Shezam

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!

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

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!

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

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

Welcome back one of the hardest working, kindest people in magic-Paige Thompson!  Paige joins us to discuss her career, being easily dismissed, and her love (obsession) with all things sports. Show Links Paige’s Website  A Paige in Time at the Chicago Magic Lounge  Check This Out: HeySiddarth (Names)  HeySiddarth (Namaste)   Become a Patron Penguin… Continue reading 094-Paige Thompson is Back!

We’re so happy to have these two professional entertainers and all-around amazing humans join us for a deep conversation on so many things. Show Links Celtic Magic Show  Magic Camp-the Documentary  Unpacking Whiteness Book List   Unpacking Whiteness PDF  Become a Patron Penguin Magic Podcast Eli Marks Mystery Series Kevin Kareckas Jonah’s Twisters

Ever post something important on Facebook that just shouldn’t be controversial but it instead sparks a giant discussion? Haven’t we all? Join Meadow in discussing her experience with just this and how she handled it. Head to our Instagram to see a photo of Meadow’s original post. Show Links Meadow Perry Bubble U GLOMM List… Continue reading 092-When Facebook Goes Wrong with Meadow Perry

Ever wonder why it’s hard to find accurate historical information about diverse magicians?  How hard is it to write a book when information is difficult to find?  Returning guest, Margaret Steele, walks us through much of this information and more! Show Links Margaret Steele’s Publications  Acts of Violet An Interview with Margarita Montimore Become a… Continue reading 091-Historical Research Issues with Margaret Steele

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”