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PODCAST

Everything Is Local

Have you ever wondered what really goes on in local government? I’m Mike Burkons, your host and a former city council member. Some people loved me, some… well, let’s just say they weren’t fans but I’m here to pull back the curtain on the decisions that shape local communities. Every week, I’ll share insights from my time in office and break down local issues,controversies and dramas occurring in local governments in the area, not just in Beachwood, in a way that’s easy to understand and maybe even a

government entrepreneurship

All Episodes

62:14

Ep. 52 - Restaurant Fails, Cul-de-Sac Chaos, and a...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/04/21

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 older, and the realization that roles start to shift when it comes to parents, money, and responsibility.A proposed cul-de-sac plan impacting

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32:45

Ep. 51 - Local Leadership, Real Life, and Running for...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/04/14

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 motherhood, including raising a son with autism and managing the stress and structure that comes with it.Her journey from growing

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85:06

Ep. 50 - Passover, Big Promises, and the Library...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/04/07

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 changes, and whether the plan actually makes sense for the community.The debate over adding an auditorium, potential relocation to Fairmount

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78:17

Ep. 49 - Council Clashes, Political Hypocrisy, and...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/03/31

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 communicated) to residents.The Fairmount Temple development, 55+ housing debate, and why no one on council seems willing to

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57:48

Ep. 48 - Guest Host Energy, Local Politics, and the...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/03/24

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 and regional politics, including the Max Miller race, county council dynamics, and frustrations with endorsements, influence, and party

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53:42

Ep. 47 - Real Estate, Broadway Shows, and the Future...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/03/17

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 families to neighboring communities—and what types of housing developments could attract new residents.The debate over

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48:52

Ep. 46 - Mall Closures, Local Politics, and Reality...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/03/14

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 major mall ownership groups make decisions, why Beachwood Place is still performing better than most malls, and the potential for

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63:49

Ep. 45 - Love Is Blind, Olympic Gold, and the Sheetz...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/03/03

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 Union reactions, Dave Smith’s takes, and the ongoing culture war conversation around immigration and identity politics.The

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51:34

Ep. 44 - Team USA, Sheetz Showdown, and the Fairmount...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/02/24

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 owners and concerns about traffic, crime, and long-term development strategy.The Porsche property “carrot,” what

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26:37

Ep. 43 - Valentine’s Day, Vanishing Tax Dollars, and...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/02/17

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 property owners.TIFs, the Fairmount Temple development, and the bigger picture of how local tax decisions

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54:11

Ep. 42 - From Wild Bar Tabs to a Homegrown Podcast...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/02/09

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 laterUnfiltered memories about friendships, graduation week chaos, and the moments you definitely wouldn’t recommend repeatingThe sudden shift to recording from home and what it took to keep the show goingHow a five-year Lego City was lovingly cleared out and transformed into a brand-new podcast studio, thanks to some incredible family

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70:52

Ep. 41 - Fairmount Temple TIF, Rational America,...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/02/03

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 happened without it and just diverts millions of property tax dollars that would go to the Beachwood Schools,

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62:40

Ep. 40 - Happy New Year, Parenting Confessions, and...

Everything Is Local ·

2026/01/27

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 drama, traffic concerns, and community pushback.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!

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67:40

Ep. 39 - Mike and Shana Are Back!!

Everything Is Local ·

2025/11/01

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 Mayor Justin Bern's city owned 2022, with only 38,400 miles, for a new one costing $53,460.Subscribe for

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67:23

Ep. 38 - Cleveland Heights in Chaos and Mollie's...

Everything Is Local ·

2025/08/26

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 decision that cost the city its bond rating. We discuss the grassroots recall effort, the upcoming vote,

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85:44

Ep. 37 - Campaign Trails & Dubai Chocolate: A Chat...

Everything Is Local ·

2025/08/19

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 her campaign partner (returning guest Angel) In Sun Loving and the crew dive into grassroots campaigning,

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64:44

Ep. 36 - Shade Junkies & Political Drama: Aging,...

Everything Is Local ·

2025/08/05

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-seeking residents? Plus, the shady ties between developers and former city employees.Cleveland Heights’

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75:31

Ep. 35 - Studio Apartments = Baby Factories?...

Everything Is Local ·

2025/07/29

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 young families, especially when existing data shows almost zero examples of singles-turned-families

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35:38

Ep. 34 - Flamingo Parties & Failing Priorities:...

Everything Is Local ·

2025/07/15

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 (sometimes oversold) merits of living in Beachwood. Also in local news, Shana provides an update on the fight

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61:21

Ep. 33 - Rabble-Rousing & Rezoning: Inside...

Everything Is Local ·

2025/07/01

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?), share a wild golf-cart-in-a-storm story, and rave about Two Brothers Pizza’s wings. Plus, a mysterious fire alarm

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53 results

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