30 Oct 2026
Thrill Expert: The Psychology of Thrill Seeking | Brendan Walker
Why do humans crave fear, chase adrenaline and actively seek out experiences that terrify us? And what if the scariest part of a roller coaster isn't actually the drop?
In this episode of What's The Trick?, Ben Hanlin is joined by Brendan Walker, a thrill engineer and expert in the psychology of thrill seeking, to uncover the surprising science behind fear, excitement and human behaviour.
From designing experiences for Alton Towers to measuring people's emotional reactions on roller coasters, Brendan reveals how our brains respond to danger, why anticipation can be more powerful than the event itself, and how theme parks deliberately engineer unforgettable thrills.
We explore the psychology behind some of Britain's most famous roller coasters, including Oblivion, Wicker Man and Thirteen, and discover how adrenaline, dopamine, emotional contagion and the power of suggestion influence our experiences.
In this episode, discover:
Why our brains are wired to seek fear and excitement.
Why the most intense moment of a roller coaster might happen before it even moves.
How other people's emotions can change what we feel.
The psychological tricks used to design thrilling experiences.
How Alton Towers creates rides that surprise and excite us.
Why thrill seeking is about much more than speed, height and danger.
Whether you're fascinated by human psychology, roller coasters, theme parks or the science of fear, this conversation will change the way you think about thrill seeking.
00:00 Introduction – The Psychology of Thrill Seeking
01:11 What Is Thrill and Why Do We Crave It?
03:06 How Do You Create Thrill?
04:02 Why Is Novelty So Thrilling?
05:33 Can Other People's Emotions Affect Our Fear?
08:04 What Makes a Roller Coaster Truly Thrilling?
10:37 What's the Scariest Part of a Roller Coaster?
14:34 How Can We Create Thrill in Everyday Life?
16:50 A Quick Break with Ben
19:59 How Do You Become a Thrill Engineer?
22:36 How Are Roller Coasters Designed?
27:19 How Do You Test a Roller Coaster?
31:20 What Are the Best Roller Coasters?
34:13 What's the Future of Roller Coasters?
37:23 Ben's Fast Five
43:18 What's the Trick to Following Your Passion?
44:37 Ben's Final Takeaways
About Ben Hanlin: Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.
About the podcast: "What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.
Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.
🎧 Listen / Watch:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlin
Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin
Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin
📩 Work with Ben:
https://www.benhanlin.com/
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FOLLOW BEN:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag
Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin
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🎤 FOLLOW BRENDAN WALKER:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrillengineer/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/profbwalker/
- Website: www.thrilllaboratory.com
How do creative people turn ideas into reality?
Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it.
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