PT 593 - Vince Kadlubek - Meow Wolf & PORTAL

In this inspiring and far-reaching conversation, Joe Moore is joined by Vince Kadlubek, the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Meow Wolf, the groundbreaking arts and entertainment company known for its massive, immersive art experiences. Together, they dive deep into Meow Wolf's humble DIY origins, its evolution into a multi-city creative juggernaut, and how it intertwines with psychedelic culture and expanded states of consciousness.

Vince shares the story of Meow Wolf's formation in Santa Fe, the evolution from a group of passionate friends into a thousand-person company, and the power of belief, creativity, and visionary leadership. He reflects on raising funding from George R. R. Martin and major investors, navigating massive growth, and the challenge of keeping the creative spark alive in the face of institutionalization.

They also discuss the upcoming Bicycle Day Portal Takeover at Meow Wolf Denver on April 19, which will feature performances, talks, and immersive experiences throughout the exhibition—with appearances from Reggie Watts, Duncan Trussell, Zach Leary, and more.

From the imaginative to the esoteric, Vince and Joe explore the intersection of psychedelics and art, the nature of reality and the imaginal realm, and how to build beauty and wonder into the world around us.

🌀 Topics Covered

• What Meow Wolf is and how it all began
• Growing from a DIY collective to a nationwide phenomenon
• Maintaining creative spirit through growth and structure
• Vision, belief, and the spiritual work of creating art
• Navigating private equity and big funding in the arts
• Santa Fe's unique cultural and energetic imprint
• Portal's Bicycle Day event at Meow Wolf Denver
• Fictional character sentience and AI in immersive worlds
• Art as a cultural response in times of uncertainty
• Psychedelics as tools for accessing the imaginal and creative realms

Bicycle Day at Meow Wolf Denver – April 19

Hosted by Portal, this one-of-a-kind immersive celebration of Bicycle Day takes over the entire Meow Wolf Denver space. Expect DJs, speakers, psychedelic storytelling, ecstatic dance, art, and surprises around every corner.

Featured Guests Include:

• Reggie Watts
• Duncan Trussell
• LP GIOBI (Dead House)
• Zach Leary
• David Satori (Dirtwire)
• Frick Frack Blackjack
• Dennis Walker
• Veronica Lightning Horse Perez
• …and many more to be announced!

🌀 Plus: Pre-event Bicycle Day bike ride through Denver, curated by Portal.

📍 More Info

• Learn more about Meow Wolf
• Check out Portal Events for Bicycle Day details

📣 Support the Show

If you love what we do, please share this episode, leave a review, and consider supporting us in our Navigators Program.