Ira's Everything Bagel

This week, Ira spoke with award-winning writer Brittany Means, author of "Hell If We Don’t Change Our Ways: A Memoir." In this memoiric episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Brittany talks about growing up while on the run with her mother away from an abusive boyfriend; breaking out of the cycle of trauma; learning how to heal as an adult; when she realized writing could affect people; how she adju...

This week, Ira spoke with veteran radio producer, documentarian and co-founder of Premiere Radio Networks, Louise Palanker, cohost (with Fritz Coleman) of “Media Path Podcast.” In this documentary episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Louise talks about the inner workings of hosting a podcast; her radio background (transitioning from television); when she first met her cohost, broadcaster Fritz Col...

This week, Ira spoke with Jeffrey Meshel, author of "Trust Is A Double-Edged Sword: Trust Me." In this trustworthy episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Jeffrey talks about the personal and business relationship that fell apart and resulted in this book; why he wants us all to be much more aware than we are; why trust in this country is at an all-time low; how trust is at the core of our lives; why...

This week, Ira spoke with David and Susan Schwartz, authors of "The Joy of Costco: A Treasure Hunt from A to Z." In this low-price but quality episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” David and Susan talk about why they decided to write the book as a couple; Costco’s business model; strategies for buying holiday merchandise and food there; the importance of the culture of the company; and how their bo...

This week, Ira spoke with Alex Gambal, author of "Climbing the Vines in Burgundy: How an American Came to Own a Legendary Vineyard in France." In this fermented episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Alex talks about why he decided to write this book, which is both a family memoir and an accessible, detailed look at the worlds of gastronomy and enology; how he learned “winespeak” very quickly; the “...

This week, Ira spoke with Lisa Bronner, author of "Soap and Soul: A Practical Guide to Minding Your Home, Your Body, and Your Spirit with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps." In this clean episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Lisa talks about her special memories of her grandfather; her circuitous road to working for the family company; what sets her new book (available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes a...

Author,  Unwilling to Quit, The Long Unwinding of American involvement in Vietnam This week, Ira Sternberg, host of Ira’s Everything Bagel Podcast, welcomes David Prentice, the acclaimed author of Unwilling to Quit: The Long Unwinding of American Involvement in Vietnam (published by University Press of Kentucky). In this escalating episode, David Prentice discusses his journey in writin...

This week, Ira spoke with Emmy-nominated show-business veteran, longtime host, writer, producer and personality Shelley Herman, author of "My Peacock Tale: Secrets Of An NBC Page." In this Hollywood episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Shelley talks about why the book is a love letter to her fellow pages; the unique time and place of working at NBC Burbank in the 70’s; why Harry Chapin is her hero...

This week, Ira spoke with Chris Yogerst, author of "The Warner Brothers (published by University Press of Kentucky)." In this golden-age episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Chris talks about why Harry Warner (rather than Jack) was the business and ideological backbone of the studio; why the company made very few “escapist” movies; the surprising things he discovered about the brothers; the “casti...

New Documentary, “Joke Man” This week, Ira spoke with  Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling , whose new IKA Collective documentary, “ Joke Man ,” is now available on Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play,  and Vudu Fandango, as well as other platforms. In this documented episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Jackie talks about his unusual career path; how the documentary was produced; wh...

This week, Ira spoke with Gail Marie, a writer of custom crossword and word search puzzles for individuals, couples, groups, businesses and corporations. In this across-and-down episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Gail talks about how she started as a cruciverbalist (a designer or aficionado of crossword puzzles); why she went from working for a cable company to creating puzzles on a full-time ba...

This week, host Ira Sternberg spoke with Richard Vague, author of The Paradox of Debt: A New Path to Prosperity . A Compelling Reason: richard vague bio Richard Vague is a managing partner at Gabriel Investments, an early-stage venture capital firm. Previously, he served as the Secretary of Banking and Securities for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In this captivating episode of “Ira’s Everythin...

This week, Ira spoke with Fritz Coleman, cohost (with Louise Palanker) of “Media Path Podcast.” In this weathered episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Fritz talks about he became a weather reporter for Channel 4 in Los Angeles more than 40 years ago after being “discovered” at the Comedy Store; how he maintained and prospered in both comedy and broadcasting; why he felt he left broadcasting at the...

This week, Ira spoke with Michael Laser, author of "Eulogy." In this novel episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Michael talks about his life as a writer and when he discovered he wanted that life; how his new fiction book borrows elements from his father; how he disciplines himself to write each day; why fiction is his choice for writing; and how he mixes the solo part of writing with the social p...

This week, Ira spoke with Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, author of "Love in the Time of Corona." In this contagious episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Rabbi Akselrad talks about the impact of the virus on his congregation and his decision to write a sermon each week about it (of which 100 turned into this book); why he believes his book has a message about both the time of Corona and simultaneously is...

Author,  Spike Unleashed: The Wonder Dog Returns: As told to Bill Boggs This week on Ira’s Everything Bagel Podcast , host Ira Sternberg delves into a lively conversation with the Emmy Award-winning TV talk show host, producer, and writer Bill Boggs . Known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary, Bill Boggs brings his unique brand of absurdist humor to the forefront in his latest n...

Author,  Art and Social Interaction This week, Ira spoke with Judith Peck, author of  Art and Social Interaction . In this artistic episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Judith talks about her career as an sculptor, artist, and professor; combining creativity with discipline; embracing life; why her book connects students with prisoners and others who are can benefit from art; why the pro...

Author,  The Price of Perfect This week, Ira spoke with William Anderson , author of  The Price of Perfect . In this frank episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” William talks about why he decided to write about the “racial divide” as a novelist rather than as a non-fiction writer; why he wrote about being frank on both sides of the equation; why he was warned off about writing the book after s...

This week, Ira spoke with Al Olson, author of "A History of the American Renaissance Festival. Where Have all the Hippies gone?" In this costumed episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Al talks about his history with renaissance festivals, going back decades; why they are popular and how they are totally inclusive; why they have become more corporate; why he wrote the book; and who are the important...

This week, Ira spoke with Sarah van Loon, Chicago Regional Director for the American Jewish Committee (AJC) about Jewish American Heritage Month. In this tribal episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Sarah talks about the contributions of Jews to America; combating antisemitism; her personal conversion to Judaism; the diversity of Jews in all walks of life; Jewish joy; and why Jewish American Herita...

This week, Ira spoke with Vicki Cody, author of "Army Wife" and "Fly Safe." In this spousal episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Vicki talks about the stresses and strains and joys of being a military wife; why she decided to write books about her family’s experiences through the years; her best advice to military couples and families; why she wrote the books in a way that everyone could get somet...

Author,  Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century This week, Ira spoke with Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, author of  Judaism Disrupted : A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century  (published by Ben Yehuda Press). In this Judaic episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Michael talks about how he believes Judaism has a lot to offer in making use of the precious gift that...

Author,  Painful Joy: A Holocaust Family Memoir This week, Ira spoke with Max Friedman , author of  Painful Joy: A Holocaust Family Memoir  (published by Amsterdam Publishers). In this revealing episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Max talks about his history growing up with his parents, who were Holocaust survivors; why he distanced himself from their experiences; how his grandson...

This week, Ira spoke with Grant Sinclair, author (along with Bonnie Sinclair) of "USA RV ADVENTURES." In this vagabond episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Grant talks about how he and Bonnie shared an interest in traveling, which is a great test of a relationship; how they gave up using a tent and decided on an RV (it’s called getting older); why the couple decided to write a guidebook; his favor...

Director,  Only in Theaters This week, Ira spoke with Raphael Sbarge , director of  Only in Theaters , a documentary about a family business and the future of cinema. In this screened episode of Ira’s Everything Bagel, Raphael talks about the fourth-generation Laemmle family (going back to the origins of Hollywood) and its challenges as an independent theater operator; why we have lost touch...