Everything Is Local

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:  A local restaurant shutdown over health violations, what actually matters when it comes to food quality, and why soggy egg rolls might be the real dealbreaker.   New restaurant spots, rising dining costs, and why eating at home is starting to feel like the better (and cheaper) option.   Family dynamics, getting olde...

This is a great episode where Shana is joined by guest co-host Wendy Leatherberry for a special interview with county council candidate Ebony Spann, and they talk about:  Ebony’s decision to run for County Council District 11, what the role actually entails, and why oversight and accountability at the local level matter more than people realize.   Balancing campaign life with mother...

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:  Passover traditions, family seders, and a hilarious (and honest) take on why Passover desserts need serious improvement.   The Guardians home opener, betting stories, and the simple joy of a weekend nap during baseball season.   A deep dive into the proposed new library project, including cost concerns, location cha...

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:  Mike’s return to the show, taking “umbrage,” and revisiting past council tensions, including debates over pickleball courts, playground costs, and what it really means to “slow things down.”   Transparency in local government, scripted talking points, and frustration over how the Sheetz proposal was communicated (or not commu...

This is a great episode where Shana is joined by guest co-host Kari Miller while Mike is away, and they talk about:  A guest-hosted episode filled with energy, friendship, and a 25-year history that brings a different dynamic to the show.   Spring break plans, parenting moments, and a hilarious deep dive into kids explaining Fortnite, Roblox, and internet culture.   Local...

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana welcome their first guest in the new studio, local realtor Jeff Hoffman, and talk about:  The East Side housing market, what first-time buyers can expect to pay in places like South Euclid, Lyndhurst, Shaker Heights, and Beachwood, and why limited inventory keeps prices competitive.   Why Beachwood’s lack of available homes may be pushing...

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:  A weekend recap, including a charity dance event in Barberton that raised thousands for Ronald McDonald House and the start of baseball season traditions.   The announcement that Saks is closing at Beachwood Place, what it says about the department store model, and what the future of the mall could look like.   How...

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:  The Ohio season of Love Is Blind , the wild premise behind the pods, and whether love really can be blind when cameras and weddings are involved.  Team USA’s Olympic hockey gold, the men’s and women’s victories, locker room politics, and why the whole country actually felt united for once.  Presidential medals, State of the U...

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about: Team USA pride, Olympic Hockey, hometown star Layla Edwards, and the controversy surrounding Eileen Gu competing for China. Why patriotism hits differently during the Olympics, and the fine line between criticism and toxic narratives.  A recap of the Beachwood public hearing on Sheetz, including strong opposition from local business own...

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about: Valentine’s Day plans (or lack thereof), steaks in the oven, and why love doesn’t need a designated calendar date. The upcoming zoning hearing for Sheetz and what’s at stake locally. The hospital property purchase at Richmond and Chagrin, what happens when major properties come off the tax rolls, and how that shifts the burden onto other pro...

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about: Wild college stories, including an infamous $400 bar tab and the kind of decisions that become legendary years later  Unfiltered memories about friendships, graduation week chaos, and the moments you definitely wouldn’t recommend repeating  The sudden shift to recording from home and what it took to keep the show going  How a...

Ep. 41 of the “Everything is Local Podcast” starts with Mike and Shana discussing the TIF Mayor Berns is proposing for the Fairmount Temple property. When a developmemt would occur without a TIF (like this Fairmount Temple property that had 9 developers respond to the RFQ, competing to be the developer chosen to develop the property), issuing a TIF doesn’t create anything that wouldn’t have happen...

This is Mike and Shana’s first episode back after a two-month hiatus and a studio shakeup. In this episode, they talk about: 1. Getting the podcast back up and running in a new DIY space. 2. Winter life updates, youth sports, and Mike’s controversial parenting moment involving sports betting. 3. Local politics and the ongoing debate over a proposed Sheetz location, including planning and zoning dr...

This is Mike's and Shana's first podcast in over a month since the owner of the studio we were using had health issues. This is a great episode where they talk about: The upcoming city council election. Some recent and past school district administration issues and controversies. How at Monday night's Council meeting "the administration" (which is the Mayor), is asking Council to approve replacing...

Walk into a stranger's house? Check. Withhold information from city council? Check. Vilify the police chief? Check. This week on Everything is Local, we go deep on the political dumpster fire that is Cleveland Heights. Former councilwoman Josie Moore sits down to give us an insider's account of Mayor Kahlil Seren's administration, detailing the paranoia, the empowered first lady, and the shocking...

Join us for a lively and insightful conversation with In Son Loving, a candidate for Cleveland Municipal Judge, as she shares her unique journey from a military kid with a fascinating name origin to her passion for justice and community service. We dive into the challenges of judicial elections, the importance of diverse voices on the bench, and why name recognition isn’t always enough. Joined by...

It’s finally August, and the weather is (mercifully) less scorching—but the drama in local politics is heating up. In this episode, we unpack: The Sun vs. Age 40+: Why does the sun feel like kryptonite now? Floppy hats, umbrellas at baseball games, and the tragic downfall of sunscreen loyalty. Beachwood’s Apartment Boom: Do 451 new one-bedrooms actually attract young families—or just more shade-se...

This week, Mike and Shana dive into Beachwood’s contentious housing policies after Councilman Pete Smith’s eyebrow-raising claim that one-bedroom apartments attract young families—because "young people meet each other and make families." Spoiler: Mike isn’t buying it. The duo breaks down why rezoning for 55+ communities and studio-heavy developments contradicts the city’s stated goal of attracting...

In this episode of Everything is Local, we're celebrating Shana’s newfound age (and hopefully wisdom)! Mike and Shana discuss her boy-free birthday bash before moving on to the local news. The duo then dive deeper into Pete Smith’s emphasis on the importance of bringing young families into Beachwood. They discuss what these new residences might cost the families in question, as well as the (someti...

In this lively episode, Mike and Shana dive into a whirlwind of topics, from solo parenting adventures ("Boys' Week") to heated local politics—including candid takes on city council endorsements, social media rabble-rousing, and the surprising bombshells from a recent Democratic Club meeting.  They also debate the merits of Disney trips (are they worth the hype or an overpriced headache?), sh...

In this triumphant return of Everything is Local, we unpack the whirlwind of current events—from fiery local politics and heated school funding debates to national protests and the ever-shifting media landscape. We explore the complexities of democracy, the highs and lows of community leadership, and the cultural changes redefining our world. But it’s not all serious—get the inside scoop on recent...

In this episode of Everything is Local, join Mike (now with one less tooth) and Shana as we follow up on the explosive reception of their recent episode with Missy. We dive into recent school district negotiations, the surprising $27 million settlement, audience feedback, and the importance of standing by your principles—especially in politics and education. Plus, Shana shares his excitement for t...

In this special episode, Mike and Shana sit down with Missy, a dedicated educator with 16 years at Beechwood High School, to shed light on the ongoing negotiations surrounding the district’s teacher contract. They explore the challenges of salary schedules, retention of young teachers, and the importance of community support for educators.  Plus, insights into teaching history in a divided er...

In this episode, we unpack a whirlwind week filled with local politics, legal controversies, and reflections on leadership and accountability. From the Beechwood Schools Foundation scholarships to the Cleveland Heights body cam controversy, we explore how law, politics, and integrity intersect—and what it takes to hold those in power accountable. Join us for candid conversations, sharp insights, a...

Join us for a candid and chaotic deep dive into Cleveland's ongoing stadium saga, city budgeting nightmares, and the bizarre adventures with raccoons in the attic. We vent about the city’s reckless spending, the potential impact of a new stadium in Brook Park, and the true cost of infrastructure projects.  Plus, personal stories about mice, raccoons, and the quest for the perfect date night....