Discourse in Magic

Welcome to the brand new series on Discourse in Magic: Magicians and Margaritas! In this inaugural episode, host Jonah Babins sits down over a margarita with Mastermind member and stellar Australian magician, Cameron Leo.   Together, they pull back the curtain on Cameron's massive business transformation. We unpack the exact trajectory that took Cameron from zero to $20K a year, and then explosive...

The AI Revolution in Magic: Get Ahead or Get Left Behind In this solo episode, Jonah Babins reports back from the annual Mastermind Summit. Every year, Jonah takes the mastermind group to an epic, tropical destination to map out business growth, and this year they returned to a beautiful resort in Mexico. While the room tackled classic pillars like contracts, public shows, SEO, and cold email, one...

In this special episode, Jonah Babins shares a "meaty" excerpt from his recent business lecture delivered to the Chicago Magic Round Table . Recorded while Jonah was in the midst of a residency at the Chicago Magic Lounge (654 Club) , this session skips the tricks and goes straight to the systems that allow a performer to scale from a hobbyist to a high-earning professional. Jonah breaks down the...

This week, Discourse in Magic looks a little different. Instead of Jonah interviewing a guest, we're sharing an episode where the tables were turned. Jonah recently sat down with Josh Norbido and Nick Kay—better known as The Magic Guys—on their popular Australian-based livestream and podcast. The Magic Guys actually "robbed" Jonah of the FSM Award for top Magic Podcast this year, but there are no...

In this episode, Jonah Babins breaks down a critical mistake magicians make when a lead finally lands in their inbox: treating the sales call like a logistics checklist. While knowing the venue and guest count is important, a truly professional sales call does something much deeper. Jonah explores how the right questions don't just give you information—they prove your expertise and give you the ex...

In this solo episode, Jonah Babins pulls back the curtain on the eight-month hiatus of Discourse in Magic. Since August 2025, the podcast feed has been quiet, leading many listeners to reach out and check-in. Today, Jonah is back to explain his disappearance, share a major business epiphany from his recent travels, and lay out the future of the show. The truth is, Jonah hasn't been resting; he's b...

In this episode of Discourse in Magic , Jonah Babins dives into a powerful concept from his mastermind sessions: Weaponizing Your Show . The idea is simple—make your show book you more shows. Beyond just delivering a strong performance, Jonah shares five practical tactics to turn every gig into a referral engine, rebooking machine, and review generator. If you want your performances to create mome...

Thoughts on FISM: The Good, The Bad, and The Overwhelming In this solo episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babins shares his raw and honest reflections on FISM 2025. From mind-blowing performances to marathon-length competitions, Jonah walks through the highs and lows of the world's biggest and most prestigious magic convention and competition. Whether you attended or are just curious about how F...

In this episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah sits down with Jamie Allan, a pioneering illusionist and producer known for blending large-scale magic with theatrical storytelling. From growing up in a showbiz family in the UK to launching Broadway-scale productions in New York, Jamie shares the ups and downs of his journey—offering invaluable lessons about reinvention, creative resilience, and stayi...

Jonah sits down with viral magician  Xavier Mortimer to trace an unlikely journey—from learning back‑and‑front palming out of a gas‑station booklet to topping "Best Family‑Friendly Show" lists on the Las Vegas Strip and amassing billions of social‑video views. Along the way they dig into creative misfires, the treadmill of nightly shows, and why rehearsing a TikTok illusion can cost $20 K.   From...

In this episode, Jonah Babins is joined by rising UK magic star Luke Oseland to explore a journey that spans from toy magic sets and teenage tinkering to Fringe Festival sellouts and cruise ship stints. From co-creating Insane Magic to redefining how young magicians build their brands, Luke shares the behind-the-scenes of developing shows, finding your performance voice, and building a magic caree...

In this week's episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babins returns with a behind-the-scenes look at the Mexico Mastermind Summit, his latest adventures in AI, and what's next for the magic community. After a brief hiatus, Jonah shares the lessons, breakthroughs, and future plans that are shaping his approach to magic and business in 2024. The Summit Experience: Magic, Community, and Growth Jonah k...

In this episode, Jonah Babins is joined by corporate magic legend Bill Herz to unpack a career that spans summer camps, corporate boardrooms, and headline features in The Wall Street Journal . From his early days performing with Paul Cummins to founding Magicorp and representing world-class talent, Bill shares the highs, the hustle, and the hilarious behind-the-scenes of building a career in corpo...

In this episode of Discourse in Magic , Jonah Babins sits down with magician, circus performer, and entertainer Leah Orleans to discuss her unique journey in magic, her experiences blending circus arts with illusion, and how she pushes the boundaries of traditional performance. Leah shares insights into how she found her place in the magic world, her approach to creating engaging and original perf...

This week on Discourse in Magic, we're bringing you a special repost of Jonah Babins' appearance on the Penguin Magic Podcast , hosted by Erik Tait . Jonah, the long-time host of Discourse in Magic, takes the guest seat and shares insights on the world of magic, business, and podcasting. How Jonah Built Discourse in Magic  Jonah shares the journey of how Discourse in Magic has grown over the years...

In this solo episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babins dives into the world of public shows, sharing his insights on why every magician should consider doing them. He also provides a sneak peek into his upcoming shows across North America and highlights a special event happening at the end of April. Why Do Public Shows? 1. Promo Material: Public shows are an excellent opportunity to get high-qua...

In this episode of Discourse in Magic , Jonah Babins sits down with Jonathan Levit to discuss his multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, from acting and hosting to creating innovative magic tricks and apps. Jonathan shares his journey, insights, and the magic behind his successful projects, including his Vegas show and The Stranger app. Early Magic Journey Jonathan discusses how he dis...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Discourse in Magic with your host, Jonah Babins! This week, Jonah shares his journey and lessons learned from running Google ads in his magic business. Unlike tactical episodes, this one dives deep into the mental game and personal experiences that paved the way for success. Perseverance and Mindset Jonah's initial attempts with Google ads led to small gigs...

In this episode, Jonah sits down with Rachel Wax to discuss her journey from fashion to full-time magic, performing at Speakeasy Magic, and her creative process for developing new routines. Getting Into Magic Rachel's introduction to magic came from her father, a surgeon with a passion for tricks. At 15, she learned a self-working card trick, sparking a lifelong fascination. Despite initially purs...

In this episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babins sits down with magician, science communicator, and viral illusion creator Matt Pritchard . Matt's unique approach blends his background in physics with a passion for magic, leading to mesmerizing optical illusions and science-based performances that captivate audiences worldwide. How Matt Got Into Magic Matt shares his journey into magic, startin...

In this week's episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babbins kicks off the new year with an insightful discussion about the January slump—a reality for many magicians—and how to turn it into an opportunity for growth. With the rush of holiday gigs behind us, Jonah explains how January offers a unique chance to focus on improving your magic business.  The January Slump: A Common Challenge As Jonah p...

Join us for a unique twist as Eric Leclerc takes over as host to interview the usual host, Jonah Babins, on his own podcast, Discourse in Magic. This engaging conversation uncovers Jonah's journey into the world of magic and podcasting, revealing how his love for both has enriched his life. Jonah shares his early experiences with magic, sparked by his uncle's D lights, and reflects on how podcasts...

Renowned magician and captivating storyteller Taylor Hughes joins us for an insightful exploration of his magical journey. We unravel Taylor's innovative blend of storytelling and illusion, a unique approach shaped by early influences like the Magic Castle Junior Society. Taylor opens up about crafting acts that not only mesmerize but also resonate deeply with audiences, highlighting the impact of...

 In this episode of Discourse in Magic,  I explore the art of crafting the perfect artist rider for your magic performances. I break down the essentials of what a rider is and why it is crucial for your event's success. We'll go over the key elements you should include, from sound and lighting to stage setup and seating arrangements, ensuring that every detail is covered. I'll share insights on sp...

Join us as we sit down with the incredibly talented Dustin Tavella , winner of the 2021 season of America's Got Talent, who shares his inspiring journey from a young magician dressed as a clown to a celebrated performer captivating audiences worldwide. Dustin recounts how his passion for magic began with a simple magic kit and a special trick gifted by his uncle, setting him on a path of discovery...