All Things Croatia

All Things Croatia

by Stanko Zovak

Entrepreneurship Places & Travel

Season 3

Croatian Rowing's TWIN Sisters!

On this episode of the All Things Croatia Podcast, twin sisters Ivana and Josipa Jurković join to talk about their rowing success and their bid for the upcoming Summer Olympics! Ivana was Miss Sport Croatia in 2018, and both her and Josipa are in the Croatian Army Reserves. Stay tuned to hear about their bid for the Olympics, the advantages of being twins, and their favorite Croatian food! Check out the All Things Croatia book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C59GDM2B?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420 - https://www.instagram.com/ivanaajurkovic/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/josipa.jurkovic_/?hl=en

Season 2

The Journey to International Success for Katica Rakuljić!

On this episode of the All Things Croatia podcast is guest Katica Rakuljić, a model and TV presenter from Split. Though she moved to Sweden at a young age, Katica stayed very connected to her Croatian identity through traditions like kolo dancing at the local Croatian club, cheering for the Croatian football team, and visiting her homeland often. Katica competed in Miss Universe Croatia in 2011, winning first runner up and catching the eye of the industry, launching her international modeling career. Since then, she has lived and modeled all over the world but still feels at home when she's in Croatia. Most recently, Katica covered the Cannes Film Festival as a TV presenter and walked the red carpet as a model. Tune in to hear the full interview!Katica's Instagram-All Things Croatia: The Book!

She's Only 17 and a EUROPEAN CHAMPION Boxer...

On this episode of the All Things Croatia podcast is 17-year-old Croatian boxer and model Mariela Šteko. She recently won gold at the junior European Boxing Championships, now having twice been junior European champion. Born in Munich to Croatian parents from Tomislavgrad, Herzegovina, Mariela started in kickboxing before switching to boxing and choosing to represent Croatia. She discusses her boxing style and career highlights and also enjoys modeling in Germany and playing piano. Tune it to hear why Mariela chose to represent Croatia in boxing is a proud member of her local Croatian community. https://www.instagram.com/marielasteko/ All interviews are available with video on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@allthingscroatia?si=vAgz9QIlIpzrLhGM

The Man Who Brought Grunge to Australia and Festivals to Croatia!

On this episode of the All Things Croatia Podcast is Steve Pavlovic, known as Pav. Pav is a Croatian-Australian music entrepreneur and from booking some of the biggest bands in the 90’s, to starting his own record label, to putting on festivals in Croatia, he’s done it all. “For a fair bit of the 1990s, Steve Pavlovic was the coolest guy in Australia. Pav had the home phone numbers of everyone on the cutting edge, from Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl to Beastie Boys and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth.” Pav talks about his Croatian roots and connecting with fellow Croat and Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic after bringing Nirvana on their first tour to Australia. He also talks about starting his own record label and signing bands including Tame Impala and Wolfmother. Stay tuned to hear about the festivals on a Croatian island he used to put on as well as how he’s currently enjoying his time on the island of Vis!- https://www.instagram.com/this_is_unpopular/

Olympic-Style Games for the Croatian Diaspora!

On this episode of the All Things Croatia podcast we have Katica Nikić and Caroline Spivak who represented Team Canada in the Croatian World Games, or Crolympics, which is an Olympics style competition for the Croatian diaspora. The goal of the Games is connecting young Croats from all over the world through sports and cultural gatherings, and to encourage them to cultivate their Croatian identity. Caroline is the coordinator for Canada and Katica played on the basketball team. Tune in to hear about the incredible week of games that took place in Zagreb and learn how you can participate for the next Croatian World Games! - https://hsi-cwg.com/ http://www.croatianwomensnetwork.org/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYFNYuCOieN28MbjxFp6wBg

Pat Miletich Talks Croatian Heritage and MMA!

Our special guest in this episode of the All Things Croatia podcast is Pat ‘The Croatian Sensation’ Miletich. Pat is a decorated ex-MMA fighter who was a multiple time UFC champion often thought of as one of the first true mixed martial artists and was even inducted into the Hall of Fame. Pat tells us about his Croatian heritage including the story of how his infamous nickname came about as we dive into his fighting career. He also explains why he had so much success as a trainer and coach after retirement and tells us what other projects he’s currently working on. Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear the whole episode!- https://www.instagram.com/pjmiletich/?hl=en

Talking with Mia Dimšić about Music, Eurovision, and the Croatian Diaspora!

On this episode of the All Things Croatia podcast we have special guest Mia Dimšić, a Croatian singer/songwriter who had the honor of representing Croatia in Eurovision 2022! Mia is a very popular artist who has written songs that top the charts and is planning new releases as well as upcoming tour dates. In this episode we talk about how she got her musical start performing for the Croatian diaspora in North America, the importance of being open to making connections, and the behind the scenes of Eurovision. Stay tuned to hear her palačinke recommendation and her experience with the Los Angeles Croatian community! - https://miadimsic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/miadimsic/hl=en https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJGaS62_KzlgAukkfHLVHRA https://open.spotify.com/artist/5OMMsMMYPBG3HvYrzq3rq4

The First Croatian Woman in the UFC Ivana Petrović!

On this episode of the All Things Croatia podcast is special guest Ivana Petrović, a mixed martial artist who just became the first Croatian woman in the UFC! From Mostar BiH, Ivana talks about why she wanted to become a fighter and how she would watch the legendary Mirko CroCop with her dad as a kid. She tells us how she felt signing a deal with the UFC as she prepares for her first fight on July 1st. Stay tuned as Ivana tells us her favorite Croatian food and what makes Croatia so special! https://www.instagram.com/ivana_mma/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQJdWwmklaVWbNoro4MIDQ - Check out the book I wrote about moving to Croatia! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C59GDM2B?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

This Children's Book Takes Place in Croatia!

On this week’s episode we have special guest Jessica Julian author of Ebby the Magnificent. Ebby the Magnificent is a children’s book that takes place in Croatia and Jessica talks about the influence behind it as well as why she wanted it printed in Croatia. Jessica explains her connection to Croatia where she lives half of the year with her husband who was born near Rijeka and moved with his family to the U.S. when he was a baby. Stay tuned for Jessica’s story about a historical gulaš cooking competition and why Croatia is so beautiful! Check out the All Things Croatia book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C59GDM2B?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420 - Jessica's website: www.JWJulian.com Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/JWJulianBooks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.w.Julian.com Amazon Author page at: https://www.amazon.com/author/j.w.julian Email: ebbyandjessica@gmail.com

Meri Abbado: Female Bodybuilding and Croatia!

On this episode of the All Things Croatia Podcast we have special guest Meri Abbado. Growing up in Split and eventually moving to the U.S. Meri is an accomplished body builder and the only Croatian IFBB Master Bikini in the world, as well as the Master Bikini World Champion 2022 and will be competing at the Master Olympia this summer. In this episode Meri talks about her childhood in Croatia as well as why female bodybuilding is misunderstood by the general public. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/meri.abbado.fitandfab?mibextid=ZbWKwL Instagram http://www.instagram.com/ifbbpro_meri.abbado IFBB Pro League https://instagram.com/ifbb_pro_league Master Olympia https://instagram.com/mastersolympiaofficial - A book I wrote about moving to Croatia is available for pre-order! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C59GDM2B?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

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