Hosts Sara, Jessica, & Michelle talk about the Italian economy being downgraded, Wikipedia Italia’s blackout, & an award-winning Italian chef working for McDonald’s. Then we speak with special guest Mike Duncan, the host of the History of Rome podcast, about his podcast & his love of Roman history. Eye on Italy News Stories: Spain and Italy Hit by Downgrades Wikipedia Italia Blackout in Protest of Proposed Wiretapping Law; EOI podcast with Livia Iacolare about freedom of the press in Italy Italy’s Top Chef Lands a Job at McDonald’s Permanent Museum to Open at Rome’s Airport Special Guest Mike Duncan was born and raised outside of Seattle and has a degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Western Washington University. He is married with two pets and began writing the History of Rome podcast on a whim in July of 2007. He has been chained to his computer ever since. The History of Rome lives at thehistoryofrome.typepad.com and The Official History of Rome Roman History Tour lives at historyofrometour.com. Fans of the podcast have created their own Facebook fan page: The History Of Rome Podcast Listeners. Eye on Italy Angolo d’Italiano: storia both history & story (love story) Eye on Italy Picks of the Week: Michelle: Past guest and friend of the podcast Mark Leslie, author of Beyond the Pasta‘s Pumpkin Ricotta Pie – also congrats for appearance on Today Show (video below) for Columbus Day. Jessica: iPhone/iPad app, Umbria Slow: Food, Culture & Travel [by EOI alums Rebecca Winke & Alex Leviton] Deal of the Week: New York-Rome from $640 round-trip starting in November See the WhyGo Italy travel deals page for the latest travel deals Video of the week:  Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy