America's Healthiest City

Casey shares her journey from serving in the military, where she sustained a traumatic brain injury, to discovering her passion for coaching others. Her insights into how neurodivergent individuals can use their differences as strengths, rather than seeing them solely as challenges, provide valuable takeaways for listeners. This podcast is produced and sponsored by Xponent21, experts in brand and...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City," Will Melton, founder of Xponent21, interviews Kimmy Cummings , head coach for the Richmond Ivy, the new USL W soccer team in Richmond. They discuss the importance of building lasting relationships, both on and off the field, and how the Richmond Ivy has connected people from different walks of life in the community. Kimmy shares her jo...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City," Will Melton, founder of Xponent21, interviews Steve Perkins, owner and chief coach at Greenhouse Coaching. They explore the importance of having a clear life vision, how workplace culture impacts personal well-being, and the significance of aligning your daily actions with long-term goals. Steve shares his journey from engineering to c...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Ashley Williams , founder of BareSoul Wellness and The Well Collective . Ashley shares her journey of embracing holistic well-being after personal loss, leading her to create community spaces for restorative practices in Richmond. They discuss the importance of being present in daily life, the role of self-care as community care, and the development of her a...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Kelli Lemon , a dynamic entrepreneur, media personality, and community leader in Richmond. Kelli shares her journey from working in VCU athletics to becoming a business owner of Urban Hang Suite , a media host for Virginia Video Network , and an on-air personality for Radio One Richmond . She also discusses her involvement as a board member of Sports Backers...

In this episode, Will Melton talks with Oscar Contreras from Radio Poder 1380 AM about supporting the diverse Hispanic and Latin community in Greater Richmond. Oscar shares his journey from Guatemala to Richmond, his career in radio, and the critical role his station plays in providing resources and information to the Hispanic community. They also discuss the cultural richness within the community...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Duron Chavis , the founder of Happily Natural Day . Duron shares his journey from community activism to urban farming, detailing how Happily Natural Day evolved from an experiential festival into a nonprofit that transforms urban spaces into thriving farms and gardens. He discusses the significance of food sovereignty, holistic health, and the importance of...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Liz Baker , Alexander Whiteway , and Phil Demetrio from AI Ready RVA . They discuss their work in making Richmond a top city for AI talent by fostering education, community engagement, and business integration. The guests share their personal journeys with AI, its transformative potential for businesses and communities, and their vision for Richmond's f...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Traymanesha Lamy , CEO and President of NextUp RVA . They discuss the organization's mission to increase access to quality after-school and summer programs for Richmond's youth. Traymanesha shares her journey into youth development, emphasizing the critical role of out-of-school time in shaping young lives. They explore how NextUp RVA is working to...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Queon Martin , CEO and founder of Carter Magazine . They discuss Queon's journey from growing up in Brooklyn to becoming a media influencer with a passion for highlighting African-American history and culture. Keon shares how his experiences in media led him to create Carter Magazine and DNA America, platforms dedicated to bringing authentic stories to...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Jennifer Wakefield and Kiryako Sharikas from the Greater Richmond Partnership . They discuss the exciting growth of the life sciences sector in Richmond, fueled by the Build Back Better grant and ongoing investments in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Jennifer and Kiryako highlight the region’s efforts to create high-paying jobs, advance Workforce Development,...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Alex and Sam Nordheimer , co-founders of Paddle Plant , an innovative new facility coming to Richmond's Canal Walk. They share their journey from discovering the growing sports of pickleball and paddle to transforming the historic Haxall building into a vibrant community hub. Alex and Sam discuss their vision for creating a "third place" where...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City" on ESPN Richmond 106.1, host Will Melton interviews Jacqui Bauer , Climate Services Manager at the Community Climate Collaborative (C3). They discuss the significant impact businesses have on sustainability and the environment, emphasizing the role of the Green Business Alliance, a cohort of businesses in Richmond committed to reducing...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City" on ESPN Richmond 106.1, host Will Melton interviews Matt Leighty , Chief Strategy Officer of Grant Flow , a company dedicated to helping nonprofits secure grant funding more efficiently. Matt shares his journey from working in the academic sector to focusing on nonprofit grant writing, where he has helped organizations secure over $150...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City," host Will Melton speaks with Christian Marco and Mark Brown, co-founders of Lost Office Collaborative, about their innovative workspace designed to enhance creativity, collaboration, and well-being in Richmond. They discuss how the space, filled with intentional design elements like plants, scents, and soundscapes, serves as a catalyst...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City," host Will Melton speaks with Dr. Ram Bhagat , founder of Drums No Guns Foundation , about his innovative approaches to healing and community building through the arts. Dr. Bhagat shares the story behind his foundation, which uses drumming and other creative practices to address trauma, promote mindfulness, and reduce violence in Richmo...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City," host Will Melton speaks with Nicole Jones , City Councilwoman for Richmond's 9th District and Deputy Director of Art 180 . Nicole discusses the importance of collective efforts in community building, emphasizing that everyone, from artists to community members, plays a crucial role in making Richmond a healthier place. They explor...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City," host Will Melton speaks with Carl Gupton from Greenswell Growers , a leader in sustainable agriculture based in Richmond. Carl shares insights into their innovative approach to greenhouse farming, which uses 85% less water and significantly reduces waste compared to traditional methods. He discusses the dual focus on environmental and...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City," Will Melton discusses the upcoming Teen Summit RVA with Monica Smith, and Chloe Carter . The event, created in response to the challenges teens faced during the pandemic, brings together students from Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield to voice their concerns on topics like mental health, diversity, and community engagement. The guest...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Andreas Addison , City Councilman for Richmond's 1st District and owner of Pure Fitness RVA . Andreas discusses his journey from being a management analyst to a city councilman, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and participatory budgeting in Richmond. He also shares his insights on personal fitness, highlighting the significance of mov...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City," Will Melton interviews Jim Morgan and Frazier Millner Armstrong from One Small Step Richmond . They discuss the initiative's mission to bridge divides through meaningful conversations between individuals with differing viewpoints. One Small Step, an offshoot of StoryCorps, facilitates 50-minute dialogues designed to foster underst...

In this episode of "America's Healthiest City," Will Melton interviews Victor McKenzie , Executive Director of the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance (SAARA) . They discuss Victor's journey from New York City to Richmond, his passion for public service inspired by his involvement with the Boys and Girls Club, and his leadership in the community. SAARA's work f...

In this episode, Will Melton sits down with Dave Robinson , the founder and coach at Work Your Stories . They explore the concept of story work, focusing on how the narratives we tell ourselves can impact our mental and physical well-being. Dave shares his journey from strength and conditioning coaching to founding his business, where he helps clients reframe their internal stories to lead healthi...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Adam Kennedy , Executive Director of SwimRVA . Adam shares his journey from a collegiate swimming coach to leading SwimRVA, where the mission is to teach every child in Richmond to swim. They discuss the organization's ambitious goals, including expanding access to Aquatics across 11 school districts, overcoming barriers to swimming, and making pools mo...

In this episode, Will Melton interviews Rob Ukrop , co-owner of the Richmond Kickers . Rob shares his journey from professional soccer player to leading the Richmond Kickers, discussing the club's deep ties to the community and its impact on youth development. They explore the connection between sports and community health, highlighting the Kickers’ role in creating a positive environment for...