Bend Don't Break

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 h...

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, a...

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 pe...

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-bas...

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 Founda...

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. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

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. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

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, G...

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, we sit down with Kisky Holwerda, the driving force behind Bend, Oregon’s Ponderosa Players. A passionate theater director and educator, Kisky shares how this innovative troupe is fostering creativity, building community, and bringing bold, original performances to life. From the joys of working with young actors to the challenges of independent theater, this co...

We sit down with Trever Hawman, owner/brewer of Bridge 99 Brewery in northeast Bend's "Brewers District" to discuss Bridge 99 Taproom's recent 10-year anniversary and how the taplist has evolved over the past decade including how and why nearly every beer is now gluten free. (But you can't taste the difference!) And why there's a non-alcoholic beer and an honest to go...

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Gregory Deffenbaugh, the new News Director at KTVZ-TV, to discuss his journey through the evolving world of news. From his early days in the newsroom to leading award-winning teams across multiple markets, Gregory shares insights into the changing landscape of journalism and how KTVZ’s rebrand reflects the reality that new...

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Marney Smith, General Manager at Hayden Homes Amphitheater, to explore her remarkable journey in the live entertainment industry. Marney shares how she navigated her career path to eventually manage one of the most iconic outdoor venues in the Pacific Northwest. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with longtime arts advocate Cate O’Hagan to discuss the impact of public art in Central Oregon. Cate shares insights from her decades-long career in the cultural sector, from her work with the Portland Art Museum and Oregon Symphony to her leadership at Arts Central and beyond. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Peter Hoover, Executive Director of Sisters Habitat for Humanity. Peter shares his journey from a career in financial services and city management to leading a nonprofit dedicated to creating affordable housing in Sisters, Oregon. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

n this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with award-winning author and poet Ellen Waterston, the 2024 Oregon Poet Laureate. With four poetry collections and four literary nonfiction titles to her name—including her most recent release, We Could Die Doing This (2024)—Waterston is a force in the literary world. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer chats with Melissa Burr, Founding Winemaker of Stoller Family Estate, about her fascinating journey from studying naturopathic medicine to becoming a trailblazer in the Oregon wine industry. An Oregon native, Melissa discovered her passion for winemaking while pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree at Portland State University. She further h...

In this week’s episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Sally, Executive Director of Think Wild, a Bend-based wildlife conservation center. Sally shares her inspiring journey from working at the Newport Aquarium to leading a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to wildlife rescue, education, conservation, and habitat restoration across Central and Eastern Oregon. Send us Fan Mail Su...

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with a passionate Bend local who has turned a love for board sports into a mission to give back to the community. Born in the Pacific Northwest, this week’s guest was drawn to Bend from a young age, inspired by its mountains, rivers, and endless adventures. After 14+ years of calling Bend home, they’ve channeled a lifelong passion f...

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, host Aaron Switzer is joined by Dr. Aimee Snyder to discuss the transformative power of integrating public health programs into school systems. Dr. Snyder shares her journey from being a middle school teacher in coastal Georgia to earning her doctoral degree in Public Health and specializing in school-based prevention and health promotion. Send us Fan Mail...

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Jeff Knapp, the newly appointed CEO of Visit Bend, to delve into his journey from a humble start in hospitality to leading one of Oregon’s most celebrated visitor bureaus. Jeff shares stories of his early days in the industry, moving from bussing tables to managing Direct to Consumer Sales at Sokol Blosser Winery, where he honed his...

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, Aaron Switzer speaks with Michelle Healy, Executive Director of Bend Park and Recreation District, about what makes Bend’s parks and trails some of the most cherished community assets. Michelle shares insights from her extensive background in parks and recreation, which spans from lifeguarding and supervising recreation facilities to her current leadership...

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Paula Dreyer, a classically-trained pianist and composer based in Bend, Oregon, whose distinctive music draws from Romantic, Impressionistic, and Spanish influences. Paula shares her inspiring journey from early piano lessons to becoming an internationally recognized musician, educator, and author of the popular Little Gem...

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Emily Kirk, a familiar face on Central Oregon Daily News, to talk about her journey into local television and her deep connection to the Central Oregon community. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, Aaron Switzer talks with Bill Kowalik, PhD, founding board member and Chairperson of DarkSky Oregon. Bill shares the mission behind DarkSky Oregon, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Oregon’s dark skies and combating light pollution for the health and well-being of all life. They discuss the importance of raising awareness about environmentally friendly o...

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Abby Rowland, Executive Director of Saving Grace, to discuss Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the vital services Saving Grace provides to survivors. Abby shares her journey, explaining what drew her to Saving Grace and her passion for working in direct services. Send us Fan Mail Support the show