Programs

  Our brain decides how we perceive everything around us. It finds patterns and solves problems efficiently, except for when it lies to us. In this engaging program, William explores the real science of how our brains trick us into seeing and believing things that don’t exist. You’ll experience how optical illusions work, why people fall for scams, and how we make thousands of choices every day that are influenced subconsciously. 

William will also give the attendees proven, scientific, actionable techniques to preserve brain health. At the end, you may be left wondering if your brain has a mind of its own. 

(PowerPoint and Very Interactive

ZOOM available)

Packed with interactive games, William returns with a second edition of his popular MIND GAMES program. In this program, he reinforces the concepts in MIND GAMES-1 (But you don’t need Mind Games 1 to participate) and adds even more ways our brain hard wired to believe things that defy logic and facts. He’ll show you how our brains seek out patterns and try to make meaning out of nothing. 

As always, William will remind you on the proven ways to preserve brain health.  (PowerPoint and Interactive

ZOOM available)

(The third installment of William's Popular Mind Games programs.) 

Delve into the different types of memory and discover the intricacies of how we remember and forget. Explore why we can't always trust our memory and learn helpful tips on how you can improve your memory. William Pack will guide you through this engaging presentation with interactive activities, allowing you to participate in your learning experience.

Whether you're a student looking to boost your memory for exams, a professional hoping to sharpen your recall skills, or simply curious about how your mind works, this program is perfect for you. Join us on an exciting voyage of discovery as we uncover the mysteries of the human memory. 

(PowerPoint and Interactive,

ZOOM available)

  Coming March 2025

(The Latest Program in the Mind Games Series)

 Are you ready for a truly mind-blowing experience?  William Pack returns with an all new program designed to mess with your mind and reveal the inner-workings of your brain. Using memorable stories and relatable examples, you'll learn the subtle tactics that advertisers, marketers, sales people and con artists use to get you to do what they want, without you noticing.   

(PowerPoint and  Interactive

ZOOM available)

  The true story of "The Greatest Showman." Years before he revolutionized the circus, P.T. Barnum was the most famous man in the world. William reveals the amazing life of P.T. Barnum through storytelling and recreations of historical sideshow performances. 

HEAR the life lessons that shaped this great American showman, 

MEET the extraordinary people that changed his life, and 

EXPERIENCE the wonders of his American museum. 

(Mildly interactive, with PowerPoint

ZOOM available)

Barnum may be the biggest name, but he was only a small part of the story of the circus. William Pack takes you on a fantastical journey through the history of the Circus, from Phil Astley's creation of the modern circus in 1768 to Dan Rice,  "the most famous man you've never heard of" to the incredible feud between Barnum and the Ringling Brothers. 

You'll hear stories of triumph, disaster, and the grand adventure of the travelling.

Experience the story of those who gave their lives to show and became legends in the process.

(Storytelling and PowerPoint. Zoom available.

 This program tells the tales that were left out of the "Death Defying Acts" Program.  Through a collection of captivating stories, this program explores the history, culture, and intricacies of the circus, uncovering the behind-the-scenes tales that have brought the circus to life for generations. In depth stories about some of the circus' greatest performers and worst tragedies.  Whether you have a lifelong love for the circus or are simply curious about its magic, behind the canvas is sure to leave you amazed and entertained.

(Storytelling and PowerPoint and

ZOOM available)

From the late 1800s to the early 1930s, vaudeville was a cultural phenomenon. Discover how vaudeville transformed entertainment, bringing together a diverse array of performances, from comedians, singers, and dancers to magicians, acrobats, on a single stage.

Through engaging anecdotes, captivating stories, and rare archival footage, William will explore how vaudeville emerged as the ultimate melting pot of performers. We’ll take you behind the scenes at iconic venues like the Palace Theatre in New York City and the Orpheum circuit. Learn about the trailblazers and legends who graced these boards, leaving audiences spellbound and craving more.

(PowerPoint, ZOOM available)

William, “The Chicago Magic Expert,” cracks open his magic history scrapbooks to reveal a secret world of colorful characters, amusing adventures, and arcane knowledge. 

MEET astonishing magicians who made the impossible possible. 

EXPLORE incredible behind-the-scenes stories that most never hear and your audiences will never forget. 

WONDER at recreations of the baffling magic tricks behind the stories. 

(in-person only, Mildly interactive, PowerPoint).

Despite what some histories say, Halloween, as we know it, is a surprisingly modern holiday. You'll hear about the true origins of the spookiest night of the year, some of the wildest ways people have celebrated the night, and the legends that surround it. In this engaging and immersive program,  you'll gain a deeper understanding of the fascinating historical and cultural significance of Hallowe'en. From ancient traditions rooted in folklore to modern-day practices, this program is designed to enlighten and entertain, ensuring that every participant leaves with a newfound appreciation for the magic and mystery behind Hallowe'en. So join us and embark on a bewitching journey through time, uncovering the tricks and treats that have shaped this enchanting holiday.

(PowerPoint and Storytelling

ZOOM available)

Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, M.R. James, and Shirley Jackson provide the inspiration for 60 minutes of spine-tingling bizarre magic, spell-binding stories, and macabre humor. For 60 minutes, William takes your patrons into their own private Twilight Zone.  They will participate in the thrilling action that will leave them amazed and, maybe a little disturbed by the odd and unusual occurrences. 

(In-person only, Highly Interactive, spooky & fun magic)

Remember the experience of turning off the lights, huddling under a blanket, and watching an old black and white monster movie?

Ever tell ghost stories by candlelight? Or around a campfire?

That skin crawling experience is what Familiar Spirits recreates for teens and adults. With a little something extra.

Experience an evening of supernatural theatre where the stories are so frighteningly real, the only relief is to scream, that is, after you stop laughing...

(Highly interactive performance, Special requirements needed, in-person only, 

EXTRA FEE REQUIRED)

It started in a barn and, two days of flaming hell later, nearly destroyed a city. In "The Essential Great Chicago Fire", William weaves together technical details of the fire with vivid firsthand accounts from those who lived through the conflagration of 1871, bringing alive all the excitement and terror in a multi-media storytelling event that will not soon be forgotten.

 (PowerPoint and long form storytelling, ZOOM available ) 

We all know the big Chicago stories: the world’s fairs, the fires, the crime. It’s time to see the city anew. A city is made up of 1000s of stories. Stories of the people. Stories of the neighborhoods. Small stories of often forgotten men, women, and places. Storyteller William Pack returns with a program like no other, a collection of unusual short stories that add texture and depth to the everyday life and history of Chicago and celebrates the surprising people who lived and died in the city of big shoulders. (PowerPoint and storytelling, ZOOM available )

We think of the 1960s as a revolutionary time, socially and culturally in America. The 1920s was the 60s before the 60s. The spirt of the era was characterized by a feeling pf novelty and modernity, something that resulted in a break with many traditions. It may be the dividing point between the Victorian and Modern world.  Hear the story of how the culture and everyday life changed radically for our recent ancestors. (PowerPoint and storytelling, ZOOM available)