#454: A Magician's Search for Wonder in the Modern World
Oct 31, 2018
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Professional magician Nate Staniforth shares his journey into magic, becoming disillusioned, and rediscovering wonder in India. He talks about the transformative power of travel and the importance of finding enchantment in everyday life.
Seeking wonder in daily life can reignite passion and appreciation for the world.
Encountering different cultures and experiences can inspire and rekindle lost passion for one's craft.
Deep dives
Rediscovering Wonder Through Travel and Magic
Traveling to India, professional magician Nate Staniforth rediscovers the sense of wonder and amazement that he had lost in his career. Through encounters with traditional Indian street performers and witnessing ancient magical illusions, he finds the spark that reignites his passion for magic. The experience in India highlights the importance of seeking wonder in everyday life and maintaining a sense of awe by actively looking for it.
Struggles of a Professional Magician
Nate Staniforth shares the challenges and burnout he faced during his years as a touring magician. Despite the glamorous image that magic may portray, the reality of constant travel, performance demands, and the loss of the magic of magic itself eventually led to his disillusionment with his career. This inner conflict prompts a journey to India in search of rekindling his love for magic.
Connecting Across Cultures Through Magic
Venturing into the slums of India, Nate Staniforth encounters a deep sense of community and resilience among traditional street magicians. Despite stark living conditions, he finds warmth and generosity, especially in their sharing of magical performances. The exchange of magical illusions becomes a bridge between vastly different worlds, highlighting the universal language of wonder and awe that transcends cultural barriers.
Finding Wonder in the Everyday
Returning from his transformative journey, Nate Staniforth emphasizes the importance of seeking wonder in daily life beyond extraordinary experiences. He underscores the power of simple moments, such as stargazing with his young son, in reigniting a sense of awe and appreciation for the world around us. Staniforth encourages actively looking for moments of wonder, asserting that the key to rediscovering magic lies in embracing the ordinary with a fresh perspective.
Magicians usually become magicians because they experienced a sense of wonder seeing a cool trick as a kid, and they want to re-create that awe for audience members on a regular basis.
But what happens when a professional magician stops feeling the magic of magic?
That happened to my guest today.
His name is Nate Staniforth, and he recently wrote a book titled Here is Real Magic. Today on the show, Nate shares how he got into magic and became a professional magician, only to become disillusioned with his career. Nate then talks about how he embarked on a search to re-discover the magic of magic, which took him to the slums of India where he encountered a three-thousand-year-old clan of fire-eating street performers, and re-kindled his sense of wonder. If you’re feeling burnt out from your work or disenchanted with life, this episode will have some insights for you.