On this episode of Big Blend Radio, award-winning author and journalist Simon Parkin discusses his new book, "The Forbidden Garden: The Botanists of Besieged Leningrad and Their Impossible Choice."

The first book to chart the history of the world’s largest collection of seeds, "The Forbidden Garden" shares the story of the Siege of Leningrad and how from 1941 to 1944, the scientists in the seed bank had to face an impossible choice each day: eat the collection to prevent starvation, or protect their life’s work to help end world hunger? More at https://www.simonparkin.com/

This episode is cohosted by Margot Carrera, a fine art nature photographer who is passionate about the environment. More: http://margotcarrera.etsy.com/

Check out Big Blend Radio's network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Celebrate the end of National Book Month and Family History with this episode of Big Blend Radio featuring debut novelist Joanne Howard. Hear about her historical fiction debut "Sleeping in the Sun" that was inspired by her family history and shares the story of how unlikely friends uncover the cruel reality of British-led India.

Out now through She Writes Press, "Sleeping in the Sun" transports readers to the past where a young American and his Indian servant must face the reality behind a faithful family friend and the consequences of knowing this truth. It's a must-read for fans of "The Poisonwood Bible" and "The Inheritance of Loss." More at https://www.joannehowardwrites.com/

From Germany and Poland, to England, New Orleans, Salem, Connecticut, Virginia, and South Carolina, this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast focuses on Women Who were Shunned as Witches Throughout in History.

FEATURED GUESTS - MATT COST, award-winning author of history and mysteries, discusses the life and legacy of Marie Laveau, known as the "Voodoo Queen of New Orleans." More about Matt's books: https://www.mattcost.net/

- KATHLEEN WALLS, travel writer & author, talks about her visit to the Wizard of Oz Museum in Kansas, and Grace Sherwood, known as the "Witch of Pungo" in Virginia Beach. Check out Katy's story about her adventures in Kansas: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/theres-something-odd-in-kansas/

- ARYN YOUNGLESS, a writer and genealogist, talks about witch panic and trials in the US and how to research any possible witchy family history. Read her blog post about it all here: https://genealogybyaryn.substack.com/p/i-danced-for-the-devil?

- BARBARA REDDING, travel writer, talks about how both Germany and Poland were superstitious about witches in the Middle Ages and how hundreds of poor women were burned at the stake due to no fault of their own. Follow Barbara's world travels at https://barbararedding.com/

- JO CLARK, travel writer and photographer, talks about Mary Ingleman, the main target of the witch trials that took place in Winnsboro, South Carolina in 1792. Keep up with Jo's adventures and podcast at https://www.haveglasswilltravel.com/

- JUDY KARNIA, travel writer, talks about her "witchy" and "non-witchy" experiences in Salem, Massachusetts, known for its famous witch trials in 1692. Read her travel story, here: https://rovology.com/united-states/more-than-witches-art-and-history-in-salem-ma/

Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast features a new panel discussion every 4th Wednesday. Follow the show here: https://women-making-history.podbean.com/

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend" and "Way Back When" Podcast Channels. Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Celebrate National Family History Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When" History Show that features a panel discussion with avid family history researchers who share some of their genealogy journeys.

FEATURED GUESTS: - GLYNN BURROWS - Family history expert and owner of Norfolk Tours in England. See: https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/ - JO CLARK – Travel writer and photographer. See: https://www.haveglasswilltravel.com/ and https://recipestravelculture.com/ - LISA EVANS – Travel writer and author. See: https://writerlisa.com/ - CLIFFORD GARSTANG – Editor, writer, and author. See: https://cliffordgarstang.com/ - KIMBERLY HESS– Author of "A Lesser Mortal: The Unexpected Life of Sarah B. Cochran.” See: https://unexpectedlifeofsarahbcochran.com/ - JOHNNY SCHAEFER - Singer/songwriter. See: https://hearjohnny.com/ - ERYNN LEIGH – Writer and author. See: https://erynnleigh.com/ - ANNA BARTKOWSKI – Author and family heirloom collector. See: https://annabartkowski.com/ - KATHLEEN WALLS – Travel writer and author. See: https://americanroads.net/ and https://katywalls.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast features science journalist and author Lisa M. Baril, author of "The Age of Melt: What Glaciers, Ice Mummies, and Ancient Artifacts Teach Us about Climate, Culture, and a Future without Ice."

Around the world, ice has preserved some of history’s most fascinating artifacts, such as the skeleton of an Iron Age horse, wooden arrows with bird-feather fletching, and even a baby mammoth. Yet, these incredible pieces of history were only discovered as the ice began to do what we all feared: melt.

Lisa M. Baril traveled all over the world studying ice and its effect on humans. In THE AGE OF MELT, she explores the shifting view that humans have long held of glaciers—from fear, to awe, to conquest. More: https://www.lisabaril.com/

Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast airs every 2nd and 4th Friday in collaboration with Margot Carrera, a fine art nature photographer who is passionate about the environment. More: http://margotcarrera.etsy.com/

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" and "Way Back When" podcast channels. Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast focuses on women who have and do save lives.

FEATURED GUESTS - GLYNN BURROWS, historian and owner of Norfolk Tours UK talks about nurses Florence Nightingale Edith Cavell, and author and animal advocate Anna Sewell. Read his article about these historic and noteworthy English ladies, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/historic-english-women-who-saved-lives/

- SHARON K. KURTZ, travel writer and photographer, talks about Harriet Tubman who led approximately 70 enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Read here article here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/harriet-tubman-a-legacy-of-courage-and-compassion/

- ARYN YOUNGLESS, a writer and genealogist, talks about the 1916 film called "Perils of Our Girl Reporters," which was about female reporters, including the famous Nellie Bly, who only ever published under the name "Girl Reporters" so they could tell the world about things such as women in asylums and sanitoriums, that would otherwise go unreported. Learn more about Aryn, here: https://www.genealogybyaryn.com/

- LISA D. SMITH, Big Blend Host, talks about cardiologist and best-selling author Dr. Jacqueline Eubany. Check out Dr. Jackie's "Doctor Insider" Q&A here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/doctor-insider-dr-jacqueline-eubany/ ** Plus, hear about Anne E. Lowry's novel, "The Blue Trunk," that's based on her great-great aunt who was institutionalized in an insane asylum: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/ann-e-lowry-the-blue-trunk/

Happy National Family Day! This episode of Big Blend Radio features award-winning author Francine Falk-Allen. A fan of genealogy research, Francine enjoyed uncovering her family’s history, and traced both her maternal and paternal ancestors back to the 1600s. She never imagined that one day she’d discover a jaw-dropping family secret.

Based on a true story, Falk-Allen’s “A Wolff in the Family” (She Writes Press, Oct. 1, 2024) is a riveting saga of prejudice, passion, and revenge. What mysterious scandals led a father to abandon his five youngest children—and the elder siblings to keep their shame a secret for eighty years? More at: https://francinefalk-allen.com/

This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend," "A Toast to The Arts," "Women Making History," and "Way Back When" Podcast Channels. Follow our Big Blend Radio Network of Shows, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

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/