Big Blend Radio

Celebrating Women's History Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio features award-winning journalist Maura Casey who discusses her debut memoir, "Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery” (Skyhorse Publishing, April 1, 2025). The book crafts a vivid and poignant narrative of a working-class family’s resilience in the face of a terminal diagnosis.Growing up in a family torn by addiction and financial hardship, Maura’s early years were shaped by instability and survival. Cared for by Dr. Mary Hawking (sibling of Stephen Hawking), her sister Ellen’s life-threatening battle with kidney disease added another layer of heartache, but it also deepened Maura’s understanding of courage and family bonds. Through it all, Maura has reframed the pain of her past, uncovering hope and meaning even in life’s darkest chapters. More: https://www.caseyink.com/ For over 30 years, Casey was an opinion writer for three New England newspapers and The New York Times, where she had a seat on the exalted Times editorial board. Today, Casey writes a weekly column, Casey’s Catch, at https://maurac.substack.com   

We all know Vincent van Gogh, but who was the powerhouse woman who turned his failed art career into an international success?In celebration of Women's History Month, and the birth anniversary of artist Vincent van Gogh (March 30, 1853), this episode of Big Blend Radio features author Joan Fernandez who discusses her book, "Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh." Releasing April 15, 2025 through She Writes Press, this historical fiction novel reveals the hidden true story of the woman who made Vincent van Gogh the artistic giant he is today.Joan Fernandez is a novelist who brings to light courageous women’s brilliant deeds in history. “Saving Vincent” was recognized by the American Writing Awards, winning their 2024 art award. More: https://www.joanfernandezauthor.com/ 

Celebrate the end of Women's History Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio that features author Iris Mitlin Lav, who discusses her historical novel, "Gitel's Freedom." This depression-era book shares the story of Jewish immigrants and one woman’s journey toward personal freedom. It's a compelling tale of women’s resourcefulness and resilience amid limiting and often oppressive expectations.  IRIS MITLIN LAV earned an MBA from George Washington University and an AB from the University of Chicago. She enjoyed a long career in public policy analysis and management, and she taught public finance at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University. Her first novel, “A Wife in Bangkok,” was published in 2020 by She Writes Press. “Gitel’s Freedom” is her second novel. More at https://irismitlinlav.com/  

This episode of Big Blend Radio's NATURE CONNECTION Podcast features Alyson F. Brokaw, behavioral and sensory ecologist, and author of "The Weird and Wonderful World of Bats: Demystifying These Often-Misunderstood Creatures." Out now throguh Timber Press, "The Weird and Wonderful World of Bats" is a vibrant and approachable text that reintroduces readers to bats, dispelling their negative reputations and providing a window into their world. Partitioned into easily navigable sections, it explains not only how bats see, smell, and fly, but also how they share, love, and create homes. As Brokaw proves, these creatures are more familiar than foreign. In fact, bats are a lot like us: they argue with their roost mates, share with their friends, and take care of their young. By better understanding them, we can learn from them—not only to coexist, but potentially grow healthier and wiser together. Alyson F. Brokaw’s professional passion is communicating about the diversity and biology of bats. Since earning her PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Texas A&M University, she has studied wildlife around the world, including Mexico, Belize, Panama, Argentina, and Tanzania, while also publishing multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals on bat behavior and other topics. She is a narrator for March Mammal Madness. You can find Alyson on social media @alyb_batgirl. http://www.alysonbrokaw.com  

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Historic Jefferson Highway" Show focuses on the upcoming Annual Jefferson Highway Conference 2025 happening June 4-7 in McAlester, Oklahoma, with the Sociability Caravan running June 2-4. Plus, hear about the formation of the Jefferson Highway, as well as some of the McAlester's fascinating history.FEATURED GUESTS:- ROGER BELL - Co-Host & President of the Jefferson Highway Association- BILLY SUMNER - Tourism Manager of City of McAlester. Visit: https://travelmcalester.com/ - ADELINE WHISENHUNT - Conference Organizer and Oklahoma Chapter of the Jefferson Highway Association.The Jefferson Highway Association originally founded the Jefferson Highway in 1915. This international highway is also known as "The Pines to the Palms Highway," that runs from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana. Learn more at https://jeffersonhighway.org/  Learn more about the upcoming Jefferson Highway Travel Guide project and be part of the effort, here: https://jeffersonhighwaytravelguide.com/ This Big Blend Radio "Historic Jefferson Highway" Podcast airs every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST (except on holidays). Follow the show here: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/  

In celebration of Women's History Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast shines the spotlight on six noteworthy American Women who made a positive impact across the country and around the world. Featured guests are travel writers Barbara Redding, Jo Clark, Kathleen Walls, and Linda Ballou.ON THIS EPISODE:- TEXAS WOMEN - Barbara Redding discusses Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Johnson, First Lady of the US (1963-1969); Barbara Charline Jordan who the first African American elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction; and Anne Richards who served as the 45th governor of Texas (1991-1995). Learn more about Barbara at https://barbararedding.com/  - IVEY COURTNEY STONE - Jo Clark shares the story of how during WWII Ivey volunteered for the WAVES, served as a communications watch officer in the Navy Department, and became one of 10,000 “Code Girls” -- Codebreakers -- for the US Navy. Keep up with Jo at https://haveglasswilltravel.com/ and https://recipestravelculture.com/ - SUSAN B. ANTHONY - Kathleen Walls shares how this prominent women's rights advocate and leader of the women's suffrage movement helped pave the way for the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. She was also involved in the anti-slavery movement, and temperance movement. Keep up with Kathleen at https://americanroads.net/ and https://katywalls.com/ - KRISTINE "KRIS" TOMPKINS - Linda Ballou talks about this former CEO of Patagonia's conservation work as president and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation known for preserving, expanding, and creating national parks in Chile. (Photo featured is by James Q Martin, courtesy of McCarthyatTC, CC BY-SA 4.0, on Wikipedia.) More about Tompkins Conservation: https://www.tompkinsconservation.org/ Keep up with Linda at https://lostangeladventures.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast is all about her experiences in Coastal Mississippi. This beautiful region spans 62 miles along the Gulf of Mexico and overlooks the Mississippi Sound. From art and live music to regional cuisine, historic sites, coastal activities, and lodging destinations, check out Debbie's article that shares her adventures in Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis. Story: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/journey-through-coastal-mississippi/ Follow this podcast here: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/ 

It's all about The Calgary Stampede on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Travel with Terri" Podcast featuring Terri Guthrie, a travel journalist based in Dallas, Texas.  Known as, The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth, this Alberta, Canada, event has been wowing audiences since 1912. The number of things to do, see, and experience at the Calgary Stampede is mind-boggling. This is the place to go for a unique and fascinating first-class vacation. Read Terri's articles about her experiences at the various events at the rodeo, and within the city of Calgary itself, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/calgary-stampede-the-greatest-outdoor-show-on-earth/  Having visited around 60 countries across 6 continents, Terri is passionate about exploring, discovering, experiencing, and sharing life’s incredible journeys around the globe. Her focus is on luxury accommodations, cultural immersion, local gastronomy, fun activities, national parks and historical attractions, and more. New episodes of "Travel with Terri" air every 4th Monday at 6pm CST. Follow the show here: https://travelwithterri.podbean.com/ Follow Terri’s adventures: https://travelwithterri.net/  https://www.instagram.com/travelwithterri/ https://www.youtube.com/@travelwithterri  https://www.facebook.com/travelwithterrifromtexas 

Celebrate Women's History Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Tales of Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia" Podcast. Featuring Lance Laber, Executive Director of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, this episode focuses on some of the noteworthy women in Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia's life including his Mother, first wife Alexandra Diamos, second wife artist Marion DeGrazia, Carol Locust - Mother of musician Domingo DeGrazia, photographer Louise Serpa, and even country singer Sammi Smith.Current exhibits at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun include "Ted DeGrazia in the Studio of Diego Rivera" (until Sept. 3, 2025), “Louise Serpa's Portraits of Ted DeGrazia” (until Sept. 3, 2025), and “The Way of the Cross” (until May 28, 2025). The Little Gallery is also host to visiting artists from now through April 4, 2025. Also hear about the exhibit "Bisbee Through the Eyes of Ted DeGrazia" on display at the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum and the Muheim Heritage House, in Bisbee AZ, through May 26, 2025.DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre historic landmark nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. Opened in 1965, it is home to over 15,000 originals of Ted DeGrazia art pieces including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. There are six permanent collections on display and several rotating exhibitions each year. More: http://www.degrazia.org/ This Big Blend Radio "Tales of Ted DeGrazia" podcast airs every 4th Sunday. Follow the show here: https://ted-degrazia.podbean.com/