Big Blend Radio

Award-winning crime novelist James W. Ziskin joins Matt Cost and BJ Magnani on Big Blend Radio’s "Pets, Plots & Poisons" Podcast to talk about his "Ellie Stone" Mysteries, set in the 1960s, and his new standalone suspense novel, "The Prank."The conversation starts with pets: Saint and Millie’s dirt-road romance, Dr. Watson the fetch-playing cat, and Jim’s cats Tuppy and Boko, including Tuppy’s ice cube “launch pad.” Then Jim explains how a pug named Little Leon sneaks into every "Ellie Stone" book, why he’s named after Trotsky, and what it takes to write a 1960s female reporter as a man. They also dive into Dante, the Decameron and Ellie’s trip to Italy, how Jim wrote about 80,000 words of "The Prank" in roughly 40 days, and a plot tip on pantsers, plotters and keeping your continuity straight. BJ closes with her poison of the month: cyanide, plus the 1982 Tylenol poisonings that changed packaging forever.Pets, Plots & Poisons airs every 3rd Thursday on Big Blend Radio.LINKS:- James W. Ziskin: https://jameswziskin.com/ - BJ Magnani: https://www.bjmagnani.com - Matt Cost: https://www.mattcost.net - Pets, Plots & Poisons podcast channel: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/pets-plots-poisons-podcast

Author Kayla Hardy on "The Quarter Queen," her debut historical fantasy reimagining Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, and her rebellious daughter, Ree. Voodoo queens, secret societies, and the mother-daughter bond that can make or break a family. For National Book Month, Kayla Hardy joins Big Blend Radio’s "Books & Authors" with Books Forward, to talk about The Quarter Queen, a lush, richly researched story of two generations of powerful women in a magically and racially divided 1840s New Orleans.In the novel, Ree finds her formidable mother, Marie, comatose in the bayou and has to uncover the secrets of Marie’s past to save her. Enemies are circling, including a puritanical Brotherhood of alchemists, the slaveholding mayor of the city, and Ree’s childhood best friend turned witch hunter.In this conversation, Kayla talks about:- Growing up between Ohio and Louisiana Creole country, and how childhood summers hooked her on Marie Laveau- Why slavery itself, the system, is the true villain of the book- Voodoo’s blend with Catholicism: magic, psychology, or both?- The Brotherhood’s obsession with purity, secret societies, and alchemy- Ree’s coming-of-age and mothers and daughters seeing each other as whole people- Her years of writing and querying before the book deal, and how a TV pilot became a novelKayla Hardy is a mythology expert and multi-hyphenate author and screenwriter of Louisiana Creole descent. She earned her PhD in creative writing and African American literature from SUNY Binghamton University, where she is an adjunct professor and an accomplished scholar of Black folklore, mythology, and Voodoo. "The Quarter Queen" (Ballantine) is her first novel, named an Essence Most Anticipated Book of 2026 and a Book Riot Best New Book of March.Kayla Hardy’s website: https://KaylaHardy.com Books Forward: https://BooksForward.com/ Big Blend Media House: https://www.BigBlendMediaHouse.com

Why would a cruise line skip the hot seafood chowder in the Caribbean, then serve it on deck in Glacier Bay? On this episode of BIg Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Podcast with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), host Lisa D. Smith sets sail with Emma Ciciriello, Senior Manager of Food & Beverage Product Development for Holland America Line and Seabourn, for a behind-the-scenes look at destination dining at sea.Emma explains how menus, cocktails, table settings and even a Panama hat help guests taste the place they are visiting, from Alaskan halibut and glacial ice cocktails to Caribbean rum and a global fresh fish program. We also visit Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private Bahamian island, where a new beach club is bringing an all-inclusive day on the sand. Plus: Magnolia Bakery banana pudding, baked Alaska nostalgia, Marmite versus haggis, Emma’s perfect day of eating at sea, and tips for breaking into cruise food and beverage.MORE INFO:- Holland America Line: https://www.hollandamerica.com - IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org - More Food, Wine & Travel podcast episodes: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/food-wine-travel-with-ifwtwa - Travel, Food & Wine Podcast Magazine:https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/travel-food-wine-magazine Photos courtesy of Holland America.

Harry Belafonte was a legend in music, but the film "Following Harry" isn’t about his music. It’s about what he did when the music stopped. In this Big Blend Radio conversation, host Lisa D. Smith talks with Emmy-nominated filmmaker and editor Susanne Rostock, director of "Following Harry" and its companion film, "Sing Your Song," about the last twelve years of Harry Belafonte’s life and the new generation of artists and activists he mentored.Susanne shares how the film began. "Sing Your Song" ended with Harry looking straight at the audience and asking, “What do we do now?” Not long after, he invited her to move her editing equipment into his brand-new office, which became a hub of activism where you never knew who might walk in. She talks about the podcast she once planned to make there, and how a front-row seat to Harry’s conversations with young people turned into a film about how movements are built.You’ll hear why young people listened to Harry: he was gentle, he was a true conversationalist, and he wasn’t there to lecture. He left what Susanne calls “a trail of crumbs” and invited the next generation to pick it up, or bring something better. We talk about the mentors who shaped him, including Paul Robeson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela, and about why passing the baton mattered so much to him.Lisa also shares her own connection to the story. She grew up in Kenya and South Africa listening to Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, and Susanne talks about Harry’s love for African music and the power of the album he made with Makeba. We also talk about love with conviction, doing what you can with the platform you have, the role of the arts in crossing divides, and Susanne’s work editing the film, which Nancy J. Reid (Big Blend Media) called seamless.Perfect for Global Diversity Month, this episode is about common humanity, mentorship, and what we choose to leave behind for the next generation. Following Harry is available on Amazon Prime in the US and Canada, starting October 13, 2026.Watch the trailer and get more information on the film:https://www.followingharry.org/ More from Big Blend Media House:https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com

Why do we keep coming back to New York City? Travel writers Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough have a lot of answers, and they’re not what the typical headlines say.Joelle has just wrapped a week in the city. She was born here and spoke at a United Nations side event during the General Assembly. Ryan joined her for part of the trip, riding Amtrak in from Harrisburg. He once almost had a panic attack in a New York taxi. Now he says every visit is better than the last.On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wanderers Compass" Podcast, they share what the city feels like today, plus the practical tips that make a first visit easier.In this episode:- Why Ryan went from city-nervous to city fan- Safety, street smarts and walking at all hours- What New York really costs, and the free things to doGrand Central, the High Line, Hudson Yards and The Edge- How CityPASS helped Joelle see the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, the American Museum of Natural History, the Intrepid, Ellis Island and more- Amtrak, flying into Newark, skipping the car and mastering the subway- Seeing Hamilton on Broadway, plus the real history at Fraunces Tavern- Smart tips for solo theater tickets and for your first trip- The best time of year to visit- Eataly, bodegas, bagels, pizza, gelato and Asian cuisineKEEP UP WITH WANDERERS COMPASS🔗 Blog: https://www.wandererscompass.com/🔗 Podcast: www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/wanderers…ass-podcast🔗 Digital Podcast Magazine: www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/wanderers…ss-magazineNew episodes of the Wanderers Compass Podcast air every second Monday on Big Blend Radio.

Celebrate America 250 in upstate South Carolina! On Big Blend Radio's "Jo Goes Everywhere" Podcast, travel writer Jo Clark takes us to Ninety Six National Historic Site, a backcountry crossroads where 12 roads met and later the site of the longest land siege of the American Revolution, from May 22 to June 18, 1781. This park also turned 50 this year.Jo walks us through the Star Fort and Kosciuszko’s brick-lined mine tunnel. She also tells the tale of the engineer who got shot in the butt, poses for a selfie with the big replica gun, and explains why the kids’ tunnel is such a hit. She shares what it’s like to hear reenactments and cannon fire (earplugs recommended!) and why Lake Greenwood State Park is worth adding to your trip.Then it’s time to eat and stay. Jo takes us to Break on the Lake and Indigenous Underground, where Chef Erica “Trudy” McCier serves soul rolls and Black Eye Pea Gumbo. She also stops at Main Street Coffee Co., The Rough House and 96 Pecan Company (don’t miss the Lemon Crunch!), and spends the night at The Veranda on Main. At the end, Jo toasts with her Spooktacular Halloween Cocktail.RESOURCE LINKS:- Read Jo’s full article, with all the details, tips and links to every stop: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/ninety-six-national-historic-site - Get Jo’s Spooktacular Halloween Cocktail recipe: https://recipestravelculture.com/spooktacular-halloween-cocktail/ Follow More of Jo:- https://www.haveglasswilltravel.com/ - https://recipestravelculture.com/ - Jo Goes Everywhere! Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/jo-goes-everywhere-podcast - Jo Goes Everywhere! Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/jo-goes-everywhere-magazine

B is for Budget! In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC’s of Horses" Podcast, world champion horse trainer Christy Wood gives an honest look at what it really costs to own a horse, and why planning ahead keeps a dream from turning into overwhelm.Christy starts with the horse itself and why the price depends on what you plan to do with it, then moves on to where your horse will live: zoning and subdivision rules, boarding stables, box stalls and turnout time, and why you should find out how a horse has been living before you bring it home. She also shares tips for shopping smart for tack, including trying used saddles on your own horse and checking used bridles for dry, cracked leather.From there, Christy digs into the ongoing expenses: blankets and shelter for winter, hay prices and buying once a year to lock in quality, switching feed gradually to protect a delicate digestive system, supplements, yearly vet checks, worming, teeth floating, farrier visits every six to seven weeks, and why a trailer is a security blanket in an emergency. Christy offers ballpark examples, but her advice is to research your own area and your own riding goals.Whether you’re dreaming of your first horse or already caring for one, this episode will help you plan ahead and avoid being caught off guard. Next month, Christy and Lisa turn to holiday shopping with a giving heart for horse lovers.🔗 EXPLORE MORE📚 Connect with Christy: https://wdnhorse.com/ 🎧 ABC’s of Horses Podcast (the full A to Z): https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/abcs-of-horses-podcast 📖 ABC’s of Horses Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/abcs-of-horses-magazine ❓ Ask Christy a question: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/contact-us

Travel writer Erin Coyle takes us to Oman, where a cup of coffee is an invitation and hospitality is a way of life.On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Food, Wine & Travel" Podcast with the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), host Lisa D. Smith talks with IFWTWA member Erin Coyle, a freelance travel writer and ESP teacher who moved to Oman in 2018 to teach, started writing about travel during the pandemic, and now lives in Muscat.Erin shares what it’s really like to travel in Oman: the warm welcome, the customs worth knowing, the food, and the landscapes that pleasantly surprise first-time visitors.In this episode:- Why Oman feels calm and welcoming to travelers, and where it sits on the map- Erin’s path from teaching English in Sur to writing about travel- What an Omani wedding looks like, from the late-night start to the bride’s grand entrance- How to dress respectfully in a Muslim country, from wadis to mosques- Oman’s food: shuwa (goat cooked in the ground), mishkek kebabs, kabuli rice, and Paplou fish soup- Why coffee is the heart of Omani hospitality, plus dates, halwa, and the secret of shaking your cup- Modern Muscat versus traditional villages, falaj water channels thousands of years old, and a skyline with no skyscrapers- Wine and alcohol for travelers, wellness and breathwork, and nature from mountains to coast- Erin’s Hot Pot and the one-pot meals every culture sharesIt's the perfect episode to celebrate Global Diversity Awareness Month! READ ERIN'S OMAN ARTICLE:- https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/oman-hospitality-things-to-do CONNECT WITH ERIN:- https://erinshotpot.com - https://www.instagram.com/erinshotpot/ - https://www.facebook.com/erintravelwriter IFWTWA:- International Food Wine Travel Writers Association:https://www.ifwtwa.org/ - More Food, Wine & Travel podcast episodes:https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/food-wine-travel-with-ifwtwa - Travel, Food & Wine Podcast Magazine:https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/travel-food-wine-magazine

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Quiltripping Travel with Rose” Podcast, travel writer and photographer Rose Palmer of Quiltripping.com joins us fresh off the MSC World America, MSC’s newest mega ship, sailing from Miami to the Caribbean and the private island of Ocean Cay in the Bahamas. Rose and her best friend celebrated milestone birthdays in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, a “ship within a ship” with its own restaurant, lounge, sun deck, pool and a personal butler. Rose compares it to flying business class: the attention of a small luxury ship with the dining and entertainment of a big one, at a fraction of the cost of Ponant or Seabourn.In this episode:- Life in the Yacht Club, where fewer than 300 guests share the top decks of a ship carrying about 6,500 people, and the butlers in tails and white gloves.- Finding breathing room on a mega ship, and why it feels like business class versus coach.- Sweet Temptations, the Jean-Philippe Chocolate Café, the craft brewery and The Gin Project, and dinner at Eataly, Paxos, Hola and La Brasserie.- The not-so-secret secret telephone booth that isn’t on any deck plan.- What’s included in the Yacht Club, and why this ship works for multigenerational families and solo travelers.- Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, transformed from an abandoned sand-mining site into a Caribbean paradise, plus the MSC Foundation’s work.- Spa and thermal rooms, Queen and Dirty Dancing shows, and dueling pianos at The Loft.RESOURCE LINKS:- Read Rose’s full article and listen on the Big Blend site:https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/msc-world-america-caribbean-cruise - Rose’s blog, Quiltripping.com: https://www.Quiltripping.com - Big Blend Radio’s “Quiltripping Travel with Rose” Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/quiltripping-travel-with-rose-podcast - “Quiltripping Travel” Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/quiltripping-travel-magazine