Success Express

Can independent contractors legally earn commissions in California? The answer is more complicated than you might think. In this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explores the intersection of California commission laws and independent contractor classification under AB5. The discussion examines who can legally rece...

In this thought-provoking (and shared) episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) examines one of the most common—and potentially problematic—workplace metaphors: the idea that coworkers are "family." While the concept is often intended to foster connection and belonging, Rita explains how the...

Milwaukee is having a moment — and the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) is heading there for their 2026 Professional Development Conference, October 18–21! Big Blend Radio host Lisa D. Smith sits down with three IFWTWA board members to give you the inside scoop on everything that awaits at this year's conference. GUESTS: - Cori Solomon — IFWTWA President & Conf...

Celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month with this special "Success Express" episode of Big Blend Radio featuring longtime Big Blend friend Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations and Produce Expert for Melissa's Produce. Known nationally as "The Produce Dude," Robert has spent nearly three decades helping consumers discover fresh fruits and vegetables, understand seasonal produc...

In this special "Getting to Know You" episode of Big Blend Radio, we celebrate National Creativity Day and reconnect with longtime Big Blend friend, travel writer, author, and storyteller Elaine Masters as part of the launch of our new online community, Big Blend Media House, and its Front Porch News newsletter. A longtime Big Blend contributor and friend, Elaine is known for her thoughtful travel...

In this special “Getting to Know You” episode of Big Blend Radio, we chat with award-winning author, editor, traveler, and former international lawyer Clifford Garstang about his fascinating journey from international development and law to a celebrated literary career. A longtime guest on Big Blend Radio, Clifford has joined us over the years to discuss his books, literature, writing life, and in...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explains how California commission laws impact both employers and employees, including the legal differences between inside and outside sales roles, minimum wage protections, overtime exemptions, independent contractor concerns, and why written commission agreements are essential....

In this insightful shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) explores the critical role supervision plays in employee engagement, retention, and organizational success. Rita explains why effective supervision is rooted in partnership, trust, and support—not micromanagement—and how supe...

This episode of Big Blend Radio spotlights "Big Daily Blend" cohost and award-winning singer-songwriter Johnny Schaefer  @hearjohnny  based in Southern California, in a special “Getting to Know You” conversation. In this inspiring and personal interview, Johnny shares his musical journey, creative influences, and the deeper purpose behind his songwriting. From emotional storytelling to the power o...

Get to know the heart behind The Peanut Patch in this special and shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s “The Peanut Patch” Podcast featuring Donna George, owner of the beloved family-run store in Yuma, Arizona. Through seven fun and insightful questions, Donna shares her personal journey in running a small business, her passion for food and community, and her adventures traveling to all 50 states. F...

Managing employees across state lines comes with complex legal challenges — and getting it wrong can be costly. In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explains how multi-state employment laws impact wages, overtime, and compliance for businesses operating across borders. From remote work arrangements to industries like...

In this shared and uplifting episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) explores the power of play in the workplace—and why it’s more than just fun. Drawing from her master’s thesis research on the impact of play on workplace community, as well as her experience as a supervisor and HR director...

Big Blend Radio’s “Jo Goes Everywhere!” travel podcast with writer Jo Clark celebrates its 2-year anniversary with a special behind-the-scenes conversation exploring Jo’s journey as a travel writer, storyteller, and creator of the new "Jo Goes Everywhere!" Digital Podcast Magazine. From global adventures spanning Louisiana to Namibia, to experimenting with sangria recipes and discovering local fla...

Hiring employees in California is becoming more complex in 2026, with new laws impacting everything from job postings to AI-driven hiring tools. In this shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down what employers need to know about pay transparency requirements, AI discrimination risks in hiring, and new rules gov...

In this insightful shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) dives into the complex and often misunderstood role of Human Resources. HR professionals walk a delicate line—balancing trust, fairness, legal compliance, and organizational priorities. Rita discusses the challenges of “doing...

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Randy E. Barnett, a renowned constitutional law professor at Georgetown University Law Center and author of the new book Felony Review: Tales of True Crime and Corruption. Drawing from his early career as a prosecutor in Chicago, Barnett shares gripping firsthand stories of murder investigations, courtroom strategy, police confessions, and the ethical dilem...

California’s healthcare minimum wage landscape is changing in 2026 — and employers need to be ready. In this shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s “California Employment Law” Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down California’s new minimum wage requirements for healthcare workers, explaining who is covered, key compliance deadlines, and what healthcare employers, staffing a...

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Music Talks with Joey Stuckey," Joey shares key insights from his recent experiences at industry events including the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show and The Recording Academy’s Grammy Week. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming music creation, performance, and accessibility. Joey discusses the growin...

In this shared Leadership Day episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) shares practical, sustainable self-care strategies for leaders, supervisors, employers, and employees alike. In today’s demanding work environments, self-care isn’t optional—it’s essential. Rita discusses how daily routin...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), we go behind the scenes of the global organization that connects and supports professional storytellers in the food, wine, and travel industries. Hear from IFWTWA leadership about how the association empowers writers through networking, professional develo...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down the complexities of joint employment relationships under California law.  The discussion explores how employees can legally have more than one employer at the same time, particularly in franchise and staffing agency arrangements. Ward explains how joint employer liability can ari...

The World Ag Expo® is the largest annual agricultural show of its kind, and this episode of Big Blend Radio takes listeners inside its global reach and local impact.  Featured guests Donnette Silva Carter, CEO of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, and Megan Lausten, Marketing Director of the International Agri-Center®, share insights into why Tulare County stands at the heart of agriculture—feeding c...

How do you truly get your message across in today’s distraction-filled world? On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Success Express" Podcast we talk with author, life coach, photographer, and communication expert Steve Piacente about his innovative project, “Postcards with a Purpose,” which blends photography with powerful communication lessons. Steve shares why preparation is essential for succes...

In this insightful Big Blend Radio "Soul Diving Sunday" conversation, transformational life coach Shelley Whizin —also known as the Live & Die Happy Coach — explores the deeper “why” behind personal growth, happiness, and authentic living. Shelley shares how transformational life coaching focuses on tiny, intentional shifts that create meaningful, lasting change, and how self-discovery often b...

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" Podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs, the conversation continues on the new and evolving California employment laws for 2026.  This episode takes a deeper dive into Prop 22 and gig worker classification, new wage posting requirements, tip pooling rules, wage judgments, repayment clauses in employment contracts, and addition...