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

I take you behind the scenes of the latest developments for The Arbiters. I’m deep in drafting my Annecy residency application and working with my animation team on the storyboards, shaping the next stage of the film’s creative journey. At the same time, I’m updating the budget and financing plan to reflect our growth and position us for full funding—big opportunities are on the horizon, and excit...

I chat with Hallie Schmeling, a teacher turned advocate for nervous system regulation in schools and creator of Regulate 2 Educate: Nervous System Regulation for Meaningful Learning. Hallie shares her journey from 12 years in the classroom to stepping outside traditional teaching, the obstacles she faced in bringing her ideas forward, and how the series SHIFT: The Gut Intelligence Blueprint helped...

If you’re a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you need to check out Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Directed by Randall Lobb, this 2014 documentary dives into the 30-year legacy of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael—covering their humble indie comic origins, the animated series phenomenon, blockbuster films, and the cultural impact that...

Too many creators and entrepreneurs land a major platform—a conference stage, a podcast appearance, a viral moment—only to waste it because they’re not ready. No website. No social media presence. No mailing list. Just “email me if you’re interested.” In this episode, I break down the three pillars that make the difference between momentum gained and momentum lost: Anticipation, Preparation, and E...

You’ve got your storyboards—now what? In this episode, I overview how to turn your static boards into a properly timed animatic that actually works. From figuring out how long each shot should last to knowing how many frames you'll need, I cover it. Whether it’s a dialogue scene or pure action, timing is everything. I share practical methods—from acting out scenes with a stopwatch to using tri...

In this vlog, I share why the best advice comes from practitioners—people who’ve actually done the thing you’re trying to do. I give an update on The Arbiters and some key perspective shifts I’ve had along the way. I also talk about how progress can feel slow for a long time… until suddenly everything starts coming together at once. Plus, I share where I’m at with my Annecy recap video and what’s...

Most people operate from fear—even when they’re trying to help. This episode starts with two quotes that continue to guide me: one from James Cameron and one from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Using these as a jumping-off point, I share a message I recently sent to a friend about aiming high, trusting your vision, and refusing to shrink your ambition to fit someone else’s comfort zone. From risking...

If you’re a freelancer, creative studio, or small business taking on clients, having a standard contract template isn’t just smart—it’s essential. In this episode, I break down why every working professional should start with a clear, customizable agreement: it speeds up onboarding, protects your work, and sets the tone for a professional relationship. I also share why it’s a red flag when larger...

In this episode, I’m sharing some of my all-time favorite anime films—classics, deep cuts, and emotional journeys that have stuck with me as a filmmaker and storyteller. From the timeless works of Miyazaki like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, to the mind-bending brilliance of Paprika and Perfect Blue, to modern gems like Your Name, Belle, and Suzume. Whether you're new to anime or looking for...

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the simplest but most overlooked tools for creatives and professionals alike: a blackbook. Not a sketchbook, but a secure place where you keep all your essential passwords, account logins, crypto seed phrases, banking info, and more. You’d be surprised how many people lose access to critical accounts—not because of hacking, but because they didn’t write...

Inspired by Alison Levine’s powerful insight on the Question Everything podcast, this episode explores what it really means to “go big and go home”—not just as a climber on Mount Everest, but as an artist. Whether you’re a filmmaker, musician, writer, painter, or podcaster, knowing when to push and when to pull back is essential. We discuss how this idea applies to creative risk-taking, budgeting,...

Moving to a new city? Before diving into apartment listings or Zillow rabbit holes, try this analog trick: buy a physical map. In this episode, Phil shares a simple yet powerful strategy for finding your ideal neighborhood—marking all the places that matter most to you (schools, gyms, grocery stores, dentists, etc.) and letting the map reveal where your life naturally wants to be. It’s about align...

Phil and Marisa Serafini (@serafinitv) dive into The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune—a whimsical, heartwarming tale about belonging, found family, and the courage to challenge a broken system. We unpack Linus Baker’s transformation from rule-following bureaucrat to fierce protector, the magical misfit children of Marsyas Island, and Arthur Parnassus’s quiet resistance against prejudice. Al...

In this special conversation, Phil Svitek and Marisa Serafini (@SerafiniTV) sit down with award-winning author Randy Ribay to dive into his latest work, Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Reckoning of Roku. We explore how Randy’s personal identity, cultural background, and love of storytelling shaped this powerful addition to the Avatar universe. While we don’t spoil The Reckoning of Roku, we do get...

In this spoiler-filled deep dive into The Life of Chuck, I’m joined by therapist and former actor Charles McCaughan for a one-of-a-kind conversation. We explore Mike Flanagan’s haunting and heartfelt adaptation of Stephen King’s novella through a therapeutic lens—examining grief, memory, ego, joy, and the multitudes we all contain. Charles brings a unique perspective—not only as a healer who devel...

Most out-of-office emails end with “text me if it’s urgent.” But what if we flipped that? In this episode, I explore the power of a cheeky, honest OOO message that simply says: “In case of emergency, dial 911.” It’s more than a joke—it’s a boundary, a perspective shift, and a challenge to redefine what actually qualifies as urgent in a work-obsessed world.🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or...

Freelancing offers freedom, flexibility, and high earning potential—but if you’re not managing your cashflow, you’re building on shaky ground. In this episode, I break down why even well-paid freelancers can find themselves stressed and scrambling, how to prepare for the financial rollercoaster, and what systems you need to stay stable, sane, and paid.🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or Coac...

Join Phil Svitek LIVE for a Q&A session following the release of his documentary 20 Years of Creativity: The Reel Story of Phil Svitek. In this candid follow-up, Phil dives deeper into the moments that shaped his creative journey—from student filmmaker to studio builder, podcast pioneer to animation producer. Whether you’ve watched the documentary or are just discovering it, this is your chanc...

This heartfelt and revealing documentary traces filmmaker and creative coach Phil Svitek’s journey across two decades of storytelling—from Connecticut to Los Angeles, AfterBuzz TV to indie films, podcasting to animation. Through never-before-seen footage, intimate interviews, and raw personal reflection, Phil opens up about the triumphs, failures, friendships, and turning points that shaped his cr...

In this bite-sized tutorial, Pramita Mukherjee—named one of Animation Magazine’s 2025 Rising Stars—walks us through the animation production pipeline step-by-step. From modeling and rigging to CFX and lighting, she breaks down the essential roles that bring animated characters and worlds to life. This clip is part of a full interview where we explore Pramita’s creative journey from Kolkata to Los...

In this guided manifestation session, Susan K. Wehrley—consciousness coach and author of SHIFT—walks Phil through a real-time intuition exercise to overcome the pressure of pitching a creative project. Together, they explore the power of surrender, how to move from ego to intuition, and why trust is the hardest yet most essential step in the manifestation process. This clip is from a longer conver...

In this special mid-year vlog, Phil Svitek recaps the first half of 2025—from career shifts and LA wildfires to major creative wins, including progress on his animated film The Arbiters, book projects, and upcoming documentaries. He reflects on what’s working, what needs adjusting, and how he’s navigating burnout, growth, and tough industry changes. Plus, he shares how he's rethinking funding,...

Phil and Marisa Serafini (@serafinitv) unpack The Reckoning of Roku by Randy Ribay—an Avatar: The Last Airbender novel and the first not written by F.C. Yee. We explore Roku’s journey from hesitant student to conflicted Avatar, his crumbling friendship with Sozin, and the book’s rich themes: grief, freedom, legacy, and spiritual identity. We also examine how the story deepens bending lore and spar...

If your time is free, people will treat it like it’s worthless. In this episode, I share how I started filtering potential clients to protect my time, energy, and focus. From intake forms to paid discovery calls, these tools aren't walls—they’re gates for the right people. Inspired by Ryan Holiday, this episode is about knowing your value before the contract is signed.⏳ Call to creatives: Wha...

Being excellent at your job doesn’t automatically make you a great freelancer. In this episode, I break down why side clients require a whole new skill set—one rooted in leadership, communication, and structure. I’ll share personal lessons learned and offer guidance on how to transition from employee mindset to service provider without burning bridges.🎯 Ask yourself: Are you building the second s...