Discover how music and nature beautifully intersect in this inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio featuring composer and conductor Luke Diamond and conservation advocate and author Elaine A. Powers.

Based in Tucson, Luke is developing "Breathing in the Awe," an ambitious collection of ten original choral works inspired by visits to U.S. national parks. Performed by the Tucson Masterworks Chorale, the project transforms the emotional power of America’s most iconic landscapes into moving musical experiences. In this conversation, Luke and Elaine discuss the creative process behind composing park-inspired music, the importance of community arts, and how music can help reconnect audiences—especially youth—with the natural world. From hiking trails and studying wildlife to crafting lyrics and orchestration, Luke shares how immersive park experiences shape each composition. 🎵 Upcoming Performances: • March 14, 2026 — Tucson Festival of Books, Tucson, AZ • April 25, 2026 — Catalina Foothills High School Auditorium, Tucson, AZ • April 26, 2026 — Valley Presbyterian Church, Green Valley, AZ ✨ The team is currently seeking sponsors and partners to support the project’s next phase — including a potential national tour, professional recordings, and globally accessible releases so choirs and audiences everywhere can experience this music. Learn more & support the project: * Tucson Masterworks Chorale: https://www.tucsonmasterworkschorale.org/ * Project page: https://www.tucsonmasterworkschorale.org/breathing-in-the-awe * Luke’s park videos: https://www.facebook.com/TucsonMasterworksChorale/videos * Author Elaine A. Powers: https://elaineapowers.com/

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Garden Gossip" Podcast, we chat with Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, about 2026 Backyarding Trends and how outdoor spaces are evolving into purpose-driven, high-performance landscapes.

The TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care and use of backyards, parks, schoolyards, and other green spaces, predicts 2026 will be the year of intentional design, year-round use, and pet-friendly landscapes. The era of the purely aesthetic lawn is over—today’s yards are strategic investments that support wellness, biodiversity, community connection, and everyday living.

Kris discusses the rise of the 365-day landscape, right-sized outdoor zones, precision tech-guided gardening, dog-friendly “barkitecture,” pocket forests, and the growing “prosumer” mindset in outdoor tools.

We also explore native plants, coexisting with wildlife, the role of parks and community green spaces, and how backyarding supports family bonding and quality of life.

Learn more about Turf Mutt Foundation: https://www.turfmutt.com/

As part of our "Get a Balanced Life" programming, this episode is also featured on our "Nature Connection," "Pet Connection," "Big Daily Blend," and "Quality of Life" podcast channels. Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

As part of our Book Blitz Month programming, award-winning author, explorer, photographer, and cetacean specialist James Michael Dorsey joins Big Blend Radio to share stories from a lifetime of global exploration.

Having traveled through 60 countries, Dorsey discusses his work documenting remote cultures, endangered languages, and oral traditions, as well as his experiences studying and interacting with whales in some of the world’s most remote marine environments.

He reflects on the urgency of cultural preservation, noting that when the last speaker of a language is lost, an entire library of knowledge disappears. From encounters with the Hadzabe people of Tanzania to time spent observing cetaceans, this conversation explores storytelling, responsible travel, and the deep connections between humans, wildlife, and place.

🔗 Learn more about James Michael Dorsey, his books, and work: http://www.jamesdorsey.com/

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Garden Gossip" Podcast, we welcome Matt Mattus, Senior Director of Horticulture for the American Horticultural Society, to discuss their new book, “Essential Guide to Ecological Gardening: Techniques and Know-How for Gardening with Nature.” Released January 6, 2026 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group, this authoritative guide explores gardening as a living ecosystem rather than a collection of isolated plants.

Matt explains how ecological gardening goes far beyond popular trends like “leave the leaves,” focusing instead on thoughtful daily decisions that support biodiversity, soil health, pollinators, and wildlife. We talk about designing gardens that are both beautiful and ecologically sound, managing invasive species, reducing lawns, fostering native plants, and adapting gardens to environmental change.

The conversation also highlights ways to engage children in gardening, the vital role insects play in the ecosystem, and how small, practical steps can make a meaningful difference. Whether you garden in a backyard, community space, or container garden, this episode offers inspiration and actionable guidance for working with nature, not against it.

Websites & Resources: * American Horticultural Society: https://ahsgardening.org/ * Matt Mattus: https://growingwithplants.com/ * The Quarto Group: https://www.quarto.com/

In celebration of National Bird Day (Jan. 5), this episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" and "Big Daily Blend" podcast channels. Explore the network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “California’s Sequoia Country” podcast explores the incredible federal parks and public lands of Tulare County, California—home to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Sequoia National Forest, the Giant Sequoia National Monument, and Pixley National Wildlife Refuge. From towering giant sequoias and rich wildlife habitats to cultural heritage and night skies, discover what makes this region so special.

Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include: * Holly Streit – Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: https://nps.gov/seki/index.htm * Suzanne Bianco – Visit Visalia: https://www.visitvisalia.com/

This conversation delves into the natural wonders, history, and biodiversity of California’s Sequoia Country. Highlights include the General Grant Tree, a national shrine honoring veterans, birding during migration seasons, iconic places like Crescent Meadow, the Trail of 100 Giants, and Crystal Cave, as well as seasonal tips for winter and spring visits. The episode also touches on Indigenous cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, and special events like the Dark Sky Festival, inviting listeners to experience these public lands responsibly and respectfully.

Plan your visit: https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/

This episode also streams on Big Blend Radio’s "Parks & Travel," "Vacation Station," and "Nature Connection" podcast channels. Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Select Photos courtesy of Visit Visalia.

In this inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio’s Nature Connection Podcast, we explore the joy of birding in the Great Lakes region with expert birder, educator, and author Dexter Patterson, host of the Bird Joy podcast and co-founder of Wisconsin’s BIPOC Birding Club.

Dexter shares insights from his new book, Birds of the Great Lakes: Best Little Book of Birds, an accessible and beautifully designed guide to more than 100 commonly occurring bird species found throughout this diverse and

vital region. From winter birding surprises and seasonal migration cycles to bird behavior, habitat diversity, and responsible birding practices, this conversation highlights how birdwatching fosters deeper connections with nature while supporting conservation and inclusivity.

Listeners will also learn about family-friendly birding, creating bird-friendly environments with native plants, and top birding destinations like Horicon Marsh and the Milwaukee lakefront. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, this episode celebrates the idea that birding truly is for everyone.

🔗 More about Dexter: https://www.wiscobirder.com/

🔗 Follow Dexter’s Bird Joy Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebirdjoypod/

🔗 Follow Big Blend Radio’s Nature Connection Podcast: https://nature-connection.podbean.com/

In this thought-provoking episode of Big Blend Radio, acclaimed author David Baron discusses his award-winning book, "The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America."

Long before Martians became the stuff of science fiction, many Americans believed they might actually exist. David explores how late 19th- and early 20th-century scientists, astronomers, and the media became captivated by Mars—projecting utopian ideals, hope, and solutions to earthly problems onto the Red Planet during a period of rapid scientific advancement.

The conversation examines the quest to communicate with Martians, the evolving nature of scientific evidence, and the essential role imagination plays in discovery. From historic beliefs to current discoveries and future possibilities, this episode reveals how our fascination with Mars reflects something deeply human: the desire to explore, connect, and believe.

David Baron’s book The Martians has been widely recognized as a New Yorker Best Book of the Year, a TIME Must-Read Book of 2025, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, and a Chicago Public Library Favorite Book of 2025.

🔗 Learn more about David Baron and his work: https://davidbaronauthor.com/

🔗 Explore the Big Blend Radio Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

The conversation also highlights the importance of planning additional activities, managing expectations, and embracing the unpredictability that comes with chasing natural wonders. Whether you're a photographer, a dreamer, or an adventurer, this episode offers both awe and actionable advice.

📖 Read Rose’s Article "Tips to See the Northern Lights": https://quiltripping.com/tips-to-see-the-northern-lights/

🌐 Explore More from Quiltripping: https://quiltripping.com/

🎧 Subscribe on Podbean: https://quiltripping-travel.podbean.com/

📲 Also Featured on Big Blend Radio’s "Vacation Station," "Nature Connection," and "Parks & Travel" Podcast Channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork