On the eve of the U.S. presidential election, we’re exploring the theme of participation, a principle central to both Burning Man culture and our role as citizens. In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Miller, former Director of Communications for Burning Man, to talk about how civic responsibility and active engagement can help us navigate this complex cultural moment. I’ve also included a clip from a recent Substack article by one of my favorite thinkers, Jamie Wheal, to set the stage for our conversation.

On the show, Megan and I discuss the importance of civic responsibility and the role of local government, especially in a time of political polarization. We delve into her 2020 article, Reaching Across Party Lines, and examine how festivals like Burning Man can foster unity. We also touch on gender and the dynamics in the 2024 election, as well as the way forward after November.

Megan served as Burning Man’s Director of Communications from 2014 to 2021 and is a seasoned political strategist with experience in the U.S. Senate, political campaigns, environmental advocacy, and HIV/AIDS prevention. She brings her expertise in public engagement and strategic communications to today’s discussion, helping us think about participation beyond the election.

Timestamps

(05:00) “The Curse of the Clever” by Jamie Wheal
(15:00) Burning Man and Civic Responsibility
(20:00) Megan’s Early Political Career
(26:00) Cities and the Importance of Local Government
(33:00) Navigating Political Polarization
(41:00) The RFK Question in the Burning Man community
(48:00) Gender and the 2024 Election
(58:00) The Way Forward After the Election

Links

Megan Miller: Why Burners Must Participate in this Election