This episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features Alex Woodard—singer-songwriter, author, and storyteller—who discusses his powerful new novel, "Ordinary Soil" (Greenleaf, Aug. 12, 2025).

According to the National Rural Health Association, farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than those in any other profession, a sobering reality that underscores the hidden cost of modern agriculture. "Ordinary Soil" steps directly into this cultural reckoning, blending science, ancestral trauma, environmental urgency, and hope into a deeply emotional and thought-provoking story.

When a young farmer—burdened by a mysterious family legacy and mounting despair—attempts to take his life beneath a rotting burial elm, he sets off a chain of events that uncovers long-buried truths about farming, chemical dependency, and the intergenerational wounds carried in the land itself. At the heart of the novel is a startling idea: healing our bodies, minds, and communities may begin in the soil beneath our feet.

In this engaging conversation, Alex shares his transition from music to fiction, the real-life inspiration behind the novel, and how a chance encounter during a surf trip at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic shaped the story. He discusses Oklahoma’s agricultural history, the lingering legacy of the Dust Bowl, and why storytelling is essential for addressing complex topics like mental health, environmental responsibility, and consumer choice. Known for his artistic sensitivity, Woodard weaves peer-reviewed science into narrative fiction, creating a novel that serves as both a wake-up call and a balm—one that dares to offer hope in a time of crisis.

"Ordinary Soil" is also available as an audiobook narrated by the legendary Scott Brick, bringing added depth to this resonant and timely story. Learn more about Alex and "Ordinary Soil" at https://www.alexwoodard.com/

Learn more about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/

This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio’s “A Toast to The Arts,” "Quality of Life," and “Nature Connection” podcast channels! Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Award-winning author and anthropologist Michael Engelhard joins Big Blend Radio’s "Way Back When" History Show to discuss his new book, “No Place Like Nome: The Bering Strait Seen Through Its Most Storied City.”

Blending anthropology, history, personal reflection, and vivid storytelling, Engelhard explores the legendary city of Nome, Alaska—a cultural, ecological, and historical crossroads where the legacies of millennia still shape the present. From mammoths and shaman hoards to Cold War landmarks, reindeer herders, adventurers, hustlers, drummers, dancers, and whalers, his book highlights a region steeped in myth, resilience, and human ingenuity.

In this lively conversation, Engelhard discusses cultural migration across the Bering Strait, the impact of climate change on Arctic landscapes, the interconnectedness of humans and nature, and the powerful role of storytelling and language in preserving Indigenous cultures. He also shares insights into the origins of Nome’s name and how its past continues to echo through environmental, social, and cultural challenges today.

Learn more and get the book: https://michaelengelhard.com/

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month and National Life Writing Month through an exploration of history, culture, community, and place, this episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend," "Nature Connection," and "Parks & Travel" Podcast channels. Explore the network, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), Merle Rosenstein shares her experiences at the Rougarou Fest in Houma, Louisiana, part of the Annual IFWTWA Conference in Lafayette (October 2025).

Merle highlights the rich culinary culture, the legendary Rougarou in local folklore, and the importance of coastal and environmental conservation in Louisiana’s unique communities. The conversation explores how food, festivals, and local traditions connect people to heritage while fostering awareness of sustainable practices. Listeners also learn about Merle’s journey as a travel writer and her vision of SuperBubbie, celebrating active senior travel and cultural exploration.

🌐 Read Merle’s article about the festival: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/haunting-good-fun-and-coastal-preservation-at-houmas-rougarou-fest/

🌐 Visit Merle’s website: https://superbubbie.ca/

🌐 Learn more about IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/

🌐 Follow this podcast, also featured on Big Blend Radio’s "Vacation Station," "Nature Connection," "Big Daily Blend," and "Way Back When" channels: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m