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 deepen the conversation with their audiences and themselves. You can find him, and more of his writing at: www.thewayoftheshowman.com
Episodes
151 episodes
150 - Antje Pode: Kicking Suitcases & other Acts of Innovation
Ever wondered what happens when a circus performer's act goes "wrong"? In this intimate conversation with East German circus artist Antje Pode, we explore how the most powerful moments of connection often emerge from embracing unexpected challe...
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Season 4
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Episode 150
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1:12:10
149 - Suitcases, Bears, and Train Journeys: A Foot Juggler's Tale with Antje Pode
Step back in time to a vanished world of state-run circus schools, train journeys across the Soviet Union, and the dramatic moment when the Berlin Wall fell. In this captivating conversation, foot juggler Antje Pode shares her remarkable journe...
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Season 4
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Episode 149
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1:29:32
148 - Play is the Way (Showmanship & Play 30 of 30)
What if imagination isn't a distraction from truth, but our only reliable path to experiencing it?In this episode we conclude our 30-part exploration of showmanship through the lens of play. Using a personal case study of creating...
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Season 4
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Episode 148
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59:23
147 - Imagination at the Heart of Reality (Showmanship & Play 29 of 30)
What if imagination isn't just fantasy, but the very faculty that brings our world into existence? In this philosophical deep dive, we explore the fifth and final criteria of play: that it is imaginative and improvisational.Unlike previ...
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Season 4
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Episode 147
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1:19:16
146 - Unleashing Your Inner Showman (Showmanship & Play 28 of 30)
The delicate dance between performer and audience reveals itself as we explore the self-motivated, voluntary nature of play in this deep dive into showmanship. Drawing from personal experiences during the pandemic and inspired by observing chil...
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Season 4
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Episode 146
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58:25
145 - Is Your Life Missing a Dose of Pure Purposelessness? (Showmanship & Play 27 of 30)
What happens when we lose touch with play, friendship, and authentic human connection? This episode dives into the surprising links between playfulness, friendliness, and showmanship – revealing how these seemingly "purposeless" activities migh...
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Season 4
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Episode 145
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44:40
144 - Toilet Plunger Aliens and the Value of Effortless Attention (Showmanship & Play 26 of 30)
There's a profound paradox at the heart of play – we're told it's "apparently purposeless," yet this very quality might reveal its deepest value. This episode dives into the second criteria of play and examines how it mirrors the essence of sho...
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Season 4
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Episode 144
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1:01:12
143 - The Metaphorical Showman: Connecting Performance to Play (Showmanship & Play 25 of 30)
Have you ever wondered why some performances captivate you completely while others leave you checking your watch? The secret might lie in the ancient art of play.In this expansive exploration of showmanship through metaphor, Captain Fro...
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Season 4
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Episode 143
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1:02:13
142 - Alive! On the Inside - Carnival Wonders and the Essence of Showmanship (Showmanship & Play 24 of 30)
What if embracing play could transform not only our perception of reality but also the world we live in? Join me, Captain Frodo, as we embark on a whimsical exploration of the intrinsic connection between play and showmanship. Together, we’ll q...
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Season 4
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Episode 142
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44:37
141 - The Sacred Art of Play (Showmanship & Play 23 of 30)
What if the most profound aspects of human experience—from religious ritual to artistic expression—have their roots in play? In this thought-provoking exploration of serious play, Captain Frodo challenges the false dichotomy between seriousness...
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Season 4
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Episode 141
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46:44
140 - What if Play Reveals the True Nature of Existence? (Showmanship & Play 22 of 30)
What if our capacity for play is not just a quirk of evolution but a fundamental way we grasp reality? Much like sight reveals color and hearing reveals sound, could play be a sense that unveils essential dimensions of existence otherwise hidde...
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Season 4
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Episode 140
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57:51
139 - Redefining Seriousness (Showmanship & Play 21 of 30)
What makes something "serious" and why do we automatically equate seriousness with importance? In this thought-provoking journey through linguistic history, educational systems, and cultural hierarchies, Captain Frodo reveals how the very conce...
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Season 4
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Episode 139
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50:10
138 - Play for a Living: Finding Joy in Your Work (Showmanship & Play 20 of 30)
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 separat...
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Season 4
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Episode 138
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46:05
137 - Serious Play (Showmanship & Play 19 of 30)
“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:
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Season 4
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Episode 137
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47:54
136 - The Games We Play - with Chris Canfield
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 c...
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Season 4
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Episode 136
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2:03:47
135 - Juggling the Past, Present, and Future with Niels Duinker & Captain Frodo
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 u...
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Season 4
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Episode 135
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2:00:37
134 - Circus Church: When Performance Becomes a Spiritual Experience - Jay Gilligan & Captain Frodo explore Cirque’s first Vegas show 4 of 4
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 134
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1:19:31
133 - Does Meeting Your Heroes Kill the Mystery? Jay Gilligan & Captain Frodo explores Cirque du Soleil's first Las Vegas show. part 3 of 4
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 133
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1:15:39
132 - Mystere Unveiled: Exploring the Art of Cirque - Jay Gilligan & Captain Frodo explores Cirque du Soleil's first Las Vegas show 2 of 4
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 productio...
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Season 4
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Episode 132
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1:11:10
131 - How Mystère Reinvented Circus for Las Vegas: A True Tale - Jay Gilligan & Captain Frodo explores Cirque du Soleil's first Las Vegas show 1 of 4
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 131
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1:05:39
130 - Freak Shows: From Sideshow Curiosities to Modern Media Spectacles with Anna Maria Sienicka - Part 4 of 4
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 thr...
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Season 4
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Episode 130
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1:23:05
129 - Beyond Spectacle: The Art and Philosophy of Freak Shows with Anna Maria Sienicka 3 of 4
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 t...
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Season 4
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Episode 129
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51:51
128 - Reimagining Reality through the Freak Show Lens - Philosophy & Freakshow with Anna Maria Sienicka 2 of 4
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 unrav...
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Season 4
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Episode 128
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58:12
127 - Beyond Monsters: Philosophy & Freakshow with Anna Maria Sienicka - 1 of 4
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 Sienicka from Sorbonne University. This episode uncovers the rich tapestry...
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Season 4
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Episode 127
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1:58:23
126 - We are the Children pt 2 of 2 (Showmanship & Play 18 of 30)
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 wi...
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Season 4
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Episode 126
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