The Creative Hustle With Anika Goyal

This week, we sit down with Aniketh Sadanala, the mastermind guitarist behind the vibrant sound of Whimzee. Aniketh takes us behind the scenes of his creative process, sharing how he balances technical skill with raw emotion, and how a non-musical hobby secretly shapes his riffs. We also dive into the delicate art of band chemistry, exploring how he navigates the space between rhythm and melody to...

This week, I’m sitting down for a pure, unscripted conversation with my close friend, collaborator, and favorite future Oscar award winner. We tackle everything from the chaotic world of fandoms and our unfiltered thoughts on romance tropes, to overcoming fear as creatives and putting your work out into the world. Plus, we’re sharing some practical advice for fellow storytellers trying to find the...

In this episode, I’m joined by teacher and future NYT-bestselling author (manifesting respectfully), Sarah Militante , for a conversation about building a creative life while embracing uncertainty. We talk about the realities of querying a debut book, navigating career pivots, staying open to unexpected paths, and learning that change doesn’t always mean starting over. Mrs M also shares what it lo...

This episode started as a question about loneliness and became something closer to a love letter. We're talking about creative friendships: the depth of them, the complexity of them, and the specific kind of magic that happens when someone who truly gets it walks beside you. We cover comparison, collaboration, and how to be the kind of friend you actually want to have. And somewhere in the mid...

What does it actually take to be a teenage creative in 2026? In this episode of The Creative Hustle with Anika Goyal, I sit down with a high school senior and videographer, Alyssa Del Mundo to talk about the reality behind the camera roll, from cinematic composition and visual storytelling to balancing school, deadlines, editing, collaboration, and creative burnout. We get into the pressure of cre...

In this episode, Anika has a wonderful conversation with Chapman University screenwriting professor William Stribling. They discuss: - power of storytelling - learning and breaking rules - being more open to change - advice for creatives and more... Stay tuned for new episodes every week and for more updates follow Anika on Instagram @thecreativehustlewithanikag

In this episode, Anika has a wonderful conversation videographer Jeisa Ng. She is an amazing high school sophomore who works in her school's video production team, with a beautiful knack for storytelling. In this episode, we discuss: - storytelling - just going for it - creative mentorship - advice for creatives - and more... This episode is for all the creative and ambitious people out there,...

In this episode, Anika discusses the concept of wanting something versus actually living it. She also discusses the struggles of comparison, feeling like she is asking for a lot, managing pressures, and more! This episode is for all the people who dream big, but get burnt out really quickly!

In this episode, Anika sits down with YA sports romance author Jennifer Iacopelli! They discuss storytelling, romance development, building strong independent woman characters, Netflix adaptations, creating opportunities for debut actors, and more! This episode is for all the creatives out there who dream of making it big someday or want an extra dose of inspiration!

She was here in year two. Now it's year six. And a lot has changed. The last time my mom sat across from me on this podcast, I was still figuring out who I was as a host, as a storyteller, and honestly, as a person. She showed up for me then, the way she always has. And now, four years later, she's back. This Mother's Day, I'm bringing my mom back to the mic for a conversation that...

In this episode, we get into the neuroscience and psychology of first impressions and what it actually means for your career in creative and media: an industry where the meeting is the audition and the pitch is the preview. We break down the warmth-competence axis, why leading with credentials backfires, the uncomfortable truth about Mehrabian's 55/38/7 rule, and what researcher John Antonakis...

In this episode, I'm joined with the world's leading human design expert Erin Claire Jones. In this episode, we discuss: - Thriving vs just surviving  - Identifying career paths that align with your human design - Choice paralysis - and more! This episode is for all the dreamers and innovators out there, hoping to achieve their dreams and goals, while maintaining their peace and composure!...

In this episode, I sit down with Saul Brauns , a 19-year-old founder and Rice University student building Bridge , a dating app designed to rethink how we actually connect. And we’re not keeping this surface-level. We get into: the real psychology of men (not what TikTok tells you) why modern dating feels so broken, and what might fix it the business side of love: attraction, retention, and emotio...

She wrote laugh-out-loud funny books about the hardest parts of life : infertility, friendships, the seasons that don't go according to plan. Then she wrote horror screenplays for Creepshow, including episodes starring Joey King and Molly Ringwald. Then she shambled around as a zombie on The Walking Dead. Then she wrote a young adult horror novel about a girl whose greatest fear turns out to b...

In this episode of The Creative Hustle , Anika Goyal breaks down why Gen Z creators are building more engaging, relatable brands than even the biggest companies, and what’s driving this shift. From authenticity and speed to community-driven content, Gen Z has redefined what it means to connect with an audience in today’s digital world. If you’re interested in marketing, content creation, or buildi...

Today is my 18th birthday and the PILOT EPISODE of SEASON 3!!! In this episode I get into what actually changed between 12 and 18 (hint: not what I expected), the stretch where I almost quit and what pulled me back, what growing up publicly does to your brain, and why I spent years chasing a version of success that didn't even feel good when I got it. I'm also moving to Chapman University in Augus...

300+ students impacted. 8 classrooms. 3 schools. 13 events… all started by a sophomore in high school. Anika Bhasin is the founder of Bridge to Equity, an organization bringing social justice education directly into classrooms and creating space for conversations that actually matter. but this episode goes way deeper than the numbers. we talk about: ✨ what it really feels like to lead at a young...

Ever felt completely out of your depth just when things started going well? That’s the Peter Principle in action. This episode dives into why promotions, new projects, or leveling up can suddenly make you feel inexperienced, overwhelmed, or even worse like you’re failing. I share personal stories of stumbling through ambitious projects, starting over, and learning to embrace being a beginner again...

Ever agree to plans you didn’t actually want to do? That’s the Abilene Paradox, and it secretly shapes more of our choices than we realize. In this episode, I break down why we go along with the group, how it shows up in friendships, school, and early careers, and how to reclaim your voice without feeling guilty. Learn why pausing before saying yes could change everything about how you live your l...

Not everything that grabs attention is worth your energy. The Lindy Effect explains why some ideas, habits, and projects stick around, while others fade fast. In this episode, I dive into why chasing trends can feel exciting but fleeting, and how focusing on lasting value changes the way we create, connect, and grow. Plus, I share personal insights on how this mindset transformed my approach to co...

Why does life feel out of order sometimes? Enter the Benjamin Button Effect: those moments when you feel older than your age, then suddenly younger, then completely behind. In this episode, I share personal experiences of feeling ahead and behind in school, social life, and creative projects, and why it’s totally normal to experience this emotional rollercoaster. Learn how to embrace your own unpr...

I was originally going to talk about five different concepts in this episode, but I feel like this one needed its own moment. Because Tall Poppy Syndrome is one of those things that you don’t notice at first… and then once you see it, you see it everywhere. In your friendships, online, even in how you hold yourself back before anyone else gets the chance to. And I think the biggest takeaway for me...

In this episode, I explore the cultural and emotional impact of the most iconic Bollywood movie of all time, Kabhi Khushi Khabie Gham, unpacking its themes of love, identity, family, and self-expression through the lens of creativity. From iconic dialogue to larger-than-life storytelling, we’ll break down how this film goes beyond entertainment, and becomes a blueprint for feeling, creating, and l...

Ever feel like normal jobs are just… slowly draining your soul? You’re not alone. In this episode, I break down why creative people struggle in "traditional" jobs, why your brain rebels against routine, and how the right circle of friends can totally flip the script. I share a personal story about a conversation with a close friend that gave me incredible advice and encouragement, and ho...

In this episode, I sit down with animator Kevin Maier , to talk about what it really takes to turn imagination into a career. We dive into the creative philosophy behind animation, how animators bring stories to life frame by frame, and much more! Kevin also shares insights on creative risk, storytelling, and what young creatives should know if they want to break into the animation industry. If yo...