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

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 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 Streep, 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 featuring the June 2023 show at the Gorge Amphitheatre, which is being rebroadcast alongside 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

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

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.

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 & TourDavy Rothbar 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