Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center with Kent Cummins

PODCAST · arts

Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center with Kent Cummins

Kent Cummins has spent more than seventy years in a lifetime of magic. It began when a six-year-old received a magic set for Christmas and declared he was going to be a magician. He made that prediction come true with an extensive career and performances all over the world. Kent takes you behind the curtain and shares a back-stage view of history, personalities, and personal experiences in the life of a magician, presented from his personal museum, The Fantastic Magic Center.Become a supporter at https://www.patreon.com/FantasticMagicCenter

  1. 200

    Milestone: 200th episode

    Kent and Chris stop by a local winery to celebrate the 200th episode and talk about the journey. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https //fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  2. 199

    John Schexnaydre, Part 3

    Did Kent tell you about AllyOop? Or the WOW radio spots? Or the popcorn stories? Then you have more to know about the unique collaboration he had with John Schexnaydre!+++++See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  3. 198

    John Schexnaydre, Part 2

    Kent continues with his stories about John Schexnaydre and their creative and business ventures. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  4. 197

    John Schexnaydre, Part 1

    Kent has mentioned his friend, John Schexnaydre, before. He dives deeper into how they met and their early collaborations. +++++ See more and become a supporter at ⁠https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/⁠

  5. 196

    Louis Berkie, Part 3

    Kent wraps this trilogy of episodes about his friend and mentor, Louis Berkie, the King of the Wooden Nickels. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  6. 195

    Louis Berkie, Part 2

    Kent continues his discussion about Louis Berkie, his friend and mentor. +++++ Learn more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  7. 194

    Louis Berkie, Part 1

    Kent has talked before about some of the mentorship he received from Louis Berkie. Today, let's go deeper in to the man who helped anchor Kent to his path as a magician. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  8. 193

    Robert Crampton

    One of the amazing people Kent has known was directly responsible for starting the Magic Camp. Kent shares stories about his friend, Robert Crampton. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  9. 192

    Share the Magic

    Kent has been sharing his magic for more than 75 years. He talks about how he's shared the magic and reminds you about sharing your own magic. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  10. 191

    Box 4-Flat Magic

    Kent delves into another box labeled Flat Magic. What wonders will he find? +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  11. 190

    Texas Magic Center - John Carter

    Recently, Kent talked to John Carter as a fellow magician. Today, Kent talks to him as the executive director of the Texas Magic Center. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  12. 189

    Box 3: Magic With a Message-Tech Companies

    Kent continues his dive through boxes at the Fantastic Magic Center, finding memories of his work with some big and smaller tech companies. +++++ See more and become a patron at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  13. 188

    Box 2: Magic With a Message-nontech companies

    Kent explores another box at the Fantastic Magic Center. This one has relics from various Magic with a Message events. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  14. 187

    John Carter

    Kent has a conversation with someone who has gone from magic camper to colleague. Meet John Carter! +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a patron at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  15. 186

    The First Box

    As the Fantastic Magic Center evolves, Kent has many boxes that are being pulled from storage and curated. Here he walks you through the contents of a box as he discovers what is inside. +++++ See some of these photos at the web site:https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/episode-186/

  16. 185

    More Houdini Stories

    Kent has exciting news about his new book and a few more Houdini stories to share. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/For a limited time, register for the February event at https://likehoudini.com/

  17. 184

    Tour of the Fantastic Magic Center, Part 4

    Kent completes his tour of the Fantastic Magic Center in the Cabaret Theatre. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  18. 183

    Tour of the Fantastic Magic Center, Part 3

    Kent takes you into his library, a collection of books and media built over decades. He also leads you to the Adequate Room, which is most necessary. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com

  19. 182

    Tour of the Fantastic Magic Center, Part 2

    Kent starts the new year by continuing his tour of the Fantastic Magic Center. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  20. 181

    Christmas Extra

    Kent is taking a family break this week. So, we offer a rebroadcast of an earlier episode about Christmas Magic. Enjoy it in your Christmas socks. +++++ See more and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  21. 180

    Tour of the Fantastic Magic Center, Part 1

    For this last episode of 2025, Kent takes you on a tour of the Fantastic Magic Center. But, there's no way he could cover the entire center in one go, so he'll see you in January to finish the tour. +++++ See more and become a patron at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  22. 179

    Kent's Tragic Magic Career, Part 2

    What could possibly go wrong in the life of a professional magician? As it turns out, plenty. Kent spends a little more time visiting some of the less magical moments, while acknowledging that, overall, it's been pretty fantastic.

  23. 178

    Kent's Tragic Magic Career

    While Kent is fantastic not every moment in his long career have been. He shares a few bumps on his magical road. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a patron at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  24. 177

    Celebrities I Have Met

    There are many celebrity magicians, but some of them have intersected directly with Kent Cummins. He tells the tales. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  25. 176

    More Celebrity Magicians

    It makes sense that actors would be interested in magic. They are performers, after all. But there are celebrities from other walks of life who are also magicians! +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  26. 175

    Celebrity Magic

    Many celebrities that we know as actors, business people, and even a king are also magicians. Kent shares some stories that may surprise you. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a sponsor at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  27. 174

    Motivational Magic Books

    Are motivational books magic? They can be if they change how you view yourself and the world. Kent Cummins talks about some books that aren't about tricks, but that have changed his life. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become as supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  28. 173

    Jack Kent

    Kent Cummins remembers cartoonist and children's book author, Jack Kent, and shares some surprising connections. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  29. 172

    More Houdini Stories

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com

  30. 171

    Houdini's Family

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  31. 170

    Harry

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  32. 169

    Ehrich

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  33. 168

    Magic Island with Scott Wells, Part 2

    Kent continues his discussion about the history and future(?) of Magic Island, an unique, magic-themed club in Houston. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  34. 167

    Magic Island, with Scott Wells - Part 1

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/⁠

  35. 166

    Costumes

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  36. 165

    Real Magic

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  37. 164

    I Love Teaching

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  38. 163

    Now You See It, Now You Don't

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  39. 162

    Sleight of Hand with Playing Cards

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  40. 161

    Sleight of Hand

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  41. 160

    Being a Magician

    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.+++++See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  42. 159

    Doug Henning

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  43. 158

    The Yankee Gathering

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  44. 157

    Magician's Conventions

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  45. 156

    Eponymous Entrepreneurial Entertainers

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a sponsor at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  46. 155

    Entrepreneurship

    It takes more than knowing how to do magic tricks to be an entrepreneurial entertainer. Kent tells all! +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  47. 154

    More types of magic

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a patron at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  48. 153

    Types of Magic

    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. +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a patron at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  49. 152

    What Kind of Magic Do You Do?

    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. +++++See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

  50. 151

    David Copperfield

    David Copperfield is one of the most famous magicians in the world. Does Kent have some personal stories about him? You bet he does! +++++ See more, take a virtual tour, and become a supporter at https://fantasticmagiccenter.com/

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Kent Cummins has spent more than seventy years in a lifetime of magic. It began when a six-year-old received a magic set for Christmas and declared he was going to be a magician. He made that prediction come true with an extensive career and performances all over the world. Kent takes you behind the curtain and shares a back-stage view of history, personalities, and personal experiences in the life of a magician, presented from his personal museum, The Fantastic Magic Center.Become a supporter at https://www.patreon.com/FantasticMagicCenter

HOSTED BY

Kent Cummins

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