On this week’s Tales From The Needle, Seb sits down with Guen Douglas — a Canadian tattooer who’s made Berlin home — for a conversation that moves between subculture, real-life responsibility, and what it actually takes to build a life in this industry.

Before tattooing became her main focus, Guen spent about a decade deep in nightlife: working clubs, taking on serious responsibility early, and eventually managing a venue in Canada. She talks about what that environment teaches you — reading people fast, keeping things from escalating, protecting your own boundaries, and looking out for others — especially in spaces where women have to be sharp by default.

From there, the episode shifts into tattooing: learning the hard way, getting comfortable with being a beginner, and why chasing “perfect” can slow down your growth. Guen and Seb also get into staying creative outside the studio, the reality of conventions, and the little culture shocks you notice when you’ve worked in different places — from hygiene expectations to the unspoken rules of how shops operate. It’s an honest look at how you find your footing, keep your style, and create a space that feels like you — even in a city like Berlin that loves to box people into clichés.

Find Guen on Instagram.

⁠⁠⁠[ ADVERTISEMENT ]
With our sponsors you can save a lot — including Neonsfeer, Murostar, Killer Ink, Cheyenne Tattoo Equipment, CoalBlack, and Caos Nero! All info at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tftn-podcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.