Tattoos With Intention Podcast

In this episode I’m continuing with principle six and seven of the Tattoo Philosophy: tattoo time and integration . I talk about tattoo time as one of the biggest differences between simply getting tattooed and actually walking the tattoo pathway. It’s the relationship between ordinary chronological time and the more elevated, meaningful moments that rise out of it. A tattoo can become one of thos...

In this episode I’m revisiting the next two principles in the Seven Principles of Tattoo Philosophy: mapping and purpose . I talk about mapping as one of the core tools in the Tattoo Pathway, not just to list someone’s tattoos, but to actually read them. The tattoo map, the body map, and the psychological map start to overlap, and what looks simple at first opens into something much deeper. From t...

In this solo episode, Mark continues revisiting the original written material behind his first intentional tattoo course, moving into the second and third principles of tattoo philosophy: intention and the sacred . He explores why intention is more than a simple reason for getting tattooed, describing it instead as a living current or circuit between the person giving the tattoo and the person rec...

In this solo episode, Mark returns to the original written material behind his first intentional tattoo course and opens it back up in podcast form. He shares the arc from street-shop apprenticeship and visual arts training into the deeper awareness that eventually became the Tattoo Pathway, then begins revisiting the seven principles of tattoo philosophy, starting with relationships . Instead of...

The top 10 tattoo searches reveal a lot more than just what styles are trending. In this video, I break down what people are really asking when they search for tattoos. From tattoo shops near me and tattoo ideas, to do tattoos hurt, small tattoos, fine line tattoos, meaningful tattoos, first tattoo advice, and AI custom tattoo design. More importantly, I unpack what these searches reveal about fea...

In this solo episode, Mark revisits a vivid dream from 2018 in which an artificial intelligence silently observed and documented his tattoo practice long before AI became part of daily life. From there, he opens the first entry in his Everyday Initiation Q&A series and explores what tattooing reveals when we stop treating it as “just art” and start seeing it as a thread in a much larger human...

Guest: Tattooist Lars Widell (British Columbia, Canada) Themes: graffiti origins, stone masonry, music, apprenticeship era, fasting for healing, spiritual practice, big multi-day sessions, trust and Revelation imagery, offering rites of passage in 2026. Episode summary Mark and Lars trace a path from freight-line graffiti and stone masonry to a mature tattoo practice shaped by music, meditation, a...

Mark speaks with Lluna of Lluna Soul Ink about stepping from artist into guide, building devotional space, and using tattoo mapping to turn tattoos into living records. They trace her early Berlin years, informal apprenticeship, and the shift that came through the Tattoo Pathway community. Practical talk on boundaries, cancellations as energy, listening with all senses, and holding a frame that is...

 In this conversation, Mark and Josh trace a 33-year arc of tattooing—from ’90s street-shop grit and tribal magazines to private studios, bikie threats, and rebuilding community. Josh shares early sparks (drawing on siblings, an art-teacher mum), his first experiences at Illustrated Man, the rise of custom work, and why a good street shop can still be a true neighbourhood heartbeat. We dive into i...

In this conversation, Mark and April explore how play, symbols, and intention open real thresholds of change. April shares her path from disability support work into Jungian sandplay therapy , why the subconscious chooses the right symbols before we do , and how a pair of intentional tattoos (“Letting Go of Fear” / “Letting Love In”) became a living practice. We get into metamorphosis as a templat...

In our first video episode, Mark and Caiyuda trace tattoos as living thresholds: from flaming-dice initiation at 18, to a decade of silence, to ancestry-rooted markings and sacred geometry as integration. We get into rites of passage vs initiation, plant-teacher apprenticeship in Peru, reclaiming Filipino lineage through traditional motifs, being visible online without losing integrity, and the sa...

In this episode Mark Nara explores the deeper dimensions of sacred geometry – not just as a visual trend, but as a symbolic language that connects our bodies, our stories, and the cosmos. He breaks down the three layers of mathematics (quantitative, symbolic, and sacred), shares reflections on how geometry shapes meaning, and examines the risks of unanchored design in modern tattooing. Drawing fro...

In this episode of Tattoos With Intention , Mark is joined by Taylor, Tattoo Pathway's research lead, to unpack the complex topic of tattoo regret and how tattoos influence our self-perception and identity. Drawing from a comprehensive survey conducted last year, they dive into the most common reasons people experience regret and explore how tattoos can either conceal or reveal our true selves...

Welcome to the Tattoos with Intention Podcast, presented by the Tattoo Pathway Research and Education Institute! In this episode, Taylor, our lead researcher, engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Daniel Franz—licensed mental health counsellor, addictions specialist, and expert in Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy. Together, they explore how Logotherapy's core concepts—self-responsibility, r...

In this solo episode, listeners are invited to reflect on their tattoo journeys and the concept of 'dignified beauty.' Mark highlights the achievements of Tattoo Pathway in 2024, the importance of intentional tattooing, and the role of the community in supporting transformative experiences. Through the analogy of shoes and tattoos, he explores the discomforts and misconceptions in contempo...

In this episode of the Tattoos with Intention podcast, Taylor from the Tattoo Pathway team hosts a profound discussion with cultural tattoo practitioner Lane Wilcken. As a scholar and advocate for the traditional tattooing practices of the Philippines, particularly Batok, Lane delves into the spiritual and cultural significance of these ancestral markings. The conversation explores the importance...

In this episode of the Tattoos with Intention podcast, host Taylor interviews Lane Wilcken, a scholar and practitioner of Filipino cultural tattoos. They discuss Lane's journey into the study and revival of indigenous Filipino tattooing, the cultural and spiritual significance of the tattoos, the role of tattoos in conveying ancestral guidance and social status, and Lane’s efforts to educate a...

In the first episode of the new educational series, Mark unpacks the concept of spiritual tattoos. The discussion centres around the intrinsic connection between tattoos and spirituality, and how each tattoo symbolises an individual's journey and transformation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of intention, the pitfalls of commercialised spiritual tattooing, and the role of universal and...

In this episode of the Tattoos with Intention podcast, host Mark Nara interviews moko artist Turumakina Duley. They discuss the significance of traditional Maori tattooing and rites of passage. Tu recounts his journey into tattooing, beginning with his childhood exposure to cultural performance and his deepening connection to Maori heritage. He shares insights from his doctoral thesis on rites of...

In this episode of Tattoos with Intention Mark welcomes back Shane Gallagher Coley, a technically proficient and spiritually adept tattooist. They engage in an expansive discussion on tattooing, touching on the cultural, spiritual, and energetic impacts of tattoos. Shane shares insights on how tattoo patterns and symbols connect individuals to their ancestors, influence energy frequencies, and ser...

In this unique podcast episode, the hosts present a semi-annual update and introduce the Tattoo Pathway Education and Research Institute. Breaking from the usual interview format, they discuss the launch of a new fundamentals course focusing on transforming the tattoo experience through conscious engagement. Taylor Deakin, who has joined as the research lead, shares insights about her role and the...

In this episode, Moko-nui-a-rangi Smith, shares his deep insights into the cultural significance of Māori tattooing and its connection to cultural identity. He discusses the importance of events at marae, such as wānanga (intense cultural seminars) in grounding Māori identity and sparking a desire to return to traditional arts. Smith recounts his journey from theatre to moko, the mentorship and th...

This episode of the 'Tattoos with Intention' podcast features a conversation with veteran tattoo artist Phillip Millich, exploring the cultural shift in the tattoo industry from its roots in rebellion and community to a more commercial and individualistic present. Throughout the discussion, Phillip shares his journey into tattooing, the impact of societal changes on the craft, and the impo...

On today’s episode of Tattoos with Intention, I have the pleasure of speaking with Lee. Lee is not only a client of mine but also a guide and therapist. Lee discusses his experience of getting a tattoo, and how the tattoo has helped him to grow and change. Key Points Discussed: Finding the right tattoo artist:  Lee discusses the importance of finding a tattoo artist who is a good fit for you, some...

This transcript is of a conversation between Mark Nara and James, a client of Mark's who has been getting tattooed by him for several years. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including James's early tattoos, his experiences with addiction and mental health, and the role that tattooing has played in his life. Key Points Intentional tattooing:  The importance of approaching tat...