The Bardo Podcast

Marc Salmon

5.0 (2)
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.

2d ago · 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&
May 19

Ep.10 - Lawrence Dodd: The Buddhist Clown Trying to Stay Human

Marc Salmon is joined by comedian and clown Lawrence Dodd for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, Buddhism, sobriety, neurodivergence, political despair and the search for connection in confusing times. Together they explore clowning, autism, masking, intrusive thoughts, addiction, spirituality, organising, identity, and how play, community and vulnerability might help us stay human when certainty starts to fall apart. 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: Comedy and vulnerabilitySobriety and BuddhismAutism and maskingIntrusive thoughts and overwhelmSpirituality and uncertaintyClowning and playPolitical despair and connectionIdentity and belongingCommunity and organisingStaying open in difficult timesGuest: Lawrence Dodd is an alternative comedian and clown whose work blends performance art, chaos and emotional honesty. His new show This Can’t Be It is directed by friend of the podcast Lara Ricote with Rachael Dobbie on tech. Lawrence @ Soho Theatre - June 4th https://sohotheatre.com/events/lawrence-dodd-this-cant-be-it/ Lawrence instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pleaselozplease/ Lara Ricote new special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVDk4MFVkeM 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&
Apr 28

Ep.9 - Emily Herring: Henri Bergson | Why You Feel Less Free Than You Think

Marc Salmon is joined by writer and philosopher Emily Herring for a wide-ranging conversation about Henri Bergson, time, freedom, memory, intuition, laughter and why modern life can feel increasingly mechanical. Together they explore Bergson's philosophy of lived experience, the difference between clock time and lived time, habit and freedom, élan vital, mysticism, Bergson's debates with Einstein and Bertrand Russell, and what his ideas can still teach us about living well today. 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 Henri Bergson explained simply Lived time vs clock time Freedom and free will Memory and the hidden self Intuition beyond fixed concepts Why laughter matters Bergson vs Einstein Bergson vs Bertrand Russell Élan vital and creativity Technology, algorithms and modern life Guest Emily Herring is a writer based in Paris. She studied philosophy at the Sorbonne and received her PhD in the history and philosophy of science from the University of Leeds. She is the author of Herald of a Restless World: How Henri Bergson Brought Philosophy to the People — the first biography of Bergson in English. Website: https://www.wellreadherring.com/ 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&

Trailer

Trailer: The Bardo Podcast - Alternative Ways of Thinking with Marc Salmon

The Bardo Podcast is a podcast about alternative ways of thinking, inner and outer change, and what happens in the space between. Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers, and other curious minds. Episodes cover philosophy, Buddhism, counter-cultural ideas, and the messy, often funny business of being human. This is not about expertise or certainty, but about questioning assumptions, sitting with ambiguity, and thinking differently together. New episodes launch in January. If you are interested in philosophy, Buddhism, or conversations that explore ideas with curiosity, subscribe now so you do not miss the first episodes. Find updates and more information at: https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/

5

out of 5

2 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

19
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 The Bardo Podcast
Show Website

The Bardo Podcast