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Needle Me This

Needle Me This

Written by: Colin Bussing
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About this listen

 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 conversations with clients mid-session and post-session Deep dives into the meaning behind big tattoos, sleeves, cover-ups, and transformations Behind-the-scenes moments from conventions, long sessions, and brutal back-to-back days Sarcasm, honesty, and the occasional identity crisis The emotional + psychological side of tattooing nobody talks about Whether you’re a collector, an artist, someone planning your first tattoo, or someone fighting the urge to impulsively book a sleeve at 2 AM — this podcast gives you the full picture of what tattooing actually is: A little pain, a little therapy, a little art, and a whole lot of becoming who the hell you are. Fresh ink. Fresh clarity. Mild trauma. Welcome to Needle Me This.Colin Bussing Art Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • Motherhood, Nursing & Meaningful Tattoos | Body Positivity, Mental Health & Resilience | Needle Me This Ep. 7

    Motherhood, Nursing & Meaningful Tattoos | Body Positivity, Mental Health & Resilience | Needle Me This Ep. 7
    Jan 9 2026
    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. 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. This conversation touches on: Motherhood and identity shifts Mental health in the nursing profession Burnout, boundaries, and self-care Body positivity after pregnancy Returning to fitness after motherhood Tattoos as emotional anchors and personal milestones Japanese art influences and storytelling through tattoos Resilience, growth, and carving your own path This episode isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and learning who you are in each new chapter of life. Fresh ink. Fresh clarity. Mild trauma. Welcome to Needle Me This.
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    48 mins
  • Getting Tattooed, Becoming a Dad, and Letting Life Slow Down | Austen LaRock | Needle Me This Episode 6

    Getting Tattooed, Becoming a Dad, and Letting Life Slow Down | Austen LaRock | Needle Me This Episode 6
    Jan 2 2026
    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. 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. This isn’t an interview about trends or techniques. It’s a real conversation about growth, identity, and letting tattoos document your life instead of define it. If you’ve ever felt like you’re in between versions of yourself — this one’s for you.
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    40 mins
  • Mental Health, Meaningful Tattoos & Emotional Regulation | Building a Sleeve with a Youth Clinician | Needle Me This Ep. 5

    Mental Health, Meaningful Tattoos & Emotional Regulation | Building a Sleeve with a Youth Clinician | Needle Me This Ep. 5
    Dec 26 2025
    In this episode of Needle Me This, Colin tattoos a returning client and youth mental health clinician while talking about emotional regulation, burnout, boundaries, and identity. What starts as finishing a candlestick tattoo turns into a grounded conversation about mental health work, creativity, and letting meaning evolve over time. Honest, unscripted, and rooted in real life — not buzzwords. Fresh ink. Fresh clarity. Mild trauma.
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    49 mins
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