BendBEAT

What does it really take to build a healthier community in Central Oregon? In this BendBeat episode, Brian sits down with Megan Haase, CEO of Mosaic Community Health, to unpack the vital role Mosaic plays across Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, and Sisters—and why their work impacts nearly one out of every eight Central Oregonians. They explore: ⦁ What "whole-person care" actually means in pract...

What makes Mount Bachelor feel like Bend's home mountain instead of just another resort? In this BendBeat episode, Brian sits down with John Merriman, CEO of Mount Bachelor, for a wide ranging conversation about culture, community, and the future of outdoor recreation in Central Oregon. They dive into: • How Bachelor differs from Colorado's crowded mega resorts • Why 75 percent of visitors are loc...

Education, Engagement, and the Heart of Bend: A Conversation with COCC's Zak Boone In this episode of BendBeat , Brian Ladd sits down with Zak Boone , Vice President of College Advancement at Central Oregon Community College and Executive Director of the COCC Foundation , for a deep conversation about what keeps Central Oregon thriving—its people, its institutions, and its culture of giving back....

Empowering Central Oregon's Youth: Heart of Oregon Corps on BendBeat What if the next generation held the key to solving some of Central Oregon's biggest challenges? In this episode of BendBeat , Brian Ladd sits down with Laura Handy , Executive Director of Heart of Oregon Corps , to explore how this locally founded nonprofit is transforming lives—and our community. For 25 years, Heart of Oregon h...

What does it take to build a better Bend? In this conversation, we sit down with Christopher Jones, COO & Partner at Project^, to talk about the architectural vision shaping some of Bend's most iconic spaces, from The Grove and Range Apartments to Basecamp and the ambitious Aretē project. A former professional cyclist and ski mountaineer, Chris brings a global perspective and a deeply personal con...

What happens when a community rallies behind higher education—and decides to build a cutting-edge university on top of a former landfill and pumice mine? Welcome to OSU-Cascades in Bend, Oregon. In this powerful conversation, OSU leaders Christine Coffin and Jared Pantella share how Oregon State University–Cascades is not only transforming Central Oregon's built environment but also driving sustai...

What does the future of Bend, Oregon look like—and who gets to help shape it? In this full episode of the BendBeat Podcast, host Brian Ladd sits down with Matt Muchna, Executive Director of Envision Bend, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing one of the fastest-growing communities in the Pacific Northwest. From urban planning and housing to social capital and cultural inclusion, Matt...

In this episode of BendBeat, Brian Ladd sits down with Stephanie Betteridge, Bend's Chief Innovation Officer and Assistant City Manager, to explore how innovation, data, and a people-first mindset are shaping the future of Bend. From AI and public dashboards to snowplow tech and roundabout art, Stephanie reveals the behind-the-scenes work that makes Bend not just function—but thrive. If you've eve...

In this episode of BendBeat, Brian Ladd sits down with Bobby Grover, founder of Thump Coffee, to explore his journey from high-pressure corporate life to crafting a purpose-driven coffee brand in Bend, Oregon. Bobby shares what inspired his bold move—from stepping away from a high-paying job to pursuing a slower, more intentional life centered around coffee, community, and personal values. Discove...

In this episode of the BendBeat Podcast, we dive into the incredible work of Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS), an organization dedicated to making outdoor recreation accessible to individuals with disabilities. Hosts Colleen Dougherty and Pat Addabbo share the inspiring journey of OAS—from its grassroots beginnings to serving over 2,500 adaptive experiences annually. Join us as we discuss the impact o...

In this episode of BendBeat podcast, Brian Ladd welcomes Kayley Mendenhall, Vice President of Strategic Communications, and Jenny O'Bryan, Executive Director of the St. Charles Foundation, for an inspiring conversation about the legacy, challenges, and future of St. Charles Health System, 100 years of community-centered care in Bend, Oregon. St. Charles has been a cornerstone of Central Oregon for...

While it might be hard to believe, Bend's population growth has noticeably slowed over the past two years, with last year's increase falling to just under 1%. This marks one of the slowest growth rates Bend has seen since 2010-2012, a stark contrast to the rapid expansion of the previous five years. While this deceleration may be alarming to some, it's important to note that many communities in Or...

Growing and thriving are part of our everyday lives, but there is always another side. In this episode, alongside Cassi MacQueen and Brian Ladd, we dive deeper into what Deschutte's Children Foundation is doing and how it is promoting and helping other non-profit organizations to be successful, in order to keep the help going where it is needed. Deschute's Children Foundation's mission is to provi...

Welcome to BendBeat Podcast! In today's episode, we had the opportunity to talk with Chris & Erin van der Velde, better known as Tetherow. Brian Ladd took this opportunity to dive deep into the impact that the Tetherow resort has had in Bend, Oregon. Tetherow encompasses 700 acres on Bend, Oregon's west side. They boast a 50-room boutique hotel, pool, three restaurants, 40 vacation rental homes, e...

Welcome to our next episode of the BendBeat where Brian Ladd and Lynne McConnell  delve deep into the heart of Bend, Oregon's evolving landscape of affordable housing. With a clear vision that housing forms the foundation of success, this episode explores the myriad of inventive strategies the city of Bend is working on to ensure everyone has a place to call home. From leveraging middle-income hou...

The subjects of Oregon land use laws, the urban growth boundary, and zoning all take center stage in this informative conversation between Brian Ladd and Deschutes County Commissioner, Phil Chang. Commissioner Chang is giving us an inside look at how Bend is a driving force in the decisions that are made for Deschutes County as a whole.  Serving as one of Deschutes County Commissioners since 2019,...

Bend's city leaders are marching in the same direction and Mayor Melanie Kebler is at the front of the pack representing the voices of Bend's residents. As a Bend native, Mayor Kebler returned to her hometown and is matching her love for the city with her passion for leadership. As the city's Mayor, Kebler is hopeful that the city leader's unified vision will help Bend grow into its new skin by cr...

Brian is joined by Andrés Portela, Bend's new Director of Equity and Inclusion. Learn more about Bend's Human Rights and Equity Commission: https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/committees/human-rights-and-equity-commission Connect with Andres: https://www.instagram.com/portelainbend/

Brian Ladd sits down with Ranae Staley, Executive Director of Bend's local food pantry, The Giving Plate. Their mission is deeply rooted in compassion and hospitality, and they take a special interest in helping Central Oregon's food-insecure youth. Learn more about the staggering number of people, our neighbors, who are silently struggling as communities across Central Oregon face ongoing afforda...

Brian Ladd is joined by Brian Rankin, the Long Range Planning Manager for the City of Bend, in our latest BendBeat episode. They explore the impact of Oregon's latest housing bill, which opens doors to more diverse and affordable housing options for Bend residents. While the city plays a role in helping fund affordable housing, given Bend's urgent housing needs, the state has stepped in to relax r...

Brian Ladd talks to Eric King, Bend's City Manager for the past 16+ years. Get the inside scoop on how Bend is tackling pressing issues like homelessness, affordable housing, and evolving culture. Despite the challenges, Eric exudes optimism, relying on Bend's entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative networks to conquer these urban dilemmas. In this episode, discover Bend's strategies and insights...

Join us in the captivating 14th episode of Bend Beat, as we sit down with the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Chris and Marianne Cox. This engaging podcast unveils the inspiring journey of two remarkable entrepreneurs who have left an indelible mark on their beloved community. Episode Highlights: Entrepreneurial Insights: Get an exclusive peek into the entrepreneurial minds of Chris and Marianne Cox...

This podcast tells the inspiring story of entrepreneur, Preston Callicott, a Bend, Oregon resident who became civically active after his employees struggled to find affordable housing. Follow along as he works to make a positive change in his community and helps to address a pressing issue facing many entrepreneurs and businesses in Bend today. 

"Planning sustainably and being good stewards for the next generation." City council member, Anthony Broadman, sits down with Brian Ladd to discuss the challenges ahead of Bend in the midst of exponential growth, and how to manage it.  

Our latest podcast release introduces Anna Higgins, Assistant Superintendent at High Desert Education Service District in Bend, Oregon. Anna and Brian unfold the story of this organization, how they service our local education system, and how they have become the bridge between the community and school district.