Big Blend Radio

Big Blend Radio Network
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Viva Variety! Hosted by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, Big Blend Radio educates, entertains and inspires! Topics include: Music, Books & The Arts; Travel & Recreation; Food & Drink; National Parks & Public Lands; History & Culture; Nature & Environment; Home & Garden; Family & Education; Business & Career; and much more!

  1. 22h ago

    Chasing Truffles in Istria with Prodan Tartufi

    Welcome back to another episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wanderers Compass" Podcast! Three years after Joelle's first truffle hunt in the pouring rain with a cooking group of sixteen women, she and Ryan return to Buzet, Croatia, to sit down with Višnja Prodan Jekić of Prodan Tartufi — a family truffle business now heading into its fourth generation. It started in the 1960s, when Višnja's grandparents didn't even know what truffles were — they thought they were smelly, inedible potatoes and fed them to the pigs, until Italian traders showed them otherwise. Today, the Prodan family hunts and trains their own truffle dogs (five of them, each with their own name and personality), collects from 50-60 local hunting families every week, and ships fresh truffles worldwide — to Michelin-star restaurants like Alchemist, Noma, and Geranium in Copenhagen, and markets as far as Japan, Singapore, and Dubai. In this episode, Višnja walks through what makes Istria's climate uniquely suited to truffles, how a dog is trained from puppyhood to become a serious hunter, the real differences between black and white truffles (and why white truffles can sell for €2,000-€5,000 a kilo), how to actually cook with truffles at home without overcomplicating it, how to spot a real truffle product versus a chemical imitation, and the story behind the largest truffle her family has ever found. She also shares her own favorite way to eat them — simple scrambled eggs — and what it means to be building a new generation of this family tradition while opening the business to travelers from around the world. 🔗 Read the article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/prodan-tartufi-istria-truffles   🔗 Learn more about Prodan Tartufi: https://prodantartufi.hr/hr/   🔗 Wanderers Compass: https://www.wandererscompass.com/   🔗 More Wanderers Compass episodes: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/wanderers-compass-podcast   🔗 Wanderers Compass Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/wanderers-compass-magazine  New episodes of the Wanderers Compass Podcast air every second Monday on Big Blend Radio.

  2. 1d ago

    Greensboro, North Carolina: History, Hospitality & Where Cornwallis Lost the War

    On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Jo Goes Everywhere!" Podcast, travel writer Jo Clark takes us to Greensboro, North Carolina — the third-largest city in the state and home to Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, site of one of the most consequential battles of the Revolutionary War. Jo digs into Greensboro's roots, from the Saura and Keyauwee peoples who lived there first, to the German, Welsh, English Quaker, and Scotch-Irish settlers who followed, to the city's surprising reputation as the "second-holiest city in America."  Then the Revolution arrives: on March 15, 1781, General Nathanael Greene's Continental Army met Lord Cornwallis's British troops at Guilford Courthouse. Cornwallis technically won the battle — but at such a staggering cost in men that it helped set up his eventual defeat at Yorktown. Along the way, Jo tells the story of the Hoskins family, who fled war-torn Pennsylvania for a fresh start in Greensboro, only to have the British commandeer their farm and turn their home into a field hospital just three years later.  Jo also shares Greensboro's literary and broadcast history (hometown ties to O. Henry and Edward R. Murrow), plus where to eat, drink, and stay if you visit today, including Sàigòn Cuisine, Machete, Lewis and Elm, the O. Henry Hotel, Fainting Goat Spirits, and Angels Bed & Breakfast. Read Jo's full article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/guilford-courthouse-national-military-park  Plan Your Visit to Greensboro - Jo's Greensboro Travel Guide:  https://recipestravelculture.com/greensboro-1781-battlefield-to-jeansboro/  - Guilford Courthouse National Military Park: https://www.nps.gov/guco/index.htm  Follow More of Jo: -  https://www.haveglasswilltravel.com/  - https://recipestravelculture.com/  - Jo Goes Everywhere! Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/jo-goes-everywhere-podcast  - Jo Goes Everywhere! Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/jo-goes-everywhere-magazine

  3. 2d ago

    Chief Joseph Trail Ride 2026: Christy Wood and Stephanie Callahan Clark

    In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" podcast, World Champion horse trainer Christy Wood is joined by fellow rider Stephanie Callahan Clark for their annual look at the Chief Joseph Trail Ride — a thirteen-year progressive journey on horseback retracing the Nez Perce National Historic Trail across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.  They cover this year's route, wildlife encounters, camp community, horse safety, and why living off-the-grid on the trail is part of the adventure — plus a look ahead to 2027, the 150th anniversary of Chief Joseph's flight. 🔗 EXPLORE MORE 🐴 Learn more about the Chief Joseph Trail Ride: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/the-chief-joseph-trail-ride  📚 Connect with Christy & get her books: https://wdnhorse.com/  🏇 Chief Joseph Trail Ride nonprofit: https://chiefjosephtrailride.org/  🎧 Listen to more episodes of the ABC's of Horses Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/abcs-of-horses-podcast  📖Check out the ABC's of Horses Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/abcs-of-horses-magazine

  4. 3d ago

    Snorkeling the Solomon Islands: Two Weeks Aboard the MV Bilikiki

    Author and adventurer Inga Aksamit returns to this Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" show with the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) — to take us snorkeling for two weeks aboard the MV Bilikiki in the Solomon Islands.  From a camouflaged crocodile fish and venomous sea kraits to a floating village market and the Coral Triangle's marine biodiversity, Inga shares what it's like to spend eleven days snorkeling with Snorkel Venture on one of the South Pacific's most remote liveaboard adventures. SOLOMON ISLANDS SNORKLE ADVENTURE RESOURCES:   - Inga's article about her experience: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/snorkeling-solomon-islands  - Plan Your Own Snorkeling Adventure: https://snorkelventure.com/  MORE ON INGA & IFWTWA: - Inga Aksamit: https://ingasadventures.com/  - IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/  - Follow this podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/food-wine-travel-with-ifwtwa  - Read its companion magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/travel-food-wine-magazine

  5. 4d ago

    Epic Southern Africa: Wildlife, Wine, Waterfalls, River & Rail Adventures

    On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel" Podcast, travel writer and photographer Rose Palmer shares her epic month-long journey across Southern Africa with her husband — starting with wine tasting in Cape Town, riding the historic Rovos Rail into Zimbabwe, chasing wildlife and waterfalls at Victoria Falls, safari glamping in Botswana's Khwai Private Reserve and Okavango Delta, and ending with a river boat cruise on the Chobe River. Rose talks border crossings, elephant migration, the best age to bring kids on safari, and why this trip topped even her Alaska road trip for pure epic scale. MORE ON AFRICA:  - Read Rose's full article and see her photos: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/an-epic-month-in-africa   - More of Rose's Africa stories: https://quiltripping.com/africa/   KEEP UP WITH ROSE: - Listen to more of Rose's "Quiltripping Travel" Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/quiltripping-travel-with-rose-podcast   - Check out the "Quiltripping Travel" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/quiltripping-travel-magazine   - Follow Rose's blog: https://www.quiltripping.com

  6. 5d ago

    The Hanged Man: Author Jane Brookwood on Tarot, Cats & Cozy Mystery

    Debut author Jane Brookwood joins Big Blend Radio's "Books & Authors" series with Books Forward to talk about her new tarot-themed cozy mystery, "The Hanged Man," out September 15, 2026. Jane shares how she built the fictional town of Pineridge Hollow, the real cat named Rosie who inspired Fiona's feline familiar, and how her own tarot practice — including a recurring relationship with the Devil card — shaped the book's themes.  The conversation covers tarot symbolism, synchronicity, the archetypes behind her characters, and what's next for the Raven-verse. The Hanged Man is available for pre-order now. Learn more about Jane Brookwood: https://ravenversebooks.com/  Listen to more Big Blend Radio Books & Authors episodes: https://bigblendmediahouse.com/  Learn more about Books Forward: https://booksforward.com/

  7. 6d ago

    Explore Tualatin Valley, Oregon: Where Wine Country Meets the Great Outdoors

    Just 30 minutes from Portland, Tualatin Valley is Oregon's underrated wine country — home to 40+ wineries, one of the state's most ethnically diverse food scenes, tax-free shopping, and a 21-mile paved trail past a giant wooden troll.  On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel Show," presented in partnership with the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), Sylke Neal-Finnegan, VP of Communications and PR at Explore Tualatin Valley, gives us a conversational tour of the Willamette Valley's northwest corner. Beyond the vineyards, Tualatin Valley is shaped by a 50-year-old urban growth boundary that protects farmland and keeps its wine country sustainable including some dry-farming. Sylke also digs into the region's thriving arts scene — from the Broadway Rose Theatre Company to the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts — plus year-round outdoor adventure along the Tualatin River, Hagg Lake, and the fully accessible Banks-Vernonia State Trail. It's proof that this corner of the Willamette Valley offers a lot to experience. Featured image: David Hill Vineyards & Winery, courtesy of Explore Tualatin Valley. RESOURCES LINKS: - Plan your visit: https://tualatinvalley.org/  - Learn more about IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/  - Follow the Food, Wine & Travel Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/food-wine-travel-podcast-ifwtwa  - Check out Big Blend Radio's "Travel Food & Wine: Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/travel-food-wine-magazine

  8. Sep 8

    Oklahoma City: A Destination for the Whole Family

    Celebrate Intergeneration Month (September) with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Travel with Terri" Podcast where travel journalist Terri Guthrie shares how Oklahoma City is a destination built for every generation — grandparents, parents, and grandkids alike.  Hear about the whimsical, hands-on art of Factory Obscura, the massive Science Museum Oklahoma, the newly refreshed Frontier City theme park, the canal-side charm of Bricktown, and the high tea tradition at The National Hotel. Terri talks about Riversport Adventures where active families can go rafting, ziplining, and tread an 80-foot Sky Trail. A host to international Olympic Trials athletes, it's on its way to becoming a training hub for Team USA ahead of the next Summer Games. Oklahoma City is proving itself as one of the most underrated multigenerational travel destinations in the country — easy to navigate, packed with hands-on experiences, and offering something for every age and interest. It's also less than 3 hours from the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, making it an easy road trip for Texas families. PLAN YOUR OKC VISIT with Terri's OKC Family Getaway Travel Guide with links to attractions & activities, plus Part 1& 2 of this OKC podcast series: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/t/terri-guthrie  KEEP UP WITH TERRI'S TRAVELS:  🎙️ Travel with Terri: https://www.travelwithterri.com/   📻 Travel with Terri airs every other Tuesday: https://www.travelwithterri.com/podcast   📰 The Luxe Explorer Magazine: https://www.travelwithterri.com/magazine   🌎 Travel with Terri highlights on Big Blend Media House: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/t/terri-guthrie

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About

Viva Variety! Hosted by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, Big Blend Radio educates, entertains and inspires! Topics include: Music, Books & The Arts; Travel & Recreation; Food & Drink; National Parks & Public Lands; History & Culture; Nature & Environment; Home & Garden; Family & Education; Business & Career; and much more!

Information

  • Creator
    Big Blend Radio Network
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Big Blend Radio and Magazines
  • Show Website
    Big Blend Radio