Pixel Retentive Podcast

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 helpi...

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...

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 Retai...

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 f...

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-r...

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 dire...

This week on Pixel Retentive, I had the pleasure of speaking with Derek Smith, an international master of ceremonies and public speaking coach. Known for his contagious energy and sharp wit, Derek has spent over 15 years helping professionals master the stage, whether at live events, virtual conferences, or networking engagements. With experience hosting global events and even winning a gold medal at the 2010 Olympics (but not for ...

This week on Pixel Retentive Podcast, I sat down with Ben Levy, an advertising creative director with a unique talent - turning awful presenters into great ones. Once a self-proclaimed terrible speaker himself, Ben has mastered the art of pitching creative ideas and now helps others do the same. With years of industry experience, a new book on the way, and a knack for cutting through the noise, Ben shares the secrets to selling the...

In this episode, we sit down with Liam Martin, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Time Doctor, a leading productivity tracking tool designed for remote teams. Liam is also the founder of Running Remote, one of the largest conferences dedicated to remote work, and the author of the best-selling book, "Running Remote." With nearly two decades in the industry, Liam has been a driving force behind the asynchronous work revoluti...

In this episode, I sit down with Alexei Falin, the CEO and co-founder of Rarible, one of the top NFT marketplaces supporting both emerging and established creators. Since launching Rarible in 2019, Alexei has been at the forefront of Web3, helping brands like Mattel, Forbes, and Lamborghini navigate the NFT space while also empowering independent artists to take control of their work. He’s seen the ups and downs of the crypto world...

Meryn Hayes is the Executive Producer at Dash, where she oversees client relations, project management, and event production. With a career spanning advertising, animation, and creative leadership, she has played a key role in shaping Dash's workflow, culture, and community-driven initiatives. Meryn is also the organizer of Dash Bash, a motion design industry event that fosters networking, education, and collaboration. Beyond her c...

Ian Harrison, also known as Munster Vision, is a Web3 innovator, entrepreneur, and digital strategist with deep expertise in augmented reality (AR), blockchain technology, and creative brand integration. As the Head of Innovation at Sneakar, Ian is pioneering the fusion of fashion, NFTs, and AR-based interactive experiences. With a background in music, merchandising, and community-first branding, he has built an ecosystem where dig...

In this episode, Carl Cleanthes sits down with Jill Kellett, Vice President of Product at Root Insurance, the largest public insurtech in the United States. With 15 years of industry experience, Jill is a dynamic leader who specializes in turning around businesses, teams, and projects during critical inflection points. Her career spans retail, higher education, nonprofits, and insurance, where she has navigated challenges with crea...

In this episode, we welcome Maria Lobanova, the dynamic CEO and founder of Interstellar Digital, a leading PR and marketing agency specializing in the blockchain and Web3 space. With over seven years of experience in the crypto industry, Maria has collaborated with notable projects like ZKSync (Matter Labs), Propy, and BlockApps, and has contributed to esteemed publications such as Bitcoin Magazine and GQ. An accomplished event org...

On this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes sits down with Tom Briggs, a mercenary CMO with over 20 years of experience in brand strategy and competitive marketplace positioning. Tom’s impressive career spans collaborations with Fortune 50 companies, pre-venture startups, and notable clients like Intel and Nike. As a Center for Creative Leadership graduate, ADP List mentor, and internationally cited social media ...

Episode Description

Tim Beattie is the CEO and co-founder of Stellafai with over 25 years of experience as a global agile and lean coach. Tim has worked with renowned organizations like IBM, PwC, and Deloitte, transitioning from project delivery to empowering teams to achieve long-term success. As an advocate for intent-based leadership and collaborative goal setting, Tim shares his innovative ...

Ivan Kander is a versatile creative force based in Washington, D.C., with over a decade of experience in filmmaking, motion design, and video production. Since 2007, Ivan has crafted beautiful moving images—both live-action and animated—infused with skill and heart. His work spans projects with notable organizations like the Smithsonian, where he recently collaborated on a retrospective narrated by LL Cool J. Ivan’s passion for sto...

Episode Description:

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes sits down with Laura Nespoli, Group Strategy Director at Article Group and founder of Meshin Movement. With nearly 20 years of experience, Laura blends brand strategy, storytelling, and purpose-driven marketing to create impactful narratives for global brands and nonprofits. She shares insights from her work, in...

Episode Description:

Sam Simmons is the CEO and co-founder of MintPass, a Web3 travel platform that rewards users for sharing travel recommendations. With a track record of building innovative businesses, including his role as president of PokerGo, Sam is passionate about leveraging technology to connect communities and create equitable value systems.

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