237 episodes

The original magic news and information podcast from the oldest magic news website online. The Magic Newswire Spirit of Magic podcast is the place for interviews with all of your favorite magicians.

The Magic Newswire Dodd Vickers

    • Arts
    • 4.4 • 27 Ratings

The original magic news and information podcast from the oldest magic news website online. The Magic Newswire Spirit of Magic podcast is the place for interviews with all of your favorite magicians.

    Broken Wand: Max Maven

    Broken Wand: Max Maven

    The world of magic became much poorer this week with the passing of one of the best, Max Maven.  I was honored to have had the opportunity to meet and speak with Max on numerous occasions and always came away a little better from the experience. 
    As one of my early guests on the podcast, Max set the bar very high for all those to follow. I am sharing that first chat again here for those that are still reeling from the loss and for those that are somehow not familiar with his work. 
    From his Twitter feed on Nov. 2, 2022: I made my life about words, reading them and writing them. I wish I had a more elegant way of telling you all that I love you. I had a good run, made wonderful friends, shared many laughs, and I learned a great many things. I learned that magic allows us to be so much bigger than we are. I learned we should be kind to one another and forgive people for being flawed and prideful. The one thing I know is that we can all do better, and I think we will. 

    • 1 hr 33 min
    Broken Wand :: Amazing Johnathan

    Broken Wand :: Amazing Johnathan

    From numerous sources, we have sadly learned of the passing of the Amazing Johnathan. According to Rolling Stone, "An exact cause of death was not immediately given, though Johnathan — born Johnathan Edward Szeles — had previously revealed he had been diagnosed with a heart condition. Szeles’ wife, the performer Anastasia Synn, confirmed her husband’s death, telling the Review-Journal he died in his sleep Tuesday night."
    In remembrance, I am reposting my conversation with him from just before his annual Halloween Party in 2008.
    Johnathan, it will be hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember.  

    • 38 min
    MNW151 - BANACHEK

    MNW151 - BANACHEK

    My guest on this episode of the Magic Newswire's "Spirit of Magic" podcast is more than just an amazing performer, he's a respected thinker and creator in the art of magic and mentalism. Banachek was also a part of the now famous Project Alpha hoax in which he convinced scientists from Washington University that he was actually demonstrating paranormal abilities. Banachek is now a sought after consultant and performer who has worked with such performers as Criss Angel and Penn & Teller to develop material for their acts. Join us in this episode as we talk about his notorious history in the art and the 75th Anniversary of the Jinx released by Genii Magazine in October.

    • 1 hr 4 min
    JAMES RANDI REDUC - MNW110

    JAMES RANDI REDUC - MNW110

    The James Randi Foundation has today announced that "The Amazing Randi" had died at the age of 92, saying simply that its founder succumbed to “age-related causes” on Tuesday.  Randi joined us on this episode of the "Spirit of Magic" podcast before appearing as a featured performer at the 100th Anniversary Salute to Magic show in New York City. Randi began his career as a mentalist and magician before becoming known as a scientific sceptic challenging those who claim to have paranormal abilities. He gained fame in this field after an ongoing feud between himself and Uri Gellar in the mid to late 1970's. Randi himself rejected the title of "debunker" preferring instead to be seen as an investigator in the field of pseudo-science. He was also the author of many books on the subjects of the paranormal, skepticism and the history of conjuring. Randi talked with me about his career in these varied fields and about his motivation as a paranormal skeptic.

    • 51 min
    BROKEN WAND :: MARVYN ROY

    BROKEN WAND :: MARVYN ROY

    Today we lost yet another true luminary in the world of magic, Marvyn Roy, better known to many as Mr. Electric."  Marvyn and Carol Roy performed the "Mr. Electric" Act for over fifty years. Mr. Electric toured the world during the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties. Marvyn & Carol were featured at  Radio City Music Hall, the London Palladium, the Latin Quarter, Gorky Park in Moscow, the Ed Sullivan Show and the Hollywood Palace. Whether working hotels, ice shows, floor shows, night clubs, theaters, arenas or amusement parks, Mr. & Mrs. Electric led a life that most magicians only dream of experiencing. Marvyn 95. I interviewed Marvyn in 2009 and hope that you will enjoy remembering him along with me by revisiting this interview.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dai Vernon Foundation. 

    • 55 min
    Deitrick & Brooks

    Deitrick & Brooks

    Dorothy Dietrich is one of the world's foremost female magician and  escapologists. She was the first woman to catch a bullet in her mouth.  Dorothy  is also the first woman to perform a straitjacket escape while suspended hundreds of feet in the air from a burning rope  and has been referred to as on of the "eight  most noted magicians of the late twentieth century."  Dick Brooks is a world class entertainer of both comedy and magic and helped to found FAME which later became the Society of Young Magicians within SAM. Together, they created New York's famous Magic Townhouse and gave many magicians their first job during the fifteen years that it was in operation. Brooks & Dietrich now operate the famous  Houdini Museum in Scranton, PA.

    • 55 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
27 Ratings

27 Ratings

pistolwhipped1 ,

the coolest magican on earth

World needs more Rudy Coby

A concerned magician ,

Rude Host

Vickers is one of the rudest people in the magic business. Avoid this podcast or anything he's connected with...

MikeGreene ,

Best Podcast about Magic

Dodd Vickers, the host of TMN, is truly outstanding. I appreciate the care and attention to detail he puts into these programs, and the obvious respect he has for the history and art of magic. His interviews with the great magicians of yesteryear and today are the best I've ever heard - these are great documents of the history of magic.

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