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In 1994, as a founding partner of one of the first Internet Service Providers to operate in Atlanta, I was tasked to learn HTML so that I could assist customers who were beginning to discover the need for an online presence.
While doing this, I launched the first incarnation of my magic website which I called the Magic Linking Pages. As the content grew to include daily news updates, links to other magic related sites and coverage of magic events, it evolved into the Linking Page & The Magic Newswire. I began to realize that people were actually paying attention to what I was doing after getting a call from a local magician telling me that the site had been highlighted in the Net Magazine's Top 100 Sites of the Year issue in 1996.
;)
My exploration of podcasting began in much the same way. When I discovered the concept in 2005 through Leo Laporte's TWiT show, and several smaller niche podcasts, I decided to try my hand at a magic podcast which I decided to call "The Spirit of Magic." After only three episodes, I realized that the concept that I had at that time didn't work for me and I set it aside. I spent some time thinking about what I wanted the show to be, studied the tools and techniques that I would need to do it right and in 2008 I decided to try my hand at it again. I still had no idea if anyone would like what I was doing or find it relevant to the art that I've loved since I was a kid playing with my first set of sponge bunnies
Over the last three years, I have watched the audience grow and have been flattered by the support that I have received from all over the world in the form of encouraging emails and donations given to support the show.
Today The Magic Newswire's "Spirit of Magic Podcast" hit a major milestone that proves to me that I'm doing something right and I can't thank you all enough for validating the time and energy that I have invested in this project.
What is that milestone? Well, as you will see from the graphic here, we have just exceeded ONE MILLION DOWNLOADS of the 298 episodes that I have produced to date. I know that there are shows covering more mainstream topics which have reached and surpassed this goal in a much shorter period of time, but given the very narrow focus of my podcast, I find this statistic to be simply amazing!
I will continue to do my best to deliver interviews and content that will keep you coming back. All I ask from you is that you keep listening and that you continue to send me your thoughts and feedback
I would also like to thank those that have contributed to the show by reporting from conventions or co-hosting the newer This Week in Magic roundtable discussion including Scott Wells, Chase Goforth, Cameron Ramsay, David Kaye, Rudy Coby and Dan Sperry. You have all brought somthing new and unique to the show and I cannot thank you enough!
Feel free to email me using the links above or through a direct email to MagicNewswire@gmail.com. You can also call the Magic Newswire Hotline and leave me a message at 702-714-0372.
Thanks so very much! Until next time, I'll see you online!
Dodd Vickers
Editor and Producer
MagicNewswire.com