505: Ray Hyman - Skeptical Observer

Nonagenarian Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Oregon, Ray Hyman, is one of the founders (along with James Randi and Martin Gardner) of the skeptical movement. He consulted for Alice Cooper and the federal government during his colorful career. And he still teaches workshops on “character reading” (see: cold reading) to skeptics.

In this workshop from The Amaz!ng Meeting 2012, Ray Hyman instructs participants on how to do "psychic" or character readings. They also perform readings on each other. The goal is not to increase the number of cold readers, but to show how easily a cold reading can convince people they have experienced the supernatural.

This is a TV interview of the truth. Jerry Andrus

In this podcast, Ray talks about meeting Dai Vernon, Dr. Stanley Jaks and Persi Diaconis and his close relationship with Jerry Andrus and James Randi. At one point in his life, James Randi asked Ray to come in to help consult with rock legend, Alice Cooper. He also talks about working with the government to dispel psychic phenomena and the development of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI),

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481: Jessica Jane Peterson - Right Place, Right Time

Jessica Jane Peterson (or “JJ” as I like to call her) is leading a charmed life. The dominoes have been set and are now falling perfectly one after another. That’s not to say that it has all been by design, but rather she has been at the right place at the right time. Of course this wouldn’t work unless she had the abilities to make this happen.

And her short 29 years, she has led a most interesting life having worked as an adolescent in her uncle’s magic show, then later with the circus, then as a “box jumper” to performing on her own in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and aboard cruise ships and magic lounges (like the “Magic Castle” and Nashville’s “House of Cards” among others). She also appeared on the “Penn & Teller Fool Us” television show where she did some fire eating. And this is just the beginning.

This charismatic young magician has the world at her fingertips and success is within her grasp. She is someone to watch. Mark my words. And hear her here on The Magic Word. This was a fun conversation but not the first one recorded in my car!

Watch Jessica Jane Peterson light up the stage with Magic & Fire on Penn & Teller: Fool Us. The full episode is entitled '50/50 Chance" and aired on The CW Network August 3rd 2017 and was filmed at the Penn & Teller Theater in the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

393: Justin Flom - Social Media Sensation

Justin Flom started his career with a seven year stint in Branson, Missouri and losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. But not discouraged, and thanks to the prompting of Shawn Farqhuar to go from large to small (that is, illusions to close-up), Justin posted a video of the "Soldiers Deck of Cards" that went viral (with over 5MM views and counting) and led to his many appearances on "The Ellen Show" and a variety of other chat shows then to his association on "Wizard Wars" to his current work for large corporations.

A Veterans tribute with just a pack of cards and a beautiful ending. This video has over 5MM views!

Magician Justin Flom performed some magic right in front of Ellen and her audience that was unreal! You simply won't believe your eyes.

In this podcast, Justin Flom talks about his early work in Branson, MO; the development of his "Soldiers Deck of Cards"; being "discovered" by the Ellen Show producers; performing on other talk chows; working on Wizard Wars and how he and Rick Lax pitched the show to the TV executives; some great stories about the trials and tribulations behind the scenes of what happened to "Wizard Wars" and other television shows; and, his take and recommendations on how to become a social media superstar that leads to bookings.

We have Brain Scan in stock but it will be months before Mona Lisa will be availalbe again. Please watch our Magic Store for when it becomes available again.