This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features award-winning author Janine Kovac who discusses her memoir, "The Nutcracker Chronicles," that blends her personal life with the events in ballet’s most famous show: “The Nutcracker.”

Out now, "The Nutcracker Chronicles” tells the story of Janine’s pursuit of an elusive dream that compels her to endure blistered toes, weekly weigh-ins, second-hand pointe shoes, and constant insults from her directors. Why can’t you just dance like a pretty girl?

JANINE KOVAC enjoyed a twelve-year career as a professional ballet dancer in Iceland, Italy, San Francisco, and her hometown of El Paso, Texas. She is the author of “Brain Changer: A Mother’s Guide to Cognitive Science” and “Spinning: Choreography for Coming Home." More at: https://www.janinekovac.com/

More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/

In observance of November being National Diabetes Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's HEART HEALTHY LIVING WITH DR JACKIE Podcast focuses on how Diabetes is a big risk factor for heart disease. Dr. Jackie explains how choosing to live a healthy lifestyle you can prevent this deadly disease from crippling your life. Read her article about "5 Things to Know About Diabetes" here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/diabetes-mellitus-and-heart-health/

Dr. Jacqueline Eubany is a board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist, and author of the best-selling book, "Women and Heart Disease: The Real Story." More: https://womenandheartdiseasebook.com/

New episodes of "Heart Healthy Living with Dr. Jackie" air every 2nd Wednesday. Follow the Podcast: https://hearthealthyliving-drjackie.podbean.com/

So, what does it take to be successful as an author? This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Success Insider" spotlight features acclaimed author Matt Cost, who is known for his historical novels, Goff Langdon Mainely Mystery series, Clay Wolfe/Port Essex mystery series, and Brooklyn 8 Ballo mystery series. His latest book, "Mainely Mayhem (A Goff Langdon Mainely Mystery)," is out today (Nov. 13, 2024). More: https://www.mattcost.net/

Enjoy the podcast and check out Matt Cost’s answers to our 10 Author Insider Questions about his writing career: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/author-success-insider-matt-cost/

From Winter and Holiday Festivities to Historic Sites, Outdoor Adventures, and Where to Sip, Dine and Sleep, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA features Andrea Ryan who gives an overview of what to experience in beautiful York County, Pennsylvania.

With its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant culture, York County, PA, is the perfect destination for your next adventure. Whether you're exploring the charming streets of downtown York or immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the countryside, you'll find something to captivate your senses at every turn. More: https://www.yorkpa.org/

Learn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), here: https://www.ifwtwa.org/

Big Blend Radio's monthly "Adventures in Asheville" Show is now weekly to focus on the relief and recovery work happening post Hurricane Helene in Asheville, great Western North Carolina and all areas affected.

FEATURED GUESTS - STEVE & KAREN WILSON "Mr & Mrs Wild," who cohost the show and own The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. More at https://www.lion-rose.com/ *** See their GOFUNDME Fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-asheville-bed-breakfast-hurricane-recovery

- JAY SCHULTZ - Retired Army Officer and owner of Spartan Photography known for his drone and aerial work (as seen in the podcast photo). More: https://spartanphotography.zenfolio.com/

- KRISTA STEARNS - Owner of Mountain Mural Tours known for their colorful urban art tour through Downtown Asheville with its amazing collection of murals, graffiti, sculpture, and street art installations. More: https://mountainmuraltours.com/ and check out the Asheville Independent Restaurants Association that she talks about: https://airasheville.org/

PLUS, HEAR HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR "HEALING AFTER HELENE" ONLINE EVENT from: - Singer-songwriter Johnny Schaefer at https://hearjohnny.com/ - Poet and writer Susan Cummins Miller at http://www.susancumminsmiller.com/ - Musician James Byfield "Blind Lemon Pledge" at https://www.blindlemon-pledge.com/ - Author & travel writer Kathleen Walls at https://katywalls.com/ and https://www.americanroads.net/

CHECK OUT OUR "HEALING AFTER HELENE" ONLINE EVENT + LINKS TO ORGANIZATIONS YOU CAN SUPPORT + A COOL PLAYLIST OF MUSIC FROM THE MUSICIANS WHO SUPPORTED THE EVENT, HERE: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/healing-after-helene/

Follow Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio features director Juliette Eisner who discusses the new National Geographic docuseries, "The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking The Truth." Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igUQwX6vZRU

The series is slated to premiere on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 8/7c on National Geographic and streaming next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Through unparalleled access, THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT: UNLOCKING THE TRUTH embarks on a gripping, ticking-clock journey through the six-day Stanford Prison Experiment with a deluge of reveals, new subjects and a smoking-gun archive. It weaves together shocking, poignant and sometimes humorous firsthand accounts from the very participants who were at the heart of the experiment. Then, in an unexpected turn, the series brings the participants to a replica film set of the “prison,” where they revisit pivotal moments and attempt to find consensus — and closure — about what really happened over the course of those six days.

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

It's all about Riding Wild in Sonoma, California's Wine Country on this episode of Big Blend Radio's JO GOES EVERYWHERE! Podcast with travel writer and photographer Jo Clark. Hear all about her adventures with Jérôme Ribeiro, tour guide extraordinaire and owner of Rides by Me Classic Sidecar Tours, who encourages visitors to “Take a ride on the wild side(car)!”

Jo enjoyed a winery picnic, tasting fun at Landmark Winery, Gundlach Bundschu (GB) Winery, and Pomme Cider Shop & Tap Room. She stayed at El Pueblo Inn, and dined at Los Molcajetes and The Girl & The Fig restaurants. Read her story about her Rides By Me adventures in Sonoma County here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/riding-on-the-wild-sidecar-of-sonomas-wine-country/

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