Derren Brown

Welcome back! After a lengthy hiatus, the Murmurations podcast returns to share a conversation Darren recently had with the magician and psychological illusionist, Derren Brown. This was a guest talk that Derren kindly delivered to students studying "Storytelling and Collective Psychology" at Newcastle University, UK. Reflecting on some of the ideas covered in Darren's recent book about Derren’s work, they talk about social connection, Stoicism, the environment, Jungian psychology, transcendence, religion, human flourishing and other wisdom that can help us live well in modern life. For more information on Derren's current show and other work you can visit his website here . More information on Darren's latest book (Storytelling and Collective Psychology: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Life and the Work of Derren Brown) can be found here . To get in touch with the podcast, please email: Murmurations.WDK@gmail.com #derrenbrown #showman #Stoicism #stoic #stoiclife #carljung #storytelling #psychology #collectivepsychology #resilience #individuation #isolation #connection #philosophy #mentalhealth #wellbeing #future #modernlife #livinglife #midlife #transcendence #archetypes #magician #wisdom #religion #mysticism #christianity #university #universitylife #newcastleuni #socialscience #humanities #highereducation #research #academicyoutube #academia #culturalstudies #storytelling #murmurations #murmurationspodcast Credits Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Logo: Archie Cameron

“Live in the moment” is more than a quote displayed on decorative throw pillows. For Derren Brown, it’s his motto for life -- a mindset and lifestyle he’s adapted from the Greek stoics. Derren is a mentalist and illusionist, star of Netflix’s ‘The Push’, and the best-selling author of ‘Happy’. In today’s wide-ranging conversation, Derren joins host Vicky Nisbet, AVP of Comms & Media at Salesforce UK, to discuss practical tips for “living in the moment” and what he thinks is the key to lasting happiness. Plus, he shares what we often get wrong about goal setting and uncovers ways that quarantine has unlocked opportunities for us to reconnect with our inner selves.

In this episode of The Dead Club Podcast, Sam speaks to Mentalist and Illusionist, Derren Brown. He does not have magical powers or psychic ability but became a household name for his Mind Control TV show which was all about the art of psychological manipulation. His book 'Happy' was a big interest and inspiration to Sam for this project. The Dead Club Podcast is an 8 part podcast series that brings to life British band, Tunng’s ground-breaking collaborative musical project, Dead Club: a meditation on loss and a riotous trip through life in all its goodness, oddness and wonder. We have interviewed people who have studied death, written about it, and documented it, but also those whose lives have touched it and have been close to it as well those for whom death is all in a day’s work. In this podcast series we’ll hear their voices. We’ll hear from Philosopher AC Grayling, author, Max Porter, illusionist, Derren Brown, musician Speech Debelle, author and palliative care Physician Kathryn Mannix, philosopher and writer Alain De Botton, poetry editor of the New Yorker, Kevin Young and Professor of Forensic Anthropology, Dame Sue Black. Each episode will present one of these conversations in depth, in all its detail. Underpinning and punctuating each episode is a soundscape formed from the new music we're creating for this album, as well as our own voices talking about the subject and what it means to us. There will also be some silliness and some spontaneity and some of that beautiful and unique wonkiness that makes us Tunng. If you or somebody you know needs support in relation to any aspect of death, dying or grief you may find the following sites useful. https://deathcafe.com https://www.samaritans.org https://www.cruse.org.uk https://www.mind.org.uk https://eol-doula.uk Tunng Presents The Dead Club Podcast is a Stabl production and was made possible in part thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. You can pre-order the album, Tunng presents Dead Club here See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Derren Brown joins Jonah this week to discuss developing ideas, finding your own voice, and what magic means in our current society. Between his award-winning stage shows, TV specials, and books, you’re probably familiar with the UK based mentalist. Hypnotism was Derren’s path into magic. During his time studying German and law in university, he had the chance to see hypnotist Martin Taylor perform. His interests shifted, and he began to practice hypnosis alongside his studies. When he started working, Derren learned that magic was easier to present to people compared to hypnotism. Derren’s shift from being a gigging magician to a household name was slow. Even with the release of Mind Control in 2000, Derren was still working as a restaurant magician. Between focusing on doing the strongest magic and the skills of the team he’s built over the years, Derren has been able to create a name for himself. Mentalism & Magic Derren dropped the conjuring side of his persona when the TV specials started to kick off. Mentalism, to him, allows for more impressive presentations than simply finding a card; however, you have to go further than just asking someone to think of a word, writing it down, and showing you got it right. The interesting aspect of mentalism lies in the process the performer takes to divine the word. If your goal is to take your audience’s mind to a richer place, you have to commit to the process. There is, of course, the ethical questions behind mentalism that Derren has struggled with over the years. Initially, he would make direct claims about his abilities, but, as he grew, Derren found an area where he could be honest while digging into the interesting aspects of magic. While he’s been able to create a brand that allows for this, Derren explains to performers that you should be taking responsibility for your actions and focusing on the core audience watching you. Tips for Performing Light and shade is necessary for any performance. If a trick is slow and serious, the next one should probably be upbeat and quick. The performer has a responsibility, especially in a theatrical setting, to move people in different ways. Derren explains that you don’t want to be operating in one state of being on stage as it’ll be difficult to create those big shifts your performance needs. You have to earn what you’re doing on stage. For example, if you want to tell the audience how to be, you have to be vulnerable and reflect on your own actions. Derren points to good comics as an example: they often have a lot to say, but they don’t come across as preachy because they put themselves at a lower status than the audience. Never have a better time than your audience. If anything, you want to carry with you the image of a spectator on the verge of leaving. How do you keep them engaged? How do you surprise them and keep them in their seat? Finally, be likable. Be you. You can have all the power if you act like you don’t have it because we want to connect with a human. Derren explains that we like performers for what they do, but we love them for what they are. Creating a Show Derren has worked alongside Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor since his early TV specials to create his shows. The three of them will sit down to brainstorm themes, images, and the core of the show. W