Backstage S.A.M. Podcast

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 www.magicsam.com.

Have an idea for an episode? Let us know at [email protected].

John Cox is not a Houdini collector of props. Rather, he is a collector of Houdini information. His blog, WildAboutHoudini.com 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 www.magicsam.com.

Have an idea for an episode? Email us your idea at [email protected].

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 www.magicsam.com.

Have an idea for an episode? Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected].

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 www.magicsam.com

Have an idea for an episode? Let us know at [email protected]

Order your S.A.M. merchandise at www.magicsam.com/store

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 www.magicsam.com

Have an idea for an episode? Let us know at [email protected].

Order your S.A.M. merchandise at www.magicsam.com/store

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 www.magicsam.com.

Have an idea for a podcast episode? Please let us know at [email protected].

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 www.scienceofmagicassoc.org.

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 www.magicsam.com.

Have an idea for a podcast episode? Please let us know at [email protected].

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 Amazon.com.Margaret's website is margaretsteele.com

Want to support the Society of American Magicians? Visit www.magicsam.comto join.

Send in your story ideas to [email protected]

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 Amazon.com

Join the S.A.M. and support all our efforts, including this podcast, at www.magicsam.com.

Have an idea for a story to share? Let us know at [email protected]

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