Podcast
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
Hosted by Tom Rhodes · EN
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books, and adventures.
I have been a comedian for more than 40 years, traveling the world to perform comedy. Whenever I can, I will share my adventures with you on this podcast. Together with my creative partner and best friend, Ashna, we 're offering a blend of wisdom, humor, and heart.
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)
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.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
364 Breakfast with the Stoics
Aug 17, 202200:58:34Tap to summarizeAshna Rodjan returns to the podcast for an in depth conversation about Stoicism and to give you the tools to live your best possible life. In this episode we talk about the book Breakfast with Seneca by David Fideler. Are you going to keep making the dumb mistakes over and over or would you like to gain the insight and wisdom of the ancient philosophers? I urge you to dive into this episode with the spirit of joy and friendship. Your life will be better for having done so. Thank me later, and thank Ashna right now for being one of the best friends I've ever had and an all around smarty pants when it comes to Stoicism. "WE spent the pandemic becoming Stoics." Hooray for humanity! Hooray for Stoicism! And joy be upon you! Like right now! Hooray! Patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp @_tomrhodes @ashnarodjan
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363 Chris Spencer
Aug 5, 202200:54:24Tap to summarizeChris Spencer is one of the most respected comedy writers in Hollywood. We became friends 7 years ago when I moved to L.A. from the many times we have worked together at the Comedy Store. Chris was kind enough to come to the Rhodes library where we recorded this conversation about why racism isn't always a bad thing, sneaker culture, his friendships with Snoop Dog, Kevin Hart, Will Smith, Dave Chappelle and how comedians are under attack these days. We also talk about how I am a French lesbian when it comes to relationships and how focusing on hot yoga, my jokes and being my best self is my plan to win back the heart of the woman I love. For my L.A. History documentary project we talk about Tupac Shakur's legacy and songs about supreme male confidence. Finally we discuss white nationalist domestic terrorism and how the Republican embrace of the idea that the 2020 presidential election was stolen is just a cover to mask the fact that what they are really saying is that only white votes matter and only white votes should be counted. Chris is a man who I love and respect as a comedian and I'm happy that he can delight you here and now with his wisdom, insight and stories and that is why it is my pleasure to present to you the one and only Chris Spencer!
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362 Willie Barcena
Jul 1, 202201:28:34Tap to summarize"A lot of comedians can't write because in order to write you have to spend time by yourself and these types of comedians are afraid of what the silence with tell them about themselves." Willie Barcena is one of the realest mother truckers I have ever seen on stage. I respect him because he has a philosophy and outlook on life that he brings to every joke or story idea he brings to the stage and that is my favorite kind of comedy. He believes in the power of the pen and that to survive as a comedian you must always be writing which involves being alone and focusing your thoughts. "A man who can be alone with himself is a dangerous man. Willie has survived every imaginable hardship from childhood poverty to family betrayal during the pandemic and these circumstances have only added to his arsenal of funny things to talk about. In this episode we talk about Mexican heroes, the Low Rider culture of Los Angeles and many other dazzling knowledge nuggets to delight your brain. He is a man full of valuable wisdom and powerful punchlines and that is why it is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Willie Barcena! Hooray for humanity!
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361 Ron G
Jun 23, 202201:26:11Tap to summarizeRon G has the best kind of powerful goodness & this is what you need in your brain right now. Stop fighting life & let the light in. Hooray for humanity! Ron G is not only one of the funniest comedians working today, he has one of my favorite instagram accounts that always cracks me up and brightens my day. Ron is an expert on relationship advice and he showed up at the perfect time to help counsel me on the Toronto Muslim feminist that I am in love with but may have lost. Ron told me, "All you can do is show her how committed you are and what you are willing to do." His other excellent advice is "If you want to have the best sex of your life commit to one person." Ron G is not only a great comedian he is a great human being. He showed up at my place on a day that I was feeling really low and we spoke for 90 minutes on my balcony before we even recorded for my podcast. He was just the right friend I needed to talk to today and he lifted me up when I was feeling low. A spiritually centered, humble and funny man is what the world needs right now and Ron G is the first guest I ever had on my program that I prayed with after we recorded. It was just the prayer I needed at that time with exactly the right friend. If you don't know Ron G already then today is your lucky day. Put on your happy pants and enjoy this conversation I had with the one and only Ron G! Hooray for humanity!
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360 Piff the Magic Dragon
Jun 16, 202201:10:37Tap to summarize"Get that money, get that money, get that money." - Piff the Magic Dragon In 2014 when I did the Edinburgh festival in Scotland I remember that Piff the Magic Dragon was one of the most popular acts there that year. In 2015 he and his sidekick Mr. Piffles crushed it on America's Got Talent and ever since then he has been headlining the main main at the Flamingo hotel and casino. I was tickled to have this loose and fun conversation with him and I urge you to see his show if you are going to Las Vegas. Vegas is the top of the mountain for magicians and even though this dragon is notoriously grumpy he was kind enough to show me the view from this pinnacle. Hooray for humanity and hooray for Piff the Magic Dragon!
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359 Madison Sinclair
Jun 9, 202201:30:43Tap to summarizeShe's smart, she's funny, meet my friend Madison Sinclair! She is from Central Florida and currently crushing it in L.A. When I first saw Madison Sinclair I was tickled to see such an attractive young woman with such a dark and twisted sense of humor. Watching her perform I laughed out loud at the wicked spin she put on her topics. When I heard her say she was from Florida I instantly wanted to be her friend. The fact that she spent a large chunk of the pandemic in Apopka is in itself rich with fact finding life experience. I like Madison's perspective and the journey she is on in this life while getting stronger as a stand up. You might be surprised to find out that she discovered she was a lesbian while in Thailand and her life has been happier ever since. When I see people with a pure heart and a pure love for stand up comedy I always want to get to know them and be friends because we are a part of the same tribe. As the summer heat arrives let this blast of Florida sunshine along with a cool breeze delight and inform your brains. People of the earth! Meet my friend Madison Sinclair!
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358 Explosive Blockbuster
Jun 6, 202201:04:43Tap to summarizeRejoice humans! Miracles still do happen. My Instagram was hacked and for 8 days I was locked out of my own account. I was having a terrible week until I saw a woman at the grocery store in a sun dress reach for something on a lower shelf and the sight of her exposed breast cheered me up instantly. In this episode you will learn why the orange Rufus hummingbird is the most special, the power of positive thinking from Ted Williams and the artist's mindset and mission as set forth by Balzac. I will also tell you what Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars triggered in me. Plus you will learn which Beatle I would eat first and which Beatle I would eat last if I had to eat the Beatles in order to stay alive if we were in a plane crash together in the Andes. To cap off this epic blockbuster episode I will tell you about my new project about LA History that I have been working on and the cherry on the cake that it was for me to go film at The Urban Con at the LA Convention Center to talk to people about Low Rider culture in Los Angeles. And of course to see the automobile masterpieces that were on display. There are so many beautiful humans on this earth and I am happy to be one of them. Hooray for humanity! This episode is sponsored by manscaped.com Get 20% off and free shipping with the promo code: smartcamp
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357 Judd Apatow
May 13, 202201:27:40Tap to summarizeMake yourself a better human being by enjoying this fun chin wag I had with Judd Apatow about comedy and the George Carlin documentary he just made that premieres on HBO May 20th. Come get some laughter all over your face! I'll be honest with you, when Judd Apatow told me that he liked my podcast I thought he was bullshiting me. But then after I witnessed a suicide and put out a podcast about what happened and the PTSD that I experienced after, Judd sent me lovely message telling me that he thought it was brave that I talked about it and thought the episode would help a lot of people. Judd reaching out to me at that moment was also perfect timing because I had just watched the documentary Judd made about Garry Shandling and that had helped to lift me up when I was in my lowest, darkest place. Judd is not only a comedian and comedy film director, he is one of the kindest and most thoughtful people in all of show business. I was tickled that he came to my humble little home to record this conversation with me. In this episode we talk about our tribe of comedians and the brilliant documentary on George Carlin that Judd just made that premieres on HBO May 20th. In a world full of stress and uncertainty comedy is more valuable than it has ever been. I let the teenage comedy nerd in me run wild in this conversation, as Judd and I celebrated together our passion for comedy. I know every drop of this interview is going to bring sunshine to your heart, and that is why it is my pleasure to present to you, the one and only Judd Apatow! If you'd like to support our work, you can do so at patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp Music intro: Sananda Maitreya Music outro: Matt Farley Production Ashna Rodjan
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356 Turner Sparks
Apr 4, 202201:16:53Tap to summarizeI first met Turner Sparks 12 years ago in China where I was performing and he was just starting out as an open micer. Since then he went on to start his own comedy tour of China and bring the Mr. Softee ice cream truck franchise to China. Both of these endeavors were not without complications. He lives in Brooklyn now and he is one of the kindest people I have ever met in comedy. Rejoice in this glorious conversation that we recorded together in Reno. Joy be upon you!
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355 Preacher Lawson
Mar 26, 202200:52:47Tap to summarizePreacher Lawson is a talented comedian who is now trying to start a career as a UFC fighter. In this conversation I am trying to talk him out of it and trying to convince him to stick with comedy. Joy be upon you and hooray for humanity!
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