The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast | a podcast by Ira Sternberg

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Richard N. “Rick” Velotta, gaming-tourism reporter and assistant business editor for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about why this is the best news town in the country; the impact of the Hard Rock coming to the Las Vegas Strip; the biggest change in Las Vegas; the develop-ment of an underground transit system; the impact of COVID; the most significant tech-nological advance to benefit the casino industry; and the top Las Vegas news story for 2022.

This week, Ira spoke with Leo Flowers, performing in the Comedy Cellar at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino through December 18. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Leo talks about transitioning from inmate counseling to stand-up comedy; why story telling is integral to his comedy; how he became a life coach and works with high-achieving women; what it means to “get back to neutral”; his podcast and finding “your chicken”; his favorite comedian; and flying to close to the sun.

This week, Ira spoke with country artist Ned LeDoux, who will be performing a free concert in the Veil Pavilion at the Silverton December 1&2 at 9 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Ned talks about being “bitten by the beat” as a kid; how he started playing drums at the age of six; why his dad, singer-songwriter and rodeo champion Chris LeDoux, had a big impact on his musical decisions; when he sang for the first time in public; his association with singer/songwriter/guitarist Mac McAnally; why Charlie Daniels was a big influence on him; when he decided to write songs; how he comes up with ideas for songs; and what he sees doing in the next five years.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian (and motivational speaker) Guy Fessenden, performing in the Delirious Comedy Club at the Downtown Grand. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Guy talks about the challenges of becoming a comedian at age 63; why he decided go go into comedy after years of pain and tears; how he runs a not-for-profit agency during the day and performs at night; the obligations of an “opener” in a comedy club; why, once you do stand up, you “don’t have to fear anything in life”; how he uses humor in his public speaking; why mental illness is an important subject for his public speaking as well as part of his family life.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Jim Caruso, bringing “Jim Caruso’s Cast Party” (with Billy Stritch on piano) to Myron’s at The Smith Center November 18 at 7 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Jim talks about his Cast Party that features an impromptu open mic/variety show where stars and up-and-comers deliver music and dazzle dazzle; his career in show business; how he came up with the idea of a cast party; why he loves traveling the world, celebrating talent; how the show is successful due to the high-end venues, Billy Stritch and the musicians, and great lighting and sound; why he’s not a snarky host; why it’s a very democratic show; and the party’s most unusual acts.

This week, Ira spoke with Chad Chesmark, performing in “House of Magic,” a family- friendly comedy and magic show residency at The Downtown Grand. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Chad talks about his early start in magic; his decision to commit full time to performing; his training in Neuro-linguistic programming; how a significant book changed his life; how he wrote his own book on a cruise ship during “down” time; why he moved to Las Vegas (hint: Laura is introduced during the show).

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Tammy Pescatelli, who is headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas November 3-6. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Tammy talks about how she found her career by accident; how she started as a road comic 28 years ago, and by age 27, had performed in all 50 states; her time as a young comic on the road, experiencing chaos and trying to stay safe; why there’s no maternity leave in comedy; creating “The Cop and the Comedian,” a true friendship crime podcast; expanding her “brand”; and writing a book.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with comedian Butch Bradley, performing Thursdays through Mondays at 10 p.m. at the L.A. Comedy Club inside The Strat Hotel and Casino. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Butch talks about starting out in improv; why his family is funnier than he is; how working internationally has taught him valuable lessons; his long association with Las Vegas, beginning with the Comedy Stop at the Tropicana; the growth of the L.A. Comedy Club and the opportunities he has received from performing there, including a special; and why he thinks comedy is a way to bring people together.

This week, Ira spoke with Spencer Crandall, performing in Stoney's Rockin' Country (at Town Square) Las Vegas October 21 (along with Avery Anna). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Spencer talks about finding his artistic self -“ always want to sit down with an acoustic guitar and tell a country story”; why he loves experimenting and production from all kinds of genres; why he always fights for the steel guitar in his recording sessions; how, going from album to album, he “transcends and includes”; why he dares to fail; The Grand Ole Opry; and how the Internet changed his life .

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Dan Roberts, publisher and editor of The Vegas Voice, the largest “Age 50+” monthly publication in Nevada. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Dan talks about his move to Las Vegas and his entry into publishing that filled a void in the market; why “senior” is a state of mind; how a cruise turned into a crusade for guardianship reform; why “Death With Dignity/Final Wishes options in Nevada” is important; and the appeal of Las Vegas to seniors.