Episodes

Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
Ep 68 The World Renown Long Tack Sam
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
On this episode you'll learn about a wonderful Chinese Magician and Vaudevillian, Long Tack Sam. This podcast is slightly shorter than most because as it turns out there is a documentary on Sam done by a relative of his. And rather than give you ALL the details of his life, I gave you a quick overview and am going to provide a link to the documentary so you can see that as well.
Click here to see The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam Documentary

Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
Ep 67 The Amazing Amedeo Vacca
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
Here is a man who had a hugely successful career, but is often singled out today as someone who worked with Houdini. He had an amazing career without Houdini! And he had a very interesting career with Houdini. Some of what I discuss during his Houdini years is going to sound controversial, but keep in my it's mostly my opinion, based on some research. Amedeo was very close-lipped when it came to Houdini because he was sworn to secrecy. He likely had a hand in far more things than we realize. But at least we were left with a few bread crumbs.
Enjoy!
BTW: please visit www.Ronjo.com Listen to the podcast and then run on over there.

Monday Jun 14, 2021
Ep 66 Magic History Stories and Book Review
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Monday Jun 14, 2021
On this episode you'll hear a review of the book Lincoln's Scout by author Mark Cannon. This is the story of Civil War Soldier and future magician Harry (Horatio) Cooke. Also, I share my recollection of visiting the American Museum of Magic for the first time, many years ago.
For more on Cooke, listen to podcast Ep 16.

Sunday May 16, 2021
Ep 65 The Incredible W. J. Hilliar
Sunday May 16, 2021
Sunday May 16, 2021
Here is a guy we should all know about but few do. He lived during the Golden Age of magic. He performed during that time. He knew all the greats, he wrote books for many of them. His life story is incredible. Listen and discover the world of William J. Hilliar.

Saturday Apr 10, 2021
Ep64 The Last Days of Kassner & More
Saturday Apr 10, 2021
Saturday Apr 10, 2021
Here is the wrap-up of the Kassner story. I was able to get some of my questions answered after I had published the previous podcast. Also, I tell the story about discovering my Great Great Grandfather may have helped a very famous magician, back in the day. That and more, check it out!

Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Ep 63 Alois Kassner Zaubermeister
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
This episode is about the German magician KASSNER who was extremely popular prior to WW2. He had a show that rivaled Thurston's. But then after the war, what happened to him??? Now you can find out.

Saturday Mar 06, 2021
Ep 62 The Magic Historian Henry Ridgely Evans
Saturday Mar 06, 2021
Saturday Mar 06, 2021
Here is a shorter episode, on the life of Henry Ridgely Evans. This is basically the introduction of Evans to my audience. In the future I'll be pulling from his books and periodicals to share magic history of the last 19th century.
I also share my own personal story of creating a Tedx Talk.

Thursday Feb 18, 2021
Ep 61 The Life of Signor Antonio Blitz
Thursday Feb 18, 2021
Thursday Feb 18, 2021
The first new episode for 2021. This time we cover the life of Signor Blitz one of the most famous 19th Century magicians in America, also one of the most copied. He was an amazing performer and this podcast shares a few of his many exploits!
Music provided by https://purple-planet.com
Denny Haney Book review at https://www.themagicdetective.com/2021/01/denny-haney-collected-wisdom-book-review.html

Friday Dec 25, 2020
Ep 60 Houdini & Christmas
Friday Dec 25, 2020
Friday Dec 25, 2020
This is a slightly shorter (thus the blue image) than normal podcast. I talk about Houdini and his fascination towards Christmas. Plus I include a couple more Al Cohen stories and catch up on some recent magic history news I missed.
Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com

Monday Dec 14, 2020
Ep 59 - A Special Episode About Special Things and Special People
Monday Dec 14, 2020
Monday Dec 14, 2020
I've got a bit of catching up to do, once again. I'm behind in the podcast episodes and this one was to feature a segment called Living and Legend. And I had to pull what I had originally planned and insert the passing of a dear friend. So in all truth, I still got in the segment on the Living and the segment on the Legend, as Al Cohen was most certainly a legend in the magic world.
Please check out my blog to see another feature on Magic Genii, what you'll SEE over there confirms all that you hear over here. https://www.themagicdetective.com/2020/12/magic-genii-celebrates-20-years.html
Music provided by http://purple-planet.com

Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Ep 58 Horace Goldin - The Royal Illusionist
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
So excited to be exploring the life of Horace Goldin. He had a very rich life, was the creator of many incredible mysteries, and was a world traveling illusionist. This likely won't be the last time you hear the name Goldin on my podcast!
Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com

Saturday Nov 07, 2020
Ep 57 The Fox Sisters & Their Spirits
Saturday Nov 07, 2020
Saturday Nov 07, 2020
Season 3 starts off with an unusual podcast, The Fox Sisters. Though not technically magicians, they sorta were in a way. And their style of performing would branch out and influence the world of magic and magicians. They are certainly fascinating characters.
music provided by http://purple-planet.com
To hear the other podcast I'm featured on...
https://brandingentertainers.com/bfe-ep10-crafting-your-style-with-dean-carnegie/
https://brandingentertainers.com/bfe-ep11-pandemic-history-now-w-dean-carnegie/

Sunday Aug 30, 2020
Ep 56 Al Flosso - The Coney Island Fakir
Sunday Aug 30, 2020
Sunday Aug 30, 2020
This episode is an interview with the author of the book, The Coney Island Fakir: The Magical Life of Al Flosso, Judge Gary Brown. He shares the life story of Flosso, as well as many anecdotes from his career. You'll hear stories that involve, Jackie Gleason, Danny Kaye, Houdini, and Milton Berle. And there is an easter egg in this episode if you know what that is.
Music provided by https://purple-planet.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcAdOV1eDDI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fSgMpDRNqc&t=3s
Here is a bonus article on Flosso which is on the Magic Detective Blog
https://www.themagicdetective.com/2020/08/abbott-costello-comedians-flosso.html

Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Ep 55 Hercat The Eminent American Illusionist
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Hercat the Eminent American Illusionist, or was he? You'll have to listen to the podcast to find out. The Magic Detective is back from several weeks off. Two broken toes, a trip to the ER and several other nightmares, and he's back, good as new.
The music for this episode proved by https://purple-planet.com

Monday Jul 13, 2020
Ep 54 The Great Fetaque Sanders
Monday Jul 13, 2020
Monday Jul 13, 2020
This week I talk about the life of Fetaque Sanders, a true showman and artist from Nashville TN, who worked with Pearl Bailey, Cab Calloway and other prominent entertainers. He was and is an icon in the world of magic and one you need to know about! I also briefly talk about my friend, the late great Magical Genie, Eugene Johnson...that and more on this episode of the Magic Detective Podcast.
music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com

Thursday Jul 02, 2020
Ep 53 KIO The Russian Illusionist
Thursday Jul 02, 2020
Thursday Jul 02, 2020
KIO the great family of Russian Illusionists is the topic of this podcast. Their dynasty spans almost the entire 20th Century into the 21st Century. You'll hear about Emil Sr. and his two sons that would eventually take up the mantle.
Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com

Saturday May 23, 2020
Ep 52 The One & Only Nate Leipzig
Saturday May 23, 2020
Saturday May 23, 2020
The great manipulator Nate Leipzig is the feature of episode 52. The more I learn about Leipzig, the more I love his magic. He was noted for being very kind and first and foremost a gentleman. He never had a bad word to say about another magician. This podcast started as an article on TheMagicDetective Blog, however this episode is greatly expanded.
Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com
The new facebook GROUP page can be accessed via https://www.facebook.com/groups/MagicDetectiveGroup/

Saturday May 16, 2020
Ep 51 Hereward Carrington Ghost Hunter
Saturday May 16, 2020
Saturday May 16, 2020
Today I discuss a one time associate turned adversary of Houdini's, Psychic Investigator Hereward Carrington. I try to stick mostly to his magic career though I do veer slightly into psychic phenomenon. He is someone I didn't really know anything about. He's quite fascinated and highly respected in the world of physical researchers.
There is a blog devoted to him at
http://herewardcarrington.blogspot.com
Music for this episode provided by http://purple-planet.com
The new facebook GROUP page can be accessed via https://www.facebook.com/groups/MagicDetectiveGroup/

Sunday Apr 26, 2020
Ep 50 Dr. Samuel Hooker and The Men Who Fooled Houdini
Sunday Apr 26, 2020
Sunday Apr 26, 2020
This a milestone, Episode 50 of the podcast. On this episode the feature starts with the story of Dr. Samuel Cox Hooker and his infamous Impossibilities Show. Then it morphs into a story of all the men who fooled Harry Houdini. I think one of these stories may have been featured in season 1, but overall it makes for an interesting topic. Please enjoy.
PLEASE share with as many people you know. Please LIKE the podcast as well!
Music provided by http://www.Purple-planet.com

Thursday Apr 09, 2020
Ep 49 Harlan Tarbell, The Magic Teacher
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
Harlan Tarbell is most famous for his Tarbell Course in Magic. He was also an illustrator , magician, doctor and much more. On this podcast, I share the very interesting life of ole Doc Tarbell.
Music provided by http://www.purple-planet. com
To SEE some of the ART of Harlan Tarbell, click the link below
https://www.themagicdetective.com/2020/04/the-art-of-harlan-tarbell.html