A Big Sur Podcast

Magnus Toren, host
  • 4.8 (35)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL

A Big Sur Podcast An ongoing conversation with people from near and far about Big Sur's past, present, and future. A Big Sur Podcast interprets “community” to mean ALL people from around the world who are curious about, and who care about, the preservation and restoration of the wild and rural character of Big Sur. Stories are told by visitors and residents, plumbers and linesmen, musicians and authors, dancers and jugglers and others. Sometimes we drift (way) off-topic into the arts, sciences, personal stories, gossip, politics, philosophy, ornithology, Henry Miller, and our zeitgeist in general. We like that! The opinions expressed here belong to the people who express them. They may or may not line up with yours, mine, or your neighbor’s — and that’s exactly the point. Different perspectives, lived experiences, and even wildly clashing views are what make conversations worth listening to: enriching, infuriating, life-affirming, and sometimes all three at once. If you are planning a visit to Big Sur and you listen to some of the folks on this Podcast talk about their love of the place your visit will probably be a lot more rewarding. Please email magnus@henrymiller.org with any comments, critique & suggestions. Music intro clip courtesy John Holm: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0Rh2QU Sound editing software by Hindenburg: https://hindenburg.com/Please support the podcast by making a donation to the Henry Miller Library, a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization. Thank you!

  1. # 117 Kendra and Matt: Here's Your Song!

    OCT 7

    # 117 Kendra and Matt: Here's Your Song!

    Send us a text The Ballad of Kendra and Matt (or, The Song That Never Made It to the PA)   A neighborhood celebration, a home-recorded love song, a forgotten “play” button — and a reminder that even when things go sideways, community and humor always find a way. Magnus tells the true story behind a tune that almost didn’t get heard — until now. 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! 😊 magnus@henrymiller.org FaceBook Instagram

    9 min
  2. # 116 Steve Beck, Master Gardener

    SEP 29

    # 116 Steve Beck, Master Gardener

    Send us a text 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! 😊 magnus@henrymiller.org FaceBook Instagram

    1h 9m
  3. # 115 Kangalee & The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder

    AUG 14

    # 115 Kangalee & The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder

    Send us a text A clown stands alone… somewhere between Henry Miller and Samuel Beckett… somewhere between laughter and the cosmic void. Henry Miller once said, “A clown is a poet in action.” Today, that poet is Kangalee—the one-man actor and director—returning to the stage with a new mono-drama that refuses to stay in one world. Silent film. Revolutionary vaudeville. Delirious mime. Poetry. Nirvana. This is the modern holy fool—not Keaton, but Kangalee—struggling, leaping, breaking through to offer us something sacred. And for the first time in America, Henry Miller’s most mysterious story comes alive on stage in Smile: A Clown’s Ascension — based on The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder. This episode is a conversation with Kangalee!  Please visit: Kangalee Arts Ensemble HM 21 Symposium With support form the Arts Council of Monterey County 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! 😊 magnus@henrymiller.org FaceBook Instagram

    1 hr
  4. # 114 The ENDURING WILD: Journeys Beyond the National Parks with author Josh Jackson.

    JUN 25

    # 114 The ENDURING WILD: Journeys Beyond the National Parks with author Josh Jackson.

    Send us a text Author-photographer Josh Jackson grew up camping the Midwest’s state-parks but it wasn’t until he had moved to California, and after the birth of his third child, in 2015—when every California campground was booked solid—that a friend uttered the words “BLM land.” One spur-of-the-moment trip to the Trona Pinnacles cracked open a new universe: 15 million acres of under-sung, “left-over” public land in California alone. Over the next decade Jackson made pandemic-era pilgrimages to deserts, sagebrush plateaus, and the Lost Coast’s King Range, keeping a field journal, hauling a camera, and gradually uncovering two intertwined stories: A Scrappy, Essential Landscape – Bureau of Land Management parcels host wild‐and‐scenic rivers, endangered species, Indigenous cultural sites, and 60+ first-come camps where solitude still reigns.A Perpetual Target – From the Sagebrush Rebellion to Senator Mike Lee’s 2025 amendments that would auction up to 1.2 million acres, BLM lands survive only by “enduring” repeated sell-off and extraction threats.The Enduring Wild braids those threads—personal awakening, ecological portraits, Indigenous history, and political urgency—into 100 photographs and 45 k words aimed at turning anonymity into affection. Jackson’s thesis echoes Baba Dioum: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love.” His book is an invitation to know, love, and therefore defend America’s most overlooked public commons. Come down to the Henry Miller Library - browse and buy your copy ofThe Enduring Wild.  Wallace Stegner; These are some of the things wilderness can do for us. That is the reason we need to put into effect, for its preservation, some other principle that the principles of exploitation or "usefulness" or even recreation. We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in. For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope. https://psych.utah.edu/_resources/documents/psych4130/Stenger_W.pdf 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! 😊 magnus@henrymiller.org FaceBook Instagram

    1h 4m
  5. # 113 Patte Kronlund, speaking of love and loss.

    MAY 25

    # 113 Patte Kronlund, speaking of love and loss.

    Send us a text This episode is a particularly tender one. I had the privilege of speaking with Patte Kronlund whose husband, Butch, recently passed away after a long and difficult battle with cancer.  Patte and I have an open, heartfelt conversation—one marked by courage, honesty, and that shows Patte's extraordinary personal strength. She speaks about grief, love, and the quiet acts of devotion that carry us through our darkest times. Her willingness to share such intimate reflections is something I deeply respect, and I think you will, too. There’s of course also much more we could have talked about Patte than what we were able to cover here. For one Patte has been a vital part of our Big Sur community through her work with CABS, and although we touched on that in our conversation, I chose to focus this episode on her personal story. I hope we’ll return to her community work in a future episode. For now, we're simply grateful to Patte—for her openness, for her strength, and for reminding us that even in loss, there can be great beauty and connection. Here's a link to the podcast with Butch. 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! 😊 magnus@henrymiller.org FaceBook Instagram

    1h 51m
  6. # 112 Atomic Dreams: The New Nuclear Evangelists and the Fight for the Future of Energy

    MAY 14

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

    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 in our energy future? Rebecca explores the unlikely resurgence of nuclear power as a climate solution — not through the lens of old Cold War anxieties, but through a new generation of thinkers, engineers, and environmentalists who see splitting the atom as a bridge to a carbon-free future. And here in California, that question hits home. Diablo Canyon — the state’s last operating nuclear plant — was on its way out. Now, it’s looking like it's on its way back in. What changed? And what does that tell us about the shifting cultural and political ground beneath our feet? Stay with us as we explore the strange, complicated afterlife of nuclear power — from protests and policy to power grids and hope. 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! 😊 magnus@henrymiller.org FaceBook Instagram

    1h 20m
  7. # 111 RELAY FOR RACHAEL. A conversation with photographer, neighbor and dear friend Rachael Short.

    APR 24

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

    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 Journey Rachael and Magnus reminisced about their past interactions and shared experiences. Rachael, who grew up in Carmel Valley, expressed her gratitude for her upbringing, which included spending time in nature and observing the environment. She credited this upbringing for influencing her photography and creativity. Magnus and Rachael discussed how Rachael's experiences, such as horseback riding and long drives through nature, shaped her perspective and artistic vision. Rachael's Photography Journey and Technical Skills Rachael discusses her early experiences with photography, starting in high school and continuing through her education at Brooks Institute. She was drawn to black and white photography and the darkroom process, which she began learning as a sophomore. Rachael explains that she didn't fully appreciate the significance of famous photographers from her area, like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, until later in her studies. She describes her time at Brooks Institute, where she experienced the transition from film to digital photography, and highlights the technical skills she gained there, particularly in lighting and the zone system. Rachael also mentions her focus on fine art photography and portraiture, which led to her work in wedding photography as a means to fund her artistic pursuits. Neurological Trauma Experiences Compared Rachael and Magnus discussed their experiences with neurological traumas. Rachael shared her vivid memories of a 15-year-old accident that left her paraplegic, while Magnus described his wife's recent stroke. They compared their experiences, noting similarities and differences. Magnus asked Rachael about her memories of the accident and how she has coped with the trauma over the years. Rachael confirmed that she still remembers painful aspects of the accident and has no memory of the first few days in the hospital. Quadriplegia and Community Support Rachael discussed her quadriplegia, emphasizing the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia. She acknowledged the fragility of life and the ongoing challenges of finding the right care to manage her condition. Rachael also expressed gratitude for the community support she receives, particularly through the annual run organized by a core group of friends. Despite the difficulties, she remains hopeful and appreciative of the love and support she receives. Rachael's Photography and New Project In the meeting, Rachael discussed her photography work, including a series of images taken at her grandparents' property after it was sold. She explaine 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! 😊 magnus@henrymiller.org FaceBook Instagram

    1h 2m
  8. # 110 Butch Kronlund (Jan. 7, 1955 - Feb. 1, 2025) from 'Under the Persimmon Tree' September 29, 2019.

    APR 18

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

    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 the Post Ranch Inn, collaborate with architect Mickey Muennig on several iconic homes, help build the new Big Sur Health Center, and oversee the rebuilding of the baths at Esalen. We also hear about his more recent efforts to raise and distribute critical funds for community members affected by fires and floods—a testament to his enduring care for the coast and its people. Thanks for listening, and for remembering Butch with us. There will be a celebration of Butch's life in June.  Announcement will be forthcoming. Thank you for listening! 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! 😊 magnus@henrymiller.org FaceBook Instagram

    1h 28m
See All (115)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

A Big Sur Podcast An ongoing conversation with people from near and far about Big Sur's past, present, and future. A Big Sur Podcast interprets “community” to mean ALL people from around the world who are curious about, and who care about, the preservation and restoration of the wild and rural character of Big Sur. Stories are told by visitors and residents, plumbers and linesmen, musicians and authors, dancers and jugglers and others. Sometimes we drift (way) off-topic into the arts, sciences, personal stories, gossip, politics, philosophy, ornithology, Henry Miller, and our zeitgeist in general. We like that! The opinions expressed here belong to the people who express them. They may or may not line up with yours, mine, or your neighbor’s — and that’s exactly the point. Different perspectives, lived experiences, and even wildly clashing views are what make conversations worth listening to: enriching, infuriating, life-affirming, and sometimes all three at once. If you are planning a visit to Big Sur and you listen to some of the folks on this Podcast talk about their love of the place your visit will probably be a lot more rewarding. Please email magnus@henrymiller.org with any comments, critique & suggestions. Music intro clip courtesy John Holm: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0Rh2QU Sound editing software by Hindenburg: https://hindenburg.com/Please support the podcast by making a donation to the Henry Miller Library, a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization. Thank you!

Information

  • Creator
    Magnus Toren, host
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    115
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 A Big Sur Podcast
  • Show Website
    A Big Sur Podcast