Big Daily Blend

Planting Seeds of Hope

April brings with it a powerful trio of reminders: it’s Stress Awareness Month, the Month of Hope, and home to Good Deeds Day on April 6. What do these have in common? They each invite us to pause, breathe, and take action—however small—that nourishes our minds, hearts, and communities. When stress threatens to consume us, one of the most impactful things we can do is plant a seed—literally or metaphorically—and watch something beautiful grow.
This episode of Big Blend Radio's SOUL DIVING SUNDAY Show with Shelley Whizin focuses on Planting Seeds of Hope. Check out her article that shares five heartwarming, hope-filled actions you can take this April to reduce stress and plant the seeds of something better: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/planting-seeds-of-hope/ 
And, check out the new seasonal Big Blend "Soul Diving" digital publication featuring her past articles and podcasts here:  https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/ylqx/#p=1 
SHELLEY WHIZIN is the founder and CEO of the Soul Diving Institute™ and author of "What Do You Bring to the Table? A Savory, Sensory and Inspirational Guide to Living a Yummy Delicious Life." Keep up with Shelley and her coaching programs, courses, and workshops here: https://www.shelleywhizin.com/ 
Tune in to Big Blend Radio's "Soul Diving Sunday with Shelley" show every first Sunday here: http://tinyurl.com/2bjbectk 
This episode is also being shared and featured on Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" channel and "Big Daily Blend" Channel. Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Spring Garden Party 2025

Celebrate National Garden Month with this special Big Blend Radio SPRING GARDEN PARTY (Part 1) featuring guest co-host Johnny Schaefer and special guests: Barbara Redding, Terri Guthrie, Joelle Machia & Ryan Slough, Julie Suman, Rose Palmer, Michelle Fedosoff, and Amy Nesler. Part 2 of this Garden Party podcast features ”Gardens, Flowers, Art & Poetry” airs on Monday, April 7 at 11am PT / 2pm ET on BigBlendRadio.com.
Listen to our “Sounds of Spring” Music Playlist on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yc4udexf 
FEATURED GUESTS:– JOHNNY SCHAEFER  @hearjohnny   – Southern California based award-winning singer-songwriter and co-host of Big Blend Radio’s “Big Daily Blend” Podcast every 1st Sunday. Visit: https://hearjohnny.com/ 
– BARBARA REDDING – Freelance travel writer and photographer based in Austin, Texas. Visit: https://barbararedding.com/ 
– TERRI GUTHRIE – Travel journalist and photographer based in Dallas, Texas. Visit. https://travelwithterri.net/ 
– JOELLE MACHIA & RYAN SLOUGH – Travel writers, photographers, founders and publishers of https://www.wandererscompass.com/ 
– JULIE SUMAN – Travel writer and photographer based in Maryland. Visit: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/julie-dee-suman-travel-writer-and-photographer/ 
– MICHELLE FEDOSOFF – Travel writer and photographer based in British Columbia. See her bee garden story on her site: https://sitesandbites.org/published/f/finding-zen-in-the-middle-of-chaos 
– ROSE PALMER – Award-winning travel writer and photographer based in Pennsylvania. Visit: https://quiltripping.com/ 
– AMY NESLER – Stewardship & Communications Manager at San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau in Washington. Visit: https://www.visitsanjuans.com/ 

Artist Lakin Epaloose in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Artist Lakin Epaloose joins Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday” Toast to The Arts & Parks” Podcast to talk about his paintings, photography, fashion design, and being the latest National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence for Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.  Lakin Epaloose, a painter and cultural bearer of the Zuni Tribe, works at Grand Canyon National Park in the cultural demonstration program. From 9:30am-1:30pm, on April 19, 2025, Lakin will offer a hands-on painting demonstration that follow his presentation at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Watercolor supplies will be provided. The park’s Artist in Residence program is sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation and Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Reservations required, 20-person limit. Details and reservations: https://home.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/03212025-nr-april-updates.htmLearn more and view Lakin’s art: https://www.lakinepalooseart.com/Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation’s unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

Celebrate Spring Holidays and Traditions with The Peanut Patch

Get ready for Spring Celebrations like Easter weekend, Brunch Parties, and Mother's Day with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "The Peanut Patch" Podcast with Donna George. So many foodie ideas to make happen and treats to enjoy!
Open NOW from October-April and located in Yuma, Arizona, The Peanut Patch is a southwest tradition for farm fresh peanuts, nuts and dried fruit, locally grown Royal Medjool Dates, culinary gifts, and sweet treats including homemade fudge and peanut brittle. Shop online year-round and learn more at https://thepeanutpatch.com/  
Check out Donna's recipes that include all kinds of delicious favorites from peanut butter cookies to sensational salads, and even pasta dishes: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing-category/donna-george/ 
The Peanut Patch podcast airs every 1st Friday. Listen to episodes and follow the show here: https://peanut-patch.podbean.com/ 

Spring Adventures in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park and Tulare County, California

From experiencing the world famous giant sequoia trees, wildflowers, waterfalls, and the reopening of Crystal Cave, to exploring charming agricultural communities and enjoying their seasonal events, activities, shopping, and dining destinations, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on spring adventures in Tulare County, California.
Located in Central California, Tulare County is home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, and charming art and agricultural communities including Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Dinuba, Porterville, Three Rivers, Lindsay, and Woodlake.  
Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include - Holly Streit - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm - Donnette Silva Carter - Tulare Chamber of Commerce, http://www.tularechamber.org/ 
Plan your visit to Tulare County, at https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ 

Nicole Magistro - Read Island Children's Book

Calling all explorers! If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? In celebration of International Children's Book Day, we're revisting this episode of Big Blend Radio featuring author Nicole Magistro, who discusses her debut children's book, READ ISLAND. Fostering curiosity and literary appreciation is at the heart of Nicole Magistro’s whimsical picture book “Read Island.” Illustrated by Alice Feagan, the book shares the delightful story of a very brave girl and her animal friends who traverse the seas in search of an island made of books. More: https://www.myreadisland.com/ 

Super Fun Adventures in Asheville 2025

Happy National Fun Day! Asheville, North Carolina is rebuilding after Hurricane Helene and is welcoming visitors back with open arms. Airing live from The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, this episode focuses on some of the unique experiences you can enjoy in Asheville such as the WNC Nature Center, Axeville Throwing Club, Asheville Pinball Museum, and more.Traveling to Asheville directly helps support the local businesses and regional community, and there is so much to do from brewery hopping and rooftop cocktails to public art viewing and shopping, chasing waterfalls and hiking, and visiting some of the area’s iconic attractions like the Biltmore Estate, Pisgah National Forest, and the North Carolina Arboretum. ON THIS EPISODE OF BIG BLEND RADIO'S "ADVENTURES IN ASHEVILLE" SHOW:* STEVE & KAREN WILSON – Owners of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. This charming lodging destination is back open and welcoming visitors.  More: https://www.lion-rose.com/ * CINDY SMITH - Director of Development of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center. The WNC Nature Center connects people with the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region by inspiring appreciation, nurturing understanding, and advancing conservation of the region’s rich biodiversity. More: https://wildwnc.org/* GLEN MERCHANT – Owner and founder of Axeville, the first axe throwing club in Asheville.  Opened in 2019, the club is designed to allow guests to safely throw axes at targets while enjoying local beer, cider and wine selections in a modern and cozy space.  More: https://throwaxeville.com/

Author Maura Casey - Saving Ellen

Celebrating Women's History Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio features award-winning journalist Maura Casey who discusses her debut memoir, "Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery” (Skyhorse Publishing, April 1, 2025). The book crafts a vivid and poignant narrative of a working-class family’s resilience in the face of a terminal diagnosis.
Growing up in a family torn by addiction and financial hardship, Maura’s early years were shaped by instability and survival. Cared for by Dr. Mary Hawking (sibling of Stephen Hawking), her sister Ellen’s life-threatening battle with kidney disease added another layer of heartache, but it also deepened Maura’s understanding of courage and family bonds. Through it all, Maura has reframed the pain of her past, uncovering hope and meaning even in life’s darkest chapters. More: https://www.caseyink.com/ 
For over 30 years, Casey was an opinion writer for three New England newspapers and The New York Times, where she had a seat on the exalted Times editorial board. Today, Casey writes a weekly column, Casey’s Catch, at https://maurac.substack.com