Authors, WAIL: The Visual Language of Prestige Records

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira talks with Chris Entwisle and Mark Havens, longtime friends, designers, and authors of WAIL: The Visual Language of Prestige Records—a new book that celebrates the look, feel, and soul of one of jazz’s most influential labels.

Chris and Mark share the story of how their curiosity about Rudy Van Gelder’s legendary Hackensack studio led them down a musical rabbit hole—uncovering the artistry behind Prestige Records from 1949 to 1960. Along the way, they tracked down elusive first-edition album covers, connected with people who helped shape the label, and discovered how visual design and music fused into one bold creative movement.

They also reflect on the magic of Prestige founder Bob Weinstock’s informal recording sessions, the artists who designed covers with the same improvisational spirit as the musicians inside, and why the label’s visual identity remains a touchstone for jazz lovers and designers alike.

It’s a conversation that celebrates not just the sound of jazz—but the look of it.

Chris Entwisle is an artist and illustrator. For more than 30 years, Chris has used his passion for both jazz and post-war graphic design in his illustration work. He has a BA in Graphic Design from Rutgers University. Chris and his wife live in the Philadelphia area.

Mark Havens is an educator, designer and artist with a dual background in graphic and industrial design. Havens’ work has been exhibited internationally and is held in both private and public collections. His first major monograph, Out of Season, was described by the New York Times as “a decade-long elegy.” He is a professor of Industrial Design at Thomas Jefferson University. 

Author, Victim #8 (A Luke Steele Novel)

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with bestselling author and former CIA officer Traci Hunter Abramson, whose latest thriller, Victim #8 (A Luke Steele Novel), dives deep into the world of high-stakes intrigue.

Traci shares how she dreamed up her action-driven hero, Luke Steele—a military aide to the president—and his sharp FBI analyst counterpart. She also reveals her unusual writing habits (yes, she actually writes on a treadmill), why her characters sometimes wake her at 4 a.m., and how she manages to complete three to four novels a year.

From a childhood spent creating stories in bed to a career in intelligence that gave her a real-world foundation for fiction, Traci’s journey is as fascinating as her plots. She opens up about her lifelong secrecy agreement with the CIA, her early journaling habit, her ability to multitask at a professional level, and what it’s like to be both a writer and an extrovert.

Traci Hunter Abramson, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, was born in Arizona and later studied abroad in Venezuela. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the CIA for six years before leaving to raise her family. She credits the agency with providing her with a wealth of ideas for her thriller novels and the skills needed to navigate her children’s teenage years. 

Traci has written more than 45 bestselling novels and has received multiple awards, including the 2025 Silver Falchion Judges’ Top Pick – Thriller, the 2024 Whitney Award – Outstanding Achievement Winner, 2022 Rone award finalist, 2021 Swoony Award for Best Mystery/Suspense Romance, and is a ten-time Whitney Award winner, including Best Novel of the Year in 2017 and 2019. Recently retired from coaching high school swimming for twenty-six years, she enjoys traveling and spending her time as a popular writing instructor, keynote speaker, panelist, and attendee at conferences, including Bouchercon, Killer Nashville, Thrillerfest, and ALA.

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Return of ‘Up All Night’

Ira sits down with the one and only Rhonda Shear—comedian, actress, entrepreneur, former Miss Louisiana, and the unforgettable hostess of USA Network’s cult-classic late-night showcase, Up All Night. After nearly a decade of shaping the midnight movie experience from 1989 to 1998, Up All Night is making its long-awaited comeback, premiering October 25 on Kings of Horror, a YouTube streaming powerhouse with more than 1.5 million subscribers and a massive community of horror fanatics.

In this episode, Rhonda takes us on a full-circle journey—

*From being cast on “Happy Days” and chasing sitcom dreams in Los Angeles

*To crafting her hilarious on-screen persona when Up All Night found her

*To building a wildly successful intimate apparel empire (yes, the Rhonda Shear brand!)

*To going to college before Hollywood ever came calling

*To rediscovering love after 40

She also shares how the revival came to life through a new collaboration with Kings of Horror, a channel known for its “blood-curdling family of horror enthusiasts” curating indie gems, cult classics, fresh releases, and fan-fueled marathons—all 14,000 titles deep.

Now, Rhonda’s bringing back the laughter—this time with comedy that’s fun, fearless, and refreshingly un-political. She reveals the Hollywood mentors who shaped her journey, how she’s booking directors and actors from the very films she features, and why this reboot isn’t just nostalgic—it’s personal.

If you loved staying up late with Rhonda the first time around… you’re going to love her even more now.

The late-night hostess with the mostess! For 8 years and more than 450 episodes of USA’s Up All Night, Rhonda Shear kept America UP every Friday with outrageous comedy, over-the-top characters, and campy fun. Known for her big hair, quick wit, and playful style, she introduced a generation to horror, B-movies, and late-night laughs.  In 2017, Rhonda came out with memoir Up All Night: From Hollywood Bombshell to Lingerie Mogul, Life Lessons from an Accidental Feminist.

Rhonda Shear             Website

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Author, Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader

This week on Ira’s Everything Bagel, Ira sits down with acclaimed author Sue William Silverman to dive into her new book, Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader. Sue explores the art of the flash essay—short pieces that deliver big emotional punch.

She shares why she chose to write 71 compact yet deeply resonant essays, and how transforming her life into art helps her make sense of it. Sue opens up about her “upside-down” sister, her love of metaphor as a universal language, and the difference between sharing intimacy on the page versus in person.

They also talk about the healing power of writing, how she encourages her students to discover their authentic voices, and the importance of emotional truth in creative nonfiction. And yes, there’s room for humor too—as Sue reveals her father-figure fascination with Pat Boone and her “addiction” to Barry Manilow as a kind of higher power.

It’s a lively, revealing, and richly layered conversation about art, memory, and the flashes of insight that illuminate a writer’s life.

Sue William Silverman is an award-winning author known for her fearless explorations of trauma, identity, and personal transformation. She co-chairs the MFA in Writing Program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and has appeared on The View, Anderson Cooper 360, and PBS Books.

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Author, An Awesome Bird: The Pelican

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira chats with Rusty Austin — a veteran reality television producer with more than three decades behind the camera and now, the author of An Awesome Bird: The Pelican.

Rusty shares how he made the leap from shaping unscripted TV hits like Hell’s Kitchen — one of the toughest shows he ever tackled — to writing playful, poetic stories for kids. A lifelong storyteller who started making movies in eighth grade, Rusty now blends clever rhymes, parenting wisdom, and fascinating animal facts, all brought to life with illustrations from middle school students.

He talks about how posting short poems on Facebook led to a book series that inspires creativity in children, complete with a hands-on “do-it-yourself” section for young readers. From elephants to pelicans, Rusty Austin proves that whether on screen or on the page, the story always comes first.

(Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

Rusty Austin was a reality television show producer for more than three decades and now is the author of six published books, including an illustrated children’s book series.

His books include: Baseball’s Unlikely: A Constant; Dave and Me (a memoir); and four children’s books: The Carrot IsOrange, The Unicorn Has One Horn, Beware The Grizzly Bear, and An Awesome Bird: The Pelican.

Rusty broke into Hollywood as a freelance electrician on dozens of movies, including Terminator

2. After a few years, he decided to give up movies because everything in the lighting and grip department weighs no less than 50 pounds. Rusty then spent 35 years as a freelance reality television producer until he retired in 2018. He worked onHell’s Kitchen for 16 seasons, his final show. His first show was Real Stories of the Highway Patrol. Along the way, he worked on Big Brother, Survivor, Nanny 911, COPS, and others.

He graduated from UCLA Film School with a degree in film and television.

Rusty grew up in Littleton, Colorado, but was born in Sidney, Nebraska. He now resides in Rancho Mirage, California.

Author, The Betrayal

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sat down with Heather Ogden, the young author behind The Betrayal (the first in a planned series of The Lies We Fear). Heather shares how her debut novel—born from a spark she felt in high school after reading Orwell’s 1984—grew into the first installment of a bold new series.

In this conversation, Heather reveals how she convinced a publisher to take a chance on her story, why magic fascinates her, and how she balances world-building, action, and complex characters with the demands of school and everyday life. She talks about the challenges of writing difficult characters, drawing inspiration from psychology research, and weaving pieces of herself into every character so readers of her generation can see themselves in the story.

Heather also opens up about her creative journey—from dreaming of being a YouTuber to embracing her mother’s encouragement that her true gift was writing. With The Betrayal, she blends intrigue, mystery, and a touch of the fantastical into a gripping tale of a young girl uncovering her father’s betrayal and rewriting history itself. It’s a story crafted for entertainment, but one that leaves readers thinking long after the last page.

Heather Ogden is a novelist with a passion for fantasy and magical realism. Her debut novel, The Betrayal, combines her fascination with mysterious magic and her love of storytelling.

A lifelong reader and storyteller, Heather spent years crafting this book to take readers on a journey through twists, secrets, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Heather resides in Tennessee, where she can often be found exploring local bookstores, gathering inspiration for her next story.

The Lies We Fear       Website

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Author, High Hopes

Resilience, Rock ’n’ Roll, and a Second Act at 59.

This week on Ira’s Everything Bagel, Ira sits down with Anne Abel, author of High Hopes—a memoir that proves it’s never too late to rewrite your story. After decades of battling severe depression and growing up in a home where music and fun were off-limits, Anne made a life-altering decision at age 59: to attend her very first concert. The artist? Bruce Springsteen.

What began as one night out became a transformational journey. From the raw energy of Springsteen’s performances that made her feel alive, to the discipline and structure she found in following the tour, Anne discovered a new way forward. She shares how storytelling, resilience, and sheer determination helped her not just survive—but thrive.

It’s a conversation about courage, unexpected second acts, and the healing power of music. Anne Abel’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to find joy, purpose, and a reason to keep going.

Anne Abel is an author, storyteller, and influencer. Her first memoir, Mattie, Milo, and Me (2024), about unwittingly rescuing an aggressive dog, was inspired by her Moth StorySLAM win in New York City. The current memoir, High Hopes, was inspired by her Moth StorySLAM win in Chicago. In January 2025, Anne was featured in Newsweek’s, “Boomer’s Story About How She Met Her Husband of 45 Years Captivates Internet.” She holds an MFA from the New School for Social Research, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a BS in chemical engineering from Tufts University. Anne has freelanced for multiple outlets over the course of her career and has published on topics ranging from dogs lovable and difficult, to coping with depression, family dysfunction, generational trauma, overcoming writer’s block and being a FaceTime grandmother. She lives in New York City with her husband, Andy, and their cavapoo puppy, Wendell.
 
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Author, The Wild Why: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author Laura Munson, whose new book The Wild Why: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder invites us to reconnect with awe, creativity, and the deeper stories we live by.

In this inspiring conversation, Laura explores the hunger that drives us to create, the lessons from her Haven writing retreats, and why she refuses to accept the myth that people aren’t creative. She shares how everything we do is an act of creation, how we can move beyond bullet points to live fuller stories, and why the most vital question we can ask ourselves is: What can we create?

Together, Ira and Laura dive into reclaiming our childlike wonder, balancing the discipline of writing with the freedom of imagination, and dismantling the “tortured artist” paradigm in favor of a healthier, more sustainable creative life. With more than 1,000 people guided through her retreats, Laura knows firsthand the transformative power of community, curiosity, and awe—and she’s here to help us find it for ourselves.

Laura Munson is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa’s Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. Founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, she has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London’s This Morning, Australia’s Sunrise, and other global media outlets. She lives in Whitefish, Montana.

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Author, Relentless Growth: Cultivating a Chef’s Mindset to Professional Fulfillment

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Chef Franck Desplechin—culinary innovator and author of Relentless Growth: Cultivating a Chef’s Mindset to Professional Fulfillment. From his early days as a teenage intern in France to mastering English in Hawaii, Chef Franck has built a career defined by curiosity, resilience, and an unshakable drive to improve.

In this conversation, he opens up about the stress and intensity of the food and beverage world, why he believes growth should always be “relentless,” and how he’s evolved as both a chef and a leader—learning to listen, set high expectations, and handle everything from difficult customers to personal setbacks. He also shares why he wrote his book, the surprising process of bringing it to life, and one powerful principle he swears by: redefining failure as a chance to learn and grow.

Whether you’re in the kitchen, in business, or just looking for a better version of yourself, Chef Franck’s insights on mindset, leadership, and personal growth go far beyond food.

Franck Desplechin has been a distinguished figure in the world of Culinary & Food and Beverage operations for more than 25 years. Throughout his illustrious career in the kitchens of several Michelin-star-rated restaurants in France and some of the most luxurious brands around the world, such as St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and Auberge Resort Collection, Franck has exemplified flexibility and adaptability, seamlessly aligning with organizational needs while spearheading teams to unprecedented success.

Franck’s unique journey started at the school of hard knocks when he decided to work in kitchens at 15 years old instead of going to high school. His “neurotic” obsession to keep moving forward against all odds and adversities has earned him recognition as a true mastermind in his field. 

Today, Franck shares his leadership philosophy through his consulting firm, Incrementum. He is a firm believer that adopting a professional growth mindset will transform an individual to reach career fulfillment.

When he is not traveling to assist hotels and resorts around the country, he enjoys hiking the trails of Connecticut with his wife Kristin and his two daughters, Lorena and Camila.

Chef Franck    Website

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Author, I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Nancy Shear, author of the memoir, I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms. Nancy shares how a single free ticket to the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 15 changed the course of her life, igniting a lifelong passion for classical music. From an initial orchestra performance to being swept up by the magnetic influence of conductor Leopold Stokowski—whose vision, charisma, and flair for bringing composers to life shaped her journey—Nancy takes us inside the world of music with fresh insight and contagious enthusiasm.

In this conversation, Nancy reflects on her decades-long love affair with classical music: the thrill of hearing an orchestra tune before the first note, the joy of spreading the word as an evangelist for the art form, and the painstaking, ten-year process of writing her book. Along the way, she reveals what she hopes readers will take from her story, why the title of her memoir is so personal, and how the power of music has been the defining influence in her life.

ABOUT

Nancy Shear’s remarkable background includes 20 years as an orchestra librarian for the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Curtis Institute, as well as private work for Leopold Stokowski, Lorin Maazel, and others. Her articles have appeared in major outlets, and she has written two books, The Three Tenors and I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms. Ms. Shear has lectured for the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Caramoor Festival; has hosted broadcasts of the New York Philharmonic, New Jersey Symphony, Frick Collection, and Naumburg Foundation; had her own interview programs on WNYC; and served as commentator for the American Public Media. She has taught at New York University’s School of Continuing Education and the Lillian Vernon Center for International Affairs at New York University, and has lectured at The Juilliard School, the Manhattan School, and the Mannes School of Music at The New School. She is the founder and president of Nancy Shear Arts Services, a public relations and event production agency for the performing arts.

Nancy Shear     Website