Podcasts
What happens when photography, adventure, mental health, and a lifetime of stories come together… behind a microphone? 🎙️📸🌎❤️
Welcome to the FIRST EVER episode of TVS: The Viewfinder Sessions!
In this inaugural episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on who I am, where I've come from, and why I've launched this exciting new adventure.
From my Newfoundland roots to building a photography business in Southwestern Ontario, I share the experiences, challenges, passions, and personal journey that inspired this podcast.
But this isn't just another photography podcast.
It's about people. Their stories. Their struggles. Their triumphs. And the experiences that shape how we see the world.
We also dig into:
• My journey as a photographer, entrepreneur, storyteller, and mental health advocate
• The inspiration and vision behind The Viewfinder Sessions
• How photography, nature, and creativity connect with mental health
• What to expect from future guests, adventures, and conversations
• Why authenticity, connection, and meaningful storytelling matter
This isn't just about what happens behind the lens.
It's about life, resilience, adventure, creativity, and discovering the stories that deserve to be told.
Expect fascinating guests, honest conversations, practical insights, plenty of laughs, and maybe a few moments that challenge how you see the world.
Because every photograph has a story. Every person has a journey. And sometimes, a different perspective changes everything.
🎧 Listen now and join me for the very beginning of The Viewfinder Sessions!
🎙️ Listen here: www.ohmenervesphotography.ca/podcasts
Trust me… we're just getting started, and you'll want to be part of this journey! ❤️
What happens when you give everything you've got to chasing a dream… and still find yourself wondering if it's all going to work out? 🎙️❤️📸
On this episode of TVS: The Viewfinder Sessions, I'm doing something a little different.
No guest. No carefully polished success story. No pretending I've got life all figured out.
Just me, Shaun Antle, getting real about entrepreneurship, creativity, mental health, and the sometimes beautiful, sometimes absolutely brutal reality of pursuing a life built around what matters most to you.
We hear it all the time.
Follow your dreams. Chase your passion. Work hard. Believe in yourself. Never give up.
Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?
But what happens when you do all of those things… and success still isn't guaranteed?
When you're pouring your heart, soul, time, energy, and finances into something you genuinely believe in, but the results don't always reflect the sacrifices you're making.
When one day you're on top of the world, incredibly proud of what you've accomplished, and the next you're questioning everything.
Your decisions. Your abilities. Your future. Even your own worth.
That's the part of chasing your dreams we don't talk about nearly enough.
In this deeply personal episode, I pull back the curtain on my own experiences as a photographer, entrepreneur, storyteller, and mental health advocate.
The wins. The struggles. The uncertainty. The financial pressures. The self-doubt. And the constant balancing act between building something meaningful and simply trying to make life work.
Because here's something I've learned: You can be incredibly passionate about what you do, work your absolute ass off, and still struggle.
And that doesn't automatically mean you're doing something wrong.
We also dig into:
• Why following your passion doesn't guarantee financial success or stability
• The emotional rollercoaster of building a creative business and pursuing meaningful work
• How self-doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty can affect even the most determined people
• Why hard work, talent, and great ideas don't always produce the results we expect
• The importance of resilience when motivation disappears and life gets overwhelming
• Why authenticity matters more than pretending everything is perfect
• Finding purpose in the uncomfortable space between your dreams and your reality
• How faith, personal values, and perseverance help us navigate difficult chapters
• Why sometimes the greatest accomplishment is simply finding the courage to take another step
This isn't another motivational speech telling you to hustle harder, think positively, and everything will magically fall into place.
Life doesn't work that way. And pretending it does only makes those who are struggling feel like they're somehow failing.
This is about being human.
About being proud and terrified at the same time. About believing wholeheartedly in something while occasionally questioning whether you're completely out of your mind for pursuing it.
About recognizing that exhaustion isn't weakness, uncertainty isn't defeat, and struggling doesn't erase everything you've already accomplished.
And perhaps most importantly, it's about that strange, uncomfortable place so many of us find ourselves in.
Somewhere between the life we're dreaming of and the reality we're living.
We spend so much time focusing on the destination that we sometimes forget there's an entire life happening in between.
A life filled with lessons, setbacks, small victories, unexpected opportunities, and moments that shape who we become.
This isn't just about entrepreneurship, photography, or chasing dreams.
It's about resilience. Purpose. Mental health. Authenticity. And finding the strength to keep moving forward when the path ahead is anything but certain.
Because success isn't always measured by the money in your bank account, the recognition you receive, or how quickly you reach your goals.
Sometimes success is surviving a difficult chapter.
Sometimes it's rebuilding after everything falls apart.
And sometimes, it's waking up tomorrow and deciding that what you're working toward still matters enough to try again.
Struggling doesn't mean you're failing. Doubting yourself doesn't mean you're lost. And not being where you hoped you'd be doesn't mean you'll never get there.
🎧 Listen now to "Between Dreams and Reality: The Raw Truth About Chasing What Matters."
🎙️ Listen to The Viewfinder Sessions: www.ohmenervesphotography.ca/podcasts
Trust me… if you've ever chased a dream, questioned your direction, struggled to keep your head above water, or wondered whether all the sacrifices are worth it, this one's for you. ❤️
You don't need to have everything figured out. You don't need to pretend everything is okay. And you certainly don't need to have reached your destination to recognize how far you've already come.
Keep dreaming. Keep learning. Keep showing up. And above all, never give up on yourself. ❤️
What happens when the world makes you feel like you don't belong outdoors… but you decide to show up anyway? 🏔️📸❤️
On this episode of TVS: The Viewfinder Sessions, I sit down with Kaila Walton, a plus-size hiker, photographer, and passionate advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in outdoor spaces.
We dive into an incredibly honest conversation about photography, mental health, self-acceptance, social media, and the importance of challenging the stereotypes surrounding who belongs in nature.
Because here's the thing…
When did enjoying the outdoors become something you had to look a certain way to do?
Why should someone's body size, appearance, or physical abilities determine whether they feel welcome on a trail, behind a camera, or exploring the incredible world around us?
They shouldn't. And that's exactly why conversations like this matter.
Kaila shares how photography began as a way to document her outdoor adventures, but quickly evolved into something much more meaningful.
A reason to slow down. To notice the little things. To appreciate moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. And perhaps most importantly, to develop a deeper connection with nature and herself.
But this conversation goes well beyond hiking and photography.
We talk about the pressures of social media, the constant comparisons, unrealistic expectations, and how easy it can be to lose yourself trying to fit into someone else's version of what you should be.
Kaila opens up about the importance of showing up authentically, embracing who you are, and recognizing that representation isn't simply about being seen.
It's about helping others realize they belong too.
We also explore her experiences living in the North, how those landscapes and communities have shaped her perspective, and why nature and creativity can be such powerful tools for navigating life's challenges.
We also dig into:
• Breaking stereotypes and challenging expectations as a plus-size woman in outdoor spaces
• Why representation, inclusivity, and body positivity matter in the outdoor community
• How photography encourages us to slow down and appreciate the world around us
• The relationship between creativity, nature, and mental health
• The pressures of social media, comparison, and protecting your mental well-being
• Why being authentic matters more than presenting a picture-perfect life
• How living in the North changes your perspective on nature, adventure, and everyday life
• Why you shouldn't wait until you're fitter, more experienced, or somehow "ready" to start exploring
• A fun rapid-fire round revealing more about Kaila, her photography, and her outlook on life
This isn't just a conversation about hiking, photography, or body positivity.
It's about belonging. It's about confidence. It's about challenging the expectations we place on ourselves and the ones society places on us.
It's about recognizing that you don't have to look a certain way, reach a particular milestone, or become some imagined future version of yourself before you're allowed to enjoy life.
And it's a reminder that sometimes, picking up a camera, stepping outside, and reconnecting with the natural world can do more for our mental health than we realize.
Because the outdoors doesn't have a dress code, a body type, or a prerequisite for belonging. Nature is for everyone. And you deserve to experience it exactly as you are, right now.
🎧 Listen now and discover why sometimes the biggest adventure isn't conquering a mountain, but overcoming the belief that you don't belong on it.
🎙️ Listen to The Viewfinder Sessions: www.ohmenervesphotography.ca/podcasts
Trust me… if you've ever felt out of place, struggled with self-confidence, or needed a reminder that you are worthy of taking up space in this world, you'll want to hear this one. ❤️
What happens when the forest isn't just somewhere you visit… but becomes part of who you are? 🌲🐺📸
On this episode of TVS: The Viewfinder Sessions, I sit down with Tegan Legge from Haliburton Forest and the Wolf Centre for an incredible conversation about wildlife, conservation, photography, mental health, and what happens when a lifelong connection to nature becomes your life's work.
Growing up in Northern Ontario, Tegan's childhood was filled with exploring creeks, catching frogs, camping, paddling, and spending every possible moment outdoors.
That connection never left her.
In fact, it helped shape a career spanning more than 16 years at one of Ontario's most remarkable wilderness destinations.
But what happens when the place you work becomes so deeply connected to who you are that separating the two becomes a challenge?
When the outdoors isn't simply an escape, but part of your identity, your purpose, and your everyday life.
That's where this conversation gets really interesting.
Tegan opens up about her experiences working around wolves, the misconceptions surrounding these incredible animals, and why education and conservation are so important.
We also explore what happened when COVID brought much of the world to a standstill. Rather than sitting still herself, Tegan set out to paddle a different lake every week, eventually exploring more than 50!
What started as a personal challenge became something much more meaningful.
More time in nature. More connection with family. More presence. And a renewed appreciation for the little things we so often overlook.
We also dig into:
• Growing up surrounded by wilderness and building a life around nature
• Working with wolves and challenging the myths surrounding them
• Why wildlife conservation and education matter more than ever
• How photography captures moments, memories, and meaningful stories
• Paddling more than 50 lakes and rediscovering the joy of exploration
• The powerful connection between nature and mental health
• Learning to establish boundaries when your passion is also your profession
• Why shared outdoor experiences can create some of life's most meaningful connections
This isn't just a conversation about wolves, forests, or outdoor adventures.
It's about finding yourself in nature. Learning when to slow down. Recognizing what truly matters, and understanding that sometimes the greatest adventures aren't about how far you travel, but how deeply you connect.
It's also a reminder that even when we're fortunate enough to build a life around something we love, we still need space to breathe, recharge, and simply enjoy it.
Because nature doesn't ask who you are, what you do, or how successful you've become. Sometimes, it simply gives you the space to be human.
🎧 Listen now and discover why a life connected to the natural world can change the way we see everything.
📍 Follow Tegan: Tegan Legge
🌲 Explore: Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve
🎙️ Listen to The Viewfinder Sessions: www.ohmenervesphotography.ca/podcasts
Trust me… if you love wildlife, photography, adventure, or simply need a reminder of why getting outside matters, you'll want to hear this one. ❤️
What happens when you mix deep water, total silence, shipwrecks, and a camera? 🌊📸
On this episode of TVS: The Viewfinder Sessions, I sit down with John, a technical diver and underwater photographer who spends hours below the surface exploring places most people will never see.
We talk about rebreather diving (yes, dives that last 6 to 8 hours), why silence underwater changes everything, and what it feels like to descend into darkness until a massive shipwreck suddenly appears out of the blue.
But this episode goes deeper than gear and wrecks.
John opens up about how diving and photography became a lifeline. How peace, purpose, and focus underwater helped him through substance struggles and gave him something to hold onto when life got heavy. The parallels between creativity, risk, safety, and mental health hit hard in the best way.
We also dig into:
• Why “nothing is worth the shot”
• Sharks, sturgeon, and hidden Great Lakes wrecks
• The insane learning curve (and cost) of underwater photography
• Why video and cinematic storytelling are the next frontier
• Stories still sitting beneath our own local waters
This isn’t just about diving.
It’s about what happens when you find the thing that brings you back to yourself.
🎧 Listen now and dive in.
📍 Follow John: @the_divers_log
🎥 YouTube coming soon
Trust me… you’ll want to hear this one.
In this conversation, Shaun discusses the importance of embracing vulnerability and authenticity when addressing mental health issues. He emphasizes the need for real connections and the value of sharing personal experiences related to anxiety, depression, and toxic environments. Shaun also highlights the significance of creative outlets and travel as powerful ways to cope and express oneself.
"It's okay to not be okay."
"People are wanting real, raw access."
Thanks so much for tuning in to The Viewfinder Sessions! I truly appreciate you being part of this growing community of storytellers, travelers, photographers, and those who are simply trying to live life a little more intentionally.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to subscribe to the channel or podcast wherever you’re listening or watching. Hit that like button, leave a comment, and share it with someone who might need a little inspiration or perspective today.
Your engagement—whether it’s a like, a question, or sharing an episode—really helps this project grow and reach more people who care about the same things we do.
You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads at @ohmenervesphotography, or visit www.ohmenervesphotography.ca for updates on upcoming expeditions, workshops, and new content.
And if you ever want to reach out directly, whether it’s to share your story, ask a question, or just say hi, send me an email at oh.me.nerves.photography@gmail.com.
Until next time, keep chasing what sets your soul on fire, stay curious, and never stop seeing the world through your own viewfinder.