Shows
A Bend in the RoadEpisode 46: Author Laurie Gwen ShapiroWhat really happened inside the marriage that helped turn Amelia Earhart into a legend? That's the question author Laurie Gwen Shapiro sought to answer in her new book: The Aviator and the Showman. Through newly uncovered letters and archival material, she reexamines the partnership between Amelia Earhart and George Putnam, revealing a marriage far more complex, modern, and strategic than the myths suggest.Join host Roberta as she sits down with Laurie to discuss this riveting book, Amelia's life, and the ambition, gender, power, and fame of early 20th-century America.Things We Talked About...
2026-02-0457 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 45: Author Gretchen Rubin: Get Happy (Rebroadcast)Kick off the new year with a special rebroadcast of episode 18!Yale graduate Gretchen Rubin had quite the pivot when she went from clerking for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to founding the Happiness Project. How that came to be and what her surprising path to a life of more energy, creativity, luck, and love entails (hint: tune in to the five senses) is the focus of this month's episode. An acclaimed communicator, known for her ability to distill and convey complex ideas with humor and clarity, Gretchen's books have sold millions of copies and been translated in...
2026-01-0736 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 44: Writer John Seabrook: From Fields of Ambition to a Fallen EmpireFor those who want an extra visual component, this episode is also available on YouTube.This month, Roberta sits down with The New Yorker writer John Seabrook to talk about his new book The Spinach King, a chronicle of the rise and fall of his family's empire: Seabrook Farms. Recently selected as one of the 100 Most Notable Books of 2025 by the New York Times, it tells a story of ambition, innovation, and betrayal that built, and ultimately destroyed, one of America’s largest agricultural empires.Things We Talked Ab...
2025-12-0350 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 43: Dispatch & Duty: The Human Side of the Call with Lt. Mark Panjwani & 911 Dispatcher Ricardo MartinezFor those who want an extra visual component, this episode is also available on YouTube.First responders are there for the community, continually caring and respond to the needs of others, but rarely do they take care of their own. This month, Roberta talks with Lt. Mark Panjwani and 9-1-1 Dispatcher Ricardo Martinez about the mental health issues and stigmas they face as well as the initiatives they are creating to support the heroes who keep us safe every day. A vital conversation about those who serve and protect us, often in...
2025-11-011h 02A Bend in the RoadEpisode 42: Author Susan Shaprio BarashWatch this episode on YouTube as well!Can even our closest friendships fall apart? This month Roberta Panjwani talks with Susan Shapiro Barash about her new book Estranged: How Toxic Female Friendships can be Mended or Ended which explores the hidden reality of female friendship—when bonds break, and what comes next.Things we talked about in this episode Estranged: How Toxic Female Friendships Can be Mended or Ended by Susan Shapiro BarashSula by Toni MorrisonEpisode CreditsOur thanks to Susan Shapiro Barash for joining us today.A B...
2025-10-0152 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 41: Author and Austen Expert Brenda CoxWe continue our celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary with Brenda S. Cox: Austen expert, scientist, and author of the new book Fashionable Goodness, which explores how Austen wove deep moral truths into her characters’ lives, shedding light on the faith and values that shaped her work. Join us for an insightful discussion on Austen’s enduring moral lessons, her faith, and the timeless wisdom embedded in her novels plus a special introduction from Breckyn Wood, host of the official JASNA podcast: Austen Chat!Things we talked about in this episode:Brenda S. Cox’s...
2025-09-0343 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 40: Author and Rare Book Dealer Rebecca Romney: Jane Austen’s Bookshelf … and BeyondJane Austen inspired millions… but who inspired her? That is the question rare books dealer and author Rebecca Romney set out to explore in her new book Jane Austen's Bookshelf. Join Roberta Panjwani as she sits down to talk with Rebecca about the lives and works of the women writers Austen admired, the fascinating world of rare books, and the stories they still have to tell.Watch this episode on YouTube!Things we talked about in this episode:Rebecca Romney and Jane Austen’s BookshelfRebecca Romney on Instagram
2025-08-0651 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 39: Jeannette Cooperman and Lorri Steinbacher: "What’s in a Name?"Roberta sits down with RPL director Lorri Steinbacher and “What’s in a Name?” journalist and essayist Jeannette Cooperman for a lively and thought-provoking conversation about the power of names. From given names and nicknames to hyphenation and reinvention, the trio explores how names shape identity, carry meaning, and spark emotion. At the heart of the discussion is The Names, a brilliant new novel by Florence Knapp that raises big questions about who we are—and who we might become.Things we talked about in this episode:Jeannette Cooperman“Naming Names: From Birth Names to S...
2025-07-0139 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 38: Musician Gary Solomon: Dylan, The Band & MeSinger/songwriter Gary Solomon was just 19 when he found himself in the crowd at The Last Waltz—The Band’s iconic 1976 farewell concert. Filmed by Martin Scorsese and widely considered the best concert film of all time, it was stacked with legends like Robbie Roberston, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, and Neil Diamond. In this episode, Gary shares what it was like to witness that historic night firsthand, and digs into other iconic shows that shaped a generation—from Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue to Simon & Garfunkel’s 1981 Central Park reunion. This is music h...
2025-06-0431 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 37: Sue Rodin: The Great Connector1993, when Sue Rodin saw gender inequality in her workplace, she didn’t just get frustrated—she took action. Tapping into her network, she founded Women in Sports and Events (WISE), an organization built to support and elevate professional women in the sports industry. More than 30 years later, WISE is still going strong, with 25 chapters across the U.S. and Canada and over 6,000 members. Rodin has been called an “Eternal Optimist”—and today, you’ll see why.Things we talked about in this episode:WISE (Women In Sports Events)Women in the Business of Sports — The...
2025-05-0739 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 36b: Pádraig Ó Tuama: In the Shelter of Each Other & Saying Hello to the Questions (Rebroadcast)This is a rebroadcast of episodes 6 & 7 from October 19, 2022. What power does poetry have to help us navigate the challenges of life? How do we approach art and how does it approach us? Join our guest host Diane Sims for a journey through these questions, and many others, with Pádraig Ó Tuama in an episode so big, we had to split it into two.In Part 1, Pádraig Ó shares his relationship with art, reconciliation and the ongoing road toward finding ourselves.In Part 2, we dig into the questions of acceptance and identity Pádraig grappl...
2025-04-0231 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 36a: Pádraig Ó Tuama: In the Shelter of Each Other & Saying Hello to the Questions (Rebroadcast)This is a rebroadcast of episodes 6 & 7 from October 19, 2022. What power does poetry have to help us navigate the challenges of life? How do we approach art and how does it approach us? Join our guest host Diane Sims for a journey through these questions, and many others, with Pádraig Ó Tuama in an episode so big, we had to split it into two.In Part 1, Pádraig Ó shares his relationship with art, reconciliation and the ongoing road toward finding ourselves.In Part 2, we dig into the questions of acceptance and identity Pádraig grappl...
2025-04-0240 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 35: Ellen Jovin & Brandt Johnson: Rebel(s) with a ClauseIn their new film Rebel with a Clause, grammar guru Ellen Jovin and director Brandt Johnson head off on a road trip to all 50 states to show how comma fights, rather than divide, can bring us closer together. Join Roberta as they talk about the power of language, taking a grammar stand, and the New York Times bestselling book that started it all.Things we talked about in this episode:Rebel with a Clause filmRebel with a Clause book and Ellen Jovin’s Grammar TableBrandt JohnsonOxford (Se...
2025-03-0536 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 34: Ted Opderbeck: Empathy into ActionHave you ever had a teacher who completely changed the way you see the world? Today, we’re shining a spotlight on one of those incredible educators—Ted Opderbeck! With 30 years of award-winning teaching under his belt, Ted has dedicated his career to putting empathy and global awareness at the heart of every lesson. Roberta talks to Ted about how he’s taking his passion even further in his new role with TEEEM (The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission). He’s here to share his journey, his inspiring work, and his thoughts on “refirement” (not retirement!)—a fresh approach to pur...
2025-02-0527 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 33: Melissa Davey: Filmmaker on a MissionHow did a fateful meeting with filmmaker M Night Shyamalan, ignite Melissa Davey’s own career of becoming a director herself. At age 65? Roberta talks with the documentarian and activist about taking risks, shining a light on the value of women over 65, and the importance of living each day to its fullest. Things we talked about in this episode:Climbing Into LifeBeyond Sixty ProjectDierdre WolownickAlex HonnoldFree SoloM. Night ShyamalanEpisode Credits:Our thanks to Melissa Davey for joi...
2025-01-0140 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 32: Joni Mitchell @ the Hollywood BowlTake a trip to the Hollywood Bowl with Roberta and her sister Andrea and experience two once-in-a-lifetime shows with the legendary Joni Mitchell, alongside all-star guests like Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Marcus Mumford, Elton John, Meryl Streetp, and her Joni Jam band, performing deep cuts and classics like “Cherokee Louise,” “California,” “Sire of Sorrow,” “The Circle Game,” and “Come in from the Cold.” Please see the notes below for the full list of artists. (This is a companion to the documentary-length Episode 16 which features the June 2023 shows at the Gorge Amphitheatre, which is being rebroadcast with this episode.)Th...
2024-12-0433 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 16 (Rebroadcast): One Weekend This SummerPlease note: We are rebroadcasting Episode 16 which originally aired in August 2023 as a companion to Episode 32. We hope you enjoy!Take a trip to the Pacific Northwest with Roberta to experience the epic return of the legendary musician Joni Mitchell during Brandi Carlile’s “Echoes through the Canyon” weekend at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington State. Roberta talks with concertgoers who traveled across the country—and the world–about the impact that Joni and music has played in their lives.We hear many remarkable moments from the June 9 & 10, 2023 shows featuring Joni, Brandi, Sarah McLachlan, Annie Lennox, Ma...
2024-12-041h 26A Bend in the RoadEpisode 31: Directors Pete Davis and Rebecca DavisDirector siblings Pete Davis and Rebecca Davis are on a mission! A mission to get you to join a club. A mission, based on the groundbreaking work of legendary social scientist Bob Putnam, that led them to make a documentary: Join or Die: a film about why you should join a club … and why the fate of America might depend on it. They stopped by to talk to Roberta about this hopeful and engaging film and how it explores the power of coming together, the importance of real-life connections, and how joining groups can transform communities. Don't miss out on...
2024-11-0635 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 30: Ben Avery, Australian Journalist/True Crime Podcast HostIn April 1994, Anthea Bradshaw married her high school sweetheart in a beautiful Adelaide wedding. 96 days later, she was found lifeless in a pool of blood, in Brunei, South East Asia, half a world away from home. This month, Roberta talks with Ben Avery, an Australian journalist and host of the Just Married podcast, who is investigating what really happened to Anthea and dives into our love, and obsession, with True Crime.Things we talked about in this episode: Just Married: The Anthea Bradshaw Mystery9 News Adelaide Coverage of the Anthea Bradshaw Case...
2024-10-0236 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 29: Live at RPL: Davy Rothbart’s FOUND TourJoin the FOUND Magazine crew for a raucous celebration of the best lost, tossed and forgotten items from across the country. Davy Rothbart — bestselling author, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, and frequent presence on NPR’s This American Life — shares his all-time favorite finds, while his brother Peter, a rising folk music star, performs exquisite (and rowdy) songs based on found notes. The Rothbart Bros. are joined by world-famous sword swallower and magician Brett Loudermilk, winner of America’s Got Talent. Roberta talked with the gang before the live show which was filmed at the Ridgewood Public Library for an upcoming TV docum...
2024-09-0437 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 28: Camp StoriesInspired by This American Life’s “Notes on Camp” episode, we asked you for camp stories, and you delivered! Roberta listens to memories of summer days spent at camps, and see how a few short weeks can leave impressions for a lifetime.Episode CreditsOur thanks to Jay Friedman, Rebecca Rubenstein, Roberta and Harvey Bernstein, Jin Lee, Mickey Kim, Andrea Panjwani, Liv Barkley, Lauren Larkin, and Mike Beatty for sharing their stories with us and to Camp Pontiac and Camp Cedarbrook for sharing clips. For a slideshow of all of our guests at camp and in our stu...
2024-08-071h 26A Bend in the RoadEpisode 27: J.D. Jackson: To Act You Have to Listen (Rebroadcast)As we prepare for our special Camp Stories episode in August, we wanted to take a look back at our very first episode that aired on May 18, 2022 featuring J.D. JacksonJ.D. is an award-winning audiobook narrator with 400 credits to his name and counting. A 2020 inductee into AudioFile Magazine’s Golden Voices Hall of Fame, J.D. has plenty of experience behind a mic. For this inaugural episode of A Bend in the Road, join Roberta as she talks with J.D. about the teacher that changed his life, the process of interpreting books of all ge...
2024-07-0333 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 26: Danielle Cohen: Sustainable Nutrition and Community Connection Founder and President (SNACC)Ridgewood resident Danielle Cohen embraces not only the importance of eating high quality food, but also of culinary education. Danielle created SNACC, an after-school youth development program that provides weekly at-home cooking lessons led by professional chefs, helping students create healthy and eclectic dishes. Danielle knows top-grade food can impact quality of life and believes programs like SNACC can improve food security and youth outcomes.Things We Talked About in This Episode:SNACC Official website SNACC Instagram New York City Public Schools...
2024-06-0531 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 25: Author Mary Beth KeaneThe New York Times bestselling author of Ask Again, Yes, stopped by the Ridgewood Library for an author event to discuss her latest novel The Half Moon about a couple in a small town navigating the complexities of marriage, family, and longing. Host Roberta Panjwani–and audience members–asked Mary Beth about her creative process, writing during a pandemic, and the personal connections to the characters in this book. Things we talked about in this episode:The Half moonAsk Again, YesMary Beth Kean...
2024-05-0151 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 24: Singer/Songwriter, Sherma Andrews: “Messenger of Hope”From Trinidad and Tobago to the world stage, Sherma Andrews' journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting at Boston's Berklee School of Music, she's played with some of the greats at venues like Lincoln Center and Madison Square Garden, leaving audiences spellbound. Roberta talks to Sherma about some of her greatest inspirations (Aretha, Whitney, Billie) and her lifelong mission of being a messenger of hope.Things we talked about in this episode:Sherma Andrews WebsiteMontreux Jazz Festival in SwitzerlandBillboard Music Awards...
2024-04-0330 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 23: Fernando Fernandez, From Wall Street to Wine countryFernando Fernandez has always had a passion for wine, so when his time in NYC's financial industry was thrown into chaos by the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, he transformed that passion into an award-winning career out on the opposite coast. Join A Bend in the Road host Roberta Panjwani as she talks to Fernando about Puerto Rico, his favorite places to spend time, and creating a meaningful label.Things we talked about in this episode:Colluvialwine.comRon del Barrilito rumWine Education CouncilAllen Meadows’ BurgohundFelix Bonilla...
2024-03-0634 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 22: Deborah Kampmeier, "The Gilded Age" DirectorDeborah Kampmeier's move from the independent filmmaker on silver screen to prestige TV on The Gilded Age has a surprise first act appearance from Oprah and Ava DuVernay? Join Deborah as she sits down with Bend in the Road host Roberta Panjwani to talk about “The Ava Effect,” an accidental email that connected her to many of the best directors in the business, and some fascinating moments from Season 2 of The Gilded Age and Harlan Coben’s Shelter.Things we talked about in this episode:Deborahkampmeier.comAva DuVernay’s ARRAY arts & social impact c...
2024-02-0735 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 21: Victim Advocates Aiza Stevens & Hoku and Library Therapy Dog Coordinator Victoria SchnureAs we embark on Year 3 of our podcast journey, A Bend in the Road is thrilled to share an inspiring episode that we hope will warm your hearts this winter. Joining us in this episode is Aiza Stevens and the incredible therapy dog Hoku, both vital members of the Orem Police Department's Victim Advocacy Program in Utah, along with Ridgewood Public Library’s very own Victoria Schnure, who helps run the library's fantastic Read to a Dog program. Both discuss their passion for what they do and their hope for the future. Stay tuned at the end for a sp...
2024-01-0325 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 20: Roger Durling, Santa Barbara Film Festival Executive DirectorFrom universities to coffee shops, from Broadway shows to the local movie theater, from Panama to NJ to France to NY to Santa Barbara, our guest this episode has had quite the journey to where he is now. Join guest host Diane Sims for a riveting conversation with Roger Durling, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Film Festival for the last 20 years, on how he fell in love with the silver screen, found his way to Santa Barbara, and saved & transformed the nearly dead film festival.Things we talked about in this episode:The Santa Barbara...
2023-12-061h 11A Bend in the RoadEpisode 19: Guggenheim Curator Megan Fontanella: "Every Painting Tells a Story"You've certainly heard of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and its varied collections. What you may not know is what guides those collections. Megan Fontanella, the Guggenheim's Curator for Modern Art and Provenance, would tell you a good exhibit, and good art education, comes down to two statements: Every painting tells a story. Every object has lived a life. Join Roberta as she talks with Megan about those statements, about the history of the Gugg' and her role in bringing art to life.Megan is a strategic leader, art historian, and curator whose research encompasses late 19th...
2023-11-0141 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 18: Author Gretchen Rubin: Get HappyYale graduate Gretchen Rubin had quite the pivot when she went from clerking for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to founding the Happiness Project. How that came to be and what her surprising path to a life of more energy, creativity, luck, and love entails (hint: tune in to the five senses) is the focus of this month's episode. An acclaimed communicator, known for her ability to distill and convey complex ideas with humor and clarity, Gretchen's books have sold millions of copies and been translated into over thirty languages, she has an award-winning podcast, and she also has an...
2023-10-0435 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 17: Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: Learning to Be Brave"Being brave is not a singular occurrence; it’s a journey that we can choose to undertake every day. " - How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith and Life, In June of 2020, with the eyes of the world watching and the ears of the world listening, Bishop Mariann Budde had the courage to speak up about the mistreatment of protestors at the hands of the police and the misuse of St. John's Church in Washington D.C. Her experience during that time, and the days and weeks that followed, led her to write...
2023-09-0643 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 16: One Weekend This Summer: Our Time in the Canyon with Joni, Brandi & 27,000 FriendsTake a trip to the Pacific Northwest with Roberta to experience the epic return of the legendary musician Joni Mitchell during Brandi Carlile’s “Echoes through the Canyon” weekend at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington State. Roberta talks with concertgoers who traveled across the country—and the world–about the impact that Joni and music has played in their lives. We hear many remarkable moments from the June 9 & 10, 2023 shows featuring Joni, Brandi, Sarah McLachlan, Annie Lennox, Marcus Mumford and many more. Highlights include “A Case of Blue,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Both Sides Now,” and “The Circle Game.”Things we talked about in...
2023-07-191h 26A Bend in the RoadEpisode 15: String Things Studio Owner Felicia EveFelicia Eve has been everything: a podiatrist, a stay at home mom, a fundraising consultant, and, currently, a business owner as the CEO and founder of String Thing Studio, a yarn shop in Brooklyn. Join Felicia as she sits down with host Roberta and shares her stories on life, loss, and most importantly, yarn.Things we Discussed in the Episode:String Thing StudioFelicia on Now This NewsKeep a Child AliveEpisode CreditsA Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and...
2023-06-2139 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 14: Writer Ben GreenmanHave you ever thought about sneezing on Larry King? Well, if you have, then you and Ben Greenman have that in common. Join Roberta Panjwani as she interviews Ben about some of his work and his forays into almost becoming a doctor. For the unfamiliar, Ben Greenman is the New York Times bestselling author of The Slippage and Superbad and the former longtime editor for The New Yorker. Not content to only do that, he’s also Questlove’s long-time collaborator and has written memoirs with George Clinton and Brian Wilson as well.Things we Discussed in the...
2023-05-1736 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 13: Oprah's Book Club Director Leigh HaberYou know Oprah? Yeah. That Oprah. We don’t have Oprah but we do have the next best thing. Leigh Haber is the editor and former Vice President of Book at O magazine. Join us as she joins host Roberta Panjwani on a deep dive into Leigh’s role as Director of Oprah’s Book Club, what it’s like to interview writers (or as she calls them, Rock Stars) and the power of books to make change and do good in the world. Things we Discussed In the Episode:Oprah's Book ClubColum McC...
2023-04-1940 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 12: Actor Robert Sean LeonardWhat do you want to do? Who do you want to be? These are the questions that Tony Award winning actor Robert Sean Leonard grapples with. Join him and Roberta as they talk about his work as an actor and some of the artists he’s collaborated with. Wondering why that name sounds familiar? You might recognize Robert as Neil Perry from Dead Poets Society, Dr. James Wilson in House MD, or onstage as Edmund on O’Neill’s A Long Day's Journey Into Night.Things we Discussed in the Episode:Dead Poets SocietyHouse...
2023-03-1541 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 11: Comedian and NPR Host Ophira EisenbergHot off the release of her latest standup comedy special, Plant Based Jokes, comedian and podcast host Ophira Eisenberg joins Roberta to discuss what it’s like to tell stories at The Moth, the riskiness involved with audience interactions, and how storytelling has changed since the pandemic. Ophira is currently the host of the podcast Parenting Is A Joke and as well as hosting the now-concluded Ask Me Another, NPR’s comedy trivia show, with Jonathan Coulter for 9 years.Things we Discussed in the Episode:Ophira’s Website: www.ophiraeisenberg.com Plant Based Jokes...
2023-02-1430 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 10: True Crime Author Sarah WeinmanBest-selling author Sarah Weinman loves true crime and loves wondering why we all love true crime. Her books probe these questions and more, bolstered by impeccable research, immensely readable prose and, at the heart of the story, the desire to present the humanity of the subjects, not the perpetrators, of the crimes. Join Roberta as she talks with Sarah from her home in Brooklyn about her books The Real Lolita, Scoundrel, & Women Crime Writers of the 1940 & 1950s and the reasons why we are all so obsessed with true crime. Things discussed in the episode:Sarah Weinman’s...
2023-01-1843 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 9: Nina Groop & Noah Taylor: Telling the Truth to OurselvesWhen one shares a story, they can become a part of a healing and empowering experience. Stories are powerful - cathartic, emotive, and full of truths, hidden or not - and our guests this week know that quite well. Nina is a life coach and the author of a new book Creek Music: What a Year in the Woods Taught Me About Seasons, Surrender and Joy. Her son Noah Taylor is a 28 year old café manager, storyteller and an aspiring writer. They are frequent performers at the The Moth StorySLAMS in Philly. Join host Roberta Panjwani as she talks w...
2022-12-2132 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 8: Maite Alberdi: The Most Heartwarming Spy Movie Ever MadeDirector Maite Alberdi had a great idea for a new film, one that merged her love of film noir with documentaries, so she began working as an assistant to a Chilean private eye. But when the lead detective broke his hip before filming, she wound up making a very different film - a film that earned her a nomination for a 2021 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Join Roberta as she sits down with Maite to discuss The Mole Agent, filmmaking and the importance of community during any season of life.Links for things discussed in the...
2022-11-1631 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 7: Pádraig Ó Tuama, Part 2: Saying Hello to the QuestionsAs a youth growing up in Ireland, and in the tall shadow of the Catholic Church, Pádraig Ó Tuama grappled with questions of acceptance and identity. In part 2 of our interview with the poet and theologian, we dig into those questions and what innate sensibility gave him the fortitude to step into those headwinds, instead of turning away, with a brief stop in the land of knitable television near the end. For those just joining us, Pádraig is an Irish poet and the host of the hugely popular podcast Poetry Unbound - now on its sixth seas...
2022-10-2731 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 6: Pádraig Ó Tuama, Part 1: In the Shelter of Each OtherWhat power does poetry have to help us navigate the challenges of life? How do we approach art and how does it approach us? Join our guest host Diane Sims for a journey through these questions, and many others, with Pádraig Ó Tuama as he shares his relationship with art, reconciliation and the ongoing road toward finding ourselves in an episode so big, we had to split it into two. For those new to Pádraig's work, he is an Irish poet and the host of the hugely popular podcast Poetry Unbound - now on its sixth season - as...
2022-10-1939 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 5: Curtis Duffy: One of the Best Chefs "Ever"Before Curtis Duffy was a world-renowned, Michelin-starred chef and restaurant owner, he was a troubled youth, left alone as a teenager after experiencing unimaginable tragedies. That is, until he took a mandatory middle school home economics class, introducing Curtis to the kitchen, his gift and his purpose.Join Roberta as she sits down with Curtis from his new Chicago-based restaurant Ever to talk about those early years and his rise to the top, indomitable work ethic and passion for motorcycles, tattoos and martial arts.Special Event: On Nov 2, 2022 at 7:00pm (EST), the Ridgewood Library will...
2022-09-2144 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 4: Pippa Ehrlich: Free DiveHow did one tiny octopus change so many lives?To combat burnout and depression, filmmaker & diver Craig Foster had taken up diving in the icy waters of South Africa's Kelp Forest where he met one very special Common Octopus. A year of observing and filming the octopus' short life later, he sent the film to fellow documentarian Pippa Ehrlich, who crafted the footage into a meditation on the importance of wildlife and a moving tale about her friend and his octopus teacher.Join Roberta as she chats with Pippa about the Academy-Award winning...
2022-08-1733 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 3: Olivia Barkley: Dreams From the DepthsOlivia Barkley loved diving. She ate, slept and breathed it, so much that her one dream was to get a full diving scholarship at a Division 1 school. After a serious accident on a dive left her with a life-altering concussion, the dream vanished…and then reformed in an unexpected new way.Join Roberta as she sits down with Olivia to discuss how she managed the many different types of loss, how she found a new identity, and what it’s like to run an Ultra Marathon (50km!).And did we mention she sings too?Ep...
2022-07-2023 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 2: Florence Williams: The Science of AweFlorence Williams is a contributing editor for Outside magazine and the New York Times bestselling author of Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey (2022) and The Nature Fix (2017). For the unfamiliar, these books ask questions like: Why do the emotional effects of heartbreak manifest physically? and; how can exposure to nature make: us healthier, not only physically but mentally, emotionally, and socially too?In this episode, Florence joins Roberta from her home in Washington, D.C. to discuss these questions, the difficult life changes that underpin them and how, to get us all outside, she claimed Oscar Wilde’s...
2022-06-2228 minA Bend in the RoadEpisode 1: J.D. Jackson: To Act You Have to ListenJ.D. Jackson is an award-winning audiobook narrator with 400 credits to his name and counting. An 2020 inductee into AudioFile Magazine's Golden Voices Hall of Fame, J.D. has plenty of experience behind a mic. For this inaugural episode of A Bend in the Road, join Roberta as she talks with J.D. about the teacher that changed his life, the process of interpreting books of all genres, and his magic remedy for keeping his voice in top form (hint: it involves a lot of licorice tea.) And who knows? Maybe that recipe will lead to your own bend in...
2022-05-1833 min