Popular culture is full of magic – witches and wizards, wands and spells, in books, films, and adverts. We are encouraged to enjoy it as fictional whimsy. And yet many people in our society believe in ‘magical thinking’ as a way of taking control of their lives.
In this conversation we explored the nature of magic and magical thinking, and considered why so many people find it so attractive.
Martin Spence spent most of his working life in the film and TV industry, both in production and as a trade union official. He has been a member of the Sea of Faith Network since 2014, and was Chair of the Steering Group in 2024-2025.