
The Rabbit Whole
By Marty and Andie
Explore The Rabbit Whole Podcast, where hosts Marty and Andie tackle the complexities of custom home construction. Discover how the custom home purchase trend led to pitfalls ranging from ceiling collapses to disputes with builders and the regulatory agency, DPOR. The Rabbit Whole champions consumer advocacy over corporatocracy by exposing the urgent need for transparency and accountability in government. Located in the growing Richmond metro area, they witness first hand what happens when corporate advancement collides with the public good. If you are moving to Virginia or building, Welcome.

The Rabbit WholeOct 10, 2024
00:00
01:13:47

The Rick Dancer Interview on the Rabbit Whole Podcast
In this episode of The Rabbit Whole Podcast, we sit down with former TV anchor, politician, and storyteller Rick Dancer. Rick shares his insights as a television journalist, his experiences running for political office, and lays out how he now focuses on telling real, raw stories on his own platform Get Real with Rick Dancer. Rick delivers an honest and transformative hour that begins with the de-evolution of mainstream news, and ends with a trip down some rabbit holes we hadn’t planned on exploring. Join us as we go behind the scenes with a one-of-a-kind guest who has dedicated his voice for change in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
#Storytelling #Journalism #CommunityVoices #RickDancer
Oct 10, 202401:13:47

Hidden Dangers of Compliance: What the Public Doesn't Know About Home Building Standards
In this episode, the hosts discuss the concept of social compliance and how it is studied and used by the government and corporations. They explore the idea of managing consent and the corporatization of culture. They also touch on the topic of compliance in the context of home construction and the limitations of regulatory oversight. The hosts emphasize the importance of transparency and the need for guerrilla journalism to expose issues and enact change. They discuss the role of media in influencing public opinion and the need for passionate journalists to uncover the truth. The episode concludes with a discussion on personal values and the importance of standing up against injustice. The conversation explores the themes of compliance, control, and the impact of authority on individuals and society. It begins with a discussion of the Milgram experiment, where participants were coerced into administering electric shocks to others. This experiment demonstrates how people are compliant and willing to go against their own beliefs to avoid discomfort. The conversation then delves into the concept of racism as a tool of control, using the Blue Eyes and Brown Eyes experiment as an example. It highlights how discrimination can be easily manipulated and used to maintain power and control. The conversation also touches on the shift from regulatory focus to compliance focus in government agencies, specifically the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). This shift prioritizes perception management over consumer and laborer safety. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the consequences of compliance and the importance of standing up against unjust practices.
Keywords: social compliance, government, corporatization of culture, managing consent, home construction, regulatory oversight, transparency, guerrilla journalism, media influence, passionate journalism, personal values, injustice, compliance, control, authority, Milgram experiment, racism, discrimination, power, government agencies, DPOR, perception management, consumer safety, laborer safety
Takeaways
Social compliance refers to our adherence to societal norms and expectations.
Compliance for corporations is different from social compliance for citizens.
Transparency is essential in regulatory oversight to ensure meaningful change.
Guerrilla journalism is needed to expose issues and hold politicians accountable.
Media influence can be driven by financial interests rather than the pursuit of truth.
Personal values play a crucial role in standing up against injustice. People are often compliant and willing to go against their own beliefs to avoid discomfort.
Racism can be used as a tool of control and manipulation.
Government agencies may prioritize perception management over consumer and laborer safety.
Compliance can have serious consequences and it is important to stand up against unjust practices.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
01:11 Exploring Social Compliance and Cultural Corporatization
08:19 The Impact of Compliance in Home Construction
11:56 The Need for Transparency in Regulatory Oversight
16:21 The Role of Guerrilla Journalism in Exposing Issues
20:08 Media Influence and the Pursuit of Truth
23:33 Personal Values and Standing Up Against Injustice
26:22 The Power of Compliance and the Milgram Experiment
29:05 Racism as a Tool of Control
34:14 The Shift from Regulation to Compliance in Government Agencies
43:55 The Consequences of Compliance
More on topics in this week's Rabbit Whole:
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1948/06/26/the-lottery
Watch the 1969 Version on YouTube Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZyhVg31iaQ
The Milgram Experiment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOYLCy5PVgM
Blue Eyed Brown Eyed Experiment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebPoSMULI5U
Gov. Andrew Cuomo Defends Handling Of COVID-19 In Nursing Homes | TODAY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyr6pD3fj9Q
Jul 26, 202452:55

Expert Mold Remediation Tips with Bethany Uribe from ASAP Restoration
Discover top mold remediation strategies from industry expert Bethany Uribe of ASAP Restoration LLC. Learn how to effectively tackle mold issues and protect your home.
Key Concepts: Mold remediation, mold removal, Bethany Uribe, ASAP Restoration LLC, home protection, mold experts, mold prevention, professional mold cleanup
Jul 11, 202459:08

Artificial Intelligence Vs. Corporatocracy - A New Ally
In this episode, Andie and Marty discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in understanding and analyzing case files. They explore how AI can help organize and analyze large amounts of data, provide accurate information, and improve decision-making. They also discuss the potential benefits and limitations of AI, as well as the ethical considerations surrounding its use. The conversation touches on the need for enhanced oversight and transparency in regulatory processes, as well as the potential impact of AI on various industries.
Jun 12, 202443:30

The Validity of Contract Law and the Role of DPOR
This episode of the Rabbit Hole Podcast discusses the deep-rooted issues and systemic corruption within the state's regulatory systems. The hosts share their experience and provide evidence of how the regulatory system in Virginia is flawed and fails to protect consumers. They highlight the lack of accountability, loopholes in contract law, and the favoritism shown towards certain contractors. The hosts also discuss the role of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) and how it fails to uphold its responsibilities. They emphasize the need for reform and proper oversight to protect the public and ensure fair business practices.
Highlights:
regulatory systems, corruption, Virginia, contract law, accountability, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), reform, oversight, fair business practices
Takeaways
The regulatory system in Virginia is flawed and fails to protect consumers
Loopholes in contract law and favoritism towards certain contractors undermine the integrity of the system
The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) does not fulfill its responsibilities and lacks accountability
Reform and proper oversight are necessary to ensure fair business practices and protect the public
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Deep-Rooted Issues in Virginia's Regulatory Systems03:05 The Impact of Background and Culture on Regulatory Systems07:22 The Validity of Contract Law and the Role of DPOR11:08 The Impact of Loose Regulation on Business and the Public14:00 The Lack of Accountability and the Validity of Contract Law29:28 The Roadmap to Exposing the Flaws in the Regulatory System33:10 Call to Action: Follow and Support the Rabbit Hole Podcast
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation:
https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Licensees/Regulations
May 12, 202435:00

The Evolution of Othering, Generational Curses, and the FOIA Struggle in Chesterfield Ep. 6
In this episode of The Rabbit Whole, we look back on the historic roots and manifestations of systemic corruption, the lingering trauma of institutionalized racism, and the present struggle for transparency in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Generations removed from the horrors of slavery, its evils still reverberate through antiquated laws applied with far less transparency than is required in a free society. These practices serve as the haunting reminders of an infrastructure designed to exclude and exalt groups based on an American caste system. We discuss the need to reconsider the use of unaccountable regulators shielded by anonymity and bureaucracy. This form of regulatory administration can only lead to the perpetuation of cycles of injustice as evidenced by one of the real-time example we discuss in the episode involving a mother repeatedly harassed by Chesterfield police after she reported a crime.
As we peel back the layers, we uncover how past injustices have morphed into present-day policies and practices. The net result is a compromised access to justice that allows laws to be applied at the discretion of those wielding power. What was once meant to be a society based on the rule of law has transformed into an oppressive and unjust corporatocracy. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) should serve as a tool for accountability and transparency, yet it often feels like a battleground where truth struggles to emerge from the shadows of secrecy and deception. Nonetheless, FOIA requests offer hope, illuminating the dark spaces where injustice has seemingly taken root in Chesterfield County. In the end, we can always make things better so long as they see the light of day.
We hope you enjoy this episode and find the resource links useful as we work to crowdsource the truth together.
Sources in this week's episode:
Richmond Times Dispatch
https://richmond.com/news/nation-world/government-politics/north-carolina-real-estate-deeds-racist-language/article_fc680959-eec9-5126-873a-4acbf8eb65a9.html
News 8 Link
https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/chesterfield-judge-agrees-to-expunge-prostitution-charges-for-virginia-beach-pastor-john-blanchard/
News 6
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfields-policy-public-information-freedom-of-information-act-march-29-2024
Roanoke Times
https://roanoke.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/foia-chesterfield-police-secret/article_69e56863-34bd-5ff2-bf88-958d79170f9c.html
Virginia Museum of History and Culture
https://virginiahistory.org/learn/civil-rights-movement-virginia/world-jim-crow
// Please consider supporting us and getting the word out
WHAT IS THE RABBIT WHOLE PODCAST?
Find us on the web at https://www.therabbitwhole.com/
Explore The Rabbit Whole on YouTube
Collaborate with us and other independent guerilla journalists at the Rabbit Whole where we love to share the stories that matter to people, not the mainstream 📢 Rabbit Whole Media
Is a place for local stories that are too complex to cover in a short clip. These stories unfold and are collaborative efforts between the community, content creators, entrepreneurs, and influencers taking their stories to Instagram, YouTube, and wherever you catch your podcasts.
📱 Follow us on IG www.instagram.com/RabbitWholePodcast
// ABOUT ME
Hey, I'm Andie! I create content for real people who need answers. Beyond being a Creator, I manage a small business while I edit podcasts, produce YouTube videos, develop online branding, and fumble through social media as only a genXer who played outside as a kid can. It may not be trendy, but it will be useful, truthful, and shared to inform.
WHAT IS THE RABBIT WHOLE PODCAST?
Find us on the web at https://www.therabbitwhole.com/
Explore The Rabbit Whole on YouTube
Collaborate with us and other independent guerilla journalists at the Rabbit Whole where we love to share the stories that matter to people, not the mainstream 📢 Rabbit Whole Media
I
Apr 15, 202436:13

Corporatocracy and the Modern Gilded Age
This week on the Rabbit Whole Podcast with your hosts Marty and Andie, we dive deep into the murky waters of corporatocracy and its impact on homeowners, particularly in the realm of construction regulation. In this episode, we unravel the tangled web of bureaucratic red tape and corporate influence that often leaves victims of negligence or malpractice stranded without recourse.
We begin by dissecting the concept of corporatocracy, examining how it manifests in the regulatory landscape and influences decision-making processes. Our investigation leads us to the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) and their role—or lack thereof—in ensuring accountability within the construction industry.
Scrutinizing DPOR's (Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) mission statement and purported commitment to safeguarding the public through minimum competency standards, we uncover discrepancies between rhetoric and reality. Despite ostensibly existing to prevent harm to homeowners, DPOR's actions—or inaction—tell a different story.
Central to our discussion is a case study of our own situation. Shielded by the system's loopholes and corporate protection, it's our opinion that the builder in this story evades accountability for shoddy workmanship, at least for now. We recount how the builder, emboldened by the system's failings, is allowed, through legal maneuvers, to further burden us as homeowners with unnecessary legal costs on top of the repair costs.
As we navigate through these injustices, we invite the builder to the program and remind him of an excerpt from Matthew 18:15-18, finding solace and strength in its message of seeking resolution and standing firm against wrongdoing. Join us on this thought-provoking journey as we shine a light on the shadowy corners of corporatocracy and advocate for greater accountability and justice for all.
Mar 25, 202439:33

Ep. 4 Regulating the Regulators
In this electrifying episode of the Rabbit Hole Podcast, Marty and Andie discuss the alarming decline in consumer protection in Virginia's new construction industry due to recent regulatory changes. They highlight the potentially dire consequences of this change, specifically in relation to the dramatic increase in the work value of unlicensed subcontractors. Listen in as our hosts explore this issue and have a little fun on social media asking the kind of public policy questions the politicians don't want any part of this year.
As they navigate through real-life experiences and discuss the news of their own, Marty and Andie stumble upon a recent news story of a whistleblower being dismissed merely for complying with FOIA requests, touching on an important conversation about efficiency, transparency, and fairness in the system.
Tracing the journey of lodging complaints from local to federal levels, the hosts shed light on the intricate web of regulations and red tape that may deter citizens from seeking justice. They draw attention the importance of persistence in pursuing the truth. The discussion concludes with an intriguing teaser to their next episode, where they plan to explore the positive aspects of negative criticism.
Mar 15, 202421:14

Ep. 3 Navigating a Mold-Infested New Construction Home
Welcome to this riveting episode of The Rabbit Whole Podcast. Join our hosts Marty and Andie as they unravel their traumatic story of a new home build gone horribly wrong. Experience a deep dive into the twists and turns of a civil case, the significance of understanding the system and the principle of operating with zero trust.
In this exposé of the perilous world of home building, our courageous hosts detail the deleterious effects of their molding home on their overall health. They recount bouts of mysterious fatigue, skin reactions, and emotional instability, presenting a stark and perhaps shocking depiction of the dangers lurking within unhealthy living environments.
Marty and Andie share their strategic use of the Freedom of Information Request to acquire essential information about their case. Listen in on their battles with bureaucratic roadblocks, manipulation of electronic evidence, and their unyielding pursuit of justice in an environment that seems indifferent to their plight.
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As the episode concludes, the hosts delve into possible future topics and potential opportunities for budding investigative journalists or students. This episode is not only a dissection of their ordeal, but also offers an enlightening discourse on navigating the challenges of system inefficiencies. Tune in for an insightful and gripping conversation on wrangling an imperfect system, understanding your battles, and making sense of the chaos.
Feb 27, 202431:35

Surreal Estate - Part 2 - Fair is Fair
Featuring a compelling testament from a homeowner who was severely impacted by the malpractice of an unlicensed contractor, the episode shines a light on lack of oversight and the ongoing war against unprofessional conduct in the construction industry.
Feb 12, 202420:00

SurReal Estate - Part 1 -A Nightmare House Building Experience During a Pandemic
Join Marty and Andie, your enlightening hosts of the Rabbit Whole Podcast, as they take you on a heartfelt journey through their trying experiences of homebuilding during unprecedented times. Listen to their stories and learn from their unfortunate encounters with unscrupulous builders who capitalized on the pandemic and a weak legal system while Marty and Andie were left to fend for themselves when the ceiling collapsed.
Step into the reality of their homebuilding journey, fraught with broken promises, severe negligence, and myriad issues from irresponsible builders who promised seamless service. Experience the panic and frustrations as they grapple with unfinished projects, rushed deadlines, unlicensed vendors, and legal battles that outlived the lockdowns.
Through relatable discussion and revealing narratives, Marty and Andy unveil the harsh realities of the home building industry, or lack thereof. Their poignant story stresses the urgency of transparency in the industry, insufficient regulations, and essentially toothless warranties offered.
Not only a detailed recounting of a personal ordeal, this episode delves into the underbelly of the building industry, exposing how widespread negligence, incompetence, and deception can lead to distressing experiences for homeowners. It also throws light on the crucial need for more stringent regulations and consumer protection laws.
Let this riveting episode be an eye-opener and a warning bell to you, aspiring homeowners, alerting you of pitfalls and malpractices that may lurk in shadowy corners. Tune in, and enlighten yourself with the Whole Story on the Rabbit Whole Podcast!
Feb 08, 202424:39