The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast

Las Vegas has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations in the world of sports—and few people have had a better view of that evolution than longtime sports anchor and reporter Ron Futrell of 8NewsNow.
This week on "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ron returns to the podcast for a fascinating conversation about the people, events and decisions that helped transform Southern Nevada into one of the world’s premier sports destinations.
Ron discusses the remarkable success of Paseo Verde Little League of Henderson, Nevada, including its extraordinary run of four appearances in the Little League World Series during five years. He also talks about Carsynn Meyer, who made history as the first girl to play in the Little League World Series—and whose gloves were requested by the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The conversation also explores the explosive growth of professional sports in Las Vegas. Ron explains why the city’s emergence as a major sports market “didn’t happen by accident,” the impact of the landmark 2018 U.S. Supreme Court sports betting decision, and how that ruling helped open the floodgates for major league sports and sports-related investment in Las Vegas.
Ira and Ron also discuss the role of private-public partnerships, the debate over when public funding may be necessary for major sports projects, and the remarkable coalescing of arenas and stadiums on or near the Las Vegas Strip.
Having covered Las Vegas sports since arriving in the city in 1984, Ron shares his choic-es for the three biggest sporting events he has witnessed—including the unforgettable moment when the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup.
And what happened to boxing?
Ron reflects on the glory days of boxing in Las Vegas, why the sport no longer holds the same position it once did in the city, and how MMA has emerged as a major force in the modern Las Vegas sports landscape.
From Little League dreams to championship celebrations, from sports betting to billion-dollar stadium projects, this episode is a compelling look at how Las Vegas became a global sports powerhouse.
Listen to “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira” and discover why the biggest game in Las Vegas may be the city’s continuing rise as one of the world’s great sports capitals.
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FROM MAGIC TRICKS TO SÉANCES: KENT AXELL'S UNUSUAL LAS VEGAS JOURNEY

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira talks with magician and mentalist Kent Axell, who is bringing magic, theater, storytelling—and a touch of the supernatural—to Las Vegas with his immersive theatrical experience, “Ghost Stories.”
Performing inside the intimate and mysterious 1923 Prohibition Bar at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, Kent takes audiences on a journey that goes far beyond a traditional magic show.
Kent tells how he became fascinated with magic at the age of nine after his uncle showed him an unforgettable trick involving a coin and a matchbox. He discusses how learning magic can help develop social skills, why magic magnifies your existing personality rather than creating a new one, and why he considers it a tremendous return on investment.
We also talk about his journey into the fascinating world of mentalism—and why Kent believes audiences aren't simply buying the contents of a show; they're buying a vibe and an experience.
In “Ghost Stories,” the first half of the evening combines magic and mentalism before au-diences enter a very different world in the second half: an immersive séance experience. Kent explains why guests are warned that the experience can sometimes be emotional, why the séance can be a tricky road to travel, and how some audience members have told him the experience actually shifted their belief systems.
Most importantly, Kent explains why “Ghost Stories” is unlike anything else on the Las Vegas Strip.
If you're fascinated by magic, mentalism, storytelling, theater, séances, or the unexplained, this is one conversation—and one Las Vegas experience—you won't want to miss.
Listen as Kent Axell takes us behind the curtain of “Ghost Stories,” where magic, mystery and the supernatural come together in an unforgettable immersive theatrical experience.
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SHANG FORBES: FROM A $50 OPEN-MIC BET TO BOUNDARY-PUSHING COMEDY IN LAS VEGAS

What happens when a $50 bet changes the course of your life?
For comedian Shang Forbes, it happened when a friend challenged him to perform at an open-mic comedy night. Forbes took the bet, took the stage, won the $50—and discovered a career he never saw coming.
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira talks with Shang Forbes, who brings his distinctive, avant-garde and socio-political brand of comedy to the Laugh Factory at Horseshoe Las Vegas, August 24–30.
Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Shang graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with his sights originally set on becoming an illustrator. But that fateful open mic sent him in an entirely different direction. Rather than simply trying to be “funny,” Shang set out to develop his own voice, embracing comedy that pushes boundaries while resisting being pigeonholed into one particular style.
Shang talks about why he wasn't nervous during his very first stand-up performance, how he learned the craft, and why he performs under the single name “Shang.” He also shares how working as a comedy-club barker gave him an unexpected advantage: more opportunities to get onstage and hone his material.
His approach is anything but conventional. Shang describes his natural stand-up style as “pushing the envelope,” while also maintaining a family-friendly set. He explains why he doesn't want to be narrowly defined as simply a “funny” comedian, but instead wants to be “broad funny.”
We also discuss his move from New York to Los Angeles, his use of television acting appearances to introduce audiences to his personality and drive them toward his live comedy, meeting legendary comedian George Carlin, and the thought process behind creating his material.
And when it comes to politics, Shang doesn't pick a side—he takes aim at both. His comedy gives Democrats and Republicans equal time, while he explains why a simple smile can help make edgy material more accessible.
We also get into one of the great challenges of stand-up comedy: hecklers. Why does Shang rarely get heckled?
It's a fascinating conversation about comedy, creativity, performance, risk-taking and finding your own voice.
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TODD “DAMMIT” KERNS ON SLASH, THE AGE OF ELECTRIC, ROCK ’N’ ROLL AND GIVING BACK

What happens when a kid growing up in a small Canadian town discovers rock ’n’ roll—and decides music will become his life?
For multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer and performer Todd “Dammit” Kerns, that journey has taken him from discovering The Who and entering his punk-rock era to becoming the bassist and backing vocalist for Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, as well as front man for The Age of Electric.
In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Todd talks about growing up in Canada, playing hockey with his brothers, discovering the power of a bass guitar, and the teachers who helped ignite his passion for music. He also reveals how he got the unfor-gettable nickname “Dammit” and explains why he believes performing should feel like play—not work.
Todd also shares his philosophy of living in the present, adapting to whatever is happen-ing around you, and continuing to move forward. And there’s a special Las Vegas connection: Todd is bringing an intimate, unplugged performance to Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas on August 22, with proceeds benefiting the Nevada SPCA—an organization and cause that has long been important to him.
From small-town Canada to the international rock stage, Todd “Dammit” Kerns proves that a passion for music, the right mentors, and a willingness to keep moving forward can take you almost anywhere.
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