Brenda traded anxiety for adventure, a desk job for the desert, and found love somewhere between a taco and a dust storm. Siobhan joins her for a no-BS crash course in Burning Man survival—radical self-reliance, gifting gone right, and a little unexpected magic.
Summary
This week is part one of a heartfelt two-part episode, Siobhan welcomes back her friend and veteran Burner Brenda, fresh off a year of seismic life shifts, new job, facing eviction, and finding unexpected joy (and love) at the Fireside. What begins as a personal catch-up quickly evolves into a full-on Burning Man bootcamp, equal parts dust, wisdom, and radical self-discovery.
Brenda draws from seven burns and her years volunteering with the Gate crew to drop real Playa wisdom: everything from how to avoid “Playa dreadlocks” and overpacking to why gifting isn’t about reciprocity. She also opens up about anxiety, resilience, and rebuilding her confidence at 50, proving that growth doesn’t come from comfort, it comes from showing up, sweating it out, and saying yes to new beginnings.
This episode kicks off a special Burning Man series: this week, Brenda preps Siobhan for her first Burn; next week, we’ll hear how it all went down the dust, the lessons, and the magic that followed. Whether you’re heading to the desert or navigating your own season of change, this conversation will leave you prepped, inspired, and maybe craving tacos, community, and a little bit of chaos.
Brenda
Brenda is a seasoned Burner, Gate volunteer, and community builder who’s spent the last seven years embracing radical self-reliance on the Playa. Off the dust, she’s a hardware builder, animal lover, and storyteller who met her partner at Alameda’s Fireside Lounge, proof that magic happens when you least expect it.
Resources & Mentions
BurningMan.org (official resources, regionals list, 10 Principles)
Burning Man Regionals: Unscrews, Love Burn, Burn in the Forest, Saguaro Man, Bequinox
Flaming Lotus Girls (art collective)
Leather Honey Conditioner (Burner gear tip)
💡 Key Takeaways
Embrace change: Real growth, and new love, often happen in life’s messiest moments.
Burning Man essentials: Gear up for dust, unpredictable weather, and stay radically self-reliant.
Community & gifting: Connection isn’t transactional help and generosity fuel lasting bonds.
Practical wisdom: From backup car keys to surviving exodus, preparation (and humor) keep you sane.
Be yourself: Dress for comfort, not for photos; the playa welcomes the “stranger” you really are.