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.

In this week’s episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Alex Valdivia, tech visionary, designer, and co-founder of Alice Wonders. Alex has spent over two decades pushing boundaries at the intersection of technology, art, and retail. From hacking espresso machines to designing immersive brand experiences for Nestlé, Samsung, and Dior, Alex’s journey is anything but conventional. He’s also the Experience Director at the Retail Design Institute, and his groundbreaking work on the world’s most digital Kit Kat store even landed him in the book Digital Transformation. Alex’s story is what happens when curiosity meets relentless innovation.

What You'll Learn:

• How Alex transitioned from web design to immersive physical-digital brand activations.
• The inspiration behind Alice Wonders and why 2007’s Arduino boom sparked a lifelong mission.
• Why playfulness and side projects (like hacking a coffee machine) can lead to serious business opportunities.
• How Alex is leveraging AI for storytelling, immersive retail, and visual design.
• Real talk on creative leadership, scaling businesses without losing the artistic soul, and navigating team dynamics.
• Why staying true to your artistic instincts - even when tech disrupts the game, is more vital than ever.

"Everything is an experiment, and you're learning something."
- Alex Valdivia

Alex reminded me that creativity thrives where there’s room to tinker. Whether it’s turning a broken espresso machine into a globally-accessible IoT marvel or experimenting with AI to tell stories of immigrant heritage, Ale exemplifies the power of playing with purpose. Innovation doesn’t come from having all the answers - it comes from asking questions and being bold enough to see what happens next.

Overview:

This episode was an absolute blast - Alex brought that rare combo of tech geekery and artistic spirit that speaks to the heart of this podcast. We dug into how he turned curiosity into a full-blown creative enterprise with Alice Wonders, working with global brands while still geeking out over smart appliances and anime-laced VR spaces. What I loved most was how Alex embodies the idea that creativity and technology don’t have to be at odds - they can (and should) dance. Whether you're a designer, developer, or just someone trying to figure out how to turn your passions into a business, there’s gold in this conversation.

On this episode of the Pixel Retentive podcast, we welcomed Keith Burkinshaw, the founder and executive producer at KB Creations. With over a decade of experience in the corporate and live event production space, Keith has led his team to orchestrate large-scale experiences for some of the most recognizable brands in North America - including Amazon. What began as a broad attempt to “do everything” eventually became a refined and focused business built on creative excellence and reliable execution. Now in their seventh year, KB Creations has cemented itself as a go-to name for events that demand precision and flair.

What You'll Learn:

• Why niching down in your business can unlock higher-value opportunities - and peace of mind.
• The hidden cost of saying “yes” to the wrong work and how saying “no” became a growth tactic.
• The emotional intelligence it takes to manage high-pressure, high-stakes live events.
• Why creative businesses thrive on strong client relationships more than just portfolios.
• Lessons from years of live production, including the value of trust, calm, and precision.
• How past mentors and tough feedback helped shape Keith’s obsessive attention to detail.

“Every human has 100%. So if I’m taking 3% out of that and it’s not going towards what I want, that’s impacting me and us.” – Keith Burkinshaw

This simple but powerful quote from Keith struck me hard. So many business owners burn out because they try to do everything. But as Keith points out, your time and energy are finite. That means every choice - every “yes” to something that doesn’t fit - is actually a “no” to the thing that matters most. Whether you’re a designer, director, or developer, protecting your 100% is essential to building something sustainable and truly great.

Overview:

Man, this one hit home. Keith brought the kind of real talk that only comes from walking the hard road of entrepreneurship. He didn’t sugarcoat the early hustle - t-shirts in the garage, vinyl wraps, saying yes to anything just to keep the lights on. But over time, he found the courage to focus and built a business that thrives not just because of what they do - but how they do it. We talked about the mental game, the emotional intelligence required to lead, and the razor-sharp precision it takes to pull off large-scale live events. If you’re a creative running a business (or dreaming of it), this one’s a must-listen. Keith is the real deal.

This week on the Pixel Retentive Podcast, we had the privilege of sitting down with Andy Arkin, a legend in the animation and visual effects industry. With over 32 years of experience, Andy built and ran Blah Blah Blah, the first boutique repping agency dedicated to animation, design, and visual effects. His career has been nothing short of iconic, and now, in retirement, he’s watching the industry evolve from a well-earned front-row seat. Andy shares invaluable insights about repping agencies, the power of branding, and how to navigate the creative industry with authenticity and passion.

What You’ll Learn:

• The importance of a strong brand identity and how Andy’s agency, Blah Blah Blah, became a memorable name in the industry.
• How finding the right repping agency can elevate an artist or studio’s career.
• The value of honesty and passion when seeking representation.
• How AI is reshaping the animation and visual effects landscape.
• Why understanding the “why” behind your work is more critical than simply knowing “how” to do it.
• How Epic Made’s growth over the past five years mirrors lessons from Andy’s experience.

“The people who know how will always work for the people who know why.” – Andy Arkin

This is a powerful reminder that execution is important, but vision is everything. Anyone can learn a skill, but those who truly understand the purpose behind their work will always be the ones leading the industry forward. In an age where AI and technology are rapidly closing the gap in technical ability, it’s creativity, strategy, and intention that will separate the best from the rest.

Overview"

We kicked things off with a bit of nostalgia as Andy walked us through the origins of Blah Blah Blah and how a simple notebook inscription led to one of the most memorable agency names in the industry. Andy’s insights into branding, representation, and creative business strategy are a goldmine for any artist, studio, or agency looking to make an impact. We also dove deep into what makes a great repping agency, what studios should look for in representation, and why passion is the most crucial factor when choosing an agent.

As we wrapped up, Andy left us with a great takeaway: Trust yourself. While advice can be valuable, the most important thing is to listen to your instincts and stay true to your vision. A perfect way to close an episode packed with wisdom and industry insights.

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, I sat down with Tom Bolger, Executive Creative Director at RBB. Tom’s career has taken him through powerhouse agencies like Anomaly and Wieden+Kennedy, where he’s crafted award-winning campaigns for brands like PETA, Oreo, and Project Gutenberg. A practicing visual artist, his work has been exhibited in New York, LA, and Miami, including at Art Basel. Tom’s insights into creative direction, strategy, and navigating the fast-evolving media landscape are invaluable for any creative professional looking to sharpen their skills and mindset.

What You’ll Learn:

• The challenges of communicating value in a fragmented media landscape
• Why good creative still relies on fundamental marketing principles despite changes in technology
• The importance of knowing your audience and crafting targeted messaging
• The difference in approach between small businesses and big-budget brands
• Why smaller brands shouldn’t try to copy the branding strategies of corporate giants
• How authentic storytelling can drive marketing success
• The importance of strategic focus and clear objectives in creative direction

“If you can legitimately solve a problem, let’s just tell that story in a simple and straightforward way. That fundamental honesty and humanity has to be at the core of what we’re trying to do.” – Tom Bolger

This is Tom’s belief in the power of authenticity in branding and marketing. Instead of bombarding consumers with features and benefits, brands need to focus on real, human-centric storytelling. It’s not about shouting the loudest; it’s about making genuine connections with your audience.

Overview:

Tom and I dove deep into what separates great creative strategy from ineffective noise. He shared firsthand insights from working with major brands and contrasted that with the unique challenges smaller businesses face when trying to carve out their space in the market. We discussed why some of the most successful campaigns - like Old Spice’s *The Man Your Man Could Smell Like* - worked because they took strategic risks backed by solid insights. Tom also emphasized that small brands shouldn’t try to imitate the marketing giants like Nike or Coca-Cola but instead focus on their unique voice and audience.

From his experiences in the trenches of creative direction, Tom highlighted how the best brands succeed by focusing on clarity, authenticity, and a well-defined strategy. Whether you’re working with a massive marketing budget or bootstrapping your way up, his advice rings true: Know your audience, be strategic, and stay human in your messaging.

Until next time, keep creating, keep innovating, and stay pixel retentive!