Laurel Brauns

On this week’s episode of “Bend Don’t Break” we talk with former Bend City Councilor Bruce Abernethy. He is well-known in the community for his service work: He’s served on the board of directors for more than a dozen organizations ranging from nonprofits to government entities to educational institutions. He sat on the City Council […]

For this week’s “Bend Don’t Break” podcast we talk with Redmond City Councilor Clifford Evelyn. Evelyn won an insurgent victory in 2020 through a campaign of connecting with local business owners and others in the community, despite the constraints of COVID-19. Evelyn talked about how his message resonated with people who want to see more […]

For this week’s episode of “Bend Don’t Break” we talk with Michael Scott Stevens, a Buddhism teacher and founder of the Natural Mind Dharma Center. When Stevens opened the center in 1996, Bend was a one-brewery ski town. Today, there’s a yoga studio on every corner and a growing community of spiritual seekers that regularly […]

For this week’s episode of “Bend Don’t Break” we talk with Kate Fitzpatrick, the executive director of the Deschutes River Conservancy. While there are quite a few environmental organizations in Central Oregon at least partially dedicated to restoring the Deschutes, the DRC is unique in both its mission and structure. Kate explains the history of […]

For this week’s episode of “Bend Don’t Break” we talk with Dr. Sabrina Hadeed-Duea, a Licensed Professional Counselor and adjunct professor at Oregon State University – Cascades. During this conversation Hadeed-Duea details the benefits of wilderness therapy and explores the challenges and rewards of Zoom counseling. She also discusses the cultural implications of COVID precautions […]

For this week’s “Bend Don’t Break” podcast we talk with Oregon’s U.S. Senator Ron Wyden who has been representing the state in Washington, D.C. for forty years. As he begins his tenure as the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Wyden discusses his plans for investment in renewable energy and a 21st Century Civilian Conservation […]

For this week’s episode of “Bend Don’t Break,” we talk with Ellen Waterston, an acclaimed Oregon writer who has published numerous works including an essay collection, a memoir, and four books of poetry. One book of poetry “Vía Láctea, A Woman of a Certain Age Walks the Camino,” was converted into a libretto and premiered […]