I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with one of my favourite magicians, Eric Mead. This one felt like a bit of a rare treat.

Eric is one of the most thoughtful people in magic. Not just a great performer, but someone who really thinks deeply about what we do and why it works.

He’s the author of Tangled Web and the incredible Conover, a genuinely important piece of magic literature, years in the making.

He’s also widely known to have played a significant creative role behind the scenes in Art of Astonishment, which tells you a lot about the level he operates on.

Earlier in his career, Eric spent years performing at the legendary Tower Comedy Magic Bar in Aspen, alongside Doc Eason.

This conversation goes deep. It’s candid, thoughtful, and properly inspiring.

👉 Check out Conover here: https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic-books/conover/

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Captain Frodo (Frodo Santini) went from street performing to performing with Cirque du Soleil. In this conversation we explore what it really means to be a showman.

In this episode of The Steve Faulkner Podcast, I sit down with the brilliant Captain Frodo (Frode Santini) — a performer whose journey from Covent Garden street performer to Cirque du Soleil stage is one of the most fascinating in modern performance.

Frodo has spent decades exploring what it really means to be a showman, developing an approach to performance that blends comedy, honesty and a philosophical look at the craft of entertaining an audience.

We talk about everything from street performing in Covent Garden, to the psychology of performance, the importance of constructive feedback, and how Frodo eventually found himself performing with Cirque du Soleil.

Frodo also hosts the excellent podcast The Way of the Showman, where he explores many of these ideas in depth with performers and creatives.

If you're interested in performance, creativity, or simply what it means to connect with an audience, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation.

• Purpose and meaning in performance • Entertainment first… then meaning • The transition from street performing to theatre stages • Frodo’s experiences performing in Covent Garden • What makes a successful street performer • The importance of validation and constructive feedback • How Frodo came to work with Cirque du Soleil • What Frodo’s life looks like today

Website https://www.thewayoftheshowman.com/

Podcast – The Way of the Showman Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow Frodo on social media (links available via his website)

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Aaron Fisher is one of the world’s premier sleight-of-hand artists, creators and magic educators. He’s the author of one of the modern classics of card magic: The Paper Engine (recently re-issued in a 20th Anniversary Edition).

His effects, from the legendary vanishing-deck routine Panic to a roster of original sleights and routines - have influenced thousands of card magicians. Including me!

Aaron is also co-founder (with Adam Grace) of Conjuror Community - a worldwide online club and training network for magicians. Through Conjuror Community and his proprietary system Miracle Man Method (3M), he offers structured guidance to help magicians build professional-level card magic and routines.

Click there links above as a thank you to Aaron

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Steve's Online Magic Training https://www.onlinemagic.co

Myq Kaplan is a brilliant, word-play-driven comedian seen on Conan, The Tonight Show, and James Corden. His specials include Small, Dork & Handsome and Live From The Universe. He hosts here All of this can be found at myqkaplan.com.

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Magic Training Site: https://www.onlinemagic.co

Alexander Marsh joins me for a properly geeky, funny and insightful chat about mentalism, creativity, and the modern world of magic. We get into billet work, stagecraft, and the constant tug-of-war between keeping secrets and sharing ideas online.

Please visit his performance page at https://www.alexmcaleer.com/

His courses are highly recommended, and can be found here https://the1914.com/collections/main/artist__alexander-marsh

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In this episode, I’m joined once again by the brilliant Chris Kenner - executive producer for David Copperfield and one of the most influential creators in modern magic.

This time, we go even deeper.

We talk details, creative process and even a bit of politics. And, as always with Chris, the conversation is as inspiring as it is revealing. Whether you’re a working pro, a passionate student, or just fascinated by how real magic gets made behind the scenes, this is one to dive into.

🔗 Links & Resources:

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Thanks so much to Jay for speaking to me, and inspiring me.

Please check out all of Jay's brilliant things here https://www.kapsel.se/shakingthesky

Jay's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jaygilligan_/ @jaygilligan_

Then check out my magic training site here https://www.onlinemagic.co

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