Ira’s Everything Bagel | US Arts and Culture Podcasts

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira serves up a provocative conversation with Evan Sayet, author of “The Woke Supremacy: An Anti-Socialist Manifesto.”

In this candid and wide-ranging episode, Evan dives into the many twists and turns of his eclectic career—from performing during the golden age of stand-up comedy to becoming a sharp voice in the world of culture and politics. Born and raised a liberal, Evan shares how the events of 9/11 became a turning point in his worldview, triggering a dramatic political transformation.

He recounts how fatherhood led him to trade the comedy stage for television writing, and how he discovered his unique edge: a comedic voice from the right—something he felt was sorely lacking. Evan reflects on the rise and fall of political correctness in comedy clubs, the deep motivations behind writing his book, and why he believes wokeism func-tions as a form of supremacism.
Plus, he unpacks the intense animosity toward President Trump — and whether he sees hope or despair on the horizon.

Insightful, edgy, and unfiltered—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
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Noshing With Sam Kelly – June 19, 2025

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira dives into the wild, eye-opening world of history and drugs with Sam Kelly, author of the provocative new book, "Human History on Drugs: An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence."
In this candid and engaging conversation, Sam shares how a childhood fascination with history evolved into a full-blown quest to uncover the untold stories behind some of hu-manity’s most transformative — and mind-altering — moments. From deep dives into dusty archives to late-night internet rabbit holes, Sam balanced digital sleuthing with old-school research to bring long-buried facts to light. He discusses the earliest and most re-cent figures he studied, and explores the complex question: Have drugs helped or hin-dered us through history? (Spoiler: it’s a mixed bag.)
The episode also touches on some riveting highlights — including the secret behind Washington’s famously unsmiling portraits, government drug testing without consent, and the common thread between the Beatles, Steve Jobs, and Pope Leo XIII. Sam argues that drugs are tools — powerful ones — and that education and awareness are essential. He also explains why he chose not to pursue a Ph.D., how writing this book broke him free from academic constraints, and why history, when told right, is anything but boring.
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Noshing With Jane Loeb Rubin – June 12, 2025

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira welcomes Jane Loeb Rubin, acclaimed author of "Over There," the powerful third book to her best-selling Gilded City series. Set during World War I, the novel sheds light on a rarely explored corner of Jewish-American history, following a family of Jewish doctors and nurses who bring compassion, courage, and medical innovation to the front lines—all while wrestling with questions of identity, dis-placement, and rising antisemitism in a still-new homeland.
In this compelling conversation, Jane shares how her diagnosis of ovarian cancer—and the revelation of a genetic defect—propelled her to begin writing later in life. She reflects on her decision to honor her great-grandmother, a German-Jewish immigrant, and how her structured, Type A personality shaped her disciplined approach to writing. Despite limited energy, she writes each morning with laser focus, showcasing with her ability to transition from a structured professional life to a creative one.
Jane also dives into the historical heart of her work, discussing her meticulous New York research and the often-overlooked fact that a high percentage of Jewish Americans—and many from other ethnic backgrounds—served valiantly in World War I. Her stories bridge history and humanity, revealing not only the heroism of those who served but also the resilience of identity in a time of profound upheaval.
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Noshing With Peter Samuelson – May 29, 2025

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira has an inspiring conversation with Peter Samuelson—philanthropist, producer, and author of "Finding Happy: A User's Guide to Your Life, with Lessons from Mine."

In this uplifting episode, Peter distills the meaning of life into a single, powerful paragraph and shares why he crafted his book with short, digestible chapters—perfect for today's fast-paced world. He opens up about his life-changing work with First Star, helping teenage foster youth build brighter, more joyful futures.

Peter explains how his passion for mentoring stems from deep personal conviction and sharp pattern recognition that helps him guide young adults through life’s turning points. Originally intended as an autobiography, his book morphed into a self-help guide for young readers—fueled by a year of 5 a.m. writing sessions and a desire to blend real-life lessons with actionable advice.
He talks candidly about the risks he took, the importance of daring yourself to experiment, and how those leaps of faith led him to joy.

Peter reflects on the groundbreaking reality that, for the first time in history, young people may possess more information than their elders—and why applying critical thinking is more important than ever.

From confronting the flaws of the foster care system and cultivating resilience, to the moment of epiphany that launched his philanthropic journey, Peter’s stories are both heartening and thought-provoking. He also shares how his background as a film producer shapes his philanthropic impact—and ultimately, what he believes is his true purpose in life.
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