Piercing Wizard Podcast

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.

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 website at www.mae-africa.org or follow them @maeafricaorg (www.instagram.com/maeafricaorg) on instagram. Follow film maker Nadine Ibrahim @nadineibrahimfilms (www.instagram.com/nadineibrahimfilms) and artist Yusuff Aina @yusuff_ aina (www.instagram.com/yusuff_ aina) on instagram. Like and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/

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 and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Support the show at: www.patreon.com/ryanpba.

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.safepiercing.org.au or follow safepiercing_au on instagram. Like and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Support the show at: www.patreon.com/ryanpba.

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 top piercing shops in Tennessee. One team, one dream. 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.

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 interested in APP conference scholarships get more info at: https://www.safepiercing.org/aldscholarships.php or https://www.safepiercing.org/otherscholarshipopportunitie.php. Like and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Follow @piercingwizardpodcast on instagram.

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.

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/ryanpba.

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.

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.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Support the show at: www.patreon.com/ryanpba.

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 also gendered terminology, cheek piercings, and more. Like and follow the show at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Give the show a 5 star rating and review on itunes. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba.

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 and piercer Nicholas Pinch on to discuss the issue from both an academic perspective, and a personal one. Visit www.piercingwizardpodcast.com or https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/ for more.

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: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba.

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 Williams and Lynn Loheide for your support at www.patreon.com/ryanpba.

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 the show at: https://www.patreon.com/ryanpba and get bonus content.

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 are joined by Badur Ramji of Punk Medics to 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 copy of Jim's book "Running the Gauntlet" on Amazon or at: http://www.runningthegauntlet-book.com/. You can also find out more about the United Kingdom's Association of Professional Piercers and their annual conference at: https://www.ukapp.org.uk/. And you can check out some fantastic aftercare products for tattooing and piercing at: https://www.punkmedics.com/.

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 itunes. Like and follow the show on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba and get exclusive content.

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 has to overcome, not just in Malaysia but in many regions. Subscribe and give the show a 5 star rating on itunes. Like and follow the show on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba.

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 to listen to the playlist we reference in the show get it at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4cBxMvOHC6Ct7gL0CfuZDn?si=nAk8V8sOSmek9jJeoYV-8A