Poet John Cooper Clarke is back! We talk about everything from ancient Rome and the birth of paparazzi culture to wild celebrity stories and the golden age of Hollywood. We dive into epic sword-and-sandal films, the origins of iconic stars, punk music, gangster and outlaws, and some behind-the-scenes gossip you won't want to miss. It's a journey through film, fame, and fascinating historical tidbits, all with a dash of humor.

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)

Hey everybody, I'm back with my best friend Ashna, and we kick things off with a funny bit about how I've been confidently using the word "conversate" for years—only to find out it's not even a real word.

I just had an incredible week performing at Brad Garrett's Comedy Club at the MGM. It felt like old times, hanging out with comedians between sets, watching each other perform every night, and laughing our heads off during the day. There's something about those moments offstage that makes the comedy world feel like a family again.

We also get into one of my favorite topics: thrift store treasures. We reminisce about some killer finds over the years, and Ashna expresses her appreciation for my trusty blender that's still going strong after 30 years. We talk about how much cooler it feels to own something with history.

It's a fun, laid-back episode where we cover everything from comedy and quality vintage gear to the small pleasures in life.

---- Please share your thrift store treasures on our Patreon page! ----

So kick back, relax, and join us for some laughs and good conversation. Enjoy the show!

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)

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)

Cookie drops some real gems in this episode. We talk about how our differences are what make us unique and why that's crucial in a world trying to make everyone the same. Cookie also shares her sharp take on political strategy, comparing it to a chess game where every move counts. Plus, she dives into how the media exaggerates fear, and why it's important to keep a positive attitude no matter what life throws at you. It's a conversation filled with insights that will stick with you long after you listen. Tune in for a dose of Cookie's no-nonsense outlook on life!

More Cookie: https://www.tiktok.com/@cookiehull

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)

Tom and Ashna discuss their love for the Olympics, drawing parallels between the dedication of athletes and artists. They reflect on recent Olympic highlights. Tom shares a personal story about a date that didn't go as planned, and the challenges of dating in Los Angeles. The episode also delves into books they are reading, including a history of pockets and Kara Swisher's critique of Silicon Valley. They touch on the influence of technology on society and the importance of finding purpose. The episode closes encouraging Patreon supporters to contribute audio messages for future episodes.

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)

Tom sits down with comedian Gabriel Rutledge for an insightful and humorous discussion about the life of a road comic, the challenges of balancing a family while pursuing comedy, and the unique experiences they've encountered along the way. Gabriel shares his thoughts on the sacrifices that come with following a dream, touching on the costs of both artistic pursuits and maintaining personal relationships. The conversation dives into the ups and downs of their careers, from performing in unconventional venues like a private sex club to navigating the ever-evolving world of social media and content creation.

Gabriel also opens up about his long marriage, reflecting on how they overcame rough patches to reach a new level of happiness and connection. Both comedians discuss the importance of gratitude, the joy of having a career in comedy, and the relentless pursuit of improving their craft. Throughout the episode, they exchange advice, share laughter, and provide a candid look at the realities of life as a stand-up comedian.

This episode offers a blend of comedy, wisdom, and the occasional offbeat story, giving listeners an authentic glimpse into the world of two seasoned comedians.

More Gabriel: https://www.instagram.com/gaberutledge/

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 Smart Bestie episode, it's just me and my smart best friend Ashna Rodjan. Seriously, what a week—there was an attempted assassination on Donald Trump and we lost the comedy legend, Bob Newhart. I grew up listening to Bob Newhart's records. His long-form storytelling was pure genius. I still laugh thinking about his bit as the night watchman at the Empire State Building during King Kong's climb.

We dive into the Trump situation too. It's wild to think about how this might shake up American politics and the upcoming election. Ashna, with her background in cognitive psychology, brings up some fascinating points about how appearance plays such a big role in politics. It's funny how Americans and Europeans have such different approaches when it comes to picking leaders.

I share a pretty intense story from my recent road trip where I picked up a homeless woman off the side of the road. Not something I'd normally do, but she looked like she needed help. Ashna talks about her own adventure, or misadventure, as a new driver navigating the streets of LA.

We wrap things up by reflecting on how important it is to be kind and understanding, especially in these divided times. We talk about how even small acts of democracy in our daily lives can make a big difference.

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 Smart Talk episode, I sit down with the hilarious Shanti Charan. We dive into her comedy journey, starting out at The Punchline Comedy Club in San Francisco. We also chat about the unique vibes of Florida versus California audiences and how the world's chaos sneaks into our jokes.

Shanti's got some wild stories from teaching in prisons. She talks about the challenges inmates face, the weird dynamics of masculinity and race behind bars, and those tiny bits of freedom we often take for granted. Plus, we geek out over our favorite prison movies, swap stories about food, and laugh about handling the toughest crowds.

We also find time to discuss Shanti's love for tacos, her take on The Dark Knight, and her thoughts on heteronormativity. We wrap things up with some deep thoughts on personal growth, the power of gratitude, and the quirks of social media.

Tune in for laughs, insights, and a whole lot of fun!

More Shanti: https://www.instagram.com/shanticharancomedy/

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)

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.

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!

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)

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.