Matt Donnelly on Magic, Fool Us, and Bruce Springsteen’s Politics (Hat Trick)

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