Marc Salmon is joined by writer, magician and occult thinker Lionel Snell (also known as Ramsay Dukes) for a wide-ranging conversation about magical thinking, magic, Buddhism, uncertainty, creativity, stories, play and the models we use to understand reality.

Together they explore belief systems, scepticism, Robert Anton Wilson, reality tunnels, the Western esoteric tradition, conspiracy theories, identity, and why taking our models too seriously can become its own kind of spell.

Support the podcast:
If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.

Topics include:

• Magical thinking
• Magic
• Belief systems
• Buddhism
• Robert Anton Wilson
• Reality tunnels
• Models of reality
• Scepticism
• Western esotericism
• Occult philosophy
• Creativity
• Stories
• Play
• Identity
• Uncertainty

Guest:
Lionel Snell (also known as Ramsay Dukes) is a British writer, magician and one of the most influential contemporary authors on magic and the Western esoteric tradition.

His work explores magic, psychology, creativity, belief and the models we use to make sense of reality.

He is the author of:
S.S.O.T.B.M.E
My Years of Magical thinking
Little book of Demons

Lionel's Website:
https://ramseydukes.co.uk/

Lionel's Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-NwOu0WV5Qd_U4zOP33sw

Patreon Community:
I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.
You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

About the podcast
The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.
Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller

Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her Comedy special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by Aboriginal scholar and author Tyson Yunkaporta for a wide-ranging conversation about Indigenous knowledge systems, Aboriginal culture, comedy, Buddhism, ecology, power, and the stories that shape the worlds we live in.

Together they explore why humour keeps power in check, right story versus wrong story, high and low context cultures, animism, serpent lore, meme magic, and how stories can become either medicine or curses.

Support the podcast:
If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.

Topics include:

• Storytelling
• Aboriginal knowledge
• Comedy
• Buddhism
• Animism
• Ecology
• High and low context cultures
• Power and hierarchy
• Right Story, Wrong Story
• Serpent lore
• Meme magic
• Decolonisation
• Systems thinking

Guest:
Tyson Yunkaporta is an Aboriginal scholar, arts critic and author from the Apalech Clan in far north Queensland.

His work brings together Indigenous knowledge systems, complexity theory, ecology and systems thinking to explore how stories shape culture, identity and our relationship with the living world.

He is the author of:
Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World
https://www.booktopia.com.au/sand-talk-tyson-yunkaporta/book/9780062975621.html

Right Story, Wrong Story: Adventures in Indigenous Thinking
https://www.booktopia.com.au/right-story-wrong-story-tyson-yunkaporta/book/9781922790439.html

Snake Talk: How the world’s ancient serpent stories can guide us
https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/snake-talk-9781923058460

Indigenous Knowledge System Lab Website:
https://ikslab.deakin.edu.au/

Patreon Community:
I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.
You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

About the podcast
The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.
Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller

Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by comedian, writer and illustrator Marty Gleeson for a conversation about creativity, perfectionism, stand-up comedy, artistic competition and staying playful.

Together they explore how drawing competitions changed Marty's relationship with art, preparing a debut Edinburgh Fringe show, getting an agent, comedy writing, synchronicities and why the funniest ideas often arrive when you stop trying so hard to make sense.

Support the podcast:
If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.

Topics include:

• Creativity
• Perfectionism
• Stand-up comedy
• Comedy writing
• Edinburgh Fringe
• Artistic competition
• Illustration
• Getting an agent
• Synchronicities
• Creative confidence

Guest:
Marty Gleeson is an Irish comedian, writer and illustrator based in London. She's a BBC New Comedy Award finalist, Channel 4 Sean Lock Award finalist, Pleasance Comedy Reserve alumni, and this year she's bringing her debut show Dog Ear to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Edinburgh Fringe:
https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/marty-gleeson-dog-ear

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/martygleeson

Patreon Community:
I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.
You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

About the podcast
The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.
Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller

Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Leftist Comedy Night is back!

Free stand-up, drag, clown and sketch comedy.

Little Nan's 2.0 - Auntie's Ballroom, Deptford
Thursday 25 June
Doors 7.30pm | Show 8pm

Come find community, laugh at the hellscape and unpack the madness with us. It'll be political, but mostly silly. We're the left... but fun.

Featuring:
Kuan Wen Huang
Lawrence Dodd
Verity Sharpe
Tarek Turjman
Will Davies
Judy Harris

Hosted by Marc Salmon and Celine Kuklosky.

Free tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leftist-comedy-night-stand-up-drag-clown-sketch-london-tickets-1990986827196?aff=erelexpmlt

Marc Salmon is joined by Buddhist teacher, author and meditation instructor Tsering Paldron for a conversation about Buddhism, anxiety, burnout, compassion, ageing, identity and what actually matters in life.

Together they explore why we create stories that make us suffer, the difference between empathy and compassion, how Buddhist practice can help us respond to uncertainty without becoming overwhelmed, and what it really means to let go.

Support the podcast:
If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon:

https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.

Topics include:

• Anxiety and overthinking
• Letting go
• Burnout and activism
• Empathy vs compassion
• Meditation and Buddhist practice
• Identity and insecurity
• Social media outrage
• Aging and mortality
• Self-worth
• What really matters in life

Guest:
Tsering Paldron is a Buddhist teacher, meditation instructor and author of several books including Aging Body, Ageless Mind and Grow Your Own Happiness.

Website:
https://tseringpaldron.com/eng/

The Empty Cup Podcast:
https://tseringpaldron.com/eng/the-empty-cup-podcast/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Aging Body, Ageless Mind - Tsering Paldron
• Grow Your Own Happiness - Tsering Paldron
• Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism - Chögyam Trungpa

Patreon Community:
I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.

You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:

https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

About the podcast
The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.

Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller

Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by author John Higgs for a wide-ranging conversation about David Lynch, Robert Anton Wilson, reality tunnels, creativity, synchronicity and the challenge of making sense of modern life.

Together they explore meditation, humour, Discordianism, the KLF, the internet, subjective experience, certainty, and why questioning our own stories might be one of the best protections against dogma.

Support the podcast
If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.

Topics include:

David Lynch and meditation
Reality tunnels
Robert Anton Wilson
Synchronicity
Discordianism
The KLF
Counterculture and the internet
Creativity and subjective experience
Humour and dogma
How not to fall for your own bullshit

Guest:

John Higgs is the author of The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned a Million Pounds, William Blake vs The World, Stranger Than We Can Imagine, The Future Starts Here, Watling Street, Love and Let Die and Lynchian.

John's website https://johnhiggs.com/

John's Substack: https://johnhiggs.substack.com/

Mentioned in this episode:
• Lynchian: The Spell of David Lynch - John Higgs
• The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned a Million Pounds - John Higgs
• Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity - David Lynch
• Cosmic Trigger I: Final Secret of the Illuminati - Robert Anton Wilson
• The Bumper Book of Magic - Alan Moore & Steve Moore

Suggested documentary
• Who Killed The KLF? (2021)

Online Meditation Sessions

Second and fourth Sundays at 10:30am UK time.
Message Marc on Instagram to join.

About the podcast

The Bardo Podcast is a podcast about comedy, philosophy and spirituality, and new ways of thinking in uncertain times.

Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers and other curious minds, not about certainty or expertise, but about questioning assumptions and sitting with ambiguity together.

Episodes explore comedy, meditation, philosophy, creativity and alternative ways of living.

Find updates and more information at:
https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller
Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by comedian and clown Lawrence Dodd for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, Buddhism, sobriety, neurodivergence, political despair and the search for connection in confusing times.

Together they explore clowning, autism, masking, intrusive thoughts, addiction, spirituality, organising, identity, and how play, community and vulnerability might help us stay human when certainty starts to fall apart.

Support the podcast
If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.

Topics include:

• Comedy and vulnerability
• Sobriety and Buddhism
• Autism and masking
• Intrusive thoughts and overwhelm
• Spirituality and uncertainty
• Clowning and play
• Political despair and connection
• Identity and belonging
• Community and organising
• Staying open in difficult times

Guest:

Lawrence Dodd is an alternative comedian and clown whose work blends performance art, chaos and emotional honesty.

His new show This Can’t Be It is directed by friend of the podcast Lara Ricote with Rachael Dobbie on tech.

Lawrence @ Soho Theatre - June 4th
https://sohotheatre.com/events/lawrence-dodd-this-cant-be-it/

Lawrence instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pleaselozplease/

Lara Ricote new special:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVDk4MFVkeM

Online Meditation Sessions

Second and fourth Sundays at 10:30am UK time.
Message Marc on Instagram to join.

About the podcast

The Bardo Podcast is a podcast about comedy, philosophy and spirituality, and new ways of thinking in uncertain times.

Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers and other curious minds, not about certainty or expertise, but about questioning assumptions and sitting with ambiguity together.

Episodes explore comedy, meditation, philosophy, creativity and alternative ways of living.

Find updates and more information at:
https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller
Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by writer and philosopher Emily Herring for a wide-ranging conversation about Henri Bergson, time, freedom, memory, intuition, laughter and why modern life can feel increasingly mechanical.

Together they explore Bergson's philosophy of lived experience, the difference between clock time and lived time, habit and freedom, élan vital, mysticism, Bergson's debates with Einstein and Bertrand Russell, and what his ideas can still teach us about living well today.

Support the podcast
If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.

Topics include

•  Henri Bergson explained simply 
•  Lived time vs clock time 
•  Freedom and free will 
•  Memory and the hidden self 
•  Intuition beyond fixed concepts 
•  Why laughter matters 
•  Bergson vs Einstein 
•  Bergson vs Bertrand Russell 
•  Élan vital and creativity 
•  Technology, algorithms and modern life 

Guest

Emily Herring is a writer based in Paris. She studied philosophy at the Sorbonne and received her PhD in the history and philosophy of science from the University of Leeds.

She is the author of Herald of a Restless World: How Henri Bergson Brought Philosophy to the People — the first biography of Bergson in English.

Website: https://www.wellreadherring.com/

Online Meditation Sessions

Second and fourth Sundays at 10:30am UK time.
Message Marc on Instagram to join.

About the podcast

The Bardo Podcast is a podcast about comedy, philosophy and spirituality, and new ways of thinking in uncertain times.

Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers and other curious minds, not about certainty or expertise, but about questioning assumptions and sitting with ambiguity together.

Episodes explore comedy, meditation, philosophy, creativity and alternative ways of living.

Find updates and more information at:
https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller
Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by award-winning comedian Rob Copland for a wide-ranging conversation about stand-up comedy, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, creativity and the reality of life as a comedian.

Together they explore writing, performing, the pressures of the Edinburgh Fringe, success, anxiety, ego, and why external achievements don't always bring the relief we expect.

Support the podcast
If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.

Topics include

• Imposter syndrome in comedy
• Writing vs performing
• Edinburgh Fringe and the industry
• Success, ego and self-doubt
• Belonging and comparison
• Meaning, kindness and how to live

Guest

Rob Copland is an award-winning comedian and clown. His show Gimme (One With Everything) won the Victoria Wood Award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2024, following his debut Mainstream Muck, which won Best Show at the Comedian’s Choice Awards.

Rob Copland (@robertdcopland) • Instagram profile

Things mentioned

• Eddie Pepitone – For the Masses
• Chögyam Trungpa – Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism
• Nick Nemeroff – stand-up special - The Pursuit of Comedy has Ruined My Life

Online Meditation Sessions

Second and fourth Sundays at 10:30am UK time.
Message Marc on Instagram to join.

About the podcast

The Bardo Podcast is a podcast about comedy, philosophy and spirituality, and new ways of thinking in uncertain times.

Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers and other curious minds, not about certainty or expertise, but about questioning assumptions and sitting with ambiguity together.

Episodes explore comedy, meditation, philosophy, creativity and alternative ways of living.

Find updates and more information at:
https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller
Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by Dr Steve Todd and Cesare Saguato for a wide-ranging conversation about the Buddhist idea of the bardo, death, impermanence, consciousness and learning to live with uncertainty.

Together they explore Tibetan Buddhism, the Six Bardos, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, awareness, change, and why the bardo might not just describe what happens after death, but how we experience life itself.

Support the podcast
If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast

Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.

In this episode we explore:

• The bardo as everyday experience, not just death
• The Tibetan Book of the Dead and the Six Bardos
• Death, impermanence and the nature of change
• Buddhist perspectives on consciousness and mind
• Letting go, grasping and emotional reactivity
• Compassion, karma and responding to difficulty
• Meditation and awareness in daily life
• The “in-between” as an opportunity for transformation

Texts referenced

The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol)

The Six Bardos (Root Verses of the Six Bardos – Karma Lingpa)
https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/karma-lingpa/root-verses-six-bardos

The Tibetan Book of the Dead A Way of Life (1994) Narrated by Leonard Cohen https://youtu.be/VyPwBIOL7-8?si=SeVsZCZg61nKdD_o

Guests

Steve Todd is a theoretical physicist with a PhD in high-energy particle theory and a long-time Buddhist practitioner within the Drukpa Kagyu tradition. He explores the intersections of science, Buddhism, and Western esotericism.
Steve’s Meta-Modern Rosicrucian Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/464647772026730/

Cesare Saguato is a Buddhist practitioner, psychotherapist, mindfulness teacher, and clinical supervisor. He works in private practice, education, and organisational settings, and is Chair of Bodhicharya UK.
Cesare’s work:
https://www.cesaremindfultherapy.com/

https://bodhicharya-kent.org/

Online Meditation Sessions

Second and fourth Sundays at 10:30am UK time. If you're interested in joining, send Marc a message

Support the show

If you’re enjoying The Bardo Podcast, subscribing, rating or sharing genuinely helps.

Support on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheBardoPodcast

The Bardo Podcast is a podcast about comedy, philosophy, spirituality and new ways of thinking in uncertain times.

Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers and other curious minds — not about certainty or expertise, but about questioning assumptions and sitting with ambiguity together.

Episodes explore comedy, meditation, philosophy, creativity and alternative ways of living.

https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller

Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&