Vera House Podcast

Richmond Bears, Belle Isle & Burnout (Oregon Hill, sinkholes, Southside Speedway, etc) — Unscripted #049

Got thoughts? Throw them at us by sending a text here [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2513071/fan_mail/new] Join us at Carytown Run Club every Saturday at 9AM, info here: Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/carytownrunclub⁠ [https://instagram.com/carytownrunclub]A 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 [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 [https://buymeacoffee.com/verahouse] Get more info about our studio here. [https://app.quizify.io/funnel/ce5193a069bea027a60e06c57a106eb6] This podcast is produced by Vera House [https://www.verahouse.co/] — 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 [https://instagram.com/verahouse.co] youtube.com/@verahousepod [https://youtube.com/@verahousepod] verahouse.co [https://www.verahouse.co/] Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young: instagram.com/mykemetzger [https://instagram.com/mykemetzger] instagram.com/planetperri [https://instagram.com/planetperri]

Richmond Serial Killers, Surveillance & Shopping (cameras, Bagel the Beagle, Briley Brothers, etc) — Unscripted #048

Got thoughts? Throw them at us by sending a text here [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2513071/fan_mail/new] Vera Creative Club Merch: https://veraclub.myshopify.com [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 [https://buymeacoffee.com/verahouse] Get more info about our studio here. [https://app.quizify.io/funnel/ce5193a069bea027a60e06c57a106eb6] This podcast is produced by Vera House [https://www.verahouse.co/] — 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 [https://instagram.com/verahouse.co] youtube.com/@verahousepod [https://youtube.com/@verahousepod] verahouse.co [https://www.verahouse.co/] Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young: instagram.com/mykemetzger [https://instagram.com/mykemetzger] instagram.com/planetperri [https://instagram.com/planetperri]

Richmond Laws, Loopholes & Lies (city transparency, weird Virginia laws, Flock cameras, etc) — Unscripted #047

Got thoughts? Throw them at us by sending a text here [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2513071/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://buymeacoffee.com/verahouse] Get more info about our studio here. [https://app.quizify.io/funnel/ce5193a069bea027a60e06c57a106eb6] This podcast is produced by Vera House [https://www.verahouse.co/] — 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 [https://instagram.com/verahouse.co] youtube.com/@verahousepod [https://youtube.com/@verahousepod] verahouse.co [https://www.verahouse.co/] Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young: instagram.com/mykemetzger [https://instagram.com/mykemetzger] instagram.com/planetperri [https://instagram.com/planetperri]

Richmond “City of Darkness”, Chaos & Coverups (FOIA concerns, traffic, growth, etc) — Unscripted #046

Got thoughts? Throw them at us by sending a text here [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2513071/fan_mail/new] Vera Creative Club Merch: https://veraclub.myshopify.com/ [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 [https://buymeacoffee.com/verahouse] Get more info about our studio here. [https://app.quizify.io/funnel/ce5193a069bea027a60e06c57a106eb6] This podcast is produced by Vera House [https://www.verahouse.co/] — 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 [https://instagram.com/verahouse.co] youtube.com/@verahousepod [https://youtube.com/@verahousepod] verahouse.co [https://www.verahouse.co/] Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young: instagram.com/mykemetzger [https://instagram.com/mykemetzger] instagram.com/planetperri [https://instagram.com/planetperri]

Richmond is Slowing Down: Inside Pyre’s Sauna & Cold Plunge Community #045

Got thoughts? Throw them at us by sending a text here [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2513071/fan_mail/new] Learn more and book a session: https://pyresauna.com [https://pyresauna.com] Use code VERAHOUSE for 15% off Follow Pyre on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyre_sauna [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 [https://buymeacoffee.com/verahouse] Get more info about our studio here. [https://app.quizify.io/funnel/ce5193a069bea027a60e06c57a106eb6] This podcast is produced by Vera House [https://www.verahouse.co/] — 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 [https://instagram.com/verahouse.co] youtube.com/@verahousepod [https://youtube.com/@verahousepod] verahouse.co [https://www.verahouse.co/] Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young: instagram.com/mykemetzger [https://instagram.com/mykemetzger] instagram.com/planetperri [https://instagram.com/planetperri]