What Magic & Mind Reading Reveal About the Brain | Asi Wind

In this episode, my guest is Asi Wind. He's one of the world’s top magicians and mentalists.

We discuss what magic and mentalism reveal about the human mind, including how memories are made, how to erase them, and how and why we perceive things the way we do, all in the context of how he performs his astonishing tricks.

Asi explains that magic works because it involves storytelling, which is key to how we organize memories. He also explains how emotional connection allows people to co-create and believe a common narrative, even one that did not actually occur.

We also discuss how Asi's love of painting and photography and his specific daily routine allow him to access creativity. We also discuss fear, perfectionism, and how feeling emotions deeply serves his craft.

Whether you are interested in magic or not, this conversation with Asi will give you an incredible window into how you perceive, learn, and remember the world around you and how what you believe may or may not be based in reality.

Thank you to our sponsors

InsideTracker

Asi Wind

Before We Begin (book)

Masterclass

Asi Wind Clips

Penn & TellerFool Us

Salt and Pepper Trick

Invisible Die Card Trick

Kelly Clarkson

Other Resources

The Magic Castle

Karl Deisseroth on Lex Fridman Podcast

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Epicly Later’dThe John Cardiel Story

Huberman Lab Episodes Mentioned

Dr. Karl DeisserothUnderstanding & Healing the Mind

Rick RubinHow to Access Your Creativity

Dr. David SpiegelUsing Hypnosis to Enhance Mental & Physical Health & Performance

Chris VossHow to Succeed at Hard Conversations

People Mentioned

David Blaineillusionist, magician

Avner the Eccentricmagician, clown, mime

Franco Pascalimagician, cardist

Juan TamarizSpanish magician

Tommy WonderDutch magician

Chan CanastaPolish mentalist

Lucian FreudEnglish painter