Way Back When

Filmmaker Jennifer Takaki - Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio features filmmaker Jennifer Takaki who discusses the making of the documentary, "Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story," and how photographer Corky Lee influenced her work. For 50 years, Chinese American photographer Corky Lee documented the celebrations, struggles, and daily lives of Asian American Pacific Islanders with epic focus. Determined to push mainstream media to include AAPI culture in the visual record of American history, Lee produced an astonishing archive of nearly a million compelling photographs. His work takes on new urgency with the alarming rise in anti-Asian attacks during the Covid pandemic. Jennifer Takaki’s intimate portrait reveals the triumphs and tragedies of the man behind the lens. Learn more at: https://photographicjustice.com/The film will have a nationwide US television release, premiering Monday, May 13 at 10/9C on PBS (check local listings) and on PBS apps to follow. More at: https://www.pbs.org/show/photographic-justice-the-corky-lee-story/ Filmmaker Jennifer Takaki is a fourth generation Japanese American from Colorado. She began her career in journalism at a Denver TV station and later moved to Hong Kong to work with Encore International. In Hong Kong she produced English-based news programming broadcast in China, India, and the Middle East via Rupert Murdoch’s STAR-TV. In New York, she produced and directed “Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story” which premiered at DOC NYC and was supported by the Ford Foundation and The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). She was awarded the prestigious Better Angels Lavine Fellowship in 2023. 

Mike Guardia - Medics and Nurses in Combat

In honor of National Nurses Day (May 6, 2024) and National Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2024), this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Military Monday" Show with award-winning military historian and author Mike Guardia, focuses on medics and nurses in combat. Hear about WWII combat nurse Lt. Avis Schorer (nee Dagit) who served with an evacuation hospital in North Africa and Italy; and Alfred Velazquez Rascon, a retired US Army lieutenant colonel who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as a medic near Long Khánh Province 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/

Rick San Nicolas - Master of Hawaiian Featherwork of Old Hawai‘i

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features Rick Makanaaloha Kia'imeaokekanaka San Nicolas (Kanaka Maoli) who returned for the fifth time as the National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. 
Recognized as Ke Kumu Hulu Nui, meaning "Master of Hawaiian Featherwork of Old Hawai‘i," San Nicolas is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating this art form. Through his expertise and passion, he ensures that the traditions of feather lei making continue for generations to come. San Nicolas draws inspiration directly from the landscape of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, feeling a deep connection to the environment and its historical significance. He finds inspiration in the ancient Hawaiian featherwork tradition, particularly in the regalia worn by Hawaiian Royalty and warriors.
This year Rick travels to Washington D.C. to present his featherwork for inclusion in the collection of the Museum of the Department of Interior as well as having it on display in the office of Secretary Deborah Haaland (Laguna Pueblo). He is also a consulting advisor in historical featherwork on the upcoming TV Series "Chief of War," starring Jason Momoa. More at: https://www.hawaiianfeathers.com/  
Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 

Glynn Burrows - Exploring Historic Edinburgh, Scotland

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" show with Glynn Burrows, he shares some of the historic highlights not to be missed in Edinburgh, Scotland including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and Mary King's Close. Read Glynn's article about his visit to Edinburgh here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/over-the-border-to-historic-edinburgh-scotland/ 
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://tinyurl.com/4bjzn3um
Learn more about Norfolk Tours at https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/

The Life of Artist, Author, and Traveler George Catlin

In celebration of National Park Week, this episode of Big Blend Radio with artist Victoria Chick is all about the art, life and legacy of George Catlin. George Catlin was an American painter, author, and traveler, who specialized in portraits of Native Americans in the American frontier. Many of the places he traveled through are parts of our National Park Service today. He explored the American West five times during the 1830s, and wrote about and painted portraits that depicted the life of the Plains Indians. Read Victoria's article about him here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/american-artist-author-traveler-george-catlin 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://tinyurl.com/3an38624 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experience the Parks and Historic Sites of Natchitoches, Louisiana

With National Park Week (April 20-28), Earth Day (April 22), Arbor Day (April 27), Junior Ranger Day (April 27), and Kids to Parks Day (May 18) coming up, this episode of Big Blend Radio's 3rd Tuesday "Go to Natchitoches" show is all the various parks, historic sites and trails, and events you can experience in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Featured guest is K. Nicole Connell, Communication Manager of Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau, who talks about events and destinations such Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Melrose Plantation, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, El Camino Real de las Tejas National Historic Trail, the historic Jefferson Highway, Briarwood Nature Reserve, and Kisatchie National Forest. 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. More about Natchitoches and its current events at https://natchitoches.com/ Follow Big Blend Radio's "Go to Natchitoches" show here: http://tinyurl.com/yc8csn8b Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experience Historic Georgetown, South Carolina

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's JO GOES EVERYWHERE! Podcast with travel writer and photographer Jo Clark, we hear all about beautiful and historic Georgetown, South Carolina. Named the Best Coastal Small Town by USA Today in 2018, Georgetown is rich in history, nature and outdoor adventures, good food, and friendly people. READ JO'S ARTICLES ABOUT GEORGETOWN:* RecipesTravelCulture.com: https://tinyurl.com/swpnvvfp * FoodieFlashpacker.com: https://tinyurl.com/ybedf5r5 * SheBuysTravel.com: https://tinyurl.com/y5ez47ef Jo Clark is a travel writer and photographer based on South Carolina’s Grand Strand. She has a thirst for knowledge, history, great food, and wine! Her Big Blend Radio podcast "Jo Goes Everywhere!" airs every 2nd Sunday at 7pm EST. Follow the show on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yfkjm8sd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Guardia - Remembering the Oklahoma City Bombing

Featuring award-winning military historian and author Mike Guardia, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Military Monday" Show focuses on the tragic Oklahoma City bombing, a domestic terrorist truck bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Perpetrated by anti-government extremists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, the bombing occurred on April 19, 1995, and killed 168 people, injured 680, and destroyed more than one-third of the building, which had to be demolished. Mike Guardia is the author of over 20 other military history books. 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://tinyurl.com/wkezexvb PHOTO: Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum by travel writer Debbie Stone. See her story about her visit to the Memorial and other sites in OKC, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/surprises-abound-in-oklahoma-city/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.