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 and comedian Mike Hammer takes center stage, unveiling the secrets behind his 13-year run on the Las Vegas strip. From his humble beginnings with a simple magic kit in Chicago to captivating audiences in the entertainment capital of the world, Mike's story is as magical as his performances. With humor and heart, he opens up about the challenges of transitioning from small gigs in restaurants and strip clubs to the bright lights of Vegas, revealing the persistence, networking, and a sprinkle of serendipity that got him there.
Mike's candid reflections on the art of blending comedy with magic can’t be missed! Crafting a standout act in Vegas requires more than just tricks; it demands a deep understanding of humor, audience engagement, and a strong stage persona. Mike shares his evolution from collaborating with a partner to performing solo, emphasizing the importance of scripting and developing material that resonates with diverse audiences. His advice for aspiring magicians is as enlightening as his performances: stay true to your style, but never stop refining your craft.
Mike provides insights into the unique life of a Vegas performer. He contrasts the stability of a residency with the excitement of touring, highlighting the creative freedoms and logistical headaches that come with each. He offers a glimpse into the magic of performing in one location, where night after night, the show becomes a familiar yet ever-evolving spectacle. Whether you're an aspiring magician, a fan of comedy, or simply curious about the life of a Las Vegas entertainer, Mike Hammer's journey is sure to captivate and inspire!
Building a Comedy Show in Vegas
We discuss Mike’s early career challenges and successes of a magician breaking into the Las Vegas entertainment sceneMike landed a gig at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino, performing at an unusual time of 3 PM. The challenge of attracting audiences at this time led me to try street magic, a tough endeavor that demanded engaging the public one-on-one. Despite a slow start with small audiences, Mike sustained myself through corporate work and gradually built a larger audience over two years.
Crafting Stand-Up Comedy Material
We explore Mike’s unique approach to blending comedy and magic by focusing on writing humor that stands independently of the tricks themselves. Mike shares his journey from relying on the humor inherent in magic tricks to crafting jokes that enhance the magic without depending on it. We discuss the importance of writing and how it transforms a performance, moving away from stock jokes to personalized material that aligns with my comedic character. Mike emphasizes the value of recording live shows to capture spontaneous humor, allowing me to refine and build upon these moments. Through anecdotes, I highlight the necessity of balancing improvisation with prepared material to ensure consistent audience engagement, regardless of their reactions.
The Realities of Performing in Vegas
This chapter explores the contrasting experiences of performing in a fixed location versus touring as a magician. I share my reflections on the idea of owning a magic lounge in Toronto and the allure of corporate gigs that offer a good balance between enjoyment and financial reward. The conversation shifts to the joys and challenges of having a residency in Las Vegas, including the benefits of stability and the opportunity to continually refine material. However, it also touches on the logistical headaches like technical issues, ticketing problems, and traffic delays affecting show timings. Despite these challenges, performing in one place allows for creative improvisation and a stable life. There's also a nostalgic appreciation for touring, where audiences in different cities often provide unique, memorable experiences, highlighting the contrasting excitement of being a special event in a town compared to being one of many entertainment options in Vegas.
Endless Chain
Bernardo Sedlacek
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Website: https://mikehammershow.com/