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 powerhouse. And John, he's got stories to tell, rubbing shoulders with legends like Nico and Chet Baker, making the punk scene come to life right before your ears.  We're delving into some profound stuff – atheism, religion, and the complex dance between the two. You'll hear names like Voltaire and Pascal's Wager dropped, and even get a glimpse into our Catholic school escapades. We're introducing you to the greats – Joan Didion, W.B. Yeats, Sartre, Kant, Hemingway, and more.  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 collaborations with artists like Joy Division, Nico, and The Fall have solidified his status as an influential figure in both poetry and the punk subculture.    Next Thursday John Cooper Clarke Part 2!   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   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, please do us a favor by subscribing to the audio podcast on Spotify / Apple, etc. first! The podcast is a labor of love, and your audio subscription and downloads, or direct support on Patreon.com/tomrhodessmartcamp, provide us with the incentive to pull together and record on a weekly basis beyond our busy schedules. Thanks for being part of the Rhodesies Team!   ** About the Podcast ** Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures. We share a joke premise weekly, along with stories or what's on our radar, the book of the week, the movie/doc of the week, song of the week, and Good News. Or we have a guest!   Tom I have been a comedian for more than 39 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. I've had my share of experiences, from almost drowning in Thailand to getting maced in Paris, and I had my own sitcom on Comedy Central and a Late Night Talkshow in the Netherlands. 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, isn't just my best friend; 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 all things art, Ashna enriches our conversations, all while bringing a unique European perspective.