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Big Rapids is hitting that early summer stride — and this week’s episode covers a little bit of everything.
Chris recaps a trip to the Chicago Drum Show, Hand of Giants gets ready to open for Saving Abel, and the guys try to make sense of Detroit sports and… whatever was going on with nutrition in the 80s 😄
This week’s guest is Luke Wyckoff, a National Geographic photographer and Ferris alum with a fascinating path — from stepping away from photography for 20 years to finding his way back and shooting in Kenya with one of the best wildlife photography teams in the world. It’s a great conversation about creativity, burnout, reinvention, and chasing meaningful work.
Plus: drum circles, garage sales, summer events, and a whole lot happening around town as we head into June.
0:00 – Intro & welcome
1:20 – It’s (almost) shorts weather ☀️
2:25 – Chamber Golf Outing forces early recording
3:52 – Detroit sports check-in 🏀
4:50 – Life keeping Pat busy
6:25 – Chicago Drum Show + Grateful Dead vibes 🥁
7:30 – Hand of Giants opening for Saving Abel 🎸
8:50 – Why did people look older “back in the day”? 😄
9:50 – Featured Creature: White (Dumpy) Tree Frog 🐸
12:40 – Chris goes deep on bird colors 🐦
13:58 – Thanks to Jenn from Schuberg’s Bar and Grill
15:08 – Guest intro: Luke Wyckoff 📸
16:55 – Luke’s background & journey
18:05 – From business & marketing to creative work
22:05 – Staying fresh by diversifying
23:20 – Why Ferris & returning to Michigan
27:30 – Remote work vs photography travel
29:30 – Getting started in photography
31:30 – Walking away from photography for 20 years
35:15 – National Geographic trip to Kenya 🌍
37:27 – What a safari shoot looks like
39:15 – Wildlife photography legends
41:35 – Favorite photos (not what you’d expect)
46:35 – What’s next: Japan, hockey, Ferris football
49:45 – Where to find Luke’s work
50:28 – Coach Tony Annese Hall of Fame nod 🏆
51:05 – Shoutout to local maker Daniel Evelend
52:30 – Community Drum Circle (Friday) 🥁
53:04 – Saving Abel show (Saturday)
53:30 – Canadian Lakes garage sales
54:00 – Walmart remodel reveal
54:53 – Folk for Now at the Bandshell 🎶
55:25 – Pocket Park Music Series begins May 29
55:58 – Free RAM Clinic (May 30–31)
56:30 – WISE 5K (May 30) 🏃
56:50 – Back to the Bricks + Summerfest (June 5–6) 🚗☀️
59:05 – Dom’s Corrections: birds & Shaq wisdom
1:01:00 – Outro & thanks
#WhatsUpBigRapids#BigRapidsMI#SupportLocal#CommunityStrong#SmallTownStories
By What's Up Big RapidsBig Rapids is hitting that early summer stride — and this week’s episode covers a little bit of everything.
Chris recaps a trip to the Chicago Drum Show, Hand of Giants gets ready to open for Saving Abel, and the guys try to make sense of Detroit sports and… whatever was going on with nutrition in the 80s 😄
This week’s guest is Luke Wyckoff, a National Geographic photographer and Ferris alum with a fascinating path — from stepping away from photography for 20 years to finding his way back and shooting in Kenya with one of the best wildlife photography teams in the world. It’s a great conversation about creativity, burnout, reinvention, and chasing meaningful work.
Plus: drum circles, garage sales, summer events, and a whole lot happening around town as we head into June.
0:00 – Intro & welcome
1:20 – It’s (almost) shorts weather ☀️
2:25 – Chamber Golf Outing forces early recording
3:52 – Detroit sports check-in 🏀
4:50 – Life keeping Pat busy
6:25 – Chicago Drum Show + Grateful Dead vibes 🥁
7:30 – Hand of Giants opening for Saving Abel 🎸
8:50 – Why did people look older “back in the day”? 😄
9:50 – Featured Creature: White (Dumpy) Tree Frog 🐸
12:40 – Chris goes deep on bird colors 🐦
13:58 – Thanks to Jenn from Schuberg’s Bar and Grill
15:08 – Guest intro: Luke Wyckoff 📸
16:55 – Luke’s background & journey
18:05 – From business & marketing to creative work
22:05 – Staying fresh by diversifying
23:20 – Why Ferris & returning to Michigan
27:30 – Remote work vs photography travel
29:30 – Getting started in photography
31:30 – Walking away from photography for 20 years
35:15 – National Geographic trip to Kenya 🌍
37:27 – What a safari shoot looks like
39:15 – Wildlife photography legends
41:35 – Favorite photos (not what you’d expect)
46:35 – What’s next: Japan, hockey, Ferris football
49:45 – Where to find Luke’s work
50:28 – Coach Tony Annese Hall of Fame nod 🏆
51:05 – Shoutout to local maker Daniel Evelend
52:30 – Community Drum Circle (Friday) 🥁
53:04 – Saving Abel show (Saturday)
53:30 – Canadian Lakes garage sales
54:00 – Walmart remodel reveal
54:53 – Folk for Now at the Bandshell 🎶
55:25 – Pocket Park Music Series begins May 29
55:58 – Free RAM Clinic (May 30–31)
56:30 – WISE 5K (May 30) 🏃
56:50 – Back to the Bricks + Summerfest (June 5–6) 🚗☀️
59:05 – Dom’s Corrections: birds & Shaq wisdom
1:01:00 – Outro & thanks
#WhatsUpBigRapids#BigRapidsMI#SupportLocal#CommunityStrong#SmallTownStories