Way Back When

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/  

American Women Who Made History

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 American elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction; and Anne Richards who served as the 45th governor of Texas (1991-1995). Learn more about Barbara at https://barbararedding.com/  
- IVEY COURTNEY STONE - Jo Clark shares the story of how during WWII Ivey volunteered for the WAVES, served as a communications watch officer in the Navy Department, and became one of 10,000 “Code Girls” -- Codebreakers -- for the US Navy. Keep up with Jo at https://haveglasswilltravel.com/  and https://recipestravelculture.com/ 
- SUSAN B. ANTHONY - Kathleen Walls shares how this prominent women's rights advocate and leader of the women's suffrage movement helped pave the way for the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. She was also involved in the anti-slavery movement, and temperance movement. Keep up with Kathleen at https://americanroads.net/  and https://katywalls.com/ 
- KRISTINE "KRIS" TOMPKINS - Linda Ballou talks about this former CEO of Patagonia's conservation work as president and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation known for preserving, expanding, and creating national parks in Chile. (Photo featured is by James Q Martin, courtesy of McCarthyatTC, CC BY-SA 4.0, on Wikipedia.) More about Tompkins Conservation: https://www.tompkinsconservation.org/ Keep up with Linda at https://lostangeladventures.com/ 

Anglesey, Wales: Daffodils, Scenery, and Historic Sites

Celebrate Daffodil Day (March 22) and the start of the spring travel season with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" show with Glynn Burrows who talks about his adventures in Anglesey, Wales. 
You can read Glynn's article about the daffodils, beautiful scenery, and historic sites like Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey, here:  https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/anglesey-wales-daffodils-scenery-and-historic-sites/ 
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 is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend," "Way Back When," "Garden Gossip," and "Vacation Station" shows. Check out our network of podcasts here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Seven Superwomen in History

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 equestrian Beryl Markham, artist Georgia O’Keefe, and Sacagawea, aka, Bird Woman. You can read her article about these superwomen, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/seven-superwomen-in-history/ 
Linda also mentions notorious Bobo - you can hear the full interview about her, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjO7XudIArQ 
Follow Linda Ballou'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 
This episode is also featured on  our Big Blend Radio "Way Back When" History, "Women Making History," and "Big Daily Blend" Channels.  Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here:  https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Author Emily Molina - The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey

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 traveling the world under the ownership of Barklie Henry. The ship hosted the Vanderbilt family and famous names like Ernest Hemingway before being donated to the cause during World War II. One name change later, it began service as a top-secret research vessel for the U.S. Navy, working in places like San Diego and Woods Hole until finding a home in Tacoma. Now, under new ownership, the Odyssey is docked in San Francisco and being renovated to be able to sail to France. There's some women's history story in the Odyssey's lifespan too! 
Emily Molina is a freelance writer who lives in the South Puget Sound region of Washington with her retired army veteran husband and two children. Molina is a former international flight attendant, and her work has been published in numerous magazines. Visit: https://molinawriter.wordpress.com/ 
Learn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) here: https://www.ifwtwa.org/  
Follow this Podcast Channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m  
This episode is also featured on our Big Blend Radio "Way Back When" History and "Women Making History" Channels. Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork  

The History of Art Museums in America

From the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford, Connecticut and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick is Part Two of her three-part series on the history of Art Museums. It focuses on the History of Art Museums in America.
Victoria is the catalyst behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center project in Silver City, New Mexico. You can learn more about the Museum effort and read her articles about the History of Art Museums:- Part One: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-one - Part Two: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-two 
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://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When" and "Toast to The Arts" Podcast Channels. Check out our network of shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork