Mon, 22 January 2024
Scientifically Proven Quantum Manifestation? Dr. Kim Perkins and Arash talk spirituality and science For the first new episode of 2024 Arash welcomes back one of the Kims (from episode 140) for a fun conversation about the intersection of spirituality and science. In addition to holding the honor of being Arash’s previous housemate, Dr. Kim Perkins is an organizational psychologist with a PhD in positive psychology. Arash and Kim dive into topics often brushed off as 'hippie stuff,' exploring their academic backing and practical applications. The episode closes with a portion of DJ Maxx Polishuk's full vinyl set from BRCU at Burning Man 2013. Recorded January of 2024 at Philtopia in Pasadena, CA
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About the Show: Independently produced by a revolving team of volunteers and Hosted by founder (mr)Arash, Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional audio podcast in the global Burning Man community. Focused on year-round Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore 140+ episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer and community builder. Connect with him directly at mrarash.com/hello. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates.
Direct download: 149_Scientifically_Proven_Quantum_Manifestation.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 10:54pm EDT |
Sat, 30 December 2023
Episode 148: Christmas in Vegas A Dispatch from Las Vegas with Snarky Santa Arash gets to know a different side of Las Vegas with Randy Winsett AKA Snarky Santa. A father, anarchist, cancer butt kicker and host of Shouting Fire’s SIR Radio, Randy brings a mix of deep insight and irreverent humor to this episode, serving as the de facto co-host for Arash’s Las Vegas adventure. In a conversation at least five years in the making, we'll explore Randy’s roots in Oklahoma, nerd out on that #radiohostlife, explore the Las Vegas Burner community and dissect the existential lessons of cancer. Expect a a fairly even blend of serious emo crap and snarky giggle fests. Also a lot of Christmas crap.
Rerecord in Las Vegas, December 2023
snarkysanta.com - The Official Home for all things Randy shoutingfire.com/members/snarky-santa-aka-randy-winsett - Randy’s ShoutingFire landing page dashboard.transistor.fm/shows/the-snarky-santa-show - Archives of past shows facebook.com/randytales - Facebook home for #RandyTales Watch Randy’s #CancerTales Live At Burning Man 2018 - youtu.be/2lHizUiMdvg Listen to Iris’s full funky Christmas set here: soundcloud.com/iris_refractions/on-the-friday-before-christmas-there-was-funk-in-the-house Iris’s has tons music up at soundcloud.com/iris_refractions And follow Iris at instagram.com/iris_refractions
Independently produced by a revolving team of volunteers and Hosted by founder (mr)Arash, Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional audio podcast in the extended international community of Burning Man. Focused on year-round Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore 140+ episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer and community builder. Connect with him directly at mrarash.com/hello. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates. |
Tue, 19 December 2023
Episode 147: Sarge’s Orders Torrey Pines Smith of Sextant fame goes full tech bro Join Arash for a delightful reunion with Torrey Pines Smith, affectionately known as Sarge from Sextant camp. Life's taken some turns for Torrey since his last appliance on Episode 72. He's embraced being family man and launched into entrepreneurial life with his startup, Endiatix. From the dust of BRC to shaping a venture capital firm, Arash explores with Torrey topics of transformation and evolution, wrapped in the spirit of the Burner community. Delve into the world of 'liquid smooth, organic robotics,' a metaphor for the seamless blend of technology and human experience as Torrey shares his insights on ego, intuition, and life’s surprises. Interview recorded in Hayward, CA in November of 2023 Post production recordings at The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation in San Diego, CA About the Show: Independently produced by a revolving team of volunteers and Hosted by founder (mr)Arash, Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional audio podcast in the extended international community of Burning Man. Focused on year-round Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore 140+ episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer and community builder. Connect with him directly at mrarash.com/hello. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates. |
Sun, 10 December 2023
Episode 146: Black Astronaut Kamal X on love, rage and photography Dive into the world of photographer Kamal X. In this episode, host Arash sits down with Kamal in after as showing of one of his pieces to discuss his powerful book, "Black Astronaut," a culmination of three years of deep work capturing America’s chapter of protest. Kamal shares his experiences of global travel and how these adventures have influenced his approach to photography. The turning point in Kamal's career came from a moment of clarity at Burning Man, which profoundly impacted his life’s direction. The conversation explores how Kamal's personal experiences, including childhood trauma, have informed his work, creating a unique blend of intensity and empathy in his images. This episode offers a glimpse into Kamal's perspective as a photographer, revealing how his art narrates powerful human stories and emotions. Interview recorded in San Francisco, November 2023 Post production recordings at The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation in San Diego, CA Kamal X's Instagram | instagram.com/iamkamalx Kamal X's Website | iamkamalx.com Amazon link to his book: https://a.co/d/abGm1W5 Hosted by (mr)Arash, Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional audio podcast in the extended international community of Burning Man. Independently produced, it focuses on Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest. Discover over 140 previous episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer. Connect with him directly at mrarash.com/hello. Produced by Arash and a team of burners, including instagram.com/darthjfizz, instagram.com/muloka, instagram.com/lolmonday, and instagram.com/leehemingway among others. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for updates. |
Thu, 19 October 2023
Episode 145: Stupider Than Burning Man Bat Country blazes a trail of mischief through Black Rock City Gather for a summit with the infamous Bat Country, a camp that emerged from the dust and has grown into a global community. Arash is joined by Handful, Begley, and Kip as they embark on a journey back to their crew’s beginnings, from the Mad Max-esque early days of Burning Man to the current LED-infused Black Rock City. We’re treated to an array of stories, including their participation in New Mexico’s SunBurn and the founding of West Virginia’s Frostburn. The conversation begins with Bat Country’s gathering at the La Jolla Playhouse for The Untitled, Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical and eventually delves into the infamous "Flat Gate" incident from Burning Man 2019 before wrapping with some enchanting playa magic stories. Join us for an insider's perspective on the dynamic world of Bat Country and the captivating tales of their journey through the Burner community. This episode was produced by Ferrell Jesus and was recorded at The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation in San Diego, CA. The full DJ set by Big Yachty can be heard here on Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/EgK2tWsKtXNVemv38 Hosted by (mr)Arash, the original Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional audio podcast in the extended international community of Burning Man. Independently produced and focused on Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore 140+ previous episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer and founder of Justified Hype creative collective. Connect with him directly at mrarash.com/hello. Burner Podcast is produced by Arash and a rotating team of burners including instagram.com/darthjfizz, instagram.com/muloka, instagram.com/lolmonday and instagram.com/leehemingway among many others. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates. |
Mon, 18 September 2023
Episode 144: The Burn You Need The Super Official Post Burning Man 2023 Official Recap with Halcyon Mud Man, Raining Man, Mud Burn or whichever other remix of the name you’re into, it is pretty much collectively agreed that Burning Man 2023 was a doozy! Arash and Halcyon reunite for their annual post Burning Man recap. Topics include the privilege of getting to attend Burning Man, dealing with mud in the portos, Diplo-gate and how it was definitely better next year. This interview was recorded on September 9, 2023 in San Diego, California hugnation.com Photo by Mark Fromson @autobiographica |
Sat, 29 July 2023
Episode 143: From Austin to Black Rock The Burning Man 2023 Pre-playa Planner with Monday and Maria Gotay Arash is joined by Monday and Maria Gotay to geek out about Burning Man 2023. Monday, a member of the Placement Committee for Burning Man, and Maria, co-leading the massive art project called 1000 Hands, share their anticipation and excitement for the upcoming “Big Burn.” This special annual episode is a must-listen for burners on their way to Burning Man, as Arash, Monday, and Maria exchange ideas on how to make this year's Burn unforgettable with art projects they’re eager to see and valuable survival tips. This episode was produced by Kim Loop and recorded in Austin, Texas |
Sat, 29 July 2023
Episode 142: Candids and Consent With Texas-based Photographer Mike Whitten Join Arash for a captivating conversation with photographer Mike Whitten, as the two explore the culture of photography at regional Burns and Burning Man. Having recently resettled in Austin, Texas, Mike shares his experiences shooting since the film days and reflects on his 20-year fascination with Burning Man before finally hitting the playa. In this candid discussion (pun a little intended), Arash and Mike delve into the emotional impact of photography and explore some ethical frameworks photographers could potentially implement both on and off playa. Arash and Mike share insights into the nuances of taking candid photographs and the paramount importance of obtaining consent, highlighting the intersection of creativity, respect, and community values when capturing moments at Burns like Freezerburn and YOUtopia. This episode was produced by Kim Loop and recorded in Austin, Texas burningman.org/event/participate/volunteering/teams/media-mecca |
Thu, 20 July 2023
Episode 141: A Particular Set of Skills SDCAP Board President Cable King In this episode, Arash delves into an insightful conversation with Cable King, the board president of San Diego Collaborative Arts Project (SDCAP). As the non-profit organization behind YOUtopia, San Diego's regional Burning Man event, and CoLab, the region's Burner maker space, SDCAP plays a crucial role in fostering the local creative community. With 16 years of playa experience, Cable shares his life journey and offers valuable insights into navigating the challenges of local community leadership. From YOUtopia's peak attendance of 3500 people to its current size of around 1200, Cable candidly reveals the trials and triumphs of working with a new generation of participants dedicated to reigniting the event's spirit. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the evolutions of the gay community and queer cultures, the importance of embracing authenticity, the significance of volunteership, and the transformative power of rekindling joy in a regional event once thought to be fading away. This episode serves as a part of Burner Podcast’s mission to celebrate those who work tirelessly throughout the year to keep the flames burning in our vibrant international community. Recorded in San Diego, CA Cable’s art project - Morrissey Temple of Sad: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10204980940944873&type=3 Hosted by (mr)Arash, the original Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional format audio podcast in the extended international Burning Man community. Independently produced and focused on Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore 140 previous episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer and founder of Justified Hype creative collective. Reach out directly at mrarash.com/hello. Burner Podcast is produced by Arash and a rotating team of Burners including instagram.com/darthjfizz, instagram.com/muloka, instagram.com/lolmonday and instagram.com/leehemingway among many others. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates.
Direct download: 141_A_Particular_Set_of_Skills.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 11:05am EDT |
Tue, 20 June 2023
Episode 140: Addiction to Certainty Psychologists Dr. Mayra Gomez Padua and Dr. Mia Sarno on Burner life and mental health Arash sits with psychologists Dr. Mayra Gomez Padua and Dr. Mia Sarno to explore a Burner community perspective on personal mental health. The discussion taps into just some of the challenges and obstacles folks often face when attempting to access therapy and considers both the providers’ and recipients’ perspectives. Dispelling common misconceptions about what therapy and working with a therapist entails, the trio share some practical ideas with a common theme emerging on the importance of daily proactive individual mental health practices. In the second half of this episode, listeners are treated to an uplifting melodic House set by Umee Dee, a Berkley-based psychiatrist who integrates music into her metal health profesison. As part of her unique approach, Umee plays solo DJ sets for her ketamine therapy patients, further highlighting the powerful connection between music and mental wellness. This episode serves as a part of Burner Podcast’s mission to normalize mental health. Mia’s website houses a very impressive directory of mental health resources including a robust list of Mental Health Crisis & Phone Support numbers, Psychedelic Information & Education links as well as various Therapist Directories to help on your search for a provider with whom you may feel a more personal connection. You’ll easily spend a couple of hours poking through https://www.drmimipsyd.com/resources. Mia highly recommends The Loveland Therapy Fund provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking therapy nationally and hosts an excellent directory of resources. Please also consider donating if you so happen to be in the financial position to do so. Learn more at thelovelandfoundation.org/therapy-fund. Mayra (as well as multiple listeners of Burner Podcast who messaged us privately) recommend taking a look at Open Path Collective, a nationwide network of mental health professionals who offer in-person and online therapy at reduced rates. They have a directory of therapists in California who provide services on a sliding scale basis. openpathcollective.org Here are some more resources Dr. Gomez Padua recommends… Many universities with psychology or counseling programs have training clinics where graduate students provide therapy under the supervision of licensed professionals. These clinics often offer affordable services on a sliding scale. Some examples include: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Psychology Clinic San Francisco State University Psychology Clinic California State University, Long Beach Psychology Clinic Additionally, California has various community mental health centers that provide low-cost or free mental health services to individuals in need. Some centers offer sliding scale fees based on income. You can search for community mental health centers in your specific area for more information. One example is the San Francisco Mental Health Association and County Mental Health Departments which may provide services on a sliding scale. See if your local county has a mental health department as a possible avenue. Some nonprofit organizations in California offer mental health services at reduced rates or on a sliding scale. Examples include: The Women's Therapy Center in Berkeley and The LGBT National Help Center in San Francisco. talkspace.com is another online therapy platform that offers affordable counseling services. They have licensed therapists who provide therapy via text, audio, and video. The DJ set featured in this podcast can be found at https://soundcloud.com/umeedee/declare-your-freedom-melodic-house-dj-mix-with-positive-affirmations-4mood. Follow Ümee Dee instagram.com/umeedeemusic and her blog at umeedeemusic.com. And if you’re curious about Arash’s “dopamine reset thingy” check out this interview over at NPR: npr.org/transcripts/1090009509. Hosted by (mr)Arash, the original Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional audio podcast in the extended international community of Burning Man. Independently produced and focused on Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore 139 previous episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer and founder of Justified Hype creative collective. Receive monthly very personally written email blasts from him or reach out directly at mrarash.com/hello. Burner Podcast is produced by Arash and a rotating team of burners including instagram.com/darthjfizz, instagram.com/muloka, instagram.com/lolmonday and instagram.com/leehemingway among many others. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates. |
Tue, 25 April 2023
Episode 139: A Conversation on Commodification with business owners Jon Ray, Dawn Sardinas and Francisco Serna Arash is joined by a group of talented business owners who are passionate and active contributors to the Burning Man community. Entrepreneurs Jon Ray, Dawn Sardinas, and Francisco Serna share their perspectives and reflections on how to balance thriving in their respective businesses while upholding the ten principles of Burning Man. This roundtable discussion offers tips and reflections on how to integrate these two important aspects of life while staying true to oneself. Episode 139 also features a Deep House Yoga set from a friend and supporter of the Burner Podcast team, Kennos. The DJ set recording, which took place at Miki Beach during Burning Man 2016, is a captivating mix of percussion and flowing energy that will transport you back to a late morning on the playa. Don't miss this fun and inspiring episode that offers practical tips and wisdom on how to pursue professional goals while staying true to the principles of being a good burner. A lot of links for this episode!
"A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all" -Rumi Hosted by (mr)Arash, the original Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional audio podcast in the extended international community of Burning Man. Independently produced and focused on burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore over 130 previous episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer and founder of Justified Hype creative collective. Receive monthly very personally written email blasts from him or reach out directly at mrarash.com/hello. Burner Podcast is produced by Arash and a rotating team of burners including instagram.com/muloka, instagram.com/lolmonday and instagram.com/leehemingway among others. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates.
Direct download: 139_Conversation_on_Commodification.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 3:35pm EDT |
Fri, 31 March 2023
Emmy Award winner Terence Pratt always has a camera with him For episode 138, (mr)Arash interviews Terence Pratt, a two-time Emmy Award-winning director of cinematography and co-founder of Profiles in Dust. Terence shares his fascinating experiences filming art projects and docuseries in far-flung locations ranging from magical fire-lit nights in Black Rock Desert to mystical experiences under the shadows of the Great Pyramids of Egypt. In this thought-provoking interview, he shares some of his stories working in Alaska and the Deep South and offers unique perspectives on exploration and art-making. And to add to the magic, another episode of the Burner Podcast ends with a mesmerizing Robot Heart sunrise DJ set by New Zealand-based The Scumfrog, this time from 2016. Marked as a milestone episode for the host of Burner Podcast, this episode is a must-listen for those interested in docuseries filmmaking and the artistic and cultural significance of Black Rock City. Visit terenceprattdop.net and check out his Emmy award winning stuff at nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/life-below-zero. Watch Terry’s powerful participation in our community at profilesindust.net. Pop over to thescumfrog.com to hear a ton of amazing music and hear the whole set from this episode at https://on.soundcloud.com/dxHPwupt31Bz8T1J7. And another massive thank you to Robotheart.org for all the years of amazing participation in our community! <3 Hosted by (mr)Arash, the original Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional audio podcast in the extended international community of Burning Man. Independently produced and focused on Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore over 130 previous episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer and founder of Justified Hype creative collective. Receive monthly very personally written email blasts from him or reach out directly at mrarash.com/hello. Burner Podcast is produced by Arash and a rotating team of burners including instagram.com/muloka, instagram.com/lolmonday and instagram.com/leehemingway among others. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates. |
Thu, 9 February 2023
Internationally renowned photographer Trey Ratcliff and a Robot Heart sunrise set from The Scumfrog Arash catches internationally renowned photographer Trey Ratcliff in Hollywood on one of his recent visits to the United States. Trey’s iconic travel photos have made a lasting impact on the international photography community and his images of Black Rock City and the desert have served as pillars of the storytelling around Burning Man. A pioneer in HDR photography and a multi-disciplinary artist making waves in the NFT space, in this episode we delve into Trey's unique perspective on photography and art, as well as his journey to becoming a self realized artist in conjunction with his exploration of Burning Man. After the interview we are treated to a sunrise DJ set from The Scumfrog, recorded live at Robot Heart in 2015. This electrifying mix includes a track that was used in Trey's Machine Elf 98, making this episode a super fun one for those interested in the intersection of photography and dance music. Visit treyratcliff.com and stuckincustoms.com to explore Trey's spectacular art and photography. Watch Machine Elf 98 at facebook.com/watch/?v=524959878713396, and you can find more of these creations at the-machine-elf.com. Trey's new podcast can be found at podcasts.treyratcliff.com. Pop over to thescumfrog.com to hear a ton of amazing music. Learn more about Burning Man's regional network over at regionals.burningman.org/about-the-regional-network/history-of-regionals and these previous episodes of Burner Podcast: burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes/category/regional-network And a massive thank you to Robotheart.org for all the years of amazing participation in our community! <3 Hosted by (mr)Arash, the original Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional audio podcast in the extended international community of Burning Man. Independently produced and focused on Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore over 130 previous episodes at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based professional photographer and founder of Justified Hype creative collective. Receive monthly very personally written email blasts from him or reach out directly at mrarash.com/hello. Burner Podcast is produced by Arash and a rotating team of burners including instagram.com/muloka, instagram.com/lolmonday and instagram.com/leehemingway among others. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates. |
Tue, 10 January 2023
An interview with the legendary designer and architect Gregg Fleishman followed by a Robot Heart sunrise set by the legendary Lee Burridge In the latest episode of Burner Podcast, Arash has a captivating conversation with artist Gregg Fleishman, the highly influential designer, architect and inventor whose creations have played a significant role in shaping the aesthetic of Burning Man. We follow Fleishman's journey from his early life creating play structures to his rise in the furniture design world and his explosion onto the Burning Man scene with iconic structures such as the Temple of Whollyness, Camp YOUniversal's Persian Teahouse and various Burners Without Borders installations. The episode offers a wealth of insights into Fleishman and his work, as well as an epic three hour DJ set by All Day I Dream’s Lee Burridge, recorded at sunrise atop Robot Heart at Burning Man 2022. Kicking off the new year with a show jam packed with multiple universally beloved symbols of our community, Gregg’s hour long interview is prefaced with an eight minute intro and two minute outro from Arash, followed by Lee Burridge’s epic three hour set. facebook.com/GreggFleishmanStudio instagram.com/robotheartfoundation youtube.com/channel/UCvxKBfk4mRlU4XWeuC-1FNg soundcloud.com/robot-heart/lee_burridge_robot_heart_burning_man_2022 Hosted by (mr)Arash Producers Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates. |
Wed, 26 October 2022
Buck AE Down ponders this question in his viral Medium think piece
Direct download: Episode_135_What_the_Fudge_Just_Happened_at_Burning_Man_2.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 11:05pm EDT |
Tue, 18 October 2022
Halcyon and Arash reflect on the first official Burning Man since The Before Times
Direct download: 134_Burning_Man_2022_Recap_with_Halcyon.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 8:27pm EDT |
Sat, 20 August 2022
Athena Demos, Ginger Fox and Haley Who geek out about Waking Dreams |
Sat, 20 August 2022
A Physical Health Rundown with the founder of RGX Medical Vist BurnerPodcast.com/roadtrip2022 for stuff to keep you inspired and occupied as you journey Home. |
Tue, 19 July 2022
Dr. Kim Perkins and Kim Eisenberg LCSW
Direct download: 131_A_Mental_Health_Roundtable_with_Two_Kims.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 6:38pm EDT |
Wed, 8 June 2022
Mark Day's 24 Hours at Burning Man videos are there for you when you need that final push
Direct download: 130_A_Brand_New_Day_with_Mark_Day.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 12:36am EDT |
Wed, 20 April 2022
Eleven year French Algerian burner Reda Briki was inspired to begin his DJ career through dance. He has explored, played at and been present for many iconic moments in dance music history and played with some of the biggest names on a journey that lead him through San Francisco, New York, Burning Man and most recently, Playa del Carmen and Tulum in Mexico. Closing set by Reda Briki (Siesta) |
Wed, 2 March 2022
Episode 128: Responsible Hedonism |
Wed, 16 February 2022
Susanna Eggli is 69, has been burning for 18 years and is the sole member of Camp Tragique. A product of "free range parenting," Susanna solo trekked through Europe at 15 and doesn't pack anything for Burning Man she can't lift on her own. Closing set by Bamboom (Mystical Misfits) Editor's note: Not sure if it was made totally clear: I'm Not Dead Yet is actually Susanna's playa name. |
Thu, 3 February 2022
Camp founder Dave Taylor is joined by 3D artist Debi Cable to share the story of Destiny Lounge. We'll learn the evolution of the camp over almost two decades, back story of how they became Destiny Lounge 3D and their most recent year where the entire camp almost didn't make it after an accident on the way to the burn. Closing set by Gold Dust Divas (Steely T Mutant Vehicle) |
Thu, 20 January 2022
On his journey navigating dance floors around the world, Steve aka Afternoon Kitty was inspired to elevate the experience of festival gifting into its own unique art project which is evolving to a sustainable fashion line. We follow his years of compulsive gifting through various festivals, Burning Man and his travels to Berlin and a hilarious trespassing court appearance. Closing set by Mira (Neptune Music/Zero Agency) |
Wed, 8 December 2021
A 2.5 hour deep dive with the leadership team of DanceSafe, the national drug education and risk reduction 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Mitchell Gomez, Madalyn McElwain, Kristin Karas, Rachel Clark and Jessica Breemen share DanceSafe’s history, initiatives and discuss the political implications, as well as social and racial justice components of drug and dance music culture. Closing set by Beat Kitty (The Gradient Perspective). |
Wed, 6 October 2021
Pink Heart founder John Halcyon joins Arash for their almost annual tradition of recapping the year leading up to and their annual pilgrimage to Burning Man. The conversation explores our community navigating the pandemic (on and off playa) and mental health in the time of Covid-19 balanced with some fun stories of joy and synchronicity in the dust. Closing set by Chulatto (17 Virgins) |
Tue, 17 August 2021
Arash visits with Dan Reeves and Lee Hemingway of The Journey Project from episode 59. The conversation dives into stories of their experiences building on playa, where the project went after Burning Man 2017 and very personal reflections on mental health and community. |
Sat, 14 August 2021
Trav Mo, Felisha and Jesse Severns of Perky Parks camp recount their ridiculous adventure bringing a camel art car named Humpty to Burning Man and reflect on other adventures in burning including the year they villaged with Playground. Closing set by Gutto Serta (Favela) |
Tue, 22 June 2021
Dr. Amanda J Lucia's life long adventure through India, yoga festivals and academia eventually brought her to Burning Man and made her an active citizen of Black Rock City. Dr. Lucia is the author of White Utopias: The Religious Exoticism of Transformational Festivals. Closing set by Navjeet Sarna (Alkaline Podcast) journal.burningman.org/2020/06/opinion/serious-stuff/diversity-radical-inclusion-black-lives-matter/ |
Tue, 11 May 2021
On this jumbo jet sized episode, we get to know Ken Feldmen and follow him through his post college days throwing some of the earliest bigger production raves in Austin while exploring aerospace, telecom entrepreneurship and rockets. Life eventually brings him to Burning Man, leading to the the creation of one of Black Rock City's most beloved art cars and culminating with the Big Imagination team's wild ride bringing the divisive 747 project to the playa (and avoiding getting arrested trying to get it back off). Closing set by illich Mujica (Big Imagination)
Direct download: 120_Someone_Brought_a_747_to_Burning_Man.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 11:13am EDT |
Wed, 3 March 2021
Adrian Landon, the artist behind the flaming steel pegasus that lived in front of Center Camp at Burning Man 2019, shares his story. Arash and Adrian chat about New York, art theory and horsies. Closing set by Gorgon City (Playground) Arash’s Editor’s Note: Adrian’s name is pronounced LANdon. Adrian and Producer Lana are literally sitting in the room and no one corrected me till after. And since I’m the one that does this part of the job I get to screw with Lana right back. "Our set from the Playground stage @ Burning Man. Big love to everyone who came, the vibe was unreal! Thanks to Opulent Temple for having us <3 It was our first ever burning man experience, and we had a mind-blowing few days getting lost in the desert with friends.” -Gorgon City |
Tue, 16 February 2021
Miva CEO, author of Dragonproof Ecommerce and host of Dragonproof Ecommerce Podcast, Rick Wilson, co-founded Playa-Q and has been burning for 15 (or 22) years. Arash picks his brain about professional lessons learned from running a Burning Man camp, stress management and leadership in the time of Covid-19. Closing set by Muloka (Burner Podcast) miva.com About the closing set: "Played the opening set at the Down The Rabbit Hole event hosted by the 17 Virgins in their speakeasy on Thursday night (August 29, 2019).” -Muloka |
Sun, 27 December 2020
Arash nerds out in New York with Brandon Robinson, art-car creator and co-founder of Icarus. A Burning Man biography in three acts, Brandon shares his evolution from a wide-eyed 21-year-old attending his first burn and culminates with his taking part in the creation of one of Black Rock City's most noteworthy mutant vehicles. Closing set by Beat Kitty (The Gradient Perspective) |
Sun, 27 December 2020
Arash interviewed John Reynolds (aka Bass Exotic) last year and learned about his upbringing, his adventures navigating fatherhood and cancer and his eventually ending up at Burning Man with a reinvigorated passion for music. This interview was originally intended to be content for a brand new podcast which was never actually launched but, since all roads in our community lead back to Black Rock City, here it is in it’s entirety for your listening pleasure. |
Sat, 31 October 2020
Arash chats with Nick Bourbeau (Bobo Saurus), Courtney Maltais (Puppies) and Bradon Young (Pickles) of Camp Camp Camp about wisdom received from traveling abroad, leadership development and useful tips for protecting camp members' emotional health on playa. Closing set by Fitta (Camp Camp Camp) |
Sat, 29 August 2020
Knotty Boy and Cylon reflect on meeting in the burner community and forging their relationship in the punishing heat and dust while working for Burning Man’s Gate Department, culminating with their recent wedding in the time of Covid-19. Closing set by Massio (Hoomidaas) Photo by John Curley |
Mon, 17 August 2020
BRCvr co-founders Athena Demos, Greg Edwards and Doug Jacobson hop on a Zoom call with Arash to breakdown the VR Black Rock City experience they’ve been working on since 2014, which is now one of the eight different methods of experience the virtual 2020 Burning Man. |
Fri, 14 August 2020
Black burners Kennos and Evita share stories and thoughts on experiencing Burning Man and our extended communities as people of color. Closing set by J.Richards (Miki Beach) Referenced on the show: In Pursuit of Happiness: Black at Burning Man My Experience as a Black Woman at Burning Man |
Tue, 14 July 2020
After a three month hiatus, host (mr)Arash sits down with his previous long time collaborators, with whom he began his nearly decade-long podcasting journey, intending to clear some energetic cobwebs and creative blocks. Hip-hop artist and host of Crappy Awesome Podcast KillcRey and manager/booker Eddie Rangel join Arash for a very personal conversation about family, Hip-hop and our place as artists in the evolving Default World. Closing set by Igor Marijuan (Playground) Additional links… iheart.com/podcast/256-crappy-awesome-podcast-31012628/episode/episode-88-hasan-minhaj-is-a-35627841 |
Tue, 31 March 2020
Members of The Brimstone Society chat with Arash about that Gerlach regional, Austin's Burning Flipside (the world’s first regional burn), the evolution of Austin's FreezerBurn, the importance of coordinated safety efforts and other adventures in Texas burn culture. Closing set by travisBREAKS (Lava Lounge) “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” ― Rumi https://www.burnerswithoutborders.org/projects/bwb-response-covid-19 facebook.com/freezerburnalberta facebook.com/groups/1561113644137122 https://soundcloud.com/travisbreaks soundcloud.com/travisbreaks/2019-lava-lounge-burning-flipside-sunrise-progressive instagram.com/shadowsdance.lightwaves/
Direct download: 102_Everything_Burns_Bigger_in_Texas.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 6:26pm EDT |
Sun, 19 January 2020
Costume Jim, Christopher Hardwick and Marianna Lavin fill Arash in on Kostume Kult's history, New York City Burning Man life and adventures in parade float orchestration. Closing set by Deep Woods (Heroes & Super Villains) |
Mon, 23 December 2019
MÚCARO artist El NiNo returns to the show and brings his fundraising lead, Chrissy Spehar. The pair catch us up on their adventures and dispense a wealth of valuable advice for anyone raising money for their project. Closing set by Jason Douglas b2b Nacho Isa (Floasis/Pineapple Motel) |
Mon, 2 December 2019
Burning Man 2019 was only Jorge Perdomo’s second burn but that didn’t stop him from leading the charge to bring a technically complex immersive sound experience to the Black Rock Desert all the way from New York City. Closing set by Township Rebellion Experience The Fluffy Cloud at Art Basel 2019 in Miami by entering the discount code "welcomehome" at thefluffycloud.org/artbasel-miami. |
Thu, 14 November 2019
Chris Carnabuci’s career as an artist’s artist slingshotted into existence only more recently and his ‘woman emerging for the egg' is only the beginning of Mariposita’s adventures. Closing set by Tim Fielding (Brainiak Records) 🦋 |
Tue, 15 October 2019
Get to know “that Irish camp” of Burning Man, Celtic Chaos. Stephen Crowe, Billy Vaughan, Natasha, Rob Lane, Charlene Solarno, Anthony McDonagh and John Walsh guide Arash through their burn history, chat about their camp culture and geek out a bunch over their massive sound system. Closing set by N2N (Bunny Tiger Music) |
Thu, 26 September 2019
David Thibert and Joey Wydeven, leads of Esplanade mainstay Sk8Kamp, talk skating, redefining family and having the secret service surround the Kokomotive mutant vehicle a block away from the White House. Arash gets to know the boys, what brought them to Burning Man and what lead to taking the helm of their 300 person camp. Closing set by TravNasty (Dancetronauts) Avatar photo by @watcharaphoto |
Mon, 19 August 2019
The episode our team’s been talking about doing for like four years. Pink Heart and Hug Nation’s John Halcyon helps Arash navigate the 10 Principles of Burning Man, how they came to be and some practical applications. Say hi to us at Burning Man 2019! Halcyon will be at Pink Heart on Esplanade and Arash is with Camp ASAP on 7:45 and Cupid. Closing set by Muloka (Burner Podcast) Catch Muloka at Burning Man 2019: bit.ly/MulokaBM2019
Direct download: 105_The_Ten_Principals_Episode_Finally.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 11:25pm EDT |
Mon, 19 August 2019
Shade, Lazlo and Lefty, leads at Camp And Then There’s Only Love, are part of a group that is passionate about sex positivity and consent culture, which is what drives them bring the Orgy Tent to Black Rock City every year. Closing set by Seth Schwarz (PlayAlchemist) |
Sat, 13 July 2019
South Africa is home to the world’s largest Burning Man regional event and Camp Sunset Oasis founder Mike Rule has been to every single one. Arash and Mike discuss his experience leading the San Clan effigy build team, raising a Burner family and life in Cape Town. Closing set by Rouge Fire (Cobracabana) |
Fri, 28 June 2019
DJ and radio industry veteran, Igor Marijuan, talks international DJ life, life in Ibiza and finally agreeing to go to Burning Man at the urging of dance music legend Behrouz. Closing Set by Luca Bacchetti (Playground) |
Tue, 11 June 2019
Cptn Jay, Charissa and Fay meet with Arash and Into the Fire Podcast host, Super Suz, to chat about their humble beginnings bringing the original Airpusher mutant vehicle to Burning Man and the event production company their little collective has grown in to. Closing set by Cptn Jay (Airpusher Collective) |
Sun, 12 May 2019
Arash visits AfrikaBurn organizers Monique Schiess and Sonica Spirit in Cape Town to learn the history of their Burner community, how it relates to South Africa’s culture and just some of what goes in to manifesting the world’s largest Burning Man regional event. Closing set by Salt |
Fri, 26 April 2019
Arash sits with Burning Man's Regional Network Associate Director, Meghan "Megs” Rutigliano, to talk about a life of art, working for BMorg and some of what goes in to coordinating the Global Leadership Conference and European Leadership Summit. Closing set by Aubade |
Wed, 3 April 2019
Santa Cruz based artists Dave Date and Amber Coutts meet Arash at TheShop.Build maker space in San Francisco on it’s final days to chat about Burning Man art and their awesomely named regional burn, unSCruz. Closing set by Dancing Mandy (MNDA) |
Tue, 2 April 2019
University professor Diane Hoffoss rekindles her passion for mathematics through Burning Man. It is during the creation of her playa-destined art project, Unfolding Humanity, that Max Elliot walks in to her life. Closing set by Lola Villa (Camp Zero F*cks) Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Avatar photo by Bob Mulé
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Wed, 20 February 2019
Before producing and directing the Burning Man short film masterpiece, Ignite, Ryan Moore's journey included growing up in The Philippines, navigating the rave scene in Los Angeles and making the internationally acclaimed documentary about Manny Pacquiao. Closing set by Mandrake x Rebolledo x Kawas x Dramian (Mayan Warrior) |
Wed, 6 February 2019
A roundtable chat focused on all things RVs at Burning Man and beyond including preparation, tips and tricks, some RV etiquette for non-RV owners and, as always, random fun stories. Closing set by Jesse Sugar Moore (Orange You Glad) |
Thu, 17 January 2019
Camp founders Scott and Mary met in high school in Texas. It was on their drive back from their first Burning Man that they decided they’re starting a Tank Girl themed camp and that they’re going to call it Lip Bomb. Don’t lookup what a Lip Bomb is at work. Closing set by Sturge (Dusty Love Tribe) Cover photo by instagram.com/markmatcho |
Wed, 2 January 2019
El NiNo burned his giant wooden owl, MÚCARO, at Burning Man 2017. The high of his massively successful year on playa came to a sudden halt when a category five hurricane decimated his native home of Puerto Rico. Closing set by Tony y Not and Kate Stein |
Mon, 3 December 2018
Playing around in Debi Cable’s black light installations is a favorite memory of festival attendees the world over, from EDC to Burning Man and museums to Hollywood events. Debi tells Arash stories of cutting her teeth in Vegas, learning the business of art and coming up in the LA art scene. Closing set by Pumpkin (Dirty Beatles) debicable3d.com facebook.com/groups/destinylounge facebook.com/blackrockfrenchquarter laburningman.com soundcloud.com/pumpkin facebook.com/dirtybeetles thedolab.com intothefirebm.com/2017/03/27/477
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Sun, 11 November 2018
Arash joins Camp Walter's Kirk & Mary Strawn and Ryan McDermott to explore Walter's 100 Year Plan, which includes the recent launch of their non-profit wing, The Walter Hive. Also covered, Walter’s new permanent Burning Man-fueled museum in Phoenix and an ethical approach to expansion within the Burner community. Closing set by Joe Pea (Foam Against The Machine) |
Fri, 26 October 2018
Los Angeles Regional Contact, Widget, and Arizona regional lead, Conchita, join Arash on stage at YOUtopia's center camp to discuss Burning Man regional events. There is also some really awkward attempt at sexy talk. Closing set by Piccaya (Cosmik Animals) facebook.com/piccaya cosmikcamp.com Listen to the whole set by Piccaya at soundcloud.com/michel-piccaya
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Sun, 7 October 2018
Kate Houston, the Rock Star Librarian herself, swings by Burner Podcast Studios (aka Arash’s house) to chat about 17 years of burning, the evolution of music on the playa and the importance of library sciences to a society. Closing set by DJ Dane (Dusty Rhino) Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. dustyrhino.com Listen to the whole set by DJ Dane at https://soundcloud.com/dj-dane/burning-man-2018-breaks-on-a-plane-dj-dane |
Thu, 27 September 2018
Arash and Halcyon spend a bunch of time not talking about Burning Man since Halcyon is usually busy with Pink Heart stuff and Arash had to leave the Burn early due to a medical emergency. But they do talk about some of the art and topics of community interest when they’re not detouring into their personal Burning Man and general life journeys. Closing set by Black Velveteen (Airpusher Collective) Listen to the whole set by Black Velveteen at soundcloud.com/chicago95/burning-man-sonic-runway-aboard-airpusher-2018
Direct download: 088_Post_Burning_Man_2018_Chat_with_Halcyon.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 9:59pm EDT |
Fri, 17 August 2018
Lana, Stephanie, Dan, Maddie and Diane, all San Diego artists taking projects to Burning Man 2018, sit with Arash to geek out about some projects and camps they’re looking forward to for this year’s burn. Topics covered include favorite experiences, civic responsibility and projects that people might have sex in. Closing set by Brad Moontribe (Moontribe Collective) Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Listen to the whole set by Brad Moontribe at soundcloud.com/kalliopestage/sets/walter-in-space
Show notes and links
Press Play: A Burner Podcast Soiree https://tinyurl.com/y8tmgoog
Art projects referenced Iron Monkeys http://www.ironmonkeyarts.org/ Radia Lumina https://www.foldhaus.com/ Trace https://www.instagram.com/traceplaya/ Singularity https://www.singularityartproject.com/ Chilapod https://www.chilopod.life/ Giant Space Blanket https://www.facebook.com/alex.shtanuk?ref=bookmarks
Camps, bars and destinations referenced Pink Heart 4 & Esplanade https://pinkheartcamp.wordpress.com/ Incendia http://www.experienceincendia.com/ Swing City http://scbrc.us/ Poly Paradise http://www.azcompuguy.com/polyparadise/ Rat trap for the Masses https://www.facebook.com/rattrapbar/ Celestial Bodies http://www.campcelestialbodies.org/ Leone’s Photo Booth Disorient http://wiki.disorient.info/ Mayan Warrior http://mayanwarrior.mx/ Sock It Me Duck Pond http://www.duckpondcamp.com/ Camp Walter http://walterproductions.com/ Headspace art car https://www.facebook.com/HeadSpacemutantvehicle/
San Diego art projects Zap http://www.sdcap.org/2018-sdcap-granted-art-for-burning-man/
Direct download: 087_2018_Burning_Man_Pre-playa_Planner.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 2:11pm EDT |
Thu, 2 August 2018
Arash sits with Los Angeles-based artist Rebekah Waites to learn about The Church Trap and her upcoming piece for Burning Man 2018 entitled Singularity. The laughter somehow flows freely even through the topics of suicide and childhood trauma. Closing set by Ari Miller. Listen to the whole set by Ari Miller at https://soundcloud.com/arimillerlive/live-at-midburn-2018-pirate-ship-sunset
Direct download: 086_Singularity_Meets_Synchronicity.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 9:11am EDT |
Thu, 19 July 2018
Arash drops by Los Angeles-based artist Scott Froschauer’s studio to chat about the role of an artist in local government, how to burn a giant wooden owl on playa and how his street sign art got to be placed in The Smithsonian’s No Spectators exhibit. Closing set by Diva Danielle (The Unicorns) soundcloud.com/theunicornsca Listen to the whole set by Diva Danielle at soundcloud.com/divadanielle/unicorn-sunrise-burning-man-2014 |
Fri, 13 July 2018
Finally we get around to doing the obligatory packing for Burning Man episode. Passion, Rebecca Nuvoletta and Sara Husby share their packing tips with Arash, who is still nowhere near figuring out how to pack for anything in life. Closing set by Reda Briki (Disorient) The pack lists mentioned on the show can be found at: tinyurl.com/packing4burn |
Fri, 8 June 2018
Richard Cohen, Professor of South Asian Literature, chats with Arash about Burning Man, Buddhism and religion through an academic lens. Closing set by Adam Turner of Another Monkey (Eclectic Alchemy).
Profcohen.net soundcloud.com/another-monkey devachanlounge.com bubblesandbass.com
Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Mixcloud or SoundCloud.
Direct download: 083_Burning_Man_is_Not_a_Religion.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 2:03pm EDT |
Sat, 12 May 2018
Episode 82: The Carpenter Speaks Best friends Jerry James and Larry Harvey founded Burning Man on Baker Beach. Jerry shares stories of the early days, watching the burn grow into an international movement, working on the 2018 Temple Galaxia and becoming an activist in the Idaho governor’s race. Closing set by Aviatrix (Camp Loveland) |
Fri, 4 May 2018
We step away from the normal format of the show in order to hold space for the passing of Larry Harvey. Burner Podcast team members Navjeet Sarna and Tori Massie join Arash to read messages and stories written to and about The Man in the Hat. ******************* Lynn Marie Morski... I attended my first burn amid much strife in my capoeira life. I had wanted to play in the orchestra that leads the capoeira games, but my low status in the group prevented me from doing so. In capoeira,` your cord (belt) color is a rank like other martial arts, and only the higher cords were allowed to play instruments. ******************* Arthur Mamou-Mani... Larry Harvey - you are in our thoughts. The Temple 2018 will be here for you and for the community that you have so deeply inspired and changed for the better. ******************* Amy Vogler…. The result of your little beach bonfire party has changed the course of my life in so many aspects, and exposed me to more love, compassion, & creativity than I thought possible; within the community, and within myself. Thanks for your participation! ******************* Kat Ripley…. R.I.P. Larry Harvey Thank you so much for all you have done for humanity. I think it would be impossible to overstate the positive impact you made across the globe. I don’t know if I can make one one hundredth of an impact on this world as you have, but I promise I will try. ******************* Absinthia Vermut…. I first remember Larry when I was still at Burning Man, two days after the Man burned in 1995. I celebrated my 25th birthday on playa, fell madly in love with Burning Man, and I stayed to clean up. I just couldn't leave! A year earlier, I had moved to San Francisco, a dream I had since I first visited as a young girl. I never dreamed I would find something like Burning Man in an incredible location like Black Rock Desert, but there I was. Home.
We continued drinking absinthe, talking about such things as what to do about the Plug and Play camps, Larry sharing his ideas about building small Temples in the keyholes, and more. When the evening wore down and we all had more than enough absinthe, Larry offered to drive me, still dressed as Marian, home. I was all the way out in Illumination Village at 3 o’clock and A that year, and welcomed the ride. Larry spent about ten minutes debating with himself whether or not to drive his golf cart or his Jeep, and in the end, the Jeep won. He tried to unlock the door with his key, and I had to hold his arm to help him get the key in the lock. I went around and got in the passenger side to see him put a half full glass of absinthe in the cup holder! “Larry! You are driving me home with a glass of absinthe in the cup holder?” “Of course I am, dear, now let’s get going.” He drove out onto the playa and headed to my camp. “OMG LARRY that is a piece of art!” I hollered when a big something jumped out in front of the car. He slowed down and narrowly missed it. When found my camp, he seemed determined to drive me all the way to my door. Now, IllVille is home to a lot of fire art, which means there are propane tanks, gas lines, and art everywhere. A bad place for anyone to drive, but like I said, he really wanted to drive me to my door. We got to a spot where he had to stop, and I jumped out before he could drive any further into dangerous fire art, grabbed my case of absinthe, and gave him a big hug. I told him I loved him. He seemed embarrassed, and turned his Jeep around and drove home.
Absinthia Vermut ******************* Rebekah Waites... I only met him a few times so don’t really have any stories. I just know that he loved Church Trap and talked about it in interviews. Found out after that he carried a picture of it in his journal. Finding that out meant a lot to me. Only story I have was one on his bday at a party at Headquarters. I didn’t know anyone and am a bit shy. Jennifer Raiser invited me and when i got there told me to go say hi to Larry. When I tried to introduce myself he snapped “I just woke up.” So i ran away. Haha! When Jennifer asked me later if I said hi to him, I said I tried to but it didn’t go over very well. So she told me to go say hi again. This time I caught him in the line for tacos and started to say who I was. His response: “who???!” “Larry... it’s me. Rebekah. Rebekah Waites who did Church Trap.” Aaaaaaaand then I got the biggest hug from Larry and we talked for a moment. It was awesome. I’ll never forget that. ******************* Danielle White... Larry Harvey passed into his next journey. Thank you for the amazing growth, change and experience that this incarnation brought to my life. I am eternally grateful. 🦄🙏 One thing that has stuck with me, many years ago I went to a speaking engagement. He was getting lost of questions about all the “rules” His response was “It’s amazing how your thought process changes when you are responsible for people’s lives.” Im not sure why but I’ve thought on that moment many times. ******************* Sonya Sophia... This man's love has changed the world. He changed my world. He changed the lives of millions forever with his dedication to art, freedom, radical self-reliance and community. This pic was taken exactly a month ago at the Smithsonian’s Burning Man exhibit. The golden beam like an accidental foreshadow of him beginning his flight home a few days later and arriving in the infinite today.
******************* Halcyon... I am no Larry disciple. I have not studied his writings or made stained glass of his image. My reflections are mostly my own projections. But the role he played in my life is profound. His legacy has influenced me more than Jesus. We met half a dozen times over the last 20 years. It was only our last encounter, over a meal at Esalen in 2016 that he indicated he knew who I was. Before that, I always felt that I was a bit of a nuisance. Just another fan eager for a selfie and an “I met Larry” story. But it didn’t bother me. Larry didn’t ask to be the mascot of Burning Man. He was always gracious and I was grateful for the brief moments of his time. My gratitude required no reciprocity. I was especially happy that I was able to give him a patented “Dirty Vibrating Hug” in 2002. (It involves pouding on the recipient’s back with huge, fur-covered foam wrist cuffs while pressing against the person’s crotch with a vibrating jockstrap. See 1st comment.) I was soaring with pride when he grinned and said, ‘Now that was something!” when I released him from the hug. My favorite Larry story was the previous year when I was asked to be in a photo shoot with him for the image above. While waiting for the photographer to set up, a woman stormed in the camp holding the “Who? What? Where?” Guidebook. She was looking for Larry Harvey and looked pissed. She explained that she had hiked all the way across the city to visit a camp that publicized a pancake breakfast. Only to discover that when she arrived at the destination, that their camp was empty. Larry took a drag from his cigarette. “You walked allllll the way across the playa?” “Yes!” And when you got there, there wasn’t anybody even there? “No!” Larry took another drag. “You didn’t see anything good along the way?” He was inspiring not because he rallied the community to follow him. But instead role-modeled a fierce personal authenticity in the face of cultural expectations. He was a reluctant leader who always seemed a little surprised that people were listening to him. Maybe he even had a trace of disdain for followers of any kind, even those who followed him. He was like the Zen master who sends away the student who comes looking for a guru. He would share his thoughts, but not take responsibility for Burning Man. He was fierce and humble and didn’t take any of it too seriously. I’ve seen several people post this week, “RIP Larry. Burning Man will never be the same.” I think that statement would have made Larry snarl. It’s totally off-base. Yes, Larry started the fire & penned the Principles. With many passionate people, he helped create the container. But this blaze rages independently of any person or group. As Burners, we don’t follow through on the vision of Larry. We step into the established space and then all make Burning Man what it is. This model of leadership and community is one of the most powerful things I’ve learned from Burning Man. Black Rock City doesn’t look a certain way. It invites Radical Self Expression and trusts that, when balanced with Civic Responsibility and the other Principles, everything will work out. For me and so many others, it has worked out in ways that have drastically shaped my entire life - not shaped from any external script...but allowed my inner truth to take shape authentically. Each year, we burn the Man. Each year we celebrate the transitory nature of all things. Each year we remind ourselves of how impermanent and precious everything is. Your life was art, Larry. A perfect Playa performance. Your physical form may become ashes, but the ripples of your art have changed the world forever. I have no doubt you saw plenty of good stuff along the way. ******************* Zac Cirivello... I'll miss this guy a lot. Also, this shirt is in my closet. ******************* Anael..... I believe Larry had a yearning. A calling we all share in our hearts. A craving for expression. For love. For freedom. His blessing was his curse. That pain brought him to a point of surrender where he gave in and created a space for this expression to be fulfilled. Something that so many of us crave for was born and continues to grow across the world beyond anyone’s expectation. The birth of a new culture which now influences the world. As a modern world we have lost our rituals and our pilgrimage. We have lost touch with our connection to each other in pursuit of personal gains. Thanks to Larry we have an avenue to give and share our love and our hearts. Now it’s up to us to continue the work and spread the message. ******************* John Simmons... For the last 12 years I would meet with Larry at first camp on Sunday after burn night we would talk about all Things BM. That meeting would usually be around 2 or 3 pm. Would last an hour or so. Sometimes I would bring a quest. Larry was the one who encouraged me to become a regional when the split the southern California region. At first I did not want to because I wanted to create Maham from the outside. He said I could be more effective doing that from the inside out. Our meetings for the last 6 years since I became a regional took on a whole new perspective. I will miss my friend and mentor. ******************* Charlie Dayburn.... Without you and Burning Man, my life path might probably be still pretty miserable. My first burn was 2011. At this burn, I met my heart for the very first time and everything goes banana after that. Since then, I discovered my connection to the true beauty of sunrises. I have never missed one in 7 years. I discovered my hidden potential as a composer and my inner superhero avatar Dayburn at 2013. My father's photo was burned with the temple at 2016. I made my decision to become a life coach at 2017. Many monumental life decisions and self discoveries were all made at Burning Man. I had my last glimpse of you last year at the Man's Opening Ceremony which I was the composer. It's almost too hard to believe I could be serving this part for the Man. This year, I will dedicate my 5th annual sunrise assembly to you. Without you and Burning Man, there will be none of these created. Thank you, Larry. I am forever owe my deepest gratitude to you. ******************* Liz Devin... Larry's impact in my life is that I have seen and know anything is possible. We can do better, together. We can be better, together. Judgement is a dead end road. Acceptance, inclusivity, love and expression of love is where it's at. Larry's legacy is astounding and will continue to change the world for the better into eternity. I'm so saddened to hear the news about Larry's passing but I know he had a very full life and was loved by so many. Rest in peace brother. ******************* Jerry James... Around 1985 Larry Harvey and I became best friends. He was as lost and confused as I was. Young and full of energy, and scared to death I looked to him hoping to find assurance and truth. He had a good rap, combining concepts from all kinds of stuff like Freud, Emson and Joseph Conrad. He and I read Nostromo along with some other friends. I’d have been reading Celine, Bukowski, and playing Bob Marley and Captain Beefheart. We met through Dan Richman who sometimes had people over to play music, get high, and get laid. Larry was working as a gardener for Edgewood, a health care institution, and I was a carpenter. We both had young sons. We’d take them out for hikes-had some laughs. The oft-referenced unsuccessful relationship from which he was allegedly recovering was with someone named Paula. I was living, off-and-on, with Maria Majeski in Bernal Heights, San Francisco, he in a large apartment building in Alamo Square with his roommate, Dan Miller. I also had a 12-year-old son, Jeremy, in Boise from where I’d relocated in 1980. Larry’s from Portland originally. At that point of my life I had the unfortunate tendency to adopt certain friends who I considered strong male figures as father figures. I did this with Larry. He read a lot and expressed ideas with confidence. To me this translated as strength. So, I looked up to him and sometimes mimicked him. I had a lot of strengths and many weaknesses. Admiring (and trusting) Larry was a weakness that would take its toll. Larry had been reading the Golden Bough, an anthropological work that references the history of burning human effigies. He had also attended, in previous years, events at Baker Beach that included burning a variety of objects. I’m not sure why Larry didn’t continue those beach traditions with the others but when he asked if I wanted to build an effigy and burn it for the summer solstice, my response was-why not? June 20, 1986. Earlier that day Larry and I had spent a couple of hours in Ellen Into’s (Flash’s mother-in-law) garage in Noe Valley tacking some wood scraps into a crude figure-the first Burning Man. It only took us a couple of hours to craft the figure, about ten feet tall. I stapled burlap inside to approximate skin and provide kindling. We grabbed our girlfriends and kids, invited a couple of more folks and headed to the beach. Arriving at Baker Beach, there were about ten of us including our girlfriends and kids. We parked in the lot and started down the beach. Coincidentally, we passed Dan Richman leaving as we made our way down the quarter mile of sand to the north end of the beach. We said hi but nobody stopped. You’re very lucky if you get a sunny sunset at the beach in San Francisco, especially on the summer solstice so it was high just to be there with the waves crashing, and sun on our backs as we walked straight toward the Golden Gate Bridge above us. Being a typical San Francisco afternoon, the modest sunlight was soon overtaken by foggy breeze. Arriving at the end of the beach I planted the Man in the sand. We shared a few drinks and laughs, and as the sun set I doused the figure with a gallon of gasoline and added fire. It burned furiously-it was, after all, gasoline. The handful of strangers in the vicinity joined us. One had a tambourine and started chanting something like, “burn fire, burn,” which, though on the one hand embarrassing, somehow suggested that there was something special about this modest incendiary sacrifice. It burned quickly and we left soon after. Inspired by the event, we spoke of it later, and again from time to time over the following year. We decided to repeat it when the next solstice rolled around.
1987. That’s when Maria and I were living in a worn-out mansion on Capp Street with three roommates. It was a groovy, big place with a couple of fireplaces. There had to be some lost stories behind it. I built the second Burning Man on the back deck. It was an awesome, open space. Sunny, framed by exterior walls but felt warm and free. This time it was about 12 feet tall. Larry helped with embellishing its head. It being still a pretty modest assembly, I spent a couple of weekends building it. This time we spread the word so there were about 35 friends and acquaintances at Baker Beach for another cold night and burning of the Man. It was quite similar to the year before.
1988. Then came the watershed. To this point the Burning Man had been a family picnic. It was about to become a public event. In 1988 the Man was built at a garage I rented for my construction company on Duboce Street across for Ralph K. Davies Medical Center. Three of us worked the entire weekend for several months designing and building this 30’ tall figure-Mike Acker, Larry, and I. This was to be more than a friendly little statue. At this size the figure would require true structural integrity. The design would be further challenged by the fact that in order to fit into the shop where it was being constructed, and to be able to be transported to the beach and erected, it would have to be built in modules. I provided the design required for the structure and modules. Regarding its appearance, it was Larry’s idea the year before to use the end-mitered, wood-brackets-on-axis, as the primary design motif. He, Mike and I collaborated on its appearance. I built the Man with help from Mike. Larry tinkered. Larry’s carpenter skills were limited. I built the Man in component parts-legs, torso, body, arms, and the head. It was around this time we began referring to the figure and event as the Burning Man. I still have the poster Maria produced that year bearing that title. For the most part I had little luck enlisting my builder buddies to help until it came to the day to transport, assemble, and then burn the Man. They then provided assistance that was absolutely necessary. After a couple hours of carrying the components from the trucks to the beach and then assembling them we were ready for ignition. With our backs to the cliffs and the Pacific roaring in front of we prepared to pull the Burning Man from lying on it’s back to standing. Relying on a block-and-fall whose stake failed on the first attempt to raise him, we nearly impaled the crowd who’d volunteered to lift him. On the next attempt we depended solely on manual labor. With many pulling on a rope tied to his solar plexis and many others lifting his shoulders as his feet sunk into holes in the sand the Man was raised! What transcendence-it was breathtaking! We’d considered that the authorities might take an interest in the immolation of such a thing especially given that we were on a beach in the US Army’s Presidio base. We’d never asked for permission. Somewhere in this scramble a reporter from San Francisco Focus magazine approached me. I said I was too busy for an interview but gave him information to follow up later. There was a guy banging a gong, some others blowing horns and we started the fire. Being another cold, windy night in SF, the burlap, newspaper and kerosene, being the body of and kindling for the Man, burned up and blew away. We were left with a rather large, charred figure and we were uncertain how to proceed. I tried starting a campfire at his foot. Someone else climbed the Man and tried to ignite his torso. That’s when the cops arrived. There were two good cops and two bad cops, and after a few threats and negotiations they left on our promise that we’d knock it down, finish burning it, and go home. This proved to be a great solution all the way round. To satisfy my curiosity and to clean up our mess, I returned to the crime scene the next morning to pick up the pieces. Later, when the SF Focus magazine’s writer called I put him in touch with Larry. Busy with a full-time job it seemed logical to ask Larry to arrange the interview. I emphasized that I wanted to be included. Larry had hurt his back and was unemployed. He held the interview without me. Mike Acker and I were referred to as Larry’s cohorts in the article. It was around that time when Larry and I consulted with a guy connected to the SF art scene named Michael Bell. In discussing our ideas for Burning Man, given its clandestine nature, Michael said, “it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.” I think that hit Larry down to the soles of his shoes. The video from the beach in 1988 shows Larry standing on the beach, hands on hips, watching and pointing. ******************* Terry Pratt... He taught me a lot about a new way to look at life. ******************* Elenor Preger... I sat next to Larry @ a luncheon for the opening of the Smithsonian Renwick Burning Man exhibit, No Spectators. We chit chatted, & I asked him to tell me something I didn't know about him. He chuckled. That would take a while he said. ******************* Julia Collier... Larry, I never personally met you but I knew who you were. *******************
The year was 2012. Black Rock City. ******************* Sarah Cranberrry... ******************* Serena Van Vranken... Burning man gave me community when I didn’t even know I was missing one. The welcome home I received my first year from strangers, both verbal and hugs, did something to change my heart. I became more open, loving, and forgiving. More inclusive and less judgmental. More willing to make connections. My heart swells when I think of going home. Although Larry didn’t believe in an afterlife, or so I hear, I do. What I believe is that his energy will be there this year and for years to come, welcoming us home. Thank you, Larry, for all you’ve done, but especially I thank you for this gift of community you’ve given us. TRAV MO ... It was Monday morning of my second burn 2014. A day I will always remember. The gates should have been open by now, but heavy rains late Sunday night soaked build crews and playa leaving the gate no choice but to remain closed. A buddy and I went on a fools errand to try and retrieve ice for our camp without realizing how sticky and relentless the mud would be on our wagon tires. After 3 hours of slowly chipping hardened playa off our wheels we decided to sit down and take a breather. That's when I saw him. Grey brimmed hat, muddied rain boots, cigarette draped on his lips. He emerged with the sun from center camp like The God I never believed in. He kept gazing up into the sky, as if to politely ask the clouds to break so everyone at gate could finally be let in. I knew I had to seize this magic moment. I knew I had to say something. ******************* Troy Swanson...
******************* Alpy... If it weren't for Larry, I never would've met my family, and I never would've met myself |
Wed, 18 April 2018
Tom Varden of Black Rock Observatory returns to chat about life in and out of Black Rock City. Topics include money and privilege in BRC, the communities we build, the future of BRO and how an art project at the Burn can lead to Default World opportunities. Closing set by Treavor Moontribe (Moontribe Collective) |
Thu, 5 April 2018
David Bronner, the embodiment of civic responsibility, feeds his Dr. Bronner's employees amazing vegan meals, serves as a board member of MAPS and found god in a gay Trance club in Amsterdam. Closing set by Mark Slee (Manjumasi) |
Thu, 22 March 2018
Acclaimed installation Artist Randy Polumbo’s latest piece is unveiled at the insane and eclectic Bombay Beach Biennale. Arash and Randy talk art theory, the Salton Sea and camping with Disorient at Burning Man. Closing set by Orion Keyser (Reality Sync Records) |
Fri, 9 March 2018
Arash joins Arthur Mamou-Mani in his London offices to get to know the man behind Burning Man 2018’s Temple. We follow Arthur as he leaves Paris on a spiritual journey through Europe’s architecture, leads a class on Burning Man design for architecture students and culminate in his quest to build Galaxia. Closing set by Soul of Noise (Playground) |
Wed, 21 February 2018
Brothers Eric and Edward Deull share personal stories of spiritual development, their experiences running a Men’s Counsel and some of the lessons men can take away from their journey. Closing set by Navjeet Sarna (Alkaline) |
Wed, 7 February 2018
Burners Without Borders Program Manager, Christopher Breedlove, shares the story of his own early involvement, the history of the organization and just some of the internationals projects BWB is currently facilitating and funding. Closing set by GoodSex (SolarBeatz)
Direct download: 075_To_Build_a_Better_Tomorrow.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 11:33am EDT |
Wed, 17 January 2018
Arash sits with Lorenzo, host of Psychedelic Salon Podcast and co-founder of the Palenque Norte talks at Burning Man. Topics covered include podcasting, plant medicine and artificial intelligence, along with a dash of wild speculation about where this massive multiplayer game we call Reality is headed. Closing set by Adam Gibbons.(UhuruAfrika). |
Wed, 3 January 2018
Kirk, Mary and Ricky of Camp Walter share the story behind their discovery of Walter the Bus, the founding of the Walter Tribe and some of what goes into running Walter Productions. Closing set by Joe Pea and Humble Guy. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. |
Wed, 20 December 2017
Inspired by his upbringing and Burning Man, Torrey Pines Smith's drive to build big things manifests Tesla Coils, Sextant, the highs of success and the crashes of obsession.Closing set byDJ BamBoom (The Mystical Misfits). |
Thu, 7 December 2017
Burning Man’s household provocateur, Otto Von Danger, sits with Arash and shares stories about his life, health challenges and building Burn Wallstreet as well as his thoughts on our impending cannibal apocalypse. Closing set by DJ Dénouement (Deep Frequenciez).
Direct download: 071_Otto_Von_Danger_Refuses_to_Die_mixdown.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 9:42am EDT |
Wed, 15 November 2017
DJs Gina Calderoni, Navjeet Sarna and Tony K ThemaninpinK share stories and wisdom about working the decks at Burning Man and regional events. Arash mostly fails at keeping the conversation on track.Closing set by Tony K ThemaninpinK and Amanda Marks the Violin Girl. |
Thu, 2 November 2017
Neuroscientist Caitlin Thompson’s drive to heal her own immunity disorder leads to psychedelics, the founding of EntheoZen and the exploration of a greater consciousness. Arash does an OK job of pretending to understand lots of big words. Closing DJ set by Igor Marijuan (Ibiza Sonica). |
Wed, 18 October 2017
AlphaBet Club founder Troy Swanson sits with Arash and Tori to tell the story of how he manifested a life of granting wishes both on and off playa. The crew also chats about how an NGO comes together and the importance of listening for three knocks on the door of life. |
Wed, 4 October 2017
After exodus from Burning Man 2017, Arash visits Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Sacramento, California, to chat with Episcopal priest and Burner, Dean Brian Baker, about religion, social justice and a safe space for religion at Black Rock City.
Direct download: 067_a_priest_on_the_playa_mixdown.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 9:09am EDT |
Thu, 21 September 2017
Halcyon and Arash chat about Burning Man 2017’s theme, art, notable events and the evolution of the Burner community as a whole. Stay tuned after the conversation for an EFT session with Sonya Sophia.
Direct download: The_Post_Burning_Man_2017_Chat_with_Halcyon0A_mixdown.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 5:43pm EDT |
Thu, 17 August 2017
Emotional Freedom Technique luminary and Black Rock City notable Sonya Sophia talks candidly with Arash about playa self-care, general personal growth and her own fascinating life's journey leading to Burning Man. |
Thu, 3 August 2017
Podcast super alumni Kim Eisenberg, Payam Mousavinia, Meg King and Lee Hemingway join Arash to discuss the art, camps and adventures they’re excited about for this year’s Burning Man. There is also an obscene amount of discussion regrading 99 Bananas. |
Thu, 20 July 2017
Courtney Wise, Robert Dekkers and Christian Squires of the Playa Players Collective join Arash in Hollywood to tell him all about how this crazy idea of doing a ballet with a full orchestra at Burning Man came about. We also get to hear playa magic stories, a great sidetrack conversation about intimacy and some terrible sex jokes that even fifth graders would think are lame.
Direct download: 063_The_Playa_Players_Collective.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 12:51am EDT |
Thu, 6 July 2017
Charles Johnston returns to introduce us to Tatiana, who shares the story of how she was called to work with the visionary plant medicine. The journey continues with their coming together and culminates with what actually goes into a ceremony. http://www.burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes/episode-62-whispers-from-mother-ayahuasca
Direct download: 062_whispers_from_mother_Ayahuasca_mixdown.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 12:15am EDT |
Wed, 21 June 2017
Associate Producer Tori and Intern Will share the fun, the prep and the curveballs of their adventure to South Africa’s Burning Man Regional event. Also about how they met on Tinder.
Direct download: Episode_61_A_Dream_of_Afrikaburn_mixdown.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT |
Wed, 7 June 2017
MAPS researcher, Dr. Thomas Kingsly Brown, returns to share his recent adventures culminating in his presentation at the 2017 Psychedelic Science conference in Oakland. Arash complains about the weather.
Direct download: episode_60_the_rising_tide_mixdown.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 4:51pm EDT |
Wed, 17 May 2017
The Journey’s Lead Artist, Dan Reeves, and Project Manager, Lee Hemingway, share their own histories with the Burner community, how they became friends and all that lead to the conception and build of The Journey. Arash nods a lot and pretends to understand what Dan’s talking about. |
Thu, 4 May 2017
Recorded at the event, complete with background wind and bass, (mr)Arash and Mr. Mom chat about the history and culture of Saguaro Man: An Arizona Regional Burn. Arash complains a lot about the cold and still can’t say Saguaro right.
Direct download: Episode_58_seguaro_man_mixdown.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 12:11am EDT |
Wed, 19 April 2017
CAMP Cheezy Porn tells Arash the story of how they morphed from a group of Hashers in to a legitimate Burning Man CAMP, some of the CAMP’S fun adventures and why they’re also known as Draft Punk at the Trash Fence. CAMP. Seriously, iTunes - it’s a show about a CAMP! Don’t ban this episode about a CAMP!
Direct download: Episode_57_cheesy_porn_mixdown.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 10:17pm EDT |
Fri, 7 April 2017
Cassa, Bobby, Cable, Stephanie and Ben sit with Arash and spend the first twenty minutes talking about microwave burritos. And then there is a bunch of awesome stuff about burners competing, the legendary XSL Poetry Slam and the history of how this crew came together.
Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio or SoundCloud.
Direct download: episode_56_xara_sports_leauge_mixdown.mp3
Category:Art & Culture -- posted at: 2:49am EDT |
Wed, 29 March 2017
Executive Producer Meg, Curt Benedetto and Stephanie Indigo sit with Arash to chat about what happens when you miscalculate your chances of taking your project to the Burn and how important the experience has been to their creative and personal growth. Tune in if only to hear the very first words that come out of Meg’s mouth. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio or SoundCloud. |
Thu, 2 March 2017
Project Lead Dave Timms, Burner Podcast Chief Playa Scientist Ramiro Martinez and Arash discuss all that went into getting the Wonderlust Arcade approved, designed, built and transported to Burning Man 2015. Multiple penis jokes are made. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio or SoundCloud. |
Wed, 15 February 2017
Members of the Los Angeles based Mystical Misfits share a brief history of their camp and how the loss of one of their most valuable players galvanized a new generation of leadership within the tribe. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio or SoundCloud. |
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