Mark Pocan represents the second congressional district in Wisconsin, near Madison. He is also a long-time magician, but had a passion since his youth for both magic and politics. He is now serving his seventh term in office and for a few years was offering a YouTube channel filled with explanations of how politics works using magic in what he called “Magic Mondays.” Although he ceased production of those videos a few years ago, he plans to get them up and running again in 2025.

Mark came from a family of politicians and, as he says, began door-to-door campaigning for his father at the tender age of six. He pursued politics through college while using magic to defray some of his costs of schooling. He still performs magic at fund raising functions and other charitable events. He is often seen attending magic conventions and has twice attended Vanishing Inc.’s magic retreats including one in Washington, D.C. where he was able to use his influence to allow attendees access to some backstage places in Congress.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Ed Ellis is not a name that is on the tip of the tongues of most magicians. I wouldn’t call him an “underground” magician because I think of “those guys” as being the ones who magicians go to when they want to learn some secret move. But Ed has quietly been making a living for many decades having worked at many prestigious resorts and country clubs and of late, has been returning to the magic convention scene. So, if you have not seen him or are not familiar with his work, you can watch his video lecture on Penguin or catch him at one of many convention appearances he plans to make this year.

Ed talks about his journey through life as he maneuvered jobs on film, nightclubs, and resorts. He gives some valuable advice on calling on past customers and maintaining personal friendships to ensure future opportunities.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Leah Orleans is the progeny of Jan Rose and Danny Orleans, Chicago based magicians. It only seemed natural that her path would be in the entertainment arts, but instead of traditional magic, Leah pursued the circus arts. She is a contortionist, fire eater, juggler, and even bends over backwards to shoot an arrow from a bow held by her feet! Her profession takes her around the world to Renaissance Festivals, cruise ship destinations, and more.

If you are more of a visual person, then you might like to watch our Zoom video chat on YouTube.

This week, Leah talks about growing up in a magical household with both parents working in the magic business. She also discusses how she went into the circus arts and the classes she took and the places it has taken her. Leah also talks about Mystify Magic Festival and what will make this convention stand out from all the others. She has some great words of advice to convention organizers in general, too.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Hail and Farewell to those in our magic community who left us this past year.

In 2024 we suffered the loss of many friends who have passed away, but whom are not forgotten. Although the list below is not exhaustive, it does reflect the names of many well-known (and some lesser known) magicians, spouses, assistants and magic aficionados who passed on in 2024. This year’s list is much less than the number reported last year (17 this year, 29 in 2023.) Some may not be as well-known to you, but they were my personal friends (hey, it is my blog!). If you are unfamiliar with any of these names, then it would behoove you to do a little online search of what these people have contributed to our craft. If you have someone you think was overlooked, then please post the name in the comments below on this blog.

Those whose names are highlighted with a “hot link” were featured or interviewed here on The Magic Word Podcast. It was not my original intent when I began this journey to chronicle the voices before they left us, but I am so thankful that I did sit down with many of these friends for lively, and sometimes intimate, conversations. You can click on their name to revisit and listen to their voices again.

Dick Blowers

David Oliver

William “Bill” Rauscher

Chuck Golla

Ed Hurtubis

Daniel Sclare

Ron Jernigan

Doc Sheils

Glen Ghirardi, Sr.

John Apperson

Andrew Galloway

Bob Sanders

Emory Williams 

Harriet Jacobson

Jon Racherbaumer

George Joseph “The Amazing Kreskin” Kresge, Jr.

Leonardo Trébole

Chris Blackmore was a regular performer in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, at Warren & Annabelle’s. That is, up until the devastating fire in August 2023. The fire destroyed homes and businesses and was responsible for the deaths of over 100 people. Lives were forever changed in an instant. Warren & Annabelle’s was a premier destination dinner theater that featured magic and was one of the highest rated, most visited sites in Hawaii

This week, Chris talk about his experience in Lahaina as the fires started, grew, and eventually overtook the city. His perspective as “boots on the ground” are chilling yet insightful. His recollections of the halcyon day of Warren & Annabelle’s are recounted here, too.

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Charles Peachock is a polymath. I have spoken with several over the years and always enjoy and learn from them. Charles is an entertainer, entrepreneur, marketer, creator, health nut, and more. He was on America’s Got Talent (sic) (AGT) in the early days and advanced further than any of the previous jugglers as he went to the finals. More than just juggling, he was the one who pioneered the lighted costume on AGT, too. He is in great demand by the Disney Cruise lines who keep him quite busy. But he also created, markets, and uses Audio Ape which is method for controlling your music and lighting for your show.

This week, Charles talks about his experience of performing/competing on AGT. He also chats about his background of why he moved from magic to juggling. As the creator of Audio Ape, he discusses why magicians need a show remote and the importance of having music to make your show better. It is rare when we get to chat with a unique talent so I know you will enjoy this episode.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

James Harrington and his wife, Marina, have one of the most incredible two-person mind reading acts I have seen. I experienced their show recently at MAGIC Texas in Dallas where they gave multiple shows for intimate groups of 30 people. The speed at which they move and the information shared as they both talked with each other and the audience was something that rivaled or eclipsed most other similar acts I have seen. This was their first ever magic convention performance and I feel lucky to have witnessed that because they normally only perform in their home region of Dubai.

This week we chat with James Harrington, one half of Mind2Mind, because regrettably, his wife Marina was ironically suffering with a migraine headache. In this episode James tells us about how he traveled from his home in England and where and how he met and married Marina then developed their incredible act. We do talk about other acts, but each has its own personalities and agendas and methods.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

During the Magic At The Beach 2024 convention, one of the sessions was “Tales From The Road” which was reprised from last year, since it was such a success then. Organizer, Charles Bach, gave permission to record and broadcast this session again this year that contains some great “road warrior” stories by some of the top working professionals. It is a good cross section of magicians with varied backgrounds and experiences which I know you will enjoy..

Time stamps for this episode:

00:09:04 - Jafo talks about his experience on Penn & Teller Fool Us

00:11:43 - Karl Hein talks about an embarrassing situation with a child on stage who peed his pants

00:16:20- James Brandon tells us a harrowing story about a fiery situation that happened on a Parisian stage

00:23:06 - Charles Peachock tells us a harrowing story about being stranded in the Yukon and trying to catch a cruise ship

00:25:55 - Chris Blackmore had a bad show in his early years that he turned into gold

00:30:34 - Paul Stone put John Calvert on the London Palladium Stage, but there were some problems

00:38:02 - Dan Sperry had a children’s birthday party experience with a child in a wheelchair

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Wow! That’s about all I can say. Wow! It is amazing what Artificial Intelligence (AI) can do. In this week’s episode we touch on AI and have a few things generated for us. First of all, we get a photo retouch in the photos below. Next we get a little new music generated for this podcast. And finally, we actually have a podcast episode generated by AI. Wow!

The AI generated podcast was based on the November 2021 M.U.M. cover article that was written by Tom Vorjohan. The website that generated it was https://notebooklm.google/ My friend, John Gaspard, linked it in his “Behind the Page” podcast (about the Eli Marks book series) and it piqued my interest. The music was generated by AI using https://suno.com/ and the photos by https://www.photoleapapp.com/ and https://newprofilepic.com/

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Fred and Bobbie Becker have enjoyed a long and successful career at sea as cruise ship magicians. In addition to performing magic with her husband, Bobbie is a talented singer who often belts out show tunes and popular music during their show. Like all other entertainers, the Beckers had to find creative outlets during the years of lockdown.

Many years ago, Fred decided to help others who want to pursue a job on the high seas so he developed Gigs On Ships. As technology and the cruise ship industry changed, so did the course. Today the Beckers are dealing with industry changes and ageism.

This week we discuss whet it is that cruise ships are looking for: youth, illusions, comedy, experience, or what? Fred tells some secrets of getting and keeping a cruise ship gig. Bobbie expresses her concern as she ages about audiences wanting to look at younger females on stage. She also talks about her current path and goals.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Mysterious Maks is from Ukraine but currently resides in New York City, New York. He was a finalist in “Uri Geller’s Next Phenomenon” television show in the Ukraine. As a result of his notoriety on that show and others where he was featured that led him to be quite well-known and in demand among the Russian politico and the oligarchy. He also ran a successful brick-and-mortar magic shop in Kiev, Ukraine. All was looking bright for his future, but then, fate intervened. He traveled to the U.S. on holiday and the week after he landed, Russia declared war on the Ukraine. He is now stuck here and unable to return home and is only able to talk on the phone with his mother and family as he hears about the death and destruction going on in the background.

This week, Mysterious Maks tells us about his journey to become a mentalist leading to his television experience and exposure where he met Uri Geller and how he got on the Next Phenomenon show. He also tells us about the kind of magic that is performed in Ukraine and finally, he tells us his story about how he got “stuck” in the U.S. and how he found a supportive group of friendly magicians in New York City who have helped him get by and encouraged him to continue with his dreams.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.