The Creative Hustle With Anika Goyal

She wrote laugh-out-loud funny books about the hardest parts of life : infertility, friendships, the seasons that don't go according to plan. Then she wrote horror screenplays for Creepshow, including episodes starring Joey King and Molly Ringwald. Then she shambled around as a zombie on The Walking Dead. Then she wrote a young adult horror novel about a girl whose greatest fear turns out to be completely real.

On paper, none of that belongs together. In this conversation, it all makes perfect sense.

In this episode we get into the pivot from nonfiction to fiction and what finally made her make it, what surviving cancer changed about what she was willing to write and how honestly she was willing to write it, why she thinks humor and horror are actually doing the same emotional work, how she wrote a character whose OCD makes danger feel real before the real danger arrives, and what it means to finally tell the story you've been circling for years.

This one is for anyone who has ever felt like their interests are too different to belong together. They do. You just haven't found the through line yet.

🎙️ New episodes every week! Follow along on Instagram @thecreativehustlewithanikag

In this episode of The Creative Hustle, Anika Goyal breaks down why Gen Z creators are building more engaging, relatable brands than even the biggest companies, and what’s driving this shift.

From authenticity and speed to community-driven content, Gen Z has redefined what it means to connect with an audience in today’s digital world.

If you’re interested in marketing, content creation, or building a brand of your own, this episode will completely change how you think about what actually works.

For behind the scenes content and other exclusives follow Anika on her Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thecreativehustlewithanikag)

Today is my 18th birthday and the PILOT EPISODE of SEASON 3!!!

In this episode I get into what actually changed between 12 and 18 (hint: not what I expected), the stretch where I almost quit and what pulled me back, what growing up publicly does to your brain, and why I spent years chasing a version of success that didn't even feel good when I got it.

I'm also moving to Chapman University in August, which means this is the last episode recorded in the room where this whole thing started.

Season 3 is a new chapter in every sense of the word.

No polish. No performance. Just the most honest episode I've ever made.

🎙️ New episodes every week , follow along on Instagram @thecreativehustlewithanikag

300+ students impacted. 8 classrooms. 3 schools. 13 events… all started by a sophomore in high school.

Anika Bhasin is the founder of Bridge to Equity, an organization bringing social justice education directly into classrooms and creating space for conversations that actually matter.

but this episode goes way deeper than the numbers.

we talk about:
✨ what it really feels like to lead at a young age
✨ the pressure of speaking on important issues
✨ when conversations don’t land the way you hoped
✨ balancing advocacy + just being a teenager
✨ and what real impact actually looks like beyond awareness

this one is honest, thoughtful, and the kind of conversation that stays with you.

listen if you’ve ever wanted to make a difference but didn’t know where to start.

Ever felt completely out of your depth just when things started going well?

That’s the Peter Principle in action. This episode dives into why promotions, new projects, or leveling up can suddenly make you feel inexperienced, overwhelmed, or even worse like you’re failing.

I share personal stories of stumbling through ambitious projects, starting over, and learning to embrace being a beginner again, without losing confidence.

If you’ve ever leveled up and thought, “Wait, I’m not ready for this,” this episode will give you perspective, humor, and a roadmap to handle growth like a pro.

Part 5 of a 5-part series on the invisible rules of success.

Ever agree to plans you didn’t actually want to do?

That’s the Abilene Paradox, and it secretly shapes more of our choices than we realize.

In this episode, I break down why we go along with the group, how it shows up in friendships, school, and early careers, and how to reclaim your voice without feeling guilty.

Learn why pausing before saying yes could change everything about how you live your life.

Part 4 of a 5-part series on the invisible rules of success.

Not everything that grabs attention is worth your energy.

The Lindy Effect explains why some ideas, habits, and projects stick around, while others fade fast.

In this episode, I dive into why chasing trends can feel exciting but fleeting, and how focusing on lasting value changes the way we create, connect, and grow.

Plus, I share personal insights on how this mindset transformed my approach to content and creativity.

Part 3 of a 5-part series on the invisible rules of success.

Why does life feel out of order sometimes?

Enter the Benjamin Button Effect: those moments when you feel older than your age, then suddenly younger, then completely behind.

In this episode, I share personal experiences of feeling ahead and behind in school, social life, and creative projects, and why it’s totally normal to experience this emotional rollercoaster.

Learn how to embrace your own unpredictable timeline and stop comparing yourself to others.

Part 2 of a 5-part series exploring the invisible rules of success.

I was originally going to talk about five different concepts in this episode, but I feel like this one needed its own moment.

Because Tall Poppy Syndrome is one of those things that you don’t notice at first… and then once you see it, you see it everywhere.

In your friendships, online, even in how you hold yourself back before anyone else gets the chance to.

And I think the biggest takeaway for me has been this:

Not everyone is going to know how to respond to your growth.

And that’s okay.

But you don’t get to shrink yourself just to make that easier for them.

So if you’ve been feeling that shift lately, where things feel a little different as you grow, you’re not imagining it.

This is Part 1 of this series, and in the next episode I’m going to get into another concept that explains a completely different kind of confusion that comes with growing and evolving.

So make sure you’re following, and let me know if this episode hit for you… because I feel like this is something we all experience but never really say out loud.

Stay tuned for the Benjamin Button Effect, The Lindy Effect, The Abilene Paradox, and the Peter Principle!

In this episode, I explore the cultural and emotional impact of the most iconic Bollywood movie of all time, Kabhi Khushi Khabie Gham, unpacking its themes of love, identity, family, and self-expression through the lens of creativity.

From iconic dialogue to larger-than-life storytelling, we’ll break down how this film goes beyond entertainment, and becomes a blueprint for feeling, creating, and living more intentionally.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or completely new to it, this conversation invites you to reflect on the stories that shape your perspective.

Stay tuned for new episodes every Sunday! For more exclusive content follow me on Instagram @thecreativehustlewithanikag