Way Back When

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Historic Jefferson Highway" Show takes us to the historic Reed-Niland Corner in Colo, Iowa, a beloved crossroads and symbol of Americana along the Jefferson Highway.

As always, the show features Roger Bell, Co-Host and President of the Jefferson Highway Association, along with host and producer Lisa D. Smith. The featured guest is Brenda McGuire of the historic Reed-Niland Corner in Colo, Iowa. Fo...

Recorded on location in St. Augustine, Florida, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Travel with Terri" explores the rich history, vibrant culture, and living heritage of America’s oldest continuously occupied city. Travel writer Terri Guthrie discusses St. Augustine’s Spanish colonial roots and iconic landmarks, including the Fountain of Youth and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, both of which play a major role in understan...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), we welcome back Dave DeGolyer of Explore Steuben to explore the rich wine culture, fascinating history, and small-town charm of Steuben County in New York’s Finger Lakes region.

The conversation traces the evolution of winemaking in the Finger Lakes — from early table grape production in H...

Author Michael G. Colburn joins Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Arts” show to discuss his Lady Black Mystery Series and the inspiration behind his gripping historical novel, "Asylum Murders."

In this engaging conversation, Colburn shares his journey from a successful business career into fiction writing and explores how real historical events — including the disturbing history of 19th-century asylums — shape his storytelling. Set i...

As part of our Book Blitz Month programming, award-winning author, explorer, photographer, and cetacean specialist James Michael Dorsey joins Big Blend Radio to share stories from a lifetime of global exploration.  Hear how writing, photography, and storytelling serve as artistic tools for cultural preservation. From crafting personal travel narratives to documenting oral traditions, this episode celebrates literature, narrative c...

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Books & Authors” Show with Books Forward, airing on the second Wednesday of the month, features author Nancy Bernhard, who discusses her novel "The Double Standard Sporting House." The episode also celebrates National Books Blitz Month, spotlighting powerful stories that illuminate overlooked voices and hidden histories.

Set in 19th-century New York, "The Double Standard Sporting House" explor...

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Jo Goes Everywhere!” Podcast, travel writer Jo Clark explores 10 haunted towns and spooky ghost tours across the United States, from historic battlefields and shadowy streets to legendary folklore and paranormal hotspots. Destinations include Gettysburg, Charleston, Louisiana, Washington, D.C., St. Augustine, and more—each revealing ghost stories, haunted festivals, and supernatural legends dee...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast, award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz explores the vibrant coastal city of Corpus Christi, Texas, where sun, sea, culture, and history come together.

From horseback riding on the beach and fishing along the coast to visiting the South Texas State Aquarium, Sharon shares firsthand experiences that showcase the city’s outdoor lifestyle...

From Roman forts and villas to Gothic cathedrals and the visionary works of architects like Inigo Jones, Sir Christopher Wren, and George Skipper, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" Podcast with Glynn Burrows explores the evolution of architecture in England and what it reveals about wealth, power, craftsmanship, and society.

Through a thoughtful conversation on design, functionality, and opulence, we examine ho...

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Global Adventures" Podcast with travel writer Debbie Stone explores Catania, Sicily, a city defined by resilience, tradition, and a fascinating blend of beauty and grit.

Set in the shadow of Mount Etna, Catania’s story is shaped by volcanic eruptions, deep-rooted faith, and a strong sense of community. Debbie explores the cultural importance of Saint Agatha, the folklore surrounding the Elephant F...

In this thought-provoking episode of Big Blend Radio, acclaimed author David Baron discusses his award-winning book, "The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America."

Long before Martians became the stuff of science fiction, many Americans believed they might actually exist. David explores how late 19th- and early 20th-century scientists, astronomers, and the media became captivated by Mars...

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), travel writer Barbara Redding explores the unexpected dual legacy of Jamestown, New York—a town shaped by both global justice and iconic comedy.

The conversation highlights Jamestown native Robert H. Jackson, whose work as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and chief prosecutor at the Nuremberg ...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), Jillian Sliwinski of Visit Flanders takes listeners on a journey through Flanders, Belgium, a region rich in history, art, culture, and culinary traditions.

The conversation explores Flanders’ central role in European history, including its connections to World War I and World War II, and ...

Filmmaker Nick Davis joins Big Blend Radio to discuss his powerful new documentary, This Ordinary Thing, releasing December 5, 2025 (Cinema Village, NYC) with a theatrical roll out and VOD Release to follow on March 31, 2026. Blending performance, personal testimony, and historical narrative, This Ordinary Thing explores the profound acts of humanity that occurred during the Holocaust—ordinary people who risked everything to save ...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Wander the World with Sharon,” award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz takes us on a captivating train journey through beautiful Bavaria.  Exploring at her own pace, Sharon visits historic cities, spa towns, wine regions, and cultural landmarks — all while reflecting on how travel deepens our understanding of history and broadens our connection to the world.

From Nuremberg’...

This special episode of the Jefferson Highway Podcast celebrates 110 years since Edwin T. Meredith first launched the idea of the Jefferson Highway, the historic “Pine to Palm” route connecting Winnipeg to New Orleans. 

Cohost Roger Bell, President of the Jefferson Highway Association, joins the conversation to explore the highway’s history, the early challenges in its creation, the role of community participation, and the ongoing ...

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Global Adventures with Debbie Stone, we celebrate an exciting milestone — the launch of Debbie’s brand-new Global Adventures Digital Magazine, where each podcast episode now integrates with her immersive travel stories and photography.

This week, Debbie takes listeners on a dazzling journey through Morocco, based on her recent private tour with Wilderness Travel. From the Imperial cities of Raba...

Join historian and UK tour guide Glynn Burrows of Norfolk Tours for a fascinating journey through the history, architecture, and cultural significance of Windsor Castle and nearby Runnymede, the birthplace of the Magna Carta. From medieval fortifications to royal traditions, Glynn explains what makes Windsor Castle such an extraordinary place to visit — and what travelers should know before they go.

He also touches on the importanc...

Historian and award-winning author Dr. Matthew Restall joins Big Blend Radio’s "Way Back When" History Show to discuss his latest book, “The Nine Lives of Christopher Columbus” (W. W. Norton, October 7, 2025).

A leading expert on Latin American and colonial history, Dr. Restall is the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of History and Anthropology and Director of Latin American Studies at Penn State University. He is also the author of ove...