Life is a Festival

Eamon Armstrong
  • 4.9 (141)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Life is a Festival

Through intimate, long-form interviews, Life is a Festival unlocks the wisdom of cultural pioneers to help listeners integrate transformational experiences and create more joy and adventure in their daily lives.

  1. Megan Miller: Why Burners Must Participate in this Election

    NOV 4

    Megan Miller: Why Burners Must Participate in this Election

    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

    1h 9m
  2. Atish: Beats, Breaks, and Balance, a DJ Unplugs

    OCT 25

    Atish: Beats, Breaks, and Balance, a DJ Unplugs

    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

    1h 1m
  3. Will Chase: How Burning Man Stays Relevant

    SEP 28

    Will Chase: How Burning Man Stays Relevant

    How does Burning Man stay relevant for a new generation and beyond the Black Rock Desert? The dust has settled from Burning Man, and the photo dumps have all been dumped but today we're diving into a deeper conversation about the relevance of the event itself. My guest, Will Chase was Burning Man’s Minister of Propaganda until 2016. He’s done more than most to bring the open-hearted play of Burning Man to the default world (ie make life like a festival).  In our conversation, we explore Burning Man as a pilgrimage, the magic of serendipity, and the lasting influence of Larry Harvey. Will shares personal stories and thoughtful insights as we explore the magic of Burning Man and what this community should focus on now. Will Chase was a key figure in Burning Man from 2003 to 2016. He co-founded Fireside Storytelling in San Francisco and is the president of We Are From Dust, which places interactive art globally. He also hosts "Pants Optional" on Shady Pines Radio and co-founded Peak, an immersive experience design company. Timestamps (11:30) Will Chase doesn’t like making things about himself (15:45) Larry Harvey had the right ego to crawl with worms (19:30) Getting to Burning Man is itself a rite of passage (26:30) In Search of Serendipity (30:30) No the magic hasn’t changed… (39:45) … but we are at a cultural inflection point  (47:45) The Minister of Propaganda’s medicine is storytelling (52:30) Bringing Burning Man to the Grand Playa Links: Will Chase Will Chase | Burning Man Journal We Are From Dust About Peak Immersive

    1h 7m
  4. Burning Man Isn't Cool Anymore

    SEP 12

    Burning Man Isn't Cool Anymore

    Today's podcast is in two parts: First, my reflections (rant) on Burning Man 2024, and second, a repost of my appearance on the Burning Man Live Podcast from a few years ago. During my solocast, I celebrate recent changes in Burning Man, read from a short section of my upcoming book about the concept of cool, and share part of Caveat Magister’s piece about Burning Man passing the torch to the regional network. Finally, I share some changes in the Life is a Festival podcast moving forward. On the Burning Man Live Podcast, I discuss Burning Man’s place in festival culture, the meaning of transformation, exploring masculinity, and what—at the time—I believed lies ahead for the global festival community. Links Life is a Festival: Voices of the Renegade Burn Has Black Rock City's Torch Passed to the Regionals? Burning Man LIVE Podcast Series Timestamps (02:00) - Burning Man isn’t cool anymore (23:00) - Burning Man Live Podcast (31:15) - Transformational Festivals and the meaning of transformation (36:30) - Masculine archetypes (46:00) - The Psychedelic Therapy Podcast (55:30) - What lies ahead for festival culture and Burning Man in particular

    57 min
  5. Live From Burning Man Information Radio (Encore)

    AUG 21

    Live From Burning Man Information Radio (Encore)

    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

    53 min
  6. Chip Conley: Midlife is also a Festival

    JUL 19

    Chip Conley: Midlife is also a Festival

    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

    52 min
  7. Camille Barton: The Urgent Art of Grief Ritual

    MAY 16

    Camille Barton: The Urgent Art of Grief Ritual

    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

    1h 17m
  8. Tina Nance: Beyond the "Divine" Feminine

    APR 23

    Tina Nance: Beyond the "Divine" Feminine

    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

    1h 15m
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4.9
out of 5
141 Ratings

About

Through intimate, long-form interviews, Life is a Festival unlocks the wisdom of cultural pioneers to help listeners integrate transformational experiences and create more joy and adventure in their daily lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Eamon Armstrong
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Eamon Armstrong
  • Show Website
    Life is a Festival

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