Author, Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild

This week on Ira’s Everything Bagel, Ira sits down with Samuel Garza Bernstein, author of Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild. Samuel shares the story behind Romero’s unforgettable Joker laugh—and how Cesar graciously performed it for fans everywhere, from busy airports to city streets. Drawing on his own show business background, Samuel reveals how his agent nudged him toward writing the book, leading to a deep dive into the USC cinema library’s treasure trove of Romero’s early life.

From suave leading man to versatile Latino character actor, Romero brought humanity to every role—whether sharing the screen with Shirley Temple, playing his most dramatic characters, or stealing scenes as Batman’s maniacal nemesis, leaving “no prisoners.” Samuel recounts Romero’s love of dancing, his reinvention over decades in Hollywood, the surprising truths he uncovered, and the way Cesar supported his once-wealthy family through his success. It’s a portrait of a man who took his craft seriously, lived life with flair, and left an indelible mark on Hollywood history.

Samuel Garza Bernstein is a bestselling author, a Stonewall Book Award winner, and an award-winning screenwriter and playwright whose work often reflects the wild intersections of modern life. He, his husband Ronald Shore, and their pack of incorrigible dachshunds split their time between Porto, Portugal, and Los Angeles, California.

Samuel Garza Bernstein         Website

Samuel Garza Bernstein         Facebook

Samuel Garza Bernstein         Instagram

Author, Dwelling in a Place of Yes: The Surprising Psychology Behind Fear, Opportunity, and Smarter Choices

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira serves up a thought-provoking conversation with Shane H. Tepper — creative director, content strategist, and a pioneering voice in the emerging world of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Tepper is also the author of Dwelling in a Place of Yes: The Surprising Psychology Behind Fear, Opportunity, and Smarter Choices.

In this fascinating episode, Shane unpacks how GEO is rapidly redefining online discovery — not by chasing keywords like traditional SEO, but by aligning with human intent, conceptual language, and the way large language models (LLMs) actually think. He dives into the seismic shift from broad searches to specific, purpose-driven queries, and why GEO is engineered for people, not just algorithms.

Shane also explores how artificial intelligence models self-train on the vast tapestry of internet content, and how this has changed everything from brand discovery to content strategy. He reveals how his own existential crisis led him into the world of AI — what he calls “joining the machines” — and how business owners must approach AI adoption strategically rather than reactively.

From the fast-moving “turnover effect” in AI-driven information, to the clash between knowledge models and commerce models, Shane offers a behind-the-scenes look at the future of digital visibility. He also shares why he wrote his book, how he used AI as a writing partner (without losing his human voice), and what it means to be a “ruthless editor” in the age of machines.

This is an episode for anyone curious about the intersection of technology, psychology, and the future of how we search, discover, and decide.

ABOUT

Shane H. Tepper is a creative director, content strategist, and early leader in the emerging field of generative engine optimization (GEO). He helps brands improve visibility, accuracy, and narrative control across AI-native platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.

With more than 15 years of experience spanning film, advertising, and B2B technology, Tepper operates at the intersection of storytelling and artificial intelligence. He builds content systems designed to be cited by the very models shaping how people search, compare, and make decisions in today’s AI-driven world.

His recent work includes authoring a foundational white paper on GEO, leading AI discoverability audits, and designing structured content frameworks optimized for machine ingestion and real-world performance. He advises organizations on GEO strategy, AI-native content development, scalable content operations, and brand positioning for conversational interfaces.

Beyond client work, Tepper writes and speaks on AI’s broader implications for work, identity, and economic relevance—exploring what we gain, what we risk, and how we adapt when machines can think. He is also the author of Dwelling in a Place of Yes: The Surprising Psychology Behind Fear, Opportunity, and Smarter Choices (2025), a book that examines decision-making in uncertain times and reflects on his evolving work in content and consulting

Shane H. Tepper         Website

Shane H. Tepper         LinkedIn

Shane H. Tepper         YouTube

Author, Vital Mission, a Jake Fortina Series Love Story

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke, retired military officer and author of Vital Mission, the latest installment in the gripping Jake Fortina Series: A Love Story. Drawing on decades of experience in international affairs, counterterrorism, and military leadership, Rick shares what inspired him to leave his high-stakes career behind to tell the untold stories—those of behind-the-scenes missions and the families who serve silently alongside the soldiers.

In this episode, Rick reveals how Jake Fortina, his title character, is two-thirds based on his own life—and one-third pure “Hollywood.” He opens up about how a close friend also helped shape Jake’s identity, and how military discipline gave him the structure to write compelling thrillers grounded in reality.

Rick explains how his novels, vetted for classified content, evolved from a single story into a full-blown series packed with danger, heart, and political intrigue. Vital Mission tackles one of today’s darkest topics—children taken from Ukraine and relocated to Russia—and weaves it into a high-stakes global thriller featuring espionage, betrayal, and a standout subplot involving a Russian female army medic.

Get ready for a conversation about what it means to write fiction with a purpose, create characters who feel like flesh and blood, and channel real-life experience into page-turning storytelling.

Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke is the author of the Jake Fortna novel series, including Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy, Grand Prize Winner, Global Thriller category, Chanticleer International Book Awards (2023), and Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat, a semi-finalist in the 2022 Global Thriller category for the Chanticleer International Book Awards. His third book in the series, Change of Mission, also won several awards. Vital Missionreleases this August.

In 2019, he also published Next Mission: US Defense Attaché to France, a memoir (currently out of print, to be republished in 2025 or 2026). 

Since Rick’s commissioning from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he has served a lifetime of US national security roles, including 28 years in the US Army and 14 in the Department of Defense. Official duties have taken him to over thirty countries in Europe and Asia, including Afghanistan and Ukraine. 

“Rick” Steinke            Website

“Rick” Steinke            Facebook

“Rick” Steinke            LinkedIn

Author, Charlie-Man

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Thomas Cullen, a federal judge and lifelong writer whose powerful debut novel, Charlie-Man, has just been published. A seasoned legal mind with a passion for storytelling, Thomas shares how writing has always been his first love—something he returned to with intensity once he became a judge. With an eye toward judicial ethics about writing about issues that might come before him, he crafted a coming-of-age novel set in the deeply evocative world of a Southern prep school in Richmond, Virginia—a place and time etched into his memory.

In this engaging episode, Thomas opens up about the inspiration behind Charlie-Man, the emotional reaction from family and friends, and the surprising moment he revealed the book’s existence at a graduation ceremony. He talks about the discipline it took to carve out writing time, how the story began to pour out after a few chapters, and the invaluable feedback from his wife and son—his first readers. From the careful crafting of the title to the emotional resonance that brought his son to tears, Thomas reflects on resilience, the impact of teachers, and the importance of not bearing burdens alone. It’s a candid conversation about creativity, legacy, and the healing power of storytelling.

Thomas Cullen is a federal trial judge and former U.S. attorney in Virginia. He is also an accomplished writer, regularly publishing op-eds and essays for national and regional media outlets over the past decade. Thomas graduated near the top of his class from William & Mary Law School and was recently honored as its 2024 Carter O. Lowance Fellow. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Thomas studied history and ran track at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, which recently awarded him an honorary doctorate. Charlie-Man is his first novel.

Amazon                    Website

Barnes & Noble       Website 

Bookshop                 Website    

Author, The Call of Wonder

This week on Ira’s Everything Bagel, Ira dives into a thought-provoking conversation with Brian Cranley, author of The Call of Wonder. Once aspiring to become a doctor, Brian found himself drawn instead to theology—a path that led him to explore the harmony between faith and science.

In this deeply personal and intellectually engaging episode, Brian shares:

Why he believes science and spirituality aren’t at odds but rather part of the same quest for truth.

How his dual love for scripture and science shaped the book.

What inspired the title The Call of Wonder and what the Big Bang has to do with belief.

How he tackles big questions like evil and suffering without vilifying either atheists or believers.

His take on God as the architect of both reason and reality—and why we shouldn’t fear evolving scientific discovery.

The importance of finding common ground—even with those who don’t share your faith.

How philosophy changed the way he thinks, and why people are craving more depth in the age of shallow scrolling.

With warmth, clarity, and curiosity, Brian invites listeners to reflect on their own spiritual and intellectual journeys—and reminds us that wonder itself might be the most powerful bridge between belief and understanding.

Throughout his life, Brian Cranley has been fascinated by the intersection of God and the “real world.” This led him to earn a bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering from Texas A&M University and later a masters of divinity from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Today, he lives in the Texas Hill Country outside San Antonio with his family. When he’s not writing, you can find him running a thriving medical device business and spending time with his girls outdoors. In his free time, he continues his own search for wonder in the worlds of philosophy, theology, and science.

Brian Cranley Website

Brian Cranley LinkedIn

Brian Cranley YouTube

Brian Cranley X

Author, Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness

This week on Ira’s Everything Bagel, Ira sits down with Deb Miller, author of Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. Deb opens up about how her memoir—born during the isolation of the pandemic—grew into a powerful message encouraging women to break free from the scripted “fairy tale” and instead craft a life built on authenticity, choice, and joy. She shares how the book became a deeply personal legacy project, something more enduring than a box of old photographs for her grandchildren—an emotional roadmap for navigating life with courage and intention.

Deb dives into the parallels between modern self-discovery and the classic Disney transformation—except, in her version, the goal isn’t a prince, but purpose. With all three of her adult children involved since the beginning, the memoir also serves as a “love letter” to her family. She reflects on her “apple pie” childhood, the challenges that followed, and the surprises of discovering a multigenerational audience that resonates with her message. From confronting the vulnerability of telling her story to forming a panel on the science and storytelling of happiness, Deb reveals why the journey to fulfillment is less about ideology and more about self-knowledge—and why joy, even in small doses, can change everything.

Deb Miller’s life is a tapestry of adventure and achievement, weaving together experiences from her small-town Indiana roots to business opportunities across the globe. Her job as a hardworking Fortune 500 executive led to rappelling the Great Wall and riding elephants in India, all while remaining a devoted mom. Now a part-time marketing professor, she cherishes the opportunity to learn from her global students as well as her children and grandchildren. Deb resides in an enchanted forest outside of Seattle, where the landscaping projects are endless and enjoyable.

Forget the Fairytale                Website

Forget the Fairytale                Instagram

Forget the Fairytale                TikTok

Author, The Woke Supremacy: An Anti-Socialist Manifesto

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 functions 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.

Evan Sayet has had an incredibly eclectic career. Starting put as a stand-up comedian,he appeared on shows like Late Night with David Letterman and headlined in all fifty states and twenty-five countries. Leter, he wrote and produced for television including The Tonight Show and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. After 9/11, Evan segued into the political arena, giving several legendary lectures to the Heritage Foundatiion, advising the Ted Cruz for President campaign and writing five major speeches for first candidate and then President Trump.

Evan Sayet                  Website

Evan Sayet                  Substack

Evan Sayet                  Facebook

Evan Sayet                  X

Evan Sayet                  YouTube

Author, Human History on Drugs: An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence

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 humanity’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 recent figures he studied, and explores the complex question: Have drugs helped or hindered 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.

Sam Kelly, a history graduate from Stanford University, is on the autism spectrum and his interest and passion for history has become an almost physical compulsion. He loves to dig up forgotten and weird stories from the past and spends hours uncovering every last stubborn detail. As a deep believer that history can be as exciting as any Marvel movie, Sam aims to— whether on TikTok or through a book—make history both engaging and accessible to all. Human History on Drugs is his first book.

Sam Kelly   Instagram

Sam Kelly   YouTube

Sam Kelly   TikTok

Author, Over There

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, displacement, 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.

A cancer diagnosis that uncovered a genetic defect, combined with a lifelong interest in medical history and a successful career as a healthcare executive, inspired Jane to begin her writing journey. Her first book, Almost a Princess: My Life as a Two-Time Cancer Survivor (2009), was a Next Generation Award Finalist and garnered attention through various magazine features. During this time, she actively raised funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) and began exploring her family history, discovering the story of her great-grandmother, Mathilda (“Tillie”), who arrived in New York City in 1866 as a baby.

At just 16, Tillie married a man 12 years her senior and later died of what was described as “a woman’s disease.” The details of her life remained elusive, prompting Rubin to imagine a vivid and dramatic life for her ancestor. Her investigation into New York’s medical and legal history, including conservative reproductive laws and the role of midwives, inspired a compelling, fast-paced trilogy of historical novels. These books delve into the dangers of pregnancy, shifting roles in women’s healthcare, and settings such as the notorious Blackwell’s Workhouse, all while highlighting the challenges faced by women in a restrictive era.

Jane’s historical fiction series includes In the Hands of Women (2023) and its prequel Threadbare (2024). She also writes a monthly blog, Musings, about her post-healthcare and writing life. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan (BS, MS) and Washington University (MBA), and spent the early part of her career as a speech therapist before retiring from a 30-year healthcare executive role. She lives in Northern New Jersey with her husband, David, and together they have five children and seven grandchildren. A portion of her book sales benefits The Matilda Fund. 

Jane Loeb Rubin       Website

Jane Loeb Rubin       Facebook

Jane Loeb Rubin       Instagram

Jane Loeb Rubin       LinkedIn

Jane Loeb Rubin       X

Author, Finding Happy: A User’s Guide to Your Life, with Lessons from Mine

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.

Peter Samuelson is a serial pro-social entrepreneur, known for blending media and compassion to drive social change. He is the co-founder and president of First Star, which operates seventeen high school academies on college campuses for youth in foster care, and the CEO of PhilmCo Media LLC, which produces empathy-driven commercial films. Peter co-founded the Starlight Children’s Foundation in 1982 to provide psychosocial services for seriously ill children, which inspired his next initiative: Starbright World, the first avatar-based social network for seriously ill teens, co-founded with Steven Spielberg. He later founded First Star in 1999, EDAR (Everyone Deserves a Roof) in 2005, and ASPIRE in 2013, a media training program for non-film school undergraduates. Alongside these ventures, he has produced 27 films, raised four children, and remains deeply committed to improving the lives of society’s most vulnerable.

The first in his family to attend college, Peter earned a Master’s in English Literature from Cambridge on a full scholarship before moving to Los Angeles. He began his career as a production manager and later produced a diverse range of films, including Revenge of the Nerds, Tom & Viv, Wilde, and Arlington Road. He was a founding board member of Participant Media, known for socially impactful films like An Inconvenient Truth and Spotlight. From 2012 to 2013, Peter served as the founding managing director of the Media Institute for Social Change at USC. Today, he continues to balance his film work with philanthropic leadership, including holding a U.S. patent for a mobile homeless shelter. Peter lives in Los Angeles with his wife of thirty-five years, Saryl, and remains a tireless advocate for abused and neglected children.

Peter Samuelson    Website

Peter Samuelson    Facebook

Peter Samuelson    X