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