Ben Seidman - Pickpocketing, Storytelling & Comedy

In this episode, we go beyond the magic with Ben Seidman — award-winning performer, creator of Permanent Record and The Oracle System, consultant on Now You See Me 3, and co-author of the new book Principles of Destruction.

A three-time Vanity Fair guest and two-time Penn & Teller: Fool Us performer, Ben shares his journey into professional magic, his creative process, what makes a routine feel "finished," and how he developed signature effects that have become worldwide favourites.

He breaks down the balance between comedy, magic, and storytelling, revealing how to make an audience laugh and gasp within the same routine — and why that emotional variety matters.

We also talk about pickpocketing ("the most invasive form of magic"), teaching at Blackpool, th ...