615: Shaun Jay - Bright Ideas

The future of magic lies in the hands of our youth. This week we prove that the next generation of magicians is in good hands and going in the right direction as we speak with Shaun Jay. Shaun was on the cover of the M.U.M. journal in 2020 and has appeared on the “Masters of Illusion” on the CW Network. He is involved in making magic and magical things. And he respects the history, inspiration and mentorship of those with more years of experience.

Shaun has his own podcast which is totally different from The Magic Word Podcast but worth your time to explore. See his “Making Magic with Shaun Jay” podcast video interviews at: https://YouTube.com/shaunjaymagic or you can listen here: http://bit.ly/makingmagiconapple

This week’s podcast episode on YouTube.

This week Shaun talks about his path on how he got on the national network television show, “Masters of Illusion” and he discusses some of the things he has made such as his wristwatches that are pieces of art, plus he talks about how he developed his act. For more information on his 3D design and prop making, please visit: https://utilitygaffs.com

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594: Sean Bogunia - Accidentally Creative

During a recent trip from Houston, Texas, to Michigan, I had the opportunity to sit down for an in-depth conversation with one of magic’s creative thinkers, Sean Bogunia. Although he might be best known to you as the creator of the Ultimate Dancing Hank (in a Bottle), he prefers for that not to be his seminal legacy. He has many other creations to his credit that are in the working repertoires of professional magicians and he has even more that he is working on to bring to the magic community. He is a performer and creator who has consulted with many top magicians.

The no assistants need Dancing HankBy Sean Boguniahttps://www.ultimatemagicproductions.net/store/p50/Ultimate_Dancing_Hank.html

In this week’s episode, Sean talks about a pivotal moment in his life that led him to follow magic as a full time professional and never look back. He also tells many “behind the scenes” stories about some of his creations and the people he worked with and some of those whom he showed his ideas. A usually quiet and reserved person, Sean opened his heart and soul in this podcast unlike he had ever done before. In fact, he states that this is only the second interview that he has ever given. This episode contains perhaps more stories than any other that we have broadcast. I am certain that you will get a lot out of this week’s “longer than usual” episode.

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216: Brad Henderson, the Esoteric Escamoteur - Part Two, Tales from the Mansion

We continue our conversation with Brad Henderson telling stories about his good friend Richard Garriott, aka Lord British in Ultima and General British in Tabula Rasa, but perhaps more well known to the general public as a game developer magnate and civilian astronaut. As mentioned in the blog last week, Brad was the curator of Richard Garriott's magic collection though now Richards primary residence is in New York City following his nuptials in 2011.

We begin this second part of our chat discussing more of the practical than the theoretical side of magic. But since we are talking with Brad, it does eventually slide into a little more theory towards the end.

Brad planned elaborate parties for Richard Garriott, one of which nearly cost Brad his life due to the stress and physicality of the planning. These parties were not your typical birthday parties but elaborate, extravagant events that that attracted the glitterati and Illuminati and literally cost a small fortune. The details and behind the scenes stories are incredible and almost "fairy tale" like.

Many of you are aware of the embezzlement proceedings that involved Hank Lee and Richard Garriott. Well, Brad tells a little more about that affair now that some time has been served, literally.