Ira’s Everything Bagel | US Arts and Culture Podcasts

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.

Wauwatosa endured the COVID-19 pandemic, 98 consecutive days and nights of pro-tests, 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 power-ful episode about democracy, resilience, and finding common ground when it matters most.
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Noshing With Thom Shubilla – December 11, 2025

This week on "Ira’s Everything Bagel," Ira sits down with Thom Shubilla, author of "King Kong Versus Godzilla: The Most Colossal Conflict the Screen Has Ever Known."
Thom shares why diving into giant monsters is the perfect antidote to today’s stresses—and why he proudly calls himself a lifelong monster-movie nerd.
In this fascinating episode, Thom explores the origins of Kong and Godzilla—created two decades apart by different studios, filmmakers, and special-effects visionaries like Willis O’Brien and Toho’s groundbreaking team. He explains how a book on this iconic show-down had somehow never been written until he took on the challenge, digging deep into the film’s backstory, its inventive marketing, and the “monster rally” tradition that shaped it.
Thom also discusses the lost opportunities for a sequel, his interview with Linda Miller of "King Kong Escapes" (made by the same director, special-effects supervisor, and studio), and what he discovered about the creative process behind these cinematic giants. And, of course, he tackles the eternal question: What was the real beef between King Kong and Godzilla?
From urban legends about alternate endings to the surprising revelations that emerged from his research, Thom brings clarity, humor, and fresh insight to two monsters who continue to dominate screens in both Japan and America. It’s a fun, rich conversation about fandom, filmmaking, and the timeless appeal of a really big fight.
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Noshing With Juergen Barbusca – December 4, 2025

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.”
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 un-der 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.
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Noshing With Joseph McBride – November 27, 2025

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with acclaimed film historian, biographer, and screenwriter Joseph McBride, co-author (with Danny Peary) of the new memoir "I Loved Movies, But…"
In this wide-ranging conversation, Joe shares how the book emerged from a long-running series of interviews, why he brought in his old friend and prolific writer Danny Peary, and how his four overlapping careers—journalist, author, screenwriter, and film professor—shaped his life and work.
Joe also opens up about his formative years, the challenges of childhood, and the difficulties of navigating Hollywood as a screenwriter. He reflects on the personal insights gained while writing the book, including seeing his life in a new perspective and discussing being on the autism spectrum.
He talks about meeting Orson Welles (as the legendary director learned Joe wrote notes on his own wrist!), encountering his three favorite directors on his very first trip to Hollywood, and the guiding forces behind his career: “a rage for truth,” his volunteer work for John F. Kennedy, and his commitment to understanding the people who shaped American culture.
Joe also reveals the three professional achievements he’s most proud of—his Frank Capra biography, his book on Kennedy, and his critical studies of film directors—along with a few “stupid mistakes” he made along the way. And yes, he shares what Orson Welles really thought of actors.
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