Exploring Life & Business with Ben Cena of Retro Cartoons

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Cena

Hi Ben, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I went to Columbus College of Art and Design in 2019 and graduated in May 2023. During my time at CCAD, I began a freelance business titled Retro Cartoons, and from the freelance industry, Retro Podcast was born. As a former YouTuber who used to make reaction videos, my channel grew to 1,000 subscribers. In that celebration, it was decided to create a podcast featuring celebrities and all artists.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Initially, it wasn’t easy, and we all have to start somewhere, but 2024 has been the best year for Retro Podcast. There have been some ups and downs with inflation and the 2024 very disappointing election, but Retro Podcast has had some incredible guests this year. We had Neil Fanning, the voice of Scooby-Doo, in both live-action films directed by the talented James Gunn. Edward Glen voice of Thomas the Tank Engine in Thomas and the Magic Railroad from 2000, and we recently interviewed Luke Hutchie from the Canadian TV series Ghosting, which has been renewed for season 2; his interview airs in January, and we also interviewed Diamond White who is the voice of Moon girl in the Disney Plus Marvel series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Retro Cartoons is a freelance business; we run Retro Podcast, a talk show about all artists, so people who are famous and not famous. We also create illustrations, books, and short films; our most extensive collaboration I’ve been illustrating for is Slapstik Comedy Entertainment. We also have a movie in the works with them titled Van Dragons; it’s a family-friendly film and a murder mystery.

My first comic book, Night at the North Pole, was recently released and is now available at LuLu bookstores.

We recently finished production of Orlando Monster, a stop-motion animation horror film about a family vacation in Florida, where a fearsome reptile swamp monster is hunting them.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We are always accepting opportunities to collaborate. You can follow us on Instagram and reach out from there.

Pricing:

• Night at North Pole book $68
• Orlando Monster book $12
• Retro Podcast Illustrations $25
• Signed Retro Podcast Illustrations $50
• Printed Illustrations $50

Contact Info:

• Website: https://retropodcast.godaddysites.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retro_ben_cena/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@retropodcast8740
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31458422/

Image Credits
Ben Cena