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CRAFTING NIRVANA: THE ART AND IMPACT OF MUSIC IMAGERY WITH ROBIN SLOANE SEIBERT
This episode was a ride through music history told from the perspective of someone who helped shape it. Robin shared vivid stories from her time working with Nirvana, including how a simple idea from Kurt Cobain became one of the most recognizable album covers ever made.
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Why Most Brands Are Marketing to the Wrong Audience (And How to Fix It) with Seth Waite
In this Pixel Retentive episode, I sit down with Seth Waite, a consumer psychology expert who helps brands uncover why people really buy. With nearly two decades of experience, his customer-first framework has helped companies scale up to 8x by identifying their true audience. A must-listen for anyone serious about brand growth and strategy.
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WHAT 23 YEARS IN MOTION DESIGN TEACHES YOU ABOUT CREATIVITY AND CHANGE WITH KALIKA SHARMA
In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Kalika Sharma, a creative director, NYU professor, and founder of AntidoteFX, now in its 23rd year. Her journey spans from hand-drawn 16mm animations to leading major global campaigns for brands like Marriott Bonvoy and Brooks Brothers.
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Why You Should Do Public Speaking with Derek Smith
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, international MC and public speaking coach Derek Smith shares how to conquer stage fright, craft a persona, and turn presentations into powerful business tools. Learn practical tips for entrepreneurs and creatives to engage audiences, win trust, and transform public speaking into a career advantage.
The Power of Storytelling in Media | Adam Martin
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa are joined by Adam Martin, the Founder of Macroverse, to discuss the power of storytelling. They discuss the potential of stories and the elements that make narratives compelling. The trio also touch on the tools and techniques that play a pivotal role in storytelling.
The Art of Leadership | Gage Mitchell
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa sit down with Gage Mitchell, the Founder and Creative Director of Modern Species, to discuss the art of leadership. They break down what defines a leader, the overlooked aspects of leadership, and how they tackle thought leadership. They also touch on running a podcast and how to find success in the medium.
How To Position Your Idea To Investors With Joe Weaver
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa interact with Joe Weaver, the Founder of Oceanty LLC, on how to position your projects to investors. They talk about the art of pitching, where to find potential investors, and expanding your team. They also touch on freemium models and how AI relates to video games.
Designing a Process With Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa discuss how they design their process. They work through the lessons they’ve accumulated, why it’s crucial to get started, and ways to improve. The two also discuss how to use advice and why social media can hinder success.
AI and Copyright With Rebecca Blake
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa are joined by Rebecca Blake, an Advocacy Liaison at The Graphic Artist Guild, to talk about AI and how it relates to artists. They discuss how copyright affects AI, the four Cs of fair use, what counts as transformative, and how to use it properly. They also touch on Rebecca’s most valued project and how she got to her current position in the industry.
What Makes a Meaningful Story With Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa discuss meaningful storytelling and how to do it well. They break down the relationship between entertainment and pure storytelling, why being surprising is not always best, and leaving the audience on the right note. The two also touch on how these concepts relate to their webcomic and the new D&D movie.
![[Thought Leadership] Epic Made’s Breakout Moment With Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66fb0ffac1be876e0c3784d7/1756754472192-Z2EZ6KT1G0BPU1HAA8U0/Carl-Cleanthes-and-Ross-Ciuppa.jpg)
[Thought Leadership] Epic Made’s Breakout Moment With Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Chad Franzen of Rise25 returns to interview Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa of Epic Made to discuss their breakthrough project. They share insights on their pitch, the tools they use, their approach to creations, and the results of the opportunity.
Do's and Don'ts for Demo Reels | Marci Selsberg
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa interview Marci Selsberg, a Partner and Agent at BlahUSA, to discuss the art of demo reels. They break down the best practices of creating and curating a demo reel, mistakes that are easy to avoid, and proving you can create a compelling story. They also discuss communication and how to talk to potential employers.
![[ Thought Leadership ] Epic Journey of Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66fb0ffac1be876e0c3784d7/1756754592252-ACDDG6XAXEQC8HJN81VO/Carl-Cleanthes-and-Ross-Ciuppa.jpg)
[ Thought Leadership ] Epic Journey of Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa
In this debut episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa are interviewed by Chad Franzen of Rise25. They walk through the origins of Epic Made, their careers as artists, and how they approach their projects. The two also touch on confidence in the art community and why it matters for your artists. Get ready to join the journey of Epic Made's visionary leaders and discover the stories that inspired their rise to the top.