Welcome to The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast! Each week, the host Ira Sternberg, talks with the celebrities, entertainers, writers, and personalities who make Las Vegas the most exciting city in the world!
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What happens when a $50 bet changes the course of your life? For comedian Shang Forbes, it happened when a friend challenged him to perform at an open-mic comedy night. Forbes took the bet, took the stage, won the $50—and discovered a career he never saw coming. This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira talks with Shang Forbes, who brings his distinctive, avant-garde and socio-political brand of comedy to the Laugh Factory at Horseshoe Las Vegas, August 24–30. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Shang graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with his sights originally set on becoming an ill
What happens when a kid growing up in a small Canadian town discovers rock ’n’ roll—and decides music will become his life? For multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer and performer Todd “Dammit” Kerns, that journey has taken him from discovering The Who and entering his punk-rock era to becoming the bassist and backing vocalist for Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, as well as front man for The Age of Electric. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Todd talks about growing up in Canada, playing hockey with his brothers, discovering the power of a bas
What does it take to turn a family burger concept into a growing restaurant brand? For Sammy Mounayyer, Co-Founder of Redhead Burger (at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas), the journey began long before the first burger was served. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Sammy shares the remarkable story of his family’s journey from Israel to America—including learning English on the flight to the United States while his mother taught him the ABCs—to building a successful burger business in Miami Beach and now expanding to Las Vegas. Sammy explains how location, foot traffic and qualit
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, R&B Pioneer Award winner, and original founding member of Sly & the Family Stone, Jerry Martini joins “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira” for a conversation celebrating one of the most influential bands in music history. Jerry, along with Phunne Stone and The Family Stone, will perform in Myron's at The Smith Center August 8, bringing the legendary music of Sly & the Family Stone to a new generation of fans. Jerry shares what has fueled his remarkable career for more than six decades and why he's determined to "bop till I drop." He reflects on growing up with Sly
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes three of Southern Nevada's foremost historians and preservation advocates to discuss relocating Howard Hughes' legendary Green House.
This week on "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ira welcomes Alan Snel, founder and publisher of LVSportsBiz.com, for an insightful conversation about the business of sports, transportation, and the rapid evolution of Las Vegas as a global sports destination. Alan discusses how Governor Joe Lombardo's widely publicized failure to come to a complete stop at a red light unexpectedly sparked a broader conversation about bicycle safety throughout Southern Nevada—a cause that is deeply personal to him after being struck by cars two different times, including a an incident four years ago. He explains
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes Dana June, founder of How 2 Cocktale and author of "How 2 Cocktale: A Money Manifesto for the Service Industry." After more than a decade as a cocktail waitress, Dana experienced a life-changing realization during the COVID shutdown: thousands of hardworking service industry professionals know how to earn money—but few have ever been taught how to keep it, grow it, or build lasting wealth.
What happens when a nationally recognized chef decides to leave the bright lights of television and build something extraordinary away from the Las Vegas Strip? This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes Chef Alex Reznik, ac-claimed chef, restaurateur, and the creative force behind SMKD BBQ and Hayworth in Henderson. Chef Alex shares his remarkable journey from growing up in New York to spending two decades building his culinary career in Los Angeles before bringing his passion to Southern Nevada. Along the way, he reveals why Las Vegas has become America's culinary capital, wh
Singer, pianist and composer Patrick Hogan, who will be performing with The Patrick Hogan Trio at Maxan Jazz June 21, shares the remarkable story of how his love affair with jazz began practically in the cradle, listening to Frank Sinatra’s iconic recording of “In The Wee Small Hours.” Patrick discusses the enduring appeal and poetic depth of the Great American Songbook and explains why its timeless themes continue to resonate across generations. He also reveals an unexpected ally in preserving classic music—TikTok—and how social media is introducing younger audiences to songs that have stood
Trumpet virtuoso Wayne Bergeron, one of the most respected and sought-after musicians in the world, joins Ira for an engaging conversation ahead of his appearance with the Jazz Vegas Orchestra in Myron’s at The Smith Center on June 17. In this fascinating episode, Wayne reveals the unexpected path that led him to the trumpet—even though it wasn’t his first instrument—and how a surprising act of vandalism helped shape his future. He discusses why he wasn’t a natural musician, his early desire to play in a rock band, and the influential band directors who helped guide his career. Wayne also shar
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes acclaimed vocalist Jonathan Karrant, who brings his celebrated tribute to legendary composer and songwriter Cole Porter to Myron's at The Smith Center on June 9. Jonathan reflects on his own journey from Ft. Smith, Arkansas to Manhattan, Los Angeles and ultimately Las Vegas, where he has become one of the city’s most respected interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Jonathan shares how, at a very young age, he fell in love with classic standards after discovering compilation albums by Ella Fitzgerald and Julie London, which introd
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Cathy Rich, daughter of legendary drummer Buddy Rich, along with Emmy Award-winning drummer Gregg Potter, as they bring The Buddy Rich Big Band Machine to Myron’s at The Smith Center on May 30. In this engaging conversation, Cathy and Gregg discuss Buddy Rich’s lasting legacy and Cathy’s promise to her father to keep his music alive for future generations. They talk about taking the band around the world, evolving from the original Buddy Rich Memorial Concerts featuring legendary guest drummers into a full-fledged touring road ba
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with comedian Bill Dawes, performing in The Laugh Factory at Horseshoe Las Vegas May 18–24. In this engaging episode, Bill shares how he made the leap from acting to stand-up comedy after growing frustrated with the lack of collaboration in acting roles and constantly hearing, “just say your lines.” Encouraged by a college friend to try an open mic, Bill admits he bombed badly the first time—but that experience sparked something bigger. He realized failure wasn’t fatal, and he became determined to improve. Bill reflects on more than 2
Chef-driven cuisine. Handmade sourdough. Italian tradition. Genuine hospitality. This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Monzú Italian Oven + Bar Chef Owner Gio Mauro for an inspiring conversation about food, family, craftsmanship, and purpose. Born in the United States, raised in Italy, and eventually returning to America, Gio Mauro shares how his international upbringing shaped his culinary identity and deep respect for food lineage. He explains the meaning behind the name “Monzú,” a historic term synon-ymous with “chef,” and why his philosophy centers around one pow
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Lahna Turner—comedian, writer, and co-director (with David Gantz) of the powerful documentary “Come What May,” chronicling the life of legendary comedian Ralphie May. It will screen, in partnership with The Laugh Factory, on May 7 at 7 p.m. at The Beverly Theater. Built from decades of never-before-seen archival footage, “Come What May” offers an unfiltered look at Ralphie’s meteoric rise following “Last Comic Standing,” his ability to sell out massive venues, and his enduring presence as a late-night favorite. But beyond the spo
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with jazz pianist, vocalist, and bandleader Danny Sinoff, performing at Vic’s May 1–2. With a style rooted in tradition and driven by storytelling, Danny is part of a new generation keeping the Great American Songbook alive—and swinging. In this engaging conversation, Danny shares insights into his upcoming album "Make Someone Happy," including his collaboration with Benny Benack III and working with three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. He talks about his early shift from classical music to jazz, influenced by le
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with actress and singer Ashley Loren, who brings her powerful voice and deeply personal story to Myron’s at The Smith Center April 25. Best known to theater lovers for her acclaimed run as Satine in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” Ashley's journey is anything but typical. Growing up in New Jersey, she jokes she preferred animals to people (even spending time at farm camp) and discovering that art—especially music—would become both her passion and her refuge. In this candid and inspiring conversation, Ashley shares how being diagnosed wit
This week, Ira welcomes Joe Mikulich, co-founder of EDO Hospitality, the restaurant group behind some of Las Vegas’ most talked-about dining destinations, including EDO Tapas, Anima by EDO, and Braseria by EDO. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Joe shares the story of how a Las Vegas native worked his way up from food runner to sommelier to restaurant entrepreneur, building a hospitality brand that celebrates bold flavors and adventurous dining. Joe explains what “EDO” really stands for—and why the concept resonates so deeply with people in the hospitality industry. He also t
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin, who performs April 11 at Myron’s at The Smith Center. In this engaging conversation, Jon reflects on a lifelong relationship with music that began at the piano as a child. Coming from a musical family—his father and grandfather were musicians—weekly lessons were simply part of growing up. Now a father himself, Jon shares why he won’t push music on his daughters, even though they already love the pi-ano. Jon also talks about the professor (Jonathan Brooks) who profoundly influenced his m
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with legendary Las Vegas bookmaker Art Manteris, author (with Matt Birkbeck) of "The Bookie." For more than four decades, Art helped shape the modern sportsbook while running operations at iconic Las Vegas properties including the Stardust, Caesars, and the Hilton. In this fascinating conversation, he shares why he decided to write "The Bookie" and reflects on a career spent at the center of one of Las Vegas’s most exciting—and closely watched—industries. Art talks about arriving in Las Vegas before he ever entered the race and sports
In this episode of "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ira sits down with comedian and actor Mike E. Winfield, headlining at the Laugh Factory at Horseshoe Las Vegas March 23–29. Mike talks about the story behind his “E.”, why so many people think they’re funny—but few are willing to take the stage—and what it really takes to succeed in stand-up comedy. He shares insights from his time on "America's Got Talent," including what audiences don’t see behind the scenes. The conversation also explores his journey from Baltimore to Hollywood, his passion for stand-up, and the importance of authenticity
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Roger Gros, editor-at-large of "Global Gaming Business" and host of three industry podcasts. Roger shares his unlikely journey into the gaming world—starting out as a musician before heading to Atlantic City to perform. That trip led him to a job dealing cards at Caesars Atlantic City, a move that eventually launched a decades-long career covering the casino industry as one of its most respected journalists. In this episode, Roger discusses how dramatically the media landscape has changed over the years and reveals the most surpr
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with veteran political journalist Jon Ralston, founder and CEO of The Nevada Independent and author of "The Game Changer: How Harry Reid Remade the Rules and Showed Democrats How to Fight." In a candid and fascinating conversation, Jon reflects on his complicated, sometimes turbulent relationship with legendary Nevada senator Harry Reid—a political powerhouse who rose from humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nevada to become one of the most in-fluential figures in Washington. Jon shares why he once doubted Reid could win a Senate seat—d
This week, Ira sits down with Patrick Lindsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, for a high-octane conversation about one of the city’s most electrifying weekends of the year. With the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube roaring into town March 15, along with the LiUNA NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race on March 14, Patrick shares what makes race weekend in Las Vegas unlike anywhere else. From his 20-year career in the golf world to re-learning the fast-paced culture of NASCAR, Patrick talks about the evolution of the sport, the massive and immersi
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes Nashville-based singer-songwriter Phillip-Michael Scales, performing at Myron’s at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on February 27 at 7 p.m. In this engaging conversation, Phillip-Michael opens up about the work ethic he describes as “born out of impatience”—a relentless inner drive that pushes him to keep creating, evolving, and refining his craft. Part methodical, part soulful storyteller, he shares how that balance shapes both his music and his career. From his blues-infused debut album Sinner-Songwriter to the vibrant bounc
