Desert Skies FM - The Things We're Afraid to Lose

Summary

Desert Skies Podcast Episode Summary Episode: Desert Skies FM - The Things We're Afraid to Lose
Host/Author: Jared Carter
Release Date: September 23, 2024

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1. Announcements by Tendy (00:22 - 02:25)

Tendy kicks off the episode with three significant announcements:

• Live Show in New York City:
  "This November, Desert Skies is coming to New York City and you can join me there for a night of celestial sensations."
  The live event, titled "Desert Skies Dead but Still Alive," promises interactive performances, emotional moments, and a meet-and-greet at a nearby brewery.
  Details:

  • Date & Time: November 16, 7 PM
  • Location: Vino Theatre, Brooklyn
  • Note: "Tickets are limited and they're going to go quick, so purchase yours now."

• Funding the NYC Trip:
  Tendy expresses gratitude for the support in funding the trip and encourages continued contributions through personalized messages, original scripts, or donations.
  "I'm halfway to completely funding the trip. Thank you so much for your generosity as Best Birthday ever."

• 1 Million Downloads Celebration:
  Desert Skies is set to reach a milestone of one million downloads.
  "Desert Skies is going to hit a million downloads this week. Can you believe that?"
  Event:

  • When: Friday, September 27th
  • Where: Desert Skies Discord server
  • Activities: Live event, fundraiser, and download extravaganza
  • Note: Links available in the episode show notes.

Tendy concludes the announcements with heartfelt thanks to the fans:
"I'm convinced more than ever that Desert Skies fans are the best fans out there. Safe travels."

2. Broadcast from the Desert Skies Staff (02:25 - 14:12)

a. Introduction and Format Change (02:25 - 03:46)
The broadcast begins with Mac, Cash, and Nani preparing to start. Mac shares a lighthearted moment about a spider in the station:
"I went out to make some tea and there was this daddy longleg spider in the corner..."
This leads to a playful interaction about whether to relocate the spider, highlighting the camaraderie among the hosts.

b. Announcement of Four Hosts (03:16 - 04:06)
Mac announces a significant change:
"For the first time ever, this broadcast has four of us."
Cash adds excitement about a surprise, and Nani mentions they are breaking the usual format.

c. Safe Travel Tip Segment (04:06 - 06:22)
Nani steps into the role traditionally held by Cash:
"Hello, traveler. This is your safe travel tip for travelers traversing the astral plane."
Her Tip:
Nani shares a cautionary tale about the Ocean Sphere, describing it as "filled with monsters" and advising travelers:
"Here's my tip. Don't go swimming in the Ocean Sphere."
She recounts her own encounter:
"I got eaten. That's why I am poop now."
Cash and Mac commend her for the valuable advice, reinforcing the importance of safety on the astral journey.

d. Main Discussion: The Things We're Afraid to Lose (06:22 - 10:19)
Mac takes center stage with a heartfelt monologue:
"I'm learning something lately. Something I never gave much thought to before. It's about the worry of losing something."
Key Points:

• Fear of Loss:
  Mac delves into his anxieties about losing people, moments, and the fleeting nature of happiness.
  "I worry that when a traveler shows up and we make a connection, even establish a friendship, that they're just going to leave."

• Impact of Loss on Joy:
  He reflects on how his fears have caused him to miss out on joy:
  "I've spent so much time worrying about losing these things that I've almost completely missed out on the joy that I had when those things were still present."

• Acceptance of Temporality:
  Mac emphasizes the transient nature of existence on the astral plane:
  "Just enjoy them. Know that these experiences and relationships are temporary."
  "It's okay to feel that and accept it and try to just be."

• Hope for Eternity:
  He concludes with a hopeful note:
  "I kind of believe that maybe one day these things won't be so temporary anymore."

Reactions:
After Mac's poignant reflection, there's a moment of silence among the hosts, highlighting the depth of the conversation.
Nani appreciates his vulnerability:
"Well done."

e. Listener Call-In: Matt from Pennsylvania (10:31 - 12:00)
Matt shares his personal journey:
"I've been hanging out here at the Long Pause doing some soul searching, just trying to figure out what I'm doing here on the Astral plane."
His Quest:
Matt seeks advice on finding surf spots and mountain snowboarding locations on the astral plane.
Host Responses:

• Cash:
  Recommends the Ocean Sphere despite its dangers:
  "Give it a try, Matt."
• Nani:
  Adds information about the Martian Sphere:
  "Missonia's place gets pretty cold. Should be some snowy mountains."
• Mac:
  Highlights amenities:
  "They have skis you can borrow and jackets."

f. Discussion on the Overview Effect (12:00 - 13:31)
Matt poses a philosophical question:
"Can you tell me what the overview effect is?"
Mac responds by recalling Stuart Roosa's explanation:
"He described this while he was here looking up at the moon."
Overview Effect Defined:
Mac explains:
"When astronauts see the Earth from that perspective, it really changes the way they see things, the things they value. That it makes them feel connected to others in a way they didn't feel before."
Comparison to Astral Travelers:
He notes a parallel with astral travelers who gain new perspectives on their lives:
"It's like they get here and they're seeing their life on Earth, all of it from a different point of view."

Nani adds a hopeful reflection:
"Maybe someday we'll be able to look back on our lives and it will change us."
Mac:
"Yeah, I hope so."

g. Closing Remarks (13:31 - 14:12)
Cash invites listeners to participate:
"If you ever want to be on the show, just call 947."
Mac provides additional resources:
"If you'd like to learn more about Desert Skies, just use one of the computer modules located in communication stations along the Astral Highway. From there, visit desertskiespodcast.com where you can sign our guest book, read some articles, or access transcripts."
Music:
A song titled "On My Way Back Home" by Gabriel Pachongolo plays, enhancing the episode's reflective mood.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tendy (00:22): "This November, Desert Skies is coming to New York City and you can join me there for a night of celestial sensations."
• Nani (04:24): "Hello, traveler. This is your safe travel tip for travelers traversing the astral plane."
• Mac (06:22): "I'm learning something lately... It's about the worry of losing something."
• Mac (06:36): "Just enjoy them. Know that these experiences and relationships are temporary."
• Nani (06:22): "Don't go swimming in the ocean Sphere."
• Mac (12:30): "When astronauts see the Earth from that perspective, it really changes the way they see things, the things they value."
• Nani (13:24): "Maybe someday we'll be able to look back on our lives and it will change us."

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Conclusions and Insights

In this episode of Desert Skies FM, the hosts delve deep into the emotional landscapes of their listeners and themselves. Mac's introspective monologue about the fear of loss resonates universally, encouraging listeners to embrace the transient beauty of their experiences on the astral plane. Nani's practical safety tips provide valuable guidance for navigating the celestial spheres, while Cash engages with the community through listener call-ins, fostering a sense of connection and shared exploration. The discussion on the overview effect bridges the experiences of astronauts with astral travelers, highlighting the transformative power of new perspectives.

Overall, this episode balances personal reflections with interactive segments, offering both emotional depth and practical advice for travelers on their celestial journeys.

Transcript

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[Mac]

Greetings travelers.

[Tendy]

I got three quick announcements for you today. First, this November, Desert Skies is coming to New York City and you can join me there for a night of celestial sensations. With Desert Skies dead but still alive, this show is going to blow your mind. The entire cast is going to be there. Me. We're going to laugh, we're going to cry, we're going to rest our weary souls. We're going to have a live performance, interactive elements and we're finishing up the night with a meet and greet at a nearby brewery. I would love to get to meet you, hang out with you, have a drink. Whether it's a beer or a shack juice or a glass of water, it's a night you'll Never forget. That's November 16, 7pm at the Vino Theatre in Brooklyn. Tickets are limited and they're going to go quick, so purchase yours now. Next. Speaking of nyc, I'm about halfway to completely funding the trip. Thank you so much for your generosity as Best Birthday ever. Please continue to help me close that gap if you're able to by purchasing a personalized message or bidding on one of my original scripts used to record the show or just by chipping in. Last but not least, Desert Skies is going to hit a million downloads this week. Can you believe that? That is thanks to you. And all of you are invited to join me for the 1 million download extravaganza taking place in the Desert Skies Discord server this Friday, so September 27th. So you're going to find the links for the live event, the fundraiser and the million dollar download extravaganza in the episode show notes. Enjoy this episode. Thank you for everything you're doing for the show, for the trip to New York City, for the million downloads. I'm convinced more than ever that Desert Skies fans are the best fans out there. Safe travels.

[Mac]

Incoming broadcast from the staff of Desert Skies.

[Cash]

Desert Skies fm.

[Nani]

Wait, where is he?

[Cash]

He was in here just a moment ago. Oh, there he is.

[Mac]

You guys ready to start?

[Cash]

Broadcast has already started. Dude, what were you doing?

[Mac]

Oh, sorry. I went out to make some tea and there was this daddy longleg spider in the corner and I started to think that maybe I should remove the web because it might Bother travelers. But then I thought about how harmless that spider is and how it would freak the spider out even worse than it would the traveler. And so, well, they. They live here now.

[Cash]

Well, that's really sweet. And I'll ask them if they're interested in moving into the terrarium. They might find it a little more dark, a little more comfy, but they may wish to stay up here where the action is.

[Mac]

We'll let them decide. Nani, what's that face? Do you have something to add?

[Nani]

I'm just enjoying this.

[Mac]

Hmm. Well, traveler, today is a momentous day. Usually, the broadcast is performed by Cash, whom T5 has been filling in for, and Mac, who and myself. For the first time ever, this broadcast, there are four of us.

[Cash]

Not only that, we have a surprise in store.

[Nani]

We're switching stuff up, breaking the mold.

[Mac]

Descending into absolute chaos.

[Nani]

Wouldn't take it that far.

[Mac]

Here's what we mean. Typically, there are three segments. Safe travel tips. Rest your weary soul. And we listen to voice messages from travelers.

[Cash]

Typically, I do rest your weary soul. Nani's been helping out with that too, lately. But today, as Tendi's soul seems to be a bit rested, he's gonna it a go. You do have something prepared, right, Dan?

[Mac]

Sure do, my friend. I'm excited to share it Now, Nani, Safe travel tip. Whoa.

[Cash]

You're gonna let her do the safe travel tip? Congrats, Nani. That's a huge deal, you being so new here.

[Nani]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, and thank you.

[Mac]

Ready?

[Nani]

Hello, traveler. This is your safe travel tip for travelers traversing the astral plane.

[Cash]

I'm so discombobulated, I have no idea who's doing what today. Tend to you singing the song?

[Mac]

Nope. I don't care how good I'm feeling, I will never sing on this show.

[Cash]

Fair enough. Safe travel tips for travelers traversing the astral plane.

[Nani]

Oh, my goodness. The celestial spheres. I have not driven through them that I can remember, but I did walk them after arriving at the station. Zigzagged a bit, hitchhiked a bit, for the most part. I didn't run into trouble, But. But I did find myself in a.

[Cash]

Bit of a pickle new tale.

[Nani]

The Ocean Sphere.

[Mac]

The one that's filled with monsters.

[Nani]

What do you know about it?

[Mac]

Just that it's filled with monsters. And the Sphere mover there is named Keto.

[Nani]

You know this person?

[Mac]

Not well. They were with Xochilloquy when she visited the station. Huh?

[Cash]

Visited?

[Mac]

Oh, okay. When she came to destroy the station.

[Nani]

Well, the Ocean Sphere is Filled with monsters. Gigantic, monstrous sea creatures of such diverse appearance and terrifying teeth sizes.

[Cash]

Sounds awesome.

[Nani]

Yeah, I mean, they kind of are. They're beautiful in their own way, but everywhere along the bridge that spans the ocean sphere, there are signs that say, no swimming. And you know me, I'm a rebel. I couldn't help myself. First lookout I came to, I had to just dip my toes in. And by my toes, I. I mean the entirety of my body.

[Cash]

Did you get eaten?

[Nani]

Yes, Mack, I got eaten. That's why I am poop now.

[Cash]

Right?

[Nani]

Here's my tip. Don't go swimming in the ocean Sphere. How? People crossed it before. The highway is beyond me.

[Mac]

Boats.

[Nani]

Maybe a ferry. Don't swim in it. Don't do it.

[Cash]

That's a great tip.

[Nani]

You really think so?

[Mac]

Your firsthand experience walking the spheres makes you uniquely equipped to speak to its dangers. I am confident of this.

[Nani]

And I am confident that you are about to rest our weary souls.

[Cash]

Rest your weary soul.

[Mac]

Here it goes. I'm learning something lately. Something I never gave much thought to before. It's about the worry of losing something. I worry about losing things. I worry about losing people. I worry about losing moments. I worry about losing those fleeting moments of happiness that seem to show up so unexpectedly and depart as quickly as they arrived. I worry that when Cash plays me a new song, that if I listen to it too many times, I'll lose the feeling that it gives. I worry that when a traveler shows up and we make a connection, even establish a friendship, that they're just going to leave. And that the next traveler might not be so nice. I worry about losing Max someday. And Cash. And you, Nani. Aww. I've spent so much time worrying about losing these things that I've almost completely missed out on the joy that I had when those things were still present. The joy that I've been missing out on. Even though some of those things are present in this very room. Existence, at least here and on the physical plane, is comprised of the momentary. It's simply the way of things. That traveler will leave and continue on their journey. And my friends here, they'll likely continue on theirs, too. Or I will. Maybe this is the only moment we'll have. And maybe when our paths do part, and I hope it's a long time before that happens, we'll be brought back together again somewhere down the road. I have no control over that traveler. It's okay to grieve the things that you left behind. Life was momentary. In the end, everything you loved on the physical Plane. Everything you tried so hard to hold onto, it was stripped away. And maybe you look back and you think about everything you didn't enjoy when you could have. My experience is different than yours. Yours is unique. But I think I can relate on some level. I've been here a long time and I've lost many things and people. And I grieve that. And you can grieve that too. But it's not too late to change. On this journey, you're going to encounter wonders that will elevate your soul to undiscovered heights. You're going to rest in environments of tremendous beauty and interact with creatures and spirits and people. That will feel like friends. No, that will be friends. Just enjoy them. Know that these experiences and relationships are temporary. Feel that it's okay to feel that and accept it and try to just be. And I don't know what the next life holds, but I kind of hope. No, I kind of believe that maybe one day these things won't be so temporary anymore. Until then, find a moment to sit in. Accept that it's momentary and rest your weary soul in it. Why are you guys so quiet?

[Cash]

Cuz. Holy.

[Nani]

I think maybe you rested. Max. Soul. Well done.

[Cash]

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Damn. Tind. Okay, what's next? I'm confused. Good job, man.

[Nani]

Let's go to the phones.

[Matt]

Mac. Tendy. I miss you guys. This is Matt from Pennsylvania. It's been a while since I've seen y'all, but I've been hanging out here at the Long Pause doing some soul searching, just trying to figure out what I'm doing here on the Astral plane. And it kind of dawned on me that I spent my life on the physical plane searching for waves to ride and mountains to shred. And it got me thinking.

[Mac]

Why?

[Matt]

Why shouldn't I be searching for the same thing here on the Astral plane? So, long story short, I was wondering if you guys had any good surf spots or any place good to any mountains to snowboard down. I'm looking to surf the Astral Plane. I want to know if you guys had any recommendations. Appreciate you guys keep doing what you do. Thanks. Bye.

[Cash]

Hey Matt. I'm sure Pennsylvania misses ya. Listen, I got the perfect place for you to go surfing. Have you heard of the Ocean Sphere, Matt?

[Nani]

We literally just talked about the Ocean Sphere being filled with monsters.

[Cash]

No, that's what makes it so badass. Give it a try, Matt. Also, maybe try the Martian sphere. Missonia's place gets pretty cold. Should be some snowy mountains.

[Nani]

Can confirm what's More. They have skis you can borrow and jackets.

[Mac]

Convenient.

[Matt]

Hey, Mac, I'm so glad you have this answering machine. Can you tell me what the overview effect is? Thanks, Mac.

[Cash]

The overview effect. Nope. No clue. Next caller.

[Mac]

Wait, wait, wait. One of the travelers who visited the station was a guy named Stewart. He was an astronaut Mack. You remember. What was his last name?

[Cash]

Oh, that guy. Yeah, I remember. Rus something.

[Mac]

Stuart Roosa. He described this while he was here looking up at the moon. I've thought about it a bit since. It's been a while, though. If I remember correctly, and I'm speaking in layman's terms, the overview effect is what happens to astronauts when they look at the Earth from space.

[Cash]

A physical plane is so cool.

[Mac]

And I've thought about it a lot because he said that when astronauts see the Earth from that perspective, it really changes the way they see things, the things they value. That it makes them feel connected to others in a way they didn't feel before. And I've seen that happen to travelers, but it's different. It's like they get here and they're seeing their life on Earth, all of it from a different point of view. And it changes them in mostly a good way.

[Cash]

I think that's really cool.

[Nani]

Maybe someday we'll be able to look back on our lives and it will change us.

[Mac]

Yeah, I hope so.

[Cash]

If you ever want to be on the show, just call 947. Mac, help. No guarantee I'm going to plot your message. But am I?

[Nani]

Well, travelers, that's our broadcast. T5. Take it away.

[Mac]

If you'd like to learn more about Desert Skies, just use one of the computer modules located in communication stations along the Astral Highway. From there, visit desertskiespodcast.com where you can sign our guest book, read some articles, or access transcripts. A song you were listening to before we interrupted was called On My Way Back Home by Gabriel Pachongolo. Here it is again. Safe travels.

[Gabriel Pachongolo]

Dry river bear cricket sing I'm on my way back home Again I'm on my way back home Trees never look stronger Than when I could feel their roots reaching When I could be there Take down I'm coming home Changed, changed Like the night turns itself again to day and sunlight I've been digging deep I've been hearing the words Let the mountains and the rivers be Do.