413 Smart Talk in Amsterdam - Peter the Tattoo Artist
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
This episode’s a gem—Peter and comedian Tom Rhodes join forces for a co-episode airing on both their podcasts recorded in Amsterdam! It’s two storytellers swapping tales about travel, comedy, and the chaos of life. Tom reflects on his time hosting a Dutch late-night show (as Kevin Masters, of all names), fumbling through cultural quirks, and falling in love with Amsterdam. Meanwhile, Peter reflects on how seeing Tom take the leap to live abroad inspired his own journey to Amsterdam, turning a pipe dream into a reality. Then there’s his Hooray for Humanity vibe. Even with all the chaos...
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412 Smart Talk - Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
Not since Gutenberg's printing press has one human being's inventions improved the quality of life for people as much as Apple co-founder and principle creator Steve Wozniak. Fortunately for me the Woz loves jokes, humor and comedy in general so after sending him several heart felt e-mails requesting to chat with him he agreed, so last week while I was performing in San Francisco I drove down to Cupertino to record this conversation while him. This conversation was recorded at the Mandarin Oriental restaurant where Steve asked me to meet him. There is pleasant violin based classic...
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411 Smart Talk - Brandi Denise
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
Hey Rhodesies! Tom sits down with Brandi Denise. They explore the highs and lows of online and real-life dating, the challenge of balancing ambition with meaningful connections, and the joy of being surrounded by people who truly celebrate you. Tune in for a conversation that hits close to home and inspires you to follow your own path. Recording Note: Apologies, dear listeners—Tom had some technical issues with the external mics, so this talk was recorded on the ol' little iPhone. Hooray for humanity! We're dropping new episodes every Thursday-ish. Connect! Be part of the...
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410 Smart Books and Movies - Mom Rhodes
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
Hi Rhodesies! Sara Rhodes is back! Tom and his mom chat in his L.A. apartment after her trip back to Florida is delayed by Hurricane Milton. They laugh about mom accidentally wearing Tom's Hells Angels t-shirt in LA and discuss how much they love the hidden charm of L.A.'s side streets, despite her overall dislike for the city. Tom shares his recent read, Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close, which sparks a funny yet thoughtful discussion about how women’s fashion still lacks pockets. The episode wraps up with their thoughts on binge-watching Emily in Paris...
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409 Smart Talk - John Cooper Clarke
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
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: More Tom More...
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408 Smart Bestie - The Big Word Show
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
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...
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407 Smart Bestie - Stay Gold with Ashna
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
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...
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406 Smart Talk - Art with Adam Palmeter
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
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...
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405 Smart Talk - Wisdom with Cookie Hull
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
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: ...
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404 Smart Bestie - Tom's Dating Scene
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp
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....
info_outlineIn 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!
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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)