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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Another great live episode from the Aachen Tattoo convention, one of the best shows on the planet.
Today’s guest is Alex Reinke: Horiyoshi III former apprentice; exhibitions curator; owner of the iconic publishing company Kofuu Senju Publications (now KŌSEI publications) and zen practitioner. He also creates beautiful ceramics and handmade Tebori tools, a full renaissance man.
With his extensive knowledge regarding traditional Japanese tattooing, which extends to various aspects of this culture, Alex is a well-known and respected master of the craft, a reference for many.
My co-host for today is Berto Ramirez, aka Nutz, owner of the Red Temple Tattoo shop in Barcelona, where I work.
As always big thanks to Andreas Coenen and his crew for making this possible, and the audience that attended the event.
Alex Reinke’s Instagram
Nutz Instagram
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
If you’re into Japanese tattooing, especially in relation to its cultural connotations, you’re gonna love this one.
Dave is a tattooer specialized in Americana and Japanese with extensive international experience. His passion for gardening - he works with the Denver Botanic Garden on cultivating their renowned Japanese garden program, as well as maintaining the trees of Hakubai Zen Temple in Boulder - brought him a deeper insight on the philosophical aspects of Horimono.
In this episode we talked about some key concepts and his upcoming book, a great addition to everyone passionate about Japanese tattooing ‘Horimono: a Western Perspective’. This book is the product of a collaboration with AfterLife Press, world renowned for the quality of both content and craftsmanship of their publications, and it has been supported and reviewed by a number of horishi, including Tatsutoshi the First of the Shodai Horitoshi family.
We would also like to support the upcoming event ‘Skull session’ in NYC by the Lyle Tuttle Collection. Don’t miss it if you are in the area. For more information please visit the link below:
Lyle Tuttle Collection Instagram