Vera House Podcast

Richmond’s Wellness Movement, Rest Culture & Community Spaces: Inside RVA's Rest Fest #43

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400

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RSVP for Richmond's Rest Fest:

https://www.rvarestfest.com

In today's episode we’re joined by Rick Plautz and Lindsay Hess, the team behind Rest Fest—a Richmond-based wellness festival bringing together yoga, breathwork, sound healing, and recovery-focused experiences into one open, community-driven environment.

We talk through what Rest Fest actually is, why it operates on a pay-what-you-can model, the intention behind creating a sober space, and why more people are starting to look for experiences that offer something deeper than the typical social scene.

This isn’t just about wellness.

It’s about where the culture is heading—and what Richmond might be starting to need more of.

In this episode:

What Rest Fest is and how the event is structured
The rise of wellness culture in Richmond
Why the festival is fully sober
Pay-what-you-can and making wellness more accessible
The types of practitioners and experiences involved
Why people struggle to slow down and rest
Creating social spaces that aren’t centered around alcohol
The role of community in building events like this
What’s next for Rest Fest

Quick interjection to invite you to Vera House Studios. If you are a local Richmond business, entrepreneur, brand owner, or service provider—and you know you need to create better content to get your products and services in front of the right people—we can help.

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This podcast is produced by Vera House — a creative club and premium media studio based in Richmond, Virginia. Our studio exists to champion local brands, creative expression, rva culture, and produce high-impact content for founders, makers, and modern businesses.

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Richmond Is Built to Move: How Sports Backers Shaped RVA's Active Lifestyle #042

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

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The Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger is RVA’s favorite spring tradition! Since 2000, people from around the Richmond region and beyond have gathered to share in the journey of crossing the 10k finish line, sign up now:

https://www.sportsbackers.org/event/ukrops-monument-avenue-10k

Learn more about Sports Backers:

https://www.sportsbackers.org

Follow on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/sportsbackers

Richmond is a city where being active isn’t something you have to think about — it’s just part of how we live.

Between the river, the trails, the parks, and the constant flow of events happening across RVA, movement feels built into the culture here. But a lot of that didn’t happen by accident.

In this episode, we sit down with the brand behind some of Richmond’s biggest and most recognizable events — Sports Backers.

We chat with Will Dixon, Executive Director who’s been with the organization for nearly 20 years and now leads the vision of the organization into 2026 and beyond…

And Nan Callahan, who leads PR and communications and helps bring all of these killer events and initiatives to life.

If you’ve ever experienced the Richmond Marathon, River City Half, Dominion Riverrock, or the Monument Avenue 10K, you’ve already seen their impact. But what most people don’t realize is how much goes on behind the scenes — and how deeply their work has shaped the way this city moves, connects, and shows up for one another.

We talk about why Richmond has become such an active city, how these events come together, and why they matter far beyond race day.

In this episode, we cover:

Why Richmond is such a uniquely active city
The hidden mental and social benefits of movement
What Sports Backers actually does beyond events
How major events like the Monument Avenue 10K come together
The rise of run clubs and community-driven fitness in Richmond
Making movement accessible for all experience levels
Youth programs, Fitness Warriors, and local impact
The role of volunteers in powering these events
The Fall Line Trail and the future of active living in RVA
Why you should run/walk the Monument 10K with your community

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Richmond Springtime, Nightlife & Chaos (allergies, clubs, mall fights, housing etc) — Unscripted #041

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400

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This episode of Vera House is brought to you by SoBar Speakeasy:

814 W Broad St

Richmond, VA 23220

(inside Alchemy Coffee)

https://www.instagram.com/sober.speakeasy

If you’ve ever wanted somewhere to go at night in Richmond that doesn’t just completely revolve around alcohol and getting drunk, this is the place. More than ever, we need spaces like this — where you can slow down, reconnect with people, and reset.

SoBar is an alcohol-free lounge located at 814 West Broad Street, right near VCU. During the day it’s known as Alchemy Coffee, and on Friday and Saturday nights it transforms into a low-lit, speakeasy-style 3rd space with frequent live music, conversation, and a curated menu of delicious hand crafted mocktails and simple snacks. Everything on the menu contains less than 5% alcohol.

---

In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we discuss a range of Richmond topics including seasonal changes, nightlife, local culture, and recent events across the city. We start with Richmond’s springtime shift, including intense pollen, allergies, and how the change in seasons affects daily life.

The conversation moves into Richmond nightlife, including the decline of clubs, changing social habits, and the loss of third spaces that once brought people together. We talk about how rising costs, regulations, and shifting culture have impacted going out, and why social connection feels different today.

We also explore the role of alcohol in social settings, the rise of alternative spaces like sober lounges, and how modern social behavior has changed with increased screen time and digital interaction.

Later in the episode, we discuss recent incidents like the Short Pump Mall takeover and other public altercations, and what they say about generational behavior, social media influence, and public spaces. We also touch on housing costs, renting vs owning, and how affordability continues to shape life in Richmond.

Topics include Richmond spring weather, pollen and allergies, Richmond nightlife, third spaces, social connection, alcohol culture, sober lounges, Short Pump Mall incident, public behavior, housing costs, renting vs owning, and Richmond culture.

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Richmond Takeovers, Taxes & Tornados (Broad St chaos, missing money, extreme weather, etc) — Unscripted #040

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

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Sign up for the Monument Ave 10K and use code "VERAHOUSE" for $5 OFF:
https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-2046938?raceId=53948

Anyone who joins our 10K team will get a limited-edition Vera House collaboration tank top, and an invite to hang out the morning of the race for coffee and bagels before we hit Monument Ave together.

We will be guiding 2 groups — a comfortable run pace, and a walking group — so whether you want to push yourself a little or just come out, get active, and meet some new people, you’re officially invited and all are welcome and encouraged.

In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we discuss a range of Richmond topics including extreme weather, city infrastructure, local culture, and recent events across the city. We start with Richmond’s unpredictable weather, from warm temperatures to snow and ice within days, and how the city continues to struggle with winter road conditions and storm response.

We also talk about growing awareness around local government and city spending, including questions about how tax dollars are being used and recent concerns around missing funds.

A major portion of the episode focuses on the Broad Street street takeovers, including cars doing donuts, large crowds gathering at intersections, and how this behavior has become more visible across Richmond. We discuss the role of social media, the difference between past car culture and what’s happening now, and the risks for both participants and the public.

We also cover increased enforcement, surveillance, and legal consequences tied to these events, along with Richmond nightlife, local DJ events, and the Monument Avenue 10K through Sports Backers.

Topics include Richmond weather, winter storms, city infrastructure, government spending, Broad Street takeovers, Richmond car culture, surveillance, law enforcement response, nightlife, and community events.

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Richmond Legends, Labor & Local Government (Edna Frazier, tradespeople, Avula Reddit AMA, potholes) — Unscripted #039

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Got thoughts? Throw them at us by sending a text here

Sign up for the Monument Ave 10K and use code "VERAHOUSE" for $5 OFF:
https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-2046938?raceId=53948

Anyone who joins our 10K team will get a limited-edition Vera House collaboration tank top, and an invite to hang out the morning of the race for coffee and bagels before we hit Monument Ave together.

Anyone who joins our 10K team will get a limited-edition Vera House collaboration tank top, and an invite to hang out the morning of the race for coffee and bagels before we hit Monument Ave together.

We will be guiding 2 groups — a comfortable run pace, and a walking group — so whether you want to push yourself a little or just come out, get active, and meet some new people, you’re officially invited and all are welcome and encouraged.

In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we talk through a range of Richmond topics including local events, city culture, housing, and government. We start with Richmond’s recent 2026 weather swings after the ice storm and water crisis earlier in the year, and the sudden shift into warmer spring temperatures.

We discuss Richmond’s outdoor culture including running, cycling, and access to nearby nature destinations like Great Falls Park.

The conversation also covers Richmond folklore through the story of Edna Frazier, a prank-call legend that circulated among local students before the internet. From there, we discuss historic Richmond housing prices using a 1925 housing advertisement from the Carillon neighborhood, and how housing costs and affordability have changed over time.

Later in the episode we talk about the shortage of skilled trades, homeowner and contractor relationships, and the growth of consumer financing and payment plans. We close with a discussion about Richmond Mayor Danny Avula’s Reddit AMA, including topics like transit-oriented development, GRTC expansion, Main Street Station train service, and ongoing concerns about potholes and city infrastructure.

Topics include Richmond weather, Monument Avenue 10K, Sports Backers, Great Falls hiking, Richmond folklore, Edna Frazier, historic Richmond housing prices, skilled trades shortages, contractor trust, consumer financing, Danny Avula Reddit AMA, Richmond transit planning, GRTC expansion, Main Street Station, and Richmond infrastructure.

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Richmond Power Bills, Surveillance, and Corruption (energy spikes, data centers, Flock cams, etc) — Unscripted #038

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:00:00 -0500

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This episode is sponsored by Chester Cannabis Co.

Use code "VERA" for 15% off your purchase:

https://chestercanna.co

Chester Cannabis Co. started with two friends and a dream. Today, their farm-grown hemp is the foundation of premium THC edibles crafted with care, delivering quality and consistency in every bite, from seed to success right here in Richmond, VA.

In this episode we discuss rising power bills across Richmond and Virginia and why many residents are seeing large increases in their monthly electricity costs. We talk about Dominion Energy pricing, winter energy usage, and how the rapid growth of data centers across Virginia may be affecting regional electricity demand and infrastructure.

We also discuss the unconstitutional expansion of Flock mass surveillance cameras and other technologies that are being installed in cities and neighborhoods across the United States, including Richmond. We talk about how these camera systems work, how law enforcement abuses them, and the ongoing debate around privacy, public safety, and transparency.

The conversation also includes a discussion about government systems, unlawful taxes, and frustrations people often experience when navigating bureaucratic processes and over-regulation.

Topics in this episode include Richmond power bills, Dominion Energy, Virginia data centers, electricity demand, Flock surveillance cameras, license plate readers, privacy and surveillance technology, government bureaucracy, cannabis legalization, THC edibles, and energy infrastructure in Virginia.

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Richmond Dirtwoman, Parks & Power Bills (RVA legend, energy costs, JRPS projects, etc) — Unscripted #037

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

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In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we discuss a wide range of Richmond topics, beginning with seasonal shifts, Lunar New Year traditions, and Daylight Saving Time. We talk about how routine, cleaning, and home maintenance affect daily life, and how time changes and seasonal transitions impact energy levels and productivity.

The conversation then moves into rising electricity costs in Virginia, questions around data centers and power usage, and how increasing infrastructure demands may be affecting local utility bills. We discuss HVAC use, household energy consumption, and broader concerns about long-term energy planning in the Richmond area.

A major portion of the episode focuses on Richmond counterculture history and the legacy of Dirtwoman, (Donnie Corker) a well-known and controversial figure in the city’s underground scene. We talk about Dirtwoman’s reputation, local radio history, and how certain personalities become lasting parts of Richmond folklore.

Later in the episode, we shift into Richmond parks and public space development, including the Richmond Inspire parks and recreation planning process, updates around Brown’s Island, Arthur Ashe Boulevard area improvements, and the James River Park System (JRPS). We discuss public input, city growth, and how outdoor spaces shape quality of life in Richmond.

This episode covers Richmond Dirtwoman, rising power bills, Virginia data centers, Daylight Saving Time, Lunar New Year traditions, Richmond parks planning, Richmond Inspire, Brown’s Island updates, Arthur Ashe Boulevard development, and the James River Park System.

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Richmond Zoning, Squirrels & Stoners (pets, local code, modern homes, Tartaria, etc) — Unscripted #036

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

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In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we cover a wide range of Richmond topics, starting with local identity and nostalgia around the Richmond Flying Squirrels and how city branding shifts over time. We talk about what those changes represent and how people react when familiar symbols evolve.

The conversation then moves into a deeper discussion about pets, intelligence, and consciousness, including how humans define awareness and what separates animal cognition from human thought. From there, we transition into Richmond’s ongoing zoning and code refresh debates, including public reactions to new development rules and modern home designs appearing in established neighborhoods. We discuss the tension between preservation and growth, architectural taste, and how civic engagement shapes the direction of the city.

Later in the episode, we explore internet-driven historical theories such as Tartaria and old world maps, and how conspiracy culture intersects with modern curiosity. We close with discussion around a marijuana-themed sandwich chain expanding into Chesterfield, and what that says about shifting business trends and regional culture.

This episode covers Richmond zoning, local development policy, Flying Squirrels nostalgia, modern architecture debates, Tartaria map theories, Chesterfield business news, and broader conversations about consciousness and culture.

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Richmond Saints, Sinners & Superstitions (Valentine’s Day, Friday the 13th, monks, witches, underground tunnels) — Unscripted #035

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500

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In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we explore the origins of Valentine’s Day and how ancient Roman festivals like Lupercalia continue to shape modern traditions. We talk through the historical roots of Saint Valentine, Friday the 13th superstition, and how belief systems evolve over time.

From there, the conversation shifts into Richmond-specific culture, including Friday the 13th tattoo traditions across the city and how local shops turn superstition into shared ritual. We also discuss recent sightings of Buddhist monks walking through Richmond, public reactions to visible faith practices, and how different belief systems coexist in modern urban spaces.

We spend time unpacking Richmond stories, including long-standing rumors about underground tunnels beneath the Richmond Coliseum and surrounding downtown buildings. The episode also touches on local witchcraft communities, pagan symbolism, and how internet forums and Reddit threads fuel curiosity around occult culture in Richmond.

Later in the episode, we move into broader conversations about authenticity, AI, and creator culture, including the development of Myke’s AI assistant and how technology intersects with storytelling, filmmaking, and personal branding. Throughout the discussion, we examine how mythology, religion, superstition, and modern media overlap in everyday life.

This episode centers on Richmond history, Valentine’s Day lore, Friday the 13th tattoos, monks downtown, witches, urban legends, and the belief systems that shape how people interpret the world around them.

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Richmond Meets Ice: Blizzards, Skate Parks & Punks (viral storm moments, city infrastructure, rva nostalgia) #034

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

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In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we talk through what it was like navigating Richmond during the Winter Ice Storm Fern and how the city responded when weather exposes gaps in infrastructure and planning.

We discuss the ice storm itself, untreated streets and sidewalks, and the viral moments that came out of the chaos. The conversation moves into city infrastructure, preparedness, and how public systems tend to break down in predictable ways when conditions get extreme. We also touch on skate culture as a way people physically and creatively adapt to the city, including the recent James City County skate park controversy and broader conversations around public design.

Later in the episode, we shift into Richmond’s cultural identity, including punk and DIY history, the evolution of “RVA” as a nickname, and how nostalgia, subcultures, and generational shifts continue to shape how people relate to the city. Throughout the discussion, we reflect on how Richmond changes, what it holds onto, and what gets lost along the way.

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Richmond Is Relearning Connection: Aspen DeRosa on Photography, Sobriety & Community #033

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500

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In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we sit down with Aspen DeRosa, a Richmond-based photographer, educator, and community builder.

Follow Aspen:

https://www.instagram.com/bevelcut_shawti/

https://www.aspenderosa.com

Riffs and Recovery:

https://www.instagram.com/riffsandrecovery

We talk about Aspen’s approach to photography as people-focused work, including how they help subjects feel comfortable, present, and confident in front of the camera. The conversation covers them teaching at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, how education informs their creative practice, and what it means to balance multiple roles as a working creative.

We also discuss sobriety within Richmond’s music and creative scenes, including the realities of navigating social spaces without alcohol and the work Aspen is doing through Riffs and Recovery to build intentional, sober-friendly community spaces. The episode touches on non-alcoholic culture, local collaborations, and how events and gatherings can be designed around presence and connection rather than drinking.

Throughout the conversation, we explore photography, teaching, sobriety, and community building as practical, lived experiences, with a focus on how people show up for themselves and each other in creative spaces.

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Richmond Pathways, Public Spaces & Plastic Bags (river access, downtown development, surprise taxes, cone parade etc) — Unscripted #032

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

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In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we talk through how people move through Richmond — physically, socially, and culturally — and how the city functions on a day-to-day level for the people who live here.

We discuss public transportation ideas in Richmond, parks and trail access, and how shared spaces like the James River, North Bank Trail, Canal Walk, and downtown Main Street are actually used. We also address ongoing river safety concerns, recent drownings, and what’s missing when it comes to infrastructure, public amenities, and accessibility.

The conversation moves into several recent and uniquely Richmond stories, including the Benedictine College Prep quarterback fire station incident, the Richmond cone parade, and reactions to the plastic bag fee and surprise charges at local grocery stores like Kroger. We also touch on downtown development, older buildings along Main Street, and how small policies and systems quietly shape daily life in the city.

Throughout the episode, we share personal experiences, local observations, and commentary on what works, what doesn’t, and what Richmond still feels like it’s figuring out — blending practical concerns, civic frustration, and the kind of strange, specific stories that make the city what it is.

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Hometown Sound: Richmond’s Butcher Brown on Jazz as a Language, Tiny Desk, and RVA Roots #031

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0500

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10% OFF your next purchase at Point 5 in Carytown:

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Get tickets + learn more about Butcher Brown:

https://butcherbrown.com/

Follow the band:

https://www.instagram.com/butcherbrown/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0R_9LEEUHwMhMe7sEVoyw

In this featured episode - Tennishu, Corey, and Morgan of Butcher Brown join us to talk about how they work: jazz as a shared language, the role of trust and collaboration in a five-piece band, and why they design live sets with intention. We cover their path from Richmond venues to national placements (Tiny Desk, Monday Night Football), how front-of-house shapes what audiences actually hear, and their production approach to a genre-agnostic sound.

Butcher Brown is a genre-bending quintet that’s been creating music together since 2009. Widely celebrated as one of Richmond’s premier creative music acts , this band brings together top-tier talent: Morgan Burrs (guitar), Corey Fonville (drums), and “Tennishu” (trumpet, saxophone & vocals) are 3 key parts of the magic. Their sound flows effortlessly from funk to jazz to soulful hip-hop.

With 2 appearances on Tiny Desk - NPR even praised Butcher Brown for “scoffing at the limitations” of genres. They’ve repped RVA on the world stage when they covered Little Richard's classic “Rip It Up” for ESPN's Monday Night Football in 2020. With their musical innovation and hometown pride on full display, Butcher Brown embodies the soulful, creative spirit of Richmond, Virginia

We also get into Richmond’s influence—the VCU pipeline, house-show history, and the city’s current rooms—plus the overlap between rap and jazz, streaming/label realities, audience shifts, and what’s next for the band. If you want a clear view of process, performance, and the scene that built them, this episode delivers.

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Richmond’s New Year, New Riverfront & Old Alligators (Carytown ball drop, Scott's Addition, Brown's Island 2026, etc) - Unscripted #030

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

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10% OFF your next purchase at Point 5 in Carytown: ⁠https://verahouse.co/point5⁠

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Nicotine research mentioned: https://app.iki.ai/space/15747/folder/443

Richmond at midnight—past, present, next. We open with Carytown’s ball-drop nostalgia and the one-off Brown’s Island NYE event, then ask who should run a true public New Year’s party now. From there: the 2026 outlook for the riverfront and amphitheater, airport ambitions at RIC, and why a connected downtown matters more than bar crawls.

Mid-episode, we taste non-alcoholic “bubbly” from Point 5 and talk simple ways to host without alcohol. We cover the coming vape crackdown (why most disposables are disappearing, what’s actually FDA-authorized), nicotine as a stimulant in low doses, and real health risks like diacetyl/popcorn lung. We close with Jefferson Hotel gator lore, a look back at the year that launched the studio, and what’s ahead for 2026—more interviews, voice notes, and live shows.

Richmond VA, New Year’s Eve, Carytown ball drop, Brown’s Island 2026, riverfront, amphitheater, RIC airport, Scott’s Addition, vape crackdown, FDA authorization, nicotine risks, non-alcoholic bubbly, Point 5 Richmond, Jefferson Hotel alligators, Richmond events, 2026 plans.

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Richmond Bones, Artifacts & Dead Malls (VCU/MCV graverobbers, stolen artifacts, Chesterfield Town Center, insurance scams, etc) — Unscripted #029

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

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10% OFF your next purchase at Point 5 in Carytown: ⁠https://verahouse.co/point5⁠

We cover a wild spread this week. From Richmond’s documented “Night Doctor” era—when grave robbing supplied cadavers to the Medical College of Virginia—to Chesterfield Town Center’s sale and what it signals for malls.

We break down the scam of hospital pricing and insurance, a local USPS fiasco, and the VMFA’s return of Turkish antiquities. We also reflect on a year of hard lessons: paying down debt, leaving the 9-to-5, and treating entrepreneurship like personal development.

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:
https://instagram.com/mykemetzger
https://instagram.com/planetperri

Learn more about our studio:
https://verahouse.co

This podcast is produced by ⁠Vera House⁠ — a creative club and media studio based in Richmond, Virginia. Our studio exists to champion creative expression, elevate culture, and produce high-impact content for founders, makers, and modern brands in Richmond.

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Richmond’s Winter Lore: a Very Vera Christmas Special (Benedict's Invasion, Reindeer, Jamestown Day, Krampus, Sinterklaas, etc) — Unscripted #028

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

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$200+ giveaway by Point 5: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSOCSAxDwm6/

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Richmond in winter, past to present. We open with reindeer lore and RVA snow-day nostalgia, then move through local holiday markets and simple gift philosophy before an on-air exchange. Midway, we taste non-alcoholic holiday picks from Point 5 and talk how to host with zero-proof options. The back half dives into Virginia history and winter folklore—Jamestown Day, Washington’s Delaware crossing, Krampus, St. Nicholas/Sinterklaas, Yule and evergreens—then lands in Richmond with Benedict Arnold’s raid and why local history is endlessly fascinating.

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Richmond's 2026 Boardwalk and More Famous Critters (Drunk Raccoon, Browns Island, AI artwork, and more) #027

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

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In this episode we unpack the Browns Island closure and the proposed 2026 riverfront “boardwalk,” what it could fix, and where projects tend to stall in RVA.

We visit the recent viral drunk raccoon story and how it jumped to national outlets. The story of a raccoon busting his way into an Ashland/Hanover ABC store, ransacking its shelves and passing out drunk in its bathroom on Friday, Nov. 28 has garnered national attention. It’s inspired Virginia ABC advertisements, themed cocktail recipes, a mass scavenger hunt and even a pet election.

Most of all, a limited-time merchandise campaign has raised over $200,000 for the Hanover County Animal Protection Shelter as of the time of reporting.

Then: CoStar’s planned “digital skin” and the broader AI billboard debate in an arts town.

We zoom out to connecting downtown districts, Shockoe street upgrades, and the tension between adaptive reuse and clashy infill (including the Fairfax addition fight).

Then we take a nostalgic turn with Rewind Vintage (VHS, retro gaming) and a quick look at attention economics: why we still make long-form and how big shared moments fade. We close with the typical moon-landing debate :)

Keywords: Richmond VA, Browns Island boardwalk, CoStar screen, AI billboard, Shockoe street improvements, Fairfax addition, non-alcoholic options, Point 5, Rewind Vintage, VHS, retro gaming, long-form podcasts, moon landing debate.

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Richmond Myths, Malls & Meat Juice (Black Friday, Valentine Museum, Witchcraft, 90s culture etc) - Unscripted #026

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

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Richmond then and now: how Black Friday shifted from a one-morning scramble to month-long sales, what that did to malls, and why shared cultural moments faded (with Barbenheimer as a recent exception and GTA 6 on the horizon). The episode looks at Richmond’s growth vs. preservation—think Scott’s Addition then vs now—and why local brands should publish consistently if they want to matter.

There’s a Richmond history detour into The Valentine museum and its Victorian-era remedy, Valentine’s Meat Juice, plus a practical segment on non-alcoholic holiday hosting (how to stock simple zero-proof options and why it reduces pressure, keeps mornings clean, and includes more guests). A late-night door-knock story leads to basic city safety and common-sense reads.

Topics include: Black Friday history, dead/dying malls, event culture, 1990s nostalgia, Richmond growth and neighborhood change (Scott’s Addition), local media and publishing strategy, The Valentine museum, Valentine’s Meat Juice, natural vs. Western medicine, sober-curious hosting, and urban safety.

Keywords: Richmond VA, Black Friday then vs now, dead malls, event culture, 90s nostalgia, Scott’s Addition, The Valentine museum, Valentine’s Meat Juice, sober curious, non-alcoholic holiday drinks, local media publishing, Richmond growth, city safety.

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Richmond Culture, Crime Follies, Dog-Poop Etiquette, and Better Roads - Unscripted #025

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

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In this episode we talk about how the Vera show has grown into locally recognized media, then get into a weird story about nine burglars jumping out of a Hyundai Sonata in Warrenton, and what it says about choices and consequences. We cover dog-poop etiquette and why online shaming rarely changes behavior. There’s a quick comparison to Japan’s “carry your trash” norm and a lost-bag story that shows how culture shapes outcomes. We taste a non-alcoholic tequila from Point 5 and share sober-curious options for the holidays.

We close with the Shockoe street projects — two-way conversions, cycle tracks, roundabouts—and why details like paving and finishes affect whether people actually want to walk, ride, and spend time in a place.

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Hometown Sound: Richmond's Conditions on Writing, Touring, and Reunion with Brandon Roundtree and Alex Howard #024

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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Follow Conditions:

https://www.instagram.com/conditionsband

https://www.facebook.com/conditionsband

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5CdtIKatJJJuXXjjxRtT8X

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/conditions/275764015

Richmond made them, the world loved them. In this episode, Brandon Roundtree and Alex Howard of Conditions; both veterans of Richmond’s vibrant music scene, take us from Canal Club nights and storage-unit rehearsals to national tours and records that still hit millions of streams every year — Fluorescent Youth and Full of War.

We get into the writing that’s melodic on record but explosive in the room, the mechanics of a true breakout from RVA, and why coming back to Richmond for a reunion mattered more than anything else.

Conditions absolutely dominated the mid-2000s and helped put Richmond on the national stage. This month we are all celebrating 15 years since their debut album Fluorescent Youth. To this very day, their music has a cult fan base, receives millions of streams, and their final reunion show coming up this weekend sold out almost instantly.

Brandon is a father, a husband, and the insanely talented vocalist and core songwriter behind Conditions. He took his influence and experience from previous metalcore bands like Scarlet, and later when Conditions formed he became known for his melodic, emotion-driven songwriting and vocals.

Alex has been the guitarist alongside him since the very beginning — one of the engines behind so much of the melodic, driving sound that defined the band. Today, he’s taken that same talent to an even bigger stage. Alex now plays bass guitar for Jelly Roll — a Grammy-nominated and award-winning country music artist currently selling out arenas and headlining festivals worldwide.

Conditions were a huge part of the late-2000s, early-2010s pop punk wave. They signed with Good Fight Music, released 3 full length albums, 2 fan-favorite EPs, and spent years touring nonstop. From Warped Tour to SXSW — and sharing the stage with bands like Paramore, New Found Glory, Good Charlotte, and many many more - today they’re on the eve of their reunion show here in Richmond

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How Richmond Decides "What To Do" with Paige & Kelsey of The Richmond Experience (rva hotlists, events, city guides, and more) #023

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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Join RVAx – the Richmond fan club you didn’t know you needed to be a part of:

https://www.therichmondexperience.com

Follow RVAx:
https://www.instagram.com/therichmondexperience
https://www.tiktok.com/@therichmondexperience
https://www.facebook.com/therichmondexperience

How does Richmond decide where to go this week? Paige Poprocky and Kelsey Heintz pull back the curtain on ⁠The Richmond Experience⁠ — an independently owned, women-led, queer-owned local media brand that turns curation into what to eat, drink, see, and do in Richmond, Virginia. In this episode we have a fun chat about what it takes to run a lean, community-centric operation that locals deeply trust.

Kelsey and Paige run one of the largest local media outlets in Central Virginia.

We get into boundaries and burnout in entrepreneurship, evolving beyond basic content, how their paid vs. organic calendar actually works, and why their membership site stays member-first and ad-light.

We talk neighborhood shifts from Scott’s Addition to Brookland Park, the Carytown chain debate, and how social media allows Richmonders to figure out what's happening around town.

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Adventure on the Edge of Time: Richmond's Hayden Mater on Building Watches for Real Life #022

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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Richmond entrepreneur Hayden Mater sits down with us to unpack the ethos behind Mater Made — a watch brand built for real life, not glass cases. Hayden Mater is a serial entrepreneur, father and husband, and an explorer making timepieces that inspire curiosity, endurance, and a life well-lived.

Shop now at Mater Made:

https://matermade.com

Follow Mater Made:

https://www.instagram.com/mater_made

https://www.youtube.com/@MaterMadeofficial

https://www.instagram.com/haydenmater/

In this episode of Vera House we trace Hayden's arc from commodity trading and early door-to-door hustles to field-testing prototypes in harsh environments.

By day, Hayden is a department head at an international commodity trading firm, where he focuses on market strategy and operational leadership. But beyond the desk, he’s a modern renaissance man — a designer, athlete, and storyteller who believes business is a sport and life is meant to be explored.

What began as a fascination with functional design evolved into Mater Made, a brand that merges innovation, exploration, and well-roundedness — three principles that define both his watches and his worldview. Each Mater Made watch is more than a product; it’s a companion built for environments that test the limits of body and mind.

From the middle of the desert, to the middle of the ocean, and even to the racetrack and beyond — Hayden has taken Mater Made around the world to prove one thing: time is only valuable when you’re truly living it.

In this episode, Hayden lays out why he chose spec over status — movement choices that matter, materials where they count, and pricing designed to over-deliver. We dig into the idea of entrepreneurship as a sport (train the mind and body, compete daily), how to handle a launch that doesn’t sell out, and why documenting the adventure is part of the product and the journey. If you care about design that earns its keep — rugged × refined—this one’s for you.

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Richmond Folklore, Fights & Phones (boyfriend bootcamp, hidden pools, government boxing and best rooftops) - Unscripted #021

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

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Less buzz, more clarity. We open with adaptogens over caffeine—Kin, L-theanine, lion’s mane—and why “awake” doesn’t have to mean jittery. Then we launch Boyfriend iPhone Bootcamp: turning a running joke into basics that actually matter—angles, light, distance, framing.

From there, a tour through Richmond’s layers: 18th-Street throwbacks (Tiki Bob’s, Alley Cats, On The Rocks), the Altria/Mosque pool that used to exist, underground water and hidden rooms, and why rooftop pools never quite stuck here. We break down what works now—Black Olive’s tucked-in rooftop energy—then talk service as product with a candid Coalescence debrief.

We close on resilience (doing the hard thing when the numbers pinch) and a real community moment: RPD vs RFD charity boxing at River City Roll, training at Vintage Boxing, and why shared rituals beat hot takes.

Keywords: Richmond VA, adaptogens vs caffeine, Kin Euphorics, L-theanine, lion’s mane, Boyfriend iPhone Bootcamp, Richmond nightlife history, Altria Theater pool, rooftop pools RVA, Black Olive rooftop, Coalescence coffee, River City Roll boxing, Vintage Boxing.

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Richmond is Sober-Curious: How Jody Sidle Reimagined Drinking Culture with Point 5 #020

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0500

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Visit Point 5 at 3435 West Cary St, Richmond, VA

point5rva.com

In this guest interview, we sit down with Jody Sidle — founder and driving force behind Point 5 in Carytown (Richmond, VA) — to talk about the sober-curious wave reshaping how Richmond goes out.

2 books we mentioned in conversation:

• Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization: ⁠https://amzn.to/48XY5pU⁠

• Alcohol Explained by William Porter: ⁠https://amzn.to/3JIHuMu

Point 5 is Richmond’s first non-alcoholic bottle shop located right here in Carytown. Driven by her own journey into an alcohol-free lifestyle, Jody launched Point 5 to create an inviting space for everyone: including those who are sober, sober-curious, or simply interested in discovering high-quality alternative and unique beverages.

At Point 5, Jody and Lewis; Point 5’s Manager - curate a smart selection of non-alcoholic spirits, functional and nootropic drinks, canned beers and wines, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options that reflect modern taste and lifestyle.

Their vision extends beyond retail: They believe that the ritual of gathering, pouring a drink, and being social doesn’t have to be defined by alcohol. Their mission with Point 5 is to normalize alternative drinking culture, encourage inclusivity, and support expanded choice within Richmond’s diverse community.

Jody opens up about quitting alcohol and rebuilding the nighttime ritual without the hangover, then walks us through real NA options with bite and “mouthfeel” that still feel like an adult drink (Amethyst, Little Saints, reishi/lion’s mane, and nootropic/adaptogen–driven beverages, and more).

We get tactical: why bars and restaurants should stock serious NA programs (margins, tips, inclusivity), how this changes spend, and what’s happening inside corporate/events where mid-day “old fashioneds” are now zero-proof—and everyone can drive home.

Jody also previews Point 5’s growth: two franchises in New Jersey, Williamsburg on deck, and how she protects local radius so every franchise owner wins. We close with an open invitation to explore — not as an identity or lifetime pledge, but as a low-pressure experiment you can start today.

And if you’re NA-curious, try asking for Amethyst or Little Saints next time you’re out — Richmond’s already making room at the bar.

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Richmond’s Haunted Secrets: a Very Vera Halloween Special (Ghosts, Skinwalkers, Cemeteries, and Werewolves) - Unscripted #019

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Richmond’s haunted season, told by people who live here. We trade first-hand moments and local lore: a green, hologram-like “entity” outside the Poe Museum that refused to appear on camera; the Iron Dog of Hollywood Cemetery and the child it guards; late-night reports of voices at the Science Museum; and the suburban myth that won’t die—the Henrico werewolf.

Between stories, we talk why superstitions travel faster than facts, what it means to curate experience (not just chase scares), and how sober social rituals keep the vibe without the fog.

In this episode: Halloween costumes and masks as identity, horror vs. suspense, the Richmond Vampire and the Church Hill tunnel, a live NA espresso-martini taste test from Point5, a quick caffeine myth check and much much more.

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Richmond Gun Hole, Small Town RVA Video Game, Henry Box Brown, and the Windshield Manifesto - Unscripted #018

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

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Richmond doesn’t need fiction; the lore writes itself. We start with the city’s running list of urban legends—the Addison Street “gun hole,” the Church Hill tunnel collapse, the Richmond Vampire, the tank down Broad, Francine the Lowe’s cat—and ask why these stories stick longer than headlines ever do.

From there, the conversation pivots to “conductor” leadership: what it means to shape culture without playing every instrument. Think Rick Rubin and the Steve Jobs analogy—taste, curation, and ruthless editing over busywork. Even the internet’s favorite punchline, “Just Do It” Shia, becomes a lesson in reframing motivation.

We also bring the city into 32-bit: a love-letter game called Small Town RVA (Pump House quests, Pokémon/Zelda energy) that turns local landmarks into a playable map. Then a whiplash detour into conspiracy culture via an 11-page “manifesto” dropped on Perri's windshield—meme politics, hoax lists, and why receipts matter in a post-truth feed.

We loop back through the Richmond gun hole saga (sidewalk shrine, city fill-in, and the rescue of the concrete) before closing on Henry “Box” Brown’s audacious escape from Richmond—history as performance, and why clever shysters still fascinate us.

What we cover:

Richmond lore roll-call: gun hole, Church Hill tunnel, Richmond Vampire, tank down Broad, Francine
Conductor vs. specialist: Rick Rubin, Steve Jobs, and the art of directing without “doing it all”
Motivation reframed: the Shia “Just Do It” meme and why some jokes age into mantras
Small Town RVA: a 32-bit game turning local history into playable quests
The 11-page “manifesto”: hoax lists, meme-era politics, and how stories get legs
Point Five (Carytown): NA/functional bev lineup & why third spaces matter
The Addison Street gun hole: sidewalk shrine, city response, concrete rescued
Henry Box Brown: the crate, the route, the showman after freedom—and modern echoes

If Richmond is a story, this chapter is about who gets to hold the pen—the mythmakers, the editors, and the people who turn our city into a weird genre of lore.

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Richmond Barbers Open the Door to Mental Health and Financial Wellness – Universal Health Chair Network #017

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

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Learn more about the Universal Health Chair Network here:

https://uhcnetwork.org
https://www.instagram.com/universalhealthchair

Richmond’s most trusted third space isn’t a clinic — it’s the chair. This episode sits with Abdul Winfield (AB), Ali Bey, and Sharita “Ri” Edwards, the trio behind the Universal Health Chair Network (UHCN), to break down a simple but radical move: bring mental, physical, and financial health into the places people already trust—barbershops and salons. From day one, the barbershop has been a space for sports, politics, and life; adding health is the conversation we’ve avoided and the one that matters most.

Follow AB, Ali, and Ri:
https://www.instagram.com/salon201.va
https://www.instagram.com/riseuprva
https://www.instagram.com/rheemode

The model is practical and personal. Barbers are early liaisons—they hear things first and can connect youth to care before crisis hits (Virginia Voices for Children, General Assembly advocacy). UHCN frames “best self” across mental + physical + financial—because when one slips, the others follow. It’s community care with structure, borrowing a scientific-method mindset from medical partners to push through complacency and keep moving forward.

We also tackle the coverage crunch—millions at risk of losing insurance or paying double premiums—and the noise of unregulated online money advice (why financial literacy is health).

Sharita’s lane turns Fortune-level budgeting into everyday coaching you can actually use. Tap in via @UniversalHealthChair and @riseuprva; Sharita joins mid-episode with her story and the financial wellness playbook that rounds out the network.

What we cover

Why barbershops/salons are the right venue for health (trust + access).
UHCN’s mission: mental, physical, financial—the “best self” framework.
Early intervention & youth: barbers as first listeners and liaisons.
Scientific method as discipline (from medical partners) to beat complacency.
The insurance/affordability cliff—and why community networks matter now.
Financial wellness as health: fixing misinformation, coaching that sticks.
How to connect: @Univ

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Richmond Rules, Rituals, and Raids (VCU hazing, FBI Raids, NA bar scene, RVA Festivals, Bikes and more) - Unscripted #016

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400

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Richmond is a city of rules, rituals, and raids—and this episode threads them together. We start with Francine, the Lowe’s cat finally found, Reddit sleuthing turned street festival, and how a neighborhood inside joke becomes citywide folklore. From there, festival season takes over: Dogwood Dell’s free lineup and the way RVA gathers when tickets aren’t the gatekeeper.

Then the tone shifts. We unpack FBI “Operation Summer Heat” and what 122 local arrests say (and don’t say) about safety and signal. On campus, the VCU hazing story opens a wider conversation about rites of passage, leadership, and when “tradition” turns coercive. In the streets, Vision Zero and new bike lanes (Belt Blvd to Warwick) collide with an education gap—how to build a cycling city people know how to use.

We also talk third spaces and the sober wave—from the NA bar scene (Point Five in Carytown) to where community actually happens between shows and shifts. Add in venue/opening shifts (BOLO’s at the old Dogtown Brewery, Connex RVA in Carver, Outpost expansion) and you’ve got a snapshot of a city growing fast, with a lot of fine print.

What we cover

Francine found: the folk-hero cat, Francine Fest, and why local lore matters
RVA festivals: Dogwood Dell’s free shows and public-space culture
FBI raids: what Operation Summer Heat means on the ground
VCU hazing: rituals, power, and the line between belonging and harm
Bikes & Vision Zero: Belt Blvd lanes, rider education, and street etiquette
NA bar scene: Point Five, functional drinks, and gathering without alcohol
Openings & shifts: BOLO’s, Connex RVA, Outpost, neighborhood momentum

Keywords: Richmond VA podcast, Francine Lowe’s cat, Dogwood Dell festival, Operation Summer Heat, VCU hazing, Vision Zero Richmond, Belt Blvd bike lanes, sober bar Richmond, Point Five Carytown, BOLO’s, Connex RVA, Outpost Richmond, RVA festivals.

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Richmond's Biggest Celebrity is a Cat (Where's Francine, Turnstile at Browns Island, Hadad's lake, walkable RVA, Carytown pedestrians, etc) - Unscripted #015

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400

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Richmond’s unofficial (maybe official now?) mascot went missing, and the city can’t stop talking about it. We open with Francine, the Lowe’s cat — security footage, petitions, interstate rumors—and what a community chooses to call “news.” From there, the episode ricochets through rideshare absurdity, a Monument Ave flip-and-selfie that went viral, and a night at the riverfront where Turnstile meets Browns Island policy: pepper-spray claims, capacity math, bag rules, chair rentals, and bathroom bottlenecks.

We pull back to ask the real question: how do you grow a venue without losing a city’s vibe? That thread runs through Hadad’s Lake nostalgia (and what’s next on Osbourne Turnpike), post-COVID pool energy, and a wish list for a more walkable RVA — from Carytown’s pedestrian dream to a Northside retail comeback.

It’s the culture and the fine print, side by side.

What we cover:

Francine the Lowe’s cat: search, sleuthing, and why it matters
Rideshare chaos & the Monument Ave flip-and-selfie moment
Turnstile at Browns Island: pit culture, pepper-spray reports, first-week venue rules
Amphitheater growing pains: bag policy, chair rentals, storage upsells, bathroom lines, sound
Haddad’s Lake sold: injuries, nostalgia, and the space it leaves behind
Walkable Richmond: should we make Carytown car-free? pedestrian plazas, Northside retail rising

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Richmond's Creator Economy is Growing: How Melissa Eaton Grew Her Brand to 300K+ Followers #014

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Richmond’s creator economy is growing fast. In this episode, our guest Melissa Eaton (Top Drawer RVA + Simplify Social) breaks down how she built an audience of 300K+ and turned it into real revenue—without chasing vanity metrics. We get into Facebook payouts vs. YouTube, pricing UGC so you’re paid even if you don’t post, and the content-bank system that lets one shoot fuel ten clips across platforms.

We talk platform strategy (TikTok, Reels, Shorts), why video beats photos now, and the repurposing cadence that keeps your feed alive without burnout. Melissa shares practical plays any Richmond creative can use today: omnipresence over algorithm worship, SEO-minded captions, location tags that land local work, affiliates and ambassadorships, and the backdoor into brand budgets through UGC.

If you’re a content creator, maker, designer, or DIY artist in RVA looking to make content pay, this one is your blueprint.

Follow Melissa:

https://www.instagram.com/thetopdrawerrva

https://www.instagram.com/simplifysocialstrategy

Other Richmond creator meet ups:
https://www.instagram.com/vais4bloggers

What you’ll learn

Facebook vs. YouTube: where conversion and payouts really happen
UGC 101: get paid to make ads for brands without posting to your feed
The content bank: batch, archive, and repurpose on a 90-day cycle
SEO for creators: captions as mini-blogs, titles that rank, location tags that attract more eyeballs
Revenue stack: platform payouts, affiliates, sponsorships, ambassadorships, coaching

About our guest

Melissa Eaton is the founder of Top Drawer RVA (bold, textured furniture makeovers) and Simplify Social, where she coaches creatives to build sustainable content businesses.

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Richmond is Keeping Secrets at City Hall, Carillon etc (SWAT raids, water crisis, FOIA requests, traffic surveillance, biceps 4 jesus) - Unscripted #013

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Richmond might be keeping secrets — or trying to. We trace a week where public records stall at City Hall, deleted plant videos fuel citizen sleuthing, and new red-light cameras multiply in the name of safety. At dawn, a Nextdoor rumor sends us to the Carillon lawn, where we explore a free men’s workout?

In this episode

FOIA, stonewalled: requests delayed, whistleblowing punished, and the cost of fighting for basic transparency.
Water crisis, aftershocks: pipeline upgrades, pressure changes, and why public explanations matter as much as fixes.
Surveillance vs. safety: Vision Zero, red-light rollout, and who pays when traffic enforcement becomes revenue.
Ticket traps & poverty loops: how minor violations spiral into fees, suspensions, and warrants.
Carillon lore & third spaces: the sunken lawn’s history, religious workouts, and why real community happens in parks—not feeds.
Citizen leverage: mass-email tactics, paper trails, and how to push the system without giving your power back.
Vape-shop raids: armored trucks, federal badges, and a city that explains last.

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Richmond Before the Rebrand (6th Street ghosts, RVA parties, Scott’s Addition, and broken elevators) - Unscripted #012

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Richmond as home base, myth as mirror. We open with the so-called “Richmond curse”—the urban legend that no matter how far you go, you end up back here—and why distance (and a little travel) clarifies what the city actually offers now: a growing riverfront, an amphitheater era, and momentum that didn’t exist a decade ago.

Then the practical: free early-morning Uber rides to RIC via GRTC vouchers (4–6 a.m., one trip per day, pickup at GRTC stops). What sounds small is actually city design—access, connectivity, and who gets to move easily at impossible hours.

Nostalgia surfaces next—the DIY “say yes” energy that shaped RVA’s social muscle—before snapping into the present with the collapsing elevators saga that’s been rippling through local Reddit: stalls, sudden drops, and a reminder that growth has to be livable.

We close on justice and priorities: the Marvin Grimm exoneration and Richmond’s move toward a $5.8M payout after 45 years lost—an entry point into the harder conversation about for-profit incarceration and what accountability looks like when a city admits harm.

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Oddities Beneath Richmond (hidden springs, buried trains, lost ballpark, dating apps, Short Pump, and more) - Unscripted #011

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0400

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Did you know? The Byrd Theatre is owned and operated by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Byrd Theatre Foundation depends on donations year-round to operate and care for the Theatre through an Annual Fund, which you can donate to here: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/byrd-theatre-foundation/annual-fund-eoy-2025

Richmond keeps secrets. This episode pulls them up to the surface—starting with Mayo Island: once a downtown ballpark where legends supposedly launched homers into passing train cars, now a $15M city purchase slated to become public parkland. From there we trace riverfront moves to Browns Island’s amphitheater, then pivot to a photo of Monument Avenue as a tobacco field—proof that the city changes faster than our memories.

We head into Broad Street nostalgia: the Sixth Street Marketplace catwalk and a reminder of when the Arts District felt like a future. Then to Carytown’s icon—the Byrd Theatre—where new seats meet an old myth: the active spring still running beneath the building.

We talk about the origin story of Short Pump is actually called Short Pump, why “third spaces” matter more than dating apps, and how Richmond might rebuild its social muscle without the bar scene. Oddities, infrastructure, and the places we actually meet each other—it’s all under the surface.

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Richmond Vampire & Hidden Trains (VCU discoveries, Watermelon Festival, Texas Beach, RVA311, and more) - Unscripted #010

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

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Richmond’s folklore runs deep — and in this episode we dig up a few of the city’s strangest myths and modern problems side by side. We start with the infamous Richmond Vampire and the buried train beneath Church Hill, exploring how urban legends take root when tragedy and mystery overlap.

From there, the conversation shifts to science: the discovery of fossilized human teeth in Ethiopia, where VCU researchers are helping rewrite the story of human evolution. We talk Australopithecus, Neanderthals, diet, jaw development, and whether “aliens” might simply be future humans reshaped by posture, breath, and environment.

But Richmond always pulls us back to earth. We dive into the reality of the city’s 311 app — from potholes and broken sidewalks to missing trash cans and green space neglect. Why does the city prioritize amphitheaters and meadows while neighborhoods struggle with basic infrastructure?

No topic is too small or too strange: the Texas Beach bridge, Carytown’s Watermelon Festival that somehow forgot about watermelons, and the bigger cultural question of the 80% problem — when public projects and events miss the mark on the very thing they’re supposed to celebrate.

It’s folklore, science, infrastructure, and identity all in one ride: from vampires and hidden trains to fossilized teeth and watermelonless festivals.

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Richmond’s Forgotten Mummy (government hostages, ADD brains, speedhumping chaos, rva cold cases) - Unscripted #009

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 17:00:00 -0400

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We open with the strange saga of Richmond’s forgotten mummy — a body left under bricks for nearly two decades before anyone thought to ask questions. From there, the conversation spirals into the absurd and the political: the story of Eric Morales Garcia, the man who locked government officials in a room as an act of protest, raising questions about rebellion, justice, and whether Richmond could use a little more chaos.

But that’s only the start. We unpack the mystery of the single blue slip-on shoe, a symbol of the city’s 335 unsolved cold cases still haunting RVA. We question why bureaucracies bury stories while communities carry the weight of unanswered history.

The episode veers into the everyday, where the DMV shocks us by being… pleasant? Libraries are suddenly making a comeback, while gyms start to feel like the new churches of modern life — complete with ritual, guilt, and the promise of redemption. And then there are Richmond’s speed humps, designed for safety but now launching cars into the air and sparking neighborhood outrage.

Finally, we turn inward — tackling ADD, TikTok attention spans, and why the 8-hour workday is dead. From the 2 + 8 Method of daily productivity to the struggle of building consistency in a distracted world, we explore how creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone living in 2025 can rethink what focus really looks like.

It’s a ride through the forgotten, the chaotic, and the strangely ordinary. From mummies to modern attention spans, Richmond proves once again that the line between history, culture, and daily life is thinner — and stranger — than we think.

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The Importance of Flow: Why Your Body Remembers What Your Mind Ignores | Lamha Cumasach #008

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400

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Veronica Jones never set out to be a massage therapist — she stumbled into it by accident. What began as a way to make money became a calling, a path to healing that combines bodywork, intuition, and holistic care.

As the founder of Lahma Cumasach, Veronica now guides women and mothers through massage therapy, lymphatic detox, and doula services that focus on rest, restoration, and flow.

In this episode, she shares:

How being “tricked” into massage school led her to discover her gift
The moment a client's shoulder injury left them in tears of gratitude and shifted her entire view of the work
Why massage isn’t a luxury, but essential medicine for stress, trauma, and immune health
The truth about toxins, breathwork, and why one hour of massage equals six hours of sleep
Her philosophy on holding space, slowing down, and creating flow in everyday life
Overcoming imposter syndrome while opening her own studio and business
What doula care really means, and why mothers need advocacy during childbirth
The personal birth experience that fuels her mission to help other women
The origin story of the name Lahma Cumasach — “gifted, empowered hands”

From energy, intuition, and trauma release to entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal transformation, Veronica’s story is both practical and deeply human. This is an episode about rest, resilience, and the power of touch to restore what the modern world strips away.

Learn more about Veronica and her services:

LahmaCumasach.com

Instagram @LahmaCumasach

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Hot Boy Richmond Summer (Farmer's markets, Nascar, Jay walking, VCU, Cycling & Fake Wrestling) - Unscripted #007

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0400

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We kick off Richmond’s “Hot Boy Summer” with a debate over whether NASCAR’s raw chaos outshines F1’s polished precision, and why endurance athletes willingly subject themselves to cycling’s masochistic grind in the name of “Type II fun.” From there, we stumble into the absurdity of pedestrian planning — jaywalking tickets, newly raised curbs, and the question of whether Richmond is actually designing its streets for people or just pretending to.

VCU’s presence looms large as we dissect the economic boost of move-in week against the reality of gridlock and sanitized public spaces. Carytown’s traffic, Main Street’s curb cuts, and the Boulevard roundabouts all become flashpoints in Richmond’s ongoing tug-of-war between growth and livability.

But it’s not all infrastructure rants. We celebrate the culture that makes this city magnetic — Montana Gold bread worth driving across town for, farmers markets that feel like weekly festivals, and Browns Island’s promise of becoming Richmond’s true cultural stage. Even pro wrestling enters the conversation, as we argue whether WWE is “fake” or just the most brutal form of theater hiding in plain sight.

It’s a ride through Richmond’s identity — half civic critique, half love letter — proving that the city’s summer heat isn’t just about the weather.

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The Art (and Grit) of Doing Kitchens Right in Richmond with James River Kitchens #006

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0400

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Bradley Jones and Caleb Attalah left the comfort of a big-box retailer to build something better: James River Kitchens.

In this conversation, they share the pivotal lunch that sparked their business, the values that set them apart, and the lessons learned from years of creating kitchens that pair function with beauty.

We talk about:

The turning point that made them walk away from corporate life
Why they refuse to cut corners, even when it costs them
The role of transparency and communication in every project
How they collaborate with clients to balance form and function
The challenges of evolving from top employees to business owners
What’s next for their growing showroom and brand

If you’re a homeowner in Richmond — or anyone who values craftsmanship, integrity, and thoughtful design — this is a conversation worth hearing.

Learn more about James River Kitchens:

JamesRiverKitchens.com | Call 804-596-3096

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From Keys to Care: Tehran Jones is Making Senior Transitions Easier for Families in Virginia #005

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0400

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From growing up in Richmond, Virginia’s Jackson Ward and the projects of Gilpin Court, to breaking a cycle of incarceration, Tehran “Tye” Jones has lived a story of resilience, redemption, and relentless drive.

In this powerful conversation, Myke sits down with Tye as he opens up about his father’s 28-year prison sentence, the moment fatherhood forced him to change course, and the values he’s instilled in his own children to ensure they never have to face the same hardships.

He shares the pivotal day he became a homeowner — describing in vivid detail the feeling of putting the key into his own front door for the first time — and how that experience inspired him to help others achieve the same life-changing milestone. For Tye, real estate isn’t just about property; it’s about generational wealth, legacy, and creating a foundation for the future.

But Tye’s story doesn’t stop there. He recounts the tragic loss of his father, who died choking on a sandwich in a nursing home without trained staff present to save him. This deeply personal event sparked Tye’s mission to advocate for seniors, protect them from exploitation, and ensure they receive the respect and care they deserve in their final years.

https://tehranjones.homes

tehranjonesrealtor@gmail.com

https://instagram.com/tehranjonesrealtor

(804) 930-2116

Throughout the episode, we explore:

How growing up without a present father shaped his approach to parenting.
The temptation of the wrong hustle vs. the discipline of the right one.
Why teaching boys to be men is more critical than ever.
The emotional power of homeownership and its ripple effect on families.
Hard truths about elder care — and what we can do about it.
How Tye keeps himself strong mentally, physically, and spiritually to serve others.

Tye speaks with the kind of conviction that comes from lived experience — equal parts motivational and challenging. He doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles, but he also doesn’t let them define him. Instead, he’s built a life and a mission rooted in faith, persistence, and service.

Whether you’re a parent determined to break old patterns, someone chasing the dream of homeownership, or simply a human who cares about how we treat our elders, Tye’s story will leave you inspired.

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Richmond Poop Water, Leo the Mobster, Ancient Pyramids, and Other Fun Tales - Unscripted #004

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

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We start with Richmond's ambitious plan to fix the James River's decades-long sewage problem, but somehow end up exploring everything from naked beach regulars to ancient pyramid conspiracies. Our studio's wild past as Smitty's bar reveals a darker side of Richmond history involving Leo Joseph Coury, a restaurant mogul turned hitman-hiring fugitive who exploited the gay community in the 1970s.

From there, we journey through America's rebellious origins with the "Mind Your Business" continental dollar designed by Benjamin Franklin, questioning everything we think we know about history and archaeology. Why do mainstream Egyptologists ignore evidence that pyramids align with ancient constellations? How did ancient civilizations like Gobekli Tepe challenge our understanding of human development thousands of years before we supposedly developed advanced societies?

We balance the heavy topics with lighter Richmond culture, celebrating the city's thriving farmer's markets, hidden Maymont Park concerts, and the unique neighborhood vibes that make this river city special. Whether we're discussing Class IV rapids, maker markets, or Mass Effect video games, we keep coming back to how stories shape our understanding of truth. Sometimes the most logical explanation sounds like a conspiracy theory, and sometimes local history is stranger than fiction.

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How Katie Brown Ditched Her 9-to-5 to Build a 70K Food Brand on Instagram #003

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 17:00:00 -0400

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In this episode, Myke sits down with Katie Brown, a local Richmond founder of Real Food With Gratitude, to dive deep into her journey from corporate sales to building a 70K follower food brand on Instagram. Katie shares the brutal honest truth about content creation, the pivot from photography to video content, and how she monetizes her passion for real food.

https://realfoodwithgratitude.com

What You'll Learn:
• How to transition from a 9-5 job to content creation
• The real strategy behind growing from 0 to 70K followers
• Why most food creators fail at monetization
• The truth about Instagram vs TikTok algorithms
• How to price and pitch brand partnerships
• Why building a website matters more than followers

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Richmond Restaurants: Fires, Failures, and Fortune (Shockoe Bottom, Kava Club, Brenner Pass, AI artists & the future of culture) - Unscripted #002

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0400

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A fire ripped through Shockoe Bottom this week, engulfing The Daily Menu and forcing neighboring businesses to shut their doors. But the story doesn’t end with the smoke. In this episode, we dig into the real issues at the heart of Richmond’s downtown decline—from empty night markets and neglected neighborhoods to the quiet collapse of overhyped concepts and underbaked brands.

We cover:

— The state of Shockoe Bottom fires, and why the farmers market keeps missing

— Kava Club’s closure, niche fatigue, and what marketing should’ve done

— Why Big Wife’s mac & cheese didn’t stand a chance

— How Brittany Anderson is getting it right by reimagining Brenner Pass (and why more should follow her lead)

— The rise of AI artists and how Timbaland’s latest project is dividing the creative world

Some places are burning down.

Others are shutting down.

And a few—like Brenner Pass—are rebranding and starting over with intention.

This is a conversation about what it takes to make something last in a city still trying to figure itself out.

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Richmond vs. Nova Beef (Allianz amphitheater buzz, pickleball mural controversy, dream houses on the James) - Unscripted #001

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 22:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to the Vera House podcast — a creative editorial in audio form. No scripts, no segments—just an open conversation at the intersection of culture, brand, creativity, and our journey to building something real in a city like Richmond.

In this one, we cover:

— The new Allianz Amphitheater and why it’s already off to an interesting start

— Pickleball, public art, and the muralist Mickael Broth (@thenightowl) who painted “Not For Sale” over his own work in Downtown Richmond

— A belly button redesign that sparked a weird tech-spec rabbit hole

— Rob Zombie's $9 million dollar compound is for sale

— Why Richmond, VA might just be America’s most under-rated city

— Mountain vs. beach homes, helicopters, and racetrack driveways

— And what it takes to make a place feel like home

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