Erudite Magic

06/10/2026

🌊 What happens when you drop a GoPro 25 feet into the Mediterranean Sea without a wrist strap? A literal magic circle miracle.

I’m back from the Greek Isles with a fresh perspective on marked decks (thanks to Ondřej Pšenička), psychology insights from Dr. Richard Wiseman, and a quick review of Raj Madhok’s latest impromptu mentalism book, Aftermath.

Dive into the full recap, book reviews, and a special 100th-anniversary pre-order alert! 👇

Rethinking marked decks in Greece, reviewing Aftermath, and a special 100th anniversary pre-order.

05/13/2026

I've really been enjoying having an outlet to share poignant thoughts about magic, so without any further ado, here's my latest issue of The Erudite Magic Digest:

Why I gave up the Cube, how I embrace my personality, & ESP secrets unlocked

05/10/2026

Happy birthday, Erudite Magic! 🥳🧁 6 years of magic book discussions!! 🎉

Here are some pivotal moments for your amusement...

05/06/2026

If you aren’t willing to be bad at magic, you’ll never be great at it. In today's issue of The Erudite Magic Digest, we’re diving into the psychology of the beginner, why I left a massive 850-page book off my 'Top 5' list, and why simplicity is often the ultimate deception.

Embracing the "suck," a $150 mistake, and Ed Marlo’s "moronically simple" miracles.

04/23/2026

Are your magic resources turning into a "binary landfill?" 🗑️

We’ve all been there: buying the latest download, skimming it once, and letting it sit in a digital folder forever. 💾 In this week’s Digest, I’m talking about why "the hard way" (ink, paper, and focused study) is actually the shortcut to mastery.

In this issue:

💠Why physical notebooks beat digital search functions for long-term retention.

💠Finding the balance between modern tech and old-school study.

💠A look at the new releases from 3 Monkeys Publishing.

Exploring specific trick recommendations, the power of the printed word, and the search for the holy grail.

04/08/2026

Going deeper on Sunday's episode, insights from a more experienced friend, and a back-door invite to a secret meetup. Enjoy the new issue of The Erudite Magic Digest!

Lessons from Mr. Anderson, secret Marlo meetings, & my journaling system

03/11/2026

A newsletter drop: sharing my experience from the Magic Castle, updates on my performance goals for 2026, and some of my favorite tricks from John G's new book, Final Degree. Enjoy!

How a trip to the eye doctor and a week in Hollywood proved that magic is more than just a fleeting moment

02/21/2026

If you've never seen me perform, but have wanted to, here's your chance! I was recently a guest on John Kippen's "Inside the Magician's Studio," and he has now published the replay of that. I perform a couple of modest miracles, then we talk about how I got started in magic, some of my background in magic, how I define it, and more. Enjoy, and thanks for watching!

This is "Jeff Kowalk" by john kippen on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

02/18/2026

New blog post out with a challenge I'm currently undertaking, word of a new book, a podcast appearance, and even some recommended tricks from Sunday's review...

Why I'm performing for random people (and why you should too)

02/15/2026

Today on Erudite Magic I'm reviewing 's "Mr. Fingers: The Magic of Irv Weiner." This is a beautiful book filled with both great magic and information about Irv's life and legacy. This is how every magic book should be, IMO: presenting a lifetime of magic from a true master of the craft. I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet or see Irv, but this is the next best thing - by the end, you'll feel like you know him. 💙