Penn's Sunday School

A surprisingly casual and familiar visit to the ER, Penn's average conversations, thoughts on the Billy Joel documentary, Springsteen's easy interviews, the weirdest lyrics ever, and lots more.

A bizarre coincidence on stage at the big Penn & Teller show, Matt performs in Chicago and dives deep into Penn's performing style while developing The Tricksters, tackling classics of both music and literature, Penn's hometown makes the news, and lots more.

Penn is back from touring the UK with Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe and now in L.A. where he discovered he hates workshops but loves vegan cream cheese. A new failure, airport wheelchairs, how sticky notes work, Matt is writing and preparing to perform with The Tricksters: Inside Penn & Teller's Vault, and lots more.

Inspired by listener suggestions in a previous episode, Penn held a Zoom hangout and loose question and answer session with Patreon Members of the Congregation last month, directly from his back procedure, still high on pain medication. This is the result. Matt is at an airport, Reddi Rich is trying to steer the ship, and Penn is high.

In this bank episode recorded last month, Piff the Magic Dragon joins the show to reflect on the epic pre-tour performances of Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe at the Magic Castle. What Penn and Piff have learned from performing with each other onstage, running around excitedly with a bottle, the real definition of a punk magic show, unfiltered thoughts on the wrong kind of mentalism, the second grea...

Penn's spine has inspired his performance, final rehearsals for Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe inspire a discussion on the pros and cons of theatricality in magic, how Bruce Springsteen inspired Penn & Teller, Penn recalls the most starstruck he's ever been, and lots more.

Penn is joined by guest host Sarah Lowe as he remembers David Fair of Half Japanese through stories, memories, and music. Plus, the history of 50 Skidillion Watts of Power in the Hands of Babies Records, Penn breaks tapes out of the vault, The Bank of Penn, a really good feta, Herseys Syrup and Ruffles potato chips, and lots more.

Penn shares memories and reflects on the life, career, and immeasurable generosity of spirit of Juan Tamariz, plus the easiest book Penn has ever written, thoughts on Penn & Teller's Magic and Mystery Tour, a Thanksgiving dinner gone wrong, Matt performs at the Magic Castle and reflects on his career in comedy and magic as he comes up on a milestone anniversary, and lots more.

Penn explores why he never got into politics, Matt saw the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere, zines, postcard club, and an inadvertent lollygag, the right way to eat pretzels and french fries, and lots more.

Penn's new pain relief comes with unexpected results, Matt visits an 88 year old magic festival and is also an improv god, Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe rehearsals roll on, how Penn deals with criticism, Penn from the future, and lots more.

Penn contemplates a sedan chair, Matt recounts an embarrassing moment with Olivia Newton-John and saw two very different Las Vegas magic shows, Penn should have gone to Hawaii to ride motorcycles with Lou Reed, more audience volunteers at the big Penn & Teller show, and lots more,

Penn gets a nice mention from The Flying Karamazov Brothers and continues to discover the unexpected joys of performing seated on a stool, Matt performs magic for different audiences in Nashville, the life and legacy of Paul Reubens, unexpected concert tour lineups, and lots more.

Penn recaps his week of cancelled travel, adjusting to performing seated again, and TV star medical treatment. Plus, judging a book by its cover, stories of both Matt Donnelly the Mind Noodler and Bobby Slayton picking the wrong volunteers on stage, Reddi Rich pitches a new sci-fi story to Penn, and lots more.

Penn hurt his back but it's nothing compared to jumping in high heeled cowboy boots, Matt headlines a comedy show with magic, chandelier girls, Penn goes from Lou Reed to Bob Dylan, Debbie Harry's accidental straightjacket escape, well lit houses, and lots more.

Penn is busy rehearsing and preparing to travel the UK in a van with Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe, Penn and Matt have very different experiences with Stephen Colbert, foisting the variety arts on audiences expecting to see a band, Penn's memories of Independence Day (the movie and the holiday), and lots more. Tickets now on sale for Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe - 11 dates across the UK this fall...

Penn is at his best when things don't go to plan, Matt follows the Penn Jillette school of thought on magic preparation - with results as expected live on stage, some new musicians performing with Bob Dylan lead to an in-depth look at guitar tech with a connection to Penn & Teller: BS!, and lots more.

Matt has some fun ideas to surprise Penn, a brand new opener at the big Penn & Teller Show, Sean Connery went face to glass with an arachnid, Penn hits UK morning talk shows to promote Piff and Pop's Magic Shoppe, and lots more. Use offer code SCOOPS (click the "Unlock" button to enter the code before selecting tickets) to save 35% off tickets to Matt Donnelly The Mind Noodler at The Magician'...

Penn & Teller hit up Jimmy Fallon in the midst of the Knicks championship run and perform to sold out crowds in Toronto, Bob Dylan on growing older and Penn on the definition of good vs. bad writing, Penn is busy writing new books and plays, Matt at The Magician's Room Las Vegas, and lots more.

Penn's friend of more than 50 years, Carr Hagerman, shares his deeply personal story of being falsely accused. From the initial allegations and arrest, through a very public reaction and trial, to his acquittal and trying to find a way to move forward with hope and inspiration. Check out Carr's podcast at outofthebluepodcast.com Please note: this episode contains discussion of sexual abuse (child...

Penn's search for more Spanish language learning leads to a world of undercover cops and fake family histories, a cleansing trip to McDonalds, the horse won the race, Zoom doesn't know jokes, and lots more.

Penn takes a new view on plastics, TV algorithm suggestions, Matt gets asked a confusing question following his show at The Magician's Room, thoughts on the most requested magic trick of all time, and lots more.

Searching for late night vegan food in Atlantic City, Penn's upcoming, new book, the saga of merch at Matt the Mind Noodler's magic shows, Penn's excited about a new music documentary, discussing DTF St. Louis, and lots more!

Penn's experience as a dishwasher comes in handy with current events, Matt cruises around Alaska and reflects on his time as a cruise ship magician, a letter from a Member of the Congregation sparks more introspection about the situation in Iran, career advice from Phyllis Diller, and lots more.

Penn visits Dr. Theater in Florida and has to take the long way home, a novel solution to Matt's resting grumpy face, a memorable interaction with a Member of the Congregation, and lots more.

A dancing, foreign, audience volunteer attempts a Battle of Dreams, Penn & Teller's amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, Matt and Reddi Rich both have very different experiences going to concerts, and lots more.