Podcasts about Amazon Alexa

A full-blown argument breaks out at midnight — not with a person, but with a newly AI-powered Amazon Alexa that flat-out refuses to just try turning on a light. Then, it's a full LA trip recap. Plus, Butterbeer at Harry Potter World lives up to the hype, a Waymo gets trapped, and Southwest Airlines nearly catches a strongly worded email. Get more show at MZNOWWatch the full episode on YouTube:YouTube.com/@michaelzavalaFollow the Guys:Michael Zavala @michaelzavalaEric Star @mrericstarClark @justsimplyclarkFollow the Show:Instagram: @mznowtvwww.MZNOW.tvProduced at mzStudiosmzStudiosDallas.com

Doug Gorman specializes in story telling. And he has lived a full life with stories to tell. He weaves storytelling into his magic that makes it relevant and interesting to his audience. He is an award winning magician and also a creator of some unique, rather bizarre “artifacts” that he sells at conventions and online. But one thing that makes him stand out, is his relationship with Richard Turner. For many years, Doug has been the “driver” for Richard taking him not only around town, but also across the country to lectures and corporate gigs. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week, Doug tells us stories from his experience working as a restaurant magician and lots of great, behind the scenes stories while traveling with Richard Turner, including the genesis of the Gold Seal card deck. Learn a little more about some of the original products that Doug Gorman makes and sells in this video. Let Me Tell You A Story Scott Wells with Doug Gorman Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. Enter the Drawing for a Chance to Win a Copy of "Know Brainer" by Michael Breggar Sign up with your name and email address for a chance to win a FREE copy of one of these books. There will be a total of SIX copies awarded. First Name Last Name Email Address enter now! Please only submit your name and email address once. You will be automatically entered into the contest for a chance to win one of two books. This is a hard copy of a book published by H&R Magic Books that will be mailed postpaid by Charlie Randall. This is open to all who can legally enter; however, any winners who reside outside the U.S. must agree to pay for foreign shipping.We respect your privacy. We will only share your email address with the author. Thank you for entering the drawing. There will be six winners in this drawing. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be notified on how to order your book from Michael Breggar. If you reside outside of the U.S., then you will be notified how much you will owe for foreign shipping. Good luck!

Bob Bengal worked for Hitachi for many years as their “in house” magician. That meant that he had all the benefits like insurance, vacation, 401-K, etc. He was responsible not only for performing at their trade show booths around the world, but also for playing golf with their premiere customers and keeping them happy. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize In this week's chat with Bob, he talks about how he got the job with Hitachi and why he left it. He also talks about and shares performing tips for “behind the trade show booth” to help attract crowds at the booth. You can find the trick we talked about in this week's episode, “Fusillade” (multiple card location) on Doc Eason's website as a DVD at: https://doceason.com/product/fusillade-the-dvd/ The original book is out of print but available for about a hundred bucks on Amazon or eBay. The Dream Job Scott Wells with Bob Bengel Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. Enter the Drawing for a Chance to Win a Copy of "Know Brainer" by Michael Breggar Sign up with your name and email address for a chance to win a FREE copy of one of these books. There will be a total of SIX copies awarded. First Name Last Name Email Address enter now! Please only submit your name and email address once. You will be automatically entered into the contest for a chance to win one of two books. This is a hard copy of a book published by H&R Magic Books that will be mailed postpaid by Charlie Randall. This is open to all who can legally enter; however, any winners who reside outside the U.S. must agree to pay for foreign shipping.We respect your privacy. We will only share your email address with the author. Thank you for entering the drawing. There will be six winners in this drawing. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be notified on how to order your book from Michael Breggar. If you reside outside of the U.S., then you will be notified how much you will owe for foreign shipping. Good luck!

Private investigator Cassie Crofts from Venus Investigations goes viral for spotting the same pattern every time: men heading to a car wash right before meeting their affair partner. Not to cover their tracks, but to impress. We are both appalled and unsurprised. Cassie also reveals that cheaters are getting caught via Amazon Alexa voice history, a secret password protected shared note in the iPhone Notes app that nobody thinks to check, and suddenly developing new hobbies and taste in music that have clearly been influenced by someone else. If your Apple Pay guy is suddenly paying cash for everything, that is also a red flag. Three quarters of people who call a PI turn out to be right. Trust your gut.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Howell and Jeff Jarvis break down everything from Google I/O 2026, where the company made its strongest case yet for winning the AI race. Gemini 3.5 Flash and Gemini Spark were unveiled, AI agents are now doing the searching instead of returning links, and Google's reach extended into design, science, YouTube, and shopping. Jason also demos Genie World Models live.Also in this episode: Andrej Karpathy joins Anthropic, Anthropic acquires a major dev tools startup, Amazon Alexa+ can now generate podcast episodes, Elon Musk's latest lawsuit drama, and a growing American rebellion against AI. Speed round includes the OpenAI IPO, xAI's coding agent, Meta's AR glasses, and more.New episodes every Wednesday at aiinside.show Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. CHAPTERS: 0:04:31 - Everything announced at Google I/O 2026              - Times: How Google Is Starting to Win the A.I. Race 0:22:42 - A new era for AI Search              - Gemini 3.5: frontier intelligence with action 0:27:53 - Google Launches Gemini Spark: A 24/7 AI Agent That Wants to Make You Ditch OpenClaw 0:44:35 - OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy joins Anthropic 0:46:32 - Anthropic has acquired the dev tools startup used by OpenAI, Google, and Cloudflare 0:55:20 - Amazon's new Alexa+ powered feature can generate podcast episodes 0:57:27 - The Art of War, Elon Musk Edition: How to Lose a Lawsuit and Still Claim Victory 0:59:30 - The American Rebellion Against AI Is Gaining Steam 1:01:46 - NextEra Energy to buy Dominion in deal that unites two key players in race to power AI data centers 1:04:42 - Pope Leo XIV will publish his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, on May 25, with Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah joining the launch panel at the Vatican 1:06:25 - Linus Torvalds says AI-powered bug hunters have made Linux security mailing list ‘almost entirely unmanageable' 1:08:57 - Meta brings virtual writing to everyone with Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses 1:10:36 - Musk's xAI Unveils First Coding Agent in Bid to Rival Anthropic 1:10:59 - OpenAI is Preparing to File for an IPO Very Soon Hosts: Jason Howell and Jeff Jarvis Download and subscribe to AI Inside in audio and video: https://aiinside.show/  Support the podcast on Patreon for special perks: https://www.patreon.com/aiinsideshow. You'll get ad-free episodes, members-only Discord, T-shirts and stickers you love, and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's EV News Briefly for Sunday 17 May 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyRIVIAN OPENS R2 CONFIGURATOR EARLYRivian has opened the R2 configurator for reservation holders, with production already underway in Normal, Illinois and some areas seeing delivery windows as short as 1–6 weeks. Only the R2 Performance is currently available at $57,990, offering 656 hp, 330 miles of range, and a 3.6-second 0–60 time, with the R2 Premium and R2 Standard following later in 2026 and 2027 respectively.RIVIAN ASSISTANT REACHES R1 OWNERSRivian has rolled out its AI-powered voice assistant to existing R1T and R1S owners via firmware update 2026.15, replacing Amazon Alexa and activated by saying "Hey, Rivian" or through steering-wheel controls. The system handles navigation, HVAC, and media playback, requires a Connect+ subscription, works only in English, and processes voice recognition on-device to reduce latency.USED EV PRICES LEAD UK MARKETUsed EVs led the UK used car market for price growth in April 2026 for the first time this year, with prices rising 1.1% month on month — the strongest increase of any fuel type. Higher fuel costs and rising demand for alternative-fuel vehicles drove the surge, with used EV sales volumes up 33% in March and April combined compared to January and February.GREEN TECH NOW SHAPES HOME BUYINGResearch by E.On Next found that 93% of 1,000 prospective UK homebuyers want green energy features such as solar panels and EV charging in their next property, with 70% now considering energy technology non-negotiable. Rising energy costs are the main driver for 52% of respondents, and E.On Next's own sales reflect the trend, with solar and battery sales up 182% and heat pump sales up 129% since February 2026.GRIZZL-E CLUB HITS 10,000 MEMBERSCanada's Grizzl-E Club reached 10,000 members on May 14, 2026, doubling its membership in roughly two months since passing 5,000 in March. Run by United Chargers, the no-fee programme uses Clean Fuel Credits to fund free home charging hardware, lifetime warranties, and energy cashback, with members having received CA$300,000 in rewards to date.GERMAN TRIAL TURNS PARKED EVS INTO FERRY BATTERIESA German research project called BIDI-EL will test using parked EVs at a North Sea ferry terminal as temporary energy storage to help charge electric ferries when they return to port. Led by Osnabrück University and ferry operator Norden-Frisia, the €164,894-funded trial combines solar panels, existing fixed battery storage, and EV batteries to maximise renewable energy use, running until January 2027.RISING POWER BILLS HIT EV CHARGING SATISFACTIONThe J.D. Power 2026 U.S. EVX Home Charging Study found that rising electricity costs and poor owner education are reducing EV satisfaction, with Level 1 portable charger satisfaction dropping 12 points year-over-year to 569 out of 1,000. Only 12% of owners have enrolled in utility smart charging programmes despite 69% awareness, and just 20% of buyers received home charging guidance from their dealer.DISNEYLAND AUTOPIA GOES ELECTRIC IN 2027Disneyland will replace the petrol-powered cars on its iconic Autopia ride with electric vehicles in 2027 as part of Disney's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2030, following a $56,000 settlement with the California Air Resources Board over emissions violations. Original Autopia car designer Bob Gurr, now 94, confirmed the new electric cars will keep the same dimensions and track layout, with upgraded lighting and sound effects added.

Episode 428 of The VentureFizz #podcast features Mike Pappas, CEO & Co-Founder of Modulate. Is Boston the best place to build a voice AI company? Based on its rich history in this category, I would have to say 1000%. From the early days of ScanSoft and Dragon to SpeechWorks and Vlingo—all of which eventually fell under the voice juggernaut Nuance, which worked on the early days of Siri and was acquired by Microsoft—the pedigree in this city is unmatched. Add in players like Bose, Vivox, and the sizable presence of Amazon Alexa in the area, and it's clear: Boston is the voice capital of the world. Mike Pappas and his co-founder Carter Huffman are adding a massive new chapter to that legacy and thatis Modulate, a venture-backed voice intelligence company building AI models and APIs designed to understand real-world conversational audio at scale. Modulate is the company behind ToxMod, the world's most advanced proactive voice moderation platform. If you've played Call of Duty lately, you've likely interacted with their tech. And, the company recently launched a new product called Velma, the leading AI-platform for real-world voice intelligence. In this episode of our podcast, we cover: Mike's perspective on the shift from license-based to usage-based pricing models. Mike's background story—from his physics studies at MIT to his early career at Bridgewater Associates. Entering "startup land" at Lola and the critical hiring lessons he learned while working alongside Paul English. The founding of Modulate and the pivotal moment when they realized the tech they built was actually the solution to a massive safety problem in gaming which led to a relationship with Activision. All the details about ToxMod and Velma, including customer examples and use cases. Why their dataset is a "moat" that makes their technology uniquely defensible in the age of generic LLMs. Mike's advice for first-time founders on raising capital and building a high-performance culture. Plus, so much more! This podcast is brought to you by one of the strongest longtime supporters of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors and $44B in loans as of Q4 2025 – SVB delivers expert guidance, specialized products and a team that knows the innovation economy inside and out. Learn more at SVB.com.

ScheduleThursday, May 14, 20269:00 to 11:00 a.m. – Dealer Room Open11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Session #412:30 to 2:00 p.m. – Dealer Room Open2:00 to 3:30 p.m. – Session #56:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Cocktails & Close Up7:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Dinner & Show View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Time stamps for this episode will be posted after I get some sleep. Collector Expo 2026 Day Three Report Scott Wells with van Roessel, Henderson, Blackstone, Dreyer, Levine, Sandy, Boyce, and Smith Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

ScheduleTuesday, May 12, 202610:00 a.m. – Registration Opens1:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Dealer Room Open4:00 to 5:00 p.m. – Session #17:00 to 8:30 p.m. – Session #28:30 to 11:30 p.m. – Dealer Room OpenWednesday, May 13, 20269:00 a.m. – First Group Bus to NYPL/Lincoln Center10:15 a.m. – Second Group Bus to NYPL/Lincoln Center11:30 a.m. – First Group Leaves NYPL/Lincoln Center12:30 to 5:00 p.m. – Dealer Room Open12:30 p.m. – Second Group Leaves NYPL/Lincoln Center7:00 to 8:30 p.m. – Session #38:30 to 11:30 p.m. – Dealer Room Open View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize I will give you the time stamps of who spoke when after I get some sleep. Magic Collector Expo 2026 Days One and Two Scott Wells with Averbook, Beam, Ewing, Holstein, Cohn, Patella, and Charvet Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we start Acts, chapter 10. Specifically, we look at verses 1-18. In Acts 10:1-18, we see God doing something unexpected. A high-ranking soldier named Cornelius—a Roman captain n in command of 100 soldiers—receives a vision from an angel at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Peter, one of Jesus' original disciples, receives a confusing vision about clean and unclean animals. And within hours, these two men—normally natural enemies—are about to meet.Here's what happens: Cornelius is stationed in Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast. He's a devout man who prays regularly and gives generously to the poor. An angel appears to him and tells him to send men to Joppa to find Simon Peter, who is staying with another Simon—a tanner.At the same time, Peter is on a rooftop in Joppa, hungry and praying at noon. He falls into a trance and sees the sky open. A sheet comes down filled with animals—some clean by Jewish law, some unclean. God tells Peter to kill and eat them. Peter refuses because Jewish law forbids eating unclean animals. God tells him three times: "Do not call unclean what I have made clean."God is showing Peter that the rules Peter lived by his whole life—the boundaries between clean and unclean, Jew and Gentile—have changed because of Jesus.Listen now at renewyourmindministries.orgYou can listen to past and future episodes of this podcast and The God Revelation Podcast and the Holy Spirit Podcast on our website   https://renewyourmindministries.org/, or on any podcast platform such as Amazon Alexa, Audible, Apple/Itunes Podcasts, Spotify, iheart, Youtube Podcasts, & etc.

Briana Price is an accomplished American actress, dancer, and director known for her versatility across stage, screen, and behind the camera. Born and raised in Pasadena, California, she earned a degree in Education and History from Columbia University, with a minor in Dance. Her professional journey began as a principal dancer on the acclaimed FOX series Glee, where she performed in multiple episodes during Season 5. This foundation in dance led to additional credits, including appearances on The Neighbors and as dance captain on Nicki Minaj's I Am Still Music Tour and Femme Fatale Tour.Transitioning into acting, Price has delivered compelling performances in a range of notable productions. Her television credits include guest and recurring roles on Shameless, 13 Reasons Why, I Think You Should Leave, and Prom. She has appeared in several Hallmark Channel films, such as Christmas Tree Lane (2020), Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday (2021), Sister Swap: Christmas in the City (2021), and The Holiday Stocking. Additional film work encompasses California King (opposite Joel McHale and Jimmy Tatro), Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 (directed by Kevin Costner), and The Stranger in My Home. She also starred opposite Michael B. Jordan in the Emmy-nominated Amazon Alexa commercial “Alexa's Body.”Price currently portrays Tiffany, a series regular character, in Tyler Perry's Divorced Sistas (Season 1B), alongside Letoya Luckett, Khadeem Ellis, Jennifer Sears, and Porsha Coleman. The series is streaming on Paramount+ and will air on BET and BET+. She will also be featured in the final season of The CW's All American. In addition to performing, she has explored directing, writing, and producing, including her work on the web series Sunday and various short films.A dedicated advocate for Black women in health and education, Price maintains a strong commitment to wellness, writing, reading, and the arts. She resides in Los Angeles, California, and is an active member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity Association. Her career reflects a disciplined approach to storytelling, informed by her dance background and academic foundation, and continues to expand with each project.

Everyone's favorite close-up comedy magician, Bill Malone, joins us this week. He gives us his all including his career, his starring role on a TV show (NCIS Los Angeles) his first magic bar work, learning from a comedian, working trade shows around the world for years, training executives, his relationship with Ed Marlo, opening Malone's Magic Bar in Boca Raton, Florida, his health scare that nearly ended his life, and he tells us about his forthcoming book that will hopefully be released in 2027. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Bill doesn't hold back anything from our candid discussion this week. He talks about his initial reticence in approaching tables as he was getting started, learning how to draw and hold a crowd at a trade show, how he “found” his comedic character, people who influenced his life and career, the development of Malone's Magic Bar in Boca Raton, Florida, his health scare that nearly cost him his life, and his new book. Lots of stuff packed into this episode. Bill Malone - Bill Malone Scott Wells with Bill Malone Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. Visit the website for tickets and more information: https://www.pa1magicclub.org/

Doug Scheer has been performing thousands of school assembly shows since 1987. He has a proven formula that he fine tunes every year as he returns to many of the same schools year after year because of his entertaining and educational programs. There is more to school shows than just considering them as an oversized birthday party show. It involves a lot more business acumen in booking the shows and keeping clients happy. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize I am not a children's entertainer, but I know a lot of listeners specialize in that field, so I think it's important to bring you experts in this field to help share their experience and perhaps encourage you to pursue such a lucrative career. In this week's episode, Doug shares a lot of the secrets behind his success, including how he has franchised his magic show to allow others to perform his routines in their school assembly shows. He has been a featured speaker/lecturer at kid show conventions where he has opened his books to anyone willing to make the effort. Scheer Sharing Scott Wells with Doug Scheer Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. This week's sponsor is the S.A.M. Parent Assembly #1 Salute to Magic. Please click on the graphic above for more information.

You know that feeling when your brain never turns off? You're tracking school schedules, library days, appointments, permission slips, grocery lists… and somehow, even when everyone else is “helping,” you're still the one holding it all together. That's not because you're better at remembering. It's because you've become the default. In this episode, I'm talking with AI strategist Sarah Dooley about something that might surprise you: how AI tools can actually reduce your mental load (without replacing your thinking or turning you into a robot). And before you roll your eyes thinking “I don't need another complicated system to manage”… this is different. These are simple, real-life ways to take the constant remembering, tracking, and planning off your plate—so you can actually feel present again. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why moms so often become the “default memory keeper” in the family How the mental load affects your connection with your kids (especially in everyday moments) Simple ways to use AI tools for family organization and scheduling How to stop being the one reminding everyone of everything Practical examples of using AI for meal planning, packing, and daily routines How to use AI to prioritize your to-do list when everything feels equally urgent What to know about AI safety and choosing tools that align with your values Why This Matters When your brain is constantly holding everything together, it's exhausting. And it's not just about being busy—it's about how that constant mental tracking pulls you out of the moments that actually matter. Instead of enjoying your morning coffee or connecting with your kids, you're running through checklists and reminding everyone what they forgot. What Sarah shares in this episode isn't about doing more. It's about finally having support in the invisible work you've been carrying alone. Because the goal isn't to manage everything better—it's to stop having to manage everything at all. Resources Mentioned AI tools for moms: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot Voice-to-text tool: Whisper Flow AI-powered voice assistants (like Amazon Alexa) for reminders and routines Sarah Dooley's AI Empowered Mom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Stapleton is one of those magicians who has seen it all and now in his 60's could easily set his remaining days on “cruise control” for the rest of his life; however, that is not who he is. He was a cruise magician for 23 years and served as a cruise director, too. Early in his career, he performed in Circus World where he got his chops at performing illusions. But his passion and goal was always to work on Main Street in Disney World as a demonstrator in the magic shop. That opportunity came to him and he loved his days doing it. He also appeared on America's Got Talent [sic] where he was summarily dismissed, but he has a good story about that. In his semi-retirement he has managed a resort hotel in Orlando and now coordinates the Florida State Magic Collectors conferences. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Dan has so many stories that they would fill a book. He has recounted many of them in VANISH Magazine over the years in his column. But this week he shares some of those stories, and more, as he opens up about his experience being voted off of AGT yet how even today, it still helps him book shows. He chats about the status of magic on cruise ships, magic conventions, and more. On Cruise Control Scott Wells with Dan Stapleton Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. This week's sponsor is the S.A.M. Parent Assembly #1 Salute to Magic. Please click on the graphic above for more information.

Send us Fan MailWhat if everything you thought was impossible is actually possible in Jesus? In this episode, we're exploring the raw, undeniable power of Christ through two extraordinary miracles that changed everything—a paralyzed man who walked, and a woman brought back from death itself.But this isn't just ancient history. This is about your situation right now. Whatever feels hopeless, broken, or dead in your life—your marriage, your dreams, your faith, your health—Jesus is still in the business of resurrection and restoration.We'll dive deep into what Peter witnessed, what it meant to the early church, and more importantly, what it means for you today. Because in Jesus, no circumstance is too far gone. No dream is too dead. No person is beyond His reach.If you're ready to move from doubt to faith, from despair to hope, from death to life—this episode will anchor your soul in the unchanging, unstoppable power of Jesus Christ.You can listen to past and future episodes of this podcast and The God Revelation Podcast and the Holy Spirit Podcast on our website   https://renewyourmindministries.org/, or on any podcast platform such as Amazon Alexa, Audible, Apple/Itunes Podcasts, Spotify, iheart, Youtube Podcasts, & etc.

For many decades, Joe Eddie and Betty Fairchild were “road warriors” traversing the country to perform at state and country fairs. They toured with assistants and even a big cat that kept them on the road over 40 weeks out of the year. At one point, they had a residency in Las Vegas at the Riviera with their big show. Now retired from trouping and performing, Joe Eddie has retired to Florida where he builds quality hand-made props and cases for professional magicians. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize In this week's episode, Joe Eddie gives us a walking tour of his workshop during the first half hour of our chat. Then Betty joins us during the last half to enliven the mood and share stories from the road from her perspective. I think one of the best stories they shared is the one about the inspector who “inspected” their big cat during a break at one of their shows. Playing Fairs Scott Wells with Joe Eddie and Betty Fairchild Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

This episode is brought to you by the MLflow team. Check out more information at MLflow.org.Mihail Eric is Head of AI at Monaco and Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University, where he teaches CS146S: "The Modern Software Developer" — the first course in the world dedicated to how AI is transforming every stage of the software development lifecycle. With 12+ years building production AI systems at Amazon Alexa, Storia AI (YC S24), and early-stage startups, Mihail has one of the most grounded, practitioner-level takes on what it actually means to be a software engineer in 2026.The Modern Software Engineer // MLOps Podcast #370 with Mihail Eric, Head of AI at Monaco

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Renewing Your Mind with the Word of God, we walk verse-by-verse through Acts 9:20-31 and witness one of the most stunning transformations in Scripture: Saul, the fierce persecutor of the church, becomes its boldest preacher.Immediately after his encounter with the risen Jesus, Saul enters the synagogues of Damascus and begins proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God and the promised Messiah. His Pharisee training, once used to hunt down believers, now becomes a powerful tool for defending the gospel. We'll explore how God uses Saul's background, why the Jewish leaders plotted to kill him, and how he escaped Damascus lowered in a basket through the city wall.You can listen to past and future episodes of this podcast and The God Revelation Podcast and the Holy Spirit Podcast on our website   https://renewyourmindministries.org/, or on any podcast platform such as Amazon Alexa, Audible, Apple/Itunes Podcasts, Spotify, iheart, Youtube Podcasts, & etc.

Magic dealer, creator, consultant, lecturer, and performer, Paul Richards joins us this week as we talk about a treasure chest full of topics. Paul has been at the epicenter of innovation first as a brick and mortar magic shop owner, then online dealer, coordinator of one day magic events, as well as a well-known and highly respected magic dealer. He is often seen at all of the large magic conventions like Blackpool, MAGIC Live!, Magifest, and others.As a result of being in the forefront of magic innovation, keep that in perspective as you listen to this week's episode. You will see some trends that have started and perhaps get some idea of where we're going…at least from Paul's perspective. But you can use your own precognitive powers to prognosticate what the future of magic will bring us. This is just your “leaping off” place. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Paul has recently returned from the Blackpool magic convention in England and has a lot to say about that event But he also attends many other conventions throughout the year as a dealer and he gives us his perspective on their differences. He was the creator of the “Real Magic Roadshow” that featured a handful of magic creators in a sort of one day mini-convention. He also talks this week about his Elmwood Magic Shop which was a brick and mortar shop in Buffalo, New York, and the future of these storefront shops versus online sellers. Magic Trends Scott Wells with Paul Richards Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Michael Breggar is a columnist for The Linking Ring journal (the house organ for the I.B.M.) and has written dozens of articles about putting new scripting ideas to old close-up tricks. He has also authored several books that fit his style and are quite cleverly written. For example, “The Expert at the Cod Table” by S.W. Ordfish and “Raiders of the Lost Card” by “Jerseyana” Michael Breggar. These tongue-in-cheek titles give a glimpse into his comical and satirical thinking and writing.Michael has also invented and marketed several magic tricks (mostly with a comedic mental twist) that are part of some professional magician's repertoires. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize The reason I wanted to talk with my friend on the podcast this week was to let the rest of the magic community into his creative mind with the hopes that listeners will be inspired to think of some of the old tricks that they (we) have been performing for years and consider updating them with clever new scripting. But our conversation quickly becomes quite deep as we talk about the importance of building a strong routine and act using the three legs of building a show. In a world of short attention span, we should consider the importance of how every little thing matters that influences our audience's perception of our magic. Everything Matters Scott Wells with Michael Breggar Download Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Leadership and Cultural Differences with Dawn Stallwood Dawn Stallwood is a Corporate Counsel, Chief Integrity Officer, and the author of Beautiful Leadership, known for her work at the intersection of governance, power, and people. With nearly three decades of experience, she has advised founders, boards, and senior executives across industries and international markets on complex deals, business growth, crisis management, and long-term legacy. Her expertise is particularly relevant in today's global environment, where leadership and cultural differences increasingly shape how organizations succeed or fail. Before founding her current platform, Dawn was a partner at a UK Top 100 law firm and became one of only 770 Notaries Public in the United Kingdom. This background gives her a rare combination of legal precision and strategic insight. Over the years, she has worked with leadership teams navigating not only high-stakes decisions but also the challenges that arise from leadership and cultural differences in multinational settings. Today, Dawn leads Floodlight Business, an integrity-driven platform designed to help leaders build resilient, human-centered organizations. Her work focuses on aligning commercial success with ethical leadership, a balance that is often overlooked in traditional corporate environments. In a world where businesses operate across borders, understanding leadership and cultural differences is no longer optional—it is essential for maintaining trust, cohesion, and performance. At the core of her work is the Beautiful Leadership framework, a proprietary approach that redefines what effective leadership looks like. Rather than focusing solely on results or authority, Dawn emphasizes intention, empathy, and service. This perspective is particularly relevant in organizations dealing with leadership and cultural differences, where misalignment can lead to conflict, inefficiency, and lost opportunities. Her framework equips leaders to navigate these complexities with clarity and integrity. Dawn's approach is also forward-looking. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, she argues that character will become a defining factor in leadership effectiveness. Technical skills and competence remain important, but they are no longer sufficient on their own. Leaders must also demonstrate emotional intelligence and cultural awareness, especially when managing diverse teams. This is where leadership and cultural differences play a critical role, influencing communication, decision-making, and overall organizational culture. Through her advisory work, speaking engagements, and writing, Dawn challenges leaders to rethink their approach. She encourages them to move beyond transactional leadership models and adopt a more human-centered mindset. Her message is clear: organizations that take leadership and cultural differences seriously are better positioned to adapt, innovate, and sustain long-term success. In summary, Dawn Stallwood brings a distinctive voice to modern leadership. By combining deep legal expertise with a strong focus on integrity and human dynamics, she helps leaders navigate complexity in a globalized world. Her work is particularly valuable for organizations seeking to bridge leadership and cultural differences and build cultures that are both high-performing and ethically grounded. Her tip to become more culturally competent is: Make sure you have the right set of hearing aids and contact lenses; it's about tuning in to the other person. To see the things that were meant to be seen and to hear the things that were meant to be heard. Links mentioned in the podcast: https://thebeautifulleader.com/ https://floodlightbusiness.com/ https://companynotary.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/impactwithintegrity/ Want to avoid the most common mistakes when working internationally? Read this article. More stories and culture can be found here. Culture Matters The Culture Matters Podcast on International Business & Management Podcast Build your Cultural Competence, listen to interesting stories, learn about the cultural pitfalls and how to avoid them, and get the Global perspective here at the Culture Matters podcast on International Business. We help you understand Cultural Diversity better by interviewing real people with real experiences. Every episode there is an interview with a prominent guest, who will tell his or her story and share international experiences. Helping you develop your cultural competence. Welcome to this culture podcast and management podcast. To Subscribe to this Management Podcast, Click here. The Culture Matters Culture Podcast. Available on iTunes and Stitcher Radio Click here to get the podcast on Spotify Talk to your Amazon Alexa and listen to the Podcast Listen directly on Amazon If you have a minute, please leave me an honest rating and review on iTunes by clicking here. It will help the visibility and the ranking of this culture podcast on iTunes immensely! A BIG THANK YOU! Enjoy this FREE culture podcast! Music: Song title - Bensound.com More Ways of Listening: Get a Taste of How Chris Presents, Watch his TEDx Talk     Name Email Address Phone Number Message 15 + 11 = Send Call Direct: +32476524957   European Office (Paris) Whatsapp: +32476524957   The Americas (USA; Atlanta, GA; también en Español):  +1 678 301 8369 Book Chris Smit as a Speaker If you're looking for an Engaging, Exciting, and Interactive speaker on the subject of Intercultural Management & Awareness you came to the right place. Chris has spoken at hundreds of events and to thousands of people on the subject of Cultural Diversity & Cultural Competence. This is What Others Say About Chris: “Very Interactive and Engaging” “In little time he knew how to get the audience inspired and connected to his story” “His ability to make large groups of participants quickly and adequately aware of the huge impact of cultural differences is excellent” “Chris is a dedicated and inspirational professional” In addition, his presentations can cover specific topics cultural topics, or generally on Cultural differences. Presentations can vary anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours and are given worldwide. Book Chris now by simply sending an email. Click here to do so. Read more about what Chris can do for you. Percentage of People Rating a Presentation as Excellent 86% 86% Rating the Presentation as Practical 89% 89% Applicability of Chris' presentation 90% 90% About Peter van der Lende Peter has joined forces with Culture Matters. Because he has years and years of international business development experience joining forces therefore only seemed logical. Being born and raised in the Netherlands, he has lived in more than 9 countries of which most were in Latin America. He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) with his family. You can find out more at https://expand360.com/ Or find out what Peter can do for you here.

John Guastaferro has his priorities straight. He thinks of others before himself. From his magic career to his professional life as a director on the board of Hundai's “Hope on Wheels” philanthropic organization. John has just released the third book in his close-up card magic trilogy “The Final Degree.” In these books, John emphasizes how small degrees of change can make a big difference in the effect on your audience. You can see how he puts his work into action when he performs in the Close-Up Gallery of the Magic Castle. As to his philanthropic activities, John works with this group several months out of the year in helping raise money for cancer research in children. And as if that doesn't keep him busy enough, he is also an accomplished flamenco-style guitar player. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize John Guastaferro as the executive director for Hyundai Hope On Wheels and Genesis Inspiration Foundation, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Guastaferro is responsible for advancing the missions of both foundations while maintaining current successes, driving program growth, developing diversified revenue streams, and building greater community awareness. As you can imagine, that takes a lot of his time throughout the year and we discuss all that in this week's episode. John is a regular performer at the Magic Castle and we chat during the first few minutes about what it was like for his first time at working there and how others may overcome their hesitancy of auditioning to perform there. When we recorded this episode, his new book “The Final Degree” was about to be released. It is now available through the publisher, Vanishing, Inc. and other fine magic shops. We also talk a little bit about his passion with the guitar. This flamenco-styiings feature original compositions that can be heard on iTunes and Spotify, among other platforms and I highly recommend listening to it. It is very soothing and relaxing music. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. The Nth Degree and Final Degree by John Guastaferro Sign up with your name and email address for a chance to win a FREE copy of one of these books. First Name Last Name Email Address enter now! Please only submit your name and email address once. You will be automatically entered into the contest for a chance to win one of two books. This is a hard copy of a book published by Vanishing, Inc. but John agreed to pay for foreign shipping, should a winner reside outside the U.S.We respect your privacy. We will only share your email address with the author. Thank you for entering the contest. There will be two winners in this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be notified on how to order your book from John Guastaferro. Good luck!

Dean Carnegie is the host of The Magic Detective podcast. He has blown past 100 episodes and there appears no stopping in sight. His podcast takes deep dives into the lives and worlds of magicians (mostly from yesteryear) and released sporadically as his research unearths something of interest. Beyond his podcast and blogging, he is also an accomplished artist having painted the visages of several magicians from our history. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week Dean tells us how he got involved in producing his podcast and his interest in magic history. He also tells us about his lifelong passion for art and some of the people who inspired his artwork. For more information on the Needles Swallowing trick, but sure to read the blog on this classical effect on Dean's website by Clicking Here. Whether you are a collector, magic historian, or aficionado of art, you are sure to enjoy this week's episode. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Today on the St. Patrick's Day edition of the Woody and Wilcox Show: Woody has a consultation with a doctor for his gallbladder; St. Patrick's Day; Stuck in Space-a book about the astronauts on the Starliner mission who were stuck in space; Amazon Alexa now has a sassy mode; Do not put garlic in your behind; Vacations with children are best when the child is 8 years old; And more!

Discover the latest developments in smart home technology, from Matter-certified devices popping up in big box stores to the challenges and opportunities with AI assistants. Join guest Jennifer Pattison Tuohy from The Verge and your regular host Andrew O'Hara as they share insights into the industry's future, recent product launches, and their personal experiences navigating smart home ecosystems.Key topics:The evolution and significance of Matter-certified smart home products seen at Lowe's and CESHow Apple's transition away from the HomeKit branding impacts smart home standards and consumer perceptionPerformance and limitations of Amazon Alexa+ and Google Assistant, and their comparison to SiriThe decline of new ecosystems and the long game of device adoption, especially for cameras and sensorsChallenges with smart thermostats in seasonal climate swings and how to manage off-season devicesSonos's new portable speakers, including the Play and Aero 100 SL, and their potential use casesThe impact of delayed Apple smart home devices like the next-gen HomePod and Apple TVHow natural language control and profiles could streamline smart home automation and troubleshootingPersonal stories: managing offline devices, system reinitialization, and unresponsive smart itemsInsights into marketing strategies for Matter products and how branding affects consumer choicesThe evolution of AI assistants and their place within smart homes—limitations, potential, and future improvementsSend me your smart home questions and recommendations with the hashtag #SmartHomeInsider. Tweet and follow your host at:@andrew_osu on Twitter@andrewohara941 on ThreadsEmail me hereSponsored by:CleanMyMac: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code SMARTHOME for 20% off at https://clnmy.com/SMARTHOME.Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/homekitSmart Home Insider YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel and watch our episodes every week! Click here to subscribe.Links from the showWired: Alexa+ is StrugglingHomePod & Apple TV delayedMore Apple Home Hub rumorsSonos launches Era 100 SL & PlayJen Tuohy on The VergeThose interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: andrew@appleinsider.com

The National President of the S.A.M. is often referred to as “Most Illustrious.” This week's guest, John Midgley, is a Past National President and also a “Most Wonderful Illustrator” creating magic posters and graphic novels. As a magician, he is one of the house magicians at Nashville's “House of Cards” where he regularly entertains at the card table. Not content with just those vocations/hobbies, John can also play multiple musical instruments. Oh, and his “regular” job during the day is as a Licensed Therapist. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week John talks about how, during the COVID lockdown, he learned to create art using his digital tablet. He likes to create magic posters for many who have not been as well recognized in the magic community with their own original artwork. He also tells us about how he came to perform magic later in life after first pursuing a career as a Licensed Therapist. He talks about balancing his two careers (therapy and magic) with the duties of a father, too. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. Click on the image above to visit the website where you can get more information on this book and order your copy. Strolling for Dollars: How You Can Make a Living Doing Close-Up Magic Sign up with your name and email address for a chance to win a FREE copy. First Name Last Name Email Address enter now! This book is “print on demand” so this contest is open to our listeners in the U.S. (of course) but also in Canada and the U.K.We respect your privacy. We will only share your email address with the author. Thank you for entering the contest. There will only be one winner in this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be notified on how to order your book from Jason Bird. Good luck!

We hope you enjoy this episode from 2024!   Wyrd Mountain Gals How Did We Get On Truth Social? Episode Airs   Sunday   3-17-24   7pm EST Episode Link here:  https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-2vb29-15b09f5 The gals find out the podcast is listed on both Amazon (Alexa) & Truth Social.  Wait...what?  We hear about Byron's last trip to the Appalachian Studies conference at Western Carolina University & what's coming up in a few days.  There's a quick mention of politics & our soon to be robot overlords.  Byron recounts one of her "crazy dreams".   Quote:  Was it Bizarr-O?  Was it Strange-O?  What was that? ~ BB We hope you enjoy!       #WyrdMountainGals #CultClassic #ByronBallard #DigitalWitchery        

Once upon a time in a distant place near the Sands and Stardust of our memories was a kingdom below the desert called Caesar's Magic Empire. Well known magicians performed there among many younger, magicians who became very well known after they honed their craft before thousands of diners and revelers.Yes, this was a real place (but not below ground) that was a premier, immersive dinner-show attraction at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, operating from 1997 to 2002. Many fledgling magicians got their start there, one of whom is our guest in this episode: Jason Bird.Today Jason is a successful magician who specializes in close-up strolling and has recently written the ultimate treatise on the craft called, “Strolling for Dollars.” View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week Jason tells us about how a young teenage boy left home in search of the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip and found himself as regular, strolling magician at the new Caesar's Magic Empire. For those who never visited the kingdom or even if you did visit, everyone should enjoy a fun trip back through time as we visit the Empire in our minds. Also, Jason and Scott give us some tips and advice for strolling magic (trick selection, marketing, handling audiences, etc.) many of which come from Jason's new book “Strolling for Dollars.” Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. Click on the image above to visit the website where you can get more information on this book and order your copy. Strolling for Dollars: How You Can Make a Living Doing Close-Up Magic Sign up with your name and email address for a chance to win a FREE copy. First Name Last Name Email Address enter now This book is “print on demand” so this contest is open to our listeners in the U.S. (of course) but also in Canada and the U.K.We respect your privacy. We will only share your email address with the author. Thank you for entering the contest. There will only be one winner in this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be notified on how to order your book from Jason Bird. Good luck!

When in Las Vegas, most magicians plan to see shows by other magicians like Mike Hammer, Mac King, David Copperfield, and others. But there are other attractions not to be missed whilst visiting Sin City. One major attraction (in terms of both scope and physical size) is the Neon Museum. Just a few blocks from the downtown Fremont Street Experience lies one of the best kept secrets of the city. As casinos, hotels, motels, coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants turn out their lights for their last time, the glitz lives on at this outdoor museum. It is a feast for the eyes whether you go during the day or night. Both deliver extraordinary visual awe as you view the past to see some of these iconic signs that don't just live in history but now reside in their own “boneyard.” This week, Johann Rucker, one of the museum's curators tells us about the history of the museum and, perhaps why it is of historical importance to magicians. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Among the many signs and lights in the museum lies the statue of Siegfried and Roy. When the Mirage was torn down along with the Secret Garden, that left the statue of the legendary duo standing alone on the Strip. To preserve it from seeing the wrecking ball or local dump (or going in someone's private museum), the Neon Museum decided to preserve and display it in their outdoor exhibit. Though it has no neon lights adorning or shining on it, it stands now preserved among the rest of the historical landmarks as Siegfried and Roy take their spot in history for the world to see and remember how they changed the face of Las Vegas forever. The official unveiling of the statue is expected to take place on April 25, 2026. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

  Investing and cultural differences with Remco Coerman Remco Coerman is a Strategic Advisor in Wealth Protection & International Investment Structures, specializing in helping internationally mobile individuals and families safeguard assets across jurisdictions. In this episode, we explore how investing and cultural differences shape financial decision-making, risk perception, and long-term planning strategies. Remco explains that successful cross-border structuring is not just about tax efficiency or legal vehicles, but also about understanding how investing and cultural differences influence trust, governance, and intergenerational wealth transfer. Drawing on decades of experience, he outlines practical frameworks for aligning strategy with mindset, demonstrating why mastering investing and cultural differences is essential in a globalized financial landscape. His tips to become more culturally competent are: Listen to the other person (we're both Dutch and we're right), keep your mouth shut. Keep your own opinion to yourself. "If you ask me..." but nobody wants to hear this, and nobody is asking you. Look for a life partner outside your own country. It will give you a wealth of experience. Links mentioned in the podcast: https://www.epicedges.group https://www.linkedin.com/in/remcocoerman/ Want to avoid the most common mistakes when working internationally? Read this article. Investing and cultural differences with Remco Coerman More stories and culture can be found here. Culture Matters The Culture Matters Podcast on International Business & Management Podcast Build your Cultural Competence, listen to interesting stories, learn about the cultural pitfalls and how to avoid them, and get the Global perspective here at the Culture Matters podcast on International Business. We help you understand Cultural Diversity better by interviewing real people with real experiences. Every episode there is an interview with a prominent guest, who will tell his or her story and share international experiences. Helping you develop your cultural competence. Welcome to this culture podcast and management podcast. To Subscribe to this Management Podcast, Click here. The Culture Matters Culture Podcast. Available on iTunes and Stitcher Radio Click here to get the podcast on Spotify Talk to your Amazon Alexa and listen to the Podcast Listen directly on Amazon If you have a minute, please leave me an honest rating and review on iTunes by clicking here. It will help the visibility and the ranking of this culture podcast on iTunes immensely! A BIG THANK YOU! Enjoy this FREE culture podcast! Music: Song title - Bensound.com More Ways of Listening: Get a Taste of How Chris Presents, Watch his TEDx Talk     Name Email Address Phone Number Message 2 + 2 = Send Call Direct: +32476524957   European Office (Paris) Whatsapp: +32476524957   The Americas (USA; Atlanta, GA; también en Español):  +1 678 301 8369 Book Chris Smit as a Speaker If you're looking for an Engaging, Exciting, and Interactive speaker on the subject of Intercultural Management & Awareness you came to the right place. Chris has spoken at hundreds of events and to thousands of people on the subject of Cultural Diversity & Cultural Competence. This is What Others Say About Chris: “Very Interactive and Engaging” “In little time he knew how to get the audience inspired and connected to his story” “His ability to make large groups of participants quickly and adequately aware of the huge impact of cultural differences is excellent” “Chris is a dedicated and inspirational professional” In addition, his presentations can cover specific topics cultural topics, or generally on Cultural differences. Presentations can vary anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours and are given worldwide. Book Chris now by simply sending an email. Click here to do so. Read more about what Chris can do for you. Percentage of People Rating a Presentation as Excellent 86% 86% Rating the Presentation as Practical 89% 89% Applicability of Chris' presentation 90% 90% About Peter van der Lende Peter has joined forces with Culture Matters. Because he has years and years of international business development experience joining forces therefore only seemed logical. Being born and raised in the Netherlands, he has lived in more than 9 countries of which most were in Latin America. He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) with his family. You can find out more at https://expand360.com/ Or find out what Peter can do for you here.

As Monty Python would say, "and now for something completely different.” This podcast tries to explore all facets of our jewel we call magic. And one part of our entertainment community has its roots in the side show. Specifically, in the early to mid-1900's magicians were part of the traveling carnivals and performed side show acts using such illusions as the stocks, blade box, and more. But as the magicians went to the legitimate stage, the other side show performers stayed behind as independent nomads. But their business of finding work is just as important as magicians trying to find work. And for “freaks” in today's world, there are fewer venues (and perhaps audiences) who can “stomach” watching some of their acts. Moreover, freaks have become less shocking as being obesely overweight and covered in tattoos are now common sites at your local WalMart shopping centers. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week Lizard Man tells us about why he chose to pursue a life and a lifestyle different from the “norm” and his commitment to getting tattoos and body piercings all over his body. But part of the focus of our conversation is how similar yet different our two crafts are when it comes to marketing. Magicians have a community to help, support, and direct, but the side show community is less giving and supportive. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Jay Alexander is a mentalist who operates and performs at the San Francisco Magic Theater. More than just a mentalist, Jay performs across the country and even entertains as half-time entertainment at major sporting events. He has been a resident of San Fran since 1986 and has seen it go through a lot of changes, including Earthquake McGoon's where a trove of Carter posters was unearthed. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Jay has a lot of great advice for performers and mentalists in this episode. Having an expansive background in mentalism, he has “cracked the code” to make mentalism seen, heard, and entertaining in the loud environment of basketball stadiums. He shares ideas with us this week along with stories about his theater and Earthquake McGoon's. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Depending upon how you look at it, time passes either slow or fast. It was nearly 50 years ago that we began learning magic in a whole new way: video. Prior to that, most magic was learned through books, magazines, lectures, or through an apprenticeship that was passed on from one magician to another. In some ways it seems that our evolution moved slowly from video tape to where we are today with digital images.In the late 1970's, Bob Yorburg, went into the studios and recorded a two volume VHS set where he taught close-up magic. It wasn't long after that before others ran through the door. I was one of those who watched that video set over and over and learned many of my early routines from Bob. He transitioned from one character to another before he found his true passion, refurbishing old magic props, carving Punch and Judy dolls, and working on band organs. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week Bob Yorburg tells us about how he came to produce those first video tapes, plus his work as the first Burger King in New York. He apparently worked in many other commercials besides the hamburger giant and he has some great stories. As mentioned, his passion is now carving carousel animals, carousel band organs, Punch and Judy dolls, and is respected and awarded in that field. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Brian Brushwood has been on my radar for the podcast almost since i first began 15 years ago. Since he lives in the Austin area, I always felt I would have time to chat and feature him on an episode. As we approach 1,000 episodes, I'm beginning to shift some guests from the back burner to the front. My son Nick, interned with Brian when he was in the thick of the college circuit in the early 2000's. That was the genesis of many of the future endeavors taken on by Brian like Scam School, Modern Rogue, and even the World's Greatest Con which define Brian's current trajectory.Brian has been and continues to be a trailblazer in our magic community having begun his his own magic career in 1993. He has since garnered the support and admiration of some of magic's biggest names including Jeff McBride, and Teller, one half of the Penn and Teller duo, and even David Copperfield.Since beginning his career in magic, Brushwood has authored six books, including Cheats, Cons, Swindles & Tricks: 57 Ways to Scam a Free Drink; Pack the House: The Ultimate, Ever-Growing Guide to Increasing Attendance to YOUR Campus Events(co-authored with C.J. Johnson); and the Professionals Guide to Fire Eating.Brushwood has made several TV and radio appearances, including appearances on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Roseanne Show, E! Entertainment Television's Talk Soup, the WB's Steve Harveys Big Time, Tech TVs Unscrewed with Martin Sargent, CMTs Most Wanted Live, BBCs The Paul Coyte Show, Westwood One's “Don and Mike Show,” ABC-TV's “The Debra Duncan Show, “The Shannon Burke Show” on KJFK-FM, Dudley and Bob” on KLBJ-FM, “The Morning Zoo” on KASE-FM, as well as news affiliates for ABC, FOX, CBS and Time-Warner. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Brian Brushwood is a magician, podcaster, author, lecturer and comedian. Brushwood is known for the series Scam School, a show where he teaches the audience entertaining tricks at bars so they can "scam" a free drink from their friends. In addition to Scam School, Brushwood hosts Hacking the System on National Geographic Channel and also hosts the podcasts Weird Things, Cordkillers, and Night Attack. Brushwood has been a regular guest on This Week in Tech and previously hosted Game On! with Veronica Belmont on TWiT.Among the many suggestions and links for you to follow, I heartily suggest you follow The World's Greatest Con by Clicking Here. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Joel Bauer stands tall in the legendary hall of trade show performers and motivational speakers. More than an entertainer, Joel provides information to potential clients through his unique and boisterous approach of commanding attention at trade shows making him a fusion of both entertainment and information making him that ultimate “infotainer.” Love him or hate him, there is no denying his financial success that he has derived from the industry and from teaching others how to find success, too. He spoke at MAGIC Live among so many other places and he offers these gifts to you!Video Sampling From Dozens Of My Television Appearances: https://vimeo.com/infotainer/review/27267707/c9ca88fa42 Watch Five Minute Of Proof From My Past On Trade Show Floors: https://vimeo.com/infotainer/review/126403524/1378c5a9db You may truly enjoy this NEVER released footage of me lecturing on my Trade Show process and success for over two decades at a MagicLive Magic Convention: https://vimeo.com/infotainer/review/136051637/7e3669c48f If you want to cut to the most significant 100 minutes revealing precisely how I CREATED the CROWDS, CONVEYED COMPANIES CUSTOM MESSAGES, AND COLLECTED RECORD LEAD GENERATION – Watch This Edited Section: https://vimeo.com/infotainer/review/142451020/4f20e464b8 View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Here is one of his books for free download that will teach you both magic and business at the same time! My best selling book: https://we.tl/5t3SF9SVfE His Best Selling Book On The Business Of Magic (Electronic Download): Hustle, Hustle – The Business Of Magic https://we.tl/DAg3jcHEtIClick Here to a link to “It Takes Guts Dammit” by Paul Diamond. It is a short booklet, but full of real gold, including audio. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

There are those few in our craft of magic that are well-known, but few who are as universally respected as Jeff McBride. Founder of the Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas, Jeff has transcended to the pinnacle of our industry. Having been awarded nearly every conceivable trophy and accolade in the magic community, Jeff continues to build and personally contribute to the coterie. Jeff continues to perform and teach around the world and he has embraced technology to supplement his methods of sharing magic, too. Jeff's magic pedagogy reflects modern methods of sharing with our community in recognition that we all learn at different levels and speeds. This week he talks about how he doesn't create new acts or routines for his students, but rather shapes and directs the students' existing skills that leads to an improved show that is uniquely their own. Jeff also discusses the creation of his “Wonderground” performance venue in Las Vegas that encourages magicians to flex their creative muscles. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. Jeff McBride talked extensively about the importance of storytelling. So, it is appropriate that we recognize the recent passing of a master story teller who has shared more with the magic community than most know, including Tannen's Magic Camp, where young magicians learned the importance of a good story in strengthening their magic. Hiawatha Johnson was a magician, writer, editor, musician, singer, dancer, choreographer, actor, director, composer, teacher, professor, historian, designer and playwright. He will be sorely missed by the community. Aloha, my friend.

OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, Amazon takes Alexa+ to the web, and Google reinvents your inbox—6 game-changing AI updates for operators in under 5 minutes.

 AI, Leadership, and Cultural Differences with Crispin Thompson Crispin Thompson is a Global Leadership Coach with more than twenty-five years of experience leading large international teams and driving transformation programs at multinational organizations, including Hewlett Packard Enterprise and TaskUs. His work sits at the intersection of AI, leadership, and cultural differences, helping global companies navigate complexity while building future-ready leaders. Crispin is known for supporting organizations as they expand beyond their home markets, strengthening cultural competence and designing leadership pipelines that work across borders. By addressing AI, leadership, and cultural differences, he enables companies to align strategy, people, and performance in diverse environments. What sets Crispin apart is his ability to translate complex theory into clear, practical action. Through his focus on AI, leadership, and cultural differences, he ensures emerging leaders around the world are seen, valued, and empowered to drive sustainable growth. His tips to become more culturally competent are: Patience is the first thing, especially when you're in a new culture. The willingness to listen. Cultural differences often imply language differences; therefore, listen for intent due to these language differences. Summarize back what you've heard in a conversation. It will make sure you have understood correctly what you've heard. Links mentioned in the podcast: leadership-studio.com LinkedIn profile The book "The Human Advantage." Want to avoid the most common mistakes when working internationally? Read this article.  AI, Leadership, and Cultural Differences with Crispin Thompson More stories and culture can be found here. Culture Matters The Culture Matters Podcast on International Business & Management Podcast Build your Cultural Competence, listen to interesting stories, learn about the cultural pitfalls and how to avoid them, and get the Global perspective here at the Culture Matters podcast on International Business. We help you understand Cultural Diversity better by interviewing real people with real experiences. Every episode there is an interview with a prominent guest, who will tell his or her story and share international experiences. Helping you develop your cultural competence. Welcome to this culture podcast and management podcast. To Subscribe to this Management Podcast, Click here. The Culture Matters Culture Podcast. Available on iTunes and Stitcher Radio Click here to get the podcast on Spotify Talk to your Amazon Alexa and listen to the Podcast Listen directly on Amazon If you have a minute, please leave me an honest rating and review on iTunes by clicking here. It will help the visibility and the ranking of this culture podcast on iTunes immensely! A BIG THANK YOU! Enjoy this FREE culture podcast! Music: Song title - Bensound.com More Ways of Listening: Get a Taste of How Chris Presents, Watch his TEDx Talk     Name Email Address Phone Number Message 5 + 3 = Send Call Direct: +32476524957   European Office (Paris) Whatsapp: +32476524957   The Americas (USA; Atlanta, GA; también en Español):  +1 678 301 8369 Book Chris Smit as a Speaker If you're looking for an Engaging, Exciting, and Interactive speaker on the subject of Intercultural Management & Awareness you came to the right place. Chris has spoken at hundreds of events and to thousands of people on the subject of Cultural Diversity & Cultural Competence. This is What Others Say About Chris: “Very Interactive and Engaging” “In little time he knew how to get the audience inspired and connected to his story” “His ability to make large groups of participants quickly and adequately aware of the huge impact of cultural differences is excellent” “Chris is a dedicated and inspirational professional” In addition, his presentations can cover specific topics cultural topics, or generally on Cultural differences. Presentations can vary anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours and are given worldwide. Book Chris now by simply sending an email. Click here to do so. Read more about what Chris can do for you. Percentage of People Rating a Presentation as Excellent 86% 86% Rating the Presentation as Practical 89% 89% Applicability of Chris' presentation 90% 90% About Peter van der Lende Peter has joined forces with Culture Matters. Because he has years and years of international business development experience joining forces therefore only seemed logical. Being born and raised in the Netherlands, he has lived in more than 9 countries of which most were in Latin America. He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) with his family. You can find out more at https://expand360.com/ Or find out what Peter can do for you here.

“If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere,” sang Frank Sinatra in “New York, New York.” Rachel Wax traveled from Chicago to follow her dream of making it in the fashion industry. Though she did well and enjoyed her work, her true passion was with magic. She was influenced by “The Magnets” who encouraged her to pursue her magic dream. Soon thereafter Rachel began working at “SpeakEasy Magik” and the “Slipper Room” and other venues around the city as well as for corporate and private affairs. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize We begin our conversation with the beginning of what brought Rachel to New York City: fashion. Please stick with us, even though the first portion of this week's podcast isn't about magic, but rather the garment district and fashion in NYC. We then ease into our chat about Rachel and her magic that was influenced by her father (a professional magician in Chicago) plus her performance on Penn & Teller Fool Us and the many other venues where she makes a mark with her brand of magic. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Saks Global is negotiating a $1 billion bankruptcy loan after missing $100 million in bond payments, as the luxury retailer faces potential Chapter 11 filing within weeks.Kroger launches its Verified Savings Program, offering 20% produce discounts and half-price Boost memberships to customers enrolled in SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, and other government assistance programs.Amazon expands Alexa Plus to browser access with end-to-end meal planning that lets customers generate weekly menus and instantly add ingredients to Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods carts.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.Be careful out there!

While at the 2025 Abbott's Get Together, we chatted with several magicians. A while back we chatted with Craig Diamond and last week we released the one with Antony Gerard and this week we talk with Derek Hughes. That is a subtle hint for just another reason why you should attend magic conventions…all the great talent that comes and shares their time and talents. Derek has performed his magic on MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, the CW's Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and the Ellen Degeneres Show. He's a consulting producer on TRUtv's hit magic series, The Carbonaro Effect and was a finalist on season 10 of NBC's America's Got Talent [sic]. His back story was much about his health as a child and the importance of his children to his life. He regularly performs in nightclubs across the U.S. and has been nominated for several categories at the Magic Castle over the years. He is also a published author of a children's book! View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week, Derek talks about his experience with AGT and the invaluable advice he received from Jim Steinmeyer. We also discuss the difference between a magician who does comedy versus a comedian who does magic. Derek tells us about the children's book he wrote (available through Amazon on the link below) before he even had children. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. Humpty Dumpty Lived Near a Wall By Hughes, Derek Buy on Amazon

Over the years, many of you have become acquainted with Antony “Tony” Gerard, and some of us have been lucky enough to call him a friend. He is a fascinating gentleman who defies labels because of he is a polymath who enjoys many disciplines outside of magic, such as archeology, martial arts, creating remote control things for Hollywood, and more. He has written over a dozen books and lectured all over the world, runs his own magic shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is often seen as a magic dealer at conventions where he sells his own creations. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week's conversation could have gone in so many directions, each of which would have been an interesting trail filled with stories and wisdom. But we tried to encompass as many of Tony's interests into about a one hour conversation, which (for those of you who know Tony is hard to do) and focus on the variety of his interests and his background from The Netherlands. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

In this special episode, host Cindi Howson pulls together the most useful, and hard-won, lessons from a year of conversations with Data Chiefs leading the GenAI charge. With generative and agentic AI no longer a side experiment, this episode spotlights five practices early adopters can rely on to move from pilots to profit. Expect straight talk on what to prioritize, how to bring people with you, and how to scale AI with the trust, literacy, and guardrails that make impact stick.Key Moments:Tying AI to Real Dollars with Anand Iyer, Ecolab (02:10): Anand cuts through the GenAI FOMO and brings everything back to a simple survival test: if you can't draw a straight line from an AI initiative to top-line growth or bottom-line savings, it won't last. His lesson is a sharp reminder that “cool” doesn't scale, value does. Leading Through Ambiguity with Karen Stroup, WEX (06:01): Karen names what everyone's feeling: ambiguity is paralyzing. She explains how leaders earn trust by shrinking the unknown into learnable, bite-sized experiments and creating the psychological safety people need to engage instead of resist.Building Practical AI Literacy at Scale with Josh Cunningham, Lloyds Banking Group (12:42):  Josh shares how Lloyds Banking Group makes literacy impactful by meeting people where they are. Rather than one-size-fits-all training, they pair broad fundamentals with role-specific learning so every business unit can build confidence in ways that match their actual work. Scaling Responsible Agentic AI with Noelle Russell, AI Leadership Institute (25:09): Noelle steps in with a practical framework for building agentic systems that don't go rogue. She walks through the POET framework and stresses that responsible AI isn't a final checkpoint. It's something you embed from the first idea to production, with guardrails that protect people and outcomes.Embedding AI Where Work Happens with Ilan Twig, Navan (32:35): Ilan tells a classic early-adopter story: start with a business problem, move fast, and be ruthless about what needs building versus buying. His lesson is that AI wins when it's inside the workflow, supporting decisions at the point of impact rather than living in a separate tool. Don't Let Perfection Stall Progress with Ketan Karkhanis, ThoughtSpot (40:59): Ketan shares a culture gut-check: waiting for perfect metrics, perfect KPIs, or perfect clarity is how progress dies. He argues for visible, trust-building iteration, because in AI, speed to learning beats speed to certainty. Key Quotes:“One thing that people sometimes forget is that at the end of the day, it's all about are we either saving money or making money? And are you able to show that in the bottom line or the top line in a measurable way?” - Anand Iyer“I don't think there's any chief anything officer that should not be considering AI today. I think if you're not considering AI, you are at the risk of being disrupted because you're not going to be learning at the pace with the rest of the industry, and there's someone out there looking for a better way.” - Karen Stroup“It's trying your best to meet people where they are… Finding a way to anchor the [AI] learning to something that's relevant to their day-to-day role is always going to make it land better.” - Josh Cunningham“ When people lose 70% of their trust in you, they just don't buy from you, they don't work for you, they don't talk about you… and your business starts to die. I think that trust component is a human component… and it is underpinning all the other philosophies that I have.” - Noelle Russell“When you asked me about how to educate yourself on AI, I think that companies must make a decision, and quickly, this or that.” - Ilan Twig“ Don't let perfection be the enemy of progress.” - Ketan KarkhanisGuest Bios Anand IyerAnand Iyer is the SVP, Chief Data Officer at Ecolab, where he leads the company's global data and analytics strategy. Based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, he oversees enterprise data governance, business intelligence, engineering, and advanced analytics to accelerate Ecolab's digital transformation. Since joining in 2018, Anand has held several senior roles, including VP of Enterprise Architecture and VP of Architecture for Commercial Digital Solutions, helping to scale IoT and data-driven platforms across the organization.Karen StroupKaren joined WEX in 2022 as Chief Digital Officer, a newly created role. She brings more than 15 years of experience leading product management, digital, and innovation organizations focused on software as a service offerings, primarily in financial services.Josh CunninghamJosh Cunningham is the Group Head of Data and AI Culture at Lloyds Banking Group, where he leads the Data Culture Pillar—one of five strategic pillars in the Group's data strategy. He is focused on embedding data-driven mindsets across the organization and empowering teams to unlock the full value of data.Noelle RussellNoelle Russell is a multi-award-winning speaker, author, and AI Executive who specializes in transforming businesses through strategic AI adoption. She is a revenue growth + cost optimization expert, 4x Microsoft Responsible AI MVP, and named the #1 Agentic AI Leader in 2025. She has led teams at NPR, Microsoft, IBM, AWS and Amazon Alexa, and is a consistent champion for Data and AI literacy and is the founder of the "I ❤️ AI" Community teaching responsible AI for everyone.Ilan TwigIlan Twig is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Navan, the leading modern travel and expense management platform, globally. As CTO, Ilan drives Navan's product development and engineering efforts, leveraging cutting-edge technologies — including AI — to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. Ketan KarkhanisKetan Karkhanis is the CEO of ThoughtSpot, the Agentic Analytics Platform company. Prior to joining the company in September 2024, Ketan was the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sales Cloud at Salesforce. He returned to Salesforce in March 2022 after his time as the COO of Turvo, an emerging supply-chain collaboration platform.  Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

While at this year's Magic At The Beach convention in Myrtle Beach, SC, one of the magicians who performed was my friend Trigg Watson. Trigg has performed on America's Got Talent [sic], Penn & Teller Fool Us, Masters of Illusion, just to mention a few of the television shows where he has appeared. He prefers performing in theaters where he has access to a large stage, a stage crew, and a strong Wi-Fi. He is best known for his avant garde performances employing high tech that is on the leading edge. He finds ways to present new technology in an entertaining way that looks like real magic. Throughout the ages, magicians have been in the forefront of using “modern” technology in their magic acts, but it is getting increasingly more difficult in today's world with our rapid communication. Everyone is getting “up to speed” much faster than in earlier times. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week Trigg Watson shares his philosophy behind his act and how he keeps up with modern trends. He also discusses social trends and how media and magic has (and will) change. He always seems to keep his magic “fresh” meaning that he has to keep on the leading edge of technology before the rest of his audience has gotten there. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Everyone who listens to this podcast no doubt has some degree of love and respect for the art of magic. Starting from that common point, we all go off in our divergent ways and follow the paths that give us joy and often success along the way. This week we chat with three disparate magicians who share that passion for magic but have, indeed, found totally different ways of getting to their “end game.”Bizzaro is a creative magician who performs mostly in Las Vegas but also builds unusual props for other magicians and consults on Escape Rooms across the country. Cody Fisher is a corporate magician who performs as an after dinner speaker and does strolling magic as well as his share of trade shows and he even gets out on cruise ships to perform. And Joan DuKore is getting started with her career performing for corporate banquets and aboard cruise ships, too. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize While attending this year's Magic at the Beach convention, my intent was to have three separate episodes, each featuring one of these dynamic performers because of their differences from one another. But as it happened and came together, their time and mine grew “tight” and they preferred to be in the room together to record this episode. That is, except for Joan DuKore. I intended to get her aside later in the convention to record a separate podcast, but as the three of the rest of us were recording, she passed by the room where we were sitting and came in to join us. It was quite fortuitous and serendipitous that made for a delightful, fun and funny conversation, each talking about their unique areas of expertise in magic. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

SaturdayEvent Time Chad Long 11:00 – 12: 00Shimpei 12:30 – 1:30Lunch 1:30 – 3:00Gabriel Gascon 3:00 – 4:00Dani DaOrtiz 5:00 – 6:00Dinner 6:00 – 8:15Saturday Show 8:15 – 10:15 View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize I will post time stamps after I've gotten some sleep. Come back later…much later. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Thursday Event Time Joseph Daniels 6:00 pm – 7:00pmNewcomer 8:00pm – 8:45pmRobin Deville 9:30pm – 10:30pm FridayEvent Time Boris Wild 11:00 – 12:00Eric Chien 1:00 – 2:00Lunch 2:00 – 3:30Javi Benitez 3:30 – 4:30Insights 5:15 – 6:45Dinner 6:45 – 8:15Friday Night Show 8:15 – 9:45Pizza Party 10:00 UntilDani Workshop 10:00ish View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize I will post time stamps after I've gotten some sleep. Come back later…much later. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

“When you activated your Amazon Alexa, did you truly know what you agreed to—or did you just click ‘I understand' and move on?” This episode of The JB and Sandy Show dives headfirst into the hidden realities behind everyday decisions, from the comfort of your favorite chain restaurants to the unsettling truths about smart home devices. JB, Sandy, and Tricia kick things off with a nostalgic twist: the closing of a local Applebee's and the arrival of a fresh Olive Garden, sparking memories and debates about comfort food, family traditions, and the evolution of Austin's iconic intersections. But the real eye-opener comes when Sandy reveals the shocking details uncovered in a deep AI-powered investigation into Amazon Alexa's terms of service. Listeners are confronted with the startling fact that by simply activating Alexa, millions have turned their homes into perpetual research labs, granted Amazon irrevocable rights to their voices, and even allowed strangers to borrow their Wi-Fi—all without reading the fine print. The team explores the implications of Amazon Sidewalk, voice data licensing, and the eerie possibilities of AI recreating loved ones after they're gone. Tricia brings her signature wit and insight, sharing travel tips for Austin's busiest airport days and recounting memorable moments from her own family's adventures. The hosts swap stories about airport rituals, weather delays, and the strange comfort of Bloody Marys at 7:30 a.m.—reminding us that sometimes, the best memories are made in the most unexpected places.Notable Quotes & Moments:“You basically turned your home into a 24/7 Amazon research lab, gave them perpetual rights to everything you say near the device, let strangers borrow your Wi-Fi, and agreed they can change the rules whenever they want.”“Imagine they have this database of your voice over time. And you have since passed. What if they built this AI tool where you could reconnect with an old loved one and have a conversation?”“Would you be surprised at all when you die, you find out it was all a joke? Or just a simulation?”Don't miss this thought-provoking episode—share it with a friend, subscribe to The JB and Sandy Show, and leave a review to let us know what you think. Your support helps us keep the conversation going and brings more surprising stories to your feed every week! 

Here at The Vergecast, we get a lot of questions. Questions from you, which we love! Questions that, for some reason, often tend to be about the smart home and why it's often not so very smart. So on this episode, the first in a two-part series, The Verge's Jennifer Pattison Tuohy helps us answer a whole bunch of your questions. Questions like: what's Apple's deal with the smart home? Are there any good smart faucets? And what's about to happen to my robot vacuum cleaner? Jen helps us wade through all that and more. We also go on a long diversion about smart smoke detectors, which are pretty awesome. Further reading: My smart kitchen: the good, the bad, and the future Moen's Smart Faucet with Motion Control is totally hands free, and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant The future of the Roomba, and the best robot vacuums This smart smoke alarm could be a worthy Nest Protect replacement Home Assistant's next era begins now Apple's plan for AI could make Siri the animated center of your smart home What's in a smart home reviewer's backyard How Matter works, where it's headed, and why it matters The problems with AI in the smart home and how Amazon and Google plan to fix them Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices