Inking of Immunity

Inking of Immunity

Inking of Immunity Podcast is produced and cohosted by Christopher Lynn (biocultural anthropologist, University of Alabama), Tricia Allen (tattooist and cultural anthropologist, Windward Community College, University of Hawai'i), and Saige Kelmelis (bioarchaeologist, University of South Dakota). Joshua Thomas and Savanna Carpenter (University of Alabama) are the producer-editors. We are tattoo researchers talking to other tattoo researchers and practitioners. TaHN is supported in part by the National Science Foundation (BCS-2017553) and the Universities of Alabama (USA) and Sunderland (UK). Follow us on Facebook (Inking.of.Immunity), Twitter (Inking_Immunity), and Instagram (Inking.of.Immunity).

  1. TaHN 36: Perceiving Personality Through Tattooing with Dr. Bill Chopik

    12/30/2025

    TaHN 36: Perceiving Personality Through Tattooing with Dr. Bill Chopik

    Dr. Bill Chopik (he/his/him) is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University. He studies how close relationships—and the people in them—change over time and across situations. Dr. Chopik’s work examines phenomena as broad as how relationships and social institutions shape development and as focused as the mechanisms that underlie the link between close relationships and health. In 2017, Dr. Chopik was recognized as one of Forbes Magazine’s Top 30 Scientists Under 30 and has since been recognized as a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science. More information on Dr. Chopik can be found at chopiklab.com. The article referenced in the show is: Soulliere, B., Chopik, W. J., Carrillo, A., Campbell, W. K., Weiss, B., & Miller, J. D. (2025). Ink and Identity: Personality perceptions based on tattoos. Journal of Research in Personality, 104629. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656625000613 Tattooing & Human Nature is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Tricia Allen - Co-host Saige Kelmelis - Co-host Joshua Thomas - Editor & Producer Savanna Carpenter - Editor & Producer Find us on social media or email us at tattooinghumannature@gmail.com.

    45 min
  2. TaHN 35: The Tattooing Industry and Upbringing with Pym Avery

    12/02/2025

    TaHN 35: The Tattooing Industry and Upbringing with Pym Avery

    Pym Avery is a revolutionary tattoo artist who began tattooing in 1987 at just 19. Travelling around Europe in a van and learning the craft entirely on her own, She opened her first tattoo shop in southern Germany in 1995, making her among the first women to break into a strongly male-dominated trade. More than three decades later, her journey is laid out in her memoir Show Time (published 2024), which recounts her struggles, travels, and evolution alongside the tattoo industry’s transformation from underground subculture to mainstream art. Today, while she tattoos only occasionally at conventions or by guest-spot, she continues to create, turning to writing and other art forms when not at the tattoo machine. You can find her Instagram account at @pymtattoo Tattooing & Human Nature is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Tricia Allen - Co-host Saige Kelmelis - Co-host Joshua Thomas - Editor & Producer Savanna Carpenter - Editor & Producer Find us on social media or email us at tattooinghumannature@gmail.com.

    35 min
  3. TaHN 34: Tattoo Tools and Archaeology with Aaron Deter-Wolf

    10/28/2025

    TaHN 34: Tattoo Tools and Archaeology with Aaron Deter-Wolf

    Aaron Deter-Wolf is a Prehistoric Archaeologist with the Tennessee Division of Archaeology in Nashville, where his responsibilities include managing ancient Native American sites on State-owned lands and conducting archaeological excavations and research. In addition to his work in Tennessee, for the past decade Aaron has been a leading researcher in developing the archaeological study of tattooing. Those efforts include using contextual analysis and microscopic use-wear signatures to identify tattooing tools in archaeological collections, efforts to systematically document tattoos on mummified human remains, and experiments recreating and testing ancient and historic tattooing implements. In 2009 Aaron organized the first American academic symposium to examine ancient and early historic Native American tattooing, which culminated in the volume Drawing with Great Needles: Ancient Tattoo Traditions of North America. He is co-editor of the volume Ancient Ink: The Archaeology of Tattooing, and in recent years was part of research teams that identified ancient tattooing tools including a 2,000-year old set of cactus spines from Utah, and 5,000-year old turkey bone needles from Tennessee. He and Ben Robitaille share information about the history of tattooing and body modification on the Instagram account @archaeologyink. Tattooing & Human Nature is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Tricia Allen - Co-host Saige Kelmelis - Co-host Joshua Thomas - Editor & Producer Savanna Carpenter - Editor & Producer Find us on social media or email us at tattooinghumannature@gmail.com.

    59 min
  4. TAHN 33: Illegal Tattooing in New York with Daredevil Co-Owner Michelle Myles

    12/18/2024

    TAHN 33: Illegal Tattooing in New York with Daredevil Co-Owner Michelle Myles

    Michelle Myles started tattooing in 1991 when tattooing was still illegal in New York City. When tattooing was legalized in 1997 Michelle and Brad opened Daredevil Tattoo on Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side. We discuss with her the history of tattooing in New York, some of which she covers on her walking tour of the Bowery, and her own personal experience as a tattoo artist working in New York both before and after the tattoo ban was lifted. If find yourself in New York, stop by her shop/museum to see their entire collection. Here are some links to sources discussed in this episode: http://www.daredeviltattoo.com/ https://www.instagram.com/daredeviltattoo/ https://www.instagram.com/daredevilmichelle/ Tattooing & Human Nature is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Kira Yancey - Production Manager Find us on social media or email us at tattooinghumannature@gmail.com.

    29 min
  5. TAHN 32: Cultural Practitioner Su'a Sulu'ape Aisea Toetu‘u

    12/04/2024

    TAHN 32: Cultural Practitioner Su'a Sulu'ape Aisea Toetu‘u

    Su‘a Sulu‘ape Aisea Toetu‘u is of Tongan and Filipino descent and lives in Hawai‘i. Since 2007, he has been the owner and operator of the world-renowned Soul Signature Tattoo in Honolulu. He received his tatau from Su‘a Sulu‘ape Alaiva‘a Petelo and was also given the Sulu‘ape title as a tufuga, which gave him the right to use the family tools. It was then that Toetu‘u started tattooing using the traditional tapping method. After completing several tataus and malus, he was given another title, Su‘a, from tufuga Su‘a Sulu‘ape Petelo. Toetu‘u teaches art courses in Hawai‘i, frequently organizes art shows, and is a leading figure in the Polynesian tattoo and cultural revival. Here are some links to sources discussed in this episode: http://www.soulsignaturetattoo.com/ https://www.instagram.com/soulsignaturetattoohawaii/ Tattooing & Human Nature is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Becci Owens - Co-host Tricia Allen - Co-host Saige Kelmelis - Co-host Kira Yancey - Production Manager Find us on social media or email us at tattooinghumannature@gmail.com.

    52 min
  6. TaHN 31: Our Co-Hosts Interview Each Other: Dr. Becci Owens

    11/12/2024

    TaHN 31: Our Co-Hosts Interview Each Other: Dr. Becci Owens

    Dr. Becci Owens is a regular co-host on TaHN. As a trained evolutionary psychologist, she brings a fresh perspective to all the anthropological interviews we do with our regular guests. In today's episode, we'll talk to her about her research, her journey to where she is, and most interestingly, her personal experience as a heavily tattooed woman in academia. Here is a link if you'd like to learn more about Becci: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/about/staff/psychology/rebeccaowens/ Tattooing & Human Nature is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Becci Owens - Co-host Tricia Allen - Co-host Saige Kelmelis - Co-host Kira Yancey - Production Manager Find us on social media or email us at tattooinghumannature@gmail.com.

    39 min
  7. TaHN 30: Stacie Becker Shares Why and How She Does Medical Tattooing

    10/16/2024

    TaHN 30: Stacie Becker Shares Why and How She Does Medical Tattooing

    Stacy Becker is an artist and tattooist who specializes in medical tattooing, in particular NAC (nipple-areola complex) reconstruction. She owns her own medical tattooing center in Longwood, Florida where she takes patients in need of a wide range of services. Here is a link to her website: https://www.empowertattoo.com/ Tattooing & Human Nature is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Becci Owens - Co-host Tricia Allen - Co-host Saige Kelmelis - Co-host Kira Yancey - Production Manager Find us on social media or email us at tattooinghumannature@gmail.com.

    38 min
  8. TaHN 29: Dr. Matthias Bartneck Explains How Tattoos Live Inside Your Body

    09/26/2024

    TaHN 29: Dr. Matthias Bartneck Explains How Tattoos Live Inside Your Body

    In this episode, we talk to Dr. Matthias Bartneck about his recent study on the way tattoo inks are received & metabolized in the body after they are administered. Apart from his research into tattoos, his research group is mostly focused on using drugs with nucleic acids (formulated as lipid nanoparticles) as an active ingredient. He lives and works in Germany. You can learn more about his lab and his research at https://www.ukaachen.de/kliniken-institute/klinik-fuer-gastroenterologie-stoffwechselerkrankungen-und-internistische-intensivmedizin-med-klinik-iii/forschung/ag-bartneck/ You can reach Dr. Bartneck via email at mbartneck@ukaachen.de We highly recommend you watch this video made to beautifully illustrate what we learned from his research: https://youtu.be/nGggU-Cxhv0?si=DeKs5SaJgPQps2Sk Tattooing & Human Nature is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Becci Owens - Co-host Tricia Allen - Co-host Saige Kelmelis - Co-host Kira Yancey - Production Manager Find us on social media or email us at tattooinghumannature@gmail.com.

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Inking of Immunity Podcast is produced and cohosted by Christopher Lynn (biocultural anthropologist, University of Alabama), Tricia Allen (tattooist and cultural anthropologist, Windward Community College, University of Hawai'i), and Saige Kelmelis (bioarchaeologist, University of South Dakota). Joshua Thomas and Savanna Carpenter (University of Alabama) are the producer-editors. We are tattoo researchers talking to other tattoo researchers and practitioners. TaHN is supported in part by the National Science Foundation (BCS-2017553) and the Universities of Alabama (USA) and Sunderland (UK). Follow us on Facebook (Inking.of.Immunity), Twitter (Inking_Immunity), and Instagram (Inking.of.Immunity).

Information

  • Creator
    Inking of Immunity
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Inking of Immunity