On this episode of The Curious Jones Podcast, I sit down with my tattoo artist and the owner of Lost Dog Tattoo, Corey Thompson.
Corey has been tattooing for nearly 20 years and is widely respected for his work across multiple styles—most notably Japanese traditional tattooing, where he’s earned multiple awards for his craft. After spending close to 50 hours in the chair together, it was great to finally have a formal, long-form conversation about the work, the journey, and the person behind the needle.
We dive into my own tattoo journey over the past two years, including the completion of two full sleeves and a chest piece, and we talk about the upcoming full Japanese traditional back piece we’ll be starting in 2026. Corey also shares his story—how he got into tattooing, his apprenticeship, the evolution of his style, what it took to open his own shop, and what it means to mentor the next generation of artists.
Along the way, we get into real talk about the tattoo industry, life lessons learned through the craft, stories from the chair, and the mindset required to sustain a long career in a creative profession.
Be sure to check out Corey’s work on Instagram and stop by Lost Dog Tattoo in Butler, PA to see why his reputation speaks for itself.
Available now on all podcast platforms.
