Children's book author Amy Kimlat discusses her new book Hocus Pocus Practice Focus - The Making of a Magician. The book is available on www.amykimlat.com   To learn about The Society of American Magicians, go to: www.magicsam.com Write to us at [email protected]

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.

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 www.centuryofdeception.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].

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

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 www.magicoflyn.com. 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].

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 www.magicsam.com today! Have an idea for an episode? Email us at [email protected]  Produced by Bruce Kalver for Top Hat Productions. Associate Producer John Sturk. 

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 www.magicsam.com to sign up. Now, try our trial membership program.  Have an idea for a podcast? Email us at [email protected]. 

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].