Big Blend Radio

New California Regulations Address AI Discrimination

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs discusses the growing impact of artificial intelligence in employment practices and hiring decisions. The conversation explores how AI can both reflect and amplify existing biases and racism, the ethical challenges of developing fair algorithms, and the importance of transparency and accountability. Ward also explains new regulations designed to ensure equitable hiring practices and protect against AI-driven discrimination in the workplace.
📖 Read Ward’s article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/garbage-in-garbage-out-new-regulations-address-ai-discrimination/ 
👨‍⚖️ Connect with Ward Heinrichs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ward-heinrichs/ 
🎧 More episodes: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/ 
🔊 This episode is also featured on the Success Express Podcast Channel on the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Author Claudia Daher - Revolutionary Army of Teens: We Are One

This Big Blend Radio conversation with debut author Claudia Daher dives into her powerful new science fiction novel, “R.A.T.S: Revolutionary Army of Teens – We Are One” (Pegasus Publishing, September 28, 2025). The story follows a diverse group of teens secretly training in an alternate reality video game to defend Earth against water-stealing aliens — a thrilling adventure that bridges timelines from ancient Atlantis to a near-future Earth facing climate catastrophe.
In celebration of Unity Day and Global Appreciation Month, Claudia shares her belief in the power of love, respect, and unity to overcome global challenges. The discussion explores humanity’s deep interconnectedness with nature, the consequences of our actions, and how ambition and responsibility shape the future of our planet.
As Claudia says, “Everything is connected for us. Sooner or later, there is cause and effect.”
🌍 Learn more about Claudia Daher and her work: http://claudiadaherauthor.com/ 
Follow her on Facebook @ClaudiaDaher.Author and Instagram @claudiadaher_author 
🎙️ This show is featured on Big Blend Radio’s Big Daily Blend, Quality of Life, Nature Connection, and Toast to The Arts Podcast Channels. Explore the full Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Discovering Saint John in New Brunswick: History, Culture and Natural Wonders

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Journey Jukebox" travel podcast, travel writer Lisa Evans takes listeners on an exploration of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada’s first incorporated city. From its stunning Victorian architecture and vibrant Area 506 entertainment district—crafted from refurbished shipping containers—to the geological marvels of the Stonehammer Geopark and the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy, Saint John offers an unforgettable blend of history, innovation, and natural beauty.
The conversation also highlights the city’s British and French influences, the family-friendly educational experiences that travel provides, and the dynamic Canadian music scene that reflects the country’s cultural diversity. Whether you’re drawn to heritage, science, or the arts, Saint John is a destination that invites discovery.
🎵 Listen to the Journey Jukebox Spotify Playlist inspired by travel:👉 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7humUf03LIW04t8LiJSSN9?si=54c7630328284648 
🗺️ Lisa’s Saint John, New Brunswick Travel Articles:* Saint John: Canada’s First Incorporated City – https://www.travelworldmagazine.com/2023/09/st-john-new-brunswick-canada-first-incorporated-city * Exploration and Enlightenment in Saint John, New Brunswick – https://rovology.com/canada/exploration-and-enlightenment-in-saint-john-new-brunswick/ 
📚 Lisa Evans is the author of 100 Things to Do in Coastal Mississippi Before You Die🌐 https://writerlisa.com/ 🌐 https://www.gosmart.travel/advisors/lisa/evans 
📅 New episodes air every 3rd Tuesday at 12pm CST🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://journeyjukebox.podbean.com/ 
✨ This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Parks & Travel and Vacation Station podcast channels! Listen to more Big Blend Radio episodes: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Lafayette, Louisiana: Exploring America's Happiest City

Recorded onsite during the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) Conference, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Travel with Terri” Show features host Terri Guthrie in conversation with Ben Berthelot, President & CEO of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission.
Known as the Happiest City in America, Lafayette shines with its Cajun and Creole culture, incredible food scene, lively festivals, and welcoming community spirit. Terri and Ben discuss the city’s unique blend of music, cuisine, and heritage, the University of Louisiana’s role in shaping local life, and the family-friendly celebrations that embody the area’s joyful charm.
They also touch on exciting future developments, including the Louisiana Music Museum and a new boutique hotel, as well as Lafayette’s natural beauty—from scenic swamps to wildlife-filled wetlands. Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, or cultural explorer, Lafayette offers an authentic Louisiana experience that’s truly unforgettable.
📍 Plan Your Visit: https://www.lafayettetravel.com/ 
🎧 Follow Big Blend Radio's "Travel with Terri" Podcast: https://travelwithterri.podbean.com/ 
✨ As part of Big Blend Radio's Global Diversity Awareness programming, this episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Big Daily Blend and Vacation Station podcast channels!  Listen to more Big Blend Radio episodes: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Beyond Tuscany: Exploring Family History, Culture and Everyday Life in Italy

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) celebrates Italian-American Heritage Month and Family History Month with Valerie Fortney-Schneider—writer, author, genealogist, and expat living in Italy.
Valerie shares her experiences from nearly 20 years of living in Italy, from her ancestral region of Basilicata to her current home in Ascoli Piceno (Le Marche). Listeners will discover what life is really like beyond Tuscany, as Valerie explores the heart of Italian culture—where hospitality is sacred, community is central, and every meal tells a story. She also discusses her work as a professional genealogy researcher, helping Americans trace their roots and rediscover ancestral connections through travel.
Valerie authored "52 Things to See and Do in Basilicata," the first English-language guidebook dedicated solely to the region. Together with her husband Bryan Schneider, author of "Italian Ancestral Journeys: A DIY Guide to Visiting Your Ancestors’ Towns," she has helped hundreds of travelers rediscover their roots and experience Italy through local eyes.
From the ancient city of Matera to the local markets, vineyards, and kitchens of small Italian towns, this conversation captures the rhythm, warmth, and authenticity that define life in Italy.
🌐 Learn more about Valerie’s work: http://www.myancestralitaly.com 
📚 Explore her books: https://www.myancestralitaly.com/books 
🌐 Learn more about IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/ 
🌐 Follow this podcast, also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station, Big Daily Blend, and Way Back When History channels: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m 

Author Diane Hartman - Getting Lost on My Way Memoir

Celebrate Family History Month and National Arts & Humanities Month with this inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio, featuring debut author Diane Hartman, who discusses her memoir “Getting Lost On My Way: Self-Discovery on Ireland’s Backroads.”
In this heartfelt conversation, Diane shares how her travels through Ireland’s villages and misty cliffs became a journey of healing, creativity, and connection. Guided by her love of Celtic culture and the words of an Irish poet, Diane began to write not just about where she traveled—but how those journeys transformed her life.
A retired librarian, photographer, and award-winning writer, Diane opens up about the importance of libraries, the courage of solo travel, and how creativity can help us rediscover who we are. She encourages listeners to pursue their dreams, explore their ancestral roots, and embrace the magic of new beginnings.
🌐 Learn more about Diane Hartman at https://www.dianehartmanauthor.com 
🎙️ Listen to more episodes of Big Blend Radio at https://bigblendradio.podbean.com/ 

Pam Penick: Gardens of Texas - Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State

In this inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Garden Gossip" Show, nationally recognized gardening expert Pam Penick talks about her brand-new book, "Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State," out now through Timber Press. Pam shares insights on creating climate-resilient, waterwise, and wildlife-friendly gardens, drawing from two decades of experience as a garden writer, speaker, designer, and advocate for sustainable landscaping.
Through the stunning, photo-rich pages of Gardens of Texas, Pam takes readers on a tour of 27 diverse gardens across the Lone Star State, demonstrating how gardeners can adapt to droughts, heat, floods, and freezes while still cultivating beauty and biodiversity. The conversation explores native plants, local soil types, crevice gardens, heirloom varieties, seed swaps, and the importance of local nurseries—with lessons that extend far beyond Texas.
Pam also reflects on how gardening connects us to nature, promotes ecological health, and serves as a creative response to climate change. Whether you’re a novice gardener or a seasoned plant lover, her insights offer both inspiration and practical wisdom for growing with purpose in any environment.
Learn more about Pam and her work at: https://www.penick.net/digging/ 
Get the book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/pam-penick/gardens-of-texas/9781643263748/  
Listen to more Garden Gossip episodes on: https://garden-gossip.podbean.com/ 

Artist Victoria Chick: A Journey Through Art

In celebration of Arts and Humanities Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “World of Art” Show features artist and art advocate Victoria Chick, who shares her personal art journey and discusses the powerful impact of art on individuals and communities.
Victoria explores how art serves as both history and healing, the importance of art education, and the role of museums in preserving cultural stories. She also talks about developing observational skills, the value of creative expression, and the ripple effect art has on society.
Victoria is a contemporary figurative artist, art historian, and the visionary behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center in Silver City, New Mexico. She also collects early 19th and 20th-century American prints.
🌐 More to Explore- Victoria’s Portfolio: https://victoriachick.com/ - World of Art Podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ - Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/ - 🎧 This episode also appears on Big Blend Radio’s Toast to The Arts and Big Daily Blend channels. Discover more: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork