A Big Sur Podcast
Magnus Toren, host
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About This Podcast
A Big Sur Podcast
An ongoing conversation with people from near and far about Big Sur's past, present, and future. A Big Sur Podcast interprets “community” to mean ALL people from around the world who are curious about, and who care about, the preservation and restoration of the wild and rural character of Big Sur. Stories are told by visitors and residents, plumbers and linesmen, musicians and authors, dancers and jugglers and others. Sometimes we drift (way) off-topic into the arts, sciences, personal stories, gossip, politics, philosophy, ornithology, Henry Miller, and our zeitgeist in general. We like that!
The opinions expressed here belong to the people who express them. They may or may not line up with yours, mine, or your neighbor’s — and that’s exactly the point. Different perspectives, lived experiences, and even wildly clashing views are what make conversations worth listening to: enriching, infuriating, life-affirming, and sometimes all three at once.
If you are planning a visit to Big Sur and you listen to some of the folks on this Podcast talk about their love of the place your visit will probably be a lot more rewarding. Please email [email protected] with any comments, critique & suggestions.
Music intro clip courtesy John Holm: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0Rh2QU
Sound editing software by Hindenburg: https://hindenburg.com/
Please support the podcast by making a donation to the Henry Miller Library, a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization. Thank you!
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Recent Episodes
What Are We Really Protecting? Carol Olson, Wilderness, and the Future of Big Sur
Send us Fan MailIn this episode Magnus has a conversation with Carol Olson, Executive Director of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance, about wilderness, responsibility, and the increasingly difficult art…
S4E125 # 125 OUT OF THE SKY by Matti Friedman
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…
S1E124 # 124 The Language of Trees — and the World We’ve Forgotten How to Read
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…
S1E123 # 123 "Condors: Guardians of the Wild" with Joe Burnett
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…
S1E122 # 122 Help Kelp: The Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp Forest with Josie Iselin
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…
S1E121 # 121 Love, Love, Love: Alison van Diggelen on 'The Love Project.'
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…
S1E120 # 120 Shamergence by Rob Somers
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…
S1E119 # 119 Walking Toward the Stars — A Conversation with Brita Ostrom (Öström)
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…
S1E118 # 118 Andrew Munn: From Experimental Sound to Operatic Myth
Send us Fan MailAndrew Munn in conversation!Deep Listening, Between Cage and Wagner, from Silence to Parsifal. Listening for the unheard, where sound becomes…
S1E117 # 117 Kendra and Matt: Here's Your Song!
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…
S1E116 # 116 Steve Beck, Master Gardener
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…
S1E115 # 115 Kangalee & The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder
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,…
S1E114 # 114 The ENDURING WILD: Journeys Beyond the National Parks with author Josh Jackson.
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…
# 113 Patte Kronlund, speaking of love and loss.
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…
S1E112 # 112 Atomic Dreams: The New Nuclear Evangelists and the Fight for the Future of Energy
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 …
S1E111 # 111 RELAY FOR RACHAEL. A conversation with photographer, neighbor and dear friend Rachael Short.
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…
S1E110 # 110 Butch Kronlund (Jan. 7, 1955 - Feb. 1, 2025) from 'Under the Persimmon Tree' September 29, 2019.
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,…
S1E109 # 109 Rode in on a Hell's Angel Harley: Mary Lu Spigarelli Toren of Big Sur.
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…
S1E53 # 108 Clovis Harrod. A replay of this episode from February 2023.
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…
S1E107 # 107 Wilderness, Health, Fire, Art, Music, Learning, Food and History : Big Sur Non Profits!
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…
Frequently Asked Questions
A Big Sur Podcast has published 124 episodes since March 2021, covering topics in Music, Natural Sciences.
A Big Sur Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 1h 14m.
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