Episode 51: House of Gael: Live from Northern Ireland

Episode 51: House of Gael: Live from Northern Ireland

Live! From Portrush, Northern Ireland, it's host Roberta Panjwani and Laura and Gavin, the founders of the Belfast-based band House of Gael! They discuss blending traditional Irish sounds with a modern spirit, the power of music to celebrate unity and diversity, and how music helped transform their lives after a devastating loss. You'll also hear “Calling Me Home,” their new song written for the Festival of Ireland—Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann—which returns to Belfast this August for the first time in more than 75 years. Things We Talked About in this Episode * House of Gael [https://linktr.ee/houseofgaelband?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=331092a9-9a66-4c05-9315-5fcf8b80aa88&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn0hOC38oPkvSn9sPLTl6xUEAazJqE6QLlH4uLM-VDiiP-mftM-rd7nbKW2qk_aem_P9npsjUyqrKYcmXmhgSypQ] Laura, Gavin, James, Jordie, and Sean * Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann [https://fleadhcheoil.ie/] (Festival of Ireland) * Coney Island, Country Down, Ireland [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island,_County_Down] * Northern Ireland’s “Troubles” [https://education.cfr.org/learn/reading/understanding-northern-irelands-troubles?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23819513442&gbraid=0AAAAAD-E15ku3Yto_xk2Z46KMDb5JkRmJ&gclid=CjwKCAjw9NjRBhATEiwA_p2J8UXM8m4jK_PRbxgyGrJUb7HxBnEcH86270iFh5r5LParN37Bl4YydBoCGaMQAvD_BwE] Music * “Zombie” by the Cranberries [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95HqlWRFrAk] * “Grace”: Music and lyrics by Jim McCann [https://debisimons.com/grace-irish-easter-uprising-real-people-and-events/]  * “When You Were Sweet Sixteen” by the Fureys [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z265BuKCQrc] * Amble [https://www.ambleofficial.com/] * Kingfishr  [https://www.kingfishr.ie/] * The Chieftans [https://www.thechieftains.com/] * Christy Moore [https://www.christymoore.com/] * Van Morrison [https://vanmorrison.com/] * Paddy Reilly [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_Reilly] Episode Credits * A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims. * Our Assistant Producer and Editor for this episode is Ryan Sabnani.  * Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Ryan Sabnani, Matt Giannotti, and me, Elias Rosner. * Our Videographer in Portrush is Alyssa Panjwani. * Our Digital Media Producer is Kaleigh Diamond. * Original theme music is written and performed by Diane Sims. * Our credits song this episode is House of Gael's cover of "Beeswing." * Our thanks to Laura and Gavin for coming up from Belfast to join us in Portrush, Northern Ireland. * Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.

Episode 50: Pluribus Executive Producer and Writer Alison Tatlock

Apple TV+’s Plur1bus is one of the most talked-about shows of the year. Why? Well, the tagline says it all: “The most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.” This month, Roberta sits down with Plur1bus Executive Producer and Writer, Alison Tatlock, to talk storytelling, world-building, and creating shows that stay with you long after the screen goes dark. Tatlock is an Emmy-nominated producer and WGA-nominated writer, previously having worked on Better Call Saul, Stranger Things, and Halt and Catch Fire. Things we talked about in this episode * Pluribus [https://tv.apple.com/us/show/pluribus/umc.cmc.37axgovs2yozlyh3c2cmwzlza] * Rhea Seahorn [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0781533/] * Vince Gilligan [https://tv.apple.com/us/person/vince-gilligan/umc.cpc.6ns6vdsn7cifbuk82pxk46zpw]  Movies and Shows: * In Treatment [https://tv.apple.com/us/show/in-treatment/umc.cmc.2ci79jl8jula56xxj1d17erd7] * Dreamyard [https://www.dreamyard.com/] * Stranger Things [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4574334/] Episode Credits * A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims. * Our Assistant Producer for this episode is Elias Rosner.  * Our Editors are Kaleigh Diamond and Elias Rosner. * Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner. * Our Digital Media Producer is Kaleigh Diamond. * Original theme music is written and performed by Diane Sims. * Clips from Pluribus are courtesy of Apple TV+ and Sony Pictures Television. * Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas. * Our thanks to Alison for joining us today.

Episode 49: Anna Quindlen: Live from the Friends Foundation Author Luncheon

At the beginning of April, the Ridgewood Library Friends Foundation hosted their 36th Annual Author Luncheon with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anna Quindlen. It sold out - 416 tickets! - in an unprecedented 5 days. We are so pleased that Anna allowed us to publish her interview and talk from the event, moderated by host Roberta Panjwani. We talked about her book More Than Enough, aging, the joy of getting older, living in the moment, and how reading makes us greater and more human, because it requires us to walk in someone else’s shoes. Things we talked about in this episode:  * Anna Quindlen’s Fiction and Nonfiction Books [https://annaquindlen.net/] * One True Thing film [https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=ef5fb46a2a3e8e1b&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1063US1063&sxsrf=ANbL-n7YQ-XlfrGtHRawMSwzalnAk517gQ:1776200379592&q=one+true+thing+film&si=AL3DRZHCeZEsX3-CsvvLZIg5Ht46cyUzA0fYCRQMGNqToBgFzPfocYgjpxHM3gonOOO4SNU1KZwFQc4ifvJUo4l8cpbq_zocgKtxNMWxTMkaYWgv2IaUvlY%3D&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwiasrOFnu6TAxWmMlkFHRdeNHoQyNoBKAB6BAgPEAA&ictx=1&biw=1920&bih=919&dpr=1]  * Pulitzer Prize [https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/anna-quindlen]  * New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/anna-quindlen] writing * Villanova Commencement Speech [https://www.cs.oswego.edu/~wender/quindlen.html] (2000) * Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour in Vogue [https://www.vogue.com/article/meryl-streep-anna-wintour-may-cover-2026-interview]; interviewed by Greta Gerwig * Author Amy Bloom [https://www.amybloom.com/] * Author Jennifer Egan [https://jenniferegan.com/] * Author Maggie O’Farrell [https://www.maggieofarrell.com/] * Author Tana French [https://tanafrench.com/] * Friends Foundation of the Ridgewood Public Library [https://www.supportridgewoodlibrary.org/] Episode Credits * Our thanks to the Friends Foundation of the Ridgewood Public Library for putting on an outstanding author luncheon and supporting the library in such meaningful ways.  * A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims. * Our Assistant Producer for this episode is Elias Rosner. * Our Editor is Kaleigh Diamond with additional edits by Elias Rosner. * Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner. * Our Digital Media Producers are Elias Rosner and Kaleigh Diamond.  * Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims. * Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.

Episode 48: Author Russell Shorto: Taking Manhattan

This month Roberta talks to Russell Shorto about his new book Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America, which drawing on deep archival research to offer a fresh take on America’s beginnings and the transfer of power in the region from the Dutch to the British.  Rebecca Fraser of the Times Literary Supplement says of the book: "Shorto is earnest, humorous, intellectual, intense and high-minded. . . Any reader curious about New York, and the unique energy and warmth of its inhabitants, will be fascinated by Russell Shorto’s highly enjoyable reconstruction of Manhattan Island’s transition to English rule." Things we talked about in this episode: * New Netherland Institute [https://www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/] * Island at the Center of the World [https://www.si.edu/object/island-center-world-epic-story-dutch-manhattan-and-forgotten-colony-shaped-america-russell-shorto:siris_sil_799576] * The New Amsterdam Project at The New York Historical [https://www.nyhistory.org/library/the-new-amsterdam-project] * New York Historical Museum: ld Masters, New Amsterdam [https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/old-masters-and-new-amsterdam] (May 1 to August 30, 2026.) This first-of-its-kind exhibition uses the paintings of Rembrandt and his contemporaries to help us envision life in the little Dutch settlement that would become New York. Ridgewood Library cardholders, reserve free NY Historical passes here [https://ridgewoodlibrary.org/library-services/museum-passes/]!  * Rancho Mirage Writers Festival [https://rmwritersfest.org/] Episode Credits: * For more information about Russell, his books and writings, and tour schedule, please visit russellshorto.com [http://russellshorto.com]. * A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims. * Our Assistant Producer and Editor for this episode is Elias Rosner. * Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner. * Our Digital Media Producers are Elias Rosner and Kaleigh Diamond. * Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims. * Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.

Episode 47: 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. Things We Talked About * Adnan Virk's podcast, Cinephile with Adnan Virk (Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2hn7m9ux5J7RCbVPUIaBGe], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cinephile-with-adnan-virk/id1117459728]) * Adnan Virk’s book, Cinephile: Interviews, Essays, and Tales from the Red Carpet [https://www.amazon.com/Cinephile-Interviews-Essays-Carpet-Stories/dp/1684818540] (You can also borrow a copy [https://rgwdkiosk.search.bccls.org/search/card?id=8217ef21-9a6d-56bc-9c70-13cd0864b3e5&entityType=FormatGroup] from the Ridgewood Public Library!) * 2026 Academy Award Nominations [https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2026] Referenced Films * Good Fellas * Taxi Driver * Mean Streets * End of the Affair * Blue Moon * Train Dreams * The Last Temptation of Christ * The Royal Tenenbaums * Citizen Kane * The Magnificent Ambersons * Silence * Hugo * The King of Comedy * Raging Bull * Dead Poets Society * Boyhood * First Reform * Ash Wednesday * True West * Before Sunrise Trilogy * The Substance * Poor Things * Bugonia * Moonlight * Green Book * Battleship Potemkin * One False Move * The Man Who Wasn’t There * Fargo * Secrets and Lies * Hard Truce * First Reformed * Affliction * I, Tonya * Barbie * Wolf of Wall Street * Lady Bird * Magnolia * There Will Be Blood * Boogie Nights * Uncut Gems * A Complete Unknown * Call Me By Your Name * Field of Dreams * Walk the Line * Bohemian Rhapsody * Rocketman * Song Sung Blue * Sweet Dreams * Deliver Me From Nowhere * The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Episode Credits * A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims. * Our Assistant Producer for this episode is me, Elias Rosner and Kaleigh Diamond.  * Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.  * Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti, John Lubas, and Elias Rosner. * Our Digital Media Producers are Elias Rosner and Kaleigh Diamond. * Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims. * Our thanks to Kaleigh for joining us in the studio today. * The clip of “Hooray for Hollywood,” written by Johnny Mercer and performed by Rosemary Clooney, is courtesy of Concord Jazz, Taxi Driver is courtesy of Columbia Pictures Entertainment and One Battle After Another is courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment.