On this episode of Big Blend Radio, award-winning author Hendrika de Vries discusses her moving and reflective new memoir, “Open Turns” (She Writes Press, September 2, 2025). From surviving Nazi-occupied Amsterdam as a child to navigating immigration and competitive swimming in 1950s Australia, Hendrika shares her remarkable coming-of-age story of survival, strength, and self-discovery. As a teenager determined to shape her own identity in a world that tried to confine her, she dives—again and a...
Jul 23, 2025•35 min•Ep. 206
In this episode of Big Blend Radio, author Sam Davey talks about her powerful new novel "The Chosen Queen," a feminist reimagining of the Pendragon prophecy told through the eyes of Igraine—Arthur’s mother and a woman of great strength, wisdom, and influence. Shifting the spotlight from kings and knights to queens and mothers, this is a story about power, destiny, and the women who shaped legend. Sam shares her inspiration behind the book, how she blends history and myth, and what it’s like to j...
Jun 25, 2025•26 min•Ep. 205
In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s World of Art podcast, artist and art historian Victoria Chick shares the remarkable life and legacy of Fanny Adele Watson (1873–1947), a pioneering American artist whose work—especially her landscapes and depictions of national parks—stood out in a male-dominated art world. The conversation explores Watson’s unique artistic voice, her influences, and the historical context of her career. Victoria also emphasizes the importance of preserving art and recognizin...
Jun 21, 2025•25 min•Ep. 204
Celebrate National Moonshine Day with this spirited episode of Big Blend Radio as we dive into the Moonshiner, Bootlegger, and Temperance history of Kansas. Featured guests include Kenneth J. Peak, author of Kansas Bootleggers and Kansas Temperance, and Phyllis Bitner, Chair of the Miners Hall Museum Foundation. This fascinating conversation explores the complex world of moonshining and bootlegging in Southeast Kansas, shedding light on the cultural, economic, and social factors that fueled the ...
Jun 05, 2025•52 min•Ep. 203
In this episode of Big Blend Radio's JEFFERSON HIGHWAY Show, we chat with Jordan Boyd, Executive Director of the Dobson Museum and Home in Miami, Oklahoma — a must-visit destination located along both the historic Jefferson Highway and Route 66. Discover how the Dobson Museum serves as a vibrant cultural hub, preserving the history of Ottawa County and honoring the vision of Nellie Dobson, who aimed to create a lasting memorial to her family and community. With original furnishings from the Dobs...
May 30, 2025•39 min•Ep. 202
In honor of Military Appreciation Month, this inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Women Making History” podcast shines a spotlight on the untold and often overlooked stories of women in wartime —from espionage to frontline heroism. Featured Guests: Glynn Burrows shares the legacies of nurse Edith Cavell and WWII’s Jeannie MacIntosh. 🔗 https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/ 📖 https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/what-does-memorial-weekend-mean-to-you/ Jo Clark honors Belle W. Baruch—American pilot, eq...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 201
Who was Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun—and why is one of history’s most successful female artists still relatively unknown? 📘 In this episode, historian and biographer Judith Lissauer Cromwell shares insights from her new book: “Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun: Portrait of an Artist, 1755–1842.” From 18th-century France to exile during the French Revolution, discover how this trailblazing portraitist overcame gender barriers to become a legend in her time. 🎧 Listen now + learn more: https://www...
May 17, 2025•36 min•Ep. 200
In this empowering episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Books & Authors Show" with Books Forward, we chat with debut author Deb Miller and her daughter Hadley Edwards about Deb’s inspiring new memoir, Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness (She Writes Press, June 24, 2025). Blending memoir with cultural commentary, Deb shares how she broke free from the traditional "happily-ever-after" narrative to embrace a life built on self-discovery, courage, and personal fulfillment. Together with Hadle...
May 14, 2025•52 min•Ep. 199
In this heartwarming and inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio, we raise a year-round toast to the incredible women who shape our lives — celebrating motherhood in all its forms. From powerful personal stories to fascinating insights into the animal kingdom and human history, this special show goes far beyond a single day of recognition. Nancy J. Reid & Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter duo behind Big Blend Radio, kick off the show with heartfelt reflections from their adventures as pet sitt...
May 11, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 198
In celebration of National Parks Week, we're revisiting this Big Blend Radio interview with landscape artist and soft pastelist Beth Williams, and her daughter, Hailey Williams who is a writer and poet. The very first pair of mother and daughter artists chosen for the National Parks Arts Foundation's artist-in-residence program, they spent September 2019 immersed in their artistic and environmental endeavors, on a pristine, isolated island at Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys. Beth ...
Apr 23, 2025•50 min•Ep. 197
The wine industry is experiencing a lot of change. From climate change and water issues to demographic spending shifts, wineries must navigate these changes to stay relevant and successful. This shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy" podcast focuses on Wine & Food Trends in Arizona, as well as the growing wine and culinary scene in Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale. ON THIS EPISODE: - PEGGY FIANDACA, along with her winemaker husband Curt Lawrence Dunham, owns and operates LD...
Apr 02, 2025•59 min•Ep. 196
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 ...
Mar 31, 2025•45 min•Ep. 195
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...
Mar 30, 2025•55 min•Ep. 194
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 Chic...
Mar 29, 2025•34 min•Ep. 193
Celebrate International Women in Music Day with this "Blast from the Past" episode of Big Blend Radio (2017) featuring Swedish performer, rock star and “field artist” Nina Söderquist. Hear about her music career and success in London's West End with the musical SPAMALOT, her music career, and single at the time “Goodbye”, a duet with Björn Skifs (Blue Swede, “Hooked on a Feeling”). More: www.NinaSoderquist.com
Mar 28, 2025•40 min•Ep. 192
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 Ame...
Mar 26, 2025•43 min•Ep. 191
Celebrate Women's History Month with this shared 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...
Mar 23, 2025•33 min•Ep. 190
Celebrate Women's History Month with this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" Podcast. Linda talks about seven formidable women in history that she admires, with two being inspirations behind her books "Wai-Nani" and "Embrace of the Wild." Hear about author Simone de Beauvoir, Ka’ahumanu who was the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great, adventurer and author Isabella Lucy Bird, Georgie White the "Wild Cat of the Colorado River," bush pilot and eq...
Mar 19, 2025•47 min•Ep. 189
This episode of Big Blend Radio’s 3rd Monday “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with IFWTWA features travel writer and author Emily Molina who discusses her book, "Tacoma's Tall Ship: The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey," out now through Arcadia Publishing. In 1978, the Odyssey, a 90-foot wooden yawl, arrived in Tacoma to serve as a training vessel and beloved landmark, standing tall in the harbor. Launched in 1938 off Nevins Boatyard in City Island, New York, the Odyssey spent four years trave...
Mar 17, 2025•34 min•Ep. 188
Happy St. Patrick's Day! With March being National Reading Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, and Women's History Month, we're revisiting this episode of Big Blend Radio featuring author and travel writer Anna Marie Jehorek. Hear about her travel adventures and two women’s fiction novels, “The Cottage on Lough Key" and “The House With the Georgian Door,” which are both set in Ireland. More: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01D1LMW2I In addition to writing contemporary women’s fiction she...
Mar 17, 2025•29 min•Ep. 187
Celebrate National Quilting Day with this "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show featuring fiber artist Nancy Hershberger, who talks about her experience as the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) artist-in-residence in Fort Union National Monument in Northern New Mexico. Nancy's art quilts have been shown in exhibitions in the US and internationally and she has been accepted and served as artist in residence for five residencies in units ...
Mar 15, 2025•37 min•Ep. 186
Travel blogger Kim Dinan quit her job, sold her home in Portland and convinced her husband to embark on a round-the-world travel adventure with no timeline or particular destination in mind. On the eve of their departure, they received an unusual going away gift from friends…a yellow envelope with $1,000 and three simple instructions for giving it away during their travels: Rule #1: Don’t over think it! Rule # 2: Share your experiences! (… if you want to) Rule # 3: Don’t feel pressured to give i...
Mar 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 185
In observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, listen to this "From the Vault" Big Blend Radio interview with Diane Reeve. Known as ‘The New Face of HIV’, Diane Reeve talks about how her ex-fiance cheated on her and knowingly infected her (along with numerous other women) with HIV. Her gut-wrenching journey for justice is documented in her memoir written with Jenna Glatzer, ‘Standing Strong: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Sisterhood and the Court Case that Made History.’ I...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 184
Celebrate Women's History Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show with Tanya Ortega, photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF). From musicians, poets and writers to painters and textile artists, Tanya talks about the various women NPAF artists-in-residence over the years, and you can hear their Big Blend Radio interviews in this playlist here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/women-artists-in-parks/ Nationa...
Mar 08, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 183
Lust, infidelity, and betrayal centered the historically famous Beecher-Tilton adultery trial where Theodore Tilton, his wife Elizabeth Tilton, and Reverend Henry Ward Beecher are exposed for their extramarital affairs, embodying the new 19th century concept of “free love.” This episode of Big Blend Radio's WAY BACK When History Show, author Barbara Southard discusses her historical fiction debut, “Unruly Human Hearts” where she brings life to the one voice unheard throughout the infamous case–t...
Mar 04, 2025•35 min•Ep. 182
Celebrate Women's History Month and National Reading Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio featuring members of the Tucson Sister in Crime who you can meet in their booth at the Tucson Festival of Books on March 15-16, 2025. FEATURED GUESTS - Eva Eldridge: https://evaeldridge.com/ - Millicent Eidson: https://drmayamaguire.com/ - Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski: https://annabartkowski.com/ - Kathy McIntosh: http://www.kathymcintosh.com/ - Paula F. Winskye: http://www.winskyebooks.com/ - Marty Eber...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 181
Celebrate Women's History Month and National Reading Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio with guest cohost Johnny Schaefer, and special guests in the world of books, words, and writing. 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/ - SHIRLEY SKUFCA HICKMAN - Author, memoirist, and educator. See on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 180
On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Show, author Paula Whyman discusses her memoir, "BAD NATURALIST: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop," out now through Timber Press. A few years ago, Paula Whyman decided to leave her Maryland / suburban DC empty nest to find a rural getaway -- maybe a small farmhouse where she could put her interest in conservation to work. With little experience in gardening or conservation, Whyman had a crazy idea to cultivat...
Mar 01, 2025•42 min•Ep. 179
In celebration of National Women Inventors Month (February) and Women's History Month (March), this women celebrates four noteworthy women inventors in history including chemist Marie Curie, chef Julia Child, actress Hedy Lamarr, and commerical artist Bette Nesmith Graham. Along with Big Blend Radio hosts Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid, this episode features: - Travel writer Jo Clark: https://haveglasswilltravel.com/ and https://recipestravelculture.com/ - Travel writer and photographer Sharon ...
Feb 26, 2025•19 min•Ep. 178
This episode of Big Blend Radio features a catch-up conversation with Dr. Kathy Gruver who talks about different ways to relieve stress, childhood trauma and internal family systems, and the world of psychedelics. Dr. Kathy Gruver is an award-winning author, professional speaker, hypnotherapist, and ACC life and executive certified coach with over 30 years of experience in mind/body medicine and human behavior. An entertainer and educator imbuing all her programs with practicality and passion. W...
Feb 20, 2025•52 min•Ep. 177
