I was interviewed on July 6, 2025 on KXLU about my work on an upcoming book to be entitled, "Quests, Ladders, Rivers, and Beads: Rethinking Success and Failure in the Modern World." Peter Ludwig, also known as Mystic Pete, helps me dive into the very modern obsession with a "successful" or "failed" life, and the weird physics we all live with in that realm. For the book, I am developing a vocubulary to help people step back and see their own motives, and from where they are derived. This is the first of two parts. The second interview will take place on August 17.

In recent times, "childhood" has become valued as never before. Along with, of course, childish fantasy. So much so that it has become commonplace for adults to do cosplay, gather for fantasy boardgames...well, the list is endless. Something very serious started in 1904 with Peter Pan. It will, no doubt, continue with AI.

An essay about the way our relationship to music has changed of late -- and how fearfully important it has become

An interview with Ron Sossi, artistic director of the Odyssey Theatre  about the encounter between Stalin, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich in "Stalin's Master Class." First appeared on KXLU Radio in L.A.

An essay about the remarkable popularity of chaos...and it's deeper meaning. Listen in!

In this poignant episode of "Staying Human," host Marc Porter Zasada delves into the contrast between the glamorous allure of fame and the grounded dignity of the everyday. Inspired by the striking portraits of Irving Penn, Marc explores the subtle vanishing of pride and certainty among the working class, an aspect he finds mirrored in the life of actor and comedian Kevin Flynn.

Featured Guest: Kevin Flynn, a multifaceted talent who has traversed the realms of professional sports, stand-up comedy, and television, offers a compelling narrative of self-discovery and introspection. His one-man show, "Fear of Heights," which plays at the Odyssey Theatre in West L.A., acts as a backdrop for today's conversation.

• Irving Penn's Legacy: Marc introduces us to his fascination with Penn's collection of photographs capturing the essence of working-class heroes from the 1950s. He discusses Penn's motive to preserve the fast-disappearing look of pride in one's work, a casualty of increasing corporatization and the "dream machine" of Hollywood.
• The Hollywood Dream Machine: Marc describes the seductive power of fame that promises to whisk away the "ordinary" person to a realm of recognition and success, challenging listeners to reflect on their own encounters with such alluring narratives.
• Kevin Flynn's Story: The central theme of the episode unfolds as Marc shares Kevin Flynn's remarkable journey from a blue-collar background to the dizzying heights of celebrity, only to confront an existential awakening that redefines his aspirations.
• The Allure of the Ordinary: Marc and Kevin discuss the concept of aspiring to the normal as if to greatness, a profound statement that challenges contemporary society's metrics of success and fulfillment.
• A Glimpse into 'Fear of Heights': Marc gives his impressions of Flynn's show, tying its themes to the larger conversation about what it means to remain authentically human in a world captivated by the extraordinary.

Episode Highlights:

• A detailed look at the effects of corporatization and fame on individual identity and societal values.
• An intimate interview with Kevin Flynn, highlighting his personal evolution and current theatrical work.
• Marc's reflective narration, drawing from literature and photography to enrich the dialogue.

Resources:

• "Fear of Heights" - Kevin Flynn's one-man show details: https://kevinflynnlive.com/fear-of-heights/
• Irving Penn's collection: https://irvingpenn.org/galleries

In This Episode:
Connect with Marc and Kevin:

• Visit www.stayinghuman.net to learn more about Marc's work and other projects.
• Follow Kevin Flynn on social media [Links to profiles] for updates on his shows and appearances.

Tune in next Sunday at 7pm Pacific on KXLU 88.9FM Los Angeles for another thought-provoking episode of "Staying Human" with Marc Porter Zasada.

In this inaugural episode of "Staying Human," Marc delves into a thought-provoking topic: the complex relationship between singular and multiple experiences and how they impact our perception and valuation of things. From a single, beautiful flower in a neighbor’s garden to a sea of similar blooms outside an office tower, Marc dissects the essence of why ‘one’ can sometimes hold more weight than ‘many’ in our eyes.

Key Discussion Points:

• The discovery of a singular beautiful flower and its immediate impact on the observer
• How seeing many of the same flowers outside an office tower may diminish the joy of the initial discovery
• Real-world examples, including buying an engagement ring in the crowded LA Jewelry District
• The value of singular experiences over a multitude of similar, potentially overwhelming options
• Our struggle to find significance in an age of technology where endless options are available at our fingertips

Quotes to Remember:

• "Why is a single flower more important to us than fifteen hundred?"
• "Like all great shopkeepers, this man perfectly understood the problem of the one versus the many."
• "Surely there's a reason we hold close a few stories, and tunes, and images, and objects, which have, through long effort, become part of our identity."

Recommended Actions:

1. Reflect on your own experiences where the 'one versus the many' problem has come into play.
2. Consider how technology might be diluting your ability to deeply connect with experiences or objects.
3. Revisit a book, song, or piece of art that has significant personal meaning to you.

Resources:

• Staying Human Official Website

Listen and Follow:Catch all episodes of "Staying Human" weekly on KXLU 88.9FM Los Angeles or visit www.stayinghuman.net for more insights from Marc Porter Zasada.