Staying Human with Marc Porter Zasada
as heard on KXLU 88.9FM Los Angeles
A search for the mystery, poetry, and sometimes beautiful conundrums of modern life. You can learn more and find more work by Marc at www.stayinghuman.net (http://www.stayinghuman.net/)
Dive into the poetic intricacies of modern life with Marc Porter Zasada, the voice behind the acclaimed "Urban Man" essays on NPR's KCRW-LA, and now on KXLU FM 88.9 in Los Angeles, in conjunction with the Mystic Pete Chronicles. "Staying Human" offers essays and interviews stitched together with Marc's incisive wit and gorgeous prose.
"Staying Human" seeks to inspire and entertain, all while peeling back the layers of what it means to be, well, human.
To journey further into the world of "Staying Human," visit www.stayinghuman.net (http://www.stayinghuman.net/). Tune in Sundays at 7pm Pacific on KXLU 88.9FM Los Angeles to catch special appearances and occasional shows by Marc.
About Marc:
Marc Porter Zasada is perhaps best known for his six years of “Urban Man” essays on NPR station KCRW-LA. His new show, “Staying Human” will appear on KXLU Radio Los Angeles. Marc’s journalism, book reviews, and short stories have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, the Antioch Review, The Florida Review, Big Fiction, and on All Things Considered. He was one of seven founding members of the Bay Area Book Awards. His work of fiction, “The Impossible Shore: A Story Cycle” (https://www.amazon.com/Impossible-Shore-Story-Cycle/dp/0578885859/ref=sr_1_1?crid=43FOSWO72R5M&keywords=marc+porter+zasada&qid=1696529555&sprefix=marc+porter+zasada%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1) was named one of the best 100 Indie Books of 2021 by Kirkus Reviews. Along with his writing, Marc has worked as a marketer for a number of leading high-tech companies. You can learn more at www.stayinghuman.net (http://www.stayinghuman.net/).
Publisher
Marc Zasada
Category
society & culture · society & culture · society & culture
A deep discussion about how we occupy our "stories," how we implement reason and truth, and the role of philosophy, if any.
23 Jul 2026
The Two Methods of Creation & the Purpose of the Universe
A conversation on KXLU radio with host Pete Ludwig in which I do a thought experiment. There are only two methods of creation - no kidding. If there is a God, which did he use? And if you stood outside the universe and looked at it without prejudice, how would you believe it had been created, and for what purpose? But I start with a Jewish joke about disappointing your creator....
22 Jul 2026
Rethinking Success and Failure in the Modern World
I was interviewed on KXLU Radio about my upcoming book, "Quests, Ladders, Rivers and Beads: Rethinking Success and Failure in the Modern World." It's a topic everyone seems to find compelling, including host Pete Ludwig.
11 Apr 2026
Being Edith Piaf - Interview with actress Eleanora Owen and director Tim Byron Owen
I've always been fascinated by Edith Piaf, the great singer who embodied not something distinctly French, but intensely, well, human. In this episode I interview singer, actress, and writer Eleanora Owen, who does a one-woman show called "Being Piaf." She's joined by her husband and director, Tim Byron Owen.
16 Aug 2025
Rethinking Success & Failure in the Modern World - Interview of Marc on KXLU July 7 2025
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.
15 Jul 2024
Wrestling With Neverland
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.
15 Apr 2024
The Purpose of Music
An essay about the way our relationship to music has changed of late -- and how fearfully important it has become
3 Apr 2024
Stalins Master Class: an Interview with Ron Sossi
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.
8 Jan 2024
The Celebration of Chaos - Essay - Marc Porter Zasada
An essay about the remarkable popularity of chaos...and it's deeper meaning. Listen in!
8 Nov 2023
The Allure of the Ordinary: Kevin Flynn's Journey
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 (http://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.
9 Oct 2023
The Problem of the One Versus the Many
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:
Reflect on your own experiences where the 'one versus the many' problem has come into play.
Consider how technology might be diluting your ability to deeply connect with experiences or objects.
Revisit a book, song, or piece of art that has significant personal meaning to you.
Resources:
Staying Human Official Website (http://www.stayinghuman.net/)
Listen and Follow:Catch all episodes of "Staying Human" weekly on KXLU 88.9FM Los Angeles or visit www.stayinghuman.net (http://www.stayinghuman.net/) for more insights from Marc Porter Zasada.
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