If you think small-town Upper Midwest life is all quiet Friday nights and early bedtimes, think again. Over the past few weekends, I presented some spectacular, mind-bending events that left audiences questioning reality. From a chillingly accurate psychic Q&A session at the historic theatre in Cresco, Iowa, to an absolute riot of a high school comedy hypnosis show in Cadott, Wisconsin, the energy was unmatched.

Here is a breakdown of a couple of weekends of pure mystery, jaw-dropping revelations, and tears-streaming-down-your-face laughter.

Part 1: Piercing the Veil in Cresco, IA
There is already something inherently magical about walking into the Cresco Theatre, but when the lights dimmed for the Psychic Questions and Answers Show, the atmosphere turned electric. This wasn't your run-of-the-mill parlor trick performance—it was an intimate, eerie, and deeply emotional night.

The premise was simple yet daunting: audience members submitted  questions, and I spent the evening tuning into the energy of the room to deliver live readings. You could hear a pin drop. The century-old architecture of the opera house provided the perfect atmosphere. From validating personal choices to tapping into messages from long-lost loved ones, there were jaw-droppingly specific details that left several skeptics in the crowd absolutely speechless. Whether you walked in as a firm believer or a hardcore cynic, you couldn't deny the profound sense of closure and wonder that filled the room by the time the final question was answered.

Part 2: Hypnotic Havoc at Cadott High School
Two weeks later, just a few hours northeast in Wisconsin, the vibe shifted from mystifying to downright hilarious. Cadott High School graduates celebrated with an evening of hypnosis, suggestions, and pure comedic gold.

The real magic of a high school hypnosis show is watching normal, everyday teenagers completely shed their inhibitions once they hear the phrase, "Sleep... deep asleep." I took a brave group of new graduates through a lightning-fast hypnotic induction, and once they were under, the chaos began.

By the end of the show, the crowd's jaws were sore from laughing. The volunteers blinked, completely unaware of why everyone was roaring with applause, looking around as if they had just woken up from a great nap.

The Verdict: Two Sides of the Same Coin
What makes events like the Cresco Psychic Show and the Cadott Hypnosis Show so special is how they tap into the hidden power of the human mind.

Both towns proved that you don't need a massive arena in a metropolis to experience unforgettable live entertainment. Sometimes, the most magical nights happen right in your backyard!

If you had told me on Friday that I’d spend my weekend going between a  24th birthday soirée and a high-energy post-prom party at 3:00 AM, I would’ve asked you to check your own pulse. But here we are, Tuesday morning, and my brain is still buzzing from the sheer contrast of it all.
Here’s a look behind the curtain at two very different, very magical nights.

The 24th: Mind Reading & MerlotThe weekend kicked off with a 24th birthday party that was so much fun Think dim lighting, artisanal cocktails, and a guest list of young professionals who were—at first—rightfully skeptical.

• The Atmosphere: Elegant but intimate.
  
• The Highlight: I performed a piece involving a guest’s first heartbreak. The room went silent when I whispered a name no one in that city could have possibly known.
  
• The Takeaway: At 24, people are in that sweet spot of being old enough to appreciate the craft, but young enough to still let their jaws drop. It wasn't just about the "tricks"; it was about the shared connection.
  

The Post-Prom Graveyard Shift: 3:00 AM ChaosFast forward 24 hours. I found myself in a high school gymnasium smelling of energy drinks and expensive cologne. It was 3:00 AM. I was performing for 200 teenagers who had been awake for twenty hours straight.
"I’ve never seen a group of people more simultaneously exhausted and caffeinated. It’s a dangerous combination for a mentalist."

• The Energy: Pure, unadulterated chaos.
  
• The Challenge: Keeping the attention of a crowd that is biologically programmed to be asleep. I had to pivot from psychological subtleties to "flashy" mentalism—bending spoons and predicting text messages in real-time.
  
• The Win: There is nothing quite like the roar of a hundred seniors when you successfully "hack" a student's phone passcode. It’s better than any alarm clock.
  

The Tale of the TapeFeatureThe 24th BirthdayThe Post-PromStart Time8:30 PM3:00 AM
Beverage of ChoiceEspresso MartiniMonster Energy
Crowd SkepticismHigh (Intellectual)Low (Pure Adrenaline)
Reaction StyleGasps and "No Way"Literal Screaming and Running Away
Final ThoughtsWhether it’s a living room in the city or a gymnasium in the suburbs, the core of what I do remains the same: reminding people that the world is a little more mysterious than it looks. One group was celebrating the start of their "real" adulthood, the other was mourning the end of their childhood. Both needed a moment of wonder to mark the occasion.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go sleep for the next fourteen hours.