The PHYS Podcast

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...

What makes an ordinary moment unforgettable? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I’m joined by Mark Forbes, a Melbourne-based photographer whose contemplative documentary work transforms everyday scenes into powerful visual narratives. Known for his atmospheric photographs of street life, urban landscapes, and the relationship between people and place, Mark has become one of Australia’s most r...

What happens when photography, culture, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship come together? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with two incredible creatives whose work demonstrates the power of collaboration and the endless possibilities that emerge when art meets innovation. Joining me are Joseph Pekara, better known as Pharaoh171 Photography & Pharaoh171 Films, and Jordan Jurr...

What happens when the game you've dedicated your life to ends? For many athletes, that's where the uncertainty begins. For KJ Brent, it became the beginning of a new creative journey. On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I'm joined by KJ Brent, a former NFL wide receiver turned photographer based in North Carolina, whose story is a powerful reminder that our greatest passions often...

What if every landscape had a story waiting to be discovered? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I'm joined by Jake Case, an Arizona-based naturalist, writer, landscape photographer, and storyteller whose work bridges the worlds of science, history, and visual storytelling. Jake's passion for the natural world began through a deep curiosity about the landscapes that shape our lives. A...

How do you find beauty after spending decades witnessing some of life's most difficult moments? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Joe D'Agostino, a New Jersey-based photographer, writer, police officer, SWAT Team Commander, and advocate for first responder mental health. Joe's life has been shaped by service, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to helping oth...

What does a lifetime devoted to photography teach you? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I'm honored to sit down with Scott Bourne, a semi-retired professional photographer, educator, author, and one of the true pioneers of modern photography education. With more than 50 years behind the camera, Scott has built an extraordinary career documenting the natural world, particularly birds and...

How can one phone call change the course of your life? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I'm joined by J. Aggabao, Associate Athletic Director at Santa Clara University, former professional strength and conditioning coach, and passionate photographer. J has spent much of his career helping elite athletes perform at the highest levels of competition. From working with the St. Louis and Lo...

Some photographers influence the way you shoot. Others influence the way you see the world. On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I'm honored to sit down with Devin Allen, a self-taught photographer, artist, author, and one of my personal biggest influences and inspirations. Devin's work has become a defining visual record of modern American history. In 2015, his photograph documenting t...

How does a simple photograph become the beginning of a lifelong passion? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I'm joined by Fred Agho, better known as Fujifred, a Houston-based commercial and portrait photographer whose work is built on one powerful principle: connection. Fred's journey into photography began on the football field, where he started photographing his collegiate teammates...

What if courage is the foundation of every great story? On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Shawn P Bruce, a Brooklyn-based photographer, videographer, and storyteller whose work explores one of the most powerful forces in human experience: courage. For Shawn, photography and filmmaking are about far more than creating beautiful images. They're about documenting the people,...