Almost a year since I first pitched the idea, and after roughly six months of planning and recording, on October 7, 2020 the first episode of Weddings Unveiled with Leah Longbrake debuted at evergreenpodcasts.com and on all major podcast platforms! This past year I’ve had an incredible experience creating this show, meeting so many wonderful…
Discussing My Career On ‘Dr. Paul’s Family Talk’
If you happened to have read my last post about my conversation with Bianca Wulwick on Please Don’t Kick Me Out then you may remember my mentioning meeting her through this great website for podcasters called Matchmaker.fm. It helps connect people looking to find guests for their show, or be a guest on other podcasts. Through…
Imposter Syndrome and Las Vegas Elopements
I first met Bianca Wulwick through this great website for podcasters called Matchmaker.fm. It helps connect people looking to find guests for their show, or be a guest on other podcasts. Her show Please Don’t Kick Me Out primarily focuses on imposter syndrome, a topic I find fascinating and have never really discussed publicly before….
Celebrities Disrupting the Traditional Wedding on The Bouquet Toss
Those that know me know I have a healthy obsession with celebrity weddings. As a little girl I remember staring for hours at pictures of Grace Kelly becoming the Princess of Monaco, Elizabeth Taylor at all of her weddings (I remember watching the 8th and final at Neverland Ranch to Larry Fortensky featured on Entertainment…
Baby Shamers Part 2
A few years ago I shared my personal experiences with being baby shamed in my blog post titled Baby Shamers. I heard from so many women, and even some men, about their own experiences. Whether single, dating, married, already a mom…so many people have-unfortunately-dealt with someone shaming them. Usually its about not having kids, but…
Announcement: I’ve Joined Evergreen Podcasts!
I’m thrilled to finally announce that I’ve accepted a new position as a Producer with Evergreen Podcasts! It’s been an exciting month being in, and learning from, the podcast world and the team of creatives I get the pleasure to work with. I’m really excited for what is to come! So, what is Evergreen Podcasts?…
Moving On.
This weekend was bittersweet. I made my Directing debut with TV20 at the Cleveland MUNY Cheerleading Championships, but Friday was my last day in the office. The past seven years have been an incredible experience, and I’m so lucky to have had this opportunity. I have made incredible friends at the office, and from being…
Happy 150 Years Cleveland Public Library!
Today marks 150 years for the Cleveland Public Library! If you’re from our beloved city than you know how important the institution is on so many levels, and for so many people: historically, architecturally and personally. Back in 2015 I wrote a blog about my love of CPL and growing up at the Slavic…
Glow at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens!
No matter what time of the year it is I love the Cleveland Botanical Gardens! Spring has the rebirth of nature, Summer is the flourishing of the floral and fauna, and Fall has the changing of the leaves. While the trees become barren in the Winter, the CBG shows that nature is still colorful and…
Cupid’s Undie Run 2018
Four years ago I did my first Cupid’s Undie Run in Cleveland. Back then it was held in the Tremont neighborhood, but is now held Downtown at the House of Blues. The first one I did was single digit temps (EMS was on hand!) and yet still had at least a thousand people braving…
Dancing with the Cleveland Stars!
On Saturday, August 26th I competed along with seven other great Clevelanders in the Dancing With the Cleveland Stars competition benefiting the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Ohio. When I signed on to do this 2 months ago, after supporting my friend Christina who had competed prior-and won!, I was a mixed bag of excited…
I Ran My First Half Marathon!
I remember covering the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon for the station I work for back in May 2013 and thinking, I wish I could do this. I felt hindered with my sports-induced asthma. I’ve been active since I was a kid: dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, acro, volleyball, softball…but I had to always watch my level of…
Baby Shamers
I honestly didn’t want to talk to her, but I was at a ‘ladies that lunch’ type of event so I had to. She asked halfheartedly how I was and I said “Great! Busy as always!” with a chuckle. She then says to me, in all seriousness, “Yeah, I just had a kid so…
Cupid’s Undie Run 2016!
Recently I participated in the Cupid’s Undie Run, my second time since it came to Cleveland 4 years ago. For those not familiar, the Cupid’s Undie Run was created in 2010 as a fun way to raise money and awareness for The Children’s Tumor Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to raising money for research to…
Wrapping Up 2015
Yes, my blog has been kept on the back burner in 2015. Thank you to those who have subscribed to my blog! I promise you will have much to read on here in 2016! This year I have been blessed with so many incredible moments that I will forever cherish. My niece had her first…
The People’s University: A Look Inside The Cleveland Public Library
I grew up an avid reader, and practically lived at the Fleet Branch of the Cleveland Public Library. I believe that libraries are one of the most important resources we have as a community. To shine a light on our Cleveland Public Library’s importance I produced a special to showcase both the history of its…
Music, Food, Fashion & Fun!
Listen Up Cleveland Episode 10 debuted last week! I was at the beautiful Cleveland Museum of Art for two fantastic events. First I was at the highly popular Friday Monthly MIX event where this time they teamed up with Tri-C Jazz Fest. Then check out one of the best fashion shows in town when…
Summer In The City Restaurant Special!
After months of planning & hard work, the TV20 Summer In The City Restaurant Special myself and Patrick “Rudy” Longbrake have been working on finally debuts! Tune in this week (starting today!) at 9:30am, 4:30pm and 10:30pm to learn about 7 amazing Cleveland restaurants you must check out! The special will run all throughout…
A Fabulous February!
February is generally associated with love because of Valentine’s Day, and this month one of the greatest love’s of my life came into the world-my niece Khloe Olivia was born on February 4th! I am over the moon about her and can’t wait to hold her when I get to visit my family soon! Then…
Life With Leah* In 2013
A fun, more fearless 2013 is a great (though very Cosmo way) of describing this past year. Entering the new decade, I feel more enlightened and proud of what I’ve both succeeded and failed at. One of the absolute biggest highlights of the year was finding out I’m going to be an Aunt! Khloe will…
Listen Up Cleveland Episode 7!
A place you wouldn’t expect to hear the Cleveland Orchestra is at 78th Street Studios in Gordon Square District. A hip space known for its art galleries, many members of the Orchestra gathered to hold special performances here, along with other restaurants and spaces in the area. I was there to find out what…
A BIG Accomplishment
I’ll never forget my first sports-induced asthma attack. I was in the 7th grade running the mile run for the Presidential Physical Fitness Testing. In case you’re not familiar with this, it was something held at the end of the school year where you competed in various activities (sit-up, pull-ups, Mile run…) and could…
Listen Up Cleveland Now On YouTube!!
Miss the first 3 episodes of Listen Up Cleveland?! Well here’s your chance to watch it! Thank you again to my guests Tom Weschler, Design Lab (Anton Zbarzh and Donald Hayes), Michelle Andree, Valerie Mayen, Dave Brooks and Kim Crow. Enjoy watching Listen Up Cleveland!!
Listen Up Cleveland Episode 5!
I know it’s been a few weeks, but Listen Up Cleveland is back! In studio I chat with legendary Cleveland Indians drummer John Adams. Aside from the Indians, John is also the founder of the Cleveland Blues Society and teaches. Then I’m with Tony Madalone, founder of Fresh Brewed Tees. Tony not only has…
Ways To Give Back In Cleveland
As I had mentioned in my blog Spiritually Fed, I recently covered the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Heartthrob Ball for TV20. It was a fabulous ball that may have been so much fun to attend (KC & the Sunshine band played!), but the sole purpose was to recognize the brave individuals that have been through so…
Spiritually Fed
It’s easy to get off track when life gets super busy. To get so caught up in your day-to-day life that family, friends, work, relationships, stress…it can consume you and make you forget to put God first. Or turn to him instead of others. I did that recently. I was so caught up in the…
Goodwill Good Style Fashion Show 2013
This past Thursday I attended the Goodwill Good Style Fashion Show, held at Windows on the River & the Cleveland Aquarium for an upcoming episode of my show Listen Up Cleveland. Featuring collections from various Northeast Ohio Bloggers, they showed how you can create 10 fabulous outfits by shopping at Goodwill and for under…
Hip2BSquare 2013
Last weekend I covered the Gordon Square Arts District 3rd Annual Hip2BSquare event, which celebrates the growth of the community over the past year and to help raise money for the new Near West Theatre and Cleveland Public Theatre. This year they honored Councilman Matt Zone and his wife Michelle, who serve and live…
Listen Up Cleveland Episode 4!
Listen Up Cleveland is back this week! In studio I’m with super talented R&B singer Alvin Frazier! Seriously, he’s amazing. Was such a pleasure to have him in studio. He even treats us to a small performance and we take a look at his brand new music video! Then its on to CLE…
Vote for the Burning River Ramblers!
Cleveland’s own Burning River Ramblers won the Hard Rock Rising contest a few weeks ago, and is now competing against 95 other bands from all over the world to win the ultimate prize: a chance to play the Hard Rock Calling Festival in London AND have their own World Tour! Let’s do what we can…
Cleveland Celebrates Superman’s 75th Birthday!
Originally posted on tv20cleveland:
Mayor Jackson declared today, April 18th “Superman Day” in Cleveland, marking the superhero’s 75th anniversary after being created by Glenville teenagers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. A Superman flag is being flown at City Hall and birthday cupcakes are being handed out at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport where there is a Superman…
New Shows This Week!
Originally posted on tv20cleveland:
Today is a fun day at TV20!! Our staff came dressed ready to support the Indians for the Home Opener!! The Inside Sports Report’s own Christian Patterson and Kenyon Johnson were there today covering it!! Christian. Leah*, Patrick and Tiffany! We also have a lot of new…
Listen Up Cleveland and More!
Well it has been a whirlwind week celebrating the big 3-0 and filming new stuff at TV20! Last week I interviewed Terri Pontremoli from Tri-C Jazz Fest about the upcoming Tri-C Jazz Fest and last Friday I was at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens for the new Big Spring event! Big Spring is so beautiful and was…
Agora 100 and Polar Bear Plunge!
A week ago I had the chance to cover the “Thank Hank/Agora 100” event, celebrating the 100th year of the theatre and honoring Agora owner Hank LoConti. It was such an honor getting to meet Mr. LoConti, and feel the Agora love from longtime concert-goers and musicians. Some of the people I got to…
The Nash On E.80th!
The Slovenian National Home (a.k.a The Nash) has been around since 1917 in my old neighborhood, Slavic Village. It is a beautiful, old-world social club that has a dance hall, a very cool stage and amazing 12 bowling lanes in the basement! Like most places in Cleveland during Lent, the The Nash offers a…
Countdown to 30….Part 2
Let’s also title this Some Lessons Learned In 30 Years. 1. Mom is basically always right. No, seriously. I can maybe think of one time she wasn’t completely right. (But sometimes you just have to follow your heart.) 2. SAVE moolah for emergencies. Maybe in my 30s I’ll finally get this one right. 3….
Sisterhood’s Anti-Bullying Campaign
Yesterday the Sisterhood (in conjunction with Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio) held an Anti-Bullying Campaign at the West Side Community House in Cleveland. The young girls, on a mission to show the effects of bullying, came out with blindfolds on to represent the people that see bullying happen but do nothing about it, a…
Countdown to 30…Part 1
Yesterday marked exactly one month till I turn the big 3-0. It was like a fire was lit under my tail. I was motivated to get so much stuff done, stocked my fridge with healthy groceries, worked out…I’m ready for this!! But first, I need to slim down some more and I have exactly…
Listen Up Cleveland Episode 2!
Tune in for my latest episode of Listen Up Cleveland, which premiere’s tomorrow at 7pm! This week my guests are Michelle Andree, lead singer of the band School Girl Crush and the founder of Cleveland Musicians Care, and designer Valerie Mayen, owner of Yellowcake Shop! Both are incredible, talented women and I had…
Festivals and Red Carpets
These past two weekends I had the pleasure of covering two more really cool, fun events here in Cleveland. First, on February 16th I was at the 4th Annual Brite Winter Festival in Ohio City. Obviously being a huge lover and supporter of music and the arts (especially locally) it is an event I never…
Originally posted on tv20cleveland:
The Cleveland Auto Show kicks off tomorrow, February 23rd, and our very own Leah Haslage and Christian Patterson were there today to get a sneak peek at the latest in automotive!…
Listen Up Cleveland Episode 1 Recap
Last night was the premiere of my new show Listen Up Cleveland! Thank you so much to everyone that tuned in! If you missed it you have another chance! Tonight it will re-air on TV20 at 7pm, and tomorrow thru Sunday at 8am & 7pm. If you do not get TV20 here is the…
Kem and El DeBarge In Concert (FINALLY!)
I have been a fan of El DeBarge since I was little. I still have my cassette tape that has Who’s Johnny on it! So needless to say I was so excited to see he was opening for Kem. While I’ve waited almost 30 years to see El, I was really all about seeing…
Photo Shoot With Kevin Richards!
I recently did a photo shoot with the incredibly talented Kevin Richards. I met Kevin a few years ago, but haven’t seen him in a while so it was also a great chance to catch up. He is a kindred spirit, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to frolic around Cleveland with…
Listen Up Cleveland Premiere!!
My show, Listen Up Cleveland, will officially premiere next week!! Listen Up Cleveland focuses on both music and fashion in Cleveland. You can catch it on channel 20 on Time Warner Cable in the city of Cleveland, or you can catch it on-line at the following link: http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/MayorsOffice/tv20/watch Show premieres Tuesday, February 19th, 2013…
Valentine’s Day Playlists
Thursday is officially Valentine’s Day whether you like or not. Personally I like it, and I’m a single girl.I have a big heart with a lot of love to give and blessed to have a lot of loved ones to give it to. I believe in saying I love you and showing you care year…
Life With Leah* 