The Magic Book Podcast

Ruth Knafo Setton, author of award-winning thriller "Zigzag Girl," shares her journey from a childhood steeped in Moroccan wonder to studying performance magic with legends including Eugene Burger, Teller, and Max Maven. Discover why she calls herself a storyteller who uses her pen as a wand, how a nameless character in an unfinished novel pulled her into the magic world, and why the seedy, resilient boardwalk of Atlantic City became the only possible home for her noir-tinged feminist thriller.

Justin Higham, British close-up magician and underground card magic legend who fooled both Dai Vernon and Ed Marlo, discusses his new book, "The Intuitive Magician." Justin shares why improvisation, not repetition, is the key to mastering performance. In a broad-ranging conversation, Justin explains his A, B, and C List methodology, the concept of apposite magic, why magicians in 1970s TV detective shows represent the ideal for impromptu performances, and ways to overcome performance paralysis.

Connie Boyd, award-winning magician and author of "The Power of Magical Women," shares her journey from ballet to circus aerialist, Las Vegas headliner to cruise ship producer, and five career reinventions. Discover how the pandemic inspired her Magical Women project documenting female magicians, why Paul Romhany said "you've got enough here for a book," and the discovery aboit a 1903 book that rocked her world. Learn why representation matters and how these stories transcend magic itself.

Master magician and historian Ben Robinson reflects on his fifty-year journey from watching Fred Kaps on television to uncovering John Mulholland's secret CIA work. Discover what drove his three-decade obsession with researching one mysterious file, why the bullet catch became legendary, and his philosophy: magic's greatest power lies not in tricks but in the artfulness of performance. Learn how legendary mentors shaped him and why transcendence through wonder remains the ultimate goal.

Hong Kong-based psychic entertainer Stuart Palm shares his journey from bartending in post-9/11 New York to becoming one of Asia's premier performers. Discover how a brain condition requiring surgery became his mentalist origin story, and why he believes psychic entertainment is "mentalism with more soul." Stuart discusses his comprehensive new book "Psychic Entertainment," the mentors who shaped him at Monday Night Magic, and why there are no shortcuts to creating truly miraculous experiences.

Fourth-generation magician Alex Arnold Lee shares how a cringeworthy moment in 2003 involving a broom suspension, dated music, and a baby doll costume, transformed her career. Discover how she created the beloved comedy character Dazzle and turned that stage persona into the children's book "Dazzle: The World's Worst Magic Assistant," launched at MAGIC Live 2025. A story about embracing mistakes, finding your voice, and dancing to your own drum.

Jim Hagy began publishing magic history at age 11 and never stopped. Now a distinguished historian and author, he discusses his unique approach to magic's past - focusing on social history and audience relationships rather than methods. From his childhood correspondence with Milbourne Christopher to his latest books about animals in 19th-century magic, Jim reveals how conjuring reflects broader cultural attitudes and why the magic community's welcoming nature opened doors to its greatest minds.

Dr. Matt Tompkins, experimental psychologist and magician, explores the intersection of magic and cognitive science. From mastering coin tricks as a child to designing "fake mind control machines" at Lund University, Matt reveals how magicians understood principles like change blindness decades before scientists. He discusses his book "The Spectacle of Illusion," founding the Science of Magic Association, and using mentalism to study public perceptions of AI with deception rates of 97 percent and higher.

Professional magician Jim Kleefeld reflects on six decades of performing magic, revealing his strategic journey from children's performer to mentalism authority. Jim discusses writing "Locked" to establish credibility before tackling "The Book Test Book" - a comprehensive encyclopedia covering 600+ book tests from 1584-2020. He shares his meticulous research process, his wife's suggestion for the book's Easter egg, and insights on building respect and lasting friendships in the magic community.

Professional magician and historian Mike Rose discusses documenting magic's forgotten innovators, from Joe Karson, creator of the Zombie floating ball, to Phil Thomas, Baltimore's "Ambassador of Magic." Mike reveals how Joe's early Zombies were made from glass, how Phil survived a devastating shop fire, and the influence of an "Unholy Trio" of magicians. Mike shares insights on the evolution of research and the passion driving his preservation of stories about Baltimore's magic scene.