Tom Rhodes Smart Camp - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

Tom Rhodes Smart Camp — Comedy
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp

About Smart Camp podcast
Tom Rhodes Smart Camp is a festival of ideas, knowledge, stories, books, and adventures. I have been a comedian for more than 40 years, traveling the world to perform comedy. Whenever I can, I will share my adventures with you on this podcast. Together with my creative partner and best friend, Ashna, we ‘re offering a blend of wisdom, humor, and heart.

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.

Copyright: © 2011 Tom Rhodes

Latest Episodes:

Jim Breuer Sep 26, 2013

Show notes

I've known Jim Breuer since we were both starting out in Florida back at Ron Bennington's Comedy Scene in Clearwater. He has always been bringing head crunching thunder as a comedian since I first saw him. He went on to massive success with Saturday Night Live and co-staring with Dave Chappelle in the quintessential stoner movie of all time 'Half Baked'.

We recorded this conversation in Chicago while we were both performing there. I was looking forward to seeing him and telling him how much I loved his act the last few times I had seen him because he bravely spoke about taking care of Dad and helping him through his illness. It was the most heartbreaking subject matter turned into hilarious comedy. It turned out Jim has just released a film about his father's illness called 'More than me' which is now available on Netflix. In this conversation he opens up about his Dad, the highs and frustrations of being a main player on SNL, the greatest show business advice he ever received from Bill Cosby, hilarious opinions and stories that solidify Jim as one of the most head strong people in comedy.

His podcast model entertainment empire development concept is brilliant and I have always enjoyed seeing what projects he comes out with next. One of my favorite things in life is getting together in the afternoon with a comedian friend and shooting the shit. This is me laughing it up with my old friend Jim Breuer. Feast upon it!

Special Episode: In Rome with Scooteroma Sep 21, 2013

Show notes

For the past 3 years in a row my wife and I have rented an apartment in Rome.

This year we did something different, we acted like we lived there. Instead of exhausting days visiting the monuments we look it easy, exploring delicious restaurants, relaxing in cozy wine bars... the one treat we planned was a four hour scooter tour with scooteroma.com My friend Bert Kreischer turned me on to them.It is one of the coolest things I have ever done in Rome. It's run by Annie Ojile and Giovanni Nerone. Annie is from Minnesota and she is married to Giovanni who is from Rome. They both know so many interesting facts about Roman history, Italian culture, language and music. They we so fun and interesting my wife and I became instant friends with them. A few nights after our tour we got together for dinner then went back to our apartment to drink wine and talk about all things Italy. This episode is packed with information and you will love that Rome in all it's glory coming into your ear holes. Rome has become one of my favorite spots on the earth that I keep coming back to. Annie and Giovanni are the best ones to talk with about it and I highly recommend taking their tour as it is an experience you won't soon. Forget. Enjoy this feast of knowledge, laughter and friendship!

Faye Woodruff Sep 15, 2013

Show notes

When I started out on the road I worked the southern circuits of the United States. I have performed in every town that ends in ville or boro. I did a horrendous gig in Mobile, Alabama many years ago and the best thing about it was I made a life long friendship with Faye Woodruff. Faye is a southern comedy legend known as the Grand Mother From Hell. She started doing the road once her husband Joe had retired and they would travel together. It was inspiring to see an older couple who were still head over heels in love with each other. Sadly, Joe passed away and as she gets older Faye does the road less and less. She has been an important person in my life. My Grand Mother died when I was very young and I have always considered Faye to be a sort of Grand Mother figure to me. She loves dirty jokes and that is why she is called the Grand Mother from Hell because she looks like a sweet little old lady when she takes the stage but then her act that follows is filthy and hilarious. She once robbed a comedy club at gun point in Jacksonville Beach, FL after they refused to pay her. She tells that story here and how she made the most fun out of her time in jail. I also get her to tell me my favorite story of hers which is what she taught a parrot to say in Key West, FL. She loves Nashville, country music and filthy jokes. I go out of my way to swing by Nashville to visit her whenever I have the chance. Things haven't been easy since Joe died but she loves life and believes in laughter and jokes to be the sweetest joys a person could know. Once you hear this conversation, recorded in Nashville last year, you will know why I have loved her since the day I met her and why she is called the Grand Mother from Hell.

Kuah Jenhan Sep 06, 2013

Show notes

Tom Rhodes Radio is in Malaysia!

Kuah Jenhan is the darling of the Malaysian comedy scene. His jokes are clean and clever and he is admired for turning over fresh new material frequently. I worked with him on my first visit to Kuala Lumpur and got to sit down and have this chat with him when I recently returned. He writes a comedy monthly comedy column for Esquire magazine of Malaysia and recently had an ice cream named after him. Enjoy the world wide perspective of one of Asia fastest rising comedy stars!

Hasan Minhaj Sep 03, 2013

Show notes

Hasan Minhaj is politically aware and socially conscious in his comedy and in his life. He doesn't take any shit when it comes to offensive stereotypes, just ask Ashton Kutcher who he smacked down for appearing in brown face. Hasan has appeared on MTV's Disaster Date and can be seen in the upcoming Stand Up Planet. He puts his heart and soul into his comedy and his youtube videos brandishing the powerful sword of truth. This episode was recorded at the Safari Inn in Burbank, California where scenes from the movie True Romance were filmed. Enjoy this future bright star of world wide comedy!

Stephen Grant Aug 29, 2013

Show notes

I worked with Stephan Grant earlier this year in Kuala Lumpur. He has a lightning quick wit and powers out jokes on a wide range of topics. He writes for many television shows and comedy TV stars in the UK. If you see him work it is no surprise he is in such hot demand as a writer. I enjoyed watching him work night after night and he shoots out punchlines like an AK 47 in rapid powerful procession. He lives in Brighton, the artist hipster capitol of England and if you don't know him already you will be glad for the introduction. He made comedy history when he was sued by his ex-wife for making jokes about her. In that regard he has done something for the entire industry by defending the right to joke about whatever you like. The man has my respect and I thank him for the truck loads of laughter he delivers. Enjoy one of England's finest comedians!

Carlos Valencia Aug 26, 2013

Show notes

This episode was recorded in Madison, Wisconsin. Many times as a comedian I will work with a younger comedian who I believe has true talent and a bright future. I had met Carlos Valencia through Doug Stanhope several years ago but didn't get to see him work until he opened for me last year at Comedy On State in Madison. He has a dark twisted sense of humor and he is following the path of a comedian with a pure heart. He is a golden human being and a comedian you should know about so that it is no surprise when he rises up in the near future. Please enjoy my friend, Carlos Valencia.

Jonathan Atherton Aug 17, 2013

Show notes

In my eyes Jonathan Atherton will always remain a great man because he turned my beliefs around on the city of Singapore. I went there once and never wanted to return because I thought it was soulless. He invited me to perform there again and said if I didn't like it he would pay me double. When I returned he proceeded to show me a Singapore I never knew existed. Late night clubs, fun parties, beer festivals and the most delicious street food on the planet. Forever he will live on in my heart as the man who turned me on to black pepper crab. A Singapore specialty that is worth buying a plane ticket to go there for. Jonathan Atherton is one of the most interesting human beings I have ever met in my life. Originally from Brisbane, Australia he went on to smuggle gasoline from Zimbabwe to Uganda then sold prostitutes in Kenya shoes from Great Britain all before becoming the inspiration and guiding light of stand up comedy in Singapore. From inventing the comedy scene in Singapore he also is one of the strongest comedy presences in South East Asia. This conversation was recorded in Kuala Lumpur where he has just moved. In his fabulous new house in a very cool part of the city we talk about his past insane history. What he created in Singapore comedy and his new life in Malaysia. He is an encyclopedia of human triumph, personal disaster and the redemption of speaking truth in stand up comedy to make the world a better place. He is a respected comedy figure in KL & Singapore and I have loved and respected this man myself since I first stepped off the plane and he lived up to his vow to show me why Singapore was such a magnificent place on the earth. His story is mind blowing. Amazing how he has packed so much life and knowledge into such a brief tender age. He inspires the majority of comedians in South East Asia to live up to their highest ideals of themselves as comedy performers. I respect this man greatly, no matter how wildly eccentric his actions are. Comedians are the only people who I can forgive for anything and Jonathan owns my heart like a brother on his own course I gladly watch sail. I caught him now as he had just moved from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and I tapped his brain for the greatest knowledge nuggets that would serve someone seeking a life in stand up comedy. Get it here!

Eleanor Tiernan Aug 13, 2013

Show notes

It's no secret that I love Ireland and I have worked with some wildly funny comedians there. One of them that I like the most is Eleanor Tiernan. I've watched her develop into an amazing performer over the years and if you don't already know her you will be happy to discover her comedy. I like her so much I requested her to work with me last year in Chicago. It was a joy to see her killing the American audiences night after night. We recorded this conversation at the end of a fun week exploring the city and doing shows together every night. Her inventive intelligent style of humor will instant make you a fan. Enjoy listening to her explain why treason is sexy!

Harith Iskander Aug 09, 2013

Show notes

Tom Rhodes Radio is in Malaysia! What are Moslim people making jokes about? What makes Malaysian stand up more progressive than American stand up? Tom gets to sit down with Malaysia's most famous and veteran comedian Harith Iskander. Harith gave birth to stand up comedy in Malaysia Asia two decades ago and should be considered the true ambassador for bringing stand up comedy to Asia. Listen how the stand up scene all started in Asia and learn what makes moslim people laugh. Get it here!

Related Podcasts