Able Heads

Anika Aggarwal
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How do creative minds get things done? Hosted by Anika Aggarwal, each episode features honest, thoughtful conversations with designers, small business owners and entrepreneurs about task management, personal productivity, and the behind-the-scenes of building something meaningful. Whether you're a freelancer, side-hustler, or small business owner, you'll walk away with actionable insights and appreciation for the process behind the work.

  1. 10 Years of Being a Commercial Artist (What No One Tells You)

    21H AGO

    10 Years of Being a Commercial Artist (What No One Tells You)

    In this episode of Able Heads, I sit down with Kirk Wallace to talk honestly about a decade of freelancing, creative doubt, mid-project panic, and the mindset shifts that come with turning art into a long-term career.🎧 Able Heads is a podcast about creativity, business, and the decisions that shape a creative life.Subscribe for the rest of this 6-part series with Kirk, where we dive deeper into creative process, visibility, and building a sustainable career over time. New Episode every week!Check out Kirk's YouTube: ⁠ ⁨ ⁠@BoneHaus  ⁠ Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LISTEN TO THE SHOW Apple Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/3E0chBO⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/11XeBbrRaSctjbT7IznsLR⁠⁠ GET IN TOUCH 🌍 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.anika.fyi/⁠ 🌍 Work with me: ⁠⁠anika@hey.com

    34 min
  2. Unlocking the Secrets of Art Licensing with Alanna Flowers

    12/17/2025

    Unlocking the Secrets of Art Licensing with Alanna Flowers

    Alanna Flowers, a freelance lettering artist and graphic designer, shares her insights on art licensing, pitching, and the importance of personal projects. She discusses her journey in freelancing, the strategies she employs for outreach, and the balance between self-promotion and networking. Alanna emphasizes the significance of contracts, negotiation, and the impact of AI on the creative industry. Check out Alanna's YouTube: ⁠ ⁨ ⁨@AGFDesignStudio⁩  Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LISTEN TO THE SHOWApple Podcast: ⁠https://apple.co/3E0chBO Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11XeBbrRaSctjbT7IznsLR GET IN TOUCH 🌍 Website: https://www.anikaaggarwal.me 🌍 Work with me: anika@hey.com

    47 min
  3. Pinterest for Dummies | the 101 on Pinterest Marketing with Kaya Marriott

    12/04/2025

    Pinterest for Dummies | the 101 on Pinterest Marketing with Kaya Marriott

    In this conversation, Anika Aggarwal and Kaya Marriott discuss the evolution of content creation, focusing on platforms like Pinterest and YouTube. Kaya shares her journey from blogging to becoming a content creator, emphasizing the importance of leveraging different platforms for traffic and engagement. They explore strategies for creating engaging content, understanding ROI on Pinterest, and the balance between evergreen and trend-based content. Check out Kaya's YouTube:  ⁨@CreatingwithKaya⁩  Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3E0chBO

    59 min
  4. Designing with Impact: Carra Sykes on Purpose-Driven Work

    11/20/2025

    Designing with Impact: Carra Sykes on Purpose-Driven Work

    Anika Aggarwal and Carra Sykes explore the journey of creativity, the challenges of defining success, and the importance of personal branding in the design world. They discuss the impact of personal experiences on creative work, the significance of attracting the right clients, and the evolving nature of success in a fast-paced industry. Carra shares insights on dealing with imposter syndrome and offers valuable advice for aspiring designers, emphasizing the importance of kindness and self-acceptance in the creative process. Carra's work: https://www.carrasykes.com/ Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg⁠⁠ 👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🔗 Full show notes and more at⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com⁠⁠ 🌍 Work with me: ⁠⁠anika@hey.com⁠⁠

    44 min
  5. Navigating creative burnout and imposter syndrome with Voodoo Val

    10/23/2025

    Navigating creative burnout and imposter syndrome with Voodoo Val

    In this episode, Voodoo Val shares her journey as a creative professional, discussing the challenges and triumphs of navigating the art world. From the role of AI in enhancing creativity to the importance of community support, Val emphasizes the need for personal projects to combat burnout and maintain passion. We also talk about self-promotion from a PR standpoint, the impact of rejections, and the balance between financial stability and creative fulfillment. Val's work: https://www.voodooval.com/ Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg⁠ 👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🔗 Full show notes and more at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com⁠ 🌍 Work with me: ⁠anika@hey.com⁠

    57 min
  6. 5 Evidence-Backed Moves to Hit Your Creative Business Goals

    10/01/2025

    5 Evidence-Backed Moves to Hit Your Creative Business Goals

    This week I’m solo on Able Heads, pulling together the five shifts that actually helped me move my creative business forward, without burning out or chasing every shiny trend. Think of it as a tiny, evidence-backed playbook to hit your business goals: defining success beyond money, being seen on purpose, letting form follow a clear “why,” learning out loud with drafts and feedback, and building a brand that lasts through story. I share the exact tools I use: a five-line purpose brief before I open Figma, a simple “risky ideas” folder I ship from each week, one “process share” post that invites real replies, and a small story bank I pull from so my work sounds like me. Stuff you can try today. Join the community: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg 👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🔗 Full show notes and more at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com 🌍 Work with me: anika@hey.com Links to research: https://hbr.org/2023/07/what-makes-work-meaningful https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx https://www.edelman.com/trust/2024/trust-barometer/special-report-brand/gen-z-embracing-intention-values-brand-success https://investors.sproutsocial.com/news/news-details/2023/New-Research-Indicates-a-Shift-in-What-Consumers-Find-Memorable-on-Social-Media/default.aspx https://simonsinek.com/golden-circle/ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34697180-dieter-rams https://hci.stanford.edu/publications/2010/parallel-prototyping/ParallelPrototyping2010-submitted.pdf https://www.thinkbox.tv/research/thinkbox-research/the-long-and-the-short-of-it LISTEN TO THE SHOW Apple Podcasts Spotify

    12 min
  7. Pitching, Licensing & Making it in Type Design with Troy Leinster

    09/05/2025

    Pitching, Licensing & Making it in Type Design with Troy Leinster

    Troy Leinster has spent years in the world of type design. From working at Hoefler & Co. (now Monotype) in New York to now running his own studio, Leinster Type. In this episode of Able Heads, we talk about building a career in type, how to pitch your work to foundries like Adobe Fonts and Sandoll Cloud, and making it sustainable through teaching and licensing, and learning to step up when opportunity knocks. We also get into how inspiration shows up in everyday places and the ups and downs of freelancing. Check out Leinster Type: ⁠https://www.leinstertype.com/ 👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🔗 Full show notes and more at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com

    33 min
  8. Creativity vs. Influencer Culture with Flyn Tracy

    08/21/2025

    Creativity vs. Influencer Culture with Flyn Tracy

    Should every creative act like an influencer to stay relevant? Flyn Tracy thinks not. In this Able Heads episode, we talk about authentic storytelling, why repurposed TikToks aren’t the answer, and how to get discovered for events like Adobe MAX. We also cover portfolio pitfalls, building trust with audiences, and the fine line between content strategy and chasing trends. Check out Flyn's work: https://www.flyntracy.com/ 👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🔗 Full show notes and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com

    47 min
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About

How do creative minds get things done? Hosted by Anika Aggarwal, each episode features honest, thoughtful conversations with designers, small business owners and entrepreneurs about task management, personal productivity, and the behind-the-scenes of building something meaningful. Whether you're a freelancer, side-hustler, or small business owner, you'll walk away with actionable insights and appreciation for the process behind the work.

Information

  • Creator
    Anika Aggarwal
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Anika Aggarwal
  • Show Website
    Able Heads