Talissa’s tag line on her profile caught me instantly, it read: “I am a documentary photographer obsessed with experiencing and capturing the world before it disappears.” There was so much about this I found interesting and wanted to hear more about, not least of which was that “obsessed” word. There is such an emotional charge in that word that strikes right at the core of this show. It was clear what she valued most, and I wanted to learn more about it from her perspective.

In the conversation Talissa explained why she is so obsessed with documenting nature, what it feels like in her mind when she captures a great shot, the struggle and the pain that goes into her art, and the reason she relishes the fear of failure. I deeply enjoyed this conversation because I find it fascinating to get inside the mind of an artist and understand their passion. But I also enjoyed it because the parallels to the philosophy of life are so palpable. Not all of us are artists or photographers, but Talissa’s journey still rings true for everyone that is trying to figure out their purpose in this world.

Selfishly for me, I also really appreciated the insights I took away for this podcast. The same feeling Talissa seeks, when she captures a great photograph, is the same thing I am seeking when I have an authentic conversation with someone about what matters to them most. Her perspective on the necessity of pain, struggle, doubt, and fear to achieve that moment, was a beautiful reminder for me. It reminded me not to run away from those feelings, but to embrace them—because as torturous as they can be at times, they are the reason life has any meaning at all.