Theory & Thoughts for Magicians – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Theory & Thoughts for Magicians

Ryan Pilling

Frequency: 1 episode/71d. Total Eps: 10

Ideas and inspiration to grow as a magician. Each episode will give you something to think about for improving your performances, creativity, and audience engagement. Presented by magic creator, author, and lecturer Ryan Pilling.

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Apple

Data updated on 04/07/2026

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇩🇪 Germany - Performing Arts
03/02/2026
#84
🇩🇪 Germany - Performing Arts
02/02/2026
#82
🇩🇪 Germany - Performing Arts
01/02/2026
#52
🇩🇪 Germany - Performing Arts
31/01/2026
#36
🇨🇦 Canada - Performing Arts
26/07/2025
#77
🇬🇧 Great Britain - Performing Arts
13/09/2024
#89
🇬🇧 Great Britain - Performing Arts
12/09/2024
#60

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2sh1eP4JA_O-HkoIOrRiiGJTzjPd4W-l
1 share
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzaUGhhnlQ8&t=635s
1 share
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAZOamxuw5w
1 share

https://artlist.io/Ryan-18742
1 share

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

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RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 48%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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Is Self-Working Magic Working For You?

Season 1

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 • Duration 26:23

Ryan digs in to one of the biggest lies magicians tell... themselves. A critical look at the prominence of self-working tricks in the magic industry, and whether it might be a short-term gain for a long-term loss. Don't be a stout Uncle George!

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Take My Advice

Season 1

Monday, June 26, 2023 • Duration 19:48

Some magicians keep their distance from the magic community because of bad advice. Be it unwelcome, unwarranted, or unfounded there seems to be no shortage of shaky advice being thrown around. In this episode Ryan looks at the wisdom of advice, how it comes to be, and how it gets passed along. It's not all bad, though. There is a more productive way to work together and offer guidance.

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Hooks, Lines, and Thinkers

Season 1

Thursday, December 15, 2022 • Duration 16:04

Through every moment of a routine your audience's interest is rising and falling. If it drains away, you're in trouble. Are you maintaining interest, attention, and creating a desire to see what happens next?

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Magic Is Crumbling

Season 1

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 • Duration 13:15

Max Maven was a giant in magic, whose long shadow kept many in line. So, where does that leave us now?

Hooked On Classics

Season 1

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 • Duration 23:18

In 1954 the Magic Circle presented the Hoffmann Memorial Lecture by Charles Harrison on "The Qualities of a Classical Feat of Magic." In it he suggests eight common features of a trick which make it a "classic." Not everyone is on the same page. In his introduction to "Magic By Misdirection" Dariel Fitzkee makes the opposite argument; that no trick is, in itself, "great." In this episode Ryan Pilling takes a look at both sides, and asks why any particular trick does or does not become immortalized as a classic of magic, including one curious trick which was once a regular feature, now lost to history. Corrections: The "Six Card Repeat" was originated by Tommy Tucker, not Tommy Windsor. (Windsor is known for inventing the Dye Box... which is different than the Die Box!) --- References: "The Qualities of a Classical Feat of Magic" - A lecture by Charles Harrison, published as a bonus supplement with the Magic CIrcular, August 1954. "Magic by Misdirection" - Dariel Fitzkee, 1945

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Weakness Is Strength

Season 1

Saturday, April 23, 2022 • Duration 19:04

A look at your personal style as a performer, as defined by your strengths, weakness, and limitations. Magicians generally tend to be all happy-go-lucky razzle-dazzle, but being yourself means bringing both the best and worst of yourself to the stage. Suggestions for further watching and listening: If you'd like to hear my favourite musical artist, John Hartford I recommend starting with his album "Aereo-Plain." https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2sh1eP4JA_O-HkoIOrRiiGJTzjPd4W-l Alan Watts speaking about Wu Wei, the principle of not forcing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzaUGhhnlQ8&t=635s Jazz pianist Kenny Werner speaks about "Effortless Mastery" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAZOamxuw5w Music used in this episode "Naptime" by David Benedict ...not John Hartford :) Three pieces played on the guzheng by Annie Zhou "Hidden Heart" by Lux Inspiria All tracks are licensed for use from Artlist https://artlist.io/Ryan-18742

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Setting The Stage

Season 1

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 • Duration 18:30

The success of your magic show hinges upon your audience being ready to receive it. I have a four phase process I use to develop a relationship with my audience, maintain a positive mood, and roll out the red carpet for a magical evening.

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Creating Chaos

Season 1

Monday, March 21, 2022 • Duration 21:23

Magicians strive to control every detail of a performance, yet the more you control, the weaker the magic becomes. What happens when you let more chaos into your presentations? How can you make your process feel more random?

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Do You Believe In Magic?

Season 1

Tuesday, March 8, 2022 • Duration 17:05

In this episode we dig into what your magician character believes they are actually doing when they present magic. What is really happening to cause the magic effect? What does it mean when they snap their fingers? Understanding the source of your power will clarify your presentation, fill out your character, and make your show more interesting. Ryan explains the "Spectrum of Magicality," an indication of how much your character does, or does not, believe in magic. WIZARD - Knows magic, and knows how to use it. They command the mystical force to do as they wish. MYSTIC - Tapped into magical forces, but not in direct control of them. AGNOSTIC - Hasn't decided if they believe or not. SCIENTIST - May still experience the mysteries of the universe, but believes there is a rational explanation. JUGGLER - All about physical skill. There is no need for magic when you're this good at what you do. “Sources of Magical Powers” by Bill Fienning, The Linking Ring November 2001 (pg 70) suggests there are five ways in which a human may come to have magical powers. Studied arcane knowledge. Powers enabled through an object, material, or words. An object with power of its own. Power passed from a supernatural being. Contact with a mystical force.

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Sum of Your Choices

Season 1

Wednesday, March 2, 2022 • Duration 12:15

Theory and Thoughts for Magicians will be a series of focused topic discussions about improving your magic performances. In this inaugural episode Ryan introduces a foundational belief in what it takes to become a unique, artistic magician. Why it's important to choose your own adventure in the magic world. The missing ingredient to the common advice; "be yourself."

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Theory & Thoughts for Magicians – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Theory & Thoughts for Magicians – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Youtube3

Other1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Youtube3

Other1

Apple Podcasts

Spotify