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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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962: Paul Richards - Magic Trends

Magic dealer, creator, consultant, lecturer, and performer, Paul Richards joins us this week as we talk about a treasure chest full of topics. Paul has been at the epicenter of innovation first as a brick and mortar magic shop owner, then online dealer, coordinator of one day magic events, as well as a well-known and highly respected magic dealer. He is often seen at all of the large magic conventions like Blackpool, MAGIC Live!, Magifest, and others.

As a result of being in the forefront of magic innovation, keep that in perspective as you listen to this week’s episode. You will see some trends that have started and perhaps get some idea of where we’re going…at least from Paul’s perspective. But you can use your own precognitive powers to prognosticate what the future of magic will bring us. This is just your “leaping off” place.

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Paul has recently returned from the Blackpool magic convention in England and has a lot to say about that event But he also attends many other conventions throughout the year as a dealer and he gives us his perspective on their differences. He was the creator of the “Real Magic Roadshow” that featured a handful of magic creators in a sort of one day mini-convention. He also talks this week about his Elmwood Magic Shop which was a brick and mortar shop in Buffalo, New York, and the future of these storefront shops versus online sellers.

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.

Tagged with Paul Richards, Penguin Magic, Colin Eleazer, Mark Mason, Blackpool Magic Convention, Magic Road Show, brick and mortar.

April 9, 2026 by Scott Wells.
  • April 9, 2026
  • Scott Wells
  • Paul Richards
  • Penguin Magic
  • Colin Eleazer
  • Mark Mason
  • Blackpool Magic Convention
  • Magic Road Show
  • brick and mortar
  • 1 Comment
1 Comment

923: MAGIC Live! 2025 - Days One & Two Report

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Time Stamps for this episode:

00:00:19 – Join Scott as he patiently waits in the Chicago airport to depart for Las Vegas and MAGIC Live!

00:06:06 - at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas for the opening night party, we first chat with my friend, Ian Rowland from England, as we share our excitement about being in Las Vegas and preparing for this convention. We chat also a bit about Carrot Top.

00:12:36 – James Dimmare is dressed as a pirate from Treasure Island at the dress up party. He will be hosting some of the Focus Sessions.

00:15:53 – MP Fisher and Robb Fisher (a Friend of the Magic Word) are dressed for evening as Rocky Balboa and Indiana Jones. They often attend MAGIC Live! and listen to the podcast during their commutes.

00:21:08 – Rob Tarry and Josh G. from Austin talk about the overwhelming experience of attending their first MAGIC Live!

00:26:01 – Comedy magician, John Archer, from England, is a frequent attendee at this event and is always a delightful guest.

00:30:36 – Julie Eng is the Executive Director of Genii and tells us what new looks the magazine has and how Jim Steinmeyer has brought his vision to the editorial staff, too.

00:36:16 – From the Magic Land of Allakazam, Greg Wilson, brings us up to date on the video digitization and some stories from the historical archives.

00:40:21 – from the stage of the first day in the first session, Stan Allen welcomes the registrants to this year’s MAGIC Live!

00:42:22 – Scott DeYoung and Alex Rogers met at this convention many years ago and became friends. They reunite each year at this event.

00:53:00 – Mark Mason, magician extraordinaire, lost a roller case of props and hopes that someone who is attending this convention and possibly saw something that will help him recover the contents.

00:55:48 – Michael Chaut, co-producer of Monday Night Magic, talks about the first day of activities here.

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 MAGIC Live!, Las Vegas, Scot DaJong, Alex Rogers, Josh G., Robert Tarry, Ian Rowland, James Dimmare, John Archer, Julie Eng, Greg Wilson, Robb Fischer, Phil Ackerly, Michael Chaut, Mark Mason.

August 5, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • August 5, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • MAGIC Live!
  • Las Vegas
  • Scot DaJong
  • Alex Rogers
  • Josh G.
  • Robert Tarry
  • Ian Rowland
  • James Dimmare
  • John Archer
  • Julie Eng
  • Greg Wilson
  • Robb Fischer
  • Phil Ackerly
  • Michael Chaut
  • Mark Mason
  • Convention Report
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746: Mark James - Pro Tips

Mark James visits with The Magic Word Podcast from England where he is a very busy professional magician. He constantly works “holiday camps”, restaurants (three different restaurants a week), cruise ships, weddings and more. His stage show consists of magic, comedy, juggling and vaudeville-style performances. Mark follows a specific formula in developing his shows which is discussed in some detail in this week’s podcast.

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This episode was recorded in Columbus, Ohio, where Mark James was a featured performer/lecturer. Here Mark talks about his tattoos, performing magic and pantomime at “holiday camps” in the U.K. as well as working in restaurants. He also talks about how to build an act and how to make each effect “strong.” While everything was fresh on his mind, Mark shared an in-depth analysis of some major points in his lecture. In particular, the elements of building his professional show include (in order):

  • Attention Getter

  • Legitimacy Prover

  • Teach the Audience How a Thing Works

  • Get Everybody in the Audience Involved

  • Palette Cleanser

  • Pathos

  • Best Trick in the Show

  • Pitch your Social Media

  • Closer

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

Tagged with Mark James, cruise ships, holiday camps, Mark Mason, MagiFest, Rob Zabrecky, pantomime.

March 23, 2023 by Scott Wells.
  • March 23, 2023
  • Scott Wells
  • Mark James
  • cruise ships
  • holiday camps
  • Mark Mason
  • MagiFest
  • Rob Zabrecky
  • pantomime
  • Post a comment
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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!

Joe Eddie and Betty Fairchild - More Than Fair - After decades of performing at state and county fairs across the country (including a year of residency at the Riviera in Las Vegas), Joe Eddie and Betty Fairchild have retired to Florida where Joe Edd
Paul Richards - Magic Trends - Magic Dealer, creator, lecturer, producers, and performer, Paul Richards joins us to talk about the current state of conventions, brick & mortar shops, & more. #magictrends #magic #blackpool #magicconventions #m
The Magic Word Podcast: #961 - Michael Breggar - Everything Matters - Long time friend and columnist for The Linking Ring journal, Michael is a clever writer, author of many books and tricks, and very funny guy. #thelinkingring #magic #playingcards #
John Guastaferro - Leading With His Heart - A man of many talents, John works with a philanthropic board that raised millions of dollars for cancer research in children. He has also just released the third in a trilogy of seminal books on card tricks
Dale Carnegie - The Magic Detective Dean Carnegie is a magic performer and the host of The Magic Detective podcast that features deep dives into the lives of well-known to arcane magicians from the past. He is also an accomplished artist featuring pi
John Midgley - Therapist with a Paintbrush - Past National S.A.M. President, John Midgley, is a licensed therapist who is also an accomplished magician and graphic artist. #graphicart #graphicartist #comicbooks #magic #magician #societyofamericanmagi
Jason Bird - Strolling Through Time - Jason Bird was one of the strolling magicians in the legendary Caesar's Magical Empire (1996-2002) and today has written a book about strolling magic. #caesarspalace #caesarsmagicempire #magic #strollingmagic #au
Congratulations to my fellow SAG-AFTRA actors who were nominated for the various #ActorAwards and especially to the winners at tonight's ceremony on #Netflix
Joe Eddie and Betty Fairchild - More Than Fair - After decades of performing at state and county fairs across the country (including a year of residency at the Riviera in Las Vegas), Joe Eddie and Betty Fairchild have retired to Florida where Joe Edd Paul Richards - Magic Trends - Magic Dealer, creator, lecturer, producers, and performer, Paul Richards joins us to talk about the current state of conventions, brick & mortar shops, & more. #magictrends #magic #blackpool #magicconventions #m The Magic Word Podcast: #961 - Michael Breggar - Everything Matters - Long time friend and columnist for The Linking Ring journal, Michael is a clever writer, author of many books and tricks, and very funny guy. #thelinkingring #magic #playingcards # John Guastaferro - Leading With His Heart - A man of many talents, John works with a philanthropic board that raised millions of dollars for cancer research in children. He has also just released the third in a trilogy of seminal books on card tricks Dale Carnegie - The Magic Detective Dean Carnegie is a magic performer and the host of The Magic Detective podcast that features deep dives into the lives of well-known to arcane magicians from the past. He is also an accomplished artist featuring pi John Midgley - Therapist with a Paintbrush - Past National S.A.M. President, John Midgley, is a licensed therapist who is also an accomplished magician and graphic artist. #graphicart #graphicartist #comicbooks #magic #magician #societyofamericanmagi Jason Bird - Strolling Through Time - Jason Bird was one of the strolling magicians in the legendary Caesar's Magical Empire (1996-2002) and today has written a book about strolling magic. #caesarspalace #caesarsmagicempire #magic #strollingmagic #au Congratulations to my fellow SAG-AFTRA actors who were nominated for the various #ActorAwards and especially to the winners at tonight's ceremony on #Netflix

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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