Big Blend Radio

An irresistible compulsion to travel and a nervous affliction: put these together and you get the collywobbles, that jittery feeling one gets from anxiety. This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Vacation Station" Travel Show features author and world traveler Faye Brenner who chats about some of her travel experiences and her book "Collywobbles: Tales of Travel, Life, and Anxiety." Part memoir and part travelogue, "Collywobbles" takes readers on amusing journeys from climbing up to the gargoyles atop Notre Dame to crawling through the Cu Chi tunnels in Vietnam, all the while wrought with multiple anxieties - from the fear of heights to the fear of getting lost. As she seeks ways to overcome her angst, Faye continues to pursue worldly pleasures in the arts, food, phalluses, and, oddly enough, toilets. More at https://www.fayebrenner.com/

Guitarist Michael Kessler joins Big Blend Radio for a fun conversation about his music and new album "Gravel Road," the Wisconsin music scene, plus, being a Horologist (a person that makes or repairs watches or clocks). Kessler worked with Milwaukee producer/musician/engineer Gary Tanin at Daystorm Music to take on the full-length album "Gravel Road." Primarily a solo affair with guest musicians, Kessler recruited Georgia Rae to add fiddle while Tanin enlisted Chicken Wire Empire’s Ernest Brusubardis IV (fiddle) and Joe Vent on Bass. On "Gravel Road," Kessler draws influence from Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Funk, and Blues resulting in an acoustic melting pot. The album is out now in all digital outlets.

This episode of Big Blend Radio celebrates Earth Month and National Poetry Month with Lauren Martin who discusses her book, "Night of the Hawk: Poems" which will be out on May 14, 2024 through She Writes Press. A powerful and wise poetry collection on shamanism, feminism, and disability, "Night of the Hawk" tells untold stories of the marginalized. Inspired by the Lauren's own experiences as an aging woman living with chronic illness, the poems in this collection will inspire readers to seek compassion and kindness in an often inhospitable world. LAUREN MARTIN is a psychotherapist, poet, and a devoted Ìyânífá. She lives in Oakland, California. Lauren studied poetry at Sarah Lawrence College. She spent years writing without submitting her work due to a long shamanic journey, which led her to both Ifá, and to the writing of this collection of poems. More at: https://www.laurenmartin.net/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND Celebrates April being International Guitar Month, Jazz Apprecation Month, and National Poetry Month. Special guest is Joey Stuckey, Music Ambassador of Macon, Georgia "The Southern Rock Capital of the World. Joey, who co-hosts the Big Daily Blend podcast every 4th Sunday, is an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, and sound engineer. More: https://www.joeystuckey.com/ BIG BLEND RADIO EXTRAS: * International Guitar & Jazz Music Playlist on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2wd3886f * Poet Seaborn Jones on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2cre7den

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" show with Glynn Burrows, he shares some of the historic highlights not to be missed in Edinburgh, Scotland including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and Mary King's Close. Read Glynn's article about his visit to Edinburgh here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/over-the-border-to-historic-edinburgh-scotland/ Glynn Burrows is the owner of Norfolk Tours in England. He appears on Big Blend Radio every fourth Saturday covering England as a travel destination as well as family history research. Follow his podcasts here: https://tinyurl.com/4bjzn3um Learn more about Norfolk Tours at https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/

From Joshua Tree National Park to the fascinating Integratron, it's all about Great Road Tripping Adventures on this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's 4th Saturday “Palm Springs Sunshine Stays” Show. FEATURED GUESTS: * KIMBERLI MUNKRES from Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels, a consortium of independently-owned boutique hotels in the desert resort community of Palm Springs, in Southern California. View the hotels and sign up the the monthly Boutiquely Palm Springs newsletter here: https://www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com/ * SANDI HEMMERLEIN is a writer and photojournalist. Based in L.A. but constantly on the prowl for new adventure, she spends most of her time nurturing her interest in birds, animals, neon, historic theaters, puppets, folk art, trains, and stained glass. Sandi documents everything on her own website https://www.avoidingregret.com which complements her work for PBS SoCal (as producer of the digital series SoCal Wanderer), Atlas Obscura, Los Angeles Magazine, Stacker, and many others. * KEVIN CARLOW has been a seeker of the strange and mysterious since his early childhood, spent reading in dusty corners of libraries and running amok in the woods of Massachusetts. While making a living in the service industry full-time in the Coachella Valley these days, he also has years of experience blogging and writing professionally about topics as varied as cocktails, movies, and tarot-reading. More: https://crypticcocktails.com/ Follow this Big Blend Radio Podcast here: https://palm-springs-sunshine-stays.podbean.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast features Cheryl Leutjen, author of "Love Earth Now: The Power of Doing One Thing Every Day." As a geologist, environmental law attorney, spiritual practitioner and, most importantly, devoted mother, Cheryl understands that most people don’t have an endless reservoir of time, money and energy to devote to Earth-friendly practices. That’s why she wrote "Love Earth Now," a candid, often humorous exploration that reveals her own imperfect journey toward living an eco-friendly lifestyle. Each chapter includes gentle prompts to help readers uncover their own capacity for making meaningful changes, one step at a time. More: https://loveearthnow.us/ Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast airs every 4th Friday in collaboration with Margot Carrera, a fine art nature photographer who is passionate about the environment. More: http://margotcarrera.etsy.com/

While the 11th Annual Jefferson Highway Conference is happening in Alexandria, Louisiana (April 24-27, 2024), this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Jefferson Highway" Show focuses on the experiences you can have in Louisiana on the Jefferson Highway Trail and just a few miles beyond. 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. FEATURED GUESTS: - ROGER BELL, President of the Jefferson Highway Association. Info: https://jeffersonhighway.org/ - ARLENE GOULD, Executive Director of the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau: https://natchitoches.com/ LOUISIANA THEMED SPOTIFY MUSIC PLAYLIST created by Roger Bell: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2UdElnINGuWASVLQu6oToG?si=a59ee2ee5a374f3f BIG BLEND RADIO PLAYLIST OF PODCASTS COVERING LOUISIANA: https://soundcloud.com/bigblendradio/sets/jefferson-highway-louisiana LOUISIANA ARTICLES & PODCASTS ON NationalParkTraveling.com: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing-category/louisiana-articles/

In celebration of National Park Week, this episode of Big Blend Radio features travel writer Debbie Stone who shares her adventures in New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. New River Gorge National Park conserves over 70,000 acres of land along the New River between the towns of Hinton and Fayetteville within the central part of southern WVA. This is the newest National Park in the U.S., having been granted this status in 2020, bringing the total number of National Parks to 63. Read Debbie's article about her experiences here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/exploring-west-virginias-new-river-gorge-national-park/

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" podcast with attorney Ward Heinrichs, hear why California employers should carefully consider how to fire employees and be aware of California severance, non-compete and defamation issues. Read Ward's article outlining it all here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/california-severance-non-compete-defamation-issues/ WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/AS9eybwG5GE Based in San Diego, California, Ward represents both employers and employees in almost all areas of labor law. More: https://bestemploymentattorneysandiego.com/ Ward Heinrichs appears on Big Blend Radio very 4th Wednesday. Follow his podcast appearances here: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/

In Celebration of National Park Week, we are featuring this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast, where Debbie talks about her hiking adventures in El Chaltén, a small, Patagonian mountain town known as the “National Capital of Trekking” in Argentina. Located in the Southern Andes, in Los Glaciares National Park, El Chaltén is set amid a valley between two rivers, at the foot of the unmistakable Cerro Chaltén or Mt. Fitz Roy. Check out Debbie's article and photos, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/el-chalten-hiking-adventures-in-argentine-patagonia And, learn more about her experiences at Estancia Cerro Guido that borders the eastern side of Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chilean Patagonia: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/immerse-yourself-in-the-soul-stirring-landscape-of-patagonia/ Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" podcast airs every 4th Tuesday. Follow the podcast here: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast, Debbie shares her adventures in Southern Patagonia, Chile. Hear about her experiences at Estancia Cerro Guido that borders the eastern side of Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chilean Patagonia. The ranch covers an area of roughly 250,000 acres and is the largest estancia in the area. Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the Eighth Wonder of the World. Read her story here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/immerse-yourself-in-the-soul-stirring-landscape-of-patagonia/ Check out Debbie's adventures in El Chalten, Argentine Patagonia: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/el-chalten-hiking-adventures-in-argentine-patagonia/ Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" podcast airs every 4th Tuesday. Follow the podcast here: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/

After working in the climate-tech industry for the past fifteen years, debut author Aaron Arsenault is excited to inspire readers ages 9-12 to combat climate change. On this episode of Big Blend Radio, he discusses his climate fiction novel, “The Climate Diaries, Book One: The Academy” (Borrowed Planet Press, April 2024). "The Climate Diaries: Book One," takes readers on an eco-adventure with troublemaker Jax Wilkinson, who is recruited by a top secret organization dedicated to preparing the next generation of climate-fighters. Learn more at https://www.aaronarsenault.com/

In celebration of National Chickpea Day (April 21), this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Cooking with Ruth" Show features Ruth Milstein who talks about the health benefits of eating chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, and the various ways to prepare them. See Ruth's Spicy Chicpea-Rice Burger Recipe here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/spicy-chickpea-rice-burgers-with-bbq-sauce/ Ruth Milstein is the author of the Gourmand awarding-winning recipe book, "Cooking with Love: Ventures Into the New Israeli Cuisine." Learn more here: https://www.ruthmilstein.com/ Listen to Big Blend Radio's 3rd Sunday "Cooking with Ruth" podcasts here: https://tinyurl.com/yr9jp58n

In celebration of National Park Week, this episode of Big Blend Radio with artist Victoria Chick is all about the art, life and legacy of George Catlin. George Catlin was an American painter, author, and traveler, who specialized in portraits of Native Americans in the American frontier. Many of the places he traveled through are parts of our National Park Service today. He explored the American West five times during the 1830s, and wrote about and painted portraits that depicted the life of the Plains Indians. Read Victoria's article about him here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/american-artist-author-traveler-george-catlin VICTORIA CHICK is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/ Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3an38624

Celebrated composer and guitarist Jon Durant joins us on this episode of Big Blend Radio's TOAST TO THE ARTS podcast where he discusses his new album "Momentarily." It's an amalgamation of transcultural, jazz-related styles, that gives way to euphoric, universally relatable grooves and soundscapes. A trio recording featuring Durant alongside longtime musical partners Colin Edwin (bass) and Andi Pupato (drums/percussion), both legends in their own right, this musical jewel showcases rare mastery through individually compelling tracks and comprehensive arc. More at https://jondurant.bandcamp.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's SOUL JOURNEY DOULA podcast with death doula Lea Brovedani focuses on earth-friendly memorials and burials. Featured guest is Alethea Valley, General Manager of the Point Arena Forest for Better Place Forests. Better Place Forests offers a sustainable memorial within a protected place in the forest for ashes of a loved one to be returned to the earth. Each tree can accommodate more than one loved one and also beloved pets (which is not allowed in traditional settings). The beautiful, peaceful setting is sustainable and safe for trees and the wider forest ecosystem. More: https://www.betterplaceforests.com/ Sustainable Memorials Aligns with Lea's 5 Pillars of Support as a Death Doula: * Spirit - Uphold beliefs and practices * Emotion - Honor feelings * Mind - Life review and gleaning meaning * Body - Increase comfort, health and safety * Practical - Create completions Learn more about Lea's work at https://souljourneydoula.com/ Follow the podcast here: http://tinyurl.com/b6c9jfnu

Is escorted travel for you? On this episode of Big Blend Radio's Vacation Station "Hey Wanna Go" Travel Show with travel advisor Cheryl Ogle, hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly about escorted travel. See her blog post that outlines it all here: https://heywannago.wordpress.com/2024/04/09/benefits-of-escorted-travel On Big Blend Radio every third Wednesday, Cheryl is a world traveler, accredited travel advisor, and owner of Hey Wanna Go that specializes in travel to Europe and the UK, as well as river and ocean cruises. More: https://heywannago.com/

From the Okavango Delta in Botswana to Zambia and Zimbabwe, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" podcast highlights some of Linda's amazing adventures in Southern Africa. You can read her story about the Botsawana elephants in Linda's book, "Lost Angel Unleashed," and about her safari adventures on NABBW.org here: https://nabbw.com/expert-columns/travel/botswana-highlights-on-the-ultimate-safari/ Follow Linda's adventures at https://lostangeladventures.com/ and learn more about her books at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ Listen to Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Show every 3rd Wednesday at High Noon PST, here on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm3Bmktgu8osUzx2VOF35dgO&feature=shared Photos featured are by Linda Ballou and Tom Schwab.

With National Park Week (April 20-28), Earth Day (April 22), Arbor Day (April 27), Junior Ranger Day (April 27), and Kids to Parks Day (May 18) coming up, this episode of Big Blend Radio's 3rd Tuesday "Go to Natchitoches" show is all the various parks, historic sites and trails, and events you can experience in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Featured guest is K. Nicole Connell, Communication Manager of Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau, who talks about events and destinations such Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Melrose Plantation, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, El Camino Real de las Tejas National Historic Trail, the historic Jefferson Highway, Briarwood Nature Reserve, and Kisatchie National Forest. Founded in 1714, Natchitoches is the original French Colony and oldest settlement in Louisiana. Celebrating a vibrant blend of French, Spanish, African, Native American, and Creole cultures, this charming city is part of the Cane River National Heritage Area and Louisiana’s No Man’s Land. More about Natchitoches and its current events at https://natchitoches.com/ Follow Big Blend Radio's "Go to Natchitoches" show here: http://tinyurl.com/yc8csn8b