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 approach to turning teams into high-performing "goal-crushing machines."

What You'll Learn

• The importance of connecting team members to the bigger picture and purpose behind their work.
• How to align teams around shared objectives using frameworks like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results).
• The difference between OKRs and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and how both drive success.
• Practical methods for setting measurable, impactful goals.
• The power of retrospectives in fostering continuous learning and improvement.
• How creative exercises like "Design the Box" and "Newspaper Headlines" inspire innovative thinking.
• Building psychological safety and transparency to enable team success.
• The role of experimentation in achieving optimal outcomes.

Overview
Carl Cleanthes and Tim Beattie dive into the nuances of building high-performing teams through intent-based leadership. Tim emphasizes the value of connecting individual contributions to overarching goals, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and creating an environment where innovation thrives. They explore the role of measurable outcomes, goal-setting frameworks, and creative exercises in energizing teams and driving meaningful progress. Tim shares insights from his career, including lessons learned from failures and the importance of psychological safety in achieving sustainable success. The conversation is packed with actionable strategies for anyone looking to empower their teams and achieve extraordinary results.

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 storytelling and commitment to creating meaningful art make him a standout in the creative industry.

What You’ll Learn

• The importance of passion projects in fueling creativity and career growth.
• Why artists need to create work for themselves to showcase their abilities and attract the right clients.
• Balancing creative fulfillment with financial realities in a freelance career.
• How passion projects can lead to unexpected opportunities and ROI in client work.
• The value of enduring the “suck stage” to grow as an artist and creator.
• Insights into the dangers of skipping foundational learning through tools like AI.
• The role of relationships, community, and creative perseverance in building a sustainable career.

Overview
In this engaging episode of Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa dive into a thoughtful discussion with Ivan Kander about the importance of passion projects. Ivan shares his journey as a filmmaker and motion designer, recounting his recent short film—a family drama—and how personal creative endeavors have shaped his career. The conversation highlights the need for artists to invest in their work, especially when no one else will, to showcase their capabilities and attract like-minded collaborators.

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, including a transformative regional rebrand project in Rochester, New York, and her passion for using storytelling to foster personal growth and social change.

What You'll Learn:

• The transformative power of storytelling in driving cultural and social change.
• How to develop a core narrative as a strategic asset for brands and organizations.
• The importance of authenticity in marketing and creative work.
• Insights into creating purpose-driven initiatives that align with personal and professional goals.
• How personal development and introspection can lead to professional breakthroughs.

Episode Overview:

Laura shares her journey from crafting marketing strategies for global technology companies to founding Meshin Movement, where she explores storytelling's role in creating meaningful connections. She dives into her approach to core narratives, a structured storytelling framework used to unify brand messaging across teams and projects. Laura recounts her work on Rochester's regional rebrand, highlighting her belief in empowering communities through shared purpose. The conversation also explores her personal evolution, including confronting childhood traumas and finding resilience through storytelling. Carl and Laura connect on the challenges and rewards of balancing creative passion with professional success, offering listeners a wealth of inspiration and actionable insights.

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.

What You'll Learn:

• How Web3 technologies are redefining loyalty programs and customer engagement.
• The challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into creative and business workflows.
• Why equitable value distribution is the future of business models.
• The unique potential of NFTs as tools for preserving memories and driving community connections.
• Insights into crafting meaningful user experiences in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Episode Overview:

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes dives deep into a riveting conversation with Sam Simmons, CEO and co-founder of MintPass—a Web3 platform transforming the travel industry through digital souvenirs and reward systems. With a background as president of PokerGo, where he won multiple awards for innovative content, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge about leveraging technology to create meaningful, community-driven business models. Together, Carl and Sam explore the intersection of Web3, AI, and how these technologies are shaping the future of business and culture.

Mack Garrison, the co-founder and Director of Content at Dash Studio, brings over a decade of expertise in motion design and animation. Having worked with major brands such as JP Morgan, IBM, and Lenovo, Mack’s journey is a testament to creative excellence and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry. Beyond his professional achievements, Mack enjoys exploring nature with his wife, Molly, and champions the importance of community and collaboration in the creative world.

What You'll Learn:

• Insights into the evolution of the motion design industry over the past decade.
• How AI and new technologies are reshaping creative workflows and the ethical implications involved.
• The rise of user-generated content (UGC) and its integration into professional animation and motion design.
• Why storytelling and problem-solving remain essential in future-proofing creative careers.
• The importance of authenticity, collaboration, and community in building successful creative businesses.
• Tips on effective client communication and maintaining professionalism.
• How referrals and genuine relationships drive long-term business success.
• Mack’s perspective on embracing imperfection and navigating ambiguity to foster creativity.

Episode Overview:
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa dive into an engaging conversation with Mack Garrison about the future of motion design. Mack shares his journey from starting Dash Studio to becoming a trusted name in animation and content creation. The discussion highlights the industry’s evolution, the impact of AI, and the necessity of staying adaptable. They emphasize the value of authenticity, collaboration, and community in driving professional growth. With a mix of humor, personal anecdotes, and actionable advice, this episode inspires creatives to embrace challenges, refine their craft, and build meaningful connections.

Mia Pokryfka & Elissa O'Dell are the founders of Huxley, a Shorty Award-winning creative tech studio specializing in innovative chatbots designed to build meaningful relationships in the DMs. Their all-female team has worked with a range of clients from best-selling authors to nonprofits like charity water, merging cutting-edge technology with a deeply human approach. They have a longstanding partnership since the viral Kony 2012 campaign, marking over a decade of pioneering digital communication and championing women in STEM.

What You'll Learn:

• Insights into the rise of AI chatbots in marketing and their impact on brand-consumer relationships.
• Strategies for using chatbots to engage consumers in one-on-one conversations that build trust and loyalty.
• The evolution of digital communication and the potential of AI to enhance rather than replace human interaction.

Episode Overview:

In this episode, Carl chats with Mia and Elissa about the transformative role of AI chatbots in marketing. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of using chatbots to forge genuine connections with audiences, emphasizing the need for chatbots to facilitate rather than automate conversations. The conversation delves into the technical and ethical aspects of AI, exploring how businesses can use these tools to enhance customer engagement without compromising on the human touch that consumers value. Highlights include Huxley's innovative approach to using chatbots for interactive online courses and their success in creating compelling digital narratives that resonate on a personal level.

Fadi Boulos is the founder of Supportful, a startup focused on reducing Lebanon's brain drain by linking global tech firms with top Lebanese engineering talent. With 16 years of international experience, Fadi effectively addresses both the needs of the tech industry and the economic challenges in Lebanon. Supportful offers a transparent, cost-effective staffing solution, rapidly connecting companies with pre-vetted engineers skilled in various tech disciplines. Outside the office, Fadi is an avid reader interested in history and politics, a football enthusiast, and a devoted father to four beautiful souls.

What You'll Learn:

• Adapting to Remote Work
• Cultural Enrichment
• The Evolution of Remote Work

Episode Overview:
In this episode of the Pixel Retentive they discussed shedding some light on the transformative power of remote work beyond its practical benefits. Through Fadi's experiences and vision, we gain a deeper understanding of how embracing remote work can enhance company culture, foster global connections, and drive significant societal change, particularly in regions facing economic challenges. Fadi’s perspective encourages business leaders and entrepreneurs to rethink how they can leverage the flexibility of remote work to create a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Kerry Ann King is the CEO and founder of Eluminate Labs, a software development company that focuses on decolonizing tech and creating inclusive software for human well-being. A lifelong dancer and choreographer, Kerry Ann leverages her artistic sensibilities to foster collaboration and innovation in the tech space. Her company, Eluminate Labs, is currently launching its debut mobile app, Finn, aimed at enhancing personal productivity through tailored feedback and coaching.

What You'll Learn:

• The role of self-discovery in boosting productivity and the importance of understanding one’s personal productivity style.
• Strategies for decolonizing technology and creating ethical, inclusive tech solutions.
• The significance of the artist’s approach to solving business problems and enhancing communication.
• Insights into managing personal and professional growth amidst the challenges of modern entrepreneurial landscapes.

Episode Overview:

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, host Carl Cleanthes engages with Kerry Ann King in a deep dive into the intersections of creativity, technology, and productivity. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of starting and running a tech company with a focus on human-centric, inclusive design. Kerry Ann shares her journey from working in tech-adjacent roles to founding her own company, driven by a desire to make significant, values-driven changes in the tech industry. The conversation explores the concept of decolonizing technology—not just in terms of developing software but also in reshaping the cultural narratives around tech development.