What does it take to stand strong in the face of life's storms? In the grand finale of our "Four Voices: One Debut" series on Big Blend Radio’s "Toast to the Arts," we explore stories of unbreakable spirits and the relentless pursuit of truth.

From the soulful perspective of a legendary horse to the high stakes of royal protection and the dark realities of the drug culture, this episode features four authors who have turned life’s challenges into compelling fiction. We sit down with Christy Wood to hear the life story of the big-hearted horse Ranger; Paula Winskye on her journey from horse stories to royal mysteries; Anne Louise Bannon on exploring trauma and relationships in "Tyger, Tyger;" and Kathleen Walls on the powerful personal inspirations behind "Last Step." Join us as we celebrate the unique voices that define this final chapter of our series.

FEATURED AUTHORS & DEBUT NOVELS * Christy Wood – "Ranger: The Little Horse with the Big Heart" https://wdnhorse.com/ * Paula Winskye – "Royal Entanglements" http://www.winskyebooks.com/ * Anne Louise Bannon – "Tyger, Tyger" https://annelouisebannon.com/ * Kathleen Walls – "Last Step" https://katywalls.com/

CATCH UP ON THE SERIES: * Part 1: The Leading Ladies - https://bigblendarts.substack.com/p/the-leading-ladies * Part 2: Secrets & Journeys - https://bigblendarts.substack.com/p/secrets-and-journeys * Part 3: Roots & Revolutions - https://bigblendarts.substack.com/p/roots-and-revolutions

SUPPORT EDUCATION & LITERACY: Visit https://theglobalhenry.org/ to support The Steppes of Henry Foundation. By purchasing the books of the late world traveler and author Henry Biernacki, you fund tuition and essentials for girls in Africa and Mexico. 100% of your purchase goes directly to the children. Give the gift of a book and fund a lifetime of education.

Raise a glass and join the fun on Big Blend Radio’s Annual Holiday Happy Hour Party 2025, a festive roundtable celebration filled with cocktails, travel tales, holiday foods, music, and meaningful conversations about gift-giving and community.

In this spirited holiday episode, an all-star lineup of Big Blend Radio guest experts share their favorite holiday traditions, memorable travels, and seasonal culinary delights. The conversation also explores sustainable celebrations, thoughtful gift-giving (including the art of re-gifting), and why experiences and connections often matter more than material gifts.

The episode wraps up with a joyful and creative collaboration as everyone comes together to design the perfect Christmas card — a heartfelt reflection of shared experiences, gratitude, and community during the holiday season.

Featured Big Blend Radio Friends: * Author & Food Writer Jeff Spear: https://spearwrites.com/ * Travel Writer & Photographer Sharon K. Kurtz: https://sharonkkurtz.com/ * Author & Editor Cliff Garstang: https://cliffordgarstang.com/ * Writer & Book Industry Expert Eva Eldridge: https://evaeldridge.com/ * Singer-Songwriter Johnny Schaefer: https://hearjohnny.com/ * Author & Environmental Activist Cheryl Leutjen: https://cherylleutjen.com/

🍸 Cheers to holiday happy hours, shared stories, and celebrating the season together!

Chef Ivan Flowers—5-Star Chef and Culinary Instructor—returns to Big Blend Radio’s “Eat, Drink & Be Merry” Show to share a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer: Holiday Ham Spirals. Perfect for entertaining, this recipe highlights how simple techniques and creative flavor combinations can elevate holiday cooking.

In this episode, Chef Ivan breaks down the versatility of roulades, the role of pickling in enhancing flavor and texture, and how using unexpected ingredients can make a dish memorable. The conversation also explores cultural influences in cooking, budget-friendly meal planning, sustainable kitchen practices, and the joy of cooking together during the holidays.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or looking for an easy appetizer with wow factor, this episode proves that anyone can cook—and have fun doing it.

Holiday Ham Spirals Recipe (Substack): https://open.substack.com/pub/bigblendfooddrink/p/holiday-ham-spirals