Passion Pod

Chris Johnson sits down with tattoo icon and 3-time Ink Master champion (and current judge!) DJ Tambe at the Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention in Des Moines, Iowa. DJ gets candid about his road to sobriety, what it was really like competing on Best Ink and Ink Master, the hardest judging decisions he's ever had to make, getting paid $50,000 by Subway, living in a house with 20 tattoo artists, and what it felt like to finally get the call to be a judge.

If you love tattoo culture, comeback stories, and behind-the-scenes TV drama — this one's for you.

Follow DJ Tambe: @DJTambe

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Ink Master Season 15 winner Bobby Johnson sits down with Passion Pod for one of his most candid interviews yet. From the truth about what he actually took home after taxes on the $250k prize, to the flash challenge he'd do all over again, his most meaningful tattoo ever, how he went from skateboarding to tattooing, the wild origin of his "Glendale Bully" name, and the one regret he has from his entire time on the show — this conversation goes deep. 🏆🖤

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He told Ink Master producers he'd never do their "stupid show." Then he did it twice and finished second both times. Season 8 and Season 14 Ink Master runner up Gian Karle sits down for a wide open conversation covering everything — from working as a beach attendant and photographer's assistant in Puerto Rico, to traveling the country out of hotels doing conventions, to competing against the best tattoo artists in the world on national TV.

Gian breaks down the gunpowder flash challenge that blew fire to the ceiling, the watercolor tattoo that embarrassed him at his own viewing party back home, the moment he cried in an elevator after playing dirty to stay in the competition, the Katie cushion incident that looked meaner on TV than it actually was, and why he genuinely believes the show changed the entire financial landscape of tattooing.

Plus — his picks for the scariest artists in an all-star season, which judges were the most and least biased, what DJ is really like off camera, and why his mom's reaction at the Season 8 finale is still one of his most cherished memories.

First time hearing this story in long form. Don't miss it.

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He made it to the Ink Master Season 17 finale, cried in front of the judges over a tattoo he made for his wife, protected 6 years of sobriety surrounded by drunk castmates, and is now opening one of Pittsburgh's most anticipated new tattoo shops — Seth Holmes sits down for his very first long-form interview and leaves absolutely nothing on the table.

From surviving an abusive childhood and battling addiction, to fronting a metal band, learning to tattoo under Ink Master's Sarah Miller, and competing against some of the best artists in the country — this is the full, unfiltered story of how a self-described "nobody from Pittsburgh" made it onto national TV and came out the other side a changed artist.

Plus — the psychological tactics Ink Master producers use to break contestants on camera, the drama with Matt that was both completely real and completely staged, what Ryan Ashley said to him that made him come out swinging, and what's coming next with his brand new shop Sleepwalker Tattoo.

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World renowned new school tattoo artist and 2-time Ink Master contestant Jesse Smith sits down with Chris Johnson on the Passion Pod for one of the most in-depth conversations he's ever had. From getting busted for graffiti in Germany at 17, to selling Flash up and down the East Coast, to getting the call that changed his career forever — this one covers it all. Jesse opens up about why he thinks Ink Master cast him as the "one trick pony" from day one, the real drama behind the cameras, getting flown to Australia with 50 people on a waitlist overnight, building Loose Screw Tattoo, running the Richmond Tattoo Convention through COVID and personal tragedy, and the fictional world of Carkayous — the universe behind every tattoo he creates. Plus timeless advice for artists, clients, and anyone building something from scratch.

One of the best we've ever done. Don't skip this one.

🎙️ Passion Pod — Where passion meets conversation.

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What happens when a funny rapper keeps going long after a "reasonable person" would quit? You end up with Justin Bieber sharing your music and selling out shows across the country. 🎤

In this episode, Chris sits down with Scoochie Boochie (Michael Ribbens) — the comedy rapper behind viral hits like Carbutt and I Have Sex — to talk about blowing up on social media, building a fanbase from nothing, life on tour, concept albums, the Bible, and why keeping your sailor hat on is always the right call.

Topics covered:

• Going viral with Carbutt and gaining 10K followers mid-flight
• How Justin Bieber & SZA sharing his content changed everything
• Quitting his architecture tour job to rap full-time
• Why comedy rap is harder to sell than it looks
• Lonely Island, Bible lore, mustaches & more

🎙️ Passion Pod — Real people. Passion-driven careers. Unfiltered stories.

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Green Bay Packers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler sits down with Passion Pod for one of his most candid interviews yet. From growing up in extreme poverty in Jacksonville to creating the most iconic celebration in NFL history — the Lambeau Leap — LeRoy holds nothing back.

In this episode: 🏈 Brett Favre's off-field memories & the Pack Attack TV show 🏈 How Deion Sanders gave him his nickname "Roy Lee" 🏈 The untold story of replacing Deion at Florida State 🏈 Reggie White's impact on the Packers' Super Bowl run 🏈 Battling anxiety, dyslexia & claustrophobia throughout his career 🏈 His new book Locker Room Therapy, Leap 36 Vodka & his upcoming documentary

If you love football, real stories, and people who lived life on their own terms — this one's for you.

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Comedy magician Wes Barker aka Stuntmagician joins Passion Pod to talk about viral YouTube success, America’s Got Talent, Pen & Teller, TV shows, live performance, and hilarious magic fails. If you love comedy, magic, entertainment, and behind-the-scenes stories from a professional magician, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of Passion Pod, Chris Johnson sits down with stand up comedian Ashley Gavin for a candid conversation about comedy, internet fame, podcasting, public backlash, and what it takes to keep going after a career-changing moment. Ashley shares stories from cruise ship comedy, touring, building an audience online, and how her perspective on stand-up has changed over time.

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