The Dunk Talk is a podcast created by dunkers, for dunkers.

At its core, this show exists to document a sport and community that rarely gets the long-form attention it deserves. Dunking is often reduced to highlights, contests, or single viral clips, but behind every dunk is years of training, setbacks, injuries, relationships, and decisions that never get told. The Dunk Talk was created to preserve those stories.

This podcast focuses on the people behind the dunks — how they started, how they trained, what they struggled with, and what kept them going when progress slowed or motivation dipped. The goal isn’t to sensationalize dunking, but to treat it like the real discipline it is.

Why Dunk Talk Exists

Dunking sits in a unique space. It’s not traditional basketball, but it’s not just entertainment either. It’s a niche sport with its own culture, standards, and progression paths — yet much of its history lives only in social media clips or short captions.

The Dunk Talk was started to give dunkers a place to tell their full story in their own words.

Many of the athletes featured on the show never would have had a long-form interview otherwise. Some didn’t come from elite basketball backgrounds. Others dealt with injuries, late starts, or doubts about whether continuing was even worth it. Those journeys matter, especially for the next generation of dunkers trying to find their place in the sport.

By documenting these conversations, the podcast helps:

• Preserve dunking history

• Give context to elite performance

• Highlight the work behind high-level athleticism

• Show what real progress looks like over years, not weeks

What You’ll Hear On The Podcast

The Dunk Talk covers far more than just dunk attempts.

Episodes regularly explore:

• How dunkers discovered the sport

• Training philosophies and experimentation

• Managing injuries and setbacks

• Mental struggles, burnout, and motivation

• The transition from hobby to profession

• What it takes to compete at the highest level

Guests are encouraged to be honest — not polished. The conversations are meant to reflect what actually happens behind the scenes, not just what looks good on camera.

Featured Guests & Conversations

Over the years, The Dunk Talk has hosted some of the most respected and influential figures in modern dunking, including:

• Jordan Kilganon — widely considered the greatest dunker of all time, breaking down his journey, mindset, and innovation

• Isaiah Rivera — discussing how he became the highest jumper in the world and what elite athletic development really looks like

• Donovan Hawkins — appearing across multiple episodes to talk about training, contests, growth, and dunking as a career

• Jordan “1FootGod” Southerland — explaining his unique style and approach to dunking

• Dom Gonzales (5’8”) — sharing how he became a professional dunker despite height limitations

• Anthony Height (5’6”) — walking through one of the most impressive vertical jump journeys ever recorded

• Finn Addy — detailing how attending Dunk Camp led to his first professional dunk contest invite

• Connor Barth — covering dunking, training philosophy, and recovery after cancer

• Travis Reynolds, Mason Baker, Dillan McCarthy, Hyrum Fechser, and many more

The show also regularly features up-and-coming dunkers, coaches, and creators who are actively shaping where the sport is heading next.

The Hosts

The Dunk Talk is hosted by Dylan Haugen and Hunter Castona, both of whom come from within the dunk community.

Dylan Haugen is a professional dunker and the founder of the Dunk Talk podcast. He started the show after experiencing firsthand how valuable long-form conversations could be when he appeared as a guest on other dunk-focused podcasts. His background as an athlete and content creator allows him to ask informed, experience-based questions that go beyond surface-level discussion.

Hunter Castona is a dunker from Wisconsin and co-host of the podcast. He brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective shaped by years of involvement in the dunk community, attending camps, training with other athletes, and documenting sessions. Outside of dunking, Hunter works as a photographer and videographer under the name Cast Captures, creating visual content for athletes and creators.

Together, they approach the podcast as participants in the sport — not outsiders analyzing it.

More Than A Podcast

The Dunk Talk isn’t just about recording episodes. It’s about building a documented archive of dunking culture.

Episodes are repurposed into clips, articles, and long-form written content so the insights don’t disappear into timelines or algorithms. The goal is longevity — making sure these stories can still be found, referenced, and learned from years down the line.

As dunking continues to grow, evolve, and gain recognition, The Dunk Talk aims to remain a reliable record of the people and moments that shaped it.

Where To Listen

The Dunk Talk Podcast is available on:

• YouTube

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

Short-form clips and updates are shared on Instagram and TikTok.

More episodes, more guests, and more stories are always on the way.