Jesse Jackson welcomes Matt Donnelly for his third appearance on a B-side “Set Listing Bruce” episode that detours from Springsteen into Matt’s life in comedy and magic. Matt recounts how a dare from Penn Jillette led him to learn magic with mentor Johnny Thompson, tour with Piff the Magic Dragon, and build routines through problem-solving, tension, and performance. He discusses nerves onstage, the work of writing and “mascot” duties on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and shares the story of Moxie Jillette being motivated to fool Penn & Teller. They talk about luck and risk in show business, Springsteen’s long-standing political outspokenness, and criticism of the film Deliver Me From Nowhere. Matt plugs upcoming touring plans, Jokers of Magic, Virgin Voyages work, and his podcasts and Patreon.
https://mattdonnellymagic.com/
00:37 Matt Returns
01:25 Vegas Life Update
02:30 Magic Origin Story
03:54 Why Magic Clicked
06:47 Building A Killer Routine
10:35 Performance And Audience Trust
14:12 Nerves And High Stakes
16:46 Fool Us Behind The Scenes
19:41 Mascot Writer Role
21:13 Moxie Pep Talk Twist
24:18 Protecting Moxie’s Well being
24:53 Dream Job Reality Check
27:16 Luck Risks and Connections
29:42 Springsteen Breakthrough Myth
31:53 Bruce Gets Political Again
34:40 Nebraska Biopic Misfire
38:45 What’s Next for Matt
40:13 Cruise Ship Pros and Cons
41:29 Podcasts and Communities
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