The Bardo Podcast

Marc Salmon

5.0 (3)
Philosophy

Comedian Marc Salmon hosts conversations about inner and outer change, exploring alternative ways of thinking through philosophy, Buddhism, and the messy, often funny business of being human.

4d ago

Ep.16 - Gabriel Kennedy: Robert Anton Wilson and Non-Zero-Sum Politics

Marc Salmon is joined once again by writer Gabriel Kennedy, author of Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson, for a conversation about the ideas of Robert Anton Wilson and what they might have to offer us now. Together they explore non-zero-sum politics, anarchism, power and hierarchy, violence and nonviolence, reality tunnels, the eight-circuit model of consciousness, psychedelics, intelligence, AI and the question of who gets to programme the programmers. Gabriel first appeared on Episode 5 of The Bardo Podcast for a wider introduction to the life and work of Robert Anton Wilson. This time, we get deeper into the ideas themselves, where they still feel useful, and where they might need questioning or updating. Support the podcast: If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps. Topics include: Robert Anton WilsonNon-zero-sum politicsAnarchismPower and hierarchyThe SNAFU principleViolence and nonviolenceReality tunnelsThe eight-circuit model of consciousnessPsychedelicsIntelligenceAIWho programmes the programmers?Buckminster FullerBuddhismColonialismGuest: Gabriel Kennedy is a writer and the author of Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson, a biography of the writer, philosopher and countercultural figure Robert Anton Wilson. Gabriel's website: https://chapelperilous.us/bio Gabriel's Substack: https://gabrielpatrickkennedy.substack.com/ Gabriel's Medium: https://propanon99.medium.com/ Mentioned in the episode: Decadent Action Manifesto: https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/decadent-action-decadent-action-manifesto Patreon Community: I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast About the podcast The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon. Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all. Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her comedy special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&
Sep 29

The Bardo Podcast is Back

Hello there. The Bardo Podcast is back! New episodes are starting next week, with some very interesting conversations with some very interesting people. I'm really happy to be back! Follow the podcast wherever you're listening and I'll see you next week.
Jul 28 · Bonus

Solo: You're Waiting for Your Life to Begin

In this solo episode I explore why so many of us postpone happiness until some future version of ourselves finally arrives. Inspired by the surreal Japanese film Mind Game, I reflect on ambition, creativity, Buddhism, meditation, comedy and clowning. Along the way I explore the friction between desire and burnout, the weight of social comparison, and what it actually means to just stop trying so hard to become 'somebody.' I'll be taking a short summer break while I'm performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, but I'll be back later this year with more conversations and solo episodes. Support the podcast: If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast Please also subscribe, share the podcast and leave a rating or review. It really helps more people discover the show. Topics include Happiness Ambition Buddhism Meditation Identity Creativity Success Desire Karma Awareness Comedy Philosophy Burnout Personal growth Also Mentioned in this episode Films Mind Game (Masaaki Yuasa) Good FortuneBooks Promethea - Alan Moore The New Saints - Lama Rod Owens The Bhagavad GitaThinkers Jacques Lacan Jiddu Krishnamurti Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche David Loy Mingyur Rinpoche John Higgs Tsering PaldronPatreon Community: I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast About the podcast The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon. Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all. Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her Comedy special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&
Jul 21

Ep.15 - Lionel Snell: Why We All Think Magically

Marc Salmon is joined by writer, magician and occult thinker Lionel Snell (also known as Ramsay Dukes) for a wide-ranging conversation about magical thinking, magic, Buddhism, uncertainty, creativity, stories, play and the models we use to understand reality. Together they explore belief systems, scepticism, Robert Anton Wilson, reality tunnels, the Western esoteric tradition, conspiracy theories, identity, and why taking our models too seriously can become its own kind of spell. Support the podcast: If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps. Topics include: Magical thinkingMagicBelief systemsBuddhismRobert Anton WilsonReality tunnelsModels of realityScepticismWestern esotericismOccult philosophyCreativityStoriesPlayIdentityUncertaintyGuest: Lionel Snell (also known as Ramsay Dukes) is a British writer, magician and one of the most influential contemporary authors on magic and the Western esoteric tradition. His work explores magic, psychology, creativity, belief and the models we use to make sense of reality. He is the author of: S.S.O.T.B.M.E My Years of Magical thinking Little book of Demons Lionel's Website: https://ramseydukes.co.uk/ Lionel's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-NwOu0WV5Qd_U4zOP33sw Patreon Community: I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast About the podcast The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon. Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all. Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her Comedy special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&
Jul 7

Ep.14 - Tyson Yunkaporta: Indigenous Knowledge and the Power of Story

Marc Salmon is joined by Aboriginal scholar and author Tyson Yunkaporta for a wide-ranging conversation about Indigenous knowledge systems, Aboriginal culture, comedy, Buddhism, ecology, power, and the stories that shape the worlds we live in. Together they explore why humour keeps power in check, right story versus wrong story, high and low context cultures, animism, serpent lore, meme magic, and how stories can become either medicine or curses. Support the podcast: If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps. Topics include: StorytellingAboriginal knowledgeComedyBuddhismAnimismEcologyHigh and low context culturesPower and hierarchyRight Story, Wrong StorySerpent loreMeme magicDecolonisationSystems thinkingGuest: Tyson Yunkaporta is an Aboriginal scholar, arts critic and author from the Apalech Clan in far north Queensland. His work brings together Indigenous knowledge systems, complexity theory, ecology and systems thinking to explore how stories shape culture, identity and our relationship with the living world. He is the author of: Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World https://www.booktopia.com.au/sand-talk-tyson-yunkaporta/book/9780062975621.html Right Story, Wrong Story: Adventures in Indigenous Thinking https://www.booktopia.com.au/right-story-wrong-story-tyson-yunkaporta/book/9781922790439.html Snake Talk: How the world’s ancient serpent stories can guide us https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/snake-talk-9781923058460 Indigenous Knowledge System Lab Website: https://ikslab.deakin.edu.au/ Patreon Community: I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast About the podcast The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon. Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all. Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&
Jun 30

Ep.13 - Marty Gleeson: Why Do We Lose Our Weirdness?

Marc Salmon is joined by comedian, writer and illustrator Marty Gleeson for a conversation about creativity, perfectionism, stand-up comedy, artistic competition and staying playful. Together they explore how drawing competitions changed Marty's relationship with art, preparing a debut Edinburgh Fringe show, getting an agent, comedy writing, synchronicities and why the funniest ideas often arrive when you stop trying so hard to make sense. Support the podcast: If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps. Topics include: CreativityPerfectionismStand-up comedyComedy writingEdinburgh FringeArtistic competitionIllustrationGetting an agentSynchronicitiesCreative confidenceGuest: Marty Gleeson is an Irish comedian, writer and illustrator based in London. She's a BBC New Comedy Award finalist, Channel 4 Sean Lock Award finalist, Pleasance Comedy Reserve alumni, and this year she's bringing her debut show Dog Ear to the Edinburgh Fringe. Edinburgh Fringe: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/marty-gleeson-dog-ear Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martygleeson Patreon Community: I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast About the podcast The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon. Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all. Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&
Jun 16

Ep.12 - Tsering Paldron: Finding Peace in an Anxious World

Marc Salmon is joined by Buddhist teacher, author and meditation instructor Tsering Paldron for a conversation about Buddhism, anxiety, burnout, compassion, ageing, identity and what actually matters in life. Together they explore why we create stories that make us suffer, the difference between empathy and compassion, how Buddhist practice can help us respond to uncertainty without becoming overwhelmed, and what it really means to let go. Support the podcast: If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps. Topics include: Anxiety and overthinkingLetting goBurnout and activismEmpathy vs compassionMeditation and Buddhist practiceIdentity and insecuritySocial media outrageAging and mortalitySelf-worthWhat really matters in life Guest: Tsering Paldron is a Buddhist teacher, meditation instructor and author of several books including Aging Body, Ageless Mind and Grow Your Own Happiness. Website: https://tseringpaldron.com/eng/ The Empty Cup Podcast: https://tseringpaldron.com/eng/the-empty-cup-podcast/ Mentioned in this episode: Aging Body, Ageless Mind - Tsering PaldronGrow Your Own Happiness - Tsering PaldronCutting Through Spiritual Materialism - Chögyam Trungpa Patreon Community: I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast About the podcast The Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon. Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all. Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&
Jun 2

Ep.11 - John Higgs: Reality Tunnels, David Lynch and the Cosmic Joke

Marc Salmon is joined by author John Higgs for a wide-ranging conversation about David Lynch, Robert Anton Wilson, reality tunnels, creativity, synchronicity and the challenge of making sense of modern life. Together they explore meditation, humour, Discordianism, the KLF, the internet, subjective experience, certainty, and why questioning our own stories might be one of the best protections against dogma. Support the podcast If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcast Please also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps. Topics include: David Lynch and meditation Reality tunnels Robert Anton Wilson Synchronicity Discordianism The KLF Counterculture and the internet Creativity and subjective experience Humour and dogma How not to fall for your own b******t Guest: John Higgs is the author of The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned a Million Pounds, William Blake vs The World, Stranger Than We Can Imagine, The Future Starts Here, Watling Street, Love and Let Die and Lynchian. John's website https://johnhiggs.com/ John's Substack: https://johnhiggs.substack.com/ Mentioned in this episode: • Lynchian: The Spell of David Lynch - John Higgs • The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned a Million Pounds - John Higgs • Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity - David Lynch • Cosmic Trigger I: Final Secret of the Illuminati - Robert Anton Wilson • The Bumper Book of Magic - Alan Moore & Steve Moore Suggested documentary • Who Killed The KLF? (2021) Online Meditation Sessions Second and fourth Sundays at 10:30am UK time. Message Marc on Instagram to join. About the podcast The Bardo Podcast is a podcast about comedy, philosophy and spirituality, and new ways of thinking in uncertain times. Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers and other curious minds, not about certainty or expertise, but about questioning assumptions and sitting with ambiguity together. Episodes explore comedy, meditation, philosophy, creativity and alternative ways of living. Find updates and more information at: https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/ Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Marc salmon

Jan 6

fabijland

Thank you I enjoyed this very much so important and informative. Grateful

Comedian Marc Salmon hosts conversations about inner and outer change, exploring alternative ways of thinking through philosophy, Buddhism, and the messy, often funny business of being human.

Creator

Marc Salmon
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

21
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 The Bardo Podcast
Show Website

The Bardo Podcast

Comedy

Comedy

Updated Weekly