Transformative Marks Podcast

#013 Embark on a profound exploration of Filipino tattooing with my guest, Natalia Roxas, whose journey from reluctance to becoming a hand-tapped tattoo practitioner unveils the rich tapestry of cultural identity and personal transformation. Natalia's narrative, intertwined with my own experiences as a Hungarian, Metis, and Nlaka'pamux professional tattoo artist, sheds light on the ances...

#012 When the ink settles into the skin, it's not just a tattoo – it's a legacy being etched. Join me and the talented Cree tattoo artist Poppy Del as we traverse the vibrant juncture of cultural tattoo art and Indigenous heritage. Poppy unveils her intimate connection to her contemporary cultural tattoo practices, all the while balancing the beams of social media's double-edged swo...

#011 When Heather Kiskihkoman inked her skin, it was more than a tattoo—it was a homecoming. Our journey together in this episode is a deep exploration of identity, heritage, and the transformative power of traditional tattooing. Heather's tale encapsulates her move from a reserve in Alberta to the freeing streets of Europe and back, weaving her Indigenous roots into her very skin. She shares...

#010 Sitting across from me, Terje Koloamatangi, a Tongan cultural tattoo practitioner, shares his ink-infused wisdom, revealing how each etching on our skin can tether us to our ancestors. As we savor the ceremonial kava, Terje recounts his initiation into tattoo artistry under the tutelage of a Samoan master, igniting a passion for reviving traditional Pacific methods. Our conversation takes you...

#009 As my fingers danced across the skin, ushering ink into a permanent home, I found a connection deeper than I had ever anticipated. Joining me on today's Transformative Marks podcast journey is Keith Callihoo, whose own hands have crafted stories into the skin, reviving the sacred practice of traditional tattooing. Together, we traverse the intimate paths of ancestral skin marking, discov...

#008 When Tristen Jenni Sanderson gracefully maneuvered her path from the structured world of construction to the fluid lines of tattoo artistry, she didn't just change professions; she embraced a calling that would weave together stories of loss, heritage, and healing. My latest conversation invites you on an introspective journey with Tristen, an Indigenous tattoo artist from Chakastaypasin...

#007 Embark on a vibrant journey through the art of Indigenous tattooing, as I'm joined by Nahaan, a Tlingit tattoo artist whose skilled hands tell stories as old as time. Our conversation bridges the physical ink to the spiritual realm, uncovering the layers of personal growth and communal healing encapsulated in each design. Nahaan, with the wisdom of his grandmother's teachings, revea...

#006 Embark with me, Dion Kaszas, and the inimitable Gordon Sparks, as we weave a narrative tapestry that spans the personal and the cultural, the ancestral and the contemporary. This episode is a journey through the soulful terrain of Indigenous tattoo practices, where each inked line and curve is a homage to the stories that define us. Gordon, hailing from Pabineau First Nation, brings his rich...

#005 When Natalie Standingcloud etches stories into skin, each line is more than art—it's heritage, history, and identity. Today, she grants us a glimpse into her world, where tattoos are a canvas for the Salish and Cherokee stories that run as deep as the ink. As Natalie weaves her personal tale, we travel the threads of her cultural tapestry, learning how a single tattoo can mark the beginn...

#004 When life throws a curveball, it's the resilience within us that crafts our most profound stories. Join me as I sit down with Nolan, a Beauval-born tattoo artist, whose life took an unexpected turn from aspiring athlete to a master of ink and culture. His narrative is a powerful reminder of the beauty and strength that emerges from the ashes of shattered dreams, amplified through the dee...

Bonus #001 Dion Kaszas here, inviting you into a world where every mark tells a story and every line traces a lineage. As Tyla Vaeau, a profound tattoo artist and Samoan cultural practitioner, joins me, we immerse ourselves into the sacred tradition of indigenous tattoo art. Tyla brings to light the unique ways in which traditional Samoan tattooing not only adorns the skin but also strengthens cul...

Bonus Episode # 002 As I sat down with Holly Nordlum, a voice from the heart of Kotzebue , Alaska, we found ourselves swept into the profound narrative of Indigenous tattooing and its potential to mend the fragmented spirits within our native communities. Holly, with her Inuk and Norwegian roots, unveils a world where the art of traditional tattooing transcends mere aesthetics, becoming a beacon f...

Bonus Episode # 003 When the ink melds with skin, it's not just a tattoo—it's a reclamation of identity and a healing embrace of one's heritage. That's the essence of my conversation with Julia Mageʼau Gray, a Papua New Guinea Australian artist deeply rooted in the Mekio traditions. Julia's transformation from a dancer and visual artist into a revered skin marker unveils a...

Bonus episode # 004 Join me as we sit down with Jody Potts-Joseph, a beacon of resilience and revival, who shares the intimate tale of her path toward claiming her identity through the spiritual art of indigenous cultural tattooing. With Jody's brave heart laying bare the power of ancestral marks, we unravel the layers of healing and identity that these tattoos foster, especially when etched...

Bonus Episode #005 Embark on a journey with me, Dion Kaszas, as we uncover the rich tapestry of indigenous tattooing, a world where every inked line tells a profound story of culture, identity, and time. My guest, Tihoti Matauteute Faara Barff, is not just a master tattoo artist from Tahiti, but also a keeper of ancient traditions and a pioneer in the renaissance of indigenous tattooing practices....

Bonus episode # 006 Have you ever considered the stories etched on one's skin? This episode, I'm joined by our guest L Festin from the Four Waves tribe, as we unravel the profound narratives behind the resurgence of Filipino tattoo traditions. Listen to Festin's candid story, transitioning from a past filled with gang tattoos to using ink as a vessel for cultural revival and unity a...

Bonus Episode # 007 When Pauline Alvarez speaks about her grandmother's tattoos—symbols etched with cactus spines—she isn't just recounting family history; she's weaving a narrative of identity, resistance, and empowerment. My latest conversation with this passionate zine maker and advocate for indigenous tattooing traditions reveals how these practices are much more than skin-deep....

#003 What happens when ancestral markings and tattooing become an intimate part of a healing journey? This episode takes you on a deeply transformative quest with our special guest, Ecko, an Indigenous artist who utilizes tattooing as a means of survival, self-expression, and healing. She generously shares her firsthand account of discovering her passion for art, preparing for, receiving, and the...

#002 What happens when an ancestral skin marker decides to carry the torch of Moko, a sacred tattooing practice integral to Māori culture? Join us as we navigate this intriguing question with our guest, Julie Paama-Pengelly, a Māori artist and Moko practitioner. Over a fascinating journey spanning 35 years, she has seen Moko evolve and regain its spiritual power, profoundly impacting cultural pres...

#001 What if you were given a chance to navigate the world of ancestral skin marking and indigenous tattooing, and understand its profound healing aspects? Well, that's just what I cover in this episode of Transformative Marks. I reveal the beauty of these practices and how they bolster individuals against premature death and suicide, serving as a powerful beacon, reconnecting them with their...