What if the thing you've been trying to control is the thing holding you back? Ani Castillo is a Mexican-born, Toronto-based author, illustrator, and cartoonist whose picture books (Ping, Spark, and People Are My Favorite Places) are now found in homes around the world. But before any of that, she was a shy kid from Guadalajara who could barely talk to strangers, trapped inside herself by fear, language barriers, and a world that didn't always see her light.In this conversation, Ani takes us through one of the most powerful ideas we've ever explored on Be Somebody: you can only control what you put out into the world. That's it. That single philosophy is what unites Ani's art, her books, her journey through social anxiety, her take on why modern dating feels impossible, and why social media isn't just stealing your attention, it's stealing your mood.We also get into the "pie chart" of responsibility, what it means to write a book that becomes a mini religion, commitment phobia, codependency, and what she'd tell her younger self about finding the right eyeballs.This is one of the best conversations we've ever had. Don't miss it.📖 Find Ping: https://www.amazon.com/Ping-Ani-Castillo/dp/0316424641🎨 Follow Ani: @anicastillo on InstagramCHAPTERS:0:00 The Kid Who Drew 30 Paintings a Day2:05 She's Writing a Book About Dating. Here's Why.4:20 How a Blog Changed Her Entire Life07:58 The Myth of Her Childhood12:06 The Stranger Who Became Her Mentor14:26 The Homework That Changed Everything17:28 You Can Only Ping29:45 Why Dating Feels Impossible Right Now32:31 The Real Reason Nobody Wants to Commit37:26 They're Not Stealing Your Time. They're Stealing Your Mood.48:21 Why Your Environment Is Secretly Running Your Life52:21 Ping Was Never a Children's Book55:08 What She's Fighting For1:03:22 You Were Never the Problem1:06:30 The Most Precious Thing You Have1:09:26 The Girl at the Gallery1:11:30 I'm Trying to Protect You. You're Trying to Control Me.1:15:29 Rodrigo the Shiner and Kirky1:17:46 Let Me Put You On1:26:34 Find the Right Eyeballs1:30:42 How to Support Ani Castillo -- Be Somebody is a global community of people like you who are chasing their dreams and supporting each other along the way. We celebrate self-discovery, self-growth, and self-realization while exploring how to live a purposeful life you're proud of. Be Somebody. Two words to change your life. --Music by Aisle Seat (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0LXQjYZv0XAT5934qgLGOH?si=CZ26on5QT6m4DWbbsevmvQ) --This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. We are your friends, not licensed therapists. This podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional.
