The Magic Word Podcast

Scott Wells

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. 1D AGO

    938: Marc DeSouza - Man of the House of Magic

    Marc DeSouza is a name that should be familiar to most listeners of The Magic Word Podcast. Marc has provided “color” at the past few FISM conferences as well as a few other subsequent magic conventions. But no doubt you know him best for his vast knowledge in magic, his collection, his path to become the National President of the S.A.M., and (most recently) as the builder of the House of Magic in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. 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 View fullsize View fullsize This episode is a symphony for the ears as Marc walks us from room to room and even outside of the new House of Magic. You can visualize his words as he describes the rooms and the historical artifacts throughout this new magic venue. This episode was recorded in late June, before the National S.A.M. convention in Nashville. Since that time, the House of Magic has come together, boxes have been unpacked, and the official grand opening is set for November 2, 2025. 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. The winner for Week #3 was Mina Barden. Congratulations, Mina. A Houdini Legacy Deck of cards will be awarded to a different winner each week in October so you have two more chances to win. These beautiful cards were designed by the Past National President and artist, John Midgley. If you are interested in learning more about these cards and the cause, then please visit their website at https://houdinicards.com Enter for a Chance to Win a Houdini Legacy Deck of Playing Cards Designed by John Midgley. Designed to help raise funds for the Houdini Memorial Restoration of the Houdini gravesite. Enter with your name and email address. Free shipping within the U.S. First Name Last Name Email Address enter now We respect your privacy. Your email address will only be shared with John Midgley. Thank you for entering this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be sent an email requesting your physical address where you want the cards sent. A FREE copy of “Houdini’s Texas Tours: 1916 & 1923” by Ron Cartliege will be given to a lucky winner of our new contest, compliments of Kent Cummins. Long out of print, this rare book could be yours if your name is randomly selected. Postpaid to U.S. residents. If a winner is selected who lives outside the U.S., then foreign shipping charges will apply. Enter for a Chance to Win a FREE copy of "Houdini's Texas Tours: 1916 & 1923" by Ron Cartlidge Donated by Kent Cummins. Free shipping within the U.S.

    1h 9m
  2. OCT 9

    937: Jim Cunningham - The Spirit of Eugene

    Jim Cunningham is the voice behind the Eli Marks Mystery Series, penned by John Gaspard. For many seasons, he was affiliated with both the Minneapolis Twins (baseball) and the Minneapolis Wild (hockey) teams. But his real passion is for all things spooky. Many years ago, he called on the Master, Eugene Burger, to help him develop a seance which he still does to this day. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize In this episode Jim talks about what it’s like to be a sports announcer personality and how he gets jobs as a book reader for Audible.com books. He shares a very interesting story about how he met and got to work closely with Eugene Burger. Jim also tells about his affinity for all things that go bump in the night. This is a perfect episode for this Month of Boo. 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. The winner for Week #2 was Michael Skowronski. Congratulations, Michael. A Houdini Legacy Deck of cards will be awarded to a different winner each week in October. These beautiful cards were designed by the Past National President and artist, John Midgley. If you are interested in learning more about these cards and the cause, then please visit their website at https://houdinicards.com Enter for a Chance to Win a Houdini Legacy Deck of Playing Cards Designed by John Midgley. Designed to help raise funds for the Houdini Memorial Restoration of the Houdini gravesite. Enter with your name and email address. Free shipping within the U.S. First Name Last Name Email Address enter now We respect your privacy. Your email address will only be shared with John Midgley. Thank you for entering this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be sent an email requesting your physical address where you want the cards sent. Please indicate whether you want a red or blue deck.

    1h 4m
  3. OCT 2

    936: Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker

    Tony Hassini is well into his 80’s and has earned a time to look back at his illustrious career and all that he has done for entertainment. In the 1970’s he developed “The Magic of Burger King” which was a nationwide campaign coupling their advertising with real life characters. But before that, in 1968, Tony formed the International Magicians Society (IMS) which developed into the world’s largest magic organization that today presents the Merlin Award to deserving magicians around the world at special, high class award ceremonies. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This conversation was recorded using Zoom prior to the annual Merlin Awards banquet that typically takes place in Las Vegas on the night following MAGIC Live! We first talk about Tony’s involvement with creating and developing the Marvelous Magical Burger King ad campaign in the 1970’s. During that time, he met Ray Croc, founder of McDonald’s, who gave him some good advice. But before the campaign was adopted, Tony created the IMS which, according to the Guinness World Book of Records, is the largest magic organization in the world. 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. The winner for Week #1 was Nicolas Nardi. Congratulations, Nicolas. A Houdini Legacy Deck of cards will be awarded to a different winner each week in October. These beautiful cards were designed by the Past National President and artist, John Midgley. If you are interested in learning more about these cards and the cause, then please visit their website at https://houdinicards.com Enter for a Chance to Win a Houdini Legacy Deck of Playing Cards Designed by John Midgley. Designed to help raise funds for the Houdini Memorial Restoration of the Houdini gravesite. Enter with your name and email address. Free shipping within the U.S. First Name Last Name Email Address enter now We respect your privacy. Your email address will only be shared with John Midgley. Thank you for entering this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be sent an email requesting your physical address where you want the cards sent. Please indicate whether you want a red or blue deck. Join us in New York this Halloween for this seminal event. I plan to be in attendance and will host one of the panel discussions. For more information, please https://newyorkmagicconference.com/

    1h 15m
  4. SEP 25

    935: Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of

    Wayne Alan’s Washington D.C. experience ranges from working at the magic shop that sold magic tricks to President George H. W. Bush to magic performances in front of audiences in homeless shelters, parties at the homes of prominent Washington politicians, and several national TV appearances. He has consulted for David Copperfield and Criss Angel. He was one of the pioneers in the trade show magic field working alongside Eddie Tullock, Mike Rogers, and Dick Ryan, among others. In 1982 he was presented with a Gold Medal at F.I.S.M. in the category of Grand Illusion. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize There is so much to cover in Wayne Alan’s life that we could have talked for much longer. But this conversation gives you a good overview, along with some great stories, about this professional magician who, in his early 70’s, is far from hanging up his top hat and wand. This is the last week for this contest. If you missed out on entering the contest or you did enter but didn’t win but would like to have a copy, you can order one by sending him an email at wow@stevefriedbergmagic.com Throughout the month of October, we will run a contest to give away a deck of Houdini Playing Cards designed by Past National President, John Midgley. This deck was designed to help raise money for the Houdini Memorial Restoration Fund intended to help repair the Houdini gravesite. Although this contest is open to all, postage will only be paid for winners residing within the U.S. Foreign postage will apply to winners outside the U.S. Enter for a Chance to Win a Houdini Legacy Deck of Playing Cards Designed by John Midgley. Designed to help raise funds for the Houdini Memorial Restoration of the Houdini gravesite. Enter with your name and email address. Free shipping within the U.S. First Name Last Name Email Address Enter now Your email address will only be shared with John Midgley. Thank you for entering this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be sent an email requesting your physical address where you want the cards sent. Please indicate whether you want a red or blue deck. 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 14m
  5. SEP 21

    934: Magistrorum 2025 - Report on Days 3 and 4

    Saturday September 20, 2025 Dealer room----------------------9:00 am - 10:00 am Melody the Magnificent-------10:15 am - 10:45 am Doug Gorman----------------------11:00 am - 11:30 am Lunch--------------------------------11:30 am - 12:30 pm Dealer room-----------------------12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Jeff McBride-----------------------1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Remy Connor------------------------2:45 pm - 3:30 pm Dealer room-----------------------3:30 pm - 500 pm Dinner-------------------------------5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Crispy Knight----------------------6:00 pm - 6:45 pm Traveler Award--------------------6:45 pm - 7:00 pm Ari Rose-----------------------------7:15 pm - 7:45 pm Rocco Kult-------------------------8:00 pm - 8:30 pm Jeff McBride Master Class-----9:00 pm - 12:00 am 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 Time Stamps for this episode (they will eventually be posted when I have gotten some sleep): 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 4m
  6. SEP 20

    933: Magistrorum 2025 - Report on Days 1 and 2

    Thursday September 18, 2025vendor & stage set-up ------------8:00 amThe Guide Presenting Opening Ceremonies --------------2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Dealer room--------------------------3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Susan Gerbic-------------------------5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Richard Green------------------------6:15 pm - 7:00 pm Rolando Santos----------------------7:15 pm - 8:00 pm Paul Draper-------------------------8:15 pm - 9:00 pm Terry Tyson's Séance Master Class----------------9:00 pm - 12:00 am ​ Friday September 19, 2025 Dealer room-------------------------9:00 am - 10:30 am Bruce Chadwick--------------------10:30 am - 11:15 am Daniel Gastellum-------------------11:30 am - 12:00 pm Lunch----------------------------------12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Dealer room-------------------------1:00 pm - 2:30 pm John Gilmore------------------------2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Jeff McBride-------------------------3:15 pm - 3:45 pm Andreas Sebring--------------------4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Dinner----------------------------------5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Dealer Room-------------------------6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Jordan Jonas-------------------------7:00 pm - 7:30 pm Mysterion------------------------------7:45 pm - 8:30 pm Terry Tyson's Séance Master Class----------------9:00 pm - 12:00 am 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 View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Time Stamps for this episode (they will eventually be posted when I have gotten some sleep): 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 17m
  7. SEP 14

    932: Magic At The Beach 2025 - Report on Day 3

    Saturday, September 13th 9:30 am - 10:30 am Lecture: Gustavo Raley 11:00 am - Noon Lecture: Ed Ellis 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Dealers Room Open Noon - 1:00 pm - LUNCH and talk shop with Trigg Watson  at Dave & Buster's (15% off meal with badge) 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Lecture:  Howard Blackwell 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Lecture: Lance Rich 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - LAST CHANCE IN DEALERS ROOM! 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - DINNER BREAK 7:00 pm - Wonders Theatre | House Opens 7:30 pm - Champions of Illusion Gala Show at Wonders Theatre - Trigg Watson, Ellie & Jeki Yoo, Howard Blackwell, Lance Rich,  Bizzaro, Gustavo Raley, Charles Bach 10:00 pm - Farewell Party at Wonders Theatre 11:00 pm - 12:30 am - After Hours in Lounge on balcony  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 View fullsize Time stamps for this episode: 00:00:17 - Tom Bohacek was a competitor in yesterday’s contest. He is also a regular attendee at this convention and tells us why it’s the only one he attends. 00:13:47 - Following a lecture featuring an expert on cardistry, Ed Ellis, we chat with Vlad. He has developed an interesting character as a Vampire who also does magic. He tells us about his new book that explores how others can find their own stage persona, too. He offers us a book that will be gifted as a prize during this October. 00:24:45 - Mentalism creator and author, Bob Solari, shares some stories about why he feels that this convention is better than hundreds of others he has attended. 00:32:17 - Local magician, Dale Rabon, always attends this convention and in fact, only attends this convention. 00:37:59 - Joan DuKore is one of the performers who performed in the close-up “Masters of Sleight of Hand” as well as last night’s gala stage show. She hails from Las Vegas but seems to be working everywhere but there as she traipses across the country. 00:55:15 - Michael Healey helps us wrap up this convention with an overview of all the fun we had at this convention. 01:01:02 - Chip Romero joins Michael and Scott as tells us that this is his favorite convention. He also gives us an exclusive as he shares a secret: he will be going to see Doug Henning’s widow, Debbie Henning, and buying all of items from her private possessions. 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
  8. SEP 13

    931: Magic At The Beach 2025 - Report on Day 2

    Friday, September 12th 8:30 am - Registration Opens, Wonders Theatre Box Office 9:00 am - Open Mic Magic Competition - One Trick, Five Minutes 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Dealers Room Open 10:30 am - 11:30 am - Lecture:  Jeki Yoo 11:30 am - 12:30 am - Lecture: Nick Lewin 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - LUNCH BREAK 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm - Lecture:  Bizzaro 3:00 pm - 4:00pm -  Lecture:  David Sandy 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm - Lecture: Cody Fisher 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Dealers Room Open 6:00 pm - 7:00pm - DINNER BREAK 7:00 pm - Wonders Theatre | House Opens 7:30 pm - Comedy Magic Cabaret Show - Nick Lewin, Dana Daniels, Bizzaro, Cody Fisher, Joan DuKore 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm - “Tales from the Road” with the stars of magic 10:00 pm - 12:00 am - After Hours in Lounge on balcony 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 Time stamps for this episode: 00:00:17 - Marv Leventhal and Mark Fitzgerald talk about yesterday afternoon and last night’s convention activities (dinner, lecture and the show). 00:07:13 - One of the long time south coast magicians, Mr. G, joins us to talk about this convention and why he is attending this year. We talk a bit about some of the events of the morning. 00:14:45 - Dana Daniels will be one of the performers on the evening bill. He has been performing at a lot of magic club venues and from here plans to go perform at Kerry Pollock’s club in Hilton Head, South Carolina. 00:29:22 - the Black Houdini talks about performing the upside down straight jacket hanging by one leg. He will be featured next year in Appleton, Wisconsin, at the annual S.A.M. convention. 00:37:35 - Mike Noonan and Austin Seay discuss this convention plus TRICS in Charlotte, NC, that’s coming in November. 00:44:42 - Jamison Scott was one of the performers today and this is his first convention. Not just his first Magic At The Beach, but his first convention as he has only been doing magic for about a year. He brings joys and excitement to the podcast. 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.

    52 min
4.7
out of 5
147 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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