Podcasts about Central Oregon

Oregon’s wildfire season has been severe, resulting in smoky air in communities all over the state. Central Oregon now ranks among the worst air quality in the nation, with wildfire smoke significantly affecting the region. We’ll hear from Crook County Public Health Director Katie Plumb about how people can help keep themselves safe from the smoke.  

This episode was a great one with Chuck Sams, an enrolled member of the  Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Cayuse tribes, as well as the 19th director of the United States National Park Service from 2021 to 2025. He now serves as one of two of Oregon's members of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, the director of Indigenous programs at the Yale Center for Environmental Justice, and senior fellow at the University of Oregon Law School.Chuck has extensive experience in environmental stewardship and has spent nearly over 30 years doing salmon and watershed restoration work all across the Pacific Northwest and across the country on larger scale watershed restoration. We talk with him about tribal planning, lessons we can learn from indigenous nations, relationship building between tribes and government entities, and the current hot topic: data centers. Articles and resources mentioned in the episode:Oregon, Umatilla tribes aim to co-manage proposed wildlife area in Union CountyA small Central Oregon town shoots down data center developmentOffshore wind looked like a sure thing for Oregon — until it wasn't. What went wrong?Want to be a part of the podcast? Send in an email or voice message!  The team behind the upcoming Better Planners podcast wants to hear from you about the real life issues you handle as a planner. What are the honest, gritty, wicked problems you find yourself managing?To share your experiences, email betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking: https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast Your message might end up in one of the upcoming podcast episodes. You can be as anonymous or as identifiable as you want. Where to find us:Website: https://oregon.planning.org/community/betterplannerspodcast/Instagram: @betterplanners 

Tye Austin is a classical guitarist and composer from Southern Oregon and also the founder and artistic director of Wilder Frets: Classical Guitar in the Wilderness.     The two-month-long concert tour that kicked off on Aug. 1 features Austin performing original and traditional classical guitar compositions at 15 state parks and other outdoor locations, from the Central Oregon high desert to the Portland metro area, the Rogue Valley and the rugged Oregon coast. Austin is making tickets available for free or at discounted prices for people facing financial difficulties, and he’s also giving away free classical guitars and music instruction to at-risk youth.    He joins us to share how the pandemic inspired this concert series, his vision for its future growth and to perform works audiences can expect to hear.    

In this bonus wildfire update episode of Inside Deschutes County, Deschutes County Emergency Manager Ben Duda and Al De Vos with the Oregon Department of Forestry use the Akawa Butte Fire as a starting point for a discussion about wildfire response, preparedness and public safety in Central Oregon. They explain how agencies work together during a wildfire, what residents should know about evacuations and emergency notifications, and where to find trusted information throughout fire season.

By Monday, the Bench fire burning in Warm Springs grew to more than 40,000 acres after combining with the Beachcomb fire. At least six homes and five buildings have been lost, according to state fire officials.    Hundreds of people are under Level 3 “Go Now!” evacuation orders, with more than a thousand others under lower evacuation levels.    Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal Council Chair Dennis White III has issued a state of emergency declaration that authorizes coordination with and seeks assistance from state, local and federal agencies to fight the wildfires threatening the reservation and taking a toll on tribal services. Tribal officials have now issued a water conservation order and a boil water advisory while announcing the closure of government offices on Tuesday.      Edward Henderson, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, joins us to share more.

Are things getting any better in Central Oregon...Sprague needs Padres tickets...why is the Kyle Shanahan story so mysterious...Even though Rutgers invented college football, is it time to drop it.

More than 500,000 acres have burned in Oregon from wildfires that were sparked last week by lightning storms. That includes the Rowe Creek Complex that has grown to roughly 150,000 acres and triggered level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notices for residents in Wheeler and Wasco counties. The fires have also led to air quality advisories for more than a third of the counties in the state.   Rangeland Fire Protection Associations have been working with state and federal agencies to respond to the Rowe Creek Complex and other fires in remote, difficult terrain. There are currently 29 RFPAs in Oregon. Their members are ranchers and private landowners who volunteer to help fight wildfires on private rangelands in coordination with the Oregon Department of Forestry and other state and federal agencies.   Ted Netter is a rancher and chairman of the Oregon RFPA Advisory Committee and the fire supervisor of the Lower Bridge RFPA which serves Jefferson and Deschutes counties. Ross Ryno is a rancher and member of the Twickenham RFPA which serves parts of Wheeler county. They join us to talk about their efforts to protect their homes and communities from the Rowe Creek Complex and Akawa Butte fire burning near Sisters.  

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Bend Magazine's The Circling Podcast, I'm joined by Bend Magazine founders Heather and Ross Johnson and our friend and neighbor Gerry Lopez, the recipient of the third annual Bend Magazine Soul of Central Oregon Award, to talk about the kind of influence you can't measure with job titles or headlines. We dig into the origin story of Bend Magazine, then Gerry shares what brought him from Maui to Bend more than 30 years ago, the Oregon kindness that surprised him on day one, and what he hopes never changes even as the region grows. Along the way, we hear heartfelt stories from people who know Gerry best, including Bob Madden and Dave Chun, who describe him as the neighbor who teaches, listens, and quietly sets the tone for everyone else. We also also hear the story of how Bend's unique river surfing culture began with olympic nordic skier Ben Husby, as he shares about: the early “ditch” days, the evolution of boards and technique, and what it took to build the Bend river wave.  The big takeaway from this episode is almost disarmingly simple: “Be nice.” If you live here, want to move here, or just care about what makes a community worth calling home, this one's for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves Central Oregon, and leave a review with the name of someone in your town who embodies the spirit.The Circling Podcast is proud to be in partnership with Bend Magazine. Claim your five-dollar annual subscription when you visit www.bendmagazine.com and enter promo code: PODCAST at checkout. Your subscription includes 6 issues of our regions top publication celebrating mountain culture, and four bonus issues of Bend Home and Design, the leading home and building design magazine in Central Oregon. Support The Circling Podcast:Email us at: thecirclingpodcast@bendmagazine.comJoin the Circling membership:  patreon.com/Thecirclingpodcast Follow us on Instagram @thecirclingpodcast @bendmagazineCover Song by: @theerinsmusic Bend Magazine. Remember to enter promo code: Podcast at checkout for your five-dollar annual subscription.  https://bendmagazine.com. BOSS Sports Performance: https://www.bosssportsperformance.comBack Porch Coffee: https://www.backporchcoffeeroasters.comStory Booth: https://www.storyboothexperience.comRemember, the health of our community, relies on us! 

Episode Summary:Are Christians reading current events concerning Israel into the Bible? What if the biggest mistake in the Israel debate is failing to define what "Israel" even means?Everyone has an opinion about Israel. Few begin with Scripture.This week we're joined by Pastor Blaine Braden to cut through the noise surrounding Israel, Christian Zionism, replacement theology, Bible prophecy, and Israel's current conflicts. Instead of repeating internet talking points, we rebuild the conversation from the ground up with careful biblical interpretation from Genesis through Revelation with and a particular emphasis on Romans chapters 9-11.In this episode, we discuss:Why the Israel debate exploded after October 7 and how online tribalism fuels confusionChristian Zionism, replacement theology, and the importance of sound hermeneuticsThe different biblical meanings of "Israel" and why categorizing definitions mattersWhy "chosen" does not mean "saved" and why salvation comes through Christ aloneRomans 9-11, the unfulfilled promises for IsraelHow to think biblically about the modern nation-state of IsraelWhy Christians should pursue justice without favoritism or conspiracy thinkingWhat it really means to bless Israel according to ScriptureIf this episode helps you think more biblically, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others discover the show.To support the Disciple Nations Alliance through our Matching Challenge, tap here.Who is the Disciple Nations Alliance (DNA)? Since 1997, DNA's mission has been to equip followers of Jesus around the globe with a biblical worldview, empowering them to build flourishing families, communities, and nations.

The Deschutes River is a lifeline for Central Oregon. About 90 percent of the river’s water is diverted to irrigation canals during the agricultural growing season. OPB’s Central Oregon Bureau Chief Emily Cureton Cook wanted to know where all that water went, and what it was used to grow.    Emily teamed up with journalists at ProPublica to zoom in on the Central Oregon Irrigation District, or COID. They did some deep data analysis to find some answers. But this is not a story about numbers. This is a story about people, specifically the people growing the food we eat from Oregon.    As we’ve talked about before, Oregon water rights rely on a system called “prior appropriation” or “first in time, first in right.” Basically, in a drought, the people who hold the oldest or “senior” water rights get top priority and junior water rights holders have to make do with less. In this episode, Emily shares her reporting to show us what that looks like on the ground during a time when climate change is making drought conditions more severe.    Don’t forget to check out our many podcasts, which can be found on any of your favorite podcast apps: Hush Timber Wars Season 2: Salmon Wars Politics Now Think Out Loud And many more! Check out our full show list here.

This episode was sponsored by Cardiff & Northeast Woodworks LLC LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/ Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/ Today's Dropping Bombs episode features Josh Norko — a former heroin addict who detoxed in Navy boot camp, hit rock bottom at 26, and walked out of a faith-based rehab program with nothing but a plan. That plan became Northeast Woodworks, a high-end custom cabinet shop he built from a two-car garage in Connecticut, packed up, and rebuilt from scratch in Central Oregon. Josh and his business partner Alex Reid break down how a solo cabinet maker can clear half a million a year, why blue-collar trades are becoming the new white collar, and how they've built a growing community teaching anyone — skilled or starting from zero — to launch and grow a cabinet business through Cabinet Mastery. Whether you're deep in addiction, stuck in a dead-end job, or just looking for a business you can build with your hands — Josh built his way out of all three. Now he's showing everyone else how. 

On this week's episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we head west to one of the most spectacular—and surprisingly diverse—RV destinations in the country and take a deep dive into […] The post RVing in Central Oregon: Campgrounds, Craft Beer, Food Culture, Outdoor Adventure + More! appeared first on The RV Atlas.

What about Fate? Control over one's destiny? The illusion of control over one's destiny? Causality? And technology? Huh? Your 35+ year Tarot and interweb-experienced guide T from Burning Tarot is uniquely positioned to take you through these fascinating questions, plus, she is the kind of person who can't write the phrase "uniquely positioned" without snickering snarkily.The nature walk and blathery woo-woo chitchat here in Central Oregon forest will cover all this and more. Oh yes. Maybe even our good (eyeroll) friend AI, artificial intelligence, LLMs, etc.T from Burning Tarot - Tiffany Lee Brown - offers astrology and Tarot readings and whatnot, at tiffanyleebrown.com.

Dr., Leslie McIntyre was raised in Central Oregon and always knew that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. She earned her DVM from Oregon State University in 1995, then did an equine internship followed by a residency in Equine Internal Medicine at Colorado State University, finishing in 1999. She was Board Certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Large Animal Medicine in 1999 and earned a Master's Degree from CSU that same year.Afterwards, she returned to Bend, Oregon to join an Equine referral clinic for the next six years. In 2005, she founded her own practice, Sage Veterinary Alternatives in Bend.Dr. McIntyre completed the Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians course while a resident, became certified in acupuncture by IVAS, and has training in Homotoxicology, Canine Osteopathy, and Medical Laser therapy. She is certified in Animal Chiropractic by the IVCA and in Canine Rehabilitation by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. She also has earned the Veterinary Master Homeopathy certification from the Pitcairn Institute and is certified by the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Leslie McIntyre as we discuss her education, work history, holistic training, and her involvement with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation.

ON JUNE 1, 1981, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh boarded a Boeing 747 for a flight from Mumbai to New York City. Officially the trip was for medical treatment, and authorities were told he'd be heading back home to India afterward. But Rajneesh was not planning on returning. His movement, which had already become an international octopus with meditation centers in dozens of different countries around the world, had outgrown the Pune campus. He needed a new World Headquarters. And his new personal secretary, Ma Anand Sheela (formerly known as Sheela Patel Silverman), had found one for him. Sheela closed the deal for the property then known as the Big Muddy Ranch the following month, paying $5.75 million for it. It was 64,229 acres of Central Oregon rangeland with only the amenities one would expect a family ranch to have. And in late August, she chartered a Learjet to fly the guru in to see, for the first time, the dry landscape that was to be his new home. (Big Muddy Ranch, Wasco and Jefferson County; 1980s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/23-08b.rajneeshpuramPart2of5.html)

Central Oregon recorded a nearly 20% drop in people experiencing homelessness compared to last year. That’s according to an annual Point in Time count that took place this year from Jan. 27 through Feb. 2 in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.   Eliza Wilson is the chair of the Homeless Leadership Coalition in Central Oregon and the executive director of RootedHomes, an affordable housing developer based in Bend. Wilson says this has been the largest year-over-year decline she has seen in over 20 years of helping with the annual snapshot of people experiencing homelessness in the region. She attributes this unprecedented decline to opening new shelters and expanding shelter bed capacity in communities like Madras, Bend, Redmond and Prineville, while also providing rental assistance and case management to help people transition into stable housing.    Wilson joins us for more details on the progress that’s being made in Central Oregon to tackle homelessness and the work that still needs to be done.  

Wildfire managers and policy makers in Oregon and Washington often evaluate a community’s wildfire risk based on environmental factors such as the probability of wildfire exposure or the number of threatened homes and buildings. They can also take into account a community’s social vulnerability, or a set of demographic characteristics that includes household income, educational attainment and racial and ethnic minority status.   For the first time, researchers at Oregon State University have created a tool that integrates both social vulnerability and wildfire hazard measurements to help inform the distribution of resources needed to reduce wildfire risk. The study found, for example, that more than 450 communities in Oregon and Washington face increased wildfire risk when their social vulnerability was included in risk assessments. Communities such as Warm Springs in Central Oregon and Mosier in the Columbia Gorge with high levels of social vulnerability, for example, could be prioritized for educational outreach, home hardening or fuels reduction programs.    Joining us for more details are Andy McEvoy, a faculty research assistant in the College of Forestry at OSU.  

In this episode of The Connection podcast, Jennifer Ware-Kempcke discusses her artistic journey and her collaboration with Dirty Freehub to create the cover art for the Deschutes River Basin gravel cycling guidebook.As a dedicated watercolorist and teacher, Jennifer explains how her work is deeply inspired by the natural landscapes and shifting light of Central Oregon. She details her preference for versatile techniques, ranging from photorealism to abstract styles, while emphasizing her constant drive to experiment with new mediums like pastels and oils.The conversation explores the technical challenges of commissioned work and the history of plein air painting, which involves capturing scenes directly outdoors.Jennifer also highlights her commitment to the local art community by teaching classes and exhibiting her pieces in various regional galleries. Ultimately, the source illustrates the powerful connection between outdoor recreation, environmental storytelling, and visual art.

In 1961, JFK set a goal for the United States: send astronauts to the moon and back before the decade was through. But the moon was much more mysterious then, and no one knew for sure what they’d find when they got there.    Scientists debated the possibilities, and speculated that they’d encounter volcanic rock. To prepare its astronauts, NASA turned to a place here on Earth with plenty of that: Central Oregon. From 1964 to 1971, dozens of Apollo astronauts trained on Oregon lava fields, which scientists thought might be similar to the surface of the moon. The region became known as “Moon Country.”Now that Artemis II has sent humans back to the moon for the first time in over half a century, we’re reflecting on the role Oregon has played in lunar exploration.To learn more, watch OPB’s “Oregon Experience” documentary, “Oregon’s Moon Country,”   —   For more episodes of The Evergreen, and to share your voice with us, visit our show page. Follow OPB on Instagram, and follow host Jenn Chávez too. You can sign up for OPB’s newsletters to get what you need in your inbox regularly.   Don’t forget to check out our many podcasts, which can be found on any of your favorite podcast apps:HushTimber Wars Season 2: Salmon WarsPolitics NowThink Out Loud And many more! Check out our full show list here.

OR Unplugged” is a coalition created by parents in Portland to support healthy digital environments for children. The group provides resources to parents and families like curriculums for digital wellness, suggestions for alternative devices to smartphones, and community events with “unplugged” activities. The group also works as a thread to unite several smaller, local groups of parents across Oregon that are like-minded about creating phone-free environments for their children. Currently, these groups exist around Central Oregon, Hood River, Ashland, Salem and the Portland-Metro area.   One of these groups, based in Sherwood, was founded by Daniel Golder, a father who wanted to create a screen-free upbringing for his children. He calls the local group “Analog Alpha,” because of the group’s goal of helping Generation Alpha being “adept at technology without being dominated by it.”   Kathy Masarie is the founder of OR Unplugged — she’s a retired pediatrician who pivoted to this advocacy work after two decades in healthcare. We’ll hear from Masarie and Golder about their work. 

Oregon was once known as a place full of “great liars” — tellers of tales so tall they'd cause every pair of pants in the room to spontaneously burst into flame. Central Oregon storyteller Reub Long could hold his own with the best of them. (Fort Rock, Lake County; 1930s, 1940s, 1950s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/2405c-1209a.reub-long-sage-of-fort-rock-1of2-187.650.html)

Tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers, shipped to the Beaver State for training (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1408d.oregon-maneuver-ww2.html)

The third annual Life & Career Readiness Night is fast approaching. It will be at Caldera High School on Thursday, April 30, 2026. More than 50 Central Oregon employers and representatives of higher education will be there to speak with students and families about a wide variety of post-secondary opportnities. In this episode of “The Supe's On” podcast, Dr. Cook's guests are Caldera student Jack Strycharz, lead organizer for Life & Career Readiness Night; and Jane Reynolds, Associate Dean and Chief Enrollment Officer for OSU-Cascades, which will have a large presence at this year's event. Jack and Jane talk about what's in store for April 30 and why families should attend. Organized by high school students, Life & Career Readiness Night is designed to expose students from across the school district to professional and post-secondary educational opportunities. Whether a student is considering college, military service, entering the workforce, or pursuing technical training, this event helps connect them with the people and resources that can guide those decisions. The event is geared toward high school students but also may be of interest to middle school students starting to explore their career options. Families can learn about professional pathways, internships, volunteer work, summer jobs, educational travel, industry certifications, and college degree programs. (Theme music by Zakhar Valaha)

Send us Fan MailWe're recording outdoors at Smith Rock State Park in a coproduction with StoryBooth, and the setting fits the story: Oregon Outdoor Alliance was built by people who wanted the outdoor industry to feel as connected as the places we all love to be. We talk with founders Gary Bracelin and Van Schoessler about what Bend looked like when industry talent felt scattered, the recession made growth feel uncertain, and “community” was more wish than reality.Van and Gary walk us through the early economic development push to recruit big outdoor companies, the tough questions they heard at Outdoor Retailer, and the moment they realized the smarter move was to back the businesses already in Oregon. From picnic-table planning to that first packed gathering at Pine Mountain Sports, you can hear how a network forms when people finally have a reason to show up for each other. We also reflect on the influence of Central Oregon legend Bob Woodward and how “think bigger” became the mindset that turned a local idea into a statewide outdoor industry association.Along the way, we unpack what OOA actually does for outdoor brands and professionals: talent connections, peer support, partner resources, and the kind of chance conversations that turn into hires, collaborations, and new product lines. Gary shares how the Bend Outdoor Work accelerator grew out of the same spark to give outdoor product startups deeper support, and proof that community can become real influence.If you work in outdoor recreation, outdoor products, or you're building a business in Oregon, hit play and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a friend in the outdoor industry, and leave a review with the one kind of connection you want your local community to make easier.The Circling Podcast is proud to be in partnership with Bend Magazine. Claim your five-dollar annual subscription when you visit www.bendmagazine.com and enter promo code: PODCAST at checkout. Your subscription includes 6 issues of our regions top publication celebrating mountain culture, and four bonus issues of Bend Home and Design, the leading home and building design magazine in Central Oregon. Support The Circling Podcast:Email us at: thecirclingpodcast@bendmagazine.comJoin the Circling membership:  patreon.com/Thecirclingpodcast Follow us on Instagram @thecirclingpodcast @bendmagazineCover Song by: @theerinsmusic Bend Magazine. Remember to enter promo code: Podcast at checkout for your five-dollar annual subscription.  https://bendmagazine.com. BOSS Sports Performance: https://www.bosssportsperformance.comBack Porch Coffee: https://www.backporchcoffeeroasters.comStory Booth: https://www.storyboothexperience.comRemember, the health of our community, relies on us! 

In this episode of The Health Fix Podcast, I'm chatting with my friend Dr. Brianne Grogan a doctor of pelvic floor physical therapy and a wizard when it comes to bodywork. Dr. Bri is well known for her Youtube channel Vibrant Pelvic Health and is now offering a deeper experience to work with her 1:1 at her "Healing House" in Central Oregon. Dr. Bri and I met when I reached out to her about my love for her hip circles video some years ago and we've been friends ever since. Since she knew I was dealing with some low back and hip pain she invited me to try out her experience. She fed me well, challenged me to move in new ways, chilled me out with her sound lounge, helped me clear some really old emotional pain and in those three glorious days I left as a completely different person.  In this episode we're going deep into my experience, laugh a lot and talk all about how Dr. Bri has created the most wholistic program for women with pelvic floor conditions I've ever seen. If you or someone you know is struggling with pelvic floor pain, prolapse, chronic digestive issues, low back pain, sciatica, un-satisfying sex or you're looking for an exclusive private healing experience this podcast is for you.  What You'll Learn In This Episode: Why 1:1 personal retreats are amazing for transformational healing  What can happen when you allow your body to release tension on it's time schedule vs in the constraints of a 60 minute visit The power of having someone trained to support you through a very deep and personal emotional release What to expect when you work with Dr. Bri in person Resources From The Show: Head to Toe Pelvic Care with Dr. Brianne Grogan's: The Experience - tell her Dr. Jannine Krause sent you! Lear more about Dr. Bri  The Tyrolean "Tongue Singing" Youtube we laugh about on the podcast. Note: I have no idea if it's legit or not we just found it funny and good for the vagus nerve too!    

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Mike Ranquet in Bend, Oregon and trace the whole arc, from that first childhood feeling of rolling on four wheels to moving to Bend in 1987 with Craig Kelly and the responsibility Craig modeled behind the scenes. Mike tells the truth about addiction patterns that “turn a corner,” why rock bottom can have a trapdoor, and what it's like to face emotions you never learned to process. We also dig into dopamine and compulsion beyond alcohol, including gambling and the many ways people try to keep the high going after the mountain day ends.Along the way, we keep it grounded in board sports: what “rad” actually means, why style and taste matter, and the legends and scenes that shaped a generation. Mike shares Japan stories from an all-time winter, plus the less-talked-about mental health side of recovery, including recognizing post-addiction psychosis and choosing to get help. Buster Tronolone jumps in with a perspective on sober support and what it looks like to show up for your friends.If you care about snowboarding, recovery, mental health, or simply doing hard things with honesty, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find it.The Circling Podcast is proud to be in partnership with Bend Magazine. Claim your five-dollar annual subscription when you visit www.bendmagazine.com and enter promo code: PODCAST at checkout. Your subscription includes 6 issues of our regions top publication celebrating mountain culture, and four bonus issues of Bend Home and Design, the leading home and building design magazine in Central Oregon. Support The Circling Podcast:Email us at: thecirclingpodcast@bendmagazine.comJoin the Circling membership:  patreon.com/Thecirclingpodcast Follow us on Instagram @thecirclingpodcast @bendmagazineCover Song by: @theerinsmusic Bend Magazine. Remember to enter promo code: Podcast at checkout for your five-dollar annual subscription.  https://bendmagazine.com. BOSS Sports Performance: https://www.bosssportsperformance.comBack Porch Coffee: https://www.backporchcoffeeroasters.comStory Booth: https://www.storyboothexperience.comRemember, the health of our community, relies on us! 

In this episode, I'm joined by Rocky Batzel, Inventor and CEO, and Chason Sordoni, COO and Co-Founder of SnapSlide, to explore how occupational therapy and product design intersect. We dive into the real-life challenges of opening medication bottles, why usability matters, and how small design changes can significantly impact independence, daily routines, and medication adherence. We also highlight how the OT lens, especially through activity analysis, is key in the design process. OT practitioners understand not just whether something works, but how it's actually used in real life, making that perspective essential in creating more intuitive and accessible solutions. This conversation also explores non-traditional OT roles, including contributing to product design, innovation, and even product promotion, helping translate why a solution matters and how it fits into everyday life. This is what it looks like when OT helps shape and share solutions, not just adapt to them. If you're interested in medication management, accessibility, assistive technology, product design, or non-traditional OT roles, this episode connects the dots. Meet Us at AOTA Inspire! Come find us at Booth 217 in the Expo Hall, say hello, test out the bottle, take a selfie, grab a sticker, and sign up for the Uncommon OT Directory.Rocky Batzel, Inventor / CEOA native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Rocky Batzel is the inventor of SnapSlide and currently serves as the company's Chief Executive Officer. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Marywood University in Pennsylvania and, and while enrolled in medical school, he noticed his grandmother struggling with a traditional, "push-and-twist", child-resistant cap on her prescription bottle. That inspirational moment led him to pivot his career into the world of entrepreneurship, and he set out to design the very first prototype of what would eventually become SnapSlide. After securing patent protection, Rocky ultimately formed a company around his groundbreaking innovation. As the company's CEO, he is dedicated to advancing engineering, diversifying applications, and leading SnapSlide's mission to bring this adaptive solution to those who need it most. This year, Rocky was honored to be invited by AMERIPEN (www.ameripen.org) to be one of three panelists to speak at their Annual Summit in Washington, D.C. on the topic of “Inclusive Design in Packaging.”Chason Sordoni, COO / Co-founderA resident of Bend, Oregon, Chason Sordoni is the Chief Operating Officer of SnapSlide. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Chason was driven to expand upon his family's long and proud legacy of entrepreneurship and business success throughout the Pennsylvania region. Chason quickly recognized the profound advantages of SnapSlide and committed to co-founding the company with Rocky Batzel, the present-day CEO. In addition to being responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company, Chason heads up corporate relationships and resource management. He has served as a member of the Packaging and Labelling Committee of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), a Board Member of the United Way of Central Oregon, and he is actively involved with the Institute for Packaging Professionals (IOPP).Contact:Website: https://www.snapslide.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snapslide/Special Thanks to:Dawn Heiderscheidt OTR/L, ECHM, CAPS, CHAMPFounder, Aurora Independencehttps://www.auroraindependence.com/Allied Services Integrated Health Systemhttps://www.allied-services.org/As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you, or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsotTHANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-seriesSign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREEUpdated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settingshttps://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsotTo Add Your Profile to The Uncommon OT Directory:https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/requestFor Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewformHappy Listening Friends! Big OT Love!All views are mine and guests own.

Send us Fan MailA snowboarding contest that runs like a surf heat shouldn't work this well, but the Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge at Mt Bachelor has become a Bend, Oregon staple for a reason. The stoke is real, the course is custom every year, and the whole thing feels more like a skatepark jam than a rulebook competition. When you add Hawaiian food, reggae on the deck, and a lift line full of groms, pros, and proud “kooks,” you start to understand why people plan their season around it. We talk with key organizers Jason and Mo Baldessari, plus Ryan Buccola and Anne DosPassos, about how the event gets built, why volunteering is the secret sauce, and how Bend's outdoor culture makes this community fundraiser possible. You'll hear how an unlikely connection through Active Skin Repair started a friendship between Jason and Gerry, and how Big Wave becomes a doorway into friendships, local commitment, and a broader “give back” mindset. We also get into what's new, including a groms division and an adaptive snowboarding category, along with the surf-style jam format that keeps the day fun and fast. On the back end, we're joined by snowboarding veterans Curtis Ciszek and Austin Smith to honor Pat Malendoski, one of the most influential terrain builders in the sport. Pat isn't just known for perfect halfpipes, but for a creative eye that turns snow into something closer to art, and the Big Wave Challenge now raises funds to support him and other beneficiaries. If you care about snowboarding culture, Mt Bachelor, Bend events, or how a community rally turns into real impact, this conversation hits home. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves snowboarding, and leave a review so more people can find the story.The Circling Podcast is proud to be in partnership with Bend Magazine. Claim your five-dollar annual subscription when you visit www.bendmagazine.com and enter promo code: PODCAST at checkout. Your subscription includes 6 issues of our regions top publication celebrating mountain culture, and four bonus issues of Bend Home and Design, the leading home and building design magazine in Central Oregon. Support The Circling Podcast:Email us at: thecirclingpodcast@bendmagazine.comJoin the Circling membership:  patreon.com/Thecirclingpodcast Follow us on Instagram @thecirclingpodcast @bendmagazineCover Song by: @theerinsmusic Bend Magazine. Remember to enter promo code: Podcast at checkout for your five-dollar annual subscription.  https://bendmagazine.com. BOSS Sports Performance: https://www.bosssportsperformance.comBack Porch Coffee: https://www.backporchcoffeeroasters.comStory Booth: https://www.storyboothexperience.comRemember, the health of our community, relies on us! 

Bend-La Pine Schools employs around 900 Classified employees who are present in all aspects of District operations, from classrooms to kitchens, buses to offices, libraries to landscaping. For this episode of “The Supe is On” podcast, Dr. Cook's guest is Jennifer Groth, Inclusion Educational Assistant at Bend Senior High School and President of the union representing all Classified employees, the Oregon School Employees Association Chapter 6. Jennifer talks about the OSEA's role in supporting Classified staff across our District, how she and District administration work together to solve issues, some of the challenges in keeping these positions competitive in Central Oregon, and ways in which we celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing support staff. Our Classified staff members are the heartbeat of our schools, the backbone of District operations, the very network of support that enables our whole district to provide successful outcomes for students. They ferry BLS students safely across busy streets. They prepare nutritious food for students and serve it with a smile. Classified staff navigate winter conditions driving buses with skill and care to deliver students safely home. They create relationships that may be the one connection that brightens a day or even changes a life. Classified staff brave every kind of weather on recess duty. They keep our buildings clean and ensure we are safe. They are guides and examples in the best sense. (Theme music by Zakhar Valaha)

Send a textJoin host Adam Short as he sits down with Gerry Lopez and Anne DosPassos to tell the origin story of the  Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge and how Aloha isn't just something you say; it's something you practice.  From naming wind lips after beloved breaks to shaping courses that move with rhythm and flow, the tradition holds tight to family, fun, and creativity over results.You'll hear how the event came alive when builders decided to make waves out of snow, transforming a hillside into a frozen lineup where every rider can draw their own line. We honor the influence and contribution to the sport of snowboarding of Pat Malendowski—his eye for terrain, his unassuming style, and the mentorship that helped launch terrain park builder Alex Storjohann into shaping some of the best courses on snow today. And how that passing of the torch didn't just preserve the event; it's allowed it to continue to grow and evolve. Community sits at the center. Entry fees and auctions support environmental groups, non profits and most importantly people. Friends like Pat Malendowski  and Michelle Schnake, longtime pillars of the scene now facing serious health challenges. That's Aloha in practice: celebrating together on the hill, then showing up when it matters most. If you care about snowboard culture, surf-inspired course design, and events that give back, this story will land. Hit play, and make sure to show up at this years Big Wave Challenge at Mt. Bachelor March 26 to 29, 2026 and tell us what Aloha means to you. If the episode moves you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs a little extra stoke today.The Circling Podcast is proud to be in partnership with Bend Magazine. Claim your five-dollar annual subscription when you visit www.bendmagazine.com and enter promo code: PODCAST at checkout. Your subscription includes 6 issues of our regions top publication celebrating mountain culture, and four bonus issues of Bend Home and Design, the leading home and building design magazine in Central Oregon. Support The Circling Podcast:Email us at: thecirclingpodcast@bendmagazine.comJoin the Circling membership: patreon.com/Thecirclingpodcast Follow us on Instagram @thecirclingpodcast @bendmagazineCover Song by: @theerinsmusic Bend Magazine. Remember to enter promo code: Podcast at checkout for your five-dollar annual subscription. https://bendmagazine.com. BOSS Sports Performance: https://www.bosssportsperformance.comBack Porch Coffee: https://www.backporchcoffeeroasters.comStory Booth: https://www.storyboothexperience.comRemember, the health of our community, relies on us!

It’s tough to be a craft brewer these days, whether that’s in Oregon or elsewhere in the nation. Shifting consumer demands, including for non-alcohol beer, along with rising costs and market saturation have contributed to declining craft beer sales in recent years. In Oregon, the abrupt closure of Rogue Ales last November after nearly 40 years was a stark reminder that even iconic brands aren’t immune to the industry’s struggles.    It’s against this backdrop that four Central Oregon breweries and a cidery recently announced the formation of the Oregon Beverage Collective. The new partnership includes Cascade Lakes Brewing Company, Silver Moon Brewing, Crux Fermentation Project, GoodLife Brewing Company and Tumalo Cider Company. The OBC aims to share resources and manage rising costs for supplies and ingredients. Crux’s production facility in Bend will now be responsible for brewing most of the OBC’s craft beverages. Crux Fermentation Project has also been acquired by the Rhine family, which owns Cascade Lakes Brewing.    Andy Rhine, co-owner of Cascade Lakes Brewing and President of OBC, says the collective will allow each of the brands to retain its own identity while fostering new collaborations between them. Rhine joins us, along with Steve Augustyne, CEO of OBC and owner of Silver Moon Brewing, to share what this collective model offers for both brewers and consumers.

In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, new Fair & Expo Director Jeff Curtis joins the podcast for a conversation recorded shortly after his arrival in Central Oregon. He shares his background in event and venue management and what drew him to Deschutes County. Jeff also talks about his vision for the future of Fair & Expo, including opportunities to grow events, strengthen partnerships and build on the facility's role as a year-round community asset.

Unity is a non-denominational Spiritual Community in Central Oregon. Join us each week for some great music, a little bit of silliness, and a lot of inspirational soul food. All are welcome! This week: William Gregory shares, “Plugged In or Tuned Out — Media, Screens, and the Cost of Constant Connection”. This Sunday, William Gregory explores our modern relationship with media—phones, screens, and the endless stream of content competing for our attention. Together we'll look at how constant stimulation shapes our habits, our nervous systems, and our capacity for presence, intimacy, and meaning. Is media serving our well-being… or quietly shaping us in ways we haven't examined? Join us for a grounded, thoughtful conversation about balance, awareness, and conscious choice in a plugged-in world. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Submit your prayer claims online!: http://bit.ly/prayerclaim Please TXT donations to: (833) 455-1960 or Donate on our website: https://unitycentraloregon.org/donate/ Donate via Paypal: http://bit.ly/donateunitybend More goodness on our website: [www.UnityCentralOregon.org](http://www.unitycentraloregon.org/)

We talk to Matt Smith from Bend, Oregon, a hunter, a rifle loony, ballistics expert, cattleman and president of William Smith Properties about this thing called corner crossing. At issue is the checkerboarding of public lands and how to access them, when it's a good idea and when it's not. We talk about private property, our hunting heritage, and, of course, rifles and big game hunting around the West.If you want to support free speech and good hunting content on the Information Superhighway, look for our coffee and books and wildlife forage blends at https://www.garylewisoutdoors.com/Shop/This episode is sponsored by West Coast Floats, of Philomath, Oregon, made in the USA since 1982 for steelhead and salmon fishermen. Visit https://westcoastfloats.com/Our TV sponsors include: Nosler, Camp Chef, Warne Scope Mounts, Carson, ProCure Bait Scents, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, Madras Ford, Bailey Seed and Smartz.Watch select episodes of Frontier Unlimited on our network of affiliates around the U.S. or click https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gary+lewis+outdoors+frontier+unlimited

Unity is a non-denominational Spiritual Community in Central Oregon. Join us each week for some great music, a little bit of silliness, and a lot of inspirational soul food. All are welcome! This week: Rev. Beth Welton-Miller shares, “Awakening Through Relationship”. What if the people in your life are not obstacles to your awakening but the path itself?  In this weeks message we'll explore how relationships mirror our inner world, reveal our unconscious patterns and invite us into deeper truths. We can thus have more connection and experience with our divine essential self.  As we grow in awareness, compassion, communication skills, and responsibility, our relationships shift from places of reactivity to spaces of healing and transformation.  Join us as we examine how conscious relationships become a sacred path to remembering who we are. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Submit your prayer claims online!: http://bit.ly/prayerclaim Please TXT donations to: (833) 455-1960 or Donate on our website: https://unitycentraloregon.org/donate/ Donate via Paypal: http://bit.ly/donateunitybend More goodness on our website: [www.UnityCentralOregon.org](http://www.unitycentraloregon.org/)

A basketball-only edition of Hawk Central starts with Tyler Tachman from the Pacific Northwest. The Register's Iowa men's basketball writer discusses what he saw from Bennett Stirtz, Alvaro Folgueiras and Brendan Hausen in an impressive 84-66 win over Oregon. He and Chad Leistikow look ahead to a big toss-up game vs. Washington before turning it over to women's basketball. Chad and Dargan Southard detail the Taylor McCabe injury fallout (both emotional and on-court) while picking up the overreaction pieces from Iowa's 0-2 trip to Los Angeles.

This week on No Simple Road, we drop into Bend, Oregon to hang with Spencer and Scottie of Spencer Marlyn Band, a rising force in the Central Oregon music scene and a perfect example of what happens when community, creativity, and live music all grow together. We sit down in the studio with Spencer and Scottie to talk about the band's origin story, the evolution of their sound, and the joys and challenges of building a musical life in a town that truly shows up for its artists. We dig into songwriting, improvisation, and the ways local scenes help shape a band's identity. A big part of the conversation centers around Homegrown Music Festival in Bend, a celebration of local talent and grassroots support that embodies everything we love about independent music. The band shares what Homegrown means to them, how festivals like this strengthen the creative ecosystem, and why keeping music local and intentional matters now more than ever. We also explore the deeper side of the journey — staying inspired, navigating the modern music landscape, and finding balance while chasing the thing you love. It's a conversation rooted in place, purpose, and the belief that music thrives when it's supported at the ground level. If you love discovering new bands, supporting local music, and hearing how scenes are built from the inside out, this episode is for you. Visit spencermarlynband.com for show info and more! For tickets, info, and more on Homegrown Music Festival May 7th-9th at the Century Center in Bend, Oregon head over to: homegrownfestbend.com Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nosimpleroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for merch, past episodes, and community updates. Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/nosimpleroad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave a 5-star review & share this episode with a fellow music lover! -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music.

Show Notes: Skiing Mt. Bachelor & Exploring Bend, OregonIn this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Max heads to Central Oregon to explore one of the most surprising ski destinations in the United States: Mt. Bachelor. This massive, 9,065‑foot volcanic peak offers something rare in North America — true 360‑degree skiing from the summit. With more than 4,300 acres of terrain and plans for even more expansion, Mt. Bachelor is a mountain that keeps skiers coming back year after year.But the story doesn't end on the slopes. Just 25 minutes away sits Bend, Oregon, a high‑desert city packed with breweries, outdoor adventure, and a laid‑back culture that draws people from all over the world. Max checks into the Oxford Hotel downtown, samples local beers at Brother Jon's and Ten Barrel, and meets one of Bend's most famous residents — former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe — who shares why he loves skiing Bachelor and living in this fast‑growing mountain town.You'll also hear about dog‑sledding with Oregon Trail of Dreams, the unique restrictions that keep Mt. Bachelor wild and undeveloped, and why this mountain is beloved by families, intermediates, and powder‑hungry locals alike.In this episode:What makes Mt. Bachelor's terrain and snow so uniqueWhy the summit is often closed — and why it's worth waiting forBend's booming craft beer sceneMeeting Drew Bledsoe at a local brewpubDog‑sledding through the Deschutes National ForestHow Bend has transformed from mill town to outdoor hubThe future expansion of Mt. Bachelor's ski terrainLinks & Resources:Visit Bend: https://www.visitbend.comMt. Bachelor Ski Resort: https://www.mtbachelor.comOregon Trail of Dreams Dog SleddingOxford Hotel BendGoNOMAD story about Bend and Skiing Mt Bachelor https://www.gonomad.com/3468-bend-mount-bachelor-oregonAbout GoNOMAD Travel Podcast: Hosted by Max Hartshorne, the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast brings you stories from around the world — unusual destinations, memorable characters, and the kind of travel experiences that stick with you long after you return home.

What does it really take to build a healthier community in Central Oregon? In this BendBeat episode, Brian sits down with Megan Haase, CEO of Mosaic Community Health, to unpack the vital role Mosaic plays across Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, and Sisters—and why their work impacts nearly one out of every eight Central Oregonians. They explore: ⦁ What "whole-person care" actually means in practice ⦁ How Mosaic evolved from a single modular clinic to serving over 36,000 patients ⦁ Why community health centers are essential to prevention, not just crisis care ⦁ Mosaic's work with Medicaid, uninsured patients, and fixed-income families ⦁ School-based health centers and youth mental health access ⦁ Mobile and outreach medicine serving unhoused neighbors in forests and rural areas ⦁ The real consequences of losing insurance coverage and rising healthcare costs ⦁ Why affordability, access, and collaboration are the future of healthcare This conversation offers a clear, human look at how healthcare systems either strengthen or strain a community, and why Mosaic's model matters now more than ever. Follow Mosaic here: https://www.instagram.com/mosaiccommunityhealth https://www.facebook.com/MosaicCommunityHealth https://www.youtube.com/@QualityCareForAll Linkedin.com/company/mosaic-community-health/  Presented by The Ladd Group at Cascade Hasson Sotheby's International Realty. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply trying to understand where Bend and Central Oregon are headed, we're here as your trusted housing and community resource. Learn more at bendpropertysource.com

What makes Mount Bachelor feel like Bend's home mountain instead of just another resort? In this BendBeat episode, Brian sits down with John Merriman, CEO of Mount Bachelor, for a wide ranging conversation about culture, community, and the future of outdoor recreation in Central Oregon. They dive into: • How Bachelor differs from Colorado's crowded mega resorts • Why 75 percent of visitors are locals and why that matters • Housing, employee challenges, and regional collaboration • Recreational immunity and the legal pressures on outdoor businesses • Road maintenance, transportation, and safe access to the mountain • The push to build a four season experience without losing the soul of the place • A new long term mountain development plan that invites community input If you care about skiing, riding, hiking, or simply the future of Bend and Central Oregon, this conversation offers an honest, hopeful look at what is ahead.

Click Here for the Show Notes In today's Throwback Thursday Ask Marco episode, Marco revisits a timeless question from Martin, who's preparing to pay off his debts and move from Central California to Central Oregon. Martin wants to know whether buying a multi-unit property with an FHA loan—living in one unit while renting out the others—is a smart move. Marco breaks down the strategy known as house hacking and explains how it can help you live rent-free (or close to it) while building equity and learning the ropes of real estate investing. He also shares key tips on budgeting, running the numbers, and making sure the investment truly makes sense. If you've been thinking about getting started in real estate or maximizing your first home purchase, this short but value-packed episode is for you. And remember, if you enjoy these Ask Marco sessions, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! -------------------------------- Throwback Thursday Episode (The episode originally took place in the year 2021) This episode is part of our Throwback Series and may include references to older content such as web classes, events, promotions, or links that are no longer active or available. While the conversation and insights still hold value, please note that some information may be outdated. -------------------------------- If you missed our last episode, be sure to listen to TBT: Ask Marco - Is it Better to Use Our Cash or Home Equity to Invest in Real Estate? Download your FREE copy of:  The Ultimate Guide to Passive Real Estate Investing. See our available Turnkey Cash-Flow Rental Properties. Our team of Investment Counselors has much more inventory available than what you see on our website.  Contact us today for more deals.

Education, Engagement, and the Heart of Bend: A Conversation with COCC's Zak Boone In this episode of BendBeat, Brian Ladd sits down with Zak Boone, Vice President of College Advancement at Central Oregon Community College and Executive Director of the COCC Foundation, for a deep conversation about what keeps Central Oregon thriving—its people, its institutions, and its culture of giving back. From the origins of Bend's philanthropic spirit to the transformative role COCC plays across the region, Zak shares insight into: How education, equity, and access shape Bend's long-term resilience The vital connection between community colleges and local economies Why volunteerism and civic involvement remain Bend's superpower The optimism fueling Central Oregon's next chapter Discover how community, education, and engagement intersect to make Bend more than a destination—it's a place defined by people who care deeply about its future. Sponsored By:  

More than 50 million Americans face food insecurity. And in the U.S., 9 out of the 10 counties with the highest rate of food insecurity are rural. To offset this disparity, Roundhouse Foundation recently launched a 6 million dollar investment which will support local food purchase over the next three years. Carly Auten is food program director at NeighborImpact, a grant recipient that distributes more than 4 million pounds of food every year and feeds 80,000 people across Central Oregon every month.

JD writes "I was 17 years old. Heading into my senior year in high school. Life was good. This was in 2001, over summer break. On a blue sky summer day, my friend and I decided to go out for a drive and walk around a park, known as Shevlin Park. Now, back in 2002 you could go out to places in and around Bend and it wouldn't be overcrowded by tourists. Shevlin Park was on the outskirts of town with trails along Tumalo Creek that backed up to nothing but nature. Of course today there's houses and it feels more like a park surrounded by residential housing. I included a photo to help understand my encounter. In the photo, the red dot is where my friend and I parked. The yellow dot is where we had our encounter and the direction this creature went. That day we got lucky as there was nobody else around. We decided to take a walk over to Tumalo Creek. Within minutes of walking I noticed in front of me a large pine tree that had fallen over. The tree was resting up on its stump and it had fallen over into a thick growth patch of pine trees and aspens and your random shrubs. I got the immediate idea to hop up onto the tree and attempt to balance my way along the fallen tree. Now this tree, resting on the stump and the top of the tree now resting in a thicket of trees, there was probably about 3 feet of space from the tree parallel to the ground. I was about 5ft 11inches so I figured once I was up on the tree walking along it I would have been close to 9ft. My friend stayed on the ground and walked along the side as I walked my way on the fallen tree. Now I had only been up on this fallen tree for a matter of seconds and as I started to walk on the fallen tree I suddenly started hearing what sounded like branches breaking, shrubs being smashed, basically, trees being disturbed by something. I glance up towards the sound and all I can see is this black mass at the end of the tree behind the thicket of trees and shrubs. This black mass starts to rise and my first thought is, "oh shit, we just woke up a bear!". Only problem was this black mass kept rising and rising and rising. I froze, not knowing that I was seeing. I knew there were no animals known to Central Oregon that were that big. I had no idea what to think. And that's when this black mass steps out from the thicket of trees and shrubs into full view. My eyes could not believe what I was seeing. Frozen in fear, hair standing up on the back of my neck, here was this huge dark brown bipedal creature that I would estimate to be maybe 2 feet taller than me. The head rested right on the body as if there was no neck at all. The shoulders on this thing had a massive width. And the arms seemed to be long, which would place the hands right around the knees. At the time I was experiencing mostly fear, but I know a small part of me was also amazed. I was seeing something that wasn't supposed to exist. I had heard about the legendary bigfoot and seen the Patterson footage. But I never thought much on the subject. When this creature stepped out, it was clear as day what I was witnessing and when I try to describe what I saw, this thing literally looked like the creature from the Patterson footage, except the hair seemed a bit shorter and cleaner. As this creature walked off into the woods, it never looked back. My friend and I only saw the back of this creature. I think it was possible we woke it up. In Shevlin Park there is a pond (the green dot in the photo) that was usually stocked with fish. I could only think that it might have come down in the night, had some fish, and decided to sleep a little longer than planned. As this creature walked off into the woods every step sounded like if you took a brick and threw it on the dirt and heard that thud. We watched this creature walk away for about 20 seconds until it was no longer in sight. This whole experience from it rising in the thicket to stepping out into view and walking off probably lasted around a minute. But during this encounter it felt like time almost stopped and my friend and I were frozen in fear for an hour. After the creature was no longer in view I turned to hear and all I could say was "what the heck was that!". She couldn't respond, still being confused about what she had just witnessed. We headed back to the car and when we both got in the car, I turned to hear and said, "I think we just saw bigfoot." From that day nature has never been the same. I still have a huge passion for the outdoors but since that encounter, I always catch myself scanning the tree line or taking a moment to pause and listen, wondering if I would run into this creature again. I remember being excited to share the experience with my mom once she got home from work. First thing she asked me was if I had been smoking anything. She found the whole thing funny and she listened to my whole encounter but I could tell she did not believe me. It turned into a joke, a laughing matter, that to this day, I still get laughed at if I bring it up. It was the same way when I shared my encounter with my friends. That was a huge blow realizing that nobody believed me. I realized that this was something that I couldn't just share with people. So I kept it locked away. I figured, although terrifying, what an awesome experience to get to see something that most people think doesn't even exist. I moved on with my life after that encounter figuring that was a once in a lifetime encounter. Odds of something like that happening again, yeah right. Which brings me to my second encounter. Encounter #2 In Bend there wasn't much back to do on a weekend when I was in my early 20's. You could go to the bars, or find a house party, or take off into the woods and have yourself a nice bonfire party with friends. Those were very popular back in my day. Now I cannot remember the specific year this took place. Maybe 2004. It was summer. My group of guy friends and I were always looking for the next best place to have a bonfire party so we would cruise the forest roads, or even unmarked roads, looking for the perfect spot. In the photo I included you'll see the yellow dot is where we had found this perfect little cul de sac at the end of a dirt road. This was just south of Bend so it didn't take long to get there either. It was perfect and became our go to spot for just us guys. The cul de sac had a huge manzanita field growing next to it. In the photo you'll see the manzanita is the light green area and we were also nestled up next to the lava flow. However the end of this dirt road was lined with fresh pine trees that ranged in heights of just 1ft to around 20 ft. They basically created a wall to where you couldn't really see the field unless you pushed through the wall of trees to the other side. So, one night my friends and I head out to our spot. It's a normal night of relaxing, having a very laid back time. At one point during the night, out of nowhere, we heard this scream/howl off in the distance. In the photo the red dot on the other side of the lava flow is where I would have guessed this sound came from. This scream/howl lasted for maybe 10 seconds. We all got real quiet wondering what that was. And of course, after the encounter I had a few years prior, I immediately said, "That is bigfoot!" I of course received plenty of laughter from my friends but I told them again, "I know it's crazy but that is legit a bigfoot. That's what they sound like." After my first encounter I dove into my research and listened to recordings of howls, read up what research was available at the time. They kept poking fun and eventually I just brushed it off. I was reminded that it didn't matter that I had an encounter. I knew they would never believe me anyways unless they experienced it for themselves. So I brushed it off and we continued through our night. Now I would guess around an hour and a half to maybe 2 hours later, there we are, chatting it up. It's nice and quiet. The fire is going strong. The sky is filled with stars. And then it happened... Out of nowhere, the loudest scream, growl, howl, which seemed all combined into one poured into our little cul de sac area. It sounded like a monster. That's the only way I can put it. And whatever this thing was, was directly right behind the wall of trees. It had to have been maybe 15 to 20 feet from us. I'll never forget, when I play the event over in my head, the feeling I had in my chest. It's like I could feel this animal's growl/scream/howl inside my chest. It felt like I had been stunned. All I know is when this vocalization hit me, it knocked me over in my camping chair. My friend to the left of me also was knocked over. But my friends that had their backs to the wall of trees, they lunged forward out of their seats unbelievably fast. Myself and my friend who had also been knocked backwards in our chairs got up from the dirt at lightning speed. I think myself and my 4 friends were in my car, doors locked, in a matter of seconds. In the photo, as mentioned, the yellow dot was where our site was, and the red dot next to it, is where I believe this creature was. My friends and I sat in the car for over an hour debating on who was going to get out and put the fire out. None of us wanted to exit the car after hearing this beastly roar. I could see in my friends faces they were scared, as was I. I kept thinking, that could only have been a bigfoot. But instead of hearing one of these vocalizations from far away like others have heard, we had front row seats. Only difference was that this creature sounded mad. The vocalization gave the feeling that this thing wanted us out of there. Eventually we all agreed to get out together and put the fire out. I had never seen my friends move so cautiously and on the ready for retreat in case this creature was still around. In the end, we got the fire out and left. And after that night, we never went back to that spot. The car ride back into town was quiet. I could tell none of us wanted to talk about what had just happened. And after that night, we didn't speak of it again. We all knew we experienced something that night that scared the toughness out of all of us. Almost like the feeling of being a little kid scared of a monster. And I hope to never hear a noise like that again in my life."

Welcome back to the Homeward podcast. I'm so excited to share today's conversation with beloved dream client + inspiration, Jenni Gritters.  Jenni is a business coach and strategist for solopreneurs seeking simplicity and sustainability. She's also a writer, mama of two red-heads, frequent hiker, sourdough baker, podcaster and the author of The Sustainable Solopreneur. She lives in Central Oregon and was formerly a journalist for more than a decade before stepping into her coaching work. We spent the last 2 years doing deep work together and working on, as she calls it, her Mental Model- which has allowed her to create her dream life doing her dream work. In today's conversation we celebrate her brand new book (it's out TODAY!) The Sustainable Solopreneur, plus Jenni shares the journey that got her to this moment and who she needed to become to allow it all to unfold.  I can't wait for you to listen.  Links Mentioned:  Get your copy of The Sustainable Solopreneur Learn more about Jenni on her website: jennigritters.com Follow Jenni over on Instagram: @jennigritters   Tag me in your big shifts + takeaways: @amberlilyestrom Did you hear something you loved here today?! Leave a Review + Subscribe via iTunes  

Earlier this month, Brett Hollins embarked on a road trip to Oregon from his parents’ home in San Antonio. He didn’t come to experience the high desert splendor of Central Oregon or to snap selfies at Multnomah Falls. He came to present workshops and play basketball with inmates at six prisons across the state, including Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario and Warner Creek Correctional Facility in Lakeview, both of which he once served time in.    In 2017, Hollins was sentenced to nearly six years in prison after pleading guilty to stabbing two men during a brawl that broke out during a party he and his friends attended near the campus of Southern Oregon University in Ashland. In 2021, then-Gov. Kate Brown commuted his sentence after he had served nearly four years of his six-year sentence.   The Oregonian/OregonLive sports writer Bill Oram has extensively profiled Hollins’ amazing journey of rehabilitation, including his decision to return to Ashland to play college basketball at Southern Oregon University, where he graduated last June and served as a team captain. More recently, Oram wrote about Hollins’ return to Snake River to play basketball and inspire adults in custody with workshops he developed through his new nonprofit, The Side Door Foundation. Hollins joins us, along with Michael Reese, director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, to share their perspectives on rehabilitation and the obstacles to it inside and outside of prison.

Since it broke out two weeks ago, the Flat Fire burning two miles northeast of Sisters has burned more than 23,000 acres. The wildfire destroyed five homes, threatened hundreds of others and prompted evacuation orders that have since been lifted or reduced in Jefferson and Deschutes Counties.       Although the fire isn’t yet fully contained, the focus in the Sisters community has shifted to recovery. Those efforts are being coordinated by Citizens4Community, a nonprofit that aims to build community in Sisters by convening opportunities for civic engagement, collaboration and social connection among residents, including helping them become more fire-wise. This past spring, the nonprofit organized community forums to educate residents about fire insurance and wildfire preparedness. The nonprofit has recently created a list of resources for how to help fire victims, emergency responders, local businesses and other nonprofits impacted by the Flat Fire. It also helped another Central Oregon nonprofit, NeighborImpact, set up a Flat Fire relief fund and reached out to other nonprofits to learn from their experiences leading long-term recovery needs for communities devastated by wildfires.    Citizens4Community Executive Director Kellen Klein joins us to share more details about community building in Sisters and its recovery needs.  

The Flat Fire, which is burning two miles northeast of Sisters in Central Oregon, has grown to more than 23,000 acres and is 13% contained, as of Friday morning. The fire broke out last week, grew rapidly and prompted Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders in Deschutes and Jefferson counties. On Thursday, Level 3 orders were downgraded to Level 2 in both counties. According to an update posted Thursday morning, five homes have been destroyed by the fire, the cause of which is still under investigation.     Jim Cornelius, editor-in-chief of The Nugget Newspaper in Sisters, says that while the community is no stranger to wildfires, efforts have expanded in recent years to make it more fire-wise and resilient to wildfires. The city is considering updates to its development code for new construction and in the spring, a local nonprofit, Citizens4Community, organized community forums to educate residents about fire insurance and wildfire preparedness, from assembling a go bag to requesting a free wildfire home assessment.    Cornelius joins us for an update about the Flat Fire, its impact on Sisters and how the catastrophic Labor Day Fires of 2020 shaped the community’s fire-readiness.  

In this episode of Gun Talk Hunt, KJ sits down with Gary Killingsworth—Gun Talk's own draw-tag lottery champ—who managed to land not one, not two, but THREE highly sought-after hunting tags in a single year.From Oregon's coveted Mount Emily elk unit to Central Oregon blacktail deer and Willamette Valley hunts, Gary shares how he built his strategy, what gear he's relying on, and tips for maximizing your draw odds. Whether you're chasing over-the-counter opportunities or managing your preference points portfolio, this is a must-watch for hunters serious about next season's draw.This Gun Talk Hunt is brought to you by Savage Arms, Remington Ammunition, SnapSafe, Timney Triggers, and First Person Defender.Be sure to check out the Gun Talk / Ammunition Depot Collab page for great deals:ammunitiondepot.com/guntalkGet 5% off any order at Optics Planet with code GUNTALK.Check out the NEW First Person Defender YouTube channel HERE.About Gun Talk HuntGun Talk Media's Gun Talk Hunt, with Kevin “KJ” Jarnagin, pairs decades of experience with today's latest tools and technology to help you succeed in the field. Whether it runs or flies - no matter what game you pursue - Gun Talk Hunt is a multi-platform podcast that gives today's hunters a voice in the digital world.For more content, subscribe to Gun Talk at guntalktv.com, on Gun Talk's Roku, Apple TV, iOS app, Android app, or find Gun Talk on YouTube, Rumble, Facebook, Instagram, X and guntalk.com. Catch First Person Defender on the new Official FPD YouTube channel. Listen to all Gun Talk Podcasts with Spreaker, iHeart, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find podcasts.Copyright ©2025 Freefire Media, LLCGun Talk Hunt 08.02.25Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gun-talk--6185159/support.

Tonight I will be speaking with Corey from Central Oregon. Corey in 1994 was partying on Round Butte. That night turned into terror as the group was spot lighted from this large ball of light in the sky. On their way out Corey and his friends saw a large creature and decided to give chase. The night gets much stranger.