Steve Valentine: Magic, Creativity & the Power of the Subconscious

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck speaks with magician, actor and creator Steve Valentine about creativity, the subconscious mind and rediscovering the art of magic. Steve reflects on how the brain is always working beneath the surface, often producing creative breakthroughs when we least expect them. He shares how revisiting the history of magic and returning to routines he once performed has reignited his passion and opened new perspectives on his craft. Their conversation explores how reflection, curiosity and our past experiences shape the way we create and perform. Thoughtful and engaging, this episode is a reminder that creativity is rarely linear and that sometimes the best way forward is to look back.Steve Valentine is a Scottish-born actor, magician, and creator whose career spans television, film, voice acting, and live performance. Born in Scotland and raised near London, he began performing at the age of five, training in theatre and dance before discovering a lifelong passion for magic.Valentine has appeared in more than 250 hours of television and over 15 feature films. He is best known for his starring roles as criminologist Nigel Townsend on NBC’s Crossing Jordan, choreographer Martine on WB’s Nikki and 80s rock legend Derek Jupiter on Disney’s I’m In the Band. He also hosted SYFY’s Estate of Panic, earning a Rose d’Or nomination. A versatile performer, Valentine has appeared in The Big Bang Theory, CSI, Supernatural, Psych, and Hot in Cleveland and had a memorable role in Robert Zemeckis’ The Walk. His voice work includes beloved characters in Sofia the First, Tinker Bell and the globally popular Dragon Age video game series.Beyond screen work, Valentine is an internationally acclaimed magician and live entertainer. A multi-award winner at Hollywood’s Magic Castle, including Close-Up Magician of the Year and Stage Magician of the Year. He has performed everywhere from Las Vegas stages to royal palaces. He is also a keynote speaker who blends magic, storytelling, and performance insights to inspire audiences worldwide. A prolific creator, Valentine founded the global training platform Magic On The Go, hosts the popular podcast Magicians Only and continues to develop television projects, stage shows, and creative work that reflects his boundless curiosity and love of performance.Learn more about Steve here.David Peck is a writer, speaker, and award-winning podcaster who works at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and meaningful dialogue. As the host of Face2Face and former host of Toronto Threads on 640 AM, he has published over 650 in-depth interviews with some of the world’s most compelling thinkers, artists and storytellers, including Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Polley, Raoul Peck, Werner Herzog, Chris Hadfield, David Cronenberg, Jason Issacs, Gillian Anderson and Wade Davis. With a background in philosophy and international development, David brings a thoughtful, globally aware perspective to every conversation.He’s a published author and experienced keynote speaker, known for creating spaces where complexity is welcomed and ideas come alive. Whether moderating panels, hosting live events, or speaking on issues ranging from ethics to media, David’s work is grounded in a deep curiosity about people. At heart, he simply loves good conversation — and believes it’s one of the best ways we grow, connect, and make sense of the world.For more information about David Peck’s podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.