A Phil Svitek Podcast - A Series From Your 360 Creative Coach

I reflect on several lessons that have been top of mind recently, including why it can be necessary to walk away from long-term clients, the difference between resilience and adaptability, and why so many things we call “emergencies” are really just inconveniences. I also share updates on The Arbiters , including the creative freedom we currently have during storyboarding and worldbuilding, the be...

The “hard work” we fear is often far easier than we imagine once we actually begin. The real challenge isn’t doing something difficult once — it’s building the consistency to keep showing up over and over again. Whether it’s filmmaking, fitness, writing, business, or any creative pursuit, long-term success comes from making one powerful decision: deciding who you are before the moment-to-moment ex...

I share a powerful conversation with Charles McCaughan centered around the art of changing your mind — why it feels so difficult, why we cling to beliefs even when they hurt us, and how much of our identity is shaped by conditioning, fear, and unconscious programming. Charles explores how thoughts are often mistaken for facts, why society places such a high value on “being right,” and how personal...

Too many people say they’re “bad at hiring.” But more often than not, the real problem is that they’re rushing the process, avoiding the work required to properly vet candidates, or failing to clearly define what they actually want in the first place. I discuss: Why vague expectations lead to bad hires The importance of interviews and trial projects How I find hidden creative talent around the wor...

If you share large creative projects through Google Drive, here’s a simple trick that can save a lot of frustration: ZIP your files before uploading them. I explain why uploading folders directly to Google Drive can create messy downloads, broken organization, and multiple ZIP files — especially for larger projects like films, audio sessions, or editing projects. By zipping your main folder first,...

The way you write shapes how people perceive your competence, confidence, and clarity. And one of the biggest mistakes people make—especially on resumes, presentations, introductions, and professional communication—is relying on weak verbs. Words like “helped,” “assisted,” “supported,” or “worked on” often dilute your actual contributions and make you sound passive, uncertain, or unclear… even whe...

One of the biggest mistakes people make in creative collaboration is assuming their preferences are objective truths. They’re not. I explain why subjective creative notes often create confusion, frustration, and inefficiency—especially when they’re communicated as if there’s only one “correct” way to do something. Whether it’s filmmaking, animation, podcast editing, music, color grading, sound des...

Most people misunderstand networking. They think it’s about working the room, collecting contacts, sending cold DMs, or trying to extract value from people as quickly as possible. But real networking isn’t transactional—it’s relational. I break down why the best form of networking is actually doing great work, being dependable, treating people well, and playing the long game. Over time, your reput...

Everyone wants the appearance of success… but fewer people want to endure the process required to actually become great. I unpack the growing obsession with vanity metrics, inflated bios, fake expertise, and “razzle dazzle” culture—especially in the age of AI. From bought followers to overhyped personal brands, we’re living in a time where perception is often prioritized over real skill, craftsman...

What does it actually take to finance an indie animated feature? I break down where The Arbiters currently stands—over a third of the way storyboarded—and the real strategies we’re using to push it forward. From grants and early-stage investors to the “chicken or egg” problem of attaching talent, this is an honest look at the process most people don’t see. I also dive into unconventional approache...

Podcasting has never been easier to start—and never harder to do well. I break down what’s actually broken in modern podcasting: the obsession with starting a show without a strategy, bloated episodes with no clear value, and the rise of what I call “slopcasting”—content that exists just to exist. Too many creators are trying to copy shows like The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy without u...

What does it actually take to finance an indie animated feature? I break down where The Arbiters currently stands—over a third of the way storyboarded—and the real strategies we’re using to push it forward. From grants and early-stage investors to the “chicken or egg” problem of attaching talent, this is an honest look at the process most people don’t see. I also dive into unconventional approache...

“It’s a rather unfortunate reality… loyalty in corporate structures isn’t rewarded.” In this episode, I break down a hard truth many people eventually realize: staying loyal to a company doesn’t always lead to growth, recognition, or better pay. Drawing from insights in How Google Works by Eric Schmidt, we explore the difference between “rock stars” and “superstars”—and why companies often fail to...

Before Thriller became iconic, it was just an expensive, confusing idea that almost no one understood—except Michael Jackson. In this episode, I break down why that moment—the one where people don’t get it—isn’t a sign you’re wrong… it’s often a sign you’re early. From The Matrix and the Wachowskis’ now-legendary storyboards, to Cleo Wade creating a new lane with Heart Talk , the pattern is the sa...

This month in book club, Marisa Serafini (@serafinitv) and I explore the romance and intrigue at the heart of A Good Year by Peter Mayle. While the novel is often remembered for its idyllic setting in the south of France, what really drives the story is the unfolding mystery around the vineyard—and the unexpected relationships that emerge along the way. We follow Max Skinner, a London stockbroker...

After attending a live event in Los Angeles with author and poet Cleo Wade—best known for Heart Talk and her latest release In A World of Sunrises —I walked away with four powerful insights that feel especially relevant right now. In a world dominated by algorithms, noise, and constant comparison, these ideas offer something different: clarity, grounding, and perspective. In this episode, I break...

Are film festivals, awards, and industry platforms still supporting indie creators—or just reinforcing the system they claim to disrupt? In this episode, I break down a growing frustration many independent artists are experiencing: the gap between mission statements and reality. From the Webby Awards to major festivals like Sundance Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival, there’s an increasing tre...

Is it true that no enlightened person works in corporate? And if so—is that causation or just correlation? In this episode, I dig into that question from multiple angles and ultimately argue that it’s not a coincidence. There’s something fundamentally at odds between corporate structures and the human spirit. From hierarchy and incentives to language and culture, the system often prioritizes outco...

What does it actually take to fund an indie film? I break down the real tension behind making a movie like The Arbiters —balancing the business side (funding, development, pitching) with the creative side (storyboarding, building the film itself). Because the truth is, every dollar spent trying to raise money is a dollar not going directly into the art. I talk about the constant trade-offs:...

It feels like the world is on fire… and yet we’re still expected to show up, send emails, and carry on like everything is normal. I unpack the growing disconnect between what’s happening globally and how we’re expected to function day-to-day. From post-pandemic shifts to ongoing world stress, I explore how that pressure is quietly seeping into our personal and professional...

Why do we make everything harder than it needs to be? I reflect on something I think we don’t talk about enough: our tendency to overcomplicate what is often painfully simple. That doesn’t mean the solution is easy. It means we often resist clear truths because they feel too direct, too unsatisfying, or too uncomfortable to accept. From conflict and communication to everyday frustratio...

In this stream-of-consciousness vlog, I open up about where things stand with The Arbiters —from funding, storyboarding, and cash flow challenges to the emotional weight of trying to build something ambitious while the wider world feels increasingly unstable. I talk about the tension between art and business, the reality of supporting a global creative team, and the constant balancing act of...

If you run an interview-style podcast, you’ve probably seen this trend: publicists reaching out with “personalized” emails but giving you zero actual information about the guest—no links, no one-sheet, no real context. This isn’t just a rant—it’s a reality check for anyone in PR, podcasting, or media outreach. If you’re a publicist, this will help you get better results. If you’re a host, you’ll f...

Can we all agree on one new rule? 👉 Stop volunteering other people for work you’re not going to do. From corporate “we should…” meetings to bigger societal conversations, there’s a pattern of people assigning effort, responsibility, and sacrifice… without actually being the ones carrying it out. 🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or Coach? Whether you need help launching a podcast, shaping yo...

Most college students approach internships the same way: scroll job boards, submit applications, and hope for the best. But what if that’s the wrong strategy? In this episode, I break down a simple but powerful shift that helped one student land two internship offers from just five outreach emails—without relying on LinkedIn applications or job portals. Instead of reacting to what’s available, thi...