Women Making History

Devorah Blachor - The Feminist's Guide to Raising a Little Princess

“May God grant me the serenity to accept the color pink, the courage to not let my house become a shrine to pink and princesses, and the wisdom to know that pink is just a color, not a decision to never attend college in the hopes of marrying wealthy.”  – from The Feminist’s Guide to Raising a Little PrincessThis "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio features author and New York Times Motherlode columnist Devorah Blachor who talks about her book, “THE FEMINIST’S GUIDE TO RAISING A LITTLE PRINCESS: How to Raise a Girl Who’s Authentic, Joyful, and Fearless – Even If She Refuses to Wear Anything but a Pink Tutu.” Smart, funny, and thought-provoking, this book shows feminist parents how to navigate their daughters’ princess-obsessed years by taking a non-judgmental and positive approach. More: www.DevorahBlachor.com 
 
 

Author Ann Bancroft - Almost Family

How do you find joy when faced with a terminal diagnosis? This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features debut author Ann Bancroft who tackles this theme with sharp humor and profound compassion in her new novel, “Almost Family, " that's out now through She Writes Press.
Featuring a rough-around-the-edges, quick-witted heroine who stumbles upon an unlikely, but necessary, found family; this debut deftly balances the existential questions raised by terminal illness with honesty and wry humor, reflecting the power of love to heal and foster growth even at the end of life. More at: https://annbancroftauthor.com/ 
More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/ 

Dr. E - Songs for Struggle & How Education Saved My Life

This "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio from 2017 features Dr. Elaine Richardson, an Ohio State University professor turned recording artist, who has risen far beyond the streets she once walked and worked as a teenage victim of sex trafficking. Hear about her autobiographical album, "Songs for the Struggle”, and her memoir, "PHD to Ph.D.: How Education Saved My Life". More: www.PHDtoPhD.com 

Jennifer Schwed and Doug Bradshaw - 19: The Musical

Celebrate Women's History, and Audiobook Appreciation Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio featuring Jennifer Schwed and Doug Bradshaw, creators of the groundbreaking new musical audiobook “19: The Musical.” 
Originally created and performed on stage, "19: The Musical" shares the dynamic and little-known story of Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells, Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, Inez Milholland and the other suffragists who fought to get women the right to vote - The 19th Amendment. The inspirational story of these fearless women is brought to life through jazz, traditional musical standards style, spoken word, and hints of gospel. Alice Paul and the suffragist's fight for equality have been re-imagined for a new generation with a poignant and uplifting message that will resonate for years to come. 
Learn more: https://www.19themusical.com/ 

Author Kelley Skoloda - A Way Back to Health

In honor of National Cancer Thrivers Day, we are revisiting this "from the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" Show with Kelley Skoloda, author of “A Way Back to Health: 12 Lessons from a Cancer Survivor”. 
Kelley Skoloda was the healthiest person she knew—until the day she became a cancer patient. During her first, routine colonoscopy, Kelley received a shocking diagnosis: colon cancer. Three years later, her book reveals how stories can be powerful motivators and how painful distraction can be turned into advocacy and action. More: https://www.awaybacktohealth.com/ 

Tam Warner Minton - Citizen Scientist & Author of All Fish Faces

In honor of World Oceans Day (June 8), this "From the Vault" Big Blend Radio episode features Tam Warner Minton, author of “ALL FISH FACES: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish.” Hear about her world travels and work photographing and documenting tropical reef fish as a citizen scientist, doing research on behalf of scientists. Citizen science, also known as crowd-sourced science, is when the public engages in research endeavors on behalf of scientists. For those, like Tam Warner Minton, it’s an excellent opportunity to explore your scientific passions while tickling your travel bug at the same time. “Citizen science has allowed me to visit the seven continents of the world, assisting scientists, all while skipping a PhD,” says Minton, an empty-nester turned world traveler. Minton always enjoyed traveling with her husband and family. But when her children flew the coop, she was emboldened to continue traveling; although, this time she was determined to become more adventurous in her explorations! More: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/tam-warner-minton-all-fish-faces/ 

Artist Chelsea Bighorn in Saguaro National Park

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features mixed medoa artist Chelsea Bighorn, the National Parks Arts Foundation's June 2024 artist-in-residence at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona.
Chelsea Bighorn was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. Her tribal affiliations are the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux tribes from Montana and the Shoshone-Paiute from Northern Nevada. Bighorn's work is the result of her combining traditional Native American design with elements from her Irish American heritage. Using this process, she tells her personal history through her art. Bighorn has shown her work at the Museum of Contemporary Native Art, SITE Santa Fe, The Balzar Gallery and her work is currently on display at The Center for Native Futures in Chicago, IL. She graduated with honors from The Institute of American Indian Arts in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts.  More: http://www.chelseabighorn.com/ 
Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 

Hiking Your Feelings in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

In celebration of June being Great Outdoors Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast with the Sequoia Tourism Council focuses on the upcoming Hike and Heal Sequoia National Park Wilderness Wellness Retreats. These retreats are facilitated by Sydney and Barry Williams of Hiking My Feelings in partnership with the Sequoia Parks Conservancy Field Institute. Starting in June, there will be three retreats this summer.
FEATURED GUESTS:- NICOLE STIVERS of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and Lake Kaweah. They fund and enable park projects and programs that protect, preserve, and provide access to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  Visit https://sequoiaparksconservancy.org/ - SYDNEY WILLIAMS -  Author, and Founder & CEO of Hiking My Feelings. This unique organization is on a mission to improve community health by creating opportunities for people to experience the healing power of nature.More at: https://hikingmyfeelings.org/ 
Located in Central California, Tulare County is home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, and charming art and agricultural communities including Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Dinuba, Porterville, Three Rivers, Lindsay, and Woodlake.  Plan your visit to Tulare County  at https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ 
Select featured photos are by Barry Williams / Hiking Your Feelings.