Vulnerability and Emotional Awareness as Artists ft. Paul Dobleman

Exploring the taboo topic of money in the art world, Aaron Della Vedova and guest tattoo artist and financial coach, Ryan Roi, delve into the importance of artists' relationships with money. Drawing from his experience owning tattoo shops for over 20 years, he highlights how financial stress can hinder artistic growth. Despite the stigma around discussing money, Aaron and. Ryan emphasize the role of financial freedom in pursuing creative passions.

Thank you to Sullen Clothing for their support and collaboration opportunities for tattoo artists. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the intersection of art and finances, spirituality, and finding balance in a changing landscape.

Chat breakdown:

[00:01:16] Money and artists' struggles.

[00:04:48] The pirate lifestyle in tattooing.

[00:08:25] Overcoming addiction and life changes.

[00:14:23] Ayahuasca experiences and recommendations.

[00:20:21] An ego death experience.

[00:21:58] Deserving self-worth and acceptance.

[00:25:19] Healing through gentle experiences.

[00:30:37] Embracing paradox in spirituality.

[00:34:40] Unbecoming for more money.

[00:37:10] Financial struggles during COVID.

[00:43:40] Scared fearful thoughts of the future.

[00:47:09] The evolution of tattooing.

[00:49:55] Tattooing and financial coaching.

[00:55:42] The growth of tattooing industry.

[01:02:47] Authenticity in marketing.

[01:03:30] Marketing as a lighthouse.

[01:09:33] The psychology behind marketing.

[01:14:31] Self-love and meditation practices.

[01:19:14] The wisdom of primordial sound.

[01:22:04] AI and Spiritual Truth.

[01:30:43] Money and internal struggles.

Quotes:

"You have to let go of control. And when that happens, stuff happens."

"But at its core, the truth God, reality, is paradoxical. And I think I try to embrace that paradox as much as I can."

"Instead of asking, 'how do I make more money?' Start asking, 'who do I need to unbecome to allow more money into my life?'"

"There's that special thing that makes tattooing this weird, strange world that anyone from outside of tattooing could just never fucking get"

"There's a lot of bullshit out there. You should be skeptical of me."

"Creatives are uniquely positioned to be great at marketing."

"It's about building trust. That's what marketing is about building trust."

"That's what they're ultimately demanding right now, at least in the current iteration of the algorithm. They're demanding connection. They're demanding resonance."

Stay connected:

Connect with Ryan: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanroitattoo/?hl=en

The Artful Dollar: https://www.theartfuldollar.com

20% Off Ryans Marketing Course!

https://www.theartfuldollar.com/theartfulmarketer 

Discount Code: chatsandtatts20

 

Connect with Aaron:⁠  

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts 

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

 

 

Chat Breakdown:

Host Aaron Della Vedova welcomes back guest Miguel Ruiz Jr. after their previous popular episode. Reflecting on the past year, Aaron shares his surprise and delight in discovering that their audience resonated most with their conversations on philosophy and spirituality. As a seeker himself, Aaron expresses his interest in exploring these topics further on the show. He introduces Miguel, the son of renowned author Don Miguel Ruiz, who wrote the influential book "The Four Agreements." Aaron credits this book with having a profound and life-changing impact on him. Together, Aaron and Miguel delve into spiritual wisdom and discuss its transformative power in shaping one's perspective on life.

 

Join Aaron and Miguel as they delve into deep conversations about life-changing events and the power of spiritual teachings.

 

Chat Timeline:

[00:01:06] Philosophy and spirituality.

[00:04:05-00:04:15] Tattoo art and extreme experimentation.

[00:10:15-00:10:26] Teotihuacan's mysterious abandonment.

[00:11:36] Layers of Teotihuacan architecture.

[00:15:52] Journey to recover our divinity.

[00:19:23] The Smoky Mirror.

[00:25:03] Pyramids and ancient civilizations.

[00:27:40] The implications of AI.

[00:33:22] Shifting industrial revolution and AI.

[00:34:50] Shifting planets and AI survival.

[00:39:02] Creating something that feeds the soul.

[00:43:03] The younger generation's reinvention.

[00:46:19] The meaning of gender roles.

[00:51:28] Conditioning and Domestication.

[00:53:42] Hallucinogenic plant medicines.

[00:57:11] Questioning the source of opinions.

[01:02:08] Controlled folly and conditioning.

[01:04:34] Hearing the voice of God.

[01:09:27] Detaching from conditioned beliefs.

[01:12:14] Living a whole life.

[01:16:46] Pink and Blue Gender Stereotypes.

[01:21:08] The retreat in Teotihuacan.

[01:24:27] Short man's attitude.

[01:29:02] AI as threat or savior.

[01:34:15] The impact of Gutenberg's press.

[01:36:21] Full circle moment in history.

 

Quotes:

"It seems like where at least my bubble of the universe is the universe where people want to learn and grow and deepen their awareness of life and with practice perhaps become a master of their life, of their parts as you would say."

"There was a message. It was without words. Its physical existence was a message from the Toltecs to us."

"I'm not the person I thought I was. I am one of the stars. I am life."

"The truth exists whether you believe in it or not."

"Everyone's projecting and your temptation will be to believe it."

"Hell is when you don't understand that the agreements in your mind are simply agreements and they aren't the truth."

"It's the voice of truth, it's what comes through you when you're quiet and clear of attachment and just open."

Stay Connected:

• Get a copy of the book ⁠The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom) by Don Miguel Ruiz⁠

• Follow Don Miguel on ⁠miguelruizjr.com⁠; ⁠Facebook⁠; ⁠Instagram⁠; ⁠Twitter⁠

• Connect with Aaron: 

• Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts/⁠

• Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/AaronVedova⁠

• Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/aaron.dellavedova/⁠

• YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@chatsandtatts/featured⁠

 

Zion Clark was born on September 29th, 1997 in Columbus, OH, with a rare birth defect called Caudal Regression Syndrome that left him without legs. Adopted at the age of 17, two weeks before becoming homeless, saved him in many ways. 

 

You might know him. from. America's Got Talent, or on Instagram as Big_z_2020, or as the elite wrestler or from his inspirational documentary on Netflix called Zion. Being born without legs hasn't slowed down our guest today on Chats and Tatts.

 

Zion, a former Kent State wrestler born with no legs, made his professional MMA debut a success in 2022.  He won a unanimous decision over non-disabled opponent Eugene Murray at an event in San Diego called Gladiator Challenge: Seasons Beatings.

 

Host Aaron Della Vedova dives into the crucial role of having a dominant mindset in wrestling or fighting, and in life. Aaron also reflects on his personal journey of self-awareness and growth. He acknowledges that he was once arrogant and failed to fully recognize the privilege he had as a white male in America. However, as he has matured, he has become more aware of his privilege and understands that not everyone is automatically granted favorable circumstances in life.  They touch on childhood trauma and its effects on adulthood,  and his love for tattoos. 

 

Join Aaron and Zion for this candid and inspiring conversation.   

 

Chat Breakdown:

 

[00:01:20] Acknowledging my privileged upbringing.

[00:04:21] Overcoming adversity and achieving success.

[00:09:04] Collecting information through losses.

[00:14:33] Fire and determination.

[00:17:25] Finding Inner Warrior

[00:22:09] Christian and Buddhist beliefs.

[00:26:31] Existence without exposure to Christianity.

[00:31:23] Childhood trauma and its effects.

[00:36:15] Inequality and human connection.

[00:42:29] Staying hydrated during training.

[00:45:36] Weed and athletics.

[00:54:48] Flow state in wrestling.

[00:57:32] Freedom of speech and censorship.

[01:02:04] Foster care system reform.

[01:06:55] The ring of fire.

 

Quotes:

"No, fighting gets you into fighting shape. That's why you see these little guys knocking out these big dudes, not because they're stronger than them. They just actually know how to fight. Shit's about to go down."

"I am Zion Clark in Big Z, but I'm also the world's fastest man on two hands, three-time world record holder. I'm also multiple-time All-American at Kent State University."

"Because it's truth. Exactly. And truth, a universal truth I would call it. Universal truth always shows up no matter where you go, no matter what language they're speaking. The truth is the freaking truth, right?"

"Yeah, you get the money from the foster care system, then you get the government-assisted money. So you're a big ticket out of it. You make more money. I was a motherfucking piggy bank."

"I'm regular, yeah, regular food. Dude, I went to the national championships, and the morning that I placed, I had eight soft potato soft tacos from Taco Bell."

"I call it the ring of fire. I think there are the universe, God, call it what you want, is prepared to give us our dreams, but it never just gives them to you right away. It wants to say to you, you really want this? Yeah, I really want this. Okay, I'm gonna make you suffer for just a little while, because I want to make sure it's not talking shit."

"Dude, I lost for years on end, bro. But it was really like... You gotta just learn from your mistakes. And so I just kept coming back and I kept getting my ass kicked and I just kept going back and kept getting my ass kicked."

"Thank you for fucking leaning into life and just taking advantage of all the gifts it has given you and crushing and being an inspiration to so many."

 

Connect with Zion Clark:

https://www.zionclark.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/bigz97/?hl=en

 

Connect with Aaron:⁠ 

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

 

In this touching episode, Aaron and his son share the story of their reunion after years of separation due to an adoption when Aaron was only 16. They are joined by Aaron's wife, Holly, who was a staunch supporter of the reunion and making Dustin a big part of their family life.   

Aaron recounts receiving an unexpected email from his son, leading to their joyous reunion. They reflect on the picture that had been their only connection, a young boy in a yellow lumberjack outfit, the immediate connection, Dustin's upbringing,  blending their family, regrets, and more.   

Tune in to hear their heartwarming journey of adoption, acceptance, love, and a beautiful reunion. 

Chat Breakdown:

 

 

Finding Purpose and Paying It Forward: A Journey of Recovery

 

In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vadova explores the theme of recovery with guest Michael Molthan. After 27 arrests, Michael had lost everything except his life to drugs,  alcohol, and the bad decisions that accompany addiction.  When he picked up a book in prison and began reading to his cellmate who could not read, something shifted.  He tapped into the transformative power of serving others.  

 

They discuss how life can be challenging and how some individuals face difficult situations that knock them down. Whether it's addiction or simply the struggles of life, Aaron believes that everyone goes through some form of recovery. He highlights the importance of getting back up after being knocked down and shares stories of those who have found strength and resilience in their journey to recovery. Tune in to this powerful episode that delves into the personal and universal experience of overcoming obstacles and finding a way forward.

 

Chat Details:

 

[00:00:00] Addiction as a source.

 

[00:03:40] Abuse and addiction journey.

 

[00:08:45] Biblical upbringing and confusion.

 

[00:11:37] Adopting and doing them wrong.

 

[00:14:05] Reputation on the PGA tour.

 

[00:19:37] Awakening and serving others.

 

[00:20:14] The power of reading.

 

[00:25:18] The meaning of "M2 The Rock".

 

[00:29:26] The power of God or the universe.

 

[00:31:33] Showing faith through actions.

 

[00:35:07] The need for practical spirituality.

 

[00:37:00] The missing man.

 

[00:41:24] Addiction as a spiritual stronghold.

 

[00:43:41] The human is built of four sides.

 

[00:47:05] Forgiveness and blessings.

 

[00:50:26] Forgiveness and letting go.

 

[00:52:33] Resentment and forgiveness.

 

[00:57:16] Finding faith and communication.

 

[01:00:20] The fairness of life's opportunities.

 

[01:03:07] The fairness of salvation.

 

[01:08:37] Sin and homosexuality discussion.

 

[01:10:14] How God created things.

 

[01:12:34] Religious trauma and living by rules.

 

[01:17:46] Anxiety and serving others.

 

[01:18:43] Acts of kindness and selflessness.

 

Quotes: 

 

 "So as I was drinking alcohol and doing drugs, it gave me that sense of ease and comfort, and it put me in this false reality of being in the now or the future, that noise shut down, the past, that noise shut down."

"As long as we're in that blame state, recovery is impossible."

"I finally realized that the rock at the bottom in all these times was God."

 "You guys are all here talking about all these nice things. But then I saw you last night, shit face drunk, telling your wife to fuck off."

"Look, I've realized that my way I've been treating you guys, the way I've been has been wrong, and I will never treat you guys that way again."

"The role that he plays in it is the same as mine. We choose to hold on to the resentment."

"You know, it's funny, the more smart we think we're becoming in the world, the easier translations God puts on the bookshelves."

"But text three people and say, Hey, I was just thinking about you have a good day and expect nothing in return."

Stay Connected:

 

Connect with Michael: 

Website: https://m2therock.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/michaelmolthanm2/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m2socialmedia

 

Connect with Aaron:⁠  

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts 

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

 

In this episode of Chats and Tatts with Aaron Della Vedova, the host shares his passion for esoteric books, plant medicines, meditation, and yoga. He reflects on how these practices have shaped his life and introduces a special guest,  George Boyd. George A. Boyd is a meditation teacher, counselor, poet, and author who has studied and practiced meditation since 1965.

 

He is a master meditation teacher and an innovator in the field of meditation. He developed a system of Integral meditation in 1983 that he has taught to groups and individuals since that time.

 

He is the founder of the Mudrashram® Institute of Spiritual Studies and the editor and publisher of Mudrashram® Publishing.

 

George holds a BA in Psychology from UCLA, an MA in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and an Alcohol Drug Counseling Certificate from UCLA Extension.

 

The episode delves into spiritual exploration and is highly recommended for those interested in diving into the realms of consciousness and self-discovery.

 

Chat breakdown:

 

[00:00:47] Fully realized state activities.

[00:04:10] A troubled family background.

[00:11:36] Self-Realization Fellowship discovery.

[00:17:23] Witch doctors in Western society.

[00:20:11] Satguru has come.

[00:23:03] Testing spiritual knowledge.

[00:27:35] Neglecting the personality.

[00:32:01] Path to full enlightenment.

[00:36:11] Being of service and fulfillment.

[00:40:28] The Law of Attraction.

[00:43:14] Psychic realm and beings of light.

[00:47:43] The etheric veil.

[00:50:51] Neophyte experiences and consciousness.

[00:55:30] Soul reading on my producer.

[01:00:37] Soul's work and personality.

[01:06:36] Higher octaves and soul identity.

[01:10:03] The Soul's Role in Life Circumstances.

[01:15:06] The Akashic Records.

[01:18:00] Tattoo as a layer of remembrance.

 

Quotes:

"Three lifetimes ago, I was actually one of his disciples in Benaras, India."

"We are the witch doctors of Western society."

"Everything that I've thought about as being the highest thing, the greatest thing, the greatest goal, that's nothing. It's like a tiny little outpost on this great infinite adventure."

"You can create heaven. You can create hell. Which do you choose?"

"But for many people, using a psychedelic drug essentially blows them out of this bubble of the conscious mind."

"So some people may bring in a beautiful piece of spiritual art to remind them of their spiritual path."

"We could use a lot more kindness. We could use a lot more compassion and empathy and collaboration and cooperation."

Stay Connected:

 

Connect with George:

Website:  http://www.mudrashram.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mudrashram

 

Connect with Aaron:⁠ 

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

 

In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova interviews Co-founders of Sullen Clothing, Ryan Smith and Jeremy Hanna.  Streetwear has come a long way since its early days in the 1980s and 1990s, and Sullen is here to ensure tattoo-inspired clothing that blends and highlights everything unique about the art of urban apparel. 

Originally founded as a collective of driven, talented tattoo artists, Sullen Clothing has its roots in the SoCal beach culture of the early 2000s. Already a well-established tattooer, co-owner Ryan Smith began blending tattoo art with new fashion trends, and from that Sullen’s urban streetwear brand was created.

Far from simply reusing “cool” graphics or following the trends, Sullen became a trailblazer producing unique, original art that it then transferred to streetwear like premium t-shirts, boxers, hoodies, and hats.

Today Sullen is still one of the most popular tattoo apparel brands in the world, offering a wide range of expressive designs and wearable art pieces for tattoo lovers everywhere.

Today, our guests share their stories of starting from the ground up and building their brand without relying on venture capitalist money. Tune in to hear about their journey in the notoriously difficult apparel industry and their take on the world of AI.

 

Chat Breakdown: 

 

[00:01:47] Building a successful apparel brand.

[00:04:30] Starting a tattoo apparel company.

[00:06:22] Starting from nothing and growing.

[00:10:13] Cost vs. quality in apparel.

[00:15:35] The evolution of tattooing.

[00:16:57] Traditional tattoo apprenticeship.

[00:22:47] Tattooing as a brand.

[00:26:45] Tattooing constantly evolving.

[00:29:35] The power of tattooing.

[00:33:09] The healing power of tattoos.

[00:42:12] Maintaining a successful marriage.

[00:45:43] Balancing work and family.

[00:49:26] Putting the damn phone down.

[00:50:33] The future of technology.

[00:54:05] Tattooing with Midjourney.

[00:57:24] The impact of technology on tattooing.

[01:00:01] AI-generated website design.

[01:03:21] Clothing design collaboration.

[01:06:55] They want art.

[01:09:35] Keeping the podcast alive.

 

Quotes:

In this episode, tattoo artist and winner of Ink Masters season 7, Anthony Michaels, joins host Aaron Della Vedova for a candid conversation about the challenges and rewards of being an artist. They discuss the merging of personal identity with public perception, the importance of staying true to oneself, and the journey of finding the balance between success and maintaining authenticity. Anthony shares his experiences on the show, its impact on his career, and the ongoing process of integrating his true self with the persona created by his victory. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the intersection of art, fame, and personal growth.

 

Chat Breakdown:

 

00:00:00 Technology and art merge naturally.
00:07:18 Reconnecting with our inner child.
00:11:03 Follow your passion and dreams.
00:16:37 The power of tattooing.
00:24:39 Ink Master is a humbling experience.
00:25:58 Challenge of staying true to oneself.
00:32:08 Letting go of identity expectations.
00:40:26 Lost balance in pursuit of success.
00:43:02 Importance of self-care and reflection.
00:51:18 Self-forgiveness is necessary for growth.
00:53:48 Forgive yourself and keep evolving.
01:01:47 Embrace discomfort for personal growth.
01:07:45 Growth requires letting go.
01:13:43 Tattoo industry losing human connection.
01:16:00 Human connection is irreplaceable.
The timestamp in the podcast where it starts to discuss the merging of man and machine in tattooing is 01:21:04. The merging of man and machine in tattooing.
01:26:00 AI can enhance creativity responsibly.
01:31:26 Stay true to yourself.
01:38:22 Authenticity leads to personal growth.

 

Quotes:

"Do I think it can do mass destruction? Fuck yeah."

"Art started for me as a child. I had trouble speaking, and I was able to show up, even though not verbally, I was able to show up through art."

"I can take somebody's emotions, thoughts, feelings, ideas, and physically alter their appearance for the rest of their life."

"First, I'd like to sincerely apologize to my therapist, one of my therapists, because he's been trying to get me to stop running from this experience."

"The challenge to stay true to myself and not become a TV sensation, that was fucking hard."

"Hey, Anthony Michaels, fucking winner season seven. It's like, thank you. But I am, I am not that. That's just something I did."

"Because now what they get when I come home to dinner and sit down at the dinner table, whether I hide it or not, is a man who hasn't forgiven himself."

"Maybe you didn't realize you were being selfish because your intention was to fix yourself, step back, and let the other things handle themselves, but you built this and then you just, because you were overwhelmed, fucking freaked out. That wasn't your intention. So let that go."

"I don't believe that the core of tattooing is gonna be phased out just because of technology and money."

"I make fucking mistakes all the time, all the time, but I just, I want to do right."

"You can only give others what you have."

 

Connect with Mike: 

IG:https://www.instagram.com/antmikes/

https://www.instagram.com/twenty_five_twelve/

 

Connect with Aaron:⁠  

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts 

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com