In this episode of Welcome to Grass Valley, Ryan and Nathaniel pass the torch to Maxx Hudec, who will step in alongside Nathaniel and new co-host Lindsay Wilds while Ryan serves an upcoming prison sentence. Ryan opens up about the heavy personal burdens he is currently navigating, including his mother’s recent hip break/surgery and dementia, and a stressful legal and financial battle with his baby mama over his 20-acre property. He expresses an urgent need to find a renter for his home and temporary caretakers for his dogs (Patty, Niner, and Nova), birds, and cat, emphasizing his goal to return to a stable life. Despite these challenges, the group shares lighter moments, discussing Ryan’s "glowy" fashion history, neighborhood tweaker disputes, and a reading about the spiritual symbolism of the hummingbird, which focuses on joy and the "medicine to solve the riddle of the contradiction of duality". Ryan concludes with a focus on accountability and sobriety, reflecting on how alcohol contributed to the bar fight that led to his incarceration, and he shares his plans to spend his time away writing a book and writing music.

In this episode of Welcome to Grass Valley, Ryan is joined by Dave Mullen and Fred Viola of Project H.E.A.R.T., which stands for Holding Excellence Above Relapse Team. The guests share the organization's unique origin story, which began when Fred—then a probation officer—invited his probationer, Dave, to meet for coffee at Java John’s to discuss doing something different with his life after decades of substance abuse. They describe Project H.E.A.R.T. as a community of real men who prioritize transparency, accountability, and unconditional love over religious or institutional labels. Throughout the conversation, they explore how embracing vulnerability and weakness can lead to true strength and freedom, while highlighting the group's practical service to the community, such as splitting firewood and supporting members in court. The episode concludes with Dave and Fred offering spiritual and emotional support to Ryan as he prepares to serve an upcoming prison sentence, reminding him that he is not alone and that his time can be used for purposeful transformation.

In this episode of the Welcome to Grass Valley podcast, host Ryan sits down with Lindsay Weills, a fifth-generation local and successful realtor, to discuss the unique charm and challenges of living in Nevada County. Lindsay shares intriguing stories from her career, including encounters with haunted properties and the practical importance of hiring local experts who understand regional nuances like well and septic systems. The conversation explores their shared history in the restaurant industry—including Lindsay’s time at Mama's Fish House in Maui—and touches on deeper themes such as the struggles of single parenthood, the power of manifestation, and the value of authenticity over artificial beauty standards. Amidst a humorous debate over a "woodpecker" that turned out to be a clattering lamp, they delve into spiritual growth and relationship attachment styles before concluding with a meaningful reading of the Badger medicine card, which emphasizes using persistence and inner power to achieve one's goals.