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

Chef-driven cuisine. Handmade sourdough. Italian tradition. Genuine hospitality. This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Monzú Italian Oven + Bar Chef Owner Gio Mauro for an inspiring conversation about food, family, craftsmanship, and purpose.

Born in the United States, raised in Italy, and eventually returning to America, Gio Mauro shares how his international upbringing shaped his culinary identity and deep respect for food lineage. He explains the meaning behind the name “Monzú,” a historic term synon-ymous with “chef,” and why his philosophy centers around one powerful belief: “Simplicity is an art form.”

In this episode, Chef Gio discusses the importance of integrity in the restaurant industry, building a business rooted in “sincere hospitality,” and serving both locals and visitors in the heart of Las Vegas. He also reveals the fascinating story behind Monzú’s famous sour-dough bread — including his extensive research into traditional bread-making techniques, imported Italian yeast strains, and his commitment to honoring old-world methods.

From a 100% Italian wine list to creating meaningful guest experiences, Gio Mauro shares why purpose, community, and defending the hospitality industry matter now more than ever.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Lahna Turner—comedian, writer, and co-director (with David Gantz) of the powerful documentary “Come What May,” chronicling the life of legendary comedian Ralphie May. It will screen, in partnership with The Laugh Factory, on May 7 at 7 p.m. at The Beverly Theater.

Built from decades of never-before-seen archival footage, “Come What May” offers an unfiltered look at Ralphie’s meteoric rise following “Last Comic Standing,” his ability to sell out massive venues, and his enduring presence as a late-night favorite. But beyond the spotlight lies a far more complex story.

Lahna shares the emotional and creative journey of spending nearly ten years crafting a documentary that captures not only Ralphie’s brilliance, but also his battles—with fame, addiction, and identity. We explore how she navigated telling such an intimate story while maintaining objectivity, despite their 17-year relationship and deeply personal history.

From his extraordinary “people skills” and comedic instincts to the struggles that ultimate-ly overtook him, this conversation reveals the man behind the laughs. Lahna also reflects on their separation before his passing in 2017 during a Las Vegas stint, the challenges of revisiting painful memories, and the surprising discoveries she made along the way.

Honest, raw, and deeply human, this episode is a must-listen for comedy fans and anyone interested in the price of fame—and the power of storytelling.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with jazz pianist, vocalist, and bandleader Danny Sinoff, performing at Vic’s May 1–2. With a style rooted in tradition and driven by storytelling, Danny is part of a new generation keeping the Great American Songbook alive—and swinging.

In this engaging conversation, Danny shares insights into his upcoming album "Make Someone Happy," including his collaboration with Benny Benack III and working with three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. He talks about his early shift from classical music to jazz, influenced by legends like Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin—and how that spark turned into a lifelong passion.

Danny also reveals how he carefully selected songs for the album, including a surprising classic made famous by Tony Bennett that he never expected to record. He discusses why the Great American Songbook continues to resonate across generations, emphasizing that “lyrics really make the melody come alive.”

Plus, Danny reflects on his commitment to presentation—always performing (and even recording) in a suit—his memorable introduction to Las Vegas, and the moment he was inspired watching Harry Connick Jr. on “Saturday Night Live.”

Above all, he shares his love for ballads and the powerful connection between performer and audience.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with actress and singer Ashley Loren, who brings her powerful voice and deeply personal story to Myron’s at The Smith Center April 25.

Best known to theater lovers for her acclaimed run as Satine in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” Ashley's journey is anything but typical. Growing up in New Jersey, she jokes she preferred animals to people (even spending time at farm camp) and discovering that art—especially music—would become both her passion and her refuge.

In this candid and inspiring conversation, Ashley shares how being diagnosed with Lyme disease shaped her life and career, turning creativity into a form of therapy. She talks about launching her music journey right after high school, landing her first role in “Jekyll & Hyde,” and eventually making her way to the bright lights of Las Vegas and Broadway.

Ashley also opens up about the realities behind the curtain—from starting as a standby for Satine to becoming the role’s longest-running star, to navigating health setbacks that forced her to step away and reset. Through it all, she’s remained committed to authenticity, balance, and using her platform to inspire others, especially those living with autoimmune conditions.

Now, she’s bringing it all to the stage in an intimate evening at Myron’s—just Ashley and a piano—blending stories, songs, and raw honesty. It’s a performance shaped by her journey, her time in Las Vegas, and her belief that “there’s always a cost to things,” but also a deeper reward in listening to your body, your spirit, and your truth.

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This week, Ira welcomes Joe Mikulich, co-founder of EDO Hospitality, the restaurant group behind some of Las Vegas’ most talked-about dining destinations, including EDO Tapas, Anima by EDO, and Braseria by EDO.

In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Joe shares the story of how a Las Vegas native worked his way up from food runner to sommelier to restaurant entrepreneur, building a hospitality brand that celebrates bold flavors and adventurous dining.

Joe explains what “EDO” really stands for—and why the concept resonates so deeply with people in the hospitality industry. He also talks about growing up in Las Vegas, the realities of entering a tough and competitive business, and why putting your ego aside is essential for success in restaurants.

Joe reflects on opening his first restaurant, EDO Tapas, and how its tiny footprint created a surprising challenge—a cap on what was possible. That experience helped shape the vision behind Braseria by EDO, a restaurant intentionally designed to capture a specific market while pushing the menu in more adventurous directions.

Along the way, Joe shares insights on delegation, leadership, using technology to stay organized, and why Spanish cuisine offers a “silver lining” of creativity and versatility in the kitchen.

Plus, he reveals how soccer—his childhood passion—instilled the drive, discipline, and work ethic that still fuels his career today.

It’s a candid conversation about building restaurants, embracing creativity, and chasing big ideas in the ever-evolving Las Vegas dining scene.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin, who performs April 11 at Myron’s at The Smith Center.

In this engaging conversation, Jon reflects on a lifelong relationship with music that began at the piano as a child. Coming from a musical family—his father and grandfather were musicians—weekly lessons were simply part of growing up. Now a father himself, Jon shares why he won’t push music on his daughters, even though they already love the pi-ano.

Jon also talks about the professor (Jonathan Brooks) who profoundly influenced his musical thinking while he attended Anderson University, helping him realize that music could be both simple and deeply personal. That realization helped shape the songwriting style that has become his signature.

In the conversation, Jon discusses why lyrics matter so much to him, how he finds creative inspiration by forcing himself to listen to new music, and what he calls finding “the office”—that focused place where songwriting happens.

He also shares stories about the first time he knew his career path was the right one, the thrill of his first sold-out show in Denver, and the powerful moments when fans tell him how much his music means to them.

Plus, Jon talks about the song from his current album, "Scenarios" that resonates most with listeners—“Acting”—and what it’s like preparing for his first performance in Las Vegas.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with legendary Las Vegas bookmaker Art Manteris, author (with Matt Birkbeck) of "The Bookie."

For more than four decades, Art helped shape the modern sportsbook while running operations at iconic Las Vegas properties including the Stardust, Caesars, and the Hilton. In this fascinating conversation, he shares why he decided to write "The Bookie" and reflects on a career spent at the center of one of Las Vegas’s most exciting—and closely watched—industries.

Art talks about arriving in Las Vegas before he ever entered the race and sportsbook business, and how once he did, there was no turning back. He discusses the thrill of working in sports betting for more than 43 years, where balancing revenue, compliance, and guest service was essential to running what he calls “pretty well-oiled machines.”

The conversation also explores Nevada’s long-standing model for regulating sports betting, why Art believes federal intervention isn’t the answer, and how legislation such as the Wire Act has unintentionally created complications for the industry. He also explains the steps states can take to responsibly manage sports wagering as technology and mobile betting continue to expand the market—especially among younger bettors.

Along the way, Art shares stories about some of the colorful figures who shaped the world of sports betting, including legendary oddsmaker Roxy Roxborough and famed sports bettor Billy Walters. He also reflects on the challenges of guest service in a high-stakes environment and the evolving relationship between professional sports leagues and the gambling industry.

Packed with insider perspective, Vegas history, and unforgettable characters, this episode offers a rare look inside the world of sportsbooks from one of the men who helped define it.

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In this episode of "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ira sits down with comedian and actor Mike E. Winfield, headlining at the Laugh Factory at Horseshoe Las Vegas March 23–29.

Mike talks about the story behind his “E.”, why so many people think they’re funny—but few are willing to take the stage—and what it really takes to succeed in stand-up comedy. He shares insights from his time on "America's Got Talent," including what audiences don’t see behind the scenes.

The conversation also explores his journey from Baltimore to Hollywood, his passion for stand-up, and the importance of authenticity in his work.

Mike reflects on the comedians who inspired him, how comedy acts as a filter for understanding life, and why aging has made him both a better performer and a more grounded person.

He also talks about performing in Las Vegas, his experience at the Laugh Factory, and why he’s grateful for a career that allows him to travel and connect with audiences—including sharing those experiences with his family.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Roger Gros, editor-at-large of "Global Gaming Business" and host of three industry podcasts.

Roger shares his unlikely journey into the gaming world—starting out as a musician before heading to Atlantic City to perform. That trip led him to a job dealing cards at Caesars Atlantic City, a move that eventually launched a decades-long career covering the casino industry as one of its most respected journalists.

In this episode, Roger discusses how dramatically the media landscape has changed over the years and reveals the most surprising transformation he’s witnessed in gaming. He explains the rapid rise of online gaming and sounds the alarm about prediction markets—a new betting-style system where participants don’t place bets but instead “trade” on out-comes.

Roger also talks about protecting the integrity of gaming, the role of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and highlights the often overlooked innovators shaping the modern casino industry.

Along the way, he makes a spirited case that Elvis Presley and Howard Hughes both de-serve a place in the Gaming Hall of Fame.

Now based in Boulder City, Nevada, where he’s lived for the past 20 years, Roger keeps close tabs on the gaming world while producing three podcasts: “The Boulder City Podcast,” “The Gaming Legacy Podcast,” and the “GGB Podcast,” where he interviews both veter-an legends and today’s industry leaders—including his first “Gaming Legacy Podcast” guest, Jack Binion.

He also explains why he prefers recording interviews in person whenever possible—and shares whether he’s optimistic about the future of Las Vegas.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with veteran political journalist Jon Ralston, founder and CEO of The Nevada Independent and author of "The Game Changer: How Harry Reid Remade the Rules and Showed Democrats How to Fight."

In a candid and fascinating conversation, Jon reflects on his complicated, sometimes turbulent relationship with legendary Nevada senator Harry Reid—a political powerhouse who rose from humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nevada to become one of the most in-fluential figures in Washington.

Jon shares why he once doubted Reid could win a Senate seat—describing him as having “no charisma” and “the limpest handshake I ever experienced”—and how Reid’s quiet determination, relentless strategy, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering proved him wrong.

The episode explores Reid’s complex personality, the tension between his private political machinations and his public image, and the moments when Reid pushed back against Jon’s reporting. Jon also recounts how Reid unexpectedly gave him the green light in 2021 to finally write the book he had long wanted to write—granting access to his vast archives at University of Nevada, Reno and sitting for 24 Zoom interviews before his death.

With more than 1,000 boxes of records and 12 million digital files, Jon uncovered surprising material—including FBI files on Reid—and insights into the senator’s rise, his strategic brilliance, and his determination to make Nevada a national political force.

Jon also discusses Reid’s mentorship under former Nevada governor Mike O'Callaghan, his role in passing the Affordable Care Act, and why Reid believed that Democrats needed to learn how to fight politically—both in Nevada and across the country.

The result is a nuanced portrait of an “incredibly complex guy” whose influence reshaped American politics.

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