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Episode 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 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Fernando Fernandez - Featured

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.

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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.

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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.

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Past Episodes

Gretchen Rubin Featured

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

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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,

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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

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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

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Episode 12: Actor Robert Sean Leonard

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

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Episode 11: Comedian and NPR Host Ophira Eisenberg

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

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Episode 10: True Crime Author Sarah Weinman

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

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