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And on his seventh Burn, Tyler Williams truly came Home
For his first six Burns, musician and professional Las Vegas community builder Tyler Williams attended Burning Man the millionaire way — flying in late, partying big, and heading out before the Temple burn. After the tragic death of his friend and boss, Zappos founder Tony Hsieh, Tyler returned to the playa — this time sober and with a deeper sense of intention. In this interview memoir, Tyler shares his story of growing up in the church, landing in Las Vegas with his band, and eventually working alongside Tony during the Downtown Project’s legendary revitalization of Fremont Street. Along the way, Arash and Tyler explore the lows of Ketamine and the real highs found in purpose, community, and creative contribution. Burner Podcast | Episode 158 Recorded on Bicycle Day of 2025 in Las Vegas, NV Tyler’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tyler-williams-53089b20 Tyler’s music: reverbnation.com/theoryofflightmusic
Anthony Bondi refuses to let Las Vegas’s arts history disappear
For over two decades, Anthony Bondi has been a living archive of Las Vegas’ arts and counterculture movements. From his large-scale tactile installations at Burning Man to his massive independent archive, Las Vegas Arts in Print Media, 1990–2015, Tony has tirelessly documented the ephemeral and forgotten corners of creative expression in Sin City. In this conversation, Tony and Arash explore the nature of cultural memory and the role of artists and storytellers. Tony guides Arash through an experiential journey into the hidden history of Las Vegas and its underground arts scene. Burner Podcast | Episode 157 Recorded in Las Vegas on March 28 and published March 31, 2025 Las Vegas Arts in Print Media LasVegasArts.org anthonybondi.com Anthony on Parts Unknown
CoLab - San Diego's Maker & Community Space
2/29/2025 The importance of physical community spaces has never been greater. In this episode, we dive into the story of CoLab, San Diego's maker space—where it started, what it took to get to where it is now, and why spaces like this are essential for the future of our communities. The go-live day of this episode marks CoLab's 11th birthday! CoLab's lease began on March 1, 2014—making it the perfect time to reflect on how it came together and why having a dedicated space for creators, builders and community matters more than ever. Episode Info Burner Podcast | Episode 156 Recorded on January 23, 2025, in San Diego Featuring: Jon Ray, Diane Hoffoss, Cecile Pham, Vic "Jolly Rancher" Liao, J-Good Connect & Learn More CoLab: sdcolab.org Jon Ray: facebook.com/jondray Diane Hoffoss: dianehoffoss.com Cecile Pham: instagram.com/cecileqpham Vic "Jolly Rancher" Liao: instagram.com/jollyrancher28 J-Good: continuum-designs.com DJ Set Featured: Tomothy Bee aka Tasty Tim soundcloud.com/tastytim Tim's DJ set was recorded live at Disorient, Burning Man 2024 Cover photo by Justin Wojdula
Dispatch from the LA Fires
In this episode, we take a very personal look at the devastating LA fires, Burners stepping up to help, and the way our community shows up in moments of crisis. Today’s episode features a conversation with Burner Podcast regular Dr. Kim Perkins and her husband Ranger Philtopia, both Black Rock Rangers, as they reflect on their experience living just around the corner from the the Altadena burn perimeter. Before that, you’ll hear a 15-minute call with Efrain Vega De Varona, who has been working tirelessly on the front lines, coordinating direct relief efforts for those impacted by the fires. Efrain shares how he found himself in impromptu disaster relief, what’s happening in real-time in Los Angeles from his perspective, and how you can help support those affected. While Kim and Phil’s home was spared, many others were not. Our primary incentive for getting this episode out ASAP is the show notes. Below you’ll find a list of fundraisers, GoFundMe pages, and direct action efforts that you can support. Get Involved: How You Can Help Contact Efrain: Efrain Vega De Varona on Facebook Support efforts via Debs: Debs on Facebook Full list of fundraisers and resources: Google Drive facebook.com/BurnersWithoutBordersLosAngeles burnerswithoutborders.org burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes/episode-75-to-build-a-better-tomorrow Episode 155 Recorded in Pasadena, CA Contributing Producer: Kim Perkins Burner Podcast is independently produced and fueled by a rotating crew of amazing contributors. If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend, and if you’re feeling extra generous, check out burnerpodcast.com for ways to support the show. Love, light, and all that other crap.
The Burning Man 2024 Recap Episode
Arash reconnects with Halcyon for a lively and candid conversation about Burning Man 2024. In this episode, they kick off by reflecting on Burner culture at large and frustrations with the growing toxicity in online spaces like the Facebook group. From there, they dive into some favorite art pieces, highlights from the playa, and a bit about attendance. They also chat about e-bikes and why having a ‘sparkle pony year’ brings some unexpected advantages. Episode number 154 Recorded in San Diego, CA on October 12, 2024 Contributing Producer: Halcyon - hugnation.com @halcyon Photo by Mark Fromson @autobiographica
The Annual Pre Playa Planner™
For this year’s annual Pre Playa Planner, Arash joins Dusty Bottoms, Fantastic Sam, Nikki Darling in Long Beach, CA to geek out about all things Burning Man 2024. As always, this is the episode where Arash outsources all the real work to the his guests. The group chats about art projects we’re eager to see, dance floors we love and experiences we’re looking forward to diving into as well as some semi-valuable survival tips for your so called ‘vacation’ in the inhospitable Nevada Black Rock Desert. Episode 153 Recorded in Long Beach, CA on July 13, 2024 Learn more about the 2024 Temple: burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes/an-ego-cant-build-a-temple Your playa roadtrip audio toolkit! burnerpodcast.com/roadtrip Previous Pre Playa Planners: burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes/category/pre-playa-planner The Unofficial Mini-Encyclopedia BURN-tanica Kindle Edition by Karnitas Talk-oh - https://a.co/d/01toZnja Contributing Producer: Dusty Bottoms of Camp Acorn Oasis
A collection of voices recorded at Burning Man 2016
Cabina Exuro was a Burner Podcast-sponsored art project designed by Ramiro Martinez Jr. that went to Black Rock City in 2016. Externally, it appeared as a triambic icosahedron sculpture, adorned with intricate laser-cut patterns and LED lights. Upon closer inspection, participants discovered an entryway that transported them into a 1940s-era radio station set, where they were invited to become radio guests and answer prompts which were recorded and saved to be shared someday in the future. About 100 Burners stumbled upon this unique project and recorded their voices, sharing personal stories, reflections, and experiences. These recordings were never shared publicly—until now. In this very special episode of Burner Podcast, we bring you some of those voices from Burning Man 2016. ramarchdesign.com/#/burningman2016 mrarash.com/cabina-exuro Episode 152 Recorded at Black Rock City, Nevada, during Burning Man 2016 Additional recording in Laguna Niguel, CA, 2024 Some sound effects courtesy of Zapsplat.com This episode was produced by all the folks who helped bring Cabina Exuro to Burning Man, including (but not at all limited to) Ramiro Martinez Jr., Tori Massie, Navjeet Sarna, Little Bear, Sam Godar, Amber Rose, Paul McCarthy, Arthur Roehr, Joseph Plummer, and Denise M. Lozano
Glitter Kitty embraces community and shadow work in her vision for Burning Man 2024’s Temple of Together
Lebanese-bred and Brazil-born Caroline Ghosn learned to place a high value on deep connections from an early life lived in a larger variety of cities than your average childhood. The “activist entrepreneur” became Glitter Kitty in 2015 and has brought to the playa the sculptures Do Not Cross and Disturb My Slumber, paving the way for arguably her greatest feat, Burning Man’s 2024 Temple of Together. Arash interviews Caroline in April 2024, just as the temple team begins their transition from individual fundraising to the next phase of their efforts. Their conversation explores multi-generational trauma, the spiritual compulsion that is art-making, and multiple geek-outs about Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. Chapter One: Highly Sensitive Chapter Two: When You’re in Hell, Keep Walking Chapter Three: Tiny Cute little Human Ego Chapter Four: Why Temple Chapter Five: The Gardner and the Architect Chapter Six: Gratitude Links: https://www.instagram.com/carolineghosn https://www.2024temple.com https://www.glitterkitty.art https://journal.burningman.org/2024/01/black-rock-city/building-brc/introducing-the-2024-temple/ Recorded at Robot Heart Residency chill space at all The Loom makerspace in Oakland, California, on April 20, 2024. (theloom.net) https://robotheart.secretparty.io https://www.robotheart.org https://www.instagram.com/robotheartfoundation Additional recording at Dome Asylum in Ramona, CA hipcamp.com/en-US/land/california-dome-asylum-hippie-homestead tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32937-d16645997-Reviews-Dome_Asylum-Ramona_California instagram.com/domeasylumramona This episode was produced by Kelly Smith (kellysmithcassidy.com) Executive Producer Patrick Dylan Riley (ra.co/dj/patrickdylan) About Burner Podcast: Independently produced by a revolving team of volunteers and hosted by founder ‘Mister Arash’, Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional podcast in the global Burning Man community. Focused on year-round Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore a decade’s worth of conversations at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. DJ sets featured on Burner Podcast can be found here: soundcloud.com/burnerpodcast/sets/burner-podcast-closing-sets Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based(ish) professional photographer, writer and community building addict. Send him love or hate mail directly at mrarash.com/hello and follow his writing on Substack at yesterdayiwasclever.com, where he publishes new pieces on culture, Art and identity every Friday. For bookings and inquiries, contact Arash’s management at properconcept.us/contact-us 
Arash reflects on a decade of Burning Man, the Burner community and Burner Podcast
Arash recorded the interview portion of the very first episode of Burner Podcast before attending his first Burning Man. With the transformative nature of Burning Man baked into the show, Arash reflects on a decade of growth, adventure and community. Unlike any previous editions of the show, this milestone episode features a solo scripted memoire by the host in six chapters: The Call, The Refusal, The Road, The Abyss, The Change and The Return. Recorded in Las Vegas, NV, April of 2024 Additional recording at Proper Concept Studio in Long Beach, CA, March 2024 Closing set by Christian Goodell soundcloud.com/christiangoodell soundcloud.com/bureauofhindsight Hear the full set at https://on.soundcloud.com/SPr4s5jrrVXqNB4d7 Recorded at Burning Medellin on 2-9-24 at Heard From in El Poblado, Medellin, Colombia Executive Producer Patrick Dylan Riley (ra.co/dj/patrickdylan) Read the compendium to this episode: Sometimes Just [censored] It About Burner Podcast: Independently produced by a revolving team of volunteers and hosted by founder ‘Mister Arash’, Burner Podcast is the longest running traditional podcast in the global Burning Man community. Focused on year-round Burner consciousness and topics of intracultural interest, explore a decade’s worth of conversations at burnerpodcast.com/previous-episodes. Follow instagram.com/BurnerPodcast and facebook.com/burnerpodcast for wildly irregular updates. Burner Podcast host Arash Afshar is an Iranian-American SoCal-based(ish) professional photographer, writer and community building addict. Send him love or hate mail directly at mrarash.com/hello and follow his writing on Substack at yesterdayiwasclever.com, where he publishes new pieces on culture, Art and identity every Friday. For bookings and inquiries, contact Arash’s management at properconcept.us/contact-us 
Dr. Kim Perkins and Arash talk spirituality and science
For the first new episode of 2024 Arash welcomes back one of the Kims (from episode 140) for a fun conversation about the intersection of spirituality and science. In addition to holding the honor of being Arash’s previous housemate, Dr. Kim Perkins is an organizational psychologist with a PhD in positive psychology. Arash and Kim dive into topics often brushed off as 'hippie stuff,' exploring their academic backing and practical applications. The episode closes with a portion of DJ Maxx Polishuk's full vinyl set from BRCU at Burning Man 2013. Recorded January of 2024 at Philtopia in Pasadena, CA |
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