Transformative Marks Podcast

Dion Kaszas
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast that journeys through the world of Indigenous tattooing, amplifying the voices of ancestral skin markers, Indigenous tattoo artists, cultural tattoo practitioners, and those who wear the marks. Through a mix of interviews and solo shows, Dion Kaszas brings you the entertaining, challenging, and transformative stories behind every dot, line, and stitch. Embedded in each mark is a unique story that brings forward the reality of contemporary Indigenous peoples living a contemporary existence. Our Indigenous ancestors' struggle, pain, tears, resistance, and resilience are celebrated, honored, respected, and embedded underneath our skin. This podcast explores the stories, truths, and histories essential to us as Indigenous tattoo artists, cultural tattoo practitioners, and ancestral skin markers. These stories bring forward our ancestral visual languages and cultures' power, brilliance, and beauty. So that those coming after us are reminded of how amazing we are.  Dion and the Transformative Marks Podcast acknowledge the support of: The Canada Council for the Arts 

  1. May 25

    How An Indigenous Bodysuit Becomes A Healing Practice with Ecko Aleck

    063 A year after the last needle pass, what’s left is not just ink, it’s a new way of living inside your own skin. I’m back with Ecko Aleck, who returns to reflect on what it’s actually been like to live with a full bodysuit long after the swelling fades, including the moment the markings helped make it impossible to keep hiding and led her to come out publicly as Two-Spirit. We talk about the hard, honest mechanics of transformation during ancestral skin marking and cultural tattooing: hitting a pain threshold, the shaking that can take over, and the deep breaths that follow. Ecko connects breathwork to waves and even to childbirth, where you grieve an old self while bringing a new self forward. We also explore trauma-informed practice in real terms, including the idea that shaking can be part of completing a trauma cycle and why grounding through the senses can bring you back when your mind tries to flee. From warm hands and aromatherapy to a heavy blanket and a “wellness basket,” we break down what community care looks like in a tattoo room and why support people can be foundational, not optional. We also zoom out to the bigger arc: monumental Indigenous portraiture, stewardship, the power of practitioner gatherings like the Nlaka'pamux Blackwork Roundup, and how personal healing ripples outward into family, community, and the planet. If you care about Indigenous tattooing, ancestral skin marking, Two-Spirit identity, healing, and what real transformation demands, hit play. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone who needs a reminder that they are not alone. You can find Ecko @sac.red.medicine Check out my tattoo work at: https://www.consumedbyink.com Instagram @dionkaszas Buy me a Coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, ArtsNS and Support4Culture Support the show

  2. Apr 21

    Gatekeeping With A Soft Heart with Jessica Coffey

    062 A lot of people want ancestral tattoos but feel stuck on one brutal question: “Am I enough to wear them?” I sit down with Inuit hand poke tattoo artist Jessica Coffey to talk about the real, complicated middle ground between pride and doubt, revival and responsibility, beauty and protocol. What unfolds is a candid look at Indigenous tattooing as living community work, not a perfect script you memorize before you’re allowed to belong. Jessica shares how she found hand poke tattooing when there were few professional pathways, why the apprenticeship debate can hide deeper barriers like racism and exclusion, and how a practice built at home can still be clean, skilled, and deeply intentional. We also talk about identity and being white passing, the shame of not knowing what colonization worked so hard to erase, and why cultural markings can become both armor and a doorway back to self. Then we get into the hard part: cultural appropriation, who gets what, and how to protect closed practices without turning into someone who only says no. I explain my “safekeeper” approach to ancestral visual language, what I choose to share or not share, and why the face carries different responsibilities. We also touch on access in Newfoundland and Labrador, training future Indigenous practitioners, and how the meaning of these marks can evolve for today while staying rooted in relationship and responsibility. If you care about Indigenous tattoo revival, Inuit tattooing, hand poke tattoo ethics, and cultural reclamation, listen all the way through. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway or question. You can find Jessica at: @bespoke_poke Check out my tattoo work at: https://www.consumedbyink.com Instagram @dionkaszas Buy me a Coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, ArtsNS and Support4Culture Support the show

  3. Apr 6

    Chin Markings Became A Promise To Stay Sober with Gillian Prince

    061 A chin marking can be more than a design. Sometimes it becomes a vow you carry every time you look in the mirror. We sit down with Anishinaabe hand poke tattoo artist Gillian Prince (Waubanungohnse) to talk about Indigenous tattooing, ancestral skin marking, and how a practice becomes a way of living. Gillian shares how  tattooing entered their life young in a rough time, learning safety and technique, then turning toward cultural responsibility through traditional tattoo gatherings and community relationships. We also get honest about why keeping it grassroots is important, what it means to protect the marking experience, and how travel invitations from communities changed the shape of practice. A big part of our conversation is sobriety and presence. Gillian explains how receiving chin markings became a commitment to live sober so they can truly hold space for others. We talk about trauma-informed care in tattoo sessions, how triggers can surface in the body, and why skills from mental health and addictions work transfer directly into cultural tattoo practice. We also name the hard part practitioners rarely discuss: secondary trauma, emotional energy, and how to debrief without breaking confidentiality through breath, smudge, quiet time, and making more art. We close with joy and pride and why “perfect” lines are not always the point in hand poke tattooing. If you care about Indigenous cultural resurgence, traditional tattooing, or what it takes to do healing work without burning out, this one will stay with you. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find Transformative Marks. You can find Gillian at: @waubanungohnse Check out my tattoo work at: https://www.consumedbyink.com Instagram @dionkaszas Buy me a Coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, ArtsNS and Support4Culture Support the show

  4. 2025-04-01

    The Red Road: How Traditional Tattoos Guide One Artist's Sobriety Journey with Nick Wawia

    #060 The journey from addiction to wholeness often requires powerful medicine. For Nicholas Wawia, that medicine came in the form of ancestral skin marking – specifically, the forward-facing red lines across his face that remind him daily to "keep my sights forward" on the red road of sobriety. In this raw, heartfelt conversation with host Dion Kaszas, Nicholas shares how traditional tattooing practices became central to his recovery and identity reclamation. "I need something a little more ...

  5. 2025-03-11

    From Frontlines to Skin Lines: Finding Balance Through Indigenous Tattooing with Anne Spice

    #059 Anne Spice's journey into ancestral tattooing reveals a profound path toward healing that extends far beyond artistic expression. Beginning as casual practice at a land occupation, her work evolved when she returned to her Whitehorse community with a crucial shift in perspective—approaching people with service rather than extraction. "I went in thinking about how I could be of service," Anne explains, "and it was a game changer." This conversation uncovers how Indigenous tattooing funct...

  6. 2025-01-28

    Reviving Ancestral Traditions: Indigenous Tattooing, Identity, and Modern Adaptations with Missy Mahan

    #058 Prepare to be inspired by the incredible journey of Missy Mahan, an Indigenous tattoo artist with roots in the Tohono, O'odham, Yuchi, and Muscogee Nations. With over a decade in the tattoo industry, Missy has skillfully woven her cultural heritage into her art, co-owning Desert Bloom Tattoo in Phoenix, Arizona. Discover how Missy navigated the challenges of the pandemic with financial creativity, all while deepening her connection to ancestral tattoo traditions. Through her lens, we exp...

  7. 2025-01-21

    Reclaiming Heritage and Identity: The Healing Power of Indigenous Tattooing with Mel Lefebvre

    #057 Imagine reclaiming lost traditions through the art of Indigenous tattooing. Mel, a two-spirit person of Red River, Michif, guides us through their transformative journeys of cultural reconnection. They share compelling stories about the resilience of Indigenous identities in the face of colonial challenges, drawing intriguing parallels between Indigenous and Irish histories. This episode promises insights into how tattoos are not just art but powerful symbols of identity and healing, especially for those seeking to reconnect with their roots. Listeners are invited into an intimate conversation about the personal journeys of identity and healing through the world of traditional tattooing. We explore the intricate balance between academic life and community commitments, examining the pressures and triumphs that come with pursuing a PhD focused on Indigenous tattooing as a form of healing. Dion and Mel share their own pivotal experiences with tattooing, revealing how this ancient practice serves not only as a form of personal expression but also as a vital tool for communal care, especially for two-spirit, trans, and Indigenous women. Throughout our discussion, we tackle the complexities of Indigenous governance and identity, reflecting on the impact of colonial legislation and the ongoing struggle for cultural reclamation. We address the challenges of fostering safe and accountable spaces within the tattoo community, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and collective responsibility. With stories that touch on everything from the misuse of Indigenous art forms to the powerful exchanges that occur during tattoo sessions, this episode offers a profound exploration of how artistic expression can lead to both personal and communal healing. Join us as we navigate these rich and multifaceted conversations, pushing forward the narrative of love, resilience, and positive transformation. I hope you have enjoyed this episode, and I am excited to travel the world of Indigenous tattooing with you as we visit with friends and colleagues from across the globe doing the work. You can find Mel at: Instagram @theoriginalmel Check out my tattoo work at: https://www.consumedbyink.com Instagram @dionkaszas Buy me a Coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, ArtsNS and Support4Culture Support the show

  8. 2025-01-07

    Transformative Tattoo Journeys: Healing, Identity, and Community Through Indigenous Markings with Crystal Kimewon

    #055 Crystal Kimewon's journey into Indigenous tattooing is nothing short of transformative and deeply inspiring. We explore how her dream of opening Intertribal Tattoos became a reality, fueled by a passion for healing and self-expression. Crystal opens up about her empowering path, from covering self-harm scars with tattoos to receiving her Anishinaabe spirit name, which fused her identity with ancient cultural roots. Her story is one of resilience, showing how tattoos can serve as powerful tools for overcoming trauma and celebrating cultural identity. Our conversation expands into Crystal's experiences with marking a respected healer and her daughters, which was a profound exploration of community, tradition, and personal healing. We discuss the dynamic process of turning hand poke marking into a mobile business and the importance of preserving cultural integrity while encouraging learning and understanding. Through heartfelt anecdotes, Crystal illustrates the importance of community support in personal evolution and the healing power of traditional practices. Join us as we explore the spirit-led connections made in South Dakota, emphasizing the beauty and resilience of Indigenous tattoo medicine. We highlight the evolving understanding of traditional markings as cultural symbols and affirmations of identity, especially among Indigenous women and two-spirit individuals. This episode is also a reflection on gratitude, where we acknowledge the potential within each person to make a positive impact through shared humanity. Crystal’s journey showcases the transformative power of cultural practices and the collective strength found in community bonds. I hope you have enjoyed this episode, and I am excited to travel the world of Indigenous tattooing with you as we visit with friends and colleagues from across the globe doing the work. You can find Crystal at: Instagram @inkbeader13 Check out my tattoo work at: https://www.consumedbyink.com Instagram @dionkaszas Buy me a Coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, ArtsNS and Support4Culture Support the show

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A podcast that journeys through the world of Indigenous tattooing, amplifying the voices of ancestral skin markers, Indigenous tattoo artists, cultural tattoo practitioners, and those who wear the marks. Through a mix of interviews and solo shows, Dion Kaszas brings you the entertaining, challenging, and transformative stories behind every dot, line, and stitch. Embedded in each mark is a unique story that brings forward the reality of contemporary Indigenous peoples living a contemporary existence. Our Indigenous ancestors' struggle, pain, tears, resistance, and resilience are celebrated, honored, respected, and embedded underneath our skin. This podcast explores the stories, truths, and histories essential to us as Indigenous tattoo artists, cultural tattoo practitioners, and ancestral skin markers. These stories bring forward our ancestral visual languages and cultures' power, brilliance, and beauty. So that those coming after us are reminded of how amazing we are.  Dion and the Transformative Marks Podcast acknowledge the support of: The Canada Council for the Arts 

Information

  • Creator
    Dion Kaszas
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Transformative Marks Podcast
  • Show Website
    Transformative Marks Podcast