Orphaned Stories Podcast

This episode was done live at Glave Kocen Gallery for the WRIR Local Voices Live event. We spoke with, painter and musician, Ed Trask about his time working in the service industry for 17 years.

In this episode we speak with The Mighty Joshua, a reggae musician based in Richmond Virginia. Joshua tells us about an injury he suffered that changed his perspective on his life, his music and his future. Joshua also shares a few lessons he learned in the process of getting back on his feet.  

On this episode we talk to Sam Reed, the force behind Sam Reed Syndicate, a Richmond VA based soul, funk and rock influenced project. Sam tells us her Orphaned Story about how her father inspired her to be the hustler she is today, and how his influence was a conscious choice in her life.

In this episode we chat with Bill Martin, Director of The Valentine, a museum and history center in Richmond VA. Bill talks about his bout with a cancer that nearly took his life. He talks about how history played a role in his recover, and the lessons he's learned from his illness.

In this episode we talk with Noelle Archibald, the co-owner and Director of Education at Lamplighter Roasting Company. Noelle tells us the story of her struggle to create a DIY cable access soap opera called "Grace Street" and what it taught her about resilience. lamplightercoffee.com/

In honor of our one year anniversary, we're airing an interview with our host Josh Epperson in which he discusses the origin and process of Orphaned Stories. The interview aired on a show called "#Untoldrva's 5 Things." It's hosted by Maat Free and airs on WRIR 97.3 in Richmond Virginia.

In this short, Reggie Pace talks about the significance of the mouth piece of his trombone. It was the first step in his road to recover from the appendicitis that nearly killed the music in him.

Reggie Pace is the co-founder and lead trombonist for No BS! Brass Band. No BS! has played far and wide, from NPR's Tiny Desk Series to The Kennedy Center. Reggie has also appeared on Saturday Night Live, Ellen and Austin City Limits on his recent tour with Bon Iver. He is also the co-founder of Jellowstone Records, distributed nationally by Ropeadope. In this episode Reggie tells us his Orphaned Story about how an appendicitis nearly killed the music. He discusses how this life-threatening illness changed his perspective on his own achievement and gave him the ability to face failure with a renewed sense of resilience. Photo credit: Lauren Serpa Photographs www.nobsbrass.com/no-bs-band/

Alison Baber is the owner of Taboo, a group of nationally recognized adult stores located in Richmond VA. In this episode Alison tells us her Orphaned Stories about going from a young author to a sex blogger.

Paul Trible is Co-Founder, CEO and Creative Director of Ledbury, a men's clothing line based in Richmond Virginia. On this episode Paul talks about how growing up with a Senator for a father shaped his path in ways he never expected.

Damon Jiggetts is the Executive Director of the Peter Paul Development Center and a co-founder of the Ujima Legacy Fund. On this episode he discusses how being an exception to the rule has shaped his growth as a man.

In this episode we talk with Richmond VA film maker, Praheme. Fresh from completing his first feature film, Troop 491, the Adventures of the Muddy Lions, Praheme shares his orphaned story of being a "child of the village." When people say that it takes a village to raise a child, Praheme says, "I am that child." www.troop491-movie.com/  

In honor of the 10th episode, we take a look back at the first 9 episodes and reflect on where we've been so far. Josh talks about what he's heard and what he's learned.

Amy black is an artist based in Richmond Virginia. She attended the Columbus College of Art and Design for oil painting. She then started tattooing in 2000. She eventually started her own tattoo studio Amy Black Tattoos. She is probably best know for the work she started in 2011, tattooing realistic 3D nipple tattoos for cancer survivors who have undergone mastectomies.

Zoe Romano is an Ultra Runner based in Richmond Virginia. In 2013 Zoe became the only person to ever run the 2000 mile course of the Tour de France. In this episode Zoe discusses her orphaned story of having always wanted to be a writer.

ACe Callwood is the co-founder of Coffitivity, a website that lets you stream the sounds of coffeeshops from around the world to increase productivity. He is also the entrepreneur in residence at Virginia Commonwealth University's Business school. On this episode of Orphaned Stories, ACe share's what he's learned from growing up in a military family.

Cheryl is is a poet, author, dancer, performance artist, and professor who lives in Richmond, Virginia. She has published several books of innovative poetry, a nonfiction book, and has been featured in several anthologies. Her background as a writer and dancer has led to frequently merging these disciplines. On this episode, Cheryl tell us about her brush with the FBI and the role it played in her transformative youth.

Ham Glass is a Philly born, Richmond Virginia based artist and muralist. In this episode Ham discusses his former career as an architect and how it has shaped his creative perspective.

Shannon Cleary is a Richmond musician, story teller, writer and radio host at WRIR 97.3 with his show Commonwealth of Notions. In this episode Shannon discusses his Orphaned Story that is rooted in his parents divorce when he was a young child.

Duron Chavis is a Richmond entrepreneur and activist. In 2009 Chavis launched the Richmond Noir Market, a farmer’s market targeting low income communities located in what the USDA has designated as food deserts in Richmond Virginia. In 2012 Duron led the development of the McDonough Community Garden, an urban agriculture project that promotes sustainable food growing, horticultural therapy and environmental stewardship. In this episode Duron talks about his fathers criminal life in the Richmond community and how it inspired and guided him to seek his current path.