This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" Show features award-winning author Julie Ryan McGue who discusses her new memoir, “Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood.”

Julie McGue’s parents always longed for a big American family—and their adoption of Julie and her twin sister Jenny seemed to satisfy that yearning. But as the couple continue adding adopted and biological children to the family, tragedy strikes. Julie begins to see just how much her parents’ goals and dreams differ from her own.

Author Julie Ryan McGue unravels the gripping tale of adopted twins facing the turbulent tides of love, loss and identity in suburban Chicago. As their family expands and secrets emerge, will their sisterly bond withstand the test of time? Dive into a memoir that explores the heart’s complexities and the fierce quest for belonging in “Twice the Family” (Feb. 4, 2025, She Writes Press) the much-anticipated prequel to McGue’s debut memoir “Twice a Daughter.” More at https://juliemcgueauthor.com/

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, Linda Kissam "Food, Wine & Shopping Diva," talks with Khulan Enkhtaivan, founder of Amu Nutrition, about their wellness teas. Linda's tasting experience was informative and engaging, delving into the unique flavors, health benefits, and cultural significance of their teas. Read her story about it here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/a-tea-tasting-journey-with-amu-nutrition/

Hailing from Mongolia, Khulan Enkhtaivan, founder of Amu Nutrition and entrepreneur by trade, is also a trained and certified ayurvedic nutritionist who has dedicated her life and career to supporting people’s journey to achieving optimal health. Khulan seeks to share Mongolia’s “food as medicine” philosophy with the American market, inviting consumers to experience tea not just as a beverage, but as a vital component of their self-care practices. Amu Nutrition’s Mongolian heritage is infused in every sip as the tea is made exclusively from wild harvested herbs sourced in the pristine Altai mountains of Mongolia. More: https://amu-nutrition.com/

Travel writer Linda Kissam appears on Big Blend Radio every first Saturday. Follow her podcasts here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1LoD5wiSJu4NM4KZxuJYoj

Follow Diva Linda's adventures here: https://allingoodtaste.info/

This episode is also being shared and featured on Big Blend Radio's "Eat, Drink & Be Merry" channel. Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio celebrates the 58th Annual World Ag Expo happening February 11-13, 2025 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California. Hear about the expo's new Women in Ag pavillion, Seminars, Wine & Cheese pavillion, Ag Tours, the Toyota giveaway, and more. Visit: https://www.worldagexpo.com/

FEATURED GUESTS: - Donnette Silva Carter - CEO of Tulare Chamber in Commerce: http://www.tularechamber.org/ - Megan Lausten - Marketing Director of the International Agri-Center: https://www.internationalagricenter.com/

More than 1,200 exhibitors display the latest in farm equipment, communications, and technology on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. Free seminars focus on a variety of topics important to dairy producers, farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals. World Ag Expo® is a can’t miss show for anyone in Ag, and for those interested in where their food comes from. An estimated average of 100,000 individuals from over 70 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year.

From Sculptors to Stained Glass Designers to Authors and Singer-Songwriters, this episode of Big Blend Radio's WOMEN MAKING HISTORY Podcast Celebrates Women in the World of Arts, as part of January being International Creativity Month.

FEATURED GUESTS: - SHARON K. KURTZ is a travel writer and award-winning photographer. Hear about the folk artist women she met during her recent visit to Peru, and check out her article about it all, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/journeying-through-peru/ * Keep up with Sharon's adventures at https://sharonkkurtz.com/

- VICTORIA CHICK is a contemporary figurative artist, early 19th/20th century print collector, and the spearhead behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center in Silver City, New Mexico. Victoria talks about the life and legacy of sculptor Mary Edmonia Lewis. Learn more about Edmonia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonia_Lewis * Keep up with Victoria here: https://victoriachick.com/ * Check out her museum project, here: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/

- CHRISTY WOOD is a world champion horse trainer, a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, a carded horse show judge, and author of three books. Hear about her new memoir, "Hoofprints Across Time: A Trail Ride to Remember" that shares her adventures on the 13-year progressive Chief Joseph Trail Ride https://wdnhorse.com/

- KIMBERLY HESS is the author of the biography "A Lesser Mortal: The Unexpected Life of Sarah B. Cochran." Hear about Agnes Northrop (1857-1953), who was a designer at Tiffany specializing in floral stained glass windows. "Garden Landscape," which she designed for Sarah B. Cochran's mansion in Dawson, Pennsylvania, was recently unveiled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - see: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/899795 * Also watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVIouHWPFU * And, keep up with Kimberly here: https://unexpectedlifeofsarahbcochran.com/

- ELAINE A POWERS is a retired biologist, actor and singer, a conservationist with a passion for reptiles, and the author of over 25 science-based children’s stories and scripts. Hear about her writing career and learn more about her books, here: https://elaineapowers.com/

- JOEY STUCKEY is and award-winning blind guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer, producer, educator, sound engineer, and the music ambassador for Macon, Georgia. He spotlights Georgia singer/songwriter Sue G. Wilkinson. hear her music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ui3Cs15jm1jIoK0Z2wfRL?si=4UD_lzjxRDmLE_jSgBi9JA * Keep up with Joey: https://www.joeystuckey.com/

Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast airs new episodes every 4th Wednesday. Follow the show here: https://women-making-history.podbean.com/

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend" and "Toast to The Arts" channels. Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

From food and drink to festivals and cultural experiences, nature and the great outdoors, history and the arts, and much more, this episode of Big Blend Radio celebrates Arizona, the Grand Canyon State including it's WOMEN!

Featured Guests: - EVA ELDRIDGE – Editor, writer, and book publishing expert. See: https://evaeldridge.com/ - PEGGY FIANDACA – Co-owner of LDV Winery. See: https://ldvwinery.com/ - JUDY KARNIA – Travel writer and nature therapy guide. See: https://judykarnia.com/ - DR RANDSDELL - Author, musician, and educator. See: https://www.dr-ransdell.com/ - ELAINE A. POWERS – Author, conservationist, actor/singer. See: https://elaineapowers.com/ - DR. MILLICENT EIDSON eyedson – Professor, author, and writer. See: https://drmayamaguire.com/

From Alaska to Hawaii, Southern California to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" podcast dives into the backstory of Linda's books, writing, travels, and deep connection with the natural world.

Read Linda's blog post about her writing adventures, here: https://lostangeladventures.com/f/writing-for-my-life Follow Linda Ballou's adventures at https://lostangeladventures.com/ and learn more about her books at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

Listen to Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Show every 3rd Wednesday at High Noon PST, here on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm3Bmktgu8osUzx2VOF35dgO&feature=shared

In celebration of the Holiday Shopping Season, this episode of Big Blend Radio features author Kimberly Hess who gives an overview of her book, "A Lesser Mortal: The Unexpected Life of Sarah B. Cochran." A fantastic gift for women's history enthusiasts, Pennsylvania history buffs, and philanthropists, this groundbreaking biography covers the extraordinary life of Sarah. B. Cochran “The Coal Queen.” More: https://unexpectedlifeofsarahbcochran.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's WOMEN MAKING HISTORY Podcast focuses on Women in the World of Food and Wine.

FEATURED GUESTS: - SHARON K. KURTZ is a travel writer and award-winning photographer. Hear about some of the amazing women chefs she met in Oakland, California, as featured in her article here: https://fwtmagazine.com/a-taste-of-oakland-three-women-chefs-bringing-their-unique-flavor-to-the-table/ Keep up with Sharon's adventures at https://sharonkkurtz.com/

- CAROLE BUMPUS is a food/travel writer and author. Hear about her new book, “Adventures on Land and Sea: Searching for Culinary Pleasures in Provence and Along the Cote d’Azur." More: https://carolebumpus.com/

- PEGGY FIANDACA and her husband Curt Lawrence own and run LDV Winery, known for it's award-winning handcrafted estate wines produced in Arizona. More: https://ldvwinery.com/

Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast features a new panel discussion every 4th Wednesday. Follow the show here: https://women-making-history.podbean.com/

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Eat, Drink & Be Merry" and "Success Express" channels. Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork