The PHYS Podcast

What does it mean to photograph a place you truly belong to? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Ryne Hancock, a New Orleans-based photographer, DJ at WTUL, and visual storyteller whose work is deeply rooted in community, culture, and presence. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Ryne found his way to New Orleans and discovered a city whose rhythm, traditions, and people would...

What happens when life presents obstacles most people would see as impossible? For Brett Devloo, known to many as "TBK – The Blind Kid," the answer has never been to stop. It's been to keep moving forward. On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Brett Devloo and Hippie Mike for a powerful conversation about resilience, skateboarding, creativity, community, and the peo...

What makes a photograph truly unforgettable? Is it the light? The composition? The moment? Or is it the connection between the photographer and the person standing in front of the camera? Christopher “Morty” Mortenson, an editorial and commercial photographer based in Long Beach, California, whose work is built on authenticity, curiosity, and human connection. Morty's journey began in the rura...

What if the secret to great photography isn't being in the right place, but learning how to see? I sit down with Steve Bueckert, a travel and landscape photographer whose work is driven by a relentless pursuit of natural light and the stories it reveals. From vibrant city streets to remote landscapes far from civilization, Steve has built a body of work that celebrates the extraordinary beauty...

What happens when a camera becomes more than a tool and turns into a lifeline? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Ryan Faer, a strength and conditioning coach, photographer, and storyteller whose journey demonstrates the transformative power of creativity. Like many artists, Ryan's path to photography wasn't born from a desire to become a photographer. It emerged from...

What does it take to swim into some of the most dangerous waves on Earth with a camera in hand? Christa "C Funk" Funk, one of the world's most respected water photographers and a familiar presence in the lineup at the legendary Banzai Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore. Known for her breathtaking images captured from deep inside the action, Christa has built a reputation for document...

What if the most important photograph isn't the big moment everyone remembers—but the one that happens just before or after? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with an award-winning action sports and lifestyle photographer whose life revolves around movement, adventure, and storytelling. Ski. Bike. Climb. Run. Rinse. Repeat. That rhythm has become both a lifestyle and a creativ...

What happens when photography becomes a tool for connection, representation, and change? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Cheriss May, an award-winning portrait and editorial photographer based in Washington, D.C., whose work is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and the power of human connection Known for her extraordinary ability to build trust with her subjects, Cheriss cre...

What does it take to swim into freezing water, risk your camera, and chase waves in the middle of a storm? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Marcus Paladino, one of Canada's premier surf photographers and a visual storyteller whose work captures the raw power of the Pacific Ocean and the culture that thrives along its rugged coastline. Based in Tofino, British Columbia, M...

What transforms a photograph from something we see into something we feel? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Brynne Mower, an outdoor and action sports photographer whose work is driven by emotion, movement, and the pursuit of meaningful visual storytelling. A 2023 Red Bull Illume Semi-Finalist, Brynne has quickly established herself as one of the most exciting emerging voice...

What does it take to stay inspired after nearly five decades behind the camera? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with legendary surf photographer Brian Bielmann, one of the most influential visual storytellers in the history of surfing. For almost 50 years, Brian has traveled the world documenting the people, places, and moments that have defined surf culture. From the North Shor...

What does it take to build a creative career that lasts? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Casey Fatchett, an award-winning wedding, portrait, and event photographer based in New York City whose career has been built on authenticity, storytelling, and human connection. For years, Casey has documented some of life's most meaningful moments, creating photographs that go bey...

How does a love of nature evolve into a passion for photographing human performance at its limits? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Sara Kempner, a Canadian photographer and outdoor enthusiast whose work beautifully captures both the power of wild landscapes and the energy of action sports. Raised on Vancouver Island and surrounded by oceans, mountains, rivers, and forests,...

What happens when you refuse to stay in one lane? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Sean Bonner, an artist, entrepreneur, photographer, activist, educator, technologist, and one of the most fascinating creative minds I've had the opportunity to speak with. For decades, Sean has operated at the intersection of culture, technology, community, and art, constantly pushing bou...

What does it look like to witness history from just a few feet away? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I have the honor of sitting down with Pete Souza, one of the most influential documentary photographers of our time and the man behind some of the most iconic photographs in modern American history. Pete's career has taken him places few photographers will ever experience. As Chief Offi...

What if photography isn't about finding answers, but learning how to live with the questions? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Reuben Radding, a New York City-based photographer whose work exists at the intersection of street photography, personal documentary, and human connection. For Reuben, photography is an improvisation. A conversation with the world unfolding in re...

What does it mean to create work that becomes part of history? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Sally Davies, an acclaimed painter, photographer, author, and visual storyteller whose work has become woven into the cultural fabric of New York City. For decades, Sally has documented life with a unique blend of curiosity, humor, honesty, and artistic vision. Whether through pho...

What if the best portrait begins with a simple compliment? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Velvet Alfredo, a street photographer whose work celebrates individuality, fashion, diversity, and the beauty of human connection. Known for his striking street portraits, Velvet has built a reputation for transforming chance encounters into unforgettable photographs. Walking city str...

What makes a photograph unforgettable? For Cody Hammer, the answer is simple. It should make you feel something. On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Cody Hammer, an award-winning Indigenous photographer based in Skiatook, Oklahoma, and a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Creek Nation. A self-taught photographer, Cody has built a powerful body of work that blends...

What happens when we stop hiding who we are and start living authentically? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I'm joined by Kiran Karnani, Chief Marketing Officer at Harlowe, for one of the most personal and meaningful conversations ever recorded for the show. Kiran has built her career around creativity, leadership, innovation, and community. As CMO of Harlowe, she has helped shape a br...

How do you photograph a city whose story is constantly being written? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Larry Everage, a New Orleans-based photographer whose work is dedicated to documenting the culture, history, resilience, and spirit of the city he proudly calls home. Photography has always been part of Larry's story. Influenced by a family of passionate photographers,...

Can photography help us heal from the things we carry? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I'm joined by John Hendrick, a New York City native now based in San Antonio, Texas, whose journey from combat medic to photographer is a powerful testament to resilience, healing, and transformation. After years serving in the military and witnessing some of life's most challenging realities, Jo...

52 Episodes, One Incredible Year | Dean Hinnant & The Spirit of Americana We did it. 52 episodes in one year. Through challenges, setbacks, growth, and unforgettable conversations, The Life of Phys Podcast reached a milestone that once felt impossible. None of it would have happened without the incredible guests, listeners, supporters, and sponsors who believed in the vision from day one. As w...

What happens when traditional art meets modern technology? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Raheem Nelson, a photographer, cartoonist, digital artist, and visual storyteller based in New Haven, Connecticut. Raheem's creative journey began with pencil, ink, and paint. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cartooning, he built his artistic...

What happens when a forgotten box of photographs becomes a doorway into the past? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I welcome back my close friend Ansley Stewart, a Houston-based photographer whose passion for forgotten places has recently led him to an extraordinary discovery. Known for documenting lonely landscapes and locations caught in the passage of time, Ansley's photography has a...