The Bardo Podcast

Marc Salmon is joined by Buddhist teacher, activist and author Lama Rod Owens for a conversation about Buddhism, love, anger and how we can change the world without losing our compassion for one another.Author of Love and Rage and The New Saints, Lama Rod brings together Buddhist practice, social justice and community work to explore what liberation might actually look like.Together they talk about systemic collapse, finding hope through community, performative goodness, accountability without punishment, masculinity, spiritual abolition, boundaries, grief and why laughter and joy are important to creating change.Support the podcast:If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.Topics include:Lama Rod OwensBuddhism and social justiceLove, rage and compassionSystemic collapse and hopePerformative goodnessAccountability and restorative justiceSpiritual abolitionismMasculinity and patriarchyBoundaries and authenticityCommunity and collective liberationGrief, humour and joyThe New SaintsGuest:Lama Rod Owens is a Buddhist teacher, activist and author whose work explores the relationship between spiritual practice, social justice and liberation.Lama Rod's website:https://www.lamarod.com/Patreon Community:I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastAbout the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her comedy special:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by comedian, poet and writer Rob Auton for a conversation about creativity, comedy and finding wonder in ordinary life.Known for his Edinburgh Fringe shows about subjects like yellow, water and time, as well as The Rob Auton Daily Podcast, Rob's latest show, Jupiter, tells the fictional story of an estate agent on Jupiter.Together they talk about childhood, seagulls eating pigeons, crows, Buddhism, gratitude, writing, Ivor Cutler and how to hold on to a sense of wonder when the world feels overwhelming.Support the podcast:If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.Topics include:Rob AutonStand-up comedy and poetryCreativity and curiosityChildhood and imaginationFinding wonder in everyday lifeBuddhism and mindfulnessGratitude and hopeNature, seagulls and crowsWriting and storytellingIvor Cutler and Bob DylanThe Rob Auton Jupiter ShowGuest:Rob Auton is a comedian, poet, writer and performer from Yorkshire, known for his distinctive Edinburgh Fringe shows, books and award-winning Rob Auton Daily Podcast.Rob's website:https://www.robauton.co.uk/Rob’s special on youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifAnxeFXO2g Patreon Community:I also run free online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at 10:30 am UK time.You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastAbout the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her comedy special:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE

Marc Salmon is joined once again by writer Gabriel Kennedy, author of Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson, for a conversation about the ideas of Robert Anton Wilson and what they might have to offer us now.Together they explore non-zero-sum politics, anarchism, power and hierarchy, violence and nonviolence, reality tunnels, the eight-circuit model of consciousness, psychedelics, intelligence, AI and the question of who gets to programme the programmers.Gabriel first appeared on Episode 5 of The Bardo Podcast for a wider introduction to the life and work of Robert Anton Wilson. This time, we get deeper into the ideas themselves, where they still feel useful, and where they might need questioning or updating.Support the podcast:If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.Topics include:Robert Anton WilsonNon-zero-sum politicsAnarchismPower and hierarchyThe SNAFU principleViolence and nonviolenceReality tunnelsThe eight-circuit model of consciousnessPsychedelicsIntelligenceAIWho programmes the programmers?Buckminster FullerBuddhismColonialismGuest:Gabriel Kennedy is a writer and the author of Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson, a biography of the writer, philosopher and countercultural figure Robert Anton Wilson.Gabriel's website:https://chapelperilous.us/bioGabriel's Substack:https://gabrielpatrickkennedy.substack.com/Gabriel's Medium:https://propanon99.medium.com/Mentioned in the episode:Decadent Action Manifesto:https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/decadent-action-decadent-action-manifestoPatreon Community:I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastAbout the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her comedy special:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

In this solo episode I explore why so many of us postpone happiness until some future version of ourselves finally arrives.Inspired by the surreal Japanese film Mind Game, I reflect on ambition, creativity, Buddhism, meditation, comedy and clowning.Along the way I explore the friction between desire and burnout, the weight of social comparison, and what it actually means to just stop trying so hard to become 'somebody.'I'll be taking a short summer break while I'm performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, but I'll be back later this year with more conversations and solo episodes.Support the podcast:If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share the podcast and leave a rating or review. It really helps more people discover the show.Topics include Happiness  Ambition  Buddhism  Meditation  Identity  Creativity  Success  Desire  Karma  Awareness  Comedy  Philosophy  Burnout  Personal growthAlso Mentioned in this episodeFilmsMind Game (Masaaki Yuasa) Good FortuneBooksPromethea - Alan Moore The New Saints - Lama Rod Owens The Bhagavad GitaThinkers Jacques Lacan  Jiddu Krishnamurti  Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche  David Loy  Mingyur Rinpoche  John Higgs  Tsering PaldronPatreon Community:I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastAbout the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her Comedy special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by writer, magician and occult thinker Lionel Snell (also known as Ramsay Dukes) for a wide-ranging conversation about magical thinking, magic, Buddhism, uncertainty, creativity, stories, play and the models we use to understand reality.Together they explore belief systems, scepticism, Robert Anton Wilson, reality tunnels, the Western esoteric tradition, conspiracy theories, identity, and why taking our models too seriously can become its own kind of spell.Support the podcast:If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.Topics include:Magical thinkingMagicBelief systemsBuddhismRobert Anton WilsonReality tunnelsModels of realityScepticismWestern esotericismOccult philosophyCreativityStoriesPlayIdentityUncertaintyGuest:Lionel Snell (also known as Ramsay Dukes) is a British writer, magician and one of the most influential contemporary authors on magic and the Western esoteric tradition.His work explores magic, psychology, creativity, belief and the models we use to make sense of reality.He is the author of:S.S.O.T.B.M.EMy Years of Magical thinkingLittle book of DemonsLionel's Website: https://ramseydukes.co.uk/Lionel's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-NwOu0WV5Qd_U4zOP33swPatreon Community:I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastAbout the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her Comedy special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by Aboriginal scholar and author Tyson Yunkaporta for a wide-ranging conversation about Indigenous knowledge systems, Aboriginal culture, comedy, Buddhism, ecology, power, and the stories that shape the worlds we live in.Together they explore why humour keeps power in check, right story versus wrong story, high and low context cultures, animism, serpent lore, meme magic, and how stories can become either medicine or curses.Support the podcast:If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want to help keep it independent and ad-free, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.Topics include:StorytellingAboriginal knowledgeComedyBuddhismAnimismEcologyHigh and low context culturesPower and hierarchyRight Story, Wrong StorySerpent loreMeme magicDecolonisationSystems thinkingGuest:Tyson Yunkaporta is an Aboriginal scholar, arts critic and author from the Apalech Clan in far north Queensland.His work brings together Indigenous knowledge systems, complexity theory, ecology and systems thinking to explore how stories shape culture, identity and our relationship with the living world.He is the author of:Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the Worldhttps://www.booktopia.com.au/sand-talk-tyson-yunkaporta/book/9780062975621.htmlRight Story, Wrong Story: Adventures in Indigenous Thinkinghttps://www.booktopia.com.au/right-story-wrong-story-tyson-yunkaporta/book/9781922790439.htmlSnake Talk: How the world’s ancient serpent stories can guide ushttps://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/snake-talk-9781923058460Indigenous Knowledge System Lab Website:https://ikslab.deakin.edu.au/Patreon Community:I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastAbout the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by comedian, writer and illustrator Marty Gleeson for a conversation about creativity, perfectionism, stand-up comedy, artistic competition and staying playful.Together they explore how drawing competitions changed Marty's relationship with art, preparing a debut Edinburgh Fringe show, getting an agent, comedy writing, synchronicities and why the funniest ideas often arrive when you stop trying so hard to make sense.Support the podcast:If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.Topics include:CreativityPerfectionismStand-up comedyComedy writingEdinburgh FringeArtistic competitionIllustrationGetting an agentSynchronicitiesCreative confidenceGuest:Marty Gleeson is an Irish comedian, writer and illustrator based in London. She's a BBC New Comedy Award finalist, Channel 4 Sean Lock Award finalist, Pleasance Comedy Reserve alumni, and this year she's bringing her debut show Dog Ear to the Edinburgh Fringe.Edinburgh Fringe:https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/marty-gleeson-dog-earInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/martygleesonPatreon Community:I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastAbout the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by Buddhist teacher, author and meditation instructor Tsering Paldron for a conversation about Buddhism, anxiety, burnout, compassion, ageing, identity and what actually matters in life.Together they explore why we create stories that make us suffer, the difference between empathy and compassion, how Buddhist practice can help us respond to uncertainty without becoming overwhelmed, and what it really means to let go.Support the podcast:If you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.Topics include:Anxiety and overthinkingLetting goBurnout and activismEmpathy vs compassionMeditation and Buddhist practiceIdentity and insecuritySocial media outrageAging and mortalitySelf-worthWhat really matters in lifeGuest:Tsering Paldron is a Buddhist teacher, meditation instructor and author of several books including Aging Body, Ageless Mind and Grow Your Own Happiness.Website:https://tseringpaldron.com/eng/The Empty Cup Podcast:https://tseringpaldron.com/eng/the-empty-cup-podcast/Mentioned in this episode:Aging Body, Ageless Mind - Tsering PaldronGrow Your Own Happiness - Tsering PaldronCutting Through Spiritual Materialism - Chögyam TrungpaPatreon Community:I also run online meditation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.You can join as a free or paid member on Patreon:https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastAbout the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is hosted by comedian Marc Salmon.Conversations with comedians, mystics and philosophers trying to make sense of it all.Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by author John Higgs for a wide-ranging conversation about David Lynch, Robert Anton Wilson, reality tunnels, creativity, synchronicity and the challenge of making sense of modern life.Together they explore meditation, humour, Discordianism, the KLF, the internet, subjective experience, certainty, and why questioning our own stories might be one of the best protections against dogma.Support the podcastIf you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.Topics include:David Lynch and meditationReality tunnelsRobert Anton WilsonSynchronicityDiscordianismThe KLFCounterculture and the internetCreativity and subjective experienceHumour and dogmaHow not to fall for your own bullshitGuest:John Higgs is the author of The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned a Million Pounds, William Blake vs The World, Stranger Than We Can Imagine, The Future Starts Here, Watling Street, Love and Let Die and Lynchian.John's website https://johnhiggs.com/John's Substack: https://johnhiggs.substack.com/Mentioned in this episode:• Lynchian: The Spell of David Lynch - John Higgs• The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned a Million Pounds - John Higgs• Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity - David Lynch• Cosmic Trigger I: Final Secret of the Illuminati - Robert Anton Wilson• The Bumper Book of Magic - Alan Moore & Steve MooreSuggested documentary• Who Killed The KLF? (2021)Online Meditation SessionsSecond and fourth Sundays at 10:30am UK time.Message Marc on Instagram to join.About the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is a podcast about comedy, philosophy and spirituality, and new ways of thinking in uncertain times.Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers and other curious minds, not about certainty or expertise, but about questioning assumptions and sitting with ambiguity together.Episodes explore comedy, meditation, philosophy, creativity and alternative ways of living.Find updates and more information at:https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&

Marc Salmon is joined by comedian and clown Lawrence Dodd for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, Buddhism, sobriety, neurodivergence, political despair and the search for connection in confusing times.Together they explore clowning, autism, masking, intrusive thoughts, addiction, spirituality, organising, identity, and how play, community and vulnerability might help us stay human when certainty starts to fall apart.Support the podcastIf you enjoy The Bardo Podcast and want it to keep going, the best way to support it is on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thebardopodcastPlease also subscribe, share and leave a review. It genuinely helps.Topics include:Comedy and vulnerabilitySobriety and BuddhismAutism and maskingIntrusive thoughts and overwhelmSpirituality and uncertaintyClowning and playPolitical despair and connectionIdentity and belongingCommunity and organisingStaying open in difficult timesGuest:Lawrence Dodd is an alternative comedian and clown whose work blends performance art, chaos and emotional honesty.His new show This Can’t Be It is directed by friend of the podcast Lara Ricote with Rachael Dobbie on tech.Lawrence @ Soho Theatre - June 4thhttps://sohotheatre.com/events/lawrence-dodd-this-cant-be-it/Lawrence instagram:https://www.instagram.com/pleaselozplease/Lara Ricote new special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVDk4MFVkeMOnline Meditation SessionsSecond and fourth Sundays at 10:30am UK time.Message Marc on Instagram to join.About the podcastThe Bardo Podcast is a podcast about comedy, philosophy and spirituality, and new ways of thinking in uncertain times.Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers and other curious minds, not about certainty or expertise, but about questioning assumptions and sitting with ambiguity together.Episodes explore comedy, meditation, philosophy, creativity and alternative ways of living.Find updates and more information at:https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/Music by Marc Salmon and Robert FullerArtwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE&