843: Cody Clark - On the Spectrum

April was National Autism Acceptance Month, and although we missed posting this week’s episode during that time, it is no less important nor relevant the rest of the year. This week we chat with Cody Clark show is “on the spectrum” of autism. He is currently 31 years old and lives in the Louisville, Kentucky, area, but travels throughout the Midwest with his motivational magic show. He is an adept and successful performer of stage, stand-up and close-up who has carved a unique niche market for showing his skill and sharing his story.

Cody is proud of his hometown and thankful for his mentors who inspired him like Lance Burton, Mac King, Bob Escher, David Garrard, and others in the Louisville area. Mute until he was three years of age, he saw and helped a magician on stage which inspired him to follow magic as a career path. He structured his college degree to aid in his career with studies in theater, business, and debate. He now performs in hospitals to board rooms entertaining and inspiring others with his magic and his personal story.

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.

Order your copy from Amazon and help The Magic Word Podcast through their Affiliate Program. Just click on the graphic above or Click Here

842: Richard Wiseman - Tea Time with the Professor

Dr. Richard Wiseman is a professor of public understanding in Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the U.K. He is the author of several books, many of which magicians might (or should) be familiar with including “The Luck Factor” and”Quirkology” or “Paranormality: Why We See What Isn’t There” among many others. Perhaps you have seen one of his many YouTube videos that have over 800MM views! He also hosts a podcast, “Richard Wiseman: On Your Mind” (which I highly recommend). You may have seen him at MAGIC Live! in Las Vegas as he has presented there twice.

In this week’s episode, Richard talks about many of his studies and how he became a YouTube phenomenon. We also discuss seances, his consulting with Andy Nyman on seances, his “failure” at busking at Covent Gardens in London, his new show on Paul Curry that will debut at this year’s Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. He also talks about his new book “Magic Your Mind Happy” which is being offered this week as a prize in our contest.

841: Benjamin Barnes - Talented Booker

Benjamin Barnes is the Director of Entertainment for the Chicago Magic Lounge. Prior to that, Ben booked the talent for Magic Chicago. He has a broad knowledge and database of talented performers from around the world. He regularly performs at the Magic Castle and has been on Masters of Illusion TV show and three times on Penn & Teller Fool Us. He is multi-talented as a professional close-up and stand-up (parlor) performer.

In this week’s episode, Benjamin tells us what he looks for when booking talent for the Chicago Magic Lounge. He has some specific needs and demands, so if you are interested in getting booked there, perhaps you should heed some of the advice he offers here. If you are not a professional performer or have no interest in getting booked there, it is still interesting to learn what a talent director is looking for and what it takes to be an act that qualifies for performing in this elite venue.

843: Cody Clark - On the Spectrum

842: Richard Wiseman - Tea Time with the Professor

841: Benjamin Barnes - Talented Booker

The Magic Word