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.

Grand Craft Bend podcast talks to Courtney Stevens, co-owner of Bend's Craft Kitchen & Brewery about launching the brewpub with her husband, Mark, and hosting tons of events including open-mic stand-up comedy, where Courtney sometimes performs her own material.

On this week's episode of Bend Don't Break, host Aaron Switzer, Publisher of The Source Weekly, sits down with Clifford Evelyn, Redmond City Councilor, to explore the dynamic evolution of Redmond. They delve into the city's past, its rapid growth, and the ripple effects this expansion has on all of Central Oregon. The conversation also touches on the cultural differences within the region and how they sometimes lead to clashes as Redmond continues to grow and change. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on the future of one of Central Oregon's key cities.

On this episode of Bend Don't Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Lexie Park, the Outreach Coordinator at Locavore, to explore her extensive work in food access and education. With over eight years of experience in the NGO sector, Lexie has worked both domestically and internationally, dedicating herself to addressing food insecurity and promoting a just and sustainable food system.

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Bill Lynch, the Board President of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA). Bill, who has been an integral part of COTA since 2021 and a full-time Bend resident since 2020, shares his journey from Iowa to the trails of Central Oregon. With a deep passion for mountain biking that started in 2009, Bill brings a wealth of experience from his time on the boards of various non-profits and a successful career in software startups.