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

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with actor, producer, writer and director Tim Molyneux, performing in "Swoon, Croon, and Boom, The Songs of Love," at The Nevada Room, October 19 & 22. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Molyneux talks about his dream of becoming a producer in Las Vegas; creating Las Vegas’ first and only vampire show, “BITE”; why he is returning to singing; the importance of an intimate venue for performers; who he looked to as role models (the contrast between the two role models will surprise you!); and the importance of being vulnerable on stage and expressing who you are.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with John Katsilometes (KATS), the man-about-town, whose column runs daily on page 3A in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Katsilometes talks about the effect of COVID on the Las Vegas entertainment scene; how Las Vegas deals with the protocols and messaging for visitors; why small-capacity entertainers have found a way to continue to perform; how Las Vegas expands the rules for entrainment; why he believes it’s important to embrace pushing the boundaries; how entertainment is in transition; why Las Vegas allows you to grow as a professional and as a person; and why social media allows journalists another set of options to tell stories.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with veteran journalist Ron Futrell, 8NewsNow sports anchor/reporter. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Futrell talks about his love of sports and why he never gets bored; why the Vegas Golden Knights lost their heart with the departure of Marc-Andre Fleury and how to fix it; the three criteria that Las Vegas needed to meet in order to have professional major league sports here; why basketball and baseball will be the next big sports for Las Vegas; how the UNLV football team will fare in the new Allegiant stadium; the challenge of parking at the stadium; and the impact of COVID on all Las Vegas sports now and in the immediate future,.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with voice actor Rob Paulsen, appearing at Unicon in Las Vegas, Oct. 1-3. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Paulsen talks about becoming a voice artist and discovering the joy it gives to people; why he’s in “the happy business”; his battle with throat cancer and what he learned from his doctors, including the admonition to not discount the power of joy; his realization that the desire to create is no different at 65 than it was at 15; why humor is boundless; and why it’s important to maintain a sense of proportion.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Michelle Johnson, “Las Vegas’ First Lady of Jazz,” performing in “Home! – A Return to Broadway” in Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, September 26 at 6 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Johnson talks about decision to become a performer full time and the deal she made with her parents; her move to Las Vegas, which started out as temporary and is now permanent (and the reasons why); the challenge of performing in the midst of COVID; and her decision to not only perform, but to operate a successful entertainment production company.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Diana Brier, owner and director of cheese for Valley Cheese and Wine (and one of only 45 certified cheese sensory evaluators in the United States). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brier talks about her journey to cheese; moving to Las Vegas and making her dream come true; why she is also studying to be a sommelier; how chocolate pairs nicely with cheese; why she pays homage to old world cheese while also touting new world cheese; how a different version of a cheese you dislike may actually train your palate to eventually like that cheese; and how some types of cheese have more protein than eggs!

Photo by Kyle Thowsen

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Mark Shunock, founder of The Space, Vegas’ community driven, charity-based arts complex. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Shunock talks about The Space’s new event, Wine Wednesdays, featuring a variety of programming complete with wine tastings (sommelier-led tasting experiences) from Foley Family Wines; the 8th anniversary of Mondays Dark,Vegas’ premiere variety show for a cause (twice a month a local non-profit benefits from an eclectic cast of performing guests, including musical acts and stars from Hollywood and The Strip); how the complex was built and became a magnet for all kinds of shows; why they were able to live stream during the pandemic and keep performers working; and its future plans, including possible expansion.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Art Alexakis, singer/songwriter and front-man for Everclear, performing at the M Resort Pavilion, September 4 at 8 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Alexakis talks about why the Beatles (and Ed Sullivan) were responsible his decision to make music his career; the challenges (and opportunities) of dealing with MS; why he is retraining his mind; his most memorable experiences in Las Vegas; why he is grateful to still be performing rock & roll with Everclear and living his dream at age 59; the importance of being present in performance and in life; and why tenacity helps lead to success.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Alan Snel, whose popular website, LVSportsBiz.com, reports the business side of Las Vegas’ expanding sports industry. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Snel talks about the effect of requiring vaccinations for fans attending Raiders games at Allegiant Stadium; why the first fans to see a sports event at Allegiant Stadium were not Raiders fans; how a major soccer team could conceivably happen in Las Vegas; why parking at Allegiant Stadium is a work in progress; the mystery behind Marc Badain, the Raiders president, stepping down; the emotional connection of the Vegas Golden Knights with Las Vegas and the departure of Marc-Andre Fleury; and how Snel’s news site is dedicated to writing compelling stories without an agenda.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Michael Mack, a fourth generation pawnbroker and owner of Max Pawn, a pawn & jewelry store specializing in luxury designer goods. He was recognized in July as “Pawnbroker of the Year” by the National Pawnbrokers Association. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Mack talks about challenging the old image and “stigma of pawn”; how he considers his business “the people’s bank”; why he specializes in luxury goods; where he stores his large items, such as automobiles; what is the most expensive item he has sold; why the industry is highly regulated in Las Vegas; how technology has transformed the buying and selling of goods, which includes maintaining a large online presence; and why he thinks Rick Harrison and the “Pawn Stars” show is great for everybody in the business.