Well, we made it through another year. Lola and Ryan recap 2021, for better or worse. We were settled into the new normal of appointment-only life, months long wait times for jewelry, frustrated clientele, and ever changing rules. In a year full of stress and anxiety many of us were busier than ever. We talk about what we went through this past year and what we hope will come to us in 2022. Thank you for your continued support of the show. I'll be taking a short hiatus, but I'll be back in early 2022 with new episodes for you.

Don't forget about the steady influx of new content over at www.patreon.com/ryanpba. I have new narrated piercing videos, on-demand webinars on a variety of subjects, and much more on the $15 arch-mage tier. Lots more coming in 2022.

I've gone through opening a new studio a few times over my career, Jef Saunders of Gamma Piercing just opened shop #4. We have learned a lot along the way. Things to do, and things to definitely not do. We share a bit of everything; what goes into selecting a location, managing your funds, curating and stocking inventory, and how we try to build a sustainable business. Its not a "how to" but it can help shed some light on what worked for us.

Thank you for all of your continued support at www.patreon.com/ryanpba. I just added a new video all about Daith piercings, with more on the way soon including a video about Needle Modification (crushing). Join me live Sunday December 19 2021 for a patreon-exclusive Ask Me Anything session from my studio.

For a special 200th (!!) episode of the show we PIVOT to Lola Slider guest hosting to interview long time host Ryan Ouellette. Lola tells us some podcast stats and mentions her favorite episodes. They also discuss the covid era of the show, Ryan's scarification career, and the question "is body mod an endangered species". Here's to another 200 episodes (but please no).

On a personal note, thank you so much for keeping me going with this little project. I appreciate every listen, share, follow, criticism, and of course all of the guests who have shared their stories over the last few years. -Ryan.

Want to support the show? Give it a 5 star rating and review, especially on Apple. You can also support Ryan by signing up at www.patreon.com/ryanpba for on-demand access to educational content and piercing videos. New in November 2021 are the narrated videos about floating navels and daith piercings.

Have you ever seen a mandible piercing in person? How about a stretched Achilles heel piercing or a uvula piercing? What about seeing them all (and more) on one individual? Well I would like to introduce you to Daniel Rutt, a truly one of a kind person. TW: this episode includes discussion of substance use and sobriety.

Thank you to all my new supporters at www.patreon.com/ryanpba. I recently published a new video on floating navels, and I am hard at work finishing up a daith piercing video for you that will publish shortly. As a special thank you to my supporters I will be doing an exclusive Ask ME Anything session Sunday December 19 2021. Get all the info on patreon and submit your questions in advance.

One last episode from BMXNET 2021, this time with Andrea Kummer. Andrea is a commanding presence, both inside and outside of her body art career. We talk the history of Berlin piercing and body mod culture through the 90's and 2000's with piercing, scarification, and suspension.

If you are an APP it is is time to vote for your next board of directors members. Log in and vote before December 1st and make your voices heard.

I have a new video all about floating navels available for you at www.patreon.com/ryanpba. Sign up and you'll get instant access to that and over a dozen other educational videos.

Lets head back to BMXNET for this conversation with Matt (@dotbydottattoo). We discuss growth, education, and access. Its more than that, and a lot more, but thats a good way to set it up. Matt talks about his journey between the UK, New Zealand, Germany, and beyond. Growing as a suspension practitioner and handpoke tattoo artist, but his story translates well regardless of what your body art discipline may be. Enjoy.

As I worked on this episode I was also finalizing a new narrated video about floating navels, check it out online at www.patreon.com/ryanpba. Also visit the APP online at www.safepiercing.org to apply for a financial aid scholarship to next year's conference, and also to access the APP's 2021 core essentials online education, both opportunities close around the end of 2021 so don't delay.

Mexican piercer living in Germany, Beto Rea, comes on the show this week. Beto is a long time piercer, suspension facilitator, and scarification artist. We talk about his history of learning to pierce in late 1990's Mexico, his travels across Central America, and his current life in Germany. You can find more of Beto's work online at kukulcanrituals.com.

After my talk with Beto stay tuned for news about a disturbing CNN investigation into the importation of tens of millions of used nitrile gloves from Thailand. Read the article here: https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/24/health/medical-gloves-us-thailand-investigation-cmd-intl/index.html.

New narrated and subtitled videos on surface piercings and bridge piercings available on-demand at www.patreon.com/ryanpba along with hours of other educational content.

Helen Houghton of Holier Than Thou in Manchester UK is my guest this week. We discuss Helen's UKAPP conference class on Lumps and Bumps as well as the issue of troubleshooting in general. Part of the discussion revolves around the importance of downsizing and how to help make clients understand it. We also discuss how building a business around respect and community can be more effective than gatekeeping. Enjoy. 

There is a new narrated and subtitled video about Bridge Piercings available for on-demand viewing at www.patreon.com/ryanpba on the $15 arch-mage tier. Check it out, you'll also get instant access to hours of other educational content when you sign up.

This week is another interview recorded at BMXNET 2021, this time with German piercer Sven Seipold. I was impressed to learn that Sven is a member of not one, but 3 piercing organizations (VPP, APP, UKAPP). What I am even more impressed with, are the septum clamps that Sven made for me. Some of you may have been hearing about them online. I talk to Sven about the logic behind his modified and customized tools. Stay tuned until the end for a message I think we all need to hear.

New content for you at www.patreon.com/ryanpba. A new narrated and subtitled piercing video about surface piercings, and my new video about bridge piercings will be up before the end of October 2021 as well. Check it out on the $15 arch-mage tier.

I was flying home from my teaching trip, stopping over in Iceland, when I turned around got a surprise. A wild John Balk appears! We sat down and caught up while we waited on our flight. We talk about what success in business and happiness in life has looked like this last year and a half. We also getting around to talking about work and we discuss our preference of word of mouth over advertising to reach new clients. Enjoy this random encounter.

I have new content for you at www.patreon.com/ryanpba. A brand new video showing me perform a horizontal eyebrow surface piercing with a chamfer & blade needle method. This videos features a full overlay narration and is fully subtitled for accessibility. This video joins hours of other on demand content available on the $15 tier.