Needle Me This

Needle Me This is the tattoo podcast that finally flips the script.Most tattoo podcasts are just artists talking shop — techniques, machines, history, gatekeeping, whatever. Cool, but we’re missing the best part:the people wearing the tattoos.This show is where clients get the mic.Real stories. Real meaning. Real chaos. Real growth.From the moment they walk into the studio to the aftermath two days later when they’re swollen, reflective, and questioning their life choices — we talk through the full emotional cycle of getting tattooed. The pain, the clarity, the identity shift, the “I can’t believe I paid for that,” and the “okay… when are we doing the next one?”As a neo-traditional / Japanese-influenced tattoo artist based in Syracuse, NY, I’ve built my career around storytelling, body flow, and helping people turn their past, pain, and personality into something worth wearing. On this show, we unpack that journey — one client, one story, one session at a time.Expect:Candid con

Needle Me This is a arts podcast hosted by Colin Bussing, with 10 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Colin Bussing hosts Needle Me This, a arts show with 10 episodes published.

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  Episode #10

  Growing Up Without Losing Yourself | Tattoos, Timelines & Becoming Who You Are – Ep. 10

  Feb 5, 202638 minS1

  <p>What if you’re not late — you’re just becoming?</p><p>In this episode of Needle Me This, Colin sits down with one of his closest friends and longtime tattoo client, Emma Smith, for a conversation about growing up, changing paths, and learning how to live intentionally without losing the parts of yourself that matter.</p><p>Emma shares her journey from college chaos to stability, earning her master’s degree in social work while working full time, and building a life rooted in patience, boundaries, and self-trust. Together, they talk openly about societal timelines, comparison, burnout, relationships, tattoos as...

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  Episode #9

  Nick Bones: Traditional Tattoos, Traveling Artists & What Clients Get Wrong

  Jan 29, 202633 minS1

  <p>Most people only see tattoo artists through finished photos.</p><p>What they don’t see is how an artist thinks — or how their life shapes the work they put on someone forever.</p><p>In this episode of Needle Me This, Colin sits down with Nick Bones, a Las Vegas–based tattoo artist with over 21 years of experience, to talk honestly about tattooing beyond the highlight reel. This conversation isn’t about trends or social media performance — it’s about trust, longevity, creative stagnation, and what tattoos are actually doing for people.</p><p>Nick shares his perspective on:</p><p>Find...

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  Episode #8

  Tattooing as a Journey: Control, Meaning, and Identity | Needle Me This Episode 8

  Jan 22, 202613 minS1

  <p>In this episode of "Needle Me This," Colin Bussing reflects on the recurring themes that have emerged throughout the podcast, particularly focusing on control, meaning, and change. He discusses how tattooing serves as a medium for individuals to express their transitions and reclaim their identities. Colin emphasizes the unique environment of the tattoo chair, where clients often engage in deeper conversations that reveal their authentic selves, allowing for introspection and personal growth. He also highlights the significance of Japanese tattoo art, which embodies a philosophy of patience and adaptability, mirroring the tattooing process itself.</p><p>Colin shares insights...

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  Episode #7

  Motherhood, Nursing & Meaningful Tattoos | Body Positivity, Mental Health & Resilience | Needle Me This Ep. 7

  Jan 8, 202648 minS1

  <p>In this episode of Needle Me This, Colin sits down with Caitlin — a mother, nurse, and tattoo collector — for an honest conversation about identity, self-care, mental health, and rebuilding confidence after motherhood.</p><p>Recorded during a tattoo session, this episode explores what it’s really like to balance a demanding nursing career with parenting, personal growth, and learning how to take care of yourself without guilt. Caitlin opens up about body positivity after having a child, returning to the gym, setting boundaries at work, and how meaningful tattoos have helped her reconnect with herself.</p><p>This conversation touches o...

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  Episode #6

  Getting Tattooed, Becoming a Dad, and Letting Life Slow Down | Austen LaRock | Needle Me This Episode 6

  Jan 1, 202640 minS1

  <p>In this episode of Needle Me This, I sit down with Austen LaRock for an honest conversation about tattooing, life shifts, and what changes when you step into a new chapter.</p><p>Austen and I talk about what it’s like getting tattooed before and after becoming a father, how priorities shift, and why tattoos often mark who you were just as much as who you’re becoming. We get into the emotional side of committing to large-scale tattoo work, slowing down, and learning how to sit with yourself instead of constantly chasing the next thing.</p><p>This isn’...

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