When you hear the word “magic,” your mind probably jumps to card tricks, illusions, or flashy stage effects. But after talking with Chris Cox on The Beyond Impact Podcast, I walked away with a different understanding of what real magic looks like.
Chris is a mentalist. He reads minds—or at least creates the illusion that he does. But as impressive as his performances are, what stood out most during our conversation wasn’t the tricks.
It was his obsession with connection.
“My goal isn’t to fool people,” he told me. “It’s to make them feel something real. To create a moment they’ll remember.”
That idea resonated with me deeply. Because whether you’re on stage, building a brand, or simply trying to lead with impact—connection is everything.
Presence Is the Magic
Chris doesn’t just perform at people. He performs with them. He makes the audience feel like part of the show—seen, heard, and invited into the moment.
It’s a skill I’ve learned through acting, speaking, and coaching. The most powerful moments don’t come from the script. They come from presence. When you drop the performance and lean into what’s actually happening between you and the other person.
That’s where the real transformation happens.
Connection Over Cleverness
Chris explained that early in his career, he wanted to be the smartest person in the room. He thought success meant being impressive.
But over time, he realized that cleverness has limits. Connection doesn’t.
“People don’t remember how smart you are,” he said. “They remember how you made them feel.”
I’ve seen the same in every area of life. Whether you’re on a podcast, in a pitch meeting, or sharing your story on stage—people crave honesty. They want to feel like they’re in it with you, not being talked at from a pedestal.
Creating Shared Moments
In Chris’s shows, the audience becomes the magic. It’s their reactions, their laughter, their surprise that turn a routine into a memory.
And the same applies to business, leadership, and relationships. If you want people to trust you, follow you, or buy from you—don’t just show them what you do. Share a moment. Ask a question. Listen for the response.
The magic isn’t in the trick. It’s in the exchange.
Hear the Full Conversation with Chris Cox
We talked about stage performance, audience psychology, and why the most meaningful work we do has nothing to do with ego—and everything to do with connection.
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 want to make an impact—on stage, online, or one-on-one—focus less on proving something. Focus more on making someone feel seen.
The real magic isn’t what you do. It’s how you make people feel while you’re doing it.
