x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

the Way of the Showman

Philosophical and esoteric perspectives from a modern day Showman.Each season is different in its approach. S1 is essays. S2 is one book length attempt at Understanding Showmanship, S3 is conversations with remarkable Showfolk. The brand new Season 4 explores the relationship between Showmanship and Play.The host, Captain Frodo, internationally renowned circus performer, director, writer, husband and dad lays out, in great detail, his practical performance philosophy for performers who seek to

arts performing arts

All Episodes

46:05

138 - Play for a Living: Finding Joy in Your Work...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/05/13

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 explor...

en-us

47:54

137 - Serious Play (Showmanship & Play 19 of 30)

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/05/06

“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 3...

en-us

123:47

136 - The Games We Play - with Chris Canfield

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/04/29

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 ...

en-us

120:37

135 - Juggling the Past, Present, and Future with...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/04/15

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 pas...

en-us

79:31

134 - Circus Church: When Performance Becomes a...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/04/01

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 performanc...

en-us

75:39

133 - Does Meeting Your Heroes Kill the Mystery? Jay...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/03/25

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 wor...

en-us

71:10

132 - Mystere Unveiled: Exploring the Art of Cirque -...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/03/10

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 ...

en-us

65:39

How Mystère Reinvented Circus for Las Vegas: A True...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/03/04

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 ea...

en-us

83:05

Freak Shows: From Sideshow Curiosities to Modern...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/02/25

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 m...

en-us

51:51

129 - Beyond Spectacle: The Art and Philosophy of...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/02/18

What if the raw spectacle of freak shows holds an unexpected depth that challenges our understanding of art? Join us for a captivating discussion with Anna Maria Sienicka, a PhD student and lecturer at Paris Nanterre University, as we explore the philosophy behind these controversial performances. We tackle the question of whether freak shows, often dismissed as mere curiosity-driven entertainment, might contain a kernel of cultural significance worth preserving, much like the multifaceted al...

en-us

58:12

128 - Reimagining Reality through the Freak Show Lens...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/02/11

Ever wondered how the Freak Show transcends typical performance art with its unique philosophical dimensions? Join Captain Frodo and our esteemed guest, Anna Maria Sienicka, a PhD student and lecturer from Paris Nanterre University, as we unravel the intricate layers of this captivating world. Through Anna Maria's research and insights, we explore the Freak Show's distinct identity, standing apart from magic and clowning by offering a profound encounter with the unknown. Social media's impac...

en-us

118:23

127 - Beyond Monsters: Philosophy & Freakshow with...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/02/04

Prepare to shatter your perceptions of identity and the monstrous as Captain Frodo takes you on an extraordinary exploration of freak shows with the brilliant Anna Maria Sineka from Sorbonne University. This episode uncovers the rich tapestry of performance art that has defined Frodo's career, from the kamikaze freak show to modern-day sideshows, and delves into how these spectacles challenge social norms and provoke profound reflections on humanity. With Anna Maria's scholarly insights into ...

en-us

40:07

126 - We are the Children pt 2 of 2 (Showmanship &...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/01/21

Human beings are never finished. We are always changing. Society and culture might push us to become quantified and predictable, but we all are influenced by our surroundings, the people, relationships, and the cultures we surround ourselves with becomes part of us. We take in certain things and discard others. I belive the most beneficial way to navigate the world is through play. This means that our best way onwards through our lives is to retain this mode of behaviour, play, which is so ca...

en-us

43:44

125 - We are the Children pt 1 of 2 (Showmanship &...

the Way of the Showman ·

2025/01/07

In this episode I Show how we, human beings, actually are children throughout our lives. Not just in childhood, which is the longest childhood of any species, but we also retain many key traits of childhood into adulthood. This does not just go for our playful behaviour, but also relates to the way our heads and bodies are formed. This process is called neoteny - the retention of chidlike features into adulthood.I talk about a very long running experiment into how to tame a fox. An experiment...

en-us

83:48

124 - On the Value of Art with Jay Gilligan...

the Way of the Showman ·

2024/12/24

In this episode Jay Gilligan and I talk about many things. A few of them are as follows.- Frodo subscribes to Masterclass to learn about poetry and whatever else that app has to offer. Because he is doing 35 hours of driving to gigs in December 2024.- Jay asks about Frodo's obsession with the idea that if something is fun and joyful it commonly thought of as not important.- Decisions are made about what is deemed important.- There is no intrinsic link between serious and important. I claim th...

en-us

76:33

123 - Innovative Expressions Through Play and...

the Way of the Showman ·

2024/12/17

My podcast host has a new feature where it gives an episode description. Here it is:What happens when showmanship meets the genius of performance art? Join Captain Frodo and special guest Jay Gilligan as they unravel the captivating world of Cirque du Soleil's Mad Apple. We dive into the vibrant chaos of Las Vegas productions, shedding light on the exhilarating, yet precarious nature of combining comedy, music, and mayhem into a single narrative. Discover how these artistic elements can reson...

en-us

73:12

122 - Hold Your Ideas Lightly with Jay Gilligan...

the Way of the Showman ·

2024/12/10

Jay Gilligan and myself go very deeply into a few ideas that I raise in episode 107.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.auIf you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendo...

en-us

93:44

121 - Further SECRETS!!! with Nick Difatte part 2 of 2

the Way of the Showman ·

2024/11/26

another great episode with the wonderful Nick Difatte! We continue our talk on secrets.we touch on these topics and more -You're not suposed to share secrets yet there are 1000's of magic books... How tricks you buy looks.Max Mavens distinct style of the magic he sold.Envelopes holding the secrets to the universe.Tim ConoverMagic downloadsCollectors and the drive to colelct hard to get stuff.The value of the effort to learn magic from books.Sponge balls and theri core slightsJerry Sadowi...

en-us

67:07

120 - SECRETS!!! with Nick Difatte (part 1 of 2)

the Way of the Showman ·

2024/11/12

In November it's Nick Difatte month along the Way of the Showman. We have a wideranging and circuitous conversation. We touch on the following topics and many more.What is a masterclassSecrets Nick’s book Offbeat by Squash Publishing is sold out, but will be back in print…It’s got essays one which was a big topic in the previous episode with Nick (E113)Mentor Tyler Ericson.Learning cheatingSecret collecting. And becoming overwhelmed by having too many tricks. Many of those who have the m...

en-us

43:54

119 - Love as Origin of Play pt 2 of 2 (Showmanship...

the Way of the Showman ·

2024/10/29

After last weeks little sidetrack exploring m own evolving relationship of love to my daughter we are ready to conclude how love is the foundation and origin for the human play impulse and drive. This of course will be pointing at how love is also the foundation of Showmanship. Love is necesary to full acknowledge the existence of Others, and to enter into a relationship with them is to reach out in love. In doing so we enter into the relaxed field of human interaction. A way not just of plai...

en-us

159 results

Similar Podcasts

Start The Breakthrough Full Audiobook Now, Thriller Fans!

thebookvoice.com

Get Hooked On The Life-Enhancing Full Audiobook Experience!

thebookvoice.com

西四五条

主播郑捕头

Podcast Patapoe

0d0a

On Mic Podcast

Jordan Rich