The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast | a podcast by Ira Sternberg

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 Yo...

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 timele...

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 va...

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...

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...

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 a...

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...

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 M...

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," inc...

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 (e...

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 hos...

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. N...

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 B...

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...

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 c...

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...

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 weeke...

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 r...

This week, Ira sits down with Gerry McCambridge, better known as The Mentalist, now performing at the V Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas. What started as a three-week contract turned into one of the longest-running mentalism shows in Las Vegas history. In this revealing episode, Gerry explains exactly why the show works — and why every performance is completely u...

This week on "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ira sits down with comedian Jonathan Kite, who brings his sharp wit and high-energy stand-up to Chinita’s Venue in Henderson on February 19 at 7 PM. Born and raised in Skokie, Illinois, Jonathan traces his creative roots back to childhood—when his father introduced him to classic films that sparked a lifelong love of storytelling. From the vibrant Chic...

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with internationally ac-claimed comedian Tom Rhodes, now performing at the Comedy Cellar at the Rio through February 8 (and The Laugh Factory at the Horseshoe, March 2-8) Tom traces his comedy origin story back to age 11, when his father took him to see his uncle perform stand-up—an experience that lit a spark that never went out. From th...

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Alan Snel, founder and writer of LVSportsBiz.com, the insider source tracking how sports, business, and politics collide in Southern Nevada. Alan takes us inside the controversial world of public-private partnerships, where taxpayer funding helps build private sports palaces — and sparks big questions about priorities. Should public...

Las Vegas wasn’t just a stop on Johnny Carson’s itinerary — it was his second home. This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Mark Malkoff, co-author (with David Ritz) of "Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend," for a fascinating deep dive into Carson’s unique and lasting bond with Las Vegas. Drawing from hundreds of interviews...

Photo by Uriel Moreno Grammy, Latin Grammy, and Juno Award–winning Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter Alex Cuba brings his signature blend of Latin soul, pop, jazz, and heartfelt storytelling to Myron’s at The Smith Center on January 16 at 7 p.m., and he joins Ira for a revealing conversation on this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira.” Born in Cuba and shaped in Canada, Alex opens up about w...

Ira sits down with powerhouse vocalist and performer Syndee Winters, currently starring in “Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne: The Makings of a Lady” in Myron’s at The Smith Center on January 10. Syndee shares her unique and deeply personal journey—from growing up in Queens as a first-generation American with Chinese-Jamaican roots, to discovering jazz through reg-gae, thanks to an uncle with a reco...