No Regerts: A Tattooing Podcast

Ep 27: Who's the Boss?

February 11, 2019 11:00 - 34 minutes - 34.8 MB

This week we start off with a discussion about what went down at Literary Ink. Josh goes into detail on what it felt like to be the only person without tattoos in a room full of people with tattoos. We also discuss bosses, and the different types of bad shop owners in the tattooing world. Did we say bad? We meant the worst. This episode is about the horrible bosses Leah and other tattoo artists have worked for, and what it is that makes them so horrible.

Ep 26: It's a Hard Knock Life

January 28, 2019 11:00 - 40 minutes - 41.7 MB

As selected by the patrons, this week we are discussing gang tattoos. Josh and Leah take a look at five of the most prominent gangs in the U.S. and talk about their tattoos. In addition to being scratcher quality, gang tattoos are chock full of meaning, codes, and symbolism. Listen in as we educate on what gangsters get tattooed and the meaning embedded in the ink.

Ep 25: Tattooing in Tinsel Town

January 21, 2019 11:00 - 30 minutes - 32.5 MB

Sometimes TV and Movies are accurate in their portrayals of the real world. Other times not so much. This week we take Hollywood to task and give you some in depth analysis of the most realistic, and unrealistic, tattooing scenes on the big screen. We finish with a special bonus clip from one of our favorite films- so be sure to listen in!

Ep 24: Who Owns You(r Tattoo)?

January 14, 2019 11:00 - 31 minutes - 32.7 MB

You may be surprised to find out that you don’t actually own your tattoo. You own your skin and the ink, but the design? Nope! This week we talk about tattoos as they relate to copyright and copyright infringement. We introduce the listener to the concept of intellectual property, then down the rabbit hole we go. Because tattooing in general is so derivative, and every artist ever has tattooed copyrighted material, we quickly enter murky waters from which there is no escape. Please don’t sue...

Ep 23: Keepin It Real with Realism

January 07, 2019 11:00 - 25 minutes - 26.8 MB

2019 is here and so are we! In our first episode of the New Year we discuss color realism, a style of tattooing. Leah talks about its distinguishing features, and why color realism tattoos are so popular. We warn the listener about artists who doctor photos (not the kind of doctor that Leah is). Finally, the show wraps with some extra special aftercare instructions for these types of tattoos.

A New Year's Message

December 31, 2018 19:41 - 4 minutes - 5.39 MB

This week it's a quick message to all of our listeners wishing you a happy new year. Regular episodes to return in January 2019.

Ep 22: A Very Merry Airing of Grievances

December 24, 2018 11:00 - 55 minutes - 58.2 MB

It’s Christmas Eve! That also means it’s the day after Festivus, and we here at No Regerts have decided to celebrate. Festivus that is. This week we air our tattoo artist top 12 grievances. Counting down from 12 to 1, we begin with mild annoyances and end with mortal sins. Be sure to listen in to all the things that aggravate your artist so you don’t wind up on their naughty list!

Ep 21: Anarchy in the U.K.

December 17, 2018 11:00 - 33 minutes - 34.1 MB

It’s week two of tattoo history. This time Josh and Leah go across the pond and talk about the history of tattooing in the U.K. From the 1600’s to modern times, we give you the who, what, when, where, and how of British tattooing. More fascinating facts and stories ranging from religious pilgrimage to Jerusalem to royal visits to Japan are included. Be sure to listen in for another dose of tattoo history.

Ep 20: Coming to America

December 10, 2018 11:00 - 33 minutes - 35.8 MB

The origin of tattooing is here! From the invention of the tattoo machine to the very first tattoo shop, we cover it all this week. The history of tattooing in the United States from the Civil War to the 1950’s is fascinating, and some of the facts may surprise you. (Like the fact that the first tattoos were a status symbol for the wealthy and affluent!) Be sure to listen closely and learn your tattoo history.

Ep 19: Mail Bag

December 03, 2018 11:00 - 30 minutes - 32.7 MB

This week we answer listener questions in our first mail bag episode. The issue of Josh’s lack of tattoos is explored in detail, and we answer emails on apprenticeships, passing out from pain, and more. Our final email is a special one as it comes from someone far away, and causes Josh to go full nerd rage defending his love of chess. Finally, we explore the idea that was teased the other night: once you pop (get your first tattoo), you can’t stop (getting tattooed). Leah has a theory.

Ep 18: A Minor Issue

November 26, 2018 11:00 - 22 minutes - 22.4 MB

Want to know what it’s like to be the child of a tattoo artist? Want no more! This week we interview Liam, the teenage son of tattoo artist and No Regerts co-host Leah. We ask him about what it’s like being the child of a tattoo artist, and what all his friends think of his mother’s profession. He gives his thoughts on tattoos in general, and whether or not he plans on getting tattooed when he’s older. Speaking of that, Leah goes deep on why she no longer tattoos minors (she used to).

Ep 17: From Russia with Love

November 19, 2018 11:00 - 39 minutes - 40.3 MB

Russian. Prison. Tattoos. That sums up this week’s episode as we discuss the craziest tattoos Josh and Leah have ever seen. We give the listener some background on what constitutes crime in Russia, and the types of criminals one may find in a Russian prison. We explore the meaning behind different criminal tattoos, and make observations contrasting Russian and U.S. prison culture. Our show concludes with a new segment “Leah’s Top 5” where Leah discusses her five favorite Russian prison tatto...

Ep 16: Lest We Forget

November 12, 2018 11:00 - 37 minutes - 39.7 MB

In our most solemn episode yet, we discuss memorial tattoos. We open with a discussion of what memorial tattoos are, the most common types, and the reason people get them- death. Leah and Josh discuss the memorial tattoo from the perspective of the client and the tattoo artist. Leah shares her opinions on the type of memorial tattoo to get, and we wrap with a discussion of some of Leah’s “memorial” tattoos.

Ep 15: The Episode of Secrets

November 05, 2018 11:00 - 26 minutes - 27.9 MB

This week we interview Jen: tattoo wizard, co-owner of Mainline Ink, and one of the persons in charge of Literary Ink. We ask her all about the convention, chat about what artists and attendees can expect, and discuss what sets Lit Ink apart from other tattoo conventions. There are plenty of surprises and secret announcements, so make sure to tune in!

Ep 14: Conventional Wisdom

October 29, 2018 10:00 - 34 minutes - 36.4 MB

Do you ever wonder what goes on at tattoo conventions? Do you even know that tattoo conventions are a thing, or did you just find out when you read the previous question? Fear not, citizen! All of your questions will be answered. This week we tackle the convention, its purpose, and what to expect when you find yourself at one. At the end we a special announcement about a future live episode so don’t miss it!

Ep 13: Tattoo Myths

October 22, 2018 10:00 - 35 minutes - 37.6 MB

Josh presents the myth and Leah smashes it. That’s what we’re doing in this, our 13th episode. From the absurd proposition that tattoos shouldn’t bleed to the common misconception that white ink hurts more, we cover it all this week. We take a detour into a chat about the relationship between tattoo artists/heavily tattooed persons to other persons in society. The show wraps with Leah sharing a story about an elderly woman and her first tattoo.

Ep 12: Old School Cool

October 15, 2018 10:00 - 34 minutes - 36.2 MB

This week we turn our attention to traditional tattoos, and more specifically American traditional. We describe the traditional style, explain the origin of the style, and chat a little about the origin of tattooing itself. We talk about the original meaning behind many of the popular traditional tattoos, and the fact that tattoos don’t necessarily have to have a meaning.

Episode 11 - Tattoo Regerts

October 08, 2018 11:00 - 37.3 KB

Download Episode We've all been young and stupid, or old and stupid, or just stupid, at one time or another. But don't fret. Tattoos may be there forever, but a tattoo cover up is forever too. Learn more about cover-ups and hear some of Leah's stories, ranging from tattoo regrets, and tattoos that people should have regretted, in Episode 11 - Tattoo Regerts.

Ep 11: Tattoo Regerts

October 08, 2018 10:00 - 33 minutes - 36.1 MB

We all have regrets in life (except for Leah) and one thing we regret are tattoos. This week we discuss tattoo regret, and the cover ups that eventually follow. Josh shares a story from his college days, and we discuss specific tattoo regrets from religious tattoos to racist ones. Leah talks about how to get a tattoo covered up, and we wrap with a discussion on the art form that is covering tattoos with tattoos.

Ep 10: The Bridget Story

October 01, 2018 10:00 - 30 minutes - 31.4 MB

You don’t want to miss this one! In our 10th episode we share one of Leah’s most interesting tattoo stories. Beginning with an intriguing request, Leah takes us through all the twists and turns of what is now (famously) known as the Bridget story. Once the story concludes, we end off with a discussion of why getting your lover’s name tattooed almost always ends in disaster.

Ep 9: This One's for the Ladies

September 24, 2018 10:00 - 49 minutes - 52.2 MB

This week it’s all about the ladies. More specifically, we cover all of the nonsense that (some) women in the industry have to endure. From sexist assumptions (which are annoying) to sexual harassment (which is abhorrent), we chat about all of it in this week’s episode. Leah shares some personal stories and recalls accounts of inappropriate behavior from clients and other artists. We close with some advice for female clients, and lay out what is and isn’t ok when you are being tattooed.

Ep 8: An Interview with Anna

September 17, 2018 10:00 - 41 minutes - 43.6 MB

The struggle is real! In episode 8 we interview Anna, Leah’s apprentice. She talks about exactly how tough an apprenticeship is, and about the sacrifice involved. We chat about the difference between drawing and tattooing, and discuss the fact that tattooing is more complicated than most people think. Leah and Anna spend some time on scratchers and celebrity tattooers before we ask Anna about the hardest part of her apprenticeship. We wrap up with the story of the first time Leah tattooed An...

Ep 7: So You Want to Become a Tattoo Artist

September 10, 2018 10:00 - 36 minutes - 39.9 MB

Ever wonder how one becomes a tattoo artist? Wonder no more! This week we shift gears from getting tattooed to being the one who tattoos. Leah and Josh discuss the craft that is tattooing and the importance of treating tattooing like a serious career. Leah gives some advice on what to do if you think you are tattoo artist material. She and Josh discuss the importance of apprenticeships and how to approach shops when you are ready to apprentice. Leah describes her own apprenticeship, and has ...

Ep 6: How to Not Mess Up Your New Tattoo

September 03, 2018 10:00 - 34 minutes - 35.7 MB

We get real this week so get ready for some tough love. Your brand new tattoo is something you do not want to mess up, and Leah has a whole list of things to do (and NOT do) after getting your tattoo. Josh sounds off about the importance of listening to your tattoo artist, and Leah details all of the aftercare supplies you will need. She then gives a step-by-step detailed run down of her preferred aftercare regimen and we chat about the healing process with tattoos.

Ep 5: So You're About to Get Tattooed

August 27, 2018 10:00 - 35 minutes - 36.2 MB

This week we’ll be discussing all the things you should do (or NOT do) before getting your tattoo. We break it down for you step by step from the night before, all the way up to moments before, your tattoo begins. Leah shares the story of a client who tried to blame her for his mistake, and we wrap up with three things to do during your tattoo.

Ep 4: How to Choose a Tattoo Artist

August 20, 2018 10:00 - 30 minutes - 31.7 MB

In episode four we are all about how to find the tattoo artist for you, but first, we have a major bone to pick with tattoo scenes in movies and tv. Topics for today include how to choose an artist who shares your aesthetic, how to evaluate portfolios, and how to tell the good from the bad (and ugly). We talk about the importance of finding an artist who holds themselves to a high standard, and we wrap up with another sounding off on contacting the artist in the manner in which they prefer.

Ep 3: How Much Does a Tattoo Cost (Part 2)

August 20, 2018 10:00 - 34 minutes - 36.6 MB

We’re on to episode three where we continue discussing how much tattoos cost. We talk about why quoting prices over the internet is difficult, and the importance of in person consultations. Josh gets a little worked up when discussing how to go about contacting a tattoo artist, and then we cover everything from the deposit to the tip. Leah shares the story of the exact moment she decided to become a tattoo artist. We wrap up with the dangers of thinking someone else can “do it cheaper”.

Ep 2: How Much Does a Tattoo Cost (Part 1)

August 13, 2018 10:00 - 32 minutes - 35 MB

Our second episode is about Leah’s second most commonly asked question: How much do tattoos cost? Topics include how pricing works, common pricing methods used by various shops, sizing a tattoo, and why shop minimums exist. We briefly chat about the history of tattoo pricing, and wrap up with a discussion on why it is that tattoos are so expensive.

Ep 1: Does It Hurt?

August 13, 2018 10:00 - 31 minutes - 34.9 MB

Our first episode revolves around the most commonly asked question: Does it hurt? We introduce ourselves to you, the kindly listener, and discuss just how badly tattoos hurt. (They hurt, and people who say they don’t are lying). We talk about managing the pain while getting tattooed and some common misconceptions people have about tattoo pain. Leah and her apprentice do some suspicious math, and finally, for those listeners without tattoos, we chat about exactly what getting tattooed feels l...