Richmond Poop Water, Leo the Mobster, Ancient Pyramids, and Other Fun Tales #004

By Billy Briefman · August 1, 2025 · 52:57 read

Category: Arts & Culture

Show: Unscripted RVA

Got thoughts? Throw them at us by sending a text here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2513071/open_sms We start with Richmond's ambitious plan to fix the James River's decades-long sewage problem, but somehow end up exploring everything from naked beach regulars to ancient pyramid

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

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

We start with Richmond's ambitious plan to fix the James River's decades-long sewage problem, but somehow end up exploring everything from naked beach regulars to ancient pyramid conspiracies. Our studio's wild past as Smitty's bar reveals a darker side of Richmond history involving Leo Joseph Coury, a restaurant mogul turned hitman-hiring fugitive who exploited the gay community in the 1970s.

We balance the heavy topics with lighter Richmond culture, celebrating the city's thriving farmer's markets, hidden Maymont Park concerts, and the unique neighborhood vibes that make this river city special. Whether we're discussing Class IV rapids, maker markets, or Mass Effect video games, we keep coming back to how stories shape our understanding of truth. Sometimes the most logical explanation sounds like a conspiracy theory, and sometimes local history is stranger than fiction.

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

Subscribe to the audio podcast:

https://verahouse.buzzsprout.com

Follow us:

https://instagram.com/verahouse.co

Follow the hosts:

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.

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