PODCAST · society
The NOW! Bali Podcast
by Edward Speirs
Bringing you the richness of Balinese culture, heritage and history through this specially curated audio experience, NOW! Bali - a multimedia company based on the island of the gods - aims to create a deeper appreciation on why Bali is a truly unique destination not only in Indonesia, but in the world. From explanations and breakdowns of traditions and culture, to interviews with insightful experts, host Edward Speirs aims to shed a light on one of the world's most vibrant living cultures. www.nowbali.co.id
Episodes
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Understanding Arak, The Spirit of Bali
What makes Balinese arak so important for the island? This traditional spirit is both culturally and socially significant, and with its modernisation, it may be economically significant too.In the Season 1 Finale of Bali Breakfast Talks, Nathan Santoso of Iwak Arumery (Arak brand) joins us for a...
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Protecting the Indigenous Bali Heritage Dog, feat. Janice Girardi | Bali Breakfast Talks Episode 4
Janice Girardi is the Founder of Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA). She sits down with host Edward Speirs to talk about the fascinating history of Bali's indigenous dog breed – the Bali Heritage Dog – and why its becoming increasingly important to conserve this special breed of canine. BAWA…
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Surfing's Impact on Bali, feat. Tipi Jabrik | Bali Breakfast Talks Episode 3
Tipi Jabrik was born and raised in Legian, Bali, where he picked up surf and became a professional surfer by the age of 18. As a pro surfer he toured the world, winning international competition in Phuket, Japan, as well as here in Bali. After his pro career, he changed his focus to surf...
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The Future of Farmers in Bali, feat. Kania Maniasa | Bali Breakfast Talks Episode 2
Kania Maniasa is the Executive Director of Green School Foundation, a non-profit organisation created to bring sustainability-focused education to children in Bali. The foundation began in 2008 providing scholarships to the renowned Green School Bali. Today, Green School Foundation’s scope…
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Evolutions in Balinese Dance, Feat. Jasmine Okubo | Bali Breakfast Talks Episode 1
Jasmine Okubo is a dancer, producer, choreographer and the founder of Yayasan Kitapoleng, a multidisciplinary art platform based in Bali. Though of Japanese descent, born and raised in Turkey, Jasmine has a deep passion for Balinese and Indonesian arts and has been a key figure in bringing the...
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What Exactly is Nyepi, Bali's Day of Silence? | Episode 32
Many have heard of Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence, and understand that for 24 hours the entire island undergoes a strict period of no work, no activity and no sound. But what is the reason behind this Day of Silence? And why is Nyepi observed on the day it is observed? These are the questions we…
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Understanding Balinese Ceremonies ft. Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa (Ubud Royal Family) | Episode 31
Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa is an esteemed member of the Ubud Royal Family and holds the position of Bendesa Adat of Ubud (Head of Customary Village Organisation) since 2009. He is one of Bali’s respected authorities on culture and local traditions. He joins the podcast ahead of a colossal ceremony...
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Perpetuating Balinese Rituals: Duty, Debt and Superstition | Episode 30
In this episode, host Eddy Speirs shares a bite-sized perspective piece on factors that help to perpetuate Balinese rituals through time. Balinese Hindu philosophy has some effective built-in mechanisms for self-perpetuation down the generations. It is a mechanism driven by duty, debt and...
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Making Bali 'Future-Proof', ft. Eco Tourism Bali | Episode 29
Bali, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture, has faced escalating environmental challenges as its tourism industry continues to grow. Issues such as waste mismanagement and ecological degradation have prompted a local response led by Eco Tourism Bali. Founded in 2021 by…
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Decoding the Pawukon Calendar: Cycles & Symbolism | Episode 28
In this episode, host Eddy Speirs covers one of the most central aspects of Balinese Hindu ritual life: the Pawukon Calendar. This episode outlines the mythological origins of Hari Saraswati, The Day of Knowledge, rooted in the legend of 'Watugunung', Bali's own 'Oedipus' tale. This is tied to…
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Balinese Masks & Dance Explained, feat. Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem and Bruce Carpenter | Episode 27
In this episode, we welcome Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem and Bruce Carpenter who recently published 'Masks of Bali: Between Heaven and Hell', an epic 2-volume collection on Bali's traditional masks, a historical publication set to define this field of art for generations to come. Note: this episode is...
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Nature, Cosmology and Transformational Healing, Feat. Tjok Gde Kerthyasa | Episode 26
This episode discusses Balinese healing traditions in the modern age, speaking to Tjok Gde Kerthyasa on how both science and spirituality are important to his work, why Balinese cosmology is important to holistic healing, and also what it will take to make Bali’s healing offerings more trusted…
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Bali's New Year Resolutions, ft. Alistair Speirs, NOW! Bali Founder | Episode 25
In the same way we all make targets and goals for ourselves in the new year, why shouldn’t an island do the same? Why can’t Bali strive to be and do better? NOW! Bali Founder Alistair Speirs joins this episode to share his 20 Bali New Year Resolutions, some guidelines required to maintain the...
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Repatriating Bali's Memories (Part 2); feat Edward Herbst and Marlowe Bandem of Bali 1928 | Episode 24
Full Video Interview available on YouTube here. Stored in distant archives of universities abroad, the earliest recordings of Balinese music and dance have remained a mystery for the greater Balinese society, alongside footage and photography of island life just a century ago. Bali 1928, a…
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Repatriating Bali's Memories (Part 1); feat Edward Herbst and Marlowe Bandem of Bali 1928 | Episode 23
Full Video Interview available on YouTube here. Stored in distant archives of universities abroad, the earliest recordings of Balinese music and dance have remained a mystery for the greater Balinese society, alongside footage and photography of island life just a century ago. Bali 1928, a…
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Explaining the Role and Importance of Water in Bali | Episode 22
The significance of water in Bali cannot be understated. In this episode we seek to illustrate the many ways in which water is part of life on the island and why it is such a central element in Balinese belief. You'll learn why Bali's belief system was called 'Agama Tirta', religion of holy…
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The Bali-China Relationship: Symbolism of the Barong Landung Puppets | Episode 21
Found in most banjars across Bali, the distinct appearance of the Barong Landung characters are unmistakeable in the assortment of Balinese religious effigies. This conspicuous couple, always found together, are at face-value just symbols of an old Balinese love story. However, digging deeper…
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Coming to Terms with Change in Bali (and of Bali) | Episode 20
In this episode of the podcast we’ll be exploring changes in Bali - and of Bali - discussing the effects of the island’s transformation into modern livelihoods and land-use. To read the transcript of the episode, feel free to visit our website article here. This episode comes from a feature…
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Music, Environment and Activism in Bali; feat. Ewa Wojkowska & Robi Navicula | Episode 19
In this episode, host Eddy Speirs is joined by two special guests, Ewa Wojkowska & Robi Navicula. Together they discuss a range of topics, including plastic pollution, Bali’s environmental crisis, beliefs surrounding nature, the future of Bali’s agricultural communities and also the island’s...
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Explaining Bali's Subak System (And Why Rice Fields are Cultural Landscapes) | Episode 18
Jatiluwih, the 600 hectares of rice fields in Tabanan, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is listed as a cultural landscape... but what does that even mean? It refers to the subak water-sharing system and how the rice fields are the manifestation of the Balinese Tri Hita Karana...
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On the Quest for Holy Water | Episode 17
Agama Tirta, the Religion of Water. This is what Balinese religion was often referred to before it’s official title of Hindu Dharma, as water was - and continues to be - an essential element in the rituals and even belief of the Balinese. Today’s episode is taken from one of Jean Couteau’s…
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Understanding Bali : An Introduction to the Island of the Gods | Episode 16
Why is Bali the way it is? How is there a solitary Hindu island in the largest muslim country in the world (by population)? Why is its brand of Hinduism different from what is found in India? Why is it called the Island of the Gods? To understand everything we see in Bali today, it's necessary to...
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Puppet Masters and the Power of Myth | Episode 15
Myths, folklore and stories in general are powerful forces. They are vessels in which morals and life lessons can be shared to societies, thus guiding them in the 'right' way of being. Myths are an important part of Balinese culture, mainly through the medium of the shadow puppet performance or...
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The Story of Galungan, Bali's Most Important Ceremony | Episode 14
Galungan is one of the most important ceremonies on the Balinese calendar. The exact dates of this auspicious day are calculated through the 210-day Pawukon calendar, where the Galungan period will last 10 days. What makes this ceremony so special? What is its history and origins? Host Eddy…
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How the Old Balinese Experience Time | Episode 13
The way the olden day Balinese perceive time, and remember old events, is not done in a measured and quantitative way - like we do in today's world. In this story by Jean Couteau, 'A Question of Time', he illustrates the interesting way in which time is experienced by Bali's older generations.…
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Exploring Art in Bali, feat. Richard Horstman | Episode 12
Art has a long history on the island, and really was one of the early lures for tourism to the island back in the 1920s, since then the art industry has grown and grown and Balinese artists today find themselves on the global art stage. To help us navigate the interesting art landscape in Bali,...
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A New Vision for Indonesian Tourism | Episode 11
This week, our Publisher Alistair Speirs takes over the airwaves and shares his thoughts and analysis of tourism, and the new vision that Bali, and in fact all of Indonesia, should embrace in order to re-open the industry in the most effective and efficient way possible going forward.
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4 Rules for Life, Bali Style | Episode 10
With many self-help books sharing their own "rules for life", this episode shares the wisdom of Balinese and Hindu belief on what makes a complete life. We share the Purasa Artha, the 4 Goals of Life in Hindu philosophy and unpack this with the duties, rites and actions to achieve this here in...
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Embracing and Celebrating Differences in Bali (and Indonesia) | Episode 9
This episode's topic is born out of the social unrest surrounding Black Lives Matter (or BLM), and has inspired us to discuss and explore the ideas of embracing and celebrating differences. Whilst BLM is centred around systemic racism in the US, many countries have their own form of ethnic,...
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What Will Travelling to Bali be like After Covid-19? | Episode 8
Being stuck at home for so long, the dreams of travelling are keeping many people sane. Something to look forward to. No doubt Bali will be high on the list for many — but what will a visit to Bali look be like, post-Covid crisis? We explore the possibilities in this week’s episode.
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Promoting Bali Tourism, Is There a Right Way? | Episode 7
More tourists is always good, right? Not always. What if they don’t care about the local culture, or have no curiosity for the history? Then numbers don’t mean anything. So, how can we promote Bali to attract people who DO care?
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Tourism, Business Ethics and Covid-19 | Episode 6
In this opinion piece, NOW! Publisher Alistair Speirs shares his thoughts on business ethics and tourism in the time of Covid-19 in Bali. He touches on why, in these difficult times, it is the absolute responsibility of business owners and leaders to help those most vulnerable.
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Legends of Bali's Great Temples | Temple Tales | Episode 5
Did you know, being centuries old, Bali's great temples have a whole host of wonderful myths and legends surrounding their founding? As with all things in Bali, there is plenty of magic and mysticism involved. This week we share the stories of Tanah Lot Temple (Pura Tanah Lot) and Uluwatu Temple...
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Bali After Covid-19: What Next? | Episode 4
"The crisis will end. They all do. And usually precipitate another because our ability to recover is pretty much equal to our ability to plan, says Alistair Speirs who has seen his weary way through many crises in Indonesia: from riots to earthquakes, from financial collapses to tsunamis. And if…
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Kaja-Kelod, Bali's True North | Episode 3
In Bali, north has a different meaning. North, or Kaja, is towards the mountain, Mount Agung to be exact. It is the direction towards the spiritual, where the Balinese orient themselves towards. This orientation is found throughout Balinese structures and is all about orienting oneself with the...
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Keeping the Balance in Bali | Episode 2
In this episode of The NOW! Bali Podcast, we share the unique way in which the Balinese Hindu perceive disaster as well as deal with disaster. This is a nice segue into the discussion of 'balance': how mankind is at the centre of balance between 'good' and 'evil'; and the purpose of ceremonies…
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Jero Gede Mecaling, The Spreader of Death and Disease | Episode 1
In this debut episode of The NOW! Bali Podcast, we share the story of Jero Gede Mecaling, an old animist myth surrounding the 'Honourable Fanged One', written by Jean Couteau. Jero Gede Mecaling is said to be the bringer of death and disease; a timely myth to discuss for the COVID-19 situation...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Bringing you the richness of Balinese culture, heritage and history through this specially curated audio experience, NOW! Bali - a multimedia company based on the island of the gods - aims to create a deeper appreciation on why Bali is a truly unique destination not only in Indonesia, but in the world. From explanations and breakdowns of traditions and culture, to interviews with insightful experts, host Edward Speirs aims to shed a light on one of the world's most vibrant living cultures. www.nowbali.co.id
HOSTED BY
Edward Speirs
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The NOW! Bali Podcast have?
The NOW! Bali Podcast currently has 37 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The NOW! Bali Podcast about?
Bringing you the richness of Balinese culture, heritage and history through this specially curated audio experience, NOW! Bali - a multimedia company based on the island of the gods - aims to create a deeper appreciation on why Bali is a truly unique destination not only in Indonesia, but in the...
How often does The NOW! Bali Podcast release new episodes?
The NOW! Bali Podcast has 37 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The NOW! Bali Podcast?
You can listen to The NOW! Bali Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The NOW! Bali Podcast?
The NOW! Bali Podcast is created and hosted by Edward Speirs.
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