In this entertaining and insightful episode, Rusty Austin—veteran television producer turned children’s book author—joins Greg Hanna and Neil Haley to reflect on his 40-year career in Hollywood, including behind-the-scenes stories from iconic shows like Survivor, Hell’s Kitchen, and Nanny 911.
Rusty shares how his experience shaping real-life storytelling for millions has translated into his new purpose: creating playful, poetic children’s books that encourage creativity and self-expression. His latest release, Awesome Bird: The Pelican, is a poetic tribute to nature, illustrated by middle school students and filled with humor and charm.
Whether you’re a fan of classic reality TV or curious about the craft of writing for children, this episode delivers equal parts nostalgia and inspiration.
Book Title: Awesome Bird: The Pelican
By: Rusty Austin
Audience: Children ages 6–10 (and parents, too!)
Highlights:
Short, engaging 10- to 15-word poems
Nonlinear format (great for reluctant readers)
Do-It-Yourself pages for kids to write and draw
Illustrated entirely by 7th and 8th grade students
Inspired by Rusty’s real-life school visits
The Reality of Reality TV
Rusty reveals the “400-to-1” shooting ratio on Hell’s Kitchen and how raw footage becomes riveting storytelling.
Coffee-Fueled Chaos on Nanny 911
Find out how late-arriving executives, oversized Starbucks orders, and 26-day work weeks defined Fox’s race to beat Super Nanny to air.
From Survivor to Storybooks
Learn why Rusty traded cameras for crayons—and how working with children reignited his creative spark.
Why Writing for Kids Is Harder Than It Looks
Rusty explains why brevity is key, and how keeping poems under 15 words keeps young readers engaged and entertained.
How the Classroom Became His Creative Studio
After visiting a local teacher via DonorsChoose, Rusty invited middle school students to illustrate his next book, leading to dozens of excited contributors and their work published in print.
On the Future of TV & Content Creation
Rusty shares an honest take on the changing entertainment landscape, where local programming and digital-first content may replace traditional network TV—and why it’s both a challenge and an opportunity for independent creators.
“In reality TV, we shoot the show, then write the script. In scripted TV, it’s the other way around.”
— Rusty Austin
“I didn’t want to be just another author—I wanted kids to be co-creators. That’s what makes this book special.”
— Rusty Austin on involving student artists
“This too shall pass. Forget the bad, remember the good. That’s something you learn after four decades in television.”
— Rusty Austin
“Local TV will survive like radio did. But creators need to think differently—and act like entrepreneurs.”
— Rusty Austin on the future of TV
Nonlinear design—flip to any page and start reading
Encourages creativity with write-your-own pages
Hilarious animal characters like pelicans, toucans, and axolotls
Great for classroom inspiration and parent-child reading time
Awesome Bird: The Pelican
Get your copy at RustyAustin.com or wherever books are sold.
Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and parents looking for fun, educational reads.
“This too shall pass. The toughest deadlines, the hardest edits—it all fades. What matters is doing something meaningful with your time. For me, that’s making kids smile.”
📚 Featured Project:🔍 Inside the Episode:💬 Notable Quotes:👦 Why Kids (and Parents) Love His Books:📚 Available Now:📌 Closing Thought from Rusty: