This episode of Big Blend Radio’s 2nd Tuesday “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with IFWTWA features Benjamin J. Berthelot, President & CEO of Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, who shares what to experience in Lafayette, Louisiana including the food, music, history and culture, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly fun.

Lafayette is known as the Happiest City in America, where people visit from all over the world for an immersive experience. This vibrant city has a distinct culinary identity as the epicenter of Cajun & Creole cuisine, earning them the title Best Culinary Town in the South by The Local Palate. No matter what time of year you visit Lafayette, they will have something for you to celebrate. More: https://www.lafayettetravel.com/

Save the date for the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) 2025 Professional Development Conference in Lafayette, Louisiana from October 12-16, 2025 and learn more about the organization, here: https://www.ifwtwa.org/

In celebration of National Garden Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio features gardening expert Bevin Cohen who discusses his new book, "HERBS IN EVERY SEASON: 48 Edible and Medicinal Herbs for the Kitchen, Garden, and Apothecary," that's out now through Timber Press.

"Herbs in Every Season" offers gardeners, herbalists, cooks, and homesteaders a new way of looking at herbs throughout the year, and from every angle. The photographed guide features information on gardening, cooking, and integrating herbs as part of a holistic wellness routine. Herbalists will learn how an herb’s growth habits inform its medicinal capabilities, and gardeners will gain insight into herbs as integral culinary plants for the kitchen garden, pollinator plants for perennial borders, and key ingredients for a home apothecary.

Bevin Cohen is an author, herbalist, gardener, seed saver, and educator. He is the owner of Small House Farm, the founder of Michigan Seed Library Network, and offers workshops and lectures. More at: http://www.smallhousefarm.com/

Celebrate Spring, National Garden Month and Poetry Month with Part 2 of Big Blend Radio's Spring Garden Party 2025.

FEATURED GUESTS - EVA ELDRIDGE is a travel writer, editor, publishing expert and avid gardener. Hear about some of her favorite local plants and botanical gardens in Tucson, Arizona. Visit: https://evaeldridge.com/

- DEBBIE STONE is a travel writer and photographer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico who talks about Origami in the Garden that features beautiful sculptures by artist Kevin Box. Read her story about it, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/origami-in-the-garden-is-a-feast-for-the-senses/

- HEIDI SANDER is a travel writer, author and award-winning poet who talks about how Stratford, Ontario is a destination for North American theatre and garden lovers. Her Stratford Gems book series is a poetic travel book that has highlighted some of the special gardens in Stratford through a unique artistic blend of photography and poetry. More: https://heidisander.com/

- JOHNNY SCHAEFER & KIMI YNIGUES - Kimi is a freelance floral designer based in Boise, Idaho who talks abour floral design, and the healing power of flowers. Johnny @hearjohnny is an award-winning singer-songwriter based in Pasadena, California who cohosts Big Blend Radio every 1st Sunday. More: https://hearjohnny.com/

MORE GARDEN PARTY FUN: - Listen to our “Sounds of Spring” Music Playlist on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yc4udexf - Listen to Part 1 of our Spring Garden Party, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/spring-garden-party-2025/

April brings with it a powerful trio of reminders: it’s Stress Awareness Month, the Month of Hope, and home to Good Deeds Day on April 6. What do these have in common? They each invite us to pause, breathe, and take action—however small—that nourishes our minds, hearts, and communities. When stress threatens to consume us, one of the most impactful things we can do is plant a seed—literally or metaphorically—and watch something beautiful grow.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's SOUL DIVING SUNDAY Show with Shelley Whizin focuses on Planting Seeds of Hope. Check out her article that shares five heartwarming, hope-filled actions you can take this April to reduce stress and plant the seeds of something better: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/planting-seeds-of-hope/

And, check out the new seasonal Big Blend "Soul Diving" digital publication featuring her past articles and podcasts here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/ylqx/#p=1

SHELLEY WHIZIN is the founder and CEO of the Soul Diving Institute™ and author of "What Do You Bring to the Table? A Savory, Sensory and Inspirational Guide to Living a Yummy Delicious Life." Keep up with Shelley and her coaching programs, courses, and workshops here: https://www.shelleywhizin.com/

Tune in to Big Blend Radio's "Soul Diving Sunday with Shelley" show every first Sunday here: http://tinyurl.com/2bjbectk

This episode is also being shared and featured on Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" channel and "Big Daily Blend" Channel. Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Celebrate National Garden Month with this special Big Blend Radio SPRING GARDEN PARTY (Part 1) featuring guest co-host Johnny Schaefer and special guests: Barbara Redding, Terri Guthrie, Joelle Machia & Ryan Slough, Julie Suman, Rose Palmer, Michelle Fedosoff, and Amy Nesler. Part 2 of this Garden Party podcast features ”Gardens, Flowers, Art & Poetry” airs on Monday, April 7 at 11am PT / 2pm ET on BigBlendRadio.com.

Listen to our “Sounds of Spring” Music Playlist on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yc4udexf

FEATURED GUESTS: – JOHNNY SCHAEFER @hearjohnny – Southern California based award-winning singer-songwriter and co-host of Big Blend Radio’s “Big Daily Blend” Podcast every 1st Sunday. Visit: https://hearjohnny.com/

– BARBARA REDDING – Freelance travel writer and photographer based in Austin, Texas. Visit: https://barbararedding.com/

– TERRI GUTHRIE – Travel journalist and photographer based in Dallas, Texas. Visit. https://travelwithterri.net/

– JOELLE MACHIA & RYAN SLOUGH – Travel writers, photographers, founders and publishers of https://www.wandererscompass.com/

– JULIE SUMAN – Travel writer and photographer based in Maryland. Visit: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/julie-dee-suman-travel-writer-and-photographer/

– MICHELLE FEDOSOFF – Travel writer and photographer based in British Columbia. See her bee garden story on her site: https://sitesandbites.org/published/f/finding-zen-in-the-middle-of-chaos

– ROSE PALMER – Award-winning travel writer and photographer based in Pennsylvania. Visit: https://quiltripping.com/

– AMY NESLER – Stewardship & Communications Manager at San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau in Washington. Visit: https://www.visitsanjuans.com/

Artist Lakin Epaloose joins Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday” Toast to The Arts & Parks” Podcast to talk about his paintings, photography, fashion design, and being the latest National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence for Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Lakin Epaloose, a painter and cultural bearer of the Zuni Tribe, works at Grand Canyon National Park in the cultural demonstration program. From 9:30am-1:30pm, on April 19, 2025, Lakin will offer a hands-on painting demonstration that follow his presentation at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Watercolor supplies will be provided. The park’s Artist in Residence program is sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation and Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Reservations required, 20-person limit. Details and reservations: https://home.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/03212025-nr-april-updates.htm Learn more and view Lakin’s art: https://www.lakinepalooseart.com/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation’s unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

Get ready for Spring Celebrations like Easter weekend, Brunch Parties, and Mother's Day with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "The Peanut Patch" Podcast with Donna George. So many foodie ideas to make happen and treats to enjoy!

Open NOW from October-April and located in Yuma, Arizona, The Peanut Patch is a southwest tradition for farm fresh peanuts, nuts and dried fruit, locally grown Royal Medjool Dates, culinary gifts, and sweet treats including homemade fudge and peanut brittle. Shop online year-round and learn more at https://thepeanutpatch.com/

Check out Donna's recipes that include all kinds of delicious favorites from peanut butter cookies to sensational salads, and even pasta dishes: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing-category/donna-george/

The Peanut Patch podcast airs every 1st Friday. Listen to episodes and follow the show here: https://peanut-patch.podbean.com/

From experiencing the world famous giant sequoia trees, wildflowers, waterfalls, and the reopening of Crystal Cave, to exploring charming agricultural communities and enjoying their seasonal events, activities, shopping, and dining destinations, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on spring adventures in Tulare County, California.

Located in Central California, Tulare County is home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, and charming art and agricultural communities including Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Dinuba, Porterville, Three Rivers, Lindsay, and Woodlake.

Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include - Holly Streit - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm - Donnette Silva Carter - Tulare Chamber of Commerce, http://www.tularechamber.org/

Plan your visit to Tulare County, at https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/