Connecting with the Mentalism Community

Over the past two years, my journey in sharing my work with the Mentalism community has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the privilege of connecting with talented mentalists from around the globe, forming friendships with both fans and skeptics alike. In 2024, I was honored to be approached by many mentalists seeking my expertise as a consultant for their close-up and stage performances. This includes designing book covers, providing insights on their methods, and crafting engaging presentations that are both visually appealing and deceptive.

Engaging with a diverse range of mentalists has profoundly influenced my approach to performance. Inspired by the correspondence of 19th and 20th-century poets and philosophers, I created the Esse series. This collection delves into my reflections on various facets of this unique art form, including performance principles, methodological design, and challenging widely accepted beliefs.

I express my views candidly because I genuinely care about how lay audiences perceive Magic and how practitioners represent themselves in public. When audiences encounter a performer, they form impressions not only of the individual but also of the art itself. I believe that critical thinking is often stifled when artists shy away from discussing the realities of their craft.

As we step into 2025, I’m excited to introduce “Reading Minds Like a Coin Magician,” a 44-page exploration of the relationship between mentalists (and magicians) and deceptive methods. In a marketplace that often prioritizes “easy-to-use methods,” I argue that the nuanced choices behind selecting deceptive techniques are frequently overlooked.

It’s essential to choose methods based on their alignment with our theatrical framework and the audience’s experience, rather than simply their ease of use. This book includes two of my performance pieces that illustrate these concepts in action, along with insights from Cognitive Psychology, coin magicians, and memory experts, highlighting how mentalists can better serve the Magic they wish to share with contemporary audiences.

Pseudo-Telepathy: In this routine, the mentalist demonstrates telepathy in a public setting. A spectator selects a random person, and with a single billet, the mentalist reveals intimate details about them, such as names and concerns. The spectator can then verify these details with the chosen individual, adding an extra layer of intrigue.

Noppera-BŌ: This mini-routine is a powerful addition to group performances. It’s a simple, prop-less name guess that can be seamlessly integrated when new audience members join. Developed organically during my journey, it consistently elicits strong reactions, making it a staple in both casual and professional close-up performances.