The Nateland Podcast 277: #277 Scams featuring Stephen Bargatze
Nov 5, 2025
Stephen Bargatze, a veteran magician and comedian, fills in to share his journey of filming a long-awaited comedy special. He discusses the unique challenges of live performances, including selecting audience participants and recovering from mistakes. The conversation takes a turn towards scams, where the group dives into famous examples, personal experiences, and tactics used by con artists. Stephen vividly recounts carnival cons and the infamous Titanic Thompson, while also exploring the risks of modern scams in an ever-evolving digital world.
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Filming A Special After Decades
- Stephen Bargatze filmed his first special after 45 years of performing and found the process liberating and challenging.
- He enjoyed the second show more because he could relax and add new material after the first recording went well.
Picking The Right Volunteer
- Stephen describes selecting audience volunteers as a precise skill focused on personality and comfort level.
- He prefers older or confident participants because they tolerate teasing and make the segment smoother.
Design Tricks With Contingencies
- Always rehearse fallback bits or carry a guaranteed trick to recover a failed routine.
- Design every trick with a contingency that redirects the audience if the primary effect fails.
