Harrison interviews one of the most prolific magic writers, illustrators, and publishers in magic history, Richard Kaufman, to discovers how he got into magic book publishing before he turned 20, his love of Disney theme parks, how an article in the NY Times led to his diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, the incredible story of how his latest book ended up at the bottom of the ocean, and the secret to being a prolific writer and creator. With surprise guests Harry Lorayne and Randy Pitchford....
Apr 01, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Harrison interviews Adam Rubin (magician and NY Times best-selling children's book author behind such instant classics as "Dragons Love Tacos," "Secret Pizza Party," and "Robo-Sauce") and finds out how toys figure into the creative process, the secret behind having every review of your sketch show be "amazing," and the real work behind making things that you actually like. With surprise guests Dan Buck, Gabe Fajuri, Noah Levine, and Adam Elbaum. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magi...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 36
For the 2020 season finale of "Who Books That?," Harrison interviews Chris Williams (magician and actor seen on such TV shows as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Silicon Valley," and "Upload," as well as in movies like "Friday After Next" and "Dodgeball") and finds out how he fell in love with magic; where the "Curb" character, Krazee Eyez Killa, and his magic character, Inkognegro the Majishan, come from; how to increase representation in magic; the takeaway from dressing in drag on "Ugly Betty" to loo...
Dec 23, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Harrison interviews the Enigmatist, David Kwong (acclaimed magician, NY Times crossword puzzle constructor, and magic consultant to such films and TV shows as "Now You See Me," "Blindspot," and "Deception") and discovers the connection between puzzles and magic (and how he successfully was able to combine the two), explains that time he dug up director Edgar Wright's yard, compares notes about being the president of the Harvard Magic Society, and gives advice about combining passions and creatin...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Harrison interviews the multitalented Julie Eng and learns what it's like growing up in a magical family; the key to staying passionate about magic; that time Johnny Thompson lost his pants; what Jason England, Vernon, and a dog have to do with kindness; what the magic community can do to increase the number of women in magic; and the best way to get a magic mentor (and why right now is the best time to do it). With surprise guests John Carney, Sandra Eng, David Ben, Jason England, and Bill Abbo...
Dec 01, 2020•1 hr 45 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Harrison interviews interviews one of the world's leading theatre illusionists, PAUL KIEVE! He's the magic consultant behind countless Broadway and West End shows like "Matilda," "Pippin," and "Ghost the Musical," as well as films like "Harry Potter" and "Hugo." Harrison learns about Paul's past as a Zodiac Brother, how "The Invisible Man" kicked off his magic consulting career, the knife trick he developed for "Pippin" that fooled David Copperfield, what it's like consulting for magicians like ...
Dec 01, 2020•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Harrison interviews the phenomenal BANACHEK and discovers the secrets to fooling scientists as part of Project Alpha, where the name "Banachek" comes from (hint: it's from a 70s TV show), what it's like being part of a touring group of some of the greatest con artists to ever live, and settles the debate over whether mentalists are magicians. (Spoiler: they are.) With surprise guests Richard Turner, Bob Arno, and Krystyn Lambert. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians....
Dec 01, 2020•1 hr 53 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Harrison interviews the former acting director of the CIA and magician, John McLaughlin, and finds out what his magic-themed code names were, that time the president of Argentina offered him the position of Finance Minister after a magic trick, what spies and intelligence officers have learned from magicians, and what magicians can learn from spies and intelligence officers. With surprise guests Dale Salwak and David Morey. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians....
Oct 29, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 30
Harrison interviews one of the most influential performers, authors, and teachers in magic, Harry Lorayne, and learns if he's going to bring back his magic magazine, "Apocalypse," during what feels like an actual apocalypse (and where the name originally came from), what his favorite card tricks are from the hundreds (if not thousands) that he knows and has written about, how to make sure your memory IMPROVES as you get older, and so much, much more from his over 90 years of magical experience. ...
Sep 29, 2020•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Harrison interviews the "Coolest Magician on Earth," Rudy Coby, and learns how Rudy put together his first network television special in just 3 weeks, the "Three Minute Rule" for creating an act that will send you around the world, and 3 special people in his life who each let him crash on their couch at different points in his journey. Plus, find out why he left magic for 14 years at the height of his career and why he came back, as well as an ending that involves a Christopher Nolan-esque "Inc...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Harrison interviews the Millionaires' Magician, Steve Cohen, and finds out about the time he helped David Copperfield buy Houdini's bathtub, the key to building a successful character and career (and how they're connected), creating tricks that result in lasting stories, and that time a magic camp counselor literally left him in stitches. With surprise guests Harry Lorayne, Steve Barnes, Terri Cook, Gabe Abelson, and Mark Levy. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians....
Sep 08, 2020•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Harrison interviews Lyn Dillies, winner of the Milbourne Christopher Illusionist Award, and discovers all the challenges involved in making a donkey and an elephant appear simultaneously, debuting a show at Lincoln Center, inspiring the next generation, and why "Your Vote is Magic." With surprise guests Bill Schmeelk and Jon Stetson. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Sep 08, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Harrison interviews Suzanne, winner of Close-Up Magician of the Year from the Academy of Magical Arts, and finds out how a love for puzzles and a job in computer programming eventually led her to a career in magic, the key to sincerely connecting with your audience, how a moment with her son led to the signature piece that fooled Penn & Teller, and the one piece of advice Dai Vernon gave her (and why she ignored it). With surprise guests Max Maven, Jonathan Levi, Catherine Wilson, and Suzann...
Aug 16, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Harrison interviews Steve Valentine and finds out how Steve ended up DJing and performing magic in Yugoslavia, why he had to leave magic to pursue acting (he's starred in more than 200 hours worth of TV and films) and why (and how) he came back, if a vampire-rock-star-pirate-magician is the role he was born to play, the nuts and bolts of putting on a one-man show, and the key to longevity in the entertainment business. With surprise guests Billy Kidd, Chris Philpott, and Chipper Lowell. Presente...
Aug 08, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Harrison interviews Rob Zabrecky and finds out how his strange childhood disease had an even stranger cure, how going from front man of Possum Dixon to magic is the most "punk rock" thing he's ever done, how a poster for his magic show ended up in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and why working on your act should lead to "art tears." With special guests John Lovick and David Kovac. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Aug 08, 2020•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Harrison interviews Jon Dorenbos (Philadelphia Eagle, finalist on 'America's Got Talent,' and regular on 'Ellen') and finds out how and why he's the exception to the rule that magicians aren't that athletic, how magic helped him cope with profound tragedy, why you shouldn't levitate someone on the back of a moving truck, the secret to conquering adversity, and what the heck it means to be the Commissioner of Wing Bowl. With special guests Ken Sands, Frank Gumienny (Philadelphia Eagles CFO), Mike...
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Harrison interviews Jade, the first and only female magician winner of the IBM's prestigious Gold Medal Award for Stage Magic, and discovers how she went from working at a magic store in San Francisco to being a legendary close-up and stage performer, the power of authenticity in performance, breaking the glass ceiling for women in magic, making dumplings so good a person (specifically, one of our surprise guests) might eat them until she vomited, how she invented what might be the first and onl...
Jul 14, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Harrison interviews Jeff and Tessa Evason and finds out how the Evasons met, how they switched over from illusions to telepathy, the secret to personal and professional partnerships, who wears the blindfold when they're offstage, and why the Evasons were wearing masks on planes BEFORE the pandemic (it's a great trick!). With surprise guests Lynda Karen, Bill Herz, Michael Dubois, Viktoria Grimmy, Jeff Bornstein, and Kimberly Bornstein. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians....
Jul 13, 2020•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Harrison interviews Jay Johnson (star of SOAP and the only ventriloquist to ever win a Tony Award) and learns how to add heart to humor and personality to inanimate objects, how a Tony Award-winning Broadway show comes together, how to use ventriloquism to fool all of the magicians at the Magic Castle, and what it's like being the inspiration for generations of entertainers, all capped off with a decades-in-the-making reunion of the Left-Handed League! With special guests Terry Fator, Eva Anders...
Jul 13, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Harrison interviews the hilarious Marc Summers (host of Nickelodeon's 'Double Dare' and Food Network's 'Unwrapped) and finds out about his start as a magician and comedian in Hollywood, how it's possible to film Lance Burton for a Nickelodeon magic special after he's already gone home, how to host the messiest gameshow on television while privately battling with OCD, the secret to more than 40 years of showbiz success, why neckties and Burt Reynolds don't mix, and listen as Marc helps Harrison f...
Jun 29, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Harrison interviews the extraordinary Larry Wilmore (who is not only one of the most accomplished writers, comedians, and producers in Hollywood, but a great magician as well) and finds out how comedy and magic connect with each other, if Neil deGrasse Tyson ever tried magic, what the heck the Wilmore Wash & Fold is (it's awesome), and how (and why) to bring more of yourself into your comedy and magic. With special guests Neil deGrasse Tyson, Rory Albanese, David Regal, and John Guastaferro....
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Harrison interviews the fantastic Michael Ammar and finds out how Michael got an honorary charter membership to the IBM Ring of Russia, how to become a great teacher in addition to being a great magician, how he nearly got arrested doing Card on Ceiling, and if the Ammar household is potentially haunted. With specials guests Gary Beautler and Lee Asher. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Harrison interviews the mystical and mystifying Jeff McBride and finds out how to perform as an opener for rock bands, why what's going on inside you affects the magic you that comes out of you, how to rehearse your whole show in the airport when your flight is delayed, surviving performances in a jungle in the dark when it's more than 100 degrees, and the secret to getting a magic mentor. With special guests Jen Adams, Marco Tempest, and Greg Gleason. Presented by the International Brotherhood ...
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Harrison interviews master magician Lance Burton and finds out how dangerous it was to escape from a roller coaster and get buried alive, what it's like to perform for Queen Elizabeth, the creative process that led to his classic illusions and signature pieces, and gets a mini-tour of Lance's home that includes a peek at the magic mantle that's been passed down for over a century. With special guests Elayne Boosler and Fielding West. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians....
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Harrison interviews the hilarious David Williamson and learns about his start as a genie at a truck stop off the interstate, how to balance being spontaneous with being on script, and Harrison brings on an all-star group of surprise guests to recount the many pranks David and co. have pulled off over the years. With specials guests John Carney, Michael Weber, Michael Close, and Mike Caveney. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
May 16, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Harrison interviews the first magician to ever win "America's Got Talent," Mat Franco, and discovers if Mat can predict who his surprise guests will be, what it's like to go from college shows to network television to Las Vegas in the course of a single year, and we get a VERY special visit from Eleanor, Mat's grandmother, to find out what Mat was like as a kid! With special guests Eric Dittelman, Mat Franco's grandmother, Vinny Giordano, and Thom Rubino. Presented by the International Brotherho...
May 16, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Harrison interviews the epic Penn Jillette and finds out why combining stand-up and magic is so hard, the method to flipping the creative process to make better magic, if magic has gotten better over the last 45 years Penn & Teller has been performing, and if there was a secret cabal coordinating the shows, "BS," "Mythbusters," and "South Park." With special guest Michael Goudeau. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
May 04, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Harrison interviews one of his biggest inspirations, the Amazing Johnathan, and finds out if it's possible to go too far in comedy, the funniest and/or worst thing to tip your gardener to do, and the epic journey to becoming the "Freddy Krueger of Comedy." With special guest, "Psychic Tanya" herself, Penny Wiggans. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
May 04, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Harrison interviews the stupendous MIKE CAVENEY and TINA LINERT on their 41st wedding anniversary and finds out the secret to four-plus decades of love, if live goats make yoga better or worse, the ghost of Harry Houdini's thoughts on the state of magic today, and the key to longevity in a career in the arts. With special guests Christopher Hart and Rob Zabrecky (and a bonus cameo from Derek Hughes). Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Apr 28, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Harrison interviews the extraordinary MAX MAVEN (Mind Games, Mork & Mindy, Count DeCluez Mystery Castle) and discovers how magicians are like babies, the best single piece of advice to finding long-term success as a performer, and just how many hairstyles it's possible to have on a single reality competition show. With special guests Rocky Romero, Mac King, and Jonathan Levit. Presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Apr 21, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 8
