Ep 028: Dr. Kenneth Axen | An Improvised Life

Practice Human

Over my January break, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Kenneth Axen who taught our exercise physiology class at Hunter College in my first year of PT school. We’d previously connected over a shared love of the great street photographers of the mid-twentieth century. Dr. Axen is a photographer, artist, writer, scientist, teacher, father and traveler. I was eager to hear more about his outlook on life, inspired by the “Yes, and...” rule of improvisation. We discussed the ways art and illustration serve as tools for sharing complex ideas, how constraints spur creativity, and the intersections between science and spirituality. We were joined in our discussion by Dr. Kathleen Axen who currently serves as Professor and Department Chair of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College. Together, they shared stories of their world travel adventures with young children.
Dr. Axen has an incredible eye. View his photography on Instagram @kenaxen and take a look at the film referenced in the beginning of the episode, TempusFugit.