I'm going to post some supplemental episodes to discuss COVID-19 information and tips to stay productive and healthy during this crisis. First is an episode discussing the difficult decisions that lead me to temporarily closing my shop. For studios remaining open I think it is also important to talk about rapidly evolving information and what steps can be made to lower risk to the health of your staff and the public. This is a difficult moment full of difficult decisions. Listen and speak with c...
Mar 18, 2020•21 min
The COVID-19 Coronavirus has caught many of us off guard. I talk with Cale DiFrancesco of the Association of Professional Piercers Board of Directors about what we can do to keep our clients and coworkers healthy. We discuss proper disinfection practices, maintaining supply levels, and planning for the APP's conference this summer. You can read updates from the APP on COVID-19 and their annual conference online at: https://www.safepiercing.org/covid-19.php . I WILL CONTINUE TO DO COVID-19 UPDATE...
Mar 16, 2020•51 min
On a recent trip to California I got to spend a day at the Anatometal facilities in Santa Cruz. Founder and CEO Barry Blanchard gave me an extensive tour then sat down to record this interview. We talked about the origin's of not only his company but of the body jewelry designs, materials, and threading our industry uses today. It was an in-depth discussion on their green manufacturing process, the expansion that helped reduce their wait time from months to weeks, and their future plans. Give th...
Mar 09, 2020•1 hr 26 min
APP member-at-large Brooke Bittens comes on the show to talk about travelling guest piercer life. Brooke got her start piercing in Connecticut, but now she has taken her show on the road working in top shops across the US. We talk about that enriching experience for career and soul. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on apple podcasts. Like and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ and https://www.instagram.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ . Support the show at www....
Mar 02, 2020•55 min
Get your fix of morning drive time banter with your hosts TJ & The Bear. TJ Kruger & William Barron come on the show to discuss a day of classes we'll be holding in Chicago. We also get talking about surface piercing and our experiences with body piercing at tattoo conventions. For more info on the Sunday March 22 2020 seminar email: piercingbykruger@gmail.com. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on apple podcasts. Like and follow the show at: www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/...
Feb 24, 2020•56 min
Check out this jawn. James Weber comes on the show to discuss the 25 year history of Infinite Body Piercing in Philadelphia. Many of the industry's top piercers have worked at Infinite over the years. We discuss the early days of Infinite and what piercing was like in the 90's, how to scout talent and staff, and plans for Infinite 2 in Baltimore. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Like and follow the show on facebook and instagram. Support the show at: www.patreon.com/ryanpba fo...
Feb 17, 2020•1 hr 3 min
I went to Atlanta for some National Wrestling Alliance shows and while I was there I sat down with a piercer named Cozmo to chat. We talked about working in a super busy studio and how to manage the flow with minimal staff and fuss. We also talk about APP volunteering, jewelry selection, and lots of other bits of piercer nerd info. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Like and follow the show on facebook and instagram. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba for exclusive cont...
Feb 10, 2020•1 hr 5 min
I recently held a seminar in Phoenix, Arizona. While I was there I sat down to talk with my host, Kevin Jump. Kevin is one of the people keeping ritual alive in body piercing. Finding a connection to the spirit in today's industry can be a rarity, but his newly opened Wholehearted Piercing is a space created with that magic in mind. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on apple podcasts. Follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ and https://www.instagram.com/piercin...
Feb 03, 2020•1 hr 29 min
NeoMetal body jewelry recently made waves by announcing a new corporate partnership, and the piercing community imploded. I asked NeoMetal's John Kittell to come on the show and tell us about their new business plans and if we should expect any changes in their jewelry going forward. We also discuss their company history and the origin of the threadless jewelry we use today. For more information on the show visit: www.piercingwizardpodcast.com or follow at: www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast...
Jan 27, 2020•1 hr 6 min
2019 Association of Professional Piercers conference scholar Ryan Caruana comes on the show this week. He gives insight to the application process, what it was like arriving in Las Vegas and meeting so many other piercers, and what it was like taking all that information home and unpacking it. Reminder the APP's scholarship applications are open until February 6th 2020, so don't delay if you want to apply. Visit: https://www.safepiercing.org for more info. Give the show a 5 star rating and revie...
Jan 20, 2020•1 hr 4 min
John Balk is a busy guy. In between videography projects he sat down to talk about something most of us deal with annually, the slow season. We talk about how to manage a limited income by carefully planning orders, utilizing technology, and paying attention to your customers. We also talk about running specials, is it a benefit or a risk to discount your products and services? We also chat about the boom of earlobe piercings, especially for kids. If you like the show give it a 5 star rating and...
Jan 13, 2020•1 hr 26 min
Welcome to 2020! My first guest of the year is Canadian piercer Alicia Lowe. On New Year's day we happened to both be in the same city so we sat down at a cafe and recorded a chat about shadowing. We talked about how to take that first step in asking a respected colleague if you can come observe and ask questions, if you plan your day on a structure or if you go with the flow. We also talk about the sticky concept of potentially "training your competition". A nice chat with a nice piercer, enjoy...
Jan 06, 2020•1 hr 24 min
2019 was a big year for the body piercing industry. I recap some of the year's news, give some updates on future projects, and say some thank you's. I also have a bonus interview with French piercer Lili Cathenod from the BMXNET conference for you. Thank you for listening, I'll be back in 2020 with new wizardry for you.
Dec 23, 2019•38 min
I was invited to speak at an event called SCARRED by MAE-Africa.org recently. The event focused on cultural body art practices in Africa, mainly body painting and scarification. While I was there I sat down with the event's organizer MAE Africa founder Temi Fet'era. We discussed scarification from both a cultural perspective and from that of a contemporary practitioner, as well as MAE Africa's efforts to document and preserve these practices. For more information on MAE Africa visit their websit...
Dec 16, 2019•52 min
In need of some inspiration? I met a piercer named Zakk Boyer at the first private seminar I did, back in 2017. He told me he was sleeping in the train station that night because he spent his money to come to the class. Fast forward one year and he was a stand out scholar at the APP conference. Fast forward two years and he is working at Piercing Experience in Atlanta, one of the oldest and best shops in the country. Hard work pays off. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Like an...
Dec 09, 2019•59 min
Piercing down under is looking up! Australia and New Zealand piercers now have an organization to call their own, the Australasian United Professional Piercers (AuPP) organization just had their first public meeting. Kyla Scrivener comes on the show to discuss the AuPP's progress and future goals. We also talk about how you grow a high end market from scratch and the work that goes into running a safe piercing business when your body jewelry has to be imported. Get more info on the AuPP at: www....
Dec 02, 2019•1 hr 9 min
In the few short years that I've known William Barron I have seen him rise through the ranks of APP volunteering and committee work, become a public speaker and international instructor, and accept a nomination to run for a spot on the APP board of directors. Most of you know him simply as Barron. We talk about Barron's work on the membership committee, his first time teaching at the UKAPP conference, and his growth from being a Chicagoland piercer to accepting a position in one of the country's...
Nov 25, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Former APP conference scholar Erica Martin joined me for a podcast while I was in Florida recently. We talked about the scholarship application process and conference experience, but also Erica's growth as a piercer. We talked about making the difficult decision to step out of a comfort zone and offer higher quality piercing even if it means a higher price tag. Growing pains are something many piercers have to endure, and I can definitely see how that hard work paid off for Erica. If you're inte...
Nov 18, 2019•1 hr 6 min
Lynn Loheide; professional piercer, writer for Sacred Debris, and previous guest is hosting this week. She’s interviewing Margo Dellaquila, a new face in the industry. Together, they discuss a fresh take on piercing room ethics, from a new, younger perspective. Like and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ . Support the show at: www.patreon.com/ryanpba . Follow Lynn @lynnloheide or on www.lynnloheide.com . Follow Margo @piercingsbymargo....
Nov 11, 2019•44 min
Mikele is an interesting guy. An Italian piercer living in Japan. He works with Anatometal both in the US and Japan. He distributes Kiwami piercing needles, is involved with the Japanese piercing association and community, and has a career based on his passion and love for body piercing. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Like and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ . Follow on instagram @piercingwizardpodcast. Support the show at: www.patreon.com...
Nov 04, 2019•1 hr 27 min
There's a new Wizard in town. Cale DiFrancesco (Belford) takes over this week to show Ryan who's the boss. First the board position and now this! Hear answers to all the burning questions you never wanted to ask. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Like and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ . Support the show at: www.patreon.com/ryanpba . Follow: miss_cale on instagram or visit: www.oleanderpiercing.com/ for more info about your host this week....
Oct 28, 2019•43 min
Multiple award winning jewellery designer and Vice Chairman of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths, Danila Tarcinale, comes on the show this week. We discuss the body piercing industry from the perspective of a jeweller, our preferences for prong vs bezel settings for healing, and how to present fine jewellery as a sales approach. Visit her website at: http://www.danilatarcinalejewellery.com Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Like and follow the show at: https://www.faceboo...
Oct 21, 2019•1 hr 50 min
Elayne Angel is one of the most tenured and experienced piercers in the industry, she is also one of the most generous with her information. Her book The Piercing Bible: The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing has informed thousands of readers. She maintains www.piercingbible.com with various resources for clients and piercers, and instructs at body piercing educational events around the world. I sat down with Elayne to discuss not only her specialties of nipple and genital piercings, but als...
Oct 14, 2019•57 min
A body modification practitioner performs work on a consenting adult, that work heals without complication, and the client never makes a complaint. Then that practitioner is arrested and charged for causing "grievous bodily harm". Due to legal precedent the consent of the client is irrelevant and can not be used as a defense. The practitioner is convicted, is refused appeal, and is sentenced to a prison term. This is the case against Brendan "Dr. Evil" McCarthy of the UK. I have Dr. Matt Lodder ...
Oct 06, 2019•2 hr 1 min
Vice President of the United Kingdom's Association of Professional Piercers, Kim Hutchinson, comes on the show. We sat down to talk about their 2019 UKAPP conference. New vendors, new instructors, and more classes. This will be the UK's biggest conference yet! We also talk about how you shouldn't wait until your shop is perfect to submit an application to join a piercing organization. Meeting minimum standards is all you need to do to join, contribute, and benefit from membership. Give the show ...
Sep 30, 2019•1 hr 2 min
After my seminar in Dubuque, Iowa I sat down for burgers and chats with Rob Hill and Woodstock Bader. We talked about piercer motivation and how routines and roles can help a shop stay on track. We also discuss shadowing and mentoring and doing it in a way to encourage growth and usable skills. Of course body jewelry comes up, we talk about return on investment and how too many options can be a bad thing. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Like and follow the show on facebook at...
Sep 23, 2019•1 hr 18 min
Florida man comes on piercing podcast. Shorty joins us this week to discuss studio layout ideas, sterile gloves as a minimum standard, and why he chooses to not offer septum piercings. We also also have Kookie Knox on to talk about the new Piercers of Color scholarship and how you can donate. You can donate to the PoC scholarship at: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8fZyu8xjfm , deadline for contributions is Sept 30 2019. You can also follow piercersofcolor on instagram. Thank you to Caitlin Willi...
Sep 16, 2019•1 hr 23 min
For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to do 4 seminars in 8 days. It kicked my butt, but I recorded some fun stuff along the way. In between the many hours in the car I captured conversations with the staff of Pleasurable Piercings, my buddy Ed Chavarria, Rob Hill, and Woodstock Bader. I also got choked out by Sgt. Slaughter along the way, bonus. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Like and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ . Support ...
Sep 09, 2019•1 hr 16 min
This week is a special episode with guest host Nici Holmes (UKAPP President) interviewing Jim Ward. Jim is the founder of the world's first body piercing studio, The Gauntlet, as well as the founder of the Association of Professional Piercers. They discuss our industry's beginning as well as the evolution of the piercing needles and body jewelry we still use today. Enjoy this special piece of our history. If you would like to learn more I would urge any body piercer or piercing fan to pick up a ...
Sep 02, 2019•33 min
Travelling piercer Lynn Loheide comes on the show this week. We discuss what it is like transitioning from one full time shop to going on the road and working in different shops across the country. We also discuss piercer education and growth. While forums, videos, and podcasts might be a great supplement to your education it should not be a replacement. Hands on learning with a mentor and structure is still an important part of making strong piercers. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on...
Aug 26, 2019•1 hr 7 min
