Love in the Land with Austin Love

Austin Love

An interview in the Land, for the Land! Check out as Austin Love interviews some of Cleveland, Ohio's most influential personalities.

  1. #40. Nic Barlage: Turning Adversity Into Opportunity — Inside the Business of the Cleveland Cavaliers

    FEB 10

    #40. Nic Barlage: Turning Adversity Into Opportunity — Inside the Business of the Cleveland Cavaliers

    “Cleveland is a world-class city without world-class egos.” That idea sits at the core of how the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group are reshaping Downtown Cleveland with intention, urgency, and alignment. On this episode of Love in the Land, host Austin Love sits down with Nic Barlage, CEO of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group, and one of the most influential leaders shaping the future of sports, entertainment, and downtown Cleveland. Nic shares what it means to lead at scale when decisions ripple across an entire city, and why the Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment have made a long-term commitment to investing downtown. From sports and entertainment to real estate and immersive experiences, Nic explains how these platforms are being used not just to host events, but to create daily energy, economic momentum, and lasting impact. Nic’s path to leadership was anything but linear. He entered college on a pre-med track, struggled academically, and at one point carried a 1.7 GPA. That moment forced a reset. He took an honest look at what he wanted and realized he could turn his passion for sports into a career. What followed was rejection. After applying to more than 170 jobs in sports, Nic finally received his first yes with the Alexandria Beetles of the Northwoods League. The work was unglamorous and behind the scenes, but it shaped the work ethic, humility, and resilience that define his leadership today. That same mindset carried into pivotal moments alongside Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers, including stepping into difficult roles others avoided, and now guides how Rock Entertainment executes at scale. In this episode, we explore: Rock Entertainment Group and Bedrock’s strategy for accelerating Downtown Cleveland’s evolution The Cavaliers’ long-term role as a sports and entertainment anchor downtown The competitive, multi-year process behind bringing a WNBA franchise to Cleveland How hearing no hundreds of times shaped Nic’s leadership mindset Why landing COSM downtown reflects a broader push toward immersive, experience-driven destinations What leadership looks like when urgency, alignment, and accountability matter more than ego This conversation is about more than sports. It is about responsibility, long-term thinking, and what it actually takes to help build a city the right way. If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to like, follow, and subscribe to Love in the Land on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    54 min
  2. #39. Bernie Garrah – How to Win With Your Money in 2026

    FEB 3

    #39. Bernie Garrah – How to Win With Your Money in 2026

    Episode #39 — Bernie Garrah: How to Win With Your Money in 2026 In this episode of Love in the Land, Austin Love sits down with Bernie Garrah, Principal and Wealth Advisor at Tempo Wealth, for a grounded, real-world conversation about money, freedom, and how to think differently about your finances in 2026. With nearly 30 years in financial planning and wealth management, Bernie shares what he’s learned building a career and a life, around fully integrated financial planning with a family-office mindset. From making just $8,000 a year early on to betting on himself with an “eat what you kill” mentality, Bernie breaks down the realities of entrepreneurship, delayed gratification, and why financial independence often comes at a cost before it becomes a benefit. This episode explores: Why money is one of the most important tools in our lives — yet rarely taught properly How to rethink your relationship with money, not just your investments Key financial trends and mindset shifts to pay attention to in 2026 The freedom (and pressure) that comes with being your own boss Long-term thinking vs. short-term wins when building real wealth Whether you’re an entrepreneur, high-earner, or someone who feels successful on paper but uncertain financially, this conversation will help you zoom out, gain perspective, and start positioning your money with more intention. You can find more information on Bernie and Tempo here: Tempo Wealth - Wealth Management for Modern Professionals This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment advice.

    39 min
  3. #38. Adam Graves— From Nestlé Intern to President of a $2B Food Empire

    JAN 14

    #38. Adam Graves— From Nestlé Intern to President of a $2B Food Empire

    Love in the Land — Adam Graves (Nestlé, DiGiorno, Hot Pockets, CPK, Tombstone) From marketing intern to President of a $2B food empire. On this episode of the Love in the Land Podcast, Austin Love sits down with Adam Graves, President of Pizza & Snacking at Nestlé USA, the division behind some of the biggest food brands in the world — DiGiorno, California Pizza Kitchen, Tombstone, Jack’s, Hot Pockets, and Stouffer’s Bites. Adam has spent nearly two decades inside Nestlé, rising from an intern to leading one of the company’s most iconic and innovative portfolios. In this conversation, he takes us inside the machine of global food brands — how new products like DiGiorno’s wood-fired pizza are conceived, engineered, tested, marketed, and scaled across millions of households. We also go deeper into: What it takes to lead inside a Fortune 500 company How Nestlé builds and protects billion-dollar brands Developing a growth mindset inside a massive organization Encouraging entrepreneurship inside corporate America And what Adam has learned from international leadership roles around the world This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in food, branding, consumer products, leadership, or building a career inside a global company. Follow Adam Graves on LinkedIn for more insights into leadership and brand building.And don’t forget to follow and rate Love in the Land for more conversations with the people shaping business, culture, and the future. 🎧 Hosted by Austin Love — @AustinLoveTV

    1h 7m
  4. #34. Adam Miller (TEGNA)

    08/19/2025

    #34. Adam Miller (TEGNA)

    On this episode of the Love in the Land Podcast with Austin Love we’re thrilled to welcome TV executive Adam Miller.  Adam is currently the Vice President of On‑Air Talent Strategy at TEGNA and a former Senior Producer for TODAY. A seasoned veteran of the news industry, Adam’s career began right here in Northeast Ohio, where he knew from an early age that television news production was his calling. Adam is a proud alumnus of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University . After sharpening his skills in journalism, he started at TODAY at the ground level and rose through the ranks to become a senior producer. From there, he took on leadership as News Director at WKYC in Cleveland and then advanced to his current role overseeing on‑air talent strategy across TEGNA’s nationwide stations. In this episode, Austin sits down with Adam to explore his journey, his vision for the future of television journalism, and how he now shapes the industry by recruiting the next generation of on-air talent. Adam shares what he looks for in journalists—and reveals what he believes gives a personality that elusive “it” factor. He also recounts his entertaining and unforgettable 2016 World Series adventure with the legendary Al Roker. And as a fun bonus, the two team up to build their very own “Mount Rushmore” of favorite TV journalists. Enjoy this fun and insightful conversation on Love in the Land. Don’t forget to connect with Adam on LinkedIn or follow him on Instagram at @AmintheAm—and be sure to like, subscribe, and share for more!

    1h 1m

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

An interview in the Land, for the Land! Check out as Austin Love interviews some of Cleveland, Ohio's most influential personalities.