143 - The Metaphorical Showman: Connecting Performance to Play (Showmanship & Play 25 of 30)

There's a profound paradox at the heart of play – we're told it's "apparently purposeless," yet this very quality might reveal its deepest value. This episode dives into the second criteria of play and examines how it mirrors the essence of showmanship in fascinating ways.When we attend a circus show, comedy performance, or music festival, we don't go primarily to learn something or accomplish a task. We go to have a good time – to experience life fully in the moment. Yet society has conditioned us to view such experiences as frivolous, less valuable than "productive" activities. The Protestant work ethic and educational systems have trained us to be suspicious of enjoyment, to dismiss it as "mere entertainment" without serious purpose.This dismissal of pleasure as a worthy purpose is precisely what creates the illusion that play is purposeless. When we recognize that experiencing joy is itself a profound purpose, the apparent purposelessness dissolves. As Tolkien's Gandalf wisely notes, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time given us." Filling our limited time with experiences that make existence enjoyable seems not just reasonable but essential.George Saunders' epiphany about Kurt Vonnegut's work provides a perfect parallel – he discovered that profound truths could be communicated through humor and accessibility, challenging his assumption that "great writing was hard reading." Vonnegut's toilet-plunger aliens conveyed more about the absurdity of war than many serious treatises. Similarly, JF Martel's distinction between art that astonishes versus didactic art designed to teach specific lessons shows how the most transformative experiences often appear to lack obvious purpose.When performers focus primarily on delivering messages rather than creating authentic shared experiences, audiences sense this ulterior motive. Captain Frodo shares a personal example of his own show being rejected by educators but chosen by students, demonstrating how authentic playfulness creates experiences that resonate deeply even when – or perhaps because – they appear purposeless.Ready to bring more playfulness into your life and performances? Subscribe to The Way of the Showman and explore how embracing the "purposeless" quality of play might unlock your most meaningful creative expressions and life experiences.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 [email protected] 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

Have you ever wondered why some performances captivate you completely while others leave you checking your watch? The secret might lie in the ancient art of play.In this expansive exploration of showmanship through metaphor, Captain Frodo delves into the profound connection between performance and play. Drawing on both philosophical underpinnings from Aristotle to modern cognitive scientists like Lakoff and Johnson, this episode reveals how metaphorical thinking shapes our reality—not just in language, but in thought and action.At the heart of this discussion is a powerful insight: successful showmanship transforms audiences from experiencing clock time (Kronos) to being fully present in experiential time (Kairos). When performers approach their craft playfully—keeping their audience's experience central, making presentations gripping rather than boring, and inviting participation rather than merely demonstrating skills—they create those magical moments when everyone stops and thinks, "Oh my god, this is it, I get it."The episode unpacks the first of five criteria of play—that it's fun, enjoyable, and something we don't want to end—demonstrating how this maps perfectly onto the performer-audience relationship. Both audience and performer enter a sacred space where ordinary objects and actions take on extraordinary significance, creating a shared experience that benefits everyone involved.Whether you're a performer seeking deeper connections with your audience or simply fascinated by the psychology behind captivating experiences, this episode offers fresh insights into how metaphorical thinking transforms our understanding of performance arts. These aren't abstract musings but practical approaches that can elevate any presentation from merely impressive to genuinely transformative.Subscribe to The Way of the Showman to continue this journey through the metaphorical landscape of performance and discover how embracing play might be the most serious thing a performer can do.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 [email protected] 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

What if embracing play could transform not only our perception of reality but also the world we live in? Join me, Captain Frodo, as we embark on a whimsical exploration of the intrinsic connection between play and showmanship. Together, we’ll question whether play unearths pre-existing truths or crafts entirely new perspectives. Drawing inspiration from cultural phenomena like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and thinkers such as Huitzinger, we’ll investigate how play might be the cornerstone of human constructs like law, art, and philosophy. This episode is an invitation to broaden your understanding of play as a key to unlocking human creativity, growth, and cultural evolution.Next, we journey into the vibrant and surreal world of carnivals, inspired by Bruce Caron's book, "Inside the Live Reptile Tent." Imagine a realm where laughter and play serve as tools to conquer fear, much like an emotional boot camp. The mythopoetic nature of carnivals offers us a unique blend of reality and imagination, transforming them into metaphors for our own playful yet profound journeys. We'll reflect on the allure and deception of sideshows, questioning their authenticity and exploring how they encapsulate our deepest desires and dreams. Through the lens of both popular culture and personal experience, we'll unravel the carnival as a living testament to the power of imagination.To wrap things up, we delve into the raw and sometimes controversial power of carnival attractions, reflecting on my personal experiences in uncovering the delicate balance between reality and performance. The intimate nature of sideshows provides a profound connection with audiences, challenging societal norms and inviting us to engage with the world in new and meaningful ways. I’ll share why staying "alive on the inside" through curiosity and social interaction is crucial for any performer and how embracing play can fuel creativity and authenticity. By connecting deeply with our craft, we redefine showmanship, unlocking new dimensions of joy and creativity in both our performances and our lives.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 [email protected] 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

What if the most profound aspects of human experience—from religious ritual to artistic expression—have their roots in play? In this thought-provoking exploration of serious play, Captain Frodo challenges the false dichotomy between seriousness and importance, revealing how playful engagement offers access to deeper realities than solemn endeavors often can.Drawing on Plato's assertion that "life must be lived as play," we explore how imaginal play allows us to embody different identities and perspectives, transforming how we experience the world. When a child becomes Zorro or a martial artist imagines standing in flowing water, they're not merely pretending—they're accessing genuine transformative experiences that reveal aspects of reality otherwise hidden.The connections between play, ritual, and religion run deeper than most realize. Scholars like Johan Huizinga have shown how ritual creates a "magic circle" where different rules apply—much like the stage creates a space of possibility for performers. This understanding elevates performance art from "mere entertainment" to a profound human activity that creates shared realities and offers new ways of being.For performers, this perspective transforms how we approach our craft. Rather than apologizing for being "just entertainers," we can confidently assert that art forms the axis around which human culture revolves. By taking play seriously—recognizing its power to transform perspectives and access deeper truths—we honor the profound importance of what we do and strengthen our connection with audiences.Whether you're a performer seeking deeper meaning in your work or simply curious about the hidden importance of play in human experience, this episode offers transformative insights that will change how you see both playfulness and purpose.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 [email protected] 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

What if our capacity for play is not just a quirk of evolution but a fundamental way we grasp reality? Much like sight reveals color and hearing reveals sound, could play be a sense that unveils essential dimensions of existence otherwise hidden from us?Captain Frodo challenges us to reconsider the nature and value of play beyond its utilitarian functions. While science often explains play through its evolutionary benefits—practice for hunting, social bonding, developing cognitive flexibility—these explanations miss something crucial: the joy of play itself. When we watch a crow repeatedly sliding down a snowy roof on a plastic lid, flying back up only to slide down again, we witness something more than adaptive behavior. We glimpse a consciousness experiencing pleasure in the moment.The episode draws heavily from Johan Huizinga's groundbreaking work "Homo Ludens," exploring how play predates human culture and may well be the foundation from which our entire civilization emerged. Law, war, philosophy, art, religion—all these domains of human achievement might have their roots in playful behavior. If so, dismissing play as unimportant or merely instrumental severely limits our understanding of what makes us human.This perspective reframes our relationship with reality itself. The playful approach to the world isn't an escape from what's real but an engagement with a different facet of it. When we play, we're not just entertaining ourselves—we're accessing a dimension of reality that our purely logical or utilitarian approaches cannot reach. This has profound implications for how we teach, learn, and solve problems.As this episode marks the conclusion of an extended exploration of play, Captain Frodo invites us to recognize ourselves—especially artists, performers, and "misfits"—as the embodiments of homo ludens, the playful human. In our play, we're not just having fun; we're revealing essential truths about reality itself.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 [email protected] 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

What makes something "serious" and why do we automatically equate seriousness with importance? In this thought-provoking journey through linguistic history, educational systems, and cultural hierarchies, Captain Frodo reveals how the very concept of seriousness has been weaponized as a tool for social control.Diving into Alan White's groundbreaking essay "The Dismal Sacred Word," we discover how the first dictionaries deliberately created distinctions between "high" and "low" language, with lasting consequences for how we value different forms of expression. The exploration continues through the Protestant-influenced school systems that physically separated "serious" indoor learning from "unimportant" outdoor play—a division that continues to shape our understanding of value today.From the marginalization of play to the struggles of artists seeking legitimacy, this episode exposes how arbitrary yet powerful these distinctions really are. Why did the Impressionists have to fight so hard to be taken seriously? Why do circus performers and magicians still battle for cultural recognition? The answer lies in understanding that "there is no intrinsic link at all" between solemn seriousness and genuine importance.For anyone who has felt their passions dismissed as trivial or unimportant, this episode offers both validation and liberation. By recognizing how seriousness has been socially constructed, we can begin questioning these false hierarchies and reclaiming the profound value of play, joy, and creative expression. What if the most important things in life aren't serious at all?Listen now to challenge everything you thought you knew about what really matters, and discover why play might be the most serious business of all.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 [email protected] 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

What if your work felt like play? What if that seemingly childish question—"What would you do if money was no object?"—actually held the key to living without regret?Captain Frodo takes us on a profound journey through the false separation between play and work that dominates adult life. Drawing wisdom from philosophers Johann Huizinga and John Dewey alongside mystical thinker Alan Watts, this episode challenges our cultural assumptions about what constitutes "serious" pursuits.The exploration reveals how children's play—far from frivolous—represents deep, meaningful engagement with the world. This "serious play" serves as their work, their way of understanding themselves and their place in society. Meanwhile, adults often abandon play for "work" defined by external rewards rather than intrinsic satisfaction, creating lives split between obligation and enjoyment.Most poignantly, we confront the five most common regrets of the dying, with the top regret being failing to live authentically rather than meeting others' expectations. This reveals the potential consequences of abandoning our playful nature for socially prescribed paths.Through evolutionary perspectives showing childhood's increasing importance in human development and philosophical insights about integrating play and work, Captain Frodo offers a compelling vision: work permeated with the play attitude becomes art—and potentially, the foundation of a life without regret.Ready to reconsider the role of play in your life and work? This episode might change how you view what truly matters. Follow @thewayoftheshowman on Instagram and share this episode with someone searching for more meaning in their daily pursuits.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 [email protected] 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

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.”Fred Rogers aka Mister Rogers.I talk about Johan Huizinga's book Homo Ludens.he describes play like this:“Play is a free activity standing quite consciously outside 'ordinary' life as being 'not serious,' but at the same time absorbing the player intensely and utterly.”You can't be serious, is this your real job? is one of my pet peeves and an instigator for this whole 30 episode season. I explore it further  in this episode.Child's play is serious.Adult play. what is it?Work and play. What is the relationship, differences and similarities...What is the purpose of the child's play? 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 [email protected] 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

When Chris Canfield first messaged me about his upcoming show "The Games We Play," I was struck by how our creative paths had converged despite beginning worlds apart. Chris grew up in Chicago with a magician father who filled their home with card tricks and coin sleights—magic wasn't special, it was simply what they did. Meanwhile, I was discovering similar wonders in the remote landscapes of Norway.What makes Chris's story extraordinary isn't just that he grew up surrounded by magic, but that his parents opened a game store where play became the center of their family life. Board games, puzzles, chess sets—these weren't just products but portals to connection. Chris learned early that games create spaces where adults and children meet as equals, where the boundaries between work and play dissolve.When tragedy struck at sixteen with his father's unexpected death, Chris stepped away from magic, finding the association too painful. His creative energy channeled into music instead, where he developed a custom guitar pick for his right hand (Chris was born with a limb difference) and discovered the transcendent joy of improvisation. As we discussed the parallels between musical flow states and magical performance, it became clear that different forms of play share profound connections.The heart of our conversation explores how Chris's theatrical show "The Games We Play" integrates his personal narrative with interactive magic and games. Rather than performing conventional tricks, he creates experiences where audiences become participants in a shared journey. "I'm trying to blur the lines between games and magic," he explains, crafting moments that feel both impossible and emotionally resonant.For those fascinated by the psychology of performance, Chris offers valuable insights about breaking down the traditional barrier between performer and spectator, creating what I call "a third space" where co-creation happens. His show traces the evolution of games from their earliest forms to modern iterations, examining how play shapes our emotional lives and helps us process our most profound experiences.Whether you're a performer seeking fresh approaches to audience engagement, a game enthusiast curious about magic, or someone interested in how childhood experiences shape creative paths, this conversation illuminates the transformative power of play. Let Chris Canfield's journey inspire you to rediscover your own playful spirit and perhaps see magic in unexpected places.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 [email protected] 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

The enduring magic of juggling spans centuries, yet few performers have dedicated themselves to both preserving its rich history and innovating its future quite like Nils Dunke. In this captivating conversation, the Dutch comedy juggler takes us on an unexpected journey through the interconnected worlds of performance, craftsmanship, and historical preservation.What makes this episode particularly fascinating is Nils' unique intersection of mechanical engineering expertise with artistic passion. He explains how this combination led him to revolutionize traditional juggling equipment through ergonomic designs that enhance performers' capabilities. His collaborations with juggling innovators like Jay Gilligan on the Cuphead Club demonstrate how thoughtful equipment design can unlock entirely new artistic possibilities.Perhaps most compelling is Nils' dedication to preserving juggling's heritage through publishing significant historical works. His efforts to document the stories of legends like 100-year-old Bobby Jule (inventor of the ping-pong ball on nose trick) ensure these valuable contributions aren't lost to time. When he describes visiting juggling archives and connecting with the remaining practitioners from vaudeville's golden age, we glimpse how passion projects become crucial cultural preservation.Whether you're fascinated by the performing arts, interested in how innovation happens, or simply appreciate stories of people following unconventional passions, Nils' perspective offers valuable insights on building a meaningful creative life. His philosophy that "if nobody takes risks, nothing gets pushed forward" serves as inspiration for anyone looking to make their mark while honoring those who came before.Ready to discover how ancient arts evolve in the modern world? Subscribe now and join our exploration of showmanship through the eyes of those who live it daily.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 [email protected] 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