

Burning Man LIVE
Burning Man Project
Meet those who make Burning Man happen, beyond the desert and out in the world. Artists, activists, and innovators. Builders and Burners, freaks and fools. Burning Man floats on a sea of stories, and the Burning Man LIVE podcast is a plucky little boat with a microphone.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 10, 2021 • 59min
Danger Ranger
Michael Mikel, better known as Danger Ranger, is a founder of Burning Man and a catalyst for creative pranks and social change. In this engaging conversation, he shares unheard anecdotes from his journey, including the origins of the Cacophony Society and its legendary prank culture. Discussions revolve around the societal impact of consumerism, the evolution of Burning Man from a beach bonfire to a nonprofit, and the importance of face-to-face community in a digital age. Prepare for laughs, thought-provoking insights, and a look at the future of this iconic celebration.

Oct 13, 2021 • 53min
Stories Around The Burn Barrel
Miss swapping stories around a fire? Start a show and name it The Burn Barrel. Know people you’d like to know better? Ask for the whole long story, and share it with the world.Stuart Mangrum talks with Doxie from Detroit, Kay Morrison and Peter Durand about creating their long-form story show to keep us all connected until our next free-form social.This episode includes stories aboutDoxie & Burner Exchange: South African artist Braai describes the participant exchange between AfrikaBurn and Michigan’s “Lakes of Fire,” thanks to Chicago Regional Contact Richard "Heyu" Kelly (RIP)Rebecca & Jess: Directors of the Flux Foundation share about the Flaming Lotus Girls and their reluctant, triumphant Temple at Black Rock CityMolly Vikart: The tale of Herman the Dog, Burning Man Project’s Director of MarketingLIVE@BURNINGMAN.ORGLIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG
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Sep 29, 2021 • 52min
Philosophy Smackdown with Jason Silva
Stuart and Andie talk with Jason Silva, philosopher, futurist, and host of National Geographic’s Brain Games, and the Shots of Awe video channel. Their talk is a wild ride through the nature of reality. It’s a mind-melting mind-meld of meanings as burners and as earthlings. They discuss life, death and how a bicycle can induce synchronicity. They explore how psychedelics cause pivotal mental states of suggestibility to brainwash ourselves for the better, or succumb to delusional thinking, or both.They paradoxically try to schedule nowness, and control ecstatic surrender. And if you listen closely, you may hear a love story hidden between all the philosophy quotations. Finally, they explore key ingredients to Burning Man’s secret sauce that doesn’t exist. But then again, does existence even exist? thisisjasonsilva.comJason Silva: Shots of Awe (youtube)Burning Man Synchronicities: What are "Playa Moments"? (youtube)LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG
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Sep 15, 2021 • 46min
Boundless Space: The Sotheby’s Experiment
Sotheby’s is exhibiting and auctioning the work of 180 artists from around the world inspired by Burning Man culture. More than a third are women, and more than a third are people of color. Sculptures, paintings and photographs, as well as experiences, mutant vehicles, and NFTs. It’s a collaboration and a collision. It’s an experiment with an institution historically known for overt commodification. It’s an appreciation of art based on intrinsic aesthetic value. It's a nod to artists. Stuart talks with Kim Cook, Director of Creative Initiatives for Burning Man Project, the bold lead on this partnership for advancing a values-based culture, and embracing the beastly art marketplace while being pro-artist, anti-racist, and taking not taking ourselves too seriously seriously.https://www.sothebys.com/en/digital-catalogues/boundless-space-the-possibilities-of-burning-manhttps://journal.burningman.org/boundlessspace/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNuj5XWFAK4
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Sep 1, 2021 • 59min
The 10 Principles in Modern Times (IRL & in VR)
Larry Harvey wrote the 10 Principles 18 years ago, after the Man had been burning for just as many years. The 10 Principles weigh in at only 412 words total, and yet the interpretations and translations develop and deepen the global community. This is a deep dive into how the 10 Principles apply in modern times, in real life and in virtual reality.Stuart talks with:Athena Demos, a 15 year Burning Man organizer and Producer of BRCvrStephen Raspa, Associate Director of Community Events for Burning Man ProjectThis talk reveals dynamic facets of the text.burningman.org/culture/philosophical-center/10-principlesbrcvr.org/10-principles-of-burning-manlaburningman.comvirtualburnevents.burningman.orgjournal.burningman.org/author/smangrumjournal.burningman.org/author/raspaathenademos.com/about-meLIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG
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Aug 18, 2021 • 1h 4min
Narrative: Control & Liberty Through Stories
Guest host Rosie von Lila takes us on a journey through the form and formation of the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we teach, the stories we collectively assume are true. She explores the narratives of conflict and collaboration, of domination and partnership, and how they shape and shift the self and the culture. She speaks with Caveat Magister, Burning Man philosopher and author of "The Scene That Became Cities" and "Turn Your Life Into Art"Catherine Connors, author & CEO of The League of Badass WomenHarley K Dubois, Chief Transition Officer of Burning Man Project Neil Shister, journalist & author of Radical Ritual: How Burning Man Changed the World Quest Skinner, Washington DC-based artist & activist Riane Eisler, social systems scientist & cultural historian Zach Bell, Founder & Editor of RETURN salon discussions Stuart Mangrum’s in there too. And YOU if you choose.LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG
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Aug 4, 2021 • 60min
Burning Sustainably Part 2: The Road to Regeneration
You and I, we have living laboratories for embracing new ways to do the Earthling thing. They are Black Rock City, Fly Ranch, and 90-something regional events around the world. The Burning Man community is vast, diverse, and creative - and can ripple out a cultural shift around new technologies and practices. The 2030 Environmental Sustainability Roadmap declared that in the next 8 years we will become carbon negative and regenerative. How can we make it better for the ecology for Burning Man to exist, than for it not to exist?Stuart talks with the champions of these goals about how. Christopher Breedlove, Director of Civic ActivationLaura Day, Associate Director of Event OperationsMatt Sundquist, Director of the Fly Ranch ProjectMedium: Burning Man Project: 2030 Environmental Sustainability RoadmapBurning Man Journal: Year Two Update: Progress On BMP’s Sustainability RoadmapBurners Without Borders: The Green Theme Camp CommunityGreening Your BurnFor more, listen to Part 1 with David Festa, Senior Advisor of Sustainability and Philanthropy.
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Jul 29, 2021 • 42min
Burning Sustainably Part 1: We Can, We Will, We Must
The end of the world? we have been practicing for decades. As more people look down the barrel of climate change, we have something to say (and do) about it. What must change for it to be better for the ecology for Burning Man to exist, than for it not to exist?Our 2030 Environmental Sustainability Roadmap declared that in a half dozen years we will become carbon negative and regenerative. How? Stuart talks with David Festa, who brings 30 years of experience to figure out how. Black Rock City and regional events around the world are unique test beds, living laboratories for embracing new technologies and practices. The Burning Man community is vast, diverse, and creative - and can ripple out into the culture to help induce a new era. Medium: Burning Man Project: 2030 Environmental Sustainability RoadmapBurning Man Journal: Year Two Update: Progress On BMP’s Sustainability RoadmapStay tuned for part 2, the Road to Regeneration, with Laura Day, Associate Director of Event OperationsChristopher Breedlove, Director of Civic ActivationMatt Sundquist, Director of the Fly Ranch Project
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Jul 13, 2021 • 48min
Turn Your Life Into Art With Caveat Magister
You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll believe in love.Stuart and Andie take a wild ride with author and philosopher Caveat Magister. They discuss how to transform daily life with psychomagical experiences. They illustrate the power of art, ritual and play, and the magic of love. They reveal the secret sauce of Black Rock City, and the triumphs and failures of experience design. They explain engineered disperfection, miracles without religion, and nightlife as a spiritual pursuit. Caveat is one of the few who comprise the Philosophical Center of Burning Man Project. For a dozen years he has been a people-person at BRC’s Media Mecca, then the lead writer for Burning Man’s education program, then the author of a book about Burning Man culture. His new book is a deeper cut on the phenomenon: “Turn Your Life Into Art: Lessons in Psychomagic from the San Francisco Underground.”journal.burningman.org/author/cmagisterfascinatingstranger.comThe Scene That Became Cities: What Burning Man Philosophy Can Teach Us About Building Better Communitiestwitter.com/BenjaminWachsLIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG
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May 27, 2021 • 54min
Art Happens No Matter What
Life happens. Art happens with life. The arts are a big impact area of Burning Man culture. Burning Man Project funds artists each year through our Global Arts Grants and BRC Honoraria. The pandemic put a pause on 2020 grants. Now with no Black Rock City for a second year, we feared the arts grants would also be a no. However, thanks to generous philanthropy, Burning Man Project is funding a million dollars to 59 art installations from eight countries and 14 US States, for placement wherever is clever. Bringing the art to the people!Stuart and Andie talk with “Weapons Grade” aka Gloria Beck, senior project manager of Burning Man’s Art Support Services. They also speak with 4 of the recipients of this year’s Global Arts Grants: Jen Lewin, Cosmos (New York, NY) jenlewinstudio.comJules Nelson-Gal, Unbound (San Francisco, CA) unboundarts.orgAntwane Lee, The Solar Shrine (Chicago, IL) solarshrine.orgLeeroy New, (Manilla, Philippines) leeroynew.comThey tell tales of getting things done when things are tough to do. They talk out how the pandemic pivot affects the artistic process. They share about creating art from kitchens and bedrooms, to TikTok and virtual reality - and the magic born from people exploring interactive art in public spaces. “I'm just fascinated by how diverse the world is and how diverse people are in their abilities. This is highlighting human ability.” Jules Nelson-Gal
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