Advertise on podcast: RVA’s Got Issues

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★★★★★

4.7

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27 reviews

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RVA’s Got Issues delves into politics and big issues in the news that are defining life in and around Richmond, Virginia. Should taxes be raised to build a new baseball stadium? Should old schools get a makeover or be replaced? Are more bike lanes a good idea? Host Rich Meagher will speak with guests who shed light on the present, past and future implications of these questions. And in a time when faith in government is at an all-time low, many people say they can’t make a difference in politics. RVA’s Got Issues will counter this feeling of civic alienation by featuring guests who share stories of how they are making a difference. Listeners will gain new insights and ideas for how to become more engaged in their communities. The upshot is a podcast that helps listeners understand not only what’s happening around them but what they can do about it.

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Check latest episodes from RVA’s Got Issues podcast

Policing, Technology, and Trust: Richmond’s Police Chief

2026/10/14

Rich sits down with Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards. What keeps him passionate about policing? And - with new powerful tools like Flock - can we trust his police force (or department) to keep us safe? Featuring: Rick Edwards, Chief of the Richmond Police Department --- ⁠⁠⁠⁠Please fill out our listener survey here.⁠⁠⁠ Your feedback makes a difference. Tell us what you're enjoying about the show, what you want to hear more of, or what's not working for you. Thank you!

Richmond Voters Decide: “Transformational” Change In Public Schools

2026/10/07

Richmond voters face a referendum this fall, on whether to add a one cent sales tax to raise money to build and repair city schools. The stakes are high, and the need is even higher. How will Richmond vote? Featuring: Keyris Manzanares, Richmond city reporter for VPM News --- ⁠⁠⁠⁠Please fill out our listener survey here.⁠⁠⁠ Your feedback makes a difference. Tell us what you're enjoying about the show, what you want to hear more of, or what's not working for you. Thank you!

Trust in Policing: Richmond's Civilian Review Board

2026/09/30

After years of waiting, Richmond’s Civilian Review Board finally launched. Can the Board actually live out the promise of building greater trust in Richmond’s police - and hold them accountable? Featuring: Angela Fontaine, Chair of Richmond’s Civilian Review Board --- ⁠⁠⁠Please fill out our listener survey here.⁠⁠ Your feedback makes a difference. Tell us what you're enjoying about the show, what you want to hear more of, or what's not working for you. Thank you!

Southside and Maternal Health: Filling the Gaps in Richmond

2026/09/23

Richmond is trying to meet the needs for our biggest issues. But there’s always a spot that we’re missing: a gap. How do we fill the gaps in maternal health? Or help Richmonders on Southside? And who’s doing the work? Featuring: Sean Crippen, Board Chair for Virginia Community Voice Stephanie Spencer, Founder & CEO of Urban Baby Beginnings --- ⁠⁠Please fill out our listener survey here.⁠ Your feedback makes a difference. Tell us what you're enjoying about the show, what you want to hear more of, or what's not working for you. Thank you!

Data Centers and Virginia’s Water Supply

2026/09/16

As the data center industry keeps growing, we don’t know a lot about how they use water - or how much they are using. Will Richmond, and the rest of Virginia, go thirsty? Featuring: Eric Bonds, Professor of Sociology at the University of Mary Washington --- ⁠⁠Please fill out our listener survey here.⁠ Your feedback makes a difference. Tell us what you're enjoying about the show, what you want to hear more of, or what's not working for you. Thank you!

Richmond’s Future Housing: Code Refresh Part 2

2026/09/09

Who is the latest draft of Richmond’s Code Refresh FOR? And really, what does the resulting vision of the city’s future tell us about the kinds of neighborhoods we want – and the kinds of families who will live in those neighborhoods? Featuring: Andrew Breton, Richmond's First District City Councilmember Casey Overton, Zoning Advisory Council --- ⁠⁠⁠Please fill out our listener survey here.⁠ Your feedback makes a difference. Tell us what you're enjoying about the show, what you want to hear more of, or what's not working for you. Thank you!

Affordability vs. Character: Code Refresh Part 1

2026/09/02

The latest draft of Code Refresh doesn’t do as much for affordable housing as some people want. Did we expect too much from Code Refresh? And what happens now? Featuring: Keyris Manzanares, Richmond city reporter for VPM News --- ⁠⁠Please fill out our listener survey here. Your feedback makes a difference. Tell us what you're enjoying about the show, what you want to hear more of, or what's not working for you. Thank you!

Is Carmax Park a Win for Richmond?

2026/06/24

Fans love Carmax Park, the new home of the Flying Squirrels. But with disputes behind the scenes and questions about costs, is the investment we’ve made worth it? Featuring: Scott Bass, News Editor of Richmond Magazine Michael Phillips, Founding Editor of The Richmonder

Mayor Avula on Earning Richmond’s Trust

2026/06/17

Danny Avula’s campaign for Richmond Mayor is in the rear view mirror, and he’s digging deep into governance. Can he keep the trust of Richmonders while turning campaign promises into reality? Featuring: Danny Avula, Mayor of Richmond

When Will Virginia Legalize Marijuana?

2026/06/10

After YEARS of negotiations, state lawmakers passed a bill to create a retail market for marijuana. Then the Governor got out her veto pen. Can legalization advocates find another way? Guests: Dean Mirshahi, VPM News reporter Chelsea Higgs Wise, Executive Director of Marijuana Justice Barbara Biddle, co-founder of the Cannabis Small Business Association Valerie Slater, Executive Director of RISE for Youth

The Return of Prison Education in Virginia

2026/06/03

We used to do higher education in Virginia prisons, but not so much anymore. What happened? And what’s being done now... to bring it back? Featuring: Terri Erwin (Director) and Kenneth Hunter (Organizer) with the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison Scott Richeson (Deputy Director of the Division of Programs, Education and Reentry) and Zacc Allen (Chief Information Officer) for the Virginia Department of Corrections

Returning as a Citizen

2026/05/27

In Virginia, a felony conviction can lead to a lifetime ban on voting. This November, a constitutional amendment might change this. Rich talks to VPM News reporter Whittney Evans about how big those changes might be. Will the amendment help returning citizens... actually return as citizens. To learn more about returning citizens read VPM's Curious Commonwealth: https://www.vpm.org/news/2026-05-28/quadaire-patterson-voting-rights-felony-convictions-rvas-got-issues Featuring: Whittney Evans, Features Editor for VPM News

RVA Loves Our Animals

2026/05/20

From Francine the cat to drunken raccoons, we love our animals in RVA. But how are they doing, especially the most vulnerable: the ones who need new homes? On this episode, we talk animal adoptions. Plus: bears. Fat ones. Featuring: Christie Chipps Peters, Director of Richmond Animal Care and Control Larry Eason, Executive Director of Richmond Animal League Robin Keegan, Reading Interventionist at Frances W. McClenney Elementary School

VCU and Richmond: Growing Together?

2026/05/13

Virginia Commonwealth University is Richmond’s urban university. But it's sometimes hard to know where Richmond ends and VCU begins. How does VCU grow and thrive while the city does the same? Can Richmond and VCU... grow together? Featuring: Max Wasserman, RVA's Got Issues Producer Andrew Kerley, outgoing Executive Editor of the Commonwealth Times

Richmond's Economic Development: Building New, Reusing Old

2026/05/06

It's all anyone seems to think about - how can we develop our economy? But do we actually need to build more to get more? On this episode, the answer is yes and no. One Richmond business has a big plan to capture international attention. But down the street, a second-hand store shows you don't need something "new" to attract customers. Oh, and we get a tour of LEGO Manufacturing VA. Featuring Jennifer Wakefield, President and CEO for the Greater Richmond Partnership Amy Turner, Executive Director of SCRAP RVA

Podcast reviews

Read RVA’s Got Issues podcast reviews

4.7 out of 5

27 reviews

★★★★★

snoopy_collins 2025/09/25

One of the best local podcasts

It’s like they read my mind with the topics they cover, and I learn a new perspective every time. Engaging and insightful!

★★☆☆☆

Tracy at TOMA 2024/08/22

pb for capital iprovements is not new

the transparency is welcome but citizen reps (civic associations; stadium, randolph et al )voted and spent funds determined to be discretionary. city ...

★★★★★

Pattimus 2024/06/26

Intelligent, thoughtful and entertaining

This show is taking a deep dive into issues facing our city. It’s thoughtful and not filled with rhetoric or individual agendas.

★★★★★

🏀🔥 K 2024/06/17

RVA's Got Issues

I'm very impressed with this - good to see local policies and issues explored in a thoughtful and easy-to-digest format. The host is doing a great job...

★★★★★

Feathermar 2024/05/30

Super interesting!

Really great information and interesting variety of guests discussing Richmond and the surrounding areas. Guests are people who are concerned about th...

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