Big Blend Radio

Dr. Kathy Gruver: Stress, Childhood Trauma and the World of Psychedelics

This episode of Big Blend Radio features a catch-up conversation with Dr. Kathy Gruver who talks about different ways to relieve stress, childhood trauma and internal family systems, and the world of psychedelics.
Dr. Kathy Gruver is an award-winning author, professional speaker, hypnotherapist, and ACC life and executive certified coach with over 30 years of experience in mind/body medicine and human behavior. An entertainer and educator imbuing all her programs with practicality and passion. With a West Coast mentality and an East Coast delivery her humorous, down to earth, and engaging style has captivated hundreds of audiences on four continents, three cruise ships and a handful of islands. It’s been her true honor to have delivered two TEDx talks.
Kathy has written eight books which have garnered 12 awards, hosted a TV series based on her first book and developed a stress reduction program for the US military. She has penned countless articles and appears regularly as a guest on radio, TV and in print media including the Dr. Phil Show. She has earned her PhD in natural health and has studied mind-body medicine at the famed Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Harvard. For fun and stress relief Kathy does flying trapeze, aerial silks and plays Dungeons and Dragons.
Keep up with Dr. Kathy Gruver at http://www.kathygruver.com/ 

Mark Rowlands - The Word of Dog

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show, Mark Rowlands talks about his new book, "The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living a Good Life" (Liveright; Jan 28, 2025). Here, Rowlands shows us we could do a lot better than we’re doing simply by listening to the unspoken wisdom our dogs reveal to us every day of their happy, uncomplicated lives.
Rowlands is professor and chair of the philosophy department at the University of Miami, a leading figure in the morality of animals, and author of twenty-three books on the philosophy of mind, the moral status of non-human animals, and cultural criticism. He is known within academic philosophy for his work on the animal mind and is one of the principal architects of the view known as vehicle externalism, or the extended mind, the view that thoughts, memories, desires and beliefs can be stored outside the brain and the skull. His works include Animal Rights (1998), The Body in Mind (1999), The Nature of Consciousness (2001), Animals Like Us (2002), and a personal memoir, The Philosopher and the Wolf (2008).
Big Blend Radio's PET CONNECTION Show is cohosted by Angela Laws, veteran pet sitter, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/   
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" Podcast Channel. Follow the "Pet Connection" podcast at https://pet-connection.podbean.com/ 

Jack London and Me

From Alaska to Hawai'i and California, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" podcast focuses on the life of famous writer Jack London.
Linda's essay "Jack London and Me" is included in the 2024 San Francisco Writer’s Conference Anthology. In it she shares her deep connection to a man considered to be our nation’s greatest adventure writer. As Linda shares, "Our lives intersected in mysterious ways that leave me feeling a special connection with him." The anthology "How We Change" is available on Amazon in e-book and print format here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Foundation-Conference-Anthologies/dp/1647150116/ 
Follow Linda Ballou's adventures at https://lostangeladventures.com/ and learn more about her books at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ 
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 

Leah Rothstein - Author, Community Organizer, Housing Program Expert

In observance of World Social Justice Day, this episode of Big Blend Radio features Leah Rothstein, a veteran community organizer, local housing program expert, and co-author of "Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law" (Liveright: June 2023), which will be released in paperback on March 4, 2025.
In 2017 Richard Rothstein wrote "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America." The book has sold more than 1 million copies and started a revolution in the housing industry by explaining America’s troubled housing situation.  
Newly educated and informed communities across the nation began to take action.  As Richard toured the country educating local communities, the communities began reviewing their housing policies and initiating changes.Realizing direction was needed to help communities get started and move the process forward, Richard enlisted his daughter, Leah Rothstein, to co-author "Just Action." 
"Just Action" provides concrete examples of what communities can do to improve local housing policies. Paired with an active "Just Action Substack" column, challenging segregated housing is happening across the nation. Visit: https://www.justactionbook.org/ 

Experience the Bahamas with MSC Cruises

It's all about The Bahamas on this episode of Big Blend Radio's travel podcast "Journey Jukebox with Lisa." Hear about Lisa's experience aboard the MSC Divina Cruise Ship on one of MSC's Ocean Cay Cruises from Miami, Orlando & NYC, along with her adventures at Ocean Cay and Nassau's Paradise Island including Stingray Encounters, John Watling's Rum Distillery, and The Queen's Staircase.
PLAN YOUR BAHAMA ADVENTURE:- MSC Divina - https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/ships/msc-divina - MSC Cruises - Bahamas: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/destinations/caribbean/bahamas/ocean-cay-msc-marine-reserve - https://www.bahamas.com/ - https://www.johnwatlings.com/ - https://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/experiences/the-queens-staircase 
CHECK OUT LISA'S CARIBBEAN GROUP CRUISE: https://writerlisa.com/2025/02/15/celebrate-new-years-in-belize-on-a-cruise/ 
JOURNEY JUKEBOX MUSIC PLAYLIST on SPOTIFY (updated each episode):  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7humUf03LIW04t8LiJSSN9?si=54c7630328284648 
LISA EVANS is a travel writer and photographer, travel advisor, and author of "100 Things to Do in Coastal Mississippi Before You Die."  More at https://writerlisa.com/ and https://www.gosmart.travel/advisors/lisa/evans 
New episodes of Big Blend Radio’s ”Journey Jukebox with Lisa” Podcast air every 3rd Tuesday at 12pm CST. Follow the podcast from your favorite platform here:  https://journeyjukebox.podbean.com/ 

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association 2025

Calling all food, wine, and travel writers! From networking and educational webinars to contests and the upcoming annual professional development conference, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s 3rd Monday “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Assocation (IFWTWA) shines a spotlight on the organization and its many member benefits. 
IFWTWA BOARD MEMBERS ON THE SHOW:- CORI SOLOMON - President, Membership Chair, and Conference Co-Chair: https://www.writtenpalette.com/ - DAVE NERSHI - 1st Vice President, and Professional Development Chair: https://www.vino-sphere.com/ - ANDREW HARRIS - 2nd Vice President, Director, and Culinary Advisor: https://socalrestaurantshow.com/ - AMY PIPER - Director, and FWT Magazine Editor: https://followthepiper.com/ - ROBIN O'NEAL SMITH - Treasurer and Social Media Assistant: https://robinonealsmith.com/ - SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM -  Director and Co-Chair of Media Trips Committee: https://www.wanderwithwonder.com/ - DEBBRA DUNNING BROUILLETTE - Director, Associate Editor at FWT Magazine, Co-Chair of Media Trips Committee: https://www.tropicaltravelgirl.com/ - KAT ANDERSON - Director and Social Media Committee Chair: https://coffeeandmascara.org/ - JUDI COHEN - Board Secretary and Canadian Liason: https://travelingjudi.com/ 
Save the date for the IFWTWA 2025 Professional Development Conference in Lafayette, Louisiana from October 12 – 16, 2025 and learn more about the organization, here: https://www.ifwtwa.org/ 
Follow this Podcast Channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m 
This episode is also featured on our Big Blend Radio "Vacation Station" Travel Channel and Success Express Channel.  Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here:  https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

The History of Art Museums - A Global Perspective

From the Capitoline Museum in Rome to the Museum of Ennigaldi-Nanna (a princess of Babylon) and the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick is Part One of her three-part series on the history of Art Museums. This global themed show celebrates International Friendship Month and National Library Month since museums are also home to libraries! 
Victoria is the catalyst behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center project in Silver City, New Mexico. You can learn more about the Museum effort and read her article about the History of Art Museums (Part One), here: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-one 
Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/ 
Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When," "Toast to The Arts," "Women Making History," and "Big Daily Blend" Podcast Channels. Check out our network of shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Family-friendly Wineries in Greater Seattle

Seattle and its surrounding areas are known for their stunning landscapes, thriving culinary scene, and world-class wines. But did you know that many wineries in this region welcome families, offering kid-friendly spaces and experiences that ensure a great time for both adults and children? 
On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA, travel writer Phylicia Stitzel, "The Backpacker Mom," shares some of her favorite family-friendly wineries in the greater Seattle region, and discusses her wine and travel writing background. Check out her article here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/seattle-family-friendly-wineries/  
Phylicia Stitzel is an adventurous travel blogger, professional photographer, and wine enthusiast who explores the world with her children in tow. She’s on a mission to inspire and empower moms to embrace travel—proving that you can have incredible experiences, enjoy great wine, and make lasting memories with kids by your side. Keep up with her adventures here: https://thebackpackermom.com/ 
Learn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) at https://www.ifwtwa.org/ 
Follow this podcast here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m