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Artwork for Red Onion Randy

Red Onion Randy - Life in a Supermax Prison

Michael Garbutt, Randall Via, Prison Audio
Red Onion State Prison
Prison Life
Friendship
King Mountain Correctional Center
Personal Growth
Prison Religion
Psychic Vampires
Support Networks
Nicole
Capital Murder
Parenting
Chaos
Alcoholism
Prison Relationships
Prison Politics
Prison Environment
Prison Weightlifting
Mental Health
Wallins Ridge
True Crime

Randall Via, known as Red Onion Randy, is currently incarcerated at Buckingham Correctional Center in Virginia. From inside prison, Randy shares honest, unfiltered conversations about daily life behind bars, prison culture, personal growth, accountability, and survival.The Red Onion Randy Podcast gives listeners a rare, first-hand look at incarceration through storytelling, reflection, and real ta... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes196Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Red Onion Randy

Latest Episodes

Today on the podcast, Randy talks about the new tablets recently distributed at Buckingham Correctional Center. With access to this level of technology for the first time, Randy has plenty to say. Enjoy the episode.

The Red Onion Randy Podcast, Feat... more

Getting old isn’t easy, especially in the Virginia Department of Corrections. Today on the podcast, Randy talks about what it feels like to be approaching 50 in prison.

The Red Onion Randy Podcast, Featuring the life and times of Randall Via, curren... more

Today on the podcast Randy talks about why you should get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

The Red Onion Randy Podcast, Featuring the life and times of Randall Via, currently serving 1,214 years in Virginia for capital murder and armed robbery.... more

Today on the podcast, Randy shares about two recent visitations he had with his wife.

In-person prison visitations are still new to Randy, and he talks about what it felt like to sit across from her, navigate the rules, and experience those moments ... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Catherina Voss
Prison inmate and advocate for addressing sexual violence in prisons.
Aliceville Correctional Facility for Women
Episode: ROR 188: Violated Part 3 | With Catherina Voss
Eric Estrada
Prison inmate and host of the podcast Change-Talk
California State Prison Corcoran
Episode: ROR 184: ERICK ESTRADA | PART 1
Kyle Hulbert
Inmate at Buckingham Correctional Center, Podcast creator
Episode: ROR 181: I Want to Give the World Nachos
Celeste Blair
Former inmate with experiences in both state and federal prison systems.
Episode: ROR 178: Celeste Blair | In the Absence of Paint | Part 1
Jesse Crosson
Advocate for prison reform and rehabilitation, also known as Second Chancer
Episode: ROR 168: Second Chancer | Jesse Crosson Interview
Joseph Maldonado
Known as Joe Exotic, protagonist of the Tiger King documentary
Episode: The Tiger King (Joe Exotic)
Travis Wade Keen Stints
A resident of Grundy, Virginia, who shares his perspective on hillbilly culture and his experiences growing up in the mountains.
Grundy, Virginia
Episode: ROR 151: Hillbillies

Host

Randall Vaughn
Host of Red Onion Randy, sharing honest, unfiltered conversations about daily life behind bars, prison culture, and personal growth from Buckingham Correctional Center.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 320 ratings
  • Pardon

    Heard him mention a pardon in the latest “update”. Your pardon is a life sentence, your crimes were heinous, and you will spend the rest of your days incarcerated. I’m all for rehabilitation and the release of inmates that qualify for such, you sir are not one of them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Libre hombre
    United States3 months ago
  • Should start from the beginning if you are gonna invest your time in randy’s story

    Been a long time listener, should of left a review a long time ago, well worth a listen, the man has a lot to say and has endured one hell of a sentence.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    benchippy2000
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Listening from Atlanta…

    I heard ROR on Other People’s Lives and I was so interested in his story, so I downloaded his podcast. From the first few episodes I was hooked. From his impeccable ability to tell a story to his vulnerability to express what true prison life is, you cannot go wrong listening to this incredible human beings story. Lessons to be learned and a journey to go on Randy’s podcast is a story worth the lesson.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lukis779177
    United States8 months ago
  • He’s not bright

    He’s not a bright dude but he was given a platform to talk and ran with it and I enjoy listening to his really terrible takes on things, doesn’t seem like a bad dude honestly and I hope he gets out one day but I really hope people don’t take this dude seriously

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Nstynate01
    United Statesa year ago
  • Addictive

    Really interesting insight into prison life and as each episode is only short easy to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Re-Sitter
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Praise for vulnerable, insightful discussions about prison life and reform.
Listener enthusiasm for candid, raw storytelling and transformation over time.
Positive reception of guest diversity and topics spanning safety, trauma, and mentorship.
Appreciation for candid accountability and personal growth from the host.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#182
Ukraine/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ROR 186: Violated
Q: What did that do to you mentally?
Kyle discusses the mental impacts of his trauma, noting that he was plagued by violent thoughts and was determined to survive amidst his struggles.
ROR 180: Celeste Blair | In the Absence of Paint | Part 2
Q: How did you meet your wife?
Randy shared how his wife watched a documentary about him, which led her to reach out after a difficult time, and their correspondence eventually developed into a deep relationship.
ROR 178: Celeste Blair | In the Absence of Paint | Part 1
Q: How did you keep your balance and keep your sanity in all those years?
Keeping my sanity was largely due to my faith and God having a purpose for my life.
ROR 166: Answering Listeners’ Questions
Q: How does prison politics work in Virginia?
In Virginia, there's no segregation in terms of race; we all hang out, talk, and eat together.
ROR 166: Answering Listeners’ Questions
Q: Can you talk about your relationships with correctional officers?
Most correctional officers I meet are just part of the scenery; I show respect, but I tend to keep my distance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Onion Randy

What is Red Onion Randy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show offers candid, first-hand insights into daily life inside a maximum-security prison, focusing on prison culture, personal growth, accountability, survival, and the impact of family and faith on inmates. Episodes often explore systemic issues in corrections, trauma and resilience, mentorship, and the healing potential of storytelling. A standout quality is the host's unfiltered perspective, drawn from long-term incarceration, often featuring guests who share experiences from inside and outside the system, plus discussions about reform, safety, and rehabilitation that can appeal to listeners interested in true crime, criminal justice, and personal transformation.

Where can I find podcast stats for Red Onion Randy?

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How many listeners does Red Onion Randy get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Red Onion Randy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Red Onion Randy:

1. Murder In America
2. Sword and Scale
3. True Crime News: The Podcast
4. Generation Why: True Crime
5. Invisible Choir

How many episodes of Red Onion Randy are there?

Red Onion Randy launched 6 years ago and published 196 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Red Onion Randy?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Red Onion Randy?

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What guests have appeared on Red Onion Randy?

Recent guests on Red Onion Randy include:

1. Catherina Voss
2. Eric Estrada
3. Kyle Hulbert
4. Celeste Blair
5. Jesse Crosson
6. Joseph Maldonado
7. Travis Wade Keen Stints

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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