Discover Ira’s Everything Bagel, a blend of US arts and culture. Schmeared with podcasts rich in ideas worth spreading, as well as captivating stories.
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Noshing With Terry Chester Shulman – August 27, 2026 Author, Barrymore: The Spectacular, Tumultuous Life of America’s Prince of Players The Barrymore name is synonymous with Hollywood royalty—but long before Drew Barrymore became a household name, there was John Barrymore, one of the most brilliant and complicated actors in American theater and film history. In this episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” I talk with Terry Chester Shulman, author of the acclaimed John Barrymore biography, Barrymore: The Spectacular, Tumultuous Life of America’s Prince of Players published by the University Press
Noshing With Nir Peled – August 20, 2026 Author, Beyond 100%: Rebuilding Life After It Breaks This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Nir Peled, author of Beyond 100%: Rebuilding Life After It Breaks, talks about an extraordinary journey that began with a moment that changed everything. At 49, Nir was a successful Fortune 500 technology executive and former officer in an elite division of the IDF when he suddenly collapsed on the floor of his home office from a stroke. In an instant, he lost his speech, mobility and, in many ways, his sense of identity. What followed was a grueling journey of r
Noshing With The Goddess of Slots (aka Lorraine Bencivengo-Ziff) – August 13, 2026 What happens when a viral casino jackpot becomes the foundation for an entirely new career? This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira welcomes Lorraine Bencivengo-Ziff, better known as The Goddess of Slots, as well as an actress, entrepreneur, influencer and one of the gaming industry’s most recognizable personalities. Watch Full Podcast Video Lorraine shares the story behind her viral jackpot win at the Hard Rock in Florida and how a friend helped her recognize an unexpected opportunity within the world of slo
Noshing With Sharon Virts – August 6, 2026 Author, Bargains of Fate (part of The Fields of Honor series) This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira talks with Sharon Virts, author of Bargains of Fate, part of her acclaimed “Fields of Honor series.” Sharon shares her unexpected journey from entrepreneur to historical novelist, revealing how selling her business and moving into a historic, reportedly haunted home inspired her passion for writing. Watch Full Podcast Video She discusses the extensive research behind her novels, how she blends historical fact with compelling fiction, and why Bargai
Noshing With Debra Levine – July 30, 2026 Author, Jazzed, Jack Cole and Twentieth-Century American Dance This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” I sit down with dance critic and author Debra Levine to explore the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Jack Cole, the groundbreaking choreographer widely regarded as the father of theatrical jazz dance. Her acclaimed book, Jazzed: Jack Cole and Twentieth-Century American Dance, uncovers the fascinating story of the visionary whose influence transformed Broadway, Hollywood, and generations of performers. Watch Full Podcast Video Debra shares her own
Noshing With Anderson Boyd – July 23, 2026 Author, The Lease of Nature This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with award-winning writer, director, producer, and editor Anderson “Drew” Boyd, author of the riveting new techno-thriller The Lease of Nature. Watch Full Podcast Video What happens when one of medicine’s greatest breakthroughs becomes the world’s most dangerous commodity? Anderson’s gripping novel imagines a near future in which 3-D printed human hearts revolutionize transplant medicine—only to collide with the brutal realities of the international black-market organ tra
This week on “Ira's Everything Bagel,” Ira welcomes award-winning writer and social epidemiologist Dan Werb, author of "Our Wild Familiars: How Animals Are Adapting to Cities and Reshaping the Natural World" for a captivating conversation about the surprising ways wildlife has learned to thrive alongside us.
On this episode of “Ira's Everything Bagel,” I sit down with journalist, author, publisher, activist, and entrepreneur Fons Burger, author of "The Only Possible Solution: How to Shape the Future for Our Next Generations." Drawing on years of research and conversations with leading thinkers from around the world, Fons presents an ambitious—but surprisingly practical—vision for creating a more sustainable, equitable, and hopeful future.
Noshing With Dave Reminick – July 2, 2026 Creator, Fun Intended What happens when an award-winning composer stops writing for adults and starts creating music for kids? According to Dave Reminick, the answer is freedom, imagination, and a whole lot of fun. Watch Full Podcast Video This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with award-winning composer, educator, musician, and children’s recording artist Dave Reminick—better known by his playful alter ego, DadJoke—to discuss his delightfully unconventional debut family album, Fun Intended: Weird Music for Weird Kids. Dave shares how th
Noshing With Dr. Peter Grinspoon Author, Aging Well with Cannabis: Feel Better, Sleep Better, and Live Better with Marijuana and CBD Can cannabis help people age better? What are the real benefits—and the real risks? And why do so many misconceptions about marijuana still persist? Watch Full Podcast Video This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Dr. Peter Grinspoon, physician, educator, and author of Aging Well with Cannabis: Feel Better, Sleep Better, and Live Better with Marijuana and CBD. As the son of legendary cannabis advocate Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Peter grew up with a u
Noshing With Lena Fein – June 18, 2026 Author, Shattering the Mirror: One Woman’s Journey of Healing This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira welcomes Lena Fein, author of Shattering the Mirror: One Woman’s Journey of Healing, for a moving conversation about surviving childhood abuse, confronting painful family truths, and discovering the transformative power of forgiveness. Watch Full Podcast Video Lena shares what inspired her to write her memoir and how her father’s death became the catalyst for finally telling her story. She discusses growing up with a mother who emotionally and physical
Noshing With Ron Rubin – June 11, 2026 Author, Gold in Your Backyard: Lessons in Life, Leadership and the Power of a Dream What if the greatest treasure in your life isn’t money, but the wisdom, relationships, and dreams waiting to be discovered right in your own backyard? Watch Full Podcast Video Ron Rubin, author of Gold in Your Backyard: Lessons in Life, Leadership and the Power of a Dream, joins Ira for an inspiring conversation about success, leadership, mentorship, and living a life of purpose. In this episode of Ira’s Everything Bagel, Ron shares why making money alone is never enough,
Noshing With Samuel Garza Bernstein – June 4, 2026 Author, Roddy McDowall: An Actor’s Life — From “How Green Was My Valley” to “Lassie” to “Planet of the Apes” What happens when a lifelong admirer gains access to decades of never-before-explored archives? The result is a fascinating look at one of Hollywood’s most beloved and enduring stars. This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with author Samuel Garza Bernstein to discuss his acclaimed biography, “Roddy McDowall: An Actor’s Life — From ‘How Green Was My Valley’ to ‘Lassie’ to ‘Planet of the Apes.’” Samuel reveals how an agent’
Noshing With Richard Curtis – May 28, 2026 Author, Digital Inc.: From Print To E-Book, Inside The Transformation Of The Book Industry This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel, “Ira sits down with Richard Curtis — literary agent, publishing authority, passionate advocate for writers, and author of Digital Inc.: From Print To E-Book, Inside The Transformation Of The Book Industry. Watch Full Podcast Video In this fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, Richard shares why he decided to write what may be the first comprehensive book detailing the publishing industry’s dramatic transition from print
Noshing With Michael Issac Shokrian – May 21, 2026 Author, American Playground Editor, The Thieving Magpie This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Michael Issac Shokrian, author of the acclaimed novel American Playground and editor of The Thieving Magpie. In this engaging and deeply personal conversation, Michael shares his remarkable journey from immigrating to Los Angeles in the 1970s to discovering a lifelong love of literature, eventually pursuing law school in his 30s while balancing the responsibilities of family life and then a full-time legal career. Watch Full Podcas
Noshing With William Bernhardt – May 14, 2026 Author, The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice and an American Icon This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with William Bernhardt, author of The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice and an American Icon, for a fascinating conversation about the hidden history behind one of the world’s most recognizable superheroes. Watch Full Podcast Video For generations, Superman has represented hope, morality, and the triumph of good over evil. But behind the iconic cape lies a decades-long battle over ownership, recognition, and just
Joshua Lifrak, author, “Win Today: Six Steps to Mental Resilience, Peak Performance, and a Thriving Life,” What separates high performers from everyone else? According to Joshua Lifrak, it’s not just talent—it’s mindset. Watch Full Podcast Video This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Joshua Lifrak, author of “Win Today: Six Steps to Mental Resilience, Peak Performance, and a Thriving Life,” to unpack the powerful psychology behind success—and why winning the moment right in front of you is the ultimate game-changer. Drawing from his background in sports, Joshua explains how
Simon Rogers, Author, What We Ask Google: A Surprisingly Hopeful History of Humankind What do billions of Google searches reveal about who we really are? This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Simon Rogers, author of What We Ask Google: A Surprisingly Hopeful History of Humankind, for a fascinating and unexpectedly uplifting conversation about the stories hidden inside the world’s largest dataset—our searches. Watch Full Podcast Video Simon shares how Google Trends became a powerful lens into human behavior, capturing everything from life’s smallest moments (“how to boil an
Noshing With Phyllis Karas, Author, Curse of the Blumenthals This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with New York Times bestselling author Phyllis Karas to explore the powerful and deeply personal story behind her book, Curse of the Blumenthals. Watch Full Podcast Video Wearing the title “cousin” as a badge of honor, Phyllis shares why she felt compelled—after years of waiting—to finally confront her family’s past. What began as a personal journey evolved into a four-year investigation involving genealogists, librarians, family letters, and long-buried photographs. At the heart o
“Chance on Love” Singer-songwriter Brett Hellings joins Ira for a lively and insightful conversation about music, creativity, and the power of taking risks. Watch Full Podcast Video In this episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Brett discusses why he chose to remain an independent artist and why the freedom of the indie path has been such an incredible experience for him. He shares how technology has empowered artists to create and release music on their own terms—and why he encourages fellow musicians to “go find yourself” creatively. The conversation also dives into Brett’s energetic party an
CHARLIE SCHEIDT’S BOOK ON TRAUMA AND LEGACY A box of forgotten letters. A family history waiting decades to be uncovered. This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Charlie Scheidt, co-author (with Kat Rohrer) of Inheritance: Love, Loss, and the Legacy of the Holocaust, for a deeply personal conversation about family memory, trauma, and the responsibility of telling difficult stories. Watch Full Podcast Video Charlie recounts the moment in 1988 when his mother revealed the existence of a trove of family papers and letters written by relatives fleeing Nazi persecution during the
On this episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with thriller author and national security insider Chad Boudreaux, whose latest novel, Mob Justice, pulls readers deep into the evolving world of organized crime. Watch Full Podcast Video Chad discusses how he manages to write gripping thrillers despite a demanding career, and how his first novel, Scavenger Hunt, launched a series that blends authentic national security insights with fast-paced storytelling. Although Mob Justice is a sequel, Chad explains why it works perfectly as a stand-alone novel. The conversation explores how the
Kevin Hazzard, author, No One’s Coming: The Rogue Heroes Our Government Turns to When There’s Nowhere Else to Turn What happens when a deadly virus meets a ticking clock—and no clear plan? Watch Full Podcast Video This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with author and former paramedic Kevin Hazzard to unpack the gripping true story behind No One’s Coming: The Rogue Heroes Our Government Turns to When There’s Nowhere Else to Turn. At the center: the 2014 Ebola outbreak, one of the most terrifying public health crises in modern history, and a daring rescue mission that pushed the l
Noshing With Zack Rogow, Author, The Kama Sutra for Senior Citizens and Other Poems on Aging This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with poet, playwright, and educator Zack Rogow, author of The Kama Sutra for Senior Citizens and Other Poems on Aging—a candid, funny, and deeply human exploration of love and intimacy later in life. Watch Full Podcast Video Zack opens up about an unexpected chapter: being single at 66—and what came next. From revisiting The Kama Sutra with fresh eyes to embarking on 75 first dates, he shares how connection, vulnerability, and even physical pleasure
Author, Racing Against Time: On Ironman, Ultramarathons, and the Quest for Transformation in Mid-Life What if “later” suddenly became “now”? Watch Full Podcast Video On this episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Jeffrey Weiss, author of Racing Against Time: On Ironman, Ultramarathons, and the Quest for Transformation in Mid-Life, for a powerful conversation about aging, endurance, and the courage to reinvent yourself. Jeffrey didn’t begin his athletic journey as a lifelong competitor. He ran his first 10K at 48. What started as a simple health goal turned into marathons, two
