There’s Always a Cleveland Connection, in Cleveland Magazine’s Podcast

No matter what you’re talking about, there always seems to be a way to connect it back to Cleveland; there’s always a Cleveland connection.

For instance, did you know that there’s a feathered Marvel character, with his own comic book and movie, that is based in Cleveland? Or that the Strawberry Shortcake cartoon was first developed as a greeting card at American Greetings?

You probably know that Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is from Cleveland. But did you know that one of its band members has launched two nonprofits to give back to the city? And maybe you’ve watched the Super Bowl, or the Grammy Awards, or American Idol, and never realized that one of the background singers is a standout musician from Cleveland.

These connections, and others, inspired a new podcast called “The CLE Connection," here at Cleveland Magazine. 

Check out the first season wherever you listen to podcasts, and below:

Episode 1: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Gets its Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Bone Thugs member Anthony “Krayzie Bone” Henderson talks about his success in music and his recent nonprofit and development work in Cleveland.

Episode 2: Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears' Very-Cleveland Origin Stories

Hear from former American Greetings artist Muriel Fahrion, who was one of the early illustrators of two of the company’s most iconic brands, Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears.

Episode 3: Bad Luck Brian and Chicken Salad: What It's Like to Go Viral in Northeast Ohio

Akronite Kyle Craven, the face behind the Bad Luck Brian meme, and Clevelander Nisha Godfrey, featured in a viral “Chicken Salad” video, share what it was like to experience meme stardom.

Episode 4: How Howard The Duck Became Marvel’s Cleveland-Based Comic Book Character

Former Marvel comic book illustrator and Youngstown native Val Mayerik first drew Howard The Duck, collaborating on the Marvel character with comic book writer Steve Gerber.

Episode 5: This Cleveland Vocalist Sings on the World’s Biggest Stages

Norelle, an accomplished singer from Cleveland, has sung with some of the biggest musicians of our time, including Pharrell, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and more.

Episode 6: From 30 Rock to Ted Lasso, Jack Burditt Brings Cleveland Roots to Major TV Shows

The producer and writer shares more about the "Cleveland" episode of 30 Rock and his current work on the fourth season of Ted Lasso.

Episode 7: An Ancient Boar, a Viral Meme and a Cleveland Museum of Art Mystery

After the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Boar Vessel went viral online, curators and historians began investigating its origins and authenticity.

Episode 8: From R.E.M. to Cleveland Christmas Songs: The Many Musical Lives of Don Dixon

Canton-based producer Don Dixon talks about his work with R.E.M., his wife and musical collaborator Marti Jones and the local holiday supergroup The Ohio City Singers.

Episode 3: Jon Lampley's Journey From Ohio Church Music to a Late-Night Show Band

Just a few weeks after The Late Show With Stephen Colbert ended, the band's trumpet player Jon Lampley, a Tallmadge, Ohio, native, released his new solo album Notes To Self.

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