One of the principles guiding Burning Man is "Radical Inclusion." Basically, all are welcome. But, the temporary city that Burners build in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert has never been racially diverse. Just 1% of Black Rock City self-identifies as Black. In this episode of THE INTERSECTION at Burning Man, we explore why there's been a disconnect between racial and radical inclusion, and what some Burners, like Oakland Activist and Artist Favianna Rodriguez, are doing to change that.  

This episode was edited by Lisa Morehouse. And engineered for your listening pleasure by Gabe Grabin with music from Erik Pearson and Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Jenee Darden, Jonathan Davis and Jessie Weiner. And of course to the folks at Que Viva and the Burning Man Project.

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Burning Man is known for a lot of things: The art. The parties. The wooden man that’s set on ablaze every year. But most Burners don’t know much about the history of the land or its original inhabitants: the Pyramid Lake Paiutes  In this episode of THE INTERSECTION, reporter Lucy Kang explores the Piautes and their relationship to Burning Man. 

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You can support the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe through Comfort & Joy's fundraising campaign on Facebook. ---

This episode is a co-prodction of KALW and KPFA. It was edited by David Boyer and engineered by Gabe Grabin with theme music from Erik Pearson. Songs from the album Circle Dance Songs of the Paiute and Shoshone by Judy Trejo ARE courtesy of Canyon Records. "Sweet Betsy From Pike" was performed by Zelmer Ward and Vester Whitworth. 

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Deep in the Black Rock Desert, way beyond the theme camps and the effigy that gives Burning Man its name, there’s another elaborate wooden structure: it blends art and architecture, inside and out. And, arguably, it’s the sacred and spiritual center of the event.Burners simply call it “The Temple.” “Grief” is perhaps the most apparent emotion expressed and experienced here. That specific grief that comes with losing a loved one and the more diffuse grief that can come with simply being alive on this planet at this moment. 

Why is there such attachment to a temporary structure that’s little more than wood and nails? Reporter Jonathan Davis went in search of the answer.

THE INTERSECTION will return with new episodes as we get closer to this year’s virtual Burn. In the meantime, we want to spotlight some amazing work that's being made right now.

DAY BY DAY is a limited series from KALW that follows a mix of ordinary people dealing with these extraordinary times. 

It is co-produced and edited by Gabe Grabin, Angela Johnston and David Boyer (that's me!) Gabe is also the man responsible for the exquisite scoring and engineering.

If you like what hear, SUBSCRIBE! 

All over social media and within my camp community, I am seeing so much kindness, creativity and a desire to pitch in for the common good and to come together. People hosting virtual classes, dance parties and happy hours; people raising money and their collective voices. I want to hear your stories. And if you’re cool with it, I’d love to share them. 

Record a voice memo on your phone or computer.  Tell us if and how being a Burner has prepared you for this pandemic. Do you have a creative endeavor, a huminatarian project, a CorinaLifeHacks? How are you getting through this and how are you helping your community and beyond? 

Record a voice memo and send it to theintersectionfm@gmail.com. Send along an image too if you like.  Or, if you prefer, just  call (415) 625-3757‬ and leave a message. 

Stay safe out there! 

Burning Man is known for its massive, Instagram-friendly art installations that are a stark contrast to the beige, desert backdrop. There are also many smaller projects, labors of love that can easily get lost. In this installment, THE INTERSECTION discovers one of them. To the naked eye, it looks like an old phone on a dusty table. Curious folks at Burning Man pick up the receiver. What awaits them on the other end is totally unexpected.

Thr project is The Phone Experiment™; it's the creation of David Cooper, a coder-slash- comedian who lives in San Francisco. He was kind enough to give us access to more than 24-hours of recorded conversations.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION  // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm  // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editors: Ben Trefny, Lisa Morehouse, Gabe Grabin Engineer: Gabe Grabin Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Jonathan Davis

Special thanks to the Pigmalions, Versed, BMIR and all the peeps who shared a moment and/or a story.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

What's it like to be in a wheelchair or have mobility issues on the playa? Photojournalist Morgan Lieberman spent the week with Rat Lady and Mobility Camp. And if you haven't listened to the full episode, consider this a teaser.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION  // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm  // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

Burning Man is pagan at its core with a hell-ish aesthetic. It's understandable that many evangelical leaders condemn the event. But why do so many devout Christians attend each year? And what do they do once they're there? We meet the priests and apostles of Religous AF camp, who are on a mission to help other Burners heal their spiritual wounds.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION  // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm  // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Ben Trefny Engineer: Gabe Grabin Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Jonathan Davis

Special thanks to the Pigmalions, Versed, BMIR and all the peeps who shared a moment and/or a story.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

From our family to yours: a bonus video that adds visuals to the Episode 02 about a family of first-time art-car makers at Burning Man. Turns out, the ups and downs of Eileen the Pearl Peacock were photo-documented by one of the makers — Robin Damore — who is also a portrait artist. Enjoy! And if you haven't listened to the full episode, consider this a teaser.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION  // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm  // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

Burning Man is guided by the so-called "10 Princples," one of which is radical inclusion. What does that mean for people with disabilities? Especially at an event that spans seven-square miles of cracked desert, and the most common forms of transit are biking and walking. We meet a Burner with limited vision and a camp for people with mobility issues.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION  // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm  // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Lisa Morehouse Engineer: Gabe Grabin Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Jonathan Davis

Special thanks to the Pigmalions, Versed, BMIR and all the peeps who shared a moment and/or a story.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.