Big Daily Blend
The Big Daily Blend podcast celebrates holidays and observances, music and pop culture, historic happenings, and even new legislature. Check the episode notes for music playlists, and related articles, recipes, puzzles, and more.
Episodes

Oct 1, 2025
Oct 1, 2025
40 min
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

Sep 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
48 min
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

Sep 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025
22 min
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/

Sep 28, 2025
Sep 28, 2025
1hr 4 min
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

Sep 27, 2025
Sep 27, 2025
35 min
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

Sep 26, 2025
Sep 26, 2025
11 min
On this episode of Big Blend Radio, writer and director Matthew Bissonnette discusses his latest film, Death of a Ladies' Man, which is out now on VOD.
Starring Gabriel Byrne, Jessica Paré, and Brian Gleeson, the film follows hard-drinking, twice-divorced professor Samuel O’Shea as he faces a surreal journey through memory, regret, love, and unexpected transformation after receiving a life-changing diagnosis. Infused with the music and spirit of Leonard Cohen, Death of a Ladies Man is a poetic and emotionally charged dramedy that blends heartbreak, humor, and hope.
In this interview, Bissonnette explores themes of addiction, family, the influence of Leonard Cohen’s music, and the importance of weaving truth into storytelling. He also shares insights into the creative process and how the film captures the complexities of the human experience.
Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/JQz1Am56-GQ?feature=shared

Sep 25, 2025
Sep 25, 2025
37 min
It’s time for Fall Fun on the Historic Jefferson Highway! In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Historic Jefferson Highway” Show, we celebrate autumn travel along the “Pines to Palms Highway”, stretching from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Featured guests share the unique charm, seasonal beauty, and vibrant community spirit that make the Jefferson Highway an unforgettable fall road trip experience:
- Beth Hilburn – Owner of the Hi-Way Café & Western Motel in Vinita, Oklahoma. * Hi-Way Café: https://hi-waycafe.com/ * Western Motel: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/western-motel-in-vinita-oklahoma-2/
- Aaron Perry & Cassandra Ringel – Owners of Gearhead Curios & Petrol Motor Quart in Galena, Kansas. Visit: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/gearhead-curios-and-petrol-motor-quart/#
- Glenda Smith – Owatonna Chamber of Commerce & Tourism in Minnesota. Visit Owatonna: https://visitowatonna.org/
From local cafes and culinary events to vintage roadside attractions, community festivals, and fall landscapes, this conversation highlights how small towns along the Jefferson Highway bring together history, culture, and hospitality. The guests also share their stories of community engagement, historic preservation, and the creative ways they attract travelers looking for authentic, nostalgic road trip experiences.
🚗 The Jefferson Highway, known as the “Pines to Palms Highway,” stretches from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana, weaving through communities with deep historical roots and cultural pride.
🔗 Learn more: Jefferson Highway Association: https://jeffersonhighway.org/
🔗 Sign up for updates on Jefferson Highway maps, the travel directory, and the upcoming travel guide: https://jeffersonhighwaytravelguide.com/
📅 This podcast airs every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST (except holidays). Follow the show here: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/

Sep 24, 2025
Sep 24, 2025
26 min
In observance of National Women's Health & Fitness Day, we're sharing this new episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Global Adventures with Debbie Stone,” where travel writer Debbie Stone shares her rejuvenating experience at The Springs Resort & Spa in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
From soaking in the mineral-rich hot springs to enjoying spa treatments, unique aqua activities, and delicious culinary options, Debbie highlights the restorative power of wellness travel. She also reflects on the importance of sleep, relaxation, and self-care, especially during the hectic holiday season.
📌 Key Takeaways:• Pagosa Springs is a premier wellness destination.• The Springs Resort has recently undergone a major transformation.• Hot springs, spa treatments, and relaxation enhance well-being.• Sleep is a vital part of overall health and wellness.• Contrast bathing provides therapeutic benefits.• Unique aqua activities add fun to the experience.• Culinary offerings are varied and flavorful.• Walkability makes exploring the resort easy and enjoyable.• Self-care is essential during busy or stressful times.• Travel can refresh both body and mind.
📖 Read Debbie’s article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/experience-a-wellness-mecca-at-the-springs-resort-spa/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/
🎙️ Thsi episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s “Quality of Life” and “Vacation Station” Channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND Podcast
Produced by Big Blend Radio, this daily pop culture podcast celebrates the day or month holidays, observances, historic happenings, and even new legislature. Be sure to check each episode's show notes for related resource including music playlists, articles, puzzles, and recipes.
Big Blend Radio is hosted and produced by the digital nomad mother-daughter team Lisa D. Smith (daughter) and Nancy J. Reid (mother), who also publish various digital Big Blend Magazines while traveling full-time on their Love Your Parks Tour where they document parks and public public lands across America. More at BlendRadioandTV.com and NationalParkTraveling.com.
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