This week, Chris joins us to talk about what happened after football ended. We get into the real, unfiltered story of how CTE reshaped his brain and his life — and how, almost by accident, painting became the thing that gave him his mind back. What started as a way to process fog and frustration turned into a full second act: acrylic on canvas, portraiture, abstraction, pop art, a body of work as versatile and adaptive as the athlete who made it.

We spend a good chunk of the episode on his newest piece, "8-Bit Jordan"; 140 days in the making and what it took to sit with one painting that long after a career built on speed and instinct. Chris also gives us a first look at what's next on his easel, and reflects on just how unexpected this life as a fine artist has been for a guy who spent over a decade getting paid to hit quarterbacks.

If you've ever wondered what it looks like to completely rebuild an identity from the ground up, this one's for you.

Since their last appearance in June, the group has completed their mural project; a major milestone that's given the collective real momentum in Ventura's creative scene. This episode digs into what that project took to pull off, and how the experience has shaped where they go from here.

Beyond the mural itself, the conversation turns inward, exploring how the collective's impact on its own members has become just as meaningful as its impact on the community. Building something together has changed how the group sees their own practices and each other as artists.

Looking ahead, the episode teases real possibilities on the horizon: a potential Last Place Art Club show in Los Angeles, and conversations about bringing their work into Dama Gallery in DTLA. It's an early look at a young collective already making a tangible mark on the local art

This week's episode is a personal one. I sat down with my longtime friend and Dama Gallery's original gallery assistant, Cameron Hurdus, to talk about how we met, the early (chaotic, fun) days of building the gallery, and how that creative partnership grew into producing a short film we're still proud of.

Cameron is still officially represented by the gallery as a fine artist, though his career as a photographer and videographer has pulled focus lately. We talked past shows, the possibility of new photography for a future exhibition, and his incredible day job traveling the world for Fried Egg Golf, including playing Augusta National after the Masters. A true once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Cameron's a talented creative, an accomplished professional, and one of my favorite people. This one's as much a celebration of our friendship as it is his career.

This week, host Yessíca Torres sits down with Patti Costello, a Los Angeles-based agent representing talent across both the visual and performing arts. Patti brings a rare, dual-lens perspective on the industry, and the conversation goes deep into what representation really looks like from the other side of the table, how agents and galleries work together behind the scenes, the trust that has to exist between all parties, and why representation isn't bureaucracy standing between artist and audience, but the structure that lets an artist stay focused on the work. Because at the end of the day, artists just want to paint.

Known around the world for his decades-long tattoo career, the television series Permanent Mark, and his travels studying traditional tattooing with master artists across Japan, Thailand, Borneo, South Africa, and Europe, Mark reflects on the experiences that shaped both his career and his perspective. The conversation explores his early years in tattooing, opening the first tattoo shop in Cape Town, working alongside legendary artists in Amsterdam, and the lessons he carried with him after stepping away from tattooing.

Now fully immersed in mixed media, collage, hand-painted works, and silkscreen printing, Mark discusses what it means to begin a new chapter as a working fine artist, how his past continues to influence his current practice, and why he remains driven to create. Yessíca and Mark also talk about his upcoming exhibition with Dama Gallery, offering listeners an early look at what they can expect from his latest body of work.

Filled with stories from around the world, reflections on artistic evolution, and insights into a career unlike any other, this episode is an inspiring conversation about embracing change while staying true to your creative voice.

The episode follows the pair through a whirlwind day in Downtown Los Angeles, from an unforgettable lunch with supermodel and entrepreneur Cindy Crawford to scouting potential new spaces for Dama Gallery's future downtown home. The conversation then shifts to Texas, where they recount a private visit to the remarkable "Art House" in Marble Falls; an extraordinary residence featuring the personal collection of a billionaire art patron and what it reveals about living with world-class contemporary art.

Along the way, the founders reflect on the differences between collecting, curating, and building community, while Rodrigo continues his ongoing internal debate over whether he actually likes matcha or is simply trying to convince himself that he does. Equal parts art world insight, travel diary, business strategy, and candid banter, this episode offers listeners an unfiltered look at the conversations that happen between exhibitions and beyond the gallery walls.

The episode explores the evolving crossover between fine art and commercial photography, touching on authenticity, storytelling, and the balance between creative freedom and professional demands. Lindsay also reflects on how her background in design continues to influence every aspect of her work, especially through the magazine she founded; a beautifully curated publication inspired by California culture, independent businesses, creatives, coastal living, and her travels around the world.

Candid, visually rich, and deeply creative, the conversation highlights Lindsay’s adventurous spirit, artistic discipline, and unmistakable California sensibility. From underwater shoots to editorial design, this episode offers an inspiring look into the mind of a photographer and creative entrepreneur who has built an entire world around curiosity, movement, light, and connection.

Recorded in the aftermath of opening night, they discuss the pressures of installation week, the challenges of preparing a major exhibition, and the unexpected obstacles that emerged along the way. From last-minute problem solving to the emotional highs and lows that accompany every opening, the episode offers a candid look behind the curtain of gallery operations.

The conversation also turns toward the future of Dama Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles, as Yessíca and Rodrigo share honest reflections on the current space, its strengths and limitations, and the possibility of expanding into a newer, larger venue. Equal parts reflection, strategy session, and post-opening decompression, this episode captures the excitement, uncertainty, and ongoing evolution of running a contemporary art gallery.

Drawing from a distinguished career in journalism, photography, and visual storytelling, Janet shares how observation, narrative, and technical precision continue to shape her artistic practice. The conversation explores her passion for experiencing new exhibitions, supporting fellow artists, and remaining actively engaged in the creative community—not only as an artist, but as a dedicated advocate for the arts.

Together, they discuss the evolution of Janet's career, from internationally exhibited and award-winning photography to her growing desire to return to painting and explore new creative directions. Janet reflects on the importance of experimentation, artistic growth, and allowing oneself the freedom to evolve after achieving success in a particular medium.

The episode also highlights the role of curiosity, lifelong learning, and community in sustaining a creative practice. Whether discussing exhibitions, collecting experiences, or the constant pursuit of new challenges, Janet offers thoughtful insights into what it means to remain creatively engaged throughout a lifetime in the arts.

In this candid premiere episode, the duo shares the origin story behind Pacific + Main, the evolution of Dama Gallery, and the often-unseen realities of building something meaningful in the contemporary art world. From humble beginnings and early struggles to navigating growth, criticism, and shifting industry dynamics, they discuss the lessons learned from more than a decade of entrepreneurship and creative collaboration.

The conversation also dives into the art experience they strive to create for artists, collectors, and audiences; one centered on authenticity, accessibility, and genuine engagement rather than trends or gatekeeping. Along the way, they tackle a topic every entrepreneur eventually encounters: haters. Why do some people root against success? Why does visibility attract criticism? And how do you stay focused when others are invested in your failure?

Equal parts reflective, humorous, and unapologetically honest, this season premiere explores friendship, resilience, business, art, and the importance of continuing forward when the world gives you every reason to quit.

Known for her oil paintings that blend traditional technique with a contemporary sensibility, Jem shares insight into her approach to capturing light, atmosphere, and movement, particularly through her coastal inspired landscapes. The conversation also highlights her ongoing collaboration with painter Gabriel Islas, including the painting classes they lead together and their shared commitment to mentorship and community building.

Looking ahead, Jem discusses her upcoming exhibition at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, where she is creating a new body of large scale seascapes that expand both the physical and conceptual scope of her work. She also introduces a growing interest in animal portraiture, signaling an exciting shift and expansion within her practice.

Through this post opening conversation, Jem offers a thoughtful perspective on balancing studio work, teaching, and community engagement, while continuing to develop a body of work rooted in observation, discipline, and place.

The discussion centers on how The Last Place Art Club is actively revitalizing Ventura’s creative landscape, bringing together a younger wave of artists with a respect for established practices and standards. As these worlds intersect, the result is a dynamic exchange that pushes both energy and intention forward, creating work that feels immediate, collaborative, and deeply engaged.

Yessíca reflects on the group if young artists as a return to the spirit of early art collectives, drawing parallels to the raw, community driven movements that once defined major art cities. Together, they discuss how the collective formed, their shared vision, and the momentum building around their upcoming mural project.

Through this conversation, the episode captures a turning point in a local art scene driven by collaboration, risk, and the belief that something meaningful happens when artists build together.

Known for his atmospheric oil paintings, Gabriel draws from firsthand experience painting across some of the country’s most striking landscapes, including the Eastern Sierras, the Grand Tetons, and Denali in Alaska. The conversation centers on his commitment to plein air painting, the discipline behind working on site, and how scale, environment, and observation shape his work.

Yessíca and Gabriel also discuss his role as an instructor, including his ongoing classes and collaboration with fellow studio artist Jem Atwater. Together, they reflect on the importance of mentorship, community, and creating spaces where painters can develop both technically and conceptually.

Positioned at a pivotal moment in his career following major recognition, Gabriel shares insight into his recent work, the formation of PALS, and what lies ahead with their upcoming group exhibition. Through this post opening conversation, he offers a grounded perspective on dedication, growth, and the evolving landscape of contemporary plein air painting.

Working exclusively in film, Edgar shares travel based photographs captured across Japan and Taiwan, using 35mm and 120 medium format to create images rooted in patience, precision, and lived experience.

Edgar also speaks on his expanding success abroad and the renewed interest in film among collectors, exploring how the tangible and deliberate nature of analog photography is finding new value in today’s market.

Looking ahead, he introduces new projects that reconnect him with an early collaborator, his homemade robot, signaling a return to experimentation within his work.

Through this post opening conversation, Edgar offers insight into the discipline of film photography, the importance of representation, and the ongoing balance between documentation and creative exploration.

The conversation centers on her artistic process and the women who appear throughout her work, examining how visibility, heritage, and storytelling intersect. Drawing from her Colombian roots, Sara discusses the influence of Latin culture in shaping her visual language, as well as how her career as a doctor informs her perspective, discipline, and approach to art making.

Positioned as a pivotal moment in her career, Sara reflects on what she describes as a breakout year, sharing insight into her growth as an artist and what lies ahead. Through this post opening dialogue, she offers a thoughtful look at the balance between professional identity, creative expression, and the evolving trajectory of her work.

The conversation centers on his works Whitey On the Moon and Whatdido?, unpacking themes of utility, disposability, and the tension between human presence and constructed systems. Drawing from historical and cultural references, Malachi explores the contrast between warmth and machinery, softness and structure, and the broader implications of labor, technology, and identity within his work.

Through this post opening reflection, Malachi offers insight into his artistic process, the intention behind his visual language, and how his work contributes to an ongoing dialogue about responsibility, awareness, and the role of the artist in confronting complex realities.