A Big Sur Podcast

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of A Big Sur Podcast, I speak with the writer and journalist Matti Friedman about his remarkable book Out of the Sky — a work that begins with four words from the Bible, “Out of the sky,” and unfolds into a meditation on fear, memory, survival, aviation, mythology, Jewish history, and the strange psychological atmosphere that has surrounded Israel since October 7, 2023.We carry Matti Friedman's books at the Henry Miller Library.Important links:Matti Friedman's WebsiteMatti Friedman with Dan SenorNicholas Kristof in NYTMagnus Substack about some of this.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailA conversation with artist Katie Holten about life and art, climate and action, walking and inaction! Katie's websiteAnnouncement for her new book!Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail"At intervals the condor passed, huge as an ocean liner.” Henry Miller in Big Sur and the OrangesBesides marveling at the exceptional beauty and almost mysterious power of these amazing birds Joe Burnett and I discuss work in Big Sur and Monterey. We talk about the rebuilding of the Ventana Wildlife Sanctuary after the 2020 Dolan Fire, how the sanctuary supports releasing, feeding, monitoring and recapturing condors to test for lead poisoning—the leading mortality threat—using radio and GPS transmitters to track a flock of 113 birds, including wild-born untagged chicks. VWS outreach now centers on getting ranchers and hunters to switch to non-lead ammunition, which the program helps by providing free ammo, though non-lead .22 availability is a major hurdle. Joe describes vaccinating about 90% of the population against highly pathogenic avian influenza, ongoing disease and blood-lead testing, wildfire impacts, public engagement while tracking birds, and resources and documentaries available through the organization’s website.Thanks for listening!Magnus Ventana Wildlife SocietyThe beautiful documentary Condor CanyonSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThe Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp Foresta New Heyday BookThe Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp WebsiteI sit down with artist, photographer, and author Josie Iselin, and what begins as a conversation about kelp opens into an exploration of the intricate world in the waters just off our coast.Josie traces her own path into that world—from artist to something closer to a naturalist of the shoreline—guided by curiosity, attention, and a willingness to look closely at what most of us walk past. Kelp, in her telling, is not just seaweed but a kind of language: a way of reading the ocean’s health, its rhythms, and its disturbances.We talk about the fragile balance of the kelp forests—about urchin barrens and restoration efforts, including diver-led removal and the promise (and limits) of lab-grown kelp. We touch on kelp’s often overstated role as a carbon sink, I learned the meaning of the “wrack line” as a living archive of the sea, and the ongoing tensions around sea otter reintroduction.Threaded through it all is Josie’s project Above Below: The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp, created with illustrator Ellen Litwiller—first as a digital exploration, now as a beautifully realized book available where books are sold and at the Henry Miller Library.It’s a conversation about paying attention and what the edge of the ocean might still teach us if we take the time to walk down to the shoreline and slow down long enough to see it./MagnusSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAlison van Diggelen – Journalist, interviewer, and author of The Love Project: A Journey of Intimate Conversations.Photo is of Alison and her Mom.Alison's website.Buy "The Love Project" at your local bookstore.May we suggest the Henry Miller Library.>>>>>>>>>>>>>Topics in This EpisodeThe origins of The Love ProjectLove across generationsThe power of listeningStorytelling as connectionLove as a verb (and noun)A Quote from the Episode“Love isn’t something we possess. It’s something we practice.”Final ThoughtWe often speak about love as if it were a feeling that descends upon us like weather, it does, but there's more...Perhaps love encompasses much more— a choice, repeated in small acts, day after day.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailShamergenceThe skeptic asks, “Is it real?” The shaman asks, “Did it help?”COME MEET ROB SOMERS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 21>>>>>>>>>>Carlos CastanedaJoseph CampbellThe SamplesOzymandias >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Shaman, Skeptic, and the Voice in the BellySupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of A Big Sur Podcast, I sit down with Brita Ostrom — longtime Esalen resident and author of Steeped: A Big Sur Elixir of Sulfur and Sage.Brita’s life bridges several revolutions at once: the islands of the Pacific Northwest, the Haight-Ashbury explosion of 1966–67, the psychedelic and political turbulence of the Summer of Love, and the early, formative years of the Esalen Institute.We talk about Haight Street — the overwhelming beauty of it all: the posters, the music, the saturated colors. And later, how the fog began to settle in. About sidewalks so crowded you could barely move, and children who quietly went missing. About free love and jealousy, about massage tables and incense, about the uneasy dance between material success and spiritual seeking.Brita describes arriving at Esalen for the first time — the candlelit baths, the shock of nakedness, the silkiness of sulfur water against cold skin. She reflects on figures like Fritz Perls, Storm, and Lars — and on what it meant to come of age inside a cultural experiment that promised liberation but carried its own tensions and blind spots.This is not nostalgia. It is a reckoning.What does it mean to “drop out”? What does it cost? What does it give?What remains when the fog clears?Brita’s memoir is a meditation on community, intimacy, ritual, and the long arc of a life shaped by Big Sur’s muse-like pull.As she writes in her dedication:“Dedicated to those who walk this earth while gazing at the stars.”I hope you’ll enjoy this thoughtful, tender, and at times unsparing conversation.— MagnusEsalen InstituteHaight-AshburyGolden Gate ParkHenry Miller Memorial LibraryPeople MentionedFritz PerlsAlan WattsEbba MalmborgCarlos CastanedaCesar ChavezKen KeseyDennis MurphySelig MorgenrathBands of the Era (Referenced in the Conversation)Grateful DeadJefferson AirplaneMoby GrapeQuicksilver Messenger ServiceThe CharlatansSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAndrew Munn in conversation!Deep Listening, Between Cage and Wagner, from Silence to Parsifal. Listening for the unheard, where sound becomes ceremony.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Links to more on what we spoke of:ANDREW MUNNShort video from the HMML performance.Peter MatteiJohn CagePauline OliverosDeep ListeningRami SarieddeineShanghai Concert HallTanglewoodParsifalMagic FluteElektraSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThe Ballad of Kendra and Matt (or, The Song That Never Made It to the PA)  A neighborhood celebration, a home-recorded love song, a forgotten “play” button — and a reminder that even when things go sideways, community and humor always find a way. Magnus tells the true story behind a tune that almost didn’t get heard — until now.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailA clown stands alone… somewhere between Henry Miller and Samuel Beckett… somewhere between laughter and the cosmic void.Henry Miller once said, “A clown is a poet in action.” Today, that poet is Kangalee—the one-man actor and director—returning to the stage with a new mono-drama that refuses to stay in one world. Silent film. Revolutionary vaudeville. Delirious mime. Poetry. Nirvana.This is the modern holy fool—not Keaton, but Kangalee—struggling, leaping, breaking through to offer us something sacred.And for the first time in America, Henry Miller’s most mysterious story comes alive on stage in Smile: A Clown’s Ascension — based on The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder.This episode is a conversation with Kangalee! Please visit:Kangalee Arts EnsembleHM 21 SymposiumWith support form the Arts Council of Monterey CountySupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAuthor-photographer Josh Jackson grew up camping the Midwest’s state-parks but it wasn’t until he had moved to California, and after the birth of his third child, in 2015—when every California campground was booked solid—that a friend uttered the words “BLM land.” One spur-of-the-moment trip to the Trona Pinnacles cracked open a new universe: 15 million acres of under-sung, “left-over” public land in California alone. Over the next decade Jackson made pandemic-era pilgrimages to deserts, sagebrush plateaus, and the Lost Coast’s King Range, keeping a field journal, hauling a camera, and gradually uncovering two intertwined stories:A Scrappy, Essential Landscape – Bureau of Land Management parcels host wild‐and‐scenic rivers, endangered species, Indigenous cultural sites, and 60+ first-come camps where solitude still reigns.A Perpetual Target – From the Sagebrush Rebellion to Senator Mike Lee’s 2025 amendments that would auction up to 1.2 million acres, BLM lands survive only by “enduring” repeated sell-off and extraction threats.The Enduring Wild braids those threads—personal awakening, ecological portraits, Indigenous history, and political urgency—into 100 photographs and 45 k words aimed at turning anonymity into affection. Jackson’s thesis echoes Baba Dioum: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love.” His book is an invitation to know, love, and therefore defend America’s most overlooked public commons.Come down to the Henry Miller Library - browse and buy your copy ofThe Enduring Wild. Wallace Stegner;These are some of the things wilderness can do for us. That is the reason we need to put into effect, for its preservation, some other principle that the principles of exploitation or "usefulness" or even recreation. We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in. For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope.https://psych.utah.edu/_resources/documents/psych4130/Stenger_W.pdfSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThis episode is a particularly tender one. I had the privilege of speaking with Patte Kronlund whose husband, Butch, recently passed away after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Patte and I have an open, heartfelt conversation—one marked by courage, honesty, and that shows Patte's extraordinary personal strength.She speaks about grief, love, and the quiet acts of devotion that carry us through our darkest times. Her willingness to share such intimate reflections is something I deeply respect, and I think you will, too.There’s of course also much more we could have talked about Patte than what we were able to cover here. For one Patte has been a vital part of our Big Sur community through her work with CABS, and although we touched on that in our conversation, I chose to focus this episode on her personal story. I hope we’ll return to her community work in a future episode.For now, we're simply grateful to Patte—for her openness, for her strength, and for reminding us that even in loss, there can be great beauty and connection. Here's a link to the podcast with Butch.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIf Diablo Canyon stays open, does it open the door for a broader reevaluation of nuclear’s role in the U.S. — or is it a one-off anomaly in a blue state’s climate panic?Talking with  Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow author of "Atomic Dreams: The New Nuclear Evangelists and the Fight for the Future of Energy."What role should nuclear power play in our energy future?Rebecca explores the unlikely resurgence of nuclear power as a climate solution — not through the lens of old Cold War anxieties, but through a new generation of thinkers, engineers, and environmentalists who see splitting the atom as a bridge to a carbon-free future.And here in California, that question hits home. Diablo Canyon — the state’s last operating nuclear plant — was on its way out. Now, it’s looking like it's on its way back in. What changed? And what does that tell us about the shifting cultural and political ground beneath our feet?Stay with us as we explore the strange, complicated afterlife of nuclear power — from protests and policy to power grids and hope.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailEver since she picked up her father’s camera at age twelve, Rachael Short has been captivated by the art of photography. Listen to our conversation to learn more from and about Rachael's remarkable story.LINKS:Relay for RachaelGallery ExposedRachael Short Photography>>>>>>>>>>>SUMMARIES:Rachael's Nature-Inspired Photography JourneyRachael and Magnus reminisced about their past interactions and shared experiences. Rachael, who grew up in Carmel Valley, expressed her gratitude for her upbringing, which included spending time in nature and observing the environment. She credited this upbringing for influencing her photography and creativity. Magnus and Rachael discussed how Rachael's experiences, such as horseback riding and long drives through nature, shaped her perspective and artistic vision.Rachael's Photography Journey and Technical SkillsRachael discusses her early experiences with photography, starting in high school and continuing through her education at Brooks Institute. She was drawn to black and white photography and the darkroom process, which she began learning as a sophomore. Rachael explains that she didn't fully appreciate the significance of famous photographers from her area, like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, until later in her studies. She describes her time at Brooks Institute, where she experienced the transition from film to digital photography, and highlights the technical skills she gained there, particularly in lighting and the zone system. Rachael also mentions her focus on fine art photography and portraiture, which led to her work in wedding photography as a means to fund her artistic pursuits.Neurological Trauma Experiences ComparedRachael and Magnus discussed their experiences with neurological traumas. Rachael shared her vivid memories of a 15-year-old accident that left her paraplegic, while Magnus described his wife's recent stroke. They compared their experiences, noting similarities and differences. Magnus asked Rachael about her memories of the accident and how she has coped with the trauma over the years. Rachael confirmed that she still remembers painful aspects of the accident and has no memory of the first few days in the hospital.Quadriplegia and Community SupportRachael discussed her quadriplegia, emphasizing the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia. She acknowledged the fragility of life and the ongoing challenges of finding the right care to manage her condition. Rachael also expressed gratitude for the community support she receives, particularly through the annual run organized by a core group of friends. Despite the difficulties, she remains hopeful and appreciative of the love and support she receives.Rachael's Photography and New ProjectIn the meeting, Rachael discussed her photography work, including a series of images taken at her grandparents' property after it was sold. She explained the themes of Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn memory of Butch Kronlund, this episode is a replay of a live interview recorded as part of the Under the Persimmon Tree series at the Henry Miller Library.In this conversation, Butch reflects on his early life and upbringing, meeting his beloved wife Patte, and his arrival in Big Sur—where he would go on to lay the foundations of the Post Ranch Inn, collaborate with architect Mickey Muennig on several iconic homes, help build the new Big Sur Health Center, and oversee the rebuilding of the baths at Esalen.We also hear about his more recent efforts to raise and distribute critical funds for community members affected by fires and floods—a testament to his enduring care for the coast and its people.Thanks for listening, and for remembering Butch with us.There will be a celebration of Butch's life in June. Announcement will be forthcoming.Thank you for listening!Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailMary Lu had a stroke* on October 18, 2024. In this episode she speaks of the moment it happened and a bit about the past five months of slow and steady recovery.The episode is followed by a conversation from 2015 where Mary Lu tells of how she got to Big Sur "on the saddle of a Hell's Angel Harley" and what happens after that...>>>>>>>>>* some deatil about the stroke and treatment:Mary Lu had a serious stroke on the right side of her brain. The stroke was caused by a blockage in a major artery (the right internal carotid artery) due to a condition called ICAD (intracranial atherosclerotic disease — meaning hardening and narrowing of arteries inside the brain).At the time of her stroke, shortly after arriving at CHOMP, she was given clot-busting medication (TNK) and also, after flying up to Stanford, underwent a procedure (EVT) where doctors tried to physically remove the blockage. They used a balloon to open up the artery and made three attempts to retrieve the clot, eventually getting partial blood flow back (about 50-70%, known as TICI 2b reperfusion). Unfortunately, there was some bleeding afterward in the area of the brain where she had the stroke, including bleeding into the fluid spaces of the brain (IVH = intraventricular hemorrhage).An MRI before the procedure showed:A major stroke deep in the right side of the brain (basal ganglia area).Some smaller strokes in nearby brain areas (insular and temporal lobes).A small brain bleed in the right frontal area.Ongoing blockage in the main artery supplying the right side of the brain.Cause of Stroke: The stroke likely happened because pieces of plaque from the narrowed artery in her neck broke off and traveled into her brain (called "artery-to-artery embolism").Post-Stroke Symptoms and Recommendations: Mary Lu is dealing with some ongoing issues, including:Sleep problemsPain on the left side of her body (the stroke affected the right side of her brain, which controls the left side of the body)Some vision issuesRecommendations:Drink less water before bedtime to help with sleep.Talk to her primary doctor, Danielle Glazer, about adjusting sleep or nerve pain medications (like Lyrica or Trazodone).Increase movement as much as possible (to help both pain and sleep), and continue physical and occupational therapy.She's been referred to a rehabilitation specialist (PM&R doctor) to help with recovery, and to an eye doctor for her vision problems.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailI just found out that Clovis left us a short time ago. Here in this chat she is sharing some of her stories. There are so many, many people that will miss her and treasure the memory of her. Thank you Clovis. A true 'Big Sur Woman!'SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORSSome of the folks mentioned in this episode:Doug MadsenLolly Fassett Tevye MorgenrathHelen MorgenrathTara MorgenrathHelen Handshy Kim NovakRichard BurtonHelen WestonElizabeth TaylorGorge CholeyDon CaseJohn SteinbeckWing ChongJack CurtisKenny LogginsGrady CookAnthony Quinnetc...Livermoore LedgePeter Melchior Rolfing Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThis years Monterey County Gives Campaign are heading for its final crescendo! Please join us and make it the best so far. We speak to seven of the Big Sur Non Profits who are participating in this years campaign. Click on 'chapters' above for a direct link to each organization.HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL NON PROFITS!Big Sur FireBig Sur Health CenterKeep Big Sur WildCommunity Association of Big SurBig Sur Park SchoolEmile Norman Arts FoundationVentana Wilderness AllianceThe Henry Miller LibraryOther Big Sur nonprofits:The Big Sur GrangeBig Sur Food and WineMid Coast Fire Brigade (with Gives) Ventana Wildlife Society (with Gives) The Big ShareBig Sur River RunRange of the Condor (with Gives) Big Sur Historical SocietyBig Sur MarathonBig Sur SoftballEsselen Tribe of Monterey Countyand more...Previous podcast episodes with some of the guests above:Marcus Foster, Keep Big Sur WildHeather, Heather and Kim of Emile Norman Arts FoundationButch Kronlund of CABSMatt Harris of FIRESharen Carey, Big Sur Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailA wonderful conversation with Jan Straley about Humpbacks, Tide pools, Ed Ricketts, Wave Shocks, her book Ed Ricketts, from Cannery Row to Sitka, Alaska and what it all means!The book: Ed Ricketts, from Cannery Row to Sitka, Alaska is available at the Henry Miller Library.Quick links:John StraleyEd RickettsJohn SteinbeckJoseph CampbellDoc Ricketts LabSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailOn October 7, 2023 Dan woke up to a regular Sabbath in his hometown, Bet Shemesh. It turned out to be something very different than a 'regular' Sabbath!In podcast episode # 76 my good friend Dan Weiss talks about the war in Israel. Dan and I met in Big Sur 30 (or so) years ago. We have stayed in touch ever since. I am proud of my friendship with Dan. This episode is published close to the anniversary of the massacre on Nov 7th, 2024.Today is also close to Rosh Hashanah (October 3-4), a holiday commemorating the “Head of the Year,” marking the beginning of the Jewish calendar.Dan and I speak of some places where we get thoughtful analysis and news:Times of IsraelFor Heaven's SakeCall Me BackDexter Filkins on the Honestly PodcastMordechai KedarThe Daily BriefingThank you for listening!Leonard Cohen Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailRemarkable that we found this file just at this time! In it John tells us about his Big Sur life and, towards the end, he speaks of his pilot for a beautiful movie he was dreaming of making with the sign language as the main protagonist... This also just in time for our memorial service/gathering on Wednesday, September 25. Please let us know you are coming here!Check out the previous episode with John.Folks mentioned by John are, among others:David LindleyKay ShortChicken RichardMargaret OwingsLeon Panetta (the CIA spy!)Mike MahoneyJeff NormanRosaliaRamonMel KelmThe story of Neil Young...Chris RobinsonRick RosasCarl Hartman...and many others...Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailStephen D. Edington, a Unitarian Universalist minister, discusses his personal journey and the influence of Jack Kerouac on his spiritual beliefs. Good links:Register for the event on August 30 at the Henry Miller LibraryLowell Celebrates Kerouac Unitarian Universalist FaithBooks by Steve EdingtonSummaryStephen D Edington, a Unitarian Universalist minister, discusses his personal journey and the influence of Jack Kerouac on his spiritual beliefs. He shares how he transitioned from a conservative Baptist upbringing to a more liberal interpretation of Christianity and eventually found his place in the Unitarian Universalist faith. Steve explains his belief in a higher power and the importance of self-discovery in his spiritual journey. He also discusses his involvement in the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac festival and the continued interest in Kerouac's writings among different generations. Jack Kerouac was a complex figure who embodied multiple identities and roles. He was seen as an intellectual, spiritual, romantic, and cultural icon. While he was not overtly political, he had revolutionary and messianic qualities. Kerouac was both an intellectual and an athlete, excelling in academics and sports. His driving force was his duty to write, which he considered his purpose on Earth. He sought recognition as a major American writer and inspired others to pursue their own creative journeys. Kerouac's life ended tragically, but his writing continues to inspire and resonate with readers.Sound Bites!"I was raised in a pretty conservative Baptist church in southern West Virginia.""I believe there is some reality or some power that is greater than myself.""I've always felt like I've been on some kind of a journey of discovery throughout my life.""He's an intellectual, he is spiritual, he is romantic.""He might have blanched a little bit at political.""He was both intellectual and athlete."Below is the Kerouac presentation/sermon Steve Edington will be presenting at the Palo Alto Unitarian Universalist Church on the 25th of August.Why Jack Kerouac MattersIn 1988 I came to Nashua, New Hampshire to begin what turned out to be a 24 year ministry with the Unitarian Universalist Church there. One of my colleagues in our district ministers’ chapter was your minister, Amy Morgenstern, who was serving a congregation in Vermont. She eventually made her way westward here to Palo Alto, and I stayed in New England. We’ve kept up our friendship over the years. One of our points of connection was and is our affinity for some of the Beat Generation writers; and, for me, Jack Kerouac in particular. I don’t think Amy became the “Kero—wacko” that I have become, but we have a Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailSpeaking with Patrick Brown of the Breakthrough Institute about wildfire mitigation, fuel reduction, science and its malcontents, and much more.LINKS:Forget Adapting to Climate Change, We Must First Adapt to the Climate We HaveThe Social Feedback Loops That Constrain Climate ScienceWhen Science Journals Become ActivistsWildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center, San Jose Univ.Forget Adapting to Climate ChangeAn Ecomodernist ManifestoSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailGood links:Don Usner's websiteBig Creek ReserveKen NorrisIn The Rough Land To The SouthIf you don't have a copy of The Natural History of Big Sur please stop in at the Henry Miller Library we try to always keep it in stock!Some of the people mentioned:Linus PaulingLucille PackardThe Harlan FamilyAlisa FinemanSam, Frank and Walter TrotterSteve Harperet. al.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailA history and insight into the life of a monk and the history of the New Camaldoli Hermitage courtesy author, gardener and mother of four, Paula Huston.LINKSThe Hermits of Big Sur WebsiteThe Books by Paula HustonMusic of Silence: A Sacred Journey through the Hours of the DaySupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn 1984 Sharen came to Big Sur and since then she has been proving Big Sur with excellent healthcare. It was an honor for me to speak with her.Please email with any questions, suggestions etc. Thanks for listening!BIG SUR HEALTH CENTERSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailNew Title by Elizabeth Weiss: On the Warpath: My Battles With Indians, Pretendians, and Woke Warriors. Previous podcast episode with Elizabeth WeissElizabeth at the Heterodox AcademyRecent article in the NY PostMagnus reached out to the faculty at Anthropology Dept. and received no response or a response saying "I decline" with a referral to the "University Media Dept." who said "the university is unable to comment at this time."Read: Indigenous Activists Are Targeting My Research. My Own University Is Helping ThemRead: https://www.nas.org/academic-questions/36/4/stanford-academic-freedom-conferenceRead: https://historyreclaimed.co.uk/repatriation-of-artefacts-a-recipe-for-disaster/Read: There’s no such thing as a nonbinary skeletonWatch: Combatting Cancel CultureWatch: https://historyreclaimed.co.uk/webinar-indigenous-slavery-in-america-and-america/Read:  Anthropology prof loses Twitter account after woke pushback>>>>>>>>>>>>Here are links to some papers of interest in the context:Homeschooling: A Tool Against Indoctrination, by Elizabeth WeissStatement on Human RemainsOpen Letter to University Press of FloridaAn Open Letter to the SAA President, Board of Directors and Executive DirectorReview of Jennifer Raff's, A Genetic History of the AmericasElizabeth Weiss' Response regarding a photo with a skullSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailBreakfast at Deetjen's with Shelley Newell(episode is unexpurgated and approved by the authority)I so thoroughly enjoyed this episode! Her ability to recall so many characters and stories through the years in such vivid detail was incredible. I loved hearing all of the background sounds over breakfast at Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn! / Stephanie Ann RiggsPlaces etc.:MennonitesDarwinThe Big ShareSorta GordaNepentheRiver InnThe Thought Dial by Sydney OmarrSandy Ingerman 'Medicine for The EarthThe Way of The Shaman by Michael HarnerThe Stone HouseSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWe lost Iguana John Thursday morning, May 23. He died from heart failure at the Community Hospital. John was born John Carlin in January of 1956. Many of us here in Big Sur have been touched by John. He did indeed have an Iguana on his shoulder for many years. Both his parents were deaf so John signed fluent ALS (American sign language). He lived for many years at Kay Shorts house in Coastlands, he also lived on Pfeiffer Ridge and for the past several years he was the caretaker at the Henry Miller Library. Seeing him sign with deaf guests at the library is unforgettable. He came to life with the love of 'speaking' in the way he knew so well. We love John and we miss him.John leaves behind his sister Sheryl Pierce, his brother Paul Carlin, and his niece Nicole Burnett.At the time of writing this there's no plan yet for a memorial gathering. If and when that happens it will be announced on Big Sur local social media sites.The audio you hear is John and Magnus driving to the hospital at a previous occasion./Magnus PS. John lived in his van for the past 12 years or so. He was a war veteran, a short stint in Vietnam. He had little Buddha’s and prayer flags placed inside his van in several places. He thought of a spiritual realm through the teachings of the Buddha.Portrait of John by Dan BernSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailSome of the people and places we touch on:Jeff NormanPeter CummingsGary BreschiniTrudy HaversatTerry JonesAlfred KroeberJ.P. HarringtonThe Rat Creek FireFort Hunter LiggettButterflies in Big SurBig Sur Watersheds FairWatershed as an idea/conceptCB-handles:The Green PeaThe HookRed TailSticky WicketBig Sur thirty years from nowTHANK YOU DAVE!Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWhere to find the best weather forecast and why it is always right. What about the Big Sur weather?Will we survive the upcoming weather?Plus many more questions answered by: Author and Earth Scientist William Selby!www.rediscoveringthegoldenstate.com>>>>>>>>>>National Weather ServiceBjorn LomborgSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailEasterine KireNagalandSky is My Father by Easterine KireNaga Voices from the War, a presentation by Easterine Kire__________Early impressions of Nagaland / short video Talking to you from a rooftop in Viswema / short video __________Languages disappearing__________Writers we mention:Chinua Achebe, NigeriaNgugi wa Thiongo, NigeriaAmos Tutuola, Nigeria (YORUBA)Hugh MacLennan, CanadaSigrid Undset, NorwayKarin Fossum, Norway_____________Thank you Easterine!Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAn unusual episode recorded in Dibrugarh, Shiyong and Mokokchung. Town and villages in NE India.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailKerri Frangioso / Rizzo Lab.Kerri Frangioso / UC DavisPlant Pathology / DavisSudden Oak Death Task Force>>>>>>>The Jade FestivalBig Creek ReserveWhite Stag>>>>>>>Sudden Oak Blitz, April 29thEssalen Tribe Soberanes FireTelephone LandlineSatellitethe ‘Hoist’280 plots! Prudoe BayCosta RicaFood suppliesFire preventionGardeningWater and gravityPampasInvasive SpeciesLUPMadrones excude sap and its yummy!Peacocks!Santa Lucia FirSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailI have Magnus Norell and Ricki Neuman, both from Sweden,  with me for this episode. We are talking about what is going on in Israel and Gaza.Magnus NorellRicki Neuman>>>>>>>I mention:Raja Shehadeh.  Yossi Klein Halevi(We carry titles by both Shehadeh and Halevi at the Library)SderotSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailA conversation with the author Chad Hanson, PhDThe short musical intro is: CANYON live at Nepenthe’s Halloween Bal Masqué 2002. Important links for further information:The John Muir ProjectBig Sur FireFire Adapted Big SurFire in Paradise, PBS, FrontlineSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailTo Mom & Pop, who brought me up to believe I could become anything. I don’t think they meant a snake biologist. But here we are... / E. Taylor>>>>>>> A conversation with Dr Emily Taylor about snakes and her upcoming book: California Snakes & How To Find Them.>>>>>>>Professor of Biological SciencesInterim Associate Dean, Bailey College of Science and MathematicsDirector, Physiological Ecology of Reptiles Laboratorywww.EmilyTaylorScience.comHow to be a HerpetologistSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailSam Goldeen lived for many years on Partington Ridge in Big Sur. He loved it here and "A Big Sur Podcast" is proud of having his voice be part of what we have to share! Sam's obituary in the Pine Cone.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailA conversation with Andrew Schelling and Mary Kerr.Please make a Reservation for the event on February 24LINKS:The recorded Indian Tales from KPFAJaime DeAnguloFranz BoasAlfred KroeberCarl JungMabel Dodge LuhanYanko VardaEdward SapirMusic clip:  KÁRUK "LUCK SONG" - Brian Tripp, Káruk ArtistSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailRichard Halsey is the director of the California Chaparral Institute and an activist concerned about the way that we approach fire safety.We have a conversation that may raise some questions (and eyebrows) about how we protect our homes from fire.About the Lawsuit against CalFire>>>>>>>Alternative? Monterey Fire Safe Council.Catastrophic Wildfire Report>>>>>>>Big Sur Land Use Plan>>>>>>>'Laws that interfere with preparing for wildfires.'Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailA conversation with Jan Austin and Chris Tenney authors and photographers of the recently published BUTTERFLIES of Monterey County. montereybutterflies.onlineThe Book>>>>>>>>>>>North American Butterfly Association>>>>>>>>>>>Episode photo by Jan Austin Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailTreebones ResortPacific YurtsTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles>>>>>Thank you John and Corinne!Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThanks to Martin Gurri and Discourse Magazine for allowing me to share Mr Gurri's article.Here's a link to the published version on Discourse website.Listen to episode 55 with Martin GurriVisit:Martin GurriDiscourse MagazineSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailMagnus sits down (as a follow-up to the recent episode with Marcus Foster) with David Smiley, a Big Sur local with many years of experience serving on the LUAC (the Big Sur land use advisory committee). Brief cameo appearance from David's bunk buddy Mary Ann Vasconcellos! >>>>>Episode 80 with Marcus FosterKeep Big Sur WildBig Sur Multi Agency CouncilBig Sur Land Use Plan Update (draft)Big Sur Land Use Advisory Committee (LUAC)It is with gratitude and sadness we remember Mary Trotter who passed on September 7.  In this issue of the Carmel Pine Cone you can read about Mary............SUPPORT THE LIBRARY AND PODCAST AT MONTEREY COUNTY GIVES!.............Our discussion takes a deeper look at the enforcement of the Big Sur land use plan. The roles of the Monterey County, the Coastal Commission, and local groups in these preservation efforts. We touch upon the significance of political engagement, the noticeable absence of a dedicated defender for the plan, and the rise of the group Keep Big Sur Wild.We conclude our episode with a brief chat about memorable experiences and cultural events in Big Sur. From the BiGSuRCuS event to the Poetry in Motion event.It's not just about the land; it's about the spirit of Big Sur which is celebrated through events like these. Join us as we celebrate the unique beauty of Big Sur, the community's efforts to protect it, and our hopes for its future preservation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in land use, preservation, and the extraordinary character of Big Sur.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailA journey into the heart of Big Sur by way of a conversation with Marcus Foster, a Big Sur local and advocate/activist. Please join us. We talk of the Big Sur Land Use Plan (LUP) and  discuss its critical role in upholding Big Sur's unique promise.Marcus tells of his personal transformation from a passive observer to a proactive guardian of the land, reveals how the increasing visitation, powered by social media promotion, presents an increased set of challenges. LINKS:Keep Big Sur WildBig Sur Multi Agency CouncilBig Sur Land Use Plan Update (draft)...........SUPPORT THE LIBRARY AND PODCAST AT MONTEREY COUNTY GIVES!.............We discuss the early residents' sacrifices and the contemporary stakeholders' battle to keep Big Sur wild for future generations.We explore the friction between business growth and conservation, we also touch upon controversial topics such as light pollution from resorts and from new residential development. Marcus stress the significance of raising awareness among tourists and potential property buyers about the regulations that are in place. This episode is a call to arms - to recognize, respect, and protect the unique, breathtaking beauty of Big Sur. Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailCharles Ficat of Editions Bartillat in Paris and Michael Paduano, PhD student at Université de Lorraine, in a conversation with Magnus about the brand new French edition of Quiet Days in Clichy!    w/ Special guest Al Rose!We mention:Michael Paduano's first appearance.Michael Paduano's second appearance!BrassaîWalter BenjaminPier Paolo PasoliniGertrude SteinBob Dylan George Hoffman - AgentQuiet Days in Clichy Danish Film(Soundtrack by Country Joe!)Quiet Days in Clichy French/English FilmQuiet Days in Clichy American HBO FilmAl Rose!...........SUPPORT THE LIBRARY AND A BIG SUR PODCAST AT MONTEREY COUNTY GIVES! Thank you! Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThe Burden of Joy by 'our own' Lexi Kent-Monning.A wonderful conversation about writing, life, relationships and The Burden of Joy! We are sitting by the creek back in the Redwood canyon.Please join us!>>>>>>>>Lexi's main site online LA Review of BooksPlease email us with your thoughts!>>>>>>>>“Never before has the wreckage of a failed marriage been more brutally and bloodily documented. The candidness with which Lexi writes about this terrible time in her life is a thing of dark beauty. The Burden of Joy is truly an incredibly brave piece of work.”— Ben Gibbard, Death Cab for Cutie/The Postal Service...........PLEASE:SUPPORT THE LIBRARY AND "A BIG SUR PODCAST" AT MONTEREY COUNTY GIVES!Thank you!Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAs Principal Ecologist and Designer at RANA, Paul is sought after as a pioneer and innovator of living architectural systems, a thought-leader in ecological design, and a dedicated horticulturalist. He has consulted on many groundbreaking and iconic projects, including large-scale living roofs and living walls, site master plans, and cumulative restoration of many thousands of acres of grassland, wetland and coastal landscapes in the Western U.S.ALSO THE FOUNDER OF NUTJOBS!Paul has a deep history and love affair with the Big Sur landscape - listen to this episode and you'll find out. He did a classic 60's drop-out trip and landed in paradise!LINKS:RANA: The cohabitat companyShort bio of Paul Kepharthttps://nutjobs.com/Some of the folks mentioned:Vern YadonAlso LepoldDavid PackardVern YadonJudith GoodmanBig Sur Historical SocietyConnie McCoyThe Harlan familyLinus PaulingLarry FordDon UsnerJeff Normanand more...(-:Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]

Send us Fan MailOn October 7 Dan woke up to a regular Sabbath in his hometown, Bet Shemesh. It turned out to be something very different than a 'regular' Sabbath!My good friend Dan Weiss talks about the current war in Israel. Dan and I met in Big Sur 30 (or so) years ago. We have stayed in touch ever since. I am proud of my friendship with him. Dan is married with four children and the past several weeks have been very difficult for him and his family and people.I hope you will listen. I think it is important to consider what Dan has to say./MagnusSEND US AN EMAIL!  😊[email protected] the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!  😊 [email protected]