Simon Amstell, comedian, writer & film director, shares funny stories of magic mushrooms, panic about ageing, and reflections on his Pop World days. Plus, he talks about his new stand-up show 'Spirit Hole' and his transformative experiences with ayahuasca and magic mushrooms, exploring topics like death, aging, and embracing pleasure.
Simon Amstell discusses his experience with ayahuasca, a healing plant medicine, and how it helped him confront his shame and unravel societal conditioning.
Simon Amstell reflects on his journey of self-discovery as a gay man, navigating stereotypes, and finding liberation from societal constraints through self-acceptance.
Deep dives
Simon Amstell's Stand-Up Tour: Spirit Hole
Simon Amstell is a comedian, writer, and film director known for his work on shows like T4's Pop World and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. He is currently on a stand-up tour called Spirit Hole, where he explores themes of shame and aging. During the tour, Simon shares his personal experiences, including his journey with ayahuasca, a healing plant medicine. Through his comedic storytelling, he tackles societal norms, personal growth, and the process of letting go of shame. Simon's show invites audiences to reflect on their own experiences and find joy in embracing their true selves.
Ayahuasca and Healing
Simon Amstell discusses his experience with ayahuasca, a psychedelic plant medicine used by indigenous people in Peru for healing purposes. He describes the rituals and ceremonies involved, where participants sit in a circle and drink the ayahuasca brew. Simon shares how the medicine helped him confront his own shame, trauma, and insecurities. Ayahuasca allowed him to detach from the stories he created about himself and unravel the conditioning that society imposes. Through these ceremonies, Simon experienced a shift in perspective, finding freedom and joy, and integrating these insights into his stand-up comedy.
Challenging Societal Expectations and Embracing Authenticity
Simon Amstell delves into the challenges of aging and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. He reflects on his own journey of self-discovery and the internalized shame he carried as a gay man. Simon shares how he navigated stereotypes and tried to be accepted within the hetero-patriarchal culture. Over time, he learned to overcome these limitations, embracing his true self and finding liberation from societal constraints. Simon's stand-up tour, Spirit Hole, is a testament to his journey of self-acceptance and encourages listeners to question societal norms, celebrate personal authenticity, and let go of the fear of aging.
Simon Amstell is our guest this week, and it’s a hoot I tell you. The much loved comedian, writer & film director is pure mischief and he leads me very much astray with funny stories of magic mushrooms, panic about ageing, and reflections on his Pop World days. All laced with brilliant wisdom and insights that only Simon could make. Plus - how do you make a rainbow come out of your perineum…? Listen now to find out - Chris x
For dates and tickets for Simon Amstell’s Stand Up Tour ‘Spirit Hole’, see www.simonamstell.com.