Women Making History

With the new full moon being here we're revisiting our Big Blend Radio chat with Dr. Alicia Blando who discusses her book, “Open for Interpretation: A Doctor’s Journey into Astrology” (She Writes Press, June 2023). The memoir follows her self-discovery journey through her astrological chart and demonstrates how readers can apply this ancient practice to their own path to self discovery. WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/R8lO6cXUHyk In conjunction with Western medicine, Dr. Blando believes that the tenets of astrology can support a person’s health, wellbeing, and self-understanding, and can even offer insight into predispositions for certain diseases and illnesses. Alicia Blando trained and practiced in the medical specialty of physical medicine & rehabilitation. While working as a physician, she became interested in how indigenous healers diagnosed and treated their patients without the technology present in modern medicine. This curiosity was supported by what she learned about herself through the study of astrology. More: https://aliciablando.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Jenna Tico, who discusses her new memoir, “Cancer Moon: How I Survived the Best Years of My Life.” Organized through the cycles of the moon, "Cancer Moon" features Jenna's personal humor essays and poetry collection, and vulnerably and jovially guides readers through the turbulent twenties – aka the “age of wallowing.” Jenna invites women to embrace this necessary phase of life, helping them understand their self-worth, sexuality, and empowering them to become who they want to be in the world. "Own your weird!" More at https://www.jennatico.com/

Today, September 16, is Mexican Independence Day as well as the Trail of Tears Commemoration Day. To honor and observe both cultural stories, we are revisiting this "From the Vault" episode of Big Blend Radio from 2016 that features Cynthia M. Ruiz, an award-winning inspirational speaker, leadership expert, commissioner, professor, and author of “Cherokee Wisdom: 12 Lessons for Becoming a Powerful Leader”. Cynthia is proud to come from blended cultures and feels she takes the best from both worlds, Latina and Native American. She has been known to say “I get my passion for life from my Mexican side and my spirituality and respect for the environment from my Cherokee roots.” More: https://cynthiamruiz.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" Show features Pepper Stetler, who discusses her new memoir, "A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test." Blending a mother’s love and dedication to her daughter with incisive historical and cultural analysis, "A Measure of Intelligence" investigates the origins and influence of the IQ test on our modern education system, questions how we define and judge intelligence, challenges its flawed foundation, and argues for a fundamental reevaluation of how we understand an individual’s perceived potential. Pepper Stetler is an author, art historian, professor, and disability advocate who writes extensively on issues facing people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers. Learn more and buy her book at https://www.pepperstetler.com/ This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Show. Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This "From the Vault" Big Blend Radio interview (2018) features author Rita Dragonette who discusses her compelling debut novel "The Fourteenth of September." “The Fourteenth of September” portrays a pivotal time at the peak of the Vietnam War through the rare perspective of a young woman, tracing her path of self-discovery and a “coming-of- conscience.” Judy’s story speaks to the poignant clash of young adulthood, early feminism, and war, offering an ageless inquiry into the domestic politics of protest when the world stops making sense. More: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/rita-dragonette-the-fourteenth-of-september/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" Show features writer, author, and educator Joanne De Simone who discusses her memoir "Fall and Recovery: Raising Children with Disabilities through Lessons Learned in Dance." Out on September 17, 2024 through She Writes Press, this raw and transformative book that captures how she used lessons of modern dance in her journey through motherhood with two children with disabilities. Joanne De Simone is a graduate of Hunter College with degrees in dance and special education. After dancing professionally with companies including José Limón and Dianne McIntyre, she dedicated her life to teaching children with disabilities and supporting families. Currently, Joanne is a special education advocate for the Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey. Her writing has appeared numerous publications and she is a contributing author to “Barriers and Belonging: Personal Narratives of Disabilities.” Joanne and her son, Sebastian, were instrumental in a legislative change allowing students with intellectual disabilities to participate in NCAA D3 intercollegiate sports. Follow Joanne's blog, here: https://special-educationmom.com/ This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Show. Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features debut author Ann Lowry who discusses her novel, "The Blue Trunk." When Ann Lowry inherited an ancestor's blue travel trunk, she had no idea that this artifact was about to take her on a three-year journey of discovery. She was told that the trunk’s previous owner, a great-great aunt, had been institutionalized for insanity. Despite meticulous genealogy research, she was unable to uncover any facts about her and concluded that she must have spent her entire adult life in an asylum. Lowry was inspired to write "The Blue Trunk" (Sept. 10, 2024, Koehler Books) to help reclaim her ancestor’s voice and shed light on these all-too-common institutionalizations. Seamlessly weaving historical fiction with contemporary life, Lowry’s tale explores identity, strength, and connection across decades. Visit: https://www.annlowry.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio features filmmaker Amy Nicholson who discusses her documentary "Happy Campers." The film chronicles the final days of a working-class summer colony in a scrappy trailer park that just happens to hold the secret to a rich life. Learn more: https://www.happycampers.film/ Amy Nicholson is a New York-based filmmaker and commercial director whose projects often explore the essence of Americana with a humorous eye and a warm respect for her subjects. Nicholson’s most recent documentary, a short titled Pickle, won multiple audience awards, was selected for The New York Times’ Op Docs, and was featured on the Criterion Collection alongside Errol Morris’ Gates of Heaven. Pickle was also nominated for an IDA Award and Cinema Eye Honors. Nicholson has produced and directed several features. Zipper: Coney Island’s Last Wild Ride won the Special Jury Prize at DOCNYC and was held over twice at the IFC Center. Muskrat Lovely premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival and was broadcast on Independent Lens. Nicholson’s films have screened at Hot Docs, Sheffield, Full Frame, DOK Leipzig, BFI London, Camden, Traverse City, Rooftop Films, and the MoMA. They have been reviewed by Variety, Indiewire, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

A grandparent’s job is to love the grandchild. A grandchild’s job is to receive that love. With such a unique relationship between generations, it’s the mutual affection and time shared between a grandparent and grandchild that strengthens the bond and makes for a full human being. What happens when the balance of this relationship is interrupted? It’s a losing situation for everyone involved, and while children have no voice and no choice, it’s the grandparents who do. In honor of Grandparents Day, we're revisiting this 2021 Big Blend Radio interview with Susan Hoffman who discusses her book "Grand Distance." Susan became an advocate and activist for disenfranchised grandparents after she was faced with a stay-away letter from her grandson’s parents following a stepparent adoption. Susan is also the author of “Grand Wishes,” “A Precious Bond,” “It Won’t Happen Again” and “Do You Want to Be Right or Do You Want to Be Happy.” She is the creator and director of Advocates for Grandparent-Grandchild Connection, a charitable non-profit 501C (3) organization. More at https://www.grandparentchildconnect.org/

In honor of SuperHuman Day (Sept. 7), we're revisiting this 2017 Big Blend Radio interview with composer and musician Rachel Flowers and filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano, who discuss the inspiring documentary film, “Hearing in Believing." The film covers two years in the life of the tight knit Flowers family with Rachel’s stunning music as the soundtrack. Among the great musicians appearing with Rachel in the film are Grammy winners Stevie Wonder, Dweezil Zappa, Arturo Sandoval, two-time Grammy nominated jazz pianist, Taylor Eigsti, Progressive Rock icon Keith Emerson, and 50 members of the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony. More: www.HearingisBelievingFilm.com

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features musician and composer Rachel Mari Kimber, the National Parks Arts Foundation's Fall 2024 artist-in-residence at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. Rachel Mari Kimber is a musically creative artist from Wales, UK. She composes, sings, plays guitar and cello, orchestrates, harmonises, teaches, and produces, all from the heart. She also plays cello and sings for the band Black Forest Society, and also for Happy Joy Harmony. More: https://freeyourspiritheal.wixsite.com/love Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/