Desert Skies – Chapter 24: "Caves and Cacti"

Podcast: Desert Skies
Host/Creator: Jared Carter
Release Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In "Caves and Cacti," the travelers continue their journey along the celestial highway, embarking on a path of self-discovery and reflection. This chapter centers on Corson’s crisis of identity after relinquishing his cosmic powers, leading to an encounter at the Electric Desert—a surreal locale filled with neon cacti—where existential questions about uniqueness, purpose, and connection are explored. Along the way, the group reconnects with a past traveler, Arnie Tipton, and Corson learns that true uniqueness often lies not in solitary traits but in shared passions and the relationships we foster.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. On the Road: Boundaries and Banter

• The group bickers in their car about personal space and control, especially over car functions, humorously highlighting Mac’s obsession with “Mac’s Land”—his exclusive domain over the car’s systems (03:13).
• Mac is teased about his strict rules: “There are three things one must never do to a Mac: take a Mac’s hat off, pull a Macbeard, or touch a Mac’s buttons.” – Mac (03:12)

2. The Astral Plane’s Purpose

• The question arises about the function and mystery of the astral highway. Cash explains the astral plane doesn’t change people into who they are “supposed” to be but helps them “become the fullness of the person they already are.” Each journey is unique, guided by what the plane itself deems necessary (05:39).
• “It helps them to become the fullness of the person they already are.” – Cash (05:43)

3. Corson’s Crisis of Identity

• Corson admits he’s lost his sphere-moving powers after passing his role on to Olenus, leading him to feel ordinary and purposeless for the first time (08:11).
• “Corson, I’ve lost my powers.” – Corson (08:09)
• His friends reassure him, but he confesses that his sense of self was tied up in his powers. Cash suggests that what he's truly lost is his sense of identity, not his abilities (10:43).

4. Arrival at the Electric Desert

• The group follows Corson to the Electric Desert—a place of artificial, neon cacti—which is intended to help travelers reflect on their uniqueness but often produces more harm than good by inciting existential dread (14:00).
• “So many people spent their whole lives trying to find out what made them unique. And it almost always comes down to what they have, how they look, what they do for work. Not what—who they are and how they relate to others.” – Cash (16:54)

5. Reunion with Arnie Tipton

• They encounter Arnie, a former traveler stuck in the Electric Desert, unable to move on because he can’t determine what makes him unique (18:09).
• The group recounts Arnie's odd death story, humorously embellishing the details, offering comic relief in a somber episode (19:05).

6. The Search for Uniqueness – A Losing Game

• Cash cautions that chasing after uniqueness is a “losing game." Instead, self-worth and identity are formed not by isolated traits but by relationships and community (21:07, 16:54).

7. Shared Passions – Games as Connection

• Arnie and Corson bond over their passion for games, particularly those they've invented themselves.
• In the souvenir shop and cafe, Arnie displays the games he’s created—including “Caves and Cacti,” his Dungeons & Dragons variant. This leads to a pivotal moment of camaraderie with Corson (31:10).
• "You make your own games? I make my own games." – Arnie and Corson (23:42–23:48)

8. Roleplaying and Realization

• In playing “Caves and Cacti,” Corson slowly discovers that what sets him apart—and gives meaning to his existence—is not unique power, but the act of “setting the table” for others, creating opportunities for wonder and connection (46:26).
• Arnie: “We are the ones who set the table…who ignite the human soul with wonder.” (46:26)
• Corson: “You truly are unique, Corson. Truly special.” (46:56)
• Corson counters: “I am not entirely unique, and neither are you… We are special together. We are unique as one.” (47:20)

9. Resolution and Forward Movement

• Corson encourages Arnie to move on to the next life, expressing hope and solidarity.
• Arnie gifts Corson a game, encouraging him to “write your own rules” and make his own “Corson original.”
• The episode ends note of hope, rain on the horizon, and Corson with a new understanding of identity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mac's Rules in the Car
  “There are three things one must never do to a Mac: A) take a Mac's hat off, B) pull a Macbeard, or C) touch a Mac's buttons.” – Mac (03:12)
• Defining the Journey
  “It helps them to become the fullness of the person they already are…no two trips are the same.” – Cash (05:43)
• Corson's Vulnerability
  “I was Corson. Corson, leader of the ever-stormy Eighth Sphere…Stories of me abound on the astral plane. I was the stuff of legend. And now? Now I'm a small business owner.” – Corson (11:03)
• The Problem with Uniqueness
  “Trying to figure out what makes you unique, it’s a losing game. You’re fine just the way you are. Nobody is that special. Not really.” – Cash (21:37)
• On Community
  “We, Corson, are those that ignite the human soul with wonder.” – Arnie (42:29)
• Cooperative Uniqueness
  “I am not entirely unique—and neither are you. We will never be not alone. You and I, and all who set the table—we are special together. We are unique as one.” – Corson (47:20)

Key Timestamps

• 00:39–02:12 – Opening, club member thank-yous (skip for summary)
• 02:29–04:33 – Mac’s driving rules and group dynamics
• 05:14–06:22 – Cash explains the nature of the journey and astral plane
• 08:09–10:24 – Corson reveals he’s lost his powers and identity
• 14:00–17:07 – Arrival at the Electric Desert, discussion on the search for uniqueness
• 18:09–20:46 – Reintroduction to Arnie Tipton; comic yet tragic death story
• 23:11–24:43 – Corson and Arnie bond over inventing games
• 30:33–31:10 – "Caves and Cacti" is introduced
• 35:00–47:20 – Roleplaying campaign and Corson's realization through play
• 47:23–48:43 – Arnie prepares to move on, gives Corson a parting gift
• 49:00 – Jared’s closing message dedicated to those who “set the table” for others

Tone and Language

The episode balances existential introspection with humor and warmth, blending surreal, metaphysical moments and contemporary pop-culture references (D&D, Monopoly, burritos) with heartfelt dialogue. The interactions are witty, self-aware, and laced with gentle teasing that belies deep bonds between the characters. Jared Carter’s solo performance gives each character distinct personality and emotion.

Conclusion

"Caves and Cacti" is a reflective, emotionally rich episode that uses the language of games and roleplay as a metaphor for community, acceptance, and purpose. By confronting the myth of individual uniqueness, the story affirms that meaning is often found not in what sets us apart, but in what—and whom—we set the table for.