Travel writer Debbie Stone shares her adventures on Wildland Trekking’s 5-Day Smoky Mountains Hiking Experience, through one of the most naturally and culturally significant mountain landscapes in the country - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is both a World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve Site, renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, as well as for the beauty of its ancient mountains. The trip started and ended in Ashville, North Carolina, where Debbie also visited the Biltmore House & Gardens, known as a “tour de force of America’s gilded age”. Read Debbie's article on her Smoky Mountain adventures on NationalParkTraveling.com.

This Big Blend Radio interview originally aired live on BlogTalkRadio.com on June 16, 2017.

Travel writer Debbie Stone shares her adventures on Wildland Trekking’s 5-Day Smoky Mountains Hiking Experience, through one of the most naturally and culturally significant mountain landscapes in the country - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is both a World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve Site, renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, as well as for the beauty of its ancient mountains. The trip started and ended in Ashville, North Carolina, where Debbie also visited the Biltmore House & Gardens, known as a “tour de force of America’s gilded age”. Read Debbie's article on her Smoky Mountain adventures on NationalParkTraveling.com.

This Big Blend Radio interview originally aired live on BlogTalkRadio.com on June 16, 2017.

Travel / wine writer Hilarie Larson talks about Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France. It may be one of the most famous wine regions in the world, but nothing can prepare you for the tranquil beauty, fabulous food and superb wines that await. And there’s chocolate. 

The wine world has its share of eponymous regions; so famous, that just the mere murmur of their name evokes a sense of wonder. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is one of those regions. The rich, bold and sensuous red wines that are created from this parcel of land in the south of France have been renowned for hundreds of years. For those of us who love wine Chateauneuf-du-Pape is practically a place of pilgrimage.

Read Hilarie's article on BlendRadioandTV.com.

This Big Blend Radio interview aired live on BlogTalkRadio.com on June 16, 2017.

Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview focusing on the First Fish Native Inspired Dinner in Albany, Oregon, featuring award-winning Chef Matt Bennett – Co-owner of Sybaris Bistro in historic downtown Albany; Jimmie Lucht - Executive Director of Albany Visitors Association; travel writer Linda Kissam – President of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, who experienced this unique dinner as part of the “The Cuisine of Cascadia Tour” media event. See Linda’s article and interview about her visit to Albany on NationalParkTraveling.com. 

Chef Bennett was the first chef to prepare a dinner at the James Beard House using Northwest Native American ingredients in 2011, and was honored to be nominated for best chef in the Northwest by the James Beard Foundation in 2011 and 2012. He was described in the publication of Best Places Northwest as a chef whose menus "reflect a fearless and playful approach to food". The Bennetts focus on using the highest quality local, and whenever possible organic, ingredients. Sybaris serves contemporary Northwest cuisine that changes completely every month. See Chef Bennett's recipes on BlendRadioandTV.com. 

This Big Blend Radio segment originally aired live on BlogTalkRadio.com on June 16, 2017.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Spirit of America Magazine, for Big Blend Radio!

On This Episode:

- First Fish Native American Dinner in Albany, Oregon - Matt Bennett - Chef/Owner of Sybaris Bistro in historic downtown Albany; Jimmie Lucht - Executive Director of Albany Visitors Association; travel writer Linda Kissam – President of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

- Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France – Travel / wine writer Hilarie Larson talks about one of the most famous wine regions in the world, but nothing can prepare you for the tranquil beauty, fabulous food and superb wines that await. And there’s chocolate.

- Hiking the Smoky Mountains – Travel writer Debbie Stone shares her adventures on Wildland Trekking’s 5-Day Smoky Mountains Hiking Experience, through one of the most naturally and culturally significant mountain landscapes in the country - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Spirit of America Magazine, for Big Blend Radio!

On This Episode:

- First Fish Native American Dinner in Albany, Oregon - Matt Bennett - Chef/Owner of Sybaris Bistro in historic downtown Albany; Jimmie Lucht - Executive Director of Albany Visitors Association; travel writer Linda Kissam – President of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

- Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France – Travel / wine writer Hilarie Larson talks about one of the most famous wine regions in the world, but nothing can prepare you for the tranquil beauty, fabulous food and superb wines that await. And there’s chocolate.

- Hiking the Smoky Mountains – Travel writer Debbie Stone shares her adventures on Wildland Trekking’s 5-Day Smoky Mountains Hiking Experience, through one of the most naturally and culturally significant mountain landscapes in the country - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The United States Federal Courts have been ruling on Discrimination and Harassment cases for more than 50 years. San Diego employment attorney S. Ward Heinrichs Esq. discusses the laws regarding sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, as well as some outrageous and important lawsuits including: Miller v. Department of Corrections, (2005) 36 Cal.4th 446; Lyle v. Warner Bros. Television Productions, 38 Cal4th 264; and Yanowitz v. L'Oreal USA Inc., 36 Cal.4th 1028. 

Covering current and changing employment laws for both the employer and employee, attorney Ward Heinrichs is an expert Big Blend editorial contributor and frequent Big Blend Radio guest. Based in San Diego, California, Ward handles a variety of cases on behalf of employers and employees. Read his blog at BestEmploymentAttorneySanDiego.com.

Witchita, Kansas-based alternative rock singer-songwriter and VH1 "Save The Music" songwriting contest finalist JJ McGuigan discusses his songwriting career and latest EP "Dissociative" a 5-song collection featuring vocals by Garrett Crow and Scott Spriggs. Diagnosed with OCD and Depression at age 16, JJ also discusses how has since used his experiences and his music to become an advocate for mental health awareness. 

A drummer since age 13, JJ later picked up the guitar and began writing songs at age 20. He attended Newman University and renowned recording school, Full Sail University.  Songwriting has now become JJ's main focus and passion, with an emphasis on lyrical creation.  After a brief stint in Austin, Texas, he has returned to his hometown of Wichita, and is currently working on a follow up EP.

This episode of Big Blend Radio originally aired live on BlogTalkRadio.com on June 14, 2017.

From SEO to Social Media, Content Management to Websites, Lori King-Kocsis of SafeHouse Web, discusses the importance of having a Digital Marketing Plan that aligns with your Business Plan and Branding.

SafeHouse Web identifies priorities and provides targeted services along with a full range of core capabilities that include website design, social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), website management, content development, and graphic design and advertising.Based in Hollister, California, this team-based company works collaboratively to bring the best work forward to its growing list of clients in Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area and across the country. 

This episode of Big Blend Radio aired live on BlogTalkRadio.com on June 14, 2017.

From SEO to Social Media, Content Management to Websites, Lori King-Kocsis of SafeHouse Web, discusses the importance of having a Digital Marketing Plan that aligns with your Business Plan and Branding.

SafeHouse Web identifies priorities and provides targeted services along with a full range of core capabilities that include website design, social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), website management, content development, and graphic design and advertising.Based in Hollister, California, this team-based company works collaboratively to bring the best work forward to its growing list of clients in Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area and across the country. 

This episode of Big Blend Radio aired live on BlogTalkRadio.com on June 14, 2017.