No Holds Barred

The truth about Lynchburg's name: Quakers, abolition, and hidden history | No Holds Barred

Lynchburg is a city defined by its contradictions. In this episode of No Holds Barred, Rich Roth sits down with Ted Delaney, Director of the Lynchburg Museum System, to peel back the layers of local history that most residents don't even know.From his early days as a teenage volunteer at the Old City Cemetery — where 15,000 to 20,000 people are buried — to his current work preserving the city’s legacy, Ted shares the fascinating, often "hallucinated" stories of our past.In this episode, we discuss:The Origin of the Name: Why "Lynchburg" has nothing to do with lynchings and everything to do with a radical Quaker abolitionist.The Slave Market Legacy: The sobering reality of Lynchburg as a major 19th-century slave trading hub.Vietnam War Heroes: A look at the new museum exhibit featuring David Harker’s POW uniform and shoes made of tires.Lost Icons: The "Space Age" circular airport terminal and the famous people buried in plain sight.The 250th Celebration: A preview of the new book A Good and Pleasant Company, profiling 250 people who shaped the city.Visit the Lynchburg Museum: 📍 901 Court Street (Top of Monument Terrace) 🌐 lynchburgmuseum.org0:00 – Introduction: Ted Delaney & the 250th Celebration03:12 – Secrets of the Old City Cemetery08:45 – The Murder Mystery of Otto Lindfors12:20 – Ota Benga: A Tragic International Story16:50 – Debunking the "Lynchburg" Name & Lynchings21:30 – John Lynch: Radical Quaker & Abolitionist25:40 – Lynchburg’s Role as a Major Slave Market32:15 – Why Roanoke Got the Railroad (and we didn't)38:50 – Vietnam Exhibit: POW Stories & Artifacts45:10 – A Good and Pleasant Company: 250 Biographies52:30 – The Future of Preserving Lynchburg’s History#LynchburgVA #VirginiaHistory #Podcast #NoHoldsBarred #LynchburgMuseum #AmericanHistory #VietnamWar #OldCityCemetery #JohnLynch #CivilWarHistory #Abolitionism

Shaping Lynchburg's Culture: Cyrus Pace on the Future of the Academy | No Holds Barred

In this episode of No Holds Barred, Rich Roth sits down with Cyrus Pace, the new Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts. After 15 years leading the Jefferson Center in Roanoke, Cyrus shares his vision for fostering local growth and the "incubator" model for talent in Lynchburg. We discuss everything from taking over an organization after a "standing ovation" to his background as a jazz musician and his plans for the Academy’s growth in the community and elsewhere.0:00 - Introduction to Cyrus Pace5:12 - Leaving the Jefferson Center after 15 years12:30 - The "incubator" model for local talent22:45 - The role of risk in the arts53:00 - Fostering growth and the future strategic plan#LynchburgVA #DowntownLynchburg #LynchburgVA #AcademyCenterOfTheArts #TheAcademy #JeffersonCenter #RoanokeVA #NoHoldsBarred #Podcast #ArtsLeadership #ArtsAndCulture #JazzMusician #CommunityImpact #NonprofitLeadership #PerformingArts

75 and Still Competing: Pro Golfer Dick Mast on Tiger, Jack, and Longevity | No Holds Barred

What does it take to play professional golf for over 50 years? Join Rich Roth on No Holds Barred as he sits down with PGA and Senior PGA Tour Pro, Dick Mast. In this deep dive, Dick Mast shares incredible stories from a career that spans eras from playing a practice round with an 18-year-old Tiger Woods to competing at the highest level at age 75. Now a resident of the Lynchburg area and teaching out of Ivy Hill Golf Club, Dick discusses the evolution of the game, his "near misses" in Milwaukee and Chicago and the life-changing moment he found his faith on the tour. In this interview, we cover: * The Tiger Woods vs. Jack Nicklaus Debate: Dick compares the mindsets of the two greatest to ever play. * Golf Tech Fallacies: Why Dick still uses shafts from 2002 and woods from the 50s. * Instructional Wisdom: The two biggest mistakes every amateur makes (Hint: It’s not what you think!). * The "Grind": What it was like Monday qualifying and living the tour life in a motorhome with six sons. * Short Game Secrets: Why you should start your practice with 30-yard wedges. Connect with us: If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe and hit the Bell icon for more exclusive local interviews #DickMast #PGATour #GolfInstruction #TigerWoods #JackNicklaus #LynchburgVA #IvyHillGolfClub #GolfTips #SeniorPGATour #GolfLife #TheMasters #BritishOpen #USGA #USOpen #NoHoldsBarred

50 Years of Givens Books: Danny Givens on Legacy & End-of-Life Care | No Holds Barred

Rich Roth sits down with Danny Givens, the owner of Lynchburg’s iconic Givens Books & Little Dickens, as the business celebrates its 50th anniversary. While many know Danny as the curator of a local "Wonderland," he is also a certified Death Doula. In this episode of No Holds Barred, Danny shares his nomadic upbringing, the "serendipitous" founding of his toy store and why he’s dedicated his later years to helping people navigate the "inconvenient mystery" of death. Key Topics in This Episode: * The 45-State Nomad: Danny’s childhood traveling in a camper. * Building an Icon: How a 1930s gas station became a regional staple. * The Shift to Digital: Why physical books are surviving the "Anxious Generation". * What is a Death Doula? Advocating for the terminally ill and breaking the American phobia of grief. * The 5 Regrets: What Danny has learned from being at the bedside of the dying. * The Next Generation: Danny’s daughter joins the family legacy. #LynchburgVA #GivensBooks #DeathDoula #Podcast #NoHoldsBarred #SmallBusinessSuccess #EndofLife #GriefWork #Bookstores #LittleDickens #LynchburgHistory #CentralVirginia #DeathCafe #WorkLifeBalance #HolisticCare

Lynchburg News 2026: No-Mow Grass, AI Pet Translators & The New Milan | No Holds Barred April 1st Special

Technology is moving faster than ever, and today on No Holds Barred, we are looking at the massive shifts hitting Lynchburg and beyond. From AI breakthroughs that let us talk to our pets to radical changes in our local dining scene and state laws, our guests are breaking some "exclusive" news you won't believe.PET TRANSLATOR: 0:00 - 8:17Charley Butcher (University of Lynchburg) discusses a new AI app that translates animal synapses into English — starting with primates and moving to dogs and cats.NEVER MOW AGAIN: 8:18 - 18:35W.B. Bass (Bass Sod Farm) introduces "No Mow Grass," a new fescue variety that only grows to a pre-set height (like 3 inches) and pulls moisture from the air so you never have to mow or water again.NO MORE STEAK?: 18:36 - 24:56Jason Arbusto (Milano’s Enoteca & Italian Ristorante) announces the rebranding of the 40-year staple "Milano’s" to "Milan," a Mumbai-style vegetarian and tea-infused restaurant inspired by a spiritual voyage to India.PETS ARE PEOPLE?: 24:57 - 34:51Rich Gilman (The Law Dog) breaks down "Senate Bill 1417," a radical new animal rights bill in Virginia that grants pets "personhood," bans crates/fences, and gives them more autonomy.AI IN THE BATHROOM: 34:52 - 46:12Ryan Gordon (Blue Ridge Scientific) reveals the "AI Attendant Booth," a patented, invasive drug-testing booth featuring AI watchers "Ava" and "David" to ensure no one cheats.BLOOPERS: 46:13 - 48:08🛑 SPOILER ALERT / APRIL FOOLS! 🛑If these "innovations" sound a little too wild to be true... it's because they are! We had a blast putting this special April Fool's edition together with our incredible community partners. Stick around until the end of the episode for the blooper reel!#AprilFools #NoHoldsBarred #LynchburgVA #TechTrends #Prank #Podcast #Satire #AI2026 #AITechnology #FutureTech #LawnCareHacks #Fescue #HealthandWellness2026 #AprilFools2026 #VirginiaPolitics #VirginiaLife