Real Talk Bend: A Place for Community Information, Referrals, and Storytelling
“Real stories, real guidance, with a touch of laughter.”
In every community, there are unspoken stories, of struggle, resilience, hope, and deep human need for connection. In Bend, Oregon, such stories often remain hidden behind the fast pace of daily life, the stigma around vulnerability, and the isolating effects of modern technology. Real Talk Bend was created to bring these stories forefront.
The Origin
Real Talk Bend is the child of Bend Dating, a local initiative designed to create authentic human connection. In developing a trustworthy alternative to mainstream dating apps, Bend Dating answered the need for a safe, credible, and judgment-free platform where broader conversations could take place, about dating, and about relationships, mental health, and the challenges of modern life in Bend.
From this vision came Real Talk Bend (RTB): A podcast and media hub where real conversations unfold. The project is overseen by Mentor Research Institute (MRI), a 501c3 established in 1997. MRI’s role: t\To ensure that ethical standards, informed consent, and psychological safety guide every element of these communication initiatives.
The Purpose
From the heart, Real Talk Bend exists to:
Reduce suffering and improve well-being. The entire website, and each conversation, is designed to provide information that can create hope, resources, and solutions for listeners navigating life challenges.
Normalize vulnerability. By exploring stories of dating struggles, divorce recovery, burnout, loneliness and resilience, the podcast helps people recognize they are not alone.
Strengthen community trust. Through collaborations with restaurants, attorneys, counselors, comedians, and local professionals, Real Talk Bend ties personal experience to shared community values.
Support ethical stand-up comedy. Real Talk Bend features comedians who provide laughter with responsibility, comedy that doesn’t “punch down,” but “punches up,” avoids hate speech, and celebrates human connection. Real Talk Bend uses humor to deliver perspective, experience, and education. By promoting this standard, Real Talk Bend ensures that comedy functions as a force for community health, resilience and safety.
Blend humor with depth. Each Real Talk Bend podcast features a comedian. Sometimes they bring levity to difficult conversations, and at other times they may host an episode topic discussion, ensuring that humor is woven into a learning process without undermining the seriousness of the subject discussed.
Naturalistic Observation Research. Naturalistic observation is the research method with which MRI will study behavior in the natural environment without manipulation or interference. The goal is to observe ways people act and interact in real-world contexts.
Feedback Informed Services. MRI, in collaboration with Bend Dating, will gather information to examine the perspectives of users concerning the effectiveness and value of the Bend Dating model.
A Community Storytelling Platform
The value of Real Talk Bend lies in its conversations, in the topics it explores and the connections it creates. For some people, it may be an introduction to counseling, health services, legal services, as well as to community activities and events. For others, it may be an entry point to an integrity-focused community dating platform. For local businesses, it’s an opportunity to align with the goals of authenticity and emotional resonance. For audiences, Real Talk Bend is a demonstration that humor and honesty coexist as powerful tools for healing and growth.
As Bend continues to grow and change, Real Talk Bend offers a cultural anchor, helping area residents pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters; the people and relationships which create and sustain this bit of the planet.