• The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

The Magic Word The Magic Word

  • The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

800: Jack Goldfinger - Yoda Man!

We have reached another important milestone with this episode #800. And as we often do with these milestones, we feature someone who is a major mover and shaker in our community. Jack “Goldfinger” Vaughan fits the bill perfectly as the Director of Entertainment for the Academy of Magical Arts, the Magic Castle. Prior to taking on that role, he and his lovely wife, Dove, have performed around the world on some of the greatest stages and on screen. He is sought out for his advice and wisdom in life lessons, not unlike “Yoda” from the epic movie saga, Star Wars.

View fullsize IMG_0898.jpg
View fullsize IMG_0905.jpg
View fullsize award.jpg
View fullsize close-up.jpg
View fullsize early Jack and Dove.png
View fullsize Jack and Dove.jpg
View fullsize Jack-Goldfinger-Vaughan.jpg
View fullsize JDGOLDFINGER.png
View fullsize magic hands Kongress 1990.jpg
View fullsize Neilsen poster.jpg
View fullsize wilson anniversary.jpg

This week, Jack shares some of his “Jack-isms” that are true gems that makes you really think. He talks about his predecessor, Max Maven, as well as some of those who have influenced his career along the way.

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 The Magic Castle, Jack Goldfinger, Max Maven, Academy of Magical Arts, The Amazing Jonathan.

November 9, 2023 by Scott Wells.
  • November 9, 2023
  • Scott Wells
  • The Magic Castle
  • Jack Goldfinger
  • Max Maven
  • Academy of Magical Arts
  • The Amazing Jonathan
  • 4 Comments
4 Comments
banner day four.jpg

434: 2018 I.B.M. Convention - Day Four Update

banner day four.jpg

Saturday July 7, 2018

8 AM Merlin Breakfast (Ticket Required)

9 AM - 1 PM 2019 Pre-Registration Opens

9 AM - 5 PM Dealer's Room Open

9:30 AM - 11 AM Big Three Event - (BLUE LANYARDS)

9:30 AM - 11 AM Big Three Event - (GREEN LANYARDS)

9:30 AM - 11 AM Big Three Event - (RED LANYARDS)

11 AM - 12 NOON Lance Burton Teen Scene # 3

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Lecture - Larry Wilson

1 PM - 2 PM Lecture - Patrick Martin

3 PM - 4 PM Lecture - Jeff McBride

7 PM - 7:30 PMI.B.M. Contest Awards

8 PM - 9:30 PM Grand Finale Show

10:15 PM Farwell Party

11:45 PMJ eff McBride Special Workshop
Extra Cost Event

View fullsize Thwe Amazing Jonathan
View fullsize Larry Hass
View fullsize Michael Finney
View fullsize Oscar Munoz
View fullsize Patrick Martin
View fullsize Robert Purcell
View fullsize Kayla Drescher
View fullsize Larry Wilson

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:20- Dr. Larry Hass, Dean of the Mystery School, speaks to the members of the Order of Merlin (those with 25 or more years of consecutive membership in the I.B.M.) about lessons learned from Eugene Burger

00:14:42 - International President, Michael Finney, talks about what he plans to do during his presidency in the next year

00:32:48 - Past international President of the I.B.M. and Contest chairman, Oscar Munoz, talks about the importance of entering contests.

00:47:05 - Patrick Martin was one of the lecturers who was featured at this convention and he talks about working the corporate market.

01:03:02 - Robert Purcell talks about what it's like for a "first timer" because this is his first magic convention

01:11:36 - Kayla Drescher was a featured performer as one of the "Big Three" Events

01:16:17 - Larry Wilson (our emcee for the evening show0 returns to talk about one of his early TV specials

01:29:18 - a listing of the contest winners and a wrap of the convention

Contest Winners:

Stage Adult: Gold Medal, First Place and People's Choice - Zhou Zhou and Yuan Yuan; Award of Merit: Sebak

Stage Youth: First Place - Red Star; Award of Merit - Luna; Fantasma Award - Theo Chattra

Close-Up Adult: Erik Tait; Award of Merit - Chong Huang; People's Choice and Obie's Four F Award: Chris Quinero

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.. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with I.B.M. Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Larry Hass, Order of Merlin, Robert Purcell, Kayla Drescher, Larry Wilson, Patrick Martin, Oscar Munoz, Michael Finney.

July 8, 2018 by Scott Wells.
  • July 8, 2018
  • Scott Wells
  • I.B.M. Convention
  • Grand Rapids
  • Michigan
  • Larry Hass
  • Order of Merlin
  • Robert Purcell
  • Kayla Drescher
  • Larry Wilson
  • Patrick Martin
  • Oscar Munoz
  • Michael Finney
  • Convention Report
  • Post a comment
Comment
banner day two.jpg

432: 2018 I.B.M. Convention - Day Two Update

banner day two.jpg

Thurs July 5, 2018

8 AM - 9:30 AM Ring Representative Meeting/TVP

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Stage Contest Rehearsal

9 AM - 12 NOON Registration Open

9 AM - 5 PM Dealer's Room Open

9:30 AM - 11 AM Big Three Events - (RED LANYARDS)Pearl Room

9:30 AM - 11 AM Big Three Events - (BLUE LANYARDS)Emerald B Room

9:30 AM - 11 AM Big Three Events - (GREEN LANYARDS)

10:00 AM Spouse Event - Meet at Registration

11 AM - 12 NOON Lance Burton Teen Scene # 1

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Stage Contest Rehearsal

11:00 AM Annual Business Meeting, Order of Merlin Inductees-Please arrive 15 minutes early

1 PM - 3 PM Stage Contest Part 2

1 PM - 5 PM Registration Open

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Lecture - David Malek

8 PM - 9:30 PM Legends of Comedy Show

10:15 PM - 11:15 PM Lecture - Kyle & Mistie Knight

11:45 PM - 12:45 AM Lecture - Amazing Johnathan

View fullsize Gwyn Auger
View fullsize Michael Trixx
View fullsize Steve Valentine
View fullsize Christian Rasmussen
View fullsize The Amazing Jonathan
View fullsize Crowd at the evening show theater
View fullsize Legends of Comedy

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:16 - Gwyn Auger is Lance Burton's assistant and talks about being a magician's assistant

00:09:28 - Michael Trixx will open the Friday night show with his high energy, rock-and-roll dove act but here he talks about marketing tips

00:16:51 - Steve Valentine talks about his recent lecture

00:22:09 - Larry Wilson tells the Sammy Davis, Jr. story

00:54:54- Apparently Gay Blackstone worked with Sammy David Jr., too

01:01:43 - Christian Rasmussen was the recipient of the new "Bill Cook" award from the Lance Burton Teen Seminar

01:08:06 - I caught up with The Amazing Jonathan while waiting for a taxi and hilarity ensued.

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.. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with I.B.M. Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Gwyn Auger, Michael Trixx, Steve Valentine, Larry Wilson, Christian Rasmussen, The Amazing Jonathan, Gay Blackstone.

July 6, 2018 by Scott Wells.
  • July 6, 2018
  • Scott Wells
  • I.B.M. Convention
  • Grand Rapids
  • Michigan
  • Gwyn Auger
  • Michael Trixx
  • Steve Valentine
  • Larry Wilson
  • Christian Rasmussen
  • The Amazing Jonathan
  • Gay Blackstone
  • Convention Report
  • Post a comment
Comment
Older

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.

You can become a sustaining member by pledging a monthly donation of any amount through "Patreon" and receive some pretty cool perks for membershiip, too. Just Click Here for more information on how you can help.

By donating to The Magic Word, you will become a "Friend of The Magic Word" and receive a certificate (suitable for framing) indicating your membership plus your name will join your other friends and be posted on our "Wall of Fame". If you prefer to order something from the Store, then that will help support The Magic Word, too. Thank you.

  • The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

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!

Susan Gerbic - Busting Grief Vampires - Susan Gerbic is a skeptic who debunks those who are self-proclaimed psychics and "feed" on the grief of others like vampires feed on blood. She is a scientific skepticism activist, a columnist for Ske
Enjoy an audible tour through the newest venue for magicians to perform. Also, Marc’s incredible magic props, ephemera costumes, and more from a lifetime of collecting are on display here. This “walk through” is a feast for the ears
Jim Cunningham - The Spirit of Eugene - Jim Cunningham is the voice on the Audible books reading the Eli Marks Mystery series. But is also interested in things that go bump in the night. So naturally, his mentor for producing scary seances was the la
Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker - Creator of the Marvelous Magical Burger King, Tony Hassini is better known as the creator of the International Magicians Society (IMS) and the Merlin Award. #tonyhassini #merlinaward #ims #magicawards #merlin #burgerking
Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of: Spanning a career as a FISM winner to a successful trade show magician and now in his 70's owning his own theatre, Wayne Alan has led an interesting life and is someone you should know. #hi
Magistrorum 2025 - Convention Report - The Magistrorum Magic & Mentalism Convention is a gathering of world-class performers, including the legendary Jeff McBride. Attendees will experience bizarre magick, and mind-blowing mentalism from internat
Magic At The Beach 2025 - Convention Report - Daily reports from the Magic At The Beach convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. #myrtlebeach #magicatthebeach2025 #matb2025 #
Fielding West - Every Breath He Takes - Over the past few years, magic comedian, Fielding West, has been finding it harder to breathe. After a diagnosis of Emphysema, his life and his act changed. #copd #emphysema #magiccomedy #fieldingwest #lasvegas
Susan Gerbic - Busting Grief Vampires - Susan Gerbic is a skeptic who debunks those who are self-proclaimed psychics and "feed" on the grief of others like vampires feed on blood. She is a scientific skepticism activist, a columnist for Ske Enjoy an audible tour through the newest venue for magicians to perform. Also, Marc’s incredible magic props, ephemera costumes, and more from a lifetime of collecting are on display here. This “walk through” is a feast for the ears Jim Cunningham - The Spirit of Eugene - Jim Cunningham is the voice on the Audible books reading the Eli Marks Mystery series. But is also interested in things that go bump in the night. So naturally, his mentor for producing scary seances was the la Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker - Creator of the Marvelous Magical Burger King, Tony Hassini is better known as the creator of the International Magicians Society (IMS) and the Merlin Award. #tonyhassini #merlinaward #ims #magicawards #merlin #burgerking Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of: Spanning a career as a FISM winner to a successful trade show magician and now in his 70's owning his own theatre, Wayne Alan has led an interesting life and is someone you should know. #hi Magistrorum 2025 - Convention Report - The Magistrorum Magic & Mentalism Convention is a gathering of world-class performers, including the legendary Jeff McBride. Attendees will experience bizarre magick, and mind-blowing mentalism from internat Magic At The Beach 2025 - Convention Report - Daily reports from the Magic At The Beach convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. #myrtlebeach #magicatthebeach2025 #matb2025 # Fielding West - Every Breath He Takes - Over the past few years, magic comedian, Fielding West, has been finding it harder to breathe. After a diagnosis of Emphysema, his life and his act changed. #copd #emphysema #magiccomedy #fieldingwest #lasvegas

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!

tumblr
linkedin
twitter-unauth
facebook-unauth
instagram-unauth
x-formerly-twitter-unauth
pinterest-unauth
facebook-unauth
Amazon Affiliate 2020 graphic.jpg