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Go to the roots, not to the fruits. I’m your host, Stef Bastiàn, tattooer with over twenty years of experience, traveler, painter, coach. Join me to improve your artistic, personal and professional journey through the stories and insights of inspiring guests, within and outside the tattoo world. Learn more about my different projects and classes at https://www.stefbastian.com/
Episodes

2 hours ago
2 hours ago
Corey is well known worldwide—he’s been tattooing for over 40 years, and his technique and experience are widely respected.
Over the course of his long career, he has reached significant personal milestones and professional accomplishments. You might remember him from LA Ink, tattooing James Hetfield, and working closely with legendary artists like Bob Roberts, Jack Rudy, and Mark Mahoney.
What stands out as the main theme, though, is his deep connection with people—a pattern I’ve noticed both in my own journey and in the stories of other seasoned artists.
Once you reach certain professional and artistic goals, you realise it all boils down to the most basic, meaningful things: friends, family, people.
Corey’s experience and progressive attitude can inspire us to keep our heads up during turbulent times, overcome obstacles, and honour the responsibility we carry as tattooers.
Follow Corey on Instagram
News, mentoring and shop: stefbastian.com

Friday May 23, 2025
67. ALEX RUSTY - Japanese tattooing at Lighthouse Tattoo in Sydney (part 2)
Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
One of Australia’s top artists, Alex is one half of the iconic Lighthouse Tattoo in Sydney, alongside Ryan Ussher. Well known for his striking large-scale Japanese work, Alex is a highly dedicated and exceptionally productive artist who speaks with intention and clarity about his practice and direction.
In addition to his commitments at the shop and in his artistic practice, Alex is actively involved with the Tattooists Guild, working to positively influence the future of tattooing in Australia.
In this episode, Alex spoke to us about his upbringing in Sydney’s tough environment, shared insights and advice on the technical aspects of his tattooing and painting, and explained the importance of helping shape the future of tattooing regulation.
Find Alex on Instagram

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
66. JOSHUA FRYDMAN - Japanese mythology and folklore
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Would you like to learn more about Japanese character like yōkai, Buddhist deities and Kami gods?
Are you interested in finding out where the original stories come from?
How all of that relates to tattooing?
We got you covered.
In this very informative episode with Joshua Frydman, associate professor of Japanese at the university of Oklahoma, specialized in Japanese ancient myths and literature, we dive into the origins of Japanese mythology and folklore. Shintoism, Buddhism, Chinese influence, philosophical/cultural implications and more.
Welcome to the nerd side of tattooing :)
13:43 Overview of Japan’s development
16:46 Religious systems in Japan
23:36 Syncretism of Japan
24:16 Kami and Gods
33:10 Seductivity and danger nature
39:40 Oni
42:07 Differences with Western folklore
44:38 Susanoo and Amaterasu
48:40 Not a definite answer
53:39 Godzilla modern myth
55:28 A fluid religion
1:01:05 Reading recommendations
1:04:30 Mythological names to real animals
1:06:21 Kannon’s example
Joshua’s book:
‘THE JAPANESE MYTHS: A GUIDE TO GODS, HEROES AND SPIRITS’
Stef’s Instagram

Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
65. CLEVER - Focus on what matters
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Clever doesn’t need much introduction, his career is well known, as his collaborations with artists of the caliber of Juice Wrld, Post Malone and Justin Bieber.
In this open-hearted talk we get a glimpse of how music came into his life and topics many of us can relate to. What it means to be a parent for an artist, the responsibility of a creative, his creative process, how to overcome obstacles.
Regardless of the specific fields we apply ourselves to - music, tattooing or anything else for that matter - we all go through the same things, each in our own way. Resistance, inspiration, priorities, identity, contribution.
As with all previous guests, Clever’s words can give us a little insight in this thing called life.
Follow Clever on Instagram

Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
64. MAURO CARDOSO - Honoring Japanese tradition
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Mauro Cardoso, better known as “Mario from the hills”, is a Brazilian tattooer specialized in traditional Japanese tattooing. Also a high level BJJ black belt, Mauro embodies the resilient and flexible spirit of the ‘Arte Suave’, while contributing to the preservation and diffusion of traditional Japanese tattooing through the study and respect of the original sources.
In this inspiring talk he shares with us some funny travel stories, the discovery of authentic reference, his experiences with Ivan Szazi and Horikyo and his take on traditions.
Find Mauro on Instagram

Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
63. RYAN USSHER - Japanese tattooing at Lighthouse Tattoo in Sydney (part 1)
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Ryan Ussher is one of Australia’s top artists. Together with Alex Rusty he runs Lighthouse Tattoo in Sydney, a shop that established itself as a reference in the country. He specializes in large scale Japanese tattooing with emphasis on powerful and evocative imagery.
Beyond craftsmanship he’s considered a reference also for the volume of high quality output, including various collaborations and participation in the Australian Tattooists Guild.
Follow Ryan on Instagram
Get in touch with Ryan here
Follow updates on the podcast, find mentor programs, classes and much more at stefbastian.com

Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
62. CHRIS FERNANDEZ - American Traditional in NY
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Chris Fernandez is a tattooer specialized in American Traditional with a solid, distinctive style. He’s not only incredibly productive but, as everyone working with him at the prestigious King’s Avenue in New York, also committed to a standard of excellence, in the process as much as in the result.
In this talk, which I really enjoyed, he told us about the road that got him to where he is, his process and the roots that shape his vision.
Find Chris on Instagram
For updates you can find us on Instagram and stefbastian.com

Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
61. TAMMY KIM - True to yourself
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Tammy Kim is an Australian tattoo artists who worked and lived in Toronto for the last 15 years, and is now transitioning into an exciting new phase of her career.
She traveled the world, collaborating with major artists and brands, to shape a vision that is unique to her. Her story is a very inspiring one to all of us trying to connect with a deeper sense of authenticity and striving to constantly reach higher goals.
Find Tammy at tammy-kim.com and Instagram
You can follow updates at stefbastian.com and extra resources such as the free newsletter blog and the mentorship programs.
Stef’s Instagram

Thursday Oct 31, 2024
60. CLAY DECKER - The death of a craft, the birth of an industry.
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Clay has been tattooing for 35 years, crossing path with some of the biggest names in tattooing. His passion for the craft brought him to explore every aspect of the process, witnessing the change that tattooing went through as it opened to a wider audience globally.
We talked about these changes, as Clay enters a new phase of his life, having to deal with a sudden visual impairment which brought a change in perspective and deeper insights.
Special thanks to Yushi Horikichi and Jeremy Corns that helped setting this up.

Saturday Oct 26, 2024
59. PAULA CASTLE - Simplifying everything is the way forward
Saturday Oct 26, 2024
Saturday Oct 26, 2024
Paula is an experienced British tattooer that I’m lucky to call a friend. She’s sensitive, intelligent, driven and curious, a beautiful mix. We had many interesting talks, as we share various passions, especially the love for reading, so I thought it would be a shame not to share one of them.
Today we touched on many topics, from gender gaps, to psychedelics, to technology and emotional intelligence.
Slow down your day, make yourself a cup of tea and sit down to enjoy an hour with us.
You can find Paula on Instagram and at paulacastle.com
Learn more about my projects, mentor programs and classes at stefbastian.com and Instagram