Passion Pod

Episode 234 Nicole Hause

Professional skateboarder Nicole Hause from Stillwater, Minnesota joins Chris on Passion Pod for an honest conversation about her journey through professional skateboarding, competing around the world, and building a career around her passion. Nicole shares what it was like skating with Tony Hawk at just 13 years old, earning $30,000 from appearing in a Subway commercial, and street skating with the REAL Skateboards team. She also talks about designing her own Nike SB Dunk colorway, launching the hardware brand LOOP with her friends, and the experiences that helped shape her career as a professional skateboarder. Nicole and Chris also discuss the challenges of tearing her ACL, the difficult road to recovery, and what it takes to keep moving forward after a major injury. Plus, Nicole talks about her podcast No Big Deal and the stories behind her life, career, and creative projects. If you love skateboarding, inspiring career stories, professional athletes, or conversations about turning your passion into a life, this episode is for you. Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA

Episode 233 Pony Lawson

Pony Lawson has been tattooing almost 25 years — but his road to owning Mayday Tattoo Studio in Chicago started in a tiny Indiana town, involved dropping out of school, picking up his first machine at 14, and sleeping in his car on the streets of Chicago. This episode is a raw, unfiltered look at what it actually takes to build a career doing something you love when the odds are stacked against you. Chris and Pony cover the full story: Ink Master Season 16 behind the scenes, judging drama, favorite canvases, and the tattoos that stood out most. They also dig into Pony's signature gold and chrome tattoo style — including the viral butt plug tattoo, the origin of his gold balloon dog work, and why he thinks certain styles are the hardest to master. Plus, Pony breaks down his YouTube show Ultimate Tattoo Battle, his deep Robocop obsession, and his honest takes on the best and worst of Ink Master overall. If you love tattooing, unique career stories, or just want to hear from someone who's truly earned their place in the industry — this one's for you. Subscribe so you never miss a new episode of Passion Pod. 📲 Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA

Episode 232 Tom Richmond

Tom Richmond is one of the most recognized caricature artists alive. For over 20 years he's been a staple of MAD Magazine, drawing parodies of shows like Stranger Things, The Sopranos, and Lost. He was the president of the National Caricature Network, author of the definitive caricature guide The Mad Art of Caricature, and has worked for everyone from Scholastic to Sports Illustrated Kids. In this episode, Tom talks about starting out at Six Flags, the long road to breaking into MAD, what it was like when JJ Abrams called him personally, why Aerosmith killed a Disney project over vanity, and what AI really means for illustration careers. What we cover: 40 years of caricature and freelance illustration Behind the scenes at MAD Magazine Celebrity stories: Brian Cranston, James Gandolfini, Aerosmith Turning down Weird Al and working with Jeff Dunham The CNN History of the Sitcom Times Square billboard His new podcast for cartoonists and his sold-out book Clap Trap Tom Richmond's work: tomrichmond.com Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA Website: https://passionpod.org

Episode 231 Deanna James

Deanna James — 2-time Ink Master contestant (Seasons 10 & 14) and owner of Eden Body Art Studios — sits down with Chris Johnson on the Passion Pod for a raw, inspiring conversation about turning a passion into a career. From oil painting classes at Hobby Lobby to tattooing paintings on skin worldwide, Deanna opens up about surviving a brutal apprenticeship, the truth behind Ink Master, building a 15-person non-tattooing staff at her Dallas studio, and why she spent years tattooing mastectomy nipple restorations for free. If you're an artist, aspiring tattooer, or anyone chasing a passion-driven career — this one's for you. In this episode: The reality of tattoo apprenticeships & hazing culture Behind the scenes of Ink Master Seasons 10 & 14 How to build a tattoo business that actually works Overcoming health struggles, rejection & public criticism Why gatekeeping in creative industries is holding everyone back 🎙️ Passion Pod | New episodes weekly 📲 Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA

Episode 230 Chaz Ortiz

Episode 229 DJ Tambe

Chris Johnson sits down with tattoo icon and 3-time Ink Master champion (and current judge!) DJ Tambe at the Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention in Des Moines, Iowa. DJ gets candid about his road to sobriety, what it was really like competing on Best Ink and Ink Master, the hardest judging decisions he's ever had to make, getting paid $50,000 by Subway, living in a house with 20 tattoo artists, and what it felt like to finally get the call to be a judge. If you love tattoo culture, comeback stories, and behind-the-scenes TV drama — this one's for you. Follow DJ Tambe: @DJTambe Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA

Episode 228 Bobby Johnson

Ink Master Season 15 winner Bobby Johnson sits down with Passion Pod for one of his most candid interviews yet. From the truth about what he actually took home after taxes on the $250k prize, to the flash challenge he'd do all over again, his most meaningful tattoo ever, how he went from skateboarding to tattooing, the wild origin of his "Glendale Bully" name, and the one regret he has from his entire time on the show — this conversation goes deep. 🏆🖤 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss a new episode of Passion Pod! 📲 Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA

Episode 227 Gian Karle

He told Ink Master producers he'd never do their "stupid show." Then he did it twice and finished second both times. Season 8 and Season 14 Ink Master runner up Gian Karle sits down for a wide open conversation covering everything — from working as a beach attendant and photographer's assistant in Puerto Rico, to traveling the country out of hotels doing conventions, to competing against the best tattoo artists in the world on national TV. Gian breaks down the gunpowder flash challenge that blew fire to the ceiling, the watercolor tattoo that embarrassed him at his own viewing party back home, the moment he cried in an elevator after playing dirty to stay in the competition, the Katie cushion incident that looked meaner on TV than it actually was, and why he genuinely believes the show changed the entire financial landscape of tattooing. Plus — his picks for the scariest artists in an all-star season, which judges were the most and least biased, what DJ is really like off camera, and why his mom's reaction at the Season 8 finale is still one of his most cherished memories. First time hearing this story in long form. Don't miss it. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with people living their passion: ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/

Episode 226 Seth Holmes

He made it to the Ink Master Season 17 finale, cried in front of the judges over a tattoo he made for his wife, protected 6 years of sobriety surrounded by drunk castmates, and is now opening one of Pittsburgh's most anticipated new tattoo shops — Seth Holmes sits down for his very first long-form interview and leaves absolutely nothing on the table. From surviving an abusive childhood and battling addiction, to fronting a metal band, learning to tattoo under Ink Master's Sarah Miller, and competing against some of the best artists in the country — this is the full, unfiltered story of how a self-described "nobody from Pittsburgh" made it onto national TV and came out the other side a changed artist. Plus — the psychological tactics Ink Master producers use to break contestants on camera, the drama with Matt that was both completely real and completely staged, what Ryan Ashley said to him that made him come out swinging, and what's coming next with his brand new shop Sleepwalker Tattoo. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with people living their passion: ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/

Episode 225 Jesse Smith Tattoos

World renowned new school tattoo artist and 2-time Ink Master contestant Jesse Smith sits down with Chris Johnson on the Passion Pod for one of the most in-depth conversations he's ever had. From getting busted for graffiti in Germany at 17, to selling Flash up and down the East Coast, to getting the call that changed his career forever — this one covers it all. Jesse opens up about why he thinks Ink Master cast him as the "one trick pony" from day one, the real drama behind the cameras, getting flown to Australia with 50 people on a waitlist overnight, building Loose Screw Tattoo, running the Richmond Tattoo Convention through COVID and personal tragedy, and the fictional world of Carkayous — the universe behind every tattoo he creates. Plus timeless advice for artists, clients, and anyone building something from scratch. One of the best we've ever done. Don't skip this one. 🎙️ Passion Pod — Where passion meets conversation. 📲 Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA