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 Podcast Video Michael discusses how he carved out “four billable hours a day” (with agreement from his wife) to pursue his passion for writing, and how those efforts evolved into American Playground—a powerful literary exploration of identity, belonging and the immigrant experience in America. He reveals how the novel began as three interconnected short stories—“Recess,” “Beaner Boy,” and “Bike”—each tied together through recurring narrators, themes and characters before eventually becoming a fully realized novel. The conversation explores the meaning behind the book’s title and the “playground” metaphor as a reflection of learning how to navigate American culture while remaining true to yourself. Michael also discusses the influence of his Persian and Persian Jewish heritage, the use of Farsi throughout the novel, and the importance of crafting what he calls an “earned ending.” In addition, Michael shares the fascinating story behind launching The Thieving Magpie, originally intended as a platform for his own writing before it quickly became a home for submissions from writers around the world. He also reflects on the best rejection letter he ever received—and how rejection can sometimes become motivation. This episode is a thoughtful conversation about storytelling, perseverance, cultural identity, reinvention and the creative process behind building meaningful fiction. ABOUT MICHAEL: Michael Isaac Shokrian is an Iranian-Jewish writer born in Hamburg, Germany and raised in Los Angeles by way of Tehran. With little knowledge of the English language or American culture, Michael became a self-taught American via terrestrial radio and TV. He began writing at UCLA and as he honed his poetic flair in his adopted language, a theme emerged: the voice, perspective and humor of the Outsider and the struggle of marginalized characters to find authenticity and identity.  Michael’s work introduces readers to the multi-layered world of Iranians in America and their effort to find their place in America through hard compromises, small triumphs and poignant defeats. Always a dedicated and self-reliant writer, Michael kept his literary aspirations alive by working in newsrooms, restaurants and warehouses. He has been a private investigator, rug merchant, delivery driver, P.R. executive, news editor, line cook, waiter and more. In his 30s, he entered law school and eventually set up a solo practice in the Los Angeles suburb of Studio City.  Despite commitments as a husband, father, lawyer and aspiring writer, Michael launched a non-profit online literary quarterly, The Thieving Magpie, in 2017 – his effort to create a literary community and platform for established, emerging and underrepresented voices. Michael’s previous work has been in short fiction, poetry and essays. His short story, “Asphalt Like Moderns,” won the Best Fiction prize in the 20th Anniversary Issue of American Literary Review. American Playground is Michael’s first novel. Michael Isaac Shokrian          Website Michael Isaac Shokrian          Substack Michael Isaac Shokrian          Facebook Michael Isaac Shokrian          Instagram Michael Isaac Shokrian          LinkedIn The Thieving Magpie             Website Watch the full Podcast Video

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 justice. William reveals the extraordinary true story of creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster — two young, inexperienced dreamers who unknowingly signed away control of a cultural phenomenon that would become a billion-dollar empire. In this compelling episode, William discusses why he devoted years to researching the project, his lifelong passion for comic books, and the ongoing conflict between artistic creativity and commercial power. He shares how he traveled across eight states and interviewed more than 50 people — uncovering revelations never before made public. The conversation explores the origins of comic books in the 1930s, the contract clause that changed entertainment history, and the heartbreaking reality that Siegel and Shuster were eventually fired and stripped of recognition from the very character they created. Bernhardt also explains the copyright laws that fueled more than 70 years of litigation and how the success of Superman helped bring renewed attention — and ultimately a modest pension — to the original creators. Listeners will also hear touching personal stories involving Jerry Siegel’s family, including interviews with his daughter Laura and his grandsons, as well as the surprising irony surrounding Jerry’s marriage. At its heart, William says, this is not simply a legal story — it’s a deeply human one about ambition, exploitation, perseverance, and legacy. Packed with pop culture history, legal intrigue, and emotional insight, this episode is a must-listen/watch for comic book fans, history lovers, and anyone interested in the intersection of creativity and commerce. ABOUT WILLIAM: William Bernhardt is the award-winning author of more than sixty books, including the bestselling Ben Kincaid novels and the Daniel Pike legal thriller series. A former lawyer, he is the founder of WriterCon and the president of Bernhardt Books, where he continues to mentor and support writers worldwide. William has won the Oklahoma Book Award three times and has been nominated twenty times in four categories. Hailed by Oklahoma State University as “Oklahoma’s Renaissance Man,” William’s creativity, intellect, and passion for storytelling continue to shape the literary landscape. William Bernhardt                  Website William Bernhardt                  Facebook William Bernhardt                  Instagram William Bernhardt                  YouTube Watch the full Podcast Video

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 momentum is built through small, intentional actions, and why accomplishment is simply the byproduct of a consistent process. He shares the six-step framework that helps anyone—from athletes to entrepreneurs—build mental resilience and perform at their highest level. The conversation dives deep into: Why elite performers treat the mental game as a competitive advantage How defining your personal story and setting clear intentions can transform your trajectory The difference between real positivity and “toxic positivity” How to manage negative thoughts and overcome the brain’s natural negativity bias The power of gratitude and daily resets to rewire your mindset Why growth is a choice—and how marginal gains compound into major success Joshua also shares personal insights on using knowledge, strategy, and action to overcome adversity—and why “there’s always a way” if you refuse to buy into negativity. Whether you’re striving for peak performance or simply looking to live more intentionally, this episode offers a practical, inspiring roadmap to help you win today—and every day after that. ABOUT JOSHUA: Joshua Lifrak, M.S. is director of performance and coaching at Limitless Minds, a mental performance consultancy, delivering keynotes and advising individuals, small businesses, and top multinationals. He started his career as a mental conditioning consultant with IMG Academy, working with MLB players, NBA and NFL draft picks, the US Soccer U-17 Men’s National Team and many elite college programs.  He then joined the Chicago Cubs as director of their mental skills program. Joshua’s work there culminated in the Cubs’ 2016 World Series victory. After his stint with the Cubs, he went on to be the Major League Mental Skills Coach for the New York Mets. Joshua, who has a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science with a specialization in Sports Psychology from Ithaca College, lives in Sarasota, Florida. Joshua Lifrak              Website Joshua Lifrak              Facebook Joshua Lifrak              Instagram Joshua Lifrak              LinkedIn Watch the full Podcast Video

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 egg”) to our deepest emotions around grief, parenting, and connection. What began as a personal exploration—sparked by the loss of his mother—evolved into a groundbreaking narrative that blends data, storytelling, and humanity. Along the way, Simon discusses his unlikely journey from someone who once disliked math to becoming a pioneer in data journalism, how he learned to tell compelling stories through numbers, and why our collective search habits reveal far more commonality than division. This episode explores: How our everyday questions reflect shared human experiences Why data can tell emotional, deeply personal stories The emerging “science” of understanding humanity through search How technology—and even AI—shapes the way we think and learn Insightful, thought-provoking, and surprisingly hopeful, this conversation will change the way you think about every search you make. ABOUT SIMON: Simon Rogers is Google’s data editor, leading a team of data journalists, analysts, and visualizers to tell stories with Google’s data. Previously, he was Twitter’s first ever data editor, and he is also the author of Facts Are Sacred, based on The Guardian’s Datablog, which he helped launch. A lecturer in Data Journalism at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism in San Francisco, he has received the Royal Statistical Society’s award for statistical excellence in journalism. He lives with his family in San Francisco. Simon Rogers             Website Simon Rogers             Instagram Simon Rogers             X Watch the full Podcast Video

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 of the story are two defining events—an accident and a murder—that cast a long shadow over generations of the Blumenthal family. Phyllis discusses the emotional weight of revisiting painful memories, including visiting a cousin in prison as a child, and the difficult choices she faced in deciding what to include in the book. Blending her journalistic instincts with intimate family knowledge, Phyllis peels back layers of secrecy to reveal how trauma shaped the lives of fifteen cousins—and how understanding the past may offer a path toward healing. This is a conversation about truth, legacy, and the courage it takes to face “the elephant in the room”—because every family has a story… and some stories demand to be told.<b> ABOUT PHYLLIS: Phyllis Karas is a professor of journalism at Boston University, a stringer for People Magazine, and the author of ten books. Brutal was a NYT bestseller; The Onassis Woman was the subject of a “Dateline NBC Special.”  Her work has appeared in Vogue, Miami Herald, Boston Magazine and Moment Magazine, where her story on Kosher Slaughter received the Simon Rockower Award for Excellence. She has been interviewed on “Extra,” “Hollywood Access” and “Hard Ball.” Phyllis Karas               Website Phyllis Karas               Facebook Phyllis Karas               Instagram Phyllis Karas               LinkedIn Watch the full Podcast Video

“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 anthem “Here to Have a Good Time,” which gained attention on the syndicated radio show hosted by rock legend Alice Cooper, and how a surprising collaboration helped shape his latest work. Brett’s new single “Chance on Love” features an extraordinary lineup of musicians, including guitarist Richard Fortus of Guns N’ Roses, bassist Darryl Jones of The Rolling Stones, legendary drummer and bassist Charley Drayton, and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Carey Frank. The result is a soulful power ballad about love, connection, and the life-changing possibilities that come when we take a chance on someone else—and ourselves. Along the way, Brett reflects on why he still isn’t jaded after decades in the music business, how gratitude shapes his outlook, and how fatherhood helps him slow down and appreciate the creative process. For Brett, songwriting is a lifelong calling—one where the goal is simple: don’t let the ego get in the way of the music. Brett Hellings    Website Brett Hellings     Facebook Brett Hellings     Instagram Brett Hellings     YouTube        Watch the full Podcast Video

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