The Magic Word Podcast

Saturday, September 13th9:30 am - 10:30 am Lecture: Gustavo Raley11:00 am - Noon Lecture: Ed Ellis11:00 am - 6:00 pm Dealers Room OpenNoon - 1:00 pm - LUNCH and talk shop with Trigg Watson at Dave & Buster's (15% off meal with badge)1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Lecture:  Howard Blackwell2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Lecture: Lance Rich4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - LAST CHANCE IN DEALERS ROOM!6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - DINNER BREAK7:00 pm - Wonders Theatre | House Opens7:30 pm - Champions of Illusion Gala Show at Wonders Theatre - Trigg Watson, Ellie & Jeki Yoo, Howard Blackwell, Lance Rich,  Bizzaro, Gustavo Raley, Charles Bach10:00 pm - Farewell Party at Wonders Theatre11:00 pm - 12:30 am - After Hours in Lounge on balcony  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:00:00:17 - Tom Bohacek was a competitor in yesterday’s contest. He is also a regular attendee at this convention and tells us why it’s the only one he attends.00:13:47 - Following a lecture featuring an expert on cardistry, Ed Ellis, we chat with Vlad. He has developed an interesting character as a Vampire who also does magic. He tells us about his new book that explores how others can find their own stage persona, too. He offers us a book that will be gifted as a prize during this October.00:24:45 - Mentalism creator and author, Bob Solari, shares some stories about why he feels that this convention is better than hundreds of others he has attended.00:32:17 - Local magician, Dale Rabon, always attends this convention and in fact, only attends this convention.00:37:59 - Joan DuKore is one of the performers who performed in the close-up “Masters of Sleight of Hand” as well as last night’s gala stage show. She hails from Las Vegas but seems to be working everywhere but there as she traipses across the country.00:55:15 - Michael Healey helps us wrap up this convention with an overview of all the fun we had at this convention.01:01:02 - Chip Romero joins Michael and Scott as tells us that this is his favorite convention. He also gives us an exclusive as he shares a secret: he will be going to see Doug Henning’s widow, Debbie Henning, and buying all of items from her private possessions. 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.

Friday, September 12th8:30 am - Registration Opens, Wonders Theatre Box Office9:00 am - Open Mic Magic Competition - One Trick, Five Minutes10:00 am - 6:00 pm Dealers Room Open10:30 am - 11:30 am - Lecture:  Jeki Yoo11:30 am - 12:30 am - Lecture: Nick Lewin12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - LUNCH BREAK1:30 pm - 2:30 pm - Lecture:  Bizzaro3:00 pm - 4:00pm -  Lecture:  David Sandy4:30 pm - 5:30 pm - Lecture: Cody Fisher4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Dealers Room Open6:00 pm - 7:00pm - DINNER BREAK7:00 pm - Wonders Theatre | House Opens7:30 pm - Comedy Magic Cabaret Show - Nick Lewin, Dana Daniels, Bizzaro, Cody Fisher, Joan DuKore9:00 pm - 10:00 pm - “Tales from the Road” with the stars of magic10:00 pm - 12:00 am - After Hours in Lounge on balcony 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:00:00:17 - Marv Leventhal and Mark Fitzgerald talk about yesterday afternoon and last night’s convention activities (dinner, lecture and the show).00:07:13 - One of the long time south coast magicians, Mr. G, joins us to talk about this convention and why he is attending this year. We talk a bit about some of the events of the morning.00:14:45 - Dana Daniels will be one of the performers on the evening bill. He has been performing at a lot of magic club venues and from here plans to go perform at Kerry Pollock’s club in Hilton Head, South Carolina.00:29:22 - the Black Houdini talks about performing the upside down straight jacket hanging by one leg. He will be featured next year in Appleton, Wisconsin, at the annual S.A.M. convention.00:37:35 - Mike Noonan and Austin Seay discuss this convention plus TRICS in Charlotte, NC, that’s coming in November. 00:44:42 - Jamison Scott was one of the performers today and this is his first convention. Not just his first Magic At The Beach, but his first convention as he has only been doing magic for about a year. He brings joys and excitement to the podcast. 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, September 11thNoon - 3:00pm  - Dealers Room Early Open2:00 pm - Registration Opens, Wonders Theatre Box Office3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Dealers Sneak Preview Show (ten minutes per dealer)4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Dealers Room Open4:30 pm - 5:30 pm - Lecture: Eric Jones5:30 pm - 7:00 pm - DINNER Served By Magic At The Beach7:00 pm - Wonders Theatre | House Opens7:30 pm - Masters of Sleight of Hand show - Eric Jones, Jeki Yoo, Ed Ellis, Joan DuKore 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 Timestamps for this episode:00:00:17 - Scott Wells in Nashville for a layover between Austin and Myrtle Beach talking about upcoming convention.00:03:41 - Charles Bach, organizer of Magic At The Beach, talks about preparations over this year to bring together this awesome line-up of talent to this convention00:13:47 - Dave Tanner, magic shop owner, talks about part of helping to organize this event plus a little about his shop which is right around the corner from the Charles Bach Wonders Theatre00:20:23 - Anthony Gerard is a dealer at this convention for his first year. But he has been active across the country for the past year having attended/lectured and/or been a dealer at 18 conventions. 00:27:01 - Michael Lair is a dealer again this year who sells unique magic that is of his own creation.00:33:00 - Bill Wells, Past International President of the I.B.M. knows a thing or three about organizing conventions. Bill shares some thoughts on why he loves this convention.00:36:35 - Howard Blackwell has been running the Holy City Magic Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina, and is performing and lecturing at this convention.00:44:48 - Lance Rich will be presenting a lecture on Magic in Las Vegas during this Saturday’s events. He wrote the book on the history of magic in Las Vegas, “Neon Dreams.” 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.

Fielding West has been a fixture of the Las Vegas comedy scene for over 50 years. But time has taken its toll and he now suffers from Emphysema, a form of COPD. But despite having to be strapped with an oxygen tank 24/7, Fielding has found a way to keep on his path of teaching people how to speak better on stage plus being part of the “Lance Burton and Friends” tour. He has even incorporated a way to make his audiences laugh with him at his malady. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Fielding is like the Everyready bunny that just keeps going, and going, and going. He continues to make people laugh with his antics on stage and has even just been recognized by the International Magicians Society (IMS) with yet another Merlin Award. This episode was recorded in May 2025 and long before he knew he was going to be receiving this award. 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 for a Chance to Win a Copy of Castle Notes: Thoughts on the "Why" as well as the "How" by Steve Friedberg Enter with your name and email address. Hard copies will be shipped within the U.S. compliments of the author. PDF copies will go to those winners who reside outside the U.S. First Name Last Name Email Address Enter Today We respect your privacy. Your email will only be shared with the author. Thank you for entering the contest. If your name is randomly selected, then an email will be sent to you requesting your physical address where the book should be sent. Good luck!

Friday, August 29, 20254:00 PM TAOM Board Meeting6:00 PM Dinner Buffet8:00 PM Dealer Exhibition 12:00 AM Midnight MadnessSaturday, August 30,20258:00 AM Breakfast9:30 AM Lecture11:00 AM Lecture12:30 PM Lunch2:00 PM Lecture4:00 PM lecture6:30 PM TAOM General Meeting and Memoriam7:00 PM Picnic BBQ Dinner Buffet8:00 PM A Night of Prestidigitation9:30 PM TAOM 2026 Convention and Swearing in of New TAOM Officers10:00 PM Midnight Madness 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: 00:00:17 – announcement of winners from recent contest for the book “Practicing the Art of Magic” who were: Gary Weimer, Gary Freidrich, George Reis, Nicholas Nardi, Alison Homburger, and Greg Youngs.00:02:46 – Kent Cummins joins me in the car drive to Dallas for the convention as we talk about our expectations and Kent’s experiences of past conventions.00:16:37 – Eric Hogue is the President of this year’s event and he tells us what to expect and some of the challenges he has had over the past year in planning this.00:25:54 – Clark May, owner of the Rabbit in Hat magic shop in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. This is his first T.A.O.M. convention and he tells us why it’s taken so long to get here.00:37:11 – From South Africa, Trevor Duffy joins us to talk about his nationwide lecture tour. He is a dealer at this convention.00:47:02 – a brief overview of what happened so far, then we talk with John Carter who is an avid magic collector and was one of the people to helped Chip Romero put together the Doug Henning exhibit at MAGIC Live! He tells us about that experience.00:54:38 – more updates on what the morning brought us. Scott Hollingsworth, Entertainment Director of Houston’s Magic Island, who brings us up to date on the October 1st opening of the Magic Island.01:03:14 – Gene Protas will be the T.A.O.M. President for 2026 who already has the talent planned and everything else you need to know like hotel, registration, and more.01:08:37 – Now Past President, Eric Hogue and Scott wraps up the convention as Eric tells us how he felt the day went for him. 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 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

Larry Kahlow carries on the tradition of owning and managing a brick and mortar magic shop. And the Eagle Magic Shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is not just a magic shop. It is the oldest, longest running magic shop still operating in the United States. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Larry shares the history of the Eagle Magic Shop from it’s founding by Collins Rice Pentz to its current owner, Larry. Along the way there have been many known, well-known and unknown magicians who have darkened their doors including the famous escape artist himself, Harry Houdini. Larry shares stories passed down to him along with his own stories that now live through him. If you are interested in magic history and particularly the “life of a brick-and-mortar magic shop,” then you will love this 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.

Mark Phillips has transitioned quite nicely from active trade show worker to full time parlor show performer. Mark has long been an “in demand” trade show worker entertaining at corporate functions and attracting large crowds for his trade show clients. But over the past few years, Mark has stayed closer to his Washington, D.C. home where he regularly performs “The Magic Duel” featuring him with another magician. Currently he is working with Meadow Perry. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize In the first part of this week’s episode, Mark tells us about the evolution of developing “The Magic Duel” and the people who have worked with him over the past few years. He explains the premise and perhaps inspires you, the listener, to consider having your own theater show with another magician. The second part of our conversation holds some really good advice and tips on booking trade shows today. The way companies book trade show magicians has radically changed with the evolution of cell phones and the internet. Sometimes it’s difficult to get through all the noise to reach the right client who books trade shows. But there are pluses and minuses on how to use social media to get booked. 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.

View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Time Stamps for this episode: 00:00:14 – Kelvin Chun and Ron Ishimaro, from Hawaii, regularly attend MAGIC Live! and tell us why they enjoy this event.00:06:30 – Master Payne has been a presenter at many MAGIC Live! events and regularly performs at the Moisture Festival (Renaissance Festival) in the northwest. He tells us what he enjoyed most about this year’s event.00:19:22 – Bill Smith, from Magic Ventures, was the builder of the sets for the close-up and E.T.C. show and has always been intimately involved with MAGIC Live! He also tells us about his favorite magic convention, Abbott’s Get Together and why he always attends.00:26:50 – as the evening show is about to begin, we chat with Charlie Randall, from H&R Magic Books, and Bill Flanagan, who tells us about their perception of this convention and some of the break-out shows.00:40:09 – We wrap up the convention with Stan Allen, organizer of MAGIC Live! who tells us some the challenges and victories and surprises that made this event unique. 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 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

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:00:00:20 – an update of last night’s late night activities as we chat with Matt Alexander, a Friend of the Magic Word, who talked a bit about the newest addition to the convention, the Experimental Theatrical Experience (E.T.C.)00:10:30 – Chris and Ryan Zubrick, illusionists from St. Petersburg, Florida, who talk about their experience in Las Vegas and the shows they’ve seen and some of their upcoming plans for their theater this year.00:17:17 – Nancy Henniing, Doug Henning’s sister from Canada, tells us some stories about growing up with Doug as she is three years younger than Doug.00:31:46 – Wayne Alan, owner of the North Historic Theatre in Virginia, was a friend of Doug Henning and he tells us some stories about Doug.00:40:42 – Lanny Kibbey helped put together Chip Romero’s gallery of Doug Henning memorabilia. He tells us about what it took to put all of this together. 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 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

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:00:00:19 – Join Scott as he patiently waits in the Chicago airport to depart for Las Vegas and MAGIC Live!00:06:06 - at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas for the opening night party, we first chat with my friend, Ian Rowland from England, as we share our excitement about being in Las Vegas and preparing for this convention. We chat also a bit about Carrot Top.00:12:36 – James Dimmare is dressed as a pirate from Treasure Island at the dress up party. He will be hosting some of the Focus Sessions.00:15:53 – MP Fisher and Robb Fisher (a Friend of the Magic Word) are dressed for evening as Rocky Balboa and Indiana Jones. They often attend MAGIC Live! and listen to the podcast during their commutes.00:21:08 – Rob Tarry and Josh G. from Austin talk about the overwhelming experience of attending their first MAGIC Live!00:26:01 – Comedy magician, John Archer, from England, is a frequent attendee at this event and is always a delightful guest.00:30:36 – Julie Eng is the Executive Director of Genii and tells us what new looks the magazine has and how Jim Steinmeyer has brought his vision to the editorial staff, too.00:36:16 – From the Magic Land of Allakazam, Greg Wilson, brings us up to date on the video digitization and some stories from the historical archives.00:40:21 – from the stage of the first day in the first session, Stan Allen welcomes the registrants to this year’s MAGIC Live!00:42:22 – Scott DeYoung and Alex Rogers met at this convention many years ago and became friends. They reunite each year at this event.00:53:00 – Mark Mason, magician extraordinaire, lost a roller case of props and hopes that someone who is attending this convention and possibly saw something that will help him recover the contents.00:55:48 – Michael Chaut, co-producer of Monday Night Magic, talks about the first day of activities 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 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