born and raised like in a slightly bigger city, but so like they brought that very, you know, respectful culture like that that was also very typical of the time of the.

Brandon Rush:

Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, forties and fifties.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, wow!

Roberta Sparta:

In quatratro je los brilliano. See Mande. No. So basically, he was saying that he did like the full like a school program. Okay? Then, when it came to like again, I don't know what the equivalent would be in the American city.

Brandon Rush:

It's okay. Let me take a guess.

Roberta Sparta:

When he was like. Probably it's basically, I guess, like. whatever grade you're in like, 3 years before you go to University.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, yeah, that's high school.

Roberta Sparta:

He dropped out.

Brandon Rush:

Okay. Oh, wow! And just went straight into the workforce like,

Roberta Sparta:

I took on the sales. Nothing! No, it's not true. But oh, he didn't do it. Give me a visit. And that's what I'm gonna add it. You know. Cool. A lot. Elementary gymnasium, rico universida. Okay. So his, his older brother actually did. The full school program went to University degree. He became an accountant, so he did. He was like the the good kid. My dad was clearly.

Brandon Rush:

Cool.

Roberta Sparta:

And yeah.

Brandon Rush:

The black sheep, if you will.

Roberta Sparta:

De tutu. Test. I'm suggesting what you're talking. Oh! It's a little better. See. It is all available to pop up the La Mission problem. Hmm. I'm a factory. Better, real quick. like who we go. Okay? Oh, do repeat the real quick. No stamped. Esochesso. Oh, such. It's okay. So on that are pretty much. Do you go. Oh. the Chateau Koala! I fato per quanto tempo no refortoniente. Okay, for this. So basically so basically, so he was going to school. Thank you. See. So basically, he was going to school and like high school, and so like they called his dad in to have a 1, the teacher to have one with the dad. And so they said, Yeah, you know, he's doing okay. But he's kind of a little bit of a rebel, so I think we need to teach him a lesson. So they failed him that year, so he had to repeat the year.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

So I guess he didn't take it very well, like emotionally and psychologically. So he went back. He redid the year he passed, but then next year was the same thing like they failed him again. So they he has to redo another year. So at that point it was like a month out from school year school. And he said, No, that's it. I'm not going to go to school anymore. And so he stopped going to school, and he basically didn't have a job and was just kind of like partying. I we're like 6, 70.

Brandon Rush:

Well, so here's my question. That's that's awesome with now.

Roberta Sparta:

Living in the house with the parents. Still, it's like, so, yeah. But yeah.

Brandon Rush:

So? How.

Roberta Sparta:

7, 8, no, 6. 4, 7, 8. Oh! He joined the the army.

Brandon Rush:

You.

Roberta Sparta:

We just sit there, Andy. Yeah. So basically, he quit school when he was 17 and and then he went like, basically, after, like these years of partying. the first, st like thing that he did was joining the army because.

Brandon Rush:

Amazing.

Roberta Sparta:

Still was still mandatory, and he did it at 24. So there's like a 7 years gap of him like.

Brandon Rush:

Parting to being in it together.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, okay.

Brandon Rush:

Roberto, will you ask your dad for me? That's amazing. I'm glad he mentioned the military stuff. What was his? What was his position in the army, and what rank did he get to.

Roberta Sparta:

Krc. And then they said this was appreciable. Check it out already. No, you didn't see the. So basically, he said that he always remembers, like the 1st night that he spent in the army, because it was like this huge room with a bunch of bunk beds. Right? Yeah. Everybody is like in the.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

And then he like he cried a lot, because obviously it was like a big, you know, yeah, from from where he went. And so, and also like they move you around. So he started somewhere in like on the that would be the east coast of Italy. And then he got moved somewhere else because he was Oh. so I don't know. So basically, he was like training the new guys and I don't know how I.

Brandon Rush:

Would he be a drill? Your dad might have been a drill instructor if he was training new guys.

Roberta Sparta:

It's called I translated with Google, and it says it's a corporal.

Brandon Rush:

Okay, yeah, that's right. That's right.

Roberta Sparta:

That's that's what he was doing.

Brandon Rush:

Grandparents are military. So I come from a military family.

Roberta Sparta:

Les archito. People buy it if you don't see it. Yeah, my, and my grandpa was Basically, it's like the what's it called? Like the branch of the army that is more into. I don't know. This is, those are like technical. Those are like no.

Brandon Rush:

You could throw out a guess to me, and I might be able to tell.

Roberta Sparta:

It's basically it's a. It's an economical and financial branch of the police. So it's.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, he was military police pretty! Oh, finance! Oh, but so you.

Roberta Sparta:

Exactly. You don't have this. It's basically like. I guess the equivalent would be if if the Irs was an army, because what they do. They basically like check for violations of payment of taxes. And they like, you know, because in Italy we have a lot of people that used to make big transactions in cash. So it's like they're they're armed. But they're for the financial side.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, understandable.

Roberta Sparta:

Of. Yeah, it's kind of. And so that's what my grandpa did.

Brandon Rush:

And then your dad was a corporal. That's amazing. How many years did was he always in Italy the whole entire time, or did he? Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

So. No. I see. In universitari. That well, like in the time that he was not in the like before he joined the army. One of the things he got into that is still a passion of his as of today, because we also went to see the dodgers here. Baseball player for a.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, really.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, like, but not like. No, no.

Brandon Rush:

Professional, but still.

Roberta Sparta:

Because there wasn't such a thing back then. It was a it was a college league, and I guess he was a part of it, even though he wasn't in college. But he was.

Brandon Rush:

Wow!

Roberta Sparta:

Being with the college team, and they also played in Rome. Yeah. And I'll pull over the field photography. I see. That he also he also still has photos of like. I can try to give those.

Brandon Rush:

Please do let him know that my dad was a great baseball player, and ask him what his position was, and if he. if he was right-handed or left-handed.

Roberta Sparta:

Say. Right right handed. external, external center.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah. Yeah. I know he's talking about.

Roberta Sparta:

In a natural model. Mayor. How do you say it in English, Brandon, do you understand? What.

Brandon Rush:

So if he was external, that means he was probably an outfielder. It sounds like he probably.

Roberta Sparta:

Outfielder. Builder, yeah. Gee. so it's like 3 outfielders. Normally. Yeah, he was one of the outfielders. quindi co revi veloc. Not an. He said, no, he didn't run very fast.

Brandon Rush:

Okay. Well.

Roberta Sparta:

No speedy when you are in the amount in 1st first.st You said that? Yeah. the ones that needed the ones that needed the one that.

Brandon Rush:

Probably.

Roberta Sparta:

Run faster, like the one that go like for second base.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

Was outside, you know, for him it was more like catching than like rushing around.

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely. That's amazing. Your dad, your dad. I knew your dad was be interesting.

Roberta Sparta:

Because I was gonna you.

Brandon Rush:

What did he say?

Roberta Sparta:

know that. He says he has to teach you baseball, and and he's not even American because he's Italian. So baseball is not an Italian thing.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, okay. I know baseball. I know baseball very well, but I never played it myself because I was. I got hit in the face by a baseball when I was a kid, and that just killed it for me. I was just like after that I was too scared of the ball hit me in the face, so I didn't have the coordination.

Roberta Sparta:

Mayokata baseball. You know. Sorry one thought. So. You and the other one causing Fati. No, no, my manager think, is there, ma'am? I'm doing my job. You and Javo, I'll I'll respect you. Cool. Okay. Journey. Oh, she want to say that the moment Jennifer. So basically. So he said, a couple of things like one is that in baseball, because I told him about your injury like you should always have 2 hands ready to go, so like you cover yourself. And then he jumped back into the military, and he said that even though he was in the military. He didn't really change much, because he would never eat the food that it was given. He would go out every night because the food was not to his liking. Inside and on the base.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

Okay. no. You nokia part 2. Hmm. In fact. Laguardia in Cme. Tom. Lunano. So basically, he was saying that one night he got caught by like whoever was above him because he was not supposed to like go outside. And so then they talked, and my dad essentially told him I was like, listen, I I'm always.

Brandon Rush:

At the tables. When you guys.

Roberta Sparta:

Right. And I'm always with, you know my team like I'm there, I'm present. But I'm just not gonna eat because I don't feel like eating, because he was saying that in the 7 years before he was eating like one in the morning, 3.

Brandon Rush:

Oh!

Roberta Sparta:

The afternoon. So he wasn't really on a schedule. And so basically, he wanted to be able to just like. you know, do his own thing. And yeah, whenever wherever and so I think he got punished. So. Basically, I guess he was supposed to do like 6 days in like not. But you know. What I mean.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, he's punishment. He had to do.

Roberta Sparta:

Roberta. Query, store. Meantime maintain. Laguardia, Dinote. No. Okay. It was a fun. Hmm. Vato mire in. So basically the pot. The only punishment for him was to sleep in a different room that had a wooden bed.

Brandon Rush:

Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

Basically like the like where he was sleeping was.

Brandon Rush:

Bumpy stuff.

Roberta Sparta:

Right.

Brandon Rush:

More confident, the better.

Roberta Sparta:

And then in the morning, because, like I guess, the the captain or the person above him like recognizes the fact that he was like good at, you know, with the with the Newbies like teaching them what to do to do it like he was still doing like his normal. You know army duties, let's say, during the day he wasn't like punished, or, you know, anything was put on director. It's just that on the record. It's just that night he had to sleep in like a a worse bed. I think.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, yeah. Oh, wait Robert, let me do one thing. I'm gonna get my mom's phone. I have a thing that I think might be able to translate real time. I'm gonna try.

Roberta Sparta:

Sounds good.

Brandon Rush:

Give you one second. Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah. Tempora popula. If it cable.

Brandon Rush:

Okay, oops, Roberta, I'm back. It's gonna take a few minutes to load up.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, yeah, do your thing.

Brandon Rush:

Wait. But you're good, though. So your dad was good. How long did your dad end up serving? And then how did that get your. How did your dad's time in the military get him to where he? I believe you said your dad started his own business, or worked in business with like Was it close? What does your dad do?

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah. Yeah. So he stayed in He stayed in the military for 16 months. So it's like a little over a year. Then he left, and then after that he had a normal job, and then he met my mom and do the factory. Oh, what was your

Brandon Rush:

Okay, that's a couple things here. How did your dad go? From? What was his? I guess the job that he did. And then, meeting your mom and then getting into the factory. Kind of those steps up? Did he get work ethic in the military? Did that get him to change his like from party Guy to go translate everything from a text.

Roberta Sparta:

And Italian to American. Please. A user. He said. He went back home after the military, and he had to do something to do. See available due to my available to. Was trying. It was like 24, so he decided he had to like do something, and he also tried to. He wanted to go to London, and he actually forged his dad signature for the passport or something. But then I guess it didn't work.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, your dad's a tell your dad, I said. He's a rebel, and I love it.

Roberta Sparta:

Isa. Good person. I guess he just does things differently.

Brandon Rush:

Say that he thinks outside the box.

Roberta Sparta:

I. Good boy.

Brandon Rush:

I love that.

Roberta Sparta:

38. You know what? I mean. Class, yeah. And. And the other one has. Walter. Okay, listed up perfect, fundamentally regular la familia patriar. I don't know, Katsy. When a water responded, I will check the model, pop up no performance. Hmm. The Queen on. So basically, what he's saying is that although, like he like, it's true that, like, you know, he thinks outside the box, he feels like sometimes in life. thinking outside of the box, or doing things differently, I guess, at least, for you know his experience, and maybe being in in Italy, it's not like a good thing, because then it turns out that maybe the people that are not the most honest or the most like forward thinkers are the ones that actually like have, you know, positive results in in terms of like success in general.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

So. Know right? It's not easy to be, I guess, understood, I guess, especially, you know, in a let's say smaller country, or, you know, smaller like mentality.

Brandon Rush:

Tell your dad that I said that. I think that I think outside the box. And I think that you do, too, Roberta, and I think that that's been the reason that we both have been successful. But ask your dad his thinking outside the box, had he not thought outside the box. Does he think that he would be where he is today? Had he played it safe? And maybe because I think he.

Roberta Sparta:

Me too.

Brandon Rush:

Decision.

Roberta Sparta:

Right la finesse. The so the duty for me that he's here, you know. My brother, start with. Okay, thank you. Patura domanda specifica su ditel. Don't want the specific request. I think I've entered that having a persona. Oh no! Luis Addito Sorelda. No, no. Unfamiliar. Okay, that you scare me. No. Same. So basically, what he's saying is that it like, although he like he's a outside of the box thinker.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

Right that would like everything that he does or has done in his life. It may have been outside the box, and he thinks like if he wouldn't have been outside the box thinker like he wouldn't have married like my mom, for instance, you know, which is obviously also she's her own person, and he said, You know I wouldn't have come out, you know, and.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah. The way.

Roberta Sparta:

Right in a way. Then the way that they come out because it's like he says, you know, the apple never falls far.

Brandon Rush:

Far from the tree.

Roberta Sparta:

Right. And and so he's saying that, yeah, he's like, he's basically he's an outside of the box thinker. But he's like he's not a bad person like he doesn't want, you know, the rebel and the outside of.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, yeah, no, I guess I'm not, the rebel was just the saying. But I.

Roberta Sparta:

To tell each portion of the telephone oops. That he married my mom in a city hall in 1972. And I actually have the photo here in. I'd love to see these photos. Good to you.

Brandon Rush:

Well, your mother for him was your mom kind of like the person that helped him. I mean, like I guess his life as in like with them, starting their own business. Because it is he did start his own business right.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah. So re, rephrase your your question, Brendan.

Brandon Rush:

Does he feel that like his mom? Your mom is like his better half sometimes when you have, like the wife or the with who, with how he was your mom, was that person for him that was able to help him hone his skills into what made him like together as a team kind of like, so does he contribute her is basically saying like, Hey, she helped me everything that I was doing. She helped me put that together, I guess. Sorry. That's not. I think that's.

Roberta Sparta:

No, but I understand. I get what you mean. Good boy, he says. You know may record. Those say no. Hmm cool.

Brandon Rush:

You still like doing.

Roberta Sparta:

And huh! No finishing. No thanks for finding a meeting. See my little just being artistic, awesome. So basically what he. Said, see? Okay? So basically, he's saying that. oh, my God! Since 1971, obviously, he's only ever had my mom, and that maybe occasionally he would look at someone down the street, and he actually used the word ass but he goes like other than that is like for him, like he's very so, basically, I guess the point he's trying to stress is that even if he can be seen, as you know, a little bit of of a rebel. He's like a rebel, with very like strong values, and.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, absolutely.

Roberta Sparta:

You know, when he makes a choice a choice. He's very, very committed.

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely tell your dad I have the I tell your dad I like him a lot like he's very respectful. He kind of reminds me of myself, and I mean I you're excuse me like I want to say all this correctly.

Roberta Sparta:

Yes.

Brandon Rush:

How I am. It sounds like how your dad is, which is kind of crazy. I feel I feel like a kindred soul to your dad let him know that. Did I feel that I'm a lot of the ways that he is, but in a positive light, like.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, of course.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, tell him! Tell him that I understand. He doesn't have to worry. He's not painting a bad light or anything like that, like I understand that. But what was it for him that got him to, I guess. Oh, wow! Treat a little bit forwarder.

Roberta Sparta:

That's the canned phone.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, awesome! He he's got to be proud. Ask him for me. What made him decide to go into business for himself, for them to go into business for themselves. I guess.

Roberta Sparta:

Like meaning like the when they open the company.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, what made him like, hey, I'm gonna I'm gonna do. Because especially us these days, like, you know, we don't always necessarily want to work for somebody, but so for him at that time to be like, Hey, I'm going to go into business for myself. What made them think that? Because that's a that's a bold step, and that proves that he believed in himself.

Roberta Sparta:

Right ema completamente positiva poy fami finira di parlare queera aggiosa. Let me negotiate with the crutches. Is this? Because he was a little crazy? No, but now he's gonna no, no! Before opening the business he was working for this company that you see them here in like Long beach or whatnot like, you know, the huge tanks that have like oil in it.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

So he was due Brimney. Yeah. So we call them X-rays. But basically, back in the days was like a full analysis of all these tanks. Make sure that they were always safe and performing, you know, safely. So you he had a really good like corporate job, essentially in Italy, after you know, the.

Brandon Rush:

Army.

Roberta Sparta:

The military, yeah, and and so he went from that to the company. No final se tanta cuatro. Blah blah. Do you know, do you know. I think. The mentalita cuatro. Hmm. hmm. Yeah. Laura. Pretty much in part. 2. Okay. In see you. hey? To come to a no. It's understandable to watchable to Brava. Good job! A monicato! Is that an agreement or. So basically, he worked for the corporate job from 66 till 74.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, wow! Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

And the and in 72 is when they got married right in City Hall. But then they were living in Sicily because this corporate job, main headquarter, was.

Brandon Rush:

Just like.

Roberta Sparta:

That's how he got it, to begin with, like through, you know, friend of a friend that works there. And so they were living there. He was making plenty of money at the time, like, you know, nice apartment, nice house, everything. And then my mom got pregnant with my sister and so, and my uncle, his older brother. Was already living up north. So down there they were kind of like alone, because then, meanwhile he also had moved up the his mom and his dad. So they were there like alone. And so when when she got pregnant like, what are you guys doing down here? Because.

Brandon Rush:

Need, family.

Roberta Sparta:

His family was up there. My mom's family is from up there. So they were in the same town, because that's how they met to, you know. To begin with, he should tell you that story, because that's funny. And so they moved up. And so December 25th of 1973 is the 1st night that he slept in the house. He's still in right now, because.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, wow!

Roberta Sparta:

They bought that house, but it was like half. Then they like expanded and whatnot. Yeah, it was the.

Brandon Rush:

The.

Roberta Sparta:

First, st the 1st night.

Brandon Rush:

Holy smokes.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah.

Brandon Rush:

That's amazing. Yeah, there's 2 questions I want to ask Roberta, because I don't want to hold your dad too long. And I know you're probably tired, too, but they're both important questions. One. I do want to know how your dad met your mom. It'd be your decision how you want to do it. I do want to know how your dad met your mom, but also something important, I think, for you to hear, too, is. how does your dad feel seeing you now at Keynes Film Festival, seeing you in Star Wars, seeing the work that you've accomplished. How does that make your dad feel, seeing that you've gone out on your own. You've gone to America. You're in Keynes. I would love to know how your dad, just for him to tell about how he feels about that, because I know my dad was proud of me. That's 1 thing. So I would love to hear seeing you how your dad is seeing you do all this stuff accomplished woman like he's got to be proud.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah. And also, like I, I forgot to translate one thing when you, because you asked like how they got started with the business. That was the main question.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

He. Basically, they had my uncle, like as a backup, like helping financially, because he was very successful. But also he said that. like my dad saw my mom's talent. She's a really good like stylist like does.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, really.

Roberta Sparta:

So cause she went to school for it. And so my dad, always, you know, believed in her. And so it was also like a way to cause, so you wouldn't have to travel as much if the job was, you know, in.

Brandon Rush:

At home. Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

And so it was kind of. He said they did it like almost like 2 kids, not knowing right like.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, wow!

Roberta Sparta:

With with an idea, and then you'll see, you know. You'll see if it works. But.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

He says he always he always believed in her talent.

Brandon Rush:

I think that that's tell your dad that I think that that's incredible what they have done, because, like so many people are scared to take that leap right, and I know it must have been scary for them. But you know, to see here it is. That's 1973 or whatever. And now it is 2025 that they took. They bet on themselves and tell them like I when you 1st came on, Roberta, and I heard you talk about your dad and your mom. I respected them so much because I'm like, Hey, man, that sounds interesting. That's why I wanted to have them on here. Your mom's welcome to come on, too. But I find that that is so incredible, because so many people are scared to take that leap of faith. I know it must have been scary for them, and it's nice that support. So I respect that so much. And it just it gives me hope, you know, hopefully gives you hope, too. They're like, Hey, keep doing what you're doing. It's not going to happen overnight. It probably took them years.

Roberta Sparta:

Absolutely.

Brandon Rush:

But he believed in his wife, your mom, and he believed in himself. And then his brother believed in them too. It's always having that.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, yeah, it's okay. get to meet with. Why, Credito, nel la. Yeah. la Deutsche, Fred, is that the one Mama sevesa vertu boca? You know, Kami queredo. So so based. Maybe good old. Oh. no. If finally, since the Yankee same thing. okay, if you should have been upon the point. Team. Okay, yes, he! So basically, he was saying that when. So when they started right, he, my mom, that was technically her job. But it was not his job because he was going from like he didn't know anything about.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

You know, it's like completely different. And so he said that, and also how the 1st night that they, when they arrived in the house. The house was not up to park. Cold it was, and it was like really like almost like falling apart.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, wow!

Roberta Sparta:

And so like my mom cried all night, and my dad almost didn't wanna like, you know, offload the truck.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

Like so bad.

Brandon Rush:

That it was.

Roberta Sparta:

But you know they they did it, and they, you know they built it to the house that that it is today and And then he talked about when they started in the business that you know, they started from like scratch, because originally my mom, she was like designing they were making, and they were selling. So it was their own clothing line. Then they end up working more like, you know, business scale like for others, for, like the bigger brands, but saying that they had, like a table in the living room made of like plywood. And so there was, like my my sister, and a little like, you know, baby stroller, or whatever, and they were there with like rows of fabric, and that he would need to, because sometimes the fabric was so thick that he had, like some sort of like special like, I guess thumb support, or something to help him actually cut the fabric because.

Brandon Rush:

Okay. Wow.

Roberta Sparta:

So, you know, so tough to to cut. And so that. And he also said that when he quit his job the corporate job he had a lot of people saying, Hey, like, Are you crazy? This is a great job like stable. Why are you taking the risk? And so he said they like jumped in it almost like, without running like the financial aspect of it, like he left with his like, I guess would be the equivalent of 4 0, 1 K, that yeah. Related in the, you know, in the 6 years. Oh, whatever. And they just yeah, they just made it work. So.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

Improv.

Brandon Rush:

Roberta, if you would tell.

Roberta Sparta:

Your dad.

Brandon Rush:

Just for, sorry.

Roberta Sparta:

Once. Everybody will have them to do it. Okay. Yeah. Ribatta. Okay? Hmm. The Friday and. Team. Okay. The vista. A lot of jira. Very well, no. So okay. So. So. Another thing that, he said is that one of the things that, like he cherishes the most of you're in business is the relationship that he still has today with the former employees, because towards the end, like they had, they started with 5 people, and then they end up with 22. And so like right now they have. I think they have a Whatsapp group chat like they go out for pizza. So it's like the you know the the human.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, like.

Roberta Sparta:

Definitely, stay.

Brandon Rush:

Relationships, yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

And then he he told us the story of like, like, you know, going back to the kind of like unplanned situation that, like. At 1 point my mom ordered, like this gigantic ball of like wool.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

When it's untreated. It's just the ball. It's not, you know, even if you wear it. It's like it's a ball you have.

Brandon Rush:

Do, work.

Roberta Sparta:

And so they sent it to. There's like, I think, 4 or 5 steps, because you have to, like. you know, make it like in the shape of a fabric, and then you have to dye it, and then you have to like fix this and you can work it, and that is when he was using the you know, the the scissors and the special like thumb reinforcement.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

Got it because it was so thick and basically my mom made like, I think, 2 or 3 different models of jackets.

Brandon Rush:

Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

And and those were like they sold like crazy. And that was basically like their 1st you know, quote unquote hit when they were doing their own line. And they yeah, they they moved on to other stuff. But yeah, he just remembered the ball of wool, I guess. Episode.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, my gosh, dude, this is awesome! I'm I'm inspired. You're like your family is inspiring. Roberta.

Roberta Sparta:

Yes.

Brandon Rush:

No good you're gonna have to send me as many of these pictures as possible. But.

Roberta Sparta:

Will.

Brandon Rush:

Just let him know. Because our age demographic is from 13 all the way to like 65. Yeah, it's why this thing is so important to me is because I wanted to show people from all different ages, and we've had people from all different ages. The fact that you can accomplish your dreams at any level, or by seeing people where your dad is, you know. A little more seasoned he is. People can see that. Hey? Your dad is a person that was just like them, because I'm seeing how related. I'm seeing how I relate to your dad so much. and how your dad and your mom have gone from. Well, you see, like your mom had a ball together. But how that they can listen to your dad's story and look at us from being all over the world. Right? Yeah, how much we are all alike. I feel like I am so similar to your dad. You're similar to your dad as well, and your mom. And it's just the fact that we all have this. We all relate so much. Your dad's story is your dad's story is actually the American dream. But apparently it's also like the Italian with that. And then for him. even with the naysayers, your dad had naysayers people telling him your dad and your mom tell him, hey, man, you're crazy for going after this. My goal has always been to try and inspire people. And your dad's story is inspiring, because, even though those people are saying, Hey, you're crazy. He's like, you know what I'm going to believe in myself, and I'm going to believe in my wife. And we're going to make this happen, you know, sink or swim, even if we even if we lose, we're going to try. So just tell tell him how much respect I have for that, and how much I love that.

Roberta Sparta:

Tredici difare sera di inkora el semplosteso. Hmm. You say. My dad is saying that basically I am the result of like. I guess, like his like, like what you were saying, you know, like his his genes and stuff. But I'm implemented by the algorithm. And AI.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, yeah. your dad's funny man.

Roberta Sparta:

yeah, he basically because he basically thought that you were, gonna ask him questions to like, understand more about me. But I mean, that's I guess that's how he was like the approaching the interview. You know what I'm saying.

Brandon Rush:

Tell your dad I'm glad I threw him for a loop, but the one thing I did want him to do because he hasn't done. It was the thing that I was saying. How does he feel? I'll bring it down to this. How does he feel now? Knowing, as I said, like him. How does he feel seeing you? You know you've gone to canes him showing up the canes. How much? How did that make him feel him seeing you in Star Wars. Him, seeing that your daughter left your daughter, left Italy, moved over to America. He was probably scared, but.

Roberta Sparta:

So, yeah.

Brandon Rush:

But you came over here. You were at canes or cans. You've been in TV, like, how does that make your dad feel like he's got to be proud.

Roberta Sparta:

So to record it. Bundle option. Okay. do you. Oh. so of course you pay so, and do you do you? That's all, I think. Answer Dusforza. appointment manager, and so on, and all that we can do. Okay, so let me finish that on today. Okay, you let me get sad and all your fun in the. A spectacular. So basically, he said. so like, in 2,000, yeah, it was like 2,010 or something like that. Right, I mean, well, actually, before, because we we were the Academy, you know. 8 that you know I was. I was like going back and forth to Milan like I was doing my thing. And at the time I didn't really have a good relationship with with my dad. We we had a better relationship like down the line. and he he says that he told me something like along the lines of like, you know, if this is really what you want to do. You should take it to, you know, like on a bigger scale, because here the the possibilities are what the possibilities are. And then he says that that also like made him think that it was not that different from him. Forging is that signature, although it? This is also so that that's what he was saying that no matter what year like, the principles are the same right? But it's also. I guess, true that we have more technology. You know what I mean like. Imagine like, if you would have had to go to London like in the seventies. It's like.

Brandon Rush:

Would have been impossible like it.

Roberta Sparta:

Better, impossible.

Brandon Rush:

Hard.

Roberta Sparta:

You know, it's like, right now, like all the 3 of us are here talking. And it's like, you know, it's different. So basically what he was saying. Is that it? I guess you know like, because he also remembers, like all the the struggles that I had when you know when I came here because I was alone, and I never been to the States. So it was. Yeah, it was. And he made like as I think, as probably 1st passport in a long time back. Then, because he didn't know if he had to like, you know.

Brandon Rush:

Come see you. If he had to take care of somebody he was gonna take care of them.

Roberta Sparta:

Exactly.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, I think that is absolutely beautiful, like, clearly, your dad's proud, I can tell. He's proud. I think it's tell your dad that I think there's something beautiful that he said that because I know, as I said, my dad, I lost the cancer. But when it my dad, always my Dad was always there for me, and stuff like that, but I remember even I knew he was proud of me, but he said it one more time right before he passed away. So I think it's so special that your dad is here supporting his daughter, you know. Hey? He came on the show, expecting, you know.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Brandon Rush:

About you.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah.

Brandon Rush:

But he was smart telling my lab because when he buckled up, that's the reason I tell people to buckle up because I'm gonna take them on a journey, so let him know that I appreciate him coming on here today. I know it's late over there, so I don't want to take up too much of his time. But, if you wanted to tell the story I'll have him back. I would love to have him back if he wants to.

Roberta Sparta:

Okay. I'll tell him.

Brandon Rush:

If he wants to tell the story about his wife meeting his wife this time, he can do it this time, or.

Roberta Sparta:

Oh, yeah, you're gonna you're gonna love it. ultima cosa. Come on. So they met at a gas station.

Brandon Rush:

Really.

Roberta Sparta:

Oh, it starts. Yeah. so at the time it was working in Milan with a corporate job.

Brandon Rush:

Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

Every Friday night or Saturday morning, depending, he would go from Milan to the little hometown where my mom was from, which is like, essentially yeah. because now, my mom, because his parents were living there, and so he would go back during the weekend to bring his dirty laundry for us.

Brandon Rush:

I did the same thing in college with my grandparents, because my grandparents are down the street.

Roberta Sparta:

A verita.

Brandon Rush:

Yes, sir.

Roberta Sparta:

My mom.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, hey! Nice to meet you, Miss Florida!

Roberta Sparta:

Can I give me help? He says, nice to meet you.

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely tell her that we're gonna have to have her own.

Roberta Sparta:

Don't worry. She couldn't. Like he, my mom was thinking, noted. No? Well, I don't know if you.

Brandon Rush:

I can just tell by their like, back and forth the stories.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah. So basically. The. Gas, the gas station in Italy. They're owned by single families. So.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, really.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah, I don't know if you ever saw this like a gas station, and then there's a house, either on the.

Brandon Rush:

I've seen those in like, yeah. In the South. We have those in the South.

Roberta Sparta:

And and so my mom was hanging out, I guess, with, like the the girl owner of the family, or something. They were all together, and my dad was with his friend, and he saw my mom, who apparently was wearing a mini skirt and a black jacket. And so he, he basically had his friend because he was friend with the other girls, set up a double date.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, nice!

Roberta Sparta:

And so they went out to a club that was up and running till recently. But my mom was barely 18, and because they're 9 years apart.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, okay.

Roberta Sparta:

Mom was like a baby.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, that's right, though. Hey? Your dad was suave, man. I I like that. I hope I hope this, that his buddy must be his best friend. If you.

Roberta Sparta:

What they still are. And then he ended up marrying my mom's cousin.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, really.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, wow! So you you kept it in the family.

Roberta Sparta:

How many letters or something. Que salvatores posato la Cucina de la Mama. See. Yeah, he married my mom. Oh, my! Gosh!

Brandon Rush:

Tell you.

Roberta Sparta:

Andrew. I did 2 sitantuno. No food, aguando, or to relocate. Reba! Oh. Roberto, will you ask your dad, too? Was she like your dad, too? Saying 2 different things. So my dad. Oh, my God! Una vida danto Serena.

Brandon Rush:

Your mom says, No.

Roberta Sparta:

Because so my dad is saying that. So they went out. 1st day was a double day. Then my dad goes like, let's go out, one on one, and my mom said, Yes.

Brandon Rush:

Discrepancy of what happened.

Roberta Sparta:

So basically, he's saying that he was seeing other women. And my mom would chase him. And my mom is seeing what he was doing, and my mom is saying that she never did that, but right now turns out that when she was 18 and got the license, she went to a club looking for my dad.

Brandon Rush:

Okay.

Roberta Sparta:

It's gonna sound like it's a call.

Brandon Rush:

Oh, my!

Roberta Sparta:

Brandon.

Brandon Rush:

Yes, sir.

Roberta Sparta:

Now you go, university? Italian? Oh, yes, sir, Italian.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, I need to get my flight over. Yeah, it doesn't.

Roberta Sparta:

Afternoon, aero. From now? No, we speak only Italian.

Brandon Rush:

Yes, sir. CC.

Roberta Sparta:

See! Bravo!

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely well. Look, Robert, I'm going to hold him too long. But I said I would love for him to come back. You guys have been wonderful today, like, I know, it's late over there. Thank your dad. Thank your mom and thank you. This story has been absolutely beautiful. And I want to say one thing in closing. What words of advice would he have if he could go back and tell his 18 year old self anything close it.

Roberta Sparta:

Consiglio da esti. Diresti. Okay. He said he would tell himself to go to you to call. He he feels that he missed out with that.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah.

Roberta Sparta:

Okay, master, strongly. The very difficult question. He says that you know, cause it's like.

Brandon Rush:

It's okay. That's why I told him to buckle up.

Roberta Sparta:

Yeah. Checked. Well, it says the answers are difficult.

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely.

Roberta Sparta:

He's in there right now. He's not gonna sleep tonight because he's thinking too much.

Brandon Rush:

Okay. Well.

Roberta Sparta:

What I'm thinking.

Brandon Rush:

Much like Granci for coming on. I would love for it if he would come back in the future. I would absolutely love to have him on again if he wouldn't mind coming back.

Roberta Sparta:

Averti.

Brandon Rush:

And then tell my.

Roberta Sparta:

Thank you so much.

Brandon Rush:

For coming on today. He's been wonderful like this has been such a blessing for me. I am so glad that he came on here like my life is just. I feel like inspired. I can't. I had this beautiful feeling over my soul that your dad and you have brought here today. And it's from what the message that your dad delivered, it was good for my soul today. And it's gonna be great for our audience. So, Tom, I said, Thank you. Oh, yeah, absolutely. And thank you as well like I. He's been a blessing today. I I can't wait for my mom to hear this I have an app, so I'll be able to translate everything he's saying in real time.

Roberta Sparta:

Oh, great, awesome.

Brandon Rush:

But he's been wonderful, and I like I I like your dad a lot.

Roberta Sparta:

La sarebe Benedetto in Italiano, mana parastrana como que fortunato a da vera vuto cueste cueste duey. Next time he's gonna charge you.

Brandon Rush:

Okay, that sounds good. That sounds good. Well, look, you guys have a wonderful day, Roberta. Thank you. Thank your mom. And thank you. Guys like there's been a blessing. I I love it, and I guess next time I'll definitely I'll pay him, for that'd be good.

Roberta Sparta:

And I'll say, Oh, yeah. Time.

Brandon Rush:

As well cool.

Roberta Sparta:

And tomorrow Forza Cinder. Oh, I don't know if you watch tennis, because tomorrow there is Wimbledon final with the Italian tennis.

Brandon Rush:

Yeah, hey? I tell him I lighten the doll. I used to lighten the doll so.

Roberta Sparta:

Now it's a time for a change, he says.

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely well. Tell him I'll be rooting for the Italian guy. I will be Mari. I'll be.

Roberta Sparta:

Pronounce it.

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely, Gracie Dude. Thank you so much, sir. You have a wonderful night, and tell him to have a glass of wine before he goes to bed.

Roberta Sparta:

Adeto di farte unbiquere di vino. No no bill.

Brandon Rush:

No, he says he doesn't drink. You guys take care, Roberta, thank you so much. Thank you.

Roberta Sparta:

Hey! Brandon!

Brandon Rush:

Absolutely.

Roberta Sparta:

Bye. Bye, bye.