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 river, creative endurance, and how Richmond’s spirit keeps pulling him back home.

📍Recorded on Sharp’s Island, a real island in the middle of the James River — this is more than a podcast. It’s a threshold between city and nature, noise and silence, past and present.

🎶 Topics in this episode:

- Growing up in Richmond’s 90s punk scene

- Life after Avail and the evolution of his songwriting

- Recording a new album with Spacebomb Studios

- Balancing touring, fatherhood, and creativity

- The power of live shows and small-room connection

- Stories from the river and the roots of Richmond’s music history

Website: https://timbarryrva.com

Instagram: @timbarryrva

CHECK OUT OTHER FULL EPISODES FROM SHARP'S ISLAND -

Bestselling Richmond Historical Fiction Author Talks About Her Craft, New Novel Out This Summer

https://youtu.be/MYAWXnj8YfE

'Mayor of RVA Outdoors', Blues Musician

Andrew Alli Paddles Over, Puts on a Show

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

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, Va

CHECK OUT OTHER FULL EPISODES FROM SHARP'S ISLAND -

Bestselling Richmond Historical Fiction Author Talks About Her Craft, New Novel Out This Summer

   • Bestselling Richmond Author Talks About He...  

'Mayor of RVA Outdoors', Blues Musician

Andrew Alli Paddles Over, Puts on a Show

 • 'Mayor of RVA Outdoors', Blues Musician An...  

SHARPSFEST 2025 -

 • Sharp's Fest 2025 - Food, Fun and Live Mus...  

SHARP'S ISLAND on Instagram

 / sharpsislandrva  

INTERESTED IN STAYING AT SHARP'S ISLAND?

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/89337864...

PRODUCED BY: @nodderly

 / nodderly  

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-alli

https://jamesriverpark.org/a-familiar-face-in-a-new-role/

RACHEL BEANLAND - Author of The House Is On Fire and Florence Adler Swims Forever - FULL EPISODE - https://youtu.be/MYAWXnj8YfE

KEITH M RAMSEY - Artist and Designer - FULL EPISODE - https://youtu.be/-U8Id8trURA

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

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 issues, Jeff’s perspective offers a rich view into how writing can illuminate the world around us.

If you’re passionate about journalism, storytelling, culture, or the creative life, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.

What we cover in this episode:

- Jeff’s journey as a journalist and storyteller

- The stories from Richmond that left a lasting impact

- How community, culture, and place influence writing

👍 If you enjoy this episode, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe to help more people discover the podcast.

CHECK OUT OTHER FULL EPISODES FROM SHARP'S ISLAND:

SARAH ABUBAKER – Fourth District City Council – FULL EPISODE

https://youtu.be/HhZ8tZprOEo

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

#RVA #JeffSchapiro #RichmondJournalism #Storytelling #Podcast #RichmondVA #CreativeCommunity

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 Richmond, VA continues to shape her writing.

If you’re passionate about books, history, storytelling, or the creative life, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

What we cover in this episode:

Rachel’s journey as a novelist and storyteller

The real history behind the Richmond Theater Fire

How place and memory shape literature

Advice for aspiring writers and book lovers

📚 Learn more about Rachel Beanland:

Website: https://rachelbeanland.com

Books: Florence Adler Swims Forever | The House Is On Fire

🎙️ About Sharp’s Island Podcast:

Broadcast from Richmond, VA, Sharp’s Island highlights authentic conversations with artists, thinkers, and creators who are shaping culture and community.

👍 If you enjoy this episode, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe to help more people discover the podcast.

CHECK OUT OTHER FULL EPISODES FROM SHARP'S ISLAND -

SARAH ABUBAKER - Fourth District City Council - FULL EPISODE

https://youtu.be/HhZ8tZprOEo

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

#RVA #RachelBeanland #RichmondHistory #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #Podcast #RichmondVA #BookLovers

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 us, the water that surrounds the river isn't a barrier, but a threshold.

Production @nodderly

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 ISLAND?

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/893378644257716500?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=aba81d78-4109-42ed-a51f-c5366ab6e953

Production  @nodderly 

www.nodderly.com

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/wRW6JH3er4I

INTERESTED IN STAYING AT SHARP'S ISLAND?

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/893378644257716500?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=aba81d78-4109-42ed-a51f-c5366ab6e953

Production  @nodderly 

www.nodderly.com

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 AT SHARP'S ISLAND?

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/893378644257716500?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=aba81d78-4109-42ed-a51f-c5366ab6e953

Production @nodderly

www.nodderly.com

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 character.

https://sarahabubaker.com/

https://wilder.vcu.edu/news-and-events/news-posts/alumni-changemaker-from-mpa-grad-to-richmond-city-council.html

INTERESTED IN STAYING AT SHARP'S ISLAND?

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/893378644257716500?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=aba81d78-4109-42ed-a51f-c5366ab6e953

Production @nodderly

www.nodderly.com