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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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960: John Guastaferro - Leading With His Heart

John Guastaferro has his priorities straight. He thinks of others before himself. From his magic career to his professional life as a director on the board of Hundai’s “Hope on Wheels” philanthropic organization. John has just released the third book in his close-up card magic trilogy “The Final Degree.” In these books, John emphasizes how small degrees of change can make a big difference in the effect on your audience. You can see how he puts his work into action when he performs in the Close-Up Gallery of the Magic Castle.

As to his philanthropic activities, John works with this group several months out of the year in helping raise money for cancer research in children. And as if that doesn’t keep him busy enough, he is also an accomplished flamenco-style guitar player.

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John Guastaferro as the executive director for Hyundai Hope On Wheels and Genesis Inspiration Foundation, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Guastaferro is responsible for advancing the missions of both foundations while maintaining current successes, driving program growth, developing diversified revenue streams, and building greater community awareness. As you can imagine, that takes a lot of his time throughout the year and we discuss all that in this week’s episode.

John is a regular performer at the Magic Castle and we chat during the first few minutes about what it was like for his first time at working there and how others may overcome their hesitancy of auditioning to perform there. When we recorded this episode, his new book “The Final Degree” was about to be released. It is now available through the publisher, Vanishing, Inc. and other fine magic shops. We also talk a little bit about his passion with the guitar. This flamenco-styiings feature original compositions that can be heard on iTunes and Spotify, among other platforms and I highly recommend listening to it. It is very soothing and relaxing music.

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 John Guastaferro, flamenco guitar, Rafael Benatar, Larry Wilmore, David Regal, Ottmar Liebert, Jack Goldfinger, The Magic Castle, books, musician.

March 26, 2026 by Scott Wells.
  • March 26, 2026
  • Scott Wells
  • John Guastaferro
  • flamenco guitar
  • Rafael Benatar
  • Larry Wilmore
  • David Regal
  • Ottmar Liebert
  • Jack Goldfinger
  • The Magic Castle
  • books
  • musician
  • Post a comment
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878: Ed Ellis - Magician/Musician

Ed Ellis is not a name that is on the tip of the tongues of most magicians. I wouldn’t call him an “underground” magician because I think of “those guys” as being the ones who magicians go to when they want to learn some secret move. But Ed has quietly been making a living for many decades having worked at many prestigious resorts and country clubs and of late, has been returning to the magic convention scene. So, if you have not seen him or are not familiar with his work, you can watch his video lecture on Penguin or catch him at one of many convention appearances he plans to make this year.

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Ed talks about his journey through life as he maneuvered jobs on film, nightclubs, and resorts. He gives some valuable advice on calling on past customers and maintaining personal friendships to ensure future opportunities.

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 Ed Ellis, Hilton Head, Bruce Cervon, The Magic Castle, Buddy Rich, musician, Howard Hamburg, Caesar's Magic Kingdom, Michael Ammar, AGT, Gene Krupa.

January 9, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • January 9, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Ed Ellis
  • Hilton Head
  • Bruce Cervon
  • The Magic Castle
  • Buddy Rich
  • musician
  • Howard Hamburg
  • Caesar's Magic Kingdom
  • Michael Ammar
  • AGT
  • Gene Krupa
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864: Michael Campion - Coming Into His Own

In our second installment in this “Month of Boo'“ on The Magic Word Podcast, we feature a “family friendly” entertainer, Michael Campion. He is a young “heart throb” for adolescents who watched the five year series “Fuller House” online where he starred as the character, Jackson. It has been six years since we last visited with Michael when he was then just 16. Today his interest in magic has come to the forefront and he is currently performing on weekends in a one-man show at Beetle House in Los Angeles called, “Haunted Mystery Show of Magic.” Tickets are available by Clicking Here. The reason we revisited with this young man is to discover his journey from a family entertainer to a magician who is now featuring a seance as part of his show. Michael is not the first actor in Hollywood to have a love of magic and performing and balance it with his acting career. Another one who comes to mind is Steve Valentine.

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Many who listen to this episode are much older than our guest this week. But there is a lot to learn from as Michael Campion shares his insights and journey to write, develop, find a venue, and market his one-man show. It shows his determination and will hopefully inspire other listeners to follow their dreams to produce their own shows.

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 Michael Campion, one man show, Beetle House, Los Angeles, actor, Fuller House, The Magic Castle, Magic Castle Junior Member.

October 10, 2024 by Scott Wells.
  • October 10, 2024
  • Scott Wells
  • Michael Campion
  • one man show
  • Beetle House
  • Los Angeles
  • actor
  • Fuller House
  • The Magic Castle
  • Magic Castle Junior Member
  • 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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