Ryan's Story
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(or Why I Never Stopped Believing in Magic)
I didn't find magic. Magic found me. It was a packet trick in a friend’s basement. It was the cereal box prize I somehow knew was inside. It was that feeling—when you’re a kid—where anything feels possible and everything feels connected. That feeling never really left. The Magic Thread I’ve been chasing wonder my whole life. It began on the Illinois–Iowa border: summers in water-ski shows, winters in community theater. Somewhere between backstage curtains and boat docks, I picked up a deck of cards—and never put it down. Why Magic? Because the world is harder than it should be. Because people forget what they’re capable of. Because sometimes we just need a reason to look up from our phones and say, “Wait… how did you do that?” Magic doesn’t fix everything. But it reminds us—gently, quietly, playfully—that joy still exists. That connection matters. That we’re not alone. And that maybe, just maybe, anything is possible. Art, Acting & A Sense of Story I studied theater at Millikin University, earned a Master’s in Writing from DePaul, and spent over a decade living in Chicago’s north side—soaking up art, music, film, and everything this city has to offer. I never stopped performing, writing, creating, learning. Magic became my constant companion — a private language I kept returning to. A Career in Communication By day, I work in corporate communications, helping one of the world’s leading law firms tell its internal story. Before that, I spent years in healthcare and retail, working on large-scale internal messaging, executive communications, and global campaigns. What ties it all together? A belief that people don’t just need information — they need connection. They need clarity. They need a little light in the dark. Magic gave me all of that — and now, I try to give it back.. Magic for Grown-Ups (With a Kid’s Heart) I perform regularly at the Chicago Magic Lounge, one of the most respected venues in the world for modern magic. Whether I’m working a private party, a corporate event, or a stage show, my goal is the same: to create moments of shared astonishment. I believe magic can be sophisticated, funny, emotional, and even healing. I don’t do magic at people — I do it with people. That’s what makes it powerful. Why This Page? Because you either scanned a deck of cards or tapped a business card — and that means you’re someone who gets it. You believe in story. In creativity. In maybe… just maybe… the impossible. So if you’re here: Welcome to the Rabbit Hole. If you want to dig deeper, check out the Blog of Mystery, where I share stories, reflections, and the magic in everyday life. |
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