What actually separates good from great when titles, resumes, and LinkedIn profiles disappear?

In this episode of Swurl Radio, Eric and Ayka sit down with Amit, a visionary educator who has shaped the careers of over 3,000 tech professionals, trained teams at Spotify, the United Nations, PwC, and built one of London’s most respected design schools from a side project into a global consultancy.

Together, they explore the intangibles that don’t show up on a resume: discipline, curiosity, presence, coachability, and the willingness to put in the reps when no one is watching. Drawing from sports, design, education, and Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality, Amit breaks down why hard work consistently outpaces raw talent, how great coaches create growth environments, and why “learning by doing” is the only path to real mastery.

This conversation is for anyone navigating a career pivot, building a company, mentoring others, or trying to stand out in a crowded, AI-driven job market — without losing their humanity.

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Eric and Ayka sit down with multimedia artist, researcher, and storyteller Husna Abubakar to talk about what it really means to be Swahili in a world that keeps getting it wrong.

Husna shares her experience as a third culture Swahili woman from Mombasa, Kenya, growing up between the Swahili coast and the U.S., and how that tension pushed her to question Western ideas of success, identity, and “the right way” to live. She breaks down Occidental vs. Orientalist frameworks, talks honestly about being a woman of color at RISD in a deeply colonial city, and why she set out to decolonize her own design practice.

They get into her shift from graphic design into film, textiles, and installation, her powerful work around Swahili homes, motherhood, and matrifocal culture, and the responsibility she feels as the first in her family to earn a graduate degree. Husna closes with a message for creatives caught between cultures: your indigeneity isn’t a problem to fix—it’s your power.

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Eric and Ayka sit down with Edmund Earle, a veteran 3D animator and motion designer whose work spans PBS, National Geographic, Hulu, and John Oliver. Edmund breaks down what it really takes to survive today’s animation industry — from pricing and client management to choosing between being a generalist or specialist. They also talk AI, short-form content, and the hard lessons new animators need to hear.

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In this episode of Swurl Radio, Eric and Ayka sit down with Emmy Award–winning designer and educator Chris Do. Chris opens up about reinventing yourself after failure, growing up between cultures, battling introversion, and the mentors who shaped his life.

We talk about unlearning old rules, overcoming fear, rebuilding identity, and why discomfort is the real path to growth. Chris shares powerful insights on navigating mistakes, finding confidence, and discovering who you are after everything falls apart.

If you’re in a season of reinvention, self-doubt, or rebuilding your story — this episode is for you.

“Music by Vlvt. If you are working on a podcast, get your Swurl Radio discount code and save 20% on anything at Vlvt.fm”

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Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion.

"Music by Vlvt. If you are working on a podcast, get your Swurl Radio discount code and save 20% on anything at Vlvt.fm"

In this engaging conversation, Ayka Williams and Tealeda explore the artistic journey of Asya Palatova, who transitioned from graphic design to ceramics and ultimately to coaching. Asya shares her experiences navigating career changes, the importance of creative processes, and how coaching can help individuals in transition. The discussion delves into common questions faced by clients, the fear of being a 'starving artist,' and the significance of embracing uncertainty while pursuing one's passions. Asya emphasizes the interconnectedness of her various creative pursuits and offers valuable insights for those seeking guidance during times of change.

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Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion.

"Music by Vlvt. If you are working on a podcast, get your Swurl Radio discount code and save 20% on anything at Vlvt.fm"

In this conversation, Morgan Ramsey, founder of Tela, a travel design studio that focuses on creating story-driven travel experiences. Morgan shares insights into the unique approach Tela takes in planning trips, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and creativity in travel. The conversation covers the logistics of planning brand trips, the role of UX research in understanding client needs, and the challenges of building a business in the travel industry. Morgan also discusses the importance of hiring the right team, fostering a supportive work environment, and the responsibility of travelers to engage with the cultures they visit.

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Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion.

"Music by Vlvt. If you are working on a podcast, get your Swurl Radio discount code and save 20% on anything at Vlvt.fm"

In this conversation, Olly, the founder of Fingertip, shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the inception of his website-building platform aimed at supporting sole operators in the gig economy. He discusses the challenges of finding the right co-founder, building a prototype, and acquiring the first users. Olly emphasizes the importance of clear messaging, investor relations, and leadership dynamics within his team. He also touches on product development, user experience, and the future roadmap for Fingertip, highlighting the community aspect and the goal of making the platform accessible and affordable for all.

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Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion.

"Music by Vlvt. If you are working on a podcast, get your Swurl Radio discount code and save 20% on anything at Vlvt.fm"

In this conversation, hosts Ayka Williams, Terence Davy, and Tealeda Nesbitt Porter talk with John Isaac, a UX coach who shares insights on the evolving landscape of UX design. They discuss the challenges of defining professional titles, the impact of AI on job applications, and the importance of personal branding. The conversation also delves into conducting skills audits for designers, understanding job descriptions, and innovative strategies for job applications. They emphasize the need for community in design, address gatekeeping in the industry, and explore the future of design education and its impact on the next generation.

Connect with John

• LinkedIn
• https://johnisaac.io/

Support Swurl
Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion.

"Music by Vlvt. If you are working on a podcast, get your Swurl Radio discount code and save 20% on anything at Vlvt.fm"