The Apprenticeship Diaries

This was a wonderful meeting of minds. Amy met with EJ Tron of Unmask the Kids. This connection really started long before Unmask the Kids, as Amy has tattooed and done art for EJ's family since the early 2000's. Talk about legacy and community connection!

In this episode, we are publicly voicing our rejection of mask mandates. In truth, we reject mandates of any kind when it gets in the way of personal freedom, but this is specifically about masking children.

Every once in a while, it's important to declare a position. The members of this podcast try very hard to be transparent and open with who we are. We take pride in showing our passions and vulnerabilities. We believe that it is the best way to move forward authentically.

If you feel the same as EJ and this podcast, please reach out to EJ. She is on Instagram as @ej_tron and is the administrator of the Unmask the Kids group on Facebook (1.9K members to date). Also, EJ has created lovely shirts for the group, and if you would like one, please message or DM EJ. She will not stop in her fight for the children and all funding will go towards supporting the mission to unmasking children at school. 

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Rico Illiano

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

In this second part, we learn how passionate Chris is about his art. It's incredible when we find the thing in life to keep pushing for. Of course, our families and loved ones, but it could be the hope and need to paint again. 

Thank you so very much for this time Chris. We can't wait to visit, see your studio, watch the stars and find one more human to keep being inspired by. 

Chris is the owner and operator of Kellers Sign Shop in Hagerstown, MD. If you're local, you probably already know Chris, but if you're out of state or country, you can find him on the internet: IG, Facebook Email Chris at: [email protected]

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Rico Illiano

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

New Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

OG Intro and Exit Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the OG track is "Ink Apprentice". If you like Brandon's sound, you can email him at: ([email protected])

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

Pardon the redundancy, but we're just so excited: We are now sponsored by Reinventing the Tattoo and if you would like to get off-the-wall value for continuing art education (from master tattoo artists) then follow this link to save 10% on a subscription: www.reinventingthetattoo.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Make sure your balls are nice and smooth too while you're at it... Don't have smooth boys... Then you should take us up on 15% your first Smooth My Balls order with this link: smoothmyballs.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

Chris Keller is a stellar guy. He's the owner and operator of Keller's Signs in Hagerstown, MD.  In this two part series, we really get to know Chris. He's a man of high integrity and it's clear that he really cares about what he puts his mind and hands to. 

This episode chronicles how Chris got going, who his mentors have been, and his views on the profession as he's climbed in the industry as a name. 

Chris is a key component to not only his own personal brand, but many other brands too. What's in a sign?... Listen and find out how much care goes into this profession that's been passed down for generations.

Like his page on FB too... Let's give him some love. :)

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Rico Illiano

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

New Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

OG Intro and Exit Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the OG track is "Ink Apprentice". If you like Brandon's sound, you can email him at: ([email protected])

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

Pardon the redundancy, but we're just so excited: We are now sponsored by Reinventing the Tattoo and if you would like to get off-the-wall value for continuing art education (from master tattoo artists) then follow this link to save 10% on a subscription: www.reinventingthetattoo.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Make sure your balls are nice and smooth too while you're at it... Don't have smooth boys... Then you should take us up on 15% your first Smooth My Balls order with this link: smoothmyballs.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

So much fun in one interview (Part 3 has us getting slap-happy).

Thank you so much Jordanne for spending so much of your time with us. We had a blast learning about you, your studio (Weird Ink Society). You've definitely lived a full life already... Can't wait to see what's next for you and your crew! 

Make sure to follow Jordanne Le Fae on IG ... you won't regret it!

Thank you so much. We now feel blessed by the Fae. :) 

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Rico Illiano

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

New Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

OG Intro and Exit Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the OG track is "Ink Apprentice". If you like Brandon's sound, you can email him at: ([email protected])

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

Pardon the redundancy, but we're just so excited: We are now sponsored by Reinventing the Tattoo and if you would like to get off-the-wall value for continuing art education (from master tattoo artists) then follow this link to save 10% on a subscription: www.reinventingthetattoo.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Make sure your balls are nice and smooth too while you're at it... Don't have smooth boys... Then you should take us up on 15% your first Smooth My Balls order with this link: smoothmyballs.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

Our series continues as we learn what rare life experiences our new friend, Jordanne Le Fae, has had. Who, How, What, Where, When??? All of these questions will be unveiled as you listen to Jordanne's coming up story. 

We've all had to learn the hard way about something in our lives... Find out what Jordanne had to learn in the pursuit of happiness. 

Jordanne is the owner and also an operator, at Weird Ink Society in St. Paul, MN. She's been tattooing for 6 years and is already such a shinning example of the tattoo community. 

Thank you Jordanne. We solute you and your journey! 

To work with Jordanne, it's all things "faetattoos".

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Rico Illiano

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

New Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

OG Intro and Exit Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the OG track is "Ink Apprentice". If you like Brandon's sound, you can email him at: ([email protected])

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

Pardon the redundancy, but we're just so excited: We are now sponsored by Reinventing the Tattoo and if you would like to get off-the-wall value for continuing art education (from master tattoo artists) then follow this link to save 10% on a subscription: www.reinventingthetattoo.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Make sure your balls are nice and smooth too while you're at it... Don't have smooth boys... Then you should take us up on 15% your first Smooth My Balls order with this link: smoothmyballs.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

So... We are late posting this interview, but we won't do that without providing a lot for our delinquency. This is a 3 part interview with our new friend and awesome artist, Jordanne Le Fae, owner and operator of Weird Ink Society of St Paul, MN. 

There were so many cool points to Jordanne's story that we couldn't decide on a title for all 3 parts, so we decided to give them all their own name. 

Thank you Jordanne for this wonderful time with you. We are coming to MN, if not this year then next. We love your style lady. It's full of color, community and life. 

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Rico Illiano

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

New Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

OG Intro and Exit Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the OG track is "Ink Apprentice". If you like Brandon's sound, you can email him at: ([email protected])

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

Pardon the redundancy, but we're just so excited: We are now sponsored by Reinventing the Tattoo and if you would like to get off-the-wall value for continuing art education (from master tattoo artists) then follow this link to save 10% on a subscription: www.reinventingthetattoo.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Make sure your balls are nice and smooth too while you're at it... Don't have smooth boys... Then you should take us up on 15% your first Smooth My Balls order with this link: smoothmyballs.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

Miss Vampira (Mary) is back with Part 2! Mary has been hustling her heart out to get into tattooing, ever since she got clear on what her heart really wanted in a career. Hey, those heart strings can pull us in many different directions. In Mary's case, she's moved from West to East coast. Not only that, but she's just getting started as she's in her first year of tattooing.

Make sure to follow Mary Minahan coined "Miss Vampira" on IG . You will not be disappointed.

Mary works presently at Red Baron Ink . When you check her out, you'll be blown away by her skill (side nod to Grant Lubbock, Mary's mentor). It shows that this gal has certainly been spending her nights working hard. (Hey, Vampires need to eat too!)

We know the audio of this podcast wasn't ideal, but we will have more time with Mary in the future. We've made plans. ;) In the meantime, thanks for touching back for Part 2. Let us know if there's any information that wasn't clear... we'd be happy to touch back and clarify. 

Miss Vampira... We thank you for the love and for this time. We couldn't be more honored!

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Rico Illiano

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

New Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

OG Intro and Exit Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the OG track is "Ink Apprentice". If you like Brandon's sound, you can email him at: ([email protected])

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

Pardon the redundancy, but we're just so excited: We are now sponsored by Reinventing the Tattoo and if you would like to get off-the-wall value for continuing art education (from master tattoo artists) then follow this link to save 10% on a subscription: www.reinventingthetattoo.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Make sure your balls are nice and smooth too while you're at it... Don't have smooth boys... Then you should take us up on 15% your first Smooth My Balls order with this link: smoothmyballs.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

We are so proud of this interview. Miss Vampira (Mary) slipped into our DM's and told us how much she liked our podcast. WE were so honored and struck by her kind words, we just had to know more about this rising star... So we got her on the show. 

Mary Minahan coined "Miss Vampira" on IG when iPod touch was a thing and with that kick-ass name, she's been building one hell of a tattoo portfolio.

Mary works presently at Red Baron Ink and she's been tattooing for a year now. When you check her out, you'll be blown away by her skill (side nod to Grant Lubbock, Mary's mentor). It shows that this gal has certainly been spending her nights hustling. (Hey, Vampires need to eat too!)

Miss Vampira... We thank you for the love and for this time. It means so much to our baby podcast. This is just Part 1 and even when Part 2 is released, we know that there will be much more in store... We all have just begun!

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Rico Illiano

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

New Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

OG Intro and Exit Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the OG track is "Ink Apprentice". If you like Brandon's sound, you can email him at: ([email protected])

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

Pardon the redundancy, but we're just so excited: We are now sponsored by Reinventing the Tattoo and if you would like to get off-the-wall value for continuing art education (from master tattoo artists) then follow this link to save 10% on a subscription: www.reinventingthetattoo.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Make sure your balls are nice and smooth too while you're at it... Don't have smooth boys... Then you should take us up on 15% your first Smooth My Balls order with this link: smoothmyballs.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

So good, we felt it needed an episode all its own, here, on the Diaries. Kire Franklin and Amy met in MA for a live stream supported by Reinventing the Tattoo. We had a great time and wanted to make sure that everyone got the information. 

If you're new to the podcast, this is a good one to cut your teeth on. In many ways, our podcast has be culminating to this moment.

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Kire Franklin (Rico sat this one out)

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

New Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

OG Intro and Exit Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the OG track is "Ink Apprentice". If you like Brandon's sound, you can email him at: ([email protected])

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

Pardon the redundancy, but we're just so excited: We are now sponsored by Reinventing the Tattoo and if you would like to get off-the-wall value for continuing art education (from master tattoo artists) then follow this link to save 10% on a subscription: www.reinventingthetattoo.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

We hope everyone had an amazing Independence Day (4th of July for those non-Americans). 

What better way to wrap up the holiday than to check back in with Amy's interview with Max Klein; A special needs and neuro-diversities advocate for The Boy Scouts of America (who are now open to girls too). 

Thank you so much for your time and for work you do Max. We feel that good mentors are hard to come by and it's a wonderful thing to meet someone that has so much passion to aid the youth and their families; It's much needed. 

Keep doing all that you do. We look forward to your event with #stopthestigma in late August. Mental health awareness is much needed and we are so happy to know a direct influence for change. 

Hosts: Amy Nicholls & Rico Illiano

Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (@djchucknunn)

New Intro and Exit Music by Chuck Nunn. "Jamuary 10" (list of Jamuary's found here at: Soundcloud.com/chuck-nunn )

OG Intro and Exit Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the OG track is "Ink Apprentice". If you like Brandon's sound, you can email him at: ([email protected])

*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!

Pardon the redundancy, but we're just so excited: We are now sponsored by Reinventing the Tattoo and if you would like to get off-the-wall value for continuing art education (from master tattoo artists) then follow this link to save 10% on a subscription: www.reinventingthetattoo.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries

You can find us currently on:

IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries

FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries

Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries

We are on these listening platforms: 

Spotify

iTunes or iHeartRadio

 Amazon

Stitcher

Please follow rate and review wherever you find our show. We would love constructive criticism too. :) 5 stars is always great, but we wanna earn it! 

If you'd like to reach out to us directly, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at: 

Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!