Welcome to Tom Rhodes Smart Camp! Hooray, it's the first day of summer, my favorite season! I'm in my apartment with a massive, seeded watermelon from Sprouts. What's with the obsession with seedless watermelons?

I've been home for a few days between gigs in Minneapolis and San Jose. My suitcase is open, laundry is done, and I'm half a watermelon down. Remember when we thought swallowing watermelon seeds would make one grow in your stomach? Bring it on!

After two rough summers, I'm feeling great and ready for joy. Did you know frisbees started as pie plates in the 1870s, and popsicles were invented by an 11-year-old in 1905?

I just spent quality time with my mom in Florida. She's 85, sharp, and has an amazing front porch. She beat me at Scrabble twice and uses hilarious expressions like "up the ding wat?" and "out the wazoo."

One of my oldest friends, Kodak, now called Dak after Kodak sued him, took us out on his boat. We explored swamp canals straight out of The Princess and the Frog.

I hit Atlanta's Punchline and Sarasota's McCurdy's, taking my mom along. She got to see the full scope of being a comedian. Then, I had a blast in Minneapolis with friends, including a Prince-themed Twins game.

I'm excited about my upcoming trip to Oregon, hitting Eugene, Portland, and Pendleton for a rodeo and a Charlie Crockett concert.

Remember to love yourself, practice positive self-talk, and be grateful. Here's to peak summer joy and hooray for humanity!

Hooray for humanity!

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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)

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.