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

What if the best way to change the world wasn’t by tearing things down—but by lifting the right things up? In this episode, I explore how sharing what you love helps cut through the noise, builds trust with your audience, and shapes a better digital culture. We'll talk about algorithms, emotional energy, and why being a curator of good is more powerful than being a critic of bad. Be a lighthou...

Recorded live at the Mifa exhibits during the Annecy Festival, this behind-the-scenes tutorial features Toon Boom expert Alexander Matthews walking me through the ins and outs of Storyboard Pro. Originally intended just for my animation team on The Arbiters, the insights were too good not to share. From efficient shot planning to smart panel workflows, Alexander answers my feature-specific questio...

What if your flaws were your genius? What if the ego running your life wasn’t even real? And what if your unhappiness could be traced back—not to your job, your partner, or your past—but to a single, powerful truth: you haven’t taken full responsibility yet? In this compressed highlight reel from one of our most eye-opening episodes, Charles McCaughan shares the core insights from his decades of h...

In this behind-the-scenes vlog, I offer an in-depth look at what’s currently happening across my creative projects. I walk through my packed schedule for the 2025 Annecy Film Festival & Market, share what makes the event so vital for animation professionals, and reflect on the prep, pitches, and priorities for my animated feature The Arbiters. I also open up about how we finally cracked the sc...

Poet and creative coach Mark McGuinness shares a simple but transformative phrase for getting unstuck: “Even though…” In this episode, I explore how this tiny mindset shift can unlock momentum, courage, and creative breakthroughs. Whether you're worried about failure, lacking resources, or facing the unknown, "even though" helps you act anyway—and that’s where real progress begins....

Saying “no” doesn’t have to be the end of the conversation—it can be the beginning of a deeper connection. In this episode, I explore how referring someone else (when you're not the right fit) can actually elevate your reputation, expand your network, and leave everyone involved better off. Whether you're a freelancer, creative, or job seeker, this approach builds trust, respect, and long-term opp...

What if we stopped treating people like the problem—and instead teamed up with them to solve it? In this episode, I share a recent mindset shift that redefined how I handle conflict, frustration, and communication breakdowns. The core idea? Reframing problems as shared challenges, not personal battles. Whether you're in a relationship, managing a team, collaborating with a creative partner, or fac...

Welcome to our monthly book discussion series hosted by Marisa Serafini (@serafinitv) and me, Phil Svitek! This month, we dive into 1984 by George Orwell—a haunting dystopian novel that remains startlingly relevant more than 75 years after its release. We follow Winston Smith, a quiet rebel in a world where the Party controls truth, history, language, and even thought. As Winston struggles to hold...

Few filmmakers have redefined cinematic mood, longing, and visual poetry the way Wong Kar Wai has. In this episode, I dive into why Wong’s work continues to influence generations of filmmakers, cinematographers, and romantics alike. Known for his nonlinear storytelling, emotionally charged characters, and dreamlike visual style, Wong Kar Wai crafts stories where time slips, love lingers, and memor...

Video podcasting is booming—but let’s be honest: most people are overspending. Between expensive gear, post-production burnout, and trying to emulate studio-level shows, many creators discover the cost just isn’t sustainable. In this episode, I break down how to launch a high-quality video podcast as cheaply as possible, especially with a remote-first setup. This isn’t a step-by-step tutorial—it’s...

Every podcaster needs a reliable set of tools—and Descript is one that deserves a permanent spot in your workflow (official website: https://www.descript.com/ ). In this episode, I highlight why Descript isn’t just for beginner editing, but a powerful utility tool that can streamline your production process. From transcription to rough cuts to soundbite discovery, Descript acts like the Google Doc...

When someone asks, “Who are you?”, do you struggle to answer? In this episode, I share a powerful life exercise given to me by director Jude Weng (Only Murders in the Building, Black-ish) that goes far beyond job titles or hobbies. It’s called the three eulogies exercise—writing your own eulogy from the perspective of a loved one, a colleague, and a close friend. This simple yet profound practice...

Screenwriting isn’t about stuffing your script with detail—it’s about clarity, rhythm, and impact. In this episode, I share an eye-opening writing exercise passed down from director Jude Weng (Only Murders in the Building, Black-ish), where students compare what they think a scene looks like in a script versus how it was actually written. Spoiler: less is more. I break down how to do this exercise...

Packing for a trip doesn’t have to be a stress fest. In this episode, I share my simple, low-stress travel packing strategy: I start tossing things into a suitcase a week before the trip — no pressure, just instinct. Then, the night before I leave, I review everything, cut what I don’t need, fill in any gaps, and lock it down. It’s flexible, mindful, and helps me avoid that last-minute “I forgot s...

Patreon just rolled out a powerful new feature: creators can now sell individual posts without requiring a monthly subscription. In this episode, I break down exactly how it works, who it's for, and why this opens up a new stream of income for artists, podcasters, filmmakers, writers, and beyond. Whether you're trying to earn more from your content or support creators in a low-commitment w...

The Annecy Animation Festival is massive, exciting, and—honestly—a bit overwhelming in the best way ( https://programme.annecyfestival.com/programme ). In this episode, I break down how I’m choosing what to attend, from must-see pitch sessions to market meetings and creative conversations. With so much happening at once, I’m prioritizing events that align with both creative inspiration and real bu...

What if your body could reveal the truth behind your deepest emotional wounds? In this illuminating episode, Charles McCaughan shares how he developed Psycho Energetic Transformation—a healing modality that uses muscle testing to uncover and eliminate subconscious beliefs driving your pain, patterns, and self-sabotage. Charles opens up about his past as a troubled actor, how therapy failed him for...

I explore a growing tension: How did innovation, once hailed as progress, end up dismantling industries that were built for long-term sustainability? Together, we’ll unpack how tech platforms—like Uber, Airbnb, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube—shifted costs and risks away from companies and onto everyday people. We'll examine the trade-offs: from rising living expenses and fragmented media to the...

Welcome to our monthly book discussion series hosted by Marisa Serafini (@serafinitv) and me, Phil Svitek! This month, we dive into Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison — a sweeping, lyrical novel about family, memory, freedom, and finding one's true self. We follow Milkman Dead, a young man born into privilege but alienated from his roots, as he embarks on a journey that reconnects him with the s...

In this vlog, I take you behind the scenes as we gear up for big meetings in May for The Arbiters. From refining the script to building out detailed storyboards and concept art, we’re practicing daily to ensure everything is sharp for the pitch. I also talk through our planning for the Annecy Film Festival—including travel logistics—and why I’ve paused work on my filmmaking book (temporarily!) to...

In this inspiring deep-dive, I sit down with Pramita Mukherjee—featured in Animation Magazine’s 2025 Rising Stars of Animation ( https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/03/rising-stars-of-animation-2025/ )—to explore her global journey from growing up in Kolkata to working on major animated films in Los Angeles. Pramita shares how early cartoons like DuckTales and Powerpuff Girls sparked her imagin...

Some books don’t just land—they arrive exactly when you need them. True and False Magic by Phil Stutz and Elise Loehnen has been that book for me. It’s more than just a workbook—it’s a guide for facing life’s unavoidable challenges: uncertainty, hard work, and pain. If you’ve read The Tools, this one goes deeper, stitching together familiar ideas like the Life Force, Part X, and the Realm of Illus...

Want to elevate your storytelling? In this episode, we break down the most essential insights from Robert McKee’s legendary book STORY. From mastering structure to crafting scenes that turn, you’ll learn why writing is a craft, not a mystery—and how to wield that craft with intention. We cover the five essential story beats, the role of genre, the importance of character choices, and what it reall...

In this continuation of our conversation on manifestation, I’m joined again by Susan K. Wehrley to explore the deeper practices that keep us aligned when our goals feel just out of reach. We talk about the real work behind manifestation—clearing fear, tuning into intuition, believing beyond your timeline, and staying open to receive. Susan shares her daily tools like meditation, yoga, the S.T.O.P....

This year feels like a major transition—for all of us. In this vlog, I reflect on how I’m navigating change through creative work, personal rituals, and a few powerful tools that have grounded me lately: therapy, yoga, journaling for manifestation, and Phil Stutz’s True and False Magic. I open up about the big deadlines ahead for The Arbiters, reviving my filmmaking how-to book after a ghostwritin...