Celebrate National Moonshine Day with this spirited episode of Big Blend Radio as we dive into the Moonshiner, Bootlegger, and Temperance history of Kansas. Featured guests include Kenneth J. Peak, author of Kansas Bootleggers and Kansas Temperance, and Phyllis Bitner, Chair of the Miners Hall Museum Foundation.

This fascinating conversation explores the complex world of moonshining and bootlegging in Southeast Kansas, shedding light on the cultural, economic, and social factors that fueled the underground liquor trade. Learn about the impact of the temperance movement, the roles played by immigrants and women, and how community survival sometimes depended on illegal alcohol production. Hear vivid stories of bootlegging techniques, organized crime, and the lasting effects of Prohibition on American society.

Listen now and get a taste of this unique slice of Kansas history!

🔗 Learn more: Kenneth J. Peak books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kenneth-J.-Peak/author/B001H6N8BO Miners Hall Museum: https://www.minershallmuseum.com/

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's JEFFERSON HIGHWAY Show, we chat with Jordan Boyd, Executive Director of the Dobson Museum and Home in Miami, Oklahoma — a must-visit destination located along both the historic Jefferson Highway and Route 66.

Discover how the Dobson Museum serves as a vibrant cultural hub, preserving the history of Ottawa County and honoring the vision of Nellie Dobson, who aimed to create a lasting memorial to her family and community. With original furnishings from the Dobson family, the museum provides an intimate glimpse into local heritage and daily life in early Oklahoma.

Jordan shares how the museum’s engaging youth programs like Dobson Discovery Days make history fun and interactive for children, and discusses the rotating exhibits that keep the community involved and informed.

Whether you're a history buff, educator, traveler, or heritage tourism enthusiast, this episode offers meaningful insights into how local museums can shape future generations and foster pride in regional stories.

🎧 Listen now and plan your visit!

🔗 Dobson Museum and Home: http://www.dobsonmuseum.com

🔗 Learn more about the Jefferson Highway Association: https://jeffersonhighway.org/

🎙️ Listen to the Historic Jefferson Highway Podcast: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, this inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Women Making History” podcast shines a spotlight on the untold and often overlooked stories of women in wartime —from espionage to frontline heroism.

Featured Guests: Glynn Burrows shares the legacies of nurse Edith Cavell and WWII’s Jeannie MacIntosh. 🔗 https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/ 📖 https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/what-does-memorial-weekend-mean-to-you/

Jo Clark honors Belle W. Baruch—American pilot, equestrian, philanthropist, and coastal observer. 🔗 https://recipestravelculture.com/ | https://haveglasswilltravel.com/ 📖 https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/belle-baruch-american-pilot-equestrian-and-spy/

Sharon K. Kurtz shares Harriet Tubman’s trailblazing role in leading a Union Army raid. 🔗 https://sharonkkurtz.com/ 📖 https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/harriet-tubman-a-legacy-of-courage-and-compassion/

🕊️ Celebrate resilience, honor sacrifice, and amplify women's wartime history.

Who was Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun—and why is one of history’s most successful female artists still relatively unknown?

📘 In this episode, historian and biographer Judith Lissauer Cromwell shares insights from her new book: “Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun: Portrait of an Artist, 1755–1842.” From 18th-century France to exile during the French Revolution, discover how this trailblazing portraitist overcame gender barriers to become a legend in her time.

🎧 Listen now + learn more: https://www.judithcromwell.com

📌 Featured on Big Blend’s Podcast Channels: • Women Making History • A Toast to The Arts • Way Back When Listen here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio, we raise a year-round toast to the incredible women who shape our lives — celebrating motherhood in all its forms. From powerful personal stories to fascinating insights into the animal kingdom and human history, this special show goes far beyond a single day of recognition.

Nancy J. Reid & Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter duo behind Big Blend Radio, kick off the show with heartfelt reflections from their adventures as pet sitters while they travel full-time, offering a unique look at maternal instincts in the animal world.

Featured Guests: - Christy Wood – World champion horse trainer, author, and judge, Christy talks about how her mother supported her on her equestrian career journey. More at: https://wdnhorse.com/

- Aryn Youngless – Genealogist and author, Aryn explores the historical role of mothers through the lens of family ancestry, and the story of great grandmother. More at https://www.genealogybyaryn.com/

- Terri Guthrie – Travel writer and world traveler, Terri talks about how her husband Ron’s mother nudged him to get a higher education and become a fighter pilot. More at https://travelwithterri.net/

- Heidi Sander – Travel journalist and award-winning poet, Heidi reflects on her relationship with her mother and reads two poems from her book, “To Mom, With Love.” More at https://heidisander.com/

More Resources: - “My Mom. Her Story: A Legacy Journal” by Aryn Youngless: https://a.co/d/7JUj1aR - “To Mom, With Love: Poetry Collection” by Heidi Sander: https://tinyurl.com/2s4665y7 - Big Blend Radio with Ron Guthrie, Terri’s husband, about becoming a top gun fighter pilot: https://youtu.be/J1dUp1WgES8?feature=shared

Whether you're looking for a caring tribute, educational insight, or uplifting storytelling, this episode honors mothers and mother figures with heart, humor, and depth — perfect for Mother's Day or any day you want to celebrate the women who make the world go round.

Listen now and be inspired by the universal spirit of motherhood.

In this empowering episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Books & Authors Show" with Books Forward, we chat with debut author Deb Miller and her daughter Hadley Edwards about Deb’s inspiring new memoir, Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness (She Writes Press, June 24, 2025).

Blending memoir with cultural commentary, Deb shares how she broke free from the traditional "happily-ever-after" narrative to embrace a life built on self-discovery, courage, and personal fulfillment. Together with Hadley, she explores how today’s women can rewrite their own stories—without waiting for a prince to save the day.

From navigating societal expectations to examining the evolution of Disney princesses, this honest and hopeful conversation is perfect for listeners interested in women’s empowerment, memoirs by strong women, feminist perspectives, and personal growth journeys.

📘 Pre-order the book and learn more: https://forgetthefairytale.net

🎧 Keep up with Big Blend Radio's Podcast Network of Shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

The wine industry is experiencing a lot of change. From climate change and water issues to demographic spending shifts, wineries must navigate these changes to stay relevant and successful. This shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy" podcast focuses on Wine & Food Trends in Arizona, as well as the growing wine and culinary scene in Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale.

ON THIS EPISODE: - PEGGY FIANDACA, along with her winemaker husband Curt Lawrence Dunham, owns and operates LDV Winery. More: https://ldvwinery.com/ *** Plus, check out Peggy's Southwestern Pesto Shrimp Recipe: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/southwestern-pesto-shrimp/

- SUSIE TIMM - President & CEO of Knife & Fork Media Group. More: https://knifeandforkmedia.com/

- SHANNAN METCALF-PERCIBALLI - Editor and Publisher of Edible Phoenix. More: https://ediblephoenix.ediblecommunities.com/

Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy" Podcast airs every 1st Wednesday at 4pm Arizona time. Follow the podcast here: http://tinyurl.com/42j5zucj

This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Channels including "Eat, Drink & Be Merry," "Success Express, and "Women Making History." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In celebration of National Parks Week, we're revisiting this Big Blend Radio interview with landscape artist and soft pastelist Beth Williams, and her daughter, Hailey Williams who is a writer and poet. The very first pair of mother and daughter artists chosen for the National Parks Arts Foundation's artist-in-residence program, they spent September 2019 immersed in their artistic and environmental endeavors, on a pristine, isolated island at Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys. Beth is an award-winning artist and Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America. Hailey is a Scholastic award-winning poet, nonfiction, and fiction writer, as well as a self-published screenwriter. Check out their Parks & Travel Magazine feature (2020) here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/fotl/#p=68 Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation, here: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/