The Magic Word Podcast Scott Wells

Giovanni Livera won the I.B.M. Gold Cups close-up award in 1991. But he was a force to be reckoned with even before then. From the Florida area, Gio has worked with Tim Glancy who, between the two of them, developed the “t-shirt cannon” that is used to this day in stadiums and ball fields and concerts across the land. In recent decades, Gio has developed a successful speaking platform that has taken him before some of the most prestigious corporate giants in the industry. Always keeping his eye and passion on magic, he returns to perform at the Magic Castle now and again. It is always a treat to see and hear this “larger than life” man tell his stories and give life advice.



















































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While recently visiting Los Angeles, California, Gio sat down for a reunion with his friend, Scott Wells, to catch up on old times and tell us what he’s been doing and where he’s going. We talk about speaking engagements, trade shows, working with executives, developing a brand, finding your voice/message, and ways that you can “live to be 1,000 years old.”




































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Paul Green has long been one of my favorite magicians. He knows how to entertain corporate audiences with his congenial personality and likeable style that immediately puts you at ease before he fools you. He was recently presented an Award of Recognition by the Academy of Magical Arts for his assistance over the past 10 years with their Red Cross blood drives. He is an accomplished performers for executive audiences and is well loved by all audiences at the Magic Castle.



















































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This week Paul Green tells the importance of branding, how to work in a strolling environment, what it’s like to entertain in hospitality su

I have always loved art. I began my college career as an artist before moving to journalism, but my fascination has always remained with the visual arts. I love going to museums and when something attracts my attention, I often do deep research into the subject until I have reached satisfaction. One such personal pursuit has been my longtime passion for studying “The Juggler” (aka “The Conjurer”) by Hieronymus Bosch. I have given lectures on this painting to magicians and to museum docents. So imagine my great thrill to meet and to have this meaningful conversation with Dr. Steffen Taut from Dresden who is an expert in ancient magic art.
Thanks to an introduction by Richard Hatch at the recent Magic Collectors Expo, we sat down to record a scholarly talk about our mutual passion and more. This should be like listening to a college professor after class talking with one of his students. I know you will learn a lot from this week’s episode and I guarantee you’ll enjoy it, or you get your money back!



















































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If you are a magic collector or you have attended one of the recent MAGIC Live! conventions, then no doubt you have seen, met or otherwise know Julie Eng. She is the executive director of Magicana, a Toronto-based organization dedicated to the exploration and advancement of magic. She is also the editor of Magicol, the “house organ” of Magicana that’s filled with delightful stories from noted authors about the rich history of our art.



















































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You cannot tell the story of what Julie Eng does without knowing her background with her father, Tony Eng, proprietor of Tony’s Trick and Joke Shop in Victoria, British Columbia. Not only learning magic, but also a strong work ethic and marketing skills necessary to be the successful magician she is today. Enough has been said about women in magic that there should be no separation between a female and male magician. But when you also throw in her Asian cultural b

Mark Jensen is not a name you may (yet) be familiar with, but his story of collecting is one among hundreds, if not thousands, of those of us who have found a niche where we can enjoy the history of our art by just looking at our walls or across the room to see the collectible relic. His story represents those collectors who have a passion for a particular area of our vast art. His friendship with the late Marshall Brodien led to him ultimately being the “caretaker” of Marshall’s magic collection. There are others who are notable magic collectors who gather magic from our rich history (like Chip Romero who specializes in collecting all things related to Doug Henning) plus other ephemera and props from some of the magic celebrities of yesteryear.



















































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Mark Jensen lived in the Chicago, Illinois, area and grew up watching the Bozo Show on television that featured Wizzo the Wizard (Marshall Brodien). Late

Eric DeCamps is a subtle yet significant force in our magic community. The S.A.M. awarded Eric the Gold Medal of Excellence for Close-Up Magic. He is only the second magician in the 122-year history of the organization to receive this prestigious award.He was designated as the Dean of The S.A.M. Parent Assembly #1 in New York City. Next year for the 52nd annual 4F convention, Eric will be the Guest of Honor, yet another prestigious award. His one-man show has been presented around the world and for those who have seen his full show in a proper setting, well…consider yourselves lucky.






























In this week’s episode, Eric spends the first part of our conversation talking about Rene Lavand who was the greatest single person to influence Eric’s style of magic. He also chats about the development of his one-man show and some of the venues where he has presented it. Eric also talks about one of his featured and favorite illusions, a variation of the Hooker Rising Card. This archaic and nebulous illusion is seldom seen…and for good reason. Very few in the world know Hooker’s secret and those who do know, keep it to themselves! Perhaps it is one of magic’s last and greatest secrets.



















































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