Magic

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Original Air Date: 
December 20, 2009

A Florida housewife named Katie has an unusual affliction. Occasionally, for no rhyme or reason, thin pieces of gold colored foil appear spontaneously on her skin. Paranormal researchers are stumped. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, exploring magic. From tales of the paranormal to the mathematics behind magic ricks. A stage magician-turned-mathematician explores the mysteries of probability. And, a Harry Potter story for grown-ups – Lev Grossman reads from his new novel The Magicians.

Lev Grossman on "The Magicians"

To The Best Of Our Knowledge
Audio

Lev Grossman talks about his novel, "The Magicians," with Anne Strainchamps. It's the story of a young man who discovers magic is real, not that it makes his life any less complicated.

Stephen Braude on Parapsychology

To The Best Of Our Knowledge
Audio

Stephen Braude chairs the Philosophy Department at the University of Maryland, but he's long been interested in parapsychology, especially psycho-kinesis.

Persi Diaconis on the Math Behind Magic

To The Best Of Our Knowledge
Audio

Persi Diaconis is a former stage magician who uses card shuffling and coin tossing to illustrate complex mathematical formulae.

Anne Strainchamps and Caryl Owen on Wicca

To The Best Of Our Knowledge
Audio

Anne Strainchamps and Caryl Owen visit the Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wisconsin, while Margot Adler reports from Scotland.

Mitch Horowitz on "Occult America"

To The Best Of Our Knowledge
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Mitch Horowitz tells Anne Strainchamps that belief in the occult is as old as the colonies and that spiritualism was America's first great religious export.

Show Details 📻
Airdates
December 20, 2009
October 31, 2010
Guests: 

Lev Grossman

Author

Stephen Braude

Professor

Persi Diaconis

Professor
Anne Strainchamps

Anne Strainchamps

Host
To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Caryl Owen

Director

Mitch Horowitz

Editor
Categories: 
Religion and Philosophy
Last modified: 
August 02, 2024