Sturk makes the rounds

My new side gig working on The Newest TOPS seems to have generated some interest out in the magic blogosophere. I just completed interviews with both iTricks.com and The Magic Newswire. Take a listen if you want to hear me pontificating on modern conjuring!

Podcasting Delayed

Sorry to all the FUNcast loyals, but our podcast recording session has been delayed...again. We'll be recording Thursday night. I swear.

New podcast is up!

We recorded the podcast after work, but I really burned the midnight oil getting it ready.

Episode 2 of FUNcast is now up. Those of you who have subscribed via iTunes probably already have had the new episode downloaded for you automatically.

If now, you can click here to subscribe via YFM. That's magic shorthand for "your favorite method." If you read a magic magazine you probably recognized that acronym.

A fun Australian magic vodcast

Here's something I ran across not too long ago. In my aimless web wanderings, I found this video podcast put together by two Australian magicians. Dean and Kamal work (and possibly own) The Magic Store in Melbourne. I enjoy their banter - I wish Tomas and I could banter this well on our podcast.

Visit www.magicmornings.com.au to view their current episode and their archives. Keep up the great work, fellas!

Next podcast coming Monday!

FUNcast is recording tomorrow night. Tomas and I will discuss a few of the newest products, and I'll get a chance to share some of my experiences as a part-time pro.

But we're also open to suggestions! If you have something you like to ask or something you'd like us to talk about, drop us a line at john@funinc.com or leave a comment here in the blog.

FUNcast now on iTunes!

I was just double-checking to see if we made it on iTunes yet, and lo and behold!

FUNcast #1 is up!

Well, we finally did it. We were supposed to go last week when both Tomas and I came down with a severe case of apathy due to the sub-zero temperatures in Chicago (I believe the operative phrase was, "It's too cold, let's do it later.")

I've submitted the podcast to iTunes, but who knows how long it'll take for them to get around to posting it up. In the meantime, please use Podcast Alley to download our first episode.

If you like it, let us know, and we might actually consider doing more of them.

Enjoy!

Click here to download.

Coming Soon: Podcasting from FUN!

After our last taping of Magic Week in Review for iTricks.com, Justin Robert Young made an off-hand remark that stuck with me. "You know, you guys should consider doing your own podcast." Ever since then I've been toying with the idea, and now I'm pleased to say that we're finally going to do it!

"But who would listen?" I hear them saying. "No one reads the blog; what makes you think they'll listen to a podcast?" I tend to ignore these voices of negativism when I don't have an answer. Mainly, I think it'll be fun.

I don't have too rigorous a schedule planned - I was thinking maybe once a month - but, we'll wait and see how the response goes. Tomas and I will be sharing hosting duties. He and I riff off each other all day during work, and a fraction of it is pretty funny. I figured it would only be a matter of time before we started to record it.

Anyway, we're planning on recording this week, and, providing I can figure out how to make an RSS feed for it, it'll be up by next week!

Support your local magic shop

Tomas and I traversed the Great White North (also known as western Michigan) to visit Grand Rapids IBM Ring 211 for Tomas' lecture. I tagged along, being from Michigan, and had several friends at the Ring with whom I could hobnob and chat with about my move to Chicago.

I learned that one of western Michigan's few magic shops was closing down. With the recent economic "downturn" combined with the surge of Internet magic shops, the ol' fashioned brick-and-mortar shops seem to be going the way of the dodo.

Don't get me wrong, Internet shops are good for finding great bargains, especially when you don't live anywhere near a real shop. But the brick-and-mortars offer many things you can't get through the Internet, like personalized instruction and feedback from experts. No matter how you slice it, Internet forums just can't beat in-person instruction from a real professional.

Plus, the local shop is in tune with any magic clubs that might be in the area, as well as any public performances that might be happening. Often you can find other magic professionals hanging around, ready and willing to share opinions and advice.

So remember, even though prices might be a little higher at a real shop (they do need to pay for rent, utilities, and many other things), the benefits from a real shop are worth it.

FUN Inc. Blog Team on iTricks
Yes, the podcast featuring Gabe, Tomas, and I went up this morning, and if I do say so myself, we rocked. Check us out chatting with Justin Robert Young at iTricks.com, or download the podcast directly.

FUN Inc and iTricks.com

For those of you who are addicted to the online magic community (the blogs, the forums) you probably are already a regular reader/listener to iTricks.com and their bevy of podcasts.

I'm excited to say that Tomas, Gabe, and I will be guests on next week's episode of Magic Week in Review for iTricks.com. As a longtime listener, first-time guest, I'm looking forward to it. We'll have a link to the podcast once the show is up.

So, visit iTricks.com, subscribe to their feeds and listen to their podcasts.

Keep up the great work, guys!