Tom Rhodes Smart Camp Tom Rhodes

Tom and Ashna delve into the complexities of therapy and personal growth. Tom shares his mixed experiences with therapists, recalling an unhelpful session with a therapist whose overly friendly dog proved distracting. He discusses his strategies for coping with traumatic experiences, emphasizing the importance of creating positive memories to overshadow negative ones.
Ashna reveals her decision to stop therapy after realizing she has the power to make her own choices without external guidance. This insight helped her recognize her own strength and the unnecessary pressure to be perfect. She also reflects on attending a Bible study as a non-believer, discovering the wisdom and poetry it offers.
They draw upon the wisdom of Winnie the Pooh, particularly Tigger's resilience, to illustrate maintaining a positive outlook and bouncing back from challenges.
The conversation shifts to societal expectations and how they navigate their personal and professional lives. They highlight the importance of positive language and mindset, showing how changing the way they talk about their struggles can impact their overall well-being.
Join Tom and Ashna for a candid discussion about therapy, personal growth, and self-determination. Whether you're a fan of comedy, interested in mental health, or looking for genuine conversations, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating life's challenges.
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
 
About Smart Camp podcast
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.
Join us for Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely), Smart Talk (Tom has a guest), Smart Bestie (Tom & best friend Ashna Rodjan), Smart Books & Movies (Review on Books & Movies).
 
Tom
I have been a comedian for more than 40 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. 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,is my best friend and 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 the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.

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 background, and personality, focusing on how he was often perceived as a distant and private figure. Despite his detachment from teammates and the public, Joe upheld a high standard as a Yankee, often emphasizing the importance of perfection both on and off the field.
The most captivating part of the episode involves Joe DiMaggio's relationship with Marilyn Monroe. Tom discusses how their love story began, starting with their first date and evolving into marriage. Despite Monroe being late for their initial meeting and her reluctance toward dating athletes, they quickly became an iconic couple. However, their relationship was fraught with challenges due to Joe's controlling nature and Marilyn's career ambitions. He details how Joe struggled to accept Marilyn's stardom, culminating in a violent argument after she filmed the famous subway grate scene in The Seven Year Itch. This incident led Marilyn to divorce Joe just a few weeks later.
Tom continues by highlighting Joe's unwavering loyalty even after their divorce, describing how Joe intervened when Marilyn was involuntarily placed in a psychiatric ward, ensuring she received proper care. Marilyn later reconnected with Joe, and the two planned to remarry. Tragically, Marilyn died before this could happen. Tom narrates Joe's heartbreaking grief at her funeral and his commitment to placing roses at her grave twice a week until he passed away.
Tom concludes by reflecting on Joe DiMaggio's lasting love for Marilyn Monroe, emphasizing how his devotion transcended the tumultuous aspects of their relationship and the external pressures of stardom. He leaves listeners with the powerful lesson that love can endure despite hardships, providing hope and strength even in the most challenging times.






 
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
 
About Smart Camp podcast
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.
Join us for Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely), Smart Talk (Tom has a guest), Smart Bestie (Tom & best friend Ashna Rodjan), Smart Books & Movies (Review on Books & Movies).
 
Tom
I have been a comedian for more than 40 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. 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,is my best friend and 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 the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.

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 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
 
About Smart Camp podcast
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.
Join us for Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely), Smart Talk (Tom has a guest), Smart Bestie (Tom & best friend Ashna Rodjan), Smart Books & Movies (Review on Books & Movies).
 
Tom
I have been a comedian for more than 40 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. 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,is my best friend and 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 the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.

 
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 art creation. However, hope shines through with Radio Garden, an app that reignites the curiosity and wonder and Tom’s new favorite social account called Goodmorning Badass.
Listen as they share wisdom from unexpected sources, like New York taxi drivers and even a fake Jesus in Israel, and learn about the power of gratitude in transforming negative thoughts, inspired by advice from a para-athlete.

This episode is a blend of humor and seriousness, providing insights and reflections on life, relationships, and the subtle art of cherishing every moment. Don't miss these engaging stories and the lessons they hold about the human experience.
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
 
 
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
 
About Smart Camp podcast
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.
Join us for Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely), Smart Talk (Tom has a guest), Smart Bestie (Tom & best friend Ashna Rodjan), Smart Books & Movies (Review on Books & Movies).
 
Tom
I have been a comedian for more than 40 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. 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,is my best friend and 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 the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.

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 Tom delve into serious topics such as depression, mental health, and the journey toward self-improvement, making this episode a compelling mix of humor, honesty, and philosophical musings. This unfiltered dialogue provides listeners with an insightful look into the challenges and absurdities of modern life, as seen through the eyes of two experienced and thoughtful comedians navigating their personal pasts and futures.
 
More Jeff https://www.instagram.com/jeffleach/
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
 
About Smart Camp podcast
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.
Join us for Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely), Smart Talk (Tom has a guest), Smart Bestie (Tom & best friend Ashna Rodjan), Smart Books & Movies (Review on Books & Movies).
 
Tom
I have been a comedian for more than 40 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. 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,is my best friend and 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 the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.

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 a period of depression, Tom finds renewed purpose in his podcast and shares insights into Franklin's struggles and triumphs. He discusses the powerful influence of Franklin's music, touching on her overcoming hardships and drawing strength from her songs.
The conversation shifts to a biography of Franklin, which Tom finds compelling until it delves into her life post-1980s, where his interest wanes. However, the early years of Franklin's career, her groundbreaking albums, and her undeniable talent in transforming the song "Respect" captivate Tom and his mother. They explore Franklin's relationship with her family, her contributions to the civil rights movement, and her encounters with prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Oprah Winfrey.
Tom and his mother also discuss another cultural icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger, through a documentary on Netflix. They admire Schwarzenegger's determination, his journey from Austria to becoming a bodybuilding champion, and his successful transition into acting and politics. The documentary highlights Schwarzenegger's ability to overcome adversity, his impact on environmental policy as the Governor of California, and his personal growth, including acknowledging a child from an extramarital affair.
This episode serves as a rich tapestry of stories about resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of greatness against all odds. Tom and Sara's discussions reflect a deep appreciation for the arts, the complexities of human experiences, and the lessons that can be learned from the lives of those who have left a lasting mark on the world.
 
Listen to the audio version!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Qyybimu7PbTNWy9Hh4Xjk
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tom-rhodes-smart-camp/id426881872
 
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
 
About Smart Camp podcast
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books & adventures.
Join us for Smart Ramble (Tom talks freely), Smart Talk (Tom has a guest), Smart Bestie (Tom & best friend Ashna Rodjan), Smart Books & Movies (Review on Books & Movies).
 
Tom
I have been a comedian for more than 40 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. 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,is my best friend and 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 the arts, Ashna shares her unique European perspective.