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Alan Rorrison is known for his clever gimmicks, insatiable curiosity, and boundless drive to innovate. In this candid interview, he shares how he went from an apprentice in the shipyards of Scotland to one of the most in-demand creators and magic consultants today. He shares his methods of creativity and discusses what he has in store for the magic community next.
Steve Cole, Saxophonist, joins Jazz88's Patty Peterson to talk about his new CD "Sleight Of Hand" and concert at Dakota in Minneapolis May 23 with his band. He expounds on taking this same band on tour with him and because of the synergy they have together. It makes for a very creative experience for him and the audience.
Joan DuKore is one of the hardest-working women in magic. From performing for the raiders to the Magic Castle, she blows away her audiences with wry wit and expert sleight of hand. In this episode, she discusses her approach to strolling magic, her background as a ballerina and dancer, creating incredible moments on stage, and more.
We have made it to the 2010's of Pearl Jam's long historic touring career, and this is the decade where they solidify their place in history as one of the greatest live bands on the planet. Nearly every show from this tour run came through with an electric intensity and positive spirits as songs of new, old and the rare variety were heavily utilized to make their shows feel unique. This show from Cleveland has all of that thrown in and exemplifies what it was like to witness this band 16 years ago. The best that can be said about this Cleveland show is that it was just flat out fun. The way that the band blazed through their set with a perfect structure of songs with a smooth transition from one to the next made this show an easy listen. They were still putting forth a lot of the Backspacer material, but this show has a really good mix of fan favorite cuts such as Wash, Hail, Hail, In Hiding, Immortality, Sleight Of Hand, Leash and Smile. We'll talk about how good the songs sound, plus digging into how happy the band seemed to be performing at the time. Check out this episode to hear the best of this Cleveland show, and allow Javi to show you where all of the emergency exits are. Visit the Concertpedia - http://liveon4legs.com Contact the Show - liveon4legspodcast@gmail.com Donate to the Show - http://patreon.com/liveon4legs
The Great Kaplan is the stage persona of the hilarious and brilliant magician Dave Kaplan. This week, he stops by the show to discuss his show, how he built a brilliant ten-minute silent act, and the history of Big Headline, the killer newspaper effect he put out with Penguin Magic. As a special treat, he shows off his brand new action figure and his wallet. Trust us, you are going to want to see his action figure and his wallet.
Ben Seidman comes on the show to discuss his work on YouTube with Vanity Fair, consulting on the latest Now You See Me film, and his new ticketed show Con Man. Ben is one of the most in demand working performers today, and in this wide ranging interview he discusses his current projects like Ring Watch Wonder, and shares some of his thoughts and approaches to magic.
We are back with more listener questions. Get Erik's views on the state of restaurant magic, how to eliminate nerves, and his thoughts on Oz Pearlman performing at the White House Correspondents' Dinner!
The long-awaited opening of Chicago's newest magic venue, The Hand & The Eye, is finally here. Nick Locapo finally lifts the veil and tells us all about what's going on inside this incredible new venue. He tells us about their amazing showrooms, the talent working there, and what's next for this incredible venue.
Bob Sheets is not just a legend, he's a legend who has created legends. From learning bar magic from Heba Haba Al, to creating the Jolly Jester and perfecting the Malini Card Stab, Bob has been there and done that. In this exclusive interview, Bob shares a lifetime of stories and insights into his magic and life.
R Paul Wilson is tantalizingly close to releasing his film about Juan Tamariz. The long-awaited film is a portrait of The Maestro, Juan Tamariz. The film is a look at magic through the lens of one of the most influential magicians alive today. R Paul gives us a once-in-a-lifetime look behind the scenes of the development of the film, working with Juan, and gives us a glimpse into this incredible work.
The investing world runs on numbers. We look at the statistical tricks that make bad investments look good, mediocre track records look brilliant, and risks disappear entirely. And in the Dumb Question of the Week: What makes a finding 'statistically significant'? --- Thank you to Trading 212 for sponsoring this episode. Claim free fractional shares worth up to £100. Just create and verify a Trading 212 Invest or Stocks ISA account, make a minimum deposit of £1, and use the promo code "RAMIN" within 10 days of signing up, or use the following link: Sponsored Link. Terms apply - trading212.com/join/RAMIN When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Pies & Autoinvest is an execution-only service. Not investment advice or portfolio management. Automatic investing refers to executing scheduled deposits. You are responsible for all investment and rebalancing decisions. Free shares can be fractional. 212 Cards are issued by Paynetics which provide all payment services. T212 provides customer support and user interface. Terms and fees apply. ---Get in touch
Rob Balchunas is an award winning balloon sculptor and magician who travels the United States creating wild creations out of nothing more than balloons, and twisting magic and inflatables into a fabulous show. This week he stops by the show to discuss how he got started, tips on creating your own sculptures, and the chaos in the balloon world following the collapse of Qualtex.
Kent Axell Jr joins the show to celebrate his third year in residence at The Mandalay Bay Casino with his show Ghost Stories. He shares with our listeners how to add immersive theater qualities to your show, how to find meaning, and how to get your own residency.Kent's Score Card and Magic Performance Lab https://lp.uniqo.de/cCbBUN
Alex Kirk is a familiar face from YouTube and the magic industry. He was with Prop Dog and one of the faces of their live streaming show for quite some time. A few years ago, he opened his own shop. In this episode, he discusses running his shop, helping customers find magic perfect for them, and his wild YouTube interviews he does in his dressing gown from a couch he carries around conventions with the Who's Who of magic.
Cate Osborn, known to her legions of fans as Catieosaurus, comes on the show to discuss her new book The ADHD Field Guide for Adults, and her new tour Wildly Unprepared. The tour takes a deep dive into the history of magic, and Cate pulls a rabbit out of a hat, as well as discusses the journey to the rabbit she uses in her show.
Erik Tait recounts his, and the Penguin Team's, adventures in Blackpool 2026. Erik shows more of the new products that were Blackpool exclusives. Then he shares his favorite effects from the dealers room, and showcases the toys and tricks he bought! This episode closes out with Erik's guide for American's in Blackpool.
Voice Of GO(r)D is delighted to bring you a conversation with one of those personalities you find out on the road (or online) that sticks out by telling things like they are, and pulling no punches in describing the reality we live in. One such personality is Axel, a fellow trucker who goes by the handle ‘Financial Physics' who offers commentary from the cab on the realities of economics, the hypocrisy of ideological partisans and government agents, and much else besides. In our conversation we go from his other career as an electrical generator installer and technician through all of the chicanery that animates our economy and the regulatory environment which obscures it all, and to the tragic (to me) sale of his Peterbilt and hanging up of his keys.You can find Axel on Twitter - https://x.com/FinancialPhysAnd on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@financialphysics7541My book, End Of The Road - Inside The War on Truckers is less than a month from publication and it has already sold over a thousand copies on pre-order.Secure your copy today, or come and see me in person at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, March 26-28.In the US you can pre-order direct from my publisher -https://creedandculture.com/books/end-of-the-road-inside-the-war-on-truckers/In Canada at Chapters/Indigo -https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/end-of-the-road-inside-the-war-on-truckers/9781967613021.htmlAnd if you must -https://www.amazon.com/End-Road-Inside-War-Truckers/dp/1967613028/As always, questions, comments, suggestions, corrections and Hate Mail are welcomed and strongly encouraged - gordilocks@protonmail.com
Governments at all levels abuse their “privilege” of eminent domain, the taking of private property for government use. Murray Rothbard understood that government was not justified to seize property for such use in the first place.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/rothbard-and-eminent-domain-confused-history-and-legal-sleight-hand
Governments at all levels abuse their “privilege” of eminent domain, the taking of private property for government use. Murray Rothbard understood that government was not justified to seize property for such use in the first place.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/rothbard-and-eminent-domain-confused-history-and-legal-sleight-hand
More Epstein panic and the Clintons are yelling about it; A nice PDF on the 2020 stolen election; A study about AI and how It's accomplished the opposite of what the tech-bros said; and the hidden trick with the Texas Education Freedom Act that is now law. https://hbr.org/2026/02/ai-doesnt-reduce-work-it-intensifies-it Book Websites: HERE and HERE. https://www.moneytreepublishing.com/shop PROMO CODE: “AEFM” for 10% OFF, or https://armreg.co.uk PROMO CODE: "americaneducationfm" for 15% off all books and products. (I receive no kickbacks). https://www.thriftbooks.com/ Q posts book: https://drive.proton.me/urls/JJ78RV1QP8#yCO0wENuJQPH
Marc DeSouza is not just an incredible magician, but one of the foremost magic collectors on the East Coast. In this exclusive podcast he takes us on a tour of the brand new venue House of Magic in Philadelphia, and shares with us an exclusive tour of his collection on display. Heads up, this is a great one to watch on YouTube because of how visual this episode is.
In this Prof Responds episode, Professor Julian Wamble revisits Fleur Delacour and the surprising truth many listeners shared: we didn't like her when we were younger, and we weren't always sure why.Drawing on the post-episode chat, this reflection explores how internalized misogyny, pretty privilege, and patriarchal expectations shape how we judge female characters in Harry Potter. The episode examines the rivalry between women, the real social weight of beauty, and why Fleur's loyalty and bravery were always there, even when the story and the fandom overlooked them. By the end, the question isn't whether Fleur is a hero, but why we needed her to prove it in the first place.
Filmmaker, writer, creator, and mentalist Chris Philpott joins the show to discuss the origin of 100th Monkey, his new release Odyssey 2, and how you can add a filmmaker's creativity to your magic.
Drew Backenstoss wrote an amazing book called Architect of the Mind. It's back in print for the first time ever. This secretive mentalist discusses the book, and shares his amazing approach to creativity. You will come away from this podcast with actionable things to make you more creative than ever before.
Every week we post the podcast to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and Google, but did you know there is a video version of the Podcast on YouTube? This week, Erik takes questions and comments from the viewers on YouTube and gives his thoughts and answers.
Comedy magician Farrell Dillon and producer Damian Costa join the show to talk about the newest magic venue on the Las Vegas Strip. The Magician's Room is the newest venue dedicated to magic in the United States. The theater currently hosts Farrell Dillon, David Golddrake, and Late Night Magic featuring Bizzaro, The Shocker, Lefty and Hollie England. They discuss the development of the space, the amazing features, and the incredible street performers driving ticket sales.
Nick Locapo and Erik Tait wrap up 2025. They discuss some of their favorite tricks, favorite downloads, and favorite moments at Penguin in 2025. Nick also shares some updates on the new venue, The Hand and the Eye, opening in 2026 in Chicago.
One more retrospective for the holiday season. Erik Tait gathers the very first Top Five Under Five segments ,including appearances by Nathan Coe Marsh, Michael Kent, and more! Stay tuned to the end of the show if your name is Ben for a special holiday message.
This week we take a look back at the first dozen Desert Island Magic Book recordings, featuring Cate Osborn, Mat Franco, Ben Earl, and many more. We also take some time to keep our thoughts with Eric Jones, and consider donating to his GoFundMe.Eric Jones Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-eric-jones
Carisa Hendrix joins the show live from Las Vegas. She discusses the explosive rise to prominence of Lucy Darling on Instagram and TikTok. She dishes on Canada's Got Talent, building her incredible community, and how the transition from magic famous to actually famous has changed her show.
Bill Cook has appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Masters of Illusion, an award-winning documentary, and is currently headlining cruise ships around the world. He started as a young teen magician in Chicago, working in nursing homes, and went to school to be a Foley Artist. Now he's on top of the world.
Jason Bird has headlined on the Las Vegas Strip, appeared on Masters of Illusion, and now has written a book, Strolling for Dollars. He details his decades of experience as a strolling magician, making a successful living, so that you can learn how to translate his experience into your success. Plus, he shares some incredible tips that you can start using right away.
Nick Locapo returns to the show to discuss the latest tricks. Nick & Erik also discuss a listener question that came in after the last show. What is the best way to submit a trick to Penguin, and what happens after your trick is submitted.
Who doesn't like magic tricks? I love watching magicians trying to surprise the audience with their slight of hand tricks. Always fascinates me and asking how do they do that. What does this have to do with the Parkinson's Experience? Well, my guest today turned to learning magic after he was diagnosed with PD and could no longer work as a nurse. Although his main symptom is bradykinesia or slowness of movement, he is able to perform magic with a little help from getting Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. He performs and has recruited a community of magicians to join him is raising awareness of Parkinson's and fundraise for PD research. His organization is called Slow Motion Magic, and his book and fundraiser is called Conjuring for a Cure. This is an inspirational, positive story you don't want to miss. Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson's disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches https://www.amazon.com/s?k=conjuring+for+a+cure&crid=4BAMLO9ZLUWQ&sprefix=conjuring+for+%2Caps%2C229&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_1_14 https://slowmotionmagic.org/
Erik Tait takes questions sent in by the listeners! Where to find your local magic club, how to get longer sets, where to get your tricks published, and a lot more! He even brings back Desert Island Magic Books and Top Five Under Five when asked by a loyal listener.
This episode originally aired April 29, 2019. An elderly woman is murdered. Though investigators were able to lift prints from the scene, they failed to find a match and the crime went unsolved. Years later, advances in fingerprint science enable police to identify the print and the killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode originally aired April 29, 2019. An elderly woman is murdered. Though investigators were able to lift prints from the scene, they failed to find a match and the crime went unsolved. Years later, advances in fingerprint science enable police to identify the print and the killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Josh Burch is not just a talented creator and performer of magic; he is also the brains behind the social media team at Penguin Magic. He helps to curate the videos that regularly go viral, and develops new material for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. He shares the secrets magicians should know to get their own magic videos featured on Penguin Magic's channels.
A conversation with DNEG VFX Supervisor Dan Bethell on how they turned sunny Sydney into a snow-covered New York as well as other work for Shane Black's thriller, Play Dirty.
We're told from every angle—school, work, even church—that our worth depends on how we perform. But this Reformation Sunday, we remember the truth that set the Church free: you are saved not by performance, but by grace. As we celebrate 175 years of God's grace in the WELS, we're not bragging on ourselves—we're boasting in Christ alone.Support the show
We're told from every angle—school, work, even church—that our worth depends on how we perform. But this Reformation Sunday, we remember the truth that set the Church free: you are saved not by performance, but by grace. As we celebrate 175 years of God's grace in the WELS, we're not bragging on ourselves—we're boasting in Christ alone.Support the show~ Changing lives with Jesus! Facebook | YouTubeInstagram @dscsienna
Myq Kaplan is a comedian and writer with a truly unique approach to creativity. He discusses not only his approach to writing, but also actionable ways magicians can infuse comedy into their show. Before that Nick Locapo comes on the show to discuss the latest tricks and share updates on The Hand & The Eye, the new magic venue coming to Chicago.Myq Kaplan's Special Rini - https://youtu.be/y0uf9i_z-Aw
We all crave happiness—but what kind? The kind that fades the moment life gets hard? Or the kind that endures even in pain? This week, God challenges the popular belief that his highest goal is our short-term comfort. In Hebrews 11, we see an example of someone who could have chosen comfort, ease, and status—but instead chose something better. Through this, God shows us that true happiness isn't found in chasing pleasure, but in walking with him toward something eternal.Support the show
We all crave happiness—but what kind? The kind that fades the moment life gets hard? Or the kind that endures even in pain? This week, God challenges the popular belief that his highest goal is our short-term comfort. In Hebrews 11, we see an example of someone who could have chosen comfort, ease, and status—but instead chose something better. Through this, God shows us that true happiness isn't found in chasing pleasure, but in walking with him toward something eternal.Support the show~ Changing lives with Jesus! Facebook | YouTubeInstagram @dscsienna
A Note from JamesI've always loved books where a journalist gets so deep into a subculture that they become part of it. Magic Is Dead by Ian Frisch is one of those. He starts out covering a secret society of magicians—“The 52,” named for the cards in a deck—and ends up becoming one of them.It reminded me of other favorites like Word Freak (Scrabble), The Game (pickup artists), and Moonwalking with Einstein (memory champions). I love that genre of participation—when curiosity turns into obsession and then into mastery.Ian's journey pulled me right in. He didn't just report on the world of magicians; he lived in it, practiced card tricks until his hands hurt, and learned how obsession, storytelling, and performance shape every great craft. Talking to him made me think about how every one of us could benefit from being part of more than one “world”—to have different lives, different subcultures where we're known and respected for something unique. That's real diversification. Not just financial, but personal.Episode DescriptionIn this episode, James talks with journalist and author Ian Frisch about his book Magic Is Dead: My Journey into the World's Most Secretive Society of Magicians and what it means to go all-in on obsession.They explore the underground network of modern magicians reinventing the art for the social-media age—tattoos, streetwear, viral videos, and all—and what these creative subcultures can teach the rest of us about mastery, storytelling, and risk.It's a conversation about transformation: how curiosity becomes discipline, and how the principles behind sleight of hand apply to persuasion, business, and everyday life.What You'll LearnWhy obsession—not balance—is often the key to getting great at somethingHow social media reshaped the art and culture of modern magicThe real psychology behind deception, storytelling, and human connectionHow magicians build trust with skeptical audiences (and what leaders can learn from it)Why belonging to multiple “worlds” or subcultures creates resilience and happinessTimestamped Chapters[00:00] Introduction — Obsession as a superpower [03:00] A Note from James — The journalist who became a magician [06:00] Participatory journalism and the power of total immersion [10:00] What makes this genre work: transformation and obsession [11:30] Discovering the new generation of social-media magicians [14:00] From top hats to tattoos: how magic reinvented itself online [18:30] The challenge of trust when magic meets video editing [20:30] The return of live magic and the human reaction [23:30] Subcultures, hierarchies, and belonging [26:00] Magic as a social tool for outsiders [29:00] How magicians train for a decade to master their craft [37:00] Ian's own training: learning sleight of hand as an adult [40:00] The poker connection and card control secrets [44:00] Why mystery matters more than the trick itself [47:00] Storytelling, psychology, and reading people [52:00] Applying magician skills to real-world persuasion [54:00] Comedy, showmanship, and performance overlap [55:30] The secret societies of magic and “The 52” [58:30] Competition, creativity, and the economics of exclusivity [01:00:40] How Ian earned his place as the “Two of Clubs” [01:03:00] Inventing a new trick and becoming part of the storyAdditional ResourcesMagic Is Dead: My Journey into the World's Most Secretive Society of Magicians by Ian FrischIan Frisch's WebsiteRelated titles discussed:Word Freak by Stefan FatsisMoonwalking with Einstein by Joshua FoerThe Game by Neil StraussThe Biggest Bluff by Maria KonnikovaMentioned magicians:Chris RamsayDaniel MadisonLaura LondonDoug McKenzieSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Craig Petty returns to the show to discuss his chaotic trip to Magic Live, spill the beans behind Game Changer and an unreleased effect for Keymaster, and discuss his kids' illusion show that is performing on some of the largest stages in the UK. Magic and Mischief is headlining House of Secrets and you need to know about it.
Steve Reynolds stops by the show to discuss the new expanded edition of The Olram File. He also discusses his relationship with Jon Racherbaumer, how he came into possession of so much unpublished Marlo material, and the best way to study the Late Great Ed Marlo. If you are a fan of card magic, this is the episode for you.
Gabriella Lester has joined the cast of the new touring show Now You See Me Live, based on the popular Now You See Me Film franchise. She discusses the casting process, creating magic for the show, and their first show at the Sydney Opera House. Nick Locapo kicks off the show, discussing the latest tricks and the Vogue article declaring magic at your house parties as hot again.
Fitzgerald stops by the show to discuss the Black Rabbit Rose Theater in Hollywood, as well as his work with The Unholy Three, and his transition from magician, to comedian, and then onto comedy magic. The show starts with Nick & Erik discussing the latest tricks and news in the magic world.
Meg Wolitzer presents stories that take the idea of “the magic of fiction” literally—or literarily. The British writer Penelope Lively offers up a tricky combination of love and real estate in “The Third Wife,” performed by real-life husband and wife Patricia Kalember and Daniel Gerroll. The only “trick” in our next story, “Tempo,” by R.O. Kwon, is the trick the mind plays when it wishes the present would restore a lost bit of the past. The reader is Hettienne Park. And Dave Eggers' “The Alaska of Giants and Gods” includes a real magic act, but also the longing for some other kind of magic, misplaced on a rocky road, to be restored. Kate Burton reads.