PODCAST

Bend Don"t Break

The Source

Podcasts powered by The Source, a weekly newspaper in beautiful Bend, Oregon.

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All Episodes

00:21:48

Bend Don't Break: Cyrus Mooney, City of Bend Business...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/09/25

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron sits down with Cyrus Mooney, Business Development Manager for the City of Bend, whose path from student affairs to civic leadership reflects a deep commitment to service and connection. With roots in Sherwood and a decade in Corvallis, Cyrus brings a rare blend of empathy, adaptability, and strategic insight to Bend’s evolving economic landscape.They talk about what it means to lead from the middle—liaising between city departments, business associations,

00:24:57

Bend Don't Break: Lace Thornberg, Central Oregon...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/09/22

This week on Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Lace Thornberg, Communications Director at Central Oregon LandWatch. Lace shares how her journey through conservation organizations across the West eventually led her to Bend, where she now channels her passion for land use, public lands, and ensuring equitable access to nature. Their conversation explores the importance of protecting Central Oregon’s landscapes in the face of rapid growth, the role of public engagement in shaping land

00:26:03

Bend Don't Break: Steve Platt, Bend City Councilman

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/09/11

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Bend City Councilman Steve Platt, whose journey from fighter pilot to physics teacher to public servant reveals a deep commitment to community, resilience, and thoughtful leadership.Steve shares how his global military career and experience commanding squadrons shaped his approach to civic engagement and policy-making. Now serving on the Bend City Council, he discusses his passion for affordable housing, sustainable

00:32:48

Bend Don't Break: Lily Raff McCaulou

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/09/04

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with journalist and author Lily Raff McCaulou. Lily’s writing has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and The Bulletin, and she is the author of Call of the Mild: Learning to Hunt My Own Dinner, named one of the best books of 2012 by The San Francisco Chronicle.Aaron and Lily explore her winding path into journalism, what ultimately brought her to Bend, and the surprising

00:35:34

Bend Don't Break: Brian August, Executive Director of...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/08/21

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Brian K. August shares his journey to becoming the new Executive Director of the Tower Theatre Foundation. With more than twenty years of leadership experience across nonprofits, private enterprise, and global initiatives, Brian brings a thoughtful approach to strategic growth, operational excellence, and community impact. His work with CauseMic and the Oregon Humane Society reflects a deep commitment to service and a talent for guiding organizations through

00:28:56

Bend Don't Break: Scott Larson, President and CEO of...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/08/14

We’re joined by Scott Larson, the new President and CEO of Visit Central Oregon, to talk about the future of tourism and community in our region. With more than a decade of experience promoting mountain towns and rural destinations across the West, Scott brings a passion for using tourism as a force for economic growth and connection. He shares his journey from childhood vacations in Sunriver and skiing Mt. Bachelor to leading visitor associations across the country—and now, returning to Bend to

00:33:36

Bend Don't Break: Gabe Charalambides, Founder of Odyssey

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/08/07

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron sits down with Gabe Charalambides, founder of Odyssey—one of the first legal psilocybin retreat centers in the U.S. Gabe shares his unconventional journey from aerospace engineer to psychedelic wellness pioneer, driven by a long-standing passion for meditation, Buddhist philosophy, and mental health.The two dive into the growing legalization of psilocybin, the science-backed benefits, and what guests can expect from an Odyssey retreat experience.

00:27:34

LISTEN: Bend Don't Break, Maija Kellner-Rode

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/08/04

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Maija Kellner-Rode, a queer artist, dancer, and mentor who has made it her mission to foster healing and connection through creativity. Maija shares her journey from launching her nationally distributed art brand, Maija Rebecca Hand Drawn, to mentoring youth across Oregon through expressive arts.

00:22:34

Bend Don't Break: Katie Chipko, Executive Director of...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/07/10

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Katie Chipko, Executive Director of NatureConnect Central Oregon. ‹Left Center RightResize CancelCrop250 x 159✖i› SW Since joining the organization in 2012, Katie has been a champion for outdoor access, working to build partnerships and create inclusive nature-based programs for youth and

00:31:48

Bend Don't Break: Deena Kamm, Voice Enthusiast and...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/07/03

This week on Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Deena Kamm—longtime performer, vocal coach, and creative force behind Voiceless: A Musical. Deena shares her journey from the high-pressure entertainment industry in Los Angeles to building a voice-centered life and business in Bend, Oregon. They talk about the power of voice—how using it not only builds confidence but literally releases dopamine when you sing. From launching Sing Bend and the Public (ROCK) Choir to coaching executives

00:29:42

Bend Don't Break: Brian Rankin, City of Bend Senior...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/06/26

In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Rankin, the City of Bend’s Senior Strategist and one of the key minds shaping how our city grows. From expanding the urban growth boundary to navigating the complexities of housing, transportation, and infrastructure, Brian’s work is all about guiding Bend’s long-term future with intention and care.Host Aaron Switzer sits down with Brian to talk about his journey to Central Oregon, his early days in a band, and what it really takes to plan for a city on the

00:31:01

Bend Don't Break: Sherman H. Bloomer, Chancellor and...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/06/12

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Sherman “Sherm” Bloomer, Chancellor and Dean of Oregon State University–Cascades. With a background in geology and decades of experience in higher education leadership, Sherm shares his journey from faculty roles at Boston University and Duke to his long tenure at OSU, where he served as Dean of the College of Science and later led the university’s budget and resource planning office.Aaron and Sherm discuss the evolving landscape

00:27:12

Bend Don't Break: Joshua Savage, Author and Creator...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/06/05

In this episode, Aaron chats with Joshua Savage—traveler, writer, educator, and scavenger hunt mastermind. Originally from the South, Josh shares the story of how his family sold everything to explore the world, eventually falling in love with Bend and making it their home.The conversation touches on his passion for travel, his love for the Pacific Northwest, and how his experiences have shaped his work as a teacher and writer. Josh talks about his latest book, Secret Bend, as well as his ongoing

00:36:20

Bend Don't Break: Amber Thacher, Interim Executive...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/05/29

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Amber Thacher, Interim Executive Director of City Club of Central Oregon. Amber shares her inspiring journey from Boston to Bend—reflecting on her time as Senior Director of Executive Education at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she developed programs on economic development, policy implementation, crisis leadership, and behavioral science. Amber also discusses her earlier career in international education, her passion for

00:36:55

Bend Don't Break: Johannah Johnson-Weinberg, Founder...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/05/22

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Johannah Johnson-Weinberg, founder of CAMP (Companion Animal Medical Project), to discuss the vital intersection of animal welfare and housing insecurity in Central Oregon. Johannah shares how her early work at a local humane society and a low-cost spay/neuter clinic opened her eyes to the deep bonds between people and their pets—especially for those facing homelessness. Drawing on years of experience in both the animal and human

00:30:30

Bend Don't Break with Dr. Sarah Hellman

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/05/07

On this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron sits down with Dr. Sarah Hellmann, a board-certified OB-GYN at St. Charles Health System and co-host of the podcast Wine with Your Gyn. From her journey from social work to women’s health, to creating a podcast that blends humor and honesty around often-taboo topics, Dr. Hellmann shares her passion for building community through accessible, evidence-based care. Tune in as they discuss the importance of women’s health, breaking down barriers, and empowering

00:30:17

Bend Don't Break: Sharon Maier Kennelly, Executive...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/04/24

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Sharon Smith, a passionate nonprofit leader who brings decades of experience in community programming and the arts to her current role as Executive Director of the High Desert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA). After relocating from Long Island to Bend in 2019, Sharon quickly immersed herself in the local nonprofit scene—most notably at the Tower Theatre Foundation—before joining HDFFA in 2023.Together, Aaron and Sharon dig into the realities of food insecurity

00:30:17

Bend Don't Break: Ed Fitch, Redmond Mayor

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/04/17

On this episode of Bend Don’t Break, we’re joined by Redmond Mayor, Ed Fitch, longtime Redmond resident and dedicated public servant. After growing up just outside of Chicago as the ninth of eleven children, he earned both a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in history from Marquette University, followed by a law degree from Willamette Law School in 1978.

00:28:29

Bend Don't Break: Crista Munro, Executive Director of...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/04/10

This week on Bend Don't Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Crista Munro, Executive Director of SFF Presents, to talk about the rich history and evolving mission of the Sisters Folk Festival. More than just a weekend event, SFF Presents now offers year-round programming designed to bring art, music, and creativity to the Central Oregon community.

00:33:59

Bend Don't Break: Gwenn Wysling, Executive Director...

Bend Don"t Break ·

2025/03/27

On this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Gwenn Wysling, Executive Director of Bethlehem Inn. Since 2010, Gwenn has been at the helm of the Central Oregon-based shelter, leading its mission to provide emergency housing and support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. With a background in hospitality and a 20-year career in human resources, Gwenn brings a unique perspective to the nonprofit world.

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