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

Join us at Carytown Run Club every Saturday at 9AM, info here: Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/carytownrunclub⁠A free community run for all experience levels focused on movement, connection, and getting outside with good people in Richmond.

Vera Creative Club Merch: ⁠https://veraclub.myshopify.com⁠

In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we discuss a range of Richmond topics including the black bear spotted near Oregon Hill, Belle Isle’s new Nature Zone, Richmond parks and public spaces, Southside Speedway, local motorsports culture, sinkholes, social media, and how technology is changing the way people connect.

We start with the recent Richmond bear sighting and how quickly local chaos spreads across the city, before moving into a larger conversation around Belle Isle, outdoor culture, public gathering spaces, and Richmond’s relationship with nature and community. We also discuss Oregon Hill, changing neighborhoods, and the balance between preserving Richmond’s character while the city continues to grow.

Later in the episode, we get into Instagram’s new “Blend” feature, algorithm-driven social behavior, content burnout, and the shift away from overly polished internet culture. We also talk about Apple’s ecosystem, AI workflows, MacBooks, and the increasing overlap between technology and everyday life.

The second half of the episode focuses on Richmond and Virginia motorsports culture, including Destiny Spurlock, NASCAR, Southside Speedway reopening, and the history of racing culture around Richmond. We also touch on local infrastructure issues including the recent Henrico sinkhole and water main break.

Topics include Richmond black bear sightings, Belle Isle, Oregon Hill, Carytown Run Club, Southside Speedway, NASCAR, Destiny Spurlock, Richmond parks, Instagram Blend, social media algorithms, Apple technology, Henrico sinkholes, and Richmond community culture.

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.

Support the show

Get more info about our studio here.

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.

Follow the movement:

instagram.com/verahouse.co

youtube.com/@verahousepod

verahouse.co

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

instagram.com/mykemetzger

instagram.com/planetperri

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

Vera Creative Club Merch:
https://veraclub.myshopify.com

In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we discuss a wide range of Richmond topics including the Briley Brothers, surveillance cameras, local shopping culture, Richmond history, public infrastructure, and some of the city’s strangest stories and traditions.

We start with Richmond being named one of the best cities in America for shopping local and talk about the city’s strong independent business culture, creative scene, markets, and community identity. We also discuss Rest Fest, Dogwood Dell, the Carillon, and the ongoing frustration around unfinished or poorly executed city projects.

Later in the episode, we get into Richmond surveillance systems, red light cameras, automated traffic enforcement, privacy concerns, and broader conversations around data collection and “smart city” infrastructure. We also discuss Bagel the Beagle, Richmond internet nostalgia, and how certain local stories become part of the city’s identity.

The second half of the episode shifts into Richmond true crime history, including a deep conversation around the Briley Brothers, violence, criminal psychology, death row escapes, and some of the darker stories connected to Richmond and Virginia history.

Topics include Richmond shopping culture, local businesses, surveillance cameras, red light tickets, Dogwood Dell, the Carillon, Bagel the Beagle, the Briley Brothers, Richmond true crime, public infrastructure, privacy concerns, and Richmond history.

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.

Support the show

Get more info about our studio here.

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.

Follow the movement:

instagram.com/verahouse.co

youtube.com/@verahousepod

verahouse.co

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

instagram.com/mykemetzger

instagram.com/planetperri

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

Vera Creative Club Merch:
https://veraclub.myshopify.com/

Shop Blackbyrd Goods:
https://blackbyrdgoods.com

In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we discuss a range of Richmond topics including strange Virginia laws, government transparency, surveillance concerns, Carytown, and the growing tension between Richmond’s charm and its dysfunction.

We start with some of the weirdest and most outdated laws still associated with Virginia, including long-running myths and bizarre legal history, before moving into conversations around jaywalking, aggressive crosswalk culture, and everyday behavior around the city.

A major portion of the episode focuses on Richmond government transparency, including the city being named a “City of Darkness,” FOIA concerns, public records access, and broader conversations around accountability and trust in local institutions. We also discuss surveillance systems like Flock cameras, data retention, leaked communications, and the growing role of technology and AI in politics and public messaging.

Later in the episode, we talk about Carytown, modernization, Richmond restaurant and nightlife laws, and what parts of the city could look like with better planning and vision moving forward.

Topics include weird Virginia laws, Richmond government transparency, FOIA requests, City of Darkness, Flock cameras, surveillance concerns, Mayor Danny Avula, ChatGPT in politics, Carytown, Richmond nightlife laws, jaywalking culture, and Richmond city development.

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.

Support the show

Get more info about our studio here.

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.

Follow the movement:

instagram.com/verahouse.co

youtube.com/@verahousepod

verahouse.co

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

instagram.com/mykemetzger

instagram.com/planetperri

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

Vera Creative Club Merch:

https://veraclub.myshopify.com/

In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we discuss a range of Richmond topics including city growth, driving culture, government transparency, and local events. We start with how quickly Richmond is growing and how that’s showing up in everyday life, especially on the roads with more traffic, distracted driving, and increasingly unpredictable behavior.

The conversation expands into broader observations about awareness, personal responsibility, and how small decisions from others can have real consequences. We talk about how modern distractions, especially phones, are impacting attention and behavior in public spaces.

We also discuss Richmond being labeled the “City of Darkness” in relation to FOIA concerns, and what that means for government transparency, access to information, and overall trust in local systems. From there, we get into a wider conversation around power, influence, and how access and relationships often matter more than money.

Throughout the episode, we also touch on Vera House’s involvement in the Richmond community, including events like the Monument Avenue 10K, Pyre Sauna, and Rest Fest, along with ideas for future community-driven experiences.

Topics include Richmond growth, traffic and driving culture, distracted driving, public awareness, FOIA and government transparency, City of Darkness, power and influence, Richmond events, Monument Avenue 10K, Pyre Sauna, Rest Fest, and Richmond community culture.

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.

Support the show

Get more info about our studio here.

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.

Follow the movement:

instagram.com/verahouse.co

youtube.com/@verahousepod

verahouse.co

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

instagram.com/mykemetzger

instagram.com/planetperri

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

Learn more and book a session:
https://pyresauna.com
Use code VERAHOUSE for 15% off

Follow Pyre on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pyre_sauna

In this episode, we sit down with Julien Robert and Wes McLaughlin, founders of Pyre Sauna — a new social wellness concept in Richmond, Virginia built around wood-fired sauna, cold plunge, and intentional community.

Pyre is not a traditional gym or spa. It’s a tech-free space designed to help people slow down, disconnect, and reconnect — with themselves and with others.

We talk about the rapid growth of Richmond, how modern life has made people more disconnected than ever, and why spaces like Pyre are starting to emerge as a response.

Julien and Wes share the origin story behind Pyre, from a sauna experience in Charlottesville to traveling internationally and studying bathhouse culture across Europe. They explain how ancient sauna traditions are being adapted into a modern, community-driven experience here in Richmond.

We also get into the real benefits of sauna and cold plunge — not just physical recovery, but mental clarity, emotional regulation, and what they call “capacity building.”

This episode covers:

• Why Richmond is craving more intentional third spaces
• The difference between social connection and being around people
• How sauna and cold plunge impact dopamine, stress, and overall wellbeing
• Why productivity culture is working against us
• The role of breathwork and guided sessions
• The history of sauna and why this is not a trend
• How Pyre is building a social wellness club in Richmond

Pyre is officially open including sauna sessions, cold plunges, guided classes, and social events.

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.

Support the show

Get more info about our studio here.

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.

Follow the movement:

instagram.com/verahouse.co

youtube.com/@verahousepod

verahouse.co

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

instagram.com/mykemetzger

instagram.com/planetperri

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

For Earth Day we want to share a reminder that a lot of what we own still has value — and small decisions like donating or shopping secondhand can have a real impact on our local Richmond community.

Learn more about Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia:
https://goodwillvirginia.org

Visit your local Goodwill location:
https://goodwillvirginia.org/location-finder/

We took on a challenge to reset our wardrobes using only Goodwill right here in Richmond — but what started as a simple experiment quickly turned into a deeper look at sustainability, secondhand fashion, and the real impact of donating and thrifting in our local community.

After clearing out our closets and donating everything we no longer wear, we visited one of Goodwill’s largest locations in Central Virginia to see what actually happens behind the scenes. From intake and sorting to how items make it back onto the floor, we got a full look at the lifecycle of donated goods.

We also sat down with Laura Faison, Chief Communications Officer for Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia, to talk about the bigger picture — including workforce development, job training programs, and how every donation and purchase directly supports individuals facing barriers to employment here in Richmond.

Then we put it to the test.

We went into the store with a plan to build complete outfits from scratch using only what we could find — challenging ourselves to be intentional, resourceful, and step outside of our usual habits.

This episode covers:

• Thrifting in Richmond and the reality of secondhand shopping
• The environmental impact of clothing waste and overconsumption
• How Goodwill supports workforce development in Central Virginia
• What actually happens after you donate your clothes
• Whether it’s possible to rebuild a wardrobe using only thrifted pieces

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.

Support the show

Get more info about our studio here.

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.

Follow the movement:

instagram.com/verahouse.co

youtube.com/@verahousepod

verahouse.co

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

instagram.com/mykemetzger

instagram.com/planetperri

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

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.

Support the show

Get more info about our studio here.

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.

Follow the movement:

instagram.com/verahouse.co

youtube.com/@verahousepod

verahouse.co

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

instagram.com/mykemetzger

instagram.com/planetperri

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

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

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.

Support the show

Get more info about our studio here.

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.

Follow the movement:

instagram.com/verahouse.co

youtube.com/@verahousepod

verahouse.co

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

instagram.com/mykemetzger

instagram.com/planetperri