I was contacted by a Malaysian piercer named Huaii on instagram (ig: bodymodsbyhuaii), and he asked if he could come shadow at my shop after attending the APP conference this past May. We recorded this podcast and talked about what its like piercing in southeast Asia. Educating clients who have no base knowledge of body jewelry, local piercers who are aren't interested in and sharing information, and a lack of access to the supplies you want. These are just some of the challenges a safe piercer ...
Aug 19, 2019•1 hr 6 min
Kristina Outland comes on the show to discuss an often overlooked part of our jobs, customer service. How do you help calm nervous clients, or give your best to clients waiting in line? How do we develop lasting business relationships and connect with our clients, even on our busiest days? Lets talk it over. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Like and follow the show on at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ . Support the show at: www.patreon.com/ryanpba If you want...
Aug 12, 2019•1 hr 5 min
I can't fit all the nice things I could say about these two into a podcast description. John and Kaitlin are fantastic piercers and fantastic people. We talk about life outside the APP bubble and why you should stay focused on your life rather than the internet. We talk about the BME generation and how it fostered piercers who could problem solve and grow without hand holding. We also discuss John mentoring Kaitlin through a piercing career and how their experience shapes their new apprentice's ...
Aug 05, 2019•1 hr 18 min
Is your attention span tiny and small? Then why don't you come to a Lil' Bits where the segments are tiny it looks like regular podcasts but really tiny you put in your ear and nothing gets stuck in your brain it's just tiny and tiny and it fits right in. We've got tiny interviews, tiny questions, little tiny podcast. You bored? Come on down to Lil' Bits. Featuring interviews with Zak Dubi DuBois, Kari Johansen, Sebastian Uribe, Mick Stocko, and Kat Swanton. Give the show a 5 star rating and rev...
Jul 29, 2019•51 min
This week features an interview with Slovakian piercer and 2019 Al D. conference scholar Branislav "Branko" Isteze. We talk about Branko's conference experience and what the piercing trends are in Slovakia. This show also has a segment discussing a rumor that unfortunately started in one of my seminars, the possibility that alcohol makes certain skin preps ineffective. I share the information I have found through talking with manufacturers and other piercers to dispel some inaccuracies. Like and...
Jul 22, 2019•56 min
Darrin Walters of Blue Star Tattoos comes on the show to discuss a career that started in the 1980's, watching the APP grow from inception, conference volunteering, and more. I also talk about a study gaining attention lately that links Gentian Violet to cancer, and why we should probably wait for more research before we freak out. Give the show a 5 star rating and review, like and follow the show at www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast . Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba ....
Jul 15, 2019•45 min
Lola Slider returns to the show for the third time! 2019 was Lola's first year at the APP conference. We talk about her experience in Las Vegas, her preparation as an instructor, anodizing techniques, and a little wrestling. Rate and review the show. Like and follow at www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ . Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba . Thank you to our new Arch-Mage patron, Zadamer Jewelry....
Jul 08, 2019•1 hr 23 min
Shop owner, mother, student, piercer, and rock star. Laura Jane of Gamma Piercing in Ann Arbor, Michigan comes on the show this week. We sat down at the APP conference and talked about the Septum and Helix classes Laura instructed. We also talk about how her career has taken her to both coasts of the U.S., and how she ended up opening a shop in the city she grew up in. If you listen on itunes give the show a 5 star rating and a review. Like and follow the show on facebook at www.facebook.com/pie...
Jul 01, 2019•47 min
I was invited to instruct in Russia for the 2019 RuAPP conference, come along with me. I recap some of my classes and have a chat with Vlad Bodmodov and Mikhail Shilov, two of the event organizers. It was a fantastic event. I met so many new friends and got to see some sights in St. Petersburg. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba . Thank you to our newest Patron Jacob Creps. Like and follow the show on Facebook for updates. If you listen on itunes gives us a 5 star rating and review....
Jun 25, 2019•56 min
Jacob Spjut from Prysm body piercing in Iowa comes on the show to talk about the difference between "elite" piercers, and "elitist" piercers. Jacob also lays out a simple concept. Piercers can move from safe to safer with their work practices, but they should have a realistic concept of how minimum standards are the line between safe and unsafe. Like and follow the show on facebook, give me a 5 star rating if you listen on itunes, and support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba ....
Jun 17, 2019•1 hr 19 min
Would you think that one of the busiest studios in the US would be in Oklahoma City? 23rd Street Body Piercing routinely performs more piercings in one day than some shops do in a week or a month. I got a chance to talk with Jason King of 23rd Street and hear what logistics and concepts go into a shop capable of performing 150 safe piercings in a day. PLUS a bonus chat with Australian piercer Jess Rose. Follow Piercing Wizard Podcast on facebook for updates and weekly blogs. Support the show at ...
Jun 10, 2019•58 min
Chicago area piercer TJ Kruger comes on the show to talk shop. We discuss the "how" aspect of developing your confidence and competence as a piercer. Is it appropriate to practice on clients, informed or uninformed? We also discuss TJ's work with an aftercare brand called Steriwash.
Jun 03, 2019•1 hr 20 min
Loreia Bürgen & Jane Absinth of the Verband Professioneller Piercer (V.P.P.) come on the show to discuss Germany's piercing organization, their goals, and their progress. We also discuss a new sterilization certification program they are developing, as well as the coolest sounding community outreach I have ever heard #pussybling. Follow Piercing Wizard Podcast on Facebook for weekly updates. Support the show on Patreon for exclusive content and magical powers.
May 27, 2019•46 min
Come along with Smee on a voyage across 24 years at conference! Gus Diamond was literally the first person I talked to at my first APP conference way back in 2002. At APP 2019 I sat down with Gus to record some of the history going back to the very first APP "conference" and each step along the way to now. Set sail for Safe Piercing!
May 20, 2019•1 hr 2 min
Enjoy this (very rushed) episode from the first few days of the Association of Professional Piercers' conference 2019. I'll be capturing plenty of full interviews for you this week, but for now enjoy some of the little moments I experienced so far.
May 14, 2019•37 min
For the third year in a row I flew to England for the Dream Tag Team Invitational, and for the third year in a row Alex Wilkins met up with me for it. In between wrestling we sat down to record this episode about growing pains, communicating with clients so we stand out in a positive way, and our shared experience of making progress in our careers.
Apr 29, 2019•1 hr 6 min
The Association of Professional Piercers' annual conference is almost here! I talk with William Barron about what we are doing to get ready for the week, and some tips on how to make the most of it. Pro-tip: drink lots of water.
Apr 22, 2019•1 hr 15 min
This week I condense a few of the questions I've gotten lately into one subject, newer piercers feeling intimidated by the industry. I share my struggles and what I had to do to improve. Expanding jewelry, upgrading equipment, learning from my mistakes. It is a challenge, but you don't have to let it intimidate you. Plus I also recap working at the Boston Tattoo Convention 2019. And here is a picture of me with Sabu for no reason.
Apr 15, 2019•1 hr
Part 3 of a 3 part series on impairments / disabilities in the studio. This week I talk with Pittsburgh area piercer Eleanor Boyd. Eleanor had spinal fusion surgery and talks about how it affects her day as a body piercer. Working from a seated position, ergonomics, fatigue, and other issues are discussed before we start talking about jewelry combos we are liking lately.
Apr 09, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Part 2 of a 3 part series on impairments / disabilities in the studio. Scottish piercer Maree Fowler of Reb3l Studios in Aberdeen comes on the show to talk about working as a partially deaf piercer. We also discuss working with a hearing device, and how it affects work when your battery runs out. Then we chat a bit on other industry issues because Maree is a lovely person and fun to talk to.
Apr 01, 2019•51 min
This week starts a three part series on disabilities / impairments in the studio. Brandon Downs comes on the show to discuss his visual impairment, the injury that lead to it, and the steps he took to overcome it and get back to piercing. Stay tuned for part 2 (hearing impairment) and part 3 (physical / mobility impairment) in the coming weeks.
Mar 25, 2019•54 min
Aaron Solomon of Velvet Elvis in Oregon comes on the show to talk about piercer meet up groups. How to nurture a community and keep the conversations focused and interesting in a group setting. We also talk about why some piercers are choosing to disable their personal facebook pages, and these pesky bumps we encounter on children's earlobe piercings.
Mar 19, 2019•1 hr 14 min
Episode 100(!) with Brian Moeller from the Boston Tattoo Company. Like, share, subscribe, validate, consume, obey. Does social media make our lives better? Are we focusing so much on creating content that we forget to create a life? Am I overthinking this? Listen to us via the internet while we talk about how sad the internet makes us.
Mar 11, 2019•1 hr 17 min
I spent a few days in Glasgow with APP president Jef Saunders drinking whiskey, being tourists, and talking about piercing. After our seminar we sat down and talked about Jef's opinions on single use supplies for piercing, some misconceptions about what people think "disposable piercing" means, and our thoughts on what goes into good bedside manner.
Mar 04, 2019•1 hr 10 min
This week I answer questions on different jewelry topics submitted by listeners. First I talk about artisan accountability in a time when several piercers have decided to start their own jewelry companies. Next I answer the question "how much is too much jewelry to have on display?". After that is a related question about how you brand your jewelry, is it promoting the manufacturer or the studio? And finally I give my opinion on threadless vs threaded jewelry. Which is more secure, and which is ...
Feb 25, 2019•44 min
Michelle Katzelnick comes on the show to talk about how important communication is to the customer experience. Bedside manner, professional presentation, and other parts of communication that some piercers might take for granted. An EXTREME(!) talk about staying comfortable.
Feb 18, 2019•1 hr 4 min
This episode isn't exactly about body piercing. For sensitive listeners this may not be an episode for you, especially if you don't like the phrase "dick cage". This week I travel back to fall 2017 and share a conversation I had over brunch with Chris Myers of Steelwerks Extreme. The world's premier artisan for bespoke chastity devices. Enjoy, and please keep an open mind.
Feb 10, 2019•1 hr 11 min
I went down to Tampa to see my favorite band play a show, and my Florida piercing buddy John Robberson came with me! Before the show (and before the pickle backs) we sat down for an interview about community, peer review, and other piercer stuff. I also do a little q&a about online body jewelry retailers.
Feb 04, 2019•1 hr 6 min
Piercer (and now studio owner) Matt Buonantuono returns to the show to talk about making the jump from piercing in someone else's tattoo shop to opening a new piercing-only studio. We talk about the behind the scenes work that went into opening Freyja piercing & fine jewelry in Gambrills, Maryland.
Jan 28, 2019•59 min
Body piercer, arm wrestler, and shop owner Kelly Carvara comes on the show this week. We talk about starting her career with an apprenticeship at Rockstar in Rhode Island and the journey that lead to her owning Monarch Body Piercing in Tennessee.
Jan 21, 2019•1 hr
