Rephonic
Artwork for Desert Island Tricks

Desert Island Tricks

Alakazam Magic
Magic
Mentalism
Magic Tricks
Alakazam Unlimited
Card Magic
Derren Brown
Magic Circle
Alakazam Magic
Performance Art
Magic Community
Comedy
Bizarre Magic
Hypnosis
Alakazam
Children's Entertainment
Bill Abbott
Blackpool Magic Convention
Illusions
Social Media
Close-Up Magic

Each week we invite one of the biggest guests in the world of magic to maroon themselves on a desert island. They are allowed to take with them 8 tricks, 1 book, 1 banishment and 1 non magic item that they use for magic! We discuss their 'can't live without' lists and why those items were chosen. Episodes are uploaded every Friday and are available via all Podcast service providers! To find out mo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes147Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsPerforming ArtsLeisureHobbies

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Desert Island Tricks

Latest Episodes

A lot of magic advice lives in theory. David Rhodes brings something better: a working performer’s list of eight routines he’d keep if everything else disappeared, plus one book, one non-magic utility item, and one thing he’d banish from the art. Dav... more

YouTube

The magic that stays with you isn’t always the trick you can describe, it’s the feeling you can’t shake. That’s where our conversation with French magician, creator, hypnotist and theatre performer Jean-Luc Bertrand begins: the rare moments that make... more

We’re drawing a line in the sand: self-working tricks are not a guilty pleasure. If the audience can’t backtrack the method and the moment feels impossible, it’s real magic where it counts.

We bring Harry Nardi back after the Alakazam convention to ... more

A great magic set isn’t the one with the fanciest props. It’s the one you can do when the pockets are empty, the room is loud and someone says, “Go on then, show us something” with zero warning. That’s why Marc Lavelle’s return hits so hard: after st... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Jean-Luc Bertrand
Magician with a long career, known for production work and a forthcoming JLB Coin project
Independent magician / JLB Coin
Episode: Jean Luc Bertrand
Chris Harding
Close-up Magician of the Year
Magic industry (described by host)
Episode: SOS: Harry Nardi
Tom Wright
Magician known for showmanship and timing
Alakazam Convention
Episode: SOS: Harry Nardi
Marc Lavelle
Magician and cosplayer who performs themed events and TV consultancy
Independent magician, previously with Murphy's, TV consultancy
Episode: Marc Lavelle
Damien O'Brien
Magician featured on multiple TV shows and live performances; host of the episode's desert island scenario
Self-identified magician, active performer
Episode: Damien O'Brien
John France
Guest from Glasgow sharing his Desert Island Tricks list
Episode: Stranded with a Stranger: John France
Dean Leavy
Incredibly busy working magician in the UK
UK Magic Scene
Episode: SOS: Dean Leavy
Harry Merlin Piper
Young magician featured on Netflix Star Search, guest on the show
House of Illusion, Spain (via family/agency)
Episode: Harry Merlin Piper
Rodney James Piper
Magician and owner of House of Illusion
House of Illusion; RGP Group
Episode: Rodney James Piper

Hosts

Jamie Dawes
Host of Desert Island Tricks; long-running presenter known for guiding conversations and extracting insights from guests.
Emilio
Co-host and frequent collaborator on show, contributing to interview flow and thematic framing.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 57 ratings
  • Fascinating Insight

    This is one of my favourite magic podcasts.

    It's a fascinating insight to how each performer thinks about their set and what inspires them.

    Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TigerTimmy
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Always inspiring, inclusive and unpretentious

    The one magic podcast I never fail to miss these days as it’s always got a friendly tone, never excludes any type of magic or magical viewpoints and it’s always there without fail every week.

    There are some amazing well known magician guests on here and the shows are superb but I also equally and maybe even more love the ones where I don’t know the guest as well, or at all, or it’s the stranded with a stranger. Because there is nothing better than the excitement of hearing from someone new and... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cmjharding
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Seriously, how good is this!

    Brilliant concept for a magic podcast! Jamie does an amazing job at bringing these conversations to life. It’s an amazing format that opens your eyes to how vast and varied our community is. I’ve taken something from every episode, whether it’s an effect I hadn’t given thought to before, or a tid bit of performance advice. Keep them coming!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chardini
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • What a learning experience!

    I am enjoying this podcast so much. I am just a hobbyist and am learning so much about effects and how to routine them. I have added several to my wishlist and a couple of good books, too. Keep it coming! Thanks, Jamie and Alakazam.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TNCerny42
    United States2 years ago
  • Great Magic Podcast!

    This is a really fantastic magic /mentalism podcast. The premise is fun and each guest brings a different perspective and vibe to the questions and format. I am really enjoying hearing about all the guests’ Desert Island Tricks. Their book selections are great, too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John Moran
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Gives a clear sense of community and craft beyond flashy tricks.
Consistently friendly, inclusive, and enriching; showcases a wide range of magic styles.
A thoughtful, well-produced magic podcast with insightful interviews and practical tips.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

SOS: Harry Nardi
Q: Why do you think self-working tricks are unfairly looked down upon, and how do you balance them with presentation?
Self-working tricks are tools like any other in magic, and presentation elevates them; the audience isn't seeing the method, they're seeing the effect, so performance and showmanship are what make the trick powerful.
SOS: Harry Nardi
Q: What do you want to banish?
I would like to banish egos and the idea that self-working tricks aren't valid in the industry; I believe self-working tricks are legitimate tools and should be celebrated for their entertainment value when presented well.
Marc Lavelle
Q: Why did you choose Ring on String as your second item?
It's a revival of a favorite routine that engages spectators, offers multiple moves, and adapts well to the island scenario with room for personal tweaks.
Marc Lavelle
Q: What is in your first position on the Desert Island list?
A one-coin routine paired with a quick coin vanish and follow-up productions that demonstrate a toolbox approach, emphasizing quick, impactful magic with minimal gear.
Damien O'Brien
Q: What's the final spot in Damien's eight, and why was it chosen?
PK Touches, chosen for its emphasis on human connection and its strong, memorable impact when performed with minimal props.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Desert Island Tricks

What is Desert Island Tricks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Australian-based magic podcast features top professional magicians sharing their Desert Island Tricks lists, exploring why each selection was chosen and how it fits their performance style. Episodes center on practical tips, storytelling, and the psychology of audience engagement, with guests ranging from TV performers to venue-based magicians. A standout aspect is the mix of well-known names and rising talents, plus behind-the-scenes anecdotes about touring, show design, and collaboration. The format emphasizes portability and showmanship, often tying in book recommendations, banishments, and non-magic items that inform creative process. Listeners benefit from actionable performance ideas, industry insights, and a window into how elite mag... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Desert Island Tricks?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Desert Island Tricks. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Desert Island Tricks and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Desert Island Tricks get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Desert Island Tricks, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Desert Island Tricks?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Desert Island Tricks, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Desert Island Tricks have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Desert Island Tricks has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Desert Island Tricks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Desert Island Tricks:

1. The Steve Faulkner Podcast
2. The Magic Podcast
3. Penguin Magic Podcast
4. Podcast At The Card Table
5. The Magic Guys

How many episodes of Desert Island Tricks are there?

Desert Island Tricks launched 2 years ago and published 147 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Desert Island Tricks?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Desert Island Tricks?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Desert Island Tricks from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Desert Island Tricks?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Desert Island Tricks. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Desert Island Tricks?

Recent guests on Desert Island Tricks include:

1. Jean-Luc Bertrand
2. Chris Harding
3. Tom Wright
4. Marc Lavelle
5. Damien O'Brien
6. John France
7. Dean Leavy
8. Harry Merlin Piper

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days