In this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Sara Odendahl, CEO of the Bend Chamber. Sara shares her journey from journalism and public affairs to government relations, nonprofit leadership, and small business ownership. She discusses her experience in Colorado policy work, launching Work Collective in Bend, and ultimately stepping into leadership at one of […]
Video
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Nighttime Benders: Caitlin Comeskey 🎧
This week, Caitlin Comeskey joins Nighttime Benders for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about comedy, poker, and everything in between. With roots in theater and burlesque, Caitlin has spent the past several years making her mark in poker—as a player, content creator, and behind-the-scenes force. She and Julia Reed Nichols talk about being a woman at the table, the different pulls of […]
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break: Claudia Hinz🎧
Journalist and Author
In this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Claudia Hinz, author. A Bend based novelist and former television journalist, Hinz discusses her debut novel Safekeeping and the experiences that inspired its exploration of war, motherhood, activism, and the civilian military divide. Drawing from years of reporting on military bases and conversations with veterans, she […]
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Nighttime Benders: Justine Ventura 🎧
After a comedy show in Cottage Grove, Julia Reed Nichols pulls up a chair with comics Jake Woodmansee, Chris G and Terry Geil for a conversation that wanders—in the best possible way—from touring and dating to news fatigue, angry beavers, and the finer points of being a good tourist. The crew swaps stories about building […]
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break: Dennis McGregor🎧
Artist, Musician, and Children’s Book Author
In this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Dennis McGregor, Artist, Musician, and Children’s Book Author. Dennis reflects on his journey from performing music in Southern California to building a creative life in Sisters, Oregon. He shares how an opportunity to create a poster for the Sisters Quilt Show launched a decades long career […]
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Nighttime Benders: LIVE from The Coyote 🎧
Recorded LIVE at The Coyote in Downtown Bend, this week’s episode brings together Creach, Courtney Stevens, Pat C, and Julia Reed Nichols (Along with some pop-in guests!) for a conversation about the strange, hilarious, and occasionally frustrating realities of life in Central Oregon. The crew dives into everything from e-bike-riding teens swiping solar lights to the […]
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break: Tina Kotek🎧
Governor of Oregon
In this episode The Point’s Louise Kaplan and host Aaron Switzer sit down with Tina Kotek, Governor of Oregon. Kotek reflects on nearly four years leading the state and discusses her administration’s work on housing, homelessness, economic development, education, trade, and public services. The conversation also explores how state government is responding to changing federal […]
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Nighttime Benders: Jaci Terjeson 🎧
On this episode of NIGHTTIME BENDERS host Julia Reed Nichols is joined by comedians Katy Ipock and Jason Leonardo for a hilarious, wide-ranging conversation spanning cult-like environments, Rodeos, fat bear week, and the funny side of everyday human behavior. Plus, Tacoma-based comedian Jaci Terjeson shares her journey from growing up on stage to stand-up comedy, including her creative process, balancing motherhood and performing, and advice […]
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break: Dave Flier🎧
Creator of The Rockin’ Dave Experience
In this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Dave Flier, Creator of The Rockin’ Dave Experience. Known to many in Central Oregon as Rockin’ Dave, Flier is a Midwest raised culinary school graduate and the former owner and operator of Rockin’ Dave’s Bistro and Backstage Lounge. He shares the story of his journey from […]
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Nighttime Benders: LIVE 🎧
Julia Reed Nichols hosts Nighttime Benders live at Silver Moon Brewing, turning audience-submitted topics into an unpredictable night of comedy. Alongside Katy Ipock and Laura B. Wright, the comics riffs on everything from pumpkin spice and Fall Favorites to Bend roundabouts, dating, bodily functions, and the strange realities of Central Oregon life. With plenty of […]
