On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s 3rd Friday Way Back When Family History show, family history experts Holly T. Hansen and Glynn Burrows discuss the historic Mayflower, an English merchant ship that transported the first English Puritans (Pilgrims) from Plymouth, England to the New World in 1620. This ship links England, Holland and America, spans 400 years of history, and connects millions of people. Holly is the founder of Family History Expos, and Glynn is the owner of Norfolk Tours in England.

Read Glynn's article on NationalParkTraveling.com. 

Featured music is “Fortune Favors the Brave” by the Walk-A-Bout Band.

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station travel show focuses winetr and spring events and activities in Tulare County, in Central California. Home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, the region is a year-round destination offering a variety of outdoor activities, a calendar full of events and festivals, and an eclectic selection of shopping and dining opportunities in the local gateway communities like Visalia, Three Rivers, Exeter, Tulare, Dinuba, and Porterville. East of Fresno, the area is an easy 4-5 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area and 3-4 hours from Los Angeles.

Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include: Sintia C. Kawasaki-Yee - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks; Sandy Blankenship - Exeter Chamber of Commerce; Donnette Silva Carter - Tulare Chamber of Commerce; Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia.

Featured music is “Travel Song” by guitarist Micha Schellhaas.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, hiking enthusiast, landscape photographer, and author Derek Dellinger discusses his new book, "America's Best Day Hikes: Spectacular Single-Day Hikes Across the States." This beautiful hardcover book shares a bucket list of the 50 best day hikes in major regions throughout America, as well as important advice on how to prepare for your hike. Derek Dellinger is the author/coauthor of several Countryman hiking titles, including “50 Hikes in the Catskills” and “50 Hikes in the Upper Hudson Valley.”

Featured music is “Loving the Land” by Wally Lawder.

Thanks to Porto-Vino wine bags and backpacks for sponsoring this episode.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Quality of Life show, Sarah Elliston shares the steps on how to evaluate your actions and relationships over the past year, and how to make positive changes for the New Year. Sarah is the author of “Lessons from a Difficult Person – How to Deal With People Like Us,” and is a faculty member of the William Glasser Institute ,and is a workshop leader and trainer who is certified in Values Realization, Parent Effectiveness Training and Choice Theory. Read her article “New Year, Brave You?” on BlendRadioandTV.com.

Featured music is “Take It In” by The Gunboat Diplomats.

Deep in the mountains of Japan's Wakayama Peninsula winds an ancient network of trails, shrines and temples designed to restore and purify one's spirit. Where Shoguns once lost their way in the forests, today pilgrims can follow the well-marked and maintained Kumano Kodo trails in the footsteps of Imperial processions, samurai warriors, Buddhist and Shinto clergy. On this episode of Big Blend Radio, travel writer Elaine Masters talks about the traditions and the deeply moving hikes through ancient Cypress groves, past small village farms, and a breathtaking local festival at the temple site of Japan's tallest waterfall. Read her story on NationalParkTraveling.com.

Featured music is “Mori (Forest Song)” featured on the “Yuna” album by Yagull. Thanks to the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) for sponsoring this episode.

Have you ever heard a word, and spontaneously burst into a song? There's a board game for that and it’s called Spontuneous, “The Song Game!” This episode of Big Blend Radio features a conversation with entrepreneur Rob Ridgeway, creator of  the Amazon bestselling board game Spontuneous. Hear about the game and his entrepreneur story, the Nashville music scene, plus, music stories and destinations experienced on Big Blend’s Love Your Parks Tour.

Spontuneous is a multiple award-winning and bestselling, fun family board game where everyone participates by singing – though talent is not required. One player says a word and the race is on for the others to sing a song containing that word. The last player to sing their song that contains that word before time runs out wins the point.

Featured music is “Tennessee Whiskey” by Shelley King.

From hot air balloon rides and flamenco dancing, to museums and southwest cuisine, Big Blend travel writer Debbie Stone shares her adventures in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The city is a culturally rich and naturally beautiful metropolitan area with deep, historical roots. It boasts an exciting food and wine scene, a vibrant public arts program, fifteen museums, several hundred parks and greenspaces, shops and galleries galore and an abundance of outdoor pursuits to appeal to adrenaline seekers of all kinds. Read her story on NationalParkTraveling.com.

Featured music is “Chase, Dance and Laugh” by Domingo DeGrazia, as featured on the album “Please Remember Me."

On this episode of Big Blend Radio travel writer and author Linda Ballou discusses her novel “Wai-nani - A Voice from Old Hawaii.” Through Wai-nani's eyes, experience the Hawaiian society as it existed when Captain James Cook arrived at Kealakekua Bay in 1779; ride the billowing seas with Eku, the wild dolphin she befriends; learn why she loved the savage, conflicted ruler, Makaha; walk with her as she defies ancient laws and harsh taboos of the Island people; share the love she received from all who knew her and learn how she rose to become the most powerful woman in old Hawai'i. 

Featured music is “Hi’ilawe” by Makana.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Success Express business and career show, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs discusses the new California employment laws for 2020, including: AB5 ABC Test determining whether works are employees or independent contractors; Minimum Wage and Salary; Sexual Harassment Training; Lactation Policy; Discrimination; Paid Family Leave; and Employment Arbitration. Read Ward’s article outlining the laws on BlendRadioandTV.com.

Based in San Diego, California the Employment Law Office of Ward Heinrichs represents both employers and employees in almost all areas of labor law. He and his firm litigate cases that have been filed in many different parts of California. 

Featured music is “Work” by The Joiners.

Tewa artist Jason Garcia combines traditional Pueblo art forms with pop culture. On this episode of Big Blend Radio, he discusses his art and recent National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) artist-in-residence experience at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in Northern New Mexico. This beautiful and isolated complex preserves the historical traces of the sacred Ancestral Pueblo culture. NPAF is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the promotion of the National Parks of the U.S. through creating dynamic opportunities for artworks that are based in our natural and historic heritage.

Featured music is "Chaco" by the Tall Men Group.