Ira's Everything Bagel

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 the Holocaust. For decades, the documents sat largely untouched as he grappled with their emotional weight. Everything changed during a 2009 trip to Frankfurt, when Charlie realized the time had come to confront the past—not only for his own family, but for future generations. In this episode, Charlie discusses: The powerful first-person letters written by refugees escaping Nazi Europe Why many survivor families avoided talking about the past His surprising collaboration with filmmaker Kat Rohrer—whose grandfather had been a committed Nazi Their research trips beginning in 2016 to uncover missing pieces of family history The emotional challenges of confronting generational trauma How different branches of his family coped with exile and identity The reactions of relatives when he began writing the book And what he hopes readers will ultimately take away from these stories Charlie also reflects on growing up in a tight-knit German-Jewish refugee community in New York and leading Roland Foods—the company founded by his parents—for nearly five decades before dedicating his time to supporting refugee advocacy and humanitarian causes. This is a moving conversation about memory, resilience, and why preserving personal histories matters now more than ever. <b>(Also Watch Full Podcast Video)</b> ABOUT CHARLIE: Charlie Scheidt was born in New York City to parents who had escaped Nazi-occupied Europe. Growing up in a close-knit, German-Jewish refugee community, Charlie witnessed firsthand the traumatic effects of persecution and exile. Following his father’s untimely death, Charlie stepped in to lead Roland Foods, the business his parents had founded, honoring their legacy and growing it into the leading imported specialty food company. After nearly five decades as CEO, Charlie retired and turned his focus to supporting universities and NGOs that advocate for refugee rights. He and his wife split their time between New York City and Upstate New York, spending as much time as they can with their children and grandchildren. Charlie Scheidt Instagram Charlie Scheidt LinkedIn Charlie Scheidt Facebook Watch the full Podcast Video

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 modern mob has evolved from the days of Al Capone into something far more sophisticated—more corporate, more strategic, and still very dangerous. One of the novel’s central themes is the tension between the old-school mob culture and a new generation that operates more like savvy business executives than street-level gangsters. Chad also reveals how his characters developed while writing. His protagonist, Blake Hudson—a lawyer working for the United States Department of Justice—is suddenly thrust into the dangerous world of organized crime. Meanwhile, Enzo Renzi emerges as a complex mob insider with an Ivy League intellect and a conscience buried beneath loyalty to the organization. The episode also explores how the legendary “The Godfather” series influenced real-life gangsters, the surprising ways characters can sometimes take control of a story, and the delicate balance between real-life legal insight and editorial storytelling demands. Chad’s path to writing thrillers is anything but conventional. Those experiences profoundly shaped his worldview—and now fuel the authenticity of his thrillers. In this engaging conversation, he shares how real-world security challenges, moral dilemmas, and the idea of protagonists who are always “honest and brave” influence the stories he tells. The result is fiction that feels startlingly real—and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how power, loyalty, and justice collide in both government and the underworld. ABOUT CHAD: Chad Boudreaux, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, is a Washington insider hired by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) the night before the September 11, 2001, attacks—launching him immediately into Counterterrorism work that earned him high accolades at an early age. His success at the DOJ carried him to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where his role as deputy chief of staff allowed him to work directly with the head of DHS, advising on significant policy, operational, and legal issues facing the department. He is currently the chief legal officer of a publicly traded, Fortune 300 company and America’s largest military shipbuilder. Boudreaux leverages his unique, high-level experience in global security matters and his extensive legal expertise to craft breathtaking, insider stories of mystery and intrigue that are ripped from today’s headlines and sure to shock his readers. This is his third novel following, Scavenger Hunt and Homecoming Queen. He lives in Virginia. Chad Boudreaux    Website Chad Boudreaux    Facebook Chad Boudreaux    Instagram Chad Boudreaux    YouTube Watch the full Podcast Video

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 limits of science, aviation, and human courage. Kevin shares why his fascination with high-risk, high-stakes situations drew him to this story—and how a small, unconventional company called Phoenix Air became the world’s last line of defense. From the development of groundbreaking containment technology to the intense opposition surrounding the mission, this episode explores the razor-thin line between saving lives and risking a wider outbreak. You’ll hear how fear and hysteria spread just as quickly as the virus itself, why even U.S. states like Maine reacted with alarm, and how a robust public health infrastructure ultimately played a critical role. At its core, this is a story about ordinary people stepping up in extraordinary circumstances—facing danger head-on when the world needed them most. ABOUT KEVIN: Kevin Hazzard is a journalist, TV writer, and former paramedic. He is the author of American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics (Hachette Books 2022). His first book, A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic’s Wild Ride to the Edge and Back, was published by Scribner in 2016. He now writes for film/TV, with work produced by Hulu, CBS, ABC and Universal. His freelance journalism has been published at 99% Invisible, the Atavist, Men’s Journal, Creative Loafing, Atlanta Magazine, and elsewhere. He is also a sought-after voice on emergency medicine. He lives in Atlanta. Kevin Hazzard          Website Kevin Hazzard          Instagram Watch the full Podcast Video

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 remain essential at any age. The conversation dives into the emotional core of his work—why intimacy is really about connection, not just chemistry—and how readers have embraced his poems as nothing short of “Viagra for the soul.” Zack also pulls back the curtain on his creative process, describing poetry as “waiting for lightning to strike,” and reflects on the eight-year journey to complete this book. Along the way, he talks about finding love again, taking leaps of faith, and why his partner—now his toughest critic—keeps him honest. It’s a warm, witty, and wise conversation about aging, art, and the enduring depth of human feeling. As Zack says, poetry reminds us just how much we’re capable of. ABOUT ZACK: Zack Rogow is the author, editor or translator of more than 20 books and plays. Nominated three times for the Pushcart Prize for Poetry, his previous nine collections of poetry include “Irreverent Litanies, “Talking with the Radio: poems inspired by jazz and popular music,” and “The Number Before Infinity.” His memoir, Hugging My Father’s Ghost, was released in 2024. Zack’s co-authored play, “Colette Uncensored,” had its first staged reading at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and later ran in London, Indonesia, Catalonia, San Francisco, and Portland. His blog, “Advice for Writers,” features more than 300 posts. He has received the PEN/Book-of-the-Month Club Translation Prize, the Northern California Book Reviewers Award in Translation, and the Celestine Award for Poetry. He also edited the anthology The Face of Poetry (University of California Press). Zack Rogow               Website Zack Rogow               X Zack Rogow               LinkedIn                     Watch the full Podcast Video

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 finishes at Ironman Arizona, and a 72-mile ultramarathon — all after most people start talking about slowing down. In this personal conversation, Jeffrey shares: How his father’s passing shifted his mindset from “someday” to “now” The Vince Lombardi quote that fuels his discipline Why it’s a marathon, not a sprint — in sports and in life The truth about willpower (it only lasts about a month) Why “baby steps” matter more than heroic bursts of motivation How to fight the resistance of the mind Why exercise creates optimism — not just muscle The question he keeps asking himself: “Why am I doing this?” How endurance keeps him energized and relevant in the workforce And what kind of life he wants to be living at this age This isn’t just about racing. It’s about choosing your path. Taking ownership of your health. And deciding — intentionally — how you want to live the years ahead. Because maybe the real race isn’t against other competitors. Maybe it’s against time. ABOUT JEFFREY: Jeffrey Weiss is a successful business executive, an accomplished author of three books, and a two-time Ironman and an ultramarathoner. Racing Against Time: On Ironman, Ultramarathons, and the Quest for Transformation in Mid-Lifetells of his midlife adventures in extreme sports, including finishes at Ironman Arizona (twice) and the 72-mile ultramarathon Midnight Express between the ages of 57 and 61.  He is also the co-author of I Am My Brother’s Keeper which chronicles the American and Canadian volunteers who served in all branches of the Israel Defense Forces during the 1948 War of Independence, and Fighting Back: Stan Andrews and the Birth of the Israeli Air Force Jeffrey is featured in Nancy Spielberg’s acclaimed 2014 documentary “Above and Beyond” (available on Amazon Prime), which tells the story of American pilots in Israel’s founding air force and earned 22 film festival awards. He also appears in the 2000 documentary “Israel’s Forgotten Heroes,” narrated by Hal Linden. Fluent in Hebrew, Jeffrey completed a year of law school at Bar Ilan University and holds a law degree along with master’s degrees in International Law (Georgetown University Law Center) and Biotechnology (Johns Hopkins University). In addition to his academic and writing accomplishments, Jeffrey is an experienced entrepreneur, having served for more than a decade as a C-suite executive at a startup that was recently acquired for $3 billion. Jeffrey lives in Tel Aviv, where in 2024 he founded Stickers of Meaning, a project that preserves and educates about the memorial stickers that have appeared throughout Israel since October 7, 2023—honoring the fallen and inspiring the living with messages of love, purpose, daring, and joy. Jeffrey Weiss              Website Jeffrey Weiss              Facebook Jeffrey Weiss              Instagram Jeffrey Weiss              LinkedIn Watch the full Podcast Video

Translator, Meditations By Marcus Aurelius This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with acclaimed poet and translator Aaron Poochigian, whose bold new translation of “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius reintroduces one of history’s most influential works for the 21st century. Watch Full Podcast Video Why translate a classic that’s already been translated countless times? For Aaron, the answer is deeply personal. After revisiting “Meditations” in the wake of COVID and his own life challenges, he returned to the original Greek text—and found something startlingly alive. He wasn’t interested in a polite, distant rendering. He wanted to restore the bright colors of Marcus’s language. To make it intimate. Immediate. Emotionally charged and lucid. Aaron describes the experience as so personal that he sometimes felt like Marcus’s shrink—because “Meditations” was never meant for publication. The Roman emperor wrote it for himself, assuming no one would ever read it. That raw honesty, Aaron argues, is exactly why it still resonates today—from CEOs navigating high-stakes decisions to anyone wrestling with regret, distraction, or the relentless pace of technology. In this thoughtful and revealing conversation, Aaron and Ira explore the myths about Stoicism, the idea of “divine rationality,” Marcus’s influence on modern cognitive therapy, and why happiness, in Marcus’s view, comes from living in accordance with nature. They also examine why this ancient voice feels especially urgent in a hyper-digital world that constantly pulls us away from the present moment. Aaron’s goal? Not just to have readers understand Marcus Aurelius—but to feel him. Aaron Poochigian is a poet, classics scholar, and translator who lives and writes in New York City. His work has appeared in such newspapers and journals as The Financial Times, The New York Review of Books, and Poetry Magazine. He’s the author of Four Walks in Central Park: A Poetic Guide to the Park, and his translations include Stung with Love (Penguin UK). His new translation is Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations Aaron Poochigian       Website Aaron Poochigian       Facebook Aaron Poochigian       Instagram Aaron Poochigian       X Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, Undercity What does it mean to grow up as the son of one of the most beloved cartoonists in history — and then find your own creative voice? Watch Full Podcast Video This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Monte Schulz, author of the genre-blending fantasy/sci-fi thriller Undercity. The son of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, Monte shares an intimate look at his upbringing, his artistic evolution, and the lessons in storytelling that shaped him. Monte reflects on coming of age just as his father’s fame exploded — and how Charles Schulz recognized in his teenage son an ear for lyrical language. Encouraged to read deeply and widely, Monte’s creative path shifted from music to poetry, and ultimately to prose. Inspired early on by science fiction and history, raised on a sprawling 20-acre property that instilled in him a love of rural landscapes, Monte says he eventually “bloomed outward” as a writer. He discusses how popular novels taught him pacing and storytelling momentum, while literary writers shaped his command of language. The poetry of Carl Sandburg continues to inspire him — “When I read Sandburg, it reminds me why I write,” Monte says. “Literature is endless. It doesn’t die.” Monte also opens up about wanting to write about war, his writing technique, and the memorable advice his father gave him about overcoming writer’s block. This is a thoughtful, revealing conversation about creativity, legacy, and why great literature — like great storytelling — never fades. <b>(Also Watch Full Podcast Video)</b> ABOUT MONTE: Monte Schulz received his M.A. in American Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. He published his first novel, Down by the River, in 1990, and spent the next twelve years writing a novel about the Jazz Age. His most recent novel, award winning Metropolis, was published in 2022. His father is the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. He lives in Santa Barbara, California. Monte Schulz    Website Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, The Epic of You This week, Ira spoke with Peter H. Bailey, author of The Epic of You. In this episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” It’s not if life will disrupt your plans—it’s when. Careers stall. Relationships shift. That little voice wakes you up at 5 a.m. and starts whispering doubt. And suddenly, you’re wondering whether you’re falling behind. Watch Full Podcast Video This week on Ira’s “Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Peter H. Bailey, author of The Epic of You, for a powerful conversation about reframing crisis, silencing the “disease of comparison,” and discovering the hero inside ordinary life. Peter draws on a 45-year career in leadership and coaching—and the timeless wisdom of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey—to explain why being heroic doesn’t mean climbing a mountain. It means staying with your challenges long enough to uncover the gift at the end. Every culture tells a version of the same story: someone leaves the village and returns transformed—or a stranger arrives and changes everything. Peter believes that story is a map for your life—past, present, and future. The “call to adventure” isn’t about drama. It’s about growth. And often, the hardest seasons produce the greatest expansion. When Peter couldn’t find a book to guide him through his own turning points, he wrote one. The Epic of You is both a personal processing tool and a leadership framework built on one simple formula: Experience + Reflection = Real Education. In this thoughtful and energizing episode, Peter shares why curiosity matters, why comparison shrinks your future, and why the word “epic” belongs to all of us. Because the chaos we fear may just be the doorway to the life we’re meant to live. ABOUT PETER: Peter H. Bailey is an author, global facilitator, and leadership strategist whose four decades of workhave taken him to more than 50 countries. As President of The Prouty Project, a leadingstrategic planning and leadership developmentfirm, he has guided executives and teams through organizational transformation with a rare blend ofinsight, empathy, and hands-on learning expertise. A TEDx speaker on “Developing Your Heroic Journey Mindset” and award-winning global educator, Peter has delivered leadership programs worldwide and previously ran a corporate training adventure center in Indonesia. He holds a Master’s in Experiential Education, serves on the Board of Voyageur Outward Bound School, and writes regularly on human performance and personal transformation. Fluent in Indonesian and conversational in German, Peter brings deep cultural awareness shaped by extensive travel, including multi-month overland expeditions across Asia, Europe, and Africa. His personal pursuits are as wide-ranging as his professional work—rock climbing, sailing, scuba diving, dog-sledding and fly-fishing. His attempt to learn the instruments of cultures around the world prompted him to learn the didgeridoo from Australia, playing the chanter from Scotland, and the low whistle from his time in Ireland are examples of his curiosity and love for life! Peter H. Bailey     Website Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, The Pain Brokers: How Con Men, Call Centers, and Rogue Doctors Fuel America’s Lawsuit Factory In this eye-opening episode of Ira’s Everything Bagel, Ira sits down with Elizabeth Chamblee Burch, author of The Pain Brokers: How Con Men, Call Centers, and Rogue Doctors Fuel America’s Lawsuit Factory, to expose a hidden industry operating in plain sight. Watch Full Podcast Video Elizabeth takes listeners inside the shadowy world of mass tort litigation—where legal cases are bought and sold like baseball cards, kickback provisions are quietly skirted, and enforcement of existing laws often falls through the cracks. Her investigation began with what she thought was routine research, but everything changed after attending a conference in Las Vegas—followed by a chilling call from a whistleblower who had been there too. At the center of The Pain Brokers are three women whose lives were upended by the system, including patients harmed by pelvic mesh surgeries. Elizabeth explains how failures in regulation—by both the legal and medical professions—allow abuses to continue, and why so much of the problem isn’t the absence of laws, but the lack of enforcement. This conversation is also a call to action. From educating yourself before consenting to surgery, to becoming your own best advocate, to understanding how loopholes could be closed, this episode arms listeners with the knowledge they need to protect themselves—and demand accountability. If you care about patient safety, justice, and how profit can quietly distort both, this is an episode you won’t forget. Elizabeth Chamblee Burch is the Fuller E. Callaway Chair of Law at the University of Georgia. Her groundbreaking work on mass torts and class actions won the American Law Institute’s Early Career Scholars Medal in 2015, the Fred C. Zacharias Memorial Prize for Professional Responsibility Scholarship in 2016, and the Mangano Dispute Resolution Advancement Award in 2019. The author of two academic books, she has published more than 40 articles and essays in legal journals and is a frequent commentator on NPR and in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Economist, and USA Today. In addition to her law degree, she holds an MFA in narrative nonfiction. She lives in Athens, Georgia.  Elizabeth Chamblee Burch     Website Elizabeth Chamblee Burch     Facebook Elizabeth Chamblee Burch     Instagram Elizabeth Chamblee Burch     LinkedIn Elizabeth Chamblee Burch     X Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss What if the biggest career mistake isn’t staying too long in a bad job—but staying too long under a toxic boss? Watch Full Podcast Video This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett, organizational psychologist and author of I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss. Drawing from her own painful experience in a toxic workplace, years of academic research, and hundreds of real-world stories, Dr. Laura breaks down what actually makes a boss toxic—and why the damage often escalates over time. She explains the critical difference between a difficult boss and a truly toxic one, why toxic bosses are not real leaders, and how overt and covert behaviors quietly erode confidence, health, and identity. In this episode, you’ll hear why so many people say “I wish I’d quit sooner,” the eight toxic boss personas (including the dishonest manipulator), and how childhood trauma often shows up in leadership in destructive ways. Dr. Laura also offers clear-eyed options—the pros and cons of staying, confronting, taking medical leave, or exiting—and why fear keeps so many people stuck. Most importantly, this conversation is practical, not academic. Dr. Laura shares actionable strategies: how to document toxic behavior safely, why exit interviews matter more than you think, how to build a network before you need it, and how to prepare an exit plan that protects both your career and your well-being. Because work isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are. And staying too long in a toxic environment comes at a cost. ABOUT: Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is an organizational psychologist and thought leader sought-after internationally for her expertise on workplace culture, career development, toxic leadership, and burnout. Along with her 25 years of experience in her field, she holds a PhD in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Calgary, where she is currently an adjunct professor. A passionate entrepreneur, she has founded several psychology practices in Canada and hosts the widely followed podcast, “Where Work Meets Life.”  In addition to I Wish I’d Quit Sooner, she has published two psychological thrillers, Losing Cadence and Finding Sophie, aimed at both captivating readers and raising awareness on important topics around mental health and domestic violence, currently being adapted for a TV series. Dr. Laura is also co-founder of the WITH HER movement, focused on ending violence against women and girls.  She received a “Canadian Women of Inspiration” Award as a Global Influencer in 2018.         Dr. Laura     Website Dr. Laura      Facebook Dr. Laura      Instagram Dr. Laura      LinkedIn Dr. Laura      X Dr. Laura      YouTube    Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, Steep: A Black Neurosurgeon’s Journey From a struggling Boston neighborhood to the operating rooms of Middle America, Dr. Craig Yorke has lived a life that’s as inspiring as it is revealing. Watch Full Podcast Video This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with the author of Steep: A Black Neurosurgeon’s Journey, for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about ambition, identity, and the hidden emotional cost of success. Craig opens up about what first compelled him to write his book — a moment of “remedy” while browsing a bookstore shelf — and how his story reaches far beyond race. He reflects on growing up in the lower rungs of the Black middle class, shaped by parents wounded by racism in 1920s and ’30s Boston, and raised with the belief that rebellion was never an option. We hear about “the fork in the road” that took him to Topeka, Kansas, a choice rooted as much in ethics as in opportunity, and how success in the world’s eyes came with armor he carried for decades. After writing this book, Craig says, “the armor is finally off.” This isn’t simply a story about breaking barriers. It’s a moving exploration of resilience, healing, legacy, and what it truly means to chase — and redefine — the American Dream. ABOUT: Dr. Craig Yorke was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He received a BA from Harvard College in 1970 and an MD from Harvard Medical School in 1974. His parental directive insisted he avenge centuries of bigotry with a life of infinite success. After a neurosurgical residency at the University of California at San Francisco, he and his wife Mary found their way to an unlikely destination. He practiced in Topeka, Kansas, for 25 years, wrestling with his history and the armored identity, it had imposed. He and Mary raised two boys: Zack who lives in Brooklyn and Chris who calls Seattle home. Craig brews coffee for two each morning in the colonial home they’ve occupied for 33 years. He’s a credible violinist, having played the Bruch G Minor concerto with the Boston Pops at 17, and hits tennis balls with passion. Steep is his first book.  Craig Yorke Website Craig Yorke Facebook Watch the full Podcast Video

Author (along with David Ritz), Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend Johnny Carson wasn’t just the King of Late Night — he was one of the greatest talent-spotters, risk-takers, and quiet humanitarians in entertainment history. And no one has explored that truth more deeply than Mark Malkoff. Watch Full Podcast Video This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Mark Malkoff, author (along with David Ritz) of Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend, to uncover the real Carson behind the curtain. What started as a podcast grew into a full-scale investigation as more and more stories poured in — from Jay Leno to Joan Rivers to people who knew Carson far from the spotlight. Mark shares how he fell in love with Carson as a kid, watched him leave the airwaves as a teenager, and spent years digging into every corner of Carson’s life — from his mysterious New York years to his life after the historic show run. Along the way, Mark reveals why Carson was anything but cold and aloof, how he helped launch Jimmy Buffett’s career, why he kept bringing Don Rickles back even when it was risky, and how he always made his guests look brilliant. This isn’t just a biography — it’s a celebration of a man who believed in talent, generosity, and taking chances. With stories that have never been told this way before, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who ever stayed up late to watch Johnny Carson make magic. ABOUT MARK: Mark Malkoff is a comedian, filmmaker, and digital-age stunt storyteller whose work has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NPR’s Weekend Edition, the BBC, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He first gained international attention for his viral web series Mark Lives in IKEA, which earned PR Week’s 2009 Campaign of the Year, followed by headline-making projects like visiting all 171 Manhattan Starbucks in 24 hours and setting a Guinness World Record by flying nonstop for a month to conquer his fear of flying. Mark has partnered with major brands including Netflix, Skype, Ford, Microsoft, Disney, and IKEA to create inventive, boundary-pushing comedy videos, and most recently has worked with Edelman developing video concepts for their clients. He is also the host of The Carson Podcast, featuring legendary guests such as Mel Brooks, Carol Burnett, and Michael J. Fox, and lives in New York City with his wife, Christine. Mark Malkoff             Website Mark Malkoff             Facebook Mark Malkoff             LinkedIn Mark Malkoff             Instagram Mark Malkoff             X Mark Malkoff             YouTube Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, Tell Me I Belong: A Journey Across Faiths and Generations What does it mean to belong—to a family, a faith, a history? Watch Full Podcast Video In this episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Dr. David Weill, author of Tell Me I Belong: A Journey Across Faiths and Generations, for a personal conversation about identity, spirituality, and the moments that force us to ask life’s hardest questions. The son of a Jewish father who escaped Nazi Germany and a Southern Baptist mother, David grew up in New Orleans where religion was rarely discussed. Instead, medicine became his calling. But it was inside the hospital—amid life, death, and uncertainty—where his spirituality first ignited. After Hurricane Katrina, David began reading the Bible cover to cover… for three years. His journey took him through Catholicism, then back to Judaism—after discovering that his mother had converted before marrying his father. That revelation sent him searching through generations of family history, ultimately leading him to Germany, where his connection to Judaism and his ancestors took on new meaning. David also opens up about the politics and pressures of hospital life that led him to step away from his role as a transplant surgeon, and how his family supported him as he searched for a spiritual home. This is a conversation about faith found later in life, identity reclaimed, and the courage it takes to ask: Where do I truly belong? David Weill, MD, is the former Director of the Center for Advanced Lung Diseases and the Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Program at Stanford University Medical Center. A sought-after advisor to various transplant programs across the country, he also serves on the Board of TransMedics, a company focused on improving availability of donor organs. David has also served on several non-profit boards including the Tulane Medical School, Xavier University of Louisiana, SFJAZZ, the Isidore Newman School, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) Foundation, NextGen Personal Finance, and the Bellevue Literary Review. His writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Salon, Newsweek, the Chicago Tribune, STAT, the Washington Post, The Hill, LitHub, Tablet, The Times of Israel, TODAY.com, and the Los Angeles Times. David’s previous books include the memoir Exhale: Hope, Healing, and Life in Transplant (2021) and a novel, All That Really Matters (2024). He lives in New Orleans. David Weill, MD                    Website David Weill, MD                    LinkedIn David Weill, MD                    Facebook David Weill, MD                    Instagram         Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, A City on the Edge: Pandemic, Protest, and Polarization This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Dennis R. McBride, mayor of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and author of A City on the Edge: Pandemic, Protest, and Polarization. Drawing on his background as a journalist, lawyer, and student of history, Dennis offers a candid, unfiltered look at leading a city through one of the most turbulent periods in modern American life. Watch Full Podcast Video Wauwatosa endured the COVID-19 pandemic, 98 consecutive days and nights of protests, and the trauma of mass shootings at the state’s busiest shopping mall—challenges that made the city a true microcosm of America. Dennis explains why he felt compelled to document these experiences, what it means to govern as a progressive but practical leader, and why he took criticism from both the left and the right. As the city’s lowest-paid employee, Dennis describes the personal toll of leadership, the constant need for vigilance, and the lingering impact of stress that hasn’t fully faded. Yet through it all, he stayed grounded by what he calls his guiding principle: “You follow the North Star—and the North Star is the law.” This thoughtful and timely conversation explores leadership under pressure, short-term crisis versus long-term thinking, why Wauwatosa is truly an “edge city,” and why Dennis believes the path forward requires renewed civility, participation, and dialogue. A powerful episode about democracy, resilience, and finding common ground when it matters most. Dennis R. McBride is the mayor of the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  Dennis earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a master’s degree in public administration from Princeton University, and a law degree from New York University. Before becoming mayor, he practiced law with Boston and Milwaukee law firms and the U.S. government, taught part-time at Marquette University Law School, and served on a committee of judges and lawyers which drafted model jury instructions for U.S. district courts in the Seventh Circuit. For his professional accomplishments, he was named a Fellow of the Wisconsin Law Foundation. Dennis co-founded several community organizations, served on the State of Wisconsin Retirement Board, and served several terms on the Wauwatosa city council, including two terms as council president. For these and other civic activities, he received UW-Milwaukee’s Alumni Citizenship Award. He is a two-time marathon winner and a member of his high school and university sports halls of fame. Dennis R. McBride                 Facebook Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, No Overnight Parking This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Juergen Barbusca, author of “No Overnight Parking,” to unpack the remarkable leap that took him from corporate deadlines to life on the open road. After years of long hours draining the joy from his work, Juergen traded (with five years in the making) boardrooms for backroads, embarking on a yearlong, 32,000-mile adventure across the United States and Canada in a van he lovingly nicknamed “The Shoebox.”  Watch Full Podcast Video Juergen shares how an ominous “check engine” light became a regular irritant, why he chronicled every twist and turn without realizing it would become a book, and how the rhythm of road life unexpectedly reflected the pressures of corporate culture. He talks about learning to slow down, savoring museums and small-town curiosities, traveling under the self-imposed countdown of a one-year limit, and how he ultimately discovered the title for his book (hint: Walmart policies played a role). From the roar and mist of Niagara Falls – “a feast for all five senses” – to the serenity of wide-open highways, a surprising buffalo encounter, and an unforgettable meeting with a cross-country walking minister, Juergen’s story is a reminder that sometimes the road doesn’t just take you somewhere… it shows you who you are. Juergen Barbusca was raised in Las Vegas and holds a bachelor’s in German and a master’s in public administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He’s an award-winning communications practitioner whose career has included roles as a freelancer and corporate translator, nonprofit executive, and communications manager. In earlier years, he also took on a wide range of odd jobs—picking pineapples, washing dishes, sorting packages, hanging placards in subway cars, working as an airline ticket agent and restaurant waiter, selling beer from a hawker’s tray, and managing a concession stand at an arena. After fourteen years in the tech world, when long hours slowly squeezed the joy from his work, he traded a computer screen for a camper van. When he’s not behind the wheel or chasing down the next story, he enjoys swimming, cycling, foreign languages, and bad coffee at roadside diners. Juergen Barbusca        Website Juergen Barbusca        Instagram Juergen Barbusca        TikTok Watch the full Podcast Video

Authors, WAIL: The Visual Language of Prestige Records This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira talks with Chris Entwisle and Mark Havens, longtime friends, designers, and authors of WAIL: The Visual Language of Prestige Records—a new book that celebrates the look, feel, and soul of one of jazz’s most influential labels. Watch Full Podcast Video Chris and Mark share the story of how their curiosity about Rudy Van Gelder’s legendary Hackensack studio led them down a musical rabbit hole—uncovering the artistry behind Prestige Records from 1949 to 1960. Along the way, they tracked down elusive first-edition album covers, connected with people who helped shape the label, and discovered how visual design and music fused into one bold creative movement. They also reflect on the magic of Prestige founder Bob Weinstock’s informal recording sessions, the artists who designed covers with the same improvisational spirit as the musicians inside, and why the label’s visual identity remains a touchstone for jazz lovers and designers alike. It’s a conversation that celebrates not just the sound of jazz—but the look of it. Chris Entwisle is an artist and illustrator. For more than 30 years, Chris has used his passion for both jazz and post-war graphic design in his illustration work. He has a BA in Graphic Design from Rutgers University. Chris and his wife live in the Philadelphia area. Mark Havens is an educator, designer and artist with a dual background in graphic and industrial design. Havens’ work has been exhibited internationally and is held in both private and public collections. His first major monograph, Out of Season, was described by the New York Times as “a decade-long elegy.” He is a professor of Industrial Design at Thomas Jefferson University.  Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, Victim #8 (A Luke Steele Novel) This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with bestselling author and former CIA officer Traci Hunter Abramson, whose latest thriller, Victim #8 (A Luke Steele Novel), dives deep into the world of high-stakes intrigue. Watch Full Podcast Video Traci shares how she dreamed up her action-driven hero, Luke Steele—a military aide to the president—and his sharp FBI analyst counterpart. She also reveals her unusual writing habits (yes, she actually writes on a treadmill), why her characters sometimes wake her at 4 a.m., and how she manages to complete three to four novels a year. From a childhood spent creating stories in bed to a career in intelligence that gave her a real-world foundation for fiction, Traci’s journey is as fascinating as her plots. She opens up about her lifelong secrecy agreement with the CIA, her early journaling habit, her ability to multitask at a professional level, and what it’s like to be both a writer and an extrovert. Traci Hunter Abramson, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, was born in Arizona and later studied abroad in Venezuela. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the CIA for six years before leaving to raise her family. She credits the agency with providing her with a wealth of ideas for her thriller novels and the skills needed to navigate her children’s teenage years.  Traci has written more than 45 bestselling novels and has received multiple awards, including the 2025 Silver Falchion Judges’ Top Pick – Thriller, the 2024 Whitney Award – Outstanding Achievement Winner, 2022 Rone award finalist, 2021 Swoony Award for Best Mystery/Suspense Romance, and is a ten-time Whitney Award winner, including Best Novel of the Year in 2017 and 2019. Recently retired from coaching high school swimming for twenty-six years, she enjoys traveling and spending her time as a popular writing instructor, keynote speaker, panelist, and attendee at conferences, including Bouchercon, Killer Nashville, Thrillerfest, and ALA. Traci Hunter Abramson                      Website Traci Hunter Abramson                      Facebook Traci Hunter Abramson                      Instagram Traci Hunter Abramson                      X Watch the full Podcast Video

Return of ‘Up All Night’ Ira sits down with the one and only Rhonda Shear—comedian, actress, entrepreneur, former Miss Louisiana, and the unforgettable hostess of USA Network’s cult-classic late-night showcase, Up All Night. After nearly a decade of shaping the midnight movie experience from 1989 to 1998, Up All Night is making its long-awaited comeback, premiering October 25 on Kings of Horror, a YouTube streaming powerhouse with more than 1.5 million subscribers and a massive community of horror fanatics. Watch Full Podcast Video In this episode, Rhonda takes us on a full-circle journey— *From being cast on “Happy Days” and chasing sitcom dreams in Los Angeles *To crafting her hilarious on-screen persona when Up All Night found her *To building a wildly successful intimate apparel empire (yes, the Rhonda Shear brand!) *To going to college before Hollywood ever came calling *To rediscovering love after 40 She also shares how the revival came to life through a new collaboration with Kings of Horror, a channel known for its “blood-curdling family of horror enthusiasts” curating indie gems, cult classics, fresh releases, and fan-fueled marathons—all 14,000 titles deep. Now, Rhonda’s bringing back the laughter—this time with comedy that’s fun, fearless, and refreshingly un-political. She reveals the Hollywood mentors who shaped her journey, how she’s booking directors and actors from the very films she features, and why this reboot isn’t just nostalgic—it’s personal. If you loved staying up late with Rhonda the first time around… you’re going to love her even more now. The late-night hostess with the mostess! For 8 years and more than 450 episodes of USA’s Up All Night, Rhonda Shear kept America UP every Friday with outrageous comedy, over-the-top characters, and campy fun. Known for her big hair, quick wit, and playful style, she introduced a generation to horror, B-movies, and late-night laughs.  In 2017, Rhonda came out with memoir Up All Night: From Hollywood Bombshell to Lingerie Mogul, Life Lessons from an Accidental Feminist. Rhonda Shear             Website Rhonda Shear             Facebook Rhonda Shear             Instagram Rhonda Shear             X Rhonda Shear             YouTube Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader This week on Ira’s Everything Bagel, Ira sits down with acclaimed author Sue William Silverman to dive into her new book, Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader. Sue explores the art of the flash essay—short pieces that deliver big emotional punch. Watch Full Podcast Video She shares why she chose to write 71 compact yet deeply resonant essays, and how transforming her life into art helps her make sense of it. Sue opens up about her “upside-down” sister, her love of metaphor as a universal language, and the difference between sharing intimacy on the page versus in person. They also talk about the healing power of writing, how she encourages her students to discover their authentic voices, and the importance of emotional truth in creative nonfiction. And yes, there’s room for humor too—as Sue reveals her father-figure fascination with Pat Boone and her “addiction” to Barry Manilow as a kind of higher power. It’s a lively, revealing, and richly layered conversation about art, memory, and the flashes of insight that illuminate a writer’s life. Sue William Silverman is an award-winning author known for her fearless explorations of trauma, identity, and personal transformation. She co-chairs the MFA in Writing Program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and has appeared on The View, Anderson Cooper 360, and PBS Books. Sue William Silverman    Website Sue William Silverman    Facebook Sue William Silverman    Instagram Sue William Silverman    X Watch the full Podcast Video

Author, An Awesome Bird: The Pelican This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira chats with Rusty Austin — a veteran reality television producer with more than three decades behind the camera and now, the author of An Awesome Bird: The Pelican. Watch Full Podcast Video Rusty shares how he made the leap from shaping unscripted TV hits like Hell’s Kitchen — one of the toughest shows he ever tackled — to writing playful, poetic stories for kids. A lifelong storyteller who started making movies in eighth grade, Rusty now blends clever rhymes, parenting wisdom, and fascinating animal facts, all brought to life with illustrations from middle school students. He talks about how posting short poems on Facebook led to a book series that inspires creativity in children, complete with a hands-on “do-it-yourself” section for young readers. From elephants to pelicans, Rusty Austin proves that whether on screen or on the page, the story always comes first. <b>(Also Watch Full Podcast Video)</b> Rusty Austin was a reality television show producer for more than three decades and now is the author of six published books, including an illustrated children’s book series. His books include: Baseball’s Unlikely: A Constant; Dave and Me (a memoir); and four children’s books: The Carrot IsOrange, The Unicorn Has One Horn, Beware The Grizzly Bear, and An Awesome Bird: The Pelican. Rusty broke into Hollywood as a freelance electrician on dozens of movies, including Terminator 2. After a few years, he decided to give up movies because everything in the lighting and grip department weighs no less than 50 pounds. Rusty then spent 35 years as a freelance reality television producer until he retired in 2018. He worked onHell’s Kitchen for 16 seasons, his final show. His first show was Real Stories of the Highway Patrol. Along the way, he worked on Big Brother, Survivor, Nanny 911, COPS, and others. He graduated from UCLA Film School with a degree in film and television. Rusty grew up in Littleton, Colorado, but was born in Sidney, Nebraska. He now resides in Rancho Mirage, California. Watch the full Podcast Video