Sharp's Island
Sharp's Island
Podcast Description
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 forecaster Andrew Freiden, city council person Sarah Abubaker and Mayor Danny Avula!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast emphasizes themes of local culture, community dynamics, and artistic expression with episodes exploring topics like urban outdoor recreation, the influence of public art, and journalism's role in shaping local narratives, featuring discussions with guests like artist Ed Trask on punk rock philosophy and journalist Michael Phillips on independent media challenges.
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 forecaster Andrew Freiden, city council person Sarah Abubaker and Mayor Danny Avula!
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 about:
Discovering ruins, flood debris, and hidden history along the James River
The realities of river cleanup and how trash travels downstream
Starting a nonprofit by accident—and sustaining it for nearly a decade
Corporate cleanups, community buy-in, and low-barrier volunteering
Outdoor access, belonging, and making nature feel welcoming Favorite Virginia trails, camping spots, and hidden corners of the state
Why leaving a place better than you found it matters more than credit
This episode is part river hang, part environmental philosophy, and part love letter to Virginia’s wild places—and the people who show up for them.
Learn more about Keep Virginia Cozy: Follow @keepvirginiacozy on Instagram to find upcoming cleanups, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved.
If you enjoy conversations about the James River, Richmond outdoors, conservation, and community-led action, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode.
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 Company https://youtu.be/gvIZIWqXZXY RIVANNA RIVER COMPANY in Charlottesville, Virginia!
https://rivannarivercompany.com/ @rivannarivercompany – instagram
National Geographic Explorer, Photographer Katie Orlinsky Stops By for Hot Cocoa and a Chat https://youtu.be/SfG1Se_Kc7E MAEVE JONES –
THE POE MUSEUM – FULL EPISODE https://youtu.be/ni9968n4EAg https://poemuseum.org/
ANDREW ALLI – JAMES RIVER PARK SUPERINTENDENT / BLUES MUSICIAN – FULL EPISODE https://youtu.be/6zO1sL9c7XM
SHARPSFEST 2025 – https://youtu.be/BbSJ4MLflpE
SHARP’S ISLAND on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sharpsislandrva
INTERESTED IN STAYING AT SHARP’S ISLAND? https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/893378644257716500
PRODUCED BY: @nodderly https://www.instagram.com/nodderly
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