Skin Deep Stories

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger are answering a collection of fun, thought-provoking, and completely random questions that spark plenty of laughter, honest conversations, and a few unexpected stories along the way. From the superpower they wish they had to the life lessons they've learned from motherhood, Kirsten and Mel...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger catch up on everything that's been happening in their lives lately, from creative passions and community events to health, family, and learning when it's okay to slow down. The conversation begins with a look back at a recent "Gather and Trade" event, where local women came together to exc...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger tackle a topic that sparks a lot of debate in the tattoo industry: home studios versus traditional tattoo shops. For years, getting tattooed in someone's house was often associated with "scratchers" and poor-quality work. Today, however, many highly skilled and respected artists are choosi...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, domestic abuse, trauma, and mental health. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger sit down with Kirsten's friend Tracy for a deeply honest and courageous conversation about resilience, survival, and the power of sharing your s...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger dive into the viral concept of Lucky Girl Syndrome and explore whether it is manifestation, mindset, or something in between. The conversation unpacks the idea that some people seem to attract opportunities, good fortune, and positive outcomes more easily than others. Kirsten and Mel discu...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger welcome special guest Marie-Claude Goudreau , certified death doula, grief companion, and founder of Empowered Through Grief . What begins as a conversation between old friends quickly becomes a powerful discussion about love, loss, healing, and the ways we carry grief throughout our lives...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger trade tattoo stories for hilarious tales from the classroom and the world of parenting school-aged kids. With Kirsten’s background as a former teacher and Mel’s perspective as a mom navigating school life with two kids, the conversation is packed with funny, chaotic, and unbelievably rela...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger are joined by one of Kirsten’s oldest and closest friends, Shanna McCord . The two have been friends for more than 25 years, and this episode is filled with stories, memories, laughter, and some incredibly meaningful reflections on life, motherhood, and surviving hard seasons together. Ki...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger sit down with local baker, maker, and entrepreneur Autumn Whiteside Wilson, the owner of The Lucky Craft and Hex and Harvest. The conversation dives into creativity, community, and the growing movement toward slower, more intentional living. From artisan markets and handmade goods to “gath...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger dive into the world of Reddit’s wildest tattoo-related “Am I the Asshole?” stories … and they are not holding back. From relationship drama to questionable tattoo decisions, Kirsten and Mel react to real-life scenarios and give their honest, unfiltered opinions on who is right, who is wro...

In this episode of  Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger are joined by special guests Maryam Majdi and Robin Labreche, the owners of Wild Magnolia Tattoo Studio and Azalea Laser Clinic in LaSalle. Mary and Robin share the story of how they met back in 2007 at a tattoo shop, when Mary walked in as a client and Robin was the artist. What started...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger dive into a question they hear all the time: Why do people keep coming back for more tattoos? They break down the science behind why tattoos can feel addictive , from the dopamine hit of anticipation to the endorphin rush your body releases during the tattoo process. Kirsten and Mel expla...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger dive into the growing trend of tattoo parties, pop-ups, and event tattooing … and whether they are actually a good idea. From weddings and bachelorette parties to brand activations and fitness events, tattooing has officially entered the group chat. Kirsten and Mel break down what these e...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger lean all the way into the spooky as they share ghost stories, eerie experiences, and haunted legends from Montreal. From personal encounters to stories passed down over the years, Kirsten and Mel swap chilling tales that will have you questioning what is real and what is not. They dive int...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger are joined by a very special guest: Kirsten’s husband, Jean-Luc Sabourin… also known as Sharkbait . By day, Jean-Luc works at Hydro-Québec, but outside of that, he lives a completely different life as a diving instructor . In this episode, he shares how he got into diving, what drew him t...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger dive into the reality of modern life and the pressure of being reachable at all times . They talk about how hustle culture, constant notifications, emails, and messages have created an environment where it feels like you are never truly off. From clients, to work, to social media, to ever...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger dive into a topic that sparks a lot of debate in the tattoo world: what actually makes a “bad” tattoo ? They break down the difference between tattoos that are technically poorly done and tattoos that simply didn’t age well or were not thought through. From awkward placement and sizing mi...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger reflect on what feels like a major shift that happens in your 40s. It is the stage of life where you stop caring so much about outside opinions, unnecessary drama, and the pressures that once felt overwhelming in your 20s. They talk about how aging has brought more confidence, stronger bo...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories , Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger share a life update before diving back into the wild world of tattoo stories. They recap their recent Galentine’s Day market in Châteauguay, a cozy, witchy event filled with local women entrepreneurs, handmade goods, and serious community vibes. From handcrafted burn bundles and simmer po...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger step outside the tattoo chair for a deeper conversation about toxic positivity, spirituality, and what it really means to find balance in life. They talk about the growing trend of constant positivity and manifesting culture, and the pressure many people feel to stay upbeat no matter what....

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger get real, unfiltered, and VERY adult as they chat about sex, intimacy, and relationships. Consider this your official warning: this episode is NOT kid-friendly. Kirsten and Mel talk openly about sexuality and how it evolves through motherhood, long-term relationships, and life in your 30s...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger sit down for an honest conversation about life, money, and survival mode. Something that is reflective of what so many families are experiencing right now. Mel and Kirsten talk openly about the current state of the economy, rising costs, inflation, and the reality that many people are stru...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger open up about the often unspoken side of being creative professionals: mental health. They talk honestly about coping with anxiety, burnout, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome, especially in an industry that is highly visible, competitive, and constantly evolving. Kirsten and Mel share how...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger take a step back and look at how the tattoo industry has evolved over the years, for better and for worse. They talk about how, back in the day, it was easy to name the top tattoo artists in Montreal, and how today the industry has exploded with new talent, new styles, and a much wider ran...

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger shift the focus from ink to real life and talk honestly about the realities of being working moms. They open up about juggling motherhood with demanding creative careers, running a business, and showing up for clients while also showing up for their kids. Kirsten and Mel share the challeng...