Bend Don't Break

The Source
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Podcasts powered by The Source, a weekly newspaper in beautiful Bend, Oregon.

  1. Bend Don't Break: Cyrus Mooney, City of Bend Business Advocate

    SEP 25

    Bend Don't Break: Cyrus Mooney, City of Bend Business Advocate

    In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron sits down with Cyrus Mooney, Business Development Manager for the City of Bend, whose path from student affairs to civic leadership reflects a deep commitment to service and connection. With roots in Sherwood and a decade in Corvallis, Cyrus brings a rare blend of empathy, adaptability, and strategic insight to Bend’s evolving economic landscape.They talk about what it means to lead from the middle—liaising between city departments, business associations, and everyday residents—and how Cyrus balances policy work with human relationships. From his early days managing 70 student employees at OSU to his current role shaping Bend’s economic development strategy, Cyrus shares how he stays grounded in purpose while navigating the complexity of civic life.

    22 min
  2. Bend Don't Break: Lace Thornberg, Central Oregon LandWatch Communications Director

    SEP 22

    Bend Don't Break: Lace Thornberg, Central Oregon LandWatch Communications Director

    This week on Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Lace Thornberg, Communications Director at Central Oregon LandWatch. Lace shares how her journey through conservation organizations across the West eventually led her to Bend, where she now channels her passion for land use, public lands, and ensuring equitable access to nature. Their conversation explores the importance of protecting Central Oregon’s landscapes in the face of rapid growth, the role of public engagement in shaping land use decisions, and the challenges of balancing development with ecological resilience. Lace also highlights Central Oregon LandWatch’s Livable Future Forum—a dynamic lecture and community conversation series designed to spark dialogue around what it takes to create a just, sustainable, and ecologically vibrant future. Upcoming forums will feature voices like National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, author Michelle Nijhuis, and National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan. Learn more and purchase tickets here: 👉 centraloregonlandwatch.org/livable-future-forum

    25 min
  3. Bend Don't Break: Steve Platt, Bend City Councilman

    SEP 11

    Bend Don't Break: Steve Platt, Bend City Councilman

    In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Bend City Councilman Steve Platt, whose journey from fighter pilot to physics teacher to public servant reveals a deep commitment to community, resilience, and thoughtful leadership.Steve shares how his global military career and experience commanding squadrons shaped his approach to civic engagement and policy-making. Now serving on the Bend City Council, he discusses his passion for affordable housing, sustainable transportation, and environmental stewardship—issues he sees as interconnected in building a thriving future for Central Oregon. As a physics instructor at Summit High School, Steve also reflects on the importance of education and the evolving science curriculum aimed at empowering the next generation.Listeners will gain insight into the challenges of local governance, the weight of public responsibility, and the power of listening—whether to constituents, students, or fellow council members. It’s a conversation that blends data-driven decision-making with heartfelt dedication to Bend’s people and places.

    26 min
  4. Bend Don't Break: Lily Raff McCaulou

    SEP 4

    Bend Don't Break: Lily Raff McCaulou

    In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with journalist and author Lily Raff McCaulou. Lily’s writing has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and The Bulletin, and she is the author of Call of the Mild: Learning to Hunt My Own Dinner, named one of the best books of 2012 by The San Francisco Chronicle. Aaron and Lily explore her winding path into journalism, what ultimately brought her to Bend, and the surprising journey that led her to write a book about learning to hunt. Lily also shares her perspective on teaching the next generation of reporters as an instructor at Central Oregon Community College and advisor for The Broadside, the college’s student newspaper. Along the way, listeners get a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of modern journalism, the intersection of personal growth and professional storytelling, and the importance of fostering curiosity in both students and readers.

    33 min
  5. Bend Don't Break: Brian August, Executive Director of the Tower Theatre Foundation

    AUG 21

    Bend Don't Break: Brian August, Executive Director of the Tower Theatre Foundation

    In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Brian K. August shares his journey to becoming the new Executive Director of the Tower Theatre Foundation. With more than twenty years of leadership experience across nonprofits, private enterprise, and global initiatives, Brian brings a thoughtful approach to strategic growth, operational excellence, and community impact. His work with CauseMic and the Oregon Humane Society reflects a deep commitment to service and a talent for guiding organizations through meaningful transformation.

    36 min
  6. Bend Don't Break: Scott Larson, President and CEO of Visit Central Oregon

    AUG 14

    Bend Don't Break: Scott Larson, President and CEO of Visit Central Oregon

    We’re joined by Scott Larson, the new President and CEO of Visit Central Oregon, to talk about the future of tourism and community in our region. With more than a decade of experience promoting mountain towns and rural destinations across the West, Scott brings a passion for using tourism as a force for economic growth and connection. He shares his journey from childhood vacations in Sunriver and skiing Mt. Bachelor to leading visitor associations across the country—and now, returning to Bend to help shape Central Oregon’s next chapter.

    29 min
  7. Bend Don't Break: Gabe Charalambides, Founder of Odyssey

    AUG 7

    Bend Don't Break: Gabe Charalambides, Founder of Odyssey

    In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron sits down with Gabe Charalambides, founder of Odyssey—one of the first legal psilocybin retreat centers in the U.S. Gabe shares his unconventional journey from aerospace engineer to psychedelic wellness pioneer, driven by a long-standing passion for meditation, Buddhist philosophy, and mental health. The two dive into the growing legalization of psilocybin, the science-backed benefits, and what guests can expect from an Odyssey retreat experience.

    34 min
  8. LISTEN: Bend Don't Break, Maija Kellner-Rode

    AUG 4

    LISTEN: Bend Don't Break, Maija Kellner-Rode

    In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Maija Kellner-Rode, a queer artist, dancer, and mentor who has made it her mission to foster healing and connection through creativity. Maija shares her journey from launching her nationally distributed art brand, Maija Rebecca Hand Drawn, to mentoring youth across Oregon through expressive arts.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Podcasts powered by The Source, a weekly newspaper in beautiful Bend, Oregon.

Information

  • Creator
    The Source
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    371
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Source
  • Show Website
    Bend Don't Break

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