The Steve Faulkner Podcast

Danila Ring Jedi. 8-Rings and the Art of Learning

I had a great chat with Danila, better known as Ring Jedi.  THE 8-ring manipulator who’s built a huge following online through some seriously visual, hypnotic work. If you’ve seen his stuff on Instagram, you’ll know exactly what I mean. It’s one of those things that feels somewhere between juggling, magic, and movement… and it’s properly captivating to watch. His teaching has changed my life, giving me this skill and passion.  Learn here 8-Rings here https://www.skool.com/ring-jedi-academy/ [https://www.skool.com/ring-jedi-academy/] Neon Circus https://www.neoncircusnyc.com/ [https://www.neoncircusnyc.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleARA8YtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacbEQJ8i0DtZk6WXPJxpOiotfIT_p115KhpSObg6hzO9Xa0AsJMXtNcvrtHEA_aem_X0kWjnLKoGcn-96v91keAg] What I really enjoyed about this conversation is that we go way beyond just “how do you do that?” — we get into: * how he built this niche from scratch * the thinking behind the visuals * training, discipline, and actually getting good at something unusual * building an audience around a very specific skill * and what it means to turn something like this into a career Danila also runs the Ring Jedi Academy, where he teaches this system step-by-step, and performs as part of Neon Circus NYC alongside his wife, a full-on visual performance company with LED acts, aerial work, and immersive event performances. It’s a really interesting one, especially if you’re into skill-based performance, creating something different, or just want to hear how someone’s carved out their own lane. If you enjoy this kind of thing, it really helps if you like, share, or leave a review. It makes a big difference. If you want to keep up with new episodes and videos, the best place is the mailing list: https://www.onlinemagic.co [https://www.onlinemagic.co/]

Eric Mead - Questioning our certainty.

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. Links & Stuff 👉 Check out Conover here: https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic-books/conover/ [https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic-books/conover/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 👉 Join my email list (best way to hear about new podcasts, videos, and everything else first): https://stevefaulkner.com/newsletter [https://stevefaulkner.com/newsletter] 👉 My membership (if you want to go deeper with your magic): https://www.onlinemagic.co [https://www.onlinemagic.co/] 👉 Follow me on Instagram: @stevefaulkner If you enjoyed this episode, it really helps if you like, share, and leave a review. It makes a massive difference and helps more people find the podcast.

From Street Performer to Cirque du Soleil. Captain Frodo on The Art of Showmanship

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. What we talk about • 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 Captain Frodo Website https://www.thewayoftheshowman.com/ [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) My Stuff Join my newsletter https://stevefaulkner.com/newsletter [https://stevefaulkner.com/newsletter] Instagram https://www.onlinemagic.co [https://www.onlinemagic.co/] If you enjoyed this episode Please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing the episode with someone who might enjoy it. It genuinely helps the podcast reach more people.

Aaron Fisher. Magician, Teacher, Lovely Human.

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 [https://conjuror.community] -  a worldwide online club and training network for magicians. Through Conjuror Community and his proprietary system Miracle Man Method (3M) [https://miraclemagictraining.com], he offers structured guidance to help magicians build professional-level card magic and routines.  Click there links above as a thank you to Aaron Follow me on instagram @stevefaulkner @realmagicreview Steve's Online Magic Training https://www.onlinemagic.co

Myq Kaplan. Comedian.

Myq Kaplan is a brilliant, word-play-driven comedian seen on Conan [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=myq+kaplan+conan], The Tonight Show [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=myq+kaplan+tonight+show], and James Corden [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=myq+kaplan+james+corden]. His specials include Small, Dork & Handsome [https://www.amazon.com/Myq-Kaplan-Small-Dork-Handsome/dp/B00KZ9P9LQ] and Live From The Universe [https://myqkaplan.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. He hosts here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0uf9i_z-Aw] All of this can be found at myqkaplan.com [https://myqkaplan.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Follow Steve  Insta: @stevefaulkner Site: https://stevefaulkner.com [https://stevefaulkner.com] Magic Training Site: https://www.onlinemagic.co [https://www.onlinemagic.co]