MAGIC & MOUNTAINS

The T. A. Barron Podcast

Lifting our hearts, one story at a time —
Inspiration from nature, heroes, and creativity.
Join us on an enchanting journey that explores the intersection of nature, fantasy, storytelling, enduring ideas, and inspiration. Through insightful conversations and engaging narratives, Magic & Mountains welcomes you into T. A. Barron’s world of creativity, gratitude, and positive thinking.

You’ll hear his call to see your life as a story — a story that only you can write. You’ll walk on the misty paths of imagination, touch the fragile beauty of nature, and feel the power of stories to lift our hearts and minds. And you’ll enjoy thoughtful interviews with captivating storytellers, innovators, leaders in conservation and the environment, and inspiring young heroes. Together, listeners of all ages will feel the wonders of nature, the inspiration of ideas… and the renewal of hope.

Episodes from both season 2 and season 1 are listed below.

Episode Playlists by Theme

Check out episode playlists by theme. Whether you’re looking for episodes about nature or creativity, inspiration or interviews, Merlin or the amazing young heroes of the Barron Prize — these episode playlists are a great place to start!

Also… explore articles and interviews featuring this podcast.

MAGIC & MOUNTAINS

The T. A. Barron Podcast

Lifting our hearts, one story at a time —
Inspiration from nature, heroes, and creativity.
Join us on an enchanting journey that explores the intersection of nature, fantasy, storytelling, enduring ideas, and inspiration. Through insightful conversations and engaging narratives, Magic & Mountains welcomes you into T. A. Barron’s world of creativity, gratitude, and positive thinking.

You’ll hear his call to see your life as a story — a story that only you can write. You’ll walk on the misty paths of imagination, touch the fragile beauty of nature, and feel the power of stories to lift our hearts and minds. And you’ll enjoy thoughtful interviews with captivating storytellers, innovators, leaders in conservation and the environment, and inspiring young heroes. Together, listeners of all ages will feel the wonders of nature, the inspiration of ideas… and the renewal of hope.

Episodes from both season 2 and season 1 are listed below.

Episode Playlists by Theme

Check out episode playlists by theme. Whether you’re looking for episodes about nature or creativity, inspiration or interviews, Merlin or the amazing young heroes of the Barron Prize — these episode playlists are a great place to start!

Also… explore articles and interviews featuring this podcast.

PODCAST EPISODES

SEASON 1

In this first season, T. A. explores the creative writing process, the enduring magic of Merlin, the wonders and inspiration of nature (as well as the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss), the power of young people to make a positive difference in our world… and he’ll also invite listeners to “see your life as a story.” On some episodes, he will interview some truly wonderful guests; on others, you will hear T. A. sharing his own magic as a storyteller.

By the way, season 1 episodes below are listed in release order from oldest to newest – but you can listen to Magic & Mountains in any order you like! Simply pick an episode and get started.

SEASON 1 TRAILER
SEASON 1 EPISODES

Episode 1
The Magic of Merlin – Creating “the Merlin Saga”

Episode 2
Merlin in History and Myth with Carolyne Larrington

Episode 3
Merlin’s 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life

Episode 4
A Deep Dive into Creativity

Episode 5
Sailing Your Story Boat – Whole Brain Creativity

Episode 6
See Your Life as a Story

Episode 7
A Walk in the Enchanted Forest of Nature

Episode 8
Wonder, Mystery, and Joy in Nature with Rue Mapp

Episode 9
Saving Nature and Our Home Planet with Carter Roberts

Episode 10
The Importance of Heroes

Episode 11
Young Heroes: Ashley Carter & Shawn Henry

Episode 12
Young Heroes: Phebe Meyers & Claire Vlases

SEASON 2

In season 2, we journey far and wide to the minds of courageous and visionary leaders like Jane Goodall and Isabel Allende, guided by the uplifting wisdom of T. A. Barron. We explore the wonders and inspiration of nature (as well as the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss) and the power of young people to make a positive difference in our world. Plus, you’ll hear T. A.’s amazing stories from his three decades as a wandering bard — as well as his views on the wonders of “light”, as we can find both in the stars and in the eyes of a loved one.

By the way, season 2 episodes below are listed in release order from oldest to newest – but you can listen to Magic & Mountains in any order you like! Simply pick an episode and get started.

SEASON 2 TRAILER
SEASON 2 EPISODES

Episode 1
“The Next Great Adventure” with Jane Goodall

Episode 2
Make of Your Life a Light (My Favorite Quote) – Part I

Episode 3
Make of Your Life a Light (My Favorite Quote) – Part II

Episode 4
Lighting the Candle of Story with Isabel Allende

Episode 5
Writing from Your Soul with Patti Gauch

Episode 6
How to Write with a Wide Open Heart (and a Magical Cat) with Jill Santopolo

Episode 7
The Voice of Story with Audiobook Narrators John Lee and Carolyn Hunter

Episode 8
Crazy, Funny, and True: My Stories as a Wandering Bard

Episode 9
Life Depends on Rivers with Tom Kiernan

Episode 10
100% for the Planet with Kate Williams

Episode 11
Leadership and Identity with Dr. Doyin Atewologun

Episode 12
Raising Young Heroes with Michaella Gallina and Elise Strong

SEASON 1 EPISODES

In this first season, T. A. explores the creative writing process, the enduring magic of Merlin, the wonders and inspiration of nature (as well as the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss), the power of young people to make a positive difference in our world… and he’ll also invite listeners to “see your life as a story.” On some episodes, he will interview some truly wonderful guests; on others, you will hear T. A. sharing his own magic as a storyteller.

By the way, season 1 episodes below are listed in release order from oldest to newest – but you can listen to Magic & Mountains in any order you like! Simply pick an episode and get started.

 

SEASON 1 TRAILER

The Magic of Merlin –
Creating the Merlin Saga
Merlin in History and Myth
With Carolyne Larrington
Merlin’s 7 Magical Words
for a Meaningful Life
A Deep Dive into Creativity
Sailing Your Story Boat –
Whole Brain Creativity
See Your Life as a Story
A Walk in the Enchanted Forest of Nature
Wonder, Mystery, and Joy in Nature
with Rue Mapp
Saving Nature and Our Home Planet with Carter Roberts
The Importance of Heroes
Young Heroes: Ashley Carter & Shawn Henry
Young Heroes: Phebe Meyers & CLaire Vlases

SEASON 2 EPISODES

In season 2, we journey far and wide to the minds of courageous and visionary leaders like Jane Goodall and Isabel Allende, guided by the uplifting wisdom of T. A. Barron. We explore the wonders and inspiration of nature (as well as the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss) and the power of young people to make a positive difference in our world. Plus, you’ll hear T. A.’s amazing stories from his three decades as a wandering bard — as well as his views on the wonders of “light”, as we can find both in the stars and in the eyes of a loved one.

By the way, season 2 episodes below are listed in release order from oldest to newest – but you can listen to Magic & Mountains in any order you like! Simply pick an episode and get started.

 

SEASON 2 TRAILER

“The Next Great Adventure” with Jane Goodall

Make of Your Life a Light
(My Favorite Quote) – Part I
Make of Your Life a Light
(My Favorite Quote) – Part II
Lighting the Candle of Story
with Isabel Allende
Writing from Your Soul
with Patti Gauch
How to Write with a Wide Open Heart (and a Magical Cat)
with Jill Santopolo
The Voice of Story
with Audiobook Narrators
John Lee and Carolyn Hunter
Crazy, Funny, and True:
My Stories as a Wandering Bard
Life Depends on Rivers
with Tom Kiernan
100% for the Planet
with Kate Williams
Leadership and Identity with Dr. Doyin Atewologun
Raising Young Heroes with Michaella Gallina and Elise Strong

“Powerful and oh so magical.”

“Shared joyously!”

“Beautiful, warm, and heartfelt.”

“Entertaining and inspiring!”

“Like stories told by the campfire.”

“He’s a wizard.”

“Love his rich, mellifluous voice.”

“Powerful and oh so magical.”

“Shared joyously!”

“Beautiful, warm, and heartfelt.”

“Entertaining and inspiring!”

“Like stories told by the campfire.”

“He’s a wizard.”

“Love his rich, mellifluous voice.”

YOUR HOSTS

T. A. Barron

T. A. Barron grew up in Colorado ranch country. After a successful business career in New York, he moved back to Colorado to pursue his dream to be a writer, outdoorsman, and conservationist. He is the award-winning author of more than 30 highly-acclaimed books, including the international bestselling series the Merlin Saga, which is now being developed into a feature film by Disney. T. A. Barron is an advocate for public-spirited kids, and is founder of the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a national award that each year honors 25 young people who help their communities or the environment. In addition to writing and speaking, T. A. Barron serves on many environmental and educational boards, including Princeton University, where he helped to create the High Meadows Environmental Institute, and The Wilderness Society.

Carolyn Hunter

After graduating from the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television, Carolyn fell in love with guitar and devoted the following decade to songwriting. Known for her fairylike melodies, she has toured the world sharing stages with Lang Lang, Karla Bonoff, The Lil Smokies, and many more. Finding solace in Colorado, Carolyn founded the indie-folk band The Heartstring Hunters, nominated for best folk band by Denver Westword, and later became a vocalist for the Daniel Rodriguez Band (Elephant Revival) where she performed across the country, over public radio, and on his latest record Sojourn of a Burning Sun. She recently released a synth-pop album Lovelight, that explores themes of codependency and sensuality and is the author of two books of poetry including Photographic Memory Camera and After Rain.

For more about Carolyn visit CarolynHunter.com.