BendBEAT
BeatBeat is a collection of unfiltered conversations led by Brian Ladd with the optimistic leaders of Bend, Oregon, who made this all possible, and those who are looking to the future to solve our current challenges. Sponsored by The Ladd Group.
- Update frequency
- every 40 days
- Average duration
- 36 minutes
- Episodes
- 31
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
Can Smart Design Solve Bend's Housing Crisis?
What does it take to build a better Bend? In this conversation, we sit down with Christopher Jones, COO & Partner at Project^, to talk about the architectural vision shaping some of Bend’s most iconi…
From Landfill to Landmark: How OSU-Cascades Is helping Bend
What happens when a community rallies behind higher education—and decides to build a cutting-edge university on top of a former landfill and pumice mine? Welcome to OSU-Cascades in Bend, Oregon.
I…
Building a Better Bend: Matt Muchna on Vision, Growth & Community Action
What does the future of Bend, Oregon look like—and who gets to help shape it?
In this full episode of the BendBeat Podcast, host Brian Ladd sits down with Matt Muchna, Executive Director of Envision …
Inside Bend: Innovation, AI & Community Impact with Stephanie Betteridge
In this episode of BendBeat, Brian Ladd sits down with Stephanie Betteridge, Bend’s Chief Innovation Officer and Assistant City Manager, to explore how innovation, data, and a people-first mindset a…
What Happens When You Trade Comfort for Purpose? Thump Coffee Bend’s Favorite Coffee Spot
In this episode of BendBeat, Brian Ladd sits down with Bobby Grover, founder of Thump Coffee, to explore his journey from high-pressure corporate life to crafting a purpose-driven coffee brand in Ben…
Transforming Lives Through Adaptive Sports
In this episode of the BendBeat Podcast, we dive into the incredible work of Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS), an organization dedicated to making outdoor recreation accessible to individuals with disabi…
Inside St. Charles: 100 Years of Community-Centered Care in Bend, Oregon.
In this episode of BendBeat podcast, Brian Ladd welcomes Kayley Mendenhall, Vice President of Strategic Communications, and Jenny O’Bryan, Executive Director of the St. Charles Foundation, for an ins…
Is Bend still growing? Economic outlook with State Economist, Damon Rundberg
While it might be hard to believe, Bend's population growth has noticeably slowed over the past two years, with last year's increase falling to just under 1%. This marks one of the slowest growth rat…
Deschute’s Children foundation and Their Mission in Bend
Growing and thriving are part of our everyday lives, but there is always another side. In this episode, alongside Cassi MacQueen and Brian Ladd, we dive deeper into what Deschutte’s Children Foundati…
Inside Tetherow: Growth & Impact in Bend with the van der Veldes | BendBeat Podcast
Welcome to BendBeat Podcast!
In today's episode, we had the opportunity to talk with Chris & Erin van der Velde, better known as Tetherow. Brian Ladd took this opportunity to dive deep into the impac…
Crafting Affordable Living for All
Welcome to our next episode of the BendBeat where Brian Ladd and Lynne McConnell delve deep into the heart of Bend, Oregon's evolving landscape of affordable housing. With a clear vision that housin…
Standing at the crossroads of growth
The subjects of Oregon land use laws, the urban growth boundary, and zoning all take center stage in this informative conversation between Brian Ladd and Deschutes County Commissioner, Phil Chang. Co…
Building Trust and Making Voices Heard
Bend’s city leaders are marching in the same direction and Mayor Melanie Kebler is at the front of the pack representing the voices of Bend’s residents. As a Bend native, Mayor Kebler returned to her…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - bendbeat welcomes Andrés Portela
Brian is joined by Andrés Portela, Bend’s new Director of Equity and Inclusion.
Learn more about Bend’s Human Rights and Equity Commission: https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/committees/human-righ…
The Giving Plate is reimagining what food relief looks like - Ranae Staley and Brian Ladd
Brian Ladd sits down with Ranae Staley, Executive Director of Bend's local food pantry, The Giving Plate. Their mission is deeply rooted in compassion and hospitality, and they take a special interes…
Value-driven Vision for Bend's growth - Brian Rankin, Long Range Planning Manager for Bend, Oregon
Brian Ladd is joined by Brian Rankin, the Long Range Planning Manager for the City of Bend, in our latest BendBeat episode. They explore the impact of Oregon's latest housing bill, which opens doors …
Building a City for the Future - A discussion with Bend's City Manager, Eric King
Brian Ladd talks to Eric King, Bend's City Manager for the past 16+ years. Get the inside scoop on how Bend is tackling pressing issues like homelessness, affordable housing, and evolving culture.
De…
Entrepreneurs of Impact - The Story of Street Dog Hero and 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
Join us in the captivating 14th episode of Bend Beat, as we sit down with the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Chris and Marianne Cox. This engaging podcast unveils the inspiring journey of two remarkab…
Entrepreneurial Mentorship: Navigating the Challenges of Business Growth in a Growing Town with Preston Callicott
This podcast tells the inspiring story of entrepreneur, Preston Callicott, a Bend, Oregon resident who became civically active after his employees struggled to find affordable housing. Follow along a…
Bend Oregon’s Plan for Sustainable Growth - Anthony Broadman, City Council Member
"Planning sustainably and being good stewards for the next generation." City council member, Anthony Broadman, sits down with Brian Ladd to discuss the challenges ahead of Bend in the midst of expone…