There is a LOT happening in Mel and Kirsten's worlds right now, so this week on Skin Deep Stories, they're catching up on everything from tattoo convention wins and upcoming pop-ups to international travel, motherhood, and the sudden urge to reinvent your entire life the second fall arrives.

Kirsten is getting ready for an extended honeymoon in Indonesia, which means squeezing in as much work as possible before leaving, figuring out how to pack for a month away, getting ALL the vaccines, and preparing herself for the possibility of the infamous "Bali Belly." Turns out the glamorous international travel era requires quite a bit of admin first.

Back in Montreal, the girls recap the recent tattoo convention, where plans for casual walk-ups quickly turned into a competition. The result? A second-place win for Kirsten's Scooby-Doo tattoo! They talk about the experience, the incredible artists they met, and how tattoo conventions have evolved from something that once felt very niche and intimidating into a much more welcoming and inclusive celebration of the industry.

They also look ahead to upcoming tattoo pop-ups, talk about what actually works when creating flash for these fast-paced events, and put the call out to listeners: what designs do YOU want to see on their next flash sheets?

But between all the travel plans and tattoo talk, the conversation gets a little deeper. Mel and Kirsten reflect on the weird emotions that come with watching your kids become more independent, figuring out who you are as motherhood changes, and the pressure women feel to constantly improve themselves, their bodies, their health, their homes, and basically every other part of their lives.

It's a catch-up episode about being busy, getting inspired, letting go of impossible expectations, and trying to enjoy the season of life you're actually in.

Oh, and apparently an entire episode of horrifyingly embarrassing stories is coming soon. You've been warned.

Follow the hosts:
Kirsten on Instagram: kirstentattooarts
Mel on Instagram: melrocktattoos

Book a tattoo or learn more:
Visit wildmagnoliatattoos.com to see their work and book your next tattoo consultation.

What do tattoos, secondhand books, video games, tarot cards, coffee, and rescue animals have in common? At Reddy Ink and Fables, apparently everything.

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger sit down with tattoo artist Matthew Reddy and his girlfriend and business partner, Lauren, to talk about tattooing, entrepreneurship, and the unconventional space they've created together in Chateauguay.

Matthew shares his journey into tattooing, from growing up with a love of drawing to eventually landing a tattoo apprenticeship. Today, he specializes in dot work, stippling, and pointillism, styles he was drawn to for both their unique look and the meditative process behind creating them.

Together, Matthew and Lauren have built Reddy Ink and Fables into something that feels very different from a traditional tattoo shop. Inspired by video games like Zelda, Skyrim, and Fable, the space was designed to feel cozy, welcoming, and reflective of the things they genuinely love. Clients can grab a coffee, browse secondhand books, play video games while they wait, shop plants that help raise money for animal rescues, and even attend monthly tarot readings.

Matthew and Lauren also open up about the realities of running a small business, particularly during some challenging years for both the tattoo industry and the economy. The conversation gets into imposter syndrome, building a community around your business, and the pressure artists and entrepreneurs face to constantly show up and create content on social media.

And, of course, they get into AI.

Matthew, Lauren, Kirsten, and Mel discuss the growing number of AI-generated tattoo references clients are bringing to artists and the problems that can arise when an image created without the limitations of actual human skin is expected to translate perfectly into a tattoo.

They also explore the bigger question of what AI means for artists whose careers are built around creating original work. It's a conversation about tattoos, creativity, entrepreneurship, community, and what can happen when you stop worrying about what a tattoo shop is "supposed" to look like and build something that actually feels like you.

Follow the hosts:

Kirsten on Instagram: kirstentattooarts

Mel on Instagram: melrocktattoos

Follow Matthew Reddy on Instagram: reddyinktattoos

Book a tattoo or learn more:

Visit wildmagnoliatattoos.com to see their work and book your next tattoo consultation.

What exactly happens during a sound healing session? Can hypnosis help you explore a past life? And what can these practices teach us about ourselves in the present?

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger sit down with sound healer and hypnosis practitioner Dalia Marom for a conversation about healing, spirituality, altered states, and looking inward.

Both Kirsten and Mel have experienced Dalia's work firsthand through her sessions and retreats, and this time they're getting the chance to ask the questions.

Dalia shares how she found her way into sound healing, what drew her to the practice, and what actually happens when someone attends a sound healing experience. They explore how sound can be used as a tool for relaxation, reflection, and connection, who might be drawn to this kind of work, and the different sessions and experiences Dalia offers.

The conversation also ventures into hypnosis and past life exploration. Dalia explains how she accompanies clients through their own experiences rather than telling them what they're supposed to see or discover, and Kirsten and Mel share their curiosity about what can surface when we allow ourselves to explore beyond our everyday conscious minds.

From sound baths and retreats to hypnosis, past lives, and the deeply personal reasons people seek out these experiences, this episode is an open-minded exploration of alternative approaches to self-discovery and healing. Whether you're already deep into your spiritual era or you've always wondered what actually happens when someone starts playing those giant crystal bowls, consider this your introduction.

Follow the hosts:

Kirsten on Instagram: kirstentattooarts

Mel on Instagram: melrocktattoos

For more information on Dalia, her work and sessions, check out her website: https://soniqhypnotiqs.com/

Book a tattoo or learn more: Visit wildmagnoliatattoos.com to see their work and book your next tattoo consultation.