Way Back When

Miners Hall Museum in Franklin, Kansas

On this episode Big Blend Radio’s “Historic Jefferson Highway” Show we journey to Franklin, Southeast Kansas, to spotlight the Miners Hall Museum, located right on the historic Jefferson Highway. Our featured guest is Phyllis Bitner, Chair of the Miners Hall Museum Foundation, who shares powerful insights into the region’s coal mining legacy, rich immigrant history, and the iconic Amazon Army March led by women fighting for miners' rights.
Explore must-see local attractions like the Coal Camp, Arma-Franklin Sidewalk (the longest sidewalk connecting two communities), and Franklin Community Park. Phyllis also unveils exciting news about Dragline Park, a upcoming new free public tourist attraction that will feature the largest walking dragline preserved for display in the U.S., coming soon to Highway 69 & 47 on the Jefferson Highway.
We also dive into the museum’s role as a Jefferson Highway Tourist Center, and discuss the 2025 Jefferson Highway Association Conference, happening June 4-7 in McAlester, Oklahoma – another historic coal mining town – along with the Sociability Caravan, June 2-4.
🚗 The Jefferson Highway, known as the “Pines to Palms Highway”, stretches from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana, weaving through communities with deep historical roots and cultural pride.
🔗 Learn more:- Miners Hall Museum: https://www.minershallmuseum.com/ - Jefferson Highway Association: https://jeffersonhighway.org/ 
📅 Tune in every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST (except holidays) to the "Historic Jefferson Highway" Podcast: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/ 

Author J.E. Weiner – “The Wretched and Undone”

In this compelling episode of Big Blend Radio, we’re joined by acclaimed debut author J.E. Weiner to discuss her haunting Southern Gothic novel, “The Wretched and Undone.” Set in the mysterious Texas Hill Country, this genre-defying tale blends real historical events, personal supernatural encounters, and a bold reimagining of the Western and Texas Noir genres—lifting silenced voices and illuminating long-buried truths.
🖋️ J.E. Weiner is a Northern California-based writer and novelist whose powerful storytelling bridges Southern Gothic, grit-lit, and historical fiction. Her manuscript for The Wretched and Undone was a 2024 Killer Nashville Top Pick and Claymore Award Finalist for Best Southern Gothic.
📚 In this episode, we explore:- The real-life supernatural experiences that inspired the novel- The art of blending genres like Texas Noir, Southern Gothic, and Western fiction- The historical underpinnings and cultural influences behind "The Wretched and Undone"
🔗 Connect & Learn More:Visit https://www.jeweiner.com to discover more about J.E. Weiner’s writing.
🎙️ This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio’s “Way Back When” and “Toast to The Arts” podcast channels. Explore the full Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Mir Bahmanyar - The Houdini Club

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s WAY BACK WHEN History Show features Mir Bahmanyar—acclaimed author, military historian, and TV/film producer—discussing his gripping new book, "The Houdini Club: The Epic Journey and Daring Escapes of the First Army Rangers of WWII," releasing April 22, 2025.
A former U.S. Army Ranger who served in the Second Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Mir Bahmanyar brings unmatched authenticity to the story of WWII’s elite “Darby’s Rangers.” He shares the untold, uncensored saga of the original Army Ranger battalions—highlighting their brutal training, combat missions across North Africa, Sicily, France, and Italy, and the legendary POW escapes that earned them the nickname “The Houdini Club.”
Bahmanyar draws from firsthand interviews, personal correspondence, and newly uncovered historical sources to portray the raw courage and human drama behind one of America’s most daring military units. His military expertise, deep research, and storytelling make this episode a must-listen for history lovers, military buffs, cultural travelers, and fans of WWII true stories.
Mir Bahmanyar holds a B.A. in History from University of California at Berkeley and an M.A. in War Studies from King's College London. Mir served on the Board of Directors for the 75th Ranger Regiment Association and was an Associate Historian of the World War Two Ranger Battalions Association. Learn more about his work and books: https://www.mirbahmanyar.com/ 
Subscribe to Big Blend Radio's WAY BACK WHEN History show, here: https://way-back-when-history.podbean.com/ 

Art Museums in the 21st Century

From the Minneapolis Institute of Art to the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas (pictured), and even the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain—this shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s WORLD OF ART podcast with artist and art historian Victoria Chick concludes her three-part series on the History of Art Museums, highlighting the evolution and innovation of 21st-century art museums in America.
This art-focused podcast explores how modern museums are redefining the way we experience and interact with art, from cutting-edge architecture and community engagement to the transformation of museum collections and their exhibits.
Victoria Chick is the visionary behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center in Silver City, New Mexico. She’s also a contemporary figurative artist and a collector of early 19th and 20th-century American prints. Learn more about her work and the museum initiative, and explore her three-part article series on the history of art museums:
PART ONE: The Origins of Art Museums: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-one  
PART TWO: Growth of Art Museums in the 19th and 20th Centuries: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-two    
PART THREE: 21st-Century Art Museums in America: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-pt-3 
🎨 Visit Victoria Chick’s portfolio: https://victoriachick.com/ 
🎙️ Tune in to Big Blend Radio's World of Art Podcast every 3rd Saturday for engaging conversations on art history, contemporary art, museum culture, and more: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Way Back When and Toast to The Arts podcast channels. Explore the entire network of educational and arts-focused shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork  

Author Marty Neumeier - Octavo

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features Marty Neumeier, author of "Octavo."
Follow the clues as a biophysics graduate and a retired art historian discover a mysterious manuscript in a Northern Italian town alongside works from Francesco Melzi, the last known apprentice to Leonardo da Vinci. "Octavo" is the story of da Vinci’s obsession with a murder, the manuscript that proves it, and the two women racing to publish it before their violence-driven client finds them.
The book comes out in October 2025, but you can get the installments "The Scarlett Files" on Substack, here: https://martyneumeier.substack.com/ 
Learn more about Marty and his life in design, here: https://www.martyneumeier.com/ 

Author Joan Fernandez - Saving Vincent

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 Vincent van Gogh the artistic giant he is today.
Joan Fernandez is a novelist who brings to light courageous women’s brilliant deeds in history. “Saving Vincent” was recognized by the American Writing Awards, winning their 2024 art award. More: https://www.joanfernandezauthor.com/ 

Novelist Iris Mitlin Lav - Gitel's Freedom

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 Chicago. She enjoyed a long career in public policy analysis and management, and she taught public finance at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University. Her first novel, “A Wife in Bangkok,” was published in 2020 by She Writes Press. “Gitel’s Freedom” is her second novel. More at https://irismitlinlav.com/  

Jefferson Highway Conference in McAlester, Oklahoma

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Historic Jefferson Highway" Show focuses on the upcoming Annual Jefferson Highway Conference 2025 happening June 4-7 in McAlester, Oklahoma, with the Sociability Caravan running June 2-4. Plus, hear about the formation of the Jefferson Highway, as well as some of the McAlester's fascinating history.
FEATURED GUESTS:- ROGER BELL - Co-Host & President of the Jefferson Highway Association- BILLY SUMNER - Tourism Manager of City of McAlester. Visit: https://travelmcalester.com/ - ADELINE WHISENHUNT - Conference Organizer and Oklahoma Chapter of the Jefferson Highway Association.
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/  
Learn more about the upcoming Jefferson Highway Travel Guide project and be part of the effort, here: https://jeffersonhighwaytravelguide.com/ 
This Big Blend Radio "Historic Jefferson Highway" Podcast airs every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST (except on holidays). Follow the show here: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/