Things are getting scrumptious on O Lala! In RVA. 🫒

This week, we’re joined by Robert Granados, founder of Richmond Olive Oil Co. and certified olive oil sommelier, to find out why the bottle of “extra virgin” olive oil sitting in your pantry might not be what you think it is.

Robert takes us inside the surprisingly wild world of olive oil — from learning how to properly taste and test it to uncovering just how adulterated the industry can be. We talk harvest dates, polyphenols, cooking with olive oil, proper storage, flavored oils and balsamics, and what you should actually look for when you're standing in the grocery store aisle.

Robert also shares the story behind Richmond Olive Oil Co.: discovering his passion for olive oil, starting small at local farmers markets, studying through the Olive Oil School of Tuscany, taking the leap into a brick-and-mortar Carytown shop, surviving the stress of opening day and building a loyal RVA following.

Plus, we get into his boxing background, entrepreneurship, going viral by simply being himself on Instagram, olive oil tasting classes, ice cream + olive oil (trust us 👀), his favorite flavor combinations and what could be next for Richmond Olive Oil Co.

Then, Big Daddy drops it on us with the surprisingly strict behind-the-scenes rules of Love Island. 🌴 From mock seasons and psychological testing to alcohol limits, banned naps, hidden condom supplies and the infamous “Voice of God,” apparently villa life is a LOT more regulated than it looks on TV.

We’re also talking upcoming RVA events, including the Water Lantern Festival, Happily Natural Festival, Virginia PrideFest and St. Benedict Oktoberfest — plus our Show of the Week.

🏆 Business of the Week: Richmond Olive Oil Co.

📍 Richmond Olive Oil Co. 3545 W. Cary Street, Richmond, VA

Instagram: @richmond_olive_oil

Facebook: @richmondoliveoil

Also in this episode: shoutouts to Richmond Animal League and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond. ❤️

Pour yourself a glass of wine, grab some bread and maybe go check the harvest date on that olive oil in your cabinet.

Listen now! 🎙️

🎈 This week on O LaLa (in RVA), we're joined by Izetta Hill, owner of Lexie's Loving Designs, to talk all things balloons, business, and bringing celebrations to life! Izetta shares how she went from decorating family parties to creating custom balloon installations for birthdays, weddings, corporate events, and more, all while balancing a career in social work. We chat about the creative process, funny behind-the-scenes moments, entrepreneurship, and the leap of faith that turned her passion into a growing RVA business.

Plus, Big Daddy uncorks some exciting news as Virginia wines shock the world by beating top French wines in a prestigious Paris tasting. We also share our favorite local wineries, spotlight Holy Roller as our Band of the Week, highlight a few upcoming RVA events, and, of course, celebrate another amazing local business making Richmond a more colorful place.

Grab your headphones and join us for another fun conversation celebrating the people, places, and stories that make RVA so special.

This episode is packed with Richmond music, hilarious band stories, internet absurdity, and everything we love about RVA.

We sit down with our friends from Aw Chucks, to talk about how they came together, Craigslist bandmates, forgotten lyrics, winery gigs, original music, and why having fun is the secret to staying together as a band. If you saw them perform at our podcast party, you already know why we had to get them on the show.

We also dive into one of the wildest internet trends we've ever covered: people completing outrageous stunts for cryptocurrency through online "bounties." Would you tattoo a website on your forehead? Climb Mount Everest? Flush your head in a toilet? Big Daddy brings another conversation guaranteed to make you question humanity.

As always, we wrap things up with Richmond events, local businesses, and shout-outs to some amazing people making our city special.

📍 Richmond Events

• Black Pride RVA
• Richmond Shakespeare Festival
• Tonal Recall Music Festival

🥐 Business of the Week

• Sub Rosa Bakery

❤️ Community Shout-Outs

• Shine4th Foster Care
• IT4Causes
• Bryan Park
• Fallout
• Conex RVA

Upcoming Aw Chucks Shows

🎵 July 5 — Ashton Creek Vineyard (Acoustic)

🎵 July 24 — Omega Bar & Grill (Full Band)

Follow Aw Chucks for future show announcements and new music:

https://www.facebook.com/awwwchucks7/

https://www.youtube.com/@AwwwChucks/videos

https://www.instagram.com/awwwchucks7

And make sure to follow us too!

📸 Instagram: @olala_rva

Have someone we should interview? Own a local business? Know an artist making RVA more interesting?

We'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening, supporting local, and celebrating everything that makes Richmond weird, creative, and wonderful. We'll see you after our summer hiatus!