This week, I had the pleasure of talking with the endlessly creative Jon Kane, founder of Optic Nerve and an early trailblazer in the MTV visual revolution. Jon has spent over four decades at the bleeding edge of motion graphics, editing, and multimedia experimentation. From shaping the visual identity of MTV and Nickelodeon to helping legendary directors bring their visions to life, Jon’s career reads like a love letter to the intersection of art, instinct, and innovation. And now, in his 60s, Jon’s wisdom hits harder than ever.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Jon became a creative force in the early days of MTV - without any formal film training
• Why he turned down high-paying jobs to stay aligned with what made him happy
• His reflections on the balance between striving and being content
• The importance of knowing your personal “currency” and living in alignment with it
• How building \$20M companies can still leave you creatively empty if you lose your compass
• The power of “refilling your creative cup” through personal projects, rock stacking, and fatherhood
• Insights into the evolving accessibility of creative tools, from \$1,200/hr edit bays to today's \$15K home studios
• Stories of wild DJ nights, creative partnerships, and intentionally stepping out of the spotlight
• Practical advice for young creatives on identifying passion and staying out of soul-draining jobs

“When things balance, no matter what the objects are, they look good.”

This beautiful metaphor from Jon captures the essence of creative harmony, not just in sculpture or design, but in life. Whether you’re editing a film, structuring your career, or deciding how to spend your day, there’s a moment when everything just *clicks*. Jon’s obsession with physical balance in objects mirrors his pursuit of emotional and professional balance. It’s not about perfection, it’s about listening to gravity, literally and metaphorically, and letting it guide you toward alignment.

Overview:

This episode was one of the most relaxed, free-flowing conversations I've had on the podcast. Jon’s journey is a powerful case study in creative autonomy. We traced his path from the scrappy VHS edits of his college days to building and intentionally downsizing a $20 million company. He’s done the high-end production thing, the art-for-art’s-sake thing, and everything in between. And through it all, he’s stayed grounded by asking himself one question: "Am I happy doing this right now?" His answer shaped a life full of purpose, balance, and meaning, and it’s a reminder that you get to choose your story. Whether you’re a striver or a soul searcher, there’s gold in here for everyone.

Danielle Letayf is the powerhouse founder and CEO behind Badassery HQ, a podcast guest booking agency that champions bold visionaries. With a background in community building, marketing, and events spanning over a decade, Danielle’s journey from AOL corporate life to full-time founder showcases her deep commitment to personal branding and authentic connection. Since 2018, she’s taken fearless strides through multiple pivots - speaker bureaus, membership platforms, and now a dynamic mix of podcast guest booking and personal brand development. Her work is rooted in helping individuals step into their voice and visibility with confidence.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to fall in love with the problem and not just the solution
• Why fluidity is the most underrated superpower in entrepreneurship
• The importance of candor in client relationships and business growth
• How Danielle successfully pivoted her business model to meet client demand
• Why being “too resilient” can sometimes be a sign to reassess your direction
• The psychological toll - and liberation - of letting go of control
• Why founders should always stay students of the game, no matter their stage
• Building a business around what actually fuels your passion, not just what pays
• The underestimated value of **genuine, fun client relationships
• How corporate beginnings can be an incredible sandbox for future founders

“You genuinely have to fall in love with the people you’re serving - and not particularly even the solution.” - Danielle Letayf

This quote cuts right to the heart of sustainable entrepreneurship. Danielle isn’t just talking about product-market fit here; she’s describing a mindset. The people you’re building for become your anchor in moments of uncertainty. If your love for the solution outweighs your empathy for the people, you’re more likely to cling to a failing idea than pivot to a successful one. It’s that relationship with your audience, their needs, habits, and evolutions, that helps you stay grounded when the business itself keeps changing.

Overview:
Hey friends, it’s Carl here. This episode was a conversation that flew by because it was so real, honest, and deeply useful. Danielle and I talked about what it means to bet on yourself - not just as a founder but as a whole human being navigating the unpredictable currents of creative business. From her early days in corporate America to the calculated leaps that built Badassery HQ, Danielle reminded us that success doesn’t come from stubbornness but from fluidity, introspection, and straight-up love for your people. She’s not just building a business, she’s building momentum for the voices of tomorrow. If you’re looking to get unstuck or feel seen in your struggle, this one’s for you.

Stay gritty, stay curious, and most importantly, stay you.

Until next time,
Carl

Nam Nguyen is the founder of Supervillain, a creative agency known for its sharp aesthetic, distinct narrative edge, and refusal to play by anyone else’s rules. After a defining chapter at Intel - where he built and led a global creative team - Nam chose principle over prestige, walking away when his team was let go. That decision became the foundation of Supervillain, a studio formed by camaraderie, creative guts, and a passion for disruptive storytelling. In just five years, Nam has built an agency that’s garnered the attention of brands like Mythical Games and EA, all while preserving the soul of a tight-knit, values-driven crew.

What You’ll Learn:

• How walking away from corporate safety can become the spark for a creative revolution
• Why loyalty to your team is a foundational principle in leadership
• The story behind building Supervillain from scratch and maintaining its swagger
• The power of restraint in branding: Why sometimes less is more (especially online)
• Balancing creative mystique with clarity of capabilities
• Why being a mission-driven creative partner outlasts being “just another agency”
• Real talk about burnout, business resilience, and staying in the game

“If you’re wiping out my team, you’re wiping out me.” - Nam Nguyen

That’s leadership. Nam’s refusal to abandon his team when Intel made cuts wasn’t just a statement - it was a cornerstone. That kind of ride-or-die mentality isn’t common in the creative world, especially when it comes at personal cost. But it’s exactly what makes Nam’s story - and his agency - so compelling. Supervillain isn’t built on buzzwords or business jargon. It’s built on loyalty, principle, and a shared sense of creative purpose.

Overview:
Hey everyone, Carl here. This week I sat down with Nam Nguyen, the brain behind Supervillain, and man, it was like catching up with a long-lost creative cousin. Nam’s journey from big corporate (Intel) to launching a wildly original agency had me hooked. We vibed on everything from the challenges of leading during tough times, to why keeping your brand mysterious can actually *work* if your work backs it up. His whole vibe is a blend of humility and confidence, and I loved hearing about the storytelling behind Supervillain’s formation - and why they’re not afraid to say “we’re different, and that’s the point.” You’re gonna walk away from this one with a big shot of inspiration and probably a few ideas for how to stay true to your own brand.

If you’re in the gaming, fantasy, or storytelling space and looking for collaborators who give a damn, this episode’s a must-listen.

Catch you next time,
- Carl Cleanthes

This week on the Pixel Retentive Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jack Siler, a creative director and design strategist whose career spans over 15 years in the tech, gaming, and consumer brand spaces. Jack’s journey from marketing analyst to creative director has gifted him with a rare perspective that bridges strategy and execution. He’s worked with giants like Sony during the PlayStation 2 era and continues to lead creative efforts for brands like Lexar. Beyond his professional creds, Jack is a fellow comic book and sci-fi nerd, which made this conversation all the more fun.

What You'll Learn:

• How to give better creative feedback by starting with the "why"
• Why it’s just as important to define what *not* to do as what to do
• How storytelling can turn a simple product into a compelling campaign
• The danger of presenting only one solution in creative work
• How collaboration between youth and experience creates the strongest outcomes
• Why “I’ll know it when I see it” is the bane of creative direction
• How humility and openness are secret weapons in the design process
• Tips on making brainstorms actually productive (hint: don’t brainstorm after the briefing)

“All of us together are smarter than any one of us alone.” - Jack Siler

Jack nailed this one. It’s easy in creative leadership to fall into the trap of believing you need to have all the answers. But true innovation comes from collaboration - whether that’s between client and agency, old pros and rising stars, or between strategists and designers. When everyone contributes their piece of the puzzle, the outcome is stronger, smarter, and more resonant. It’s not about ego - it’s about impact.

Overview:

Man, what a ride this episode was. Jack brought the perfect mix of hard-earned wisdom and laid-back storytelling that made the hour fly by. We dove deep into the do’s and don’ts of creative feedback, where Jack shared some amazing insights about clarity, direction, and why good design starts with good communication. I especially appreciated his openness about aging in the industry and how staying humble and collaborative is key to staying relevant. Whether you're a creative lead, a project manager, or someone who gives or receives feedback regularly - this episode is packed with gold.

On this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, I sat down with Cynthia Huang, an absolute powerhouse at the intersection of Web3, travel, and innovation. As the cofounder and CEO of DTravel, Cynthia is reimagining how vacation rentals can thrive in a decentralized world. She’s no stranger to the startup grind, having launched Altcoin Fantasy, a crypto trading game with over 350,000 users, and the Airhost Forum, now the largest community of Airbnb hosts globally. Her work has been recognized with the Plug and Play Travel Startup Award and the 2024 Shorty’s Rising Star Award and trust me, those accolades are well earned.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why stablecoins, not NFTs, may be the true path to crypto mass adoption
• The difference between algorithmic and fiat backed stablecoins and why Luna collapsed
• How crypto enables financial sovereignty, especially in countries facing economic instability
• The role AI agents will play in transacting with each other using blockchain• What meme coins reveal about democratizing finance and flipping the power dynamic
• How DTravel is decentralizing vacation rentals and cutting out platforms like Airbnb
• What open distribution and tokenized stays mean for the future of booking travel
• Insights on building your own custom GPTs for life, business, and therapy

“Crypto really democratizes access to the financial system.” – Cynthia Huang

This simple yet powerful observation cuts to the heart of what Web3 is about. In a world where traditional banking systems are gatekept, slow, and centralized, crypto offers a permissionless alternative. It’s more than tech. It’s a paradigm shift that enables people in underbanked regions or anyone locked out of traditional finance to participate in the global economy. Cynthia isn’t just talking theory. Her work with DTravel is helping people own their listings, data, and income without the interference of centralized giants.

Overview:
This conversation was a fun deep dive into how crypto and AI are no longer fringe technologies. They are quietly becoming infrastructure. Cynthia brought a level of clarity and practicality to Web3 that’s rare. From explaining stablecoins’ real world use in hyperinflated economies to the mind bending potential of AI agents owning wallets and transacting autonomously, this chat left me energized. We also explored how DTravel is empowering short term rental hosts to control their data, pricing, and relationships with guests, moving away from the platform as overlord model. This one’s for anyone who wants to understand the real utility behind the hype and where we’re headed.

This week on the Pixel Retentive Podcast, we’re honored to welcome back a true living legend - Fred Seibert. Fred’s influence is so deeply woven into the fabric of animation, television, and tech that it’s nearly impossible to summarize. As a co-founder of MTV and its first creative director, the founder of Frederator Studios and FredFilms, and an early investor in Tumblr, Fred’s fingerprints are on the evolution of modern pop culture. From championing iconic shows like Adventure Time, Fairly OddParents, and Castlevania to shaping the early days of YouTube, Fred’s career has been a masterclass in bridging creativity with business vision.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Fred transitioned from making jazz records to shaping the future of animation and digital media
• Why being an artist today means mastering both creativity and business
• Fred’s insights on why the TV and animation industries are facing "hyper chaos"
• The importance of self-advocacy and audience building for creators today
• How indie animation is mirroring the early days of rock bands finding their audiences
• Why original creators on YouTube and new digital platforms are the future of pop culture
• Fred’s reflections on ambition, opportunity, and the reality behind "making it"
• The evolving definition of "mainstream success" in today’s fragmented media landscape

"There's a real difference between making something and getting an audience." - Fred Seibert

This line from Fred is a reality check every creative needs. Making amazing work is just half the battle - if you want your art to live, breathe, and impact others, you have to also build the bridges that connect it to the world. In today's crowded digital landscape, the ability to market, share, and advocate for your work is just as critical as the work itself. It's not enough to create - you have to connect.

Overview:

Hey friends, it’s Carl here. I can't overstate how much it meant to sit down again with Fred Seibert. His journey from radio to MTV to building animation empires is mind-blowing, but even more inspiring is how clearly he sees the future - and how much he believes in the new generation of creators. Fred broke down the real path to creative success: it's messy, it's business-savvy, and it demands ambition and authenticity. We dug deep into how indie creators today are the new garage bands, finding audiences not through gatekeepers but by sheer hustle and passion.

Huge shoutout to my co-host Ryan Summers for joining me on this episode - his energy, insights, and passion for the animation world took the conversation to an even deeper, richer level. Can't wait to have him back on future episodes!

If you're a creator, or dreaming of being one, this episode is pure gold.

This week, I sat down with Dan Nelken - a guy I immediately vibed with. Dan is an award-winning advertising creative turned author, speaker, and trainer. He’s the mind behind A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters, a modern classic for creatives trying to build with heart and clarity. With over 20 years in the industry, Dan has worked with powerhouse brands like McDonald’s, Nintendo, and Lululemon. But what really fuels him now is helping creatives create more for themselves - something we talked about at length.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why creatives need structure and process, not just passion
• How self-doubt sabotages the creative process - and how Dan's "bucket" method flips the script
• That creativity and business must coexist for long-term fulfillment
• How leaning into discomfort leads to growth and opportunity
• Why it’s okay - and often better - to start before you feel ready
• The power of intentional reflection and thinking in decades, not days
• Tips for taking creative risks without losing your shirt (or your sanity)
• How Dan built confidence through speaking, community, and just doing the thing scared

“The joy comes, the knowing comes, from doing something.” - Dan Nelken

What hit me about this is how often we wait for a lightning bolt of clarity before we act. But Dan reminds us: clarity is the result of movement, not the requirement for it. That big idea you’re waiting on? It’s already brewing - but you have to start building to discover it. Dan’s creative journey wasn’t about being certain, it was about being brave enough to move through the uncertainty.

Overview:

This episode felt like a masterclass in creative resilience. Dan and I dug into what it means to build a meaningful career without losing your soul - and how the biggest breakthroughs often come when we stop pretending we have it all figured out. We both reflected on the early career grind, how imposter syndrome creeps in, and the evolution that happens when you start building with intention. Whether you’re freelancing, running your own shop, or working in-house, there’s gold here about trusting your gut, developing systems, and surrounding yourself with the right people. I’m telling you - this conversation is one I’ll be revisiting.

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Jeremy Shuback, a multifaceted creative whose work spans editing, motion design, map animation, and writing. Jeremy’s journey started in Hollywood as a visual effects artist and has since taken him into the world of YouTube, where he collaborates with some of the most influential journalists on the platform. His thoughtful visual storytelling and ability to turn dense history and complex ideas into digestible, compelling content is what sets him apart. From passion projects to professional pivots, Jeremy’s story is one of resilience, risk, and reinvention.

What You’ll Learn:

• The power of passion projects and how they can redefine your career path
• Why Jeremy left a leadership role to return to hands-on creative work
• The beauty and struggle of being a perpetual beginner in your craft
• How Jeremy juggles freelance work with deeply researched personal series
• Behind-the-scenes insight on making educational YouTube videos that reach millions
• The unexpected link between ancient world maps and modern career shifts
• Why working with kind, passionate clients matters just as much as the project
• Exploring spirituality, mythology, and history through animated storytelling
• How to make travel more meaningful by tying it to personal creative goals

“I constantly feel like that’s the ladder—can I work with just nicer and cooler people that are passionate and love what they’re doing?” – Jeremy Shuback

This really stuck with me. So many of us think "success" means rising up the ladder or chasing bigger titles, but Jeremy flips that. He reminds us that the real win in creative work is getting to collaborate with people who energize you—people who bring their full heart to the process. That's what keeps the work fulfilling. And frankly, it’s a filter I try to apply to my own projects more and more.

Overview:

This episode is a deep dive into what it means to make bold transitions as a creative. Jeremy talks candidly about stepping down from a high-level producer role to return to being an artist, relearning the technical tools he’d left behind, and why that felt not like a step backward, but forward. We jammed about the importance of passion projects, how storytelling intersects with history and spirituality, and the underrated joy of working with clients who are simply…nice. Whether you're in a creative rut or just looking for inspiration to pivot, this one’s a must-listen. Jeremy’s story is a masterclass in humility, curiosity, and staying lit up by your craft.