Ira’s Everything Bagel | US Arts and Culture Podcasts

What happens when a lifelong admirer gains access to decades of never-before-explored archives? The result is a fascinating look at one of Hollywood’s most beloved and enduring stars.

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with author Samuel Garza Bernstein to discuss his acclaimed biography, “Roddy McDowall: An Actor's Life -- From ‘How Green Was My Valley’ to ‘Lassie’ to ‘Planet of the Apes.’” Samuel reveals how an agent’s suggestion sparked the project and why he “kind of grew up wanting to be Roddy McDowall.” He shares how McDowall’s distinctive personality, lingering British accent, and remarkable career made him unlike anyone else in Hollywood.

The conversation explores Samuel’s discovery of McDowall’s extensive personal archives at Boston University—carefully indexed and sealed until 25 years after the actor’s death. Remarkably, the collection was opened just six months before Samuel began his research, providing unprecedented insight into McDowall’s life and legacy. Bernstein discusses McDowall’s relentless activity and creativity right up until the end of his life, his legendary social gatherings designed to make every guest feel special, and the surprising normalcy and openness of his personal relationships.

The episode also examines McDowall’s impact as a child actor during World War II, his passion for history and film preservation, and his close friendship with legendary playwright and performer Noel Coward. Samuel shares why researching the book proved especially challenging, the mystery of films that survive but remain unavailable to the public, and what made McDowall such a gifted performer. At the heart of their discussion is a timeless lesson from McDowall himself: great acting comes from being fully present in the moment. This engaging conversation offers a rare look at one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors and the lasting influence he continues to have on film history.
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FROM PRINT TO PIXELS: RICHARD CURTIS ON THE E-BOOK REVOLUTION

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel," Ira sits down with Richard Curtis — literary agent, publishing authority, passionate advocate for writers, and author of "Digital Inc.: From Print To E-Book, Inside The Transformation Of The Book Industry."
In this fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, Richard shares why he decided to write what may be the first comprehensive book detailing the publishing industry’s dramatic transition from print to digital. After more than 500 years devoted to ink on paper, pub-lishers suddenly faced a technological and cultural revolution that changed not only books, but also writers, readers, agents, and the entire publishing ecosystem.
Richard reflects on being an early visionary for e-books long before they became reality. He recalls a pivotal moment in 1985 while walking down the street listening to music on his Walkman and imagining a future where people could carry entire books on portable devices. That vision would take another 15 years to become mainstream—but it helped spark a revolution that transformed publishing forever.
The conversation also explores the surprising resurgence of physical books, why children’s books continue to thrive in an analog world, and why readers still form a deep emotional connection with what Richard calls the “book-book.” He discusses how printed books express identity in ways digital formats often cannot, and why e-books can some-times create a more distracted reading experience.
Ira and Richard also tackle some of today’s biggest publishing issues, including AI-generated writing, the importance of preserving authentic human storytelling, digital piracy, and the challenges facing writers in an increasingly automated world. Richard candidly shares both the regrets and joys he feels about the e-book revolution, while revealing how “Digital Inc.” is not only a publishing history, but also a deeply personal memoir and business story.
This episode is a compelling look at creativity, technology, innovation, and the enduring power of books in every format.
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EXPLORING IDENTITY, COMMUNITY AND BELONGING IN ‘AMERICAN PLAYGROUND’

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Michael Issac Shokrian, author of the acclaimed novel "American Playground" and editor of "The Thieving Magpie." In this engaging and deeply personal conversation, Michael shares his remarkable journey from immigrating to Los Angeles in the 1970s to discovering a lifelong love of literature, eventually pursuing law school in his 30s while balancing the responsibilities of family life and then a full-time legal career.
Michael discusses how he carved out “four billable hours a day” (with agreement from his wife) to pursue his passion for writing, and how those efforts evolved into American Playground—a powerful literary exploration of identity, belonging and the immigrant ex-perience in America. He reveals how the novel began as three interconnected short stories—“Recess,” “Beaner Boy,” and “Bike”—each tied together through recurring narrators, themes and characters before eventually becoming a fully realized novel.
The conversation explores the meaning behind the book’s title and the “playground” metaphor as a reflection of learning how to navigate American culture while remaining true to yourself. Michael also discusses the influence of his Persian and Persian Jewish heritage, the use of Farsi throughout the novel, and the importance of crafting what he calls an “earned ending.”
In addition, Michael shares the fascinating story behind launching "The Thieving Magpie," originally intended as a platform for his own writing before it quickly became a home for submissions from writers around the world. He also reflects on the best rejection letter he ever received—and how rejection can sometimes become motivation.
This episode is a thoughtful conversation about storytelling, perseverance, cultural identity, reinvention and the creative process behind building meaningful fiction.
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THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE MAN OF STEEL!

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with William Bernhardt, author of "The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice and an American Icon," for a fascinating conversation about the hidden history behind one of the world’s most recognizable superheroes.
For generations, Superman has represented hope, morality, and the triumph of good over evil. But behind the iconic cape lies a decades-long battle over ownership, recognition, and justice. William reveals the extraordinary true story of creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster — two young, inexperienced dreamers who unknowingly signed away control of a cultural phenomenon that would become a billion-dollar empire.
In this compelling episode, William discusses why he devoted years to researching the project, his lifelong passion for comic books, and the ongoing conflict between artistic creativity and commercial power. He shares how he traveled across eight states and inter-viewed more than 50 people — uncovering revelations never before made public.
The conversation explores the origins of comic books in the 1930s, the contract clause that changed entertainment history, and the heartbreaking reality that Siegel and Shuster were eventually fired and stripped of recognition from the very character they created. Bernhardt also explains the copyright laws that fueled more than 70 years of litigation and how the success of Superman helped bring renewed attention — and ultimately a modest pension — to the original creators.
Listeners will also hear touching personal stories involving Jerry Siegel’s family, includ-ing interviews with his daughter Laura and his grandsons, as well as the surprising irony surrounding Jerry’s marriage. At its heart, William says, this is not simply a legal story — it’s a deeply human one about ambition, exploitation, perseverance, and legacy.
Packed with pop culture history, legal intrigue, and emotional insight, this episode is a must-listen/watch for comic book fans, history lovers, and anyone interested in the intersection of creativity and commerce.
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