A Big Sur Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Magnus, a secular Swede in Big Sur, speaks with Father Cyprian Consiglio — musician, Camaldolese monk, former prior of New Camaldoli, and now Secretary General of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue in Rome — about vocation, music, solitude, Rome, Iran, God, and why real love may simply mean: “I’ll be here tomorrow.” >>>>>>>>> Magnus speaks with Father Cypr...

Send us Fan Mail From Tehran to the Akasha: Rohini Moradi on grief, ancient wisdom, and the search for meaning Raised in a Hindu temple in Tehran before emigrating to the United States, Rohini Moradi brings an unusually personal perspective to ideas that are often presented only as modern spirituality. Meet Rohini Moradi at the Henry Miller Library on July 14 for a book reading. Reserve your spot...

Send us Fan Mail Travel writer, guidebook author, former Big Sur ranger, and old friend, Stuart Thornton, returns to Big Sur—at least in spirit—to reflect on a career spent encouraging people to visit the very places he sometimes wishes they would leave alone.  We talk about discovering California's coast, writing guidebooks, the challenge of over tourism, and whether AI will help travelers f...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Magnus has a conversation with Carol Olson, Executive Director of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance, about wilderness, responsibility, and the increasingly difficult art of protecting a place people love. GOOD LINKS: Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act Full text — Congress.gov Public Law details — GovInfo Summary — Ventana Wilderness Alliance Ventana Wilderness A...

Send us Fan Mail In 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,...

Send us Fan Mail A conversation with artist Katie Holten about life and art, climate and action, walking and inaction! Katie's website Announcement 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 E...

Send us Fan Mail "At intervals the condor passed, huge as an ocean liner.” Henry Miller in Big Sur and the Oranges Besides 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,...

Send us Fan Mail The Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp Forest a New Heyday Book The Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp Website I 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 natu...

Send us Fan Mail Alison 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 Episode The origins of The Love Project Love...

Send us Fan Mail Shamergence The skeptic asks, “Is it real?”  The shaman asks, “Did it help?” COME MEET ROB SOMERS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 21 >>>>>>>>>> Carlos Castaneda Joseph Campbell The Samples Ozymandias >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Shaman, Skeptic, and the Voice in the Belly Support the show ________________________________________...

Send us Fan Mail In 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...

Send us Fan Mail Andrew 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 MUNN Short video from the HMML performance. Peter Matte i John Cage Pauline Oliveros Deep Listening Rami Sarieddeine Shanghai C...

Send us Fan Mail The 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 __________________________________...

Send us Fan Mail 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 !  😊 magnus@henrymiller.org FaceBook Instagram

Send us Fan Mail A 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. Nirv...

Send us Fan Mail Author-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-...

Send us Fan Mail This 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 dev...

Send us Fan Mail If 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 explore...

Send us Fan Mail Ever 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 Rachael Gallery Exposed Rachael Short Photography >>>>>>>>>>> SUMMARIES: Rachael's Nature-Inspired Photography Journey...

Send us Fan Mail In 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...

Send us Fan Mail Mary 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... >>>>>>>>&gt...

Send us Fan Mail I 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 NEIGHBORS Some of the folks mentioned in this episode: Doug Madsen Lolly Fassett Tevye Morgenrath Helen Mor...

Send us Fan Mail This 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 Fire Big Sur Health Center K...

Send us Fan Mail A 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 Straley Ed Ricketts John Steinbeck Joseph Campbell Doc Ricketts Lab Support the show _____...

Send us Fan Mail On 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...