A Bend in the Road: Recent Episodes
Ridgewood Public Library
Has there ever been, over the course of your life, a moment or event that changed things forever? Where life zigged instead of zagged? Where suddenly you were on a new path, staring out at a horizon you never thought possible? For our guests, there have. Welcome to A Bend in the Road, where our host, Roberta Panjwani, interviews people from all walks of life about the times they took their own journey down a new path, just after a bend in the road. A Bend in the Road from the Ridgewood Public Library was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
For 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 silence.
Things we talked about in this episode
- Ricardo Martinez Within the Trenches Media
- PTSD911 Documentary
- Beverly Police Department
- Copline (An Officer's Lifeline): 1-800-COPLINE (1-800-267-5463)
- Safe Call Now (for all first responders): (206) 459-3020
- McLean LEADER (Law Enforcement, Active Duty, Emergency Responder) Program,
- Mass General (for all first responders): (617) 855-3141
- FBI Academy, Law Enforcement Training Programs and Resources
Episode Credits
- Our thanks to Ricardo Martinez and Mark Panjwani for joining us today.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producer and Digital Media Producer for this episode is Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
Watch 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 Barash
- Sulaby Toni Morrison
Episode Credits
- Our thanks to Susan Shapiro Barash for joining us today.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producer, Editor, and Digital Media Producer is Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
We 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 Faith, Joy, and Jane Austen blog
- Austen Chat Podcast with Breckyn Wood
- Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England
- Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park
- JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America)
Episode Credits
- Our thanks to Brenda Cox and Breckyn Wood for joining us today.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producer and Digital Media Producer for this episode is Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- The clip of Sonatina No. 4 from "Six Sonatinas" by Ignace Joseph Pleyel is courtesy of PianoXML.
- The clip from the Mansfield Park audiobook read by Frances Barber is courtesy of Audible.
- The clip from the 2008 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility is courtesy of BBC, WGBH Boston.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
Jane 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 Bookshelf
Rebecca Romney on Instagram
Rebecca Romney on TikTok
Type Punch Matrix (Rare Book company)
Jane Austen @ 250 RPL Celebration
Rebecca Romney A Bend in the Road episode on YouTube
JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America)
Frances Burney and Evelina
Ann Radcliffe and The Mysteries of Udolpho
Amy Winehouse’s, Allen Ginsburg, and Howl
Pride & Prejudice (2005 film)
Episode Credits
- Our thanks to Rebecca Romney for joining us today.
- You can learn more about Rebecca, Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector’s Quest to Find the Women Who Shaped a Legend, andType Punch Matrix rare book firm at rebeccaromney.com.
- A Bend in the Road from the Ridgewood Public Library is sponsored by the Friends of the Ridgewood Library and created by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producer and Digital Media Producer for this episode is Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
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 Stage Names, from HUAC to Gravestones, Why Your Name becomes a Form of Fate” by Jeannette Cooperman from The Common Reader
The Names by Florence Knapp
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Jeannette Cooperman and Lorri Steinbacher for joining us today.
- You can learn more about Jeannette at jeannettecooperman.wordpress.com and her essays for The Common Reader at commonreader.wustl.edu/authors/jeannette-cooperman/
- The 1964 clip of “What’s Your Name?” was performed by Don & Juan
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media Producer is Melissa Egan.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
Singer/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 history through the eyes of someone who lived it.
Things we talked about in this episode:
The Last Waltz documentary (1978); live show from 1976
The Band: Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson & Richard Manuel)
Bob Dylan and The Band during The Last Waltz
Joni Mitchell and Neil Young sing “Helpless” during The Last Waltz
The Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco
Gary Solomon’s upcoming dates for The THE BAND Band
Gary Solomon’s Bob Dylan show
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Gary Solomon for joining us in the studio today. You can learn more about Gary and his upcoming dates with “The Band’s” shows at thethebandband.com.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media Producer is Melissa Egan.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
1993, 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 — Then and Now
WISE Executive Leadership Institute: Rodin Scholarship
She’s Got Game podcast with Swin Cash
Julie Foudy
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Sue Rodin for joining us today in the studio. For information about WISE please visit: wiseworks.org
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Elias Rosner and Roberta Panjwani.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media Producer is Melissa Egan.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
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 grappled with as a youth growing up in Ireland, and in the tall shadow of the Catholic Church, 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 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 well as a theologian and conflict mediator.
Links mentioned in the episodes:
Pádraig’s Website
The TenX9 Storytelling Project
Corrymeela
Morton Deutsch
Billy Collins
Six Feet Under
“If You’re Going To Look Like a Wolf They Have to Love You More Than Fear You”
Original Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Director and Audio Engineer is Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Our Digital Media producers are Sabrina Garcia and Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Special thanks to Pádraig Ó Tuama for talking with us today and to Shannon Hearn for her help
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 grappled with as a youth growing up in Ireland, and in the tall shadow of the Catholic Church, 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 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 well as a theologian and conflict mediator.
Links mentioned in the episodes:
Pádraig’s Website
The TenX9 Storytelling Project
Corrymeela
Morton Deutsch
Billy Collins
Six Feet Under
“If You’re Going To Look Like a Wolf They Have to Love You More Than Fear You”
Original Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Director and Audio Engineer is Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Our Digital Media producers are Sabrina Garcia and Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Special thanks to Pádraig Ó Tuama for talking with us today and to Shannon Hearn for her help
In 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 film
Rebel with a Clause book and Ellen Jovin’s Grammar Table
Brandt Johnson
Oxford (Serial) Comma
Syntaxis Communication
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Ellen Jovin and Brandt Johnson for joining us today. You can learn more about Ellen, Brandt, and the book and film at rebelwithaclause.com and grammartable.com.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media Producer is Melissa Egan.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
Have 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 purpose and impact in life’s next chapter.
Don’t miss this chance to be inspired by Ted’s story and learn how small acts of empathy can ripple out into big change.
Things we talked about in this episode:
Ted Opderbeck
TEEEM (The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission
Social Entrepreneurship in the Classroom
50 Inspiring Ideas of Social Entrepreneurship
Refirement
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Ted Opderbeck for joining us in the studio today. You can learn more about Ted and his work at teeem.org/ (that’s teeem).
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Editing by Elias Rosner and Roberta Panjwani.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Original theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Melissa Egan.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
How 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 Life
Beyond Sixty Project
Dierdre Wolownick
Alex Honnold
Free Solo
M. Night Shyamalan
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Melissa Davey for joining us. For more information about Climbing Into Life, Beyond Sixty and future projects, please visit melissadavey.com.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media Producer is Melissa Egan.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
Take 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.)
Things we talked about in this episode:
Joni Mitchell
Brandi Carlile
The Hollywood Bowl
Variety magazine review of the Hollywood Bowl shows
“Echoes through the Canyon” shows at the Gorge Amphitheatre, June 9-11, 2023
The Artists:
Abe Rounds
Allison Russell
Annie Lennox
Ben Lusher
Blake Mills
Celisse Henderson
Elton John
Jon Batiste
Josh Neumann
Lucius
Marcus Mumford
Mark Isham
Meryl Streep
Phil Hanseroth
Rick Whitfield
Rita Wilson
Robin Pecknold
Sista Strings
Taylor Goldsmith
Taylor Mackall
Tim Hanseroth
Wendy & Lisa
Episode Credits:
- Please be sure to listen to the companion documentary-length Episode 16, One Weekend Last Summer, with Roberta and Andrea’s trip to the Gorge Theatre in Seattle featuring Joni, Brandi, and many of the artists you just heard.
- Our thanks to Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Marcus Mumford, Annie Lennox, Jon Batiste and the many artists who are featured in the episode.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Elias Rosner, Matt Giannotti and Roberta Panjwani.
- Our Technical Director and Audio Engineer for this episode are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Our Digital Media Producer is Melissa Egan.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
Please 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, Marcus Mumford and many more. Highlights include “A Case of You,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Both Sides Now,” and “The Circle Game.”
Things we talked about in this episode:
Gorge Amphitheatre
Joni Mitchell at Newport CD featuring the Joni Jam
The Musicians
Joni Mitchell
Brandi Carlile
Annie Lennox
Sarah McLachlan
Marcus Mumford
Allison Russell
Lucius
Taylor Goldsmith
Blake Mills
Celisse Henderson
Wendy & Lisa
Ben Lusher
Tim Hanseroth
Phil Hanseroth
Rick Whitfield
Josh Neumann
Episode Credits
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Editor for this episode is Roberta Panjwani with consultation from Diane Sims and additional edits by Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Special thanks to the Gorge Amphitheatre, Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Sarah McLachlan, Marcus Mumford and all of the musicians featured in this episode.
- Additional thanks to Greg Raj, Kelly, Ellen and everyone who shared their experiences. And to Andrea–this episode is for you.
Director 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 this thought-provoking conversation!
Things we talked about in this episode:
Join or Die: A film about why you should join a club…and why the fate of America depends on it.
Bowling Alone by Bob Putnam
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Pete Davis and Rebecca Davis for joining us today.
- You can learn all about the film, team, and how to attend or host a community screening at joinordiefilm.com.
- To read more about Dr Bob Putnam and his book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community please visit bowlingalone.com.
- You can follow Pete on twitter @PeteDDavis, and subscribe to Pete’s newsletter at PeteDavis.substack.com.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer, Technical Director, and Editor & Audio Engineer for this episode is Elias Rosner.
- Original theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Melissa Egan
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you at the next bend in the road.
In 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 Mystery
9 News Adelaide Coverage of the Anthea Bradshaw Case
Criminal podcast with Phoebe Judge
Adelaide, South Australia
Brunei, Southeast Asia
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Ben Avery for joining us from his home in Adelaide, Australia today. You can listen to Just Married: The Anthea Bradshaw Mystery at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Editing by Roberta Panjwani with additional edits by Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner
- Original Theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media Producers are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
Join 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 documentary series, Executive Produced by Mark Duplass (The Morning Show; The League) & Jay Duplass. Details to come!
Things we talked about in this episode:
Found Magazine & Tour
Davy Rothbart on This American Life: Mr. Rothbart’s Neighborhood: I Found Your Letter; Bad Morning America
Peter Rothbart’s YouTube Channel
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Davy Rothbart, Peter Rothbart, Brett Loudermilk, and their crew for joining us in the studio today
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Editing by Melissa Egan and Roberta Panjwani.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
- Original theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- The clip at the end of the episode is Peter Rothbart performing “Seattle, Our Town” which was recorded live in 2019 at Northwest Seaport's Monthly Sea Chantey Singalong in December, 2019, in Seattle.
- The FOUND live show our guests performed before an audience of 100 at the library tonight was filmed for an upcoming television documentary series. Details to come!
- You can learn more about Davy, Peter, Brett, and FOUND magazine and tour at foundmagazine.com. Links for Davey’s stories on This American Life are posted in the show notes.
- Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you at the next bend in the road.
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.
-This episode was inspired by NPR —
Episode Credits
- Our thanks to Jay Friedman, Rebecca Rubinstein, Roberta and Harvey Bernstien, 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 studio, please visit bendintheroad.org or check out our Facebook and Instagram.
- To learn more about Jay Friedman, her CDs, and tour dates, please visit blueplatespecialmusic.com
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer and Technical Director for this episode is Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Mastering done by Matt Giannotti.
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Melissa Egan.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
Music Clips:
- “Just a Boy and a Girl and a Little Canoe” courtesy of Girl Scout Songs
- “Master of the House” from Les Miserable courtesy of Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Walt Disney Music Company, and Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
- “Stayin’ Alive” © Universal Music Publishing Group
Things we talked about this Episode:
Westchester County Center
Blue Plate Special
Camp Pontiac
Camp Cedarbrook/
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. Jackson
J.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 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 the road.
Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Director, Audio Engineer, Editor, and Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Audiobooks narrated by J.D. are available to borrow or download at your library and on Audible.
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
Mayor Eric AdamsEpisode Credits:
- Our thanks to Danielle Cohen for joining us.
- You can learn more about the SNACC program by visiting https://www.snaccprogram.org/.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and executive produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producers and editors for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
- Original theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Melissa Egan
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you at the next bend in the road.
The 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 moon
Ask Again, Yes
Mary Beth Kean’s website
Additional authors mentioned:
Elizabeth Strout
Seamus Heaney
Colson Whitehead
Hernan Diaz
Mohsin Hamid
William Trevor
Maggie O’ farrell
Claire KeegenEpisode Credits
- Our thanks to Mary Beth Keane for allowing us to record this September 13, 2023 author visit for the podcast.
- You can learn more about Mary Beth, her books, and upcoming events at marybethkeane.co
- Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and executive produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Editing by Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
- Original theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you at the next bend in the road.
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 Website
Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland
Billboard Music Awards
Ridgewood Library’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (Sherma enters at 1:16)
Berklee College of Music
The Lincoln Center
Other Musicians mentioned:
Aretha Franklin
Branford Marsalis
Britney Spears
Chaka Khan
Donna Summer
Etta James
Michael Feinstein
Roberta Flack
Whitney HoustonEpisode Credits:
- Thanks to Sherma for providing clips. “Looking for Something” from her album Guilty, is written and performed by Sherma Andrews.
- “I Have Nothing” appears on her album Legendary Lady Singers is written by David Foster and Linda Thompson “"
- Over the Rainbow", from the Ridgewood Library’s 100th anniversary celebration is written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Editing by Melissa Egan and Roberta Panjwani.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
- Original theme Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you at the next bend in the road.
Fernando 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.com
Ron del Barrilito rum
Wine Education Council
Allen Meadows’ Burgohund
Felix Bonilla - artist
Willem de Kooning - artist
Blind Ambition - documentary
Mondovino - documentary
Colluvial Wine Facebook
Colluvial Wine Instagram
Harriman State Park
Episode Credits:
- Our thanks to Fernando Fernandez for joining us in the studio today and for our colleague and friend Theresa Callaghan for the introduction
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producers and editors for this episode are Melissa Egan and me, Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Director and Audio Engineer is Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- The clip of Allen Meadows is courtesy of the Wine Education Council
- Finally, the clinking and clanking you heard while Fernando was talking about his wines were, in fact, his wines! Or at least their lovely bottles.
Deborah 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.com
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY arts & social impact collective
Queen Sugar on OWN
The Gilded Age on HBO
Harlan Coben's Shelter on Prime
Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+
Episode Credits
- Our thanks to Deborah Kampmeier for being with us today
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
- Our Editors are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Director and Audio Engineer is Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media Producer is Elias Rosner and Melissa Egan
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Audio clips are courtesy of HBO Max and Amazon Prime
As 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 special appearance by Carol and Liberty, the therapy dog as they prepare to hear a wonderful story from a young reader.
Things we talked about in this episode:
- Ridgewood Library Youth Services Instagram video of a therapy dog
- Ridgewood Library Children’s Services (This is where you can sign up to read to a dog!)
- The Orem Police Department’s Victim Assistance Program
Additional therapy dog programs in Utah that were mentioned:
- Intermountain Therapy Animals from Salt Lake City, UT
- Skye’s dog training from West Jordan, UT
- 4 Paws 4 Patriots from Ogden, Utah
Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producers for this episode are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Melissa Egan and Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Our Digital Media Producer is Elias Rosner .
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
- Audio clips are courtesy Aiza Stevens and KEUR Radio.
- Special thanks to Aiza Stevens and Hoku for joining us today from the Orem Police Dept, to our very own Victoria Schnure for sharing her experience coordinating the Ridgewood Library's Read of to a Dog program and to Carol & therapy dog Liberty.
From 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 International Film Festival
Cinema In Flux by Roger Durling
SBIFF 2023 - Angela Bassett Discusses "The Jacksons" & "What's Love Got To Do With It?"
SBIFF 2022 - Roger Durling Opening Night Speech
SBFF 2023 - Outstanding Performer of The Year Award Honoring Cate Blanchett (Complete Event)
The Telluride Film Festival
Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts
The Peddie School
Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer for this episode is Melissa Egan.
- Our editors are Melissa Egan and Roberta Panjwani with additional edits by Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Melissa Egan
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Special thanks to Roger Durling and our guest host Diane Sims
- Clips of Roger Durling and Angela Bassett are courtesy of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
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- and early 20th-century European and U.S. avant-gardes and specializes in the field of provenance research - the study of an object's ownership history, from its creation to present day. Since joining the curatorial staff at the Guggenheim in 2005, she has organized or co-organized over thirty exhibitions for the Guggenheim’s museums in Bilbao, New York, Venice, and formerly Berlin.
Things we talked about in this episode:
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Kandinsky and the “Blue Mountain”
Visionaries: Creating a Modern Guggenheim
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Episode Credits:
- Clips featured in this episode are courtesy of the Guggenheim Museum. Our thanks to Sara Fox for providing clearances.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, edited, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer for this episode is me, Elias Rosner.
- Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner with additional edits by Melissa Egan.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Special thanks to Megan Fontanella for being with us today.
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 into over thirty languages, she has an award-winning podcast, and she also has an app. Join Roberta as she sits down with Gretchen to discuss this lifelong exploration into happiness, how we respond to expectations and her daily trips to the Met Museum.
Things We Talked About in This Episode:
Books: Life in Five Senses, The Four Tendencies, The Happiness Project, and more.
Podcasts: Get Happier and More Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Happier app
The Happiness Project
Quizzes: The Four Tendencies and Five Senses
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Episode Credits:
- Clips featured in this episode are courtesy of Gretchen Rubin.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is Elias Rosner.
- Our Editor this episode is Roberta Panjwani with additional edits by Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Special thanks to Gretchen Rubin for being with us today.
- You can find information about The Happiness Project and Gretchen’s books, podcasts, quizzes, resources, and articles at gretchenrubin.com.
"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 How We Learn to be Brave.
As the ninth bishop of Washington, Bishop Budde is the spiritual leader for 86 Episcopal congregations and ten Episcopal schools in the District of Columbia and four Maryland counties. She is also the first woman elected to this position. Join Roberta as she talks to Bishop Budde about that seminal moment in 2020, courage and faith, and a little bit of Eleanor Roosevelt to round things out.
Things we talked about in this episode:
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
How to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith and Life
Eleanor Roosevelt: The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
Episode Credits
- Clips featured are copyright FDR Library and CNN.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, edited, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer and Editor for this episode is Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Our thanks to Bishop Mariann Budde for being with us today.
- You can find How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith and Life wherever you get your books. For more information about all of Bishop Budde’s writings and work, please visit the Episcopal Diocese of Washington at edow.org.
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, 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 this episode:
Gorge Amphitheatre
Joni Mitchell at Newport CD featuring the Joni Jam
The Musicians
Joni Mitchell
Brandi Carlile
Annie Lennox
Sarah McLachlan
Marcus Mumford
Allison Russell
Lucius
Taylor Goldsmith
Blake Mills
Celisse Henderson
Wendy & Lisa
Ben Lusher
Tim Hanseroth
Phil Hanseroth
Rick Whitfield
Josh Neumann
Episode Credits
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Editor for this episode is Roberta Panjwani with consultation from Diane Sims and additional edits from Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Special thanks to the Gorge Amphitheatre, Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Sarah McLachlan, Marcus Mumford and all of the musicians featured in this episode.
- Additional thanks to Greg Raj, Kelly, Ellen and everyone who shared their experiences. And to Andrea–this episode is for you.
Felicia 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 Studio
Felicia on Now This News
Keep a Child Alive
Episode Credits
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producer and Editor for this episode is Olivia Esteban.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Olivia Esteban.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Special thanks to Felicia and Parker for being with us today.
Have 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 Episode:
Ben’s Books
Ben in the New Yorker
Ben in the New York Times
Interview with Questlove and George Clinton
Prince Interview
Episode Credits
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producer and Editor for this episode is Olivia Esteban.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Olivia Esteban.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Special thanks to Ben for being with us today.
You 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 Club
Colum McCann Interview
Diana Gabaldon Interview
You Are Here by Karen Lin-Greenberg
Victory City by Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie New Yorker Article
Dances by Nicole Cuffy
A Small Sacrifice for Enormous Happiness by Jai Chakrabarti
Episode Credits:
Special thanks to Leigh for being with us today.
A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
Our Associate Producer and Editor for this episode is Olivia Esteban with additional edits by Elias Rosner.
Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Olivia Esteban.
Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
What 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 Society
House M.D.
The Invention of Love
Arcadia
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
The Gilded Age
Episode Credits
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producer and Editor for this episode is Olivia Esteban.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Olivia Esteban.
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Special thanks to Robert for being with us today.
Hot 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: https://800pgr.lnk.to/PlantBasedJokesID
Parenting Is A Joke: https://link.chtbl.com/PIAJ
Ophira on the Moth: https://themoth.org/search/results?q=ophira
NPR’s Ask Me Another: https://www.npr.org/programs/ask-me-another/
Episode Credits
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer and Editor for this episode is Olivia Esteban
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Olivia Esteban
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Special thanks to Ophira for being with us today
Best-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 Website
Serial Podcast
New York Times Crime Column
Etan Patz Case
Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr.: “The Edgar Smith Story: Part I,” Firing Line broadcast records, Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Program S0029
Dorothy B. Hughes- In A Lonely Place (Amazon)
Crime Reads Article: "In A Lonely Place and Postwar America"
Robin Gigl
Stephen Spotswood
Danya Kukafka
Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is me, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Olivia Esteban
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- The clip from Firing Line with William F. Buckley is copyrighted by the Hoover Institution.
- Special thanks to Sarah for being with us today.
- Transition music via https://www.FesliyanStudios.com
When 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 with them about their experiences on the stage, how they got there, and the life events that shaped what they tell and how they tell it.
Links for things discussed in the episode:
Nina Groop's Website
The Moth
Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is me, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Sabrina Garcia
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- The excerpt you heard at the beginning of the episode is from Nina's new book: Creek Music: What a Year in the Woods Taught Me about Seasons, Surrender & Joy.
Director 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 episode:
Micromundo Productions
Maite and The Mole AgentMaite’s new project: The Eternal MemoryEpisode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
- Consulting for this episode done by Diane Sims.
- Our Assistant Producer is Elias Rosner.
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner.
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner.
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Sabrina Garcia.
- Logo and website created by Parker Gaidimas.
- We are grateful to Maite Alberdi and Daniela Sandoval and to Micromundo Productions for permission to include audio clips from The Mole Agent.
- Original music from The Mole Agent composed by Vincent Van Warmerdam. Additional music composed by Jose Luis Perales ["Te Quiero"]
As 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 season - as well as a theologian and conflict mediator. This episode is guest hosted by Diane Sims.
Links mentioned in the show:
Padraig's Website
The TenX9 Project
Corrymeela
Morton Deutsch
Billy Collins
Six Feet Under
“If You’re Going To Look Like a Wolf They Have to Love You More Than Fear You”
Episode Credits
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is me, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producers are Elias Rosner and Sabrina Garcia
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Special thanks to Pádraig Ó Tuama for talking with us today and to Shannon Hearn for her help.
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 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 well as a theologian and conflict mediator. Part 2 will be available on October 26.
Links mentioned in the show:
Padraig's Website
The TenX9 Project
Corrymeela
Morton Deutsch
Billy Collins
Episode Credits
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is me, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner and Sabrina Garcia
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Please join us again in a week for Part 2 of Diane’s conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama.
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 show the 2016 documentary “For Grace,” which chronicles the creation of Curtis’s former restaurant and tells the riveting story of how the chef’s turbulent past shaped the person he is today. A live Q&A with directors Mark Helenowsk and Kevin Pang will follow the screening. This event is offered at the Ridgewood Library and via Zoom. Please visit ridgewoodlibrary.org for details and the Zoom link
For the curious, here are just a few of Curtis' accolades: Ever was awarded two Michelin stars in the 2022 Guide, Grace (his previous restaurant) earned three Michelin stars, four years in a row (2015-2018), two Michelin stars at Avenues at The Peninsula Hotel Chicago, Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star rating, AAA’s Five-Diamond rating, and the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef, Great Lakes Award in 2016.
Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road from the Ridgewood Public Library was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is me, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Digital Media producer is Elias Rosner and Sabrina Garcia
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Cover Photo of Curtis Duffy by Michael Muser
- We would like to thank Curtis Duffy for spending time with us today and Melissa Harris for helping us to put this interview together.
How 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 documentary, her work with the Sea Change Project, and some of her favorite advice from Jane Goodall.
This episode was originally recorded as part of the Ridgewood Public Library's Reel Voices program on July 14, 2021. It has been lightly edited for clarity.
Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is me, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Our Digital Media producers are Sabrina Garcia and Elias Rosner
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Very special thanks to our guest Pippa Ehrlich.
- My Octopus Teacher is a trademark and copyright of Off the Fence & the Sea Change Project. All rights reserved.
- My Octopus Teacher can be streamed on Netflix.
- The film’s tie-in book Underwater Wild: My Octopus Teacher's Extraordinary World by Craig Foster and Ross Frylinck is available at the Ridgewood Library and wherever you get your books. The children’s picture book version Journey Under the Sea comes out this October.
- Sound effects used include “Underwater Ambience” by Fission9
Olivia 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?
Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Consulting for this episode done by Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is me, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Our Digital Media producer is Sabrina Garcia
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Consulting for this episode done by Diane Sims
- Additional consultation from Nancy Carswell and Andrea Panjwani.
- Thanks to our guest Olivia Barkley for sharing her story–and, yes, for singing for us today.
- All I Know So Far is written by Alecia Moore, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and Cover Me In Sunshine is written by Maureen Anne McDonald and Amy Rose Allen
Florence 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 famously generous definition of nature: “Nature is where the birds fly around uncooked.”
Episode Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Consulting for this episode done by Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is me, Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Our Digital Media producer is Sabrina Garcia
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Special thanks to our guest, Florence Williams. For more information about Florence Williams’ books, podcasts, retreats and more, please visit florencewilliams.com
- Sound effects used include "Footsteps, Dry Leaves, G.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org
J.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 the road.
Follow us on Instagram @bendintheroadpodcast or at bendintheroad.org for updates and the latest episodes.
Credits:
- A Bend in the Road is written, hosted and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims
- Our Assistant Producer is Elias Rosner
- Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Charles Gallo and Elias Rosner
- Our Editor is Elias Rosner
- Our Digital Media producer is Parker Gaidimas
- Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas
- Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims
- Audiobooks narrated by J.D. are available to borrow or download at your library and on Audible.