Leah Orleans: Pushing Boundaries in Magic
Discourse in Magic
In this episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babins sits down with magician, circus performer, and entertainer to discuss her unique journey in magic, her experiences blending circus arts with illusion, and how she pushes the boundaries of traditional performance. Leah shares insights into how she found her place in the magic world, her approach to creating engaging and original performances, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Finding Magic in the Circus Leah’s entry into the world of magic was anything but conventional. She started as a circus performer, mastering aerial arts,...
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Jonah Babins: Magic's Business Whisperer
Discourse in Magic
This week on Discourse in Magic, we're bringing you a special repost of Jonah Babins' appearance on the , hosted by . Jonah, the long-time host of Discourse in Magic, takes the guest seat and shares insights on the world of magic, business, and podcasting. How Jonah Built Discourse in Magic Jonah shares the journey of how has grown over the years. He discusses the evolution of the show, the challenges of maintaining a podcast in the magic space, and what has kept him going for nearly a decade. Jonah explains his strategy for selecting guests, emphasizing the importance of personal...
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Public Shows and Upcoming Tour Dates
Discourse in Magic
In this solo episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babins dives into the world of public shows, sharing his insights on why every magician should consider doing them. He also provides a sneak peek into his upcoming shows across North America and highlights a special event happening at the end of April. Why Do Public Shows? 1. Promo Material: Public shows are an excellent opportunity to get high-quality promotional material. By hiring a photographer or videographer, you can capture footage of your performance that can be used to market yourself and book more gigs in the future. 2. Friends and...
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Magic and Mystery with Jonathan Levitt
Discourse in Magic
In this episode of , Jonah Babins sits down with to discuss his multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, from acting and hosting to creating innovative magic tricks and apps. Jonathan shares his journey, insights, and the magic behind his successful projects, including his Vegas show and The Stranger app. Early Magic Journey Jonathan discusses how he discovered magic through his father's props and the magical community in St. Louis that shaped his early years. He reflects on the importance of mentorship and friendships in his development as a magician. Acting and Hosting Career...
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Running Ads to Get Gigs
Discourse in Magic
Welcome to another insightful episode of Discourse in Magic with your host, Jonah Babins! This week, Jonah shares his journey and lessons learned from running Google ads in his magic business. Unlike tactical episodes, this one dives deep into the mental game and personal experiences that paved the way for success. Perseverance and Mindset Jonah's initial attempts with Google ads led to small gigs and disappointment, making him nearly give up on the idea. However, he emphasizes the importance of persistence and learning from failures. Understanding that hard things may not work the first time...
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Magic and Mystery in New York with Rachel Wax
Discourse in Magic
In this episode, Jonah sits down with Rachel Wax to discuss her journey from fashion to full-time magic, performing at Speakeasy Magic, and her creative process for developing new routines. Getting Into Magic Rachel’s introduction to magic came from her father, a surgeon with a passion for tricks. At 15, she learned a self-working card trick, sparking a lifelong fascination. Despite initially pursuing fashion design at in New York, Rachel found herself drawn into the city's magic scene, demoing magic kits at FAO Schwarz and Toys ‘R’ Us. This led her to The Magnets, a group of magicians...
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The Art and Science of Illusions with Matt Pritchard
Discourse in Magic
In this episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babins sits down with magician, science communicator, and viral illusion creator . Matt’s unique approach blends his background in physics with a passion for magic, leading to mesmerizing optical illusions and science-based performances that captivate audiences worldwide. How Matt Got Into Magic Matt shares his journey into magic, starting with escapology as a teenager before evolving into a love for illusions. He discusses how his studies in physics and early performances in bars and student events led to a deeper appreciation for the overlap...
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The Preloaded Year
Discourse in Magic
In this week’s episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babbins kicks off the new year with an insightful discussion about the January slump—a reality for many magicians—and how to turn it into an opportunity for growth. With the rush of holiday gigs behind us, Jonah explains how January offers a unique chance to focus on improving your magic business. The January Slump: A Common Challenge As Jonah points out, January can feel like a shock after the busiest month of the year. December brings a whirlwind of gigs, inquiries, and emails, but when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s...
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UNO REVERSE: Jonah Babins gets interviewed by Eric Leclerc
Discourse in Magic
Join us for a unique twist as Eric Leclerc takes over as host to interview the usual host, Jonah Babins, on his own podcast, Discourse in Magic. This engaging conversation uncovers Jonah's journey into the world of magic and podcasting, revealing how his love for both has enriched his life. Jonah shares his early experiences with magic, sparked by his uncle's D lights, and reflects on how podcasts have become a source of daily inspiration and learning. Meanwhile, Eric, who is new to podcasting, talks about how this medium has transformed everyday activities like driving and working out into...
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Reimagining Magic Performance with Taylor Hughes
Discourse in Magic
Renowned magician and captivating storyteller joins us for an insightful exploration of his magical journey. We unravel Taylor's innovative blend of storytelling and illusion, a unique approach shaped by early influences like the Taylor opens up about crafting acts that not only mesmerize but also resonate deeply with audiences, highlighting the impact of social media and digital platforms like Amazon on broadening his reach and redefining success in modern magic. We discuss the art of evolution in performance, drawing parallels between the worlds of magic and comedy. Taylor shares how...
info_outlineMagician, comedian, and consultant Bruce Gold joins us for an enthralling chat about his dynamic journey from a childhood fascination with magic to an influential career in Hollywood. Starting with a magic set he received as a kid, Bruce shares his path through the comedy club scene, where he learned invaluable lessons by observing both triumphs and failures. He talks about the gritty reality of being overworked and underpaid in the early stages of a performer's career, emphasizing how these experiences helped shape his unique style that blends magic and comedy.
Transitioning from the comedy club circuit to the Hollywood entertainment industry posed numerous challenges for Bruce, which he navigated through relentless networking and adaptability. He shares personal anecdotes about the balancing act of performing magic and stand-up, finding an agent, and eventually carving out a niche in the cruise ship entertainment circuit. This part of the conversation sheds light on the perseverance required to make a sustainable living as a performer, and the strategic choices necessary to avoid being typecast in an industry that often discourages showcasing a diverse skill set.
As the discussion progresses, Bruce delves into the evolution of magic performance, the significance of originality, and the art of developing a compelling stage persona. From the choreographed elegance of Doug Henning to the gritty street magic of David Blaine, Bruce offers a fascinating perspective on how magic has transformed over the years. He shares insights from his role as a talent booker for Franz Harary's House of Magic in Macau and provides practical advice on maintaining audience engagement and refining acts. Wrapping up, Bruce highlights the success of his coaching clients and encourages aspiring magicians and comedians to reach out for consulting sessions, underscoring the value of continuous improvement and mentorship in the entertainment world.
Transitioning From Comedy Clubs to Hollywood
Explore the intricate journey of transitioning from being seen as a magician to establishing a financially sustainable career as an actor and comedian. We discuss the challenges faced when first moving to California, where advice often discourages showcasing magic skills to avoid being typecast. By sharing personal experiences, including keeping magic on the down low, performing at comedy clubs, and gradually securing gigs through diligent networking, we uncover the hurdles and strategies for making a living in the entertainment industry. The narrative covers the balance of performing both magic and standup, landing an agent, hosting pilots and game shows, and ultimately finding a niche in the cruise ship entertainment circuit. This chapter provides insights into the perseverance and adaptability required to thrive as a performer in Hollywood.
Developing Originality and Persona in Magic
We discuss the evolution of magic performance, highlighting the shift from the clean, choreographed styles of Doug Henning and David Copperfield to David Blaine's gritty, urban street magic. We examine the importance of originality in magic, emphasizing how a unique persona like Lucy Darling's can make familiar tricks feel fresh. The discussion underscores the role of character in both magic and acting, noting that developing a stage persona is a journey of self-discovery influenced by admired figures. Additionally, I share insights on coaching magicians, identifying common gaps such as reliance on rote performance and encouraging choices that maximize engagement and entertainment. We also touch on exercises to help magicians find their unique style by comparing themselves to other performers.
Maximizing Audience Engagement Through Performance
This chapter focuses on the unique perspective of a performance coach, highlighting the crucial role of external observation in enhancing a performer's act. We explore how creators, deeply immersed in their work, often miss elements visible to an audience, and how having a trusted outsider can reveal these hidden aspects. Techniques for maintaining audience engagement are discussed, including the "IU" storytelling method, which encourages audience participation and connection. Additionally, we address the importance of viewing the audience as individuals rather than a collective group, and the significance of direct eye contact in fostering a stronger connection. Practical advice for performers, especially those transitioning from close-up magic to stage performance, is also provided to help them understand and master stagecraft.
Endless Chain
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