This week, we chat with our friend Alejandro, a Cuban immigrant, about his incredible journey to Richmond, VA. He shares the hurdles of getting a US visa, the culture shock of abundance in America, and his efforts to support his family in Cuba.

Episode Highlights: ✨

• Visa Interview Strategy: Alejandro shares his unique approach to a successful visa interview, emphasizing showing intent to return home. ☕️
• A Five-Year Visa?! Discover how Alejandro secured a rare five-year visa! 🤩
• Costco Culture Shock: Alejandro recounts his "mind-blowing" first trip to Costco, highlighting the contrast in food availability compared to Cuba. 🤯
• Conscious Living: Learn about Alejandro's heightened awareness of waste and gratitude for resources, stemming from his upbringing where rationing was a reality. 🙏
• Supporting Family in Cuba: Alejandro discusses regularly sending essential items to his family in Cuba. ❤️
• The Cuban Exodus: He touches on the pervasive theme of immigration in Cuban society. 🌍
• Internet Access in Cuba: Alejandro clarifies the current state of internet access in Cuba, noting its cost and limitations. 📶
• Family's Hopes for the US: Hear about his family's interest in moving to the United States and the complexities of the legal immigration process. 📜
• "Wet-Foot, Dry-Foot" Policy: A brief mention of this controversial policy and its impact on Cuban immigration. ⚖️

Also Featured: 🤩

• Exercise Equipment Origins: Learn the surprising history behind common gym equipment like the treadmill (originally a torture device!), kettlebells, medicine balls, and dumbbells. 🏋️
• Local Richmond Events: Get the scoop on upcoming events! 🎉
  • Carytown Sidewalk Sale 🛍️
  • Pride Night at the Diamond ⚾️🌈
  • Drag Brunch at The Hof Garden 👑
  • Nappy Roots at the Ember Music Hall 🎤
  • Pride on Forest Hill 🌳🌈
  • Ribs and Reds at Ashton Creek Vineyards for Father's Day! 🍖🍷
• Band of the Week: This week's featured band is Radar Theory, a raw rock and roll band. 🎸
• Business of the Week: Shout out to Still Life Studio RVA, a new pottery place in Scott's Addition. 🏺
• Brewery Updates: Updates on Lickinghole Creek Brewery and Hardywood opening a new spot at the airport. 🍻
• Fitness Shout-out: A special mention for RVA Kicks Club and MJ, a trainer at Self Made Training Facility. 💪
• Father's Day Appreciation: A heartfelt shout-out to all the dads! 🙌
• Garden Grove Closing: A bittersweet announcement about Garden Grove brewery shutting down after 10 years. 😢
• Upcoming Episode Tease: A sneak peek at the next episode featuring Alan with The Ham Biscuits! 😉

In this lively episode, Liz and Big Daddy sit down to share their "rose and thorn" moments from the past few weeks—celebrating the highs and unpacking the lows with their funny but honest takes. The couple then turns up the fun with a married couple game that reveals just how well they really know each other.

Listeners also get an update on the Drop it On Us, Big Daddy segment, where Big Daddy dishes out his takes on the continuing drama surrounding Fyre Fest 2, the ongoing drama with Carytown Burgers and Fries, and upcoming developments surrounding Brown’s Island. The duo shares exciting news about upcoming events and dive into what’s so yummy about the business of the week, Slay Burger.

To top it all off, the show of the week is a nostalgic nod to the 90s with The White Ford Bronco concert Saturday May 3rd at The Broadberry—expect some major throwback vibes and musical memories.

Tune in for laughs, love, business buzz, and a little 90s magic!

Shoutouts: Ronnie's BBQ, Chez Nous, Diva Nails

Other businesses mentioned: The Shockoe Institute, Ballast RVA, Cirrus Vodka, Yellow Umbrella Provisions, Slack Tide Fish Company

✨ This Episode’s Vibe: Rabbi Patrick, the founder of Kehillah RVA, joins us to talk about building welcoming Jewish spaces, making rituals approachable, and what it means to be part of a modern faith community—especially in a city like Richmond.

💬 What We Cover:

• Creating spiritual spaces that center around belonging
• Why Kehillah doesn’t look or feel like your typical synagogue—and why that’s the point
• Intergenerational wisdom, parenting through a Jewish lens, and letting kids explore their own paths
• Officiating weddings and making room for personal meaning in old traditions
• Pollen complaints, park hangs, and some love for local RVA events

🎧 Whether you’re deep into your faith, figuring it out, or just here for the community vibes—this episode invites you to rethink what spiritual connection can look like.

Support Kehillah:

https://kehillahrva.org/

https://www.facebook.com/kehillahrva

https://www.instagram.com/KehillahRVA/

Businesses Of The Week:

Allianz Amphitheater (opens this June!)

RVA's Beaucoup

Petit Four