In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with David Bermudez, executive director and founder of Bend Science Station, to talk about curiosity, critical thinking, and what it really means to learn science. David shares his journey from teaching at Sunriver Prep to launching a nonprofit that has spent more than two decades expanding access to hands‑on STEM education for students across Central Oregon.

David and Aaron explore how Bend Science Station grew from a borrowed lab space into a Net Zero facility on the OSU‑Cascades campus, serving more than 5,000 students and 200 educators each year. The conversation dives into why science education often falls short in elementary schools, how experiential learning builds lifelong skills, and why being “wrong” is one of the most important parts of the scientific process. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion about education, democracy, and helping kids (and adults) learn how to question, test, and think critically.

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Jason Stein, Executive Director of Opera Bend, to talk about building and sustaining an opera company in Central Oregon. Jason shares his journey from studying acting in New York City and performing on major stages to putting down roots in Bend and helping fill the void left when Obsidian Opera closed. Along the way, he reflects on what drew him to opera, how his voice shaped his career, and why Bend became home.

Jason and Aaron explore the role of opera in a growing community, the balance between local talent and visiting performers, and Opera Bend’s mission to make opera welcoming and accessible. They discuss the “Fear No Opera” philosophy, the realities of producing large-scale performances, and what audiences can expect from upcoming productions—including Die Fledermaus, performed in English with supertitles. It’s a thoughtful conversation about art, risk, legacy, and why live performance still matters in Central Oregon.

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Clayton Franke, reporter for the Lay It Out Foundation and The Source, to talk about local journalism, community accountability, and what it means to report from the inside of a rapidly changing city. Clayton shares his path from growing up in Missoula to studying journalism at the University of Oregon, then building his reporting experience at small newspapers across Oregon and Washington before landing in Bend.

Clayton and Aaron explore the realities of reporting on local government, housing, transportation, and urban planning in Central Oregon. They discuss the responsibility that comes with telling people’s stories, the challenges facing modern journalism, and why local reporting still matters deeply to the health of a community.

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Casey Andrews, Executive Director of Central Oregon Trail Alliance, to talk about stewardship, public lands, and the people who make Central Oregon’s trail system possible. Casey shares her path from working in national parks and forests across the country to leading one of the region’s most impactful outdoor nonprofits.

Casey and Aaron explore the realities of trail maintenance in a high use and fragile environment, the growing role of nonprofit partners as federal staffing declines, and why Central Oregon’s volunteer culture is so unique. The conversation highlights how trails are more than recreation infrastructure. They are economic drivers, community connectors, and shared responsibilities that require long term care and collaboration.

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Selin Sevinç, Managing Director of Programming and Artistic Vision at Bend Film Festival, to explore her journey from Istanbul to Bend and her lifelong devotion to storytelling. Selin shares how she moved through the film world as a critic, screenwriter, and festival juror before finding her home in Central Oregon’s creative community. She reflects on screening nearly a thousand films a year, what makes independent cinema so vital, and why Bend Film remains rooted in collaboration and artistic curiosity.

Together, Aaron and Selin dive into the challenges of running a modern film festival, the new shared‑leadership model shaping Bend Film’s future, and the importance of Basecamp—an immersive retreat where filmmakers refine pitches, build community, and fuel their craft. Selin also opens up about her own creative work, including a new short film she plans to direct in Portland, and how she balances parenting, leadership, and the unpredictable rhythm of creative life.

In this special preview on the Bend Don’t Break feed, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Adriana Mariño to introduce Bend Into Balance, a new podcast exploring fitness, wellness, and the stories that shape a healthier Bend. In this short conversation, Aaron and Adriana talk about why this new space matters, what listeners can expect, and how Bend’s wellness community continues to evolve.

Tune in for a first look at the intentions behind Bend Into Balance — and meet the voice who will guide the conversations ahead.

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Casey Munck, Regional Director of NAMI Central Oregon, to explore the evolving landscape of mental health support in our region. Casey shares her journey from a fast‑paced tech career to deeply meaningful grassroots work, guided by lived experience, community connection, and a passion for reducing stigma.

Aaron and Casey discuss the realities of mental health crises, the role of NAMI’s volunteer‑driven programs, and the growing network of support across Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties. They talk about caregiver stress, early intervention, youth programs, and what it means to show up for someone when things feel overwhelming. Casey also reflects on her own path through crisis, recovery, and finding purpose in helping others navigate similar moments.

Tune in for a grounded, compassionate conversation about resilience, community care, and the power of telling our stories so no one has to face mental illness alone.

In this episode, we meet Crux Fermentation Project's head brewer, Ryan Atagi. While Japanese lagers (or rice lagers) are gaining steam, Atagi's Japanese heritage brings something extra to Crux's Bochi Bochi lager and an array of other beers including a new dark Japanese lager he created in conjunction with OSU called OSSU.

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Holly McCown Harris, Health Services Director for Deschutes County, to explore the realities of providing public and behavioral health care in a rapidly growing region. Holly shares her journey from juvenile probation work in rural Texas to leading one of Central Oregon’s most essential health departments, and how crisis response, public health, and behavioral health intersect in ways the public often doesn’t see.

Together, they talk through the challenges of Medicaid uncertainty, the misconceptions around civil commitment, and the deep impact the housing crisis has on behavioral health. Holly offers a grounded look at what the county can do—and what it simply doesn’t have the authority or resources to solve alone.

They also lean into the hopeful side: long‑awaited residential treatment beds coming online, Central Oregon’s first child psychiatric facility, and how collaboration across agencies still sets this region apart. A thoughtful, candid conversation about resilience, policy, and what it takes to care for an entire community.

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Peter Madsen, an investigative and features reporter supported by the Lay It Out Foundation. Peter shares his journey from writing for Vice and Thrasher in New York City to becoming one of Central Oregon’s most prolific storytellers.

The conversation dives into Peter’s passion for long-form journalism, the challenges of investigative reporting in a small community, and why he believes local news is essential for a healthy democracy. From his early days as a bike messenger in Manhattan to his current work uncovering stories that matter in Bend, Peter reflects on ambition, integrity, and the evolving role of media in our lives. Tune in for a candid discussion about local storytelling.

In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Melissa Steele, Deputy Fire Marshal for Wildfire Preparedness at Bend Fire and Rescue. Melissa brings more than two decades of experience in firefighting and prevention, including years with Cal Fire during the devastating Paradise fire, to her new role in Central Oregon.

Melissa shares her journey from the front lines of catastrophic wildfires to leading efforts that help homeowners reduce risk and protect their communities. The conversation explores the realities of urban wildfire, the importance of defensible space and home hardening, and why proactive planning matters more than ever. Melissa also offers practical tips for residents and insight into how Bend is preparing for the future. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion about resilience, responsibility, and what it takes to keep our neighborhoods safe.