the Way of the Showman

In this episode I explore the impact and influence our playful behaviour has had on our development as human beings. I belive it quite profoundly have changed not just our psychology and behaviour but also our bodies.I share a deeply personal story of the first couple of hours in my daughter's life and how it birthed a new and deeper kind of love.The father's role in raising babies and children.The tribe's role in raising babies and children. The love, which first appeared in Mother grew to include the father and the tribe and in this we all played a role in affording a child a relaxed field, where that child can flourish outside of the restriction of natural selection. Where the child gets to express only themselves and act only in accordance with themselves. (in an idealised situation of course as there always will be tribal, societal, and individual influences)Child is a social glue. It brings us together in the childbirth, in the rearing of the child, it connects us. It continues in how families are brought together through our shared interest and care for and responsibility for the child.We sit around the fire like we sit around a child.they trigger conversations and stories that emerge because we sit around a child. They shape us and the stories we tell. THere are other stories told around the fire in the dark, and there are particular stories that are told because there are children are present.RELAXED FIELD - the space where play happens and where we are the most fully human.relaxed pressure from the four f'sforaging, fighting, fleeing and fornicating.which is what we have to do. (if we dont o these succesfully we perish)the things we choose to do. (what we choose to do with the time given to us)Support the show...Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.auIf 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 anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

Jay Gilligan is back! we go through his questions about episodes 103 & 104 to concretise some of the points I am making about Play and performance.some of the topics we touch=:-How to foster a playful connection at the beginning of your show.-Is there such a thing as a bad audience?-fulfilling audience expectations whilst still surprising them.-In facing the Audience we are showing, and they are receiving - yet we expect and desire them to participate, to live themselves into the performance. Without which there never emerges the full Show experience.-You get Attention by giving Attention.-My ways of getting Attention in my first street show back in 1997.-Jay runs away from a street show with crazy consequences.-All focus on one thing. Audience and Showman alike. Makes a powerful point.-We create a different kind of time. Play time. Sacred time.Support the show...Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.auIf 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 anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

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...Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.auIf 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 anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you 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...Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.auIf 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 anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo