Finding Magic at 19 and Learning From Slydini

 Rocco was 19 when he first encountered magic. He takes me back to those early days and talks about the people who influenced him, including Tony Slydini. That influence carried into Rocco’s stand-up work as he developed his own approach to performing.

If you’d like to see Rocco in action, Magicana has footage of him performing Miser’s Dream on Spanish television. It’s the classic routine where coins seem to appear out of thin air. As you watch, pay attention to where your eyes go just before each coin appears. A pause or a look can guide your attention even when you’re watching someone’s hands closely. Watch Rocco perform Miser’s Dream.

Michael Jackson, Muhammad Ali, and the Crazy Horse

Rocco shares stories about performing for Michael Jackson and Muhammad Ali. We also talk about his time at the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris and the different kinds of magic he’s performed over the years.

His career has taken him from close-up magic to international stages. In 2006, his act earned an award for originality at the FISM World Championships of Magic in Stockholm. Rocco Silano’s official biography.

The Milk Carton Rocco Patented

If you’ve ever tried to flatten an empty milk carton, you’ll recognize the problem Rocco was working on. His design kept the carton upright while it was in use. Once it was empty, you could open the top all the way and pull a strip near the bottom so the carton could fold flat.

The U.S. issued Rocco Patent No. 4,789,067 in 1988. You can see how the tear strip fits into the carton in the original drawings. Read the patent and see the drawings.

Rocco also talks about his faith in the episode. Join us to hear him tell these stories in his own words. Watch MagicLife Podcast S6E37 with Rocco Silano.

For show information and podcast extras, visit WesIseli.com and our Patreon.

MagicLife Podcast S6E36: Magic Shows, Teaching, and Family Life with Wes & Natalie

 Putting together a weekly podcast means finding guests, coordinating schedules, and making time to record around everything else happening in our lives. And between performances, teaching magic, homeschooling, and family appointments, Natalie and I usually have plenty to catch up on ourselves!

In Wes Iseli’s MagicLife Podcast, Season 6, Episode 36, we sit down for a conversation about the work and family life surrounding our magic business. Recorded in March 2026, this episode includes recent performances, a magic class at Arlington Drafthouse, and updates from home.

The Work Behind Booking Podcast Guests

One subject we discuss is the challenge of booking guests for the podcast.

Listeners hear the finished conversation, while arranging that conversation involves another part of the job: reaching out, finding an opening on the calendar, and coordinating everyone’s availability.

Our own performance schedule adds another calendar to that process. A weekly podcast requires attention alongside the shows we’re booking and performing.

For anyone thinking about starting a podcast, scheduling deserves a place in your plans right alongside microphones and recording equipment. Having ideas for episodes you can record independently also gives you flexibility while arranging interviews.

From Performing a Show to Teaching Magic

We also look back at a successful country club performance and a magic class at Arlington Drafthouse.

Performing and teaching involve different approaches to the same art. During a show, the goal is to create an entertaining experience for the audience. In a class, the job includes breaking something down clearly enough for another person to understand and practice.

I’ve been performing professionally since 1996 and teaching magic since 2003. Both are parts of my career, and they offer different ways to share magic with people.

For someone learning their first tricks, understanding the method is a starting point. A complete performance also needs a clear introduction, understandable instructions, and an ending the audience can follow. Those are useful things to practice along with the handling.

Homeschooling, Nutrition Coaching, and Family Updates

Away from the performances, we discuss the boys’ homeschooling progress and Natalie’s work as a nutrition coach.

Running a family business means our work calendar and home calendar are closely connected. A podcast conversation can move from a recent show to schoolwork because both are part of the same week for us.

This episode also includes a health update. At the time of this March 2026 recording, Natalie was preparing for an MRI to investigate possible bile duct issues. That discussion reflects where things stood for our family then.

These catch-up episodes give us room to share the everyday responsibilities surrounding the performances and interviews.

Watch MagicLife Podcast S6E36

If you’re curious about life as a working magician, teaching magic, or the family behind MagicLife, join Natalie and me for this conversation.

Watch Wes Iseli’s MagicLife Podcast S6E36: Wes & Natalie on YouTube.

You can also explore our Patreon for podcast extras and more behind-the-scenes content.

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S6E35 (Joey Gase)

 NASCAR driver Joey Gase joined us for an in-depth discussion about his racing career, team operations, and personal life. Gase shared his early racing experiences, including winning his first go-kart race at age 8, and detailed his current role as a driver and team owner in the O'Reilly Series. They discussed the technical aspects of NASCAR racing, including tire management, pit crew operations, and the financial challenges of running a racing team. Gase also explained his partnership with Scott, his team's sponsorship with Donate Life, and his family's involvement in racing. The conversation covered Gase's personal life, including his family background, his children's interest in racing, and his experience with a controversial incident where he threw a bumper at another driver's car. The interview concluded with Gase inviting team Iseli to attend a future race in Richmond, where they could experience NASCAR firsthand.

Wesiseli.com Patreon.com/wes_iseli

When Magic Doesn’t Go as Planned: Fail Stories With Wes & Natalie

 When you perform live, things occasionally go wrong. Equipment has problems, unexpected interruptions happen, and a show can take a turn you never saw coming.

In Wes Iseli’s Magiclife Podcast S6E34: “Fail Stories with Wes & Natalie,” Natalie and I share stories about those moments—and what we have learned from working through them together.

Some experiences are easier to laugh about once the show is over!

Watch “Fail Stories with Wes & Natalie” on YouTube.

The Stories Behind the Show

Audiences see the performance, but there is often another story unfolding behind the scenes. Technical difficulties and unexpected incidents can leave you making decisions while everyone is watching.

In this episode, we revisit some of our own experiences performing magic, including the challenges of working at county fairs and resorts. Different venues bring different conditions, and being prepared also means being ready to adapt when your original plan stops working.

You can rehearse your act, check your equipment, and arrive ready to perform. You still need to pay attention to what is happening around you.

Thinking on Your Feet

One of the skills you develop through live entertainment is knowing how to keep moving when something unexpected happens.

Sometimes that means adjusting your presentation. Sometimes it means finding another way forward. And sometimes a little humor helps everyone—including the performer—get through an awkward moment.

Working together gives Natalie and me a shared perspective on those experiences. We can look back at what happened, talk about how we handled it, and recognize what we would do differently next time.

Those conversations are part of improving the show.

Natalie’s Nutrition Business

We also step away from the stage to talk about Natalie’s nutrition business and website, including her work offering nutrition guidance for individuals taking GLP-1 medications.

It is another part of our family’s life that we get to share through the podcast. Alongside the performances and travel, we are building businesses, pursuing goals, and learning as we go.

Visit Natalie’s Nutrition Nation to learn more about her coaching and resources.

Learning From the Moments You Would Rather Forget

A difficult performance can be frustrating, but it can also give you something useful to carry into the next show.

Looking back helps you ask better questions: What could we prepare differently? What did we handle well? What should we change?

That applies beyond magic, too. A setback does not have to end the thing you are working toward. You can learn from it, make an adjustment, and keep going.

This episode gives us a chance to share a few laughs while talking honestly about that side of performing. We love what we do—even when it gives us another fail story to tell.

Watch the episode, then leave a comment: Have you ever had something go wrong during a performance, presentation, or important moment? How did you handle it?

Learn more about our shows at WesIseli.com.

For more magic, behind-the-scenes content, and podcast extras, join us at Patreon.com/wes_iseli.

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S6E34 (Fail Stories with Wes & Natalie)

W

Wes and Natalie shared a variety of personal stories and experiences related to their magic shows, including technical difficulties, unexpected incidents, and humorous anecdotes. They discussed the challenges of performing magic at different venues, such as county fairs and resorts, and highlighted the importance of adaptability and quick thinking. Natalie introduced her new healthcare business and website, offering nutrition guidance for individuals on GLP-1 medications. The episode concluded with a discussion about the importance of perseverance and the value of learning from failures in both magic and personal life.

wesiseli.com

Patreon.com/wes_iseli

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S6E33 (Wes & Natalie)

Wes and Natalie discussed various personal and professional updates, including their family activities, and Natalie's health concerns. They shared details about their children's interests, including Julian's newfound interest in magic and Lana's artistic and acting aspirations. Wes provided updates on his workout routine and shared insights from a recent meeting with Golden Media Syndication about promoting their content across multiple streaming platforms, including Stripes TV & more. wesiseli.com Patreon.com/wes_iseli

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S6E32 (kam knight)

 The podcast episode featured Kam Knight, an international speaker and author, discussing internal resistance and its impact on achieving goals. Knight explained how the brain's wanting mechanism and resistance work independently to create obstacles, even when someone is motivated. He shared techniques for overcoming resistance, including self-talk and mind mapping, and emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing the root causes of resistance. The episode also touched on external resistance, such as fear of success and societal expectations, and how these can manifest in various aspects of life, including career and personal development. Knight offered free resources on his website to help listeners apply his concepts, and he highlighted the potential for his coaching services to help individuals overcome deep-seated blocks.

wesiseli.com Patreon.com/wes_iseli

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S6E31 (Wes & Natalie)

 Wes and Natalie discussed their recent magic illusion show, which was successfully held despite challenging weather conditions. They shared personal anecdotes about their family life, including their children's activities and a humorous incident involving a cat. The conversation also covered Wes's upcoming magic consulting work and a new trick involving Lana's art. They concluded by reflecting on lessons learned from their recent show, emphasizing the importance of selling tickets in advance and offering additional concessions to maximize fundraising efforts.

wesiseli.com Patreon.com/wes_iseli

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S6E30 (Mike Kaminskas)

 Wes, Natalie and Michael discussed various challenges in the magic performance industry, including weather-related cancellations, scheduling conflicts, and the high costs of materials and conventions. Michael shared his personal health journey, including a heart failure diagnosis and ongoing recovery, while also discussing his magic production business and creative process. They explored the artistry of magic performances, the importance of audience connection, and the business aspects of the magic industry, including product development and distribution.

wesiseli.com

patreon.com/wes_iseli

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S6E29 (Peter Sacco)

 In this wide-ranging conversation, criminal psychologist and author Peter Sacco shared his diverse career experiences, including his work in television, music, and writing, as well as his expertise in criminal psychology. Sacco discussed his theories about historical cases like Jack the Ripper and the O.J. Simpson trial, while also exploring the intersection of psychology, magic, and hypnosis. The discussion touched on various topics including the nature of reality, the impact of technology on belief systems, and the complexities of human behavior. Sacco also promoted his books, including works on anger types and serial killers, and shared insights from his research in criminal psychology.

wesiseli.com Patreon.com/wes_iseli

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S6E28 (Natalie's in the ER again)

 Wes and Natalie discussed various scheduling challenges and health issues, including an upcoming show cancellation due to weather and Natalie's ongoing health concerns. Natalie shared her experiences with medical appointments and testing for liver enzyme issues, while also discussing Wes' teaching activities and social media management challenges. The conversation concluded with updates about Wes's involvement with a show choir, his blog and Patreon content.

Wesiseli.com Patreon.com/wes_iseli

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S6E27 (Donna Horn)

 

Donna Horn shared her journey from teaching to becoming a renowned cake decorator and confectionery artist, including her invention of wafer mache and creation of elaborate cakes for high-profile events. She detailed her experiences making custom cakes for the White House, Kennedy Center, and various other prestigious occasions, showcasing her unique blend of magic-themed elements and artistic creativity. Despite facing recent health challenges, Donna remains committed to her craft and discussed plans for future projects, including a magic show at the House of Magic. wesiseli.com Patreon.com/wes_iseli

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S4E6 (Roxy Villone)

 In this episode we talk to Roxy Villone 6 months into her journey of hiking the Appalachian Trail. She talked about fun surprises and not so fun surprises that came up on her trip. She also made lifelong friends and made amazing memories and the adventure isn't over yet...

wesiseli.com Patreon.com/wes_iseli

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S4E5 (Jim Spinnato)

 

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S4E4 (Larry Lipman)

 

Wes Iseli's Magicilife Podcast S4E3 (Wes & Natalie's Penn & Teller show recap)

 

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S4E2 (Steve & Carol "Chezaday")

 

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S4E1 (Wes and Natalie)

 

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S3E52 (Larry Meistrich)

 

Wes Iseli's Magiclife Podcast S3E51 (David Ginn)