Alex Ebert, an award-winning artist and cultural critic, joins to discuss the evolving concept of masculinity amid political divides. They explore why young men are leaning towards right-wing figures and the left's struggle to present aspirational masculinity. Ebert emphasizes integrating feminine traits for personal growth, and they dive into the complexities of shifting political loyalties from Bernie Sanders to RFK Jr. Their candid conversation sheds light on the need for inclusive role models that foster emotional intelligence and connection.

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 K. Miller (@millermegank) Megan K. Miller Reaching Across Party Lines with Participation and Civic Responsibility Jamie Wheal | Substack: Homegrown Humans Newsletter The Gender Election - The Daily

Atish last joined us four or five years ago for a powerful conversation about authenticity, anxiety, and life as an artist. Now, as he takes a break from touring to prioritize mental health, I knew it was time to have him back for an inspiring and candid conversation. In this episode, Atish and I discuss the challenges of touring, redefining success as a DJ, and Atish’s unexpected desire for a “day job.” We explore the validation cycle between DJing and social media, the courage in vulnerability, and what it means to connect with the South Asian community as an artist. Together, we even do a little men’s work, unpacking the ideas of service, legacy, and giving back to one’s community. As many of you know, Atish is a celebrated DJ, producer, and mentor—he even composed the opening music for this podcast! His unique blend of vulnerability and presence has always inspired me, and I’m honored to share our conversation with you.  Timeline (04:00) — Touring is stressful (09:00) —  What it means to “make it” as a DJ (16:45) — Atish wants a day Job (22:45) — DJing is immediate validation (32:00) — Setting a vulnerable example on social media (43:30) — What does it mean to be a South Asian artist? (49:00) — Atish and I do mens work  (55:00) — Serving the South Asian community LINKS atish (@atishmusic) • Instagram photos and videos atish: DJ, Producer, Manjumasi, Mentor

Will Chase, former Minister of Propaganda for Burning Man, shares his insights on maintaining the festival's relevance. He discusses the transformative journey to Burning Man and the serendipity that often arises. Will reflects on Larry Harvey's lasting influence and emphasizes the importance of storytelling in community engagement. He also explores how to instill a festival mindset in everyday life and advocates for inclusivity and sustainability to enhance the festival's core values beyond the desert.

Burning Man's evolution sparks a lively discussion on its fading 'coolness' amid commercialization. The host rants about recent changes and shares insights from an upcoming book on transformation. They dissect the essence of festivals, emphasizing authentic connections over transactional experiences. Exploring masculinity and the significance of regional events adds depth to the conversation. The transformative power of psychedelics in personal growth is also highlighted, alongside reflections on the future of festival culture.

Today’s episode is an encore presentation of a show that aired live on Burning Man Information Radio (BMIR) in 2019 to get you all juiced up for this year’s dirt rave. It features a playful conversation about vulnerability, consent, the trickster, and instant manifestation with Jax, Wolverine, and David Block, the Human Experience. Also, every year, I give a Harm Reduction talk at my camp. For the first fifteen minutes of this episode, I’m offering that information. Please check out more info about fentanyl adulteration, psychedelic peer support, and how to talk to cops at Burning Man in the links below. If you need something to listen to on the ride, you can check out other Burning Man-related content from Life is a Festival here.  Have a great Burn! It’s better with you here! Links Burning Man — Life is a Festival How to deal with cops at Burning Man (2023 update) Zendo Project - Psychedelic Peer Support ⁠New Fentanyl Test Strips⁠ ⁠Learn How To Use NARCAN⁠ A Brief History of Who Ruined Burning Man Timestamps (06:00) Harm Reduction at Burning Man (15:30) Live from BMIR( 23:00) Vulnerable shares (30:50) Masculinity on Playa and performative vulnerability (37:00) Trickster and Play (43:00) Consent at Burning Man (50:50) Instant Manifestation

You know those pithy BuzzFeed listicles about being too old for music festivals? Well, the idea is rather silly. Festivals are multi-generational celebrations where children with glittering faces play alongside elders who share their wisdom. The adventure of a festival is enriched by all ages, much like how our lives are enriched by various stages and transformations. Today's episode is special because we have a returning guest, my longtime friend and mentor, Chip Conley. I used to work with Chip on Fest300, an online guide to the world's best festivals. Chip's latest book, "Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age," is the focus of our conversation. Chip believes midlife is not a crisis but a chrysalis—a time for transformation and growth. In our conversation, we dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of midlife. We discuss the concept of "successism," where societal pressure to achieve can lead to misery, and how to break free from this mindset. Chip shares his insights on embracing imperfection, continuing to love and learn, and viewing midlife as a transformative period akin to the metamorphosis of a butterfly. We also touch on mortality, as Chip reflects on his own journey with cancer and how it has shaped his perspective on aging. Throughout our discussion, Chip reaffirms his love for festivals, emphasizing their importance in our increasingly virtual world.  Chip's illustrious career includes founding the Joie de Vivre hotel chain, contributing to Airbnb's success, and creating the Modern Elder Academy, a wisdom school for midlife. His latest book, "Learning to Love Midlife," offers valuable lessons for anyone navigating this pivotal stage of life. Links: Chip Conley: Home Chip Conley (@chipconley) • Instagram photos and videos Learning to Love Midlife MEA Wisdom Timestamps: (11:00) Breaking the spell of successism  (14:00) Don’t compare yourself to Tim Ferris … or anyone for that matter (23:30) To love being raw and imperfect  (29:30) The transformation of the Phoenix and the Butterfly  (32:45) Life is a festival because it ends (42:30) The more virtual we get, the more ritual we need 

In a world beset by tragedy its important to learn how to grieve. If you don’t feel your feelings you’re going to have problems, but how exactly should we tend to our grief? Today, we are welcoming back Camille Barton to celebrate the publication of their first book, Tending Grief: Embodied Rituals for Holding Our Sorrow and Growing Cultures of Care and Community.  In our conversation today, you'll learn how untended grief can have harmful consequences.  We begin with one of my favorite topics: healing culture and the difference between grief and the ubiquitous concept of trauma. We explore how Camille's journey, from rave culture to recovering from an abortion, led to writing this book. We touch on colonization, the idea that hurt people hurt people, and how, at some point, we were all colonized. We discuss the limits of psychedelic medicine and delve into something Camille calls the Void. Lastly, we cover the Dagara people's grief-tending practices and Camille's grief rituals, including how to make a grief altar.  Camille Sapara Barton is a writer, artist, and embodied social justice facilitator dedicated to creating networks of care and livable futures. As a facilitator, consultant, and curator, their work spans grief, pleasure, and drug policy. Camille is certified in the Resilience Toolkit and developed the GEN Grief Toolkit. Based in Amsterdam, they directed the Ecologies of Transformation master’s program at the Sandberg Institute from 2021 to 2023. Camille’s recently book "Tending Grief," explores collective grief and its impact on communities. Links: Camille Barton Tending Grief Cami | Embodied Ethics, Grief, Dance & Harm Redux Decolonize Your Body — Life is a Festival #85 Timestamps (04:15) - Grief, trauma, and healing culture (15:30) - How Camille came to writing their book from rave culture to recovering from an abortion (23:45) - Colonization: hurt people hurt people (43:45) - Limitations in psychedelic medicine  (50:00) - The Void (1:01:00) - How the Dagara people tend grief (1:09:15) - How to make a grief altar

Tina Nance, yin yoga and embodiment specialist returns to Life is a Festival to share her evolving ideas around gender, trauma healing, and embodiment. In today's episode, we continue our exploration of gender and sexuality. We dive into processing trauma within the nervous system and whether a finite amount of psychological "garbage" needs to be processed for healing. Our conversation spans mythopoetic femininity through the lens of the Egyptian pantheon and masculinity through archetypes. We also discuss the contentious concept of the divine feminine, polarities of masculine and feminine energies,  menstruation from a mythopoetic viewpoint and the Yang of Kuan Yin . Tina Nance brings over 25 years of experience in yoga practice and nearly two decades of teaching globally through classes, workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings. She is the founder of Held: School of Embodied Self Integration, focusing on yoga therapy, yin yoga, restorative yoga, and techniques for nervous system regulation and trauma integration. A prominent figure at The Yoga Barn in Bali, Tina leads extensive training programs and is currently developing the Held Online Yoga and Embodiment School. Tina holds advanced qualifications in yoga therapy, health sciences, and various therapeutic modalities. Links: Tina Nance Tina Nance on Instagram Tina Nance on Yoga Barn ONLINE Life is a Festival: Embodiment Practices for Healing Trauma Timestamps: (06:00) - Processing trauma in the nervous system (19:00) - Embodying the mythopoetic feminine through the Egyptian pantheon (25:00) - What does it mean to be a man? (36:30) - The problem with the divine feminine  (45:30) - Masculine & Feminine or Yin and Yang (52:00) - Mythopoetic menstruation (58:00) - The Yang of Kwan Yin and the trans movement (1:08:00) - HELD: Tina’s newest offering

Today's episode is about love and all its messy colors. Guinevere Rhonwen & Lizz Larouge created the festival Colours of Love on the island d of Koh Phangan as their wedding celebration and continued it even as they were separating.  In this episode, we explore how they embraced love while parting ways at the place of their union. We cover a wide range of topics, including the festival's nature, whether it could be dubbed a "big gay wedding," the influence of female leadership on festival culture, and the concept of celebrating separation. We also touch on cultural sensitivity and the complexities of hosting events in foreign cultures, as seen through Guinevere and Lizz’s experiences in Thailand.  As founders of Colours of Love and the musical duo Wild Sirenda, Lizz and Guinevere share insights into the festival's upcoming iteration and their shared dreams. This episode is a testament to love's complexity. I hope it will help you embrace all the various shades of love in your own life. Links Colours of Love Colours of Love (@wearecoloursoflove) Wild Sirenda (@wildsirenda) Wild Sirenda Timestamps (05:00) - The messy colors of love (16:00) - Was it a Big Gay Wedding (25:30) - A Woman’s Touch (32:00) - Celebration of Separation  (40:00) - How to Choose Love (46:00) - Why Koh Phangan (51:00) - Cultural sensitivity