Discourse in Magic

We thought it would be great to interview some key players in our magic communities in Toronto and Canada that helped to bring Discourse in Magic together. First we interview our long time friend Jeff Pinsky from the Browsers Den of Magic about the origins of the magic store. We conducted the interview at the magic store itself where he told us about the history of the shop, his mentality with the new generation of magicians, and some touching words about the family that he’s fostered here in Toronto. Then we got an opportunity to sit down with Magic Mike (not the male stripper) from Sorcerers Safari magic camp. This was the place where Tyler and I met as magicians and friends. We talk about  the awesome history and special guests of the camp, as well as the future and the very very exciting 2016 summer featuring Suzanne the Magician. Finally we recorded a tidbit with Ben Train about what makes a magic community awesome, what makes it bad, and how to make your magic community incredible. Ben is a dear friend from Toronto who has grown along side us in the last few years. He is a great representation of a model magic community member. He is involved and interested in all magic projects that cross his path, making sure to be positive influence on magicians around him and not a negative one. These are 3 of the many staples of our magic lives here in Toronto? What magic communities have been important in your life and why? Comment below!

In this episode we got to speak with a local Toronto magician and friend about his story through magic. He has a very unique tale of growth, possibly not intended. He moved from the restaurant world to the birthday party world, followed by comedy magic and now an illusion show. In this episode he chats quite a bit about the beginnings of those 4 performing environments with a ton of tips for people just jumping in. If you are starting out Chris recommends putting in hours to give yourself time to be a crappy magician, and then a good magician next, after you’ve put in your hours. Work at a restaurant charging a lower rate, so that you can put in the hours, and get your foot in the door. Many magicians want to charge quite a bit right out the door, but we should think more like comedians and actors who perform for free every night. In terms of being on stage we got sone some great tips for making comedy easy. If it’s a kids show, he often brings the wildest, or most difficult kid on stage. A loud kid is much easier to work with on stage, than is a shy or timid one. He also gives us some comedic tips. Some comedians recommend getting the first laugh in the first eight words, Chris tries to get it in the first zero words. It also pays off to have a few clever jokes that go over the kids head so the adults laugh, but if that seems difficult, and you’re starting out making the kids laugh is always the way to go. If the kids are happy, then the parents are happy. The opposite isn’t necessarily true, so the secret is always keep the kids happy In the episode Chris talks about one of his favourite magicians Rob Zabrecky. We don’t know much about rob, but since Chris mentioned it we have checked him out. Not only is he a magician, but also an actor and magician. Browsers Den – This is the magic store in Toronto. Chris is a critical member of the Toronto magic community, and is often a familiar face. If you are ever in Toronto come by the magic store, and Chris might be there (if he isn’t performing) Sorcerers Safari – One of the places where we know Chris best from is magic camp. If you liked this episode or anything that us or Chris said, come jam with us at Sorcerers Safari 2016. Share your thoughts in the comments about other comedic tips, or worker tips. Is there something that you do to open your walk around or stage set that is particularly interesting? Leave a comment Contact Instagram Twitter Website

In Episode 7, we finally get an opportunity to sit down with Ben to chat about the finer details of ethics in magic. This is a topic that we know is not usually spoken about, but as we touched on it in the last episode, we think it’s important. As we explained people tend to think about ethics in their magic the way they think about eating meat even though the treatment of animals in the process is bad. They know its bad, but meat is delicious. Similarly, we know we should be ethical, but the unethical things are often the very things that make our performances powerful. That’s why these conversations are so important. To make sure that we are not the same as fortune tellers. While we didn’t touch too much on outside sources, there are a few that I would like to mention, that played a big part in this episode. Browsers Den – This is the magic store in Toronto that started it all. For all of us in Toronto its an incredible important hub. Cheek-to-Cheek was Bens first trick, we recommend a magic store as a great place for anyones first trick. Sorcerers Safari – We often refer to magic camp, which is a place where we have all grown as magicians. If you have listened to any of the episodes so far, it would be clear that this camp was critical in our growth as magicians. Otherwise the only magic-related notable things we mentioned are some of the works of Derren Brown, and Real or Magic, David Blaine’s recent television special. Share your thoughts in the comments about ethics. How does your magic measure up ethically? How do you handle this issue? Do you care? Before you do, you should check out the photo we made for this episode on Instagram. Heck while you’re at it, why don’t you just follow us! :p For our 30 day magic podcast throwback we arrive at episode 7. Ben Train, another close personal friend of Discourse in Magic shares his view on morality of magic and metalism. Let us know what you think, we love it! Link in description #magicianslife #episode7 #magic #magicpodcast #magician #mentalism #morality #discourseinmagic A photo posted by ?Discourse in Magic Podcast (@discourseinmagic) on Oct 12, 2016 at 7:45am PDT   Contact Instagram Twitter Website

In this episode we had a blast chatting with Patrick Kun about his experiences with David Copperfield and Calen Morelli and his stance on magic online. We spoke in great detail about something that he has put his heart into (pun intended) his valentines day series! They’re awesome videos, that I recommend you checking out. Valentines Day Series His first Valentines day video came out in 2011 with beautiful choreography, music, drawing and slight of hand. In his 2012 video which he explains he had to do because fans started asking what he was going to do for it, so he knew he had to make it great. He totally delivered. He decided to tell more of a story, and it’s an awesome one. Take a look! In 2013 his video he took the story idea one step further by making multiple endings. It’s sort of like a choose your own adventure. If u perform magic you will particularly enjoy the responses to the magic from the girl! Finally in his last video he did something wild where he made a real interactive video with an ending that actually comes to life. As he explained it’s a trick that you give to your significant other. But then Patrick does magic to them through the screen Follow us on Instagram for cool posts like this one (one for every episode plus some inspirational quotes for magicians) For our 30 day throwback here’s episode 5 with the one and only @patrickkun talking about designing magic for the screen and stage. Let us know your thoughts. Check the description for the episode #magic #magicpodcast #magician #patrickkun #magicthrowback A photo posted by ?Discourse in Magic Podcast (@discourseinmagic) on Oct 10, 2016 at 8:59am PDT   Contact Youtube Instagram Twitter Website

In this episode Chris Mayhew explains how he uses improv in his magic and comedy to make it awesome! Humble beginnings In the start of the episode Chris talks about how he got into magic because of the Vanishing Rabbit magic shop. This is the magic shop that Chris Mayhew started learning magic alongside in Calgary. If you ever find yourself in Calgary stop by and say hey! Calgary Alberta– In case you aren’t from Canada and are uncultured, Alberta is a Province and Calgary is a city in Alberta. It’s quite a nice place Learning Improv Improv is a main focus for this episode. Second City is a famous group that has produced amazing talent all over the world, check out the Second City in Toronto Follow us on instagram for cool posts like these for every episode (plus some magical inspirational quotes) For our 30 day throwback we’re sharing this photo of the wonderful Chris Mayhew. One of the top episodes, link in description. Chris is a great friend a hilarious magician! Check him out. @chrismayhew1 #episode4 #throwback #magician #magicpodcast #mayhewmadness #magic A photo posted by ?Discourse in Magic Podcast (@discourseinmagic) on Oct 9, 2016 at 7:28am PDT   Contact Website Instagram Youtube

In this episode Eric Leclerc gives us a an inside scoop on how he builds his character and how we can do the same!Eric gives us his strategy for finding and developing character. His shows are incredibly fast paced and clever, we got a small taste of what they are like in this episode! Early in the episode he spoke about a commercial he recorded in Tel Aviv, since recording the episode the commercial has been released and has gone somewhat viral  Check out the video: Piff the magic dragon- This guy made it to Penn and Teller Fool us, and to Americas got Talent in the same year. He is a great example of committing to a character. He’s an example we use many times in this episode and podcast! At one point in the episode Jonah mentions a video that he likes of  Eric with Tobin doing sponge balls  This was a video that we were particularly impressed with since he was performing with a child for an audience of adults. Take a look! Here is Eric’s awesome Murphys at the Table Lecture:  If you like what he does check it out! Eric is on loads of TV shows, you can expect to see him on shows like Brain Games You should follow us on Instagram to see some of the amazing posts we make for each episodes (plus some inspirational quotes) To celebrate our 30 days of magic podcast review we land on the wonderful episode 3 with Eric Leclerec @magic4yourbrain where he chats all about character and personality. Great episode!! #magicthrowback check him out on #tricked #magicpodcast #magician #throwback #episode3 A photo posted by ?Discourse in Magic Podcast (@discourseinmagic) on Oct 8, 2016 at 12:53pm PDT   Contact Instagram Youtube Twitter Website      

In our second episode and first interview Steven Brundage tells us all about how he got where he is through busking and then ultimately going viral Videos In this episode we refer to 4 of Steve’s videos The Cop Video which started it all. After recording the podcast it was crazy to realize that at this point he had already recorded everything for Murphy’s and chance just struck. Of course Steve’s Second kick at virality happens on his Penn and Teller Fool us Spot: Feel free to check out two of his other amazing television appearances that we spoke about on the show: Good Morning America Video and The Steve Harvey Show You can check out these and any of his other videos on his Youtube Channel Books If you are interested, feel free to check out Nicholas Einhorns book, which for Brundage was the book that started it all Of course if you are interested in learning to cube, or learning some of cube magic, check out his product Cube3 Check out the Instagram post we made for the episode. Don’t be afraid to follow it for more updates! For our 30 episode recap throwback to episode 2 with @brundagemagic where he had “secretly” recorded his #agt appearance. Between viral videos, Steve Harvey, fool us, cube3, and AGT is there anything he can’t do? Make sure to follow him on snapchat @brundagemagic #episode2 #stevenbrundage #throwback #discourseinmagic #magician #magicpodcast #magicthrowback A photo posted by ?Discourse in Magic Podcast (@discourseinmagic) on Oct 7, 2016 at 7:42am PDT   Contact Check our his Website, and Twitter for more info  

Welcome to the first episode! Jonah and Tyler explain who they are and what discourse in magic is all about. Let us know what you think in the comments, what type of topics do you want to see us cover? Or check out the Episode 1 post from Instagram! To celebrate our new Instagram launch for the next 30 days we’re going to make a photo for each of our 30 (27 right now) episodes. Link always in the description. Throwback to episode 1 check the description for the first episode A photo posted by ?Discourse in Magic Podcast (@discourseinmagic) on Oct 6, 2016 at 12:49pm PDT   There are obviously no show notes for this episode but check out the next one with Steven Brundage!