Way Back When

Celebrate the end of National Book Month and Family History with this episode of Big Blend Radio featuring debut novelist Joanne Howard. Hear about her historical fiction debut "Sleeping in the Sun" that was inspired by her family history and shares the story of how unlikely friends uncover the cruel reality of British-led India.  Out now through She Writes Press, "Sleeping in the Sun" transports readers to the past where a young American and his Indian servant must face the reality behind a faithful family friend and the consequences of knowing this truth. It's a must-read for fans of "The Poisonwood Bible" and "The Inheritance of Loss." More at https://www.joannehowardwrites.com/ 

From Germany and Poland, to England, New Orleans, Salem, Connecticut, Virginia, and South Carolina, this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast focuses on Women Who were Shunned as Witches Throughout in History. FEATURED GUESTS - MATT COST, award-winning author of history and mysteries, discusses the life and legacy of Marie Laveau, known as the "Voodoo Queen of New Orleans." More about Matt's books: https://www.mattcost.net/  - KATHLEEN WALLS, travel writer & author, talks about her visit to the Wizard of Oz Museum in Kansas, and Grace Sherwood, known as the "Witch of Pungo" in Virginia Beach. Check out Katy's story about her adventures in Kansas: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/theres-something-odd-in-kansas/  - ARYN YOUNGLESS, a writer and genealogist, talks about witch panic and trials in the US and how to research any possible witchy family history. Read her blog post about it all here: https://genealogybyaryn.substack.com/p/i-danced-for-the-devil?  - BARBARA REDDING, travel writer, talks about how both Germany and Poland were superstitious about witches in the Middle Ages and how hundreds of poor women were burned at the stake due to no fault of their own.  Follow Barbara's world travels at https://barbararedding.com/  - JO CLARK, travel writer and photographer, talks about  Mary Ingleman, the main target of the witch trials that took place in Winnsboro, South Carolina in 1792. Keep up with Jo's adventures and podcast at https://www.haveglasswilltravel.com/  - JUDY KARNIA, travel writer, talks about her "witchy" and "non-witchy"  experiences in Salem, Massachusetts, known for its famous witch trials in 1692. Read her travel story, here: https://rovology.com/united-states/more-than-witches-art-and-history-in-salem-ma/  Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast features a new panel discussion every 4th Wednesday. Follow the show here: https://women-making-history.podbean.com/   This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend" and "Way Back When" Podcast Channels. Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Celebrate National Family History Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When" History Show that features a panel discussion with avid family history researchers who share some of their genealogy journeys.  FEATURED GUESTS: - GLYNN BURROWS - Family history expert and owner of Norfolk Tours in England. See: https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/  - JO CLARK – Travel writer and photographer. See: https://www.haveglasswilltravel.com/ and https://recipestravelculture.com/  - LISA EVANS – Travel writer and author. See: https://writerlisa.com/  - CLIFFORD GARSTANG – Editor, writer, and author. See: https://cliffordgarstang.com/  - KIMBERLY HESS– Author of "A Lesser Mortal: The Unexpected Life of Sarah B. Cochran.” See:  https://unexpectedlifeofsarahbcochran.com/  - JOHNNY SCHAEFER - Singer/songwriter. See: https://hearjohnny.com/  - ERYNN LEIGH – Writer and author. See: https://erynnleigh.com/  - ANNA BARTKOWSKI – Author and family heirloom collector. See: https://annabartkowski.com/  - KATHLEEN WALLS – Travel writer and author. See: https://americanroads.net/  and https://katywalls.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast features science journalist and author Lisa M. Baril, author of "The Age of Melt: What Glaciers, Ice Mummies, and Ancient Artifacts Teach Us about Climate, Culture, and a Future without Ice." Around the world, ice has preserved some of history’s most fascinating artifacts, such as the skeleton of an Iron Age horse, wooden arrows with bird-feather fletching, and even a baby mammoth. Yet, these incredible pieces of history were only discovered as the ice began to do what we all feared: melt.  Lisa M. Baril traveled all over the world studying ice and its effect on humans. In THE AGE OF MELT, she explores the shifting view that humans have long held of glaciers—from fear, to awe, to conquest. More:  https://www.lisabaril.com/  Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast airs every 2nd and 4th Friday in collaboration with Margot Carrera, a fine art nature photographer who is passionate about the environment. More: http://margotcarrera.etsy.com/  This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" and "Way Back When" podcast channels. Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast focuses on women who have and do save lives. FEATURED GUESTS - GLYNN BURROWS, historian and owner of Norfolk Tours UK talks about nurses Florence Nightingale Edith Cavell, and author and animal advocate Anna Sewell. Read his article about these historic and noteworthy English ladies, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/historic-english-women-who-saved-lives/  - SHARON K. KURTZ, travel writer and photographer, talks about Harriet Tubman who led approximately 70 enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Read here article here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/harriet-tubman-a-legacy-of-courage-and-compassion/  - ARYN YOUNGLESS, a writer and genealogist, talks about the 1916 film called "Perils of Our Girl Reporters," which was about female reporters, including the famous Nellie Bly, who only ever published under the name "Girl Reporters" so they could tell the world about things such as women in asylums and sanitoriums, that would otherwise go unreported. Learn more about Aryn, here: https://www.genealogybyaryn.com/   - LISA D. SMITH, Big Blend Host, talks about cardiologist and best-selling author Dr. Jacqueline Eubany. Check out Dr. Jackie's "Doctor Insider" Q&A here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/doctor-insider-dr-jacqueline-eubany/  ** Plus, hear about Anne E. Lowry's novel, "The Blue Trunk," that's based on her great-great aunt who was institutionalized in an insane asylum: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/ann-e-lowry-the-blue-trunk/ 

Happy National Family Day! This episode of Big Blend Radio features award-winning author Francine Falk-Allen. A fan of genealogy research, Francine enjoyed uncovering her family’s history, and traced both her maternal and paternal ancestors back to the 1600s. She never imagined that one day she’d discover a jaw-dropping family secret. Based on a true story, Falk-Allen’s “A Wolff in the Family” (She Writes Press, Oct. 1, 2024) is a riveting saga of prejudice, passion, and revenge. What mysterious scandals led a father to abandon his five youngest children—and the elder siblings to keep their shame a secret for eighty years? More at: https://francinefalk-allen.com/  This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend," "A Toast to The Arts," "Women Making History," and "Way Back When" Podcast Channels. Follow our Big Blend Radio Network of Shows, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Discover the Historical, Cultural, and Traditional Roots of Louisiana's Oldest City on this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Go to Natchitoches” Podcast with K. Nicole Connell of the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hear about the historic sites, movie locations, and fun fall festivals, events, and activities the whole family can enjoy! 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.  Plan Your Visit to Natchitoches and check out the event calendar at https://natchitoches.com/  Follow Big Blend Radio's "Go to Natchitoches" show and check out the past episodes here: https://natchitoches-louisiana.podbean.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When" Show features Jeff Reed, showrunner and cinematographer of the new National Geographic series, "National Parks: USA." From Zion and Yellowstone to Katmai, the Everglades and Olympic, this five-part series features a blend of wildlife weaved seamlessly with stories of rich culture, history and geological landmarks. As Jeff shares, NATIONAL PARKS: USA reveals Indigenous stories from some of today’s tribes, linking the past with the present, and highlighting the importance these lands have had through countless generations and the need for these national treasures to remain for the future. Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/z42Ph8A2Uh8?feature=shared  Starting Sept. 8, 2024, "National Parks: USA" Is available on the National Geographic channel on Hulu: https://on.natgeo.com/3Qor0Ko  Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Military Monday" Show with award-winning military historian and author Mike Guardia honors two Hispanic US Military Heroes, Alfred Velazquez Rascon and Raul Perez "Roy" Benavidez. ALFRED VELAZQUEZ RASCON is a retired US Army lieutenant colonel. In 2000, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as a medic near Long Khánh Province during the Vietnam War. On more than one occasion Rascon exposed himself to enemy fire and grenades by covering the bodies of those whom he was aiding with his own. In addition to Vietnam, Rascon also served as a medical officer in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  MASTER SERGEANT RAUL PEREZ "ROY" BENAVIDEZ was a US Army soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valorous actions in combat near Lộc Ninh, South Vietnam on May 2, 1968, while serving as a member of the United States Army Special Forces during the Vietnam War. MIKE GUARDIA is the author of over 20 other military history books including  "The Combat Diaries: True Stories from the Frontlines of World War II." His latest book is the Amazon best-seller, “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://mike-guardia-military-monday.podbean.com/ 

Celebrate Military Monday and Music Monday with this episode of Big Blend Radio that features professional theater writer, producer, and author Steve Wallis. Hear about "Hannah: The Soldier Diaries," a powerful story of love, loss, and hope that takes listeners through a theater-like experience, with an audiobook that immerses listeners in an emotionally charged narrative from the comfort of their own homes.  Wallis invites listeners to meet Hannah as she begins a relationship with Lance Corporal Jack Webb in summer 2012 and is quickly smitten. Hannah has to decide quickly whether to embark on a whirlwind affair or walk away, as the couple only has four weeks together before Jack has to return to the army to fight in the Afghan War. More: https://hannahthesoldierdiaries.co.uk/  

In honor of Women's Equality Day (Aug. 26), this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When" Show focuses on Sarah B  Cochran, The Justice Bell, and Pennsylvania’s Women’s Suffrage Movement.  FEATURED GUESTS: - KIMBERLY HESS - Author of "A Lesser Mortal: The Unexpected Life of Sarah B. Cochran." From expanding her company, to becoming a respected benefactor of her community, often rivaling the efforts of more well-known philanthropists such as Andrew Carnegie, this biography covering the life and legacy of "The Coal Queen," reveals the little-known story of a woman from American history who was constantly doing the unthinkable. More: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/author-kimberly-hess-a-lesser-mortal/  - AMANDA OWEN - Founder of the Justice Bell Foundation, a non-profit  organization whose mission is to educate, inspire and mobilize current and future voters. With programs for schools, a film about the women’s suffrage movement, and a public art Justice Bell replica, the Justice Bell Foundation is committed to highlighting women’s contributions in the struggle for voting rights and inspiring people to register to vote and become engaged citizens. More: https://www.justicebell.org/  - DAVID L. WOODRUM, alumni historian who provides another perspective of Sarah B. Cochran's philanthropy work. - BERT SESLER is the organist at Asbury United Methodist Church in Uniontown. He plays the pipe organ that Sarah B. Cochran donated to the church in 1919 (as heard at the start of this episode). This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" and "Big Daily Blend" Channels. Follow our Big Blend Radio Network of Shows, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

In celebration of American Artists Appreciation Month and the upcoming National Park Service anniversary (Aug. 25, 1860), this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick features photographer Tanya Ortega. Hear their discussion covering the Then & Now of Art and Artists in Parks and Public Lands.  Talking about the history of art and artists in parks, VICTORIA CHICK is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Victoria spearheaded the Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center  . * Read her articles about artists in parks:  https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/art-history-in-national-parks-and-public-lands  * Visit Victoria's website:  https://victoriachick.com/  * Learn more about the Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/  Talking about "the now" of art and artists in parks, TANYA ORTEGA is a photographer and the founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation. NPAF is the only nationwide non-profit providing Artist-in-Residence Programs (AiR), Workshops, Exhibits and Museum Loans uniquely in cooperation with National Parks, National Monuments, State Parks, World Heritage Sites and other park locations.  * Learn more about NPAF: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/  * Check out Big Blend Radio's Interviews with NPAF artists-in-residence: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/national-park-arts-foundation/   WATCH FOR BIG BLEND'S special digital retrospective publication featuring Victoria's articles and NPAF's artist interviews. It releases on Aug. 25, 2024 in honor of the National Park Service anniversary (Aug. 25, 1860). Subscribe to our Big Blend e-Newsletter to get your copy: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/join-our-newsletter/  Big Blend Radio's "World of Art" Show with Victoria Chick airs every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast:  https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/  Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks Show with NPAF airs every 1st Friday. Follow the podcast: https://arts-parks.podbean.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio features award-winning author Matt Cost who discusses "City Gone Askew," the latest novel in his "A Brooklyn 8 Ballo Mystery" series.  "City Gone Askew" takes us back to Brooklyn in the Roaring '20s and Hungarian private eye, 8 Ballo, who is hired by Theda Lazar Vogel to prove that her husband was murdered. His colorful cast of friends returns, as well as legendary figures such as Dorothy Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Bugsy Siegel, and Lucky Luciano. More about Matt Cost and his books: https://www.mattcost.net/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio shares the story of Fay Fuller, the first woman to climb Mount Rainier in Washington. She first reached the summit on August 10, 1890, and climbed the mountain again in 1897. Read by Big Blend Radio host Lisa D. Smith, from this story: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/climbing-above-paradise/  This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend," "Women Making History," "Way Back When," and "Parks & Travel" Podcasts. Check out the Big Blend Radio Network of Shows, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

It's National Family Fun Month which offers us all a good reason to deep dive into our Family History! Spending time with grandparents, aunts and uncles or cousins? Maybe ask them about some of those forgotten family stories and then follow up on them. Today's episode of Big Blend Radio's WAY BACK WHEN History Show features genealogist and writer Aryn Youngless who specializes in piecing together ancestry mysteries and crafting keepsake family history books. She combines genealogy research with a passion for telling captivating stories. More at https://www.genealogybyaryn.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Military Monday" Show with award-winning military historian and author Mike Guardia, focuses on the Battle of Okinawa.  Codenamed "Operation Iceberg," the Battle of Okinawa was the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War. It was fought on the island of Okinawa by US Army and US Marine Corps forces against the Imperial Japanese Army.  Mike Guardia is the author of over 20 other military history books including  "The Combat Diaries: True Stories from the Frontlines of World War II." His latest book is the Amazon best-seller, “Fire in the Hole: Tales of Combat with the 1st Engineer Battalion in Vietnam.” More: https://mikeguardia.com/      @MikeGuardiaAuthor  appears on Big Blend Radio's military history shows every 1st Monday. Follow his podcast here: https://mike-guardia-military-monday.podbean.com/ 

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, Lance Laber, Executive Director of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, talks about southwest artist Ted DeGrazia's "Cabeza de Vaca" collection. The story of the ill-fated Spanish expedition is told in this collection that includes sketches, watercolors, oils and enamels. DeGrazia read extensively about the adventures of the Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, known as the first non-Native American to travel into what are now the states of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Learn more and have fun with the online jigsaw puzzle of DeGrazia's Cactus Painting from the collection: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/artist-ted-degrazias-cabeza-de-vaca-collection/  DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre historic landmark nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. Opened in 1965, it is home to over 15,000 originals of Ted DeGrazia art pieces including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. There are six permanent collections on display and several rotating exhibitions each year. More: http://www.degrazia.org/  This Big Blend Radio "Tales of Ted DeGrazia" podcast airs every 4th Sunday. Follow the show here: https://ted-degrazia.podbean.com/ 

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" show with Glynn Burrows, he shares some of the historic and recreational highlights not to be missed in Stratford-Upon-Avon in England. Read Glynn's article about his visit to the birthplace of William Shakespeare, here:  https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/a-visit-to-stratford-upon-avon-shakespeares-birthplace/  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://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm2IK_1Zfh-xJ9eEVYhqqC3Z  Learn more about Norfolk Tours at https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Historic Jefferson Highway" Show focuses on the Military Vehicle Preservation Association's epic upcoming convoy on the Jefferson Highway. Held October 1-31, 2024, the convoy will run from Minnesota to Louisiana. Learn more: https://www.mvpa.org/convoys  Featured guests are Roger Bell - President of the Jefferson Highway Association, and MVPA Convoy organizers Chuck Toney and John Varner.  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. Learn more at https://jeffersonhighway.org/  This Big Blend Radio "Historic Jefferson Highway" Podcast airs every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST. Follow the show here: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/ 

Celebrate National Pioneer Day with today's episode of Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast that focuses on Pioneering Women of the Past & Present. FEATURED GUESTS - GLYNN BURROWS, historian and owner of Norfolk Tours UK talks about social reformer Octavia Hill. Read his article about her: https://tinyurl.com/mr2chjv7  - LINDA BALLOU, travel writer and author, talks about equestrian explorer Isabella Bird, the inspiration behind her novel, "Embrace of the Wild." More:  http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/  - KIMBERLY HESS, genealogist and author, talks about philanthropist Sarah B. Cochran "The Coal Queen," the subject of her biography, "A Lesser Mortal" which is available on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/43a5hsfa  - SHARON K. KURTZ, travel writer and photographer, talks about Alaskan frontier woman Fannie Quigley. Sharon wrote about her in "History Magazine." Read her story here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxb7shd  - KATHLEEN WALLS, travel writer and author, talks about country singer Patsy Cline, who she wrote about in her book, "American Music: Born in the USA - A History of American Music," which is available on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/44znn8ut - ELAINE MASTERS, travel writer and author, talks about renaissance woman Eileen Gregory who created a sustainable luxury getaway that showcases art, local wines, and more in Guadalupe Valley, in Baja California, Mexico. Read Elaine's story about her visit here: https://tinyurl.com/yccanc4h - JO CLARK, travel writer and photographer, talks about ranchers and restaurateurs Carla George and Connie Hale, The Buffalo Gals of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Read her story on them: https://tinyurl.com/3wf4jn6u  - JOHNNY SCHAEFER, composer and vocalist, spotlights Teresa Tudury, an acclaimed singer-songwriter, comedienne, and host of the radio show "Live From the Doublewide." Learn more about her at https://teresatudury.com/ and keep up with Johnny at https://hearjohnny.com/  Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast airs daily, with new panel discussions every 4th Wednesday. Follow the show here: https://women-making-history.podbean.com/