Women Making History

Talking the World of Tea with Linda Kissam and Friday Elliott

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, Linda Kissam "Food, Wine & Shopping Diva," talks with tea expert Friday Elliott about the world of tea, and the unique and interactive classes she holds online and in person at her tea shop, Friday Afternoon, that's located in Wallingford, Washington. 
Linda attended the DIY Your Own House Chai class where she had the opportunity to dive into the art of blending, and then creating her own signature Masala house chai. Read about her experience that included some background on the rich history and traditions of chai-making, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/crafting-your-own-signature-masala-house-chai/ 
Travel writer Linda Kissam appears on Big Blend Radio every first Saturday. Follow her podcasts here:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1LoD5wiSJu4NM4KZxuJYoj 
Follow Diva Linda's adventures here: https://allingoodtaste.info/ 

Arizona Writer Leah Newsom in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features Arizona writer Leah Newsom, the National Parks Arts Foundation's summer 2024 artist-in-residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Leah Newsom was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and holds an MFA in creative writing from Arizona State University, where she now teaches creative writing. Her work has previously appeared/is forthcoming in "Conjunctions," "Ninth Letter," "Juked," "Passages North," and more. Her work has been supported by the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing and the National Parks Arts Foundation. More at: http://www.leahnewsom.com/ 
Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 

Author Julian Mann - Madam Vice President

This "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio (2022) features Julian Mann, author of "Madam Vice President." Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Julian Mann is a lifelong student of constitutional law. As an academic, lawyer, and judge he marvels at the wisdom locked within the United States Constitution.
"Madam Vice President" was written in response to a deep concern arising out of the twenty fifth amendment and the office of acting president. Although Mann has written a number of articles for scholarly publications, he chose a different medium to express this concern and to reach a more diverse audience. He dedicates "Madam Vice President" to the liberties preserved in our constitution.

Kristin Ohlson - Sweet in Tooth and Claw

This "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio's Nature Connection Show features Kristin Ohlson, acclaimed author of “The Soil Will Save Us: How Scientists, Farmers, and Foodies Are Healing the Soil to Save the Planet.” Hear about her 2022 book, "Sweet in Tooth and Claw: Stories of Generosity and Cooperation in the Natural World,” offers optimism in the midst of our environmental crisis through stories of people partnering with nature. Through interviews with biologists, ecologists and farmers in the field, Ohlson’s deeply researched case studies and observations show example after example of how nature is sweet, not ravenous. The new understanding of mutualism is driving scientists to reconsider everything they think about the natural world, which, Ohlson writes, includes humans. More: https://www.kristinohlson.com/ 
This episode was part of our special Fourth Friday Nature Connection series with guest cohost Margot Carrera who is a fine art nature photographer who is passionate about the environment. More: https://www.carrerafineartgallery.com/ 

Singer-songwriter Mary Fahl - Can't Get It Out of My Head

Award-winning singer/songwriter Mary Fahl talks about her work with October Project and her new solo album “Can’t Get it Out of My Head,” where she interprets Pink Floyd, George Harrison, Moody Blues, ELO, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Judy Collins, and more. Keep up with Mary's music and shows: https://maryfahl.com/
This "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to Women in Music" Show aired live from Silver Spring, Maryland on July 5, 2022. Special thanks to the National Parks Arts Foundation: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 

Kim Eierman - The Pollinator Victory Garden

In honor of National Pollinator Month (June) this "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio’s Garden Gossip show features Kim Eierman, an environmental horticulturist and landscape designer specializing in ecological landscapes and native plants. Kim is the founder of EcoBeneficial and author of “The Pollinator Victory Garden” that offers practical solutions for winning the war against the demise of these essential animals. The time is right for a new gardening movement. Every yard, community garden, rooftop, porch, patio, commercial, and municipal landscape can help to win the war against pollinator decline with “The Pollinator Victory Garden.” In addition to being a Certified Horticulturist through the American Society for Horticultural Science, Kim is an Accredited Organic Landcare Professional, a Steering Committee member of The Native Plant Center, and a member of The Ecological Landscape Alliance and the Association for Garden Communicators (GWA). More: https://www.ecobeneficial.com/ 
 

Jeanne McKinney - Triumph Over the Taliban

This shared episode of Big Blend Radio's WAY BACK WHEN History Podcast features award-winning military journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker Jeanne McKinney, who discusses her new book, "Triumph Over the Taliban: The Untold Story of US Marines’ Courageous Fight to Save Camp Bastion." Award-winning military history author and historian Mike Guardia joins in on the discussion.
Three days after the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, another attack occurred on a massive forward operating base called Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, home to U.S. and U.K. expeditionary forces. 
With keen investigative prowess, McKinney reveals the true story of what happened at Camp Bastion on that fateful night. After 10 years of research about this battle, McKinney paints a vivid picture of this gripping saga, sharing intimate life and death moments of fighting the Taliban on the Marines’ home turf — showcasing how Marines saved civilian contractors, each other, and over $5 billion in aircraft and equipment. More: https://patriotprofiles.com/ 

Artist Alice Leese in Fort Union National Monument

Located near Watrous in Mora County, New Mexico, Fort Union National Monument was the largest frontier military post and supply center of the southwest. It also was the hub of commerce, national defense, and migration at the final stretch of the Santa Fe Trail. The richly evocative remnants of a post-civil war era adobe fort became a National Monument on June 28, 1954, under the Eisenhower administration.  In honor of the monuments anniversary, enjoy this Big Blend Radio "From the Vault" episode featuring painter and rancher Alice Leese who shares her National Parks Arts Foundation Artist-in-Residence experience at Fort Union. Plus, Lorenzo Vigil, Chief of Interpretation & Operations at Fort Union shares the Fort’s diverse history and visitor experience. More at: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/artist-alice-leese-in-fort-union-national-monument/More at www.AliceLeese.com, www.NPS.gov/foun and www.NationalParksArtsFoundation.org  Featured music is "Horses & Cattle" by www.MikeMoutoux.com