The Magic Word Podcast

Diana Zimmerman is an enchanting woman in every sense of the word: personality, charm, abilities, looks, intelligence, skill, and so much more. She has led a life of magic like few other women. And she is being recognized for her achievements by being inducted to the Los Angeles Times Global Magicians Hall of Fame on July 9th, 2025. Married at 19 to Dick Zimmerman, magician and creative genius, she performed around the world on television and stage with her one-woman performance. She traveled with a giant gramophone then later switched to a thumb tie and pick pocketing. She developed and still works with the Magic Castle Junior Program (which just celebrated their 50th year) and is the author of several books of fantasy. But she also authored the definitive collector’s edition of the Siegfried and Roy book. 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 Diana has so many stories that she shares with us this week including her early days working with her then-husband, Dick Zimmerman, then how Cary Grant encouraged her to form the junior program at the Magic Castle, and many stories about the late Siegfried and Roy. She was a close confidant to the illusionists and shares some “behind the scenes” stories from Little Bavaria to “the Incident” that ended their Las Vegas run. 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.

While recently attending the Magic Collectors Expo in Las Vegas, we sat down with Connie Boyd to talk about her career as a successful magician on the Las Vegas Strip. But since semi-retiring from stage performing life, Connie has been the biggest advocate of spotlighting magical women both from our rich heritage as well as current and up and comers. During COVID she developed a YouTube channel that features performance reels of over 100 women that she has researched from our annals of history plus many whom she personally knows today. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Today Connie consults on magic acts with some magical women. She is a caring, giving, knowledgeable magician who is willing to pass on the skills and talents she has learned through the “school of had knocks” in life. She was trained for the ballet and performed with the circus until she fell during one of her aerialist performances in Houston, Texas. She tells us how she pivoted from dance to magic and made it a successful career. 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 Curry is a corporate magician from the Washington, D.C. area who often performs comedy magic for executives and politicians inside the beltway. He also performs school shows while balancing a home life with a wife and family. For a long time, he and Mark Phillips shared the stage in a “dueling magicians” type performance that played to great reviews. Known as “D.C.’s most honest con man,” Brian has a regular show entitled “The Good Liar” that plays at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Brian has several stories about performing for politicians that he can’t publicly share, but the interesting ones he can share, he does in this week’s episode. He also gives some advice and tips along the way while sharing some comical stories. 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. For more information, please visit the website at: https://ibmring50.org/lecturers/

Often we don’t know nor recognize those who work behind the scenes and spotlights. But they are the ones responsible for making the person in front of the curtains or camera look good. As they say, “it takes a village” and that is especially true for “stars” who make it on television and stage. One such person that is a “go-to” consultant is Joe Monti. When Criss Angel got his television deal for “Mind Freak”, Joe was one of the first people Criss called. As time went on and it became apparent how valuable Joe was, he also assumed the role of “producer”. Joe continues to this day to consult for magicians as well as performing for high profile corporate clients. He has even fooled Penn & Teller on their show, “Fool Us”. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize My friendship with Joe Monti goes back nearly 40 years from when we performed together at Houston’s Magic Island. It was good to catch up with a long-time friend this week as he shared many stories about what he has been doing during those years. He has a few “behind the scenes” stories to tell about working with Criss Angel plus his experience on “Penn & Teller Fool Us”. 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. PLEASE NOTE: These events are THIS SATURDAY June 14th, 2025. For more information on the New York Magic Conference, please visit: https://newyorkmagicconference.com and to learn more about the Salute to Magic and purchase advance tickets, please visit: https://salutetomagic.com

Military veterans, Katalina and Christian Painter have made a successful career of entertaining with their two-person mind reading routine coupled with their comedy mentalism act. For many years they traveled across the U.S. together entertaining on college campuses. After a few years, they decided to “settle down” in one location and limit their travel .They found a niche market in their hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana, where today they present a weekly show entitled the “Mind Tripping Show” in the Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This episode is a bit different from most our episodes. Typically we chat about a variety of topics with our guests. But this week we got off on a tangent from the very beginning and stayed focused on that throughout the episode. Specifically, Christian and Katalina talked about how they developed their show, how they found the venue, how they market the show, how it has evolved, and why it is still successful as they are reaching 20 years with this show. There is invaluable information in this episode, particularly if you are considering finding a venue for your show and what you need to do to prepare for it. 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. For more information on the New York Magic Conference, please visit: https://newyorkmagicconference.com and to learn more about the Salute to Magic and purchase advance tickets, please visit: https://salutetomagic.com

There seems to be an explosion of magic theatres, one-man shows, magic bars, and magic variety venues popping up across the country and indeed, around the world. I need to use two hands to count the number that have popped up since the first of the year! This week we chat with two magicians who have ventured into the high stakes world of filling seats in New York City where there is already a LOT of magic shows. Carl Mercurio and Jim Vines together have started “The Broadway Magic Hour” (really, off-Broadway to be precise) where they present weekly, family friendly magic shows. Their journey may not be unique, but it serves as an inspiration to others who might be considering finding their own venue (and perhaps partner) where you can entertain the masses with your magical skills. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Both based in New York City, Carl and Jim have similar yet dissimilar backgrounds. One is a multiple award winning magician, the other is not. One was a restaurant and bar magician, the other one was not. But their styles, personalities, and characters meld perfectly on stage. This week they talk about the “mojo” that put and keeps them together. Moreover, they talk about how they found the venue and how they market themselves in this very competitive environment. There is a lot to learn from the pro tips that they offer. But even if you don’t plan to ever pursue having your own theatre or your own show, I think you will enjoy our chat as we hear some of the trials and tribulations of a couple guys trying to make it in the Big Apple. 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.

Eric Leclerc (pronounced le clair) is a very funny guy. To me, his style is much like that of Las Vegas magician, Mike Hammer, with a quick wit and clever retorts while maintaining mystery at the core of each trick. He has appeared or starred in over a half dozen television shows such as Brain Games, Tricked!, Big Trick Energy, among others. He has also appeared on Penn & Teller Fool Us where he took home the Fooler trophy. Earlier this year, Eric hosted the Saturday evening galas at the Blackpool magic convention and received mixed reviews. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Eric Leclerc has been “on the road” with his school shows across Canada presenting his magic in French to French speaking schools. He joins us this week between shows as he chats about booking the tour, his philosophy on magic competitions, and of course, his thoughts on his recent performance as the compere (emcee) of the Saturday evening galas at Blackpool 2025. 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.

Sunday May 18, 20259:00 AM magiK-MART Opens with FREE DONUTS with the dealers!  (Bring your own drink) magiK-MART Dealers Room 10:00-1030 AM Intense Lecture #6 - DAN FLESHMAN10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Interview #8 - MYSTERY MAGICIAN LECTURE1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EXTRA CHARGE MASTER CLASS with ALLAN ACKERMAN! - LIMITED SEATING FOR THIS MASTER CLASS!11:30 AM  AbraCORNdabra 2025 closes! THANK YOU FOR COMING! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR FOR AbraCORNdabra’s 16th year! View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Time Stamps: These will be posted after I have gotten some sleep. 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

Saturday May 17, 20259:00 AM magiK-MART Opens with FREE DONUTS with the dealers!  (Bring your own drink) magiK-MART Dealers Room 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Lecture #5 - ALLAN ACKERMAN10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Break   10:30 AM – 3:30 PM The WORLD FAMOUS F.O.V. SILENT MAGIC AUCTION – raising funds for the Young Magician’s Fund. SIDE LOBBY 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM The Kernels Showcase Show BALLROOM WEST 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM FREE PIZZA & POP LUNCH ON ABRACORNDABRA! (Kernels & Parents Pizza & Pop Lunch critique in private dining room) Enjoy an AbraCORNdabra FREE PIZZA & POP LUNCH!1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Show & Lecture  #6 - JEKI YOO3:00 PM – 3:15 PM Break LAST CHANCE TO BID ON SILENT AUCTION ITEMS! (Silent auction closes at 3:15 PM)  HEARTS, DIAMONDS, CLUBS, SPADES, JOKERS, GAFFS3:30 PM – 5:00 PM THE MIDWEST CHAMPIONSHIP OF CLOSE-UP MAGIC Downstairs TWELVE PerformersSIX rooms TWO AwardsONE CHAMPION!“Who will it be?  Will it be YOU?”5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Pay & Pick up Auction Winnings   6:00 PM magiK-MART Closes   (dealers) 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM Dinner on your own   7:30 PM – 8:30 PM OscEARs Awards PartyDoors open – mingle with magical friends – cash barCome dressed in your best Gangster’s outfit or Flapper attire!  You may take your own photos in front of the “Police Line-up Wall”, find the Maitra D’ who will show you the “back alley entrance.”  Figure out the password to gain entrance into the SPEAKEASY where surprises await you! - Hotel Lobby 8:30 PM – 9:00 PM Old Maid’s Staff Show   9:00 PM -9:30 PM Awards Presentations with surprise guest9:30 PM – 10:00 PM The OscEARs Wrap Party MYSTERY MAGICIAN & GUESTS SHOW!THIS WILL BE THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS OSCEARS PARTY EVER!(What happens at THIS YEAR’S OsEAR’s Awards Party will be talked about for years to come!)10:00 PM – 11:00 PM Meet & Great with the Magical Stars – Souvenir Poster Signing    View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Time Stamps: These will be posted after I have gotten some sleep. 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

Friday May 16, 202511:00 AM CHECK-IN TO PICK UP REGISTRATION PACKETSRegistration Opens11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Flea Market   12:45 PM Grand Opening / Welcome Greeting/ FREE MAGICAL GIFT1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Show & Lecture #1 - PETER SAMELSON2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Break   2:30 PM – 7:30 PM magiK-MART Opens (dealers)3:00 PM – 4:30 PM 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Dinner on your own   6:00 PM – 7:30 PM LECTURE (Lecture #2) - ERIC TAIT7:30 PM – 8:00 PM Break   8:00 PM magiK-MART closes (dealers)  8:00 PM – 9:30 PM Show & Lecture #3 - THE COSMIC ROMANTICS9:30 PM – ???? JOLLY TIME JAM – NEW FOR 2025Super Special Late Night Jam Session featuring some very popular “name” magicians!If you are a “nite-owl” – you will enjoy “hanging out” with fellow magi trading magical secrets & such.  This special room for late-night jamming of magic is set up JUST for you & your magical friends!Enjoy free flavored popcorns and soda sponsored by JOLLY TIME POPCORN! View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Time Stamps: These will be posted after I have gotten some sleep. 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