Family-Friendly Festivals & Louisiana Culture: Summer Fun in Avoyelles Parish

Filmmakers Paul & Ellen Wagner on Georgia O'Keeffe: The Brightness of Light Documentary

Discover the remarkable life, art, and enduring legacy of Georgia O’Keeffe, the pioneering artist known as the "Mother of American Modernism," in this episode of Big Blend Radio featuring award-winning filmmakers Paul Wagner and Ellen Casey Wagner. Their acclaimed documentary, "Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light," explores the iconic artist’s extraordinary journey through her own words, drawing from thousands of personal letters that reveal her artistic vision, struggles, relationships, and fierce independence. The film features Claire Danes as the voice of Georgia O’Keeffe and narration by Hugh Dancy. In this engaging conversation, Paul and Ellen discuss O’Keeffe’s deep connection to nature, her travels across America, her transformative years in Virginia, Texas, New York, and New Mexico, and how she became both an artistic trailblazer and an enduring role model for women. They also share insights into the filmmaking process, the challenges of bringing O’Keeffe’s story to life, and the surprising discoveries they made along the way. More than a portrait of a celebrated painter, this documentary reveals the human being behind the legend—an artist who embraced uncertainty, pursued authenticity, and found inspiration in the landscapes, light, and natural beauty of America. "Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light" is available starting June, 2026, on digital platforms including Apple TV and other streaming services. More: https://www.georgiaokeeffefilm.com/ [https://www.georgiaokeeffefilm.com/]

Meet Produce Expert Robert Schueller: Passion, Produce & Success

Celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month with this special "Success Express" episode of Big Blend Radio featuring longtime Big Blend friend Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations and Produce Expert for Melissa's Produce. Known nationally as "The Produce Dude," Robert has spent nearly three decades helping consumers discover fresh fruits and vegetables, understand seasonal produce, and explore healthier ways to eat. In this fun and inspiring conversation, Robert answers Big Blend's signature Success Insider questions, sharing stories about his career journey, family, favorite hobbies, life lessons, travel dreams, and the passion that has fueled his success. Along the way, listeners learn about the remarkable story behind Melissa's Produce, America's largest distributor of specialty produce, and how the company continues to introduce consumers to exciting fruits, vegetables, and healthy food innovations from around the world. LINKS & RESOURCES - Learn more about Melissa's Produce at https://www.melissas.com [https://www.melissas.com]  - Read Robert's Success Insider Q&A: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/success-insider-melissas-produce-expert-robert-schueller  [https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/success-insider-melissas-produce-expert-robert-schueller]  - Discover more expert interviews, podcasts, articles, and stories at: https://bigblendmediahouse.com  [https://bigblendmediahouse.com]

Everwoven: Memoirist Megan Margherio on Trauma, Resilience & Self-Reclamation

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" Podcast features author Megan Margherio discussing her powerful memoir, "Everwoven: A Memoir, A Reckoning." More than a traditional memoir, "Everwoven" is a deeply personal reckoning with trauma, survival, healing, and self-discovery. Through raw conversations with her former selves, Megan explores the lasting impacts of childhood sexual abuse, emotional neglect, intimate partner violence, grief, and self-abandonment, while illuminating the courageous journey from merely surviving to truly living. In this candid conversation, Megan discusses trauma, resilience, self-worth, the importance of being believed, the role of therapy and self-reflection, and how healing often begins when we stop running from our pain and start listening to the stories we carry within ourselves. Together, we explore concepts of survival mode, emotional reckoning, forgiveness, personal empowerment, boundaries, trust, and finding joy after trauma. The discussion also highlights the importance of kindness, mental health awareness, self-compassion, and creating space for authentic conversations that help break cycles of abuse and isolation. Learn more: https://www.meganmargherio.com/ [https://www.meganmargherio.com/]

Travel Writer & Storyteller Elaine Masters: Following Wonder Through Travel, Nature & Life

In this special "Getting to Know You" episode of Big Blend Radio, we celebrate National Creativity Day and reconnect with longtime Big Blend friend, travel writer, author, and storyteller Elaine Masters as part of the launch of our new online community, Big Blend Media House, and its Front Porch News newsletter. A longtime Big Blend contributor and friend, Elaine is known for her thoughtful travel writing, cultural sensitivity, environmental awareness, and love of water adventures. Hear about her experiences diving with manta rays, exploring destinations around the world, contributing to a National Geographic travel book, and working on her upcoming spiritual travel memoir, "Where Wonder Leads."  Along the way, Elaine discusses the importance of cultural respect, trusting your intuition, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, sustainable living practices, the value of independent media, and how travel, nature, and storytelling can enrich our lives. LEARN MORE: • Visit: https://www.tripwellgal.com/ [https://www.tripwellgal.com/]  • Insider Q&A: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/elaine-masters-travel-writer-success-insider  [https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/elaine-masters-travel-writer-success-insider]  • Check Out: https://bigblendmediahouse.com [https://bigblendmediahouse.com]

Author Margaret Whitford: War, Family History & Resilience

This Memorial Day weekend episode of Big Blend Radio features author Margaret Whitford who discusses her powerful new memoir, "The History We Carry, A Daughter's Memoir," releasing June 2, 2026 through She Writes Press. In this moving conversation, Margaret reflects on the emotional legacy of war, family estrangement, inherited trauma, and the healing power of storytelling. As families across America honor loved ones on Memorial Day, this episode explores how the devastation of World War II continues to ripple through generations, shaping identity, relationships, and emotional well-being. Margaret shares how her mother’s experiences—including war, violence, and trauma—created emotional distance within their relationship, and how writing this memoir became a path toward compassion, understanding, and healing. The conversation also explores PTSD, epigenetics, silence within families, resilience, and the importance of telling our stories. Pre-order and learn more about Margaret Whitford and "The History We Carry" at https://margaretwhitford.com/books/the-history-we-carry/ [https://margaretwhitford.com/books/the-history-we-carry/]