Due to a production computer that isn’t feeling very well, Over Coffee® will be on hiatus this week. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2022!
(Photograph courtesy of Tracey Croggon, and used with permission.)

At the core of Dr. Matt Pritchard’s work, is a sense of wonder.

That element comes both from observing the world around him, and from practicing his craft.

Matt, “The Science Magician”, has a PhD. in experimental atomic physics, in addition to his professional-magician credentials. With the goal of boosting creativity and critical-thinking skills, he performs “science magic” shows at local schools, universities and organizations.

He is also an author, as well as a speaker. In his TED talk, “The Quantum State of Wonder”, he demonstrates a couple of his tricks which combine, as he says, “surprise plus mystery”.

And he has a creativity-boosting challenge he’d like to offer you.

“Binge-watch some of my videos,” he suggests, ” And just sit there and go, ‘How would I do this?’”

(You may not figure that out–we didn’t! But they’re highly entertaining and will indeed spark a sense of wonder.)

At the time of our interview in 2022, Matt was hosting a podcast, Words on Wonder, featuring interviews with guests who use their creativity in unusual and interesting ways. Today, those interviews are transcribed. as a blog on his website.

Matt talked about his professional career, shared some of the ways he captivates audiences and offered a closer look at the science behind the magic.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Matt became interested in his two areas of expertise;
  

• His professional journey, in both atomic physics and magic, and the catalyst for finding common ground in these two areas ;
  

• A tip for engaging audiences, no matter what you’re presenting;
  

• What it’s like to audition for the world’s most prestigious magicians’ society;
  

• How Matt surprised those magicians!:
  

• One of the demonstrations he does, that tends to wow audiences of all ages;
  

• How he applies math to an often-seen “estimate” challenge;
  

• How not to “burn out” when producing creative work;
  

• Matt’s recommendation of two authors who inspire him;
  

• A historic “curiosity” about a magician from Matt’s blog;
  

• What the “magician mindset” is;
  

• One of Matt’s favorite discoveries which he incorporates into his performances;
  

• How magicians apply the psychology of magic to an audience;
  

• An application of that psychology, which Matt uses in his show;
  

• Matt’s thoughts about explaining the science behind the magic;
  

• A seemingly-“impossible” stunt Matt performs in some of his science magic shows;
  

• The physics behind one of the stunts he has invented;
  

• What inspires Matt with a sense of wonder;
  

• How to incorporate that sense of wonder into daily life;
  

• What Matt has learned about wonder from his own children;
  

• Where he’d most like to grow, with science magic, in the future.