Speaking Engagements
Ethical Society Mid Rivers: "Magic in the Lab"
I’m excited to join the Ethical Society Mid Rivers at their headquarters in Saint Charles County, Missouri to preach the science of magic!
Magic & Mind (ticketed event)
If you saw Mesmerized at The White Lilac, this new show takes you even deeper down the rabbit hole of the human psyche. This time, a psychic entertainer and a psychologist share the stage to blur the line between mystery, suggestion, intuition, memory, misdirection, and the strange little tricks our own minds play on us.
Chicago Skepticamp 2026
I’m excited to be participating in the 2026 Skepticamp Chicago! I have a long history with Skepticamp events, having contributed to the organization of two such events in Phoenix. Most recently, I organized the first Skepticamp Carthage in 2023.
Mesmerized: An Immersive Experiment in Science & Magic
The field of experimental psychology arose during a time steeped in wonder and mystery. Spiritualism gained widespread influence, proposing that death was not an end but a transition. Mesmerists claimed to heal all ailments through the laying-on of hands. Early psychologists did not merely react to these remarkable phenomena—they incorporated them into their investigations of the human mind.
In this performance, cognitive scientist Anthony Barnhart alongside occult aficionado Joe Diamond explore these mid-19th century curiosities through interactive experiments, psychological illusions, and compelling storytelling.
The Royal Road to Psychology
In this autobiographical presentation for psychology undergraduates and grad students, Dr. Barnhart uses the story of his unusual path through psychology to generate a recipe for satisfying lives and careers in the psychological sciences. The moral of the story is that there is no Royal Road to psychology; there are many Royal Roads to psychology, and students should be creative in paving their own vocational paths.
Mesmerized: An Immersive Experiment in Science & Magic (ticketed event)
The field of experimental psychology arose during a time steeped in wonder and mystery. Spiritualism gained widespread influence, proposing that death was not an end but a transition. Mesmerists claimed to heal all ailments through the laying-on of hands. Early psychologists did not merely react to these remarkable phenomena—they incorporated them into their investigations of the human mind.
In this performance, cognitive scientist Anthony Barnhart alongside occult aficionado Joe Diamond explore these mid-19th century curiosities through interactive experiments, psychological illusions, and compelling storytelling.
(SOLD OUT!) Mesmerized: An Immersive Experiment in Science & Magic (ticketed event)
The field of experimental psychology arose during a time steeped in wonder and mystery. Spiritualism gained widespread influence, proposing that death was not an end but a transition. Mesmerists claimed to heal all ailments through the laying-on of hands. Early psychologists did not merely react to these remarkable phenomena—they incorporated them into their investigations of the human mind.
In this performance, cognitive scientist Anthony Barnhart alongside occult aficionado Joe Diamond explore these mid-19th century curiosities through interactive experiments, psychological illusions, and compelling storytelling.
The eyes have it: Magical manipulation of eye movements & awareness (Virtual Event)
Magicians are master choreographers of attention. The success of their misdirection often lies in their eye movements and the eye movements of their audiences. In this presentation, Dr. Barnhart will highlight the myriad relationships between eye movements and awareness, using live performance and video to demonstrate discoveries from his laboratory. He will attempt to convince you that psychological science can benefit from examining the techniques of performing magicians and integrating them into experimental studies.
Mesmerized: An Immersive Experiment in Science & Magic (ticketed event)
The field of experimental psychology arose during a time steeped in wonder and mystery. Spiritualism gained widespread influence, proposing that death was not an end but a transition. Mesmerists claimed to heal all ailments through the laying-on of hands. Early psychologists did not merely react to these remarkable phenomena—they incorporated them into their investigations of the human mind.
In this performance, cognitive scientist Anthony Barnhart alongside occult aficionado Joe Diamond explore these mid-19th century curiosities through interactive experiments, psychological illusions, and compelling storytelling.
The eyes have it: Magical manipulation of eye movements & awareness
Magicians are master choreographers of attention. The success of their misdirection often lies in their eye movements and the eye movements of their audiences. In this presentation, Dr. Barnhart will highlight the myriad relationships between eye movements and awareness, using live performance and video to demonstrate discoveries from his laboratory. He will attempt to convince you that psychological science can benefit from examining the techniques of performing magicians and integrating them into experimental studies.
Mesmerized: An Immersive Experiment in Science & Magic
The field of experimental psychology arose during a time steeped in wonder and mystery. Spiritualism gained widespread influence, proposing that death was not an end but a transition. Mesmerists claimed to heal all ailments through the laying-on of hands. Early psychologists did not merely react to these remarkable phenomena—they incorporated them into their investigations of the human mind.
In this performance, cognitive scientist Anthony Barnhart alongside occult aficionado Joe Diamond explore these mid-19th century curiosities through interactive experiments, psychological illusions, and compelling storytelling.
Mesmerized: An Immersive Experiment in Science & Magic (private event)
The field of experimental psychology arose during a time steeped in wonder and mystery. Spiritualism gained widespread influence, proposing that death was not an end but a transition. Mesmerists claimed to heal all ailments through the laying-on of hands. Early psychologists did not merely react to these remarkable phenomena—they incorporated them into their investigations of the human mind.
In this performance, cognitive scientist Anthony Barnhart alongside occult aficionado Joe Diamond explore these mid-19th century curiosities through interactive experiments, psychological illusions, and compelling storytelling.
Mesmerized: An Immersive Experiment in Science & Magic
The field of experimental psychology arose during a time steeped in wonder and mystery. Spiritualism gained widespread influence, proposing that death was not an end but a transition. Mesmerists claimed to heal all ailments through the laying-on of hands. Early psychologists did not merely react to these remarkable phenomena—they incorporated them into their investigations of the human mind.
In this performance, cognitive scientist Anthony Barnhart alongside occult aficionado Joe Diamond explore these mid-19th century curiosities through interactive experiments, psychological illusions, and compelling storytelling.
Society of American Magicians Assembly 12 lecture: “What can magicians learn from cognitive scientists?”
Recent years have seen widespread interest in and call for a “science of magic” that learns from the psychological insights and methods of magicians. In just the last decade, renowned magicians, like Teller, Mac King, James Randi, and Apollo Robbins, have authored papers meant to be read not by magicians, but by scientists who study attention and perception. Although much of the work up until now has been one-sided (in that scientists are benefiting from magicians), the collaboration should be a two-way street. In his presentation, Dr. Barnhart will illustrate some of the ways that magicians can enhance their performances by integrating principles and discoveries from cognitive science.
Engaging Psychology Students & Promoting Learning Through Magic
Critical thinking skills are central to the discipline of psychology and are expected of students in a variety of college programs. The APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major (APA, 2013) include critical thinking as a broad goal, with specific skills of demonstrating psychology information literacy, using scientific reasoning, problem-solving, and research design. Numerous activities have been developed and used in psychology courses that give students an opportunity to apply critical thinking to understanding psychological concepts. This symposium will highlight people affiliated with the Science of Magic Association (SoMA) who have incorporated elements of magic and magic tricks to encourage critical thinking or support the teaching of psychology. Magic provides a perfect opportunity for students to examine their own assumptions about a situation and to realize how easily their assumptions, perceptions, and expectations can be manipulated by a skilled magician. Magic tricks exploit automatic assumptions and heuristics that allow for quick decisions in the natural world. As such, they can be a powerful tool for exemplifying the fallibility of cognitive systems and encouraging students to engage in skeptical, critical thought. Symposium participants will discuss the ways they have used magic in their specific courses, including recommendations for other instructors. All presenters have found that magic tricks engage students beyond many other types of course activities and are a unique window into understanding human perception and belief.