Ira’s Everything Bagel | US Arts and Culture Podcasts

Noshing With Karen A. Frenkel, March 27,2025

This week on "Ira’s Everything Bagel," Ira sits down with award-winning journalist, author, and documentarian Karen A. Frenkel to discuss her new book, "Family Treasures Lost & Found." In this episode, Karen takes us on an extraordinary journey—one that began with unanswered questions and a deep yearning to uncover her parents' untold survival stories from the Holocaust.
Karen shares the emotional complexities of her quest: why her father refused to talk about his past, the frustration of not knowing her own family history, and the pivotal moment when she convinced her mother to record an oral history. As both a daughter and an investigative journalist, she found herself balancing personal and professional roles, trans-forming what started as a personal search into an investigative mission filled with unexpected twists, moments of luck, and remarkable discoveries.
She reveals the astonishing path her father took to America—his journey spanning Cuba (where a local newspaper documented his ship’s arrival), Mexico (where he volunteered as a doctor while awaiting his visa), and Vienna (where he attended medical school). Karen also recounts her emotional visit to her grandfather’s home, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the surprises she unearthed during her research—shocking revelations she later shared with her sisters and cousins.
We also explore why Karen chose to turn her findings into both a memoir and a documen-tary—initially envisioning a historical novel before pivoting to a deeply personal narrative. She reflects on the challenges of working on the film during COVID, the two game-changing discoveries made in the process, and the importance of sharing these stories with the world.
This is more than a conversation—it’s an invitation to witness a powerful, personal jour-ney of resilience, discovery, and the enduring importance of remembering the past. Tune in to hear Karen’s unforgettable story and why she hopes Family Treasures Lost & Found will resonate with people from all walks of life.
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Noshing With Christopher J. Lewis – March 20, 2025

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Christopher J. Lewis, son of legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis and president of the American Wheelchair Mission, to discuss his book, "Jerry Lewis: On Being A Person."
In this fascinating conversation, Chris opens up about preserving his father’s incredible legacy—both in entertainment and philanthropy. He shares personal stories of idolizing his dad, volunteering for the MDA Telethon at age 14, and witnessing firsthand Jerry’s relentless creativity and perfectionism.
Chris also delves into the treasures of his father’s film and tape archives, his journey in bringing them to the Library of Congress, and why he felt compelled to write this deeply personal book. Featuring more than 300 rare photos and 45 of Jerry’s most memorable sayings, the book captures the wisdom, humor, and humanity of a true icon.
He also reflects on growing up in a showbiz family, his mother’s crucial role in Jerry’s success, the surprising truth about his father’s stage fright, and the profound impact his humor had on millions.
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Noshing With Tony Mozingo – March 13, 2025

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Tony Mozingo, former FBI agent and author of "Beyond the Badge: One Man, Two Lives." In this fascinating episode, Tony shares his incredible journey—from working in foreign counterintelligence to em-bracing his passion for storytelling.
They dive into everything from the meaning behind his unique last name (a Bantu African origin) to his deep admiration for philosopher Mortimer Adler. Tony reflects on what led him to join the FBI, why he volunteered for Russian language school, and one of the most gripping cases of his career. He also reveals how he managed to keep his sense of humor in high-stakes situations and the unexpected role his beloved cats—and border collie—played in shaping his philosophical outlook.
Through lively conversations and thought-provoking insights, Tony weaves together pet stories and FBI adventures that ultimately became his book. He also touches on his interest in stoic philosophy and the power of accepting life as it comes.
Don't miss this compelling episode, where espionage, philosophy, and feline wisdom collide!
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Noshing With David Singer – March 6, 2025

This week on "Ira’s Everything Bagel", Ira sits down with David Singer, author of "From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall." In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, David shares his incredible journey through music and life—from his early days surrounded by melodies to an unexpected love-driven decision to pick up the clarinet (he won the talent show but lost the girl!).
He opens up about the mentor who became his “musical father,” the struggles and resilience shaped by a complex family dynamic, and the chapter in his book that’s not just entertaining, but deeply moving. David also reflects on his unique double life as a musician and cab driver, why he chose classical music (where he felt one with the music), and his passion for teaching students the beauty of classical music and opera.
Listen as he recalls playing alongside legends like Yo-Yo Ma, why classical music’s big-gest superstars remain deeply connected to their fellow musicians, and the powerful lega-cy he hopes his book will leave behind. Ultimately, it’s a story of transformation, perseverance, and the music that shaped a life.
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“Ira’s Everything Bagel” is also available on Alexa, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pocket Casts, SoundCloud, Spotify, Stitcher Radio, Tunein Radio, and Vurbl.

“Bagels are the only bread that are boiled before baked. Once the bagel dough is shaped into a circle, they are dipped in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. After that, they are drained and baked for about 10 minutes.”

Bagels have been to space! “It’s safe to say that the treats from Fairmount Bagels in Montreal are out of this world. In 2008, Astronaut Greg Chamitoff boarded Discovery for a 14-day flight into space. Accompanying him? Eighteen bagels from Fairmount, a shop owned by his aunt.”

“The word Bagel comes from the German word “bougel,” meaning “bracelet,” and by way of the Yiddish “beygl” which means “ring.” So, if it is not in the shape of a ring or bracelet, it is NOT a bagel.”

“What sets bagels apart from other types of bread is the fact that they are boiled. Some imitations are steamed, but they do not have the same chewy and crunchy crust and are not true bagels.”

“The first beugel bakeries were founded in New York City in the 1920s. Later the name was changed and called a bagel.”

“The hole in the middle of your bagel is no mistake. In fact, this bread was baked with a hole so vendors could slide them on to dowel rods, making it easy to transport them to wherever they would be selling their bagel that day.”

“Bagels are the only bread that are boiled before they are baked.”

World Champion Competitive Eater Joey Chestnut won Siegel’s Bagelmania Bagel Eating Competition in Las Vegas January 13, winning the title, a championship belt and $5,000 of the total $10,000 prize pool.