Current Episode
Episode 33: Melissa Davey: Filmmaker on a Mission
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
Episode 33: Melissa Davey: Filmmaker on a Mission
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.
Past Episodes
Episode 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 Mayor Eric Adams Episode 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 again at the next bend in the road.
Episode 25: Author Mary Beth Keane
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.
Episode 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.
Episode 23: Fernando Fernandez: From Wall Street to Wine country
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.
Episode 22: Deborah Kampmeier, The Gilded Age Director
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.
Episode 21: Victim Advocates Aiza Stevens & Hoku and Library Therapy Dog Coordinator Victoria Schnure
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.
Past Episodes
Episode 22: Deborah Kampmeier, The Gilded Age Director
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
Episode 21: Victim Advocates Aiza Stevens & Hoku and Library Therapy Dog Coordinator Victoria Schnure
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
Episode 20: Roger Durling, Santa Barbara Film Festival Executive Director
(Photo Credit: Eric Madrid.) 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
Episode 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
Episode 18: Author Gretchen Rubin: Get Happy
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
Episode 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
Episode 16: One Weekend This Summer: Our Time in the Canyon with Joni, Brandi & 27,000 Friends
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
Episode 15: String Thing Studio Founder Felicia Eve
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,
Episode 14: Writer Ben Greenman
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
Episode 13: Oprah’s Book Club Director Leigh Haber
Publishing icon, editor, and former Vice President of Book at O magazine, Leigh Haber joins us this episode to discuss books, writers, audiences, and the connections between them. Join host Roberta Panjwani as we dive into Leigh’s role as Director of Oprah’s Book Club, what it’s like to interview writers