Pixel Retentive Podcast

Kaci Smith and Jennie Davis co-founded Mothers of Mograph, a thriving community dedicated to supporting mothers in the motion graphics and related industries. Their initiative transforms isolation into connection by fostering a network where challenges are met with collaborative solutions and doubts evolve into unwavering confidence. Through their leadership, they have cultivated a supportive spac...

Kevin Rapp is an experienced creative director who has developed branding and content strategies for both emerging startups and established Fortune 500 corporations, including notable names like Netflix and Twitter. His methodology leverages systems thinking to create modular content that can be adapted for various channels. Kevin's techniques are designed to produce a higher volume of content whi...

Matt Vojacek is the Founder and Creative Director of Made by Things, where he merges his passion for creativity with his roles as an entrepreneur, husband, and father. He prides himself on being a creative thinker and continuously strives to live up to the aspirations of his 12-year-old self. Every day, Matt is dedicated to shaping a world that his younger self would be proud to see, driving innov...

Brandie Grace Wong is the dynamic founder of Totally Brand It, an Operations and Strategy Agency that specializes in boosting agency revenues and optimizing operational efficiency. With a diverse entrepreneurial background that includes everything from selling healthy coffee to photography and custom t-shirts, Brandie's journey reflects a steadfast commitment to adding value and making a positive...

Beginning his career at just seventeen, Julien-Pier Bélanger started working with Daniel Leblanc at Lihu Photographie in Montreal, where he developed a deep passion for photography. His artistic journey took an exciting turn when he ventured into videography while shooting a music video for his band, discovering a newfound love for storytelling through film. Today, he is dedicated to helping artis...

Greg Walter, the owner and creative director of 2Tall Animation, brings excitement and community spirit to sports and lifestyle brands through dynamic animation. His studio not only serves major clients like Puma, FOX Sports, NFL, and ESPN but also creates captivating original content, such as the NBA "Playoffs KNOCKOUT" series, which has amassed over 200 million views. Before venturing into sport...

Minta Carlson is a seasoned Creative Director specializing in advanced Generative AI (GenAI) workflows, currently offering her expertise in consulting on integrations at Promptcrafted. With a keen eye for innovation and a deep understanding of AI's role in creative processes, she assists clients in harnessing the power of AI to enhance their artistic and operational outputs. Minta's leadership at...

Justine Clay is a seasoned business coach, writer, speaker, and ADHD coach dedicated to empowering creative professionals and entrepreneurs. With over 15 years of experience in representing top-tier creatives in New York City, Justine transitioned to coaching, utilizing her Profitable by Design framework to help clients stand out in their marketplace, effectively market their unique value, and bui...

Katie DeMatteis is a dynamic marketing professional renowned for her expertise in crafting engaging narratives and utilizing digital tactics to boost brand visibility across various sectors. With almost ten years of experience, she has collaborated with a range of clients, from emerging startups to well-established corporations. Her proficiency encompasses content creation, brand development, and...

Mackenzie Jackson is the CEO & Co-Founder of Alliance Studio which was founded in 2019. She is also operating within Epic Games Support a Creator Partner program, contributing to the development and design featured on Fortnite's expanding Creative Platform. Collaborating with external marketing firms and brands, she spearhead campaigns tailored to enhance the Fortnite Creative landscape.   What Yo...

Ben Burns is a designer, entrepreneur, author, and leader who currently serves as COO at The Futur. Before joining The Futur, he founded Burnt Creative, a brand experience agency in Richmond, Virginia, and served as Vice President on the executive board of the Richmond AIGA chapter. With a BA in Media Arts from the University of South Carolina and a Masters Certificate in Cyber Security from Armst...

Mark Jamnik offers a unique and interactive approach to abstract art through his innovative Subliminal Story Art, which connects below the threshold of consciousness, drawing inspiration from everyday life. With a mission to make art more approachable and meaningful, he engages corporate teams and entrepreneurs by embedding their contributions and values into custom artworks. A seasoned entreprene...

Ryan Summers, originally set to become a chemical engineer, was inspired by Jurassic Park and Toy Story to pursue a career in animation. He has worked as a character animator on children's videos, created visuals for industry-leading slot machines, and designed opening titles for top-rated TV shows and popular feature films. Currently, Ryan is the Creative Director at SPILLT, specializing in creat...

Kristen Plescow, an illustrator and educator on sabbatical from full-time freelance work, joins the Pixel Retentive Podcast. She shares her journey from the furry art community to traditional fantasy illustration and discusses the challenges and opportunities posed by AI in the art industry. Emphasizing the importance of foundational art skills, Kristen reflects on her teaching experience and advo...

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl is joined by guests Pamela Bebry and Olivia Combemale to explore the intricacies of licensing versus collaborations in the creative industry. They delve into the differences, legal considerations, strategies, and the emerging opportunities within Web3 and the metaverse.   What You'll Learn: The key differences between traditional licensing model...

Lee-Sean Huang is a designer, artist, and educator. In 2013, he co-founded Foossa, a service design and strategy practice. Since then, he has worked with communities and organizations worldwide to tackle social innovation challenges. Currently, he is the Senior Director of Learning and Programs at AIGA, the oldest and largest professional design association in the U.S. His artistic endeavors span...

Episode Overview: Lizzie Mintus, as the founder of Here's Waldo, embodies the essence of personalized recruitment, where candidates are not just numbers but individuals with unique career aspirations. Specializing in the video game industry, Here's Waldo under Mintus's guidance ensures a tailored approach, connecting candidates with opportunities that resonate with their long-term goals. Lizzie an...

Dave Philar, a distinguished footwear designer with a portfolio spanning major brands, shares invaluable insights into the nuances of building a successful career in the competitive creative industry. From harnessing the power of experimentation to infusing purpose and meaning into artistic endeavors, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the strategies and mindset required to thrive in th...

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, hosts Carl and Ross are joined by animation industry veteran Dave Waite. With over 25 years of experience, Dave shares insightful anecdotes from his journey, from pivotal roles at ESPN and Nike to the founding of Zookeeper, a pioneering venture exploring the intersection of characters and emerging technologies.   What You'll Learn:  Insights into bui...

Steven de Zordo is a visionary leader whose passion for innovation and creativity knows no bounds. As the Founder and Executive Creative Director of Deckhand, he has spearheaded the company's success with his dynamic leadership style and unwavering dedication. With a proven track record as an accomplished toy inventor and entrepreneur, Steven inspires those around him to reach new heights of excel...

Join host Carl Cleanthes in this insightful episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast as they explore the dynamic world of creativity and freelancing with special guest Andrea Radeck. Discover the intricate journey of turning passion into a viable career amidst the challenges of the competitive creative industry. From leveraging technology to building a strong online presence, Andrea shares invaluabl...

In this captivating episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, hosts Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa engage with Myles Blasonato, a seasoned game designer with over 15 years of experience spanning mobile, casino, indie, and now web 3 gaming. Myles, currently leading the game design at Blowfish Studios, brings his expertise to discuss the transformative potential and challenges of web 3 entertainment....

Duncan Alney is a passionate social media strategist and the founder of Firebelly Marketing, a company at the forefront of social media marketing. His work emphasizes the importance of being real and authentic in digital spaces, encouraging brands to experiment and iterate to find their unique voice. Dive into the essence of social media creativity on the Pixel Retentive Podcast with hosts Carl Cl...

In this engaging episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, hosts Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa explore the diverse landscape of the creative industry with guest Josh Hill. Listen as Josh shares his unexpected journey from athlete to creative generalist, offering a unique perspective on embracing versatility in a specialized world. This conversation sheds light on the challenges and opportunities pr...

In this compelling episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, join hosts Carl Cleanthes and guest co-host Eric as they explore the transformative potential of blockchain technology with our special guest, Chris Swenor. Dive deep into the challenges and opportunities presented by the blockchain industry, focusing on decentralization, wealth concentration, and regulatory landscapes.   HERE'S A GLIMPSE...