Ink Different Tattoos Podcast

This week on Tattoo Shop Tango, presented by Ink Different, Paul-Anthony Surdi and Chico Cortez sit down with Billy Jack Gunter. He’s one of the best-known tattoo artists in Texas, and he owns Artistic Encounter Tattoo, a studio inside a Harley-Davidson dealership, and a Dallas studio turned music venue. Billy Jack got the ownership bug during his apprenticeship in Kentucky and vowed to build a pl...

This week on Tattoo Shop Tango, presented by Ink Different, Paul Anthony and Chico Cortez sit down with Anwan “Boneface” Johnson. You may know him from seasons 8 and 9 of Ink Master. He owns Boneface Ink in Pensacola, Florida, which has been open for 20 years, and he’s now testing a new business model. Boneface got the idea in Nashville, working a flash-only tattoo booth inside a bar. The shop’s r...

This week on Tattoo Shop Tango, presented by Ink Different, Paul Anthony and Chico Cortez welcome Liz Cook. She is a world-renowned color realism artist with her own ink line, multiple tattoo shops, a coaching platform, and a six-year-old at home. Liz didn’t plan to be a shop owner, but she says yes to the calling before she knows how it will work out. She tells the story of auditioning for Ink Ma...

This week on Tattoo Shop Tango, presented by Ink Different, Paul Anthony and Chico Cortez sit down with Jordi Pla. He is a 150-time award winner, an Ink Master alum, and the owner of Black Flamingo Collective in Bethesda, Maryland. Jordi was a year from graduating in aerospace engineering at UCF when he switched his major to art. Tattooing started as an accident and a hobby. A DM from Chico led to...

Liz Cook auditioned for Ink Master, got accepted, and then walked away — her brand-new studio was the priority. Today she’s a world-renowned color realism artist with her own ink line, multiple shops, a coaching platform, and a six-year-old at home. This week on Tattoo Shop Tango, presented by Ink Different, Paul Anthony and Chico Cortez welcome Liz Cook. She never planned to own a shop; she said...

Welcome to Tattoo Shop Tango! Presented by Ink Different, in this first episode, our hosts Paul Anthony and Chico Cortez sit down with Jesse Smith . Jesse is a Richmond, Virginia Tattoo Artist, the owner of Loose Screw Tattoo Studio, and the man behind the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Convention. If you run a shop, lead a team, or dream of throwing a convention, you’ll learn a lot from this one. Jesse...

Ever wonder how reality tattoo shows like Tattoo Rescue actually get started? Spoiler alert: it involves a Jersey guy yelling at a film crew and accidentally becoming a TV star. 😂   In this episode, hosts Paul-Anthony Surdi and Chico Cortez sit down with Joey Tattoo—tattoo shop owner, TV personality, emcee, and all-around industry OG—to talk about:   🎬 The wild story behind how Tattoo Rescue got...

Get ready for a wild ride through tattoo history with a living legend. In this unforgettable episode, hosts Chico Cortez and Gabe Jaksich sit down with none other than Gil “The Drill” Montie and his wife Gemma Montie (and Luna, his pet guardian) to talk about everything—from the roots of American tattooing to Tupac, biker life, Hollywood stories, and preserving the soul of the craft.   💥 What’s i...

The tattoo world hasn’t always been welcoming to women, but that’s changing fast, thanks to artists like Peggi Hurley and Lauren Klose. 💪🎨   In this powerful episode, hosts Paul-Anthony Surdi, Chico Cortez, and Gabe Jaksich sit down with these two trailblazing Tattoo Artists to talk about how women are reshaping the tattoo industry from the inside out.   🔥 In this episode, we cover: ✨ What it...

Think tattoo conventions are just about showing off ink and slingin’ tats? Think again. 👀 In this episode, hosts Paul-Anthony Surdi, Chico Cortez, and Gabe Jaksich sit down with Legion Avegno—tattoo artist, shop owner, and convention runner—to pull back the curtain on the real world of tattoo conventions.   🎪 Here’s what we get into: 🔥 Why every serious tattoo artist should be attending convent...

Are you in it for the love of tattooing—or for the likes? 💸🎨   In this episode of the podcast, hosts Chico Cortez and Gabe Jaksich sit down with two world-renowned tattoo legends—Jime Litwalk and Mat Ryan from Eternal Ink—to get real about the motives, mindsets, and future of the tattoo industry.   🔥 We’re diving into: — Passion vs. Fame: Why did you start tattooing? — Gatekeeping vs. Holding t...

You ever wonder what’s really in that numbing cream or aftercare lotion you're putting on your fresh ink? Well, we got you! In this episode, hosts Paul-Anthony Surdi, Gabe Jaksich, and Chico Cortez sit down with the one and only Scott Martin—OG Tattoo Artist, tattpp shops owner, and founder of Ikonik Tattoo Care—to dive into the future of tattoo aftercare.   We’re talking: 🧪 Wild new tech in tatt...

🔥 What’s it REALLY like to compete on Ink Master? Ink Master alumni Roly T-Rex & Mark Longenecker join hosts Gabe Jaksich & Chico Cortez to share behind-the-scenes stories, career lessons, and how they’re giving back to the tattoo community.   💉 Topics Covered: ✔️ Ink Master experience – challenges, wins, and lessons learned. ✔️ How reality TV changed their tattoo careers 🎬. ✔️ Life after Ink M...

🔥 Women in the Tattoo Industry Speak Out! 🔥   In this episode of the podcast our cohosts Paul-Anthony Surdi and Chico Cortez sit down with Tattoo Model Vany Vicious and Tattoo Artist Taylor Demers to talk about their journeys in the tattoo industry—breaking barriers, facing challenges, and thriving as women in a male-dominated field.   💉 Topics Covered: ✔️ How they got into the tattoo scene and...

Black & Gray Realism is one of the most sought-after tattoo styles at the moment—but what’s the REAL story behind it? 🤔 In this episode of the Ink Different Tattoos Podcast, we sit down with Black & Gray experts Marcel Oliveira and Anthony Medina to break down the biggest debates, business strategies, and industry insights that every Tattoo Artist (and client) should know! 💉⚡   🚀 In this episo...

🔥🧛‍♂️ BONUS EPISODE ALERT! 🧛‍♂️🔥   In this special bonus episode, tattooist and vampyre Miguel Valentin spills the tea on one of the most EPIC tattoo experiences of his career at a Philly convention. 🎨✨ From tackling a wild and challenging design to showing how committed he is to his craft, Miguel shares the highs, the challenges, and how it all turned out.   If you love tattoos, bold creati...

🚨🔥 Kicking off 2025 with an episode you do not want to miss! 🔥🚨   Join hosts Paul-Anthony Surdi, Gabe Jaksich, and Chico Cortez as they sit down for an unforgettable chat with Miguel Valentin—a tattooist, ex-con, and a member of the real-life vampyre community. 🦇💉   We'll be talking about his wild journey into the tattoo industry, his transformative time behind bars, and the mysterious yet f...

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 12 of the Ink Different Tattoos Podcast!   In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Tattoo Socialite Frankie Scorpion, a game-changer in the tattoo industry, as she shares how she’s making tattooing safer and more inclusive for women.   🖤 From creating resources for domestic violence survivors to tackling taboo topics like mental health and sobriety in the tattoo wor...

🚀 Ready to level up your tattoo career?   In this value-packed episode, hosts Paul-Anthony Surdi and Chico Cortez are joined by Lisa Brodeur-Quinter and Chino Gonzalez to explore everything you need to know about tattoo conventions. This episode has tips and tricks to help you make the most of your convention experience.   🌟 What You’ll Discover in Episode 11:   -How to Choose the Best Tattoo Co...

In this episode, we sit down with Tattoo Artist and tattoo shop Owner Adam Facenda, creator of Keep The Fees—a software designed specifically for tattoo shops. Adam shares his experience managing a tattoo studio and the challenges of handling administrative tasks as a Tattoo Artist. He talks about how his software Keep The Fees came about, and how it helps tattoo shops streamline scheduling, monit...

In this episode of Ink Different Tattoos, we’re diving deep into the mysteries of tattoo marketing with expert Jesse Drach from Ink Link, a specialized marketing company for tattoo shops! Join Tattoo Artists Chico Cortez, Gabe Jaksich, and Bloody Ally as they grill Ink Link on everything that works (and what doesn’t) in today’s fast-paced industry. They cover everything from saying goodbye to the...

Join Gabe Jaksich as he chats with Chico Cortez, Moony, and Bloody Ally about everything from Traditional tattoos to the latest trends like Anime, Fine Line, Watercolor, and Kawaii! 🖌️✨ We’re breaking down the difference between timeless styles and trends, plus talking about tattoo flash, custom designs, and more. Whether you love old-school ink or new-school vibes, this episode has something for...

Join our host, Paul-Anthony Surdi, in this exciting episode of the Ink Different Tattoos Podcast as he sits down with three incredibly talented Tattoo Artists—Chico Cortez, Bloody Ally, and Moony! They dive deep into what it’s like to be a woman in the tattoo industry, sharing their experiences from tattoo apprenticeships to navigating studio life as female Tattoo Artists.   🔥 What’s Inside:   -T...

Ready to level up your tattoo business? In this episode of Ink Different Tattoos, we’re revealing how to master client relations to build lasting connections and keep clients coming back! From creating a comfortable vibe to communicating like a pro, we’re sharing insider tips from seasoned Tattoo Artists on delivering an unforgettable client experience.   Don’t miss out on these game-changing stra...

In this episode of the Ink Different Tattoos Podcast, we share everything you need to know about launching a successful career as a professional Tattoo Artist. This episode covers the key steps to becoming a tattoo artist, the importance of choosing the right Tattoo Apprenticeship, and how Ink Different guarantees job offers upon completion. Learn how to build a strong portfolio, develop client re...