Hey, Ashna here! Tom—fresh off the plane—is raving about Chiang Mai like it’s the best thing since sliced bread. He’s all about the peaceful culture, delicious food, and stunning beauty. He also shares a wild mix of Muay Thai boxing, snake charmer music, and the calmness of the Thai people, which he says is a world away from the aggression in Los Angeles. We also talk about the symbolism of turtles in myths and how they connect to life’s mysteries. And, of course, we finish with a reality check on social media and how it affects real joy. Grab your headphones and join us for an hour of laughs, insights, and Thai-inspired chaos!

Hooray for humanity!

We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish.

Connect!

Be part of the Rhodesies team and get goodies: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp

More Tom  https://www.instagram.com/_TomRhodes

More Ashna https://www.instagram.com/ashnarodjan

 

About Smart Camp podcast

Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.

Join us for 

• Smart Ramble (Tom talks)
• Smart Talk (Tom has a guest)
• Smart Bestie (Tom and Ashna Rodjan)
• Smart Books and Movies (Review on Books and Movies) 

In this episode, Tom catches up with his friend Adam Palmeter, an artist and comedian living in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They reminisce about their first meeting in Seoul, Korea, where Adam was part of a comedy collective that brought international comedians to perform. They reflect on their experiences in Korea, Vietnam, and the creative inspiration they found in these unique environments. Adam shares his journey from being a teacher in New York to becoming a muralist in Thailand, discussing how the peaceful pace and culture of Chiang Mai have allowed him to focus on his art. Tom and Adam explore the contrasts between life in the U.S. and Southeast Asia, especially the lack of aggression and the deep sense of respect embedded in Thai culture. The conversation is filled with insights about creativity, living abroad, and the joy of sharing art with the world.Hooray for humanity!

More Adam: https://www.instagram.com/adampalmeter/

We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish.

Connect!

Be part of the Rhodesies team and get goodies: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp

More Tom https://www.instagram.com/_TomRhodes

More Ashna https://www.instagram.com/ashnarodjan

 

About Smart Camp podcast

Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.

Join us for 

• Smart Ramble (Tom talks)
• Smart Talk (Tom has a guest)
• Smart Bestie (Tom and Ashna Rodjan)
• Smart Books and Movies (Review on Books and Movies) 

In this Smart Talk episode, Tom Rhodes sits down with Andy Andrist in Eugene, Oregon. They delve into Andy's journey, starting with his roots in Oregon and how it has become his hometown after 30 years. Andy shares his brief stint in Los Angeles working on "The Man Show," and his long-standing friendship with comedian Doug Stanhope. Andy recounts a humorous yet intense incident involving missing shoes during a party in Death Valley, which led to years of a running joke between him and Tom. The episode is filled with candid stories, from Andy's outrageous road experiences to the influence of figures like Ken Kesey and John Belushi on Eugene's cultural landscape.

Andy also opens up about his battle with cancer, the challenges of chemotherapy, and how his daughter provided support through the toughest times. They discuss the impact of this experience on his comedy and life perspective, highlighting the importance of cherishing moments and finding joy in the present. Two seasoned comedians navigating life’s ups and downs with humor and grace.

More Andy: https://www.instagram.com/andyandrist/

 

Hooray for humanity!

We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish.

 

Connect!

Be part of the Rhodesies team and get goodies: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp

More Tom  https://www.instagram.com/_TomRhodes

More Ashna https://www.instagram.com/ashnarodjan

 

 

About Smart Camp podcast

Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.

Join us for 

• Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely)
• Smart Talk (Tom has a guest)
• Smart Bestie (Tom and Ashna Rodjan)
• Smart Books and Movies (Review on Books and Movies)

 

Tom

I have been a comedian for more than 40 years. I travel the world, performing comedy. Exploring diverse cultures and connecting with people from all walks of life while doing comedy is at the heart of my journey. Whenever I can, I'll share my adventures and a global perspective with you on this podcast.

 

Ashna

Ashna, Dutch artist, photographer, and my ex-wife, is my best friend and she's an essential part of the Rhodesies production team. We've traveled the world together for 8 years. With her background in cognitive psychology and her passion for philosophy and the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.

Straight out of Mongolia and coming into your ears, brain and heart is Batbileg B!

Pioneer and founder of the Mongolian comedy scene is my friend Bata, owner of UB comedy club and superstar of the Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia laugh providers. He is visiting Los Angeles at the moment and stopped by the Rhodes library to record this conversation. We talk about how Genghis Khan's influence still shapes the world, our once in a lifetime special visit to Ghengis Khan's 13th century camp sites and the shaman tents were we picked up our warrior spirits. My time in Mongolia was special and I dream of returning there one day. I first went to Mongolia because of Genghis Khan but it was the comedians of Mongolia who made me return for the second time. Aside from diving deep into history and loving my shows there for the brilliant Mongolian audiences, Bata's mother is a dentist and gave me a full cleaning and whitening while I was there. Free dental work is a very generous gift and that encapsulates how giving and loving the people of Mongolia can be. Batbileg B and Zolo treated name like a king on both of my visits to this magnificent country and that is why it is my honor to have in my home and a guest on my podcast the one and only Batbileg B!   Patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

Brian Holtzman is one of my favorite comedians to watch at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles because he appears to be a man on the verge of a nervous break down or a genius shattering hypocrisy in his revolution against stupidity.

There are few performers as exciting as this man because of the discomfort he causes the squeamish and his sharply written jokes often make them laugh against their will. He is a comedian who should be more famous than he is and that is why I am highlighting this man on my podcast in hopes of introducing him to people who may not know of this giant on the LA comedy scene. He came over to the Rhodes library to have a lengthy conversation about life and all the bullshit that is so easy to laugh at it you look at it the right way. He is a hard hitting joke master expressing himself beautifully in this world of angst and unease and that is why it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Brian Holtzman!

Tony Hinchcliffe grew up in an all black neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio and it gave him an unshakable confidence that they don't teach you in private schools.

 

Growing up near real life super hero Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini gave him the world view of an unbreakable bad ass and he is determined to walk the razor's edge of speaking truth in comedy.

 

We talk about the poor ratty whites who will regret eight years of Trump if the still end up being losers during the white nationalist roar that the Trump presidency is. We talk about the trick of American society being that we chatter about race when we should be paying more attention to class and inequality. Now that our country has been sold out to the Russians we might be seeing those round pointy things that you see on the Kremlin on our white house to accommodate the real master of that domain.

 

Doing dark and twisted humor is now a crusade because everyone is so touchy about everything. Tony is committed to the big dick rock & roll approach to comedy and he reminds me that the "cancel generation" doesn't buy tickets to comedy shows.

 

As the earth spins out of control with hate, stupidity and cruelty it has never been a better time to be Tony Hinchcliffe, with his 'Kill Tony' podcast crushing the charts and him selling enough tickets to keep calling the shots. His comedy is fearless and he always slices out the heart with a hard edge and that is why it is my pleasure to present to you now Tony Hinchcliffe!

 

patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

Brad Williams is on a rocket ship that just blasted off to superstardom.

His favorite book is 'The Prince' by Niccolo Machiavelli and he tells me how he has navigated his life using this map. In this episode we talk about sad pathetic lonely fuckers who complain about comedy specials, how Andy Dick portrayed little people as caged animals and the future cage that Brad has waiting for him one day. The Richard Nixon list of enemies is something he's not against keeping so I tell him that the opening scene of 'Wild Tales' is the best revenge film ever conceived.

Human beings are not evolving, most human beings don't want freedom and democracy. Most humans in history desire power, tyranny and oppression and this surveillance state gangster third world path is full steam ahead. All we can do is make money and put a wall and gate around your house while creating an army of children that you program the thoughts in their heads. In this chat it is revealed that Brad and I both are Capricorns, grew up with Disney magic and how our fathers both shaped us into the funny men that we are. Now that Brad is approaching fatherhood he explains to me how it is important never to yuck someone's yum. What Brad's father did to a big plate full of mashed potatoes is one of the best laughs he's ever had and making your kid laugh might be the secret to raising children into becoming the best humans. He is one of the most naturally funny comedians crushing heads in America today and that is why it is my pleasure to present to you the one and only Brad Williams!

Patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

People of the earth! Throw down your weapons and rejoice in this excellent conversation I recorded with Brazilian comedy superstar Rafinha Bastos.

In the past year Rafi has become one of my best friends. He lives in my building and we often talk comedy, help each other with jokes and go to the clubs together, all in service to our number one love in life, comedy. Now he is moving to New York City so that he can be closer to Brazil for when he has to fly home to his son Tom and continue to follow his dream of making his mark as a stand up comedian in America. In this episode we talk about his favorite things about America, the best jokes he's written here, Bolsonaro letting the Amazon burn, CNN where the house is always on fire and the best advice a father could ever give to his son. Also in this chat is possibly the birth of what will become his next Netflix special. Also revealed is the knowledge nugget that is the connection between Crazy Horse and Nebraska. Great things happen when I gather with this friend and through the miracle of technology I can pour it straight into your head. You have to love a guy that cheered against his own country of Brazil when I saw the soccer match between Brazil and Peru with him and that guy is the one and only Rafinha Bastos! 

The last of my 3 part series on the life of Lord Byron concludes here with his exile in Switzerland and Italy and his death in Greece.

Delight in this dashing dandy's style, his endless carousing with women and his adventurous spirit that eventually led to his death fighting for the independence of the Greeks who weren't willing to fight for it themselves. So many of his heroic moments can be off balanced by the poor choices he made in life. From his Villa Diodati on Lake Geneva where literary history was made to the canals of Venice where he lived every human depravity this episode will take you to his final act of redemption while trying to do good for the people of Greece.   As a boy I lived briefly on Lord Byron road in Wilmington, NC and finally today after spending the summer reading about the life of Lord Byron I have found the answer to why this man would be worthy of having a road named after him in North Carolina. Here I also rejoice and recount the brilliant friendship that Byron had with the poet Shelley as I talk you and read you to the conclusion of both of these poets lives on foreign soil. Fill your learning goblet with the scandalous and remarkable life of the one and only Lord Byron. Joy be upon you!   www.patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

In the year 1812 Napoleon was defeated, the waltz was the new hit sensation of aristocratic Europe and Lord Byron became a literary superstar over night and the toast of high society England. He was born a gorgeous full lipped curly headed boy and as a man spent vastly to always be stylishly dressed and fancied himself a dandy. He was born with a club foot that he drag slide when he walked. He was both ashamed and short tempered when it came to the topic of his club foot. 

Some historians believe his numerous conquests with women were just an attempt to mask his real attraction to young men. What can be agreed upon by all who studied Byron is that no hole was safe around this guy. His foot might have been lame but there wasn't anything lame about his dick. The married Lady Caroline Lamb had to be dragged out of London because she was acting like a shameless hussy over our poet and disgraced her family name. He reluctantly married Lady Annabella Milbanke who he tortured mentally by being the shittiest most spoiled husband who ever pranced over the streets of London. When the dirty little secret that Byron had fucked his half sister Augusta and had a baby by her, that was the straw that broke the back of this opium addicted household. Annabella took the kid that she had by Byron and ran off back to her mother and father at the family estate. Annabella being much perturbed by the heinous stupefied state with which our poet had spent their married year was all too happy to help spread the very true rumor that not only did Byron fuck his sister he squirted inside of her like an animal and made a baby with her. Once this news hit the mass consciousness of England the people couldn't shut up about it. It was all they wanted to talk about and Byron now being the most loathed turd of society was not welcome anywhere. Byron never liked scenes and now he was afraid to visit the theater for fear of being hissed in public. His life has fallen apart and his shit was weak but at this moment the sales from his books are bringing money in and he sells his family estate to give him the bank roll needed to go live any kind of life he would want to live anywhere. This story I'm going to tell you today is about the period in Byron's life when he was riding high and famous in London. I will read you many highlights from the Peter Quennell book 'Byron The years of fame'. "Rumor and legend are potent aphrodisiacs." Come get some of this in your brain. Enjoy the feast! Long may you run! Or rather, long may you side shuffle while dragging your club foot Lord Byron!

Hooray & hallelujah! For episode 300 the lovable human Cameron Hattan has taken me out to the center of Lake Tahoe on a sail boat. After cruising around the majestic beauty of the lake we parked and went down in the cabin to record this episode. Cameron taught sailing on Lake Tahoe for many years, teaches me what a zephyr is and then he goes to intensely pull lines when our lives were in danger.

Sun sparkles on water go perfectly with Native American beliefs in how they read signs from the mountains, the classic Western TV show Bonanza and other California factoids. His worst sailing experience took place on the sea of Cortez in Mexico and mine was in Malaysia between Penang and Langkawi.  You will learn about the sea gypsy people of the world who are raising their kids at sea, how to properly clean out the butthole of a lobster, and how to bring vision aid glasses to Honduras. Find your center with the zen wisdom of the film Captain Ron and the Cheech and Chong film Yellow Beard the pirate. Cameron has been a strong advocate of cannabis as medical treatment and this has led his mother to block him on facebook because she doesn't want her quilting group to know that her son is a drug dealer. Genesis 1:12 in the bible clearly states "All seed baring plants I give to you." For the first time in human history we have a chance to treat serious illnesses with cannabis and Cameron eloquently explains how his company Fiddler's Greens is forging the way in this treatment. Louis Armstrong got Richard Nixon to smuggle marijuana into the Unites States for him? According to Cameron this story is true. Its great to have a friend but its even better to have a friend with a boat. Add to this a friend who is also a cannabis expert and you get the nautical adventure that is the celebratory sun sparkles on the lake enhanced episode 300 that will trigger the serotonin in your brain and make you happy. In the immortal words of Bill Murray in the film 'What about Bob?' "I'm sailing! I'm sailing! I'm really sailing!" Ahoy and joy be upon you! Community over competition! Long may you sail!   patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

Bonjour y’all! It was a big week in the news! I am in Paris and experienced the hottest day ever recorded at 109 degrees. I beat the heat by jumping into the fountain at Saint Sulpice and climbing to the top. This week also saw the end of democracy and Donald Trump declaring  the 2020 election to be white people versus everyone else. Other big person news is revealed in this audio postcard from my favorite city in the world. With peach tart breath I give you a quick update on myself and all of the pertinent news in our ever crumbling world. Make America less pea brain fuck witted! Make the world more compassionate and get this sweltering holiday treat within your skull. Joy be Upon you my friends!

Patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

Tony Woods is not only one of the most influential comedians ever to grip a microphone he is also one of the most naturally funny human beings you will ever meet in you in your life. This episode needs to other introduction other than in my opinion statues should be erected all over the world to Tony Woods for the amount of laughter he has brought to this suffering globe. No one makes me laugh harder than Tony Woods and he rings my bell multiple times in this conversation.

I love this man with all my heart and there is no one better to share Aunt Margie's banana bread with, that is why it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Tony Woods!

In this Smart Talk episode, Tom Rhodes talks with Rudy Tyburczy, a notable figure because he was one of the founding members of the English comedy scene in Seoul, Korea. They reminisce about their shared experiences in Korea, emphasizing the close-knit comedy community and the unique challenges and joys of performing abroad.

More Rudy: https://www.instagram.com/rudytyburczy

 

Hooray for humanity!

We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish.

 

Connect!

Be part of the Rhodesies team and get goodies: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp

More Tom  https://www.instagram.com/_TomRhodes

More Ashna https://www.instagram.com/ashnarodjan

 

About Smart Camp podcast

Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.

Join us for 

• Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely)
• Smart Talk (Tom has a guest)
• Smart Bestie (Tom and best friend Ashna Rodjan)
• Smart Books and Movies (Review on Books and Movies)

The life of Lord Byron was more adventurous and debauched than any rock & roll biography you have ever read. In the words of Lady Caroline Lamb, he was "mad, bad and dangerous to know." Get ready for your mind to be blown away by the life of the king of the romantic poets and learn why no hole was safe around this guy!!

 

When I was 10 years old my family lived in Wilmington, North Carolina in a housing development called King's Grant where all of the streets were named after English writers. My family and I lived on Lord Byron road. Because of this I have always wondered what was so important about this man that he earned a street in North Carolina to be named after him. Through the years I have collected many books on the life of Lord Byron and I brought them with me to England on this last trip.

For the past two months I have been reading all about the life of Lord Byron and I'm happy to present to you now this amazing tale that has receded from many people's memories because it is so far in the past. His life was filled with much tragedy, triumph and swinging of his dick. It is a story so epic in its scale that I have to break it up in multiple episodes to tell it. For this episode we learn about his youth and the adventurous trip he took as a youth to Turkey and Greece that would forever color his poetry, dreams of the future and life the way he thought that it ought to be lived. It is my pleasure to present to you now the life of Lord Byron: Youth & Adventure. 

 

Subscribe on Patreon and I will send you hand written postcards form different places in the world!

patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

The legendary punk rock poet John Cooper Clarke returns to TRR Smart Camp!

One of the highlights of my trip to the UK was getting to spend the day with JCC at his house and record this conversation at the very table where he writes and is currently writing his memoirs. We discuss the difficulty of writing the story of your life when your life continues to move forward. If anyone has a life story worth retelling it is this man who has tasted the whip of unemployment, been a friend to the China man's night cap, pissed pure gold, operated in the world of degenerate gamblers, the fickleness of fame and the feeling of being an iconic live performer. He's under pressure to finish his memoir before his deadline but he tells me that the defining turning point in his life was when he could start picking out his own clothes and have the style of his own choosing. We talk about  the teacher who introduced the love of poetry into John's life, the 19th century romantic poets, how Poe knew how to drive people mad and how Baudelaire changed his life. In this lively chat JCC tells me the ten songs he would take with him on a desert island and the one book he would like to read forever other than the exciting fucking and fighting books of Shakespeare and the bible. We talk about his none poet heroes Elvis and Napoleon, wages and holidays and how the vanity of small differences is the psychological blip that keeps the whole world from collectively getting their shit together. It is an honor to call this man a friend as he is who I want to be when I grow up and that is why it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only John Cooper Clarke!

In the past 5 years since I worked with Romesh Ranganathan at the Comedy Store in London it has been a joy watching his star rise to where he is now crushing it at the highest levels of the British comedy scene. He was kind enough to take a break from his current TV duties to sit down and record this conversation with me. In this soul and brain enriching episode we talk about his show Judge Romesh where he hands out verdicts of domestic disputes where the punishment is ridicule.  Bringing his mother back to Sri Lanka where her humor is archived forever thanks to the BBC and the show that was made from it. Any man who loves his mom and makes time for a comedy brother is a top quality human in my book.

If you already know Romesh you will be elated by his personal stories and if you don't know him yet you will fall in love with him now for the knowledge nuggets he is about to insert into your brain. In this chat he drops potent knowledge like what is the most historically significant event ever to take place in Crawley, the area of London where he grew up. Also, the secret to unlocking the mystery of maths, the best secret technique for acting and why the Wu Tang Clan and Mango coconut beard oil will change your life for the better. That is why it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Romesh Ranganathan!    www.patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

Beast master Reginald D Hunter has invited me to open for him on his UK theater tour called Facing The Beast. Now after our first week of performing in lovely old English theaters in Devon we sit down to iron out the problems of humanity with the greatest minds ever to assemble in Walthamstow. With Reginald D Hunter, Kash Yusaf, and Pete Johansson I cover, meander and collide with some of the most complex issues humanity faces today. Also this conversation is sauced with the explicit joy of a group of comedian friends just sitting around shooting the shit.

"I think I was unconsciously affected by 70's children's television, because they would make you laugh but also teach you something." - Reginald D Hunter

Patreon.com/TomRhodesRadioSmartCamp

"So let us face up to the blows of circumstance and be aware that whatever happens is never as serious as rumor makes it out to be." Get to know the life and words of Seneca! TRR Smart Camp #293! 

In celebration of little bitches everywhere I'm highlighting Seneca because his thoughts were immortal and they should live in your brain.

He was a contradiction because in his own life he failed to live up to his own teachings but his works may have inspired the birth of the essay and modern psychology. Here is a little taste of the narcotic that is Seneca:

"So let us face up to the blows of circumstance and be aware that whatever happens is never as serious as rumor makes it out to be."

"A setback has often cleared the way for greater prosperity. Many things have fallen only to rise to more exalted heights." 

“What you must do, then, is mend your ways and get rid of the burden you're carrying. Keep your cravings within safe limits. Scour every trace of evil from your personality. 

“If you want to enjoy your travel, you must make your traveling companion a healthy one." 

Everyone should read Seneca!

Start with the book 'Letters From A Stoic' and before you dive in give this episode of Smart Camp a listen to learn about this extraordinary man and his thought provoking words that still resonate today. 

 

Hooray for humanity!

Jon Stringer is a lovable human and a top quality comedian!

When I was young many older comedians I admired helped me up along the way and I'll never forget them for that because their endorsements opened doors for me that allowed me to thrive in a very competitive business.

 

In the pay it forward tradition I want the comedy world and the regular human world to know about Jon Stringer. I met Jon in his hometown of Austin, Texas several years ago and have worked with him many times since and he always leaves me feeling uplifted and proud to be a member of the human race because of his joyous bitter free spirit. His attitude towards stand up comedy is one that embraces the gift of being able to do this and that we have the privilege to hone our skill of trying to get better at it each and every day that we are alive. He is the exact opposite of the bitter turd comedian who is miserable and takes cheap shots at other humans. Jon's approach to comedy is the same that he approaches in life and that is that we are here to uplift humanity and that is why I enjoy being his friend so much and why I love to see him perform. 

 

With his lovely wife Joanna they are burning up the American highways living an adventure that few people ever get to experience. It reminds me of the days Ashna and I had no home and traveled every inch of America in search of jokes, art, photography and laughter. 

 

He is someone I am proud to call a friend, someone comedy lovers should follow, someone festivals and comedy clubs should have on their rosters, someone who is valuable in the art of making life a happy experience for all and that is why it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Jon Stringer!

Insatiable Curiosity with Jim Gaffigan on episode 291 Tom Rhodes Radio Smart Camp! > 

 

Jim Gaffigan and I both have an insatiable curiosity to travel and educate ourselves through world travel. As a comedian your experiences fuel your material and when you are forced out of your comfort zone is when you are exposed to new ideas. Jim is fresh off the plane from Asia, so we talk about Asian history, Europe, Russia, self censorship, cultural sensitivities and where in Manhattan you can find the best world cuisine that the city has to offer.

We also answer the big question of when is it appropriate for a straight white male performer to advance transgender issues and the sad missed opportunities of movies that don't address this issue. Here is a man that I respect as a comedian, am inspired by as a human being and find a comrade in the quest that we are both trying to season our souls with the flavor that only world travel can give you.

Sometimes we feel like circus animals, sometimes we feel like super heroes blessed with the power to cheer up humanity with gift of laughter and that is why I love the one and only Jim Gaffigan!

 

www.patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

W. Kamau Bell has the most important show on television where he examines race in America and in this episode he tells me how close we are to Civil war and what to expect. I've know Kamau since my old San Francisco days and he is a great old friend that I can cover the current most important questions with him like, will rich white people be in charge forever? How does the electoral college system relate to slavery? Why do Supreme court justices get to keep that job for life?

Will I ever get a stamp commemoration for blocking my brother Dave on facebook?

Kamau is a good friend for me to vent my frustrations to right now and getting to talk to him after both of my brothers have declared war on me and want to hold me accountable for all the actions of the left. I'm proud that I told mat brother Dave, "What you call the liberal gay agenda I call the teachings of Christ."

To be compassionate and caring to others the way Jesus taught us to be.

If you are going to a church that preaches war and enemies you are going to the wrong church. "The money is in fear, not love."

Professional politicians are more interesting in keeping their jobs than they are in protecting democracy. Should Brett Kavanaugh breaking down and crying like a baby disqualify him from ever being considered a serious decision maker of laws and when we stop laughing about that? 

We recorded this conversation right across the street from CNN in Kamau's hotel room and we talk about the Trump wake up call making some true believers in journalism step up their game at CNN. We talk about the episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations where Kamau filmed an episode in Kenya with Bourdain right before he died. Bourdain is a god to me and Kamau generously tells us the best advice Bourdain gave him about filming for television. If anyone at CNN or anywhere else had any sense in their head they would give Tom Rhodes his own epic world travel comedy show.

The New Zealand mosque shooting is fresh pain in the world where slaughters at synagogues, churches, elementary schools are never enough for everyone to yell "Enough! Stop the senseless slaughter of innocents"

Even in the pursuit of making television Kamau tells me, "You should show respect to all religions." Your actions in the world should show what kind of person you are. Everyone should watch the film 'Starman.'

"You humans are at your best when you are working together during tragedies."

Do as much as you can, while you can to make the world a better place.

Make the world a better place by listening to W. Kamau Bell and and improve humanity and you can do the same afterwards by going to www.donorchoose.org

Ari was already one of my favorite human beings on the planet to hang out with and then he went above and beyond giving me the gift that would truly improve my life.   Ari is the one who is responsible for getting Delta airlines to restore my Diamond medallion status. For this I will be forever grateful and his dear listeners who rallied to his call to help saved me from a year of baggage fees and zone 3 boarding.   Then there was that magical moment on my last day in Jerusalem with my mother when we ran into Ari and his brother at the most sacred place in Christianity. In this episode we talk about how to avoid getting kidnapped in East Timor, what are the best motorcycle adventures to take in the world, dreams of Mongolia, Romania, Eastern Europe and where to find the best pastrami or pizza in New York City.   You can only judge people whether they are friends or family by if they give you energy or drain energy out of you. Because of my friendship with Ari my life has been overflowing with goodness and that is why today I am in praise of Ari Shaffir! Shalom amigo and pass the pastrami!   www.patreon.com/tomrhodesradiosmartcamp

 

Every year when I do San Francisco I appear on Rick Tittle's sports radio talk show and I love it because we talk about everything but sports.

He is a voracious reader like I am and I love to free form riff talk and share important knowledge with each other. Now I turn the microphone on him to squeeze the answers out of him and ninja joust with our collective intelligence. Learn now how WW I changed the world, who invented the modern game of soccer and what is most important to know about San Francisco. We gab it up joyously until the parking meter runs out and Rick has to run off to move his car. That is life in San Francisco and this is a human I love talking to when time allows. There is more to life than sports and I can't tell you how much time I save by not giving a shit about sports. Now it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Rick Tittle!

Tom and Ashna delve into the complexities of therapy and personal growth. Tom shares his mixed experiences with therapists, recalling an unhelpful session with a therapist whose overly friendly dog proved distracting. He discusses his strategies for coping with traumatic experiences, emphasizing the importance of creating positive memories to overshadow negative ones.

Ashna reveals her decision to stop therapy after realizing she has the power to make her own choices without external guidance. This insight helped her recognize her own strength and the unnecessary pressure to be perfect. She also reflects on attending a Bible study as a non-believer, discovering the wisdom and poetry it offers.

They draw upon the wisdom of Winnie the Pooh, particularly Tigger's resilience, to illustrate maintaining a positive outlook and bouncing back from challenges.

The conversation shifts to societal expectations and how they navigate their personal and professional lives. They highlight the importance of positive language and mindset, showing how changing the way they talk about their struggles can impact their overall well-being.

Join Tom and Ashna for a candid discussion about therapy, personal growth, and self-determination. Whether you're a fan of comedy, interested in mental health, or looking for genuine conversations, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating life's challenges.

Connect!

Be part of the Rhodesies team and get goodies: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp

More Tom  https://www.instagram.com/_TomRhodes

More Ashna https://www.instagram.com/ashnarodjan

 

About Smart Camp podcast

Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.

Join us for Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely), Smart Talk (Tom has a guest), Smart Bestie (Tom & best friend Ashna Rodjan), Smart Books & Movies (Review on Books & Movies).

 

Tom

I have been a comedian for more than 40 years. I travel the world, performing comedy. Exploring diverse cultures and connecting with people from all walks of life while doing comedy is at the heart of my journey. Whenever I can, I'll share my adventures and a global perspective with you on this podcast.

 

Ashna

Ashna, Dutch artist, photographer, and my ex-wife,is my best friend and she's an essential part of the Rhodesies production team. We've traveled the world together for 8 years. With her background in cognitive psychology and her passion for philosophy and the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.

In this episode I rejoice in the glory of a Florida back porch with my oldest best friend in life Lou Angelwolf. On his back porch in Palm Harbor, Florida we discuss the secret language of trees, evolution, reincarnation, UFOs, and how the responsibility of paying rent keeps us from following our creative instincts. On this first day of Spring I am being healed by the joy of having deep meaningful conversation with one of my guest lifelong friends. The bad news is that seeking revenge will kill you but the good news is that "we create order out of chaos naturally."

According to my buddy Lou the three things that control us and keep us hypnotized are: "Climate controlled environment, easy access to food and cars with shiny wheels." So much wisdom and strange new ideas always abound when I get to recharge my batteries with a good warm loving visit with my brother Lou. Spring is upon us and the world is full of new possibilities. Don't get chewed up by the system and fill your head with ideas worth knowing and reasons to be cheerful. Hooray for humanity!

Today started out so shitty for me. First I woke up to a text message from a woman in Florida who I was ready to pledge my alliance to telling me that she was dropping the Guillotine on the neck of our beginning relationship which hurt my feelings greatly. And she let me know that I am a self centered narcissist but I knew that already because that is the kind of person that it takes to do stand up comedy and put out a podcast. So as shitty as my day began it got progressively better in everyday starting with Pam Worthington bring me an egg McMuffin. I've sworn off junk food but on shitty days you are allowed to spike your cholesterol. I think it says that in the bible in Leviticus. 

In case you've missed the saga, I went on Ari Shaffir's podcast 'Skeptic Tank' a few days ago and I was ragging on Delta for downgrading me. It takes 125,000 miles flown and spending $15,000 to reach Diamond status which is Delta's highest level of frequent flyer. In 2018 I flew 155,621 miles and spent $13,000. Not many people have traveled as much as me and I'm proud to say that Delta is my airline, but they downgraded me. Ari said that he felt Delta would do the right thing if enough people tweeting at Delta to do the right thing. In the past 48 hours hundreds of people have been tweeting to Delta. Then about an hour ago I got a call from Delta airlines. Guess what happened next… I rarely use twitter because it seems like a vacuum of hate and frustration but after today I saw that twitter can be used for good. Now I wish in life it was just that easy for a wrong to be corrected but I'm pretty sure that woman that I liked doesn't even use twitter. And yes please let it be known that I am a self centered narcissist, how else could anybody get things done if they weren't? Shalom amigos & fly Delta!

 

At any one time there are more people who are suffering than there are who are happy, many more people who are heartbroken than there are who are in love.

Apparently the dark sad days I'm living have increased my fans and friendships. This week I learned how because I am hurting and going through troubles that makes it possible for more people to relate to me and get closer to me. Electronic messages and things said to my face confirm that some people I know are happy that I'm emotionally in the toilet these days because now I belong to the majority of humans who grapple with life.   This is when I discovered the joy of suffering. Because so many people have told me they feel for me in my suffering. Brian Holtzman at the Comedy Store told me "When you were happy and in love I couldn't relate to you but now that you are divorced and miserable I think we can be friends now." Hilarious!   The Comedy Store was hit by a tsunami when all of our friend Brody Stevens killed himself this past week. I saw him two nights before he killed himself and he told me that he was sorry that I was having some trouble right now. That beautiful human being was worried about me. I wish I had more perceptive but that is how we all feel who are at the Comedy Store. Hug your people. Heal for your people. Mental illness is real! Take care of your people.   In this episode I praise Don Neto for saying that "I love people more than money." I read to you a curious piece of wisdom called 'Loving each other in joy' which my mother mailed to me in the 1990s. I just found the Xerox pages of it and the contents are worth buttering your skull with. People in poor countries and people with disabilities laugh more and enjoy life more than most of us. Hear the story of the perfectly happy burn victim woman I saw on the streets of London on her victory walk and then rejoice in the story of the hummingbird that got caught inside my apartment  and what I had to do to get this fucker to trust me so that I could save it's life.   Throw out the aspirin and giggle away despair! Butter your skull with TRR Smart Camp # 285!

Shalom Amigos y Amigas! After spending this year mostly by myself in my apartment I have found light in the eyes of the Mexican cops who wanted to squeeze me for money in Tulum and in the dead cat of an Uber driver. Most importantly it was the words from my listeners and people who care that has gotten me through these cold winter days of the nuclear break up. These have not been my best days but if pain makes the best comedy then I am about to become a very funny mother trucker. I'm happy to present to you now the one and only ME!

My life is falling apart and I am a mess!

This year has broken me physically and emotionally.

My amazing wife Ashna is divorcing me and I am at a low point in my life.

What better time to take my very Christian mother to the holy land to visit Jerusalem! What good is a spiritual pilgrimage unless your life is in the toilet!

After a very long break of not putting out episodes because I had nothing to say and was sorting out how I felt about what was happening in my life I am back with a new episode just in time for Christmas. It was a powerful experience to take my Jesus Freak mother to Jerusalem and visit the spot where Jesus was crucified and some of the other most important places in Christianity. My report and feelings about Jerusalem will surprise you and the tense moments we experienced made me grateful for the lack of history we have in the United States. Does extreme religion make you a better person or will it make you murder innocents with a rock? In the words of the fake Jesus I met at the most sacred place in all of Christianity: "The true miracle is when a bad person becomes a good person." No truer words have ever been spoken. I got to live so many moments I thought would never be attainable and now I am back to tell you the stories of this epic trip to the holy land. Doing comedy around the world and traveling away from home for too long has cost me everything. I will explain it all to you in this episode here and now. The only thing left to say now is: Merry Christmas from Jerusalem!

If you come to Ireland you must come to Galway, and if you come to Galway you must take Jonathan Hannon's walkinghistory.ie tour. Jonathan Hannon is my favorite kind of human, a knowledgable historian, passionate storyteller. Overflowing with an abundance of knowledge on a variety of topics, but a special in Irish history and culture, Ashna and I were happy to have taken his tour the last time we were here two years ago. Now October cold rain outside Jonathan sit down for a cup of tea and chat in his charming bungalow close to the river. On this day October 26, 2018 it is an historic day in Ireland because they are voting for their president and to decriminalize blasphemy. In recent years Ireland has leap greatly forward in human rights and freedoms while the United States stubbornly drags everyone backwards. Which is why history is so exciting! In this episode we talk about the Romantic period writers Byron and Yeats. Significant events in Irish and human history. Jonathan debunks the lies of mythology I and everyone else has been told about where the phrase "Lynch mob" comes from as well as the phrase "I wouldn't give him the time of day." The cultural history of modern Ireland is portrayed here as well as the golden glowing personality of my history expert friend that I met on my last visit to Galway, a place I would buy a home if I was swimming in cash. I always tell people, if you like to drink and laugh a lot go to Ireland. And when you come here I want to to treat yourself by coming to Galway and meeting my friend Jonathan by going on his walking tour and letting him bust your head open with powerful knowledge. That is why it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Jonathan Hannon!

Rui Xara put on a comedy festival in Porto just to bring me to Portugal for the first time. He bent over backwards to show me everything that is great about Portugal and now I'm in love with the place. In this episode we talk about all of the glorious things about Portugal and why Porto is a better city than Lisbon.

He is a beautiful man and he is now my friend for life, that is why it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Rui Xara!

Joe DeRosa is a beast killer of a comedian. He is obsessed with death and destroying the institutions that hold us back from evolving spiritually.

He is against anything that impedes our own personal happiness. I love conversing with him and delighting in his view of the world. We crossed paths in Atlanta and sat down for this gab session to enrich your life with wisdom and laughter. Hooray for humanity!  

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The reason I first found Jared Logan to be a lovable human was when I saw him onstage talking about the Lincoln assassination. In this episode we talk about the hilarious personality shortcomings of John Wilkes Booth, the man who killed president Lincoln.

We also discuss the presidents who lost their lives while in office and the Battle Of Little Big Horn. I feel like Jared Logan is a man like myself, who is full of historical knowledge and that we could record many more episodes of this nature. Being from West Virginia, Jared also has valuable insights on the coal industry and the current presidents promise of reviving the industry. Many knowledge nuggets will be delivered to your brain in this lively conversation I had with Jared. History is just one damned thing after another and discussed with someone like my friend Jared Logan, is always going to be entertaining. Current history is a mess so let's talk about the past. Hooray for history! And hooray for humanity!

This is a bonus episode where I am forced to make a statement about my story concerning Louie Anderson.

As it turns out the hard hitting investigative journalism of Jay Cridlin from the Tampa Bay Times newspaper has uncovered the 32 year old story of a young rube from Florida who went to Hollywood for the first time and got his ass squeezed by one of America's most beloved clean comedians. Is this newsworthy or just a cheap shot from an entertainment writer at a family newspaper to create a click bait story that will drive traffic to their website? In this episode I recount, read and emote the correspondence and my personal plea to Jay Cridlin not to punch down at Louie Anderson by bringing my name up to him in his interview. He chose to do so anyway so that it why I am addressing this now in the full glory of emotions that I have experienced from the time of the incident, to now being put on the spot for a comment that was requested by Jay Cridlin from the Tampa Bay Times. I will read to you now both, the first draft of my official statement and the final short official statement that I sent after talking with my most trusted friends. I do not believe that journalists are the "enemy of the American people" like Trump keeps repeating but I do believe that some of them might consider applying the standards of human decency to their work. Bravo to the Tampa Bay Times for such hard hitting investigative journalism and I hope that this story earns them the Pulitzer prize that they so richly deserve. Shalom Amigos y Amigas.  

 

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This episode of Smart Books & Movies reflects Tom's musings on love and nostalgia. He begins by sharing his recent benefit performance in Washington, D.C., and a heartwarming anecdote about his aunt's banana bread. Visiting his father's grave at Arlington National Cemetery reconnects him with poignant memories.

From there, Tom transitions to a book report on Richard Ben Cramer's Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life. He provides fascinating details about DiMaggio's baseball career, family background, and personality, focusing on how he was often perceived as a distant and private figure. Despite his detachment from teammates and the public, Joe upheld a high standard as a Yankee, often emphasizing the importance of perfection both on and off the field.

The most captivating part of the episode involves Joe DiMaggio's relationship with Marilyn Monroe. Tom discusses how their love story began, starting with their first date and evolving into marriage. Despite Monroe being late for their initial meeting and her reluctance toward dating athletes, they quickly became an iconic couple. However, their relationship was fraught with challenges due to Joe's controlling nature and Marilyn's career ambitions. He details how Joe struggled to accept Marilyn's stardom, culminating in a violent argument after she filmed the famous subway grate scene in The Seven Year Itch. This incident led Marilyn to divorce Joe just a few weeks later.

Tom continues by highlighting Joe's unwavering loyalty even after their divorce, describing how Joe intervened when Marilyn was involuntarily placed in a psychiatric ward, ensuring she received proper care. Marilyn later reconnected with Joe, and the two planned to remarry. Tragically, Marilyn died before this could happen. Tom narrates Joe's heartbreaking grief at her funeral and his commitment to placing roses at her grave twice a week until he passed away.

Tom concludes by reflecting on Joe DiMaggio's lasting love for Marilyn Monroe, emphasizing how his devotion transcended the tumultuous aspects of their relationship and the external pressures of stardom. He leaves listeners with the powerful lesson that love can endure despite hardships, providing hope and strength even in the most challenging times.

 

Hooray for humanity!

We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish.

 

Connect!

Be part of the Rhodesies team and get goodies: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp

More Tom  https://www.instagram.com/_TomRhodes

More Ashna https://www.instagram.com/ashnarodjan

 

About Smart Camp podcast

Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.

Join us for Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely), Smart Talk (Tom has a guest), Smart Bestie (Tom & best friend Ashna Rodjan), Smart Books & Movies (Review on Books & Movies).

 

Tom

I have been a comedian for more than 40 years. I travel the world, performing comedy. Exploring diverse cultures and connecting with people from all walks of life while doing comedy is at the heart of my journey. Whenever I can, I'll share my adventures and a global perspective with you on this podcast.

 

Ashna

Ashna, Dutch artist, photographer, and my ex-wife,is my best friend and she's an essential part of the Rhodesies production team. We've traveled the world together for 8 years. With her background in cognitive psychology and her passion for philosophy and the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.

When is enough, enough? How many times can you go to the Great Wall of China or to Wrigley Field in one lifetime? How much dirty filthy shit can a country tolerate from their president? How much time away can the wife of a comedian put up with? These any many other big questions are presented as I ponder the cross roads I am at in my life now. Shall I continue traveling the world at the detriment of what it is doing to my marriage? Shall I give up smoking weed and be 100% sober since the weed I fell in love with no longer exists? I say it often but, every warrior eventually needs to move on to wise man. Certain things I will never stop doing, like performing stand up comedy. Making jokes against bullies and totalitarian psychopath presidents is my biological function in life. Dehumanizing anyone ever by a thought from my brain is never my intention. Snowflakes need to stay flakey together. I am away from home far from the one true love of my life. I need a friend. James Hatfield thinks I'm funny. Everyone is beautiful when they laugh. I've seen more teeth than a dentist. I'm off to Wrigley Field to rejoice in something I will never get tired of and that is watching the Cubs play at home while thinking of John Dillinger and Eddie Vedder.

 

 

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I first came to Mongolia because of Genghis Khan but I returned because of the comedians of Mongolia. There is a very special thing happening at UB Comedy Club and I am proud that I am a part of their history. Not only did I get to sleep in a ger at the 13th century camp site of Genghis Khan but I also go to drink fermented mare's milk and have my teeth whitened for free from the greatest dentist who exists on the planet earth. There is so much I love about the people of Mongolia and it is their generous spirit and loving hearts that will bring me back again. I'm blessed to know so many distant remote lands but the amount of love I have been shown here will always keep Mongolia close in my heart. I guess I feel the most at home among nomadic people but I also feel the most at home with people who have dedicated their lives to stand up comedy. In this episode you will learn why I think Genghis Khan is the most underrated comedian of all time and how the ancient Mongolians gave the world my favorite word in the English language: Hooray! Hooray for you and hooray for Mongolia!

Book Roulette is back with the brilliance of Guy de Maupassant!

Guy de Maupassant died at the age of 42 stark raving mad in an insane asylum but he left behind the greatest short stories ever written. Maupassant is a writer like no other because he is the ultimate master of the short story form and portrays all facets of human drama, ugliness, glory and comedy that is timeless but each new generation thinks exclusively belongs to them. I recommend if you ever see any of his books in a used book store to buy it because all of stories pack a punch and linger in your brain long after your eyes have passed over his words. In this episode I want to introduce you to to this French writer that I love and the stories I read to you here are: Idyll Doubtful Happiness Julie Romain Femme Fatale With the fragrant orange blossoms of the Mediterranean I welcome you into the wonderful world of Guy de Maupassant!  

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Rafinha Bastos is the Lenny Bruce of Brazil and he has the court orders to prove it.

He has been sued and had his life threatened over jokes he has made in Brazil. His hard hitting, head cracking jokes earned him the titled of most influential person on twitter in 2011, Barrack Obama was number two. He is a film and television star in Brazil but he loves stand up comedy above all else, which is why he now living in Los Angeles and bringing his comedy thunderbolts to American stages. I am happy to now call this man my friend even though he thinks all Americans have the same color lips as is the color of their skin. This is a mystifying to me as is the fact that Americans spell Brazil with a z and Brasilians spell Brasil with an s. Some things in life will remain a great mystery but great comedy rises to the top and that is why it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Rafinha Bastos!  

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Let the soothing words of Malcolm X fuel your summer party.

Going on a road trip? Sitting by the fire in the Mongolian country side or just strolling the hot streets of London, let my summer mix put a bounce in your step. Using my vinyl records, CDs and cassette tapes I put together for you this joyful array of head cracking numbers for your peak summer pleasure. Happy summer and joy be upon you!  

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Greg Behrendt shot to notoriety when he co-wrote the book 'He's Just Not That Into You' and now he is about to release a book he co-wrote with his wife called 'How To Keep Your Marriage From Sucking.' He is an old friend of mine from back in my San Francisco days and he has advice for you on how not to let poison into your relationships. We could all use a refresher course in how to make love lives best.

Snuggle up with a pillow and get cozy with the words of improving your life.  

 

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"All of us can take fright, but it requires greatness of soul to laugh at the moment when not merely life, but humanity itself is endangered."   In my ongoing celebration of all things France I am reading a book called 'The Banquet Years' by Roger Shattuck. It is about the origins of the avant-garde in France from 1885 - World War I. From this book I regal you with the story of Henri Rousseau and the ridicule he faced while keeping his childlike innocence intact. Then our July fireworks reach their crescendo with the spectacular story of Alfred Jarry and his groundbreaking play Ubu Roi that created a scandalous riot when it premiered at Theatre L'Oeuvre in Paris in 1896. Alfred Jarry was the precursor to the Dada art movement, surrealism and the Theater Of The Absurd. Learn all about this man who rode his bicycle around Paris with a rifle over his shoulder, two pistols in his belt and tried to make his life a living hallucination.   I talk about the triumph of France at the World Cup and how they did what Napoleon failed to do and that is to be victorious in Russia.   I talk about how Vladimir Putin and the good people of Russia are the real winners of the World cup and how we could all learn to conduct our lives in victory and defeat the way the team of Japan does.   The opposite of Japanese politeness and concern for others is President Trump, who I am now calling the Urine Pawn. Just this week he called Canada and the European Union the enemies of America and stood with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki never mentioning the Russian influence on the 2016 election. When asked directly by a reporter if he had anything to say to Putin about this or the 12 Russians indicted days ago for hacking our election he said that he takes Putin's word for it when he said he didn't do it and asked why no one has found Hillary Clinton e-mail server yet. This is theater of the absurd on the world stage, which makes me think that this video of Trump with Russian prostitutes urinating must be worse than we could ever imagine. Where is the outcry from the American people over this treasonous act at the highest level? Thanks to the Urine Pawn we are now living in a world where our allies are now our enemies and our enemies are now our allies. The tough bully president of America acted like a neutered cat in the lap of the ultimate chess master Putin. And yet, this is somehow Hillary's fault? Back to reasons to be cheerful...

TRR Smart Camp

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Hannah Gadsby has set the comedy the comedy world on fire.

If you have not seen her new Netflix special Nannette you need to do so immediately. It is one of the most powerful comedy specials ever made and I think it will be a game changer in that it will inspire comedians to be more truthful and revealing about themselves. This episode is actually a repeat and it is well worth reposting. Hannah and I recorded this conversation in 2014 when we were doing the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2014. I loved the show she did that year because it was all about art and art history, which is what makes her special Nannette so brilliant, the way she weaves in her art history knowledge. Hannah is a comedy artist who has achieved a magnificent triumph in being able to be honest about the pain she has experienced and chop the head off of our common notions of what comedy is. Aside from being a powerful storyteller she is a lovable, warm and funny human being. Enjoy this conversation we had and watch Nannette on Netflix repeatedly. Shalom Amigos y Amigas!  

TRR Smart Camp

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Happy Birthday America!

In this episode I talk about my obsession with the World Cup in Russia and all of the human drama and heroic stories that you should be aware of in the world's greatest sports spectacle. I also tell you about the many great experiences I discovered in Philadelphia and how that city is very much like Paris in terms of attitude. This past weekend I got to perform in Philadelphia and it was my first time there since I busted my head open there 4 years ago and became sober. Philadelphia changed the world! The racism of the a Starbucks manager in Philadelphia is what made Starbucks change their corporate policy to that no one has to buy anything when we go to Starbucks. Because of a racist incident that happened at a Philadelphia Starbucks we are all free to loiter there or hold meetings without spending a dime. And you don't want to see what will happen if you don't give me that bathroom key. I love Philadelphia because they hate everyone and everyone is equal because of that. Shalom Amigos y Amigas!

In this episode you will learn how the first game of football was originally played by the ancient Mayans and how the Captain of the losing team would be executed.

In Europe the first games of football were evolved from bored soldiers kicking around the severed heads of their dead opponents.

There are so many fascinating elements to the beautiful game but none more important than how the game of football cured racism in Brazil. 

Happy World Cup 2018! Enjoy!

 

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Tom Rhodes welcomes comedian & Musician Dean Delray to the Rhodes Library. They explore personal growth, career transitions, and the profound impacts of dealing with loss. Dean shares insights from his journey of moving from music to comedy, shedding light on identity, purpose, and resilience.

Dean's reflections on personal growth, the importance of authenticity in comedy, and his philosophy on life and materialism provide a raw, enlightening perspective for listeners.

Hooray for humanity!

We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish.

Connect!

Be part of the Rhodesies team and get goodies: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp

More Tom  https://www.instagram.com/_TomRhodes

More Ashna https://www.instagram.com/ashnarodjan

 

About Smart Camp podcast

Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.

Join us for Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely), Smart Talk (Tom has a guest), Smart Bestie (Tom & best friend Ashna Rodjan), Smart Books & Movies (Review on Books & Movies).

 

Tom

I have been a comedian for more than 40 years. I travel the world, performing comedy. Exploring diverse cultures and connecting with people from all walks of life while doing comedy is at the heart of my journey. Whenever I can, I'll share my adventures and a global perspective with you on this podcast.

 

Ashna

Ashna, Dutch artist, photographer, and my ex-wife,is my best friend and she's an essential part of the Rhodesies production team. We've traveled the world together for 8 years. With her background in cognitive psychology and her passion for philosophy and the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.

Prepare to have your brains busted out by the powerful words of Charles Bukowski!

Bukowski invented a poetic language free of literary pretense by writing about the hard scramble life he grappled with daily. His life and poetry was about the low life bars of Los Angeles, whores, drunks, bums and betting on horses at the race track.

Mingled with the hard truths of his existence were also some of the most tender and thoughtful insights on human struggle and our desire for love and acceptance.

His bitterness had humor and his drudgery produced thoughtful meditations on the beauty of hard working people, broken down bums and pathetic alcoholics and street fighters. He was a man of a different age and his works remain timeless.

In this episode I pull down his books from my private collection and read to you excerpts from the following books that lit my brain and made me his fan for life:

War All The Time, Love Is A Dog From Hell, It Catches My Heart In Its Hands, The Last Night Of The Earth Poems, Burning In Water Drowning In Flame, South Of No North, Mockingbird Wish Me Luck, Dangling In The Tournefortia, Post Office and Hollywood. 

If you are unfamiliar with the works of Charles Bukowski then buckle up for a journey of how I discovered him at City Lights bookstore in San Francisco and delight in my reading to you my selections of the profound insights and timeless with of the street fighter poet true American original that is Charles Bukowski!

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Fun with books is back!

In this episode I randomly select choice passages from the biographies that line my shelves. The gritty, grappling lives of heroic characters are served up to you now in chunks of read passages from some of my favorite biographies.

Including on the list of books I read from for you now are:

Steve Jones - Lonely Boy

My Lunches With Orson 

Furious Cool - Richard Pryor

James Brown- The Godfather Of Soul

Brando - Marlon Brando

Errol Flynn - My Wicked Wicked Ways

The Shameful Life Of Salvador Dali

Steve McQueen - Portrait Of An American Rebel

Lou Reed - Transformer

Led Zeppelin - When Giants Walked The Earth

Fill your brain with gladness now!

 

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To save $30 on your lenses, just go to or enter the code TRR at checkout

In this episode I talk about my Mom visiting me, getting my first colonoscopy, the Genghis Khan exhibit at the Reagan library, The controversy of Roseanne Barr and Samantha Bee's lack oh humor and the new Star Wars film Solo. I don't think Samantha Bee should lose her job because she used the C word, I think she should lose her job for using the word feckless. Shalom Amigos y Amigas.  

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* More episodes on www.tomrhodesradio.com