Honest Tattooer Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Honest Tattoo, the hosts discuss their experiences and reflections from 2025, touching on what they plan to quit, keep, and start in 2026. The conversation ranges from personal growth and mental well-being to tattoo techniques and industry insights. The hosts share their thoughts on balancing life, improving their craft, and staying motivated, offering listeners...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we break down exactly what we’d do differently if we were starting tattooing today. From learning how to draw, choosing (or avoiding) tattoo schools, and finding the right kind of apprenticeship, to pricing your work, specializing too early, buying equipment, and navigating social media, branding, and AI. We talk honestly about cutting corners, making mistakes, ge...

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Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we welcome Evan, a tattoo collector, to share his intriguing tattoo journey. They delve into Evan's experiences with getting tattooed at conventions, including a memorable stint on Ink Master where he was inked by Megan G. Morris. Evan reveals how he discovered Ink Master through a Craigslist ad and discusses his fascinating time on both Ink Master and Ink Ma...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, the hosts welcome a special guest, Travis, a tattoo artist with 27 years of experience. Travis shares his unique journey into the world of tattooing, from making his first prison-style tattoo machine at 13 to professional tattooing. The conversation explores the evolution of tattooing, building DIY tattoo machines, and notable experi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, the hosts discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that arise during the holiday season for tattoo artists. They reflect on how the industry has changed over the years and share anecdotes about their own experiences. The conversation shifts towards practical financial advice for tattoo artists, including managing expenses and...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Honest Tattooer podcast! This week, we sit down with the multi-talented Joshua Bowers, a seasoned tattoo artist, and machine builder. Joshua shares his 21-year journey in the tattooing industry, emphasizing the significance of illustrative tattoos and maintaining a sketchbook journal. We delve into his process from sketching to digital art, the meticulous work invol...

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Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the world of social media growth with a particular focus on the tattoo industry. Our guest, the creator behind the popular NYCTattoos page, discusses his journey from being a tattoo enthusiast to amassing a resettable number of followers on TikTok and Instagram in just one year. He shares practical tips on approaching people for content, leveraging th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, the hosts engage in a dynamic conversation with Roderrick Davis, a passionate tattoo artist from Brunswick, Georgia. They explore their personal experiences with job interviews, the nuances of securing a tattoo job compared to a regular job, and how to manage client expectations and challenging customers. Roderick shares his unique j...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we welcome Kelsey Zussman to the podcast to discuss her journey as a tattoo artist. Kelsey shares her experiences from the start of her career in 2022, and the types of tattoos she enjoys creating. She delves into the changes and challenges faced when moving between shops and adjusting to different working environments. The conversation also covers the impact of m...

Send us Fan Mail The crew tries to guess the sale price of tattoos submitted but listeners and fans  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive deep into a conversation with Mark Longenecker, a seasoned tattoo artist with over 30 years of experience. Mark talks about his journey in the tattoo industry, his passion for kava ceremonies, and his love for yoga. He shares some fascinating stories about living in Key West, working for Jimmy Buffett, and living a true tropical lifestyle on a sailboat. Ma...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we delve into a rich conversation with Jeremy Miller, a talented tattoo artist from Austin, Texas, who specializes in 'wonky new school' tattoos. We explore what makes a good bourbon, the intricate differences between various types of whiskeys, and reminisce about the good old days of tattooing. Jeremy shares his journey in the tattoo world, discussing h...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode, our Tomas delves into his journey through the tattooing world, from Denver to Seattle, and finally to San Diego, where he has been honing his craft for 16 years. He shares the highs and lows of running a tattoo shop, transitioning to a private studio, and balancing his passion for tattooing with other creative pursuits. The conversation also touches on th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the hosts sit down with Pym, a seasoned tattoo artist who shares her incredible journey from Dublin, Ireland, to becoming a renowned name in the tattoo world. Pym discusses her fascinating experiences within the tattooing community, including her time traveling with gypsies in Spain. She also offers insights into the evolving tattoo culture, the challenges faced b...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Brian Kelly, a traditional tattoo artist with 20 years of experience. Brian shares his journey from growing up in Minnesota to moving to Europe for grad school in Fine Arts, and how he balanced his tattoo career while studying. He delves into the practical benefits and shortcomings of art school, recounts his tattooing experiences in Ireland and G...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the complex world of tattoo pricing with a fun and engaging game called 'Price That Tat.' Join four expert tattoo artists as they reveal their pricing strategies for various tattoo designs. From traditional tigers to minimalist scripts and intricate portraits, our ar...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the team interviews Frank Porcelli, tattoo artist and the owner Steadfast Tattoo Supply. Frank shares his journey from New Jersey to Washington, his tattooing experience since 2010, and his preference for traditional tattoos. The conversation dives into the nuances of tattooing styles, the importance of quality tattoo machines and supplies, and the challenges of s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, our guest Alex Coulter shares his first-day experiences in New York City, which includes encountering unique city sights and missing out on an arrest right across from their shop. The conversation transitions into discussing the evolving landscape of tattooing, recounting anecdotes from Alex's journey in the industry, and reflecting on the impact of social me...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we dive deep into the life and experiences of a tattoo artist in Mexico. From the surprising differences between clientele in Mexico and California to the nuances of surf culture and dealing with language barriers, this episode covers it all. We also explore the world of tattoos from the challenge of starting over in a new country, to the intricacies of running a YouTub...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the hosts discuss the recurring issue of flaky podcast guests, debate whether to allow repeat offenders back on the show, and reflect on how tattooing has evolved with the use of AI. They explore how AI is being used to create tattoo concepts, the ethics of copying designs, and new tools such as Photoshop’s 'Harmonize' feature and JotForm's AI agent...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer Podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano welcome a panel of tattoo experts, including Ermis, Matt Buck, and special guest RubenRiksfjord from Copenhagen's. Ruben shares his extensive experience in black and gray realism, discussing the nuances between tattooing in New York and Copenhagen, his approach to composition and layering, and the...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the Honest Tattoo Podcast! Hosted by Jon Mesa and co-host Matt Truiano, this episode features special guests Philip from Germany and Chelly from Central Florida. They discuss their backgrounds in tattooing and delve into Philip's groundbreaking innovation in tattoo stencils, Standstill. Philip shares his journey of developing a stencil transfer paper made from...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Honest Tattooer podcast, hosts Jon Mesa and Matt Truiano sit down with special guests Rah from the Gold Coast, Australia, and Michael Getz from Des Moines, Iowa. The group dives into a wide range of topics from effective marketing strategies for tattoo artists, particularly when relocating, to the role of creativity and fine art in tattooing. They explore th...