Episodes

  • Experience the Bahamas with MSC Cruises
    Feb 18 2025

    It's all about The Bahamas on this episode of Big Blend Radio's travel podcast "Journey Jukebox with Lisa." Hear about Lisa's experience aboard the MSC Divina Cruise Ship on one of MSC's Ocean Cay Cruises from Miami, Orlando & NYC, along with her adventures at Ocean Cay and Nassau's Paradise Island including Stingray Encounters, John Watling's Rum Distillery, and The Queen's Staircase.

    PLAN YOUR BAHAMA ADVENTURE: - MSC Divina - https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/ships/msc-divina - MSC Cruises - Bahamas: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/destinations/caribbean/bahamas/ocean-cay-msc-marine-reserve - https://www.bahamas.com/ - https://www.johnwatlings.com/ - https://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/experiences/the-queens-staircase

    CHECK OUT LISA'S CARIBBEAN GROUP CRUISE: https://writerlisa.com/2025/02/15/celebrate-new-years-in-belize-on-a-cruise/

    JOURNEY JUKEBOX MUSIC PLAYLIST on SPOTIFY (updated each episode): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7humUf03LIW04t8LiJSSN9?si=54c7630328284648

    LISA EVANS is a travel writer and photographer, travel advisor, and author of "100 Things to Do in Coastal Mississippi Before You Die." More at https://writerlisa.com/ and https://www.gosmart.travel/advisors/lisa/evans

    New episodes of Big Blend Radio’s ”Journey Jukebox with Lisa” Podcast air every 3rd Tuesday at 12pm CST. Follow the podcast from your favorite platform here: https://journeyjukebox.podbean.com/

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    52 mins
  • International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association 2025
    Feb 18 2025

    Calling all food, wine, and travel writers! From networking and educational webinars to contests and the upcoming annual professional development conference, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s 3rd Monday “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Assocation (IFWTWA) shines a spotlight on the organization and its many member benefits.

    IFWTWA BOARD MEMBERS ON THE SHOW: - CORI SOLOMON - President, Membership Chair, and Conference Co-Chair: https://www.writtenpalette.com/ - DAVE NERSHI - 1st Vice President, and Professional Development Chair: https://www.vino-sphere.com/ - ANDREW HARRIS - 2nd Vice President, Director, and Culinary Advisor: https://socalrestaurantshow.com/ - AMY PIPER - Director, and FWT Magazine Editor: https://followthepiper.com/ - ROBIN O'NEAL SMITH - Treasurer and Social Media Assistant: https://robinonealsmith.com/ - SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM - Director and Co-Chair of Media Trips Committee: https://www.wanderwithwonder.com/ - DEBBRA DUNNING BROUILLETTE - Director, Associate Editor at FWT Magazine, Co-Chair of Media Trips Committee: https://www.tropicaltravelgirl.com/ - KAT ANDERSON - Director and Social Media Committee Chair: https://coffeeandmascara.org/ - JUDI COHEN - Board Secretary and Canadian Liason: https://travelingjudi.com/

    Save the date for the IFWTWA 2025 Professional Development Conference in Lafayette, Louisiana from October 12 – 16, 2025 and learn more about the organization, here: https://www.ifwtwa.org/

    Follow this Podcast Channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m

    This episode is also featured on our Big Blend Radio "Vacation Station" Travel Channel and Success Express Channel. Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

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    53 mins
  • Exploring Norway: Cruising and Road Tripping
    Feb 14 2025

    It's all about Norway on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" Podcast with travel writer Rose Palmer. Hear about her cruising and road tripping adventures, plus, her travel tips on when to visit, seeing the northern lights, budgeting, and more.

    Read Rose's Norway Articles: - Quiltripping.com: https://quiltripping.com/category/travel/europe/norway/ - SheBuysTravel.com: https://shebuystravel.com/cruising-solo-with-hurtigruten-norway/

    Follow Rose's adventures on her site: https://quiltripping.com/

    Follow Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" Podcast here: https://quiltripping-travel.podbean.com/

    This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" and "Vacation Station" Channels. Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

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    53 mins
  • Asheville is Ready for Visitors
    Feb 13 2025

    This special live stream (Aired Feb 13, 2025) of Big Blend Radio’s ADVENTURES IN ASHEVILLE Show with Steve and Karen Wilson, owners of The Lion and The Rose Bed & Breakfast, focuses on the rebuilding of Asheville, North Carolina, post-Hurricane Helene, and the many experiences you can enjoy today as visitors to region.

    Big Blend Radio hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith are currently in Asheville and during their stay at The Lion & The Rose B&B, took a driving tour of Downtown Asheville and the Riverside Arts District with Steve & Karen. There is still evidence of destruction from the hurricane however as you can see in the short video, the city is open with a strong and vibrant resiliency, and welcoming visitors with open arms. Video: https://youtu.be/XnXh3aEslZQ

    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. The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast is 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/

    Plus, watch for drone photographer Jay Schulz’s “Rekindle the Love” video project that will showcase several of Asheville’s local business. It be featured on Feb 14 on his site, https://www.sidebysidedrone.com/

    Big Blend Radio’s “Adventures in Asheville” Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/

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    41 mins
  • Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse
    Feb 13 2025

    This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features author and writer Barbara Boyle who discusses her new memoir, "Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse.”

    From a high stress career in global advertising to a simple rural life in a barn in an Italian hill town, "Pinch Me" shares Barbara's journey of transformation through love, food and community in Piemonte. Discover how she leaves her life behind in San Francisco and takes apart a 300-year-old stone barn to build a new home, a new life, in Italy. It’s a tale filled with discoveries, disappointments, pleasures, frustrations, and triumphs. And given the gastronomic excellence of the region, she shares some special recipes as well. Get the book or learn more here: https://www.barbaraboyleauthor.com/

    More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/

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    43 mins
  • Vibrant and Flavorful Santa Ana, Southern California
    Feb 12 2025

    This episode of Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station “Food Wine & Travel Show” with IFWTWA features Wendy Haase, President & CEO of Travel Santa Ana, who shares what visitors can experience in Santa Ana. Hear about this vibrant city's Public Art Guide of over 200 murals, plus its Culinary Passport and Michelada Guide.

    Centrally located in Orange County, Santa Ana is an ideal destination to stay in while experiencing all Southern California has to offer. Here you’ll discover a community rich in culture and pride. An art scene that is a mix of funky and folk. Restaurants serving authentic flavors of Mexico, along with plant-based recipes. Attractions that are hands-on and those that teach. Shopping for brand names and homemade. And events that celebrate all! More at: https://www.travelsantaana.com/

    This Big Blend Radio show is in partnership with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). Learn more at: https://www.ifwtwa.org/

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    26 mins
  • Winter Adventures In Charleston, South Carolina
    Feb 9 2025

    It's all about Parks, Plantations, and Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina, on this episode of Big Blend Radio's JO GOES EVERYWHERE! Podcast with travel writer and photographer Jo Clark.

    Hear all about Jo's adventures at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place, and Hampton Park, plus, where to eat, sip, and stay. Check out her article about it all here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/winter-in-charleston-south-carolina/

    Jo Clark is a travel writer and photographer based on South Carolina’s Grand Strand. She has a thirst for knowledge, history, great food, and wine! Her Big Blend Radio podcast "Jo Goes Everywhere!" airs every 2nd Sunday at 7pm EST. Follow the show on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yfkjm8sd

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    41 mins
  • Farms, Food, and Flower Power Fun in Tulare County
    Feb 7 2025

    From farm fun and early spring flower power to fabulous regional food, cultural museums, public art, parks, and gardens, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on the different ways you can explore Tulare County.

    This region is home to charming art and agricultural communities as well as Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Sequoia National Forest, and Giant Sequoia National Monument.

    Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include * Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia, https://www.visitvisalia.com/ * Alida Verduzco Silva - County of Tulare, https://discovertularecounty.com/

    Plan your visit to Tulare County, and download the new visitor guide at https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/

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    31 mins