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RVA’s Got Issues

VPM
Richmond, United States
Richmond
Data Centers
Richmond, Virginia
Virginia
Richmond Public Schools
Richmond City Council
Nuclear Fusion
Public Housing
Henrico County
Virginia General Assembly
Sports Tourism
Evictions
Participatory Budgeting
Chesterfield County
Dominion Energy
Affordable Housing
Gun Violence
Community Engagement
City Of Richmond

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes87Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsGovernmentPolitics

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Artwork for RVA’s Got Issues

Latest Episodes

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 E... more

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

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, E... more

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 Educa... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Scott Bass
News editor of Richmond Magazine
Richmond Magazine
Episode: Is Carmax Park a Win for Richmond?
Michael Phillips
Founding editor of The Richmonder and host of MP On The Mic
The Richmonder
Episode: Is Carmax Park a Win for Richmond?
Barbara Biddle
Hemp retailer and manufacturer, Cannabis Small Business Association
Cannabis Small Business Association
Episode: When Will Virginia Legalize Marijuana?
Chelsea Higgs Wise
Executive Director, Marijuana Justice
Marijuana Justice
Episode: When Will Virginia Legalize Marijuana?
Valerie Slater
Executive Director, RISE for Youth
RISE for Youth
Episode: When Will Virginia Legalize Marijuana?
Dean Mirshahi
VPM News reporter
VPM News
Episode: When Will Virginia Legalize Marijuana?
Terri Erwin
Director of the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison
Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison
Episode: The Return of Prison Education in Virginia
Kenneth Hunter
Organizer with the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison; returning citizen
Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison
Episode: The Return of Prison Education in Virginia
Scott Richeson
Deputy Director of the Division of Programs Education Reentry for the Virginia Department of Corrections
Virginia Department of Corrections (VA DOC)
Episode: The Return of Prison Education in Virginia

Host

Rich Meagher
Host of RVA's Got Issues; frequent moderator of policy-focused discussions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 54 ratings
  • 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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    snoopy_collins
    United States9 months ago
  • 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 council ended it to so as to not have to divy up the $$.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Tracy at TOMA
    United States2 years ago
  • 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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pattimus
    United States2 years ago
  • 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; guests have been very insightful. It will be interesting to hear how more complicated issues are handled.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    🏀🔥 K
    United States2 years ago
  • Super interesting!

    Really great information and interesting variety of guests discussing Richmond and the surrounding areas. Guests are people who are concerned about their community and are doing the work to help their neighbors.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Feathermar
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Calm, clear host prompting practical takeaways for engagement.
Guests are insightful and aligned with civic action.
Strong mix of experts providing concrete context for Richmond issues.
Listeners appreciate thoughtful, accessible explorations of local policy.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#77
New Zealand/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#240
New Zealand/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

When Will Virginia Legalize Marijuana?
Q: So Dean, many people were hopeful that this was going to be the year that we got legal weed in Virginia. Marijuana has been mostly decriminalized, right?
Dean explains the current state: decriminalization exists but there is no legal retail market yet; argument that a new governor and larger majority created momentum that stalled due to veto and negotiation.
Is Carmax Park a Win for Richmond?
Q: What happens if the development around the stadium doesn't meet expectations?
If development lags, the city and taxpayers may bear the burden of debt and lost opportunities for other essential projects.
Is Carmax Park a Win for Richmond?
Q: Why is the financing structure so complicated and what are the real risks?
The structure relies on tax increment financing and the promise that surrounding development will generate enough revenue to pay bonds, but in practice those revenues depend on development that may not materialize, leading to city-backed debt.
Richmond's Economic Development: Building New, Reusing Old
Q: What would a successful direct international flight mean for RVA's future projects?
It would increase the number of projects RVA could compete for by expanding shortlists to include Europe and other regions, potentially leading to more site location opportunities.
Richmond's Economic Development: Building New, Reusing Old
Q: Why is recruiting businesses to RVA important, and how does the region compete with places like Raleigh?
Recruiting is about shaping a diverse, growth-oriented economy and leveraging incentives carefully to improve overall outcomes, with Raleigh often cited as a primary competition; RVA emphasizes targeted industries and regional collaboration.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About RVA’s Got Issues

What is RVA’s Got Issues about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A local-policy focused show that explores how governance, transportation, budgeting, education, and community programs shape life around Richmond, VA. Episodes feature a rotating roster of practitioners, researchers, and advocates who explain how city decisions are made, who benefits, and what changes they're pursuing—from prison education and voting rights to data centers, pedestrian safety, and neighborhood development. The host threads listening insight with real-world impact, often spotlighting coalition-building, public engagement, and practical solutions for residents and communities. The program tends to attract listeners who want to understand policy trade-offs, hear diverse perspectives, and learn how to participate in civic life. ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to RVA’s Got Issues?

These podcasts share a similar audience with RVA’s Got Issues:

1. VPM Daily Newscast
2. The Virginia Press Room
3. Throughline
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The NPR Politics Podcast

How many episodes of RVA’s Got Issues are there?

RVA’s Got Issues launched 2 years ago and published 87 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on RVA’s Got Issues?

Recent guests on RVA’s Got Issues include:

1. Scott Bass
2. Michael Phillips
3. Barbara Biddle
4. Chelsea Higgs Wise
5. Valerie Slater
6. Dean Mirshahi
7. Terri Erwin
8. Kenneth Hunter

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