Natalie Rainer is the Engagement Manager for Bike Walk RVA, an organization that is part of Richmond Sports Backers. In this conversation we discuss pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, economic, health and environmental benefits of non-motorized travel, Vision Zero and more. Natalie also talks about the horrific event that changed the path of her life and led her to advocacy. She and Jonah Holland were struck from from behind by an impaired driver while cycling. As a result, Natalie suffered life-threatening injuries, but tragically, Jonah did not survive.
Category: Good Eye Podcast (Page 1 of 11)
Mark Brown is a Richmond Virginia-area musician and entrepreneur. He took a trip to Norway, saw a man playing accordian on the street and the man refused any money or contributions. He just wanted to put the positive energy of creating music into the universe. That experience set Mark and some collaborators on a path to give back through music. They channel personal stories into original songs.
https://www.thegivingnotesproject.com/
Tom Tom Festival in Charlottesville
https://www.tomtomfoundation.org
April 22-26, 14th Annual
This year’s theme: Courage
Submit your Good Eye ideas, topics, feedback: jay@jaysmack.com
I’ve been riding in the Bike MS event to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research and programs since 2004 when a dear friend was diagnosed. He has since lost his battle with MS, but that doesn’t mean we stop battling it. If you’d care to support my ride this year please link the link below. I am sincerely grateful for everyone who has supported my rides over the years.
We also have a team! And YOU can join it. It’s called Go Forward Cycling in honor of another organization doing the work to help our community face some of the many challenges life can throw at you. The Forward Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to assisting working, single parents and their children in the Greater Richmond area who are experiencing a life change that has altered their finances. If you’d like to join our team you don’t even have to ride with us. We’re just happy to have you. Register for the event, join our team, and choose your route. Easy!
Please reach out if I can answer any questions or if you’d like to get involved with the MS Society or the Forward Foundation. Thanks!
Click the image to sponsor me!
Click to sponsor me!
T Veiga, also known as The Queer Ketamine Nurse, has had chronic physical and mental health conditions since birth that escalated in severity over the years. A journey to feel better, included pills, supplements, Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequency (PEMF) devices and detox helped a little, but problems continued.
After graduating from the #1 Nursing Program in Virginia in 2021 some LGBTQ+ identifying friends
introduced T to the concept of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). T witnessed a transformation of their mental health and felt a calling to spread their personal healing journey and serve the LGBTQ+ population around the world.
They completed Cybin’s Psychedelic Facilitator Training, wrote “The Ketamine Handbook”, and are now based out of Las Vegas where they speak at events, appear as a guest on podcasts, lead retreats, and provide sitter, consultation, and coaching services to primarily LGBTQ+ identifying clients.
Both podcasts – same exact interview.
In this dual episode of Studio B RVA and the Good Eye Podcast, the conversation is with Melissa Vaughan, President of WRIR, Richmond’s independent community radio station. She took over in 2020. She had previously acted as Volunteer Coordinator. Since taking over as WRIR’s fearless leader, she has spearheaded growth, expanded programming, volunteer and fundraising for the station and even led efforts to buy a new building so the station could grow further and increase its service to the community.
Laura Faison is the Chief Communications Officer for Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia. We discuss creating Halloween costumes from repurposed materials available at Goodwill, sustainability practices, Goodwill’s mission, donation policies and more.
This episode was recorded live at Final Gravity Brewing during the kick-off event on August 14th. We’ll do this again on September 11, and everyone is invited whether you’re riding in the event, coming to Forward Fest or not. This is a community organization and these are community events. The Go Forward Together Ride and Forward Fest event following the ride is Saturday, October 5th.
In this episode we talk with Forward Foundation Executive Director Andrea Starr, Ride Committee member and rider/participant Steve Dragone, and rider/participant Jeff Smack about this year’s upcoming event, past events and growth (this is year 5), the mission of the Forward Foundation, volunteers, supporters and sponsors, details about registration, the cycling community including our official support shop Blue Ridge Cyclery, the 50 and 30 miles routes and more.
Register and find more info about the ride and the after-event here.
www.goforwardtogetherride.com
Learn more about the Forward Foundation and their mission of assisting single parents in financial crisis here:
www.forwardfoundationva.org
Sorana Blackfoot is a published author, the founder of the BRIL Conference, the host of the Money Mondays podcast, the leader of the networking group Wine, Women and Wealth, a prosperity mentor at Unbroke Women, and a financial educator and advisor with Five Rings Financial.
Megan Abbott is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Functional Blood Chemistry Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and Reiki Level 2 Practitioner, and most recently a podcaster. She recently released her new podcast “Trifecta Collective – Finding The Root with Megan and Shannon”. Megan and Shannon’s description of the podcast is that they “dive deep into understanding and addressing root causes of chronic health issues, so you can find healing, inside and out, now, and forever.”
Megan and her practice Trifecta Collective is on the socials @trifectacollective.
This is year #21 riding in Bike MS: Colonial Crossroads. I started riding against MS as a way to contribute to the cause when a family friend was diagnosed with MS. Since then, I’ve lead a team, ridden alone, ridden with my brother Jeff many of those years, and ridden with friends who have joined the cause for a year or two or even just once. And it’s all been great.
We have a team again this year named after the fundraising ride we do in the fall to benefit the Forward Foundation in Richmond. (The FF helps single parents in financial crisis). It’s a different event, but we crossed the streams. Our team is called Go Forward Cycling.
Click the banner below to sponsor me and feel free to contact me with any questions or if you’d like to help. I can put you in touch with the organizers. Thanks for your support!
