The Magic Word Podcast

Mentalist, creator, BGT Finalist, and father, Marc Spelmann joins us this week for a delightful chat. Marc has developed and marketed (along with Peter Nardi of Alakazam Magic) many commercial tricks that are used in the repertoires of many professional mentalists around the world. When I think of a British mentalist, my mind first goes to Derren Brown. Next is Marc Spelmann. He was on Britain’s G...

The smell of the sea, the noise of the roller coaster, the sounds of laughter, the taste of a nickel hot dog, and the applause from the audiences watching magic shows in Coney Island around the turn of the 20th century. Those are some of the senses you will think about as you listen to this week’s podcast. Richard Cohn takes us way back in time when “Dime Museum Harry” Houdini was still perfo...

Michael Finney was explicitly voted by his peers as one of the Top 10 Comedy Magicians in the World in the April 2008 edition of MAGIC magazine. You will get no argument from me on that account. Michael is funny and has spread joy and happiness worldwide. Known for his trademark overgrown blond flattop haircut, booming voice, and distinct lack of pretense, Finney masterfully walks the line between...

Say his name three times and he might appear! Or you can just send him and email to book him. :) He has a very different on-stage character from his off stage personality. I think Jordan Jonas is a perfect guest to feature for this “Month of Boo” because of his unique character. At the young age of 33, he seems to be comfortably settling into his character as he continues to “tweak” the...

Andreas Sebring, from Sweden, is quite a creative person. He developed and markets an engraving technique for the classic “Koran Medallion” that allows the magician to hand out the engraved object. This is one of the many creations that came from his mind. Andreas has recently been here in the U.S. attending a few magic conventions as a dealer and sharing his creations with the community. It...

John Cerbone is a full time hypnotist. This is the first episode on The Magic Word that has featured someone whose sole occupation and direction is as a hypnotist. There are several magicians who have transitioned to add hypnotism to their repertoire, and others who have been thinking about it. In this episode you will learn from a professional what it’s like to create and be successful at such a...

Technology is advancing faster than we could have imagined. In fact, the current fear is that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is learning and growing on its own without the aid of human intervention. Recent news has reported that some of the creators are advocating a hold on further advancement until we can control this potential monster. In the meantime, there are a multitude of opportunities for AI...

Jack Hart  is an artist in the truest sense of the word. He has designed illusions to make them more deceptive and toured with Blackstone, Jr. for nearly five years. He worked with Copperfield, Henning, Kalin, and so many more. For many years, Jack worked designing games for the television show, “The Price is Right” plus he currently does missionary work around the world.  View full...

Christopher Hart has had, and continues to have, an amazing career, or should I say “careers”. Many people, not just magicians, would be satisfied with success in any one of the areas where Chris has exceeded expectations. Many listeners of The Magic Word Podcast know that it was his hand as “Thing” in “The Addams Family” movies. And yet there is a whole generation who have never seen nor hea...

Multi international award winning escapist, Dean Gunnarson, joins us this week to talk about his dangerous career. He has been called by the media “The World’s Most Daring Escape Artist” and the title fits. Traveling from his home in Canada to lands across China, Dean has conquered it all and accepted challenges much like Harry Houdini, from rope and chain escapes to the Water Torture and Mil...

One of magic’s most creative minds, Dan Harlan, joins us this week. No doubt many of you have his “Card Toon” card trick or have watched him on Penguin Live videos or perhaps on the Tarbell Course of Magic on video. Maybe you once subscribed to The Minotaur which he co-published with Marv Leventhal. His life and career hasn’t all been roses and indeed had many bumps along the way. Currently h...

Schedule Wednesday, August 6th  24 hours          Bicycle Lounge,  St. Charles 9:00 a.m.               Information Booth,  Kiosk  (9:00p) 10:00 a.m.             General Sessions,  Showr...

Schedule Tuesday, August 4th  24 hours          Bicycle Lounge,  St. Charles 9:00 a.m.               Information Booth,  Kiosk  (9:00p) 10:00 a.m.             General Sessions,  Showroo...

Schedule Sunday, August 2nd  24 hours          Bicycle Lounge, St. Charles  10:00 a.m.             Registration,  Bienville G  (10:00p) 10:00 a.m.             Photo Badges,  Dauphine F  (10:...

For many years, Scott Tokar has been helping clients at industrial shows across the country and indeed, across the globe. He structures trade show programs to engage, educate and entertain and sending the corporate message to everyone who passes by his booth. He co-authored Special F-X with Harrison Carroll that teaches magicians how to engage with hospitalized patients using magic. He also dabble...

Tobias Beckwith used to manage Jeff McBride and Marco Tempest, just to name a couple “names” in our magic community. He has worked on Broadway with some of the most iconic plays such as “Oh, Calcutta” and “The Fantastiks” among others. He was one of the early staff teachers at the McBride Mystery School as it was formed and of course, was close friends with Eugene Burger, among others. Tobias has...

In 1973 Alan Bursky burst on the comedy scene in a big was when he was just 17 and being the youngest comedian to ever perform on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. He was also involved in booking entertainment in the early days of the Magic Island. But long before that when he was growing up in New York, he developed a friendship with David Kotke aka David Copperfield. Later while on the comedy circui...

Just Alan owned a magic shop near Woodstock, New York, for over 40 years. During that time he worked on his Zen archery, meditation, and relaxation. His search for real magic in his early years took him to India where he followed his heart and the stars as he was led to understand what is important in life. Also during the past several years, he studied with Jeff McBride, he entered magic contests...

Schedule SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026 TBD - YOUTH ACADEMY 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM REGISTRATION OPEN - 2027 CONVENTION 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM HOUDINI COLLECTION DISPLAY - Adjacent to Dealer Room Rare Houdini artifacts provided by various collectors and museums 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM DEALERS ROOM OPEN 9:00 AM THE S.A.M. AWARDS & RECOGNITION SHOW Contest winner awards, recognitions and installation ceremony 10:30 AM L...

Schedule FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026 TBD - YOUTH ACADEMY 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM HOUDINI HISTORICAL CENTER @ MUSEUM at the CASTLE Free admission for convention attendees 12:00 AM- 5:00 PM HOUDINI COLLECTION DISPLAY - Adjacent to Dealer Room Rare Houdini artifacts provided by various collectors and museums 12:00 PM- 5:00 PM DEALERS ROOM OPEN 9:00 AM S.A.M. NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING 11:00 AM LECTURE - BORIS WILD...

Schedule THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026 TBD - YOUTH ACADEMY 11:00 PM- 4:00 PM HOUDINI HISTORICAL CENTER @ MUSEUM at the CASTLE Free Admission All Day for Convention Attendees 12:00 AM- 5:00 PM HOUDINI COLLECTION DISPLAY - Adjacent to Dealer Room Rare Houdini artifacts provided by various collectors and museums 12:00 PM- 5:00 PM DEALERS ROOM OPEN 9:30 AM WORLD RECORD CHAIN ESCAPE @ Houdini Plaza Join 300 m...

Schedule Tuesday June 30, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM OPEN FORUM SESSIONING 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM HOUDINI SÉANCE HISTORY, DISCUSSION and METHODS Featuring Dorothy Deitrich and Bruce Kalver Wednesday July 1, 2026 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM YOUTH ACADEMY Youth-focused lectures, workshops and group events for SAMY members ages 7-17 12:00 PM- 5:00 PM DEALERS ROOM OPEN 10:00 AM S.A.M. LEADERSHIP TRAIN...

Last episode we visited with Scott Pepper, the proprietor of the Magic Saloon in San Antonio, Texas. This week we chat with the featured stage entertainer who performed there: Jade. She was the winner of the I.B.M. Gold Medal for Stage in 1990, which is a distinctive honor in so many ways. The Gold Medal and Gold Cups (for close-up) are not awarded every year, but only when a performer is so outst...

Scott Pepper hails from England but is soon to be a Texan through and through once his citizenship papers are completed. In the meantime, he is successfully running the Magic Saloon as a magic venue in the heart of San Antonio, Texas, just across the street from the Alamo. Soon, people who have been shouting “Remember the Alamo” will be chanting “Remember the Magic Saloon!” This is a great venue t...

Kenrick “Ice” McDonald is a man who stands on many well deserved accolades. Aside from the many performance awards, he was the first African American to become the National President of the S.A.M. and he has been recognized for his work in the community by being inducted into the S.A.M. Hall of Fame. He served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) and appeared...