Checked Out Podcast

Learn about our plans to relocate and renovate the library.
In this podcast, we chat with EPL director Kacie Armstrong and members of the Bialosky architect team that are transforming our library.

Cleveland may be known as the heart of Rock and Roll but did you know that the city also played a major role in Soul and R&B music? In this podcast, EPL’s Jean Robinson learned all about Cleveland’s Soul roots from Dr. Fred Wheatt, a Cleveland musician who played with top R&B and Motown artists.

Are you lonely, depressed, or have high blood pressure? 
Some local crafters suggest you get some fiber… fiber arts that is.
Making creations with thread, yarn, and other materials are booming nationwide, 
attracting people of all ages. Discover the reasons for the popularity in this podcast 
episode and learn how you can jump on the “sewing, crocheting, and knitting bandwagon.

Celebrating Juneteenth with Forecast jazz in the library garden has become a popular tradition for Euclid Public Library. In this episode of "Checked Out," Mike Stein and Jean Robinson had a conversation with two members of Cleveland's legendary jazz group. Forecast will perform at EPL again on June 19, 2024, at 6:00 pm in the garden. If it rains, we'll bring the party inside. 

In this episode of Euclid Public Library's podcast Checked Out, Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein talk to Amy Breslin, Outreach Librarian for the Lorain Public Library System, and a member of Ohio Progressive Asian Women’s Leadership. They discussed the Asian American and Pacific Islander experience in America and how libraries and communities can work together to fight the rise in Asian hate crimes.

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established the constitutional right to abortion. Since then, there has been some confusion as to what does the ruling mean for women in Ohio. In this episode of EPL’s podcast “Checked Out,” Kacie Armstrong and Jean Robinson talked to Jessie Hill from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

When local artist Kimmy Henderson learned she was bipolar; her first instinct was to draw butterflies. Today, her butterfly art is in demand all over Ohio bringing awareness and helping to end the stigma about mental illness. Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein had a conversation with Henderson in this podcast episode. 

Is the Book always better than the Movie?  

Find out by listening to this episode of our podcast “Checked Out.” EPL’s Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein talk to EPL's Karla Bowman about books that have been turned into movies and TV shows. 

In this episode of our podcast Checked Out,  EPL’s Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein learn about opportunities for small businesses in Euclid. Their special guests are Dana Heil from the Euclid Chamber of Commerce and small business owner Shantelle Myers. 

Stargazing is a great way to experience nature and feel that “wow” moment. Not sure where to start? Listen to this episode of our podcast “Checked Out.” Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein talked to the hosts of WKYC TV 3’s In the Sky series Jay Reynolds and Gail Franko.  

If you love basketball, listen to this episode of "Checked Out." Hosts Frank Antloga and Temah Britt-Jackson talk with Euclid Police Department Sgt. Vashon Williams about the 3-on-3 Crossover Classic Basketball Tournament and the NBA 2K22 Virtual Blacktop Tournament.

Clinical social worker and therapist Angela Flowers joins Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein in a discussion about community conversations and the loss of black lives around the country. Flowers hosted a series of community support sessions with Euclid Public Library.

It wouldn't be spring and summer without seeing colorful butterflies fluttering around our flowers. Unfortunately, today, fewer butterflies can be found in our gardens and some butterflies, like the Monarch, have been added to the endangered species list. In this episode of "Checked Out," EPL's Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein talked to biologist Marci Lininger from the Ohio Pollinator Initiative about this problem and what we can do to help save our butterflies.  

The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, is Hollywood's most prestigious artistic award in the film industry. Euclid Public Library's Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein had a lively discussion about the Oscars and movies with Frederick Gooding Jr., author of the book Black Oscars: From Mammy to Minny, What the Academy Awards Tell Us about African Americans.

Audrey Wynne from the U.S. Census Bureau joins Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein in a conversation about why you should participate in the 2020 Census and how you can make sure you are counted. 

Are you fantastic with Fortnite? A natural playing NBA2K? A master at Mario? The place to go to show off your amazing video game skills is Euclid Public Library.  Teens love playing their favorite games on huge screens. Listen as Checked Out podcast hosts Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein have a conversation about the library's lively video game program with board member Ray Ford.

If you think vegetables and farming are boring listen to this podcast. Our special guest in this episode is Farmer Lee Jones whose farm in Huron, Ohio supplies vegetables to restaurants all over the world. He has worked with former first lady Michelle Obama to promote nutrition and has been used as a Jeopardy answer! Farmer Lee's tips and enthusiasm for veggies will inspire you to run to the nearest farmer's market.

How much do you know about Social Security? In our latest podcast episode, EPL's Mike Stein and Jean Robinson talked to special guest Brandon Smith from the Social Security Administration. Discover what you should and shouldn’t do with your social security card, at what age you can get a card, and what the Social Security Administration has in common with popular baby names.

In this episode, you can learn about a civil rights exhibit at the Maltz Museum. “This Light of Ours” is based on a book of the same name and features photos from the civil rights movement. Visitors can also talk to an artificial intelligence version of Cleveland civil rights activist Rev. Otis Moss Jr., who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Did you know that you can meet Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, and Amelia Earhart? Thanks to a local group of actresses from Women in History, you can learn about inspiring women through their performances. A member of this group is our special guest in this podcast episode.  

If you haven’t been to a Women in History performance, check EPL's newsletter Library Liaison or our website to see when their next appearance will be at EPL. LibCalendar | Euclid Public Library (euclidlibrary.org)

Virtual Reality can do more than give you a unique gaming experience. Educators see it as a valuable tool to inspire as well as educate students. A project called Virtual Harlem was created by the University of Arizona to give students a history lesson as they learn how to create virtual reality worlds. Visitors can be transported back to 1920s Harlem with virtual reality headsets. You can learn more by listening to this Checked Out podcast episode. Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein introduces you to Dr. Bryan Carter who heads the Virtual Harlem project in Tucson, Arizona. 

The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival has educated and entertained movie fans for years. One of their popular themes explored Black Futurism featuring a variety of sci-fi films, a virtual reality exhibition, and even a Meta Ball, a sci-fi version of the famous Met Ball. EPL's Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein talked to the festival's executive director Donna Dabbs in this episode.  

Gather round, Euclid and Cleveland! 

Every year, neighbors team up and get competitive with The Big Clean – a friendly neighborhood competition to see which city can pick up the most trash on Earth Day. Listen to this podcast with Mike Stein and Kacie Armstrong to learn more about this fun spring-cleaning event. 

Looking to take your business to the next level? Look no further than networking! 

Tune into this podcast episode. Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein will introduce you to the Euclid Chamber of Commerce. Learn how you can use networking to start and grow your business.

Euclid and the Greater Cleveland area are home to many talented artists and we are excited to introduce you to one organization that has been bringing these artists together for 65 years to share their techniques and showcase their incredible work. In this episode of our podcast “Checked Out,” get ready to dive into the world of The Euclid Art Association.

Cleveland has been called "America's Polka Capitol" but did you know that the roots of America's good time music run deep in Euclid, Ohio? You can learn more about Euclid's role by listening to this podcast with special guest Joe Valencic from The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum.

Are you looking for a way to engage your child in reading and catch up on their studies? 

Look no further than Cuyahoga Reads, a fantastic program brought to you by Greater Cleveland partnering libraries. With this innovative two-year program, students in grades K-12 will embark on an exciting reading challenge that is both educational and fun. Cuyahoga Reads is hosting regular events and programs at various participating libraries through December 2024. 

Go to: www.CuyahogaReads For more information and all the exciting details.

If you are wondering how to pry your kids away from their mobile phones and videogames, one local organization has a solution, take them fishing! In this podcast episode, Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein introduces you to Dennis James Knowles and Gail Ann Grizzell, founders of The Fishing Foundation, a group that introduces inner city kids to fishing.

We’ve featured many authors at the library but it’s rare to meet one that is still in high school. In this podcast, meet Euclid High School honor student Dymond Horton and learn about her first book of poetry. 

Get ready for adventure by learning about EPL’s 2024 Summer Reading Program for All Ages. In this podcast, EPL's Kacie Armstong, Mike Stein, and Christine Pyles chat with award-winning author Mindy McGinnis.

Sometimes, when you read a good book, you want to tell everyone about it. That is exactly what YouTube book lovers (or BookTubers) do. In this episode of Checked Out, Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein had a conversation with Cleveland BookTuber Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia who explained how she shares her love of reading on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.  

The Ukraine-Russian war has surpassed the 1-year mark. In this podcast episode, our special guests from Global Cleveland share how Cleveland is supporting Ukraine and what you can do to help. 

In this podcast episode, we chat with special guest Dr. Charles Modlin, the first and only African American kidney transplant surgeon in the history of the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Modlin is the author of It Isn't Difficult to Do It If You Know How to Do It, a YA book he created to share life lessons and tips for success.

Early voting has begun! In Cuyahoga County, you have options when it comes to voting.  Do you have a voting plan?

In today's podcast, EPL's Kacie Armstrong and Ben Fagan talk Simeon Best, the Department of Health & Human Services Voting Rights Coordinator to learn how to prepare for the election.

This year, you'll have a wider variety of festivals to attend in Greater Cleveland--including the Cleveland Asian Festival in May and One World Day in August. In today's podcast episode, EPL's Kacie and Mike celebrate the return of community festivals with Cleveland Festival Producer Johnny Wu.

Discover why audiobooks are amazing in this episode of "Checked Out!"

EPL's Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein celebrate audiobook month with Youth Services Manager Christine Pyles and Reference Librarian Marjory Mogg. Learn the different ways to access free audiobooks and how to fully enjoy them. This podcast also features, audiobook recommendations and anticipated new releases.

The practice of yoga offers far more than physical postures and stress relief. Did you know that yoga can also help you lose weight, lower blood pressure, and  "bad" cholesterol? In this episode of Checked Out, Euclid Public Library's Marjory Mogg and Mike Stein talk to yoga instructor Melissa Miller about the benefits of yoga and how to get started. Melissa teaches yoga classes at EPL once a month. For more information about the free classes go to: https://www.euclidlibrary.org/libcalendar

It’s a new year and a new opportunity to read some new, exciting books. In this episode of EPL’s podcast “Checked Out,” Euclid Public Library's Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein talked to adult librarian Brianna Mayle and Senior Youth Services Librarian Ami Bray about the 21 most anticipated books of 2022. 

In the latest edition of EPL’s podcast Checked Out EPL's Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein talked to Euclid’s Dr. Marcus Germany to answer questions you have about COVID, vaccinations for children and teens, the new Omicron variant, and more.

In today's podcast, EPL's Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein talk to Euclid's Dr. Marcus Germany.

In this episode of Checked Out, EPL's Kacie Armstrong and Mike Stein talk about Euclid, Ohio's rich history. Our special guest is Tom Pappas from the Euclid Historical Society.