• 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

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.

View fullsize scottwells (1).jpg
View fullsize scottwells (2).jpg
View fullsize scottwells (3).jpg
View fullsize scottwells (4).jpg
View fullsize scottwells (5).jpg
View fullsize scottwells (6).jpg
View fullsize scottwells (7).jpg
View fullsize scottwells (8).jpg
View fullsize at the booth 1.jpg
View fullsize Blackpool lecture.jpg
View fullsize Road Show.jpg
View fullsize rope lecture.jpg

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

927: Larry Kahlow - Preserving History

Larry Kahlow carries on the tradition of owning and managing a brick and mortar magic shop. And the Eagle Magic Shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is not just a magic shop. It is the oldest, longest running magic shop still operating in the United States.

View fullsize Eagle Magic Store old newspaper ad.jpg
View fullsize Eagle Magic Store.jpg
View fullsize IMG_4818.jpg
View fullsize IMG_4822.jpg
View fullsize Larry and dove.jpg

Larry shares the history of the Eagle Magic Shop from it’s founding by Collins Rice Pentz to its current owner, Larry. Along the way there have been many known, well-known and unknown magicians who have darkened their doors including the famous escape artist himself, Harry Houdini. Larry shares stories passed down to him along with his own stories that now live through him. If you are interested in magic history and particularly the “life of a brick-and-mortar magic shop,” then you will love this episode.

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 Larry Kahlow, Eagle Magic Store, Minneapolis, Collins Rice Pentz, magic history, brick and mortar, magic shop, Doris Davids, Houdini, Al Schneider.

August 21, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • August 21, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Larry Kahlow
  • Eagle Magic Store
  • Minneapolis
  • Collins Rice Pentz
  • magic history
  • brick and mortar
  • magic shop
  • Doris Davids
  • Houdini
  • Al Schneider
  • Post a comment
Comment

802: Dick Stoner - Trade Show Pioneer

At 93 years of age, Dick Stoner was a pioneer in performing magic at trade shows and a magic shop owner since the 1940’s. It is because of people like Dick that other magicians have been successful trade show performers. Certainly many of us are figuratively standing on his shoulders. But not only that, Dick has owned and operated Stoners Funstore in Fort Wayne, Indiana, since 1949. There are few brick and mortar shops that have been around that long.

View fullsize IMG_2457.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2453.jpg
View fullsize 13 years old.jpg
View fullsize dick stoner early.jpg
View fullsize poster.jpg
View fullsize casket trick.jpg
View fullsize glasses.jpg
View fullsize in his chair.jpg
View fullsize in his magic shop.jpg
View fullsize new report clip.jpg

While attending the 2023 Abbott’s Get Together, I had the chance to sit down with Dick Stoner to record this week’s chat. He attends this convention somewhat regularly, but doesn’t stay more than a day, so it was hard to catch him. In this episode we chat about his magic store as well as his career as a trade show magician. He also reminisces about some of those with whom he worked like Johnny Thompson, Eddie Tullock Bud Dietrich and other trade show titans.

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 Dick Stoner, trade shows, Dick Ryan, Bud Dietrich, Johnny Thompson, Mike Rogers, Nashville Network, Ed Sullivan, brick and mortar, magic shop, Stoners Funstore, Eddie Tullock, Steve Allen.

November 16, 2023 by Scott Wells.
  • November 16, 2023
  • Scott Wells
  • Dick Stoner
  • trade shows
  • Dick Ryan
  • Bud Dietrich
  • Johnny Thompson
  • Mike Rogers
  • Nashville Network
  • Ed Sullivan
  • brick and mortar
  • magic shop
  • Stoners Funstore
  • Eddie Tullock
  • Steve Allen
  • 1 Comment
1 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!

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
Magic shows are not the only attraction for magicians to see in Las Vegas. Be sure to visit the Neon Museum where Siegfried & Roy are highlighted and honored among the glitz and lights. #vegas #vegasbaby #neonmuseum #magic #siegfriedandroy #oldve
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 Magic shows are not the only attraction for magicians to see in Las Vegas. Be sure to visit the Neon Museum where Siegfried & Roy are highlighted and honored among the glitz and lights. #vegas #vegasbaby #neonmuseum #magic #siegfriedandroy #oldve

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