Not sure how we made it here, but we did it! Please enjoy episode 100 and this rare appearance by our audio producer, Chris Combs! Thank you so much for listening. We couldn’t have done the last 100 episodes without you. Please continue to share Shezam with your friends, suggest guests, give us feedback, and… Continue reading 100-WHAAAAAT!…

Being the president of a magic club is tough stuff. Being the president of an international magic organization…woah! Oh, and also be the first woman to do it! What is that experience like? Join Megan Swann, the first woman to be president of the Magic Circle, for an amazing conversation about her rise in the… Continue reading 099-The Magic Circle’s…

Many adults are finding out they have ADHD. But what even is ADHD? How does it affect performers? How does the diagnosis change us both on and off stage? Cassandra (The Songstress of Magic) and Kayla sit down for a very honest and open discussion about their experience as adults, women, magicians, and ADHD friends.… Continue reading 098-Performing …

As entertainers, we use our voices all of the time. But what if your voice doesn’t fit who you are? Join us for this conversation with Tris all about how the voice is a much more powerful tool than most of us have thought about. And head to the Shezam socials (@shezampod) to see some… Continue reading 097-Speak Up with Your Voice, Literally, with T…

Happy Holidays! Our guest this week has written not only an amazing children’s book about magic, but one that features diversity like not seen before. The book focuses on key elements of becoming a good magician while inspiring the reader, regardless of who they are. In a world where representation is key, Hocus Pocus Practice… Continue reading 096…

Decks of cards have been the same since…well…forever. Rosemary Reid, a Canadian magician, has not only created a deck of cards centered around sisterhood, not only created a deck of cards that “handles like a dream”, but has also snuck in some important statistics about the experience of women in the magic industry. During the… Continue reading 095…

In this episode, I sit down with professional goofball, Don Bursell. He shares some stories about a mortifying road trip adventure, getting a unicycle through security, bowling ball juggling mishaps, his experience with Barnum & Bailey, celebrity encounters, and embarrassing audience member reactions. Save 10% off an order from his online magic boo…

Javier Montelongo, AKA The "Great" Demonio, is a magician unlike you've ever seen before. Bearing an unsettling visage that combines a luchidor mask, a rabbit, and your nightmares, this entertainer performs silent bizarre magical presentations that leave people amazed and asking the question, "why?"بقلم Kris Sheppard

Welcome back one of the hardest working, kindest people in magic-Paige Thompson! Paige joins us to discuss her career, being easily dismissed, and her love (obsession) with all things sports. Show Links Paige’s Website A Paige in Time at the Chicago Magic Lounge Check This Out: HeySiddarth (Names) HeySiddarth (Namaste) Become a Patron Penguin… Cont…

Jimmy Rook is a magician from Orlando, FL. He's performed magic for over fifteen years and recently traveled to perform at The Chicago Magic Lounge in Chicago. You can frequently catch his act at the award winning “Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show” in Orlando. You may have also seen his appearances on America's Got Talent. In addition to this…

We’re so happy to have these two professional entertainers and all-around amazing humans join us for a deep conversation on so many things. Show Links Celtic Magic Show Magic Camp-the Documentary Unpacking Whiteness Book List Unpacking Whiteness PDF Become a Patron Penguin Magic Podcast Eli Marks Mystery Series Kevin Kareckas Jonah’s Twisters…

Ever post something important on Facebook that just shouldn’t be controversial but it instead sparks a giant discussion? Haven’t we all? Join Meadow in discussing her experience with just this and how she handled it. Head to our Instagram to see a photo of Meadow’s original post. Show Links Meadow Perry Bubble U GLOMM List… Continue reading 092-Whe…

Ever wonder why it’s hard to find accurate historical information about diverse magicians? How hard is it to write a book when information is difficult to find? Returning guest, Margaret Steele, walks us through much of this information and more! Show Links Margaret Steele’s Publications Acts of Violet An Interview with Margarita Montimore Become a…

Join Ben Barnes for an enlightening discussion on booking diverse performers and creating an inclusive environment. Show Notes Ben Barnes Chicago Magic Lounge IDM Con How to Pronounce Indian Names Become a Patron Penguin Magic Podcast Eli Marks Mystery Series Kevin Kareckas Jonah’s Twistersبقلم Kayla Drescher

Paul Draper discusses magic history, conventions, and how to make conventions more inclusive. Show Notes Paul Draper Website IDMCon Registration Native-land.co Gifted Hands Gifted Hands on TikTok Become a Patron Penguin Magic Podcast Eli Marks Mystery Series Kevin Kareckas Jonah’s Twistersبقلم Kayla Drescher

Samuel Porteous, the author of the biography on Ching Ling Foo, joins Shezam for a conversation on the importance of Ching Ling Foo in not only magic history but in the world and how the relationship with William Robinson has shaped modern conversations. Show Links Ching Ling Foo Biography Samuel Porteous Check This Out-@notjoshingwithyou Historica…

During the pandemic, Kayla was amongst a group of magicians who got to perform virtually for a visually impaired or blind audience. How did the magicians do this? With the help of professional audio describer, Cori Couture! Cori and Kayla chat about the difficulties and the rewards of doing this show and how magicians can… Continue reading 087-Perf…

We chat with hilarious magician Paul Kilmer about his life as an Autism advocate, what that means when it comes to a magic show, and how your show can be more sensory friendly with just a few easy changes. Show Links Chicago Magic Lounge Check This Out-@recycldstardust Historical Human-Black Herman Become a Patron Penguin Magic… Continue reading 08…

We’re getting back into convention, camp, and magic-gathering season. If you’re in charge of any gathering of entertainers, then this episode is especially for you! Returning guest Courtney Pong walks us through some simple and easy steps to creating a safe work environment for all. Show Links CSZBoston Check This Out-Tony Nabors Historical Human-A…

Cody Clark, magician and advocate, joins Shezam is discuss how to be an advocate, how to perform a sensory-friendly show, and how to make every show, gathering, club meeting, and convention more inclusive for Autistic folks and those that have additional sensory needs. Show Links Cody Clark Check This Out-White Woman Whisperer on TikTok Historical……

Season 4 begins with this riveting conversation with Dyna Staats. A few years ago, Dyna came out as transgendered. She’s the only person to perform on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us pre and post transition. Dyna was kind enough to take on the emotional labor of this conversation, chatting about proper vocabulary, how to better… Continue reading 083: Comin…

This week's storytellers are Broadway Actor/Singer Kimberly JaJuan, Magician, Ballonist, and Sideshow Performer Zia Quill Kay, Magician and Podcast Host Kayla Drescher, and Celtic Magician Daniel Greenwolf. All the stories in this episode have to do with nightmares unfolding at and during performances. Kimberly talks about missing an entrance cue, …

This week's storytellers are broadway actor and singer Kimberly JaJuan, broadway actor E Clayton Cornelious, magician Ran'D Shine, and broadway actor Stanley Wayne Mathis. This week, in observance of Juneteenth coming up this Saturday, I'm featuring stories all from Black entertainers. If you're unaware of what Juneteenth is, having only glanced pa…

This week's storytellers are One-woman stunt show Martika, Sketch Improv Comedian Greg Triggs, Mario the Maker Magician, and mentalist Jonathan Pritchard. Here's what you'll hear this episode. Martika shares some touching experiences doing driveway shows during the pandemic, Greg shares a heartwarming moment with a 90 year old woman while performin…

This week's This week there's one story and our storyteller is Nathaniel Segal. In his story, Nathaniel talks about his experience on Penn & Teller's Fool Us and being the first guest to perform live coming back from the pandemic. Nathaniel Segal: Fool Us Post Pandemic Nathaniel Segal is an award winning magician and magic inventor based out of the…

Here is my complete conversation with corporate magician Danny Orleans. During this conversation, he tells about a time he traveled to Long Island to perform in a large theater for a large audience of children, and one of his main stage props didn't make it to the gig and a funny coincidence involving that, he tells a number of interesting stories …

This week's storytellers are Corporate Magician Danny Orleans, Balloon Sculpter Dennis Forel, and actor Marcus Vowel. Here's what you'll hear this episode. Danny recalls various things he's experienced while working on the trade show floor from missing booths and a fire, to a broken rolex, Dennis tells about some fun and heartwarming experiences he…

This week's storytellers are one-woman stunt show Martika, drag performer Edie, Broadway actor & singer Kimberly JaJuan, and magician Rudy Coby. In this episode all the stories are tied together with a theme of "Origin Stories." Martika: How She Went From Working in Veterinary Science to Performing Full Time The first story is told by Martika, an i…

We are coming to you, during our hiatus, with this special crossover episode with Discourse in Magic! Jonah Babins and Kayla discuss all sorts of things, from producing virtual conventions to stuff we hate about today’s magic world. Show Links Discourse in Magic Unconventional.fun the Online Wonder Gala Become a Patron Kevin Kareckas Jonah’s Twiste…

This week's storytellers are Boogie Woogie Pianist & Comedy Performer Yehaa Bob Jackson, Internet Live Show Host Jason Canapp, Broadway Actors E Clayton Cornelius and Stanley Wayne Mathis. This episode is a "grab bag" of stories, meaning that there is no central theme tying the stories together. Yehaa Bob Jackson: Performing for a Well-known Disney…

This week's storytellers are mystery performer Meraux Dantes, Comedy Juggler Niels Duinker, Corporate Magicians Brian Glow and Robert Strong, and Comedy Magician Shawn McMaster. This episode is entitled, "SECURITY!," and the stories all share a theme of either getting through security at the airport, dealing with law enforcement, or longing for bet…

This week's storytellers are improv comedian, writer, and show director Greg Triggs, One Woman Stunt Show Martika, Billboard topping pianist Tom Ameen, and Comedy Magician Shawn McMaster. This episode is a "grab bag" of stories, meaning that there's no central theme tying the stories together. Greg Triggs: Reminicing About Adventurers Club & Street…

This week's storytellers are Corporate magician Robert Strong, Juggler Niels Duinker, Magic Mike Brooks, and Pianist Tom Ameen. In this episode you'll hear stories that share a theme of "You Can't Make This Up!" You'll hear about an almost unfortunate coincidence at a NACA Showcase, an internationally traveling juggler getting mugged practically ou…

This should be the final week I'm doing single-story episodes. As you're hearing this, this should be our first day in Florida. This episode features Edie. Edie is a stage performer, dancer, actor, and drag performer most notably known for portraying the Emcee of Cirq du Soliel's Zumanity. In this story, we hear about how Edie became a part of Zuma…

This week, while I'm moving across the country, I'm taking a little break, so this episode only has one story. This episode features Meraux Dantes, a mysterious and mystical mindreader—and a charming and captivating character. Close up you’ll see him move objects without touching them and bend metal with his mind. His greatest talent is not in his …