This episode features Four Arrows (a.k.a.) Wahinkpe Topa, indigenous scholar, author, and educator dedicated to decolonization and transformative learning. The conversation delves into Four Arrows' unique understanding of the Lakota clown traditions, specifically the Heyoka, and explores how humor and contrary behavior can serve as tools for subversion and resilience. Four Arrows shares personal insights and jokes, illustrating the power of humor in indigenous practices for healing and community bonding. The episode also touches on Four Arrows' experiences in academia, his views on hypnosis and self-transformation, and his belief in the sacred role of clowns in bringing balance to the world.
>>INDIGENOUS WORLDVIEW CHART
>>FOUR ARROWS' BOOKS
>>CLOWN SPIRIT RESOURCES
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1:10:05
Why Are We Clownverging?
In this episode I reflect on the upcoming CLOWNVERGENCE conference and what it really means for me and what I've learned from organizing it. I dive into some of the contradictory motivations and emotions I feel as a long-time social organizer who is also socially averse. And of course I bring these reflections back the subject of clowning itself as a way of clarifying what is truly important not just about CLOWNVERGENCE but about clowning (and life) in general.
>>Register for CLOWNVERGENCE
>>Find out more about CLOWN SPIRIT VILLAGE
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22:16
Bayo Akomolafe: Clowning the Cracks
In this episode of the Clown Spirit podcast, I talk with guest Bayo Akomolafe, celebrated speaker, teacher, and self-styled 'fugitive'. We talk about themes of playfulness, innovation, and the concept of 'cracks'—the imperfections and gaps that exist within systems. Bayo eloquently discusses how these cracks are not merely flaws but essential elements that facilitate newness and transformation. The conversation was an organic and improvised 'mess', interspersed with humor, interruptions by Bayo's son, and para-reflection. Bayo's poetic and philosophical insights challenge traditional notions of innovation, perfection, and moral policing, advocating instead for a deeper engagement with the fluid and mysterious aspects of life. This conversation underscored for me the value (perhaps necessity) of embracing imperfections.
>>BAYO'S WEBSITE
>>CLOWNVERGENCE (3 Day Online Clowning Conference)
>>CLOWN SPIRIT LINKS
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49:15
Jay Vidyarthi: Clowning Around with Technology
In this episode of the Clown Spirit Podcast, I chat with Jay Vidyarthi, a meditator, tech enthusiast, designer, entrepreneur, and author of the book 'Reclaim Your Mind: Seven Strategies to Enjoy Tech Mindfully.' Jay discusses the attention economy, the concept of translating digital engagement into human connections, and the need for boundaries and self-awareness in tech usage. The conversation touches on the deeper role of clowning in addressing human emotions, the importance of confronting discomfort, and the playfulness required to navigate modern life. Jay also shares personal anecdotes about the challenges of promoting his book and balancing different identities. The episode emphasizes joy, authenticity, and the fearless spirit of clowning as tools for a healthier, more mindful relationship with technology.
>>JAY'S BOOK
>>CLOWN SPIRIT LINKS
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1:04:57
Karine Bell: The Power of Disruption
In this episode of the Clown Spirit podcast, host Barnaby talks with Karine Bell, the founder of Rooted Global Village, about the transformative power of clowning. The discussion delves into how clowning can disrupt entrenched patterns on both a societal and individual level, offering liberatory potential through authenticity and vulnerability. Kareen shares her journey into clowning, her experiences in clown school, and how these practices intersect with her work in somatic experiencing, community building, and mindfulness. The conversation highlights the importance of play, vulnerability, and the capability of clowning to illuminate and transform our rigid identities, ultimately fostering greater freedom and connection.
>>ROOTED GLOBAL VILLAGE
>>CLOWN SPIRIT LINKS
Explorations into all the colors, dimensions and constellations of clown practice. Some episodes find Barnaby in conversation with influential thought leaders and clown artists, while in others it's just little old him reflecting on the power of the ridiculous.
New Zealand