The Anti-Numbness Movement: How Catherine Woodiwiss is Re-Engineering Social Life in Austin

Описание: Catherine Woodiwiss isn't just planning parties; she is waging a quiet war on the numbness of modern life. In a world where "connection" usually means a double-tap on a screen, Catherine is an "experience architect" who demands you feel something real. By day, she runs design research for Texas’ most beloved brand, H-E-B. By night, she is the orchestrator of Austin’s most intriguing underground gatherings—from conversational salons that pierce the superficial veil to "purpose speed-dating" and even "funerals for the living".

She’s a former journalist and anthropologist who looks at a cocktail party and sees a design problem: how do we get past the small talk?. Her answer is "scaffolding"—building the structures that allow strangers to fall into deep, meaningful intimacy. If you’ve ever felt the ache of loneliness in a crowded room, Catherine is the guide you’ve been waiting for. Welcome to the art of being fully alive in Austin.

Welcome to Austin Community Capital, the show where we explore the true wealth of our city—its people. Join us as we sit down with inspiring connectors, creators, and entrepreneurs in Austin, TX, showcasing the soul of this vibrant city through the voices that define it. If you believe in building community and connecting to the spirit of Central Texas, this is your platform.

This show is proudly presented by Loyal Home Concierge, the Austin-based home-thriving company dedicated to managing your home. Hence, you are free to design a life of deeper intention. Our mission is simple: to keep your dream home a DREAM, not a nightmare. We support overextended executives, families, and couples, ensuring the logistics of luxury home and lifestyle management never compromise your well-being.

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Show Notes
02:30 - The Experience Architect: Catherine defines her unique role and why "gathering" requires intentional design, not just an open door.

05:15 - The Enemy is Numbness: Why the goal of her events isn't just "fun," but to combat the pervasive numbness of the digital age.

09:45 - Scaffolding Connection: The concept of providing "scaffolding" or rules at parties to help people bypass anxiety and connect faster.

18:20 - The Salon Dinner: Catherine breaks down her formula for the perfect dinner party: 7-8 people, one question, and total presence.

28:10 - Purpose Speed Dating: A look at one of her wildest experiments—pairing strangers to discuss their deepest drivers in rapid-fire rounds.

41:00 - A Funeral for the Living: The moving story of hosting a "living funeral" for a friend, celebrating their life while they were still there to hear it.

48:50 - Austin’s Growing Pains: A candid discussion on the grief and opportunity inherent in Austin's rapid expansion.