The Shadow Of The Man

Episode 72 with Jen Reed is out now! Meet Jen Reed, who recounts her transformative evolution from a curious observer to a professional fabricator and artist within the Burning Man community. Her story begins with Reed’s spiritual calling after watching a 2009 documentary, leading her to join an architecture-focused camp where she realized she needed technical mastery to achieve her creative visions. She discusses the intentional decade-long hiatus she took to acquire formal skills in welding and fabrication, a journey of self-actualization that eventually allowed her to return to the desert as a lead artist and mentor. Central to her story are themes of communal support, the "Burning Man University" education, and the symbolic "forging" of identity through the desert’s harsh environment. She describes how the festival functions as a map for personal empowerment, bridging the gap between imaginative passion and tangible professional output.@compost_playgroundPlease visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 71 with Ian Rowen is out now! Meet Ian Rowen, a long-term Burning Man volunteer and regional contact who played a pivotal role in introducing the event’s culture to Taiwan and China. Rowan details his trajectory from a "newbie" volunteer in 2001 to navigating the complex geopolitical and cultural translation required to establish regional burns like Dragon Burn in mainland China. He highlights the friction between the event’s decommodified ideals and the reality of corporate interests, specifically describing how Chinese venture capitalists and government-backed entities have attempted to brand and monetize the experience. The conversation explores how Burning Man has evolved into a globalized phenomenon, influencing social movements in East Asia while grappling with the diverse ways different cultures interpret and mirror its core principles.@melonianianhttps://ianrowen.com/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #12 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Each Shadow Short is one person’s story, please enjoy this short story of how Burning Man has impacted and influenced people over time.The guest, a twenty-year veteran of the desert gathering, describes Black Rock City as a transformative crucible that provides a sense of radical acceptance and belonging for those who feel like outsiders in traditional society. While acknowledging the harsh physical environment and the "scars" left behind, the conversation highlights how the ethos of the community extends globally through regional events, fostering a "world of imagination" that persists long after the fire goes out. They discuss the enduring human connections and the personal growth that emerge from the beautiful, difficult, and "fabulously weird" culture of the Burn.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 69 with Justin Credible is out now! Meet Justin Credible, a seventh-generation Nevadan who shares her deep-rooted connection to the Black Rock Desert. She shares her childhood memories of performing archaeological surveys with her father to her pivotal role in the early development of Burning Man during the 1990s. A main story is her portrayal of Empress Zoe in the 1996 opera, a performance she describes as a transformative spiritual channeling that redefined her identity. Throughout the conversation, Credible reflects on the festival's evolution from a primal, communal gathering of artists to a complex society grappling with modern issues like technology, consent, and environmental stewardship. Her story speaks to the power of the desert as a space for radical self-expression and the enduring importance of non-transactional human connection.@djjustincrediblePlease visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 68 with Twan is out now! Meet Twan, a veteran Burning Man participant and the long-reigning former Los Angeles regional contact. Twan recounts the organic evolution of the global burner community before the advent of social media, detailing how disparate groups transitioned from unorganized email lists into the official regional network under the Burning Man umbrella. Twan explains his deep involvement with Pepe Ozan’s legendary operas, highlighted by a rigorous voodoo initiation in Haiti undertaken to ensure the artistic authenticity of the 1999 performance. His story explores the ethos of participation and collaboration, tracing his journey from organizing massive decompression events in Los Angeles to his current volunteer work with the Playa Restoration team, which maintains the event's "Leave No Trace" commitment.http://www.burningmanopera.org/IG: @burningtwanPlease visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #11 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Each Shadow Short is one person’s story, please enjoy this short story of how Burning Man has impacted and influenced people over time.Meet Fly Trap, who describes Burning Man as a transformative "family reunion" that allows her to reconnect with distant friends through shared creativity and play. She highlights her rewarding shift from a solitary technical career to a physically active volunteer role at the event’s gate, where she enjoys the logistical challenges and the distinct, black-clad subculture of the staff. She shares how the collaborative spirit of burner culture empowers individuals to achieve the "impossible" in their daily lives, such as organizing complex, community-driven weddings rooted in the confidence and effort gained from the desert experience.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 66 with Dana Albany is out now! Meet Dana Albany, a long-time artist whose life was radically redirected by her experiences at Burning Man. Originally a microbiology student, Dana describes her transition from the sciences to the arts after discovering a passion for participation and industrial tools while volunteering to build the Man. Her story highlights the collaborative spirit of the desert community, specifically how Dana’s mentorship under figures like Larry Harvey and Pepe Ozan empowered her to create large-scale works, such as her iconic bone tree. A central narrative in her story is the story of the Monumental Mammoth, a project Albany guided for a young Girl Scout that eventually became a symbol of healing and community transformation. Her story illustrates how the festival serves as a catalyst for self-expression, turning amateurs into professional artists and fostering deep, lifelong creative connections.https://www.danaalbanyart.com/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 65 with Lady Bee is out now! Meet Lady Bee, a long-time member and former art curator for the Burning Man organization. The conversation traces her journey from discovering the event in 1995 to her influential career managing art grants and archival collections that document the culture's material history. Lady Bee reflects on the evolution of the Burning Man community, emphasizing how the movement shifted from a small, unstructured gathering into a global "permission engine" that fosters collaboration over competition and brings public art into the mainstream. Her story is a historical testimony to the power of decentralized creativity and the enduring importance of community-building beyond the physical confines of the [email protected]://gallery.burningman.org/https://playamakers.com/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #10 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Each Shadow Short is one person’s story, please enjoy this short story of how Burning Man has impacted and influenced people over time.Meet Ivan as he explains his personal evolution as a veteran burner, tracing his journey from a frequent wedding photographer on the playa to his current pursuit of a responsibility-free experience focused on pure enjoyment. Ivan reflects on how the event serves as a "happy place" that fosters a unique sense of community and altruism, noting that the festival's culture has permanently changed his daily habits and social interactions. He shares the lasting impact of the festival's principles on individual character, specifically regarding environmental mindfulness and the instinctual desire to help others in need.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 63 with Ryan Doyle is out now! Meet Ryan Doyle, a prolific artist and long-time Burning Man participant. The conversation explores Doyle’s extensive history within the community, specifically his foundational role in building legendary art cars like Robot Heart and various fleet vehicles for the Department of Public Works. Beyond mere technical construction, his story delves into the evolution of the event's culture, tracing Doyle’s journey from the "punk rock circus" scenes of the late 1990s to his current work with electric vehicle conversions and large-scale industrial art in Detroit. He reflects on how the collaborative spirit of radical expression can bridge social divides, transforming a grueling desert environment into a unique venue for lifelong artistic inspiration and human connection.https://www.thehoustonartcarparade.com/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 62 with Christine Nash is out now! Meet Christine Nash, a long-time veteran of Burning Man who shares her extensive history with the event’s creative community. Nash recounts her evolution from an attendee in 1996 to her current roles co-owning art complexes in Los Angeles and volunteering with Media Mecca, where she bridges the gap between journalists and artists. The conversation explores how the event serves as a transformative catalyst for self-sufficiency and artistic growth, highlighting the shift from massive spectacles to the intimate performance art and "serendipitous" encounters that define the desert experience. Her story documents the enduring social network and "year-round involvement" that sustains the burner culture far beyond the temporary city.http://www.bigartlabs.com/bigartlabs_home.htmlBIG ART LABS, LLCInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com › explore › locations › big-...Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #9 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Each Shadow Short is one person’s story, please enjoy this short story of how Burning Man has impacted and influenced people over time.Meet Mary Pia who describes her journey from being a scammed solo traveler in 2019 to finding a sense of belonging through volunteering with a camp community. Her narrative emphasizes the beauty of coming out of one's shell by engaging in daring social interactions and shared rituals like sunrise humming. Her story illustrates how the spirit of self-expression and service creates a lasting connection that participants carry back into their everyday lives..Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 60 with Jorge Luis Gamboa VIII is out now! Meet Jorge Luis Gamboa VIII, a regional contact and long-time Burning Man participant known as the Ambassador. The conversation traces Gamboa's journey from his first trip to the Nevada desert in 2010 (fueled by a series of personal hardships) to his leadership within the Motropolis and Mo communities, which emphasize humanity and collaboration. Jorge recounts the evocative history of the Mo Road Show, a cross-country adventure on a 60-foot bus that fostered a deep sense of collective identity and mutual support among its diverse international passengers. He explains the transformative power of shared artistic experience, highlighting how the principles of Burning Man can be translated into a lifelong commitment to building community and elevating human connection.https://www.facebook.com/AlmaBurnTX/https://jlgviii.com/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 58 with Kim Cook is out now! Meet Kim Cook, a longtime leader within the Burning Man organization who discusses the global evolution of the event’s culture. Cook details her transition from a "Burning Man adjacent" background in the arts to senior roles such as Director of Art and Civic Engagement, Director of Creative Initiatives, and Director of Global Activation, where she worked to bridge the gap between the desert festival and the wider world. A primary theme of the conversation is the porous definition of a "Burner" as She argues that the community’s core ethos of creative expression and mutual trust exists far beyond the physical boundaries of Black Rock City. She highlights her work on diverse initiatives, including collaborations with institutions like the Smithsonian and the launch of a virtual burn during the pandemic, to illustrate how the movement’s principles are increasingly decentralized. Her story is a reflection on cultural legacy and resilience, emphasizing that the meaningful connections formed through shared practice are more enduring than the temporary physical structures built in the desert.https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXMuutHD3BG/https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/6190620.Kim_CookPlease visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #8 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Each Shadow Short is one person’s story, please enjoy this short story of how Burning Man has impacted and influenced people over time.Meet Pam, a twenty-five-year veteran of the gathering, who discusses her transition from a casual attendee to a dedicated volunteer on the "Swift" production team. The conversation highlights the metaphysical and communal depth of the event, emphasizing how the challenges of the desert environment foster a unique form of "trauma bonding" and a commitment to service. His story illustrates a philosophy of "micro-dosing" Burning Man, where the festival’s principles and aesthetic are integrated into everyday life rather than being confined to a temporary escape.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 57 with Arash is out now! Meet Arash, the creator and host of the longest-running Burning Man podcast (the Burner Podcast). We talk about the history and evolution of burner media, highlighting the technical and emotional challenges of documenting a community defined by radical self-expression and human connection. Arash reflects on his decade-long journey from being an "annoyingly responsible" co-lead at the event to finding personal liberation through physical labor and artistic service. He talks about the transformative power of the Burning Man community, the importance of maintaining creative work as a gift rather than a commodity, and the use of the desert experience to reconstruct one's identity. Arash describes how the "underground" fosters a sense of belonging and permission to live life on one's own terms.https://www.burnerpodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/burnerpodcast/https://soundcloud.com/burnerpodcasthttps://www.facebook.com/burnerpodcast/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 56 with Ranger Beauty is out now! Meet Ranger Beauty, a veteran volunteer with over two decades of experience at Burning Man. We explore her extensive history with the event, spanning her roles as a Black Rock Ranger, an emergency medical volunteer, and a DJ for the pirate radio station Radio Electra. Throughout the interview, Beauty emphasizes the importance of radical self-reliance, the practice of gifting without expectation, and the profound interpersonal connections fostered within the Burning Man community. Her story talks about the evolution of the culture through the eyes of a long-time participant while highlighting the diverse ways individuals contribute to the festival's unique social fabric.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #7 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Each Shadow Short is one person’s story, please enjoy this short story of how Burning Man has impacted and influenced people over time.Meet Don who has participated in Burning Man  for twenty-two consecutive years. The conversation highlights how the event serves as a massive creative outlet, where Don helps manage a solar-powered village and operates a daily margarita bar. A central theme of his story is the personal transformation from introversion to extroversion, as Don explains how the festival’s communal environment taught him to be "fearless" and deeply appreciative of others' efforts. He explains how the principles of open-mindedness and social connection found in the desert are carried back into the "default world" to enrich everyday life.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 54 with The Assless Chaplain is out now! Meet the Assless Chaplain, who reflects on his twenty-year evolution within the Burning Man community. The conversation transitions from his reckless, unprepared origins in 2005 to his modern role organizing a themecamp that operates a wedding chapel on the playa. He discusses the concept of radical self-reliance and the shift from "weird people trying to feel normal" to a more structured, communal environment. The Chaplain emphasizes the transformative power of ritual, explaining how officiating ceremonies allows him to process personal grief and foster human connection through the ten principles. Ultimately, his story a testament to how the culture of Black Rock City provides a "stabilizing anchor" that informs a person’s identity and values long after the festival ends.https://www.theasslesschapel.com/[email protected] (Armadillo)Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 53 with Miss P Segal is out now! Meet P. Segal, a foundational figure in the San Francisco Cacophony Society and the early evolution of Burning Man. The conversation traces the historical significance of 1907 Golden Gate, a massive Victorian residence that served as a creative clubhouse where artists collaborated on subversive urban pranks and planned the first desert excursion of the "Man" in 1990. Miss P details her transition from a caterer and restaurateur to a therapist, eventually returning to her roots by developing Art House, a non-profit initiative dedicated to establishing permanent housing co-ops for displaced artists. She shares a history that captures the shift from underground play to organized community activism, lamenting the gentrification of San Francisco while championing the enduring necessity of unstructured creative connection.https://arthousesf.org/https://journal.burningman.org/2022/02/burning-man-arts/global-art/helping-artist-communities/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #6 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Each Shadow Short is one person’s story, please enjoy this short story of how Burning Man has impacted and influenced people over time.Meet a long-time attendee named Papa Smurf who explains his profound personal transformation fostered by the Burning Man community. The conversation highlights how the event serves as a catalyst for growth, helping the guest transition from a shy "wallflower" to a confident individual who successfully navigated recovery from alcoholism with the support of sober-friendly networks. While the spectacle of the art initially draws participants in, the narrative emphasizes that the lasting human connections and sense of belonging are what truly "seal the deal" for attendees year after year. He explains the enduring social impact of the festival, illustrating how the communal spirit persists even in the face of challenging conditions like heat and rain.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 51 with Cab Spates is out now! Meet Cab Spades, a long-time participant in Burning Man and a community leader in Hawaii. Cab talks about his history with the event since 2005, detailing the logistical evolution of the festival from a seamless, low-tech gathering to a complex operation involving massive shipping containers and permanent infrastructure. Cab explains the concept of Buddhist economics, a holistic worldview where value is measured not just in currency, but through human relationships, environmental impact, and personal satisfaction. He connects these festival experiences to his work in Hawaii, specifically his Optimistique festival, which integrates permaculture, wellness, and sustainable agriculture to foster local community resilience. He shares his experience of how the principles of resourcefulness and communal effort found at Burning Man can be applied to create lasting, regenerative systems in the default world.https://optimysstique.com/about/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 50 with Naomi Most is out now! Meet Naomi Most who relates her early, unscripted solo adventures—such as her first trip in a Jetta that broke down—to her later involvement in more organized camps like the "Human Car Wash" and the experimental performance art scene at Thunderdome. Central to their discussion is the concept of serendipity, where Naomi explains how the festival’s environment fosters intuitive discovery and unique human connections that are difficult to replicate in default society. Beyond the desert, the dialogue explores Naomi’s family history as the granddaughter of a pioneer in mathematics and her critique of the modern "supposedly fun bureaucracy" that has emerged as the event evolved. Her story reflects on the artistic lineage of San Francisco’s underground scenes and the enduring value of living a life open to the unexpected.https://www.nonchalance.com/latitude.htmlhttps://www.nonchalance.com/jejune.htmlPlease visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #5 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Meet Sigardona, a Russian-born Californian who progressed from a curious first-time attendee to a camp leader managing a unique underwater photography installation. Their conversation highlights the deep social bonds formed through shared adversity and the way the "playa" inspires participants to think outside the box in their daily lives. His story explains the lasting impact of the community by showing how the festival's creative spirit extends into year-round activities and regional connections.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 48 with Joseph Buchman is out now! He is a former professor and census volunteer, who details his transformative journey within the Burning Man community. The narrative follows his transition from a grieving, skeptical Scout Master to a dedicated participant after a religious-like experience at the Temple helped him heal from a family tragedy involving suicide. Central themes include the healing power of communal art, the logistical complexity of the Black Rock City Census, and the environmental ethics of Playa Restoration (Resto). Ultimately, the source serves as a deep dive into how the event’s Ten Principles, specifically gifting and participation, can fundamentally reorient a person’s worldview and facilitate profound interpersonal reconciliation.https://thepeopleofearthapologize.comPlease visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 47 with Quest Skinner is out now! Meet Quest Skinner, a multi-talented artist and "poly-camperous" burner who shares her transformative decade-long journey at Burning Man. The conversation centers on Skinner’s evolution from a first-time attendee in 2015 to a vital leader in Art Support Services, where she now utilizes her expertise in fabrication and logistics to help artists realize massive projects amidst the harsh desert elements. She emphasizes the importance of community resilience and mentorship, recounting how she found purpose in "fixing" art and empowering others through technical certifications and practical skills like solar power and heavy machinery operation. Skinner portrays the event not as a mere party, but as a crucible for personal growth and a "social experiment" that demands participants bring their authentic, higher selves to contribute to a culture of radical gifting and mutual support.https://www.artbyquest.com/https://www.instagram.com/quest_skinner?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==https://www.facebook.com/quest.skinnerPlease visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #4 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Meet an Australian attendee named Mel, who talks about the concept of personal recalibration, exploring how Black Rock City's surreal, Mars-like landscape and commitment to artistic expression allow adults to rediscover a lost sense of childlike curiosity and play. Mel highlights the importance of immediacy, using the metaphor of an approaching storm to illustrate why one must embrace life’s vibrant moments before they vanish. Ultimately, the episode serves as a testament to the transformative power of the desert, where random encounters—ranging from sailing replica ships to piloting small planes—encourage participants to bring a renewed, sustainable inner truth back to their daily lives.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 45 with Nicholas Powers is out now! Meet Nicholas Powers, a professor and reporter who details his decades-long journey through Burning Man. His story follows Powers’ evolution from a "lone wolf" seeker to the founder of a people of color camp, highlighting how the festival acts as a catalyst for human solidarity and deep psychological healing. Central to their discussion is the idea that the harsh desert environment—particularly during the recent "mud burn"—strips away superficial "sparkle pony" personas to reveal a raw, authentic human connection and "anarchic empathy." Powers elegantly bridges his academic life with the festival culture, explaining how both literature and the playa serve as mirrors that allow individuals to confront their internal shadows and recreate themselves. His story serves as a testament to the power of communal survival and the enduring need for face-to-face vulnerability in an increasingly digital world.Black Psychedelic Revolution (one of his books)https://truthout.org/authors/nicholas-powers/https://www.instagram.com/thepoccamp/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064328516069Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 44 with Erin Douglas is out now! Meet Erin Douglas, the visionary creator of the Black Burner Project. The conversation traces Douglas’s evolution from a hesitant first-time attendee in 2017 to a prominent community leader who uses portraiture and storytelling to increase the visual identity and inclusion of people of color at Burning Man. Central to her story is Douglas’s transition from a career in finance to one in creative photography, a shift that culminated in her landmark 2022 installation of thirty-foot-tall sculptures on the playa. By documenting hundreds of personal stories and organizing massive word-of-mouth group photos, Douglas has successfully challenged the perception that the event is an exclusive space, ultimately fostering a diverse supportive network for future participants. Erin has taken some of the most iconic photos in the last few years and has a wonderful and inspiring story, please give it a listen.https://www.erin-sha.com/https://www.blackburnerproject.com/https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AXDffwVFf/Instagram: @aphotochick and @blackburnerproject Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #3 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Meet Angelina to explore how Burning Man fosters profound personal growth. Angelina describes how the event allowed her to reclaim her creative identity through fire dancing and art, providing a necessary emotional balance to her highly analytical professional life. A central theme of the discussion is the shift in perspective from impossibility to empowerment, as she reflects on overcoming the logistical hurdles of traveling from the UK to the desert. Her story illustrates the lasting impact of radical self-expression, showing how the festival’s influence persists through community connections and "decompression" events long after the dust has settled.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 42 with John Law is out now! Meet John Law, a foundational figure in the San Francisco underground art scene. He is here to promote an upcoming documentary about SantaCon, while simultaneously tracing the cultural lineage that connects the Suicide Club, the Cacophony Society, and the early years of Burning Man. Law emphasizes that these movements were rooted in a philosophy of creating one’s own culture through collaborative, non-commercial, and often transgressive experiences. He offers a critical perspective on how Burning Man evolved from a grassroots zone trip into a large-scale business, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of visionaries like Gary Warne and William Binzen. His story celebrates a history of participatory art and urban exploration that prioritized genuine human connection over institutional structure.ALSO! On Thursday February 5th at the Roxie theater at 6:15 the SF Indie Festival will open their movie festival with the San Francisco premiere of the Santacon documentary. Go to the URL below right now to get a ticket, they will sell out fast. You can also stream it if you can’t make it to SF, check out the URL below. It is an amazing documentary all about the history of Santacon from the same director that made “Class Action Park” about Action Park.https://sfindie2026.eventive.org/welcomehttps://johnwlaw.com/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 41 with Joshua Martelli is out now! Meet Joshua Mortelli, who explores the deep intersections between Burning Man subculture and his professional life as an off-road race promoter. The conversation details Mortelli’s evolution from a "digital burner" studying online forums to a seasoned theme camp leader for a collective known as Camp Zoom, emphasizing the importance of year-round community and ancestral creative draws. Central to the dialogue is the concept of knowledge transfer, as Mortelli explains how he adopted the Burning Man organization's operational protocols, safety logistics, and Leave No Trace ethics to improve the management of the Mint 400 desert race. Finally, the source transitions into a serious reflection on the future of the event, advocating for a community-led shift toward a stronger culture of consent and a move away from sensationalized, superficial depictions of the festival.Joshua has some incredible stories and a lot of thoughtful insights especially when it comes to consent, give it a listen today.https://themint400.com/[email protected]://www.campzoom.org/aboutPlease visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #2 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Meet Jonathan who discusses his transition from a long-time observer to an active participant and first-time volunteer for emergency services. Their dialogue highlights the logistics of radical self-reliance, as Jonathan travels from Hawaii with minimal gear to participate in the event's rituals of renewal and catharsis. Ultimately, the episode illustrates how the culture of the desert gathering influences the "default world" by encouraging practitioners to integrate values like immediacy and leaving no trace into their daily lives.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 39 with Debi “Crackerjack” Mansour is out now! Meet Debbie "Cracker Jack" Mansour, a dedicated leader in the regional Burning Man community. The conversation explores the tension between Black Rock City purists and those who find deep meaning in smaller events, ultimately arguing that being a "burner" is defined by embracing the culture and ten principles rather than geographical location. Mansour recounts her transformation from a sheltered background to a "neurospicy" community leader, highlighting her creative contributions such as mandatory virgin tours and "complimentary heckling." Her journey illustrates the life-changing impact of radical expression and the vital role of volunteer leadership in sustaining the global network of regional burns.Being a burner is so much more than just going to Black Rock City, there is a whole world of global Burners. Debi’s story is one of the first dives into this world, please give it a listen and learn how far Burning Man culture is spreading.https://portalburn.org/http://cosmicburn.org/https://www.notyourmominc.org/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 38 with Tex Burner (aka Tex Allen) is out now! Meet Tex Allen, a longtime member of the Burning Man community who shares his journey from a "weird kid out of suburbia" to a prominent performance artist. The conversation explores the transformative power of presence and radical gifting, specifically through Tex’s two major long-term projects: distributing over 50,000 clown noses to bypass social barriers and founding the Church of Hugs to foster human connection. Tex describes how these "social experiments" originated from personal moments of frustration or grief, eventually evolving into global movements that emphasize synchronicity and vulnerability. Ultimately, the source serves as a testament to the Burning Man ethos, illustrating how the principles of the playa can be "graduated" and applied to the default world to create a more compassionate and magical reality. I apologize in advance if the levels are a little off in this episode it was my first recording with some new equipmenthttps://www.facebook.com/share/g/1KcaG9pLvA/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Shadow Shorts #1 is out now! Recorded at BRC in 2025 participants were challenged to explain BM‘s impact in 5 minutes or less. Each Shadow Short is one person’s story, please enjoy this short story of how Burning Man has impacted and influenced people over time.This  episode features Liz, who reflects on her seventeen-year history with  Burning Man. The conversation highlights how the event serves as a sacred, collaborative space that fosters human connection, gender fluidity, and a deep appreciation for limitless artistic creation. Liz explains that the festival’s demanding environment taught her essential infrastructure skills and environmental mindfulness, which eventually empowered her to live independently in the Minnesota woods. Her story illustrates the transformative personal impact of the gathering, emphasizing that the enduring "home vibe" and like-minded community are what draw participants back year after year.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 36 with Harley Dubois is out now! In 1988 She was enrolled at the Berkeley Psychic Institute when she found a great apartment in SF at 1907 Golden Gate. Over the next few years she unwittingly held afterparties for Cacophany Society events. In 1990 when the SF park police shooed away Larry Harvey and friends from Baker beach a meeting was convened in her living room to decide what to do with this “Burning Man”. She didn’t take the bait originally in 1990 but after hearing from the “Zone Trip #4” returnees (like her neighbor Miss P Segal) she first hit the Black Rock Desert in 1991. One can argue that Harley and Miss P started the first themecamp. Music was not central to BRC in the beginning, only in 1993-94 did Larry invite Turbo Ted (he ran raves in SF at the time). In 1995 Harley started the Themecamp Placement department. She was instrumental in organizing and professionalizing the Burning Man Project. Currently she serves as the Chief Cultural Officer. Over the years she has come to define her meaning of transformational experience as 4 parts:Meaningful workBeing pushed out of your comfort zoneFeeling safe/no judgementPresence of ritual/ceremonyPlease give this episode a listen, you will learn not just some early history but the inspiring story of one of the founders of BRC.Photo credit: John Jennifer [email protected] visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 35 with Stuart Mangrum is out now! He has worn many hats over the years, currently known as the host of the Burning Man Live podcast. Start has been a member of the Cacophany society for many years and first hit the playa in 1993. His first year at Black Rock City he was roped into doing the playa’s first newspaper, the Black Rock Gazette which he was the editor of for a few years. In 1995 he started what is arguably the first real themecamp (Tiki camp) that was designed in advance and implemented on playa. He argues that the previous “Christmas camp” was impromptu and kind of mean. After the crazy year of 1996 he pulled back from being part of the event organization and in 1997 while still going joined a part of BRC that was at the time called the “Neigh-bar-hood”. In 2012-13 Larry Harvey needed help with the theme and invited Stuart in to help build a new educational department called the Burning Man Philosophical Center. Together with Caveat Magister they wrote many articles about the nature of Burning Man over the years. Together with others at the Burning Man Philosophical Center he started the Burning Man Live podcast in 2020 which has had 125 episodes aries to date. Please give the show a listen and find out all about the man behind one of my favorite podcasts (I have listened to them all).https://burningman.org/podcast/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 34 with Dean Barlese is out now! Meet Dean Barlese, a Paiute elder, to explore the complex relationship between the Burning Man festival and the indigenous community whose ancestral lands host the event. Barlese reflects on the historical growth of the gathering since 1990, noting how it has transitioned from a small nuisance to a source of mutual support through solar projects, emergency funding, and cultural exchanges like the land blessing ceremonies. However, the dialogue also highlights significant friction regarding the desecration of sacred sites, specifically the practice of leaving human ashes at the temple against tribal wishes. Beyond the event, the conversation underscores the tribe's current struggle against lithium mining at Thacker Pass, emphasizing the ongoing fight to protect their environment and sovereign rights from industrial exploitation. This interview was done with Dean on the phone so I apologize in advance for any extra noises.https://www.protectthackerpass.org/Protect Thacker Pass (Facebook)Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 33 with Wolfie is out now! Meet Wolfie, the current mayor of Illumination Village, an established and art-focused camp at the Burning Man. The conversation explores her decades-long history with the event, beginning with a chance encounter with the festival's founders at a beach burn in the 1990s and evolving into her sophisticated role as a community leader. Wolfie details the logistical complexities of managing a large-scale village on the Esplanade, emphasizing the shift from being a passive spectator to a participatory contributor who fosters artistic collaboration and mentorship. Her story highlights how the festival serves as a transformative ritual and a source of found family, providing a structured environment where radical self-expression and communal responsibility intersect.https://boxshopsf.org/https://www.illuminationvillage.org/https://www.flaminglotus.com/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 32 with Kay Morrison is out now! Meet Kay Morrison, a long-time Burning Man organizer and founding board member of the nonprofit Burning Man Project. The conversation traces Morrison's journey from her roots in non-violent direct action protests to her accidental discovery of the festival in 2000, illustrating how her background in activism shaped her appreciation for the event’s gift economy and communal values. They discuss the evolution of the culture, specifically the rise of regional networks and the role of theme camps like the Iron Monkeys, a blacksmithing collective that creates interactive fire art. Ultimately, the source highlights Burning Man as a "culture of permission" that fosters human connection, creative resistance, and joy beyond the physical boundaries of the desert. Note: the Flaming Lotus Girls hoax thing never actually happened on the playa this year, but it was a good laugh!https://www.ironmonkeyarts.org/https://ignitionnw.org/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 31 with Paradox Pollack is out now! Meet Paradox Pollock, an artist and performer who reflects on the experimental origins of Burning Man. Pollock describes his early involvement with Desert Site Works, a collective that staged deeply immersive, 48-hour rituals on the Nevada playa long before the event became a mainstream phenomenon. These performances, which explored the human life cycle from conception to death, served as the foundational creative blueprint for the large-scale operas and ritualized theater that defined the festival's artistic identity throughout the 1990s. The conversation traces Pollock’s journey from underground punk theater to Hollywood choreography, ultimately highlighting how the vast, empty landscape of the desert allowed for a radical transformation of the self through art. By contrasting the raw, anarchic spirit of the early years with the more regulated "walled cities" of the modern event, his story captures a historical shift from visceral community experimentation to a formalized industry.https://paradoxpollack.com/ThreadseyeseesitselfPlease visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 30 with Metric is out now. Meet Metric, a long-time resident of Gerlach and a pivotal figure in the structural evolution of Burning Man. The conversation traces his journey from a San Francisco sound engineer in the 1990s to the manager of the Black Rock Desert ranch highlights how individual initiative and "hustle" helped transform the event from a transient gathering into a year-round institutional presence. Key themes include the technical artistry of the "Man Crew," the preservation of regional pioneer history, and the transition of the Burning Man community from countercultural "freaks" to a permanent force for local civic activism and land stewardship. His story serves as an oral history, illustrating how the "shadow" of the event creates a lasting cultural and physical legacy in the Nevada desert well beyond the one-week festival.https://blackrockstewards.org/https://blackrockstewards.org/kbru-fm-92-5/#comment-35http://metric.cc/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 29 with Diva Marisa is out now. Meet Marisa who first heard about Burning Man as a 12 year old girl living in the bay area by reading about it in a Cacophany Society newsletter. She first hit the playa in 1999 to sing in Pepe Ozan’s opera. Death Guild has been a San Francisco club since 1993, and the themecamp Death Guild/Thunderdome was founded by David King. In 2002 Marisa sang at the first SF decompression and in 2003 she started with Velocity Circus. In 2004 she started working in leadership for Death Guild/Thunderdome which she has been involved in ever since. In 2008-9 she started singing on the trapeze at Thunderdome. Marisa is a trained operatic singer, has been involved with running the show at Death Guild/Thunderdome for a long time, and she has an incredible story. She highlights the power of intentional community, illustrating how a "tight-knit family" of misfits uses the grueling labor of the playa to build lasting fellowship and leadership that transcends the event itself. Please give it a listen today.https://www.deathguildthunderdome.com/Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 28 with Monique Schiess is out now. Meet Monique, a pivotal co-founder of AfrikaBurn, the largest regional Burning Man event. The conversation explores the evolution of the burn movement in South Africa, detailing how Schiess and a small group of "renegades" adapted the desert festival model to a landscape defined by extreme economic inequality and a history of activism. A significant portion of the dialogue addresses the philosophical tensions between grassroots anarchy and the "corporatized" top-down structures that often emerge as these events scale. Schiess shares her personal journey of professional burnout and organizational conflict, ultimately advocating for the burn as a transformative tool for social change rather than mere entertainment. She concludes by highlighting her current project, a documentary titled "From Ashes," which aims to capture the authentic, non-commercial essence of the community she helped build.You can contact her at [email protected]://www.afrikaburn.org/The documentary about Afrikaburn:from.ashes.story.of.afrikaburn (Instagram)afrikaburn documentary crowdfunding campaignBackaBuddyhttps://www.backabuddy.co.za › campaign › from-ashe… (crowdfunding campaign)[email protected] Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 27 the Season Premiere is out now. Meet Michael Mikel (aka Danger Ranger)  a foundational figure in the Burning Man community and a co-founder of the Cacophony Society. He details the movement’s origins in the Suicide Club, a 1970s group dedicated to living intensely through urban exploration and absurdist pranks. The narrative traces the evolution of these "experiences beyond the pale" from San Francisco beach burns to the establishment of Black Rock City, highlighting the transition from anarchic art projects to a large-scale organized event. Danger Ranger reflects on the philosophical shift toward growth, the creation of the Black Rock Rangers, and the enduring importance of reinventing reality in an increasingly impersonal, digital world.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 26 the Season One Recap is out now. The inaugural season of the Shadow of The Man show is now over, next week Season 2 will launch with the Season Premiere EP 27 with none other than Danger Ranger! Learn about what happened behind the scenes in Season 1 and get a sneak peek at Season 2This episode recounts the wobbly but promising beginning of this show and all of the startup problems the show faced. Over time these issues were ironed out and the show started to get more regular and professional. The issue of equity in the show is discussed as one of the show’s guiding principles. The future of the show is discussed including a ramp up to even more regularly scheduled episodes. The Shadow Shorts project is introduced with details about how it will unfold on the playa in 2025 and eventually another stream of episodes. There is also a short discussion of a blind spot in developing the show, the fact that some people have come to think of the show as dark (usually just making an assumption off of the name). There is also some discussion of technical issues about the show and the ongoing attempt to improve the quality of the show. This show is a gift to the Burning Man community and there are no plans to monetize it. The show ends with a preview of episodes to come in season 2.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Email [email protected] if you want to be a guest or if you have any concerns about the show.Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, it REALLY helps the show to even appear in search results.

Episode 25 with Caveat Magister is out now! Learn all about Burning Man’s philosopher laureate and his backstory. He first got involved in Regionals before moving to San Francisco where he first went to Black Rock City in 2006. From the beginning he volunteered with Media Mecca eventually becoming staff (which he did for 5 years, over time becoming their volunteer coordinator). In 2010-11 he started to write for the Burning Man Journal where he has written many articles over the years. After avoiding him for a few years Caveat first met Larry Harvey in 2013 and started a great friendship. In 2015 Larry brought together Caveat, Stuart Mangrum, and himself to found the Burning Man Philosophical Center. Since then Caveat has written a number of Burning Man Journal articles and written two books (The Scene That Became Cities and Turn Your Life Into Art) while also helping to ghost write a few other books. Caveat is a very knowledgeable and thoughtful writer whose books and articles about the world of Burning Man and beyond has been a touchstone for at least a generation or two (and perhaps more into the future). He is truly one of the gems of the community and a wonderful person, please give this episode a listen and learn all about Burning Man’s own Caveat Magister.Please visit https://shadowoftheman.buzzsprout.com/ for all of the details and links.Books by Caveat:The Scene That Became Cities: What Burning Man Philosophy Can Teach Us about Building Better CommunitiesTurn Your Life Into Art: Lessons in Psychomagic from the San Francisco Undergroundhttps://fascinatingstranger.com/https://journal.burningman.org/author/cmagister/Caveat's Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/join/BenjaminWachs

Episode 24 with Katy Tahja is out now! She is a long-time burner and organizer for Mobility Camp, a service-oriented community in Black Rock City. The discussion centers on radical inclusion, highlighting how the camp provides essential infrastructure—such as wheelchairs, repair services, and accessible art tours—to ensure that individuals with disabilities or injuries can fully participate in the event. Katie emphasizes the intergenerational and communal spirit of the playa, sharing anecdotes about "grandma" figures offering comfort and the specialized support available for blind and deaf participants. She dismantles the myth that the festival is only for the young and able-bodied, illustrating how adaptive technology and human kindness allow anyone to experience the "magic" of the desert.https://mobilitycamp.org/https://theava.com/ (Anderson Valley Advertiser)

Episode 23 with Lisa Scheinkopf (AKA Sassy Cat), an Arizona-based Burning Man veteran and Regional Contact. The conversation traces Sheinkopf’s evolution from a first-time attendee in 2011 to a community leader who manages the "Ignited States" theme camp, which provides interactivity through lighthearted events like "mimosas and bad parental advice." A significant portion of the intertview focuses on the logistics and challenges of regional organizing, specifically the Arizona community’s experience purchasing land and navigating tensions with local neighbors over noise and dust. Scheinkopf highlights a unique turning point where nearby city officials, recognizing the positive economic impact and low crime rates associated with the events, began competing to host the burners. Ultimately, her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of the ten principles, illustrating how the festival's culture of gifting and communal effort can successfully bridge the gap between temporary desert celebrations and permanent default world communities.You can reach her at [email protected]