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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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971: Judge Gary Brown - Wand in a Million

Gary Brown is a U.S. District Judge from New York, but he knows a con man when he discovers one. His recent revelations about Claude Alexander Conlin who had several aliases, but is most well know among magicians as “Alexander, the Man Who Knows.” Judge Brown has written several scholarly books about the history of magic including an innovative book, “Wandcraft” as well as “The Inventive Magicians Handbook.” His monograph on Alexander was published in Bill Kalush’s “Gibecière".

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This week, Gary tells us why wands are important to magicians and why we should use them. He also tells us some delightful stories about Al Flosso, the Coney Island Fakir. He then tells us a bit about what he uncovered about Alexander’s very shady and polygamy ridden career as he narrowly escaped the law by traveling from one State to another. He also talks about the non-existent silver mines that he sold over and over again.

Wand in a Million
Scott Wells with Judge Gary Brown
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Tagged with Judge Gary Brown, Al Flosso, magic wands, Alexander, The Man Who Knows, Claude Alexander Conlin, Titanic Thompson, Arnold Rothstein, Larry Hass, Dave Cresey, George Robinson, Penn & Teller Fool Us.

June 4, 2026 by Scott Wells.
  • June 4, 2026
  • Scott Wells
  • Judge Gary Brown
  • Al Flosso
  • magic wands
  • Alexander
  • The Man Who Knows
  • Claude Alexander Conlin
  • Titanic Thompson
  • Arnold Rothstein
  • Larry Hass
  • Dave Cresey
  • George Robinson
  • Penn & Teller Fool Us
  • Post a comment
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950: Jeff McBride - Grand Master

There are those few in our craft of magic that are well-known, but few who are as universally respected as Jeff McBride. Founder of the Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas, Jeff has transcended to the pinnacle of our industry. Having been awarded nearly every conceivable trophy and accolade in the magic community, Jeff continues to build and personally contribute to the coterie. Jeff continues to perform and teach around the world and he has embraced technology to supplement his methods of sharing magic, too.

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Jeff’s magic pedagogy reflects modern methods of sharing with our community in recognition that we all learn at different levels and speeds. This week he talks about how he doesn’t create new acts or routines for his students, but rather shapes and directs the students’ existing skills that leads to an improved show that is uniquely their own. Jeff also discusses the creation of his “Wonderground” performance venue in Las Vegas that encourages magicians to flex their creative muscles.

Grand Master
Scott Wells with Jeff McBride
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Jeff McBride talked extensively about the importance of storytelling. So, it is appropriate that we recognize the recent passing of a master story teller who has shared more with the magic community than most know, including Tannen’s Magic Camp, where young magicians learned the importance of a good story in strengthening their magic. Hiawatha Johnson was a magician, writer, editor, musician, singer, dancer, choreographer, actor, director, composer, teacher, professor, historian, designer and playwright. He will be sorely missed by the community. Aloha, my friend.

Tagged with Jeff McBride, Jeff McBride's Magic and Mystery School, Eugene Burger, Larry Hass, storytelling, Tony Andruzzi, Bob Neale, Magic & Meaning Conference, Max Maven, Ross Johnson, Ricardo Rosenkranz, Tobias Beckworth, Paul Draper, Jeff Sheridan, Radio City Music Hall, George Schindler, Magistrorum, Wonderground, Mat Franco.

January 15, 2026 by Scott Wells.
  • January 15, 2026
  • Scott Wells
  • Jeff McBride
  • Jeff McBride's Magic and Mystery School
  • Eugene Burger
  • Larry Hass
  • storytelling
  • Tony Andruzzi
  • Bob Neale
  • Magic & Meaning Conference
  • Max Maven
  • Ross Johnson
  • Ricardo Rosenkranz
  • Tobias Beckworth
  • Paul Draper
  • Jeff Sheridan
  • Radio City Music Hall
  • George Schindler
  • Magistrorum
  • Wonderground
  • Mat Franco
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913: FISM 2025 in Turin, Italy- Day One Report

Monday 14 July, 2025

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Time Stamps: These will be posted after I have gotten some sleep.

FISM 2025 Day One Report
Scott Wells with Healy, Neilsen, Engblom, Schenk, Buhr, Logan, Chien, Tiffany and Boris, Cranford, Anderson, Felice, Ramon, Hyken, Kramer, Garber, Levit, Hass, and DeSouza
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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 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

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with FISM Italy, FISM, Turin Italy, Lupe Nielsen, Christian Engblom, Christian Schenk, Erix Logan, Eric Chien, Joey Cranford, Boris Wild, Tiffany Allen, Wolfgang Buhr, Nancy Anderson, Felice, Alex Ramon, Marko Ramon, Shep Hyken, Seth Kramer, Jonathan Levit, Al Garber, Larry Hass.

July 14, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • July 14, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • FISM Italy
  • FISM
  • Turin Italy
  • Lupe Nielsen
  • Christian Engblom
  • Christian Schenk
  • Erix Logan
  • Eric Chien
  • Joey Cranford
  • Boris Wild
  • Tiffany Allen
  • Wolfgang Buhr
  • Nancy Anderson
  • Felice
  • Alex Ramon
  • Marko Ramon
  • Shep Hyken
  • Seth Kramer
  • Jonathan Levit
  • Al Garber
  • Larry Hass
  • Convention Report
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The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

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In May 2024, Scott Wells had the distinguished honor of receiving a “Special Fellowship” from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) for the Magic Word Podcast which promotes “not only personal stories of fascinating individuals, but also fellowship amongst our extended family of artists and entertainers everywhere.”

Do you have a comment or suggestion for The Magic Word Podcast? Click on the SpeakPipe logo and leave a short audio message for Scott. It’s fast, easy and fun. Send a “shout out” today and who knows? Your message may be heard on an upcoming podcast!

Judge Gary Brown - U.S. District Judge Gary Brown is also a magician, lecturer, author, and historian. This week he talks about many of his passions including wands, Al Flosso, and Alexander, the Man Who Knows. #magicwands #magic #alexanderthemanwhok
Doug Gorman - Let Me Tell You A Story - Doug Gorman takes a back seat to no one. Quite literally, he is the driver for Richard Turner as they traverse the country. Doug is a professional magician and creator of close-up props and stories for the biza
Bob Bengel - The Dream Job - For many years, Bob Bengel held an enviable job as a full time employee of Hitachi playing golf and performing magic at all their trade shows. #bobbengel #magic #tradeshow #tradeshowmagic #hitachi #golf
Magic Collector Expo 2026 - Daily Report Daily reports from the Expo in New Jersey featuring conversations with organizers, talent, speakers, dealers, and more. #newyork #newyorkpubliclibrary #magiccollector #magiccollectorexpo #magicconvention #magi
I am so excited to be in the Class of 2026 being awarded with the honor of the Milbourne Christopher award. The ceremony is still months away, but I just couldn't wait to share this announcement.
Bill Malone - Bill Malone - Comedy close-up magician, Bill Malone, talks about his career, learning magic, working in bars, trade shows, his health, and his upcoming book. #comedymagic #billmalone #tradeshowmagic #chicagomagic #malonesmagicbar
You never know who you'll meet in an elevator. Thanks to Boris for snapping this great selfie at the recent F.F.F.F. close-up convention.
Judge Gary Brown - U.S. District Judge Gary Brown is also a magician, lecturer, author, and historian. This week he talks about many of his passions including wands, Al Flosso, and Alexander, the Man Who Knows. #magicwands #magic #alexanderthemanwhok
Academy of Magical Arts annual awards banquet in Hollywood  #magiccastle #amaawards2026
Doug Gorman - Let Me Tell You A Story - Doug Gorman takes a back seat to no one. Quite literally, he is the driver for Richard Turner as they traverse the country. Doug is a professional magician and creator of close-up props and stories for the biza Bob Bengel - The Dream Job - For many years, Bob Bengel held an enviable job as a full time employee of Hitachi playing golf and performing magic at all their trade shows. #bobbengel #magic #tradeshow #tradeshowmagic #hitachi #golf Magic Collector Expo 2026 - Daily Report Daily reports from the Expo in New Jersey featuring conversations with organizers, talent, speakers, dealers, and more. #newyork #newyorkpubliclibrary #magiccollector #magiccollectorexpo #magicconvention #magi I am so excited to be in the Class of 2026 being awarded with the honor of the Milbourne Christopher award. The ceremony is still months away, but I just couldn't wait to share this announcement. Bill Malone - Bill Malone - Comedy close-up magician, Bill Malone, talks about his career, learning magic, working in bars, trade shows, his health, and his upcoming book. #comedymagic #billmalone #tradeshowmagic #chicagomagic #malonesmagicbar You never know who you'll meet in an elevator. Thanks to Boris for snapping this great selfie at the recent F.F.F.F. close-up convention.

The Magic Word Has been recognized by FeedSpot as the # 1 magician podcast in the world. Thank you all for your support and for listening throughout the years.

The Magic Word Podcast was selected by MillionPodcasts as one of the Top 25 Magician Podcasts on the web. In fact, it is currently listed as the Number 2 magician podcast!

The Magic Word Podcast was nominated for TWO categories in the new ONLINE MAGIC competition at the 2025 World Championship of Magic (FISM) in Turin, Italy. One was for the Best Magic Podcaster and the second for the Best Magic Newsletter. You may already listen, but you are missing out on the other half if you haven’t yet subscribed to our weekly podletter!

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