Way Back When

Step inside one of Oklahoma City’s most remarkable historic restorations with this shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Travel with Terri” Podcast.
In Part 1 of our three-part Oklahoma City series, Travel Journalist Terri Guthrie takes us inside The National Hotel, a luxurious Marriott Autograph Collection property housed within Oklahoma City’s historic First National Center.
Originally opened in 1931 as First National Bank, this Art Deco and Neoclassical landmark has been transformed into a sophisticated hotel while preserving its soaring Great Hall, historic murals, marble columns, original architectural details, and massive bank vault — now home to The Vault cocktail bar.
Recorded on-site at The National, this episode also features Terri’s conversations with Amanda Clark, Director of Sales & Catering, who shares the building’s history and restoration, and Chef Jason Jonilonis, Director of Culinary, who talks about the hotel’s restaurants, dining experiences, Stock & Bond Steakhouse, and the impressive beverage program.
We explore the Great Hall, Tellers, Stock & Bond, The Gilded Acorn, The Vault, the hotel’s guest rooms and Presidential Suite, its weekend high teas, shopping and amenities, and why The National is more than a hotel — it’s a destination within downtown Oklahoma City.
The episode also highlights Oklahoma City as an easy getaway from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and a walkable destination filled with museums, parks, gardens, dining, culture, and entertainment. What a way to celebrate America 250 and American Adventures Month (August)!
Plan your stay: https://www.thenationalokc.com/ 
Stay tuned for more of Terri’s Oklahoma City adventures!🏨 Visit The National Hotel: https://www.thenationalokc.com/ 🎙️ Travel with Terri: https://www.travelwithterri.com/ 📻 Travel with Terri airs every other Tuesday: https://www.travelwithterri.com/podcast 📰 The Luxe Explorer Magazine: https://www.travelwithterri.com/magazine 🌎 Travel with Terri highlights on Big Blend Media House: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/t/terri-guthrie 

Victoria, British Columbia, offers a wonderful mix of gardens, castles, history, culture, waterfront scenery and easygoing family adventure. 
Celebrate Family Fun Month with this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wanderer's Compass" Travel Podcast, travel writers Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough continue their adventures with Ryan’s son—this time crossing the border from the Pacific Northwest to Vancouver Island.
From taking the Victoria Clipper from Seattle and exploring the Inner Harbour to discovering the world-famous Butchart Gardens, enjoying afternoon tea, visiting the Royal BC Museum and exploring Victoria’s fascinating castles, this episode shows just how much can be packed into a short getaway.
They talk about Victoria’s British and European influences, First Nations history and cultural heritage, Chinatown, the city’s walkability, family-friendly attractions, waterfront neighborhoods and the relaxed pace that makes Victoria such a memorable destination. They also share the stories behind Hatley Castle and Craigdarroch Castle—and why castle hunting doesn't have to end when you leave Europe.
For Ryan’s son, the trip offered another opportunity to learn through travel, explore history and culture, and add another country to his growing list of adventures.
- Read their companion article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/victoria-british-columbia 
- And if you missed their previous adventure, listen to "Traveling Europe Across Generations: Castles, Culture & Curiosity," featuring Ryan, his son and Joelle: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/traveling-europe-with-a-child  - Follow Wanderer's Compass: https://wandererscompass.com 
- Listen to More Wanderers Compass Podcast Episodes: https://wandererscompass.podbean.com/ 
- Check out the Wanderers Compass Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/WANDERERS-COMPASS-MAG-2026/ 

Award-winning and bestselling author and maritime historian Eric Jay Dolin joins Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When" history podcast to discuss his compelling new book, "The Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair, and Deliverance in the Age of Sail," a gripping work of narrative history featured by The New York Times as one of "The Nonfiction Everyone Will Be Talking About in 2026." Drawing from extensive archival research, sailors' journals, and Indigenous accounts, Dolin recounts the remarkable true story of the American whaleship Mentor, which wrecked on a reef near the Palau Islands in 1832. What followed was an extraordinary saga of survival, leadership, cultural misunderstandings, compassion, violence, and resilience that unfolded over four years and across the Pacific. In this fascinating conversation, Dolin also explores the importance of the American whaling industry, life during the Age of Sail, cross-cultural encounters between American sailors and the people of Palau, and how maritime history offers a deeper understanding of America's growth and its place in the wider world. Along the way, he discusses the challenges of researching forgotten stories, the importance of historical perspective, and why understanding both the triumphs and tragedies of history helps us better understand ourselves today. Learn more about Eric Jay Dolin and his books at http://www.ericjaydolin.com/
Check out the Big Blend book review and episode highlights: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/the-wreck-of-the-mentor 

Award-winning author Laurel Corona joins Big Blend Radio to discuss her captivating new historical novel, "Aloha Wanderwell Takes the Wheel," inspired by the extraordinary true story of pioneering adventurer Aloha Wanderwell—the first woman to drive around the world.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba—the northern gateway of the historic Jefferson Highway—Aloha Wanderwell (born Idris Hall) left boarding school in France at age 16 to join Walter Wanderwell's around-the-world automobile expedition. What followed was an astonishing life of global exploration, filmmaking, cultural discovery, and history-making road trips across six continents.
In this engaging conversation, Laurel shares what inspired her to tell Aloha's story after a decade away from publishing, the historical research behind the novel, why historical fiction is vital to preserving women's history, and how travel helps us better understand the world and one another. The discussion also explores Aloha's Canadian roots, her connection to the historic Jefferson Highway, and why this remarkable woman deserves to be remembered alongside history's greatest explorers.
Learn more about Laurel Corona and her books at https://www.LaurelCorona.com Check out our Big Blend book review of "Aloha Wanderwell Takes the Wheel" by Nancy J. Reid: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/aloha-wanderwell-takes-the-wheel 

In celebration of America 250, this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures" Podcast explores the fascinating history, culture, and outdoor spirit of Boise, Idaho, with travel writer Debbie Stone. While many travelers know Idaho for its rugged landscapes and potatoes, Boise reveals a much richer story—one shaped by frontier history, Basque immigrants, Native heritage, and a thriving arts community.
Discover why Boise's historic Old Idaho Penitentiary is one of the city's most compelling attractions, learn about the nation's largest Basque community and its enduring cultural legacy, tour the elegant Idaho State Capitol, and explore museums, public art, and the inspiring World Center for Birds of Prey. Debbie also shares favorite restaurants, local shopping, and the welcoming hospitality that make Boise an ideal destination for history lovers, culture seekers, and outdoor adventurers alike.
Plan your visit:- https://visitboise.com/ - https://www.innat500.com/ - Read Debbie's accompanying article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/boise-idaho-surprises 
- Listen to Debbie's "Global Adventures" Podcast:https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/global-adventures-with-debbie-stone 
- Explore Debbie's Global Adventures Digital Magazine:https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/global-adventures-travel-magazine 

In this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Before They Vanish" Podcast, award-winning author and explorer James Michael Dorsey shares unforgettable stories from his acclaimed book, "Baboons for Lunch: And Other Sordid Adventures." 
From joining the Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania on a baboon hunt to unexpected cultural experiences in China, Dorsey reflects on the humor, risks, and life lessons that come from immersing himself in remote cultures around the world.
The conversation explores why he seeks out vanishing societies, how these experiences have shaped his writing, and what he's learned about storytelling, spirituality, and living in the present. James also offers a preview of his upcoming journey to Mongolia, where he'll live with nomadic eagle hunters in the Altai Mountains.
James Michael Dorsey is an award-winning author, photographer, explorer, and cetacean specialist who has traveled extensively through 56 countries. His work focuses on documenting remote cultures, endangered traditions, and marine wildlife through books, photography, lectures, and personal narratives.
Learn more about James Michael Dorsey:https://jamesmichaeldorseyauthor.com/ 
Listen to Big Blend Radio's "Before They Vanish" Podcast:https://before-they-vanish.podbean.com/ 

In preparation for International Pirate Month (August) and International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19), this episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" Show separates pirate myths from historical reality while exploring England's fascinating maritime heritage.
Join historian, genealogist, tour guide, and Norfok Tours founder Glynn Burrows as he uncovers the brutal truth behind piracy, revealing how real pirates lived, why they became legendary, and how England's coastal history shaped centuries of maritime adventure. From notorious pirates and privateers to merchant ships, naval history, and the evolution of piracy, this engaging conversation looks beyond Hollywood stereotypes to explore the people, places, and events that continue to capture our imagination.
Whether you're fascinated by maritime history, planning a trip to England's historic ports, or simply curious about the legends behind pirate lore, this episode offers a captivating journey into Britain's seafaring past.
📖 Read Glynn's companion article:Pirates: The Brutal Truth Behind the Legendhttps://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/pirates-the-brutal-truth-behind-the-legend 
⚓ Related Reading:Historic Ships of Englandhttps://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/jvrj/#p=8 
🌐 Visit English Connection:https://EnglishConnection.uk 
📚 Explore Glynn's English Connection Digital Magazine:https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/english-connection-magazine 
🎙️ Glynn Burrows joins Big Blend Radio every fourth Saturday, sharing fascinating stories about England's history, heritage, genealogy, culture, and travel destinations. Listen to more episodes: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/english-connection-podcast 
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's Way Back When, and Big Daily Blend podcast channels.

This shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Historic Jefferson Highway" Show explores the fascinating story of America's early motor camping movement and how it forever changed road travel, tourism, and hospitality across the United States.
As always, the show features Roger Bell, Co-Host and President of the Jefferson Highway Association, along with host and producer Lisa D. Smith. Their featured guest is Daniel Hershberger, roadside historian, researcher, and presenter at the upcoming Crossroads of America Centennial Celebration in Joplin, Missouri.
Long before today's RV parks, campgrounds, and roadside motels, adventurous motorists packed tents and supplies into their automobiles and headed out to explore America's growing network of highways. Daniel shares how motor camping evolved from a practical way to travel into a nationwide pastime that helped shape roadside tourism, local businesses, and the American road trip tradition.
The conversation also explores the evolution of tourist camps, the rise of auto courts and motels, the development of roadside hospitality, and the important role the Jefferson Highway played in connecting communities and encouraging travel across North America.
Roger Bell also shares updates on the upcoming Crossroads of America Centennial Celebration taking place September 19–22, 2026, in Joplin, Missouri. Daniel Hershberger will be one of the featured presenters, sharing his research on America's early motor camping movement and roadside tourism. The event also includes special Sociability Caravan motor tours celebrating the Jefferson Highway and Route 66. Registration is now open at https://jeffersonhighway.org/. 
The Jefferson Highway Association originally founded the Jefferson Highway in 1915. This international highway—also known as "The Pines to the Palms Highway"—runs from Winnipeg, Canada, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Visit: https://jeffersonhighway.org/ 
LEARN MORE: - Plan your own Jefferson Highway adventure with the new Jefferson Highway Travel Guide: https://www.jeffersonhighwaytravelguide.com/ 
- Subscribe to the Jefferson Highway Dispatch:https://jeffersonhighwaydispatch.substack.com/ 
- Big Blend Radio's "Historic Jefferson Highway" Podcast airs every fourth Thursday (except holidays). Follow the podcast: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/