Bend Don't Break

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 approach to relationship-driven hospitality. He later took on the challenge of founding Visit McMinnville in 2015, transforming it into a model of sustainable tourism that has been widely recognized, including accolades like the McMinnville Mayor’s Community Pillar Award and Travel Oregon’s Leadership Award.

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 role. Her passion for creating accessible outdoor spaces shines through as she discusses Bend’s commitment to fostering green spaces that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

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 Gems for Piano books.

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.

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.

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 outdoor lighting, the impact of blue light, and the efforts that go into certifying dark sky places.

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.

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, Aaron Switzer chats with Kris, Program Director and On-Air Personality at 92/9FM, about her journey from working in record production to becoming a leading voice on Bend's radio scene. Kris shares her insights on the growing local music community, the excitement of discovering new bands, and her passion for bringing a wide variety of alternative and indie rock to the airwaves.

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, Zak Boone, VP For College Advancement & Executive Director, COCC Foundation, shares his extensive experience working in Central Oregon’s nonprofit sector since 2007. Zak talks about his early leadership roles, including Executive Director of the Bend Ronald McDonald House and Associate Director of the Deschutes Land Trust, and how those experiences shaped his approach to community engagement and fundraising.

In the latest episode of Bend Don't Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with John Kish, founder of "Somewhere That's Green" and "The Greenhouse Cabaret." John shares his unique journey from growing up in small-town Philomath, Oregon, to pursuing passions in plants and musical theater in Seattle and New York City. Now one of Bend’s most prominent queer business owners, John has created a space that blends his love for horticulture and theater, offering one of the most distinctive retail experiences on the West Coast. He and Aaron discuss the evolution of Bend’s theater scene and how it's grown to embrace diversity and creativity. John also reflects on his unexpected path to Bend, which has become a nurturing community for artists and entrepreneurs alike. Tune in to hear about his inspiring journey and the vision behind his two current businesses in Bend's Central District.