Women Making History

Sharon K. Kurtz - Journeying Through Peru

From the cobblestone streets of Cusco to the majestic Machu Picchu and the shores of Lake Titicaca, this episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz covers her immersive experiences with Intrepid Travel in Peru. Read about her journey that took her deep into the vibrant tapestry of local communities, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/journeying-through-peru/ 
Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz. New episodes air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1ALXeV1vR6H10EtkPvgDW5 
Sharon Kurtz is an accomplished travel writer and award-winning photographer based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to exploring the world and sharing her adventures through compelling storytelling. Her travels have taken her to more than 50 countries on six continents—her carry-on is always packed, ready for the next adventure. Enjoy Sharon’s writing at https://sharonkkurtz.com/ or follow her on https://www.instagram.com/shar_kurtz/ 

Laura Fahrenthold - The Pink Steering Wheel Chronicles

When Bloomberg journalist Mark Pittman suddenly died, his widow spent four summers driving 31,152 miles searching for answers. A former NY Daily News crime reporter, Laura Fahrenthold presents her moving portrait of life told with unflinching honesty about marriage, motherhood and mourning in "The Pink Steering Wheel Chronicles: A Love Story." Published by Hatherleigh Press and distributed through Penguin Random House, Laura’s put-your-heart-back-together memoir shares her adventures and misadventures, her deeply-layered love story, and her heartbreaking yet often hilarious slice of life dispatches as captain of a 1993 RV as she traverses North America spreading his ashes with their young daughters and a stray dog where the pink steering wheel becomes their spiritual GPS. This Big Blend Radio "From the Vault" episode (2018) is in celebration of Great Outdoors Month.

Strong Women in the American West

This "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio focuses on Strong Women in the American West, specifically in Colorado.
FEATURED GUESTS- Linda Ballou author of "Embrace of the Wild: Inspired by Equestrian Explorer Isabella Bird." She takes you on a heady ride from the lush Hawaiian Islands to the majestic Rocky Mountains where she meets a mercurial mountain man. Info: http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ 
- Pat Benedict Jurgens, author of the award-winning novel "Falling Forward: A Woman’s Journey West." This is the story of an ordinary woman who meets life’s unexpected turns with strength and resilience. Info: https://patjurgens.com/ 

Don't You Dare - Uncovering Lost Love

In celebration of Pride Month, this "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio (June 2023) features Author Gayla Turner, Singer-Songwriter-guitarist Jill Knight, and Vocalist/Composer Johnny Schaefer. This conversation covers Pride celebrations, flamingos, summer holidays, and the "Don't You Dare" audiobook and song project. Gayla Turner’s "Don’t You Dare," book weaves together a current-day journey of discovery and a love story that took place between two women in the early 1900s—a story that would forever change her life. Johnny Schaefer (guest co-host of the Big Daily Blend podcast) wrote the song "Don't You Dare" for the audio book, which features Jill Knight on vocals and guitar.
FOLLOW:- Singer/songwriter Johnny Schaefer - ⁠https://hearjohnny.com/ ⁠- Gayla Turner - Author of "Don't You Dare" - ⁠http://www.gaylaturner.com/⁠- Singer/songwriter Jill Knight - ⁠https://www.jillknight.com/⁠

Reggae Artist Annicia Banks - Up Front!

In celebration of June being Caribbean American Heritage Month, this "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio features reggae singer-songwriter Annicia Banks who talks about her debut EP “Up Front” with Raw Vue Music, her world travels, and cooking. The EP introduces her original songs, including a collaboration with the late and legendary Bob Andy, with the first single a cover of the Dennis Brown hit "Love Has Found Its Way" featuring original saxophonist Dean Fraser. More: http://www.rawvuemusic.com/ 
Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, Annicia has toured the Caribbean, United States, Asia, Africa, and Europe, using the dulcet tones of her voice to provide background support for internationally acclaimed reggae artists Judy Mowatt (of I-Threes fame), Bunny Wailer (original member of The Wailers), Sister Carol, and the legendary "Crown Prince of Reggae" Dennis Emmanuel Brown. 

Catching Up with Shelley King - Madam Mystic Album

Award-winning Texas singer-songwriter and musician Shelley King returns to Big Blend Radio to catch us up about her active touring schedule and her 10th album "Madam Mystic." This is the third album that she has collaborated on with John Magnie and Steve Amedée, members of the renowned New Orleans group, The Subdudes. She also worked with esteemed musicians and vocalists Eric Thorin, Cindy Cashdollar, Will McFarlane, Shawn Camp, Carolyn Wonderland, Greta Cornett and Phuong Nguyen, Matt Skinner, and Tim Cook.
Shelley King's decades-long journey in the music industry has been on her terms. She's taken on the roles of songwriter, band leader, studio producer, owner of her own label and publishing company, to self-release all of her work.  Her talent, energy, commitment to the craft, and service to the community led her to be recognized by the Texas Legislature and appointed Official Texas State Musician. She’s won several Austin Music Awards, and had her songs recorded by several internationally known musicians.  More at https://www.shelleyking.com/ 
This episode is featured on the following Big Blend Radio podcast channels: Big Daily Blend, Women Making History, A Toast to The Arts, and Rants, Raves & Rock 'n Roll. Keep up with our shows here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Dr. Helen McKibben - Drop: Making Great Decisions

Closing off Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio features Dr. Helen McKibben, a seasoned clinical therapist with over 35 years of experience, and the creator of the innovative and unique self-help technique, "Dropping to the Blank Screen." 
Hear about her new book “Drop: Making Great Decisions" that teaches how to use neuroscience to activate the brain in the way it is designed to work emotionally, and to change your brain's responses to yourself and other people. You can use your emotional instincts to make great decisions. Trust your brain and set yourself up for self-reliance.
McKibben holds a doctorate in psychology, counseling licenses in multiple states, and national certification. She is passionate about neuroscience and the interaction between the brain and emotions. https://helenmckibben.com/ 

Children's Book Author Linda B. Davis - Food Fight

In Honor of World Digestive Health Day (May 29) and Mental Health Awareness Month (May), this "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio features author Linda B. Davis who discusses her engaging and empowering middle grade novel on finding self-esteem with a little-known eating disorder known as ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), often characterized as “extreme picky eating.” WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/b7dqpTEB-dA Linda holds a master’s degree in developmental psychology from Vanderbilt University and a master’s in clinical social work from University of South Florida. Her past work experiences include research investigating how the sense of smell facilitates mother-infant bonding, clinical work with people newly infected with HIV, and psychoeducational support for adults and children living with mental illness.Ultimately, her career training prepared her to be curious about why we do the things we do. This has come in handy as a mother and a writer. She is passionate about the need for accessible and accurate information about mental health, especially in children’s books. Out now, her novel, “Food Fight,” was inspired by a young relative’s experience living with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). More: https://www.lindabdavisauthor.com/