The Yak: "The Spellbinder Mesmerizes Barstool Chicago"

Date: January 23, 2026
Host(s): Big Cat, KBNoSwag, Nick, Rone, Brandon Walker, Lil Sas, Kate, Steven Cheah, and guests
Notable Guest: Walter King Jr. aka "The Spellbinder"

Episode Overview

This episode of The Yak centers around a unique live appearance from magician/illusionist Walter King Jr., "The Spellbinder," whose viral performances have set the internet abuzz. The Yak crew, up to their usual antics, banter about burping, nicknames, sports shenanigans, and viral moments, but the main event is Spellbinder’s in-studio magic show, which awes the Barstool crew with astonishing illusions, rope tricks, levitation, and live doves. The episode blends classic Yak chaos, inside jokes, and genuine amazement during Spellbinder’s performance, followed up by a deep-dive Q&A with the illusionist on his craft and story.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Burping and Other Yak-isms

0:59–2:36

• Return of Nick and KB prompts a discussion about burping and various physical quirks.
• KB claims he physically cannot burp, leading to on-air (unsuccessful) attempts.

"I have this Phoenix that works too." – KB, on his failed carbonation experiences (01:17)

2. Sports Gauntlet & Nickname Nonsense

2:09–7:14

• The crew recaps Mikey Betts missing 15 four-foot basketball shots pregame, sparking a convoluted analogy involving Harriet Tubman and "deceptivism."
• Playful confusion about Tubman’s actual deeds in history and how it relates to hustling opponents.

“Harriet Tubman was like the queen of deceptivism.” – Mikey Betts (05:01)
“If Pat Coogan said, ‘I want to work at Barstool,’ K’s gone. So fucking fast.” – Big Cat (02:18)

• Names like "Donkey Kong," "Rage Bait Danny," and "Dark Mark" are brainstormed.

3. Portraits & Barstool Oddities

12:15–15:07

• Nick is confronted by the existence of a bar portrait using his face Photoshopped onto someone else’s body—a mystery he cannot explain.
• Leads to jokes about starting a trend of putting Yak crew portraits in bars everywhere.

“I have no clue where that is.” – Nick (13:00) “I want that picture at bars across the country.” – KB (14:00)

4. Special Guests & The Gauntlets

Pat Coogan (Indiana Hoosiers Center and National Champion)
17:15–29:14

• Pat discusses winning the national championship, playing with bloody-lipped teammates, and his journey from Notre Dame to Indiana.
• Classic Yak “gauntlet” (sports/trivia challenge) appearance with Pat.

New Hire Liz Attempts the Gauntlet
30:09–35:18

• Introduction of Liz, the new Barstool hire, who is playful, competitive, and instantly at ease on mic.
• She cracks jokes about past contestants and speeds through the physical/trivia gauntlet, joking about beating Liz London.

The Spellbinder Segment

Spellbinder’s Introduction

42:03–45:14

• Walter King Jr., aka "The Spellbinder," opens with a monologue:

“An illusion is something that's happening right before your very eyes that really isn’t happening...But it is, because you’re watching it happen.” – Spellbinder (42:11)

• Explains the difference between magicians and illusionists (“we suck at card tricks”), and delivers a mind-bending “short vs. long” card illusion.

Magic Routine Highlights

46:45–76:47

Spoon and Knife Illusion

46:48–52:32

• Spellbinder enlists crew members to verify solid implements—a spoon and a knife—before creating the illusion of a solid knife passing through a solid spoon.
• Quotes Matrix:

“There is no spoon.” – Spellbinder (51:16)

Rope Trick

53:16–58:34

• Multiple Yak members pull, test, and confirm the ropes as genuine.
• Spellbinder makes three ropes of distinct lengths appear to become equal.

Glass and Water Suspension

62:25–67:22

• Spellbinder balances a full glass of water, mouth down, on a plastic bottle—seemingly impossible.
• Big Cat exclaims:

“That glass was the craziest.” (77:15)

Levitation & Table Illusion

67:45–73:25

• Showstopper: Table appears to levitate and float, covered and then uncovered as the crew scrutinizes every conceivable angle.
• The entire Yak team is audibly blown away:

“I’m spellbound!” – Multiple hosts
“Holy God.” – Big Cat (70:35)

Balloon to Dove Finale

75:03–76:47

• Performs signature dove production—seemingly nothing in the balloon, then doves emerge live.

“Where the f*** did those birds come from?” – Multiple hosts (77:46) “Spellbinder. Incredible.” – Yak crew (77:53)

Spellbinder Q&A

78:20–86:08

• The team interviews Spellbinder about his background, TikTok fame, performing for celebrities, and his history as a dancer and magician.
• Reveals chance encounter with Chance the Rapper; performed for Jennifer Hudson and Gladys Knight (82:15).
• Shares the origin of his stage name:

“It captures and holds one’s attention...the word spellbinder means one who can capture and hold one attention.” – Spellbinder (84:04)

• Discusses working with doves (“they only live to be 12; I used to have up to 12 for Vegas shows.”)
• Comments on performing magic on a boat ("props don’t stay in place, it starts rolling across the stage") and the difficulties involved (83:07).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [42:11] Spellbinder: “An illusion is something that's happening right before your very eyes that really isn’t happening...but it is happening because you’re watching it happen, but it's not really happening.”
• [70:24] Big Cat/Audience: “Oh my God. Spellbinder!”
• [77:15] Big Cat: “Glass was crazy. I like the groovy rope...Incredible.”
• [84:04] Spellbinder: “The word spellbinder means one who can capture and hold one attention.”

Key Timestamps for Spellbinder Performance

• 42:03 – 45:14: Spellbinder’s Illusion Philosophy Intro
• 46:45 – 52:32: Knife-through-Spoon & Matrix “There is no spoon” trick
• 53:16 – 58:34: Rope of Three Trick
• 62:25 – 67:22: Glass-on-bottle suspension
• 67:45 – 73:25: Levitating Table
• 75:03 – 76:47: Dove-from-Balloon finale
• 78:20 – 86:08: Q&A with Spellbinder

Recurring Side Topics & Tone

• The Yak’s signature blend of bro-y inside jokes, sports pettiness, and surreal humor.
• Group amazement and legit childlike wonder during magic; hosts repeatedly exclaim "I'm spellbound."
• Ribbing of absent members (Connor) for underestimating the group’s love for magic.

Notable Quotes

• [51:15] Spellbinder: "Abracadabra...means 'as I speak, I create.'"
• [77:15] Big Cat: "Glass was crazy. I like the groovy rope."
• [85:28] Big Cat: "You did that. Yeah, did that. Damn, that's awesome."

Final Thoughts from the Yak Crew

• “We need more magicians. So many talented people out there don’t have enough shine.” – Big Cat (90:47)
• “He brought theater back. Truly Spellbound us. I was in a flow state.” – Big Cat (91:45)
• "I love magic. Makes me feel guilty for saying 'jick'." – Rone (91:58)

Useful For New Listeners

• This episode, thanks to Spellbinder, is a top-tier example of The Yak letting unscripted, interactive chaos lead to truly memorable radio.
• Spellbinder’s act blends theater, audience interaction, and classic illusions—making this a "must-hear" (or must-watch) for magic fans.

For more:

• Bookings and info: magicofthespellbinder.com
• Spellbinder on IG/TikTok: viral magic clips
• The Yak live weekdays on Barstool Yak YouTube