Big Blend Radio

In Part Three of her “Lessons Learned from Travel” series, travel writr Linda Ballou takes us into the wilds of Alaska and Canada for a powerful story about adventure, wilderness, and environmental stewardship.In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Lost Angel Travel Adventures” Show, Linda reflects on her journey down the Tatshenshini River, also known as Raven’s River, which begins near Haines, Alaska, travels through Canada, and flows toward the Gulf of Alaska. She shares an excerpt from her book "Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales," describing the river’s glaciers, wildlife, birds, salmon, and breathtaking wilderness—and the profound effect the journey had on her.But this adventure became much more than a rafting trip. Linda explains how experiencing this pristine wilderness transformed her from an “adventure junkie” into an environmentalist and inspired her to become involved in the fight against the proposed Windy Craggy mine. She also discusses the current threat of the Palmer Project in the Chilkat River Valley, the importance of the region to the Tlingit people, and its significance as habitat for salmon, bears, and thousands of bald eagles.Linda also explores what travelers can learn from rivers: letting go, unplugging from the outside world, being fully present, listening to nature, and finding your own “inner river” or current during times of change.The conversation ultimately becomes a call for environmental stewardship and citizen action, reminding us that travelers are temporary members of the communities and landscapes they visit—and that protecting wilderness requires a constant vigil.🌎 American Adventures Month: This episode celebrates the spirit of exploring and protecting America's extraordinary natural landscapes.RESOURCE LINKS:🎧 Listen to the new audiobook edition of Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Angel-Walkabout-Travelers-Tales/dp/ 🌍 Linda Ballou:https://www.LindaBallouAuthor.com https://www.LostAngelAdventures.com 🎙️ Subscribe to Lost Angel Travel Adventures Podcast:https://lost-angel-travel-adventures.podbean.com 📖 Explore the NEW Lost Angel Travel Adventures Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/podcast-retrospective/ 

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Journey Jukebox" travel podcast, travel writer Lisa Evans takes us to Cody, Wyoming, a fascinating Western destination where the spirit of the Old West is still very much alive.Located just outside Yellowstone National Park, Cody combines Western history, art, craftsmanship, music, rodeo, and living history in a destination that's worth more than just a quick overnight stop. Lisa shares her experiences exploring the city's many layers, from the extraordinary Western functional art at By Western Hands to the historic buildings and frontier stories of Old Trail Town.The episode also takes us to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody Cattle Company, and the Cody Stampede Rodeo, where Lisa experienced her first "real" rodeo. She also discovers the city's lively music scene and talks about the musicians she added to the Journey Jukebox playlist.With American Adventures Month and America 250 as part of the conversation, this episode is an invitation to explore a destination where American history, Western heritage, artistry, entrepreneurship, and entertainment come together. As Lisa discovered, Cody is much more than a gateway to Yellowstone—it's a destination worth spending several days exploring.🗺️ Cody, Wyoming Travel Planning Resources- Lisa's article on By Western Hands: https://www.seegreatart.art/discovering-cody-wyomings-legacy-of-western-art-at-by-western-hands/ - Irma Emporium: https://www.irmahotel.com/ - The Chamberlin Inn - https://chamberlininn.com/ - Heart Mountain WWII Japanese American National Historic Landmark: https://www.heartmountain.org/ - Buffalo Bill Center of the West: https://centerofthewest.org/ - The Cody Cattle Company: https://thecodycattlecompany.com/ - Cody Stampede Rodeo: https://www.codystampederodeo.com/ - Cody Firearms Experience: https://www.codyfirearmsexperience.com/ - By Western Hands: https://www.bywesternhands.org/ - Old Trail Town: https://oldtrailtown.org/ 🎵 Journey Jukebox Music Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7humUf03LIW04t8LiJSSN9?si=71c11c52c77c4596 Lisa's Cody playlist includes artists such as Righteous Vendetta, Kaylen Beasley, and Luke Bell, giving the episode its own musical Western soundtrack. 🎧 More about the Journey Jukebox Podcast: New episodes air every 3rd Tuesday at 6pm CST:  https://journeyjukebox.podbean.com/ - Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/JOURNEY-JUKEBOX---2026/#p=1 

End-of-summer and fall are a wonderful time to experience Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana! From church and school fairs and live music to Bunkie Trade Days, Halloween fun, local food and seasonal events, there are plenty of reasons to visit.In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Travel Avoyelles" podcast, hosts Lisa D. Smith talks with Wilbert Carmouche and Mary Guillory of the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism about what's happening throughout Avoyelles Parish as summer winds down and fall begins.They talk about upcoming fairs, community events, live Cajun and Zydeco music, Halloween celebrations, shopping, art, food and local traditions—including the church and school fairs that bring communities together throughout the fall.You'll also hear about some of the food that makes Avoyelles special, from gumbo and jambalaya to homemade cakes, cochon de lait, locally grown produce, sweet potatoes and those wonderful fair plate lunches.As always, the best way to experience Avoyelles is to get out and meet the people, enjoy the food and become part of the community.* Plan Your Avoyelles Parish Visit & Get Event Info: https://travelavoyelles.com/ * Listen to new episodes and follow the Travel Avoyelles podcast: https://travel-avoyelles.podbean.com/ 

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "World of Art" Podcast, artist and art historian Victoria Chick takes us inside the exciting development of the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center in Silver City, New Mexico.Victoria is a contemporary figurative artist, collector of early 19th and 20th-century American prints, and the visionary spearheading this long-term museum project. The proposed museum and art center is designed not only to preserve and exhibit art, but also to provide art education, outreach, research resources, and greater access to the arts for communities throughout southwest New Mexico.The conversation focuses on an exciting milestone: two October weekends when the public can experience a free pop-up museum inside the historic building the organization hopes to purchase and transform into its permanent home. Victoria explains the vision for the space, the importance of museum-quality preservation, and what goes into curating an exhibition.We also explore the two featured exhibitions: “American Etching Revival,” examining the rise of etching as an artistic medium beginning in the 1870s, and “Five Artists Do the West,” featuring five 20th-century artists who interpreted the American West using five different mediums. The exhibition includes an interactive opportunity for visitors to create their own depiction of the West.Victoria also discusses the Southwest Print Fiesta, a juried print purchase show, the museum's future outreach programs, the importance of visual observation and art education, and the exciting possibility of future exhibition partnerships through the Art Bridges Foundation.As Victoria emphasizes, a museum is about more than putting art on walls. It is about preservation, education, access, creativity, and connecting people with art.🌐 MORE TO EXPLORE- October Exhibits & Events: https://swrma.substack.com/p/art-events-in-silver-city-october - Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org - Victoria Chick: https://victoriachick.com/ - World of Art Podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" podcast, travel writer and photographer Rose Palmer takes us aboard the Rosa, a luxury hotel barge operated by European Waterways, for a leisurely journey through the beautiful Gascony region of southern France.This is slow travel at its best—cruising quietly along France's historic canals, cycling shaded towpaths, exploring medieval villages and UNESCO-listed sites, enjoying exceptional local food and wine, and simply having time to relax and enjoy the scenery. Rose describes the intimate experience of traveling with just six guests and a four-person crew aboard the Rosa, which accommodates a maximum of eight passengers.The journey begins in the Toulouse area and follows approximately 70 miles of the Canal de Garonne, with excursions into historic towns and the countryside. Rose visits the UNESCO-listed Abbey of Saint Pierre, explores one of France's designated "Most Beautiful Villages," visits a working cheese farm, samples regional Armagnac, and joins the chef at a local farmers market to select fresh ingredients for the day's meals.Food is a major part of the experience. Rose describes multi-course meals featuring local cheeses, fresh produce, regional wines, and ingredients purchased directly from local farmers—including strawberries, cherries, apricots, meats, vegetables, and more. As Lisa puts it during the conversation, it's "farm to barge."Rose also explains why barge cruising can be such a wonderful option for solo travelers: you can travel independently without being alone, while leaving the driving, navigation, meals, sightseeing logistics, and daily planning to the crew. The small-group atmosphere makes it easy to form connections with fellow travelers and crew members.Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a friends' or family charter, a solo travel experience, or simply a peaceful way to discover rural France, this episode offers an enticing look at the pleasures of small-ship cruising, authentic cultural experiences, and slow travel.📖 Read Rose Palmer's Featured Article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/cruising-france-on-the-rosa-barge 🚤 Learn More About European Waterways: https://www.europeanwaterways.com/ 🌐 Explore More from Quiltripping: https://quiltripping.com/ 📰 Check Out the "Quiltripping Travel" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/QUILTRIPPING-TRAVEL-WITH-ROSE-MAG/#p=1 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast on Podbean: https://quiltripping-travel.podbean.com/ 

Who was Enheduanna — the woman often recognized as the world’s first known named author?On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward, we welcome award-winning poet and debut historical fantasy novelist Ellen Rachlin, author of Enheduanna’s Song From the Sands, coming August 25, 2026 from Histria Fiction.Set in ancient Mesopotamia around 2300 BCE, "Enheduanna’s Song From the Sands" brings to life Enheduanna, daughter of Sargon the Great and High Priestess of Ur, whose name is associated with some of the earliest known literary works to identify an author. Rachlin discovered Enheduanna while researching overlooked historical figures and was captivated by her poetry, power, struggles and enduring mystery.In our conversation, Ellen discusses researching ancient Mesopotamia, the challenge of reconstructing a world with limited surviving evidence, and the fascinating process of blending historical fact, mythology and imagination. We also explore Enheduanna's role as a powerful religious and economic leader, her exile and struggle to regain her position, and the importance of reclaiming women's stories that have been overlooked or reduced to historical footnotes.We also talk about Ellen's transition from poetry to historical fantasy, the importance of preserving women's voices, ancient writing and literature, the mythology surrounding Inanna and Ereshkigal, and why Enheduanna's story still resonates today.- Check out the Big Blend Book Review by Nancy J. Reid: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/enheduannas-song-from-the-sands - Learn more about Ellen Rachlin and her books at https://www.ellenrachlin.com/ - Learn more about Books Forward and its authors at https://booksforward.com/ 

Join Big Blend Radio for a Getting to Know You conversation with author Tara Badstubner, whose debut novel, "Every Room Remembers," is forthcoming from Sibylline Press on September 25, 2026.In this warm and insightful conversation, Tara talks about her journey as a writer, what inspired her to create stories, her love of interior design, the places and experiences that shape her creative work, and the role of the natural world in her storytelling.Tara also gives us a preview of "Every Room Remembers," a lyrical work of literary fiction about love, loss, memory, grief and finding a way forward. The novel follows interior designer SJ Monroe after the sudden death of her husband, Wyatt, as she returns to her hometown of Beaufort, South Carolina, takes on the restoration of the historic Osprey House, reconnects with family and friends, and begins noticing signs from the natural world. Meanwhile, Wyatt, trapped in a liminal state, faces his own journey of regret, unresolved emotions and healing.Tara shares why she wanted to explore “the other side of grief,” how animals and signs from nature became meaningful elements of the story, and why she believes home can be a refuge. She also discusses how writing during the COVID era helped her explore fear and loss through fiction, and what she hopes readers experiencing grief will take away from the novel.This is our first conversation with Tara, so stay tuned for our follow-up Books & Authors interview next month, when we'll take a deeper dive into "Every Room Remembers."📚 Pre-order "Every Room Remembers" and learn more about Tara: https://www.tarabadstubner.com/ 🎙️ Visit the Big Blend Media House: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/ 

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel Show "with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), Amy Nesler of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau invites us to Eat Local First and discover the food, farms, producers, and sustainable traditions that make Washington's San Juan Islands so special.Beyond the spectacular scenery and outdoor adventures, the San Juan Islands offer a rich agricultural and culinary experience. Amy shares stories of family farms, heritage fruits, local wineries and cideries, sustainable seafood, farm-to-table dining, and the connections between island farmers, chefs, artisans, and visitors.We also explore the region's deep food heritage, including Coast Salish traditions, heritage agriculture, shellfish, reef-net fishing, and efforts to preserve and celebrate local foodways. The conversation highlights how choosing locally grown and produced foods can help visitors connect more meaningfully with a destination while supporting the communities they visit.Amy also shares details about Savor the San Juans, an annual celebration of local food and agriculture featuring farm tours, farm dinners, wine experiences, restaurant events, artisan producers, and opportunities to meet the people behind the food.If you're passionate about sustainable travel, farm-to-table experiences, local food, culinary adventures, and authentic community connections, this episode offers plenty of inspiration for your next San Juan Islands getaway.👉 Visit the San Juan Islands:https://www.visitsanjuans.com/🌐 Learn more about IFWTWA:https://www.ifwtwa.org/🌐 Follow the Food, Wine & Travel Podcast:https://food-wine-travel.podbean.com/📰 Check out the Big Blend Radio Travel Food & Wine Digital Podcast Magazine:https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/ekxy/#p=1