BONZAAR Podcast

In this episode we take a critical look at the emergent generational transition within Burner culture and explore how a looming "demographic cliff" can shift the landscape as the foundational Baby-Boomer and Gen-X participants age out. The host and guest highlights that the traditional, 30-year-old festival model often fails to resonate with Gen-Z and emerging Gen-Alpha attendees, who hold fundamentally different expectations regarding safety, authenticity, digital engagement, and economic realities. Consequently, younger demographics are increasingly skeptical of the current Burn environment - sometimes viewing it as exclusionary, inauthentic, or "cringe" - which directly fuels a crisis in long-term volunteerism and stewardship. To ensure the culture's survival, the host and guest argues that communities must stop rigidly enforcing outdated organisational mechanics and instead collaborate with youth to radically redesign the event framework, effectively translating the core "magic" of co-creation and storytelling for future generations.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guest: Jarred 'Space Elf' Taylor
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Theme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro music
[00:00:31] Intro guest
[00:01:23] Why did you select that topic?
[00:03:31] Demographic cliff
[00:04:33] Census data
[00:06:53] Burner data
[00:09:04] Generational shaping
[00:14:23] Burning man ecosystem
[00:16:47] Boomers and Gen-X
[00:18:47] Gen-Y and Gen-Z
[00:22:04] Population size
[00:23:44] Top hopes and fears
[00:26:30] Shifting perspectives
[00:31:46] Kids are our future
[00:36:10] Transformational
[00:39:12] Gen-Alphas
[00:42:56] Generational resentment
[00:46:40] Changing sentiments
[00:48:55] Changing principles
[00:51:09] Burning man public consciousness
[00:54:07] Gen-Z quotes about burning man
[01:02:59] Instagram culture
[01:06:27] Jazz and chocolate cake
[01:09:26] Radical inclusion
[01:11:42] Communication and technology
[01:17:47] Younger input
[01:21:00] Steep or shallow cliff?
[01:23:20] Live music entertainment sector
[01:26:45] Big commercial festivals
[01:28:58] Franchise model
[01:30:57] Tiny festivals
[01:32:14] Regionals as franchises
[01:38:00] Rad stories
[01:39:22] Breakdown of top 5 music festivals
[01:45:47] Co-creation festivals
[01:49:41] Thought experiment
[01:51:49] Tomorrowland
[01:55:47] Storytelling is important
[02:02:31] Rainbow serpent and confest
[02:08:04] Crisis in confidence
[02:13:06] Geopolitical risks
[02:16:13] Buy, sell, or hodl
[02:22:34] Burner calendar
[02:27:07] Final thoughts
[02:29:02] Outro music
USEFUL Links:
Bonza Community: https://bonzacommunity.org/
Burning Man Project: https://burningman.org/
Kiwiburn: https://kiwiburn.com/
Afrikburn: https://www.afrikaburn.org/
Jarred's presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTkWFc2usSc
Tomorrowland: https://www.tomorrowland.com/
Coachella: https://coachella.com/
Glastonbury festival: https://glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Electric Daisy Carnival: https://www.edc.com/
Confest: https://confest.org.au/
Rainbow Serpent/Spirit festival: https://rainbowspirit.net/
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 27 July, 2026

In this episode we get into a spirited discussion with Felipe and Deirdre about their interconnected Bonza Summit presentations regarding the urgent need to foster psychosocial safety and inclusive communication within their community. Felipe highlighted how ingrained behaviors like snark and gatekeeping are fundamentally ego-driven and destructive, disproportionately harming neurodivergent individuals and eroding community bonds through negative emotional contagion. Complementing this perspective, Deirdre emphasised that volunteer leadership must actively design environments that prioritise psychological well-being - treating it with the same gravity as physical workplace safety - to prevent volunteer burnout and counteract exclusionary practices. Together, their insights advocate for a critical cultural shift away from toxic, power-driven dynamics and toward a supportive environment that truly embodies the foundational practices of community-building, healthy communication, participation and radical inclusion.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Felipe Aires & Deirdre 'Daydream' Mansell
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Theme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro theme
[00:00:30] Intro panel
[00:02:59] Roles and contributions
[00:05:46] Burner origins
[00:10:47] Bonza summit
[00:16:38] How did you select your topic?
[00:27:43] Neurodivergent
[00:35:11] Public speaking
[00:38:07] Sense of humour
[00:44:20] Pilotburn was pivotal
[00:51:27] Harm of snark and gatekeeping
[00:54:26] Banter vs Snark
[00:58:29] Impact of snark
[01:02:20] Cognitive load
[01:07:16] Healthy snark?
[01:08:38] Body language
[01:11:20] Snark vs Roasting vs Satire vs Parody
[01:17:13] Emotional contagion
[01:22:47] Online personas
[01:27:56] Privilege
[01:34:36] Gatekeeping
[01:38:23] Culture survives through transmission
[01:39:41] Burner identity
[01:40:41] Unfuck your burn
[01:44:40] Too much passion
[01:47:59] Psychosocial safety
[01:55:23] Shoutouts and gratitude
[01:58:59] Feedback
[02:00:55] Outro theme
USEFUL Links:
Bonza Community: https://bonzacommunity.org/
Sunburnt Arts: https://sunburntarts.org.au/
Underland: https://underland.au/
Common Arts Victoria: https://commonarts.org.au/
Burning Man Project: https://burningman.org/
Burning Man Virgins & Veterans - No Snark/Trolling/Ticket Selling/Begging Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1173209246053005
Rainbow Serpent/Spirit: https://rainbowspirit.net/
Deirdre's presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyFCFSo1P34
Felipe's presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6qQni8vOc8
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 23 July, 2026

This episode features an insightful and inspiring conversation with Dragonburn organisers Sassy Panda and Koi about the unique, often chaotic journey of hosting China's official Burning Man regional event since 2014. They recount the event's evolution from grassroots beginnings to navigating extreme logistical hurdles, sudden venue cancellations due to government regulations or development, and cultural clashes surrounding concepts like radical self-expression, leave no trace, and the rise of commercialised "glamping". The discussion contrasts their community-driven ethos against highly funded, goal-oriented copycat events like the 2019 "Gobi Heaven" experiment, highlighting the deep resilience required to maintain authentic burner culture in a highly regulated society. Running a burn in the Far East is a masterclass in Radical Self-Reliance and Immediacy, whilst also dodging default world bureaucracy. Amidst hilarious and bizarre anecdotes - such as a surreal art application to bring a live pony painted as a zebra, and a spontaneous dual-burning of the effigy and temple to evade satellite fire detection by local authorities - the organisers reflect on the future of Dragonburn, suggesting a strategic shift toward smaller, agile, or nomadic community gatherings as a vital survival mechanism to keep the culture alive without drawing heavy attention.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Elaine 'Sassy Panda' Kang & Fransceca 'Koi' Valsecchi
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Theme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro theme
[00:00:30] Intro panel
[00:02:01] Roles and origin stories
[00:07:34] International burns
[00:14:36] Dragonburn story
[00:23:57] First 6 year journey
[00:37:52] Last 6 year journey
[00:49:01] Site search
[00:51:51] Why dragon?
[00:53:31] Burning Man in China
[01:09:44] Perception of Burning Man
[01:16:50] Transformational experiences
[01:20:35] Sense of play
[01:22:40] Ten principles translation
[01:45:29] China burn vs Dragonburn
[02:14:56] Dragonburn quiz
[02:30:57] Zebra story
[02:51:12] 80% new burners
[03:00:01] Future of burner culture
[03:20:11] Shoutouts and gratitude
[03:30:27] Outro theme
USEFUL Links:
Dragonburn: https://www.dragonburn.org/
Dragonburn Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dragonburnchina/
Burning Man: https://burningman.org/
Kiwiburn: https://kiwiburn.org/
Burning Seed: https://www.burningseed.com/
Sunburnt Arts: https://sunburntarts.org.au/
Pirainia theme camp: https://www.facebook.com/pirainia/
Gobi Heaven: https://www.facebook.com/gobiheaven/
Chinese Version Burning Man Festival - A Documentary "His Utopia" 《何大的乌托邦》纪录片: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwzessETLQQ
Inside Gobi Heaven, China’s Burning Man-style desert festival: https://qz.com/quartzy/1687755/pictures-from-chinas-burning-man-style-gobi-heaven
The Chinese “Copycats” of Burning Man: https://pandaily.com/the-chinese-copycats-of-burning-man
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 29 June, 2026

In this episode we chat with artists Ulf and Róisín about the resilience of the local NSW burner community and their deeply personal creative journeys. The discussion centres on the recent "Pilot Burn," an event that was abruptly canceled due to permitting issues but was successfully salvaged into an epic renegade "pivot burn" through rapid collective effort, highlighting the community's adaptability and dedication. Beyond event logistics, the guests delve into their individual passions: Róisín shares her profound path into sound therapy, voice activation, and integrating wellness spaces into festivals and burn environments, while Ulf recounts his roots in the 90s German techno scene, his return to DJing after a decade, and the creation of his community-focused radio show. Ultimately, the conversation underscores a broader shift in modern festival culture away from mere escapism and toward deeper human connection, holistic wellness, and authentic self-expression.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Guests: Róisín 'Lily Ro' Smyth & Ulf 'Da Wulf' Sthamer
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Theme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro theme
[00:00:30] Intro panel
[00:02:43] Burner origin stories
[00:11:39] Sydney decompression
[00:17:46] People are interesting
[00:22:38] For the archives
[00:26:30] Pilotburn voice messages
[00:28:37] Sound healing and therapy
[00:42:00] Wellness trend
[00:51:54] Workshops
[01:02:28] DJing on vinyl workshop
[01:05:37] Skills from DJing
[01:12:22] Music influences
[01:21:25] Radio production
[01:22:38] Pilotburn voice messages
[01:25:23] Ulf da Wulf radio show
[01:44:15] Burner quiz
[01:52:50] Pilotburn voice messages
[01:54:55] From pilot to pivot burn
[02:15:55] Theme camps and art installations
[02:29:14] New kids on the burn
[02:36:28] Pilotburn voice messages
[02:40:11] Shoutouts and gratitude
[02:46:02] Burner calendar 2026
[02:54:53] Pilotburn voice messages
[03:00:08] Sticky
[03:48:25] Outro theme
USEFUL Links:
Sunburnt Arts: https://sunburntarts.org.au/
Burning Seed: https://www.burningseed.com/
The Third Degree: https://the3rddegree.org/
Blazing Swan: https://blazingswan.com.au/
Common Arts Victoria: https://commonarts.org.au/
Underland: https://underland.au/
Burning Seed: https://www.burningseed.com/
Burning Man: https://burningman.org/
Confest: https://confest.org.au/
Sunset Town facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wearesunsettown
Ulf da Wulf Radio Show: https://soundcloud.com/ulfdawulf
Why wellness is booming at festivals in the UK article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4p75lldgvo
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 21 July, 2026

In this episode we bend an ear with Mandy, Marcus, and Jodie to chat about the evolution and ethos of their enduring Blazing Swan theme camp, "The Poolroom". Born from a spontaneous trip to Burning Man in 2012, the camp operates as an on-street, barrier-free, open-air living room steeped in self-deprecating Australian "larrikin" humour, taking heavy stylistic and cultural inspiration from the 1997 iconic film 'The Castle' and the sitcom 'Kath & Kim'. Rejecting loud music and rigid volunteer rosters, The Poolroom instead fosters genuine community connection through kitschy decor, daytime micheladas, and eccentric participatory events like Arnott's biscuit tarot readings. By bridging Western Australia's rural-urban divide and successfully integrating multiple generations—from young children to adults in their twenties—the camp's collaborative, welcoming dynamic perfectly encapsulates the vibes of 2026 Blazing Swan theme, "It Takes a Village".
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Jodie 'Prude' Lyndon-James, Mandy 'Maybe' Curnow, & Marcus Geneve
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Theme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro theme
[00:00:30] Intro panel
[00:01:38] Marcus & Mandy's origin story
[00:03:27] The Poolroom origins
[00:08:46] Jodie's origin story
[00:17:52] Poolroom influences
[00:27:43] How big is the poolroom?
[00:43:04] Aussie culture
[00:47:18] Mutant vehicles
[00:53:33] Larrikanism
[01:09:10] International burns
[01:15:03] Next generation of burners
[01:21:07] Kids at burns
[01:28:13] Poolroom reviews Blazing Swan 2026
[01:32:03] Are backpackers ruining blaze?
[01:35:11] It Takes A Village theme
[01:36:31] Effigy and temple
[01:42:28] Art installations
[01:47:14] Events and workshops
[01:55:26] Blaze traditions
[01:58:50] Mandy's shitgift
[02:01:15] Theme camps at blaze
[02:07:52] Extending blaze
[02:12:12] Shoutouts and gratitude
[02:17:11] Outro theme
USEFUL Links:
Blazing Swan: https://blazingswan.com.au/
The Poolroom Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057220128912
Visit Kulin: https://www.visitkulin.com.au/
Njaki Njaki country: https://www.njakinjaki.com.au/
Blazing Swan Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OfficialBlazingSwanCommunity
Burning Man: https://burningman.org/
The Castle (1997): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118826/
Kath & Kim: https://kathandkim.com/
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 22 June, 2026

In this episode we discuss the global and regional impact of Burners Without Borders (BWB) and the Civic Ignition Grants (CIG). The panel highlights BWB's grassroots origins during Hurricane Katrina and its ongoing mission to foster community resilience, environmental regeneration, and collaborative problem-solving through Burning Man principles like gifting, participation, communal effort, and civic responsibility. By sharing their personal experiences with the CIG application process, the guests illustrate how these grants help crystallise community-focused ideas - ranging from co-housing symposiums and maker spaces - into actionable realities, providing valuable project management insights even for unsuccessful applicants. The conversation also celebrates the unique intimacy of microburns, specifically the Canberra Winter Solstice, demonstrating that transformative, community-driven magic can thrive in smaller, self-reliant settings by deeply connecting participants without the overstimulation of larger burns.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Cris ‘Holy Dooley’ Clucas, Jessica ‘Tripitaka’ Fairbairn, PY ‘Double Shot’ Wong, & Shannon ‘Kali’ Clark
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Theme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro theme
[00:00:30] Intro panel
[00:01:29] Jessica's role
[00:02:43] Shannon's role
[00:04:48] BWB history and background
[00:06:05] BWB projects and mission
[00:12:05] Civic Ignition Grants
[00:17:37] Creative alchemy burner culture
[00:23:04] How to get involved?
[00:26:47] Local BWB impact
[00:28:44] Co-housing symposium
[00:30:05] Sparkhaus
[00:36:05] Ten principles
[00:39:15] CIG process experience
[00:47:33] Previous CIG recipients
[00:49:00] CIG assessment criterias
[00:56:58] CIG application tips
[01:14:22] Winter solstice & CIA
[01:27:27] Micro burns
[01:33:15] Canberra burner community
[01:40:01] Shoutouts & gratitude
[01:45:50] Outro theme
USEFUL Links:
Burners Without Borders: https://burnerswithoutborders.org/
Bonza Community: https://bonzacommunity.org/
Civic Ignition Grants: https://bonzacommunity.org/civic-ignition-grants/
Burning Man: https://burningman.org/
CIA: https://capitalincendiaryauthority.org.au/
Burning Man Canberra facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CanberraBurners
How Burner Makerspaces are Wiring Cities for Belonging: https://journal.burningman.org/2026/06/black-rock-city/building-brc/burner-makerspaces/
Burners Without Borders at 20: A Testament to Burning Man Culture: https://journal.burningman.org/2026/02/global-network/burners-without-borders/burners-without-borders-at-20/
Burners Without Borders: 20 Years of Civic Action from Burning Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qixeviRt0Vg
Creating Healthy, Connected Communities in Canberra through Co-housing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiNLcLa_7oo
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 16 June, 2026

In this episode we reflect back on the 2026 Bonza Summit weekend with a panel of blazers who made the trek to the annual skill-sharing gathering for regional burner leaders, representatives and artists. The lively panel highlights the immense value of knowledge exchange, noting how sharing resources and documentation prevents communities from "reinventing the wheel" and eases the burden of radical self-reliance on individual volunteers. Operational debates take center stage, specifically the struggle to balance radical transparency with the realities of volunteer burnout, alongside the tension between utilizing burner profiles for safety management and strictly adhering to the principle of radical inclusion. The group also brainstorms alternative rituals - such as communal art creation or dance processions - to capture the community magic of an effigy burn without putting immense pressure on safety and fire teams. Ultimately, the conversation underscores a deep commitment to psychosocial safety and intentional leadership, drawing a firm line between inclusive, playful banter and exclusionary snark or gatekeeping.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Danielle ‘Starlight’ Reston, James Alexander, Jason ‘Lucifer’ Raven, & Paul ‘The Count’ Castle
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Theme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro theme
[00:00:30] Intro panel
[00:01:35] Bonza weekend summary
[00:08:35] Roles and contributions
[00:26:45] Luci's origin story
[00:28:33] Paul's origin story
[00:32:54] Dani's origin story
[00:39:58] James' origin story
[00:49:59] Zebra story
[00:53:05] Keynote address
[00:55:23] Transparency
[01:20:41] Volunteer and ticketing platform
[01:30:25] Accidental leadership
[01:35:34] How do we burn without a burn?
[01:50:16] Snark and gatekeeping
[02:11:47] Psychosocial safety
[02:19:09] Purpose of knowledge sharing
[02:32:21] Shoutouts and gratitude
[02:36:14] Outro theme
USEFUL Links:
Bonza Community: https://bonzacommunity.org/
Blazing Swan: https://blazingswan.com.au/
The Third Degree: https://the3rddegree.org/
Modifyre: https://www.modifyre.org/
Sunburnt Arts: https://sunburntarts.org.au/
Underland: https://underland.au/
Common Arts Victoria: https://commonarts.org.au/
Capital Incendiary Authority: https://capitalincendiaryauthority.org.au/
Peoples Art Collective Tasmania: https://auroraburn.org.au/
Kiwiburn: https://kiwiburn.org/
Ignition Festival NZ: https://ignitionfestival.co.nz/
Melburners: https://melburners.org.au/
Dragonburn: https://www.dragonburn.org/
Burning Japan: https://www.burningjapan.org/
Burning Man Project: https://burningman.org/
Burners Without Borders: https://burnerswithoutborders.org/
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 11 June, 2026

In this Artery Talk episode we explore the transformative power of interactive and communal art within the Burner community, emphasising that creativity is an accessible, participatory experience rather than just a spectator sport. Featuring a panel of seasoned artists - Bea, Myke, Simon, and Lumos - the group delves into the practicalities of constructing large-scale and burnable art, stressing the vital importance of structural safety, sustainable material sourcing, and understanding fire dynamics. Beyond the logistics of art-building and grant funding, the conversation highlights the profound resilience of the Burner spirit, particularly demonstrated during the rapid, collaborative pivot to a renegade "Pilot Burn" after a last-minute event cancellation. Ultimately, the episode serves as a testament to the community's dedication to radical self-expression, the generous sharing of knowledge, and the collective ability to forge magic out of unexpected challenges.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Bea ‘Creatrix’ Pierce, Myke McQuaid, Pete ‘Lumos’ Wyatt, & Simon ‘Monkey Magic’ Young
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Theme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro theme
[00:00:30] Intro panel
[00:01:25] Roles and contributions
[00:03:55] Burner origin stories
[00:09:29] Purpose of Art?
[00:13:44] Difference of burner art
[00:19:27] Burnable art
[00:22:54] Mutant vehicle
[00:27:55] Not skill but permission
[00:30:31] Art services
[00:35:51] Communal art-making
[00:38:56] Playful art-making
[00:41:42] Artery talk
[01:33:12] Pilot burn talk
[01:53:42] Shoutouts and gratitude
[01:55:59] Bonza summit talk
[02:05:03] Outro theme
USEFUL Links:
Bonza Community: https://bonzacommunity.org/
Blazing Swan: https://blazingswan.com.au/
Sunburnt Arts: https://sunburntarts.org.au/
Burning Seed: https://www.burningseed.com/
Aurora burn: https://auroraburn.org.au/
Kiwiburn: https://kiwiburn.com/
Underland: https://underland.au/
Burning Man Project: https://burningman.org/
Kiwiburn 2008 kiwiboom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLMB8gpEH8c
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 6 June, 2026

In this episode we invite a panel of blazers to talk about building temples and art at blazing swan. We reflect on the profound logistical and emotional journey of constructing the 2026 "Temple Weave". Despite the challenges of pre-fabricating the massive, feminine-inspired structure hours away from the event's Perth-based community, the project succeeded through meticulous team management, designated mentorship, and a conscious effort to prevent volunteer burnout. Beyond celebrating the temple's dramatic, wind-swept burn, the group provides critical insights into the broader evolution of the event's culture, addressing the necessity of early application timelines to foster large-scale creativity, the ongoing challenge of educating new attendees on core community principles amid record growth, and the community's pushback against AI-generated art applications to preserve authentic, hands-on skill.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Kym Ivanac, Nancy Maskall, Neesh Peacock, & Sara Males
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Theme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro theme
[00:00:30] Intro panel
[00:01:29] Burner origin stories
[00:08:22] Temple mentorship
[00:16:17] Blaze thoughts
[00:23:06] It takes a village theme
[00:29:34] Art panel talk
[00:37:00] Clip of art talk at blaze
[00:42:06] Temple talk
[01:01:15] Blaze support network
[01:06:30] Temple intentions
[01:17:11] Burner voice messages
[01:17:32] Disco snail
[01:27:14] Blaze talk
[01:32:57] Community learnings
[01:39:19] Burner voice messages
[01:39:36] AI in art
[01:46:09] Shoutouts and gratitude
[01:49:48] Burn calendar
[01:56:44] Outro theme
USEFUL Links:
Blazing Swan: https://blazingswan.com.au/
Bonza Community: https://bonzacommunity.org/
Modifyre: https://www.modifyre.org/
Sunburnt Arts: https://sunburntarts.org.au/
Underland: https://underland.au/
Common Arts Victoria: https://commonarts.org.au/
Peoples Art Collective Tasmania: https://auroraburn.org.au/
Kiwiburn: https://kiwiburn.org/
Burning Man Project: https://burningman.org/
The Blazing Swan Community Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OfficialBlazingSwanCommunity
Disco Snails (Official Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAZBKlVSLkU
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 5 May, 2026
 

In this fair dinkum episode of the podcast we continue our conversations with SBA board members, Leanna and TJ, and chat with them about "Pilot Burn", the inaugural event for their newly formed organisation, Sunburnt Arts. Following a community restructuring and a departure from their previous Matong site, the team is thrilled to host this genuine and intimate 500-capacity-person gathering from May 15th to 18th in the breathtaking Capertee Valley, a spectacular canyon located a few hours west of Sydney. The team transparently discuss the logistical triumphs and hurdles of starting from scratch on a private farm, highlighting the mobilisation of shipping containers for infrastructure, the rollout of a new ticketing and volunteer platform, and the essential need for community participation and self-reliance. Ultimately, Pilot Burn serves as an emotional, back-to-basics test run designed to foster community trust, establish a respectful relationship with the new landowners, and lay a solid, scalable groundwork for the future of our regional burn culture.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ LayGuests: Leanna 'Momma' Pugliese, TJ 'Hotwire' WierProduced by Stevan LayTheme music by Will & Kate
Timestamps:[00:00:00] Intro theme[00:00:30] Intro panel[00:01:52] Sunburnt Arts backstory[00:03:37] Why did you join the SBA board?[00:04:43] Our definition of "Home"[00:06:54] Landscape and location of Capertee[00:11:13] Spotto game[00:13:57] Travel distance[00:16:49] Terrain[00:22:54] Emergency services and safety[00:25:47] Festival experienced[00:28:56] Pilot burn[00:34:39] 500-capacity[00:37:23] Volunteers[00:44:37] Communication tools[00:52:39] Theme camps[00:55:26] Dust app[00:58:56] Effigy and temple[01:00:19] FART team[01:05:43] Sound and acoustics[01:08:24] Weather at Capertee[01:15:08] SBA milestones[01:21:45] Outro[01:22:59] Outro theme
Useful Links:SBA/Burning Seed Townhall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xWIX78z4iUThe Third Degree: https://the3rddegree.org/Sunburnt Arts: https://sunburntarts.org.au/Burning Seed: https://www.burningseed.com/Flaming Galah: https://galah.burningseed.com/Red Earth City: https://redearthcity.com/Blazing Swan: https://blazingswan.com.au/Common Arts Victoria: https://commonarts.org.au/Underland: https://underland.au/Bonza Community: https://bonzacommunity.org/Burning Seed: https://www.burningseed.com/Burning Man: https://burningman.org/
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.netEmail us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
The information presented in the following audio program is for informational, educational, entertainment, and archival purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on the Bonzaar Podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the entire burner community. Bonzaar Podcast is an independently-produced, volunteer-led, and community-funded project and is not associated or affiliated with the burning man organisation or it's world-wide subsidiaries.
This episode was recorded on 2 April, 2026