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What the Helvetica?

Michael Janda 30 Episodes Oct 13, 2026

What the Helvetica? is a conversation series hosted by Michael Janda with guest entrepreneurs about the real work of building a business. The show explores what happens behind the scenes and which insights often go unspoken. It presents entrepreneurship as neither all sunshine nor all roses, covering the good, the bad, and the ugly. Listeners may pick up practical lessons along the way.

Episodes

Ep. 30: The Future of Logo Design, AI, and Branding with LogoLounge Founder Bill Gardner Oct 13, 2026 5187 Are logos becoming obsolete? Is AI going to replace graphic designers? And what does it take to build a successful creative agency that lasts more than 40 years? In this episode of What the Helvetica, Michael Janda sits down with Bill Gardner, founder of LogoLounge, legendary logo designer, branding expert, and author of Iconic Branding, to discuss the past, present, and future of graphic design.

Ep. 29: How Creative Leaders Sell Big Ideas w/ Danielle Giroux May 4, 2026 4934 Making Ideas Real with Danielle Giroux In this episode, Michael Janda sits down with Danielle Giroux, Senior Director, Brand & Creative at Clio, to unpack what it really takes to move ideas from “interesting thought” to actual business impact. Danielle shares her path from walking into a local design studio at 13 with a faux-leather portfolio, to building a creative career across agency, tech,

Ep. 28: A.I. vs. Creatives: The Real Problem w/ Stef Hamerlinck May 1, 2026 3964 Brand Mascots, AI, and the Future of Creative Work with Stef Hamerlinck In this episode, Michael Janda talks with Belgian designer, brand strategist, and mascot-obsessed creative Stef Hamerlinck about the strange, exciting, and controversial intersection of brand mascots, generative AI, and creative entrepreneurship. Stef shares how he moved from general graphic design to agency ownership, then in

Ep. 27: Is AI Art Actually Art? Breaking Down The Oatmeal’s Spicy Rant w/ Jena Gribble Nov 25, 2025 4943 In this episode, Michael Janda and Jena (“the Gribbler”) break down Matthew Inman’s (The Oatmeal) comic about AI art and what it means for creatives. They talk about that weird “deflated” feeling when you realize something you liked was AI-generated, why artists feel threatened, and how AI both democratizes creativity and risks devaluing hard-earned craft. They compare AI tools to things like Phot

Ep. 26: The Real Startup Story: Mental Health, Marriage, and Making Dubsado w/ Becca Berg Nov 17, 2025 4013 In this candid conversation, Becca Berg—founder and CEO of Dubsado—shares the real story behind building one of the leading client-management platforms from the ground up. From her scrappy entrepreneurial childhood to launching Dubsado with zero funding, Becca opens up about competition, burnout, mental health, and the relentless drive that fueled her journey. She and Michael Janda dive into marri

Ep. 25: HUGE Affinity Announcement - Affinity is Not "Free" w/ Michael Janda Oct 31, 2025 2059 Michael Janda discusses Affinity Designer's huge announcement that their software is now completely free to download and use forever. He shares his thoughts and reactions to this surprising move and what it means for the design community. What's your hot take on the new announcement? ----more---- 🤝 Connect with Michael Janda Michael Janda is an award-winning creative director, designer, and agency

Ep. 24: From Rage to Regulated: Finding Peace as a Creative w/ Chris Geisler Oct 17, 2025 4070 Regulate to Create: Chris Geisler on Breath Work, Boundaries & Creative Calm Episode summary Creative work asks us to pour our hearts into something—and then invite opinions about it. In this conversation, men’s coach and podcaster Chris Geisler joins Michael and Bri to unpack practical nervous-system tools (breathwork, cold exposure, movement) that help stressed, coffee-fueled creatives swap

Ep. 23: Imposter Syndrome: How Creative Meltdowns Fuel Success w/ Will Paterson Aug 26, 2025 4993 For: Graphic designers, creative freelancers, YouTubers, and anyone navigating the mental game of the creative industry. Struggling with imposter syndrome, burnout, or creative overwhelm? In this episode, Michael Janda and Will Paterson get real about the emotional rollercoaster of creative careers. From personal breakdowns to big breakthroughs, we unpack what it really means to succeed as a desi

Ep. 22: The Retreat For Creative Burnout: Morepalooza w/ Michael Janda x Bri Taylor Aug 21, 2025 3038 Bri, MCA's very own VP of Operations, joins us on WTH to talk about alll the details for our upcoming Creative Professional Retreat, Morepalooza. The retreat is set to begin in London September 10-14 with a one-day workshop stacked with incredible creative talent. Swag. Venues. Excursions. Weather. What to Expect and more. If you are considering attending Morepalooza or you've snagged tickets, th

Ep. 21: Creative Grit & Purpose: Tyler Tolson on Building Denik Jul 29, 2025 4293 What does a third-grade drawing of Shaq, a $3,000 domain deal, and notebook paper from Walmart have to do with building a global creative brand? In this episode of What the Helvetica, Mike Janda sits down with Tyler Tolson, founder of Denik, to explore the real behind-the-scenes of how a small idea in college became a purpose-driven design brand building schools around the world. 🎙️ We talk about:

Ep. 20: Jack of All Trades or Agency Star? A Real Portfolio Review with Art Director Tonichi Acenas Jul 10, 2025 4521 In this bold and honest What the Helvetica episode, Mike Janda reviews the real portfolio of Tonichi — an art director with serious agency cred and a broad creative skillset. We dive into her site, case studies, UX decisions, and brand positioning to uncover what works, what needs tweaking, and how to turn great work into even greater opportunities. If you’ve ever wondered whether being a generali

Ep. 19: "I Got to Design for Harley-Davidson — Then They Didn’t Use It” w/ Jeremy Berger - Ep. 19 Jun 17, 2025 4581 In this episode of What The Helvetica, Michael Janda sits down with Jeremy Berger — designer, printmaker, and founder of Blaken Press — for a wide-ranging conversation on art, burnout, motorcycles, creative dreams, and building a life by design. From his early days at Art Center College of Design to working on dream projects for Harley-Davidson, Jeremy shares what it really takes to survive the cr

Ep.18: Proven Marketing Strategy for Creative Entrepreneurs to Get Ahead of the Competition! Nov 28, 2024 3197 🎙️ What’s in Today’s Episode? This week, we're talking all things freelancing, creative growth, and marketing hacks for designers! Mike Janda sits down with multidisciplinary designer Maiteryee Kalaskar (M for short 😉) to break down strategies for finding clients, staying consistent in marketing, and building authority as a creative professional. 🎧 Episode Highlights: 🧠 The Power of Consistency

Ep. 17: Disruptive Branding: Making Ordinary Extraordinary with Thad Cox Oct 17, 2024 3571 In this episode of 'What the Helvetica', Mike Janda is joined by UK advertising veteran Thad Cox. Thad shares his unique insights on the ever-changing landscape of advertising and branding. From the evolution of Instagram content to disruptive packaging and emotional advertising, this episode is packed with valuable information. Thad also highlights innovative campaigns from brands like Lala Cafe'

Ep. 16: The Art and Strategy of Brand Naming... with Rob Meyerson Oct 8, 2024 3675 Discover the art and science of brand naming with branding expert Rob Meyerson. In this insightful interview, learn essential strategies for creating memorable and impactful brand names. From qualitative and quantitative research to effective client communication, gain valuable insights to elevate your branding game. Join host Mike Janda on What the Helvetica as he delves into the world of brand n

Ep. 15: Unlock High-Value Clients with These Proven Branding & Networking Strategies with Kady Sanders Oct 3, 2024 3391 What does it take to level up your creative career and land high-value clients while maintaining balance in your personal life? In this episode, Mike Janda sits down with creative entrepreneur and educator Kady Sandel to uncover exactly that. They dive deep into personal branding, transitioning from low to high-value projects, breaking free from the feast-and-famine cycle, and the game-changing po

Ep. 14: Embracing Your Creative Persona: A Conversation with G'Day Frank Sep 26, 2024 4549 Curious about the life behind the persona of G'Day Frank? Join Michael Janda on this episode of What the Helvetica as he interviews the creative genius Reagan Mackrill. They dive deep into the art of personal branding, the hurdles of social media algorithms, and the balancing act of family life with content creation. Discover the highs and lows of Reagan’s journey and get an insider’s perspective

Ep. 13: Scaling Creativity with Dan Janssen of Lincoln Design Co. Sep 19, 2024 4314 Ever wondered what it takes to build a successful design agency from the ground up? Join host Michael Janda as he sits down with Dan Janssen of Lincoln Design Co. for an insightful conversation about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Discover how Dan navigates the creative process, develops standout brands, and scales his agency while tackling the challenges of the industry. Whether you'

Ep. 12: Art at Scale: How Daniela de Castro Transforms Spaces with Her Unique Murals Sep 5, 2024 4378 Renowned fine artist and muralist Daniela de Castro joins host Michael Janda to share her inspiring creative journey from Venezuela to the U.S. She delves into her distinctive artistic process, emphasizing the recurring theme of hands in her work. Known for her large-scale murals and intricate hand paintings, Daniela also provides valuable insights into building a thriving art business, fostering

Ep. 11: Freelance Freedom: Elisabeth Mayr on Life as a Digital Nomad Aug 1, 2024 4530 You may have dreamt of becoming a digital nomad, but what is it really like? Let's explore the ins and outs of digital nomad life in this episode of ‘What the Helvetica?’ with Michael Janda and Elisabeth Mayr. They discuss Elisabeth's journey as a freelance UX designer, educator, and podcast host. Discover her experiences traveling the world as a designer, starting a co-living space in Sri Lanka,

Ep. 10: How Building Genuine Relationships Fuels Creative Success... with Destyn Patera Jul 18, 2024 4250 Is it possible to build an agency culture that values integrity while at the same time, aligns with your business values? Destyn Patera from Lensea, a film and videography agency in Pensacola, Florida, joins Michael Janda to explore this topic. Destyn shares his unique journey into filmmaking, his take on integrity-driven business practices, and how to balance creativity with business management.

Ep 9: From Pro Footballer to Multi-Million Dollar Agency Owner | Danny Allen Page's Journey Jul 4, 2024 3293 In this episode of 'What the Helvetica?', Mike Janda chats with Danny Allen-Page, an agency owner, former pro footballer, and Instagram influencer with 61,000 followers. They dive into Danny's incredible journey, from growing his new agency from nothing to $3.5 million in just five months, tackling the challenges of coaching and mentoring, and balancing his personal and professional life. They dis

Ep 8: Unlocking the Power of Audio Branding with Drop Music Branding Jun 27, 2024 4058 Music branding? If you haven't heard about this before... join Mike Janda in this exciting episode of What the Helvetica? as he sits down with the creative minds behind Drop Music Branding—Gabo, Dal, and Mau. Discover the fascinating world of audio branding, how it complements visual branding, and why it’s crucial for building a strong, memorable brand. Learn about the unique challenges and strate

Ep 7: Exploring the Impact of AI on Digital Art with Christina McKay Jun 20, 2024 3534 Join host Mike Janda in an insightful conversation with digital artist Christina McKay as they delve into the world of vehicle wraps, creative processes, and the evolving role of generative AI in art. Christina, the founder of Curvaceous Wraps, discusses her journey, the challenges she faces, and how she integrates AI for inspiration while emphasizing the irreplaceability of the human touch in her

Ep 6: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Vulnerability with Jenna Gribble Jun 13, 2024 3837 This episode features a heartfelt and enlightening conversation between Mike Janda and guest Jenna Gribble, a successful agency owner grappling with imposter syndrome amidst her achievements. Jenna shares her initial foray into graphic design, overcoming setbacks, and the constant pursuit of learning. Both speakers touch on the importance of vulnerability, avoiding comparison traps, and finding 'f

Ep 5: The Art of Copywriting in a Design-Centric World with Lois McKenzie Jun 6, 2024 4458 In this Episode 5 of 'What the Helvetica?' host Mike Janda and guest Lois McKenzie dive into the heart of what makes copywriting a critical aspect of marketing, even in an AI-driven age. The episode unpacks the value of authentic connection, human-driven content, and the art of storytelling in business. Mike and Lois explore how creative integrity and personal brand can't be replicated by AI, stre

Ep 4: 04 Scaling Strategies for Creative Business with Chris Thomas May 30, 2024 4190 In this episode of 'What the Helvetica?', Mike Janda and Chris Thomas dive into Chris's journey of starting and scaling his agency. They chat about the growing pains of hiring the first employees and the ups and downs of growing a business. Chris shares the pros and cons of partnering and how he navigated through different challenges over the years. From early struggles and scaling mishaps to pers

Ep 3: Building Your Dream Agency Studio with Veronique Zayas May 23, 2024 4368 Creating and customizing your own workspace is key if you want to succeed in the creative industry. In this video, Michael Janda and Veronique Zayas share their tips on making workspaces that boost creativity and productivity. They talk about taking smart risks, being adaptable, and adding personal touches to your space. By sharing their experiences with overcoming financial hurdles and designing

Ep 2: The Big Problem with Social Media in 2024 with Eva Alordiah May 16, 2024 2385 What is the big problem with social media in 2024? Are you falling into this trap on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok? Join Michael Janda and Eva Alordiah as they dig into this topic from marketing intuition to the impact of AI on monetization. Their conversation delves into branding, storytelling, and the evolving landscape of social media. Gain valuable insights on prioritizing authenticity, lever

Ep 1: The Mental Health Struggles of Creative Entrepreneurs and Freelancers with Caerus Kourt May 9, 2024 4298 Is your business destroying your mental health? Ever felt you're always struggling emotionally and mentally in your creative business or freelance career? You are not alone! In this episode, Michael Janda and Cyrus Kourt delve into the emotional toll of running a creative business. They discuss the unique challenges creatives face, from managing unpaid clients to setting boundaries and dealing wit

Welcome to "What the Helvetica?" Apr 27, 2024 52 Join Mike Janda and some amazing entrepreneurs to discuss the ups and downs and big wins and epic fails of being a creative entrepreneur. What the Helvetica? will unveil insights you might not find anywhere else.

What the Helvetica?

Episodes

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