Big Blend Radio

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation features acclaimed illustrator Andrés Vera Martínez whose artistic focus is on illustrating and writing graphic novels for middle school and young adult readers. Andrés is best known for his work on his wife's graphic memoir, "LIttle White Duck: A Childhood in China," and Neal Shusterman’s YA graphic novel, "Courage to Dream: Tales of in the Holocaust." Watch for his middle grade graphic novel series with Jorge Aguirre, "Monster Locker" and the adaptation of "Esperanza Rising", plus, his illustrations in Marie Alohalani Brown’s "Hawaiian Myths, Gods, and Heroes." More at: https://www.andresvera.com/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 

From tasting fudge and sipping on a cool Medjool Date Shake to taking a behind-the-scenes tour and seeing how peanut brittle is made, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "The Peanut Patch" Podcast with Donna George focuses on what you can experience at The Peanut Patch.Open NOW from October-April and located in Yuma, Arizona, The Peanut Patch is a southwest tradition for farm fresh peanuts, nuts and dried fruit, locally grown Royal Medjool Dates, culinary gifts, and sweet treats including homemade fudge and peanut brittle. Shop online year-round and learn more at https://thepeanutpatch.com/  Check out Donna's recipes that include all kinds of delicious favorites from peanut butter cookies to sensational salads: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing-category/donna-george/ The Peanut Patch podcast airs every 1st Friday at 12pm Arizona Time. Listen to episodes and follow the show here: https://peanut-patch.podbean.com/ 

From farm fun and early spring flower power to fabulous regional food, cultural museums, public art, parks, and gardens, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on the different ways you can explore Tulare County. This region is home to charming art and agricultural communities as well as Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Sequoia National Forest, and Giant Sequoia National Monument.Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include * Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia, https://www.visitvisalia.com/ * Alida Verduzco Silva - County of Tulare, https://discovertularecounty.com/ Plan your visit to Tulare County, and download the new visitor guide at https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ 

Get ready for Valentine's Day and celebrate the Month of Love with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy" podcast with Peggy Fiandaca who talks about pairing wines with sweets and desserts. Check out Peggy's recipe for Spiced Apple Chutney Wontons, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/spiced-apple-chutney-wontons/ Along with her winemaker husband Curt Lawrence Dunham, Peggy Fiandaca owns and operates LDV Winery in Arizona. Learn more at https://ldvwinery.com/ "Wine Time with Peggy" airs every 1st Wednesday at 4pm Arizona time. Follow the podcast here: http://tinyurl.com/42j5zucj This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Channels including the "Big Daily Blend," and "Eat, Drink & Be Merry." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Nestled in the heart of the South Pacific, Fiji isn’t just about its stunning beaches or vibrant coral reefs. This episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz shares how Fiji is a destination where adventure meets serenity, all against a backdrop of rich culture and warm hospitality. With 333 islands to explore, Fiji offers something for every type of traveler, and its deep connection to nature and tradition makes it unforgettable. Read Sharon's article about her recent visit, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/fiji-a-south-pacific-paradise/ Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz. New episodes air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST at https://wandertheworldwithsharon.podbean.com/  Sharon Kurtz is an accomplished travel writer and award-winning photographer based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to exploring the world and sharing her adventures through compelling storytelling. Her travels have taken her to more than 50 countries on six continents—her carry-on is always packed, ready for the next adventure. Enjoy Sharon’s writing at https://sharonkkurtz.com/. This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Channels including the "Vacation Station." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

From brewery hopping, rooftop cocktails, and rejuvenating massages to chasing waterfalls, hiking, ziplining through the forest, and whitewater rafting, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Podcast covers 25+ romantic adventures you can have in Asheville, North Carolina.As always the show features Steve & Karen Wilson "Mr & Mrs Wild, who own and run The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/   Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/ JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL "LOVE IS ALIVE IN ASHEVILLE" LIVE STREAM AT 1PM EST ON FEB. 13, ON PODBEAN: https://tinyurl.com/msn8n8u7 This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Podcast Channels including "Vacation Station." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" Show features award-winning author Julie Ryan McGue who discusses her new memoir, “Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood.”Julie McGue’s parents always longed for a big American family—and their adoption of Julie and her twin sister Jenny seemed to satisfy that yearning. But as the couple continue adding adopted and biological children to the family, tragedy strikes. Julie begins to see just how much her parents’ goals and dreams differ from her own.Author Julie Ryan McGue unravels the gripping tale of adopted twins facing the turbulent tides of love, loss and identity in suburban Chicago. As their family expands and secrets emerge, will their sisterly bond withstand the test of time? Dive into a memoir that explores the heart’s complexities and the fierce quest for belonging in “Twice the Family” (Feb. 4, 2025, She Writes Press) the much-anticipated prequel to McGue’s debut memoir “Twice a Daughter.” More at https://juliemcgueauthor.com/ 

Celebrate International Friendship Month with Big Blend Radio’s WORLD PARTY that aired live on Feb. 2, 2025, with hosts Nancy J. Reid & Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team behind Big Blend Magazines, guest cohost Johnny Schaefer, and special guests in the world of travel, writing, and music. FEATURED PARTY GUESTS & SEGMENTS:– JOHNNY SCHAEFER, cohost of Big Blend Radio’s “Big Daily Blend” Show every 1st Sunday, is an award-winning singer-songwriter. Visit: https://hearjohnny.com/– CHRISTINA LINHARDT is a singer, actor, performance artist, director, writer, and model. Visit: http://www.circussanctuary.com/– JON DAWSON & JOHN GUY BARWICK are North Carolina musicians who have just released the EP “Coastal Chase”. Visit https://johnguybarwick.bandcamp.com/album/coastalchase and https://343collective.com/thirdofnever/– SHARON K. KURTZ is an award-winning travel writer and photographer. Visit https://sharonkkurtz.com/– LISA EVANS is a travel writer, travel advisor, and author of “100 Things to Do in Coastal Mississippi Before You Die.” Visit https://writerlisa.com/– BARBARA REDDING is a travel journalist and photographer. Visit: https://barbararedding.com/– GLYNN BURROWS is a family historian and owner of Norfolk Tours in England. Visit: https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/– JO CLARK is a food, wine, and travel writer, and photographer. Visit: https://haveglasswilltravel.com/– DR RANSDELL is an author, traveler, musician, and teacher. Visit: https://www.dr-ransdell.com/– ANGELA LAWS is a world traveling pet sitter and community manager of https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/– SHELLEY WHIZIN is a world traveler, transformational coach, and author. Visit: https://shelleywhizin.com/

This Music Monday episode of Big Blend Radio features Northern California guitarist/singer/songwriter Piet Dalmolen discusses his long-awaited debut album TIME STANDS STILL.Boasting eight eclectic compositions, this talisman resonates through an ambitious amalgam of sublime psychedelic rock, soulful jazzy blues, and indie-Americana. Bobbing and weaving amidst the foundational chemistry of bass, drums, and various keyboards, Piet’s superb guitar and understated vocals coalesce to create a dense, potent vessel of joy and vulnerability. The album also features Matt Engel on keyboards, Tommy Fitzmaurice on drums, and Ian Taylor on bass, An influential trip to Maui resulted in most of the music heard on TIME STANDS STILL. This intentional collection reveals a reluctant poet reawakened, mining inspiration from life’s trials and tribulations, and discovering knowledge of self amid the glorious environs of sacred Hawaiian Islands. More at https://www.pietdalmolen.com/