Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center with Kent Cummins

Kent Cummins wraps up his October series of Houdini stories with some miscellaneous bits about Houdini's fascinating life and how they affected Kent's own journey as a magician.

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Houdini was a family man, a trait Kent Cummins shares. Follow the overlapping family journeys as Kent continues to share his connections to Harry Houdini.

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Last episode we met Ehrich as a young boy as he started on his path to fame. This time we look at him as he begins making his way in the world has Harry, along with stories of his lasting legacy.

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Kent discovered his love of magic and entertaining as a boy. This is true of many other famous magicians, including one boy named Ehrich who grew to make an indelible mark on the art which has resonated for more than a century.

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Kent continues his discussion about the history and future(?) of Magic Island, an unique, magic-themed club in Houston.

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Magic Island was a magical venue in Houston, Texas for many years. It sadly shut down, but may be back soon. Kent talks with friend, Scott Wells, about the history of this unusual club.

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What you wear says something about you. This is especially true of performers. Kent explores his own costuming over the years and why he made those choices.

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What is the greatest kind of magic that exists? Kent makes a pretty good case that the greatest magic is love as he describes his journey with his companion, Margot.

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Kent has talked about his various works on the path of teaching, but now he delves more into the personal experience of teaching and how he discovered that it was something he found truly fulfilling.

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Kent closes out his discussion of sleight of hand with one of the best books on the subject, Now You See It, Now You Don't, by Bill Tarr.

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Kent talked about sleight of hand techniques with coins and other objects. Can those things be done with playing cards as well? Yes, but, oh, so much more. Kent focuses on the specialty sleights learned by skilled card magicians.

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One of the magician's tools is sleight of hand, but what exactly does that mean. Kent draws back the curtain a little and shares.

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Kent has talked about many of his experiences as a magician, but what does it feel like to wield the wand. He reflects on how magician is his true identity.

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There are all kinds of treasures in the Fantastic Magic Center. Kent explores the fascinating story of Doug Henning, who changed the nature of magic for a generation.

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Last episode, Kent talked about the many magic conventions around the world. Among them are specialty gatherings for collectors of magic props and memorabilia. His favorite is The Yankee Gathering. Kent shares stories from these unique conclaves.

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Kent has mentioned a few of his fantastic experiences at magic conventions, but he's never really explained the scope of these events. He breaks it down for you. You might be surprised to discover there is one you can attend near you.

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What is in a name? If you dare to be bold a lot can be in yours. Kent talks about those who really have made a name for themselves.

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It takes more than knowing how to do magic tricks to be an entrepreneurial entertainer. Kent tells all!

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By now, you have discovered that magicians view and classify magic tricks very different than audience members. So far, Kent has discussed environment. He's covered classification. Now he's going to go deeper into the effect. This is the true foundation of building something unique. What exactly is the magic that is happening. You'll know more after you listen.

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Kent walks through one of his first books of wonder, the Abbott's Catalog #13 from 1952, to see how they classify the different types of magic. It's a rare glimpse at magic through a magician's eyes.

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It might seem like an odd question to ask, but different magicians have different styles and specialties. Kent tells you about some of the ways that magicians find their niche.

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David Copperfield is one of the most famous magicians in the world. Does Kent have some personal stories about him? You bet he does!

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Kent Cummins has met and shared a stage with one of the greatest magicians of all time. He shares the twists of fate that brought them together as he transports you to a different age of magic in the South.

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Kent wraps his exploration of tricks he's never performed with a look at some of the grandest illusions, though he's come pretty close on a few.

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Kent's shared some of the tricks he's never performed, but what about the big stuff? Kent shares grand illusions that he has admired, but has never actually performed.

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Magic is a performance art, and there are a variety of related arts that tend to be close cousins. Kent has performed some of these, but there are many that he has never performed. Join him as he wanders around the edges of magic.

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Light bulbs, neckties, parasols... What do they have in common? They are all related to tricks Kent has never performed. He explores more magic in the world even wider than his own 75+ year career as a magician.

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Kent shares some more amazing magic tricks that, somehow, he has never performed.

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Kent has been a performing magician for more than 75 years, yet with all his experience there are tricks he has never performed in front of an audience. Some of them may surprise you.

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What could be a more obvious power for a magician than control over money. Kent started his magical path with a coin trick, and he has used the power of people's fascination with money as part of his Magic With a Message.

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Kent has taught magic to thousands of people, from school-age children, to senior citizens, beauty pageant contestants, and CEOs. Here he shares his system for teaching a magic trick. Maybe it can be adapted to teaching other things.

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What would you ask a magician? Kent shares some popular questions and how he answers them. Submit your questions to be answered in a future episode!

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Kent continues his discussion of marketing magic, sharing his checklist for success.

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Kent has always had a fascination with marketing, starting when he was but a lad. Of course, Kent's approach to marketing often involves magic with a message. He shares stories and techniques that may help you work your own marketing magic.

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Kent's conversations with Doc Grimes got him thinking about his own consequential magic, what he has called "magic with a message."

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Kent continues the conversation with Doc Jeff Grimes about consequential magic.

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Kent talks with Doc Grimes about consequential magic.

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Kent continues with updates about the current state and direction of the Texas Magic Center and how you can be a part of it.

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What is the Texas Magic Center? Find out, as Kent weaves a tale of what might have been and what will be.

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Kent has talked about the origins of the World Famous Austin Magic Auction. But now it's time to put on the 50th anniversary auction!

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Where can you find the real magic? Why, in books! Kent shares his past and present love of magic books and gives you some hints on where to find them, if you dare!

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Kent is no stranger to competition in his magical world. But, is the easiest way to win not competing?

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Christmas is a time of sharing, so Kent shares this special episode with Peter the Adequate, Mark Wilson, Scott Wells, and Chris Walden. They talk about a special surprise show Peter developed and what it's like to bring Santa to life in the season.

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Kent is not a card guy. He's also not a coin guy. So here, he talks about his favorite aspects of coin magic.

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Playing cards are one of a magician's tools. Kent dives into the variety of common and unusual cards he has used throughout his 70+ years of performing.

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How many card tricks are there? Nobody knows! But Kent knows a few of them, even though he's not a "card guy." He shares some favorite connections with card magic.

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We think of magic as a visual art, but Kent describes how he has broken this barrier time and time again, including an award-winning illusion designed specifically to be experienced by the blind.

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Kent completes his series on magic magazines with a focus on publications that were written especially for teen magicians.

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Kent continues sharing about the mysterious world of magic magazines, focusing on The Linking Ring

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Did you know that there are dozens of magazines, both print and digital, especially for magicians? The print ones go back decades! Kent shares stories including one favorite: Genii.

Kent has had a journey of alter egos, from Mysto the Magician to Mr. Mystery to the Fantastic Kent Cummins. Mr. Mystery has had a little more influence than you may imagine. Kent shares the tale.

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We enter into Kent's favorite time of the year, and has he got stories to tell you!

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Before Copperfield, Before Henning, before Blayne, Mark Wilson brought magic into people's living rooms through the marvel of television. Kent talks about how magic on the small screen, and the man who made it happen, impacted him.

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Texas is magic, but Kent shares a magic convention that happened in Texas that was so unique we may never see its like again.

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Kent turns the tables and shares his own recollections about his collaboration with Chris Walden over the years.

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Kent steps back and invites Chris Walden to share more about how he came to collaborate with Kent and how these tales make it to your ears week after week.

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Kent wraps his stories about magic wands with a listen to some of his favorite magic wands. How? You'll have to have a listen. He also shares how you can use a real magic wand to get what you desire.

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Kent shares more lore about magic wands, including ways he helped magic campers and corporate executives create magic out of seemingly ordinary objects.

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Kent shares secrets of the one tool that is unique to the magician... the magic wand!

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Kent wraps his conversation with Dylan Love as they share their love and adventures in San Antonio, Texas.

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Kent and Dylan discover that their lives overlap in a number of ways through mutual acquaintances.

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Subtitle: I did a card trick for David Letterman

Kent continues his conversation about the diverse adventures of Dylan Love. This week they talk about his time working with David Letterman and Conan O'Brien.

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Kent talks with Austin magician, Dylan Love, who is much more than he appears! This is the first of four parts.

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Kent told you about how the guillotine has always had a special place in his heart (episode 13). This week he shares another lifelong love... flowers!

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What do contracts have to do with magic? A lot if you are a full-time-professional magician like Kent Cummins. Listen and learn!

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Kent doesn't just wear Dracula's cape. He's had a lifelong relationship with the count. He recounts the tales this week.

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In they heyday of Spook Show, Kent was there. He goes back and time to remember the players and what they presented.

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Kent continues his hypnosis memories with a hypno-themed magic trick he invented.

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Kent tells stories about his involvement with hypnosis over the years.

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Kent concludes his conversation with Peter the Adequate with more stories of their unique collaborations.

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Kent and Peter talk about their parallel journeys in magic, including a cringy pseudo-Asian phase.

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Kent continues his conversation with Peter the Adequate about Abrakorndabra and being like Houdini.

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Kent celebrates his 100th episode with a very special conversation with friend, magician, and collaborator, Peter the Adequate

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Magic is more than the secrets, but what would it really be without them? Kent revisits secrets with new thoughts and stories.

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Kent shares more stories about his magic life and Germany.

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Kent's magical journey has passed through Germany. He takes you down his own magische Straße with some tales of performance and discovery.

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Kent is a member of the prestigious magic circle in london. However, he is only been able to visit a couple of times. Here he recounts his earliest and latest visits to London and it's magic.

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In order to perform a magic show you have to get there. This isn't always easy, especially when transportation is a problem. Kent shares some adventures from the road.

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Kent Cummins, the magician who claims not to be a card guy, remembers more stories about card tricks in his 70+ years of magic.

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Kent will be the first to tell you that he's not a card guy. So, naturally he has a full episode about card magic!

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Kent is opening the doors of the Fantastic Magic Center to a select few for an unforgettable event. He tells you what led to this and some of what you might experience.

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How many oopses can a magician have? As Kent can tell you after more than 70 years of performing, they can be many and varied. Closes this chapter with a few more spectacular surprises!

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If you think wardrobe malfunctions are the only mistakes Kent has made in more than 70 years of magic, you have another think coming! Kent continues to reflect on some of the times when things have not gone according to plan.

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A magician is poised, elegant, and graceful... except when he is not. In 75 years of doing magic, Kent Cummins has had his share of Oopses. As part of looking behind the scenes of a magical life, he will reveal some of these special moments of show business. This week: Wardrobe Malfunctions.

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While Kent often uses magic to illuminate and educate, there is also an important need to entertain. Kent reflects on his understanding of this throughout his life and how he continues to remind himself to engage.

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Without libraries Kent would likely never have fulfilled his dream of being a full-time, professional magician. Here, he shares what he has taken from and given back to the libraries.

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1957 was a very magical year for fourteen-year-old Kent Cummins. Join him on a journey back in time.

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Will Kent tell you the magic secret of misdirection, or is this episode just a distraction?

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Kent concludes his conversation about podcasting and finding the stories.

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Kent continues his conversation with fellow podcaster, Scott Wells, as they discuss continuity and finding stories for an ongoing broadcast.

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Kent talks to fellow magician and podcaster, Scott Wells, about this unique form of expression and how they both entered into it. This is part one of a three-part conversation.

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Kent has always made music a major part of his performances. Let him take you on a walk through his history, which turns out to be a history of music technology as well.

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Magic when well performed touches people emotionally. Music does the same thing. When you combine good music with good magic it creates something that can deeply move people. Kent shares his own connections with music and magic and reveals a few personal secrets.

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Do goals a magician make? You bet your top hat they do! Kent share some of his own approach to goal-setting, and goal-achieving on his magical path.

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The circus has always been magical for Kent. He shares some of his favorite circus memories, some even before he became the Fantastic Kent Cummins!

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Kent's magical journey began on a Christmas, but there have been many birthdays as part of that path. Listen as he shares the joys of receiving magic for birthdays, and performing magic for birthdays.

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Kent's magical journey really began on a special Christmas morning. He shares other ways in which Christmas has been part of the magic for him over the years.

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The stereotype of the magician is a bewhiskered man in top hat and tales flanked by scantily clad, female assistants. These women are subjected to uncounted tortures as they hold things or bring them on and off the stage, smiling the whole time. Is it any wonder that the growth of women in magic has been slow? Kent tackles this topic with encouragement to all women, young and old, who see themselves working wonders.

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Kent has been a magician for more than 70 years. In that time, he's known a lot of performers before they made it big. In this case, he met Harry Anderson at an Austin copy shop.

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Juggling has been a big part of Kent's life, winning him awards and gaining him connections around the world. Here he revisits some of the important juggling moments including how he first learned to juggle through correspondence!

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