Let’s Talk Bend

insidebend
  • 4.9 (7)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Let’s Talk Bend dives deep into local issues through conversations with City of Bend staff, stakeholders and community partners to understand the diverse perspectives that make up our vibrant community.

  1. 11/14/2025

    Art in Public Places

    In this episode we hear about Art in Public Places, a local non-profit who commission and install sculptures and artwork in Bend’s roundabouts and public spaces. We sat down with the Art in Public Places Board President, a roundabout artist and City of Bend staff who support this work to talk about Bend’s unique art collection.

    27 min

  2. 09/26/2025

    Water Conservation Through Shared Effort

    In this episode, you’ll hear about water conservation efforts place across our city. We sat down with the City of Bend’s Water Conservation Manager, a Landscape Architect from Bend Park and Recreation, a Lab Analyst from a local beverage company, and two community members that participated in the City’s turf removal program. Together, they share insights, experiences and practical strategies for building a more water conscious community. Tune in to discover how small changes are making a big impact and how you can be a part of the solution.

    47 min

  3. 05/30/2025

    Navigating the road to a safer, more connected Bend

    On this episode, you'll hear about summer construction projects taking place across town. You’ll hear from a City Councilor, a Transportation Bond Oversight Committee member and a City Engineer as they talk about what it takes to make our transportation system safer – and how we’re using the projects as opportunities to replace outdated water and sewer infrastructure.

    47 min

  4. 03/31/2025

    Reducing Your Home's Wildfire Risk​

    Recently, many of you received a letter that included information about the City's Flammable Vegetation Code and best practices to help protect your home from wildfire risk.​ In the latest episode of "Let's Talk Bend", we talk to a community member about their perspective and questions they have about the letter. ​ You'll also hear from our Director of Risk and Emergency Management Carrie Karl, Fire Inspector Melissa Steele and Code Enforcement Officer Julie Craig to explain the purpose of the letter and answer those common questions from the community.​

    49 min

  5. 02/03/2025

    Introducing Your 2025 City Council

    The City of Bend podcast is back with a brand-new name: Let's Talk Bend! Let's Talk Bend dives deep into local issues through conversations with City of Bend staff, stakeholders and community partners to understand the diverse perspectives that make up our vibrant community. In the first episode of Let's Talk Bend, we sit down with the 2025 Bend City Council to learn more about them, and what they are focusing on for the year ahead.

    48 min

  6. 07/05/2024

    Revisiting Wildfire Safety with Bend Fire & Rescue Chief Todd Riley

    Our very first episode of the Inside Bend Podcast came out three years ago! To celebrate three years of Inside Bend, we wanted to take a trip back to one of our past podcasts which covers a topic that is still just as important today: wildfire. This episode originally aired back in May of 2022 when we spoke to Bend Fire and Rescue Chief Todd Riley about wildfire safety and what you can do to help protect your home and your community from the threat of wildfire.

    19 min

  7. 06/10/2024

    Funding Infrastructure through System Development Charges with Chief Operations Officer Russ Grayson

    This month on the Inside Bend Podcast we are diving into the world of development with Chief Operations Officer Russ Grayson to learn more about System Development Charges. These are the fees that are charged when development happens to help pay for the impacts of expanding, operating and maintaining vital core services such as sewer, water and roadways.

    19 min

  8. 05/10/2024

    The Community Climate Action Plan with Senior Management Analyst Cassie Lacy

    We chat with Senior Management Analyst Cassie Lacy who explains more about the Community Climate Action Plan. This is a set of strategies that were adopted by the City Council in 2019 to guide the City and the community to work together on reducing fossil fuel use. In this episode, you’ll learn what the Community Climate Action Plan is, how the strategies are being deployed and how the success of the program is being tracked.

    21 min
See All (46)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Let’s Talk Bend dives deep into local issues through conversations with City of Bend staff, stakeholders and community partners to understand the diverse perspectives that make up our vibrant community.

Information

  • Creator
    insidebend
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Let’s Talk Bend