Everything Is Local

With Mike away, this is a great episode where Shana and the crew talk about:
• Amy Acton’s campaign for Ohio governor, her stance on data centers, and what voters want to hear from candidates heading into election season.
• The state of Democratic politics, Sherrod Brown, campaign messaging, and the challenge of connecting national political strategies with what actually matters to local voters.
• Rising grocery prices, shrinkflation, food deserts, WIC, and whether government-backed grocery stores could actually make food more affordable.
• The dramatic differences in home prices across Cuyahoga County, including Beachwood, Cleveland, and East Cleveland, and what those numbers say about the communities around us.
• Whether celebrities and professional athletes should be expected to use their platforms for political and social causes, plus the impact people like LeBron James and MrBeast can have through philanthropy.
And, of course, there’s plenty of Everything is Local chaos along the way — from iced coffee strategies and Costco bills to teenage appetites and whatever rabbit hole the internet sends the crew down next.
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This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:
• The growing concerns surrounding The Vantage apartments, ongoing code violations, and what the City of Beachwood can (and can't) do to help residents.
• The future of Beachwood Place Mall, changing retail trends, and what the loss of major department stores could mean for the city's economy.
• The debate over tax increment financing (TIFs), redevelopment projects, and how public incentives should be used.
• Local politics, the upcoming election, and why voters should pay close attention to the issues affecting their own communities.
• Summer travel, Tim McGraw, Hersheypark, baseball season, Joey Fatone, and plenty of laughs along the way.
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This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:
• Why the proposed Fairmount Temple TIF has become one of the most controversial issues currently facing the city.
• The debate surrounding Beachwood's inside mill levies, sewer frontage assessments, and how taxpayer dollars are being spent.
• The University Heights home synagogue case headed to the U.S. Supreme Court and what the decision could mean for local zoning laws.
• Akron Children's Hospital's plans for the former Notre Dame College campus.
• Summer baseball, fireworks, city services, and why local residents should pay closer attention to local government decisions.
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Mike is back, and Episode 62 covers everything from birthday gifts and backyard chaos to one of the biggest debates happening inside the Democratic Party today.
This week's conversation includes:
Mike's return to the podcast after missing last week's episode, along with stories from his "bachelor week" while Nikki was away.
A heartbreaking local driving accident and a thoughtful discussion about driver's education, road safety, and the lifelong consequences of tragic mistakes.
Stories about casinos, poker, sports betting, bourbon gifts, electric vehicles, and why Mike's greatest poker victory may have been pure luck.
A deep dive into Michigan's Senate race, Chris Van Hollen's endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Party's growing divide over Israel, progressive politics, and how candidates navigate controversy.
A broader conversation about the future of the Democratic coalition, foreign aid, U.S.-Israel relations, and the shifting priorities of Democratic voters.
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With Mike away at a baseball tournament, Shana is joined by Matt Hildebrand for a wide-ranging discussion that goes far beyond local politics. This is a fascinating episode where they talk about:
The Trump administration's new Memorandum of Understanding with Iran and whether it is a meaningful agreement or simply an agreement to keep talking.
The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, Hezbollah, and the broader implications for American foreign policy and Middle East stability.
The changing relationship between the United States and Israel, the growing partisan divide surrounding support for Israel, and what the future may hold for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Michigan's high-profile U.S. Senate race, Abdul El-Sayed's campaign, AIPAC's influence in Democratic primaries, and how younger voters are reshaping the political landscape.
The challenges of balancing humanitarian concerns, national security, and political realities in one of the world's most complex conflicts.
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