Advertise on podcast: The Magic Book Podcast

Rating

★★★★★

4.7

from

15 reviews

Description

Uncovering the rich history, innovative techniques, and extraordinary performers who have shaped the art of illusion through the written word. Episodes cover a wide range of topics, from the historical and cultural significance of magic books to practical advice on building a library. Hear insights into the creative process of writing and publishing magic books through firsthand accounts of their impact on our guests' lives and careers and the collaborative efforts that bring these texts to life. The Magic Book Podcast is your guide to the world of magic books, one episode at a time.

Unlock The Magic Book Podcast podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from The Magic Book Podcast podcast

Michael Breggar: Know Brainer

2026/10/05

Michael Breggar has spent nearly twelve years writing the "Auto-Magic" column in The Linking Ring. His book, "Know Brainer," published by H&R Magic Books, collects more than 35 routines of comedy mentalism. Mike recalls the sitcom Martian who sparked his interest in mind reading, explains how Groucho Marx inspired his comedy Q&A act, and makes the case for building every routine in three acts. He also shares how he is reviving The Phoenix, the classic magic magazine, inside VANISH.

Dr. Eric Colleary: Houdini's Library

2026/09/15

Harry Houdini was one of the greatest collectors of his era. Every corner of his Harlem townhouse held books, playbills, prints, and ephemera. Within months of his death in 1926, the collection was split, sold, and scattered. Dr. Eric Colleary, Cline Curator of Theatre and Performing Arts at the Harry Ransom Center, spent a decade piecing the story back together. He discusses his new book, the librarian Houdini kept in his attic, a bargain bought in wartime, and how Texas ended up with the rest.

Just Alan: Not Just Magic

2026/08/30

For more than six decades, Woodstock's resident magician Alan Eisenson, known professionally as Just Alan, has made magic from his own life. In this episode, we discuss "Just Alan - Not Just Magic," a limited edition book about Alan, written and illustrated by Jay Fortune. Alan explains what it means to transcend technique, describes how he decides where a true story ends and invention begins, recounts the making of The Sands of India, and reflects on a one-man show that never reached the stage.

Christopher Carter: In The Spotlight

2026/08/02

Chicago-based mentalist Christopher Carter discusses "In the Spotlight," named Penguin Magic's Book of the Year, which collects 28 routines and essays from a 35-year career across college campuses, corporate stages, and cruise ship theaters. Christopher explains why the Q&A act is so effective in mentalism, describes the Mental Interview at the heart of his approach, and explores the handling of stage danger in Staple Gun Roulette, choosing a risk that is real without being mortal.

Scott Martell on Mr Fingers: The Magic of Irv Weiner

2026/07/01

Massachusetts magician and historian Scott Martell discusses "Mr. Fingers: The Magic of Irv Weiner," his 338-page biography of the performing legend of the college circuit, 25 years in the making. Scott traces Irv's journey from a Boston boyhood as the son of deaf parents to the Chavez Studio of Magic and the invention of the Red Tape Thumb Tie. He also reveals the losses that made the project feel cursed, and the unwritten book on love that survives only on a single 2 AM voice recording.

Jason Bird: Strolling for Dollars

2026/06/19

Las Vegas magician Jason Bird discusses "Strolling for Dollars," his 580-page field guide to making a living doing walkaround magic, with a foreword by Jeff McBride. From a childhood library book to the Vegas Strip, Jason traces his path through Caesar's Magical Empire, the influence of Eugene Burger, and why he chose print over a video course. He talks candidly about pricing, the twelve working magicians he interviewed, and the philosophy at the book's heart: good magic leads to more magic.

Charles Greene III: Exposing Houdini

2026/05/29

Charles Greene III returns to The Magic Book Podcast to discuss his new book, "Exposing Houdini: 52 Lost Glass Plate Images." The book features a previously unknown cache of Houdini negatives Charles traced from an abandoned safe deposit box in Ohio to the mentalist Joseph Dunninger. Hear stories about the first photographs ever taken of the Milk Can Escape, why a single tugboat moved one image from Australia to Philadelphia, the rest moment hidden inside the Water Torture Cell, and the one photograph no expert has been able to identify.

Anthony Heads: The Power of Storytelling

2026/05/07

Anthony Heads, Sweden's leading paranormal illusionist and mentalist, traces his unconventional path from telling childhood ghost stories in the UK to founding the Stockholm Ghost Walk and building a singular career in paranormal performance. Discover why he resists the label of magician, how a 1600s cellar restaurant launched his 'real experiences,' what 'the bubble' really means, and how his books, "Practical Paranormal Performance" and "Live Storytelling for Magicians," codify his craft.

Caroline Ravn: The Business Side of Show Business

2026/04/19

Swedish professional magician and entrepreneur Caroline Ravn discusses her unique journey from theology student to international performer. During the interview, Caroline dives into the practical, non-magical lessons from her book, "The Business Side of Show Business," including defining a unique selling point, leveraging LinkedIn for corporate bookings, and the importance of having a "lost luggage" contingency plan. Learn how to thrive in the entertainment industry with this insightful episode.

Lawrence Hass: Theory and Art of Magic

2026/03/29

Lawrence Hass, a philosopher, performer, publisher, and Dean of Jeff McBride's Magic and Mystery School traces his unlikely path from academia to full-time magic and publisher with Theory and Art of Magic Press. Discover how a David Copperfield special woke up a philosophy professor, what Eugene Burger's "Intimate Power" unlocked, and how a glass of wine at the Mystery School planted the seeds of "The Ross Johnson Legacy," Larry's landmark new book documenting the lifetime secrets of one of the world's greatest mentalists.

Ruth Knafo Setton: Zigzag Girl

2026/02/28

Ruth Knafo Setton, author of award-winning thriller "Zigzag Girl," shares her journey from a childhood steeped in Moroccan wonder to studying performance magic with legends including Eugene Burger, Teller, and Max Maven. Discover why she calls herself a storyteller who uses her pen as a wand, how a nameless character in an unfinished novel pulled her into the magic world, and why the seedy, resilient boardwalk of Atlantic City became the only possible home for her noir-tinged feminist thriller.

Justin Higham: The Intuitive Magician

2026/02/12

Justin Higham, British close-up magician and underground card magic legend who fooled both Dai Vernon and Ed Marlo, discusses his new book, "The Intuitive Magician." Justin shares why improvisation, not repetition, is the key to mastering performance. In a broad-ranging conversation, Justin explains his A, B, and C List methodology, the concept of apposite magic, why magicians in 1970s TV detective shows represent the ideal for impromptu performances, and ways to overcome performance paralysis.

Connie Boyd: The Power of Magical Women

2026/01/18

Connie Boyd, award-winning magician and author of "The Power of Magical Women," shares her journey from ballet to circus aerialist, Las Vegas headliner to cruise ship producer, and five career reinventions. Discover how the pandemic inspired her Magical Women project documenting female magicians, why Paul Romhany said "you've got enough here for a book," and the discovery aboit a 1903 book that rocked her world. Learn why representation matters and how these stories transcend magic itself.

Ben Robinson: Magic, History, and the Outlaw Spirit

2025/12/31

Master magician and historian Ben Robinson reflects on his fifty-year journey from watching Fred Kaps on television to uncovering John Mulholland's secret CIA work. Discover what drove his three-decade obsession with researching one mysterious file, why the bullet catch became legendary, and his philosophy: magic's greatest power lies not in tricks but in the artfulness of performance. Learn how legendary mentors shaped him and why transcendence through wonder remains the ultimate goal.

Stuart Palm: Psychic Entertainment

2025/12/03

Hong Kong-based psychic entertainer Stuart Palm shares his journey from bartending in post-9/11 New York to becoming one of Asia's premier performers. Discover how a brain condition requiring surgery became his mentalist origin story, and why he believes psychic entertainment is "mentalism with more soul." Stuart discusses his comprehensive new book "Psychic Entertainment," the mentors who shaped him at Monday Night Magic, and why there are no shortcuts to creating truly miraculous experiences.

Podcast reviews

Read The Magic Book Podcast podcast reviews

4.7 out of 5

15 reviews

★★★★★

Author-Performer 2025/03/15

Preservation of a Valuable Art

A lot of work for a very good reason. The art of magic preserves and inspires wonder and hope. Mr. Tennant deserves all our thanks for his attention ...

★★★★★

Trickbooks 2024/11/27

A Treat for Lovers of Magic!

Host Adrian Tennant has given a marvelous gift to the magic world: The Magic Book Podcast. Having listened to several episodes, I’ve been astonished ...

★★★★★

KenJHall 2024/10/16

Wonderful Podcast

This is a terrific podcast. Adrian Tennant is the perfect interviewer. He asks thoughtful questions and then allows his guests to answer them. Too man...

★★★★★

GW203 2024/09/16

The Magic Book Podcast

A wonderful treat for magic enthusiasts. The production quality is excellent and the content is great. Well done. I am looking forward to the next ep...

★★★★★

dpresting 2024/08/02

Fun and informational

A very nicely put together first episode. Audio quality between the guest and host were great and the content was interesting and engaging. Looking fo...

check all reviews on apple podcasts