Charleston, Kiawah Island & Savannah: History, Nature, Romance & Southern Charm

Charleston, Kiawah Island & Savannah: History, Nature, Romance & Southern Charm

In this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World" Podcast, award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz explores the timeless beauty of Charleston, South Carolina, Kiawah Island, and Savannah, Georgia, sharing highlights from an unforgettable Lowcountry journey filled with history, nature, coastal charm, and Southern hospitality. Beginning in Charleston, Sharon discovers the city's rich colonial history, vibrant arts scene, historic neighborhoods, beautiful gardens, and acclaimed restaurants before attending a family wedding at the luxurious Sanctuary on Kiawah Island. She then heads south to Savannah, where charming public squares, centuries-old architecture, fascinating museums, rooftop bars, and scenic riverfront views reveal why the city remains one of America's most romantic destinations. Along the way, Sharon shares memorable wildlife encounters—from dolphins and bald eagles to herons and alligators—along with recommendations for historic walking tours, harbor sailing excursions, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Bonaventure Cemetery, exceptional Lowcountry cuisine, and the welcoming culture that makes this region so special. As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, Charleston, Kiawah Island, and Savannah offer unforgettable opportunities to experience the history, culture, landscapes, and hospitality that have helped shape our nation's story. 📝 Read Sharon's "Low Country Escape" article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/low-country-escape [https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/low-country-escape]  📖 Check out Sharon's Big Blend Radio "Wander the World" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/gyoy/#p=1 [https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/gyoy/#p=1]  🌍 Learn more about travel writer & photographer Sharon K. Kurtz: https://sharonkkurtz.com [https://sharonkkurtz.com]  🎙️ Tune in on the first Wednesday of every month at 12pm CST: https://wandertheworldwithsharon.podbean.com [https://wandertheworldwithsharon.podbean.com]

Boy George & Culture Club: Behind the New Documentary with Director Alison Ellwood

Few bands have shaped music, fashion, and popular culture quite like Boy George & Culture Club. Perfect for Pride Month, this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts" Podcast features acclaimed filmmaker Alison Ellwood who shares the story behind her compelling documentary chronicling the band's extraordinary rise, lasting influence, and enduring legacy. Known for celebrated music documentaries including "The Go-Go's", "Laurel Canyon," and "Cyndi Lauper: Let the Canary Sing," Alison discusses the extensive archival research, rare footage, and authentic storytelling that bring Boy George and Culture Club's remarkable journey to life. The conversation explores the band's impact on music, identity, fashion, LGBTQ+ visibility, and the cultural conversations that continue to resonate today. Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival before its North American release, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of one of pop music's most influential and groundbreaking bands.

Painted Ponies: Exploring Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia's Joyful Side

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Tales of Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia" Podcast, Executive Director Lance Laber shares the story behind the new "Ted DeGrazia's Painted Ponies" exhibit at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun in Tucson, Arizona. Featuring paintings, watercolors, sculptures, carousel horses, and merry-go-round imagery, this colorful new exhibition celebrates Ted DeGrazia's lifelong fascination with horses, childhood, imagination, and joy. Lance discusses how DeGrazia captured emotion through his art, his love of children, and why these cheerful works reveal another side of one of the world's most reproduced artists. The conversation also revisits the remarkable story behind DeGrazia's 1975 tax protest, when he burned over a million dollars' worth of his own paintings in Arizona's Superstition Mountains, celebrates his Flag Day birth anniversary, and explores the gallery's current rotating exhibits, including "Ted DeGrazia's Unseen Landscapes" and "DeGrazia Paints the Seri Indians." Known as one of the most reproduced artists in the world, Ted DeGrazia captured the spirit of the Southwest through bold, expressive paintings that reflected the region's people, cultures, landscapes, and traditions. Today, his legacy continues through the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, a National Historic Landmark nestled in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains. Current Rotating Exhibits • Ted DeGrazia's Painted Ponies – On display through January 27, 2027, featuring cheerful paintings, sculptures, carousel horses, and merry-go-round imagery celebrating childhood wonder. • Ted DeGrazia's Unseen Landscapes – Rare watercolors, oils, and ink drawings hidden from public view for decades. On display through September 2, 2026. • DeGrazia Paints the Seri Indians – A fascinating look at DeGrazia's documentation of the Comcaac (Seri) people of Sonora, Mexico. On display through September 2, 2026. DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre National Historic Landmark featuring over 15,000 original works of art, including paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and more. Learn more: http://www.degrazia.org [http://www.degrazia.org]  🎙️ New Tales of Ted DeGrazia episodes air every 4th Sunday. Follow the podcast: https://ted-degrazia.podbean.com [https://ted-degrazia.podbean.com]

Getting to Know Joey Stuckey, Part 2: Creativity, Curiosity & the Future of Music

In Part Two of this special Big Blend Radio “Music Success Insider” spotlight conversation, Joey Stuckey dives deeper into creativity, storytelling, media evolution, and the personal passions that shape his artistic life. From unconventional performance venues and community engagement to songwriting, curiosity, and the changing digital media landscape, Joey reflects on the experiences and inspirations that continue to fuel his career. He also shares thoughts on perception, authenticity, creative freedom, and why understanding yourself is key to lasting success in music and media. This candid and wide-ranging conversation reveals the heart behind Joey’s work as a musician, educator, producer, and storyteller. 🎧Listen to Part 1, here: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/joey-stuckey [https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/joey-stuckey]  🎸 Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind guitarist, singer-songwriter, producer, educator, and owner of Shadow Sound Studio in Macon, Georgia. Learn more: https://www.joeystuckey.com/ [https://www.joeystuckey.com/]  🌐 Explore Big Blend Media House & Subscribe to the Front Porch News: https://bigblendmediahouse.com/ [https://bigblendmediahouse.com/]

The Bayeux Tapestry: Medieval History, Multicultural Roots and a Once-in-a-Lifetime Exhibition

The Bayeux Tapestry is coming to England for the first time in nearly 1,000 years — and today we're diving into why this magnificent medieval embroidery is so much more than a war story. It's a record of cultures colliding, merging, and ultimately transforming a nation. Historian and Norfolk Tours owner Glynn Burrows joins Lisa on this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" Podcast - in perfect timing for Multicultural Day - to unravel the remarkable story behind the tapestry — from the Norman invasion of 1066 and the fate of poor King Harold, to what the tapestry reveals about everyday life: boats, horses, armor, farming, and even a few naughty bits in the border. Glynn and Lisa also explore how the Norman Conquest layered onto the Romans, the Vikings, and the Anglo-Saxons to create the England we know today — and how that same thread of cultures mixing, clashing, and merging runs through American history too. 🗓️ Don't miss it in person: The Bayeux Tapestry will be on display at the British Museum in London from September 2026 through July 2027 — the first time it has been in the UK since it was made. Tickets are limited, so book early! RESOURCE LINKS 📖 Read Glynn's companion article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/the-bayeux-tapestry [https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/the-bayeux-tapestry]  📖 Related Reading: Touring Battlefields of Britain (including the Battle of Hastings): https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/touring-battlefields-of-britain [https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/touring-battlefields-of-britain]  🌐 Visit English Connection to listen to more episodes and to read Glynn's magazine: https://EnglishConnection.uk [https://EnglishConnection.uk]