Backstage S.A.M. Podcast

The Society of American Magicians podcast is full of magic stories, art of magic history, quirky tales, and unusual biographies. Presented by the world's oldest and most prestigious magic organization which serves performers and enthusiasts worldwide, everyone will find these episodes interesting, entertaining, and magical. Produced by Top Hat Productions for The Society of American Magicians, the podcast is hosted by professional magician Bruce Kalver.

25. Magic Saved My Life - Ryan Loyle 06/17/2024

25. Magic Saved My Life - Ryan Loyle We continue with another unusual story on how someone became a magician. Ryan Loyle hit rock bottom and saw no hope of getting out of it. The a bit of magical fate entered his life. Listen to this tale of hope and inspiration as host Bruce Kalver tells the tale. To learn more about The Society of American Magicians, go to Ryan Loyle's YouTube channel is: Loyle Magic /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/31781022

24. Magic Saved My Life - Vee Sovann 05/13/2024

24. Magic Saved My Life - Vee Sovann All magicians have a story on how they became a magician. We found someone who has an unusual story that will show you that the art of magic is truly magical. Vee Sovann tells how magic turned his life around in a very dramatic way. To learn more about the Society of American Magicians, go to /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/31256132

23. The Trivia of Magic Babylon 03/24/2024

23. The Trivia of Magic Babylon This episode discusses the new magic trivia book Magic Babylon with it's author Joe Hernandez. You can find the book on Be sure to also check out the new S.A.M. history book at . To learn more about The Society of American Magicians, go to /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/30519848

22. Joe Givan's Halloween Disaster 10/29/2023

22. Joe Givan's Halloween Disaster They thought they had a sure thing with a Halloween show that would bring in hundreds of people. They soon found out that luck was not on their side. Listen to a funny tale of a time when things didn't turn out the way they expected. Guest Joe Givan of Theater of Dreams in Castle Rock Colorado tells the Story You can learn more about Theater of Dreams at Hosted by Bruce Kalver, Backstage S.A.M. is a production of The Society of American Magicians. To learn more about The Society of American Magicians. please visit /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/28454741

21. The S.A.M. History Book 06/17/2023

21. The S.A.M. History Book Editor David Charvet discusses the new book Magic in America: The Story of the Society of American Magicians written by David Goodsell. Get the behind the scenes story of the making of this monumental publication. You can learn more about the book and how to order at Hosted by Bruce Kalver, Backstage S.A.M. is a production of The Society of American Magicians. To learn more about The Society of American Magicians. please visit /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/27182184

20. Amy Kimlat Helps Girl Magicians 11/11/2022

20. Amy Kimlat Helps Girl Magicians Children's book author Amy Kimlat discusses her new book Hocus Pocus Practice Focus - The Making of a Magician. The book is available on To learn about The Society of American Magicians, go to: Write to us at [email protected] /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/24974502

19. Erdnase Who? 08/21/2022

19. Erdnase Who? The Expert at the Card Table is defined by many as the definitive book on sleight of hand card magic. On this episode, Director Hans Joachim Brucherseifer discuses his film The Expert at the Card Table - Looking for Erdnase and the mystery surrounding who the author truly was. Watch the film at www.erdnase-movie.com Please subscribe and be sure to check out the Society of American Magicians website at www.magicsam.com. /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/24120732

18. Ian Keable and the Century of Deception 10/06/2021

18. Ian Keable and the Century of Deception Ian Keable loves to do research. His latest book details 10 great hoaxes of the 18th century including a woman who gave birth to rabbits, ghosts who threw things around the house, and a man who proclaimed to be able to jump inside a pint bottle. Host Bruce Kalver discusses his latest book A Century of Deception available at . Join the S.A.M. and support all our efforts, including this podcast, at . Have an idea for a story to share? Let us know at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/20731523

17: Out of the “Box” with Rory Rennick 08/29/2021

17: Out of the “Box” with Rory Rennick Henry Brown was a slave in the 1850’s who thought of a very novel and magical way to disappear. Magician Rory Rennick has done extensive research on this amazing piece of history. Backstage S.A.M. is hosted by Bruce Kalver and presented thanks to a grant from The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund. Support the podcast by joining the S.A.M. at Have an idea for a podcast episode? Please let us know at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/20303372

16: Two Elephants, One Donkey, and Lyn 07/25/2021

16: Two Elephants, One Donkey, and Lyn Illusionist Lyn Dillies has done some large scale illusions but nothing as big as this. Lyn talks about the times she got to work with Elephants. There’s a donkey thrown in for good luck. Watch the illusions at Backstage S.A.M. is hosted by Bruce Kalver and presented thanks to a grant from The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund. Support the podcast by joining the S.A.M. at . Have an idea for a podcast episode? Please let us know at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/19919774

15. Serious Fooling with Michael Close 06/20/2021

15. Serious Fooling with Michael Close Michael Close is an accomplished magician, a coach and mentor to many, and the sole judge on Penn & Teller Fool Us. With him, we go behind the scenes of the show and see that presenting magic on tv and trying to fool Penn & Teller is serious business. Support the podcast by joining the Society of American Magicians - visit today! Have an idea for an episode? Email us at Produced by Bruce Kalver for Top Hat Productions. Associate Producer John Sturk. /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/19533920

14. Ching Ling Foo - SUPERSTAR 05/16/2021

14. Ching Ling Foo - SUPERSTAR Although Chung Ling Soo is known by many as the original Chinese Conjurer, that is not true. First came Ching Ling Foo who was a hugely popular magician at the beginning of the 20th Century. Samuel Porteous has authored a definitive history of America’s first Chinese Superstar. Support the Society of American Magicians by joining us! Visit to sign up. Now, try our trial membership program. Have an idea for a podcast? Email us at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/19119263

13. Catching a Bullet 04/18/2021

13. Catching a Bullet Dorothy Dietrich is a premiere magician who has performed some very dangerous illusions. Her most dangerous was Catching as Bullet. In an interview from 2016, Dorothy tells us all the “behind the scenes” details of what it takes to perform this illusion. The interview is from February of 2016. Support the podcast by joining the Society of American Magicians at . Have an idea for an episode? Let us know at . /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/18763148

12. Houdini In Walls 03/24/2021

12. Houdini In Walls John Cox is not a Houdini collector of props. Rather, he is a collector of Houdini information. His blog, is chock full of everything Houdini. Learn about the man behind the blog. But first, a grand discovery of rare Houdini posters hidden behind a wall since 1926. Want to support the podcast? Join the Society of American Magicians today at . Have an idea for an episode? Email us your idea at . /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/18448115

11. Christopher Hart and the World’s Most Famous Hand 02/21/2021

11. Christopher Hart and the World’s Most Famous Hand Magicians perform magic shows all the time but are sometimes called for other jobs. Christopher Hart auditioned for a performance that would change his life forever. You may not remember him, but you sure remember his hand. Chris played the character of Thing in all three Addams Family films. Learn about his background as a magician and how he got the pivotal role of a lifetime just by knowing how to give his hand personality. Support the Society of American Magicians with your membership. Sign up today at . Have an idea for an episode? Got a story to share? Email us at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/18022853

10. The Mysteries of John Gaspard and Eli Marks 01/17/2021

10. The Mysteries of John Gaspard and Eli Marks John Gaspard is not a magician. He is a magic groupie who writes The Eli Marks Mysteries. What is amazing is that he gets all the magic correct. He discusses how he wrote these stories and his take on the art of magic. Is it is worth learning all the secrets? Is it hard to write a mystery? Eli Marks Mysteries are available as a softcover book, an e-book, and an audiobook on Amazon. Support the podcast by joining the Society of American Magicians at Have an idea for an episode? Let us know at Order your S.A.M. merchandise at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/17565488

9. Growing Up with Houdini 12/13/2020

9. Growing Up with Houdini The Houdini Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls Canada was a treasure trove of all things Houdini. Where did all of that stuff come from? Who was behind the creation of this attraction? What happened to all the props when it closed down in 1995? Bruce interviews David Muller, the son of owner Henry Muller, who tells stories from his book, Growing Up With Houdini. Listen to hear how you can get a copy of this book. Support the podcast by joining the Society of American Magicians at Have an idea for an episode? Let us know at . Order your S.A.M. merchandise at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/17170994

8. Boxjumping 11/15/2020

8. Boxjumping A boxjumper is a magician’s assistant that willingly goes into boxes to get cut up, transformed, or levitated. How does one become a box jumper? What training does it take? Are there any accidents that happen? Bruce Kalver interviews Gwyn Auger, a box jumper for hire, and Marion Outerbridge, the one-half of The Outerbridges - a well-known Illusion show. Backstage S.A.M. is hosted by Bruce Kalver and presented thanks to a grant from the Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund. Support the podcast by joining the S.A.M. at . Have an idea for a podcast episode? Please let us know at . /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/16819463

7. Magic and Psychology 10/18/2020

7. Magic and Psychology The art of magic often influences other arts and sciences in unpredictable ways. Associate Producer John Sturk speaks with Anthony Barnhart, Professor of Psychological Science from Carthage College, about how magic contributed as a catalyst for modern-day psychology. Professor Barnhart also discusses his Cognitive Science of Magic Course. Learn more about Professor Barnhart's work at . Backstage S.A.M. is hosted by Bruce Kalver and presented thanks to a grant from The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund. Support the podcast by joining the S.A.M. at . Have an idea for a podcast episode? Please let us know at . /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/16420031

6. Margaret Steele talks Adelaide Herrmann 09/20/2020

6. Margaret Steele talks Adelaide Herrmann Margaret Steele talks about the first woman magician in the United States, Adelaide Herrmann. Learn about her determination to keep the show running. Hear how Margaret discovered the long lost memoir. Adelaide Herrmann Queen of Magic: Memoirs, Published Writings and Collected Ephemera by Adelaide Herrmann and Margaret B. Steele is available on . Margaret's website is Want to support the Society of American Magicians? Visit to join. Send in your story ideas to /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/16075880

5. Finding Malcolm 08/16/2020

5. Finding Malcolm The Magic of Puck is a well-known magician who has appeared at magic conventions, cruise ships, and America’s Got Talent. In his new book, Finding Magic, Malcolm Puckering tells his up-and-down life story of being an orphan, getting into trouble, and eventually finding his path to happiness. Finding Magic available at Join the S.A.M. and support all our efforts, including this podcast, at . Have an idea for a story to share? Let us know at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/15622892

4. Fortunate Mistakes 07/19/2020

4. Fortunate Mistakes Mistakes can happen even for magicians! This week's episode focuses on two mistakes which ultimately turned into a happy ending. Our first guest Tim Ellis tells of a great idea that went too well back at a Society of American Magicians Convention in 2000. Then we have Torkova who entered a magic contest but his music tried to ruin him. Podcast presented by a generous grant from the Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund. Join the S.A.M. at www.magicsam.com /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/15260402

3. The War Magician 06/21/2020

3. The War Magician Author H. Wayne Capps discusses his latest book War Magicians - How Espionage and Deceit Changed History. Was Houdini a spy? Did a magician train the CIA? Did a card trick stop a war? Listen in and learn about the secret and magical part of history. Join the Society of American Magicians today! Visit Got an idea for an episode? Please let us know at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/14908916

2. Saratoga Ballantine and The World's Greatest? 05/24/2020

2. Saratoga Ballantine and The World's Greatest? For the first half of the 20th Century one name was synonymous with the phrase, “comedy magic.” That name was Carl Ballantine. With hundred of appearances on tv variety shows, sitcoms, films, and personal appearances, The Great Ballantine performed his act without ever finishing a trick. Today’s guest is Saratoga Ballantine who gives us behind the scenes stories of his beginnings, his thoughts, and how he got his ideas as well as the origin of his name. She even gives us suggestions on how to get a much-coveted pass to Hollywood’s exclusive club, The Magic Castle. Join the Society of American Magicians today! Visit Got an idea for a episode? Please let us know at /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/14450588

1. A Hanging Escape Clause 05/10/2020

1. A Hanging Escape Clause Since the days of Houdini, the straitjacket escape is one of those classics of magic. Modern magicians push the envelope by doing it in different ways, in different venues. But how do you even approach it while hanging from a helicopter? Escape artist and Past National President Andy Dallas was faced with precisely that challenge. Hear his perspective on the stunt from a unique point-of-view. Do you have a unique story about magic or magicians to share? Let us know at . You just might be asked to recount it for a future episode. /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/14026394

Looking For Stories 04/17/2020

Looking For Stories The Backstage S.A.M. podcast will be featuring stories from magicians and the public about shows you witnessed, shows gone wrong, late night convention stories... If you have something of interest, please contact us at . Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for our premiere episode on May 10! /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/14026313

Backstage S.A.M. Appearing May 10, 2020 03/22/2020

Backstage S.A.M. Appearing May 10, 2020 Join the world's oldest and most prestigious magic organization for inside stories, history, and unusual biographies from our members and archives, dating back to 1902. /episode/index/show/backstagesam/id/13650467

Backstage S.A.M. Podcast

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