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

In this special Winter Solstice episode of Big Blend Radio, we celebrate the birthday of award-winning singer-songwriter Johnny Schaefer, cohost of the Big Daily Blend Podcast (airs every 1st Sunday), along with the season’s spirit of reflection, gratitude, and togetherness.

The conversation explores the meaning of the Winter Solstice, cherished holiday traditions, and the joy of gathering with friends and family. Johnny shares stories behind his Christmas music—including his newest single “Pictures of Christmas”—and discusses the art of storytelling through song, vocal expression, and the role of instruments in creating timeless holiday music. From Advent hymns to eclectic seasonal favorites, this episode highlights how music connects generations and cultures while offering comfort, joy, and inspiration during the holidays.

🎶 Learn more about Johnny Schaefer: https://hearjohnny.com/

🎄 Johnny Schaefer – Christmas Songs: * Pictures of Christmas – https://youtu.be/B9Fe3w1DT9M?si=8tbwd2MpHhOcLBCk * Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella – https://youtu.be/sSW7-lf5-W4?si=DWx6-qx5VcLvAwfI * O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=C7bTYvC2Om8oHJsH&v=eKCjm0OYwFo&feature=youtu.be * Joseph's Prayer – https://youtu.be/5UFwqoY5ZEo?si=h73PoXeeKXeJO-Uw * Proclamation of the Birth of Christ – https://youtu.be/sSW7-lf5-W4?si=sbLViGId5hPOWoZ7 * The Bach-Gounod Ave Maria – https://youtu.be/qlzJCMai1so?si=UQWvSaXl6XHJNguT * People Look East – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqG5Vammou0 * All the Babes on Christmas Born – https://youtu.be/ZB2hNDbHn8o?si=y4ycCE12h08f4ET5 * Finlandia Brasileira – https://youtu.be/8M_LlEhUH7c?si=zNM3Ee5NYtXQjaU3 * The Friendly Beasts and Away in a Manger – https://youtu.be/eg3-eZAOx9A?si=DCQqULcp73jN2Stw

🎼 Johnny’s Christmas Playlists: * Advent: A Musical Journey – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj6NTFiUTbxEGsz9QP4eDmYGmLeJrkEdB&si=9DwY9TfntZfAJd3b * Eclectic Christmas Playlist – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj6NTFiUTbxETSCjjnsbwmOqBKtkt_MEW&si=v9PIN4Vwad3j8a8L * From Here to Nativity Album – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj6NTFiUTbxFAt6UC2Fvzn6PHdGCgTj9M&si=3i2OPmuAFMlOFevd

Explore Big Blend Radio's Network of Shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "World of Art Podcast," artist and art historian Victoria Chick launches a new series exploring the Evolution of Art Materials, beginning with a deep dive into artist brushes and bristles.

The conversation traces the journey of artist tools from ancient times to contemporary practice, examining how natural and synthetic materials have shaped painting techniques across cultures and centuries. Victoria discusses the tactile relationship between artists and their tools, why painters often remain loyal to familiar materials, and how technological advancements continue to influence artistic expression.

Listeners are invited to appreciate the craftsmanship, history, and experimentation behind the brushes artists use—and how understanding materials deepens our connection to art history itself.

Read Victoria’s Article "Evolution of Art Materials": https://open.substack.com/pub/bigblendarts/p/evolution-of-art-materials

MORE TO EXPLORE * Victoria’s Portfolio: https://victoriachick.com/ * World of Art Podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ * Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/

This episode also appears on Big Blend Radio’s Toast to The Arts podcast channel. Discover more: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

How does the past define our future? In Part 3 of our "Four Voices: One Debut" series on Big Blend Radio’s "Toast to the Arts," we dig into the stories that haunt us—from the battlefields of the Cuban Revolution to the hidden secrets of our own family trees.

This episode features four authors who explore the power of history and heritage. We sit down with Matt Cost to discuss the rise of Fidel Castro, Mike Nemeth on how personal loss and family drama fuel a debut, Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski on the karmic echoes of genealogy, and Clifford Garstang on how global travel and cultural displacement enrich the novelist's perspective. Join us as we discuss the "first-born" novels that explore where we come from and the resilience required to move forward.

FEATURED AUTHORS & DEBUT NOVELS * Matt Cost – I Am Cuba: Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution https://www.mattcost.net/ * Mike Nemeth – The Undiscovered Country https://mikenemethauthor.com/ * Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski – Dead Reckoning https://annabartkowski.com/ * Clifford Garstang – The Shaman of Turtle Valley https://cliffordgarstang.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

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.

In this insightful episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) explores the critical difference between being nice and being kind in supervision and leadership.

Rita explains how a culture of niceness can actually undermine communication, accountability, and trust, while kindness—rooted in authenticity, clarity, and care—supports employee success and healthy workplace relationships. This conversation highlights why difficult conversations are not only necessary but essential for growth, and how leaders can be kind, firm, and effective at the same time.

🎙️ Key Takeaways: • Niceness can mask avoidance and unclear expectations. • Kindness involves honesty, support, and accountability. • Difficult conversations are essential for growth and success. • Authentic leadership builds trust and respect. • Avoiding conflict weakens communication and performance. • Kindness does not mean avoiding hard truths. • Effective supervision balances care with clear boundaries. • Being “nice” all the time is unrealistic and exhausting. • Leaders should focus on helping team members succeed. • Clear communication fosters healthy workplace cultures.

📌 Resources & Links: 🔹 Visit Rita Sever: https://supervisionmatters.com/ 🔹 Listen to all SUPERVISION MATTERS episodes: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/

🔹 Explore more business & career podcasts on Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this episode of Big Blend Radio, we welcome back Bay Area singer-songwriter, educator, and activist Anna Karney for a heartfelt conversation about music as a force for connection, healing, and social change.

Anna discusses her latest album "One True Song," a powerful collection of soulful folk rock and alternative singer-songwriter music rooted in themes of justice, hope, and collective action. Co-produced by Michael Rosen (Rancid), the album features an impressive lineup of Bay Area musicians including James DePrato (Chuck Prophet Band), Phillip Bennett (Jefferson Starship), Uriah Duffy (Fantastic Negrito, Whitesnake), and more. From the gentle “Suspended” to the driving “Out of Body” and the socially charged “Freedom Summer,” the album blends raw acoustic songwriting with the full energy of a rock band.

The conversation also explores Anna’s work as a choir and guitar teacher in San Francisco, the healing power of music, the importance of community, and how art bridges culture, history, and human connection. We also highlight her new holiday single, “Ring In the Holidays,” a joyful celebration of togetherness through music.

Beyond recording and performing, Anna’s career spans composing music for video games like Star Wars Galaxies and SimCity, scoring ballet and modern dance, and earning the prestigious “Dreamcatcher” Award for her impact on youth through music education.

🎶 Learn more, stream, and explore Anna Karney’s music: https://karney.org/ https://karney.bandcamp.com

This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio's "A Toast to The Arts," "Rants, Raves & Rock 'n Roll," "Big Daily Blend," and "Women Making History" Podcast Channels. Explore the Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork Photos: Tanja Nixx