In this episode of the Slightly Twisted Podcast, Allan from The Sleight Co and Luke from Twisted Minds Magic sit down with Austin Murphy, CEO of Murphy’s Magic, for a proper behind-the-scenes conversation about one of the most influential companies in the magic industry.
And we pretty much ask him everything.
Austin tells us how Murphy’s Magic started, how his father went from knowing virtually nothing about magic to building the company into the world’s largest magic wholesaler, and what it’s like for Austin to now be running the business.
We get into how Murphy’s decides which tricks to back, why the magic market has become increasingly saturated, how they decide whether to manufacture a few thousand or 10,000+ units of a product, and what happens when a release doesn’t sell.
Austin also explains the thinking behind Murphy’s premium packaging, the difference between Murphy’s Magic, Murphy’s Studio and Murphy’s Legacy, and why those brands are beginning to change. Edit-02---Luke-Austin-Allan.txt
We also talk about the unusual relationship between Murphy’s and some of the biggest retailers in magic, what the future could hold for the company, and whether Murphy’s would ever consider selling directly to magicians. Austin reveals that retail is something they’ve considered — although doing so would fundamentally change their position within the industry.
PLUS… 👀
Austin gives us an unexpected early look at the unreleased Evolution Wallet from Javier Fuenmayor and Murphy’s Magic — before it had even launched.
If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of the company supplying magic shops around the world, this is a fascinating look at the business behind the magic.
Featuring: Austin Murphy — CEO, Murphy’s Magic
🎩 Magic products, creators, retail, wholesaling, new releases, the future of the industry… nothing was really off limits.
Subscribe for more episodes of the Slightly Twisted Podcast and more conversations from inside the magic industry.
We Asked the CEO of Murphy’s Magic EVERYTHING! - Episode: 011TheSleightlyTwistedPodcast2026-08-30 | What’s it actually like running the biggest magic wholesaler in the world?
In this episode of the Slightly Twisted Podcast, Allan from The Sleight Co and Luke from Twisted Minds Magic sit down with Austin Murphy, CEO of Murphy’s Magic, for a proper behind-the-scenes conversation about one of the most influential companies in the magic industry.
And we pretty much ask him everything.
Austin tells us how Murphy’s Magic started, how his father went from knowing virtually nothing about magic to building the company into the world’s largest magic wholesaler, and what it’s like for Austin to now be running the business.
We get into how Murphy’s decides which tricks to back, why the magic market has become increasingly saturated, how they decide whether to manufacture a few thousand or 10,000+ units of a product, and what happens when a release doesn’t sell.
Austin also explains the thinking behind Murphy’s premium packaging, the difference between Murphy’s Magic, Murphy’s Studio and Murphy’s Legacy, and why those brands are beginning to change. Edit-02---Luke-Austin-Allan.txt
We also talk about the unusual relationship between Murphy’s and some of the biggest retailers in magic, what the future could hold for the company, and whether Murphy’s would ever consider selling directly to magicians. Austin reveals that retail is something they’ve considered — although doing so would fundamentally change their position within the industry.
PLUS… 👀
Austin gives us an unexpected early look at the unreleased Evolution Wallet from Javier Fuenmayor and Murphy’s Magic — before it had even launched.
If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of the company supplying magic shops around the world, this is a fascinating look at the business behind the magic.
Featuring: Austin Murphy — CEO, Murphy’s Magic
🎩 Magic products, creators, retail, wholesaling, new releases, the future of the industry… nothing was really off limits.
Subscribe for more episodes of the Slightly Twisted Podcast and more conversations from inside the magic industry.
Episode 10 is here, and this time we’re joined by a very special guest — Alex Kirk from Monster Magic!
We sit down with Alex for a proper, no-holds-barred chat about Monster Magic, the magic industry, running a magic shop and what really goes on behind the scenes.
Alex gives us a fascinating insight into how Monster Magic operates as essentially a one-man business, why keeping products physically in stock matters to him, the realities of margins, postage, stock and customer service, and why he sees the business as “person to person” rather than simply business to customer.
We also get into:
🪄 The realities of running an independent magic shop 📦 Why Monster Magic actually holds its stock 💰 The truth about margins and making money selling magic ⭐ Bad products, honest reviews and knowing when to stop selling something 📺 How the Monster Magic Review Show came about 📰 The story behind Barry and Monster’s very different approach to email marketing 🎩 Alex’s own love of creating weird and wonderful magic 🏪 Whether we could ever see a physical Monster Magic shop 🎪 Why Alex stepped away from Blackpool and the challenges of running the business completely solo 🌍 The future of Monster Magic and international customers 🤝 Competition, community and why Alex is so willing to help other independent magic dealers 🧠 Why actually performing magic and developing people skills can teach you more than simply reading another book or taking another course
And, of course, it wouldn’t be Slightly Twisted without plenty of completely random tangents, questionable opinions and conversations we probably weren’t expecting to have. 😂
Alex was incredibly open about the realities of Monster Magic, including the workload behind its success — at one point revealing that he hasn’t had a day off from Monster in six years!
Whether you’re a magician, magic creator, dealer, or you’ve simply wondered what really goes on behind the curtain of one of the UK’s best-known magic shops, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
👀 The secrets of Monster Magic are officially revealed!
👍 Like the video 💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Slightly Twisted
Follow us for updates, releases, and behind-the-scenes content: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thesleightco 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/twistedmindsmagicshopWhy good magic doesnt need to fool magicians? - Episode: 009TheSleightlyTwistedPodcast2026-06-26 | We chat about why entertainment should always come first, our favourite new magic releases, the rise of independent creators, and what makes a product stand out in today’s magic industry.
In this episode we also discuss: 🪄 Why “worker” tricks often beat foolers 📦 The importance of packaging and presentation 🎭 Independent creators vs the big magic companies 🛍️ Running a modern magic shop ✨ New releases including Bankable, Credit Crunch, Air Vanish, Two Face, Mosaic, Silk to Egg and more 🎙️ The future of magic retail and where the industry is heading
Whether you’re a professional performer, hobbyist, collector or just love talking magic, we hope you enjoy the conversation.
💬 Let us know in the comments: Does great magic actually need to fool magicians?
👍 If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to Like, Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss a new podcast.
After a busy few weeks away, we’re finally back behind the microphones to catch up on everything happening in the world of magic. This episode is a relaxed live chat covering new releases, running a magic shop, product ideas, branding, creating magic, and some of the biggest talking points in the industry right now.
In this episode we discuss:
🎩 Lloyd Barnes’ Fourth Floor launch and Six Pro 🧦 The Sleight Co’s new magic socks 🛒 The realities of running independent magic retailers 📦 New products we’ve brought into stock recently 🎭 Creating original magic and bringing products to market 🃏 Favourite tricks, utility items, and underrated effects 🎥 Magic creators, reviewers, and the future of the industry 💡 Back catalogues we’d love to own if money was no object!
We also chat about Murphy’s Magic, Illusionist, Theory11, Vanishing Inc, Jay Sankey, Tobias Dostal, Craig Petty, Ian Bailey, Peter Turner, and plenty more.
As always, these are just our personal thoughts and experiences as magicians and magic retailers.
If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed and whether you’d like to see more live episodes in the future.
Follow us for updates, releases, and behind-the-scenes content: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thesleightco 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/twistedmindsmagicshopWhos Back Catalog would we buy? - Episode: 008TheSleightlyTwistedPodcast2026-06-03 | This is a very last-minute live stream and, if we’re honest, a bit of a test to see how everything works behind the scenes. That said, we’d love for you to join in, ask questions, share your thoughts, and chat with fellow magicians and magic enthusiasts throughout the broadcast.
Follow us for updates, releases, and behind-the-scenes content: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thesleightco 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/twistedmindsmagicshopAre Our Magic Shops Actually Making Any Money? - Episode: 007TheSleightlyTwistedPodcast2026-05-08 | From late night Murphy’s orders and stock stress, to impulse trick purchases, packaging debates, shipping headaches, and trying to figure out what magicians actually want… we get brutally honest about what it’s really like running an independent magic shop in 2026.
We also chat about: • Seeing live magic shows and why they still hit harder than social media • Ben Hart, Laura London, Faye Presto and the power of theatre magic • The latest magic releases and what we’ve actually been buying • Max Maven re releases and modern packaging • Why pamphlets and printed instructions might need a comeback • AI shopping, YouTube tutorials, and where magic is heading next • Sponge balls. Again. Somehow.
Whether you run a shop, perform professionally, or just love magic, this one’s a proper behind the scenes chat between two people living it every day.
If you enjoy the episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. We genuinely read them all.
Follow us for updates, releases, and behind-the-scenes content: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thesleightco 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/twistedmindsmagicshopWhat Do Real Pros Actually Carry? - Episode: 006TheSleightlyTwistedPodcast2026-04-18 | In this episode of The Sleightly Twisted Podcast, Allan and Luke dive into what working magicians really carry when heading out to gigs.
Is it just a deck of cards and a Sharpie… or should a real pro be carrying a full arsenal of props?
We chat about: ✨ everyday carry for magicians 🎩 the difference between social media magic and real-world performance 🃏 the tricks that actually hit hard with real people 🎥 TV rights, deluxe versions, and review copies 📱 how magic has changed in the social media era 🔥 plus some brilliant chat on new releases, old-school classics, and the return of street-style magic
Whether you’re a hobbyist, creator, or working pro, this one’s packed with opinions, ideas, and a few laughs along the way.
Drop us a comment below 👇 What do YOU think real pros actually carry?
Quick heads-up before you dive in, apologies for My camera quality at the start of this episode. We switched to new recording software and, in classic fashion, there may have been a few too many buttons clicked 😅
The good news? The quality kicks in properly around the 20-minute mark. We didn’t want to scrap the episode because there was too much good chat in this one.
This episode turned into one of our favourites.
We chat about: • the latest Easter magic releases • tricks worth keeping vs selling on • fooling magicians vs fooling real audiences • running a magic shop behind the scenes • discontinued tricks we’d love to see return • and one of the best conversations of the episode… which magician we’d choose for our wedding or dream event
From Derren Brown, David Blaine, Mack King, Andy Nyman, and more — we pick our dream performers and chat about what makes a magician unforgettable.
As always, it’s a mix of magic chat, shop talk, stories, and a few accidental business ideas along the way 👀
Let us know in the comments:
Who would YOU book as your dream magician?
👇 Watch, comment, and subscribe for more magic chat.
In this episode of the Sleightly Twisted Podcast, Allan (The Sleight Co.) and Luke (Twisted Minds Magic) dive into one of the biggest questions in modern magic…
🧠 What We Talk About 🎥 Magicians filming at paid gigs – is it ethical? 👓 Meta / smart glasses – harmless tool or crossing the line? 💰 Turning client performances into personal content 🤔 How filming affects audience experience & reactions 📱 The pressure to constantly create content as a magician 🪄 Are magicians performing for people… or for the algorithm?
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🔥 Also in this episode: - New magic releases & what’s actually worth it - Independent creators vs big magic companies - The truth about YouTube exposure in magic - Mentorship in magic – is it dying out? - The reality of working in magic (including burnout & anxiety) - Why magic can be a lonely industry - DIY tricks, product quality & behind-the-scenes business talk
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💬 Join the Conversation
What do YOU think?
👉 Is it okay to film at paid gigs? 👉 Would you be comfortable being recorded as a spectator? 👉 Where’s the line between performing and content farming?
Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇
If you enjoyed the episode: Like 👍 Subscribe 🔔 Share with another magician
This week we talk all things Blackpool… despite not actually being there. From the FOMO and sales dips to the dealer stands that genuinely impressed us, we break down what stood out from the convention and which releases caught our eye.
We also dive into unexpected bestsellers in the shop, hidden gems that deserve more attention, and whether magic reviewers are actually helping or just being too soft. There’s a proper rant about what “commercial” really means in magic, plus a discussion about overhyped products and how to decide what’s actually worth your money.
We answer your listener questions too, including our “Mount Rushmore” of impromptu magic and the playing cards we actually use in the real world. And we get into something every creator deals with at some point , working on an idea… only to see something very similar hit the market before you.
If you’re into magic, the business side of magic, creating your own effects, or just honest conversation about what’s really going on behind the scenes, this episode’s for you.
In this episode, we talk all about the biggest event in the magic calendar, the hype, the releases, the creators, and yes… the serious FOMO that comes with missing it.
We also dive into: - Why classic magic effects still hit harder than the newest releases - The reality of running independent magic shops - New tricks, underrated gems, and what’s actually worth carrying - Social media’s impact on magic sales - Funny (and slightly painful) real-life magic stories - What we would be buying if we were at Blackpool - Creator culture, product trailers, and industry trends
Plus plenty of honest chat, opinions, and behind-the-scenes talk from two magic shop owners just trying to keep up with the madness of modern magic.
If you love magic, collecting, performing, or just chatting nonsense about tricks and the industry you’re in the right place.
👍 Like the video if you enjoyed it 💬 Drop your questions or topics for the next episode in the comments 🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one
Who else is feeling the Blackpool FOMO this year? 😅
Follow us for updates, releases, and behind-the-scenes content: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thesleightco 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/twistedmindsmagicshopWhat It’s Really Like to Run a Magic Shop? - Episode: 001TheSleightlyTwistedPodcast2026-02-07 | Welcome to The Sleightly Twisted Podcast , where two independent magic shop owners talk openly about the art, business, and culture of magic.
From behind-the-counter stories and industry debates to candid takes on social media, brick-and-mortar retail, and the future of magic, we pull back the curtain on what it really means to run a magic shop today.
Expect honest conversations, playful banter, and insights you won’t hear anywhere else — whether you’re a working magician, a collector, a hobbyist, or just curious about how the magic world really works.
We’re building a community around cards, tricks, creativity, and the shared love of the impossible. Pull up a chair… the shop is open.