Richmond Poop Water, Leo the Mobster, Ancient Pyramids, and Other Fun Tales - Unscripted #004

Got thoughts? Throw them at us by sending a text hereWe start with Richmond's ambitious plan to fix the James River's decades-long sewage problem, but somehow end up exploring everything from naked beach regulars to ancient pyramid conspiracies. Our studio's wild past as Smitty's bar reveals a darker side of Richmond history involving Leo Joseph Coury, a restaurant mogul turned hitman-hiring fugitive who exploited the gay community in the 1970s.From there, we journey through America's rebellious origins with the "Mind Your Business" continental dollar designed by Benjamin Franklin, questioning everything we think we know about history and archaeology. Why do mainstream Egyptologists ignore evidence that pyramids align with ancient constellations? How did ancient civilizations like Gobekli Tepe challenge our understanding of human development thousands of years before we supposedly developed advanced societies?We balance the heavy topics with lighter Richmond culture, celebrating the city's thriving farmer's markets, hidden Maymont Park concerts, and the unique neighborhood vibes that make this river city special. Whether we're discussing Class IV rapids, maker markets, or Mass Effect video games, we keep coming back to how stories shape our understanding of truth. Sometimes the most logical explanation sounds like a conspiracy theory, and sometimes local history is stranger than fiction.Quick interjection to invite you to Vera House Studios. If you are a local Richmond business, entrepreneur, brand owner, or service provider—and you know you need to create better content to get your products and services in front of the right people—we can help.Support the showGet more info about our studio here.This podcast is produced by Vera House — a creative club and premium media studio based in Richmond, Virginia. Our studio exists to champion local brands, creative expression, rva culture, and produce high-impact content for founders, makers, and modern businesses.Follow the movement:instagram.com/verahouse.coyoutube.com/@verahousepodverahouse.coHosted by Myke Metzger & Perri Young:instagram.com/mykemetzgerinstagram.com/planetperri