The Magic Book Podcast

Frank Zazanis performs and writes as Franklin Williams, one of three personas he has built, each with a book of its own on the way. His first book, “Authentic Fabrications,” pairs 17 pieces of magical theater with 14 essays and carries a foreword by Jeff McBride. In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, Frank explains why he scripts the closing line first, describes the third kind of audience he calls the seeking audience, and recalls how a thread routine pulled from his glove box for a Zoom show led to membership of The Magic Circle.

Michael Breggar has spent nearly twelve years writing the "Auto-Magic" column in The Linking Ring. His book, "Know Brainer," published by H&R Magic Books, collects more than 35 routines of comedy mentalism. Mike recalls the sitcom Martian who sparked his interest in mind reading, explains how Groucho Marx inspired his comedy Q&A act, and makes the case for building every routine in three acts. He also shares how he is reviving The Phoenix, the classic magic magazine, inside VANISH.

Harry Houdini was one of the greatest collectors of his era. Every corner of his Harlem townhouse held books, playbills, prints, and ephemera. Within months of his death in 1926, the collection was split, sold, and scattered. Dr. Eric Colleary, Cline Curator of Theatre and Performing Arts at the Harry Ransom Center, spent a decade piecing the story back together. He discusses his new book, the librarian Houdini kept in his attic, a bargain bought in wartime, and how Texas ended up with the rest.

For more than six decades, Woodstock's resident magician Alan Eisenson, known professionally as Just Alan, has made magic from his own life. In this episode, we discuss "Just Alan - Not Just Magic," a limited edition book about Alan, written and illustrated by Jay Fortune. Alan explains what it means to transcend technique, describes how he decides where a true story ends and invention begins, recounts the making of The Sands of India, and reflects on a one-man show that never reached the stage.

Chicago-based mentalist Christopher Carter discusses "In the Spotlight," named Penguin Magic's Book of the Year, which collects 28 routines and essays from a 35-year career across college campuses, corporate stages, and cruise ship theaters. Christopher explains why the Q&A act is so effective in mentalism, describes the Mental Interview at the heart of his approach, and explores the handling of stage danger in Staple Gun Roulette, choosing a risk that is real without being mortal.

Massachusetts magician and historian Scott Martell discusses "Mr. Fingers: The Magic of Irv Weiner," his 338-page biography of the performing legend of the college circuit, 25 years in the making. Scott traces Irv's journey from a Boston boyhood as the son of deaf parents to the Chavez Studio of Magic and the invention of the Red Tape Thumb Tie. He also reveals the losses that made the project feel cursed, and the unwritten book on love that survives only on a single 2 AM voice recording.

Las Vegas magician Jason Bird discusses "Strolling for Dollars," his 580-page field guide to making a living doing walkaround magic, with a foreword by Jeff McBride. From a childhood library book to the Vegas Strip, Jason traces his path through Caesar's Magical Empire, the influence of Eugene Burger, and why he chose print over a video course. He talks candidly about pricing, the twelve working magicians he interviewed, and the philosophy at the book's heart: good magic leads to more magic.

Charles Greene III returns to The Magic Book Podcast to discuss his new book, "Exposing Houdini: 52 Lost Glass Plate Images." The book features a previously unknown cache of Houdini negatives Charles traced from an abandoned safe deposit box in Ohio to the mentalist Joseph Dunninger. Hear stories about the first photographs ever taken of the Milk Can Escape, why a single tugboat moved one image from Australia to Philadelphia, the rest moment hidden inside the Water Torture Cell, and the one photograph no expert has been able to identify.

Anthony Heads, Sweden's leading paranormal illusionist and mentalist, traces his unconventional path from telling childhood ghost stories in the UK to founding the Stockholm Ghost Walk and building a singular career in paranormal performance. Discover why he resists the label of magician, how a 1600s cellar restaurant launched his 'real experiences,' what 'the bubble' really means, and how his books, "Practical Paranormal Performance" and "Live Storytelling for Magicians," codify his craft.

Swedish professional magician and entrepreneur Caroline Ravn discusses her unique journey from theology student to international performer. During the interview, Caroline dives into the practical, non-magical lessons from her book, "The Business Side of Show Business," including defining a unique selling point, leveraging LinkedIn for corporate bookings, and the importance of having a "lost luggage" contingency plan. Learn how to thrive in the entertainment industry with this insightful episode.

Lawrence Hass, a philosopher, performer, publisher, and Dean of Jeff McBride's Magic and Mystery School traces his unlikely path from academia to full-time magic and publisher with Theory and Art of Magic Press. Discover how a David Copperfield special woke up a philosophy professor, what Eugene Burger's "Intimate Power" unlocked, and how a glass of wine at the Mystery School planted the seeds of "The Ross Johnson Legacy," Larry's landmark new book documenting the lifetime secrets of one of the world's greatest mentalists.

Ruth Knafo Setton, author of award-winning thriller "Zigzag Girl," shares her journey from a childhood steeped in Moroccan wonder to studying performance magic with legends including Eugene Burger, Teller, and Max Maven. Discover why she calls herself a storyteller who uses her pen as a wand, how a nameless character in an unfinished novel pulled her into the magic world, and why the seedy, resilient boardwalk of Atlantic City became the only possible home for her noir-tinged feminist thriller.

Justin Higham, British close-up magician and underground card magic legend who fooled both Dai Vernon and Ed Marlo, discusses his new book, "The Intuitive Magician." Justin shares why improvisation, not repetition, is the key to mastering performance. In a broad-ranging conversation, Justin explains his A, B, and C List methodology, the concept of apposite magic, why magicians in 1970s TV detective shows represent the ideal for impromptu performances, and ways to overcome performance paralysis.

Connie Boyd, award-winning magician and author of "The Power of Magical Women," shares her journey from ballet to circus aerialist, Las Vegas headliner to cruise ship producer, and five career reinventions. Discover how the pandemic inspired her Magical Women project documenting female magicians, why Paul Romhany said "you've got enough here for a book," and the discovery aboit a 1903 book that rocked her world. Learn why representation matters and how these stories transcend magic itself.

Master magician and historian Ben Robinson reflects on his fifty-year journey from watching Fred Kaps on television to uncovering John Mulholland's secret CIA work. Discover what drove his three-decade obsession with researching one mysterious file, why the bullet catch became legendary, and his philosophy: magic's greatest power lies not in tricks but in the artfulness of performance. Learn how legendary mentors shaped him and why transcendence through wonder remains the ultimate goal.

Hong Kong-based psychic entertainer Stuart Palm shares his journey from bartending in post-9/11 New York to becoming one of Asia's premier performers. Discover how a brain condition requiring surgery became his mentalist origin story, and why he believes psychic entertainment is "mentalism with more soul." Stuart discusses his comprehensive new book "Psychic Entertainment," the mentors who shaped him at Monday Night Magic, and why there are no shortcuts to creating truly miraculous experiences.

Fourth-generation magician Alex Arnold Lee shares how a cringeworthy moment in 2003 involving a broom suspension, dated music, and a baby doll costume, transformed her career. Discover how she created the beloved comedy character Dazzle and turned that stage persona into the children's book "Dazzle: The World's Worst Magic Assistant," launched at MAGIC Live 2025. A story about embracing mistakes, finding your voice, and dancing to your own drum.

Jim Hagy began publishing magic history at age 11 and never stopped. Now a distinguished historian and author, he discusses his unique approach to magic's past - focusing on social history and audience relationships rather than methods. From his childhood correspondence with Milbourne Christopher to his latest books about animals in 19th-century magic, Jim reveals how conjuring reflects broader cultural attitudes and why the magic community's welcoming nature opened doors to its greatest minds.

Dr. Matt Tompkins, experimental psychologist and magician, explores the intersection of magic and cognitive science. From mastering coin tricks as a child to designing "fake mind control machines" at Lund University, Matt reveals how magicians understood principles like change blindness decades before scientists. He discusses his book "The Spectacle of Illusion," founding the Science of Magic Association, and using mentalism to study public perceptions of AI with deception rates of 97 percent and higher.

Professional magician Jim Kleefeld reflects on six decades of performing magic, revealing his strategic journey from children's performer to mentalism authority. Jim discusses writing "Locked" to establish credibility before tackling "The Book Test Book" - a comprehensive encyclopedia covering 600+ book tests from 1584-2020. He shares his meticulous research process, his wife's suggestion for the book's Easter egg, and insights on building respect and lasting friendships in the magic community.