Illusionary Podcast

By Kray Mitchell

The Illusionary Podcast talks to different Canadian Magicians about their careers and influences. We talk about magic, illusions and life.

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Episode 6: Danny Kazam

Illusionary PodcastMar 20, 2019

00:00

40:45

Episode 11: John Ha

John is a world class magician hailinng from the rain soaked beauty of Vancouver, BC. He's been a full time professional for the last 15 years working for names like Carnival Cruise LInes, TD Canada Trust and the BC Childrens Hospital. You can reach out to him via his website

John Ha is a world-class magician who has performed for hundreds of audiences from all over the world. He has been a full-time professional for the last 15 years, entertaining at private functions throughout Vancouver, at corporate events and trade shows nationwide.

His world-class magic, charming style, and easy-going nature have made him one of the most in-demand magicians in Vancouver.

Magicians Mentioned

Aug 26, 201927:40

Episode 10: Mahdi Gilbert

Mahdi is a professional sleight of hand magician, but he's also the only magician alive born without hands or feet. He's well known for fooling Penn & Teller, providing online education for magicians and speaking around the world., check out his website for more details, or visit Before Magic to live and obtain the impossible.

Mahdi's struggle for life began while he was in the womb. He received a death sentence before birth but was miraculously spared and was born into this world without hands or feet in 1989 in Toronto, Canada.

His early years were difficult. Mahdi would face a difficult childhood in poverty struggling daily with bullying, violence, loneliness and depression. He was tormented by his physical differences and constantly wondered what would become of his life, if there was even a point of him having a life.

Through these trials and tribulations he found strength, passion, and hope through God, family, friends and the many kind people he has met during his journey through life.

Since his first magic performance at age 14, he has traveled around the world, sharing his story & magic, and giving hope to millions; to the multitudes of every race, color, age, religion, and social status.

He is also an accomplished artist and currently writing his first book for the public.

Now, Mahdi performs wonders without hands and walks the Earth without feet and is a walking miracle to everyone he meets.

Magicians Mentioned

Jul 10, 201940:50

Episode 9: Ryan Hayashi

Ryan has appeared at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, the Magic Circle in London and he stumped Penn & Teller on Fool Us. You may know him better as the Samurai Master of Magic (and for good reason, check out his sword skills on Britain's got Talent), check out his website for more details.

Hayashi is a legend in the world of magic. Known worldwide as an incredibly versatile entertainer and an international television personality, he has blown away even the greatest minds in magic. He has appeared at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood and the legendary Magic Circle in London, and his terrifying samurai sword act on "Britain's Got Talent" has over 50 million views on YouTube.

He has performed in 18 countries around the world, and has been seen by over 80 million television viewers worldwide on 36 national TV shows in 12 countries, performing in 6 different languages.

He has won awards at both of the two largest events for the industry in the United States - the Society of American Magicians National Championships and the International Brotherhood of Magicians American Gold Cups - and he won both of these awards in the same year, in 2007.

He also won the 2017 FISM European Championship in Close Up Magic, and ranked in the Top 10 Close Up Acts at the FISM World Championships of Magic in 2006, 2012, and 2018 (Among many more wins!).

Magicians Mentioned David Copperfield Doug Henning Penn & Teller Shoot Ogawa Apollo Robbins Armando Lucero Martin Eisele Shin Lim Eric Chien

Jun 12, 201959:17

Episode 8: Sawyer Bullock

Sawyer has written for magazines, lectured at universities, won international awards and has even had his own tv show. He's passionate about magic and has an amazing outlook on being in the biz. Check out his website.

Sawyer Bullock is an international, award winning speaker and performer. His unique mixture of wit and trickery has garnered him international awards, glowing accolades, and even his own television show.

At 22 years old, sawyer has written for magazines, lectured at universities and high schools, and ran workshops at conferences on the topics of magic, art, entrepreneurship and philosophy.

Magicians Mentioned

May 08, 201934:43

Episode 7: Gwyn Auger

Gwyn is known for having one of the biggest smiles you've ever seen. She's a sought after magic assistant as well as an avid baker and dancer. This girl has got lots of tricks up her sleeve. Check out her website.

Gwyn Auger is a vivacious, creative woman who brings dedication and enthusiasm to every project she embarks on. Gwyn’s primary goal is to be a full time magician’s assistant, and as a trained dancer and professional model, she brings beauty and grace to any stage. She loves magic and always puts her whole self into any project she takes on.

She worked with Enchanted Events for two years as a fairy, and has the biggest smile you’ve ever seen. Gwyn has been quite the promotional girl for the last six years, promoting everything from Nintendo Wii and DS to Hershey’s chocolate, VW cars, and L’Oreal. She’s promoted these things all over Alberta and BC at various events such as Cirque Du Soleil and The World Junior’s Hockey Championships. This variety has enhanced Gwyn’s adaptability, and her ability to think on her toes in any situation.

Magicians Mentioned

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Apr 10, 201937:13

Episode 6: Danny Kazam

He was sucked into the world of magic after watching David Blaine. Since then, he has transitioned into a top family entertainer in Saskatchewan. His hilarious antics and great sense of humor keep clients coming back for more. You can check out his website at his website.

Ever since I was a young kid I loved entertaining other people. Being able to bring joy, laughter and excitement to others with my humor and ridiculous antics felt like a sort of super power to me. I would get an adrenaline rush from it.

Ernie Coombs, known more famously as Mr. Dressup, and Shari Lewis were a huge influence on me as a child. Their shows helped shaped my creativity, helped expand my imagination, and showed me how to find adventure in everyday life.

Magicians Mentioned

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Mar 20, 201940:45

Episode 5: Julie Eng

When you grow up in a magic family, straight jackets in the living room are the norm. It wasn't mine, but it was for Julie! She has grown up with magic all her life and had the pleasure of working with many top performers through her work with Magicana. You can also check out her website for more info.

Julie Eng is best described as a charming and enchanting performer who is passionate about her craft.

Both her peers and her clients consider this award-winning magicienne one of the up-and-coming performers of her generation. Her interest in magic began early; raised in a family of magicians, she has been a stage performer since she was a child. As she earned her Commerce degree, Julie’s true love for the unique art of magic blossomed into a career. And now, for over three decades, Julie has brought her magical expertise to thousands of private functions, festivals, conventions and special events around the globe.

Julie is also the executive director of Magicana – an arts organization and registered charity dedicated to the study, exploration and advancement of magic as a performing art. Inside of her work with Magicana, Julie is one of the founding organizers for two unique community outreach programs, My Magic Hands and Senior Sorcery. Julie was also a part of another one of Magicana’s productions, a theatrical show, Piff Paff Poof which was designed specifically to introduce the experience of the theatre to young families.

Magicians Mentioned

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Mar 06, 201945:20

Episode 4: Todd Shapiro

If you're into magic in Montreal, then you've probably heard of The Amazing Todsky, aka Todd Shapiro. You may have even stopped by his magic shop (check him out online at MagicStore.ca), and if you haven't, you should! It was my pleasure to speak with Todd on this episode of Illusionary Podcast.

One starry starry night, many many moons ago, Little Todsky woke up from a nap in his crib, and it occurred to him that the Earth upon which he crawled was a planet full of wonder and mystery. Soon afterwards, Little Todsky would embark upon a journey into wonder, magic and discovery; a journey that continues today.

Over time, Little Todsky was able to unearth some of the secrets of the magical arts, and in doing so found a way to share the wonder and mystery with others. Little Todsky soon grew to become the Mediocre Todsky, for his magical abilities were just beginning to form, and, frankly, his tricks were pretty sucky.

But with much perseverance and his nose to the lodestone, Todsky progressed in the magical arts, and soon he would be called The Somewhat Impressive Todsky. It wasn’t long before he became The Pretty Good Todsky and then The Great Todsky. And now, of course, he is known as The Amazing Todsky.

Magicians Mentioned

Books Mentioned

Royal Road to Card Magic
Bobo's Modern Coin Magic
13 Steps to Mentalism

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Feb 20, 201941:52

Episode 3: Carisa Hendrix

You may know her better as Lucy Darling (Or Dee Dee Darling), or you may know her as a fire eater, or an artist. Or you may know her as all of the above. It was an amazing pleasure to speak with Carisa this episode. You can find her on her website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Carisa Hendrix is a magician, circus stunt girl and bubble performer featured in the Guinness Book of World Records 2014 and Ripley’s Believe it or Not. This 5-time award winning performer has been thrilling audiences all over Canada and internationally for the past 15 years with her signature blend of classy, cute comedy entertainment. Multi-talented, she has a huge vocabulary of Circus Skills, Sideshow Stunts and Magic effects under her belt as well as Balloon Sculpting, Stilt Walking, Fire Dance, Visual Art and Acting.

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Magicians Mentioned:

Magician(s) to spend a day with:

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Feb 06, 201939:27

Episode 2: Josh Janousky

What do you do when over 150 people show up to your first performance? Listen now to find out how Josh handled a "small" show that got big, fast.

Find Josh on Instagram and his website.

Josh is currently living in Montreal. Although he has only been performing since he was 18, he has taken the world of magic by storm. He has performed for the likes of Jim Gaffigan, John Mulaney, Kenan Thompson, Bo Burnham, and Wilmer Valderrama. In addition to performing, Josh's magical wizardry has been featured in issues of Genii, Magic, Linking Ring, Reel Magic, Magicseen, and Penguin Magic Monthly magazines—six of the industry's leading magic publications. He also writes the popular "Show on the Go" column in VANISH Magazine.