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PODCAST

Sharp"s Island

South of Mayo Island and upstream of Mayo Bridge, Sharp’s Island is Richmond’s premiere camping destination (https:airbnb.com/h/sharpsisland) Andy Thompson is the mad scientist experimenting with the one-acre oasis in the middle of the James River in the heart of downtown RVA. Outdoor recreation? Check. Public art? Yup. Historic ruins? Indeed. Podcast destination? Why not? Sharp’s Island is now host to Richmond’s most surprising conversations. Future guests include artist Ed Trask, NBC12 weather

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All Episodes

46:58

Brian Bell of Keep Virginia Cozy on Conservation and...

Sharp"s Island ·

2026/01/20

What does it mean to feel at home outdoors? In this episode of Sharp’s Island, we welcome Brian Bell, founder of Keep Virginia Cozy, to a tiny island in the James River for a wide-ranging conversation about litter, land stewardship and community. Brian shares the origin story of Keep Virginia Cozy, how a small grassroots cleanup effort grew into a million-plus pounds of trash removed from Virginia’s outdoor spaces, and why “cozy” is the perfect word for environmental work. Along the way, we talk

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32:14

Exploring the upcoming RICHMOND REN FAIRE - 2026

Sharp"s Island ·

2026/01/20

We sit down with the organizers behind the Richmond Ren Faire to explore how this grassroots nonprofit grew from a small fundraiser into a full-scale, two-day immersive experience happening April 18–19 at Dorey Park. From blacksmithing and illuminated manuscripts to historic European and East Asian martial arts, real jousting on horseback, live improv storytelling, and multicultural food vendors — this fair is about much more than costumes. This conversation covers: What actually happens when you

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46:58

Sharp’s Island | Brian Bell (Keep Virginia Cozy) on...

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/12/23

What does it mean to feel at home outdoors? In this episode of Sharp’s Island, we welcome Brian Bell, founder of Keep Virginia Cozy, to a tiny island in the James River for a wide-ranging conversation about litter, land stewardship and community. Brian shares the origin story of Keep Virginia Cozy, how a small grassroots cleanup effort grew into a million-plus pounds of trash removed from Virginia’s outdoor spaces, and why “cozy” is the perfect word for environmental work. Along the way, we talk

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49:59

Jeff Katz Takes His First-Ever Canoe Ride to...

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/12/16

Join Andy as he paddles with Jeff Katz of Newsradio WRVA 96.1 FM across the James River, they discuss Jeff's path to Richmond, Newsradio, drunk racoons and other local stories. #SharpsIsland #JamesRiver #RichmondVA #WRVA #JeffKatz #RVAHistory #RiverLife Jeff KatzNewsradio WRVA 96.1 FM, 1140 AM, and audacy.comhttps://www.thejeffkatzshow.com/CHECK OUT MORE FROM SHARP'S ISLAND -Sharp's Island Road Trip! Take the (Cold) Plunge and Hop in a Sauna with the Rivanna River

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23:29

Fire, Floods and Henry Tenser's Forgotten Efforts at...

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/12/16

Discover the forgotten history of Sharp’s Island and the remarkable, almost unbelievable story of Henry Tensor — the man who bought a James River island for $2,000 and attempted to build one of the strangest architectural structures Richmond has ever seen.In this episode, we explore the hidden past of the James River islands — from granite quarries and commercial fishing operations to party spots, home sites, and lost communities. Henry Tensor shares how he first spotted the island from his daily

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21:48

Sharp's Island Road Trip! Take the (Cold) Plunge and...

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/12/16

Join us on a unique adventure on the Rivanna River in Charlottesville, Virginia, where Gabe and Sonya Silver have established more than just a river company. This travel video highlights their efforts to create a space where adventure, community, and conservation converge, making it one of the best places to visit. CHECK OUT RIVANNA RIVER COMPANY in Charlottesville, Virginia!https://rivannarivercompany.com/@rivannarivercompany - instagramCHECK OUT MORE FROM SHARP'S ISLAND -National Geographic

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35:10

Sauna/Cold Plunge and Charlottesville’s River Revival

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/12/16

In this second and final part of our two-part series with Rivanna River Company, we dive deep into the origins, challenges, and community impact of one of Charlottesville’s most transformative outdoor businesses.From dreaming of a “river center” while living in Richmond… to launching a river outfitter beside a noisy auto body shop… to building a beloved hub of recreation, conservation, and culture — this episode captures the full journey.Join us as we explore:• How a simple idea to connect people

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57:15

Katie Orlinsky - National Geographic Photographer and...

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/11/13

Andy shares Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate with National Geographic photographer and explorer Katie Orlinskyhttps://www.instagram.com/katieorlinskyhttps://www.katieorlinskyphoto.com/CHECK OUT MORE FROM SHARP'S ISLAND -MAEVE JONES - THE POE MUSEUM - FULL EPISODEhttps://youtu.be/ni9968n4EAghttps://poemuseum.org/ANDREW ALLI - JAMES RIVER PARK SUPERINTENDENT / BLUES MUSICIAN - FULL EPISODEhttps://youtu.be/6zO1sL9c7XMhttps://jamesriverpark.org/a-familiar-face-in-a-new-role/SHARPSFEST 2025

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01:17:24

Tim Barry - Musician / Songwriter

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/11/03

In this episode of Sharp’s Island Podcast, we sit down with Tim Barry, legendary Richmond musician and former frontman of Avail, to talk about punk rock roots, storytelling, fatherhood, and what keeps him grounded by the James River.From his days touring the world in sweaty punk clubs to his stripped-down solo sets at hometown favorites like The Camel, Tim opens up about connection, fear, performance, and raising daughters who now sing beside him on stage. We also talk about the history of the

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48:26

Maeve Jones - Executive Director of The Poe Museum

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/11/02

Andy welcomes Maeve Jones -- Executive Director of The Poe Museum -- to the island to discuss one of the most influential and innovative figures in American and world literature - Edgar Allan Poe. And they definitely discuss his shocking feat of endurance swimming!https://poemuseum.org/Richmond, VaCHECK OUT OTHER FULL EPISODES FROM SHARP'S ISLAND - Bestselling Richmond Historical Fiction Author Talks About Her Craft, New Novel Out This Summer•BestsellingRichmondAuthorTalksAboutHe...'Mayor of RVA

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40:10

Andrew Alli - James River Park Superintendent - BLUES...

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/10/22

Andrew Alli talks about his new role as the James River Park Superintendent, playing the blues harmonica all over the world, and his favorite nearly-secret spots in the park system. CHECK OUT ANDREW ALLI:https://www.andrewallirva.com/https://www.thecountryblues.com/artist-reviews/andrew-alli/https://www.richmondfolkfestival.org/2024-folklife-demonstrations/2024/8/21/andrew-allihttps://jamesriverpark.org/a-familiar-face-in-a-new-role/RACHEL BEANLAND - Author of The House Is On Fire and Florence Adler

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45:27

Rachel Beanland - Author of THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/10/20

In this episode of Sharp’s Island Podcast, we sit down with acclaimed author Rachel Beanland to talk about her novels, her creative process, and the powerful history that inspires her work.Rachel is the author of Florence Adler Swims Forever and The House Is On Fire, a gripping novel based on the true story of the Richmond Theater Fire of 1811, one of the deadliest urban disasters in American history. She shares how she weaves fact with fiction, what draws her to stories rooted in community, and how

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51:40

Jeff Schapiro - Legendary Richmond Times-Dispatch...

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/10/20

In this episode of Sharp’s Island Podcast, we sit down with legendary Richmond Times-Dispatch writer Jeff Schapiro to talk about his journalism career, the stories that shaped him, and the creative process behind uncovering truth and meaning in everyday life.Jeff shares insights from his years reporting on Richmond and beyond, discussing the challenges of storytelling, the intersection of culture and community, and the craft of capturing moments that matter. From local history to contemporary

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51:13

Andrew Freiden - Morning News Meteorologist

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/09/10

Andy sits down with amazing meteorologist , Andrew Freiden of "12 on your side" morning news. https://www.facebook.com/AndrewFreiden/https://www.12onyourside.com/authors/andrew-freiden/https://www.instagram.com/instafreiden/INTERESTED IN STAYING AT SHARP'S ISLAND?https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/89337864...This is not a normal podcast; we're on Sharp's Island in the James River in downtown Richmond with Andy Thompson. People camp here, fish here, party here - it's a true RVA experience in Virginia. For

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01:01:25

Tim Roberts - Black Star Cultural Resources

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/09/03

Andy speaks with Tim Roberts, an archeologist with Black Star Cultural Resources and discusses the rich archeological history of Richmond, Virginia. This is not a normal podcast; we're on Sharp's Island in the James River in downtown Richmond with Andy Thompson. People camp here, fish here, party here - it's a true RVA experience in Virginia. For us, the water that surrounds the river isn't a barrier, but a threshold, brought to you by Nodderly.INTERESTED IN STAYING AT SHARP'S

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55:27

Sarah Abubaker - Fourth District City Council...

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/09/03

Sarah Abubaker, Fourth District City Council representative, joins Andy Thompson at the deck bar on Sharp’s Island for a conversation about neighborhood advocacy, local government, and the future of Richmond’s communities.Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the James River, Sarah and Andy talk about what it means to represent Richmond’s diverse Fourth District — from city budgets and community engagement to balancing growth with neighborhood

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29:10

Danny Avula - Mayor of Richmond

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/09/03

This week on the Sharps Island Podcast, we sit down with Mayor Danny Avula (@mayordannyavula) for a wide-ranging conversation about listening, leadership, and the future of Richmond.This is not a normal podcast; we're on Sharp's Island in the James River in downtown Richmond with Andy Thompson. People camp here, fish here, party here - it's a true RVA experience in Virginia. For us, the water that surrounds the river isn't a barrier, but a threshold, brought to you by Nodderly.INTERESTED IN STAYING

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52:59

Josh Stutz - Executive Director of Friends of The...

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/09/03

Andy speaks with Josh Stutz, Executive Director of The Friends of The James Park! Check out James River Park .org for a comprehensive guide to all things James River! https://jamesriverpark.org/https://jamesriverpark.org/meet-our-first-executive-director/Check out our episode with Mayor of Richmond, Danny Avula!https://youtu.be/wRW6JH3er4IINTERESTED IN STAYING AT SHARP'S

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39:22

Michael Phillips - Founder of The Richmonder

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/07/11

Michael Phillips, founder of The Richmonder, joins Andy Thompson in the cabin studio on Sharp’s Island for a deep dive into local media, storytelling, and what makes Richmond tick.From the banks of the James River, Michael and Andy explore the mission behind The Richmonder, the challenges of building an independent news platform, and the role of journalism in shaping community identity. They also talk about Richmond’s shifting narratives and what it means to cover a city with nuance and care.South

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01:04:47

Ed Trask - Musician, Painter and Muralist

Sharp"s Island ·

2025/07/11

🎨 In this episode of the Sharp’s Island Podcast, we sit down with legendary Richmond artist, muralist and musician Ed Trask for a wide-ranging, laugh-filled conversation on art, activism, and punk rock philosophy. From his early days playing in bands and painting freight trains to becoming a leading voice in public art and civic engagement, Ed brings stories, insight, and a whole lot of heart.🎧 Whether you’re an art lover, a punk at heart, or just someone who loves a good story about people

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