mrkd

Paul Talbot

Pirate Radio for the Tattooed & Restless Pronounced 'marked' - MRKD™ is a tattoo related podcast all about the passions, the marked men and women of tattooing pursue beyond the tattoo machine. The stuff that keeps us inspired, balanced, and ultimately makes us better tattooists - and how these interests feed into our creative processes, perspectives, and careers. They’re professional-but-personal conversations that I hope will inspire, educate and most importantly entertain you.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Tattooing in the age of AI

    A blunt look at what happens when machines stop being “a future thing” and start rearranging the present. AI is here. And in the short term, it’s going to shake the world—because a lot of people are about to try getting rich by replacing humans wherever they can. Jobs will disappear. Efficiency will spike. The already wealthy will likely do what they always do: get wealthier. But the bigger story isn’t the tech. It’s the feeling. After more than a decade working in marketing, I’m less interested in predicting which tools win, and more interested in predicting what people will crave when the dust settles—based on how we feel about the recent past. For the last century, the world has pivoted hard into a productivity-first model. We’re “better off” on paper than ever… and yet so many people feel lonely, numb, and directionless. Our scarcest resource isn’t time or money. It’s meaning. Not because machines exist—but because of how greedy humans choose to use them. Instead of solving real problems, we’re heading toward a culture stuffed with synthetic replacements: AI music built on equations, galleries of machine-made “art,” fake news, fake stars, fake influencers… fake everything. A polished, perfectly optimised void. So where does tattooing fit? Right in the middle of the backlash. The next 5–10 years will reward the people and businesses who double down on what can’t be automated: honesty, presence, taste, imperfection, local culture, real conversations, real experiences. Slow content. Live music. Messy art. No snapping to guides. No performance for the algorithm. Sweat the small stuff. Treat people well. Nurture fans, not followers. Be human. Be silly. Do what machines can’t. Because the future might belong to the efficient… …but the loved will win. And, I’d rather be loved than efficient any day.

    26 min

  2. 22 FEB

    No Shortcuts: Rich Harris on Preparation, Pressure and the Unsexy Truth Behind Good Tattooing

    Rich Harris isn’t selling shortcuts. He’s building a system. We start with an unexpected blueprint: sports biographies. Not the highlight reels, the grind. The training blocks. The boredom. The sacrifice. Rich reads athletes the way tattooers should study tattooing: as a long game of discipline, preparation, and showing up when no one’s clapping. That spills straight into how he works. Craft over chaos. Reps over hype. If you want a better tattoo life, you don’t need a new style, you need a stronger standard. Then we get into the modern noise. AI, social media, and the weird pressure to perform your career like it’s a reality show. Rich’s take is grounded: AI can be a tool for breaking creative deadlocks, but it can’t replace taste, judgement, or the hours. And social media? Useful, sure but it’ll turn you into a polished avatar if you let it. The point is to stay human. We also talk about authenticity, what it actually looks like when you’re not curating a persona and how personal connection still does more for your work than any algorithm ever will. From there it gets bigger: government, industry pressures, and why the people doing the work need to have a say in the world they’re working inside. By the end, Rich is looking forward to new seminars & new projects but the theme stays the same: Do the work. Stay real. Build something that lasts.

    48 min

  3. 15 FEB

    Staying Open: Notes for the Next Generation of Tattooists

    Tattooing doesn’t stand still, even when we do. A long-term view on staying curious, avoiding dogma, and building a career that lasts. I talk about tattoos a lot. I’ve written about them in my Total Tattoo column for over a decade now. A lot has changed in that time. I’ve talked about tattooing into cameras, over bar tables at conventions, in late‑night hotel rooms, and on podcasts that probably should never have existed. When I started, I didn’t have a complete view of tattooing. Not even close. I had opinions, strong ones at that, but perspective only comes with time. If you’re early in your tattoo career, a year in, two years in, maybe just finding your feet, this isn’t advice in the usual sense. It’s not a checklist or a set of rules. It’s a warning, and some encouragement, offered quietly. Follow me on Instagram: @thisisourstodestroy Email me if you want: Paul@thisisourstodestroy.com You can read more of Pauls thoughts on his blog at: thisisourstodestroy.com

    12 min

  4. 8 FEB

    Double Shift: Joe Swanson on the Badge, the Needle, and Tactical Resilience

    "You can't outwork the stress of that kind of job." In this engaging conversation, Joe Swanson, a former California Highway Patrol officer and tattoo artist, shares his unique experiences and insights on the intersection of law enforcement and tattooing. He discusses the challenges of stress and mental health in law enforcement, the evolving perceptions of tattoos in the profession, and the importance of tactical resilience training. Joe emphasizes the need for personal responsibility and growth, both in law enforcement and tattooing, and highlights the significance of community and connection in overcoming mental health challenges. The conversation also touches on the changing business models in the tattoo industry and the potential for mental health resources tailored to tattoo artists. -- joeswansontactical.com @joeswansontactical

    58 min

  5. 25 JAN

    Do the Work, Make It Awesome: Liam Hunter on Growth, Craft & Mindset

    In this episode of MRKD, Paul and Liam Hunter go deep into the realities of being a tattoo artist. From physical health and yoga to mastering techniques and color theory, they cover the grind that keeps tattoos looking real and artists staying sane. They tackle imposter syndrome, online criticism, and sponsorships, exploring how authenticity, humility, and ongoing learning define success in the industry. Every tattoo deserves the same care, every artist deserves support, and personal growth is key — this episode is about thriving in tattooing, not just surviving it. Honest, gritty, and solution-focused, if you’re an artist looking to level up your craft and mindset, this one’s for you. FIND OUT MORE: paulfuckintalbot.com -- @paultlbt @liamhuntertattoos

    58 min

  6. 11 JAN

    Tattooing vs The Algorithm: Dave Little on Social Media & Staying True.

    In this episode of MRKD, Paul and Dave dive into the mess social media has made of the tattoo world. With influencers, viral trends, and attention-grabbing gimmicks taking center stage, authentic tattooing is being treated more like a performance than craft. They break down the tension between staying true to your work and playing the game for likes, asking whether it’s still possible to make real art for real people without getting lost in the chaos. Solutions, strategies, and honest conversation — this isn’t about moaning, it’s about finding the line. If you’re a tattooer trying to navigate trends without losing your soul, this one’s for you. -- @paultlbt @littledavetattoo

    55 min

  7. 14/12/2025

    Learning to Walk. Joshua Black on Burning his Old Life Down from a Hospital Bed.

    Joshua Black is a tattooist from Baltimore, now working out of Gypsy Skull Tattoo in Hanover, Pennsylvania — a shop run by Brian Fuentes. His decision to finally start his journey into tattooing came at a time when he wasn’t even certain he’d be able to walk that path. Literally. Stuck in a hospital bed during the early days of the pandemic, alone, battling scoliosis, and watching the world fall apart, the first steps of his journey were uncertain in every sense — physically, mentally, and emotionally. When he finally left the hospital, he made a choice: he was done being a wage slave. He was going to make art, not excuses. We talked about becoming a tattooist later in life, about rediscovering happiness, and about sometimes having to blow everything up just to save yourself. Josh also reflects on the old school, their influence, and how tattoo TV and the rise of celebrity culture have shifted the perception of what tattooing is really about. Because the truth is — we’re not the cool ones. The tattoos are. And Josh hasn’t forgotten that.

    1h 49m

  8. 16/11/2025

    Tropical Ink. Iuri Waitzberg on his Hard Left Turn From Biology to Tattooing.

    Paul sits down with Iuri Waitzberg to unpack a journey that begins in biology and ends in tattooing. Iuri talks about falling out of love with academia, falling headfirst into tattoo culture, and teaching himself the basics the only way most people do — badly, experimentally, and without permission. They also get into tattoo culture in Brazil — how it’s shifted over time, how it’s viewed socially, and why a tropical country with visible skin naturally develops a strong relationship with tattoos. This episode is about curiosity, cultural context, and listening to the pull when something grabs you harder than the path you were supposed to be on.

    57 min
See All (13)

About

Pirate Radio for the Tattooed & Restless Pronounced 'marked' - MRKD™ is a tattoo related podcast all about the passions, the marked men and women of tattooing pursue beyond the tattoo machine. The stuff that keeps us inspired, balanced, and ultimately makes us better tattooists - and how these interests feed into our creative processes, perspectives, and careers. They’re professional-but-personal conversations that I hope will inspire, educate and most importantly entertain you.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Talbot
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Paul Talbot
  • Show Website
    mrkd