Big Daily Blend

Jason Hanson - Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life

In observance of January being National Personal Self-Defense Awareness Month, this "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio features Jason Hanson, author of the New York Times best-seller “Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life: A Former CIA Officer Reveals Safety and Survival Techniques to Keep You and Your Family Protected.” Hear his travel tips on staying safe in planes, taxis and hotels. www.SpyEscapeandEvasion.com 

Vegan Food and Wine Pairings

Celebrate International Veganuary Month on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy" podcast with Peggy Fiandaca and Chef Candy Lesher who discuss vegan food and wine pairings. Check out Chef Candy's vegan Cannellini Casserole Recipe here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/cannellini-casserole/ 
Along with her winemaker husband Curt Lawrence Dunham, Peggy Fiandaca owns and operates LDV Winery in Arizona. Learn more at  https://ldvwinery.com/ 
Chef Candy Lesher is a culinary wellness coach based in Phoenix, Arizona. View more recipes and learn about how she helps clients achieve their health goals at https://www.yourkitchenrx.com/  
"Wine Time with Peggy" airs every 1st Wednesday at 4pm Arizona time. Follow the podcast here: http://tinyurl.com/42j5zucj 
This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Channels including the "Big Daily Blend," and "Eat, Drink & Be Merry." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Hilalrie Larson - The World of Champagne and Sparkling Wines

Celebrate National Champagne Day with this "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio featuring wine educator and sommelier Hilarie Larson! From Champagne and Prosecco to Cremant, Sekt and Cava, Hilarie discusses the world of sparkling wines, and the regions they are produced.  More: https://www.northwindswineconsulting.com/ 

Author JW Jarvis - Artificial Agent

Celebrate National Read a New Book Day with this episode of Big Blend Radio featuring author J.W. Jarvis who discusses his heart pounding thriller “Artificial Agent” (Big Dee Books, January 21, 2025), that was inspired by “The Six Million Dollar Man.”
In "Artificial Agent," J.W. Jarvisshares the story of a highly decorated Navy SEAL who is given a second chance to serve his country when advanced tech restores his ability to walk and grants him unique powers. But while technology gives him a new life, it may also prove to be the world’s undoing. More at https://www.authorjwjarvis.com/ 

Author Leonce Gaiter - A Memory of Fictions (or) Just Tiddy-Boom

Celebrate National Read a New Book Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio with acclaimed author Leonce Gaiter who discusses his writing and latest book, “A Memory of Fictions (or) Just Tiddy-Boom."
For readers who like their fiction in the grand, old-school tradition comes a jazzy, genre-bending historical fiction/memoir featuring a compelling Black protagonist who presents a fascinating take on 'the Black anti-hero.' "A Memory of Fictions (or) Just Tiddy-Boom" (Legba Books) paints a vivid, wildly entertaining portrait of Jessie Vincent Grandier, the striving African American middle class that shaped him in the 1960s, and a Black man navigating white worlds through the Reagan 80s. More at https://www.leoncegaiter.com/ 

Iowa Artist Grant Wood - American Gothic

In honor of today being Iowa's Statehood Day (Dec. 28, 1846), we're revisiting this Big Blend Radio interview with artist Victoria Chick who talks about the life, art, and legacy of noteworthy Iowa artist Grant Wood (1861-1942). Grant Wood was a master metal craftsman, jeweler, teacher, interior decorator, and a fine artist both celebrated and reviled during his lifetime. The turning point in his art life came when he exhibited “American Gothic” at the 1930 Chicago Art Institute Exhibition where it won a medal and was purchased by the Art Institute. Read Victoria's article here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/the-art-career-and-legacy-of-grant-wood/ 
Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. She appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. See her work:  https://victoriachick.com/ 

Wildlife Adventure in Ecuador

With today marking the anniversary (Dec. 27, 1831) of when Charles Darwin embarked on his journey aboard the HMS Beagle, during which he began to formulate the theory of evolution, we're revisiting this Big Blend Radio epsidoe with travel,  writer and photographer Melanie Votaw who talks about her amazing bird and wildlife watching adventures in Ecuador, which happens to be among the top 10 most biodiverse countries in the world. She visited three regions for a luxurious 16-day “wildlife extravaganza” that included giant sea turtles and iguanas, frigate birds and Galapagos hawks, hummingbirds, toucans, squirrel monkeys, stinky vultures and even a pygmy marmoset! Read here story in this archived digital Parks & Travel Magazine here: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/wildlife-adventure-in-ecuador/ 

Thinking of Becoming a Homeowner in England?

In celebration of National Homeowners Day, we're checking on what it would be like to own a home in England.
Check out this recent episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" show with Glynn Burrows who focuses on real estate opportunities in England. See his article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/considering-a-move-to-england/ 
Glynn Burrows is the owner of Norfolk Tours in England. He appears on Big Blend Radio every fourth Saturday covering England as a travel destination as well as family history research. Follow his podcasts here:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm2IK_1Zfh-xJ9eEVYhqqC3Z 
Learn more about Norfolk Tours at https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/