FULL SEND PODCAST – Oz Pearlman | Ep. 172

Date: October 30, 2025
Podcast Network: Shots Podcast Network
Guest: Oz Pearlman ("Oz the Mentalist")
Hosts: Kyle, Gabriel, Zach

Episode Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into the astonishing world of mentalism, featuring renowned mentalist Oz Pearlman. The hosts challenge Oz with live mentalism demonstrations—guessing personal information, PIN codes, and more. Beyond the mind-blowing tricks, the conversation explores Oz’s origins, the psychology behind his craft, ethical boundaries, and the broader applications of mentalism in real life. The tone is lively, humorous, and at times, awestruck as Oz repeatedly stuns the hosts and listeners with feats of mind-reading and psychological insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oz’s Background & Origins in Magic and Mentalism

• [01:30 – 01:41] Oz reveals he’s been performing full-time for 20 years, leaving a Wall Street job at Merrill Lynch in 2005.
• [01:41 – 01:56] Started as a teen doing traditional magic (cards, coins), then became obsessed and self-taught via books and videos. Transitioned to mentalism—“the magic of the mind.”
  • Quote [01:41]: Oz: “The mentalism is kind of a different—that’s like next level, next level. It’s like magic of the mind.”

2. Magic vs. Mentalism: The Distinction

• [02:10 – 02:22] Oz discusses how mentalists and magicians do different things, comparing their relationship to MMA vs. boxing—overlapping but distinct arts.
• [02:26 – 03:23] Stories from gigs at mob-owned restaurants, dealing with high-stakes audiences, and how hiding methods is crucial in his line of work.

3. Celebrity Moments & Public Skepticism

• Larry David Spoon Trick [02:44 – 03:23]:
  • Oz recounts bending a fancy spoon at a party with Larry David, who responded exactly like his “Curb Your Enthusiasm” persona:
    • Quote [03:16]: Larry David: “Oh, what the hell do you want me to do with the spoon?”
• Joe Rogan Podcast [03:23 – 03:41]:
  • Oz describes Rogan as “definitely a little” bothered by his tricks, but rapport built over the episode.
• Skepticism [03:44 – 03:58]:
  • Oz addresses accusations of setup:
    • Quote [03:44]: “How do you think I can get Joe Burrow to fake something? … Why would he do that?”

4. Handling Failure and Improvisation

• [04:02 – 04:13] Oz admits he’s been wrong many times—especially essential is improvisation so that the audience doesn’t notice.
  • Quote [04:10]: “You just got to improv and keep it…Take the punch straight on, or do you roll into the punch and then just keep going?”

5. Fun with Hosts: Personal Feats of Mentalism

• Happy Dad Photo & Parenting [04:21 – 04:32]:

  • Humorous side stories about drinking at the beach, getting photos for Kyle, and using magic as an icebreaker on dates (“cocktail straw” trick).
  • Quote [05:06]: Oz: “Ultimate. They're gonna teach us that, though. So I do that to my wife on our first date. And she goes, okay, you gonna get me another straw? I'm like, oh, this is not working…”

• High-Stakes Requests - Corporate and Casino Scenes [05:34 – 06:35]:

  • CEOs have asked Oz to analyze M&A negotiations undercover; he’s turned down sleazy offers and explains mentalism isn’t as “all-powerful” as people think.
  • Casinos would ban him before he could “just win.”

• Hosts’ Lucky Numbers and PIN Code Demonstration [06:21–11:47]:

  • Oz leads Gabriel through simulated casino choices, then shockingly reveals Gabriel’s ATM PIN code (“9196”) and the birthday he was thinking about (August 11).
    • Quote [11:24]: Oz: "9196."
    • Quote [11:40]: Oz: "August 11th. Is that the birthday? You're thinking of my mom's birthday, right?”
    • Host Reaction [11:46] Zach: “It really does. It’s crazy.”

6. Ethics & The Scope of Mentalism

• [13:37 – 14:22] Oz’s new book, Read Your Mind (Oct 28), is not about teaching tricks but about mental skills (reading people, negotiation, memory) that can help anyone:
  • Quote [13:50]: “Learn to master the most powerful weapon: your mind.” – David Goggins (book quote)
• [14:13 – 14:42] Practical applications—reading people in business and life.

7. Unscripted Live Mentalism Demos

• Travel Wish Reveal [14:42–17:19]:

  • Oz deduces that Gabriel would pick "Maldives" as his dream destination—shocking both hosts who can’t even find it on a map.
    • Quote [16:25]: Oz: “Tell us all. Where are you going on this trip? Tell me.”
    • Gabriel: “Maldives.”
    • Host reactions: “I’m impressed.”

• Failure Stories & Virality [17:43–19:44]:

  • Oz shares a failed TV trick and how mistakes can go viral, increasing relatability and popularity (e.g., with John Cena and DK Metcalf).

8. Sports, NFL Team-Building, and Team Morale

• [20:28–21:27] Oz now does mind-bending shows for NFL and college football teams at training camps—building camaraderie, rapport, and capturing viral moments:
  • Quote [21:27]: “If you can create the camaraderie, like do some crazy moments, they're laughing, they're back slapping… there's a real value for the coaches.”

9. Impossible Knowledge–More Demos

• Name Reveal of a Friend Over Phone Call [24:07–29:00]:
  • Oz asked hosts to call a friend without naming them; he guesses “Jason” and details of a wild story in Barcelona.
• Dead Friend’s Name/Personal Questions [37:15–44:51]:
  • Oz works through multi-step deduction games, revealing Zach’s late mother’s friend was “Barbara,” leveraging subtle cues:
    • Quote [42:44]: Oz: “A friend named Barbara.”
    • Zach: “Yeah. Good job.”

10. Mentalism & Crime/Law

• [43:05–43:44] Oz on whether he'd participate in CSI-style investigations—noting that reading hardened criminals is hard because high stakes disrupt tells.

11. Grand Finale & Custom Mind Games

• Jersey Numbers Trick [46:55–52:19]:
  • Oz coordinates each host to think of a random date and athlete; the numbers match up miraculously—July 17, 2024 = 7 (Ronaldo), 17 (Ohtani), 24 (Kobe).
    • Quote [52:15]: Oz: “7, 17, 24. It all makes sense.”

12. Practicing and Studying Mentalism

• [54:54–55:05] Oz shares stories about testing tricks “on civilians” like his NYC deli guy, and why he’s sometimes wary to disclose what he does on airplanes.

13. Upcoming Projects & Plug for New Book

• [55:35–56:35]
  • “Read Your Mind” (out October 28) aims to teach life skills, not secrets of magic, and help people understand their own minds for success.
  • Quote [56:07]: “Reading people more effectively is the ultimate cheat code of life. And also reading your own mind…”

14. Endgame: The Value of Improvisation

• Live Mentalism Can’t Always Be Practiced [33:01–34:32]:
  • Mentalism is different from magic—can’t just practice in a mirror; you need real people, and often perform something for the first time on TV.

15. Running, Marathons, and Oz's Fitness

• [60:49–62:15]
  • Oz talks about running his age in miles every birthday, elite marathon times (2:23 marathon, several 50-mile races).
  • Zach: “Couldn’t beat the Kenyans.” Oz: “Fastest Jew. That’s all that counts.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Larry David’s Reaction to a Spoon Bend [03:16]
  “Oh, what the hell do you want me to do with the spoon?” – Larry David, recounted by Oz
• Longevity in the Game [01:30]
  “I’ve been doing this full time for 20 years, which dates me.” – Oz
• Mentalism vs. Magic [02:10]
  “We do a different thing. … It’s the UFC of magic.”
• On Failing Gracefully [04:10]
  “You just keep going. ... Take the punch straight on, or do you roll into the punch and then just keep going?”
• Revealing a PIN Code [11:22]
  “9196.” – Oz, shocking the hosts
• Book Mission Statement [13:50]
  “Learn to master the most powerful weapon: your mind.” – David Goggins (quoted in Oz’s book)

Highlighted Demos & Segments with Timestamps

• Oz Reveals Gabriel’s ATM PIN Code
  • [09:39–11:47]
• Guessing the Maldives as Dream Destination
  • [14:42–16:37]
• Reading a Secret Over the Phone (Jason)
  • [24:07–29:00]
• Revealing a Deceased Friend’s Name (“Barbara”)
  • [41:04–42:45]
• Hosts’ Custom Chosen Date Matches Athletes’ Jersey Numbers
  • [50:46–52:19]
• Oz on Running and Marathons
  • [60:49–62:15]

Conclusion & Takeaways

Summary:
This episode showcases Oz Pearlman’s extraordinary abilities as a mentalist, blowing the minds of the Full Send hosts and listeners. The episode is packed with live, unscripted demonstrations of mentalism—guessing PINs, destinations, friends’ names, and intimate details. Oz also dives into the usefulness of mentalist skills in real life—a theme central to his new book—and candidly shares stories of both success and failure, reflecting the importance of improvisation, resilience, and ethical lines in his field. Throughout, the tone is one of incredulity, fun, and camaraderie.

For those interested in learning more:

• Read Your Mind by Oz Pearlman (October 28, 2025) — practical advice on reading people and oneself, not a trick tutorial.
• Oz continues to perform at high-profile events, NFL team camps, and has upcoming TV and book projects.

The Full Send crew remains awestruck and skeptical but ultimately convinced:

• “I have no explanation for that. It’s impossible.” – Kyle [21:27]
• “That’s crazy, bro. Now I’m impressed. That’s nuts.” – Gabriel [52:37]

Final note – Oz on reading minds:

• “Reading people more effectively is the ultimate cheat code of life. And also reading your own mind, knowing what’s holding you back…” – [56:07]

Listen if you want:

• Unique, interactive demonstrations of mind reading
• Stories from Oz’s life and showbiz career
• Honest takes on the boundaries and power of psychological insight

Skip if you want:

• Deep explanations of mentalism secrets (Oz won’t give them)
• Any non-stop ad-free conversation (expect some branded asides)