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

In this engaging Big Blend Radio conversation, filmmaker and debut novelist TJ Derry talks about his powerful new novel "Carried Away: Surviving the Unimaginable" — a story that begins as a laid-back surf trip and spirals into a gripping fight for survival. When burned-out New Yorker Cole joins friends on a remote Indonesian island chain seeking clarity and connection, he finds beauty, friendship, and love — until a catastrophic tsunami changes everything. Stripped of modern comforts and confronted by nature’s raw force, the group must navigate both physical peril and the deeper emotional reckoning that comes when everything else falls away.

More than just a survival thriller, Carried Away is a soul-searching exploration of resilience, purpose, and rediscovering what truly matters. Derry shares how his background in cinematography and storytelling influenced his immersive writing style, and how surfing — with its balance of surrender and control — became the perfect metaphor for life. He also discusses the book’s innovative use of QR codes for bonus materials and his partnership with Sungai Watch, an environmental organization cleaning Indonesia’s rivers and beaches.

Learn more at https://www.readcarriedaway.com/

✨As part of our National Novel Writing Month programming, this episode is featured on Big Blend Radio’s “A Toast to The Arts,” “Big Daily Blend,” and “Nature Connection” podcast channels! Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork