Discourse in Magic

Public Shows and Upcoming Tour Dates

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? 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. Friends and Family: Public shows provide a chance for your friends and family to see you perform. They are your biggest supporters, and this is a great way for them to experience your magic without the high cost of private or corporate events. Client Engagement: Offering free tickets to past and potential clients is a fantastic way to maintain relationships and generate new business. It gives you a reason to reach out and offer something valuable, which can lead to future bookings. Upcoming Shows Jonah shares his tour dates and locations for the next two months: – March 6th: Boston, performing at the Boston Magic Lab. – March 7th-9th: Connecticut, performing and lecturing at Mcon. – March 18th-20th: Austin, Texas, performing a show with Michael Rogerson. – March 25th-28th: Montreal, performing a show with John Elli. – April 8th-11th: St. Louis, performing a show with Josh Weidener. – April 28th-May 2nd: L Summit in Mexico, a special event for Mastermind members. Mentions Boston Magic Lab Michael Rogerson John Elli Josh Weidener Toronto Magic Company

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Magic and Mystery with Jonathan Levit

In this episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babins sits down with Jonathan Levit 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 Jonathan talks about his transition to acting and hosting in Los Angeles, sharing the challenges and rewards of working in front of the camera. He emphasizes the skills he gained from acting and hosting that have enhanced his magic performances. Consulting on Films Jonathan recounts his experience consulting on films like “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” working with actors like Steve Carell and Jim Carrey. He shares memorable moments from the set and the unique challenges of bringing magic to the big screen. Vegas Show Jonathan provides insights into his current show at the Venetian in Las Vegas, describing its intimate and theatrical format. He discusses the journey of getting the show to Vegas and the dynamics of running a successful production in a competitive environment. The Stranger App Jonathan explains the creation and functionality of The Stranger app, a powerful magic trick that combines technology and community. He highlights the app’s impact on his performances and the global community of magicians it has fostered. Nexus Project Jonathan introduces his latest project, Nexus, which serves as a digital hub for creating innovative magic routines. He details the features of Nexus and how it allows magicians to integrate various inputs and outputs seamlessly into their performances. Endless Chain Jonathan recommends Christopher Hart as a future guest for the podcast, noting his expertise and contributions to the world of magic. Mentions Jonathan Levit’s Website Jonathan Levit Instagram Twisting the Aces The Stranger App

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Runnings Ads to Get Gigs

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 is crucial for growth. Learning and Commitment After a five-year hiatus, Jonah revisited ad campaigns with a dedicated effort to learn and improve. He spent significant time understanding the basics of running ads, leading to better results. The significance of investing time in learning cannot be understated. Hiring Experts Jonah’s decision to hire professionals transformed his ad campaigns and led to significant business growth. He highlights the value of expert knowledge and continuous improvement. Collaborating with experts allowed Jonah to scale and optimize his ad campaigns effectively. Scaling and Growth Taking successful ad campaigns to the next level involved hiring the right people. Jonah discusses the impact of mentorship and expert guidance in achieving business growth. He emphasizes the importance of investing in education and professional support to unlock new levels of success. Stay Connected: Website: Discourse in Magic Instagram: @discourseinmagic Facebook: Discourse in Magic

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Magic and Mystery in New York with Rachel Wax

In this episode, Jonah sits down with Rachel Wax to discuss her journey from fashion to full-time magic, performing at Speakeasy Magick, 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 FIT 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 who jammed and performed together, helping her refine her craft. The New York Magic Scene Rachel shares insights into what makes the New York magic scene unique, from its competitive nature to the high expectations of its audiences. She highlights how performing in such a dynamic city pushes magicians to be better and why close-up magic is having a moment right now. Speakeasy Magic and Performing in Immersive Environments As a regular performer at Speakeasy Magick Rachel describes the challenges and rewards of working in an immersive, up-close environment. She explains how the show is structured, what makes it special, and how it has shaped her as a performer. Creative Process and Mind Mapping Rachel breaks down her approach to creating new magic, including how she uses mind mapping to develop tricks that align with her character. She also walks through her process for refining routines, incorporating audience feedback, and continuously evolving her material. Being a Woman in Magic Rachel candidly discusses her experiences as a woman in the magic industry, from dealing with audience perceptions to navigating sexism at conventions. She shares how she turns low expectations into an advantage and the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive magic community. The Business of Magic in New York Jonah and Rachel discuss the business side of magic, including how private gigs and ticketed shows shape a magician’s career in New York. Rachel also touches on why having multiple great magic shows in a city helps grow the industry rather than creating competition. Mentions Speakeasy Magic Vanishing Inc. (Mind Mapping project) Rachel Wax’s Website Instagram Endless Chain Rachel recommends checking out: Eli Bosnick

The Art and Science of Illusions with Matt Pritchard

In this episode of Discourse in Magic, Jonah Babins sits down with magician, science communicator, and viral illusion creator Matt Pritchard. 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 between magic and science. The Intersection of Magic and Science Jonah and Matt explore the shared sense of wonder in both disciplines. Matt explains how science and magic both challenge our understanding of reality—one by uncovering truths and the other by deliberately concealing them. He also touches on his work in science communication, where he teaches students using illusions to explain scientific concepts. The Rise of Matt’s Viral Illusions During the pandemic, Matt started sharing his optical illusions online, quickly gaining traction. He details how his illusions evolved through audience feedback and meticulous experimentation. One of his standout viral creations—an elephant disappearing from a moving train track—attracted major attention from magicians and illusionists worldwide. Creativity and Problem-Solving in Illusions Matt offers insight into his creative process, from finding inspiration in old magic books and science experiments to refining illusions through trial and error. He discusses the fusion of stage and close-up magic techniques in his work, making them especially deceptive—even to seasoned magicians. The Business of Science Magic Matt talks about transitioning from working in a science museum to performing independently in schools and festivals. He shares how word-of-mouth, smart branding (switching from “Lab Monkey Productions” to “Science Magic Shows”), and strategic partnerships helped grow his business. The Ethics of Magic and Social Media Jonah and Matt debate the challenges of posting illusions online, particularly dealing with exposure and explanations in comment sections. Matt embraces engagement, often encouraging audiences to theorize about his illusions while maintaining a sense of mystery. Final Thoughts and Recommendations Matt reflects on his favorite aspects of modern magic, emphasizing performances that focus on human connection and wonder. He also shares his least favorite trend: exposure videos that diminish the mystery and artistry of magic. Endless Chain Matt suggests two fascinating guests for future episodes: Ian Kendall – A highly skilled street performer from Edinburgh. Gaia Rossi – A talented stage magician and psychologist, offering insights into the psychology behind magic. Mentions Instagram & Twitter: @sciencemagician Website: Science Magic Shows Derren Brown’s Show – Derren Brown Twist Museum, London – Twist Museum Robert Harbin’s Work – Robert Harbin on Magicpedia Lawrence Hass’ Paper Ball Act – Lawrence Hass