Ira’s Everything Bagel | US Arts and Culture Podcasts

Photo by Mary Slater
Ira dives into Hollywood history with author Thomas J. Slater, whose new book, "June Mathis: The Rise and Fall of a Silent Film Visionary"(University Press of Kentucky), sheds light on one of early cinema’s most overlooked trailblazers.
In this fascinating conversation, Thomas reveals why June Mathis—a powerhouse screenwriter and the first woman executive at MGM—captured his attention from a long list of forgotten female film pioneers. He shares how he unearthed a treasure trove of ar-chival material at USC, including scripts and personal papers, and how silent film star Colleen Moore’s 36 meticulously kept scrapbooks—stuffed with reviews, clippings, and memorabilia—provided a vivid glimpse into Mathis’s prolific career from 1921 to 1936.
Thomas was stunned by the sheer volume of work Mathis produced—she was, quite lit-erally, always writing. He discusses how her spiritual, emotionally rich storytelling brought a distinctly female voice to the silver screen—a counterbalance to the brash ex-cesses of the Jazz Age. He also explores the erasure of women like Mathis from film his-tory, describing it as a deliberate act.
The episode touches on her personal legacy as well, with insights from her grandniece Diane Mathis Madsen, who contributed family letters and rare photographs. And of course, there’s the story of how Rudolph Valentino credited Mathis with launching his career—and why the tides turned for her as studio control gave way to outside financial interests after 1920.
Discover the remarkable rise—and haunting fall—of a visionary who helped shape early Hollywood, only to be written out of its story.
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Noshing With Adam Haston – May 15, 2025

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira talks with Adam Haston, author of "The Wonder Effect: An Adventurous Guide for Igniting Your Passions and Pursuing Your Calling."
In a conversation brimming with insight and energy, Adam shares his unconventional journey to success—one fueled by curiosity, resilience, and a refusal to accept the limits imposed by outdated systems. He reframes failure not as defeat but as vital feedback, a necessary ingredient in the recipe for growth. “Action plus learning equals experience,” he says—and that philosophy reverberates through every part of his story.
Adam explores how traditional education, designed for the industrial era, often narrows our choices instead of expanding them. He challenges listeners to venture beyond their comfort zones—just as artists, entrepreneurs, and filmmakers do—into the unknown where real learning and transformation occur.
From battling imposter syndrome to drawing wisdom from his rabbinic background, Adam offers both philosophical depth and practical tools for anyone seeking meaning and momentum in their life. He explains the origins of his book’s title, emphasizes that indeci-sion is a decision, and reminds us that neither age nor illness should keep us from pursuing our calling.
Whether you're 18, 80, or somewhere in between, this episode is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to discover your passion and step boldly into your purpose.
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Noshing With Lady Dhyana Ziegler – May 8, 2025

Author, Midnight Train from Georgia This week on Ira’s Everything Bagel, Ira sits down with Lady Dhyana Ziegler, author of Midnight Train from Georgia, for an unforgettable conversation. Lady Dhyana shares an intimate look at the life of her brother-in-law, William Franklin Guest—an original member of the legendary Pips.. She recounts how the group blossomed from their […]

Noshing With Ivana Chubbuck – May 1, 2025

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with legendary acting coach Ivana Chubbuck, author of the updated edition of the best-selling book "The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Technique"—a groundbreaking 12-step method that transforms scripts into raw, vibrant, and deeply human performances.

Ivana opens up about her early dreams of becoming an actor in Hollywood and the frustration she felt with overly theoretical acting books. Determined to create something truly useful, she developed a technique rooted in behavioral science, psychology, and cultural anthropology—designed to help actors channel their pain, fears, and insecurities into powerful tools for performance and personal transformation.

She shares insights into her own difficult childhood and how acting became a way to reclaim her voice. What began as a modest 20-page guide evolved into a popular book, now in its updated edition, influencing not just actors but anyone seeking to harness their emotional truth.

In this intimate and inspiring conversation, Ivana discusses why real growth demands hard work, how understanding both light and dark emotions is essential for authentic storytelling, and how her unique philosophy helped shape stars like Sylvester Stallone. Most of all, she reminds us that whether on stage or off, we are all storytellers—and there's always more to learn.

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