The Magic Word Podcast

Scott Wells
  • 4.7 (149)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Scott Wells is a full time professional magician who has traveled around the world where he has met, worked with and become friends with some pretty cool people. Enjoy listening to these podcasts with magicians talking about their magic, magic conventions and what's going on in the magic scene today.

  1. 5H AGO

    955: Lizard Man - Side Show Business

    As Monty Python would say, "and now for something completely different.” This podcast tries to explore all facets of our jewel we call magic. And one part of our entertainment community has its roots in the side show. Specifically, in the early to mid-1900's magicians were part of the traveling carnivals and performed side show acts using such illusions as the stocks, blade box, and more. But as the magicians went to the legitimate stage, the other side show performers stayed behind as independent nomads. But their business of finding work is just as important as magicians trying to find work. And for “freaks” in today’s world, there are fewer venues (and perhaps audiences) who can “stomach” watching some of their acts. Moreover, freaks have become less shocking as being obesely overweight and covered in tattoos are now common sites at your local WalMart shopping centers. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week Lizard Man tells us about why he chose to pursue a life and a lifestyle different from the “norm” and his commitment to getting tattoos and body piercings all over his body. But part of the focus of our conversation is how similar yet different our two crafts are when it comes to marketing. Magicians have a community to help, support, and direct, but the side show community is less giving and supportive. 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.

    1h 10m

  2. FEB 12

    954: Jay Alexander - San Francisco Treat

    Jay Alexander is a mentalist who operates and performs at the San Francisco Magic Theater. More than just a mentalist, Jay performs across the country and even entertains as half-time entertainment at major sporting events. He has been a resident of San Fran since 1986 and has seen it go through a lot of changes, including Earthquake McGoon’s where a trove of Carter posters was unearthed. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Jay has a lot of great advice for performers and mentalists in this episode. Having an expansive background in mentalism, he has “cracked the code” to make mentalism seen, heard, and entertaining in the loud environment of basketball stadiums. He shares ideas with us this week along with stories about his theater and Earthquake McGoon’s. 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.

    1h 1m

  3. FEB 5

    953: Bob Yorburg - Crafty Pioneer

    Depending upon how you look at it, time passes either slow or fast. It was nearly 50 years ago that we began learning magic in a whole new way: video. Prior to that, most magic was learned through books, magazines, lectures, or through an apprenticeship that was passed on from one magician to another. In some ways it seems that our evolution moved slowly from video tape to where we are today with digital images. In the late 1970’s, Bob Yorburg, went into the studios and recorded a two volume VHS set where he taught close-up magic. It wasn’t long after that before others ran through the door. I was one of those who watched that video set over and over and learned many of my early routines from Bob. He transitioned from one character to another before he found his true passion, refurbishing old magic props, carving Punch and Judy dolls, and working on band organs. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week Bob Yorburg tells us about how he came to produce those first video tapes, plus his work as the first Burger King in New York. He apparently worked in many other commercials besides the hamburger giant and he has some great stories. As mentioned, his passion is now carving carousel animals, carousel band organs, Punch and Judy dolls, and is respected and awarded in that field. 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.

    1h 1m

  4. JAN 29

    952: The Many Faces of Brian Brushwood

    Brian Brushwood has been on my radar for the podcast almost since i first began 15 years ago. Since he lives in the Austin area, I always felt I would have time to chat and feature him on an episode. As we approach 1,000 episodes, I'm beginning to shift some guests from the back burner to the front. My son Nick, interned with Brian when he was in the thick of the college circuit in the early 2000’s. That was the genesis of many of the future endeavors taken on by Brian like Scam School, Modern Rogue, and even the World’s Greatest Con which define Brian’s current trajectory. Brian has been and continues to be a trailblazer in our magic community having begun his his own magic career in 1993. He has since garnered the support and admiration of some of magic’s biggest names including Jeff McBride, and Teller, one half of the Penn and Teller duo, and even David Copperfield. Since beginning his career in magic, Brushwood has authored six books, including Cheats, Cons, Swindles & Tricks: 57 Ways to Scam a Free Drink; Pack the House: The Ultimate, Ever-Growing Guide to Increasing Attendance to YOUR Campus Events(co-authored with C.J. Johnson); and the Professionals Guide to Fire Eating. Brushwood has made several TV and radio appearances, including appearances on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Roseanne Show, E! Entertainment Television’s Talk Soup, the WB’s Steve Harveys Big Time, Tech TVs Unscrewed with Martin Sargent, CMTs Most Wanted Live, BBCs The Paul Coyte Show, Westwood One’s “Don and Mike Show,” ABC-TV’s “The Debra Duncan Show, “The Shannon Burke Show” on KJFK-FM, Dudley and Bob” on KLBJ-FM, “The Morning Zoo” on KASE-FM, as well as news affiliates for ABC, FOX, CBS and Time-Warner. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Brian Brushwood is a magician, podcaster, author, lecturer and comedian. Brushwood is known for the series Scam School, a show where he teaches the audience entertaining tricks at bars so they can "scam" a free drink from their friends. In addition to Scam School, Brushwood hosts Hacking the System on National Geographic Channel and also hosts the podcasts Weird Things, Cordkillers, and Night Attack. Brushwood has been a regular guest on This Week in Tech and previously hosted Game On! with Veronica Belmont on TWiT. Among the many suggestions and links for you to follow, I heartily suggest you follow The World’s Greatest Con by Clicking Here. 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.

    1h 7m

  5. JAN 22

    951: Joel Bauer - Infotainer

    Joel Bauer stands tall in the legendary hall of trade show performers and motivational speakers. More than an entertainer, Joel provides information to potential clients through his unique and boisterous approach of commanding attention at trade shows making him a fusion of both entertainment and information making him that ultimate “infotainer.” Love him or hate him, there is no denying his financial success that he has derived from the industry and from teaching others how to find success, too. He spoke at MAGIC Live among so many other places and he offers these gifts to you! Video Sampling From Dozens Of My Television Appearances: https://vimeo.com/infotainer/review/27267707/c9ca88fa42 Watch Five Minute Of Proof From My Past On Trade Show Floors: https://vimeo.com/infotainer/review/126403524/1378c5a9db You may truly enjoy this NEVER released footage of me lecturing on my Trade Show process and success for over two decades at a MagicLive Magic Convention: https://vimeo.com/infotainer/review/136051637/7e3669c48f If you want to cut to the most significant 100 minutes revealing precisely how I CREATED the CROWDS, CONVEYED COMPANIES CUSTOM MESSAGES, AND COLLECTED RECORD LEAD GENERATION – Watch This Edited Section: https://vimeo.com/infotainer/review/142451020/4f20e464b8 View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Here is one of his books for free download that will teach you both magic and business at the same time! My best selling book: https://we.tl/5t3SF9SVfE His Best Selling Book On The Business Of Magic (Electronic Download): Hustle, Hustle – The Business Of Magic https://we.tl/DAg3jcHEtI Click Here to a link to “It Takes Guts Dammit” by Paul Diamond. It is a short booklet, but full of real gold, including audio. 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.

    1h 1m
  6. 950: Jeff McBride - Grand Master

    JAN 15

    950: Jeff McBride - Grand Master

    There are those few in our craft of magic that are well-known, but few who are as universally respected as Jeff McBride. Founder of the Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas, Jeff has transcended to the pinnacle of our industry. Having been awarded nearly every conceivable trophy and accolade in the magic community, Jeff continues to build and personally contribute to the coterie. Jeff continues to perform and teach around the world and he has embraced technology to supplement his methods of sharing magic, too. Jeff’s magic pedagogy reflects modern methods of sharing with our community in recognition that we all learn at different levels and speeds. This week he talks about how he doesn’t create new acts or routines for his students, but rather shapes and directs the students’ existing skills that leads to an improved show that is uniquely their own. Jeff also discusses the creation of his “Wonderground” performance venue in Las Vegas that encourages magicians to flex their creative muscles. 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. Jeff McBride talked extensively about the importance of storytelling. So, it is appropriate that we recognize the recent passing of a master story teller who has shared more with the magic community than most know, including Tannen’s Magic Camp, where young magicians learned the importance of a good story in strengthening their magic. Hiawatha Johnson was a magician, writer, editor, musician, singer, dancer, choreographer, actor, director, composer, teacher, professor, historian, designer and playwright. He will be sorely missed by the community. Aloha, my friend.

    1h 2m

  7. JAN 8

    949: Rachel Wax - Magic and the City

    “If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere,” sang Frank Sinatra in “New York, New York.” Rachel Wax traveled from Chicago to follow her dream of making it in the fashion industry. Though she did well and enjoyed her work, her true passion was with magic. She was influenced by “The Magnets” who encouraged her to pursue her magic dream. Soon thereafter Rachel began working at “SpeakEasy Magik” and the “Slipper Room” and other venues around the city as well as for corporate and private affairs. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize We begin our conversation with the beginning of what brought Rachel to New York City: fashion. Please stick with us, even though the first portion of this week’s podcast isn’t about magic, but rather the garment district and fashion in NYC. We then ease into our chat about Rachel and her magic that was influenced by her father (a professional magician in Chicago) plus her performance on Penn & Teller Fool Us and the many other venues where she makes a mark with her brand of magic. 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.

    1h 1m

  8. JAN 1

    948: Derek Hughes - Family Guy

    While at the 2025 Abbott’s Get Together, we chatted with several magicians. A while back we chatted with Craig Diamond and last week we released the one with Antony Gerard and this week we talk with Derek Hughes. That is a subtle hint for just another reason why you should attend magic conventions…all the great talent that comes and shares their time and talents. Derek has performed his magic on MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, the CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and the Ellen Degeneres Show. He’s a consulting producer on TRUtv’s hit magic series, The Carbonaro Effect and was a finalist on season 10 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent [sic]. His back story was much about his health as a child and the importance of his children to his life. He regularly performs in nightclubs across the U.S. and has been nominated for several categories at the Magic Castle over the years. He is also a published author of a children’s book! View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week, Derek talks about his experience with AGT and the invaluable advice he received from Jim Steinmeyer. We also discuss the difference between a magician who does comedy versus a comedian who does magic. Derek tells us about the children’s book he wrote (available through Amazon on the link below) before he even had children. 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. Humpty Dumpty Lived Near a Wall By Hughes, Derek Buy on Amazon Hail and Farewell to those in our magic community who left us this past year. In 2025 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 2025. This year’s list is much less than the number reported last year (12 this year v.s. 17 in 2024.) 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. Ian Adair Roger Nicot Jack Greenburg Gordon Miller Mercer Helms David Solomon Ginny Aronson Dirk “Mr. D” Spence Micky Blashfield Connie “Paprika” Leaverton Curtis Kam Peter Studebaker

    1h 2m
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4.7
out of 5
149 Ratings

About

Scott Wells is a full time professional magician who has traveled around the world where he has met, worked with and become friends with some pretty cool people. Enjoy listening to these podcasts with magicians talking about their magic, magic conventions and what's going on in the magic scene today.

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