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

This week, Ira sits down with Patrick Lindsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, for a high-octane conversation about one of the city’s most electrifying weekends of the year.

With the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube roaring into town March 15, along with the LiUNA NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race on March 14, Patrick shares what makes race weekend in Las Vegas unlike anywhere else.

From his 20-year career in the golf world to re-learning the fast-paced culture of NASCAR, Patrick talks about the evolution of the sport, the massive and immersive Speedway property, and why this venue delivers both an affordable family experience and a high-end VIP weekend inside the exclusive Blackjack Club.

With strong support from the Las Vegas Strip and a property built to impress, the Speedway isn’t just a racetrack — it’s a destination.

Buckle up. This episode takes you behind the scenes of one of the biggest sports weekends in Las Vegas.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes Nashville-based singer-songwriter Phillip-Michael Scales, performing at Myron’s at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on February 27 at 7 p.m.

In this engaging conversation, Phillip-Michael opens up about the work ethic he describes as “born out of impatience”—a relentless inner drive that pushes him to keep creating, evolving, and refining his craft. Part methodical, part soulful storyteller, he shares how that balance shapes both his music and his career.

From his blues-infused debut album Sinner-Songwriter to the vibrant bounce and soul of Good to Be Here, Phillip-Michael explains his artistic progression and why moving to Nashville was the next natural step in his creative journey.

“I respect the old and love the feeling of the old,” he says, “but bringing something new to it is the artist’s desire.”

He also talks candidly about wanting to perform original material rather than relying on cover songs, why mentorship requires real investment, and his belief that “competence breeds confidence.” Grounded by the unwavering support of his parents, Phillip-Michael is carving his own lane—honoring tradition while boldly shaping the future of his music.

This episode is about ambition, artistry, and building something authentic—note by note.

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This week, Ira sits down with Gerry McCambridge, better known as The Mentalist, now performing at the V Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas.

What started as a three-week contract turned into one of the longest-running mentalism shows in Las Vegas history. In this revealing episode, Gerry explains exactly why the show works — and why every performance is completely unique.

With as many as 75 audience members participating each night and nothing set up in advance, Gerry’s show is built on authentic, personal interaction. “Stick to what you do best,” he says — a philosophy that helped shape his brand and guide his move to the Strip, including his time at the legendary Stardust Resort and Casino.

Gerry opens up about mental rehearsal, rating his routines, learning from every audience, and how his sons — who work with him — provide honest feedback that keeps the show sharp. He also shares why Vegas audiences are unlike any other in the world… and why so many come back again and again.

It’s a fascinating look at longevity, branding, and mastering your craft in the entertainment capital of the world.

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This week on "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ira sits down with comedian Jonathan Kite, who brings his sharp wit and high-energy stand-up to Chinita’s Venue in Henderson on February 19 at 7 PM.

Born and raised in Skokie, Illinois, Jonathan traces his creative roots back to childhood—when his father introduced him to classic films that sparked a lifelong love of storytelling. From the vibrant Chicago theater scene to performing throughout school, Jonathan always knew the stage was home. After college, he made the leap to Hollywood, where a key mentor—comedian Max Alexander—helped him find his footing, including the acting classes that shaped his approach to performance.

In this candid conversation, Jonathan opens up about being more of an improv-driven comic, why “it takes a lot of time to get good,” and how his stand-up evolved—from doing almost all impressions early on, to stripping them away, then selectively bringing some back when they truly served the material.

For Jonathan, comedy isn’t about showing off—it’s about connecting with the audience.

He also shares why he loves performing in Henderson, what makes comedy clubs inside casinos so unique, how he develops material organically, and why TikTok Live has become an exciting new way for him to engage with fans in real time.

Insightful, funny, and refreshingly honest, this episode is a must-listen for comedy fans and creatives alike.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with internationally ac-claimed comedian Tom Rhodes, now performing at the Comedy Cellar at the Rio through February 8 (and The Laugh Factory at the Horseshoe, March 2-8)

Tom traces his comedy origin story back to age 11, when his father took him to see his uncle perform stand-up—an experience that lit a spark that never went out. From that moment on, Tom knew he wanted to do comedy because, as he puts it, “you are talking to the world.”

In this wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation, Tom shares the pivotal advice he received from Jay Leno at age 17, why he took his comedy overseas in the late ’90s—starting in London—long before most American comics were thinking globally, and how performing around the world shaped both his voice and his worldview.

Tom also offers candid advice for younger comedians (“tell them the joke, show them the joke”), explains why he steers away from overt politics in his act, and why his ultimate goal onstage is simple: to make people happy. He talks about his podcast, “Smart Camp,” the joy of staying creatively curious, and why he’s never confined himself to just one comedy style.

It’s a smart, funny, and inspiring conversation with a comic who’s still chasing the joy of creation—and sharing it with the world.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Alan Snel, founder and writer of LVSportsBiz.com, the insider source tracking how sports, business, and politics collide in Southern Nevada.

Alan takes us inside the controversial world of public-private partnerships, where taxpayer funding helps build private sports palaces — and sparks big questions about priorities. Should public money go to stadiums when schools, roads, and transportation need funding too?

From the moment Las Vegas turned into a major-league sports capital, Alan has been riding the wave — and reporting every twist. He breaks down the arrival of Major League Baseball and the A’s stadium, the explosive growth of sports tourism, and the historic first boxing match at Allegiant Stadium, where 70,000 fans packed the house and 96% were visitors, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The conversation also dives into how Formula 1 put Las Vegas on the world stage, and why the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is hiring new sports tourism exec-utives.

If you want to understand how Las Vegas became the global crossroads of sports, enter-tainment, and business — and what it’s costing us — this episode is a must-listen.

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Las Vegas wasn’t just a stop on Johnny Carson’s itinerary — it was his second home.

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Mark Malkoff, co-author (with David Ritz) of "Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend," for a fascinating deep dive into Carson’s unique and lasting bond with Las Vegas.

Drawing from hundreds of interviews and years of research, Mark reveals previously un-known stories about Carson’s life and career, including who persuaded Johnny to first perform in Las Vegas and why his debut at the Sahara was an instant sensation. Mark also explores how Carson’s relaxed, playful stage persona in Las Vegas differed from the carefully calibrated host audiences saw nightly on The Tonight Show.

The conversation uncovers Carson’s legendary friendship with Don Rickles, his love of discovering and championing new talent on Vegas stages, and the curiosity that fueled his creative life.

Mark also shares how he teamed up with famed biographer David Ritz to bring this definitive portrait of Carson to life — and offers new details about Johnny’s earliest shows originating from New York.

For fans of classic Vegas, television history, and the entertainers who helped shape the city’s golden era, this episode offers a rare and intimate look at Johnny Carson away from the desk — and under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

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Photo by Uriel Moreno

Grammy, Latin Grammy, and Juno Award–winning Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter Alex Cuba brings his signature blend of Latin soul, pop, jazz, and heartfelt storytelling to Myron’s at The Smith Center on January 16 at 7 p.m., and he joins Ira for a revealing conversation on this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira.”

Born in Cuba and shaped in Canada, Alex opens up about what it means to carry Latin culture inside you, even when you live far from a traditional Latin music hub. He shares how moving to Canada gave him the creative freedom to become the artist he is today — and why he chose the challenging but rewarding path of remaining fiercely independent.

n this wide-ranging conversation, Alex reflects on everything from wanting to be a doctor as a child, to the life-changing moment at 14 when he saw someone play electric bass and realized music was his destiny. He talks about building his own studio, becoming his own producer, creating music for Latin ears around the world, and developing his own record label to support both his own work and other artists.

Alex also reveals how melodies come to him — not through force, but through openness — describing himself as a “vessel” for music, guided by instinct, emotion, and story. Singing in both Spanish and English, Alex brings his full musical identity to the stage, and his Myron’s performance (he’ll be speaking English), making this a perfect introduc-tion for new fans.

It’s an intimate, inspiring look at an artist who followed his own path — and found a global audience along the way.

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Ira sits down with powerhouse vocalist and performer Syndee Winters, currently starring in “Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne: The Makings of a Lady” in Myron’s at The Smith Center on January 10.

Syndee shares her unique and deeply personal journey—from growing up in Queens as a first-generation American with Chinese-Jamaican roots, to discovering jazz through reg-gae, thanks to an uncle with a record label in Jamaica. With a background that spans musical theater, dance, and Broadway (including making a dream come true in “The Lion King”), Syndee’s artistry defies easy labels.

In this conversation, she opens up about being compared to Sarah Vaughan, finding Lena Horne through “The Wiz,” and why she doesn’t try to imitate Lena’s voice—but instead captures her spirit, strength, and elegance. Inspired by a suggestion from friend and Broadway star Chester Gregory, Syndee created a Broadway-style jazz concert in which she portrays nine different artists, all filtered through her own creative lens.

The episode is also a powerful reflection on believing in yourself, honoring mentors, showing up “properly,” and the importance of family—especially her parents who still physically show up for almost every performance. Syndee also explains why she’ll never “age out” of her Lena Horne tribute and how the jazz community welcomed her with open arms.

This is more than a show—it’s a celebration of legacy, identity, and artistry, told by an artist who knows exactly who she is.

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This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Ron Futrell, 8NewsNow sports anchor and reporter, for a wide-ranging, no-spin conversation about one of the biggest years in Las Vegas sports history.

From Major League Baseball officially coming to Las Vegas, Ron breaks down why locals were skeptical, what went wrong in Oakland under owner John Fisher, and why Vegas operates with a very different mindset: “Let’s make things happen.”

They dive into the Formula 1 race, the Raiders’ on-field struggles, UFC turning Allegiant Stadium into a boxing venue, and how the new baseball stadium could double as a game-changer for concerts that don’t quite fit Allegiant’s scale. Ron also tackles a topic locals feel deeply — Strip fees that drive residents away, and why places like South Point continue to thrive with free parking and reasonable prices.

The conversation widens to the big picture:

Are we getting too corporate in sports?

Will Las Vegas host another Super Bowl?

Is an NBA team inevitable?

Ron also highlights sports figures who made a real impact this year, including A’ja Wil-son, and reflects on gaming legend Bill Paulos’ lasting contributions to UNLV. Plus, he shares details on his new weekly show with George Knapp, “Mystery Wire,” now streaming via the 8 News Now app.

If you want to understand where Las Vegas sports have been — and where they’re headed next — this episode is a must-listen.

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