#209 – Rita Gigante

Mafia Boss’ Daughter On Healing After A Life Of Secrets And Lies

Rita Gigante grew up in a world swirling with secrets, lies, and multiple sins. Her father, notorious Mafia boss Vincent “the Chin” Gigante, was the leader of the Genovese crime clan and the head of all five New York crime families for decades. But until she was 16, she was kept in the dark about his underworld activities.

She unknowingly hung out at mob headquarters and witnessed her dad’s whispered meetings around the dinner table, but only knew what she was told by her mother and siblings about his odd behavior: Dad’s sick. Keep your mouth shut. Don’t talk about the family. Living with the family secret–and other shocking betrayals she was to uncover, then instructed to conceal–plunged Rita into emotional and physical turmoil for years.

Then there was the blockbuster secret she herself kept hidden away: As the youngest girl in an old-fashioned, devout Catholic family, how could she confess to the unforgiving Godfather that she was a lesbian? They were all going to hell, she figured unless she could find a way to embrace the truth and find redemption.

Today Rita Gigante is a gifted and sought-after Intuitive Psychic, Medium, and Healer. She uses the knowledge acquired through life experiences and studying with renowned teachers such as Eamonn Downey and Jinny Johnson, Rita also uses her skills to be a prolific Author, Speaker & Teacher.

Tune in To Learn About:

A Mafia Princess’s Secrets: Tune in to learn about Rita Gigante’s extraordinary upbringing in a world filled with Mafia secrets and her father’s notorious criminal activities as the head of the Genovese crime clan.

The Weight of the Family Secret: Discover how Rita’s life was shrouded in secrecy, and how her family’s Mafia ties had a profound impact on her emotional and physical well-being, keeping her in turmoil for years.

A Personal Struggle for Acceptance: Explore the inner conflict and hidden truth Rita carried as the youngest member of a devout Catholic family, as she grappled with her identity as a lesbian and the fear of condemnation.

Embracing the Truth: Follow Rita’s journey as she sought redemption by confronting her true self, finding acceptance, and breaking free from the constraints of secrecy and societal expectations.

From Secrecy to Healing: Learn about Rita’s transformation into a gifted Intuitive Psychic, Medium, and Healer. Discover how her life experiences and teachings have shaped her into a prolific Author, Speaker, and Teacher, helping others on their own journeys.

To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.

Connect with Rita

Book | The Godfather’s Daughter

Instagram | @ritagigantepsychic

Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?

Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.

Already in recovery, find an online support community.

About The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast

Welcome to The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast, ranked in the top 10% of podcasts and one of Wired Magazine’s Best Podcasts of 2023.

We are a community of recovering people who have overcome the odds and made monumental life changes. We don’t shy away from the nitty gritty – we like to laugh, give inspiration and remind you there is hope. Come join us no matter where you are on your recovery journey. Together, we have the courage to change!

The host, Ashley Loeb Blassingame has been clean and sober for 17 years, she’s a drug and alcohol counselor, interventionist, and the co-founder of a telehealth company called Lionrock Recovery that provides online substance use disorder treatment and Lionrock.life, a worldwide peer-support recovery community and experience connection with people who’ve been there.

Join our worldwide peer-support recovery community and experience connection with people who’ve been there and use code WELCOME50 at checkout for 50% off your first month of unlimited peer support.

Subscribe and Review The Courage to Change

Have you had a chance to subscribe to the podcast? If you haven’t, we’d encourage to you to so that so you don’t miss an episode.

Subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Subscribe in Spotify

For extra bonus points and our endless appreciation, please take a moment to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts here. To do so, scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is.