Richmond Is Relearning Connection: Aspen DeRosa on Photography, Sobriety & Community #033

By Billy Briefman · January 30, 2026 · 1:03:02 read

Category: Arts & Culture

Show: Unscripted RVA

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Got thoughts? Send us a text here:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2513071/open_sms

Subscribe to the audio podcast:

https://verahouse.buzzsprout.com

Follow us:

https://instagram.com/verahouse.co

10% OFF your next purchase at Point 5 in Carytown:

https://verahouse.co/point5⁠

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In this episode of Vera House Unscripted, we sit down with Aspen DeRosa, a Richmond-based photographer, educator, and community builder.

Follow Aspen:

https://www.instagram.com/bevelcut_shawti/

https://www.aspenderosa.com

Riffs and Recovery:

https://www.instagram.com/riffsandrecovery

We talk about Aspen’s approach to photography as people-focused work, including how they help subjects feel comfortable, present, and confident in front of the camera. The conversation covers them teaching at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, how education informs their creative practice, and what it means to balance multiple roles as a working creative.

We also discuss sobriety within Richmond’s music and creative scenes, including the realities of navigating social spaces without alcohol and the work Aspen is doing through Riffs and Recovery to build intentional, sober-friendly community spaces. The episode touches on non-alcoholic culture, local collaborations, and how events and gatherings can be designed around presence and connection rather than drinking.

Throughout the conversation, we explore photography, teaching, sobriety, and community building as practical, lived experiences, with a focus on how people show up for themselves and each other in creative spaces.

Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

https://instagram.com/mykemetzger

https://instagram.com/planetperri

Learn more about our studio:

https://verahouse.co

This podcast is produced by ⁠Vera House⁠ — a creative club and media studio based in Richmond, Virginia. Our studio exists to champion creative expression, elevate culture, and produce high-impact content for founders, makers, and modern brands in Richmond.

Cast: https://verahouse.buzzsprout.com