About Legends of the Land with Destination Cleveland
This is Legends of The Land, a podcast that centers on some of those absolutely burning questions we all have about Cleveland — the kind of stuff no one is talking about – but probably should. From our obsession with sports to our rock history, Cleveland can be a bit of a mystery. And like with any good mystery, that’s where urban myths are created, yarns are spun and legends are born. This is Legends of The Land. To learn more about visiting Cleveland, visit ThisisCleveland.com.
Episode 22 - The Legend of Cleveland’s International Heritage
The Legend of Cleveland’s International Heritage
Cleveland’s history is an immigrant story.
In this episode, we explore Cleveland’s immigrant history and the international communities that helped build the city — from the Irish, Germans, Poles, Slovenians and Italians who arrived during Cleveland’s industrial rise to newcomers from Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and around the world who continue shaping The Land today.
Hosts Lexi Robinson and John Luteran sit down with Joe Cimperman, president and CEO of Global Cleveland, to talk about Cleveland’s international heritage, his own family’s immigrant story and what generations of newcomers have contributed to the city beyond food, festivals and traditions. They also look at what it means to be a welcoming city, the role immigration can play in Cleveland’s future and why the immigrant experience belongs in the larger American story as the nation commemorates America 250.
Because Cleveland isn’t simply a collection of different cultures. It’s a city those cultures built together — and one that continues to evolve with every new generation that chooses to call it home.
This episode answers:
• How have immigrants shaped Cleveland’s history and culture?
• Who is immigrating to Cleveland today, and how are international newcomers shaping its future?
• What does it mean for Cleveland to be a welcoming city?
Explore Cleveland’s cultures, neighborhoods and communities:https://www.thisiscleveland.com/things-to-do/culture
24 Jul 2026
Episode 21 - The Legend of Lake Erie Wine
The Legend of Lake Erie Wine
Is there really a wine region along Lake Erie — and how does it compare to places like Napa or Tuscany?
In this episode of Legends of the Land, we explore The Legend of Lake Erie Wine and uncover the surprising story behind one of the largest grape-growing regions east of the Rocky Mountains. Thanks to Lake Erie’s unique climate, this area produces millions of gallons of wine each year — yet many people still don’t realize it exists.
This episode answers three key questions that will change how you think about wine in Ohio:
• How many wineries are actually located in Ohio?
• Why is the Lake Erie region ideal for growing grapes and producing wine?
• What makes Lake Erie wines — including ice wine — unique?
Host Lexi Robinson and co-host John Luteran are joined by Ohio Wine Producers Association Executive Director Donniella Winchell to explore the science, storytelling and craftsmanship behind the region’s wines. From the lake’s impact on climate to the varietals that thrive here, you’ll discover what makes this wine region so distinctive.
You’ll also get insights into planning your own Lake Erie wine experience — from must-visit wineries to seasonal events — and learn why this region continues to surprise even the most seasoned wine lovers.
Whether you’re a casual sipper or a devoted enthusiast, this episode offers a fresh perspective on a hidden gem in Northeast Ohio.
Listen now to discover the legend — and raise a glass to Lake Erie wine.
Learn more about the Ohio Wine Producers Association: https://www.ohiowines.org/
Discover where to drink ice wine in Cleveland: https://www.thisiscleveland.com/blog/where-to-drink-ice-wine-in-the-land
26 Jun 2026
Episode 20 - The Legend of Cleveland's National Park
The Legend of Cleveland’s National Park
How close is a national park to Cleveland — and why don’t more people realize it?
In this episode of Legends of the Land, we explore The Legend of Cleveland’s National Park and uncover the surprising story behind Cuyahoga Valley National Park — a 33,000-acre landscape just minutes from downtown Cleveland that ranks among the most visited national parks in the country.
But this episode goes deeper than just location. It answers three key questions that reshape how you see this place:
How far away is the nearest national park from downtown Cleveland?
What did the Cuyahoga Valley look like before restoration — and what changed?
How did a once-threatened landscape become Ohio’s only national park?
Host Lexi Robinson and co-host John Luteran sit down with Cuyahoga Valley National Park Superintendent Lisa Petit to explore the valley’s remarkable transformation — from industrial impact and the infamous river fire to a nationally recognized example of environmental recovery and preservation.
Along the way, you’ll discover how local advocacy helped save the valley, what stories are hidden in the landscape and how understanding its past can completely change the way you experience its waterfalls, trails and river today.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or you’ve explored the park for years, this episode reveals the deeper story behind one of Northeast Ohio’s most treasured outdoor destinations.
Listen now to discover the legend — and see Cleveland’s national park in a whole new way.
Plan your visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/
Explore more parks and outdoor adventures in Cleveland: https://www.thisiscleveland.com/things-to-do/parks-outdoors
Who has been a guest on Legends of the Land with Destination Cleveland
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Mike Wendt
Caleb Skelton
Sam Skelton
Dr Jason Hanley
Cleveland residents
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
419,108,275
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
20 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
51
Contact Legends of the Land with Destination Cleveland
Guest appearances
Books guests
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