Brandy Higgins is the owner and instructor at Bikram Yoga Durham. You can reach her, and find more information about Bikram and her studio by visiting: www.bydurham.com https://www.bikramyoga.com/

All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: [email protected] and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Being a big, tattooed, singer of a metal band Marc Gaffney meets with Nick Filth and discuss the differences between the way he is perceived and how he lives.

Marc Gaffney is the lead singer and guitarist of the band Gozu yet he chose to describe himself as simply "human".

You can hear Gozu's previous album "Revival" while anticipating their newest album "Equilibrium" which will be released April 13th of this year on Metal Blade Records.

https://gozu.bandcamp.com/

http://www.metalblade.com/us/news/gozu-signs-worldwide-deal/

All music is performed by Nick Filth.

You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone

For more information, questions, or comments please email: [email protected] or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Bobby Eckstein happened to be a guest on another podcast Nick Filth was listening to titled: Missing Maura Murray. The familiar voice made Nick Google "Dr. Robert Eckstein", and was surprised to find out that Nick knew him, through his wife who is a customer of his, but went socially by the name Bobby. In the Maura Murray episode Bobby criticized the hosts usage of the words "Sociopath" and "Psychopath". He shed light on this subject but Nick asked if Bobby would be interested in speaking on PTBS to expand further as the amount of ignorance on this subject is staggering.

Dr. Robert Eckstein is a Senior Lecturer at the University of New Hampshire for both the Department of Psychology and the Justice Studies Program. He is also the Curriculum Development Specialist for Prevention Innovations Research Center, a research group at the University of New Hampshire that focuses on the prevention of sexual assault, relationship abuse, and stalking. Dr. Eckstein was given the University of New Hampshire's Excellence in Teaching Award in 2010.

If you would like to read the Psychopathy Overview Dr. Robert Eckstein had written, which includes the 16 characteristics that epitomize a psychopath please email: [email protected]

You can hear Bobby speak more on rape prevention by watching his TEDTalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mFzIumKKsc

All music is performed by Nick Filth.

You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone

For more information, questions, or comments please email: [email protected] or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Scott Boyer is one of Nick's closest friends despite the distance between them. Nick had recently taken a trip to Colorado Springs to visit Scott with the intentions of doing Sensory Deprivation. It was Nick's first time, and they immediately recorded the podcast after. The hour an a half podcast is the result.

Scott Boyer along with his wife are the owners of Yellow Beak Press. A publishing company focused on preserving and promoting tattoo history. Scott has also celebrated his 20th year as a bicycle mechanic.

www.yellowbeakpress.com

All music is performed by Nick Filth.

You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone

For more information, questions, or comments please email: [email protected] or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Kyle Bennington is Nick Filth's oldest friend. Nick recently got a text from Kyle that stated "I took 4 grams of mushrooms last night, still trying to process it." After two weeks of trying to get Kyle on the phone, the following podcast is the first time in which they had spoken to each other since Kyles experience.

All music is performed by Nick Filth.

You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone

For more information, questions, or comments please email: [email protected] or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Tom Papows and Nick Filth begin with Nick delving deeper into his opinion of the last guest on Polishing The Black Stone, J.G. The hitchhiker that Nick had driven to Portland Maine after recording podcast with him. The conversation itself and the following conversations and experiences led Nick to gain a broader perspective on the mysterious J.G.

But the conversation turns directly to the matter at hand that Tom and Nick have been waiting to speak to each other about; cultural appropriation. A difficult subject with many sharp edges, Tom and Nick bring their own experiences and views on the matter.

Tom Papows is a freelance camera operator that has worked on documentaries such as, Birth of a Party, Homemade Parade and The Greasy Pole. He has worked with National Geographic and The Discovery Channel, and worked on music videos for artists such as Guster.

Tom describes himself as a vagabond, and cat enthusiast.

He is currently working at Lord Hobo Brewing Company, while planning his next trip across the globe. You can follow him on instagram @popeye_the_cameraman

All music is performed by Nick Filth.

You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone

For more information, questions, or comments please email: [email protected] or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

I met J.G. on the side of the road, as he was a hitchhiker. I, meanwhile, was getting through a terrible hangover, from which I had just vomited. Through our short introductions, and me finding out where he was headed, he launched into his story. J.G. is on a pilgrimage around the United States on zero dollars and without revealing his identity. He is motivated and moved by generosity and kindness. He explains his story and is often given free nights to stay in hotels and given rides hundreds of miles from people who pick him up.

Our conversations immediately went from compassion and kindness, to altered states of reality, chakras, tuning into the frequencies that individuals emanate, and Love. Despite how sick I was feeling I told J.G. about Polishing The Black Stone and I agreed to drive him to Portland Maine and feed him if he would be a guest on it. He agreed, and I did my best to fight my nausea to stay in the conversation. For which I cut short because I vomited again and couldn't talk. I fed J.G., drove him to Portland Maine and pointed him in the direction of food and hotels. J.G. and I have intermittently remained in contact through his changing cell phones and through Instagram. He actually stayed with another tattooer a few weeks prior who happens to be in a band that KYOTY was just released on a compilation with.

J.G. is also documenting his travels to turn it into a documentary. During his travel his identity will not be revealed, so you can not learn more about him by searching for him online. Although this is one link related to his cause where you can donate to support his film: http://www.antiterrorism.us

All music is performed by Nick Filth.

You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone

For more information, questions, or comments please email: [email protected] or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

While I was learning to tattoo I would often hear of the artist Doug Mendoza from the tattooers I worked with. This was a time before tattooers portfolio's were on the internet, and you could only find their art if they were worthy enough to have their art published in a magazine. If you were a tattooer that had been published your validity and stature was unquestionable. When someone would mention Doug Mendoza's name to me it was always paired with "his work is in magazines". I knew that not only did I have to meet Doug Mendoza but I would need to be tattooed by him if I wished to be a better artist. Thankfully my friend introduced me and despite my naivety I made a good enough impression on him to be invited back. Throughout the years I got tattooed by Doug, I would drive an hour one way just to show him drawing I had been working on to have him critique them. We would talk about tattooers, artists, painting, tattoo application, and sometimes just about life. Over the years this person who at one point was the elusive and revered artist who's work intimidated me became one of my close friends. Doug came home to New Hampshire on a visit from Hawaii and I got the opportunity to record this conversation. Similar to the ones we used to have while he was tattooing me or during one of my many visit seeking his artistic insight.

Doug has since closed his shop in New Hampshire and currently live in Hilo Hawaii. You can find his work by visiting the following links

http://www.southseas-tattoo.com/

and on instagram @dugmendoza

All music is performed by Nick Filth.

You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone

For more information, questions, or comments please email: [email protected] or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Matt Kerley and James Travis are two traveling tattooers who worked a few days at Hidden History Tattoo. I got the chance to speak with them late one evening on the last night of their stay before they drove off to Canada.

Often do we snap into the moment and recognize that we have been drifting. Many of us drive home from work and then realize we weren't even paying attention, nor could we even remember the drive home. This loss of time is us ultimately losing control of our awareness. I personally believe intention is tied with awareness. When you have intention, you are aware. As stated, many people drift through situations without recognition, or focus. This drifting can lead us into entire careers. This carelessness in life has a seeming momentum to it, we can often get caught in the pull and look back and wonder, as David Byrne aptly sang: "And you may ask yourself, well, How did I get here?". How often to do ask yourself this question? What led you to this moment right now, what series of events led you here? Where you conscious of these events, did you consciously make decisions that led you to where you are right now?

These are important questions to ask yourself. So I ask a very simple yet difficult question to both Matt and James. "why do you tattoo?"

Matt Kerley and James Travis are both nomadic tattooers. Matt works privately doing freelance illustration and tattooing in North Carolina and James is currently traveling working in different tattoo shops. You can find their portfolios and contact information on instagram or the following links.

Matt Kerley:

@mattitude

http://www.mattkerley.bigcartel.com

[email protected]

James Travis:

@xjamestravisx

http://xjamestravisx.bigcartel.com

[email protected]

All music is performed by Nick Filth.

You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone

For more information, questions, or comments please email: [email protected] or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Seamus Menihane is a touring musician in notable bands such as Vattnet Viskar and Vanna. He has also played drums in one of Nick's bands Psychic Wounds. In this episode Nick seeks Seamus's perspective on what it's like to perform live in 2017. Nick believes that the trends of interacting with media in all forms is being redefined, and that attendances to performances on the tier that his bands exist will dwindle to nothing. Seamus lends his opinions and views on the matter, sourcing his experiences of touring all over the world and how social media impacts our relation to new music.

Seamus Menihane is the drummer for Vattnet Viskar and Vanna. He also operates the silk screening company Union Screen Printing. You can hear his music and contact Seamus through these following links:

www.vannamusic.com

https://www.union-screen-printing.com/

http://seamusmenihane.com/