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

mariagotay.com

artislandatx.com

1000handsart.com

burnernetwork.org

burnerpodcast.com/roadtrip2023

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

instagram.com/michaelhwhitten

fzbtx.com

burningman.org/event/participate/volunteering/teams/media-mecca

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

sdyoutopia.com

SDcap.org

instagram.com/sdcolab

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.