A Bend in the Road

This is a rebroadcast of episodes 6 & 7 from October 19, 2022. 

What power does poetry have to help us navigate the challenges of life? How do we approach art and how does it approach us? Join our guest host Diane Sims for a journey through these questions, and many others, with Pádraig Ó Tuama in an episode so big, we had to split it into two.

In Part 1, Pádraig Ó shares his relationship with art, reconciliation and the ongoing road toward finding ourselves.

In Part 2, we dig into the questions of acceptance and identity Pádraig grappled with as a youth growing up in Ireland, and in the tall shadow of the Catholic Church, and what innate sensibility gave him the fortitude to step into those headwinds, instead of turning away, with a brief stop in the land of knitable television near the end.

For those new to Pádraig’s work, he is an Irish poet and the host of the hugely popular podcast Poetry Unbound – now on its sixth season – as well as a theologian and conflict mediator.

Links mentioned in the episodes:

Pádraig’s Website

The TenX9 Storytelling Project

Corrymeela

Morton Deutsch

Billy Collins

Six Feet Under

“If You’re Going To Look Like a Wolf They Have to Love You More Than Fear You”

Original Episode Credits:

• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producer is, Elias Rosner 
• Our Technical Director and Audio Engineer is Elias Rosner
• Our Editor is Elias Rosner 
• Our Digital Media producers are Sabrina Garcia and Elias Rosner
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
• Special thanks to Pádraig Ó Tuama for talking with us today and to Shannon Hearn for her help

In their new film Rebel with a Clause, grammar guru Ellen Jovin and director Brandt Johnson head off on a road trip to all 50 states to show how comma fights, rather than divide, can bring us closer together. Join Roberta as they talk about the power of language, taking a grammar stand, and the New York Times bestselling book that started it all.

Things we talked about in this episode:

Rebel with a Clause film

Rebel with a Clause book and Ellen Jovin’s Grammar Table

Brandt Johnson

Oxford (Serial) Comma

Syntaxis Communication

Episode Credits: 

• Our thanks to Ellen Jovin and Brandt Johnson for joining us today. You can learn more about Ellen, Brandt, and the book and film at rebelwithaclause.com and grammartable.com. 
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
• Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner. 
• Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner. 
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
• Our Digital Media Producer is Melissa Egan.
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.

Have you ever had a teacher who completely changed the way you see the world? Today, we’re shining a spotlight on one of those incredible educators—Ted Opderbeck! With 30 years of award-winning teaching under his belt, Ted has dedicated his career to putting empathy and global awareness at the heart of every lesson. 

Roberta talks to Ted about how he’s taking his passion even further in his new role with TEEEM (The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission). He’s here to share his journey, his inspiring work, and his thoughts on “refirement” (not retirement!)—a fresh approach to purpose and impact in life’s next chapter.

Don’t miss this chance to be inspired by Ted’s story and learn how small acts of empathy can ripple out into big change.

Things we talked about in this episode:

Ted Opderbeck

TEEEM (The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission

Social Entrepreneurship in the Classroom

50 Inspiring Ideas of Social Entrepreneurship

Refirement

Episode Credits: 

• Our thanks to Ted Opderbeck for joining us in the studio today. You can learn more about Ted and his work at teeem.org/ (that’s teeem).
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner. 
• Editing by Elias Rosner and Roberta Panjwani. 
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
• Original theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Digital Media producer is Melissa Egan. 
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas

How did a fateful meeting with filmmaker M Night Shyamalan, ignite Melissa Davey’s own career of becoming a director herself. At age 65? Roberta talks with the documentarian and activist about taking risks, shining a light on the value of women over 65, and the importance of living each day to its fullest. 

Things we talked about in this episode:

Climbing Into Life

Beyond Sixty Project

Dierdre Wolownick

Alex Honnold

Free Solo

M. Night Shyamalan

Episode Credits:

• Our thanks to Melissa Davey for joining us. For more information about Climbing Into Life, Beyond Sixty and future projects, please visit melissadavey.com. 
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
• Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
• Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner. 
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
• Our Digital Media Producer is Melissa Egan.
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.

Take a trip to the Hollywood Bowl with Roberta and her sister Andrea and experience two once-in-a-lifetime shows with the legendary Joni Mitchell, alongside all-star guests like Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Marcus Mumford, Elton John, Meryl Streetp, and her Joni Jam band, performing deep cuts and classics like “Cherokee Louise,” “California,” “Sire of Sorrow,” “The Circle Game,” and “Come in from the Cold.” Please see the notes below for the full list of artists. 

(This is a companion to the documentary-length Episode 16 which features the June 2023 shows at the Gorge Amphitheatre, which is being rebroadcast with this episode.)

Things we talked about in this episode:
Joni Mitchell
Brandi Carlile
The Hollywood Bowl
Variety magazine review of the Hollywood Bowl shows
“Echoes through the Canyon” shows at the Gorge Amphitheatre, June 9-11, 2023 
The Artists:
Abe Rounds
Allison Russell
Annie Lennox
Ben Lusher
Blake Mills
Celisse Henderson
Elton John
Jon Batiste
Josh Neumann
Lucius
Marcus Mumford
Mark Isham
Meryl Streep
Phil Hanseroth
Rick Whitfield
Rita Wilson
Robin Pecknold
Sista Strings
Taylor Goldsmith
Taylor Mackall
Tim Hanseroth
Wendy & Lisa

Episode Credits: 

• Please be sure to listen to the companion documentary-length Episode 16, One Weekend Last Summer, with Roberta and Andrea’s trip to the Gorge Theatre in Seattle featuring Joni, Brandi, and many of the artists you just heard.
• Our thanks to Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Marcus Mumford, Annie Lennox, Jon Batiste and the many artists who are featured in the  episode.
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims. 
• Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner. 
• Our Editors are Elias Rosner, Matt Giannotti and Roberta Panjwani.
• Our Technical Director and Audio Engineer for this episode are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner. 
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims. 
• Our Digital Media Producer is Melissa Egan. 
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas. 

Please note: We are rebroadcasting Episode 16 which originally aired in August 2023 as a companion to Episode 32. We hope you enjoy!

Take a trip to the Pacific Northwest with Roberta to experience the epic return of the legendary musician Joni Mitchell during Brandi Carlile’s “Echoes through the Canyon” weekend at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington State. Roberta talks with concertgoers who traveled across the country—and the world–about the impact that Joni and music has played in their lives.

We hear many remarkable moments from the June 9 & 10, 2023 shows featuring Joni, Brandi, Sarah McLachlan, Annie Lennox, Marcus Mumford and many more. Highlights include “A Case of You,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Both Sides Now,” and “The Circle Game.”

Things we talked about in this episode:
Gorge Amphitheatre
Joni Mitchell at Newport CD featuring the Joni Jam

The Musicians
Joni Mitchell
Brandi Carlile
Annie Lennox
Sarah McLachlan
Marcus Mumford
Allison Russell
Lucius
Taylor Goldsmith
Blake Mills
Celisse Henderson
Wendy & Lisa
Ben Lusher
Tim Hanseroth
Phil Hanseroth
Rick Whitfield
Josh Neumann

Episode Credits

• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
• Our Editor for this episode is Roberta Panjwani with consultation from Diane Sims and additional edits by Elias Rosner.
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
• Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner.
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
• Special thanks to the Gorge Amphitheatre, Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Sarah McLachlan, Marcus Mumford and all of the musicians featured in this episode.
• Additional thanks to Greg Raj, Kelly, Ellen and everyone who shared their experiences. And to Andrea–this episode is for you.

Director siblings Pete Davis and Rebecca Davis are on a mission! A mission to get you to join a club. A mission, based on the groundbreaking work of legendary social scientist Bob Putnam, that led them to make a documentary: Join or Die: a film about why you should join a club … and why the fate of America might depend on it. They stopped by to talk to Roberta about this hopeful and engaging film and how it explores the power of coming together, the importance of real-life connections, and how joining groups can transform communities. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking conversation!

Things we talked about in this episode:

Join or Die: A film about why you should join a club…and why the fate of America depends on it.

Bowling Alone by Bob Putnam

Episode Credits:

• Our thanks to Pete Davis and Rebecca Davis for joining us today. 
• You can learn all about the film, team, and how to attend or host a community screening at joinordiefilm.com. 
•  To read more about Dr Bob Putnam and his book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community please visit bowlingalone.com. 
• You can follow Pete on twitter @PeteDDavis, and subscribe to Pete’s newsletter at PeteDavis.substack.com.
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producer, Technical Director, and Editor & Audio Engineer for this episode is Elias Rosner. 
• Original theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Digital Media producer is Melissa Egan 
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
• Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you at the next bend in the road.

In April 1994, Anthea Bradshaw married her high school sweetheart in a beautiful Adelaide wedding. 96 days later, she was found lifeless in a pool of blood,  in Brunei, South East Asia, half a world away from home. This month, Roberta talks with Ben Avery, an Australian journalist and host of the Just Married podcast, who is investigating what really happened to Anthea and dives into our love, and obsession, with True Crime.

Things we talked about in this episode: 

Just Married: The Anthea Bradshaw Mystery

9 News Adelaide Coverage of the Anthea Bradshaw Case

Criminal podcast with Phoebe Judge

Adelaide, South Australia

Brunei, Southeast Asia

Episode Credits:

• Our thanks to Ben Avery for joining us from his home in Adelaide, Australia today. You can listen to Just Married: The Anthea Bradshaw Mystery at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
• Editing by Roberta Panjwani with additional edits by Elias Rosner
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner
• Original Theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Digital Media Producers are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.

Join the FOUND Magazine crew for a raucous celebration of the best lost, tossed and forgotten items from across the country. Davy Rothbart — bestselling author, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, and frequent presence on NPR’s This American Life — shares his all-time favorite finds, while his brother Peter, a rising folk music star, performs exquisite (and rowdy) songs based on found notes. The Rothbart Bros. are joined by world-famous sword swallower and magician Brett Loudermilk, winner of America’s Got Talent. Roberta talked with the gang before the live show which was filmed at the Ridgewood Public Library for an upcoming TV documentary series, Executive Produced by Mark Duplass (The Morning Show; The League) & Jay Duplass. Details to come!

Things we talked about in this episode:
Found Magazine & Tour
Davy Rothbart on This American Life: Mr. Rothbart’s Neighborhood: I Found Your Letter; Bad Morning America
Peter Rothbart’s YouTube Channel

Episode Credits:

• Our thanks to Davy Rothbart, Peter Rothbart, Brett Loudermilk, and their crew for joining us in the studio today
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner. 
• Editing by Melissa Egan and Roberta Panjwani. 
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
• Original theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner 
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
• The clip at the end of the episode is Peter Rothbart performing “Seattle, Our Town” which was recorded live in 2019 at Northwest Seaport's Monthly Sea Chantey Singalong in December, 2019, in Seattle. 
• The FOUND live show our guests performed before an audience of 100 at the library tonight was filmed for an upcoming television documentary series. Details to come! 
• You can learn more about Davy, Peter, Brett, and FOUND magazine and tour at foundmagazine.com. Links for Davey’s stories on This American Life are posted in the show notes. 
• Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you at the next bend in the road.

Inspired by This American Life’s “Notes on Camp” episode, we asked you for camp stories, and you delivered! Roberta listens to memories of summer days spent at camps, and see how a few short weeks can leave impressions for a lifetime.

Episode Credits

• Our thanks to Jay Friedman, Rebecca Rubenstein, Roberta and Harvey Bernstein, Jin Lee, Mickey Kim, Andrea Panjwani, Liv Barkley, Lauren Larkin, and Mike Beatty for sharing their stories with us and to Camp Pontiac and Camp Cedarbrook for sharing clips. 
• For a slideshow of all of our guests at camp and in our studio, please visit bendintheroad.org or check out our Facebook and Instagram. 
• To learn more about Jay Friedman, her CDs, and tour dates, please visit blueplatespecialmusic.com
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producer and Technical Director for this episode is Elias Rosner. 
• Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner. 
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
• Mastering done by Matt Giannotti.
• Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Melissa Egan. 
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.

Music Clips: 

• “Just a Boy and a Girl and a Little Canoe” courtesy of Girl Scout Songs
• “Master of the House” from Les Miserable courtesy of Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Walt Disney Music Company, and Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
• “Stayin’ Alive” © Universal Music Publishing Group

Things we talked about this Episode:

Westchester County Center

Blue Plate Special

Camp Pontiac

Camp Cedarbrook