The Tim Ferriss Show

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#411: Richard Turner — The Magical Phenom Who Will Blow Your Mind

Feb 20, 2020

Guest

Richard Turner

Richard Turner, a remarkable blind card mechanic and magician, captivates with his profound journey in the world of magic. He shares his experiences from performing at the prestigious Magic Castle and the invaluable lessons learned from mentor Di Vernon. The discussion reveals the importance of mastery through dedicated practice and the unique challenges he faces, including his vivid perceptions post-sight loss. Turner also emphasizes resilience and the transformative power of adventure, leaving listeners inspired by his incredible story and magic.

02:10:29

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ANECDOTE

Won't Get the Money

When Turner first met Dai Vernon, Tony Giorgio heckled him.
Giorgio repeatedly yelled "Won't get the money!" at Turner, critiquing his card technique.

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ADVICE

Perfect Practice

Practice does not make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect.
Avoid unnatural movements when practicing card tricks, as they tip off observers.

insights

INSIGHT

Discipline Breeds Discipline

Discipline breeds discipline: the more you do something, the more you can do.
Start small and gradually increase your efforts; this helps build discipline and adapt.

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Harnessing Customer Service as a Competitive Advantage

04:13 • 2min

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The Magic of Mastery: Richard Turner's Journey

06:32 • 26min

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Morning Routines and Perceptions of Reality

32:12 • 32min

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Martial Arts and Mental Resilience

01:04:20 • 23min

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The Colors of Memory and Perception

01:26:50 • 6min

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Redefining Relaxation: Embracing Adventure Over Stillness

01:32:52 • 4min

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Magic and Mastery in Card Games

01:36:51 • 13min

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Embracing Challenges: A Magician's Journey

01:49:41 • 14min

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Connections and Collaborations

02:03:19 • 8min

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#12231

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Hallucinations

Oliver Sacks

In 'Hallucinations,' Oliver Sacks delves into the diverse world of hallucinations, discussing their various forms, causes, and effects on individuals. The book includes case studies of patients experiencing hallucinations due to conditions such as migraines, Parkinson's disease, and Charles Bonnet Syndrome, as well as Sacks' own personal experiences with hallucinations. Sacks aims to demystify hallucinations, showing that they are a common part of human experience and not necessarily indicative of mental illness. He also explores how hallucinations have influenced folklore, culture, and literature, and why the potential for hallucination is present in all humans.

#14156

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The documentary 'Dealt' explores the life and career of Richard Turner, a blind card magician who has gained international recognition for his skills. Directed by Luke Korem, the film delves into Turner's journey from his troubled childhood to his current status as a master magician.

#35562

The Expert at the Card Table

S. W. Erdnase

The Expert at the Card Table is a seminal work on card manipulation, first published in 1902. It covers techniques such as false shuffles, palming, and bottom dealing, making it a foundational text for both magicians and those interested in card games. The book is divided into sections on artifice and legerdemain, providing detailed instructions on various card tricks and manipulations.

Richard Turner — The Magical Phenom Who Will Blow Your Mind | Brought to you by Nulo and Inktel.

"Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect." — Richard Turner

I am very, very excited to introduce this interview, as I've been wanting to meet today's guest, Richard Turner, for almost two years now. I first came across Richard Turner (richardturner52.com, youtube.com/richardturner52) in the documentary Dealt, directed by Luke Korem.

I can't remember the last time I finished a documentary, only to want to watch it again immediately afterward. I also can't remember a doc that made me as emotional as Dealt did, pushing me from laughter to tears. It has 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and won the 2017 Documentary Feature Audience Choice Award at the South by Southwest Film Festival. Everyone should watch it.

But back to my guest: Richard Turner is regarded as the best card mechanic and among the best up-close magicians in the world. He has entertained millions of people, including notables like Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, Secretary of State Colin Powell, actor Brad Pitt, sports legend Muhammad Ali, and many more.

His skill with a deck of cards has been featured on television shows around the world, including a performance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, in which Penn Jillette admitted, "Richard Turner is one of the finest sleight-of-hand artists who has ever lived. He fooled us with every single move he did!"

Note: Toward the end of the interview, you will hear Richard performing card tricks. He did them in front of me, and he absolutely blew my mind. I highly recommend checking out the interview on YouTube, as I made sure to have video from multiple angles for this episode. Just go to youtube.com/timferriss. Not to sound like a mullet-wearing Long Island boy (which I've been), but this footage is simply fucking amazing.

Oh, and did I mention that Richard is completely blind? That's right. You're in for a ride, my friends.

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***

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