The Science &
Magic of
Human Potential
Psychologist. Author. Podcaster. Coach. Mentalist. Celebrating all kinds of minds and exploring what it truly means to become fully human.
“That’s a course I’d like to take!”
— Oprah
"The key to understanding human greatness lies not in the mind's limits, but in its capacity to transcend them."Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD
The Scientist
Mapping the terrain of human potential
A cognitive scientist and humanistic psychologist at the Center for Human Potential, Scott's life work is showing that potential is not fixed—it is infinite, dynamic, and available to all kinds of minds.
- Top 1% most-cited scientists globally
- Founder, Center for Human Potential
- PhD Yale · Gates Cambridge Scholar · BS Carnegie Mellon
- Host of The Psychology Podcast — 30M+ downloads, ranked among the top psychology podcasts in the world
- 12 books on intelligence, creativity & self-actualization
- Taught a course with Oprah on the power of gratitude
- Lifelong advocate for neurodiversity and the appreciation of all kinds of minds
The Mentalist
Performing the impossible
Beneath the lab coat lives a performer of human wonder. As a performing mentalist in the tradition of Derren Brown and The Amazing Kreskin, Dr. Scott brings awe and wonder to everyone by showing what’s possible with the mind.
- Trained in classic mentalism & psychological illusion
- Performs mind-reading, prediction & impossible feats
- The magic is the message: your mind is extraordinary
- Available for corporate events, schools, and private engagements
Where science meets wonder
What if the greatest magic trick is realizing every mind's potential?
The magician and the scientist share the same belief: every mind — regardless of how it's wired — is capable of far more than we've been told. One uses data. The other uses wonder. Both point to the same truth.
“You're a force for humanity. I'm so glad to have someone like you fighting for positive changes that so many of us know we need in the world.”
— Andrew Yang, Former Presidential Candidate
Books on human potential
12 books. One lifelong question.
The sailboat metaphor
Beyond the pyramid
In his best-selling book Transcend, Dr. Kaufman replaces Maslow's rigid pyramid with a sailboat — the hull represents our security needs, the sail our growth needs. A boat needs both to move.
This elegant reframe transforms how we think about motivation, creativity, and what it means to live a fully human life.
“One of the world's leading experts on creativity and our modern-day Maslow — Scott Barry Kaufman is a force for transformation!”
— Steven Kotler, Author of The Art of Impossible
The Amazing Dr. Scott
Where science meets wonder
What if a magic show could make you believe in yourself? That's exactly what Big Think explored when they sat down with The Amazing Dr. Scott. After discovering mentalism deep into his psychology career, Dr. Kaufman realized that the stage could do something his science alone could not — emotionally move people in an instant. His performances weave insights from positive psychology and the science of human potential into routines designed not just to astonish, but to inspire. One signature effect has audience members privately select cards representing their greatest character strengths — and then, simply by interacting with them, Dr. Scott reveals what those strengths are and encourages them to use them more in daily life. As he puts it: mentalism shouldn't just be about the performer being amazing. It should leave the audience understanding themselves better and believing in what they're capable of.
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Thought reading
Demonstrates how attention and cognitive patterns can reveal what the conscious mind conceals.
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Prediction effects
Shows how pattern recognition and probabilistic thinking appear supernatural — until the science is revealed.
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Memory demonstrations
Live illustrations of how memory is constructive, fallible, and astonishing — all at once.
“Scott's a force of nature.”
— Angela Duckworth, Author of Grit
The psychology podcast
Conversations that expand what's possible
2014 – 2025 · 478 Episodes
The Psychology Podcast
For over a decade, Scott Barry Kaufman hosted one of the world's most celebrated psychology podcasts — 478 episodes of deep, mind-expanding conversation with the world's leading scientists, artists, and thinkers. The podcast has now concluded, but the entire back catalog remains a vast archive of knowledge on creativity, intelligence, well-being, and what it means to be fully human.
As seen & heard
Stages, Screens, & Schools
Speaking & events
Invite the science and the magic
Dr. Kaufman delivers keynotes that leave audiences not just informed, but transformed — combining rigorous psychology with theatrical wonder to make the science of human potential, neurodiversity, and the appreciation of all kinds of minds unforgettable and actionable.
Keynote Speaking
Science-backed talks for corporate events, conferences, schools, and universities.
Mentalism Performances
Mind-bending shows that combine psychology with theatrical wonder.
Workshops & Coaching
Interactive sessions on self-actualization, creativity, and human potential.
“Scott Barry Kaufman’s talk for FAN was a sensitive, engaging mix of heart, intellect, and insight.”
— Family Action Network
“He blended research with humor in his delivery model. Several superintendents commented that it was just what they needed to hear!”
— Washington Association of School Administrators
“He was funny and interactive, even with a session of 1000 people. All-in-all, it was a success!”
— NW Association of Independent Schools
“Your remarks set just the right tone for our audience as well as were highly informative and engaging. Thank you again for your contribution in making this conference a great success!”
— American Association of Community Colleges