Everyday ESP

Shawn

Everyday ESP is a fantastic and much-needed modernization of classic ESP cards. Instead of using the tired old Zener symbols like wavy lines or circles, Adam Dadswell replaces them with organic, relatable imagery that audiences can instantly connect to. The cards look amazing. They are clean, bold, and designed with real intention. The emotional connection they create makes routines land harder and feel more meaningful.

I personally love presenting them as childhood flashcards from a memory game, like Concentration, which is actually true for me. I used matching games like that during speech therapy, and it just so happens that four of the five images I use correspond to specific sounds I had to work on as a kid. That layer of personal truth not only deepens my connection to the performance but also helps me tell a real story that audiences immediately relate to.

The routines Adam and the collaborators teach are phenomenal. If I did not already have a strong ESP set, I would use a bunch of these right away. The material is very approachable, with no difficult sleights, and yet it is layered and deceptive. The collaboration is top-tier. Marc Paul, Mark Elsdon, Nikolas Mavresis, Chris Rawlins, Alexander Marsh, David Jonathan, and others all bring something fresh to the table. You get clever spins on classics, modern effects using iOS shortcuts and web apps, multiple outs, matching routines, psychological reveals, and readings. It really covers a wide range of powerful material.

Two standouts for me are Adam’s “C-Wave” and Alexander McAleer’s “Tri-Sense.” C-Wave is a brilliant reimagining of Max Maven’s B’Wave. It is direct, powerful, and deceptive. Tri-Sense, on the other hand, is pure mentalism gold. It feels hands-off, clean, and completely impossible. The construction is so smart that the reveal lands with real force. Both routines show just how flexible and effective this system can be in real performance.

Now for the downsides.

First, the durability. I really wish these were made from plastic like the Eclipse cards. They are beautiful, but they are paper. At forty-five dollars, that is a serious risk for something that can be ruined by water, sweat, or a sticky table. I like carrying them with me, but I am always nervous about damaging them.

Second, the marking system. It is clever and well hidden, but it is not as intuitive or fast to read as others I have used. Eclipse has a more immediate and readable system. I have adapted to these markings, but they still slow me down more than I would like. I understand the difficulty of building a system with eight distinct images, but I still find myself thinking about making a custom version using Eclipse stock and personal symbols. That is outside the scope of this product, but it speaks to how close this comes to being perfect.

All that said, Everyday ESP is a major step forward for ESP-style mentalism. It feels relevant, human, and emotionally resonant. The design, the thinking, and the teaching are all top quality. Whether you are new to this kind of material or already working in ESP, this is one of the most thoughtful and practical products I have ever used. I will be keeping it in my case for a long time.