Bonus Episode - Prof. Richard Wiseman (Full Interview)

Bonus Episode - Prof. Richard Wiseman (Full Interview)

From BEEF with Bridget Todd by Next Chapter Podcasts, Bridget Todd

October 15, 2025 · 45 min · Season 3

About this episode

Bridget Todd interviews psychology professor Richard Wiseman about belief, deception, and alternative religious views.

In our latest piece of bonus content, showrunner Pete Musto chats with psychology professor Richard Wiseman about the nature of belief, the mechanics of deception, and the staying power of alternative religious views. Richard Wiseman is a professor of psychology with a PhD from the University of Edinburgh who has written numerous books on the subject. As a young man he performed as street magician for several years, and has written several books on that subject, including Magic Your Mind Happy, Hocus Pocus: Science, Magic & Mystery, and David Copperfield’s History of Magic, which he co-authored. Professor Wiseman also has a particular interest in debunking paranormal phenomena, as he is a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the author of Paranormality: Why We See What Isn’t There. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Bridget Todd

Guest: Richard Wiseman

Topics covered

  • psychology
  • belief
  • deception
  • alternative religions
  • paranormal phenomena

Keywords

  • psychology
  • belief
  • deception
  • alternative religions
  • paranormal
  • Richard Wiseman
  • magic

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Edinburgh, Committee for Skeptical Inquiry

Books & works: Magic Your Mind Happy, Hocus Pocus: Science, Magic & Mystery, David Copperfield’s History of Magic, Paranormality: Why We See What Isn’t There

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