In this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Sara Odendahl, CEO of the Bend Chamber. Sara shares her journey from journalism and public affairs to government relations, nonprofit leadership, and small business ownership. She discusses her experience in Colorado policy work, launching Work Collective in Bend, and ultimately stepping into leadership at one of Oregon's largest local chambers of commerce.

The conversation explores workforce housing, child care access, small business support, health insurance resources, and the evolving role of the Bend Chamber in Central Oregon. Sara explains how the Chamber is helping convene community partners around complex challenges and highlights efforts to advance attainable housing solutions, strengthen the local workforce, and support the region's growing business community.

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In this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Claudia Hinz, author. A Bend based novelist and former television journalist, Hinz discusses her debut novel Safekeeping and the experiences that inspired its exploration of war, motherhood, activism, and the civilian military divide. Drawing from years of reporting on military bases and conversations with veterans, she shares how those experiences shaped both her storytelling and her understanding of service.

The conversation explores the realities of military service, the distance many civilians feel from modern conflicts, and the ways war impacts families far beyond the battlefield. Hinz reflects on motherhood, community responsibility, and the importance of meaningful conversations with veterans, offering Central Oregon listeners a thoughtful discussion about service, sacrifice, and connection.

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In this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Dennis McGregor, Artist, Musician, and Children's Book Author. Dennis reflects on his journey from performing music in Southern California to building a creative life in Sisters, Oregon. He shares how an opportunity to create a poster for the Sisters Quilt Show launched a decades long career in visual art, leading to celebrated festival posters, interpretive signage throughout Central Oregon, public artwork, and a series of children's books.

The conversation explores creativity, reinvention, and the lasting influence artists can have on a community. Dennis discusses his work with the Sisters Folk Festival, his contributions to public spaces across the region, and the inspiration behind his books and school performances. His story highlights the role of art, music, and local culture in shaping the identity of Central Oregon.

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