Stranded with a Stranger: Kevin Haggard

This engaging episode of "Stranded with a Stranger" features Kevin Haggard, a retired finance professional and passionate magician, sharing his curated list of "desert island" magic tricks, a book, and a non-magic item. The discussion centers around selecting essential magical tools for a hypothetical isolated scenario, highlighting Kevin's personal preferences and influences. Kevin emphasizes the importance of selecting effects that inspire awe and wonder and can be performed repeatedly. His journey back into magic has been shaped by the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians, and he expresses deep admiration for Asi Wind, mentioning his excitement about attending Wind's upcoming London show. Kevin's selections reveal a preference for versatile effects and techniques, including the 'Iron Man Deck' (a marked and stacked deck), 'Abakan' by Asi Wind, 'Venom Cube' by Henry Harrius, 'C3' by Arpo Wilson, 'Crazy Town' by David Regal, 'Envelope Opener' by Blake Voits, 'Inject 2' by Greg Rostami, and 'Tornado' by Justin Flom and Rick Lax. His chosen book is 'Pneum Monica' by Danaan Tamarez, reflecting his appreciation for numerical magic, and his non-magic item is a sports coat with sleeves and pockets for a professional appearance and trick storage. Ultimately, Kevin's list demonstrates a thoughtful approach to magic, prioritizing versatility, skill development, and audience engagement.