This episode of Smart Books & Movies reflects Tom's musings on love and nostalgia. He begins by sharing his recent benefit performance in Washington, D.C., and a heartwarming anecdote about his aunt's banana bread. Visiting his father's grave at Arlington National Cemetery reconnects him with poignant memories. From there, Tom transitions to a book report on Richard Ben Cramer's Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life. He provides fascinating details about DiMaggio's baseball career, family...

Tom Rhodes welcomes comedian & Musician Dean Delray to the Rhodes Library. They explore personal growth, career transitions, and the profound impacts of dealing with loss. Dean shares insights from his journey of moving from music to comedy, shedding light on identity, purpose, and resilience. Dean's reflections on personal growth, the importance of authenticity in comedy, and his philosophy on life and materialism provide a raw, enlightening perspective for listeners. Hooray for...

  Join Tom Rhodes and bestie Ashna Rodjan! From Sara’s visit to humorous attempts at parallel parking in San Francisco, explore how classical music can connect with the homeless, the challenges of playing Scrabble in a foreign language, and the importance of self-awareness and resilience in building confidence. Ashna discusses the cultural differences in conversational styles between the USA and Europe and expresses concern over the potential loss of collective culture due to on-demand...

In this episode English actor and comedian Jeff Leach joins Tom for a dynamic and wide-ranging conversation that takes listeners from the nuances of cultural identity and family influences to the comedic depths of personal anecdotes and societal observations.  The conversation takes an adventurous turn into topics of societal norms, with Jeff candidly sharing his experiences at technology and innovation conferences in Romania, and his personal stories of liberation and exploration. Jeff and...

In this episode of Tom Rhodes Smart Camp, Tom welcomes a special guest—his mother Sara, who is visiting him in LA. It's the once-a-month Smart Books & Movies episode, and they're diving into the lives and legacies of Aretha Franklin and Arnold Schwarzenegger through the lens of literature and documentary. Starting with Aretha Franklin, Tom recounts his deep appreciation for her music and the impact it has had on him throughout his life. Despite facing challenges, including coming out of...

Dive into the latest Tom Rhodes Smart Camp episode featuring the incredibly resilient and hilariously insightful Natasha Pearl Hansen. Natasha, a comedian and the CEO of My Break-Up Registry, shares her journey from the heart of Wisconsin to the comedy stages of Los Angeles, discussing her personal and professional growth. Natasha transformed her canceled wedding into a groundbreaking comedy special. On what was supposed to be her wedding day, she recorded and self-produced her first comedy...

In "Mexico Respecto," Tom Rhodes shares his latest adventure in Mexico with a mix of introspection and humor. This episode weaves together tales of adventure, moments of vulnerability, and insights into the human condition, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico. He delves into his personal journey, exploring Mayan culture, navigating the aftermath of a breakup, and seeking self-discovery. Tom's stories range from humorous misunderstandings and cultural explorations to deep...

We dive deep with the hilariously insightful Paul Ogata, a master of punchlines and poignant observations, who's made waves from Las Vegas stages to international comedy festivals. Hosted in the soon-to-be historical backdrop of the Tropicana Las Vegas, this episode is a journey through the intricacies of humor, the evolution of stand-up, and the heartfelt stories behind the laughter.   We share tales from the road, the highs and lows of life as touring comedians, and the bizarre yet...

Step into an episode that's like a well-traveled suitcase—packed with stories, laughter, and a dash of the philosophical, all stamped with the unique humor and wisdom of Tom Rhodes. In this episode, the spotlight shines on Jen Kober, whose incredible resilience and humor light up the conversation.  https://linktr.ee/JenKober Together, they explore Jen's inspiring rise from facing homelessness to becoming a comedy sensation, sharing anecdotes that range from cleverly resourceful to deeply...

Dive into the heart of comedy in this compelling episode, as host Tom Rhodes sits down with the talented Jeffrey Baldinger. This conversation is a deep exploration of the craft of stand-up comedy, influenced by the legendary Rodney Dangerfield. Jeffrey shares his journey from an academic interest in Jewish humor to becoming a stand-up comedian himself, highlighting the nuances of comedy through the lens of icons like Dangerfield and Larry David. From personal anecdotes with comedy legends...

  This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in comedy, personal stories of resilience, and the art of finding humor in the everyday. Tune into an insightful conversation with comedian Drake Nelson at the Elk Valley Casino, where laughter meets life's unexpected turns. This episode packs a punch with Drake's journey from Reno to Crescent City, blending comedy with personal growth and the quirks of transitioning from big city life to the charm of a small town. Hear about the...

Hey, Smart Campers! Sammy Davis Jr. was a multifaceted entertainer known for his singing, dancing, acting, and impersonations. As a member of the Rat Pack, with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, he broke racial barriers in the entertainment industry during the mid-20th century. His career spanned Broadway, television, and film, making him a significant figure in American entertainment history. Davis's talents and activism left a lasting impact on the industry, highlighting themes of racial...

I sit down with Julie Seabaugh, a renowned writer, documentarian, and comedy journalist. We explore entertainment's evolution, with Julie's insightful perspectives on the comedy landscape. Discussions meander from Hollywood tales, including an anecdote about Judd Apatow, to the significance of personal collections and the changing dynamics in comedy. Highlighting the resurgence of memoirs and their impact on comedy, the conversation also teases Julie's upcoming collaborations with comedy...

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 More Orion https://www.instagram.com/orion.levine   Watch the video! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/kingofhaha     ** Video version ** If you'd like to watch the video version of the episode on YouTube.com/kingofhaha,...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Mario Adrion a model turned YouTube comedy sensation. Discover the modeling industry's dark side, pay differences, and Mario's transition to YouTube comedy star to stand-up comedian with a unique perspective to share, and the dangers of eating too many carrots.   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 ...

Get to know the young comedy thunderbolt that is Pink Foxx. She joins me in the Rhodes library to talk comedy, life & show biz. Pink Foxx offers her unique perspective on the comedy scene, sharing personal anecdotes from her journey as a successful R&B musician to a comedian. And she imparts valuable wisdom on self-discovery, drawing from her experience as a transwoman. Hooray for humanity & hooray for Pink Foxx! Hooray for humanity! We're dropping new episodes every...

Hey, beautiful people! This podcast episode is a wild ride through the realms of literature, punk, and the Art of Living. It's like being in the coolest book club you never knew you wanted to join.    About JCC:  John Cooper Clarke is a British performance poet, comedian, and musician known for his influential role in the punk and post-punk music scenes of the 1970s. His rapid and humorous poetry often explores urban life, working-class issues, and social commentary. Clarke's...

Hey, beautiful people! This podcast episode is a wild ride through the realms of literature, punk, and the Art of Living.  We're serving up an intellectual smorgasbord that's gonna tickle your fancy. It's a love letter to literature! John and I share our passion for the written word. It's not all about old books – we're taking you on a whirlwind tour of punk rock history.  We're spilling the beans on the movement's origins, from the fashion rebellion to its transformation into a political...

We make bread, delve into the intricacies of envy, talk about the world of personal branding on social media, explore the realm of mood control, the Russell Brand controversy, and how envy can serve as a revealing mirror reflecting one's deepest desires in life, offering a unique perspective for listeners to ponder. The episode ends without us saying goodbye. So goodbye, thanks for listening! Tune in next time for Smart Camp guest Punk Poet: John Cooper Clarke! Hooray for humanity! We're...

Welcome to another episode of the "Tom Rhodes Smart Camp" podcast! Join us for an episode packed with laughter, wisdom, and historical intrigue as Tom Rhodes and Jesse Joyce take you on a deep dive into the realms of comedy, the challenges faced by writers, Jesse's new book, and the rich tapestry of 19th-century history.  Jesse Joyce is an American stand-up comedian, Emmy Nominated and WGA Award winning writer. In this episode: Dive into the recent controversy surrounding comedian Hasan...

Burning Man Drama!      Join me on a transformative journey into the extraordinary world of Burning Man! In this episode, I'll share my personal experiences, from the magical moments of communal bathing and body positivity to the unexpected storm that challenged our resilience. Discover the meaning behind my Burning Man name 'Radiant' and how this incredible event helped me battle depression.      Plus, I'll share a unique behind-the-scenes tidbit – Ashna was actually making bread during...

We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish!    Listen: Spotify Apple   Watch: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/kingofhaha     Connect: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp More Tom  https://www.instagram.com/_TomRhodes/   More Ashna https://www.instagram.com/ashnarodjan/    

  We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish!    Listen: Spotify Apple   Watch: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/kingofhaha     Connect: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp More Tom  https://www.instagram.com/_TomRhodes/   More Josh Blue https://www.instagram.com/joshbluecomedy/  

From childhood memories to societal gender norms, Tom & Ashna explore the influence of the 60s TV show, "I Dream of Jeannie," and how iconic toys like Barbie dolls and G.I. Joe figures have evolved to better reflect society's diversity. We also reminisce about their own experiences with toys and creative outlets, emphasizing the value of gratitude and cherishing happy moments. Inspired by one friend's brilliant idea, they introduce the concept of a "jar of special moments" to foster...

We talk about meditation, favorite sound, Barbie movie, toys we played as kids, and how Amazon can screw you. A lil bit of everything! Always ways for you to cheer up!!! Hooray for summer & hooray for humanity!   We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish!  We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish!    Listen: Spotify Apple   Watch: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/kingofhaha     Connect: https://patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp More Tom ...