Meet Kevin Spencer

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kevin Spencer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?

When I think about how I developed my empathy, I have to go back to a turning point early in my career. My wife, Cindy, and I were pursuing life as a professional illusion team when everything changed in an instant. The car I was in was hit by a tractor trailer. I woke up in neurological intensive care with a closed brain injury and a lower spinal cord injury.

At the time, there was some uncertainty about what my recovery would look like. I went through extended rehabilitation, working hard to relearn things I had once taken for granted. It wasn’t always easy, but we approached it together, step by step, determined to make progress. Over time, that persistence paid off, and I was fortunate to make a full recovery—an outcome I never take for granted.

What stayed with me wasn’t just the physical challenge. It was what I learned about how people treat you when they see you as “different.” And I see it happen now, almost every day with the individuals with whom I work – the low expectations, the pity, the assumptions about what one can or can’t do. There’s the sting of social isolation, when people don’t quite know how to engage or simply chose not to. My eyes were opened in a way nothing else could have. Living through my own experience gave me a window into what many people with disabilities encounter every day—not temporarily, as I did, but as a constant part of their lives. It shifted my perspective entirely. It made me realize that empathy isn’t just about feeling for someone—it’s about truly seeing them, recognizing their dignity, and understanding both the barriers they face and the strengths they carry.

That experience planted the seeds for the work I do today. It’s why I use these simple magic tricks, something I know a lot about, as both academic and therapeutic techniques. Because magic has a way of leveling the playing field—it sparks wonder, breaks down walls, and allows people to see possibilities instead of limitations. My journey taught me that people are capable of far more than others expect of them, and that given the right tools, encouragement, and a bit of imagination, they can discover strengths they didn’t know they had.

So in a very real sense, the accident that could have ended my career instead reshaped it. It gave me empathy not as an abstract value but as lived experience. And it continues to guide how I connect with others, how I teach, and how I try to bring dignity, hope, and possibility into every space I enter.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am an artist, educator, author, researcher, and the creator of the Magic Therapy® and Hocus Focus™ programs. My career began in the world of theatre and magic, but it was transformed after my own experience with a serious accident. The road to recovery gave me a unique perspective on resilience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. That experience reshaped my life’s work and continues to inspire everything I do.

I focus on working with children and adolescents with autism, developmental and intellectual disabilities, and histories of trauma. As I began bringing the art of magic into this work, I felt called to deepen my knowledge and skills. That led me back to school, where I earned my master’s degree in education and later my doctorate in special education. These experiences allowed me to bring both scholarship and practice together in meaningful ways.

Today, I am recognized internationally for integrating the art of magic into therapeutic, educational, and inclusive practices. Through my research-based programs, I collaborate with therapists, educators, and healthcare providers to use magic tricks as tools for building skills, confidence, and human connection. At heart, I believe magic is more than entertainment—it’s a bridge that connects people, transforms perspectives, and opens the door to possibility.

I’m especially excited about two new chapters in my journey as an author. My first children’s book, The Fantastic Four Magic Club, was recently published by Scholastic. It’s a story close to my heart because only about three percent of children’s books feature a child with a disability, and I believe representation like this can truly shape how young readers see themselves and others. At the same time, my book Teach Like a Magician will be published by Routledge | Taylor & Francis, a leading academic publisher. These two projects—one written for children and the other for educators—reflect the same mission: to spark imagination, encourage inclusion, and transform the way we think about teaching, learning, and human potential.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

When I look back on my journey, I know that my faith has been the foundation. It gave me hope in moments when things felt impossible, and it grounded me in the belief that my life had purpose even through hardship. Faith gives me the courage to keep going, the perspective to see beyond my own struggles, and the reminder that I’m not walking the road alone. It has been the compass that shaped not just what I do, but how I do it.

From there, three qualities stand out as especially impactful: resilience, creativity, and empathy.

Resilience came first, born out of necessity. After my accident, recovery wasn’t optional—it was something I had to work for every single day. That experience taught me persistence, patience, and the ability to keep moving forward even when the path wasn’t clear. For anyone starting out, I’d say: don’t be discouraged by setbacks. They’re part of the process, and each one teaches you something that strengthens your foundation.

Creativity has always been at the heart of my work as both a magician and an educator. But I’ve learned that creativity isn’t just about performance—it’s about problem-solving, adapting, and imagining new possibilities. For those early in their journey, I’d encourage you to practice curiosity. Try new approaches, experiment, and give yourself permission to think differently. That’s where innovation lives.

And finally, empathy. My own lived experience gave me a window into what it feels like to be underestimated or overlooked, and that perspective shaped my work with people with disabilities, students, and colleagues alike. Empathy is built by listening deeply and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. If you want to grow in this area, spend time with people whose experiences are different from your own, and approach them with humility and openness.

Those three—resilience, creativity, and empathy—have guided me through every stage of my journey. And I believe they’re qualities anyone can cultivate, step by step, in their own way.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

As these programs continue to grow and expand, I am always looking for people who are interested in collaborating, conducting research, and exploring the benefits of these techniques in new ways. I also welcome conversations with those who might be interested in working with my organization in the future. Of course, it’s helpful if we share the same values—such as inclusion, creativity, and respect for human dignity—as well as complementary skills and qualities. But more than anything, I am open to connecting with people who are genuinely curious and passionate about this work.

Currently, I am engaged in several international studies investigating how learning and performing magic tricks can improve the social cognition of adolescents on the autism spectrum. I’ve also worked with individuals with a wide range of disabilities and continue to be encouraged by the progress and outcomes I see. Our team has been fortunate to publish numerous studies in peer-reviewed journals across education and healthcare, and I am eager to expand this body of research with colleagues who share a commitment to advancing inclusion and innovation.

So whether you are an educator, therapist, researcher, healthcare provider, or cultural partner, if this mission resonates with you, I would love to connect. The best way to start a conversation is by reaching out through my website or professional networks. Collaboration has always been at the heart of this work, and I believe the more voices and perspectives we bring together, the stronger and more impactful it will be.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photos are courtesy of Geri Kodey, Lisa Navlan, and MA2LA

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