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.

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.

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536: Mahdi Gilbert - Finding Inspiration

This week we feature a conversation that has been in queue for a few months but is a wonderful, inspirational episode to end the year and prepare for a new year. Mahdi Gilbert is a Canadian magician and inspirational speaker who has been slowly gaining attention on the international scene. His manipulation skills are amazing when you consider that he has no hands or feet, much like the 17th century German magician, Matthias (Matthew) Buchinger. Mahdi hosts his own podcast called “The Caged Canary” on the BeforeMagic.com website that is well worth hearing.

In this conversation, we talk about what “being on television” does for your career (or not) such as “Penn & Teller Fool Us” and “America’s Got Talent”. He also talks about working in China, working with tech companies in developing aids for those without hands, and a little history lesson about Matthias Buchinger. He also talks about how he has overcome his challenges and learned to type, play the piano, and more. He also talks and inspires corporate executives and youth groups in his talks. He discusses how he was bullied as a child and taken advantage of and beaten up and what he did to adapt and react.

532: Greg Wilson - The Legacy of Allakazam

Greg Wilson builds on the dynasty of the Wilson name in the magic community. He has created his own way since his early appearances on his mom and dad’s TV series, “The Magic Land of Allakazam” by performing large illusion shows of his own. But today he is focused on preserving the legacy of the TV show through his efforts in preserving film, stories, props and ephemera from the long running series. You can visit the website at AllakazamArchives.com to see videos and a lot more, plus help support this preservation venture. If you have any stories you would like to share with Greg, then you can write him at Wilson@AllakazamArchives.com

Greg Wilson performs his version of Mark Wilson's "World's Largest Card Trick", also called "The Divided in Four". This show is from the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Greg was celebrating his parents "Magic Circus" tv specials 40th Anniversary.

Greg Wilson presents his version of Sawing in Half or The Divided, at Disney's El Capitan Theatre, in his show, The Golden Age of Magic, during the screening of the film “Maleficent”

This week’s podcast was recorded in the summer of 2019 at the I.B.M. convention in Scottsdale, Arizona when Greg was there with his parents, Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell. Hear his talk this week about the myriad stories behind the scenes of “The Magic Land of Allakazam” and much, much more.

800: Jack Goldfinger - Yoda Man!

536: Mahdi Gilbert - Finding Inspiration

532: Greg Wilson - The Legacy of Allakazam

The Magic Word