the Way of the Showman

Why are we born so helpless? The discussion takes us through human evolution, exploring the delicate balance of a growing head and upright walking. Play is highlighted as essential for emotional and social wellbeing, contrasting with structured learning's rigidity. The podcast dives into the significance of parental care, love hormones, and how neglect can impact development. It also examines the roots of human playfulness and its role in fostering connections through performance, reminding us to prioritize love amidst creative pursuits.

In this engaging discussion, Peter Gray, an author renowned for his work on the significance of play in child development, shares insights from his book, "Free to Learn." He emphasizes how play is fundamental to learning, allowing children to become self-reliant and happier. Gray highlights the difference between adult-structured play and genuine, self-directed exploration, asserting that the latter fosters true creativity and emotional growth. He discusses the risks of play deprivation and how self-motivated play enriches curiosity and communal bonds.

This is a conversation with one of the funniest guys I know. He's had me laughing so hard I had to get partially undressed. We talk about magic and comedy and their intersection before landing on a long explorations of how to select and manage audience volunteers. Nick is an expert at handling volunteers and gets SO much out of the people he gets up, I try to learn from him.You can find out about Nick Difatte on his websiteNick has written a brilliant book on magic called Offbeat (it's sold out but will soon be reissued) published by Squash Publishing creators of some of the hottest books on magic.we talk about:the Great Santini's toaster (my dad's magic invention)Steen Pegani - danish magic shop owner and all around good guy.Mortenn Christiansen - link to him on Penn & Teller's Fool UsNick blows my mind with the news that he is writing and editing a chapter in Richard Kaufman's re-release of Greater Magic. The chapter will be on comedy magic.Borrowin/stealing/reinventingbecoming an original performer.saving the earth with a yo yoAuthenticityFinding shit no one cares aboutcostume as character amplifier and definerme loosing my shit seeing Nick perform for the first time.worst "emotional speech" in a show ever...being funnier off sage and how to transfer this to stage.choosing volunteersoffbeat, Nick's book is sold out.Amazing Johnatan as example of a masterful use of and control of audience volunteers.Nick on getting along with older guys and how to harness this in his ShowsSupport the show...After a long abscence our Merch Shop is back! Check out t-shirts, hoddies, and hats! Show yourself as a Follower of the Way of the Showman.You can also "listen" to the Way of the Showman at youtube.If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to  contact me about anyhthing ou can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comYou can find out more on the Way of the Showman website.Follow the Way of the Showman on Instagram.If you're compelled to suport the showes and have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

Discover how play is vital for emotional development and lifelong learning. The conversation dives into the powerful interplay between curiosity, sociality, and cooperation, using historical insights to underscore human resilience. It also highlights our unique capacity for empathy and social learning, challenging negative stereotypes of human nature. Finally, storytelling emerges as a beacon of hope, enriching our connections and the way we navigate challenges in life. Join a playful exploration of what connects us all!

Allison Gopnik, a leading expert on childhood and play, dives into the significance of play as a defining aspect of human experience. She discusses the five criteria of play and explores its essential role in development and learning. Gopnik contrasts differing views on childhood, highlighting the importance of nurturing curiosity and wonder for lifelong growth. The conversation further examines the spectrum of curiosity, blending it with love and relationships, while reflecting on how play enriches our connections and creativity.

Explore the fascinating idea that play may be an inherent human instinct. Discover how this drive could have evolved and its significance beyond childhood enjoyment. The conversation connects the concept of flow to playful experiences, showcasing how play rejuvenates creativity in adults too. Dive into the contrasting worlds of informal play and structured sports, emphasizing the joy and responsibility found in unstructured play. Finally, reflect on the evolutionary roots of play and its lasting impact on development throughout life.

Dive into the joy of play, where fun and self-motivation reign supreme. Explore how play is purposeless yet essential for creativity and connection. Uncover the delicate balance of rules that enrich imaginative experiences. Discover the transformative power of play in fostering relationships and personal happiness. Reflect on the importance of listening to your inner voice for self-discovery amid life's chaos. Join the conversation that champions community and shared experiences, reminding us all to rediscover joy.

In this episode I talk to Jellyboy the Clown about his book Memoirs of a Coney Island Clown. I learn a lot about him and how closely our experiences mirror eachother. There are some tragic details about suicide in this episode - be warned, if you need such a warning."Embark on an unforgettable journey alongside Jelly Boy in "Memoirs of a Coney Island Clown: Jellyboy's Sideshow Saga." Following the heart-wrenching loss of his brother, Jelly Boy is catapulted into a whirlwind of unexpected adventures. From the depths of grief to the serendipitous role of a clown, his odyssey defies convention at every turn."I loved reading the book and I think you'll love it too! You can order a copy here: https://outsidetalkerpress.bigcartel.com/product/memoirs-of-a-coney-island-clown-jellyboy-s-sideshow-sagaSupport the show...After a long abscence our Merch Shop is back! Check out t-shirts, hoddies, and hats! Show yourself as a Follower of the Way of the Showman.You can also "listen" to the Way of the Showman at youtube.If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to  contact me about anyhthing ou can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comYou can find out more on the Way of the Showman website.Follow the Way of the Showman on Instagram.If you're compelled to suport the showes and have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

In this podcast, they discuss the five criteria of play: fun, self-motivated, purposeless, rules, and imaginative. They explore the significance of play in child development and education, as well as its role in fostering creativity and innovation for success. The host emphasizes the importance of self-motivated play in nurturing autonomy and creativity in children.

In this episode Jay Gilligan brings up a few questions relating to episodes 3 & 4 in my exploration of Showmanship and Play (number 96 & 98). -We talk about what its like to talk to people about something which does not have an easy answer. A fortune cookie once told me "to every complex problem there is always a simple answer - and its usually wrong."-Jay asks if my process exhausts me. Always keeping all kinds of writing and projects searching for connections in me, does that exhaust me?-Why find connections? Why map one thing onto others?-What does it mean to be an artist.-Metaphor is a way to access reality. How metaphor and imagination affords us our understanding of the world (and ourselves)-Seeing similarity through dissimilarities. Discover greater patterns. Lakof and Johnston Metaphors we Live by.-My new presentation of the classic magic trick called the Die Box.-Jay asks me: Did you come up with the concept Active reading?we explore where it came from and how its influenced Jay's thinking.-Responsibility to engage with tasks and challanges whether in life of in circus school.-We got to be actively engaged in whats happening. When we are doing our thing, but also when others are doing that.-I say we need to be able to develop a language and way to understand all the "other Disciplines" as reality is you will most likely be in shows with other artists which does other things than you. Each circus most commonly only hires one juggler. One guy squeezing through tennis rackets.We have a responisility to make a task in school, or a thing in real life, interesting. If the task or challange sucks. Change it and make it good....Support the show...After a long abscence our Merch Shop is back! Check out t-shirts, hoddies, and hats! Show yourself as a Follower of the Way of the Showman.You can also "listen" to the Way of the Showman at youtube.If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to  contact me about anyhthing ou can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comYou can find out more on the Way of the Showman website.Follow the Way of the Showman on Instagram.If you're compelled to suport the showes and have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo