What happens when a cancer diagnosis forces us to confront death earlier than expected?

In this episode of The Bardo Podcast, comedian Marc Salmon is joined by storyteller, director and screenwriter Fer Rodil for a wide-ranging conversation about cancer, comedy, philosophy and the search for meaning.

Fer shares what a cancer diagnosis taught him about love, mortality and happiness, and how facing death changed the way he thinks about relationships, creativity and the mind. The conversation moves between lived experience and philosophy, touching on ideas from Buddhism, William James and Nietzsche while reflecting on how art and storytelling can transform suffering into something meaningful.

A thoughtful, candid and often funny episode about mortality, attachment, forgiveness and how confronting death can reshape our understanding of love and letting go.

In this episode we explore

• Cancer diagnosis and living with uncertainty
• Comedy and the limits of humour
• Love, heartbreak and attachment
• Turning illness and grief into storytelling
• Acceptance, compassion and forgiveness
• Consciousness and philosophy of mind
• Rebirth and Buddhist ideas of continuity
• William James and altered states
• Nietzsche, samsara and the search for meaning
• Art, bitterness and emotional transformation

Guest

Fer Rodil is an Argentinian director, storyteller and screenwriter. He has written series for HBO, Amazon Prime and Disney+, and now lives in the Netherlands where he teaches storytelling and performs comedy and theatre.

His show Fer Is On A Deadline is a storytelling performance about his cancer diagnosis and the search for meaning when facing mortality.

Fer also writes reflections on storytelling, philosophy and creativity on Substack:
Fer is on a deadline | Substack

English Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/fer.rodil/

Hispanic Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/unperrovegano/

Online Meditation Sessions

Second and fourth Sundays at 10:30am UK time.
First session begins 22 March.

If you're interested in joining, send Marc a message on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/marcsalmoncomedy/

Leftist Comedy Night (London)

📍 Little Nan’s Bar 2.0, Deptford
📅 26 March

Tickets:
Leftist Comedy Night | Stand Up, Drag, Clown & Sketch | London

Support the show

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Support on Patreon:
The Bardo Podcast | Patreon

About the podcast

The 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 Fuller
Artwork by Zoe Brownstone - Check out her special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJkF4QSNPmE