In this episode, I sit down with animator Kevin Maier, to talk about what it really takes to turn imagination into a career.

We dive into the creative philosophy behind animation, how animators bring stories to life frame by frame, and much more!

Kevin also shares insights on creative risk, storytelling, and what young creatives should know if they want to break into the animation industry.

If you're interested in creativity, storytelling, or the future of animation, this conversation offers a rare look into the mind of someone building worlds from scratch.

In this episode we discuss:

• The reality of working in animation

• How ideas turn into animated stories

• Building an independent creative studio

• Creative risk and artistic growth

• Advice for young creatives entering the industry

Friendship breakups can be just as painful as romantic ones, but they’re talked about far less.

In this episode of The Creative Hustle, I’m sharing a personal story about a friendship that ended and how that experience shaped my mindset as a creative.

I talk about the emotional side of losing a friend, how it affected my creative process, and the lessons I learned about boundaries, growth, and trusting my own voice.

Sometimes difficult experiences force us to reflect on who we are, what we value, and how we want to show up in our creative work.

If you’ve ever gone through a friendship breakup, struggled with creative blocks after a personal challenge, or wondered how emotional experiences can shape creativity, this episode is for you.

We’ll talk about:
• Navigating the end of a friendship
• How personal experiences influence creativity
• Lessons about boundaries and self-respect
• Turning difficult moments into creative growth

Listen now and join the conversation!

For behind the scenes, follow me on my Instagram!

In this episode, I talk with author Amanda Sellet about her new book Flirting with Murder, her writing process, and the emotional psychology behind mystery and identity.

We also discuss adolescence, romance, performance, and why stories about solving something can also be stories about finding yourself.

This is a conversation about growing up, uncertainty, and the emotional truths fiction helps us uncover.

Amanda Sellet’s new novel Flirting with Murder releases April 21.

In this episode, I’m spilling about how curiosity keeps your creativity alive and why experimenting is the ultimate glow-up for your art.

I also share the story of finishing my very first full screenplay, a project inspired by the emotional intensity of Dear Evan Hansen, and what it taught me about showing up, trusting the process, and embracing the messy chaos of creating something completely new.

Think Euphoria-level drama meets real-life creative hustle. I dive into other experiments I’ve been trying lately too, songwriting outside my usual style, testing bold podcast formats, and taking on side projects that scared me at first glance.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or too afraid to try something new, this episode is your reminder that curiosity > comfort.

Let’s push boundaries, embrace the unknown, and discover what happens when you risk it all!

For more fun extra content, follow me on Instagram!

This week on The Creative Hustle, I’m joined by Tori Peyton for a conversation about the quiet power of letting go.

We talk about what it really means to outgrow environments that once defined you, recognizing toxic workplace dynamics, and having the courage to walk away before you have the next step figured out.

Tori opens up about redefining growth, not as constant achievement, but as alignment, and the unsettling, freeing reality that sometimes the right path finds you when you stop forcing the wrong one.

We also explore the idea that dreams don’t just belong to us, and instead sometimes choose us and that becoming who you’re meant to be often starts with releasing who you thought you had to be.

This episode is about endings, evolution, and trusting what comes after the letting go.

In this episode, I get raw about the loneliness, the self-doubt, and the heartache of constantly trying your hardest and still feeling overlooked.

I share how I started to reclaim my worth, how I learned to show up for myself first, and why choosing yourself can be the most radical, powerful thing you ever do.

This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt unseen, and who’s ready to finally be their own first choice.

TW: This episode contains in-depth discussion of emotional and physical abuse and toxic relationships. These topics may be distressing for some listeners. Please prioritize your well-being and listen with care.

In this episode, I’m joined by YA romance author Emily Charlotte to discuss her debut novel Heartcheck and the ongoing conversation around how love is portrayed in young adult romance.

We critically examine the enemies-to-lovers trope, where tension becomes toxicity, and why abuse should never be framed or excused as love in books or in real life.

Emily shares how she approaches writing emotionally intense relationships with responsibility, the impact stories can have on young readers, and what a healthier, more honest definition of love looks like in YA literature.

This episode challenges common romance narratives and invites listeners to rethink what we normalize, celebrate, and consume when it comes to love stories.

From late-night reading marathons to the chokehold of enemies to lovers, this episode is a love letter to stories that feel too much.

I’m joined by BookTok creator @Landry_Reads to talk about reading habits, iconic book tropes, romance dynamics, and why storytelling makes us believe in love, even when it’s fictional.

We get into why tension matters, how tropes shape emotional payoff, and what makes a romance unforgettable.

Warning: this episode will add at least five books to your TBR.

In this solo episode of The Creative Hustle, Anika explores the power of fully platonic connection: intense eye contact, deep conversations, and the kind of presence that makes ideas surface out of nowhere.

Through a personal storytime and honest reflection, this episode breaks down why some conversations feel more electric than collaborations, how being truly listened to can unlock creative clarity, and why attention is what most creatives are actually craving.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever left a conversation feeling mentally stretched, creatively awake, and quietly changed, without knowing exactly why.

Stay tuned for new episodes every week and for behind the scene updates and other cool stuff, follow Anika on Instagram!

Handle: https://www.instagram.com/thecreativehustlewithanikag

In this episode, I sit down with the high school senior, impeccable videographer, and founder of a video marketing agency, Vedant Tiwari whose campaigns have reached 3.7+ million views and helped 17+ nonprofits, youth-led organizations, and businesses grow through intentional storytelling.

We talk about the moment creativity turns into leverage, why virality means nothing without strategy, and what it actually looks like to run an agency while still balancing school, identity, and pressure.

Vedant breaks down how he blends art with business, why creatives need to understand finance, and how to build ideas that last longer than a trend cycle.