River City Podcast

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...

Whether you're looking to enhance your beauty with Botox or fillers, perfect your brows with microblading, achieve weight loss goals, explore hormone replacement therapy, indulge in an amazing facial, or tighten and tone your body, DermaHue has you covered. In this episode, Jess sits down with Kristin Peck, the owner of DermaHue Total Wellness Studio, to discuss their exciting new services, u...

Today, Jess Ellett chats with Kristin Davis and Mike Wentworth, who work with Leashes of Valor, a Virginia nonprofit that provides highly-trained service dogs at no cost to wounded and disabled post-9/11 veterans. Their motto is ONE LEASH SAVES TWO LIVES.   Leashes of Valor could not do what they do for our veterans without your help. They are always seeking foster homes for their service dogs for...

Business owners! Do you have an Accountable Plan in place? It could offer your business significant tax benefits and be beneficial to your employees who work from home.  Today, Retha Valderas stops by to chat with host Jess Ellett about what Accountable Plans are, how to implement them and why they might be a benefit to your business.  Valderas Financial prides themselves in their expertise and su...

AdventureFIT blends outdoor adventure type activities with traditional strength and conditioning with the ultimate goal of helping people achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Today, Jess Ellett is chatting with the Founder of AdventureFit, Chris Wheless and the owner of Bend Movement, Ben Klingelhofer. If you are looking to go on an outdoor adventure, this is a podcast worth listening to! Chr...

In this episode, Jess sits down with Dr. Aimee Harris, founder of the IE Wellness Center, to explore their mission of bringing together a diverse range of wellness providers and services aimed at building happier, healthier, and more productive communities.  IE Wellness focuses on the key dimensions of wellness—emotional, occupational, physical, spiritual, social, intellectual, environmental, and...

In this informative episode, Jess Ellett interviews Honesty Liller, CEO of The McShin Foundation. Honesty is a woman in long-term recovery from addiction who has been drug and alcohol free since May 27, 2007. Honesty's mission as CEO is firmly rooted in community outreach and involvement. She gets to walk in her purpose every day helping those in the community heal from their addiction. She i...