Growing up, I was obsessed with stories. I’d take apart scenes from my favorite films, not just to memorize the lines, but to figure out why they worked. That need to understand—what makes something click, what makes someone lean in—is what ultimately led me to acting, and later to coaching and entrepreneurship.
So when I sat down with Chris Cox on The Beyond Impact Podcast, and heard him talk about how curiosity fueled his career, it instantly resonated.
Chris is a mind reader who doesn’t believe in mind reading—a mentalist who works with psychological suggestion, performance, and some very intentional misdirection to create unforgettable moments on stage. But the real story? It all started with curiosity.
“I was obsessed with how things work,” Chris told me. “Magic let me explore that—and share it with people in a way that surprised them.”
Curiosity Builds More Than Tricks
Chris got into magic the way most kids do: watching performers on TV and asking, “How did they do that?” But instead of letting the mystery frustrate him, he chased it. He studied. Practiced. Failed. Tried again.
Eventually, that curiosity took him far beyond card tricks. He combined it with psychology, improvisation, and theater. He studied how people respond under pressure, how suggestion works, and how moments are remembered. That’s not just performance. That’s research.
And whether you’re on stage, on camera, or building a business, that kind of curiosity is invaluable. It’s how you keep growing when the answers don’t come easy.
Curiosity Over Control
I asked Chris how he handles nerves or the unexpected—especially in live theater, where anything can go wrong.
His answer? Curiosity.
“I don’t think of it as fear,” he said. “I think, ‘I wonder what’s going to happen tonight. I wonder how this audience will respond.’”
That shift—from needing control to welcoming surprise—makes a huge difference. It’s what keeps him calm under pressure. It’s also what allows him to truly connect with his audience, even when things go off-script.
That mindset shift is something I’ve used myself, whether on set or speaking in front of hundreds. If you go in thinking, “This has to be perfect,” you’ll freeze. But if you walk in thinking, “Let’s see what we can create together,” everything opens up.
Curiosity Creates Connection
The best performers aren’t just trying to impress—they’re trying to connect. Chris built his entire show around that principle.
“It’s not about me looking clever,” he said. “It’s about the audience feeling something real.”
That only happens when you’re curious enough to notice what they’re giving you. The body language. The energy. The little cues that tell you when to pause, when to push, when to listen.
Curiosity helps you tune in. It helps you lead with empathy instead of ego. And in a world that’s constantly trying to be louder, being present might be the most powerful move of all.
Hear the Full Conversation with Chris Cox
Chris and I went deep on creativity, performance, and how curiosity has shaped every stage of his career—from radio and theater to world tours and Broadway.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you need everything figured out before you start—maybe curiosity is the place to begin. Not knowing is uncomfortable. But staying curious? That’s where the real magic is.
