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
S1E119 # 119 Walking Toward the Stars — A Conversation with Brita Ostrom (Öström)
Send a textIn 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 a textAndrew 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 a textThe 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…
S1E116 # 116 Steve Beck, Master Gardener
Send a textSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County!…
S1E115 # 115 Kangalee & The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder
Send a textA 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…
S1E114 # 114 The ENDURING WILD: Journeys Beyond the National Parks with author Josh Jackson.
Send a textAuthor-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 a textThis 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 a textIf 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 a textEver 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…
S1E110 # 110 Butch Kronlund (Jan. 7, 1955 - Feb. 1, 2025) from 'Under the Persimmon Tree' September 29, 2019.
Send a textIn 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…
S1E109 # 109 Rode in on a Hell's Angel Harley: Mary Lu Spigarelli Toren of Big Sur.
Send a textMary 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…
S1E53 # 108 Clovis Harrod. A replay of this episode from February 2023.
Send a textI 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…
S1E107 # 107 Wilderness, Health, Fire, Art, Music, Learning, Food and History : Big Sur Non Profits!
Send a textThis 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…
S1E106 # 106 Humpbacks, Tide pools, Ed Ricketts, Jan Straley and Wave Shocks!
Send a textA 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…
S1E105 # 105 An update from Dan Weiss from his home in Bet Shemesh, Israel.
Send a textOn 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…
S1E104 # 104 The 'lost' interview with John Carlin: FOUND!
Send a textRemarkable 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…
S1E103 # 103 God, Jack Kerouac and Steve Edington.
Send a textStephen 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…
S1E102 # 102 We Choose to Reduce Wildfire Danger, Not Because It Is Natural But Because It Is Good
Send a textSpeaking 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…
S1E101 # 101 The Natural History of Big Sur. A conversation with author Don Usner.
Send a textGood 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…
S1E100 # 100 The Hermits of Big Sur. A conversation with author Paula Huston
Send a textA 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…
Frequently Asked Questions
A Big Sur Podcast has published 117 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 13m.
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