Untold – A WTVR Podcast

Catie Beck sits down for an extensive interview with Levar Stoney, the former Richmond mayor who is now running for lieutenant governor of Virginia.

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Catie Beck sits down with William Burnett, a veteran lawman who is now running for sheriff in Richmond. Burnett is an expert in crime and punishment. As an RPD officer, he put his life on the line, working risky assignments like undercover narcotics.

Then he traded badges, following legendary homicide investigator C.T. Woody to the city jail when Woody was elected sheriff in 2005. Burnett served as second-in-command of the sheriff’s office.

Now, for the second time, he’s challenging Sheriff Antionette Irving, the woman who defeated his mentor. And if he’s successful, Burnett says he has plans to completely reinvent the role of sheriff.

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Richmond Judge David Hicks on 'Untold - A WTVR Podcast'

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Catie Beck sits down with Richmond Sheriff Antionette Irving for a thought-provoking conversation about the state of the jail, the city’s drug problem, and the obstacles she overcame while growing up with an abusive father in Creighton Court.

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John Reid, a former conservative radio host in Richmond, is running for lieutenant governor of Virginia. He discusses his transition from radio to politics, the challenges of gathering 10,000 voter signatures, and the importance of early voting starting May 2.

Reid emphasized his experiences working with Ronald Reagan and his unique position as an openly gay Republican.

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In the premiere episode of "Untold - A WTVR Podcast," host Catie Beck sits down with Richmond Mayor Danny Avula for an in-depth conversation about the city's recent challenges and his journey as a leader.

Mayor Avula recounts the gripping details of the January water crisis, sharing behind-the-scenes insights from the long days and nights spent at the water treatment plant.

"I mean, what was communicated was, okay, we've had some flooding. We have some pumps that are offline, but we're working on it. We should be able to get the map back up and running. We've got enough water in the reservoir to last us till about 6 p.m.," he said. "I mean, again, this was all the information that was coming in real time and changing in real time."

He reflects on how the Covid-19 pandemic has shaped his leadership approach and discusses the pivotal decision he and his family made to move into an underserved neighborhood, emphasizing the importance of community and connection.

"When my wife and I chose to move into Church Hill, and it was really motivated by this desire to live in a community where we would force diversity, right? Where we would be required to be in relationship with neighbors who didn't come from the same places that we did. And those early years, we were very out of place," he said. "Neighbors would always say, 'Are you cops?' because that was the only plausible reason that we would move into that neighborhood or be regulars in that neighborhood."

Join us for a compelling and personal look at the trials and triumphs faced by a city leader during unprecedented times.

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I love Richmond and there are so many fascinating characters who really only get a few seconds on the news. I've been a reporter for more than 20 years. Some of that time was spent here in Richmond, which I now call home, and I am working on a new podcast. 

Untold will introduce you to voices and people that you might have seen, but tell you stories that you haven't heard.

I'm Catie Beck and I hope you'll join me for Untold available on WTVR.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

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