Best Magnus Toren, host Podcasts (2024)

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

2d ago1:42:07

1:42:07

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! National Weather Service Bjorn Lomborg Support the Show. _________________________________________________ This podcast is a product…

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

14d ago1:24:02

1:24:02

Easterine Kire Nagaland Sky is My Father 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, Nigeria Amos Tutuola, Nigeria (YORUBA) Hugh MacLennan, Canada Sigrid Undset…

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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

25d ago52:26

52:26

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! We are FaceBook Instagram Let us know what you think! SEND US A…

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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

1M ago2:05:40

2:05:40

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 Gardening Water a…

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

2M ago1:18:36

1:18:36

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

2M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

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 podcast is a produ…

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

2M ago1:05:08

1:05:08

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 College of Scienc…

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

3M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

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 with support f…

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

3M ago51:24

51:24

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

3M ago54:01

54:01

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. >>>>>>> Big Sur La…

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

4M ago1:12:00

1:12:00

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 podcast is a product…

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

4M ago1:06:52

1:06:52

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! We are FaceBook Instagram Let us know what you think! SEND US AN E…

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# 82 Wishing everyone a boring 2024! 14:10

4M ago14:10

14:10

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 Henry Miller Mem…

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

5M ago47:03

47:03

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 Multi Agency Co…

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

5M ago1:27:30

1:27:30

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 guardian of the lan…

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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

6M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

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 Paolo Pasolini …

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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

6M ago1:47:32

1:47:32

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 a failed marri…

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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

6M ago1:16:14

1:16:14

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 cumulative res…

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

6M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

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 is married wit…

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

7M ago1:08:29

1:08:29

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 Heyday Books Suppor…

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

8M ago1:14:35

1:14:35

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! We are FaceBook Instagram Let us kn…

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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

8M ago47:38

47:38

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! We are FaceBook Instagram Let us kn…

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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

8M ago1:14:32

1:14:32

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, she found refuge…

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

8M ago28:32

28:32

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! We are FaceBook Instagram…

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

9M ago56:22

56:22

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 some of what we…

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

9M ago30:11

30:11

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 his publicatio…

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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

10M ago1:24:56

1:24:56

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 Leon Panetta Ji…

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

10M ago1:16:10

1:16:10

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 (especially during new …

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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

11M ago1:05:14

1:05:14

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 Galen is talki…

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

11M ago1:29:53

1:29:53

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. We had a wond…

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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

11M ago1:16:54

1:16:54

# 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 That Matter Mo…

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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

12M ago1:41:25

1:41:25

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! Support the Sh…

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# 61 A new book by Henry Miller! The Book of Conversations with David Edgar. 54:16

1y ago54:16

54:16

Magnus speak with Michael Paduano about the soon to be published book The Book of Conversations with David Edgar and also about the literary archival detective work that eventually resulted in its publication…it is an exciting story! Some of you remember Michael from Episode 31 of a Big Sur Podcast - I recommend listening to that episode as well of…

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# 60 Big Sur Ronna Rio Riding Water Buffaloes, Giraffes & Teaching Art! 1:42:27

1y ago1:42:27

1:42:27

Ronna Rio Emmons is well known and loved in the Big Sur community perhaps especially because of her many years being our art teacher. Ronna, and her husband Michael and I, have fun talking and we cover a few good stories. Below are links and comments about some of what we speak of. (Michael, as you will realize, will have to have his own podcast ep…

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# 59 Israeli journalist and writer Yossi Klein Halevi. 1:26:42

1y ago1:26:42

1:26:42

I met Yossi Klein Halevi when I was in Jerusalem in early 2020. We have stayed in touch ever since that fateful day. His voice is important in Israel as you will hear. I hope you take the time to listen to this podcast and then to read all of Yossi's books, and listen to his talks on YouTube, other podcast etc.. By doing so you will get to know a w…

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# 58 Darryl Purpose: Writing Songs, Playing Blackjack, Telling Stories and the Great March! 1:38:19

1y ago1:38:19

1:38:19

Action packed podcast episode with Darryl Purpose! And he is soon coming to the Library: Tickets HERE for the April 29th evening with Darryl Purpose at the Library Some folks we mention during our chat: Ellis Paul Paul Simon The Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament Mozart Support the Show. _______________________________________________…

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# 57 Joshua Yaffa of the New Yorker magazine speaks with Magnus about journalism in wartime Ukraine and Russia. 1:34:43

1y ago1:34:43

1:34:43

Joshua's article about the recent arrest of Evan Gershkovich. >>>>>>>>>>> A podcast co- hosted with the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies, based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. The Monterey Initiative is supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York. Joshua Yaffa visited the Middlebury Institute by invitation …

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# 56 Stranded, Finding Nature In Uncertain Times by Maddalena Bearzi 1:07:29

1y ago1:07:29

1:07:29

Welcome to a conversation with author and marine conservation biologist Maddalena Bearzi on the occasion of her most recent book being published by Heyday Books on April 18, 2023. Books by Ms Bearzi: Stranded: Finding Nature in Uncertain Times Beautiful Minds: The Parallel Lives of Great Apes and Dolphins Dolphin Confidential: Confessions of a Fiel…

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# 55 The Revolt of The Public. A conversation with author and former CIA analyst Martin Gurri. 2:00:06

1y ago2:00:06

2:00:06

A wonderful recorded conversation at the Henry Miller Library with Martin Gurri, a geopolitical analyst and student of new media and information effects. Martin Gurri spent many years working in the corner of the CIA dedicated to the analysis of open media. From that privileged perch, he watched the global information landscape undergo a transforma…

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# 54 Betty Withrow. From as high up, and deep, in Big Sur as one can get! 1:27:37

1y ago1:27:37

1:27:37

Betty's Amazon Page Please email us with comments, suggestions etc. Thanks! Some of the places and people mentioned: Elaine (Bird) and Twig Westmere Naqarubi Point 16 Neil Rose Fleet Montgomery Jaime Morton Glen Harlan Whiz Bang Loggers Pacific Valley Mike and Marla Sarah Harlan Jolon Support the Show. ______________________________________________…

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# 53 Clovis Harrod. With two kids and $40 in her pocket she came HOME! 1:53:02

1y ago1:53:02

1:53:02

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS Some of the folks mentioned in this episode: Doug Madsen Lolly Fassett Tevye Morgenrath Helen Morgenrath Tara Morgenrath Helen Handshy Kim Novak Richard Burton Helen Weston Elizabeth Taylor Gorge Choley Don Case John Steinbeck Wing Chong Jack Curtis Kenny Loggins Grady Cook Anthony Quinn etc... Livermoore …

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# 52 Palestine's leading writer, Raja Shehadeh. From Ramallah, West Bank/Judea 1:10:54

1y ago1:10:54

1:10:54

RAJA SHEHADEH is Palestine’s leading writer. He is also a lawyer and the founder of the pioneering Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq. Shehadeh is the author of several acclaimed books including Strangers in the House, Occupation Diaries, and Palestinian Walks (which won the prestigious Orwell Prize). In 2022 he was named an International…

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#51 Big Sur Wild Woman! Dana Carnazzo Godbe. Chapter 2! 😊 1:24:32

1+ y ago1:24:32

1:24:32

Dramatis Personae: Alf the Sacred Burro (see episode photo: Dana on Alf!) Damien Carnazzo Tessa and 'Jack' Carnazzo Jack Kerouac Eric Barker Chuck and Lisa Brewer Helmuth, Celia and Tara Morgenrath Yolanda Shae (sp?) Micah Curtis Robin Burnside Peggy Horan Mary Lu Toren Sandy Justice Bill Wiesjahn & many more... Topics: Building a house in Big Sur …

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# 50 You And Me And The Rain On The Roof / Raining in Big Sur! 1:44:48

1+ y ago1:44:48

1:44:48

Seven Big Sur residents talk about the weather! (click on 'Chapters' above for direct links to participants.) The 50th episode of A Big Sur Podcast Featuring: John Handy, South Coast | 07:15 Diana Ballantyne, Big Sur Valley | 23:20 Marcos Ortega, (also on episode # 37) Pfeiffer State Park | 35:35 Ryne Leuzinger, Palo Colorado | 41:10 Kendra Morgenr…

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# 49 Zad and Laela Leavy: Protecting the Big Sur coast by creating the Big Sur Land Trust. 53:21

1+ y ago53:21

53:21

The way we can honor the legacy of Zad Leavy is to be vigilant and to always work for the preservation and restoration of the wild and rustic beauty of the Big Sur coast! Thank you for listening. Please email here with any comments, critique, suggestions...Thank you! Links to some of the people and places we touch on: The Big Sur Land Trust The Big…

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# 48 Dana Godbe Carnazzo, a Big Sur Wild Woman! Part 1. 1:46:58

1+ y ago1:46:58

1:46:58

A wide ranging conversation sitting at Dana's house on her Mesa up Bixby. We have three dogs keeping us company and we talk about growing up in Big Sur, hanging out down Cannery Row, Monterey Pop Festival, VW bus around Europe, sailing in the Caribbean and South Pacific; anchoring in Hanavave Bay on Fatuhiva, Tuamotu and onwards...it's an amazing j…

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#47 Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai. A conversation with author Matti Friedman 1:23:43

1+ y ago1:23:43

1:23:43

Talking with Matti Friedman from his home in Jerusalem. Very grateful to him for writing this book and for sharing his stories! WHO BY FIRE: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai Please share this episode! Copy link. Comments/Criticism much welcome: Email us here! In 1973, Leonard Cohen announced he was done with music for good. The same year, in October, war…

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# 46 The Heaven Beyond Heaven: William (Bill) Ashley about publishing and collecting Henry Miller. 1:07:24

1+ y ago1:07:24

1:07:24

We're sitting on a couch under the Persimmon tree. There's some sound of traffic in the background and a beautiful afternoon! Bill Ashley and two new Henry Miller titles! The Heaven Beyond Heaven and Jupiter In All His Phases Published by Henry Miller's Unique Books owned and operated by Bill Ashley. Bill Ashley is very well known in the Miller wor…

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# 45 BIG SUR FIRE ADAPTED COMMUNITY TOWN HALL, October 25, 2022 1:50:51

1+ y ago1:50:51

1:50:51

FIRE ADAPTED COMMUNITY TOWN HALL October 25, 2022 at the Big Sur Grange. CLICK ON "CHAPTER MARKERS" ABOVE TO TOGGLE BETWEEN CONTENT Audio recording courtesy Rayner Marx. For further information: email info@fireadaptedbigsur.com or visit www.fireadaptedbigsur.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE FIRESAFE NEWSLETTER In other fire related news: Interview here with Ch…

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#44 A conversation with Kerri Maher, author of The Paris Bookseller 52:40

1+ y ago52:40

52:40

After reading Kerri's book I get a chance to talk with her. We're on opposite ends of the country but with zoom and a microphone we are instantly connected. Still mind blowing. We have a good talk. Thank you for joining us in the conversation. Visit Kerri Maher's website. Visit Shakespeare and Co the way it is today (online)! Check this old info: H…

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Magnus Toren, Host Podcasts

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