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

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

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.

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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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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