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

I can't fit all the nice things I could say about these two into a podcast description. John and Kaitlin are fantastic piercers and fantastic people. We talk about life outside the APP bubble and why you should stay focused on your life rather than the internet. We talk about the BME generation and how it fostered piercers who could problem solve and grow without hand holding. We also discuss John mentoring Kaitlin through a piercing career and how their experience shapes their new apprentice's path. This is a good one, listen carefully.

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.

Is your attention span tiny and small? Then why don't you come to a Lil' Bits where the segments are tiny it looks like regular podcasts but really tiny you put in your ear and nothing gets stuck in your brain it's just tiny and tiny and it fits right in.

We've got tiny interviews, tiny questions, little tiny podcast. You bored? Come on down to Lil' Bits. Featuring interviews with Zak Dubi DuBois, Kari Johansen, Sebastian Uribe, Mick Stocko, and Kat Swanton.

Give the show a 5 star rating and review if you listen on itunes. Like and follow the show at https://www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba.

This week features an interview with Slovakian piercer and 2019 Al D. conference scholar Branislav "Branko" Isteze. We talk about Branko's conference experience and what the piercing trends are in Slovakia.

This show also has a segment discussing a rumor that unfortunately started in one of my seminars, the possibility that alcohol makes certain skin preps ineffective. I share the information I have found through talking with manufacturers and other piercers to dispel some inaccuracies.

Like and follow the show on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba. If you listen on itunes give the show a 5 star rating and review.

Darrin Walters of Blue Star Tattoos comes on the show to discuss a career that started in the 1980's, watching the APP grow from inception, conference volunteering, and more. I also talk about a study gaining attention lately that links Gentian Violet to cancer, and why we should probably wait for more research before we freak out.

Give the show a 5 star rating and review, like and follow the show at www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba.

Lola Slider returns to the show for the third time! 2019 was Lola's first year at the APP conference. We talk about her experience in Las Vegas, her preparation as an instructor, anodizing techniques, and a little wrestling.

Rate and review the show. Like and follow at www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast/. Support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba. Thank you to our new Arch-Mage patron, Zadamer Jewelry.

Shop owner, mother, student, piercer, and rock star. Laura Jane of Gamma Piercing in Ann Arbor, Michigan comes on the show this week. We sat down at the APP conference and talked about the Septum and Helix classes Laura instructed. We also talk about how her career has taken her to both coasts of the U.S., and how she ended up opening a shop in the city she grew up in.

If you listen on itunes give the show a 5 star rating and a review. Like and follow the show on facebook at www.facebook.com/piercingwizardpodcast and support the show at www.patreon.com/ryanpba.