Big Daily Blend

Queen Esther on Gettysburg, Resilience, and Her Album Blackbirding

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Arts & Parks” podcast celebrates National Arts & Humanities Month with Queen Esther, who completed a National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) artist residency at Gettysburg National Military Park in 2020.
Queen Esther reflects on her artistic journey, the emotional impact of her Gettysburg residency, and the themes of her upcoming album Blackbirding. The conversation delves into the historical significance of Gettysburg, the concept of blackbirding, and the power of art in preserving and conveying history. She emphasizes the resilience of the Black community and the importance of understanding the past to navigate the present and future.
The discussion also touches on the role of women in history and politics, spirituality in music, and the significance of artistic expression during challenging times.
🎵 The first single Hold Steady is available here: https://ffm.to/holdsteady 
🎵 Pre-save or order the full album Blackbirding here: https://ffm.to/qeblackbirding 
🌐 Learn more about Queen Esther: https://www.queen-esther.com 
🌐 Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation’s artist residencies: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org 

Sweet Treats, Fall Flavors and Baking Fun

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “The Peanut Patch” Podcast, Donna George shares the sweet excitement of October as The Peanut Patch in Yuma, Arizona, re-opens for a new season. Beloved for its nostalgic country store atmosphere, farm-fresh peanuts, and decadent treats, The Peanut Patch is the go-to stop for both locals and travelers.
The conversation explores baking favorites like peanut butter cookies (perfect for National Cookie Month!), the soft crunch of freeze-dried candy, and the decadent flavors of fudge. Listeners will also hear about the fun of building fall-inspired charcuterie boards, the versatility of Medjool dates (even paired with wine or baked into cookies), and the growing popularity of custom gift baskets during the holiday season. From spicy-sweet fall flavors like pumpkin spice to classic peanut brittle, The Peanut Patch is all about celebrating seasonal goodness, National Dessert Month, and making life just a little sweeter.
🛒 Shop year-round: https://thepeanutpatch.com/ 
🍽️ Get inspired in the kitchen with Donna’s recipes: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing-category/donna-george/ 
🎧 Listen and follow the podcast (new episodes every 1st Friday): https://peanut-patch.podbean.com/ 
📲 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Eat Drink & Be Merry" and "Big Daily Blend" Podcast Channels. Explore the Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Fall Festivities in Tulare County, California

From food and drink festivals to fall colors and community celebrations, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “California Sequoia Country” podcast highlights the best of the season in Tulare County, California—home to charming towns, local traditions, and beautiful natural settings.
Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include:- Holly Streit – Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: https://nps.gov/seki/index.htm - Suzanne Bianco – Visit Visalia: https://www.visitvisalia.com/ - Julia Dix – Tulare Chamber of Commerce: https://www.tularechamber.org/ 
This conversation explores Tulare County’s fall festivities, seasonal food, and cultural heritage, along with outdoor activities like picnicking and enjoying fall colors. From persimmons and pumpkin dishes to honoring veterans and new events like the Holiday Market at Cahuilla Oaks Preserve, this episode celebrates how fall brings together food, nature, and community spirit.
⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: This episode was pre-recorded before the Oct. 1, 2025 Government Shutdown. Please learn more about visiting the parks during this time, here: https://www.visitvisalia.com/articles/visiting-sequoia-and-kings-canyon-during-the-government-shutdown 
📍 Download the free Tulare County Visitor Guide: https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ 
🎧 Listen & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://discover-the-sequoias.podbean.com/ 
📡 This episode also streams on Big Blend Radio’s Parks & Travel, Vacation Station, and Big Daily Blend podcast channels. Subscribe to the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Wine, Spice & Cookies: A Fall Flavor Adventure

Celebrate the flavors of fall in this delicious episode of Big Blend Radio’s Wine Time with Peggy podcast! Peggy Fiandaca, co-owner of Arizona’s LDV Winery, takes listeners on a flavorful journey through the magic of wine and spice pairings, the excitement of harvest season, and the joy of cooking with fresh herbs.
From cumin and saffron to black pepper and allspice, discover how spices can elevate both your kitchen creations and your wine tasting experiences. Plus, in honor of National Cookie Month, Peggy shares a special recipe for Wine-Infused Cookies—the perfect treat for pairing with your favorite fall wine.
🍷 Podcast Listener Special – Extended through Mid-October 2025!Purchase 12-bottle cases of select LDV wines for 50% off. Mix and match welcome! ➡️ Available at the LDV Winery Tasting Room.➡️ Out-of-state listeners can order by emailing Peggy@ldvwinery.com or calling +1 480-664-4822. Just mention the Wine Time with Peggy podcast!
✨ Episode Highlights:- Wine and spice make everything nice.- Harvest season brings unique flavors to wines.- Rotate spices for optimal freshness and flavor.- Cooking with fresh herbs adds depth to dishes.- Saffron may be pricey, but it’s magical.
Celebrate National Cookie Month with wine-infused cookies! 🍪 Recipe of the Month: Wine-Infused Cookies - Get it Here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/cmqu/#p=1 
🍇 Learn more about LDV Winery: https://ldvwinery.com 🎧 Follow Wine Time with Peggy: https://wine-time-peggy.podbean.com/ 
This episode is also featured on other Big Blend Radio Network channels including Eat, Drink & Be Merry and Big Daily Blend. Discover more at: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Chef Ivan Flowers: Guajillo Roasted Chicken

Celebrate the end of National Chicken Month (September) with this From the Vault (2018) episode of Big Blend Radio featuring Ivan Flowers, 5-Star Chef and Educator, who shares how to make Guajillo Roasted Chicken and some great cooking tips. See his recipe: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/guajillo-roasted-chicken/ Featured music is 'Te Quiere Mucho' from the 'Please Remember Me' album available at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun - www.DeGrazia.org

Author Jane Eisner: Carole King - She Made the Earth Move

In this inspiring Big Blend Radio conversation, journalist and author Jane Eisner discusses her new biography, "Carole King: She Made the Earth Move" (Yale Jewish Lives, Sept. 16, 2025). Eisner explores the extraordinary life and career of Carole King, from her humble beginnings in postwar Jewish Brooklyn to her rise as one of America’s most influential singer-songwriters.
The interview delves into King’s groundbreaking role in a male-dominated industry, her authentic and timeless songwriting, her struggles and triumphs as a woman balancing fame and family, and her activism on environmental and social issues. Eisner also highlights how King’s Jewish heritage and immigrant background shaped her artistry, and how her music continues to inspire themes of resilience, honesty, and hope across generations.
🎶 Carole King’s songs — from “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” to the Grammy-winning Tapestry album and beyond — remain beloved worldwide, and Eisner’s book offers a fresh, insightful perspective into the mind and soul of this legendary artist.
This interview is part of Big Blend Radio’s National Literacy Month programming, celebrating the power of books and storytelling. Through Jane Eisner’s biography of Carole King, we see how literature and journalism preserve the voices of cultural icons and inspire new generations of readers and music lovers alike.
📖 Learn more about Jane Eisner and her work at: https://jeisner.com/ 
🎧 Listen to more Big Blend Radio podcasts: https://www.bigblendradio.com/ 

Celebrating Life and Music: Joey Stuckey's Alive Day Concert 2025

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Music Talks with Joey Stuckey (airing every 4th Sunday), we celebrate the 7th Annual Joey Stuckey Alive Day! Held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Mill Hill Community Arts Center in Macon, Georgia, Alive Day is a free, family-friendly music festival that celebrates Joey’s triumph over a childhood brain tumor, and the healing power of music.
Joining Joey in this conversation is his friend and fellow musician Diane Durrett, who is performing at this year’s event alongside Tom Rule, Charles Arnold, Caroline Aiken, and Liz Melendez. Hear about the meaning of Alive Day, the role of community and sponsors in supporting live music, and how music continues to uplift and unite people.
💻 Learn more at: https://www.joeystuckey.com/ 
🎶 Can’t make it in person? Watch the show live and free online at: https://volume.com/aliveday/ 
📺 Follow Big Blend Radio: https://www.youtube.com/@bigblendradio 

Exploring Dublin: History, Heritage and Cultural Connections

Join us on Big Blend Radio’s "English Connection" podcast, airing every 4th Saturday, as historian, tour guide, and Norfolk Tours owner Glynn Burrows shares his recent experiences in Dublin, Ireland. From visiting the Jeannie Johnston ship, which never lost a passenger during its famine voyages, to exploring the General Post Office, the site of the 1916 Easter Rising, Glynn delves into Dublin’s powerful legacy and cultural significance.
This conversation also celebrates World Tourism Day and Ancestor Appreciation Day, reflecting on how travel fosters cultural understanding and how exploring our roots deepens our connection to history. From music as a soulful storytelling tradition to the flavors that shape community identity, this episode highlights how heritage lives on in everyday experiences.
🔗 Learn more:- Read Glynn's article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/dublin-a-short-visit-a-long-history/  - Norfolk Tours: https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/  - English Connection Podcast: https://english-connection.podbean.com/  
✨ Takeaways:- Dublin is a welcoming city with a deep, layered history.- The Jeannie Johnston ship symbolizes hope, as it never lost a passenger.- The Easter Rising of 1916 reshaped Ireland’s future.- Understanding history helps us navigate the present and build unity.- Music and food serve as vital threads of cultural identity.- Exploring ancestry enriches personal and cultural understanding.
👉 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station, Big Daily Blend, and Way Back When podcast channels. Explore the podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork