What’s it like to be a woman in juggling?  Our season 3 ends with our final panel discussion. Who are our panelists? Cate Flaherty has been performing in circuses, on stages, and streets around the world for almost 20 years. She’s been performing her own solo comedy street show, “The Cate Great Show” since 2009.… Continue reading 081-“That is something you would just never…say to a male juggler”

Shezam

081-“That is something you would just never…say to a male juggler”

Welcome to part two! Who are our panelists? Ran’D Shine is a performer, producer, and educator of magic. He has entertained audiences in over 27 countries and hundreds of American cities. In 2009, Ran’D premiered his show, “Mysterious Ways”, at the South African Arts Festival with rave reviews. In that same year, he was selected to perform… Continue reading 080-“Don’t Apply the Black Tax” (Part 2)

080-“Don’t Apply the Black Tax” (Part 2)

Join this panel of amazing variety performers on their discussion of experiences with anti-Black racism.  Who are our panelists? Ran’D Shine is a performer, producer, and educator of magic. He has entertained audiences in over 27 countries and hundreds of American cities. In 2009, Ran’D premiered his show, “Mysterious Ways”, at the South African Arts Festival with… Continue reading 079-“…at least we’ve said our piece”

079-“…at least we’ve said our piece”

Welcome to Shezam’s first panel discussion! We’re starting off with a discussion on the experience of performers of Asian descent. What are the effects of using, “an obviously fake piece of plastic with funny squiggles on it that say ‘Fish Market'” on the magicians around us? This episode is so vital to creating a better… Continue reading 078-“A piece of plastic…that says ‘Fish Market&#039;”

078-“A piece of plastic…that says ‘Fish Market'”

I first met these two amazing humans when performing in their pandemic YouTube series.  Our conversation was so fun (and Shezam relevant) that we had to make it an episode! Who are the Wine and Whiskey Ladies? Originally from Atlanta, Jennifer Wren packed up her bags and moved to New York City to pursue a… Continue reading 077-The Wine and Whiskey Ladies

077-The Wine and Whiskey Ladies

Our guest this week is a magician and activist.  You may know her from her trade show and corporate event fame, where she was nicknamed The Darling of Dot Com.  Teller said, “She is not only beautiful and funny, she is clever.”   She’s been on Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, the Wall… Continue reading 076-Lisa Menna!!

076-Lisa Menna!!

Happy 75th episode, all! My, how the time has flown by. And what a wonderful episode this is for #75! Ever since she won the German Grand Prix 2011, and was thus the first woman to achieve the prestigious title German Champion of Magic, Alana is one of magic’s premier performersBut success didn’t come overnight.… Continue reading 075-Alana Talks Act Building and Fashionable Inspiration

075-Alana Talks Act Building and Fashionable Inspiration

Leah Orleans is a contortionist, entertainer and fitness instructor currently based out of St. Petersburg Florida after the Covid-19 pandemic grounded her tour. She is one half of the comedy acrobatic duo, Acrobatrix! that tours cruise ships, renaissance festivals, and universities. Growing up in the theater scene of Chicago, raised in a family of magicians,… Continue reading 074-Leah Orleans on How Circus and Magic Compare

074-Leah Orleans on How Circus and Magic Compare

WE GOT Josephine Lee!  Josephines fresh, modern spin on magic took the magic world by storm after her appearance on BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT. This magic act hit millions of views overnight, making Josephine the most talked about woman in the magic industry. She has since made TV appearances all over the world, her UK Television… Continue reading 073-Josephine Lee!!

073-Josephine Lee!!

What does it take to be a solid illusion assistant? How can magicians still use a female assistant and not come across as sexist or just plain gross? What should we look for when hiring someone to go in the boxes? After dancing practically all her life in Kansas City, Marissa moved to Los Angeles… Continue reading 072-Marissa Maiorana on Being in the Box (and in the air)

072-Marissa Maiorana on Being in the Box (and in the air)

Makeup-it’s a mystery to many of us (especially Kayla). And makeup for your promo photos and videos require a professional touch. Enter: Cassandra Paige. Her Instagram says it all: she’s a skilled and artful makeup artist. On top of her vast skill and packed resume, she’s also an absolutely hilarious and bubbly human being. Enjoy… Continue reading 071-Cassandra Paige on Looking Good for Promo Photos/Videos

071-Cassandra Paige on Looking Good for Promo Photos/Videos

Laura Okmin is a special kind of magician. Not the kind that we’re used to hearing-card and coin tricks and such. Laura, instead, is the third longest tenured sideline reporter in NFL history. And even though she often heard that her career will go downhill after turning 40, Laura loves to say (or shout!) that… Continue reading 070-NFL Reporter Laura Okmin

070-NFL Reporter Laura Okmin

Ever wanted to try street performing? Although Kayla is clearly an expert after her one street show (sarcasm), Felice Ling and Cate Flaherty are regular performers at Boston’s Faneuil Hall. You may know Quincy Market for the shopping and food. It’s also a hot spot for the best of the best street performers; it’s no… Continue reading 069-Street Performing Experts Felice Ling and Cate Flaherty

069-Street Performing Experts Felice Ling and Cate Flaherty

This one’s a big one!  Legendary comedian, actor, and teacher Karen Maruyama joins Kayla to talk about playing characters, being funny, and why watching magicians often is…gross.  Karen, a teacher at The Groundlings and AFI, has taught specialty workshops for Disney Orlando, Disney Animation, Paramount Parks, and Universal (to name a few).  She’s the director… Continue reading 068-Karen Maruyama on Character, Comedy, and Disingenuous Magicians

068-Karen Maruyama on Character, Comedy, and Disingenuous Magicians

Suzanne and Kayla talk restaurant magic during COVID and post-COVID times, training horses, audience management, creating unique magic, and fooling Penn & Teller (which only Suzanne did…Kayla did not fool them…DUH!). Audiences all over the country have been falling in love with Suzanne since 1985. She resides in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota and can be see… Continue reading 067-Suzanne the Magician

067-Suzanne the Magician

Join professional Magicians Kayla Drescher & Carisa Hendrix for this funny, feminist podcast about the world of magic