Tony Hawk's Real-Life Willy Wonka
Summary
In this episode, host Anna Sale interviews Indy Austin, an "experience designer" who creates bespoke, often transgressive rituals for clients like Tony Hawk. Austin, who grew up in an Alaskan doomsday cult, now designs immersive events ranging from desert train journeys to custom board-game funerals. He discusses the ethics of manipulating serendipity, the power of generosity, and how his work challenges conventional boundaries to foster deep personal connection.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and Introduction to the Guest
Who is N.D. Austin? The Experience Designer
Tony Hawk's Perspective and Early Collaborations
Defining 'Experience Design' vs. Event Planning
Growing Up in a Tlingit Village in Alaska
Designing a Funeral Board Game for a Friend
Leaving a Doomsday Cult Community
Finding Identity Through Craft and Generosity
Repairing Family Ties Through Acts of Service
Sponsor Breaks and Interlude
Moving to NYC and First Paid Experience
Philosophy of Design and Resistance to Tech
Criteria for Accepting Work: Intimacy and Transgression
Case Study: Engineering Serendipity for a Client
The Importance of End States and Boundaries
Credits and Outro
Closing Sponsors
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