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!

On this episode of the Love in the Land podcast, we’re joined by serial entrepreneur and cultural architect, Kumar Arora.

Kumar has made a lasting impact on Cleveland through a wide range of ventures spanning fashion, food, tech, and the creative economy. His resume includes Ilthy, a fashion-forward streetwear brand that blends art and activism; Sora, a stunning modern sushi restaurant in the heart of the Flats; and FutureLand, a groundbreaking conference that celebrates innovation, entrepreneurship, and diversity—designed to empower the next generation of creators, technologists, and business leaders right here in Cleveland.

Needless to say, Kumar hasn’t just influenced the city—he’s helped shape its cultural identity.

In this episode, Kumar sits down with Austin to share his journey growing up in Cleveland as the son of a scientist and an artist. He discusses how that unique mix of logic and creativity formed the foundation of his entrepreneurial mindset. From his early pivot away from pre-med (to the surprise of his parents) to building brands that define Cleveland’s creative spirit, Kumar opens up about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the value of meaningful partnerships, and what’s next for Ilthy.

To keep up with all things Kumar, visit Kumar-Arora.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, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Jon Lampley!

Jon is an accomplished musician, trumpet player, singer, and sousaphone player whose journey started in Akron, Ohio. A proud “kid from Akron,” Jon has gone from marching in local bands to performing on some of the biggest stages and arenas in the world.

In college, he lived out a lifelong dream by joining The Ohio State University Marching Band, where he had the rare honor of "dotting the i" multiple times. From there, his career took off—he became a core member of the renowned jam band O.A.R., playing trumpet and singing for the group for over 15 years. He’s also a founding member of Huntertones, a high-energy instrumental band known for its unique sound and electric live performances. And if that’s not enough, you can catch Jon playing nightly as part of The Late Show Band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

In this episode, Jon sits down with Austin to talk about his Akron roots, his passion for music, and the defining moments that shaped his career. He shares his bold decision to forgo a traditional 9-to-5 job and instead chase his dream, putting faith and passion at the center of his journey. His story is one of perseverance, energy, and an unwavering belief in seizing opportunities.

Jon has also launched a solo career, recently releasing his album Night Service. To stay up to date with Jon and catch him live, visit jonlampley.com and follow him on social media @jonlampleymusic.

Enjoy the show!

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!

Fred Geis: Cleveland’s Visionary Developer

Fred Geis is one of the most influential figures in Cleveland's development and redevelopment story. As a former partner of Geis Companies, Fred—along with his family—has played a pivotal role in shaping some of Northeast Ohio's most iconic real estate projects, including The 9, Heinen’s Grocery Store, Midtown Tech Park, Cuyahoga County Headquarters, and more.

In this episode of Love in the Land, Austin sits down with Fred to discuss his incredible journey, from his early days as the son of German immigrants to becoming a trailblazer in Cleveland’s real estate scene.

Fred shares how moving to Cleveland at 11 years old—without knowing the language or culture—shaped his perspective and resilience. He opens up about taking over his family’s business, pushing its boundaries, and developing a passion for tackling ambitious projects that others thought were impossible.

Fred’s story is one of determination, vision, and a deep love for the city of Cleveland. Whether you’re into real estate, business, or inspiring stories, this episode is for you!

🎧 Tune in now to Love in the Land! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more Cleveland-based stories and content!

#LoveInTheLand #ClevelandPodcast #FredGeis #ClevelandDevelopment #RealEstate #ClevelandStories

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 the dynamic Brent Zimmerman, co-founder and CEO of Saucy Brew Works—one of Cleveland’s favorite and fastest-growing breweries. Brent’s journey from the boardroom to the brewery is anything but traditional. After a successful career in finance, navigating the high-stakes world of hedge funds in Boston and New York, he decided to bring his business acumen back to Cleveland, transforming Saucy Brew Works into a beloved local brand. His entrepreneurial drive has even led him to collaborate with Ohio State’s legendary coach, Urban Meyer, launching Urban Meyer’s Pint House, a unique taproom experience that has Cleveland buzzing.

In this conversation, Brent sits down with Austin to share his journey, from his small-town Ohio roots and the gritty work ethic instilled by his entrepreneurial parents, to his pivot from finance to brewing. Brent offers insights into the highs and challenges of growing a brand, the importance of community in Saucy’s mission, and the story behind his partnership with Coach Meyer.

Follow Brent on Instagram @zimmerbc and connect with him on LinkedIn, and keep up with Saucy Brew Works on Instagram @saucybrewworks. Tune in and don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring episodes of Love in the Land with Austin Love!