Big Blend Radio "Quality of Life" podcasts and expert interviews that focus on health and wellness, family and parenting, education, personal development, style and beauty, and more.

Quality of Life Podcast - 2024-2025

Select Big Blend Radio "A Toast to The Arts" podcasts and interviews that focus on music, books, film, theater, dance, performing and visual arts, and entertainment.

A Toast to The Arts Podcast: 2024-2025

Aiming to inspire, educate, and entertain women and girls around the world, Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" podcast focuses on women in the past, present, and future, while also sharing success tips on living a happy and successful personal and professional life. Let's support each other:)

SHOWS DAILY FROM THE USA AT 10PM EST / 9PM CST / 8PM MST / 7PM PST.

Big Blend Radio is hosted by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines. Visit: https://blendradioandtv.com/ and https://nationalparktraveling.com/

Women Making History

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show features Tanya Ortega, photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who talks about the organization's unique month-long artist residencies in locations like Loggerhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and Chaco Canyon and Fort Union in Northern New Mexico. Hear about how these artist residency opportunities are perfect for artists of all mediums, from painters and sculptors to photographers, composers, writers, musicians, and more.

NPAF is a non-profit offering unique Artist-in-Residence Programs, Museum In-Loan Programs, and Workshops inspired by our National Parks, National Monuments, and World Heritage Sites. NPAF has supported over 300 programs, over 120 artists, and been the conduit for over a million dollars in artwork donations.  

Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

National Parks Arts Foundation Artist Residencies in 2024

This episode of Big Blend Radio celebrates 17 years of podcasting, plus the Big Weekly Blend podcast expanding to become the Big Daily Blend, and themed show that celebrates holidays and observances, pop culture and historic happenings. 

FEATURED GUESTS:
- Johnny Schaefer - Award-winning  vocalist and songwriter who co-hosts Big Daily Blend every 1st Sunday. More:  https://hearjohnny.com/
- Eva Eldridge – Travel writer and editor who writes various Big Blend publications. More: https://evaeldridge.com/
- Steve Schneickert - Actor, performer, and Big Blend Radio's Hollywood Historian. More: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/steve-schneickert-hollywood-history/

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “A work of art does not answer questions, it provokes them; and its essential meaning is in the tension between the contradictory answers.” Leonard Bernstein

BIG WINDY MUSIC MIX Playlist:
- YouTube: http://tinyurl.com/5n7b5szy
- Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/3jdtawvj

PUZZLE OF THE DAY: Big Windy Crossword Puzzle: http://tinyurl.com/46c38mpp

RECIPE OF THE DAY is the Ultimate Black Bean Burgers by Chef Candy Lesher: http://tinyurl.com/36wk672x

MOVIES & BOOKS OF THE DAY: "Gone with the Wind" and "The Wind in the Willows."

Big Blend Radio Celebrates 17 Years and a New Daily Podcast

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Soul Diving Sunday with Shelley" show, transformational life coach Shelley Whizin shares advice on how to face one's fears and embrace the adventure of following your dreams. Read her article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/face-your-fears-to-move-forward-on-your-dreams/

WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/isV4JySxM4g

Shelley Whizin is the founder and CEO of the Soul Diving Institute™ and author of "What Do You Bring to the Table? A Savory, Sensory and Inspirational Guide to Living a Yummy Delicious Life."  Keep up with her here: https://www.shelleywhizin.com/

Tune into Big Blend Radio's  "Soul Diving Sunday with Shelley" show every first Sunday here: https://tinyurl.com/5xmkm227

Shelley Whizin - Facing Your Fears to Follow Your Dreams

In celebration of National Fourth Grader Day that's observed every second Monday of January, this episode of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND podcast features Ivan Levin, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications for the National Park Trust, who discusses the organization's initiatives to introduce kids to parks where they can learn, play, and be inspired to become America’s strongest, most diverse generation of park stewards.

One of their key programs is Annual Kids To Parks Day, a national day of outdoor play celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. The day connects kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands through thousands of park events that promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors. More at https://parktrust.org/

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Of all the questions which can come before this nation, short of the actual preservation of its existence in a great war, there is none which compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land even a better land for our descendants than it is for us.” Theodore Roosevelt 

BOOK OF THE DAY is "The Great Weather Diviner" by Rob Long and Andrew Dolberg. Hear their Big Blend Radio interview: http://tinyurl.com/5ews6849

MUSIC OF THE DAY is the new "Bearings" album by traveling composer Ben Cosgrove. Hear his latest Big Blend Radio interview: http://tinyurl.com/57cumfvk

MOVIE OF THE DAY is Steve Schneickert's Hollywood History podcast on National Parks: http://tinyurl.com/2p9yhxsb

PUZZLE OF THE DAY is an online jigsaw puzzle of Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park. See: http://tinyurl.com/uwu3a29d

RECIPE OF THE DAY is a list of tips from cookbook author Ruth Milstein on planning a family picnic in the park.  See: http://tinyurl.com/pkb8snv9

Ivan Levin - Celebrating Kids in Parks

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Fahad Siddiqui, co-founder of Our Story Media Group that publish history books for kids promoting multicultural education and empathy. Watch this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rugQ6ZZnmJI

Our increasingly interconnected world demands a globally-focused education system for kids, which is why Fahad Siddiqui co-founded Our Story! With bright, colorful illustrations, the Our Story book series introduces kids to influential historical figures, many of whom are overlooked in Western curriculums. Written for children ages 8-12, Our Story books focus on historical role models such as Mansa Musa and Fatima Al-Fihri, inspiring kids to reach their full potential. Our Story is also partnering with CAMFED to fund a full day's education for a girl in need for each book purchased. 

Learn more at https://www.ourstory.media/

Fahad Siddiqui - Our Story Multicultural History Books for Kids

In celebration of International Creativity Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND podcast features Steve Piacente who shares how creativity is a key ingredient for the recipe of life. Hear about his books, life coaching practice, and new commercial photography venture. 

Steve Piacente is the owner of Next Phase Life Coaching, a novelist, photogragher, former journalist, and Director of Training at The Communication Center in Washington, D.C. His novels include, “Bella,” “Pretender,” and “Bootlicker.” His latest non-fiction book is “Your New Fighting Stance: Good Enough Isn’t, and You Know It.”  Steve’s books are available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/3rn6et9u

You can learn more about Steve's life coaching services at https://www.stevepiacente.com/ and view and purchase his photography at https://www.piacentephotos.com/

QUOTES OF THE DAY are:
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." (Einstein)
"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." (Jack London)

MUSIC OF THE DAY is "Here's to Life" by Shirley Horne.

MOVIES OF THE DAY: "Once Upon a Time in America," and "As Good as it Gets."

PUZZLE OF THE DAY is an online jigsaw puzzle of a deer in snow, photo by Steve Piacente. See: http://tinyurl.com/2tjby55s

Steve Piacente - Celebrating Creativity in Life

Edward C. Green is a medical anthropologist, former Harvard AIDS Prevention Project director, and former member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. 

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward he discusses his memoir, “On the Fringe: Confessions of a Maverick Anthropologist," that shares his personal and professional adventures as a rebel researcher and intrepid traveler.  "On the Fringe" is available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/ydmvf52n

For more about Books Forward, visit https://booksforward.com/

Author Edward C. Green - On The Fringe

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Stephen DiJoseph, a renowned Billboard-honored pianist, vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Hear about his partnership with Deko Entertainment (ADA/Warner Music Group) for his new record release, Songs Dreams Circumstance, that features 12 award-winning songs earning praise and recognition from critics and competitions. 

DiJoseph is reminiscent of such iconic and varied artists as Michael Hedges, Peter Gabriel, Keith Jarrett, Cat Stevens, and John Mayer. More at https://www.stephendijoseph.com/

Songs Dreams Circumstance

Stephen DiJoseph - Song Dreams Circumstance

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, award-winning author Michael J. Cooper discusses his latest historical fiction novel, "Wages of Empire." 

In the summer of 1914, 16-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves home to join the Great War for Civilization. Little does he know that, despite the war raging in Europe, the true source of conflict will emerge in Ottoman Palestine, since it's from Jerusalem where the German Kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor. Filled with such historical figures as Gertrude Bell, T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein and Chaim Weizmann, “Wages of Empire” follows Evan through the killing fields of the Western Front where he will help turn the tide of a war that is just beginning, and become part of a story that never ends.

Learn more at https://michaeljcooper.net/

Author Michael J. Cooper - Wages of Empire

Welcome to the very first episode of Big Blend Radio's NEW "Women Making History" podcast featuring a Big Blend Radio "From the Vault" podcast of our "Parks & The Arts" show featuring Tanya Ortega, an accomplished photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF). Hear about the new podcast, Tanya's photography career and NPAF's unique artist-in-residence programs in national park units across the country.

Check out Tanya's editorial Q&A about her photography: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/photography-art-insider-tanya-ortega

Listen to the Big Blend Radio Podcast Playlist of NPAF's Women Artists-in-Residence: https://soundcloud.com/bigblendradio/sets/npaf-women-artists 

Women's History within the National Parks Service: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/womenshistory/index.htm 

Follow this new Big Blend Radio "Women Making History" podcast: https://shows.acast.com/women-making-history

Tanya Ortega - Photographer and Founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation

This episode of Big BlendRadio features Sharon K. Kurtz, a world traveler, travel writer, and award-winning photographer. We are thrilled to have Sharon join our Big Blend Radio family of expert contributors!

Sharon is 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. Keep up with her Big Blend Radio podcast appearances and stories here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/sharon-kurtz-travel-writer-and-photographer/

Follow Sharon's adventures on her blog, https://sharonkkurtz.com/

Sharon Kurtz - Travel Writer & Award-Winning Photographer

This episode of Big Blend Radio features transformational life coach Shelley Whizin and mindset mentor Susan Rosenthal who share tips on how to transform challenges to joy and bridge one's personal and professional lives. Read Shelley's article about it here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/transforming-challenges-into-joy/

WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/30Wt88USJfw

SHELLEY WHIZIN is the founder and CEO of the Soul Diving Institute™ and author of "What Do You Bring to the Table? A Savory, Sensory and Inspirational Guide to Living a Yummy Delicious Life."  Keep up with her here: https://www.shelleywhizin.com/

SUSAN ROSENTHAL, President of World Markets Group, is a Mindset Mentor and Business Growth and Innovation strategist for professionals, entrepreneurs, companies and non-profit organizations worldwide.

Tune into Big Blend Radio's  "Soul Diving Sunday with Shelley" show every first Sunday here: http://tinyurl.com/2bjbectk

Shelley Whizin and Susan Rosenthal - Transforming Challenges to Joy

This episode of Big Blend Radio features a TUCSON SISTERS IN CRIME panel discussion with some of the member writers and authors who will be at this year's Tucson Festival of Books, held March 9 & 10, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. Hear about their writing, books, and inspirations, plus, some of the short stories featured in the Tucson Sister in Crime book, "Trouble in Tucson: A Left Coast Anthology."

Featured Guests:
- Editor Eva Eldridge: http://evaeldridge.com
- Elaine A Powers: https://elaineapowers.com/
- Janet Alcorn: https://janetalcorn.com/
- Susan Cummins Miller: http://www.susancumminsmiller.com 
- Kathy McIntosh: http://www.kathymcintosh.com/
- Marty Eberhardt: https://martyeberhardt.com/
- Lauryn Christopher: https://www.laurynchristopher.com 
- Laurie Fagan: https://www.readlauriefagen.com/
- DR Ransdell: https://www.dr-ransdell.com/

Also, listen to the Big Blend Radio podcast covering some of the stories in the anthology, "Trouble in Tucson, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/trouble-in-tucson-anthology/

Learn more about the Tucson Sisters in Crime at https://www.tucsonsistersincrime.org/

Tucson Sisters in Crime Authors and Writers

In honor of Women's History Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Military Monday" Show features award-winning military historian and author Mike Guardia, who discusses the life and legacy of Julia Compton Moore, the wife of Lieutenant General Hal Moore. During the Vietnam War, Julia worked with the US Army to set up survivor support networks and casualty notification teams consisting of uniformed officers, which are still in use. 

Along with over 20 other military history books, Mike Guardia is the author of the widely acclaimed biography “Hal Moore: A Soldier Once…and Always,” that chronicles the life of LTG Harold G. Moore, whose battlefield leadership was popularized by the film “We Were Soldiers,” starring Mel Gibson. He is also the author of "Hal Moore on Leadership," and "Hal Moore: A Life in Puctures." His newly released book is “Fire in the Hole: Tales of Combat with the 1st Engineer Battalion in Vietnam.” More: https://mikeguardia.com/  

Mike Guardia appears on Big Blend Radio's military history shows every 1st Monday. Follow his podcast here: https://tinyurl.com/wkezexvb

Mike Guardia - The Life and Legacy of Julia Compton Moore

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features award-winning author Janine Kovac who discusses her memoir, "The Nutcracker Chronicles," that blends her personal life with the events in ballet’s most famous show: “The Nutcracker.” 

Out now, "The Nutcracker Chronicles” tells the story of Janine’s pursuit of an elusive dream that compels her to endure blistered toes, weekly weigh-ins, second-hand pointe shoes, and constant insults from her directors. Why can’t you just dance like a pretty girl?  

JANINE KOVAC enjoyed a twelve-year career as a professional ballet dancer in Iceland, Italy, San Francisco, and her hometown of El Paso, Texas. She is the author of “Brain Changer: A Mother’s Guide to Cognitive Science” and “Spinning: Choreography for Coming Home." More at: https://www.janinekovac.com/   

More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/

Janine Kovac - The Nutcracker Chronicles

Select Big Blend Radio interviews that are featured in the digital, interactive Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine. Hosted by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, mother-daughter travel team and publishers.