Check Out Ben’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben.

Hi Ben, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey really centers on a passion for building immersive worlds. For the last four years, I’ve been running my first podcast, which really helped me find my voice as a creator and connect with a dedicated audience. Moving into next year, I’m taking everything I’ve learned and launching a second show. It’s a fictional murder mystery podcast set entirely within my ‘Lakeside Universe.’ It’s the culmination of years of writing and production, and it marks the next major chapter of where I’m taking my creative work.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but the struggles taught me how to be an incredibly resourceful producer. Ever since I was 19, my ultimate goal has been to direct a feature film. Knowing that no one would hand me a budget, I spent years self-funding the project. Along the way, I used my time hosting a retro talk show podcast to build vital connections with industry peers. Originally,
I tried to take the traditional route and make my first feature a union project. When that path didn’t work out and that movie had to be canceled, I refused to give up, so I started completely over from scratch with a brand new film and embraced a fully independent, non-union model.
I’ve never been a union member, and realistically, I have no desire to join. While I am incredibly proud of my peers and friends who are finding success in unions like SAG or ACTRA—and bless them, I’m proud of them- that path isn’t the right fit for me. Pivoting to an independent, non-union ecosystem—very similar to the highly efficient production models used by creators like Dhar Mann—felt like coming home. It gives me the agility and creative freedom I need to finish my feature and keep producing unique short films.
In fact, the new film I am working on right now expands on my creative branding; it is a movie set directly within my ‘Lakeside Universe’ called The Dragonside Movie. The story is so massive in scope that I’m splitting it into a Part 1 and Part 2, much like how Hollywood handled Wicked or Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Operating independently is exactly how I will continue to finish this epic project and keep producing unique short films. The film is a mix of stop-motion and 2D animation.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I am a multimedia content creator, illustrator, and writer. I specialize in cross-platform storytelling, which means I don’t just tell a story in one medium—I build entire creative ecosystems. Creators like Dhar Mann and Today I Grew Up heavily inspire me with their independent, highly efficient production models and their incredible focus on nostalgia, community, and collecting.
What I am known for, and what truly sets me apart, is my ability to execute a vision from start to finish using a wide range of specialized skills. I host podcasts, direct and animate short films, create toy collecting review videos, and personally handle the illustration work for my projects. Everything I create feeds into my overarching ‘Lakeside Universe.’What I am most proud of is my relentless independent drive. I have spent years self-funding my projects, and I am currently channeling all of my skills into my biggest undertaking yet: The Dragonside Movie, a massive two-part independent feature film. While many creators rely on large crews or studios to bring an idea to life, my ability to personally bridge illustration, audio, and animation makes my voice unique.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
While I pride myself on being an independent creator, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the incredible encouragement of some amazing industry professionals. One of my biggest supporters is my friend Neil Fanning, whom many know as the voice of Scooby-Doo in the live-action films alongside Matthew Lillard. Neil has been on my Retro Podcast and has been a wonderful cheerleader for my journey.
Another massive moment of support came from Craig Hall, an actor known for his work in The Hobbit trilogy. When I was running a campaign for a ‘The People’s Artist’ contest hosted by Johnny Depp, Craig threw his support behind me, and he was a guest on my podcast.
More recently, I’ve had wonderful support from actress Danika Frederick, who also appeared on my show. I’m currently working on an alternate-timeline fan art comic for Scream 6 called What If: Core Six, exploring twists like Gale and Sidney being there to help, Anika surviving, and the team having a protector to ensure everyone makes it out alive. Even though the full comic hasn’t dropped yet, Danika saw the teaser on Instagram and actively supported it. Having these established professionals back my podcasts, my art, and my storytelling gives me a huge boost of confidence to keep pushing my creative boundaries.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://retropodcast.godaddysites.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retro_ben_cena/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@retrocartoons8740
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15859225/