Magical Thinking

Episode 83: Noah Levine joins Elliott for a chat about magic, his experience performing over the years, a critical class in magic, his show "Magic After Hours" and more. Enjoy! Follow Noah (@magicafterhours) on Instagram. Follow us on instagram @MagicalThinkingPodcast and Like us on the Facebox.

Episode 82: Nate Staniforth joins Elliott for a chat about magic, his process, art, learning, burnout, etc. It's fun! Follow Nate on instagram.com with @natestaniforth for updates. Visit https://nate-s-school-71d4.thinkific.com/courses/making-tricks-into-magic for Nate's new course on Making Tricks Into Magic, and checkout his YouTube page for cool videos and things. Follow us on instagram @MagicalThinkingPodcast and Like us on the Facebox.

Episode 81: Our guest for this episode is Xavior Spade. Xavior is one of the staple members of the New York coterie of underground card men. He’s also the man behind LostArtMagic, and he’s blazing a trail as one of the great magicians working to elevate the explanation and instruction of magic on YouTube. Xavior and I have been friends for a few years, and it was on my most recent trip to New York that we sat down for our discussion of social media and YouTube, personal and professional creativity, personal and professional burnout, and intentionality in performance and presentation. A lot has changed for both of us in the time since this conversation was recorded. Xavior has handed off the oversight of LostArtMagic to Chris Mayhew and Beau Cremer, and you can listen to the vignette I posted, as well to hear more about what’s been happening with me. Shoot me a message with any questions or feedback you may have to Me@ElliottTerral.com, please review the podcast in your Apple Podcast app, share any episodes you love with friends and people you think will benefit, and check out the new MagicalThinkingPodcast.com. It’s still a work in progress, but you’ll get the idea. Anyway, this is my long overdue chat with Xavior Spade. Enjoy!

Where has Magical Thinking Podcast been? What happened? Here're the answers. Email me at Me@ElliottTerral.com and share the new MagicalThinkingPodcast.com Please rate and review the show in iTunes!

Episode 80: Derek DelGaudio sits down with Elliott to share his experience of the current state of magic, his feelings on leaving room for the audience to take ownership of the performance, general guidelines for ethically making magic and building a show, and the objectivity of art. Enjoy!

Episode 79: David Williamson sits down with Elliott to discuss his humble beginnings in Ohio, the blue-collar showbusiness path he was drawn to, his thoughts on scripting and being present in the room, and how he transformed from the shy, quiet kid into the outrageous powerhouse that steals steals the show. Enjoy!

Episode 78: Lance Pierce sits down with Elliott at PebblePalooza to discuss details and subtlety when crafting routines, how your magic will change as you grow, and Lance shares some amazing stories about his time with Roger Klause, Michael Skinner, Bill Malone, and others. Enjoy!

Special Episode: Elliott sits down with Danny Garcia and John Wilson at PebblePalooza 6 in Dallas, TX. Lance Pierce was kind enough to offer some time in front of the group at this amazing gathering, and the ensuing conversation is both hilarious and insightful. This is the first episode in front of an audience, and it was a fulfilling and exciting experiment. Enjoy!

Episode 77: Asi Wind sits down with Elliott to discuss art, magic, and how those can come together. Asi shares thoughts on his creative process, working with David Blaine for television, and how to learn from both failure and success. Enjoy!

Episode 76: Jeanette Andrews is a magician and artist who specializes in creating interactive sensory illusions through conjuring, and in the episode she shares about her creative process, her inspirations and mentors, and the empathetic potential of sharing magical experiences. Enjoy! @MagicalThinkingPodcast on Instagram!

Episode 75: Simon Aronson has written extensively about close-up card magic. You may not know that he has been doing the most baffling two-person mentalism act Elliott has ever seen for almost 50 years. Simon is also a talented ballroom dancer and art collector, and Elliott and Simon discuss passions, the Chicago magic scene, and Ed Marlo in this wonderful episode. Enjoy! Read The Magicians Article in Chicago Magazine: http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2016/Magicians/ Visit http://www.MergelFunsky.com

Special Episode! I recently travelled to Chicago for the grand opening of the Chicago Magic Lounge - Chicago’s newest home for close-up and stage magic. The lounge was previously just a a show, but over the last year, the construction of an incredible, immersive magic venue has given the Chicago Magic Lounge a new home and a new face. The place is gorgeous, and visiting and seeing the shows are definitely the coolest experience you can have in Chicago right now. Enjoy!

This is an update on the state of Magical Thinking. Get bonus content from Elliott at Patreon.com/MagicalThinking. Stay up to date by Liking the podcast on Facebook and following on Instagram: @MagicalThinkingPodcast Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes! Cheers!

Episode 74: Rico De La Vega creates and consults for the biggest names on stage and television. In the episode, Rico shares his thoughts on creativity in a collaborative environment, the power of context in performance and how magic can and should be relatable to the audience, and how he believes that the truest potential of magic is to touch, move, or inspire the audience. Enjoy!

Episode 73: Mike Caveney shares the history of Egyptian Hall Museum, some fo the famed conjurors of the Golden Age of Magic, and himself in this wonderful episode. Mike and Elliott discuss character, work ethic, creativity, and the value of flight time in learning how to be a magician. Enjoy!

Episode 72: John Wilson sits down to discuss his unorthodox path in magic, his relatively recent and consuming passion for the Tarot, and his ideas regarding making intimate, memorable, meaningful moments of magic with people that he meets. This podcast is full of gold for performing strong magic. Enjoy!

Episode 71: Magician and magic consultant, Lisa de la Vega, sits down with Elliott to discuss performing with her brother Rico as Junior members at the Magic Castle, her magic teacher’s wisdom, her experience performing around the world, the importance of an attitude of gratitude, women in magic, and consulting for touring stage shows and magic on television. Enjoy!

Episode 70: Expert card mechanic, Richard Turner, sits down with Elliott to chat about DEALTmovie.com, getting started as a card mechanic, studying card table artifice at the Magic Castle, his personal life and the dedication and discipline he has for mastering cards, his own body, and his mind. Enjoy!

Big changes are in store for the future of Magical Thinking. Get bonus content from Elliott at Patreon.com/MagicalThinking. Stay up to date by Liking the podcast on Facebook and following on Instagram: @MagicalThinkingPodcast

Episode 69: Jim Krenz is a performer and creator who has travelled the world fooling everyone in his path. In the episode, you’ll hear us discuss a wealth of topics including: getting started in Chicago, pitching magic behind the counter, the importance of magic clubs, ethics in magic, creativity, how to fight burnout, and much more. Enjoy!

Episode 68: The illustrious and incomparable Max Maven joins Elliott to discuss popcorn magic, professional wrestling, magic and meaning, how the internet and television have changed magic for better or worse, and more. Max is one of the most prolific figures in the conjuring community, and he has a lot of wisdom to share. Enjoy!

Episode 67: Johnny Thompson, a true living legend, sits down with Elliott to discuss the state of magic, how the Mob made Vegas great, performing a silent club act with his wife as Tomsoni & Co., comedy, music, Charlie Miller and The Professor, his upcoming book, and more. Johnny is a charming raconteur, and this episode is full of gold. Enjoy!

Episode 66: John Archer, award winning comedy magician, writer, and actor, sits down with Elliott to discuss comedy and magic, collaboration, magic on television, and more. John is lovely and hilarious throughout, and his challenge to Elliott near the end of the episode is really a treat. Enjoy!

Episode 65: Anthony is an award winning television producer and executive in the UK, and he’s done thousands of hours of work on magic for television: Derren Brown, Paul Wilson, James Went, John Archer, and more. Anthony is a renowned creator of magic and mentalism, and he discusses his passion and experience with Elliott. Enjoy!

Episode 64: Shawn Eric sits down with Elliott to share stories about Cellini, Johnny Fox, Tom Frank, and more. Shawn has been performing for over 30 years, and we talk about busking, travel, passion, and the difference between distraction and entertainment. Enjoy!

Live: Elliott sits down with Michael Feldman (Ep 36), Raahul Srinivasan (Ep 37), Theron Schaub (Ep 33), and Alex Schaeffer to discuss their experiences of the Golden Gate Gathering, San Francisco's wonderful magic convention. Funny stories, some inside baseball, and a lot of fun. Enjoy!

Episode 63: Jamy Ian Swiss, renowned magical author, thinker, historian, and teacher, sits down with Elliott to discuss the current magic climate, share stories about coming up in New York, sitting with some of the greats, and launching magic shows. Jamy is oozing with knowledge and experience, and you’ll definitely look forward to seeking out some of his work after the episode. Enjoy!

Episode 62: Chris Korn, world traveling magician and raconteur, sits down to share stories of his performing career, insight into your performing context, growing up in the St. Louis magic community, burnout, and more! Outstanding stories and many lessons to learn. Enjoy!

Episode 61: Ben Seidman, a hilarious comedy magician, sits down with Elliott to discuss writing jokes, cruise ship performances, magic on television, hecklers, mean YouTube comments, and more! Chock full of laughs and jokes, listeners of YMIW with Pete Holmes will get a kick out of this one.

Episode 60: Derek Hughes, the Stand Up Magician, sits down with Elliott after a week in the Palace of Mystery at the Magic Castle. In this episode they discuss triumphs and failures, open mics, America’s Got Talent, working as a professional, scripting and improvising, and pens! This episode is chock full of gold from one of the funniest, most talented magicians working today. Enjoy!

Episode 59: Michael “My Turn” Stern sits down with Elliott to chat about HypePlayingCards.com, Cardistry-Con 2017, being a member of the magic castle Junior Program, and his passion for skateboarding. Michael and Elliott have been friends for several years, and this is a fun catch-up between the two. Enjoy!

Episode 58: Scot Nery, host of Boobie Trap in Hollywood and world renowned juggler, comedian, and showman, sits down with Elliott to chat variety shows, comedy, performance theory, and more. Enjoy!

Episode 57: Pop Haydn, 7 time “Performer of the Year” for the Academy of Magical Arts and a certifiable genius, sits down with Elliott to discuss magic and story, character development and backstory, the Magic Castle in the 70’s, and so much more. This episode is dense with gold. Head over to Patreon.com/MagicalThinking to see BTS pictures from the episode, including Dai Vernon’s joke napkin. Enjoy!

Episode 56: Kent Jenkins, Snubby J on YouTube, chats with Elliott about creativity, personal growth, performing authentically, and professional evolution. This is a fun and funny episode where Elliott and Kent share their unguarded opinions, laughs, and stories. Enjoy!

Episode 55: Michael Borys, creator of Elliott's most magical experience and a phenomenal interactive show, The 49 Boxes, sits down to chat about the magic world, puzzles, alternate and augmented reality and creating experiences! This episode is full of gold, and Michael is fascinating and wonderful. Enjoy!

Episode 54: Tony Cabral, contributor to MUM, expert sleight-of-hand magician, and entertainment behind the bar at Legal's Test Kitchen in Boston, sits down with Elliott to discuss gambling themed magic, character development, and more. Enjoy!

Episode 53: Franco Pascali joins Elliott to talk about style, imposter syndrome, putting together new material, and the list of things magician's shouldn't do. Enjoy!

Sneak peaks at the new ArtofMagic.com website, updates for Magical Thinking, and a tease of one of the perks for Elliott's future Patreon! Enjoy!

Episode 52: Brad Henderson, magician, creator, and consultant from Austin, Texas, sits down to discuss the feeling of magic, audience direction and management, taking magic criticism, and more! Brad shares great theory and practical information that you can use to improve your performances. Enjoy!

Episode 51: James Went, magic consultant, BAFTA winning television performer, professional musician, and Welshman, sits down with Elliott to talk about putting together an act for the Magic Castle close-up room, performing magic on television, touring a theatre show, and Steve Vai's Tender Surrender. A fun and funny episode with some great stories. Enjoy!

Episode 50: Frank Olivier, renowned variety performance artist chats with Elliott about Twisted Cabaret, his phenomenal show and the importance of presence when performing. Frank shares some great stories about impossible miracles, and meeting opportunity with preparation. One of Elliott's favorite performers, Frank shares some beautiful insights. Enjoy!

Episode 49: Shane Cobalt sits down to talk magic history, crediting, audience management and appreciation and more. Elliott and Shane have been friends for several years, and they get deep into several obscure stories from magic history. Enjoy!

Episode 48: Demian Aditya, famous magician and illusionist from Indonesia, sits down with Elliott to chat about creativity, passion, international audiences, and more. Enjoy!

Episode 47: Marcie Hume, director of Magicians: Life in the Impossible, sits down to discuss magic and mentalism, art, goals, dreams, and fears, and much more. This is an incredible, personal episode that dives into some of the internal struggles that Marcie and Elliott both face. Enjoy!

Episode 46: Marcus Eddie sits down with Elliott during his stay at the Magic Castle to chat about creativity, consulting, and living life positively. There's a lot of gold ranging over a variety of topics in this short and sweet episode. Enjoy!

Episode 45: Elliott visits Adam Blumenthal and Ricky Smith at Tannen's Magic in NYC. The trio discuss Tannen's Magic's history, the magic camp, Adam's career in stage lighting, working with Ricky Jay, and more! There's a lot of magic history and some fun stories in this one. Enjoy!

Episode 44: Harrison Greenbaum, a very funny comedian and magician in New York, chats with Elliott about stand-up and what magicians should learn from the culture of comedy. Harrison describes the hustle necessary to make it as a stand-up and contrasts that with most magicians' mentalities regarding performance. A hysterical episode with a lot to think about. Enjoy!

Vignette: Today is Elliott's birthday, and he shares how thankful he is for all his listeners! Email him at podcast@artofmagic.com to let him know your thoughts about starting a Facebook group for listeners, and please rate and review the podcast on iTunes! Cheers!

Episode 43: Elliott sits down with Steve Cohen after his final Chamber Magic show of the weekend to discuss magic, life, bespoke clothing, and the old masters. Steve shares some incredible stories regarding his years as the "Millionaires' Magician" and gives us some background regarding his life before the Waldorf Astoria. Enjoy!

Episode 42: Elliott sits down in New York with Doug McKenzie! Doug constantly pushes his magic forward, seeking to innovate in exciting ways, both for himself and as a consultant for film and television. He shares some really great insight into magic performance and living life. Enjoy!

Episode 41: Elliott sits down in New York with one of the best sleight of hand technicians in the world and a dear friend, Tony Chang. Tony is a fascinating guy with strong opinions about magic technique and what performing magic means. It's a great listen. Enjoy!