Brian Unger is an actor, comedian, producer, director, writer and journalist who has had a robust career spanning over four decades in the entertainment industry. Brian talks with host Liz Pahl about his upbringing in Ohio, his experience at Ohio University, being David Letterman’s intern, working as a producer and correspondent for CBS news, and his role at The Daily Show during it's beginning years. Liz and Brian also chat about his appearances in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Yellowstone and SO much more. Brian’s versatility in the entertainment industry has allowed him a storied front row seat to the changing landscape of media.

This episode features Kate Hagen, an LA based writer, producer and Senior Vice President of the Blacklist. The Black List is a writer centric community and ecosystem that helps writers get their work read more widely in the entertainment industry. We chat about about Kate's personal journey into Hollywood, her article Fat Girls on Film and the current state of body diversity on screen. We also spent time talking about Kate’s hometown of Cincinnati and how it’s becoming a major filmmaking destination city.

In this episode we take a deep dive into Francis Ford Coppola, Apocalypse Now, and his “Little Fat Girl in Ohio” quote from Eleanor Coppola's film, Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse. Join Host Liz Pahl as she talks to special guests Kate Hagen (the Blacklist), Hofstra Professor Rodney Hill and writer Melissa Baumgart as they unpack the Ohio/Hollywood connection within this famous quote.

In this Episode we are thrilled to talk with Horror Film director Chelsea Stardust. We talk with Chelsea about film school, working with power houses Ivan Reitman, Judd Apatow and Jason Blum (0:00-19:12), directing two feature films, Chelsea's take on the Ohio/Hollywood connection (19:12-26:25) and about the magnificent career of Cleveland's own, Director Wes Craven (26:26-38:00). *This episode includes just a smidge of explicit language.*

We are very excited to have Megana Rao featured in this episode! Megana is a Screenwriter and Podcast Producer for Scriptnotes. Megana joins us to talk about her experience growing up in Ohio, working with screenwriting legends John August and Craig Maizin and her personal journey becoming a writer. We also discuss the iconic TV series GLEE (based in Lima, Ohio!) and many other connections between Hollywood and Ohio!

Comedy writing veteran Dan O’ Shannon (Cheers, Frazier, Modern Family) talks to us about his influences, the moment he decided he’d become funny, his favorite character to write, and of course, the Hollywood and Ohio connection.

Los Angeles based journalist and historian Hadley Meares talks with us about the Mother of Hollywood, Daeida Wilcox Beveridge. And just GUESS where Daeida is from? This story is quite possibly THEE origin story of the Ohio and Hollywood connection.

Hollywood may have a little crush on the State of Ohio. Heart Of It All is a new podcast dedicated to uncovering the Ohio-Hollywood connection! Host and Creator Liz Pahl will interview historians, film critics, prominent Ohioans and the brilliant film industry professionals behind movies and tv shows like Family Ties (Columbus, Ohio), WKRP in Cincinnati, Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs, West Wing, Glee, CBS's Ghosts and so much more!