This episode of Big Blend Radio features photographer Steve Piacente, a reporter turned speechwriter, university professor, author, and life coach. You'll rarely find him without a camera is always at his side.

Hear about his photography, what and who inspires him, his world travels, and more, plus, check out his editorial Q&A with us here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/photographer-insider-steve-piacente/

Visit Steve's online gallery: https://www.piacentephotos.com/

From Arizona and New Mexico to Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina, this special episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick features a panel discussion covering Art Destinations Across America.

FEATURED GUESTS & DESTINATIONS - VICTORIA CHICK is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. She talks about Silver City as an art destination, as well the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center. Links to Visit: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/ and https://victoriachick.com/

- CLIFFORD GARSTANG is the author of six works of fiction and lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Hear about the art connection in his short stories and books, as well as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. Links to Visit: https://vmfa.museum/ and https://cliffordgarstang.com/

- ROSE PALMER is an award-winning travel writer and photographer based in Pennsylvania. She is the publisher of Quiltripping.com. Hear about the art in Paducah, Kentucky and read her story about this UNESCO Creative City, here: https://quiltripping.com/pilgrimage-to-paducah-2/

- STEVE & KAREN WILSON are innkeepers and owners of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast that's located in the heart of the Montford Historic District in Asheville, North Carolina. Hear about Beer City USA's popular River Arts District. Links to Visit: https://www.riverartsdistrict.com/ and https://www.lion-rose.com/

- SHARON K. KURTZ is an award-winning travel writer and photographer based in Austin, Texas. Hear about the new Wonderspaces Austin that features an immersive and interactive art show along with a full bar serving signature cocktails. Links to Visit: https://austin.wonderspaces.com/ and https://sharonkkurtz.com/

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" she discusses her novel “Wai-nani - A Voice from Old Hawaii.”

Through Wai-nani's eyes, experience the Hawaiian society as it existed when Captain James Cook arrived at Kealakekua Bay in 1779; ride the billowing seas with Eku, the wild dolphin she befriends; learn why she loved the savage, conflicted ruler, Makaha; walk with her as she defies ancient laws and harsh taboos of the Island people; share the love she received from all who knew her and learn how she rose to become the most powerful woman in old Hawai'i. More: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/wai-nani-a-voice-from-old-hawaii/

View Linda's Wai-nani Wayfinder video: https://youtu.be/rksKsDNtK6Y?si=CoHQDNNdsQWENrB_

Follow Linda Ballou's adventures at https://lostangeladventures.com/

and learn more about her books, including "Wai-nani" at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

NOTE: The "Wai-nani" audiobook is currently unavailable.

Listen to Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Show every 3rd Wednesday at High Noon PST, here on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm3Bmktgu8osUzx2VOF35dgO&feature=shared

Featured music on this episode is “Hi’ilawe” by Makana. http://makanamusic.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Success Insider" spotlight features Clifford Garstang, author of six works of fiction including the novels “The Last Bird of Paradise,” “Oliver’s Travels,” and “The Shaman of Turtle Valley,” and the short story collections “House of the Ancients and Other Stories,” “What the Zhang Boys Know,” and “In an Uncharted Country.” He is also the editor of the acclaimed anthology series, “Everywhere Stories: Short Fiction from a Small Planet.” A former international lawyer, he lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Check out Clifford Garstang’s answers to our 10 Author Insider Questions about his writing career: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/author-success-insider-clifford-garstang/

Keep up with Clifford at https://cliffordgarstang.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts" Show features Stonewall Book Award-winning author, screenwriter, and playwright Samuel Garza Bernstein who discusses his new biography, "Starring Joan Crawford: The Films, the Fantasy, and the Modern Relevance of a Silver Screen Icon.”

In "Starrring Joan Crawford," Bernstein examines what makes this star from Hollywood’s Golden Age a powerful cultural force and model of feminist self-determination for women today. Covering her five-decade career, Garza Bernstein reveals how Miss Crawford continually molded and remolded her image, trying on and discarding various personas and fads, while staying true to herself. Embracing her conflicts and contradictions, he describes Joan Crawford as “an essential American archetype.”

Keep up with Samuel at https://samuelgarzabernstein.com/

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast.

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/

This episode of Big Blend Radio features PANGAEA bassist Ron Poulson who shares some of the band's history, and discusses their music and new album, "Beowulf" that's out now and features Robert Berry as producer.

A Texas band with influences ranging across Progressive Rock, Classic Rock, Classical Music, Heavy Metal, and Classic Country, PANGAEA is made up of Ron Poulson, Steve Osborn, Darrell Masingale, Scott Draughon, Corey Schenk and Andi Schenk.

For over thirty-five years PANGAEA has been creating music that intrigues the mind and inspires the soul. Since their formation in 1989 they have garnered interest in over fifty nations across the globe. The band’s tight, melodic ensemble playing, highly proficient level of musicianship and excellent songwriting and singing, is reminiscent of prog rock’s classic era while also showcasing the band’s modern era sensibilities. More: https://pangaea.band

This episode of Big Blend Radio's TOAST TO THE ARTS Show focuses on the new artists group in Camp Verde, Arizona. Spearheaded by artist Mary Rush, this initiative not only connects local artists as a community (so far over 40 artists), but is also working to add original art as part of the region's greater tourism experience with exhibits, studio tours, and public art projects.

LINKS TO FOLLOW: - Camp Verde Artists Group: https://www.facebook.com/campverdeartistsgroup - Artist Mary Rush: https://wildfeatherfineart.com/ - Artist Sylvia Strobel: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080324948779 - Artist Jen O'Callaghan: https://www.facebook.com/jocdgr8

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast Channel.