The Insider

Dana Pleasant shares her journey from photography and musical theater to becoming a magician, her creative process for her signature Polaroid trick, and insights on making magic memorable and personal.

Ella Nicholson is proof that magic's next generation is already here. The Irish teenager made her national television debut on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and since then has continued to build a reputation for her creative magic. She's one of magic's future stars and we first met her as a Youth Scholar two years ago at The Session.

At the end, Damian's 12 year old daughter, Isis, hops on to ask Ella some questions of her own.

Kieron is a unique being. Creator, performer, lecturer, human fountain, bubble maestro, close up wonder, regurgitator, stage performer, and husband and Dad.

We chat about it all today, and his first lecture in about nine years which will be at The Session in London, January 2027.

In this episode, magician and mentalist Brian Curry shares his journey from a shy kid to a seasoned performer, discusses the ethics of mentalism, and offers practical advice for magicians looking to develop their character and build their audience.

Romany shares her inspiring journey from a corporate career to becoming a renowned magician, discussing her persona development, show evolution, and insights on performing at sea and as a woman in magic.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Diva of Magic

01:20 Romany's Magic Origin Story

02:40 The Evolution of the Diva Persona

06:39 The Signature Rope Tie Trick

07:50 Lessons from Corporate Life

10:15 The Art of Busking and Crowd Engagement

12:57 Crafting a Show: Structure and Flexibility

14:43 The Importance of a Strong Ending

15:08 Audience Favorites: The Weakest Links

16:23 The Power of Costumes in Magic

19:51 Cruise Ship Performances: Myths and Realities

21:30 Women in Magic: Progress and Challenges

24:10 The Warm Welcome in Magic

27:04 Advice for Young Female Magicians

29:44 The Journey of Spun into Gold

32:21 The Power of Honesty in Storytelling

35:41 Finding Joy Beyond Struggles

36:08 The Reality of Money in Magic

37:51 Life in a Cottage: Trade-offs and Benefits

41:45 What Separates Good Magicians from Great Ones

resources

Romany's Website - https://romanymagic.com

Romany's Facebook - https://facebook.com/RomanyRomany

Romany's Instagram - https://instagram.com/RomanyMagic

In this episode, Damian interviews Director Matthew Testa and our own Andi Gladwin about their documentary on magic piracy, the investigation into Erdnase, and the broader implications for the magic community and creative industries.

A smash hit at Tribeca, Stealing Magic is going to be required viewing for all of us.

Gaia started performing magic at the age of thirteen — and won the Italian Magic Championship that same year. She went on to become the only woman in history to hold that title, and has since competed as a finalist at the World Magic Championships.

But what makes her truly unusual is what she does off the stage. She holds a degree in psychology, is training as a clinical psychologist, and has taken magic into prisons as a tool for reform. She's spoken at TEDx Milano Women, written for magic publications, and built a practice that treats illusion as a branch of human science.

She performs and speaks in Italian, English, and French, and she grew up watching her parents rehearse magic in their living room — which, honestly, explains a lot.

It's Ben Seidman! Talking about magic. And stuff.

Phill Smith and Damian have a battle of the beards. Damian loses. Badly.

They also chat about marked decks, performance philosophy, mentalism, and much more. Let's go.

Discover how intentional refinements and understanding when to stop can elevate your magic routines from good to great. In this episode, John Guastaferro shares insights on balancing cleverness with elegance, the importance of audience experience, and his approach to developing routines that feel natural and authentic.