Good Guys – Breaking the Simulation with Oz Pearlman, Mentalist

Podcast: Good Guys
Host: Dear Media (Josh Peck & Ben Soffer)
Guest: Oz Pearlman, Mentalist
Release Date: December 29, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, actor/writer Josh Peck and entrepreneur/social media icon Ben Soffer sit down with world-renowned mentalist Oz Pearlman. The conversation ranges from the secrets and ethics of mentalism, viral media moments, running ultra-marathons, work-life balance as a dad of five, and "breaking the simulation" with incredible live mind-reading demonstrations. The hosts challenge Oz on skepticism and explore practical everyday “superpowers” from his craft.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Oz Pearlman and Mentalism

• Defining Mentalism: Oz describes himself as a mentalist, not a magician—his specialty is "sleight of mind." He emphasizes the difference between his craft and traditional magic by focusing on mind-reading, influence, and psychological illusion, instead of tricks or sleight of hand.
  • “I kind of do sleight of mind.” – Oz [00:54]

2. Rise to Fame & Notable Appearances

• Oz discusses appearing on America’s Got Talent (AGT), The Howard Stern Show, and viral moments on social media.
  • The Howard Stern experience: “If you’re willing to commit 11 minutes, it’s nuts... Howard was in person. Beth was in person. I shook Howard’s hand.” – Oz [02:42]
  • The "safe word" challenge with Howard Stern (paralleling Houdini’s legendary anti-psychic test) [02:42–04:53]

3. Ethics & Reality of Psychics vs. Mentalists

• Oz clarifies he does not believe in supernatural abilities and is transparent about not being psychic:
  • “I am an honest con man. I am telling you that what I’m doing is not real.” – Oz [05:25]
• He distances his approach from Uri Geller, who claimed real powers, highlighting his own ethical stance:
  • “What I’m doing can be explained by science, repeatable, and is explainable.” – Oz [05:25]

4. The Power (and Limits) of Influence

• Live on Joe Rogan, Oz guessed his pin code, leading to a broader discussion about security and “social engineering”—the human weaknesses in digital security systems.
  • “The easiest way to break into a safe is to break the mind of the person, get the person who has the safe, and get the number from them. Voila.” – Oz [13:32]

5. Mentalism as Storytelling

• Oz reveals the most powerful element in his work: the transformation of a performance into a personal, shareable, and memorable story.
  • “The stories we tell after something occurs are more important than what actually happens.” – Oz [34:52, 39:27–41:07]
  • On influencing memories: By designing tricks so the participant “discovers” the magic, he shapes how they retell the experience—making it seem even more impossible.

6. Ultra-Marathon Running and Mindset

• Oz shares his experiences running the infamous Badwater 135-mile ultramarathon in Death Valley.
  • “It is the world’s toughest foot race—135 miles in the hottest week of the year in Death Valley… 28 hours.” – Oz [19:54–21:44]
• Discussion on what drives people to such extremes—replacing unhealthy addictions, seeking limits, and finding challenge in modern comfort.

7. Family, Work-Life Balance & Parenting

• Oz talks about raising five kids under ten and the unique logistics and joys of a big family. He describes the point where adding more children changes daily life less than one might expect.
  • “Once you get from three to four, it’s very little change... Four to five has been difficult.” – Oz [27:52–28:02]

8. Growing Up & Entering Magic

• From a self-taught teen magician in Michigan to national TV, Oz reflects on his early influences (David Blaine, Copperfield, Ricky Jay), what kept him in close-up magic, and the difficulties imagining a career in entertainment as a first-generation immigrant.

9. The “Mentalist vs. Magician” Community & Industry Insight

• Anecdote about meeting David Blaine and a strange “beef” over shared stories about going to jail—a glimpse into the competitive and insular world of elite magicians.
  • “It was a very weird first interaction... He was lightly antagonistic.” – Oz [30:06–33:09]
• On Criss Angel: “Fearless. He would do stuff where everyone’s like, ‘Chris, you could probably die right now’. And he’s like, ‘I don’t care.’” [56:04]

10. Practical Everyday Mentalism (“Superpowers” for All)

• Oz shares actionable tactics from his book for relationship and career success.
  • Take notes on everyone you meet—names, details, interests—and refer to them to make people feel “seen.”
  • “It’s not even a magic trick. It’s not even cheating. I just took the time to remember things about people.” – Oz [56:31–58:35]
• Remembering names: “Listen, Repeat, Reply” (adapted from shampoo labels) as a foolproof name-recall technique.
  • “When you meet someone, you realize you forgot their name. You didn’t forget their name. You never knew it.” – Oz [58:50]

11. Live Mind-Reading Demonstrations

• First Trick [47:12–54:29]: Oz asks Ben to think of someone at the table—reveals not only the celebrity “Criss Angel,” but also another (Damon) Ben was considering, stunning both hosts.
  • “The fact that he’s asking you so that he can read your mind or mannerisms about Criss Angel and then just stunts on you with Damon. Wow.” – Josh [51:16]
• Final Demonstration (“The Cherry on Top”) [68:41–75:39]: Ben is told to come up with an unanswerable question, then lie when giving the answer (about his favorite vegetable). Oz not only divines the lie—banana peppers—but correctly identifies the truth: Brussels sprouts.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m an artist who’s also a business person. But I know what I’m selling, and a lot of people don’t know what they’re selling.” – Oz [34:28]
• “The best illusions are the ones where it makes it look like you went through the safe.” – Oz [14:13]
• “Memory is malleable. Memory can be changed and finessed and massaged if you know how to do it.” – Oz [39:44]
• “If you can find those ways to shine the spotlight on what you want… The legend continues.” – Oz [42:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Oz’s Howard Stern Show Story: 02:39–04:53
• Ethics of Psychics vs. Mentalism: 04:53–05:52
• Social Engineering & Security: 09:30–14:13
• Defining “Memorable Moments” in Magic: 34:52–41:07
• Ultra-Marathon Running: 19:46–24:35
• Family & Parenting Insight: 27:02–28:44
• Beef with David Blaine: 30:04–33:09
• First Live Mind-Reading Trick: 47:12–54:29
• Practical Memory/Social Hacks: 56:31–62:16
• Big Finale Trick: 68:41–75:39

Tone & Atmosphere

High-energy, candid, and playful banter. The hosts repeatedly express awe at Oz’s abilities, mixing earnest curiosity with friendly skepticism. Oz comes across as witty, self-aware, transparent about his methods, and passionate about sharing practical advice.

For New Listeners

If you’re curious about the practical psychology behind mind-reading, the psychology of memory, or want to laugh and be amazed by live demonstrations, this episode is a must-listen. It demystifies “mentalism,” challenges the boundaries between entertainment and reality, and delivers take-home wisdom for building connections, recalling names, and making an unforgettable impression.

Follow Oz Pearlman:

• Instagram, TikTok, YouTube: @OzTheMentalist
• Book: "Read Your Mind—Proven Habits for Success from the World’s Greatest Mentalist"

Next Episodes: Mondays & Thursdays on all major platforms.