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/

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Books & Authors” Show with Books Forward, airing on the second Wednesday of the month, features author Nancy Bernhard, who discusses her novel "The Double Standard Sporting House." The episode also celebrates National Books Blitz Month, spotlighting powerful stories that illuminate overlooked voices and hidden histories.

Set in 19th-century New York, "The Double Standard Sporting House" explores women’s history through a bold and revealing lens — examining the societal constraints placed on women, the influence of Tammany Hall, and the stark double standards that shaped women’s lives. In this engaging conversation, Bernhard sheds light on how brothels became one of the few paths to financial independence for women, while also addressing the intersections of race, gender, power, and survival.

The discussion dives into the realities faced by women navigating restrictive laws, limited rights, and moral judgment, while also touching on burlesque as social satire, reproductive autonomy, and why sex workers’ voices have so often been excluded from historical narratives. Thought-provoking and timely, this episode connects past struggles to ongoing conversations about women’s rights today.

🔗 Episode & Author Links ✍️ Author Website – Nancy Bernhard: https://www.nancybernhard.com/ 📚 Books Forward: https://booksforward.com/ 🎙️ Explore the Big Blend Radio Network where this episode aired on the "Toast to The Arts," "Way Back When," "Women Making History" and "Big Daily Blend" Podcast Channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In observance of Women’s Healthy Weight Day (Jan. 15, 2026), board-certified cardiologist Dr. Jacqueline Eubany explores the powerful connection between women’s heart health, weight management, and overall wellness.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's HEART HEALTHY LIVING focuses on how lifestyle choices—such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and community support—play a critical role in maintaining a healthy weight and protecting cardiovascular health at every stage of life.

Dr. Jackie discusses why obesity is a major global health issue linked to heart disease, why extreme dieting can be harmful, and how mindful eating and movement support both physical and emotional well-being. The conversation also addresses body image pressures women face, the importance of loving and respecting your body, and how simple practices like gardening and growing your own food can encourage healthier habits.

📘 Learn more about Dr. Jackie’s book: https://womenandheartdiseasebook.com/

🔔 New episodes air every 2nd Wednesday! Subscribe: https://hearthealthyliving-drjackie.podbean.com/

🎧 This episode is also featured on Big Blend’s “Quality of Life” & "Big Daily Blend" podcast channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork