A Bend in the Road

As we prepare for our special Camp Stories episode in August, we wanted to take a look back at our very first episode that aired on May 18, 2022 featuring J.D. Jackson

J.D. is an award-winning audiobook narrator with 400 credits to his name and counting. A 2020 inductee into AudioFile Magazine’s Golden Voices Hall of Fame, J.D. has plenty of experience behind a mic. For this inaugural episode of A Bend in the Road, join Roberta as she talks with J.D. about the teacher that changed his life, the process of interpreting books of all genres, and his magic remedy for keeping his voice in top form (hint: it involves a lot of licorice tea.) And who knows? Maybe that recipe will lead to your own bend in the road.

Episode Credits:

• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producer is Elias Rosner
• Our Technical Director, Audio Engineer, Editor, and Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Audiobooks narrated by J.D. are available to borrow or download at your library and on Audible.

Ridgewood resident Danielle Cohen embraces not only the importance of eating high quality food, but also of culinary education. Danielle created SNACC, an after-school youth development program that provides weekly at-home cooking lessons led by professional chefs, helping students create healthy and eclectic dishes. Danielle knows top-grade food can impact quality of life and believes programs like SNACC can improve food security and youth outcomes.

Things We Talked About in This Episode:

SNACC Official website 

SNACC Instagram 

New York City Public Schools

Mayor Eric Adams

Episode Credits: 

• Our thanks to Danielle Cohen for joining us.
• You can learn more about the SNACC program by visiting https://www.snaccprogram.org/.
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and executive produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producers and editors for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner. 
• 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 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.

The New York Times bestselling author of Ask Again, Yes, stopped by the Ridgewood Library for an author event to discuss her latest novel The Half Moon about a couple in a small town navigating the complexities of marriage, family, and longing. Host Roberta Panjwani–and audience members–asked Mary Beth about her creative process, writing during a pandemic, and the personal connections to the characters in this book.

Things we talked about in this episode:

The Half moon
Ask Again, Yes
Mary Beth Kean’s website

Additional authors mentioned: 

Elizabeth Strout

Seamus Heaney

Colson Whitehead

Hernan Diaz 

Mohsin Hamid

William Trevor

Maggie O’ farrell

Claire  Keegen

Episode Credits

• Our thanks to Mary Beth Keane for allowing us to record this September 13, 2023 author visit for the podcast.
• You can learn more about Mary Beth, her books, and upcoming events at marybethkeane.co
• Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and executive 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 Elias Rosner. 
• 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
• Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you at the next bend in the road.

From Trinidad and Tobago to the world stage, Sherma Andrews' journey is nothing short of extraordinary.  Starting at Boston's Berklee School of Music, she's played with some of the greats at venues like Lincoln Center and Madison Square Garden, leaving audiences spellbound.  Roberta talks to Sherma about some of her greatest inspirations (Aretha, Whitney, Billie) and her lifelong mission of being a messenger of hope.

Things we talked about in this episode:

Sherma Andrews Website

Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland

Billboard Music Awards

Ridgewood Library’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (Sherma enters at 1:16)

Berklee College of Music

The Lincoln Center

Other Musicians mentioned:

Aretha Franklin

Branford Marsalis

Britney Spears

Chaka Khan 

Donna Summer

Etta James

Michael Feinstein

Roberta Flack 

Whitney Houston

Episode Credits:

• Thanks to Sherma for providing clips. “Looking for Something” from her album Guilty, is written and performed by Sherma Andrews. 
• “I Have Nothing” appears on her album Legendary Lady Singers is written by David Foster and Linda Thompson “"
• Over the Rainbow", from the Ridgewood Library’s 100th anniversary celebration is written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg
• 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
• Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you at the next bend in the road.

Fernando Fernandez has always had a passion for wine, so when his time in NYC's financial industry was thrown into chaos by the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, he transformed that passion into an award-winning career out on the opposite coast. Join A Bend in the Road host Roberta Panjwani as she talks to Fernando about Puerto Rico, his favorite places to spend time, and creating a meaningful label.

Things we talked about in this episode:

Colluvialwine.com
Ron del Barrilito rum
Wine Education Council
Allen Meadows’ Burgohund
Felix Bonilla - artist
Willem de Kooning - artist
Blind Ambition - documentary
Mondovino - documentary
Colluvial Wine Facebook
Colluvial Wine Instagram
Harriman State Park

Episode Credits: 

• Our thanks to Fernando Fernandez for joining us in the studio today and for our colleague and friend Theresa Callaghan for the introduction
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producers and editors for this episode are Melissa Egan and me, Elias Rosner. 
• Our Technical Director and Audio Engineer is Elias Rosner
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner 
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
• The clip of Allen Meadows is courtesy of the Wine Education Council 
• Finally, the clinking and clanking you heard while Fernando was talking about his wines were, in fact, his wines! Or at least their lovely bottles.

Deborah Kampmeier's move from the independent filmmaker on silver screen to prestige TV on The Gilded Age has a surprise first act appearance from Oprah and Ava DuVernay? Join Deborah as she sits down with Bend in the Road host Roberta Panjwani to talk about “The Ava Effect,” an accidental email that connected her to many of the best directors in the business, and some fascinating moments from Season 2 of The Gilded Age and Harlan Coben’s Shelter.

Things we talked about in this episode:
Deborahkampmeier.com
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY arts & social impact collective
Queen Sugar on OWN
The Gilded Age on HBO
Harlan Coben's Shelter on Prime
Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+

Episode Credits

• Our thanks to Deborah Kampmeier for being with us 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
• Our Editors are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
• Our Technical Director and Audio Engineer is Elias Rosner
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Digital Media Producer is Elias Rosner and Melissa Egan
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
• Audio clips are courtesy of HBO Max and Amazon Prime

As we embark on Year 3 of our podcast journey, A Bend in the Road is thrilled to share an inspiring episode that we hope will warm your hearts this winter. Joining us in this episode is Aiza Stevens and the incredible therapy dog Hoku, both vital members of the Orem Police Department's Victim Advocacy Program in Utah, along with Ridgewood Public Library’s very own Victoria Schnure, who helps run the library's fantastic Read to a Dog program. Both discuss their passion for what they do and their hope for the future. Stay tuned at the end for a special appearance by Carol and Liberty, the therapy dog as they prepare to hear a wonderful story from a young reader. 

Things we talked about in this episode: 

• Ridgewood Library Youth Services Instagram video of a therapy dog
• Ridgewood Library Children’s Services (This is where you can sign up to read to a dog!)
• The Orem Police Department’s Victim Assistance Program

Additional therapy dog programs in Utah that were mentioned:

• Intermountain Therapy Animals from Salt Lake City, UT
• Skye’s dog training from West Jordan, UT
• 4 Paws 4 Patriots from Ogden, Utah

Episode Credits:

• 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 Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
• Our Digital Media Producer is Elias Rosner .
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
• Audio clips are courtesy Aiza Stevens and KEUR Radio.
• Special thanks to Aiza Stevens and Hoku for joining us today from the Orem Police Dept, to our very own Victoria Schnure for sharing her experience coordinating the Ridgewood Library's Read of to a Dog program and to Carol & therapy dog Liberty.

From universities to coffee shops, from Broadway shows to the local movie theater, from Panama to NJ to France to NY to Santa Barbara, our guest this episode has had quite the journey to where he is now. Join guest host Diane Sims for a riveting conversation with Roger Durling, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Film Festival for the last 20 years, on how he fell in love with the silver screen, found his way to Santa Barbara, and saved & transformed the nearly dead film festival.

Things we talked about in this episode:
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Cinema In Flux by Roger Durling
SBIFF 2023 - Angela Bassett Discusses "The Jacksons" & "What's Love Got To Do With It?"
SBIFF 2022 - Roger Durling Opening Night Speech
SBFF 2023 - Outstanding Performer of The Year Award Honoring Cate Blanchett (Complete Event)
The Telluride Film Festival
Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts
The Peddie School

Episode Credits:

• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producer for this episode is Melissa Egan.
• Our editors are Melissa Egan and Roberta Panjwani with additional edits by Elias Rosner
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Melissa Egan
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
• Special thanks to Roger Durling and our guest host Diane Sims
• Clips of Roger Durling and Angela Bassett are courtesy of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival

You've certainly heard of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and its varied collections. What you may not know is what guides those collections. Megan Fontanella, the Guggenheim's Curator for Modern Art and Provenance, would tell you a good exhibit, and good art education, comes down to two statements: Every painting tells a story. Every object has lived a life. Join Roberta as she talks with Megan about those statements, about the history of the Gugg' and her role in bringing art to life.

Megan is a strategic leader, art historian, and curator whose research encompasses late 19th- and early 20th-century European and U.S. avant-gardes and specializes in the field of provenance research - the study of an object's ownership history, from its creation to present day. Since joining the curatorial staff at the Guggenheim in 2005, she has organized or co-organized over thirty exhibitions for the Guggenheim’s museums in Bilbao, New York, Venice, and formerly Berlin.

Things we talked about in this episode:

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Kandinsky and the “Blue Mountain”
Visionaries: Creating a Modern Guggenheim
Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Episode Credits:

• Clips featured in this episode are courtesy of the Guggenheim Museum. Our thanks to Sara Fox for providing clearances. 
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, edited, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producer for this episode is me, Elias Rosner.
• Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner with additional edits by Melissa Egan.
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
• Special thanks to Megan Fontanella for being with us today.  

Yale graduate Gretchen Rubin had quite the pivot when she went from clerking for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to founding the Happiness Project. How that came to be and what her surprising path to a life of more energy, creativity, luck, and love entails (hint: tune in to the five senses) is the focus of this month's episode. An acclaimed communicator, known for her ability to distill and convey complex ideas with humor and clarity, Gretchen's books have sold millions of copies and been translated into over thirty languages, she has an award-winning podcast, and she also has an app. Join Roberta as she sits down with Gretchen to discuss this lifelong exploration into happiness, how we respond to expectations and her daily trips to the Met Museum.

Things We Talked About in This Episode:

Books: Life in Five Senses, The Four Tendencies, The Happiness Project, and more.
Podcasts: Get Happier and More Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Happier app
The Happiness Project
Quizzes: The Four Tendencies and Five Senses
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Episode Credits:

• Clips featured in this episode are courtesy of Gretchen Rubin.
• A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
• Our Assistant Producer is Elias Rosner.
• Our Editor this episode is Roberta Panjwani with additional edits by Elias Rosner.
• Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
• Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
• Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
• Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
• Special thanks to Gretchen Rubin for being with us today.
• You can find information about The Happiness Project and Gretchen’s books, podcasts, quizzes, resources, and articles at gretchenrubin.com.