Best Magnus Toren Host Podcasts (2025)

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# 112 Atomic Dreams: The New Nuclear Evangelists and the Fight for the Future of Energy 1:20:10

8d ago1:20:10

1:20:10

Send us a text 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 …

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# 111 RELAY FOR RACHAEL. A conversation with photographer, neighbor and dear friend Rachael Short. 1:02:19

28d ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Send us a text 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 Jo…

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# 110 Butch Kronlund (Jan. 7, 1955 - Feb. 1, 2025) from 'Under the Persimmon Tree' September 29, 2019. 1:27:43

1M ago1:27:43

1:27:43

Send us a text 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…

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# 109 Rode in on a Hell's Angel Harley: Mary Lu Spigarelli Toren of Big Sur. 1:49:13

1M ago1:49:13

1:49:13

Send us a text 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... >>>…

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# 108 Clovis Harrod. A replay of this episode from February 2023. 1:53:02

2M ago1:53:02

1:53:02

Send us a text 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 Lo…

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# 107 Wilderness, Health, Fire, Art, Music, Learning, Food and History : Big Sur Non Profits! 1:35:57

5M ago1:35:57

1:35:57

Send us a text 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…

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# 106 Humpbacks, Tide pools, Ed Ricketts, Jan Straley and Wave Shocks! 51:56

7M ago51:56

51:56

Send us a text 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 …

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# 105 An update from Dan Weiss from his home in Bet Shemesh, Israel. 1:07:35

8M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Send us a text 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 fr…

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# 104 The 'lost' interview with John Carlin: FOUND! 1:07:50

8M ago1:07:50

1:07:50

Send us a text Remarkable 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 le…

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# 103 God, Jack Kerouac and Steve Edington. 57:42

9M ago57:42

57:42

Send us a text Stephen 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 Library Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Unitarian Universalist Faith Books by Steve Edington Summary Stephen D Edington, a Uni…

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# 102 We Choose to Reduce Wildfire Danger, Not Because It Is Natural But Because It Is Good 1:20:54

10M ago1:20:54

1:20:54

Send us a text Speaking 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 Have The Social Feedback Loops That Constrain Climate Science When Science Journals Become Activists Wildfire …

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# 101 The Natural History of Big Sur. A conversation with author Don Usner. 1:31:24

10M ago1:31:24

1:31:24

Send us a text Good links: Don Usner's website Big Creek Reserve Ken Norris In The Rough Land To The South If 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 Pauling Lucille Packard The Harlan Family Alisa Fineman Sam, Frank and…

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# 100 The Hermits of Big Sur. A conversation with author Paula Huston 1:42:26

10M ago1:42:26

1:42:26

Send us a text A 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. LINKS The Hermits of Big Sur Website The Books by Paula Huston Music of Silence: A Sacred Journey through the Hours of the Day Support the show ______________________________________…

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# 99 Sharen Carey: 40 years of providing healthcare in Big Sur! 1:19:46

11M ago1:19:46

1:19:46

Send us a text In 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 CENTER Support the show _________________________________________________ This podcast is a production o…

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# 98 On the Warpath: My Battles With Indians, Pretendians, and Woke Warriors 1:10:27

12M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

Send us a text New Title by Elizabeth Weiss: On the Warpath: My Battles With Indians, Pretendians, and Woke Warriors. Previous podcast episode with Elizabeth Weiss Elizabeth at the Heterodox Academy Recent article in the NY Post Magnus reached out to the faculty at Anthropology Dept. and received no response or a response saying "I decline" with a …

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# 97 Breakfast at Deetjen's with Shelley Newell 2:02:19

12M ago2:02:19

2:02:19

Send us a text Breakfast 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! / St…

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# 96 Iguana John speaks about his early life. 33:20

12M ago33:20

33:20

Send us a text We 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 langua…

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# 95 Dave Nelson: Father, Husband, Naturalist & Big Sur Neighbor... 1:25:30

1y ago1:25:30

1:25:30

Send us a text Some of the people and places we touch on: Jeff Norman Peter Cummings Gary Breschini Trudy Haversat Terry Jones Alfred Kroeber J.P. Harrington The Rat Creek Fire Fort Hunter Liggett Butterflies in Big Sur Big Sur Watersheds Fair Watershed as an idea/concept CB-handles: The Green Pea The Hook Red Tail Sticky Wicket Big Sur thirty year…

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# 94 The California Skywatcher: A conversation with author William Selby 1:42:07

1y ago1:42:07

1:42:07

Send us a text Where 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 Service Bjorn Lomborg Support the show ______________…

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# 93 My Father Shot a Tiger: Talking about Nagaland with Easterine Kire 1:24:02

1y ago1:24:02

1:24:02

Send us a text Easterine Kire Nagaland Sky is My Father by Easterine Kire Naga 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, Nigeria Ngugi wa Thiongo, N…

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# 92 How did it begin...did I meet "Headhunters?" Why, and how, did I travel up into these hills. 52:26

1y ago52:26

52:26

Send us a text An 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! 😊 m…

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# 91 Listening to Whales breathe! A conversation with Kerri Frangioso, a scientist who does most of her research in the wild of Big Sur. 2:05:40

1y ago2:05:40

2:05:40

Send us a text Kerri Frangioso / Rizzo Lab. Kerri Frangioso / UC Davis Plant Pathology / Davis Sudden Oak Death Task Force >>>>>>> The Jade Festival Big Creek Reserve White Stag >>>>>>> Sudden Oak Blitz, April 29th Essalen Tribe Soberanes Fire Telephone Landline Satellite the ‘Hoist’ 280 plots! Prudoe Bay Costa Rica Food supplies Fire prevention Ga…

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# 90 Israel and Gaza. Perspectives on the war in Gaza from Sweden. 1:18:36

1y ago1:18:36

1:18:36

Send us a text I 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 Norell Ricki Neuman >>>>>>> I mention: Raja Shehadeh. Yossi Klein Halevi (We carry titles by both Shehadeh and Halevi at the Library) Sderot Support the show _____________________________…

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# 89 SMOKESCREEN | Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Climate 1:07:23

1y ago1:07:23

1:07:23

Send us a text A conversation with the author Chad Hanson, PhD The short musical intro is: CANYON live at Nepenthe’s Halloween Bal Masqué 2002. Important links for further information: The John Muir Project Big Sur Fire Fire Adapted Big Sur Fire in Paradise, PBS, Frontline Support the show _________________________________________________ This podc…

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# 88 California (& Big Sur) Snakes & How To Find Them 1:05:08

1y ago1:05:08

1:05:08

Send us a text To 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 Sciences Interim Associate Dean, Bailey Co…

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# 87 Sam Goldeen. From the Ukraine, via the Panama land crossing, to Big Sur! 1:05:17

1+ y ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Send us a text Sam 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 …

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# 86 Jaime DeAngulo: The Old Coyote of Big Sur 51:24

1+ y ago51:24

51:24

Send us a text A conversation with Andrew Schelling and Mary Kerr. Please make a Reservation for the event on February 24 LINKS: The recorded Indian Tales from KPFA Jaime DeAngulo Franz Boas Alfred Kroeber Carl Jung Mabel Dodge Luhan Yanko Varda Edward Sapir Music clip: KÁRUK "LUCK SONG" - Brian Tripp, Káruk Artist Support the show ________________…

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# 85 FUEL FOR THOUGHT! Is removing vegetation keeping us safe from fire? A conversation with Richard Halsey. 54:01

1+ y ago54:01

54:01

Send us a text Richard 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. Cat…

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# 84 Butterflies of Big Sur and Monterey County. 1:12:00

1+ y ago1:12:00

1:12:00

Send us a text A conversation with Jan Austin and Chris Tenney authors and photographers of the recently published BUTTERFLIES of Monterey County. montereybutterflies.online The Book >>>>>>>>>>> North American Butterfly Association >>>>>>>>>>> Episode photo by Jan Austin Support the show _________________________________________________ This podcas…

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# 83 A conversation with Corinne & John Handy of Treebones! 1:06:52

1+ y ago1:06:52

1:06:52

Send us a text Treebones Resort Pacific Yurts Teenage 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! 😊 magn…

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# 82 Wishing everyone a boring 2024! 14:10

1+ y ago14:10

14:10

Send us a text Thanks 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 Gurri Visit: Martin Gurri Discourse Magazine Support the show _________________________________________________ This podcast is a production of the He…

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# 81 Big Sur's ongoing efforts to protect the landscape : A Conversation with David Smiley 47:03

1+ y ago47:03

47:03

Send us a text Magnus 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 Foster Keep Big Sur Wild Big Sur …

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# 80 Is Big Sur being overused? A conversation with Marcus Foster of Keep Big Sur Wild. 1:27:30

1+ y ago1:27:30

1:27:30

Send us a text A 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 guar…

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# 79 Quiet Days in Clichy - Jours Tranquilles a Clichy - A beautiful new French edition. With Charles Ficat and Michael Paduano in Paris. 1:04:36

1+ y ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Send us a text Charles 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! Brassaî Walter Benjamin Pier …

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# 78 The Burden of Joy. A conversation with author Lexi Kent-Monning. "We were stranded on opposite sides of the crashed Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge!" 1:47:32

1+ y ago1:47:32

1:47:32

Send us a text The 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 Books Please email us with your thoughts! >>>>>>>> “Never before has the wreckage of…

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# 77 Paul Kephart: Ecologist and naturalist with a deep history, love and knowledge of the Big Sur coast. 1:16:14

1+ y ago1:16:14

1:16:14

Send us a text As 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…

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# 76 My friend Dan Weiss reports from the war in Israel. Please listen. 1:12:20

1+ y ago1:12:20

1:12:20

Send us a text On 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…

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# 75 Nocturnalia: Nature in the Western Night w/ José Gabriel Martínez-Fonseca and Charles Hood 1:08:29

1+ y ago1:08:29

1:08:29

Send us a text A conversation between Magnus and authors and photographers Charles Wood and José Gabriel Martínez-Fonseca about their book "Nocturnalia: Nature in the Western Night." Some good links for more: Charles Hood: Wild Sonoma A Salad Only the Devil Would Eat José Gabriel Martínez-Fonseca: Sea Turtles to Sidewinders Photography by José Heyd…

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# 74 California Against the Sea: Visions for Our Vanishing Coastline. Magnus is talking with author Rosanna Xia. 1:14:35

1+ y ago1:14:35

1:14:35

Send us a text Heyday presents California Against the Sea Rosanna Xia’s California Against the Sea with Steve Lopez Rosanna's LA Times page 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 …

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# 73 State Senator John Laird: Once you left Carmel Highlands and went south you were in the Wild West! 47:38

1+ y ago47:38

47:38

Send us a text State Senator John Laird in a conversation with Magnus. >>>>>>> John Laird's website Invite to the River Inn on September 22 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 …

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# 72 Feathered Canyons: Big Sur circa 1964! Author Jeanette Hanby at Nepenthe with Bill Hargis, Eric Barker, Gold mining, watching lions! A typical Big Sur story! 1:14:32

1+ y ago1:14:32

1:14:32

Send us a text Jeannette Hanby grew up in a paved-over Southern California “wanting to know how to stop humans from ruining the planet.” After a high school teacher exposed her to philosophy, Jeannette majored in physiological psychology at UC Berkeley before working with abandoned and abused children in Los Angeles County. Emotionally exhausted, s…

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# 71 A conversation at a small café in rural North Carolina 28:32

1+ y ago28:32

28:32

Send us a text A conversation at a café in a small town in rural North Carolina. Episode photo is of Mio, a new family member! >>>>>>>> Zachary Beare 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…

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# 70 Big Sur Women with Rachel Anne Goodman 56:22

2y ago56:22

56:22

Send us a text Speaking with Rachel Anne Goodman about her late Mother Judith Goodman. We touch on Judith's background, her work in Big Sur, friendships and passion for the landscape and culture of Big Sur. We also speak of our plan to publish parts of the book "Big Sur Women" in audio format. Please stay tuned! Links below will get you to more on …

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# 69 The Manhattan Project, Porter, Jackson, Miller & Oppenheimer 30:11

2y ago30:11

30:11

Send us a text On the anniversary (or close to) the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima this episode takes a look at the small book "These 50 Years Gone" by Bern Porter a close friend of Henry Miller's. Published by Roger Jackson the book includes quotes by Miller. Special thanks to Roger Jackson for giving us permission to quote and read from…

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# 68 Kate Daniels, candidate for the 5th district Supervisor seat. The future of Big Sur is in the balance😊! 1:24:56

2y ago1:24:56

1:24:56

Send us a text Kate is in full swing campaigning for the 5th District Supervisor seat. We talk about the job of public service, some of Kate's ambitions, I get a civic lesson, it is a good conversation. Visit Kate's website HERE. Here are links to some of the folks we mention in this episode: Shelley Alden Brooks Karin Strasser Kaufmann Mary Adams …

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# 67 The Darkness Manifesto by Johan Eklöf 1:16:10

2y ago1:16:10

1:16:10

Send us a text A conversation with Johan Eklöf, author of The Darkness Manifesto. When I first came to Big Sur I used to drive my motorcycle between Bixby Canyon and Ventana Inn. I drove several days, and some nights, each week. When going north from Ventana at night the part of the ride from River Inn to Bixby was in almost total darkness (especia…

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# 65 A conversation with Weston Call's Mother on the occasion of his Birthday and the five year anniversary of his passing.. 1:05:14

2y ago1:05:14

1:05:14

Send us a text Weston Call passed away August 12, 2018. His birthday is June 28. Many in Big Sur knew him. If you didn't know him here's a chance for you to get a glimpse into who he was. This is a conversation with Weston's Mom, Galen. We talk of many things. I am grateful, and I believe you will be too, for the openness and willingness with which…

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# 64 From Easter Island to Big Sur: Please welcome Sonia Haoa Cardinali! 1:29:53

2y ago1:29:53

1:29:53

Send us a text A middle aged couple walks in to the Henry Miller Library sometime in 2019. They come down the path under the redwoods like so many others have done before them. This time however I wonder: Who is the woman accompanying them! She looks like she’s from the island. Turns out the woman is Sonia Haoa Cardinale from Easter Island/Rapa Nui…

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# 63 The Questions That Matter Most with Jane Smiley. Also featuring Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, Shakespeare and Alice Munro! 1:16:54

2y ago1:16:54

1:16:54

Send us a text # 63 The Questions That Matter Most with Jane Smiley. We talk about writing, spelling and grammar and learning how to read. We mention Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, Shakespeare, Alice Munro and how to kill! WELCOME TO Jane Smiley at the Henry Miller Library, July 29. We will focus on her latest book: :"The Questions…

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# 62 Pico Iyer | The Half Known Life | New Camaldoli Hermitage, Big Sur, Jerusalem, Greece, Leonard Cohen, Thomas Merton, Dalai Lama, Cyprian, Japan, Tahiti... 1:41:25

2y ago1:41:25

1:41:25

Send us a text We have a wonderful conversation roaming from Jerusalem to Vanuatu, from Atheism to Greek Orthodoxy and from Thomas Merton to Sam Harris! Oh...and from Dalai Lama to Henry Miller! The Half Known Life Best place to visit Pico Iyer online is his website HERE! Pici Iyer on Wiki: HERE New Camaldoli Hermitage HERE THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!…

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