Jinx Navigator

Jinx Navigator
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The Jinx is packed with brilliant ideas for mystery performers—but finding what still works (and how to use it today) takes time. The Jinx Navigator Podcast does that work for you. Each episode explores a classic issue or source from magic and mentalism, uncovering standout effects, theory, and creative thinking—and then reimagining them for modern performers and audiences. This isn’t about preserving history for nostalgia’s sake; it’s about extracting usable ideas and turning them into practical, contemporary presentations. If you care about strong material, thoughtful performance, and making classic magic feel alive again, this podcast is for you.

Episodes

  1. 19H AGO

    Issue #3 (A Card in Transit, A Real Psychic Card Test, Dead or Alive, and the Bending Swizzle Stick)

    Jinx Navigator Podcast: Jay Jennings reviews issue number three of The Jinx, a roughly 90-year-old newsletter for magicians and mentalists, to see which ideas still hold up and how they might be tweaked for modern use. Aside from the editorial, Jay covers four items from the issue: Les Gilbert’s “A Card in Transit,” where a spectator-initialed card vanishes from the deck and appears in the performer’s pocket using sleight of hand and a gimmick card; Annemann’s “A Real Psychic Card Test,” a simple thought-transmission drawing match using chalkboards (or business cards) and misdirection through distance/time; Annemann’s “Dead or Alive,” a living/dead name test using five cards and a prepared envelope, which Jay finds workable but dislikes as a presentation outside séance contexts and discusses envelope sizing/handling considerations; and Annemann’s “The Bending Swizzle Stick,” a gag based on the rubber pencil illusion involving glass stirring sticks and a final apparent permanent bend. The episode ends with mention of a poem Annemann received from the Great Lester at an IBM convention and a brief note about Lester as a ventriloquist and mentor to Edgar Bergen. Jay invites listeners to read full instructions and articles on jinxnavigator.com, share feedback, and return for issue #4 featuring “Cigarette Perception.” 00:00 Welcome to Jinx Navigator: What this podcast is about 00:39 Issue #3 overview + editorial setup (and name-pronunciation warning) 01:30 Editorial highlights: circulation, rival newsletters, and working pros 03:20 Who's working where: venues, acts, and close-up advice 04:00 Effect 1 — 'A Card in Transit' (Les Gilbert): signed card to pocket 05:40 Effect 2 — 'A Real Psychic Card Test' (Ted Annemann): chalkboard mind-reading 06:44 Routine — 'Dead or Alive' test: envelope handling + presentation rant 10:11 Gag/bit — 'The Bending Swizzle Stick': rubber-pencil illusion with glass 12:00 Closing poem from The Great Lester + wrap-up and next issue teaser

    14 min

  2. FEB 9

    Episode 2: Aces, Finders, and Book Tests from The Jinx #2

    Join Jay as he dives into the second issue of The Jinx (1934-1941), the legendary magic newsletter that shaped modern mystery performance. This episode breaks down five effects from Issue #2, exploring which tricks still work today. In This Episode: We explore five effects from The Jinx #2, including Ted Annemann's "The Devil's Four Aces" (a visual four-ace assembly), Orville Wayne Meyer's "The Finders" (a behind-the-back card location with a killer kicker ending), and "Your Card" (a clever effect using Si Stebbin's technique that's been fooling people since 1898). Jay admits defeat trying to decode Annemann's "Synthetic Sympathy" and calls for help from card workers who can make sense of the confusing instructions. The episode wraps with "The Demon-Yogi-Goblin Book Test," Annemann's tongue-in-cheek title for a book test method that's surprisingly versatile. Contents: 00:00 Introduction to the Jinx Navigator Podcast 00:39 Sponsor Message: FlashCake 01:12 Exploring Issue Number Two 02:21 The Devil's Four Aces by Ted Annemann 04:21 The Finders by Orville Wayne Meyer 05:52 Synthetic Sympathy by Ted Annemann ( -- help wanted!) 07:46 Your Card by Orville Wayne Meyer 09:05 The Demon Yogi Goblin Book Test by Ted Annemann 10:49 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

    11 min

  3. FEB 2

    Exploring The Jinx: Issue #1 – Classic Magic Revisited

    In this episode of the Jinx Navigator Podcast, Jay takes listeners through the significant highlights of the first issue of The Jinx, a historic magic newsletter by Theodore Annemann. He discusses the first magic effect, 'Hallucination' by Eddie Clever, the 'Supreme East Indian Needle feat' by Ted Annemann, 'Two Papers and a Spectator' by Ted Annemann, and 'The Mystery of the Blackboard' by Paul Rosini. Jay provides insights on the relevance and adaptability of these tricks for modern performers, and offers resources for those interested in learning more. Tune in to discover the timeless art of magic from the 1930s and how it can still mesmerize audiences today. 00:00 Introduction to the Jinx Navigator Podcast 00:54 Exploring Issue Number One: Hallucination by Eddie Clever 02:52 The Supreme East Indian Needle Feat by Ted Annemann 04:08 Two Papers and a Spectator by Ted Annemann 05:42 The Mystery of the Blackboard by Paul Rosini 07:32 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

    8 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

The Jinx is packed with brilliant ideas for mystery performers—but finding what still works (and how to use it today) takes time. The Jinx Navigator Podcast does that work for you. Each episode explores a classic issue or source from magic and mentalism, uncovering standout effects, theory, and creative thinking—and then reimagining them for modern performers and audiences. This isn’t about preserving history for nostalgia’s sake; it’s about extracting usable ideas and turning them into practical, contemporary presentations. If you care about strong material, thoughtful performance, and making classic magic feel alive again, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Jinx Navigator
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jinx Navigator
  • Show Website
    Jinx Navigator