Current Episode
Episode 54: Columbia University Professor Dr Peter Coleman: Conflict: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
What if the key to resolving conflict isn’t avoiding it, but learning to navigate it better? Columbia University professor Dr. Peter Coleman thinks so. An expert in constructive conflict resolution and a sustainable peace expert, he’s explored the forces that drive conflict, from our families and workplaces to communities and nations. Join Roberta as she and Dr. Coleman discuss how even our deepest disagreements can be navigated with greater wisdom, adaptability, and understanding.
Episode 54: Columbia University Professor Dr Peter Coleman: Conflict: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
What if the key to resolving conflict isn’t avoiding it, but learning to navigate it better? Columbia University professor Dr. Peter Coleman thinks so. An expert in constructive conflict resolution and a sustainable peace expert, he’s explored the forces that drive conflict, from our families and workplaces to communities and nations. Join Roberta as she and Dr. Coleman discuss how even our deepest disagreements can be navigated with greater wisdom, adaptability, and understanding.
Past Episodes
Episode 47: “Cinephile” Author and Podcaster Adnan Virk: Let’s Go to the Movies!
This month on A Bend in the Road, Roberta is joined by broadcaster, film critic, and host of the Cinephile podcast Adnan Virk for a lively deep dive into the movies that matter now.
Known for his sharp insights and contagious love of cinema, Virk brings his passion, encyclopedic knowledge, and signature blend of humor to talk Oscars buzz, under-the-radar gems, the state of movie theaters, streaming’s impact on film culture, and the performances everyone will be arguing about this year.
Episode 46: Author Laurie Gwen Shapiro
What really happened inside the marriage that helped turn Amelia Earhart into a legend? That’s the question author Laurie Gwen Shapiro sought to answer in her new book: The Aviator and the Showman. Through newly uncovered letters and archival material, she reexamines the partnership between Amelia Earhart and George Putnam, revealing a marriage far more complex, modern, and strategic than the myths suggest.
Join host Roberta as she sits down with Laurie to discuss this riveting book, Amelia’s life, and the ambition, gender, power, and fame of early 20th-century America.
Episode 45: Author Gretchen Rubin: Get Happy (Rebroadcast)
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.
Episode 44: Writer John Seabrook: From Fields of Ambition to a Fallen Empire
This month, Roberta sits down with The New Yorker writer John Seabrook to talk about his new book The Spinach King, a chronicle of the rise and fall of his family’s empire: Seabrook Farms. Recently selected as one of the 100 Most Notable Books of 2025 by the New York Times, it tells a story of ambition, innovation, and betrayal that built, and ultimately destroyed, one of America’s largest agricultural empires.
Episode 43: Dispatch & Duty: The Human Side of the Call with Lt. Mark Panjwani & 911 Dispatcher Ricardo Martinez
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.
Episode 42: Author Susan Shapiro Barash
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.
Past Episodes
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
Episode 32: Joni Mitchell @ the Hollywood Bowl
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,”
Episode 31: Directors Pete Davis and Rebecca Davis
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
Episode 30: Ben Avery, Australian Journalist/True Crime Podcast Host
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
Episode 29: Live at RPL: Davy Rothbart’s FOUND Tour
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
Episode 28: Camp Stories
Inspired by This American Life’s “Notes on Camp” episode, 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.
Episode 27: J.D. Jackson: To Act You Have to Listen (Rebroadcast)
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
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
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
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