Richmond’s Wellness Movement, Rest Culture & Community Spaces: Inside RVA's Rest Fest #043

April 11, 2026 · 1:33:54 read

Category: Arts & Culture

Show: Unscripted RVA

RSVP for Richmond's Rest Fest: https://www.rvarestfest.com Got thoughts? Send us a text here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2513071/open_sms In this episode we’re joined by Rick Plau

RSVP for Richmond's Rest Fest:

https://www.rvarestfest.com

Got thoughts? Send us a text here:

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

In this 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.

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Hosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:

https://instagram.com/mykemetzger

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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.

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 RVA?

Cast: https://verahouse.buzzsprout.com