River City Podcast

What happens when we give young people more than just an education? We give them the tools, confidence, connections, and opportunities to shape their own futures. On this episode of River City Podcast , host Jess Ellett sits down with Dre'mon Miller , educator, entrepreneur, youth advocate, and founder of Street Smartz Over Safety and the Street Smartz Foundation , to explore how his Richmond...

What happens when a life-changing diagnosis becomes a mission to help others? On this episode of River City Podcast, host Jess Ellett sits down with John Poma , Chair of Mission and Outreach for the Parkinson's Foundation Mid-Atlantic Chapter and Chair of Moving Day Richmond, and Sean Liverman of the Medical Society of Virginia. John shares his personal journey with Parkinson's disease,...

What if the secret to growing your business isn’t selling harder — but connecting better? In this episode of River City Podcast, Jess sits down with Anna Sothen, founder of RVA Connected , publisher with Best Version Media, entrepreneur, community builder, and the woman who has earned the nickname “The Human Rolodex.” Anna has built her business — and much of her life — around one simple idea: whe...

What if one of the biggest risks to your business isn't financial, legal or cybersecurity-related — but leadership? In this episode, Jess Ellett sits down with Dr. Carlos Rios-Collazo , Founder and Managing Principal of Axium-27™ LLC , for a fascinating conversation about leadership, performance and what it really means to protect the organization you've worked so hard to build. Dr. Carl...

Your roof is one of the biggest investments protecting your home—but how do you know who to trust when it’s time for a repair or replacement? In this episode of River City Podcast, Jess sits down with Tucker and Meredith Slater, owners of Crown Roofing, a locally owned, family-run roofing company serving Central Virginia. They share what homeowners should know before hiring a roofer, including the...

Episode Description What happens when women step outside their comfort zones and discover the world—and themselves? In this episode, Jessica and Dr. Amy Harris sit down with Donnie Belau, founder of Girls' Guide to the World , to discuss how travel can transform confidence, create lifelong friendships, and improve overall wellness. Together they explore the power of meaningful connections bet...

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online !

In this episode of River City Podcast , Jess sits down with returning guest Dr. Aimee Harris of Dimensional Wellness and personal trainer Daniela Bowen for a powerful conversation about what many are calling “The Strong Girl Era.” Together they explore the science behind strength training, longevity, and women’s health across the lifespan. The conversation breaks down the difference between lifesp...

In this episode of the River City Podcast , we’re sitting down with the guys behind The Brew 2 — the owners of one of Snowshoe’s most talked-about vacation rentals and the masterminds behind the internet-famous “tiny deck.” What started as a fun mountain getaway turned into a viral brand, a wildly successful short-term rental, and a social media following built on humor, authenticity, and not taki...

In this powerful and insightful episode, Jess talks to Brennan Hilleary about unpacking what’s really driving burnout across today’s workplaces—and what business leaders can do to reverse it. Our guest dives into the human and cultural factors that quietly drain energy, creativity, and motivation inside organizations, and offers practical ways to rebuild balance and resilience from the inside out....

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Karen Meadows , Lead Trainer at Leashes of Valor, a nonprofit providing service dogs at no cost to wounded and disabled veterans. We’re also joined by Marty Copeland , a veteran whose life was transformed after being paired with his service dog, Darby Grace, and Geni Ligday , a foster parent whose family has a deep connection to the Army and a passion fo...

 Ever wonder what the real difference is between a therapist and a health and wellness coach — and how to know which one you need? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Meenu Jain, PhD, NBC-HWC, and Dr. Aimee Harris of Dimensional Wellness break down the roles of therapy and coaching, why scope of practice matters, and how the two can beautifully complement each other. Together, they share how therap...

In this episode, Jess sits down with Brooke Hall , owner of Accent Professional Recruiting. Born and raised in Richmond, Brooke’s career path has taken her from finance to restaurants, to technology sales, and ultimately to building a thriving recruiting firm. After joining Accent as a recruiter in 2010, she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Manager in 2012 and purchasing the company in 201...

In this episode of River City Podcast , host Jess Ellett chats with Chris Gutzmer of G & R Contracting about a common and often underestimated problem— standing water around your home’s foundation . Chris breaks down the risks that water accumulation can pose, from foundation damage to mold growth, and shares practical advice for homeowners to prevent it. He explains how to assess your yard’s...

Join us for a conversation with two wellness leaders redefining what it means to heal, grow, and thrive—Dr. Aimee Harris and Arilda Surridge. Dr. Aimee Harris, PhD, LPC, RPT-S ™, ACS is not your average therapist—she’s a powerhouse blend of licensed clinician, organizational psychologist, global speaker, and unapologetic wellness enthusiast. As the founder and CEO of Dimensional Wellness, a thrivi...

In this inspiring episode, host Jess Ellett sits down with Brennan Hilleary. Brennan  is a keynote speaker, Burnout Prevention Coach, Marine Corps veteran, and founder of Build Your Power LLC . Specializing in helping high-achievers break the cycle of burnout and overwhelm, Brennan provides practical, real-world tools to help you reclaim your time, energy, and focus—without compromising your profe...

Jess Ellett is joined by landscaping pro Chris Gutzmer of G & R Contracting. Chris breaks down what every homeowner needs to know to keep their lawn healthy, green, and thriving during Virginia’s brutal summer heat. From watering schedules to mowing techniques, drought-proof grass strategies, and what NOT to do when it’s scorching outside, Chris shares practical advice that will save you stres...

The Better Business Bureau has long helped consumers find businesses they can trust—and in today’s world, trust is more important than ever. On this episode, Jess Ellett sits down with Barry Moore, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau since 2022, to talk about how the BBB supports small businesses, the benefits of accreditation for both companies and consumers, and their exclusive partn...

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Jess Ellett sits down with Jason B. Ingram to discuss his extraordinary journey through grief, healing, and purpose. In a short span of time, Jason has endured unimaginable loss — but rather than letting grief define him, he’s using his story to raise awareness and inspire connection. Jason opens up about how he is honoring the memory of his loved ones...

Today, Jess Ellett speaks with Mark Blankenship, the founder of Blankenship Mechanical. Since launching the company in 2004, Mark and his team have built a reputation for delivering prompt, reliable, and high-quality sales, service, design, and installation for both residential and commercial clients. In this episode of our special HVAC series with Blankenship Mechanical, Jess and Mark explore the...

Midore Takada is a trauma-informed, certified master coach with over 25 years of experience in architecture, design, and construction. Specializing in career-driven women in midlife, she blends cognitive, mindset, somatic, and nervous system expertise to help her clients overcome burnout, navigate uncertainty, and embrace life transitions with confidence. In this episode, Jess Ellett sits down wit...

In this episode, Jess Ellett sits down with seasoned real estate expert Vicki Vogt to dive into all things real estate—including her insights and predictions for the 2025 market. With 26 years of experience at Long & Foster, Vicki has built a reputation for excellence in residential real estate across the Greater Richmond, Virginia area . She represents buyers, sellers, and investors , bringin...

In this episode of River City Podcast , host Jess Ellett sits down with Chris Gutzmer, owner of G & R Contracting , a trusted name in Richmond’s landscaping scene. With over 31 years of experience, Chris has worked on everything from cozy backyard retreats to expansive irrigation projects. Join us as Chris shares his expert insights on the latest landscaping and hardscaping trends, essential t...

Jess sits down with Andrea Starr to find out the latest happenings at Forward Foundation. They are a unique nonprofit that serves a very niched demographic of single parents who typically cannot receive help from the state due to earning too high of an income. Through their 12-18 month program, they empower single parent families to move forward beyond their current hardship. Andrea also shares in...

Jess Ellett welcomes nationally renowned business networking expert Dawne Brooks Gulla for an insightful discussion on all things networking. This episode is packed with invaluable information, offering something for everyone—from newcomers stepping into the business world to seasoned professionals. You'll gain practical tips to help you truly master the art of successful networking. At 76, D...