The NOW! Bali Podcast

Edward Speirs
  • 5.0 (3)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Bringing you the richness of Balinese culture, heritage and history through this specially curated audio experience, NOW! Bali - a multimedia company based on the island of the gods - aims to create a deeper appreciation on why Bali is a truly unique destination not only in Indonesia, but in the world. From explanations and breakdowns of traditions and culture, to interviews with insightful experts, host Edward Speirs aims to shed a light on one of the world's most vibrant living cultures. www.nowbali.co.id

  1. JAN 26

    Surfing's Impact on Bali, feat. Tipi Jabrik | Bali Breakfast Talks Episode 3

    Tipi Jabrik was born and raised in Legian, Bali, where he picked up surf and became a professional surfer by the age of 18. As a pro surfer he toured the world, winning international competition in Phuket, Japan, as well as here in Bali. After his pro career, he changed his focus to surf development, coaching young surfers, developing the Indonesian surf industry, and overall surf ecosystem. He has brought Indonesian surfers to the olympics and international competitions, hoping to give to them the same opportunities he got when he started his career.

    50 min

  2. 12/10/2025

    The Future of Farmers in Bali, feat. Kania Maniasa | Bali Breakfast Talks Episode 2

    Kania Maniasa is the Executive Director of Green School Foundation, a non-profit organisation created to bring sustainability-focused education to children in Bali. The foundation began in 2008 providing scholarships to the renowned Green School Bali. Today, Green School Foundation’s scope extends to working with local public schools to create environmental sustainability projects, including training local teachers, to funding scholarships to agricultural universities, with the goal of attracting a younger demographic to work in the agricultural industry.

    40 min

  3. 10/30/2025

    Evolutions in Balinese Dance, Feat. Jasmine Okubo | Bali Breakfast Talks Episode 1

    Jasmine Okubo is a fabulous dancer, producer, choreographer and the founder of Yayasan Kitapoleng, a multidisciplinary art platform based in Bali. Though of Japanese descent, born and raised in Turkey, Jasmine has a deep passion for Balinese and Indonesian arts and has been a key figure in bringing the performing arts to modern audiences, especially here in Bali. In this episode of Bali Breakfast Talks, Jasmine shares with us her background in Balinese dance, her insights on traditional and classical Balinese dance in the modern age, and her intriguing work with deaf dancers. Bali Breakfast Talks is a talkshow that brings you meaningful discussions from our island home of Bali, recorded from the seaside deck of Breakfast Club Seminyak. Hosted by NOW! Bali Editor, Edward Speirs, listeners and watchers are invited to sit and sip as they discover more unique perspectives from Bali, with special guests. A collaboration between Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach, The Rockin’ Life and NOW! Bali.

    39 min

  4. 03/26/2025

    What Exactly is Nyepi, Bali's Day of Silence? | Episode 32

    Many have heard of Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence, and understand that for 24 hours the entire island undergoes a strict period of no work, no activity and no sound. But what is the reason behind this Day of Silence? And why is Nyepi observed on the day it is observed? These are the questions we hope to answer in this episode of the NOW! Bali Podcast with host, Eddy Speirs. For more details you can read the full article on Nyepi on our website. How to support NOW! Bali (1) You can help grow the Podcast by following or rating us on your preferred Podcast platform, or indeed share our episodes with a friend. (2) We'd love for you to become a reader! Our bi-monthly magazine is available as a digital edition and can be downloaded for free from our online catalogue: ⁠⁠⁠⁠payhip.com/nowbalimag⁠⁠⁠⁠. (3) For those in Indonesia, you can ⁠⁠⁠order a print version of NOW! Bali. ⁠⁠⁠ (4) Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ - or even send us a short email of encouragement or even feedback at nowbali@phoenix.co.id.

    8 min
  5. Understanding Balinese Ceremonies ft. Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa (Ubud Royal Family) | Episode 31

    11/03/2024

    Understanding Balinese Ceremonies ft. Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa (Ubud Royal Family) | Episode 31

    Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa is an esteemed member of the Ubud Royal Family and holds the position of Bendesa Adat of Ubud (Head of Customary Village Organisation) since 2009. He is one of Bali’s respected authorities on culture and local traditions. He joins the podcast ahead of a colossal ceremony taking place in Ubud, on 10 November 2024, known as Karya Agung Penyejeg Jagat. This opens a wider conversation surrounding the nature of ceremonies and the intricacies of ‘yadnya’, or sacrifices (offerings) that are central to Balinese spiritual life. Tjok Raka demystifies many of the burning questions many have regarding Balinese Hindu ceremonies, including a frequently asked question: “Why do so many Balinese Hindu not understand the ceremony they are taking part in?” This episode delves deep into Balinese philosophy, belief and practice.  Join Tjok Raka for the debut of an immersive cultural event from 15 to 17 November 2024’ Unveiling Bali’: Details can be found here: https://ibahubud.com/experiences/ Thank you to our Podcast Sponsor, Genesis Creative Centre, for providing the professional recording studio, centred in Pererenan, Bali.  Purchase a copy of TIMELESS Bali Volume 4, the fourth edition in the annual publication series: ⁠⁠⁠Purchase a copy here. ⁠⁠⁠ How to support NOW! Bali (1) You can help grow the Podcast by following or rating us on your preferred Podcast platform, or indeed share our episodes with a friend. (2) We'd love for you to become a reader! Our bi-monthly magazine is available as a digital edition and can be downloaded for free from our online catalogue: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠payhip.com/nowbalimag⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. (3) For those in Indonesia, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠order a print version of NOW! Bali. ⁠⁠⁠⁠ (4) Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - or even send us a short email of encouragement or even feedback at nowbali@phoenix.co.id.

    1h 30m

  6. 10/31/2024

    Perpetuating Balinese Rituals: Duty, Debt and Superstition | Episode 30

    In this episode, host Eddy Speirs shares a bite-sized perspective piece on factors that help to perpetuate Balinese rituals through time. Balinese Hindu philosophy has some effective built-in mechanisms for self-perpetuation down the generations. It is a mechanism driven by duty, debt and superstition. This is seen in the principle known as Tri Rna, the three duties or obligations one must fulfil during one’s life. This episode comes from an article published in TIMELESS Bali Volume 4, the fourth iteration in the annual publication series, released in August 2024. ⁠Purchase a copy here. ⁠ How to support NOW! Bali (1) You can help grow the Podcast by following or rating us on your preferred Podcast platform, or indeed share our episodes with a friend. (2) We'd love for you to become a reader! Our bi-monthly magazine is available as a digital edition and can be downloaded for free from our online catalogue: ⁠⁠⁠payhip.com/nowbalimag⁠⁠⁠. (3) For those in Indonesia, you can ⁠⁠order a print version of NOW! Bali. ⁠⁠ (4) Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ - or even send us a short email of encouragement or even feedback at nowbali@phoenix.co.id.

    8 min

  7. 01/17/2024

    Making Bali 'Future-Proof', ft. Eco Tourism Bali | Episode 29

    Bali, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture, has faced escalating environmental challenges as its tourism industry continues to grow. Issues such as waste mismanagement and ecological degradation have prompted a local response led by Eco Tourism Bali. Founded in 2021 by Suzy Hutomo, Chairperson of BodyShop Indonesia, and Rahmi Fajar Harini, a Balinese entrepreneur with a background in hospitality and public relations, the social impact business is building the path to make Bali a sustainable destination by 2030. Through their  ‘Sustainable Guideline and Verification System’ and 'Regenerative Bali' programmes, they aim to improve the quality of the island's tourism industry and make it 'future-proof' in the face of environmental challenges. Read the full article on Eco Tourism Bali on nowbali.co.id Podcast Partner The NOW! Bali Podcast is supported by ⁠⁠Genesis Creative Centre⁠⁠⁠, where you'll find video, photo and music studios, as well as other content creation services for any of your personal or business projects. This Episode was edited by Quincy Dekker. How to support NOW! Bali (1) You can help grow the Podcast by following or rating us on your preferred Podcast platform, or indeed share our episodes with a friend. (2) We'd love for you to become a reader! Our bi-monthly magazine is available as a digital edition and can be downloaded for free from our online catalogue: ⁠⁠⁠payhip.com/nowbalimag⁠⁠⁠. (3) For those in Indonesia, you can ⁠⁠order a print version of NOW! Bali. ⁠⁠ (4) Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ - or even send us a short email of encouragement or even feedback at nowbali@phoenix.co.id.

    1h 17m

  8. 10/12/2023

    Decoding the Pawukon Calendar: Cycles & Symbolism | Episode 28

    In this episode, host Eddy Speirs covers one of the most central aspects of Balinese Hindu ritual life: the Pawukon Calendar. This episode outlines the mythological origins of Hari Saraswati, The Day of Knowledge, rooted in the legend of 'Watugunung', Bali's own 'Oedipus' tale. This is tied to the creation of the calendar as well as wariga, the knowledge of time. Following this is an explanation of how the Pawukon calendar is used, and what 'calculations' must be done to define specific auspicious days. This episode comes from an article written by Jean Couteau, published in TIMELESS Bali Volume 3, the third iteration in our annual publication series, released in August 2023. Purchase a copy here. Free Transcript Available: Download Here Podcast Partner The NOW! Bali Podcast is supported by ⁠Genesis Creative Centre⁠⁠, where you'll find video, photo and music studios, as well as other content creation services for any of your personal or business projects. This Episode was edited by Quincy Dekker. How to support NOW! Bali (1) You can help grow the Podcast by following or rating us on your preferred Podcast platform, or indeed share our episodes with a friend. (2) We'd love for you to become a reader! Our bi-monthly magazine is available as a digital edition and can be downloaded for free from our online catalogue: ⁠⁠payhip.com/nowbalimag⁠⁠. (3) For those in Indonesia, you can ⁠order a print version of NOW! Bali. ⁠ (4) Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ - or even send us a short email of encouragement or even feedback at nowbali@phoenix.co.id.

    11 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Bringing you the richness of Balinese culture, heritage and history through this specially curated audio experience, NOW! Bali - a multimedia company based on the island of the gods - aims to create a deeper appreciation on why Bali is a truly unique destination not only in Indonesia, but in the world. From explanations and breakdowns of traditions and culture, to interviews with insightful experts, host Edward Speirs aims to shed a light on one of the world's most vibrant living cultures. www.nowbali.co.id

Information

  • Creator
    Edward Speirs
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Edward Speirs
  • Show Website
    The NOW! Bali Podcast