Not sure how we made it here, but we did it! Please enjoy episode 100 and this rare appearance by our audio producer, Chris Combs! Thank you so much for listening. We couldn’t have done the last 100 episodes without you. Please continue to share Shezam with your friends, suggest guests, give us feedback, and… Continue reading 100-WHAAAAAT!

Being the president of a magic club is tough stuff. Being the president of an international magic organization…woah! Oh, and also be the first woman to do it! What is that experience like? Join Megan Swann, the first woman to be president of the Magic Circle, for an amazing conversation about her rise in the… Continue reading 099-The Magic Circle’s Megan Swann!

Join Ben Barnes for an enlightening discussion on booking diverse performers and creating an inclusive environment. Show Notes Ben Barnes Chicago Magic Lounge IDM Con How to Pronounce Indian Names Become a Patron Penguin Magic Podcast Eli Marks Mystery Series Kevin Kareckas Jonah’s Twisters

Paul Draper discusses magic history, conventions, and how to make conventions more inclusive. Show Notes Paul Draper Website IDMCon Registration Native-land.co Gifted Hands Gifted Hands on TikTok Become a Patron Penguin Magic Podcast Eli Marks Mystery Series Kevin Kareckas Jonah’s Twisters

Samuel Porteous, the author of the biography on Ching Ling Foo, joins Shezam for a conversation on the importance of Ching Ling Foo in not only magic history but in the world and how the relationship with William Robinson has shaped modern conversations. Show Links Ching Ling Foo Biography Samuel Porteous Check This Out-@notjoshingwithyou Historical… Continue reading 088-Ching Ling Foo, Robinson, and History with Samuel Porteous

During the pandemic, Kayla was amongst a group of magicians who got to perform virtually for a visually impaired or blind audience. How did the magicians do this? With the help of professional audio describer, Cori Couture! Cori and Kayla chat about the difficulties and the rewards of doing this show and how magicians can… Continue reading 087-Performing for the Visually Impaired with Cori Couture

We chat with hilarious magician Paul Kilmer about his life as an Autism advocate, what that means when it comes to a magic show, and how your show can be more sensory friendly with just a few easy changes. Show Links Chicago Magic Lounge Check This Out-@recycldstardust Historical Human-Black Herman Become a Patron Penguin Magic… Continue reading 086-The Amazing Paul Kilmer

We’re getting back into convention, camp, and magic-gathering season. If you’re in charge of any gathering of entertainers, then this episode is especially for you! Returning guest Courtney Pong walks us through some simple and easy steps to creating a safe work environment for all. Show Links CSZBoston Check This Out-Tony Nabors Historical Human-Antonio Gallardo… Continue reading 085-Creating Safe Spaces with Courtney Pong

Cody Clark, magician and advocate, joins Shezam is discuss how to be an advocate, how to perform a sensory-friendly show, and how to make every show, gathering, club meeting, and convention more inclusive for Autistic folks and those that have additional sensory needs. Show Links Cody Clark Check This Out-White Woman Whisperer on TikTok Historical… Continue reading 084-Sensory-Friendly Inclusion with Cody Clark

Season 4 begins with this riveting conversation with Dyna Staats. A few years ago, Dyna came out as transgendered. She’s the only person to perform on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us pre and post transition. Dyna was kind enough to take on the emotional labor of this conversation, chatting about proper vocabulary, how to better… Continue reading 083: Coming Out Trans with Dyna Staats

We are coming to you, during our hiatus, with this special crossover episode with Discourse in Magic! Jonah Babins and Kayla discuss all sorts of things, from producing virtual conventions to stuff we hate about today’s magic world. Show Links Discourse in Magic Unconventional.fun the Online Wonder Gala Become a Patron Kevin Kareckas Jonah’s Twisters

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”

Many adults are finding out they have ADHD. But what even is ADHD? How does it affect performers? How does the diagnosis change us both on and off stage? Cassandra (The Songstress of Magic) and Kayla sit down for a very honest and open discussion about their experience as adults, women, magicians, and ADHD friends.… Continue reading 098-Performing with ADHD with Cassandra

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)

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”

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'”

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

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!!

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

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

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!!

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)

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

As entertainers, we use our voices all of the time. But what if your voice doesn’t fit who you are? Join us for this conversation with Tris all about how the voice is a much more powerful tool than most of us have thought about. And head to the Shezam socials (@shezampod) to see some… Continue reading 097-Speak Up with Your Voice, Literally, with Tris!

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

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

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

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

Okay, maybe it’s not as big as we think.  But, this episode is too fun to miss! The Setup (John Accardo and Chris Grace) is a podcast discussing magic and comedy and why each other’s industries are way cooler than their own.  Kayla, John, and Chris chat about being funny, why certain props/mindsets in magic… Continue reading 066-The Crossover Event of the Century

From the early days of dance and circus to her debut and magic shows in Las Vegas, from touring internationally with award winning magic to producing magic production shows, from mentoring to providing contracts for emerging talent, nothing has been impossible on Connie’s journey. Very early on in Connie’s magic career she began working with… Continue reading 065-Connie Boyd on her Career and Magical Women

First up-a quick update on the Jibrizy special episode. Then, listen to how Ryan Kane rewrote all the stock material in his show to end with something unique and specific to him. Ryan Kane is a magician, comedian, and author thriving in the San Francisco Bay Area. His clients include Fortune 500 companies and savvy event… Continue reading 064-Ryan Kane on Rewriting Stock Material

Trigger Warning: sexual assault, anti-LGBTQ+ slurs With the purpose of having a face-to-face conversation, Kayla chats with Jibrizy about the effect, “Cake”, comments made online, and more. An important note: with the exception of taking out some talk at the start and a few “um”s, “uh”s, and pauses in the first half of the episode,… Continue reading Special Episode: Jibrizy

In this episode, Lyn Dillies discusses her career, her new project “Your Vote is Magic”, and being a woman in the illusions world. Kayla also shares some thoughts on the new effect “Cake” by Jibrizy, released by Abstract Effects. Lyn Dillies has earned a place in magic history for her unique illusions with elephants. She… Continue reading 063-Lyn Dillies on Your Vote is Magic

Season 3 has begun! There’s no better way to kick things off than with Sherard Robbins! In this episode, Sherard Robbins, creator of Visceral Change, talks with Kayla about the core components to social justice and what we can all do to help our communities and our society to be a more diverse and accepting… Continue reading 062-Sherard Robbins on the Core Components to Social Justice

Happy Holidays! Our guest this week has written not only an amazing children’s book about magic, but one that features diversity like not seen before. The book focuses on key elements of becoming a good magician while inspiring the reader, regardless of who they are. In a world where representation is key, Hocus Pocus Practice… Continue reading 096-The Book We’ve Always Wanted with Amy Kimlat

So much has changed since Season 2 that we’re telling you about them in this mini-episode announcement. Season 3 begins OCTOBER 5th!! Show Links Become a Patron Shezam Swag Shezam Pins Kevin Kareckas New Song, “Good Times Go” Jonah’s Twisters State of the podcast 0:00:00 Changes in Season 3 0:01:56 Ads, sponsored segments, SAM and… Continue reading Season 3 ANNOUNCEMENT!

As a PS to closing out Season 2, here’s the audio from the Shezam Pod Live Lecture with the IBM back in March. Carisa and Kayla have a fun chat, play some games, and take some questions. Warning: information may be out of date, but this was too fun not to share. See you in… Continue reading 061-You Thought We Were Done!

Jen Adams is BACK (because she never left!) to close out her conversation with Kayla about why she quit magic and the amazing things she’s doing now in Boise. Jen Adams's Website Lounge at the End of the Universe Intro / Shezam theme 0:00:00 Leaving magic 0:00:16 Moving to Boise 0:04:40 Country music DJ 0:11:07… Continue reading 060-Jen Adams, Part 2: Quitting Magic and the Lounge at the End of the Universe

Trigger Warning-sexual assault, rape, body image. Jen Adams joins Kayla for a discussion about her vast career, from being the child of a magician, to working with the beginning of The Mystery School, to working on (and being let go from) Celebracadabra. Jen Adams's Website Lounge at the End of the Universe Intro / Shezam… Continue reading 059-Jen Adams on Celebracadabra

Born in Spain, based in London, Sonia talks with Kayla about her background as a dancer and how incorporating it has affected her magic and attracted the interest of advertisers. Sonia’s Instagram: @soniabenitoSonia recommends: www.nowness.com Here are a few links of Sonia’s work, her video for Nike, and an amazing video dedicated to women in… Continue reading 058 – Sonia Benito on movement in magic

We are taking this week off from Shezam to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protests. Donate NAACP Legal Defense Fund https://www.naacpldf.org/ A multi-recipient donation page: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ab_mn Books Consider buying from one of these black owned bookstores https://aalbc.com/bookstores/list.php Black Feminst Thought-Patricia Hill Collins Me and White Supremacy- Layla F Saad A Diamond is a… Continue reading Black Lives Matter

Carisa & Kayla talk about what they are doing with their quarantine and recommend some great things for you. Intro / Shezam theme 0:00:00 Catching up 0:00:36 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 0:04:51 Physiological needs: food 0:07:15 Physiological needs: water 0:15:21 Physiological needs: rest 0:22:39 Safety needs 0:28:34 Exercise 0:34:36 Belongness and love needs 0:37:17 Games… Continue reading 057 – Hierarchy of Needs

The unbelievable Juliana Chen tells Kayla and Carisa what’s what about basically everything. Intro / Shezam theme 0:00:00 Catching Up 0:00:27 Goal: recover lost Las Vegas history of women 0:02:32 Juliana’s history 0:02:59 Career highlights 0:06:06 Always looking to help younger generations 0:09:45 Do you feel that it made a difference? 0:14:13 How Kayla met… Continue reading 056 – Juliana Chen!!

Intro / Shezam theme 0:00:00 Following Adelaide Hermann’s tracks 0:00:58 Tour of Adelaide artifacts 0:02:24 Herrmann scrapbook 0:09:43 Adelaide’s family 0:20:37 Meet Margaret Steele 0:28:05 How Margaret found Adelaide 0:38:56 SAM 100th Salute to Magic 0:49:16 TAOM Convention 0:51:15 Adelaide’s memoirs 1:16:13 Online research 1:21:35 Shezam theme / SAM Funding 1:23:41

Carisa sits down with Catie Osborn, a talented magician with two masters degrees in Shakespeare to discus what good old Billy can teach us about the world of magic. As an entertainment directer Catie also has some great insight on making yourself appealing to bookers. Intro / Shezam theme 0:00:00 Meet Catie Osborn 0:00:19 Accessibility… Continue reading 054 – Catie Osborn on Shakespeare and tips from an entertainment director

Decks of cards have been the same since…well…forever. Rosemary Reid, a Canadian magician, has not only created a deck of cards centered around sisterhood, not only created a deck of cards that “handles like a dream”, but has also snuck in some important statistics about the experience of women in the magic industry. During the… Continue reading 095-SISTERHOOD! With Rosemary Reid

If you are doing livestreams because you are stuck at home, you need this. We also want to take a moment to thank amazing photographer Dana Pleasant for the incredible images we continue to use. Intro / Shezam theme 0:00:00 Catching up 0:00:30 Quarantine self-care 0:02:10 10 best practices for mental health 0:08:25 1) Social… Continue reading 053 – Livestreams: You’re doing it wrong!

Kayla sits down with Marc to get some great insight on conventions and lecturing. Shezam theme / Meeting Marc 0:00:00 MAES Convention 0:09:39 Marc’s memory 0:16:06 Representing women in talent booking 0:18:35 How to create a lecture 0:29:29 What makes a good lecture 0:31:53 Mentorship 0:37:33 Lightning Round 0:42:30 Shezam theme / SAM funding 0:51:48

This was recorded before we knew how bad it was. Bizzaro and Carisa talk about staying creative. Biz’s creativity notes here. Shezam theme / Getting Bizzaro on the podcast 0:00:00 Creativity roadblocks 0:03:46 Prop building 0:12:56 Approaching creativity 0:20:13 WE GOTTA CATCH THAT BLUE DOT 0:24:35 Collaboration / outside influences 0:26:48 Review current material 0:32:09… Continue reading 051 – Creative Quarantine with Bizzaro

Kayla and Carisa discuss the current global situation, and how to stay motivated durring all this chaos. Intro / Shezam theme 0:00:00 Catching up 0:00:33 Coronavirus effects on entertainment industry 0:07:28 The bigger picture 0:13:32 Goal setting 0:18:33 How to spend your quarantine 0:25:11 Password: Quarantine Edition 0:28:18 Non-magic projects 0:32:58 Encouraging those who are… Continue reading 050 – Corona’s 13 Steps to Isolation