Welcome to Grass Valley #61 - Aria Griffiths on Make Local Habit

Welcome to Grass Valley #63 - Jordan Beaver on MMA, Redemption, and Faith

On this episode of Welcome to Grass Valley, host Maxx sits down with guest Jordan Beaver for an honest and reflective conversation about personal growth, family, faith, loyalty, and learning from past mistakes. Together, they discuss changing perspectives with age, the importance of making better choices, staying grounded through difficult times, and focusing on what truly matters in life. Through candid stories and authentic conversation, the episode explores accountability, companionship, mental resilience, and the idea that people can move forward with greater purpose and intention.

Welcome to Grass Valley #62 - Conversations from Prison with Ryan

Ryan calls in from Avenal State Prison for a raw conversation about missing his kids, finding strength through faith, staying sober, and trying to rebuild a life after everything changed. He and Nathaniel talk about family, discipline, love, forgiveness, dating, prison conditions, and the practical work of keeping Welcome to Grass Valley moving with Maxx and Lindsay. Through frustration, grief, and humor, Ryan urges listeners to count their blessings, protect their relationships, and choose a better path while they still can.

Welcome to Grass Valley #61 - Aria Griffiths on Make Local Habit

Maxx and Lindsay welcome local artisan Aria Griffiths back to Grass Valley to revisit her story. Aria details Make Local Habit, her 17-year-old downtown shop curating wares from Nevada County artists, and her brand-new expansion at 110 West Main, where Golden Soul Herb Company runs a tea bar and Ursula Young's artwork rotates on the walls. The conversation roams through growing up on the ridge, her late father Randy Griffiths' Peaceful Valley seed packet artwork, favorite Yuba spots, lost restaurants like Cowboy Pizza and Mama Sue's, real estate trends, and a Turkey medicine card celebrating generosity.

Welcome to Grass Valley #60 - Ryan on Prison Life and Finding Home for Patty

In this episode of Welcome to Grass Valley, host Maxx checks in with Ryan Doty during a series of calls from Avenal State Prison, where Ryan opens up about the fear, stress, and emotional weight of prison life while also sharing a renewed sense of hope after friends and community members helped find a safe home for his dog, Patty. Ryan expresses deep gratitude to Jordan Beaver, Desiree, Nathaniel, Neil, Zack, Ashley, and others who have supported him, while also reflecting on missing his children, worrying about family struggles, trying to stay sober, leaning on prayer, church, exercise, and music, and learning to focus on what he can control. The episode balances heavy personal hardship with moments of humor, shout-outs, creative energy, and resilience, including Ryan sharing lyrics from a new song called “Custom Made” and looking ahead to returning home, staying positive, rebuilding his life, and eventually coming back to the podcast.

Welcome to Grass Valley #59 - Second Letter from Avenal State Prison

In this episode of Welcome to Grass Valley, the host shares a second letter from his incarcerated brother, Ryan Doty, written from Avenal State Prison. Ryan offers heartfelt encouragement about staying positive, getting outside, praying, and blessing a glass of water before drinking it as a simple gratitude practice. He describes harsh conditions, constant prayers for his kids and family, and gratitude for friends who have written, sent books, or helped rescue his dogs. Ryan shares his mailing address, hopes for a transfer to a mainline prison soon, and closes with a birthday shout-out to Nathaniel Redmond.