You might live in a maximum security prison without the possibility of parole, but you can still dream about having a home of your own.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Jan 06, 2022•18 min•Ep. 81
A listener who goes by "Tuco Salamanca" (the dealer from Breaking Bad) writes Randy to say that he's currently on bail awaiting sentencing for distribution. He's a small, middle-aged guy without any experience of prison. He badly needs Randy's advice.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and ...
Dec 30, 2021•18 min•Ep. 80
Randy has a lot to look forward to: his transfer to Keen Mountain Prison has been approved and he's finally going to get a biopsy to investigate his medical condition. But for some reason, everything is on hold. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title musi...
Dec 23, 2021•18 min•Ep. 79
Your cellmate probably won't be your soulmate, which is why you need to follow Randy's rules to manage the challenge of living up close and personal with a stranger.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Dec 16, 2021•17 min•Ep. 78
After twenty years at Red Onion, Randy is granted a transfer to another prison. Where is he going, and how is his life going to be different?Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Dec 09, 2021•15 min•Ep. 77
Randy hasn’t seen his brother Jason for a quarter of a century but the bond of brotherly love remains strong.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Dec 02, 2021•17 min•Ep. 76
Randy answers wide-ranging questions .. from a wide range of listeners! Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Nov 25, 2021•14 min•Ep. 75
In this episode, recorded shortly after the body of Gabby Petito was found in Wyoming, Randy reflects on the murder he committed in the town of Stanardsville in 1998, and for which he is now serving life without the possibility of parole. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Jul...
Nov 18, 2021•12 min•Ep. 74
A ride in the prison van to a nearby town for a medical visit gives Randy a rare first-hand view of the outside world.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Nov 11, 2021•13 min•Ep. 73
Randy talks about the role of music in the lives of prisoners, and its impact on their emotions. He also introduces Nashville-based singer-songwriter and Red Onion Randy fan Nicole Kerns.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia ...
Nov 04, 2021•17 min•Ep. 72
In the United States, access to medical services lags behind the rest of the developed world, but in Red Onion, access is even more difficult, as Randy's own experience demonstrates.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooye...
Oct 28, 2021•18 min•Ep. 71
Amidst all the violence and neglect he experienced as a child living in a trailer park, Randy still treasures the memory of small acts of kindness. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Oct 21, 2021•15 min•Ep. 70
Following on from Episode 66, Randy takes us through the rest of the rules that make up his essential inmate survival guide. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Oct 14, 2021•33 min•Ep. 69
A female listener who has an inmate boyfriend wonders about his motives. Can she trust him? Randy offers his advice.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Oct 07, 2021•15 min•Ep. 68
Randy launches his first children's story: Elise and the Magic Well. Available at Amazon.com: Elise and the Magic Well eBook : Via, Randall: Kindle Store Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park....
Sep 30, 2021•14 min•Ep. 67
If you want to survive in prison, you better know the rules: Randy's twenty-two prison rules. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Sep 23, 2021•19 min•Ep. 66
Randy reflects on how much his mother suffered, and how he struggles to come to an understanding of the reasons why she neglected him. It hasn't been easy. It still isn't. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Sep 16, 2021•17 min•Ep. 65
Randy's father was violent, abusive and then largely absent. Recently, he's reconnected with his Dad, and reflects on his complex feelings towards the man who had such an impact on his life.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Jul...
Sep 09, 2021•18 min•Ep. 64
Guns and gun culture play a central role in American life. Randy reflects on his own relationship to guns and on how his views have changed over time.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Sep 02, 2021•18 min•Ep. 63
Sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, Randy shares his dreams of a new life in the free world. If you were Randy, what would you do after 23 years in prison?Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Aug 26, 2021•17 min•Ep. 62
Mental health is a huge issue at Red Onion, as it is for many people in the free world. Randy reflects on how he’s grown up from a kid who was willing to commit suicide ‘by cop’ to someone who knows how to manage anger and support others struggling to find their own peace of mind.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nish...
Aug 19, 2021•26 min•Ep. 61
In responding to a listener's question about the treatment meted out to child molesters and other sexual offenders by inmates, Randy expresses his dilemma--he hates the crimes but he also hates bullying. He also shares his personal experience as the childhood victim of sexual assault.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by ...
Aug 12, 2021•21 min•Ep. 60
Randy finally gets to talk on the phone to appeals lawyer Jon Sheldon. Does he have grounds for an appeal? There's good and there's bad news, says the lawyer.Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park.
Aug 05, 2021•15 min•Ep. 59
Marking the first anniversary of the launch of the podcast, Randy describes how it all started, how episodes are made, and the impact it's had on his life. A big shout out to all the many Red Onion fans around the world!Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Ti...
Jul 29, 2021•19 min•Ep. 58
Since Covid-19, people everywhere have become familiar with the experience of lockdowns, but a lockdown in Red Onion is an altogether different thing. This week, Randy's just come out of a two-day lockdown after an inmate got drunk. That was a short one. Lockdowns can go on for weeks. You're confined to your cell 24/7. For Randy, in his single cell, it's solitary confinement all over again. And to make matters worse, the COs carry out 'shakedowns' -- cell searches and strip searches -- looking f...
Jul 22, 2021•15 min•Ep. 57
After serving 23 years of a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, Randy believes he may have grounds to mount a successful appeal. He needs a good lawyer, so he's going to contact Jonathan Sheldon, an attorney who specializes in post-conviction remedies in Virginia: Randy's cautiously optimistic, but will Jonathan Sheldon agree?Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and ...
Jul 15, 2021•16 min•Ep. 56
Life in the new pod turns out to be more positive than Randy anticipated, but it’s far from perfect. In reflecting on the everyday challenges he faces in prison, Randy offers a valuable guide to the good life, whether you’re in a supermax prison or in the free world: “I’m not going to wait for life to tell me when I can be happy”. Before he made the move to the new pod, Randy used to make the phone calls for this podcast from a cordless phone in his cell. Now he has to call from a wall phone in ...
Jul 08, 2021•19 min•Ep. 55
Recorded just before Randy 's recent transfer to the new pod, he reflects on the pecking order in prison, the wolves who run the pod, the sheep who follow, and the guys like Randy who walk alone and stand alone. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title musi...
Jul 01, 2021•14 min•Ep. 54
Randy’s been transferred to a general population unit at Red Onion. It’s a jungle full of threats and lurking dangers. There’s so much on the line, so much Randy could lose if he’s forced to fight. His friend Pitt, who lives on the pod, has put the word out: “He is a killer. Mess with Randy, and he’ll eat ya up.” But will that be enough to help Randy avoid a confrontation with the gangbangers? Pray for me, says Randy. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently s...
Jun 24, 2021•18 min•Ep. 53
Randy is going to be transferred to another part of Red Onion with a lower security level. But it's not all good news for our host. The new pod is a lion's den, full of violence and gang activity. Gangbangers often force other inmates to pay for the use of the phone, which is Randy's only means to make his podcasts. What's he going to do? He sure isn't going to back down to bullies, but he doesn't want to spoil his charge-free record by getting into a fight. It's a dilemma.Red Onion Randy featur...
Jun 17, 2021•19 min•Ep. 52
