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 his work as a teacher and writer. Josh talks about his latest book, Secret Bend, as well as his ongoing project The Ultimate Scavenger, which turns cities—especially Bend—into immersive, playful adventures.

From the classroom to the trail and the printed page, Josh brings curiosity and creativity to everything he does.

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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, and behavioral science. 
Amber also discusses her earlier career in international education, her passion for creating meaningful learning opportunities, and the importance of community-building in Central Oregon. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the power of education, civic engagement, and Amber’s vision for City Club’s role in shaping a stronger, more connected community.

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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 pets—especially for those facing homelessness. Drawing on years of experience in both the animal and human services sectors, she created CAMP to ensure that pet owners experiencing housing instability don’t have to choose between shelter and the companionship of their animals.Johannah and Aaron talk about how CAMP has evolved in response to the real-time needs of the community, the organization’s upstream approach to preventing pet-owner separation, and recent changes to homeless camps in Bend that have increased the urgency for support services.

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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-based care. Tune in as they discuss the importance of women’s health, breaking down barriers, and empowering women to take charge of their well-being.

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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 Foundation—before joining HDFFA in 2023.Together, Aaron and Sharon dig into the realities of food insecurity in Central Oregon and explore the many ways HDFFA is working to ensure access to fresh, healthy produce for all. From connecting residents with local farmers to running nutrition incentive programs and education initiatives, Sharon shares how HDFFA is building a more equitable and resilient food system.They also discuss the potential impacts of looming federal budget cuts on these crucial programs—and how community support and advocacy are more important than ever.🌱 Tune in to learn how local food, strong partnerships, and a little creativity are feeding both bellies and hope across the region.

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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.

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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.

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Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show