What makes something "serious" and why do we automatically equate seriousness with importance? In this thought-provoking journey through linguistic history, educational systems, and cultural hierarchies, Captain Frodo reveals how the very concept of seriousness has been weaponized as a tool for social control.

Diving into Alan White's groundbreaking essay "The Dismal Sacred Word," we discover how the first dictionaries deliberately created distinctions between "high" and "low" language, with lasting consequences for how we value different forms of expression. The exploration continues through the Protestant-influenced school systems that physically separated "serious" indoor learning from "unimportant" outdoor play—a division that continues to shape our understanding of value today.

From the marginalization of play to the struggles of artists seeking legitimacy, this episode exposes how arbitrary yet powerful these distinctions really are. Why did the Impressionists have to fight so hard to be taken seriously? Why do circus performers and magicians still battle for cultural recognition? The answer lies in understanding that "there is no intrinsic link at all" between solemn seriousness and genuine importance.

For anyone who has felt their passions dismissed as trivial or unimportant, this episode offers both validation and liberation. By recognizing how seriousness has been socially constructed, we can begin questioning these false hierarchies and reclaiming the profound value of play, joy, and creative expression. What if the most important things in life aren't serious at all?

Listen now to challenge everything you thought you knew about what really matters, and discover why play might be the most serious business of all.

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Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

What if your work felt like play? What if that seemingly childish question—"What would you do if money was no object?"—actually held the key to living without regret?

Captain Frodo takes us on a profound journey through the false separation between play and work that dominates adult life. Drawing wisdom from philosophers Johann Huizinga and John Dewey alongside mystical thinker Alan Watts, this episode challenges our cultural assumptions about what constitutes "serious" pursuits.

The exploration reveals how children's play—far from frivolous—represents deep, meaningful engagement with the world. This "serious play" serves as their work, their way of understanding themselves and their place in society. Meanwhile, adults often abandon play for "work" defined by external rewards rather than intrinsic satisfaction, creating lives split between obligation and enjoyment.

Most poignantly, we confront the five most common regrets of the dying, with the top regret being failing to live authentically rather than meeting others' expectations. This reveals the potential consequences of abandoning our playful nature for socially prescribed paths.

Through evolutionary perspectives showing childhood's increasing importance in human development and philosophical insights about integrating play and work, Captain Frodo offers a compelling vision: work permeated with the play attitude becomes art—and potentially, the foundation of a life without regret.

Ready to reconsider the role of play in your life and work? This episode might change how you view what truly matters. Follow @thewayoftheshowman on Instagram and share this episode with someone searching for more meaning in their daily pursuits.

Support the show

...

Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.”

Fred Rogers aka Mister Rogers.

I talk about Johan Huizinga's book Homo Ludens.
he describes play like this:
“Play is a free activity standing quite consciously outside 'ordinary' life as being 'not serious,' but at the same time absorbing the player intensely and utterly.”

You can't be serious, is this your real job? is one of my pet peeves and an instigator for this whole 30 episode season. I explore it further  in this episode.

Child's play is serious.

Adult play. what is it?

Work and play. What is the relationship, differences and similarities...

What is the purpose of the child's play?


 

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Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

When Chris Canfield first messaged me about his upcoming show "The Games We Play," I was struck by how our creative paths had converged despite beginning worlds apart. Chris grew up in Chicago with a magician father who filled their home with card tricks and coin sleights—magic wasn't special, it was simply what they did. Meanwhile, I was discovering similar wonders in the remote landscapes of Norway.

What makes Chris's story extraordinary isn't just that he grew up surrounded by magic, but that his parents opened a game store where play became the center of their family life. Board games, puzzles, chess sets—these weren't just products but portals to connection. Chris learned early that games create spaces where adults and children meet as equals, where the boundaries between work and play dissolve.

When tragedy struck at sixteen with his father's unexpected death, Chris stepped away from magic, finding the association too painful. His creative energy channeled into music instead, where he developed a custom guitar pick for his right hand (Chris was born with a limb difference) and discovered the transcendent joy of improvisation. As we discussed the parallels between musical flow states and magical performance, it became clear that different forms of play share profound connections.

The heart of our conversation explores how Chris's theatrical show "The Games We Play" integrates his personal narrative with interactive magic and games. Rather than performing conventional tricks, he creates experiences where audiences become participants in a shared journey. "I'm trying to blur the lines between games and magic," he explains, crafting moments that feel both impossible and emotionally resonant.

For those fascinated by the psychology of performance, Chris offers valuable insights about breaking down the traditional barrier between performer and spectator, creating what I call "a third space" where co-creation happens. His show traces the evolution of games from their earliest forms to modern iterations, examining how play shapes our emotional lives and helps us process our most profound experiences.

Whether you're a performer seeking fresh approaches to audience engagement, a game enthusiast curious about magic, or someone interested in how childhood experiences shape creative paths, this conversation illuminates the transformative power of play. Let Chris Canfield's journey inspire you to rediscover your own playful spirit and perhaps see magic in unexpected places.

Support the show

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Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

The enduring magic of juggling spans centuries, yet few performers have dedicated themselves to both preserving its rich history and innovating its future quite like Nils Dunke. In this captivating conversation, the Dutch comedy juggler takes us on an unexpected journey through the interconnected worlds of performance, craftsmanship, and historical preservation.

What makes this episode particularly fascinating is Nils' unique intersection of mechanical engineering expertise with artistic passion. He explains how this combination led him to revolutionize traditional juggling equipment through ergonomic designs that enhance performers' capabilities. His collaborations with juggling innovators like Jay Gilligan on the Cuphead Club demonstrate how thoughtful equipment design can unlock entirely new artistic possibilities.

Perhaps most compelling is Nils' dedication to preserving juggling's heritage through publishing significant historical works. His efforts to document the stories of legends like 100-year-old Bobby Jule (inventor of the ping-pong ball on nose trick) ensure these valuable contributions aren't lost to time. When he describes visiting juggling archives and connecting with the remaining practitioners from vaudeville's golden age, we glimpse how passion projects become crucial cultural preservation.

Whether you're fascinated by the performing arts, interested in how innovation happens, or simply appreciate stories of people following unconventional passions, Nils' perspective offers valuable insights on building a meaningful creative life. His philosophy that "if nobody takes risks, nothing gets pushed forward" serves as inspiration for anyone looking to make their mark while honoring those who came before.

Ready to discover how ancient arts evolve in the modern world? Subscribe now and join our exploration of showmanship through the eyes of those who live it daily.

Support the show

...

Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

What happens when an artist watches the same show 84 times over three decades? Something magical emerges at the intersection of art, ritual, and the sacred.

Captain Frodo and juggler Jay Gilligan dive deep into the fascinating psychology of repeated viewing, exploring why we'll happily listen to songs hundreds of times but typically see a live performance just once. This conversation challenges our cultural assumptions about consumption while revealing how each viewing of the same performance can uncover new layers of meaning, detail, and artistic intention.

The discussion takes unexpected turns through the landscape of artistic development, questioning whether isolation or immersion best serves creative growth. Jay's incredible story of watching a VHS recording of Cirque du Soleil's Mystere daily for an entire year becomes a lens through which to examine ritual, meaning-making, and the spiritual dimensions of performance. When does a theatrical experience transcend entertainment and become something akin to church?

For performers, this episode offers profound insights about taking your craft seriously, understanding your lineage, and finding depth in repetition. For audiences, it provides a new way of appreciating live performance—not as a one-time experience but as a potentially sacred ritual that rewards those who return with open hearts and curious minds.

Whether you're a seasoned performer or simply someone who appreciates the magic of live entertainment, this conversation will transform how you think about the performances you create or witness. Captain Frodo's heartfelt reflections on the privilege of performing remind us all that great art isn't just what happens on stage—it's the invisible connection created between performer and audience that makes each moment unique, even when performing the same act for the thousandth time.

Support the show

...

Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

When does unmasking the magic behind a theatrical masterpiece enhance rather than diminish its wonder? Join Captain Frodo and Jay Gilligan as they peel back the curtain on Cirque du Soleil's Mystere, revealing the fascinating evolution of this groundbreaking Las Vegas production over its remarkable 31-year run.

Franco Dragone emerges as the passionate, sometimes volatile creative force who shaped Mystere through improvisation and emotional imagery rather than traditional storytelling. "I work with images and emotions," he would say, crafting scenes that resonated on a visceral level rather than an intellectual one. The conversation reveals how his creative vision about "the origins of the universe" translated into the show's iconic elements - from the giant inflatable snail named Alice to the baby with the red ball who captures audiences' imaginations.

Behind every theatrical wonder lies human reality - sometimes beautiful, sometimes troubling. Dangerous falls from stilts in fog-slicked conditions, and the clown who was fired after cutting the wrong powerful man's necktie during a pre-show bit. Yet these stories don't diminish the magic; they highlight the extraordinary commitment required to create something that transcends ordinary entertainment.

Most compelling is how Mystere has evolved while maintaining its essence. Original elements have been modified or removed, performers have changed countless times, and budget cuts have reduced the cast size. Today's performers bring new relationships and chemistry to characters that didn't previously interact, breathing fresh life into a production that refuses to become a museum piece. As Jay reflects, "It's the difference between making a movie and making a show...the show is happening actually for real, every night."

Discover why meeting your heroes doesn't always destroy the mystery - sometimes it reveals something even more magical: that ordinary people, through extraordinary dedication, can create experiences that continue to resonate with audiences for decades. Subscribe now for our final episode on Mystere, where we'll explore what we can learn from knowing one thing deeply.

Support the show

...

Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

Step into the enchanting world of "Mystere," where the lines between circus, theater, and artistry blur into an unforgettable experience. In this episode, we unfold the remarkable story behind one of the Cirque du Soleil's most iconic productions, exploring how it reshaped modern entertainment. Listen as we discuss its innovative approach to storytelling, the emotional depth of its performances, and the sheer magic that captivates audiences worldwide.

Join us as we dive deep into the show's creative vision, led by Franco Dragone and his team, who broke barriers to redefine the circus landscape. Mystere invites viewers on a journey, appealing to the senses and challenging preconceived notions of performance art through stunning visuals and dynamic storytelling. We share insights on the unique challenges performers face within the show, discovering how anonymity and collective identity play a crucial role in their craft.

The episode also touches on the impact of technology in enhancing audience interaction and expectations of live performances. We reflect on the show's enduring legacy, how it paved the way for future productions, and its evolution over the years. 

Whether you're a circus enthusiast or new to the world of performance arts, you won't want to miss this fascinating exploration! You'll gain valuable insights into the deeper meanings woven into every act. Be part of this journey and share your own experiences with us! Don't forget to subscribe or leave a review!

Support the show

...

Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

Step into the world of Cirque du Soleil's Mystère and explore its magical journey through the lens of showmanship! This episode takes you behind the scenes as we dive deep into the artistry and evolution that have made Mystère an enduring icon in Las Vegas entertainment. Join hosts Captain Frodo and Jay Gilligan as they share their personal experiences, explore the creative journey behind this iconic show, and discuss how its rich narrative seamlessly combines circus and theater.

From the early days of its production to the meticulous crafting of performances, learn about the passion and dedication that go into captivating audiences for over three decades. Mystère is more than just a show; it is a pioneering force that has redefined the circus experience, pushing boundaries while respecting its traditions. Jay, a lifelong juggler and advocate for circus arts, unpacks the emotional layers and innovative techniques that provide depth to this mesmerizing spectacle.

As we navigate through key revelations and insider stories of Mystère, we uncover how it has set the standard for future shows and continues to inspire performers around the globe. This rich tapestry of discussion leaves listeners with a profound understanding of both the show and its impact on the cultural landscape. Join us and indulge in an exploration of artistry, risk, and the evolution of performance art. Don't miss out—tune in, subscribe, and uncover the magic of Mystère!

Support the show

...

Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

What if the spectacle of the past is shaping the media and fashion of today? Join us as we unravel the beguiling narrative of freak shows, from their origins as sideshow curiosities to their influence on modern culture. Our journey takes us through the intricate dance of authenticity and performance, reflecting on anecdotes like Jack Black's lesson on recording's importance. We question if today's mainstream acceptance could strip these performances of their once subversive edge and what it means to be a "freak" in today's world.

Throughout the episode, we traverse the historical arc of freak shows, exploring their transformation into contemporary media spectacles akin to reality TV. With examples ranging from Donald Trump's spectacle-driven approach to the enchanting yet controversial acts of Dutch magicians Robert and Emil, we compare this provocative art form with traditional performance arts. Can freak shows be considered a unique artistic expression or merely a mirror of evolving societal norms?

We close with a thought-provoking exploration of the emotional landscape that freak shows inhabit. Through historical, literary, and philosophical lenses, we dissect the language of monstrosity and how physical differences evoke visceral reactions. From the evocative narratives of Victorian medical curiosities to the modern allure of extremes, we reflect on how these performances challenge identities and provoke empathy, leaving listeners to ponder the complex tapestry of human experience that freak shows continue to weave.

Support the show

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Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.
You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.au

If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.
If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on [email protected]
or find out more on the Way of the Showman website.
you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.
If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo