Austin McDonald is an actor, improviser, magician, musician, yo-yo enthusiast, Navy veteran—and professional pirate.

In Episode 11, Austin talks about the unusual path that led him to creating his pirate persona, Eli McKraken.

After losing his job when his bank was bought out, Austin began thinking about what he was passionate about while reading Rain or Shine by Scott Alexander. He eventually told his wife that he wanted to explore becoming a pirate.

She told him he couldn't.

So he did.

We talk about the creation of Eli McKraken, Austin's love of Blackbeard, performing at Pirate Fest Las Vegas and Renaissance fairs, and how his Navy experience—including learning to yo-yo—eventually became part of his pirate performances.

Austin also shares stories about growing up with a mortician father, the Southern Utah Halloween Map, joining So U Comedy, performing with The Mermen, and his growing collection of film roles.

From Bloody Mary's and Miracle on Dixie Drive to Casa de Tita, Highway Strays: El Trabajo de la Mano, The Bill, and A Very Corporate Christmas, Austin has become a familiar face in the Southern Utah creative community.

It's a conversation about creativity, collaboration, finding your passions, and refusing to let someone else's “you can't” become the end of the story.

🎙️ The Neveready Podcast — Episode 11

Magic, Mayhem, and Eli McKraken with Austin McDonald

New episodes every Thursday.

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