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.