The Straight Flush

Hosted by Virginia Water Environment Association

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Episodes

Latest episode

Apr 2026

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EN-US

About the show

A podcast by the Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA) focusing on Virginia wastewater and stormwater trends, initiatives, and individual's contributions to our industry.

Listen to episodes

56 recent

April 21, 2026Episode 5643 min

Ep. 56 - The Flow Forward Series: Mentorship in Motion (Part 2 of 2)

This episode wraps up a two-part series focusing on the importance of mentorship in the water industry. The series discussion was developed by the joint Utility Management Committee's Professional Development focus group.In this episode, our series guest host Jen Cobb (Newport News Waterworks) sits down with C.G. Goldizen (Upper Occoquan Service Authority), Liliana Maldonado (Independent Consultant), Molly Sayles (Hazen), and Jack Tigani (Student at George Mason University) to review their time participating in the mentorship program and the lasting benefits for their careers.

April 14, 2026Episode 5536 min

Ep. 55 - The Flow Forward Series: The Spark of Mentorship (Part 1 of 2)

This episode kicks off a two-part series focusing on the importance of mentorship in the water industry. The series discussion was developed by the joint Utility Management Committee's Professional Development focus group.In this episode, our series guest host Jen Cobb (Newport News Waterworks) sits down with Rusty Nigro (Hazen), Matt Wisniewski (GFT), and Paul Delphos (Burns & McDonnell) to discuss the importance of professional mentorship in their own careers, and the development of the VWEA / VA AWWA mentorship initiative.

March 11, 2026Episode 5436 min

Ep. 54 - Collaborative Delivery 101 Series: The Contractor's Perspective (Part 3 of 3)

This episode rounds out our three-part "Collaborative Delivery 101" series that details the perspectives, benefits, and experiences of water industry professionals that have taken the plunge into this alternative pathway to project delivery.In this episode, our series guest host Jim Good (Parkview Advisors) sits down with Scott Crowder (Ulliman Schutte Construction) to share the contractor's perspective on collaborative delivery.

March 3, 2026Episode 5341 min

Ep. 53 - Collaborative Delivery 101 Series: The Engineer's Perspective (Part 2 of 3)

This episode continues our three-part "Collaborative Delivery 101" series that details the perspectives, benefits, and experiences of water industry professionals that have taken the plunge into this alternative pathway to project delivery.In this episode, our series guest host Jim Good (Parkview Advisors) sits down with Brian Balchunas (HDR) to share the engineer's perspective on collaborative delivery.

February 24, 2026Episode 5246 min

Ep. 52 - Collaborative Delivery 101 Series: The Owner's Perspective (Part 1 of 3)

This episode kicks off a three-part "Collaborative Delivery 101" series that details the perspectives, benefits, and experiences of water industry professionals that have taken the plunge into this alternative pathway to project delivery.In this episode, our series guest host Jim Goode (Parkview Advisors) sits down with Bruce Husselbee (HRSD) to share the owner's perspective on collaborative delivery.

January 13, 2026Episode 5141 min

Ep. 51 - Evaluation of PFAS Effects on Biosolids Production and Disposal

Our guest host Matt Van Horne (Hazen) sits down with Jordan Combs (Maury Service Authority) to review the utility's journey through PFAS quantification, action plan development, and communication with public stakeholders.

September 9, 2025Episode 501 hr 16 min

Ep. 50 - The Enduring Wisdom of John Novak

This special 50th episode of The Straight Flush has our guest hosts Chris Wilson (HRSD) and Evan Bowles (Hazen) sitting down with Dr. John Novak (Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech) to discuss his history in the field of environmental engineering, contributions in teaching and research, and perspectives on the landscape of wastewater treatment.

June 24, 2025Episode 4952 min

Ep. 49 - Women Impacting Water Series: The Regulatory Route

We continue our Women Impacting Water series with Dana Hargrove (Hazen) and Adrianna Dimperio (Kennedy Jenks) as they sit down with Marcia Degen (Degen Environmental) and Karri Atwood (Virginia Forever) to discuss their path in Virginia's regulatory field and how it shaped the next phases of their water careers.

May 20, 2025Episode 4833 min

Ep. 48 - The Ripple Effect: Leadership in Water

Our guest host Becky Currall (HRSD) moderates a discussion on the joint Leadership Academy Committee, its origin, program, and long-term benefits for emerging leaders in the water industry. Guests for this discussion include Karlyn Owens (James City Service Authority), Marcello Forehand (Henrico County DPU), and Mike Wooden (Arcadis). Also, a special thanks to Chelsea Bajek (Henrico County DPU) for helping to organize and develop the podcast discussion.

March 25, 2025Episode 4742 min

Ep. 47 - Women Impacting Water Series: Education and Communication

We continue our Women Impacting Water series with Dana Hargrove (Hazen) and Adrianna Dimperio (Kennedy Jenks) as they speak with Sarah Baumgardner and Laura Schirmer (both with Western Virginia Water Authority) to learn more about their passion for innovative communications in the water sector.