Love in the Land with Austin Love

Today on The Love in the Land Podcast with Austin Love: singer, songwriter, and smooth crooner Hayden Grove!Fresh off his appearance on NBC’s The Voice as a member of Team Adam, Hayden is no stranger to the spotlight. Before hitting the national stage, he was a familiar face in Cleveland—both as a sports reporter for Cleveland.com and as a regular on the local music scene.In this episode, Austin sits down with Hayden to talk about his bold leap from a steady job in media to fully pursuing his passion for music. Hayden opens up about his experience on The Voice, shares behind-the-scenes moments from the show, and reflects on a time he walked away from singing altogether—only to rediscover his love for it.Huge thanks to Hayden for joining the show. Stay connected with everything he’s doing (or even book him for your next event!) at haydenfrankgrove.com. Enjoy the episode!

Today on the podcast: Michelin-starred chef Dante Boccuzzi!A true pioneer of Cleveland’s culinary scene, Dante has been shaping the city’s food culture since opening his flagship restaurant in Tremont back in 2008. But his journey began long before that — at just 14 years old, he took his first job as a dishwasher at a local restaurant in Parma. From those humble beginnings, Dante’s passion for food and hospitality took him across the globe, cooking in world-class kitchens in New York, San Francisco, and Italy, to name a few.His career highlights are as impressive as they come: a two-time James Beard “Rising Star” nominee and a Michelin star earned as Executive Chef at Aureole in New York City.On this episode of Love in the Land, Dante joins Austin to talk about his roots, his global culinary adventures, and what ultimately inspired him to bring it all back to Cleveland. They dive into the influences behind his cooking style, what it’s like to cook for celebrities like Robert De Niro, and the story behind his new cookbook.Please enjoy this conversation with Chef Dante Boccuzzi.For more on Dante, including details on his restaurants and his new cookbook Cooking in Harmony, visit DanteBoccuzzi.com.Enjoy the episode!

Today on Love in the Land, Stephanie Haney joins the show! In the world of media, Stephanie has done it all. Currently, she’s the Digital Anchor and Legal Analyst for WKYC-TV, but her journey has taken her through major media hubs like Los Angeles and New York. She’s worked on shows and networks including Undercover Boss, E!, Spike, the History Channel, Daily Mail, and even made a quick cameo on Vanderpump Rules. In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Austin to share her story, from her early days growing up in Canton, OH—where she hosted mock trials with friends—to becoming an attorney and now delivering in-depth legal analysis on WKYC. Beyond media and law, she opens up about her Cleveland Magazine feature, her upcoming wedding to comedian Mike Polk, and offers valuable advice for young women pursuing their dreams. Follow Stephanie on social media and catch her daily on WKYC and WKYC.com. Enjoy the episode!

This week on the Love in the Land podcast, we’re joined by Cleveland native and entrepreneur, Bobby Rutter! By day, Bobby is an insurance lawyer and partner at Rutter & Russin LLC. By night, he serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Forward Hospitality, the powerhouse behind some of Cleveland’s most iconic bars and nightclubs, including FWD Day + Nightclub, Welcome to the Farm, and Good Night John Boy. What began as a local venture has rapidly expanded, with Forward Hospitality now making waves nationally. In this episode, Austin sits down with Bobby to dive into his journey as an entrepreneur, from how his family influenced his business mindset to the early challenges of launching his first nightclub alongside friend Dante Deiana. Bobby shares the story of how they transformed a vacant lot in the then-desolate Flats East Bank into Cleveland’s hottest nightlife destination and how they’ve continued to create innovative, successful concepts. Bobby also opens up about his thoughts on Cleveland’s evolving entertainment scene, including the Browns’ potential move from downtown and its broader implications. Stay connected with Bobby on Instagram at @bobby_rutter and follow his company, @forwardhospitality, for the latest updates. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Love in the Land podcast with Austin Love, available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. Enjoy the episode!

On today’s episode of Love in the Land, we’re joined by Craig Hassall, the newly appointed President and CEO of Playhouse Square! Craig has brought a fresh wave of energy and vision to Cleveland’s iconic theater district and the wider Northeast Ohio arts community. A native of Australia, Craig’s impressive career in the arts includes leading roles at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. His journey began with the renowned Sydney Theatre Company, which opened doors for him in London, where he eventually became CEO of the legendary Royal Albert Hall. In this episode, Craig sits down with Austin to share the remarkable path that took him from Australia to London, and, unexpectedly, to Cleveland, Ohio. He reflects on how a primary school teacher ignited his lifelong passion for theater, shaping his career and personal identity. Craig also talks about the bold leap of faith it took to move across the globe, his leadership style that’s fueled his success, and his exciting vision for the future of Playhouse Square. To top it off, he even quizzes Austin on his knowledge of baseball, as Craig geared up for his first Guardians playoff game. Tune in for this captivating conversation with Craig Hassall. To learn more about Craig and Playhouse Square or to catch a show, visit playhousesquare.org and follow them on Instagram @playhousesquare. Enjoy the episode!

This week on the podcast, Austin sits down with Benj Gershman, the bassist of O.A.R! Starting as a garage band in their youth, O.A.R. has turned childhood dreams into a lifelong career, spending the last 28 years together. From their humble beginnings to becoming global sensations, the band has captivated thousands of fans, one show at a time. Benj has been there every step of the way. In this episode, recorded just hours before O.A.R‘s sold-out show in Cleveland, Benj shares an inside look at life on the road—discussing the highs, the lows, and everything in between. He reflects on the band’s nearly three-decade journey, exploring how they’ve managed to stay together through it all. Benj also opens up about a serious health scare in early 2020 that threatened his ability to play bass. He discusses how this physical challenge led to a profound impact on his mental health, sparking his advocacy work and the launch of his own podcast, What Could Be Bad. Join us for this wide-ranging conversation with Benj Gershman of O.A.R. You can follow Benj on social media @benjgershman and check out his podcast @whatcouldbebadofficial. Be sure to follow O.A.R. on social media @ofarevolution and visit LiveOAR.com to stay updated. Enjoy the episode!

On the podcast today is the Big Wig of the Cleveland Metroparks, Brian Zimmerman! Over the past 14 years, Brian has led the Metroparks through a period of remarkable transformation, making it one of the premier park systems in the country. While many parks and recreation agencies remain stagnant, Brian’s dynamic approach has revitalized the Cleveland Metroparks and had a significant impact on Northeast Ohio. In this episode, Brian shares his experiences as CEO, the major challenges he has faced, and his exciting vision for the future of the parks, including ambitious plans for The Flats of Cleveland. Brian also opens up about his personal journey, from developing a strong work ethic in rural Wisconsin to finding his way to Cleveland. You can follow Brian on social media at @ceo_clemetparks and the Cleveland Metroparks at @clevemetroparks. Enjoy the conversation!

This week on the "Love in the Land" podcast, we are thrilled to feature Doug Trattner, a distinguished writer, editor, and author based in Cleveland. Doug has achieved notable success in the literary world, earning three New York Times Best-Selling Author accolades through his contributions to Michael Symon's "Carnivore," "5 in 5," and "Fix it With Food." His expertise as a dining editor has also been recognized nationally, winning the title of "Best Food Writing" in the United States. Locally, he is revered as the foremost authority on Cleveland's dining scene, serving as the food reporter for Cleveland Scene Magazine. In this episode, Doug joins Austin to delve into his career, life, and passion for food. Interestingly, Doug’s journey into the culinary world was not straightforward; he initially practiced law for nearly a decade. Throughout the conversation, he shares insights into his career transition, highlighting how his legal expertise contributed to his success in food journalism. In addition, Doug recounts the beginning of his collaboration with renowned Chef Michael Symon, a partnership that has spawned several best-selling books and fostered his affection for various Cleveland restaurants. Doug's latest articles are featured in Cleveland Scene Magazine, and his cookbooks are available at book retailers everywhere. Follow him on social media at @dougtrattner to stay updated on his endeavors. Enjoy the episode!