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.

In this episode of the Welcome to Grass Valley podcast, Ryan sits down with local youth football mentor Coach Kyle to explore the intersection of sports, parenting, and community in Nevada County. Drawing on his 13 years of coaching experience with the Junior Miners, Coach Kyle discusses the importance of teaching the next generation to embrace doing hard things in an increasingly sedentary world. The conversation shifts from local high school enrollment declines to the professional stage, featuring a deep dive into the San Francisco 49ers, the controversial EMF theory surrounding their practice facility, and the evolving landscape of NIL deals in college athletics. Whether discussing the value of entering the trades over accumulating student debt or offering Super Bowl predictions for the matchup between the Seahawks and the Patriots, this episode provides a candid look at the life lessons learned on and off the field.

In Episode 41 of the Welcome to Grass Valley Podcast, Ryan navigates a whirlwind of emotions as he celebrates being featured on the front page of The Union newspaper while simultaneously grappling with the cold, harsh reality of an upcoming two-year prison sentence. Amidst the high anxiety of being separated from his children and his home, Ryan issues an urgent plea to the community to help find safe, temporary homes for his beloved dogs—Niner, Patty, and Nova—and his parakeets, Bluey and Clover, so they can be reunited upon his release. Guest Matt Collins of Mountain Insulation joins the conversation to discuss his own journey of sobriety and the success of his new business, highlighting the podcast's mission of positivity and recovery The duo also shares contrasting stories of recent interactions with law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of integrity and shaking hands within the community. Looking ahead, Ryan outlines how Max Hudek and Nathaniel Redmond will keep the podcast going while he's away, including his plans to "run the podcast from prison" through call-ins. The episode concludes with an invitation to a farewell barbecue and group photo shoot at Condon Park and a symbolic flyover by a Red Tail Hawk, offering a final moment of reflection on honor and connection.

In this raw and emotionally charged episode of the Welcome to Grass Valley Podcast, Ryan opens up to Nathaniel and the listeners about the devastating reality of being sentenced to two years in prison following a year-long pre-trial release. He expresses deep frustration with a legal system he feels has cheated him, particularly as he prepares for a painful separation from his daughter Ocean, his teenage son, and his aging mother. A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to the urgent search for safe, temporary homes for his beloved dogs—Niner, Patty, and Nova—and his birds, whom he hopes to be reunited with upon his release. Despite the nightmare of his circumstances, Ryan shares his determination to use his time incarcerated to write a book and continue his music. He also outlines the future of the podcast, explaining how Nathaniel, Max Hudek, and other friends will keep that fire going for the community while he is away. The episode concludes with a symbolic reading of the Eagle medicine card, offering a message of resilience, illumination, and the courage to soar even when one's wings feel clipped.

Episode 39 of the Welcome to Grass Valley podcast, titled "Smartsville Homies," features an emotional and high-energy reunion between host Ryan and the crew from the Welcome to Smartsville podcast—Delano, Archie, and Clayton—who originally inspired Ryan to start his own show. The group breaks bread over a meal of barbecue chicken, tri-tip, collard greens, and baked beans as Ryan reveals he is facing an impending two-year prison sentence. He expresses profound frustration with the legal system for granting him a year of pre-trial release only to send him away now, sharing his fears about leaving behind his six-year-old daughter and his mother, who has dementia. To ensure the podcast's future, Ryan announces that Max Hudek will take over as host with support from the Smartsville crew, while Ryan plans to call in from prison and launch his new record label, Slap Kitchen Records. Between the crew's signature "poop and burp jokes," the conversation covers local snowboarding at Sugar Bowl, the "Doty Grinch layer" of heavy snow in Grass Valley, and a series of conspiracy theories regarding the moon landing and the Titanic. The episode takes a spiritual turn as Delano reads the "Horse" animal medicine card, which emphasizes that true power is found in compassion and wisdom, and Ryan concludes with his heartfelt "Call of the Dog" prayer, asking listeners to support the show to help him while he is incarcerated.

In this episode of the Welcome to Grass Valley Podcast, Ryan welcomes back recurring guest co-host Matt Collins for a wide-ranging conversation about growth, community, and accountability. The duo reflects on their respective journeys with sobriety, with both nearing the one-month mark and experiencing a renewed sense of energy and focus. Ryan provides a vulnerable update on his upcoming court date, expressing both fear and gratitude for the "band of brothers" who have rallied to support him. From discussing the cultural impact of viral Hadzabi tribe videos to a "Return of the Mac" remix in the works at Slap Kitchen Records, the episode balances raw personal truth with a shared vision for a stronger, more unified Grass Valley.