The Magic Book Podcast

Just Alan: Not Just Magic

For more than six decades, Woodstock's resident magician Alan Eisenson, known professionally as Just Alan, has made magic from his own life. In this episode, we discuss "

Christopher Carter: In The Spotlight

Chicago-based mentalist Christopher Carter discusses "In the Spotlight," named Penguin Magic's Book of the Year, which collects 28 routines and essays from a 35-year care

Scott Martell on Mr Fingers: The Magic of Irv Weiner

Massachusetts magician and historian Scott Martell discusses "Mr. Fingers: The Magic of Irv Weiner," his 338-page biography of the performing legend of the college circui

Jason Bird: Strolling for Dollars

Las Vegas magician Jason Bird discusses "Strolling for Dollars," his 580-page field guide to making a living doing walkaround magic, with a foreword by Jeff McBride. From

Charles Greene III: Exposing Houdini

Charles Greene III returns to The Magic Book Podcast to discuss his new book, "Exposing Houdini: 52 Lost Glass Plate Images." The book features a previously unknown cache

Anthony Heads: The Power of Storytelling

Anthony Heads, Sweden's leading paranormal illusionist and mentalist, traces his unconventional path from telling childhood ghost stories in the UK to founding the Stockh

Caroline Ravn: The Business Side of Show Business

Swedish professional magician and entrepreneur Caroline Ravn discusses her unique journey from theology student to international performer. During the interview, Caroline

Lawrence Hass: Theory and Art of Magic

Lawrence Hass, a philosopher, performer, publisher, and Dean of Jeff McBride's Magic and Mystery School traces his unlikely path from academia to full-time magic and publ

Ruth Knafo Setton: Zigzag Girl

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 legen

Justin Higham: The Intuitive Magician

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." Just

Connie Boyd: The Power of Magical Women

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 pro

Ben Robinson: Magic, History, and the Outlaw Spirit

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. Disco

Stuart Palm: Psychic Entertainment

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 brai

Alex Arnold Lee: From Cringe to Classic - Creating Dazzle

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 ca

Jim Hagy: Chronicling Magicians and their Audiences

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

Dr. Matt Tompkins: From Magic to Mind Control

Dr. Matt Tompkins, experimental psychologist and magician, explores the intersection of magic and cognitive science. From mastering coin tricks as a child to designing "f

Jim Kleefeld: 60 Years of Magic & Mentalism

Professional magician Jim Kleefeld reflects on six decades of performing magic, revealing his strategic journey from children's performer to mentalism authority. Jim disc

Mike Rose: Revealing Magic's Hidden Histories

Professional magician and historian Mike Rose discusses documenting magic's forgotten innovators, from Joe Karson, creator of the Zombie floating ball, to Phil Thomas, Ba

Dr. Rebecca Josephy: Essays on Intersecting Modes of Mystery

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Josephy discusses her book "Magic, Magicians, and Detective Fiction." As editor of a unique collection of essays, she explains the surprising

Neil Tobin: Magic, Magicians, and Detective Fiction

Neil Tobin discusses his approach to performing magic and mentalism with site-specific experiences, including the acclaimed "Supernatural Chicago." We also discuss Neil's