Have you ever had your palm read? Have you had a psychic reading? How accurate was it? And are you wondering if astrological or psychic readings really work?

Susan Gerbic and Mark Edward are here to answer those questions.

They are stalwart skeptic activists in the US, and have been doing a lot of amazing work over the years to see how psychics and astrologers work and also exposed them for taking advantage of the vulnerable and grieving. In this Rationable Interview, I talk to them about the different techniques psychics use to fool their audience and convince them (falsely) that they have supernatural powers.

If you are curious about how psychics and astrologers work, this video is a must-watch!

I referred to my interview with Rob Palmer and the Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project. Watch that here:    • Psychics - Are They Legit? | FULL INT...  

Find out more about
Mark Edward: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Ed...
Susan Gerbic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_G...

Affiliate Link for Mark's Book, Psychic Blues: Confessions of a Conflicted Medium: https://amzn.to/3GIDEie

00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:43 Where do you learn to be a psychic?
00:03:01 The most important skill of a psychic/astrologer
00:04:00 What are hot readings and cold readings?
00:04:41 The magic of editing
00:06:23 My encounter with a palmi reader
00:09:23 There's no way in the world a psychic could have known that!
00:14:24 Has there ever been an incident you haven't been able to explain?
00:19:47 Spirit Boxes
00:22:30 Infiltrating psychic sessions
00:30:07 Mentalists vs psychics
00:33:03 Nadi Taadpatra
00:40:39 How to figure out a psychic's tricks
00:49:43 Why I think people get conned by psychics and astrologers
00:52:54 Do some psychics genuinely believe they have powers?
00:59:17 Susan gives me a reading
01:03:34 Outro


Intro and outro music: Heat by Distill:    • Heat | Original Alternative Rock | Di...  

For the full transcript along with links to citations and further reading, visit www.berationable.com.

References And Resources That Guided Me
(These are affiliate links that will help support this channel. Thank you!)

The best books on science, rationality and scepticism:
Cosmos by Carl Sagan: https://amzn.to/3aARbX9
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan: https://amzn.to/2sJcmoA
The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe: How to Know What's Really Real in a World: Increasingly Full of Fake by Steven Novella, Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella and Evan Bernstein: https://amzn.to/38oIaye
Trick or Treatment by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst: https://amzn.to/2GeVEjW
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre: https://amzn.to/2RAT90Y
The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins: https://amzn.to/2RGY00o
The Cure for Everything: Untangling Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness, and Happiness by Timothy Caulfield: https://amzn.to/2TBjHUE
Do You Believe in Magic?: Vitamins, Supplements, and All Things Natural: A Look Behind the Curtain by Dr Paul Offit, MD: https://amzn.to/3aAaEak
Bigger, Leaner, Stronger or Thinner, Leaner, Stronger by Michael Matthews: https://amzn.to/2RIAaRR

My Gear:
Camera: Sony ILCE a7c: https://amzn.to/3YUnpW9
Mic: Sennheiser MKH-416 Shotgun Mic: https://amzn.to/3jBSrlt
Manfroto BeFree 2-in-1: https://amzn.to/3f008Ng
Manfroto BeFree Live Fluid Video Head: https://amzn.to/3zFkQKf
GODOX SL Series SL60W: https://amzn.to/3vkf9Bl
Godox SB-GUE120 Octa Softbox with Bowens Speed Ring and Grid: https://amzn.to/3Q5bgK7
Godox 270CS, C-Stand with Arm, Grip Head & Removable Turtle Base: https://amzn.to/3Q0D2HS
Neewer X12 Teleprompter: https://amzn.to/3WLheC3
Lilliput A7S EY-ZB0167 7-inch IPS Screen 4K Field Monitor: https://amzn.to/3I6Muao

Questions, suggestions, or just want to get in touch? Find me on Instagram and Twitter as @berationable and on Facebook as @BeRationable.

Questions, suggestions or just want to get in touch? Find me on Instagram and Twitter @berationable.

Get updates and join the conversation on the Rationable Conversations Facebook group (  / rationable.conversations  ) or the Telegram channel, Rationable (https://t.me/rationable).

Contact me at [email protected]. For more content like this, visit www.berationable.com.

Support and get involved with Rationable on Patreon at patreon.com/rationable.