The Apprenticeship Diaries
A Podcast about beginnings: How the tattoo artists (and professionals) we revere, got their start; What it took, what it takes, and the stories that are made!
A Podcast about beginnings: How the tattoo artists (and professionals) we revere, got their start; What it took, what it takes, and the stories that are made!
Episodes

Sunday Jan 19, 2020
Ep 21. "Nerdy by Nature" (An Interview with Robyn Jones)
Sunday Jan 19, 2020
Sunday Jan 19, 2020
Join us as we meet Robyn Jones of Rose Red Tattoo. Robyn is a woman of so many talents. This is Part 1 of our "Nerdy by Nature" interview and it's quite awesome; I don't want to spoil the adventure. Learning about Robyn was so fun for both Rico and I. Rico even said, "Did I just meet my new best friend?!!!"
Robyn is at Rose Red Tattoo: www.roseredtattoomd.com
Her IG is: @jonesytattoo
Her website: www.robynjonestattoo.com
Also, check out her husband's work too; He paints fantastic miniatures: @one_inch_heroes
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
Patreon: www.patreon.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!
Find Merchandise at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Monday Jan 13, 2020
Ep 20. "Coffee and Conversation (Nicole Stecca's back!)
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Needed this one to get into the (#Hindsight2020) New Year! Thank you Nicole!
Rico and I join our friend, and long time client of mine, Nicole, for a ramble jam over coffee. Lot's of conversation points in this episode. Find out more than you might have known about the nursing profession, and be regaled by talk of the paranormal.
I announce some new shit:
Refocus for 2020. We want to explore more than just tattoo apprenticeships, moving forward; We think that all apprenticeships are important for "The Diaries" and we want to see the similarities. Please reach out if you've had an apprenticeship of any nature. We'd love to hear your story!
We have a Patreon account now: https://www.patreon.com/theapprenticeshipdiaries
We also have a new logo that we've added to our swag gallery:https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn (Very special thanks to you my friend!:*)
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!

Sunday Jan 05, 2020
Sunday Jan 05, 2020
Wow... What a cool interview opportunity! I asked both Marc Gagnier (manager at Painful Pleasures) and John Garancheski (owner of Tattooed Heart Studios, my boss and mentor), to meet with me after the holidays.
Painful Pleasures is a distributor of both tattoo and piercing supplies. As I listened to Marc's origin story, it became apparent that this man, along with this company, shares a lot of the same unconventional paths, as those who find themselves leaning into the tattoo profession.
I discovered so much in this meet up. I was always grateful to have a distributor right downstairs from our studio. More over, Painful Pleasures has sponsored our studio for conventions, supplied machines and products for our studio to try and use. However, getting to know more about Marc and what he did to see Painful Pleasures become what it is today, really makes me proud; Proud of my industry and the people who surround it.
Thank you Marc! Thank you Painful Pleasures! Happy New Year everyone!
Also, I must admit, I'm guilty of this pledge of "not reading". Painful Pleasures (the awesome company that it is) has a blog, and they did an interview with Marc as well: https://info.painfulpleasures.com/blogs/celebrating-20-years-business-20-questions-marc-gagnier
This is a great way to round out the podcast info, and get the full "Marc" story! Really cool folks!
Ways to support Marc and Painful Pleasures (and affiliates): @painfulpleasures www.painfulpleasures.com , @limitless.dsgn #limitlessdsgn, @apoundofflesh www.APOFtattoo.com, @precision.supplies, @peakneedles www.peakneedles.com
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!
Find Merchandise at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Sunday Dec 29, 2019
Ep 18. "Legacy" (An Interview with Ronald Nicholls)
Sunday Dec 29, 2019
Sunday Dec 29, 2019
In this episode, we meet my father, Ron (Dad to me). In business, my parents set the tone. My father was the first to apprentice me (twice). I had gone to school, and done the formal, regulated, route, and really felt there was a disconnect between what I was learning and then getting a job; I did not feel prepared (drop out here). Apprenticeship is where I found my rhythm in learning, and professionally; As this episode will outline: This is the efficacy of apprenticeships.
This is a very intimate look into who your host is, and who she came from. These are her stories growing up in a small business family, and using the tools of those who came before her.
Thank you Dad! I appreciate your time. Great Episode to wrap 2019!
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!
Find Merchandise at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Monday Dec 23, 2019
Ep 17. "Festivus" (The Airing of Grievances)
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Monday Dec 23, 2019
First, Title credit goes to Chuck Nunn, our fabulous audio wizard. Rico and I were gonna be a lot more offensive in our title idea, and I think it's best to have some class and foresight (Thank you Chuck), and not get too hostile before the dang holiday even happens.
Who knows, if we treat this season like a vehicle collision, and don't tense too much, maybe we can get out of this with minimal injury. :/
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!
Find Merchandise at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Monday Dec 16, 2019
Ep 16. "When Hustle Pays!" (An Interview with Amber Ramirez)
Monday Dec 16, 2019
Monday Dec 16, 2019
I finally got Amber everyone. I've been trying to get her to tell her tale since this podcast began. Granted, I know how hard it is to feel good about putting everything out there for others to see. However, like most things that we, at Tattooed Heart Studios, have thrown at her, Amber sucked it up, and did an amazing job. (I knew she would, just like I knew that I wanted to be the canvas of her first tattoo).
Please listen and meet Amber Ramirez folks; She's gonna be a name to remember. IG: @theartofamberramirez Etsy:https://www.etsy.com/shop/theartofamberramirez Tattoo Website:https://www.amberramireztattoos.com
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!
Find Merchandise at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Sunday Dec 08, 2019
Ep 15. "Sound Check" (Amy and Rico get fancy!)
Sunday Dec 08, 2019
Sunday Dec 08, 2019
This is a seasonal effective response to starting something that you feel overwhelmed by (audio); This episode is Amy and Rico's first run at audio software and real equipment. Thank you to Chuck Nunn especially for this episode. He and Eric Nicholls, have guided us into the importance of good audio. Learn the irony of this realization as you listen to Amy and Rico ramble-jam this sound check. It's all about being vulnerable and sharing beginnings... This is our beginning folks.
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!
Find Merchandise at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Sunday Dec 01, 2019
Ep 14. "Unbreakable"(Part 2) (Interview with Lisa Doll)
Sunday Dec 01, 2019
Sunday Dec 01, 2019
We are back with Lisa Doll. Pardon our posting delay... We know you've been waiting for this one.
Follow Lisa Doll on IG: @ladylisadoll and contact her, or her studio at: www.roseredtattoomd.com
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!
Find Merchandise at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Sunday Nov 24, 2019
Ep 13. "Unbreakable"(Part 1) (Interview with Lisa Doll)
Sunday Nov 24, 2019
Sunday Nov 24, 2019
We are happy to introduce the lovely Lisa Doll to all of you in this episode. Lisa is the owner and operator of Rose Red Tattoo (@roseredtattoo) in Ellicott City, MD. Our studio has worked along side Lisa and Rose Red for a bit now, collaborating with art events and good will. I was super excited to get to know this lady more, as I only knew her from afar. Her story is sooooo interesting and compelling; Coincidentally, her tattoo story starts very close to mine in the timeline, but with many other twists and turns. Please tune in to learn Lisa's story, and perhaps some other things you never knew about our industry. Follow Lisa Doll on IG: @ladylisadoll and contact her, or her studio at: www.roseredtattoomd.com
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!
Find Merchandise at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries

Sunday Nov 17, 2019
Sunday Nov 17, 2019
Faze two with Jake and Breah! Here the rest of our visit to Rapture Tattoo Emporium. @rapturetattooemporium
@the_inferius
@the_obscurus
Host: Amy Nicholls
Co-host: Rico Illiano
Sound Design by: (Sound Wizard) Chuck Nunn
Intro and Outro Music Created by: Brandon Carter at (Brandon Scott Carter Publishing). The name of the track is "Ink Apprentice". If you liked the music, and want to work with Brandon, you can email him at: (brandon.carter@outlook.com)
*If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (TAD), please follow us, rate, and review us!
You can find us currently on:
IG: @the_apprenticeship_diaries
FB: The Apprenticeship Diaries
Twitter: TheApprenticeshipDiaries
If you'd like to reach out, comment, advise, or offer an interview, please email at:
theapprenticeshipdiaries@gmail.com
Remember: The only difference between you and your mentors is time, and how much you want to get the fuck out of your own way!
Find Merchandise at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/theapprenticeshipdiaries

The Mission:
This podcast is about learning journeys. We (Amy and Rico) interview people who have braved the unknown; People who can offer, through their story/stories, communion and coping, for those who dare to pursue passion.




