In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger get real, unfiltered, and VERY adult as they chat about sex, intimacy, and relationships. Consider this your official warning: this episode is NOT kid-friendly.

Kirsten and Mel talk openly about sexuality and how it evolves through motherhood, long-term relationships, and life in your 30s and 40s. They discuss the importance of intimacy beyond sex, including physical touch, emotional connection, communication, and the fear many couples share of slowly becoming roommates instead of partners.

The conversation explores love languages, mental load, and how acts of service, emotional support, and shared responsibility can directly impact desire and connection. They also talk honestly about how hormones, aging, and changing bodies influence libido, and why intimacy often becomes more psychological than physical over time.

From societal double standards around female sexuality to body acceptance after pregnancy, vasectomies, and the realities of maintaining connection while raising kids, this episode is candid, funny, vulnerable, and deeply relatable. At its core, it is a conversation about communication, self-acceptance, and choosing connection in long-term relationships.

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.

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger sit down for an honest conversation about life, money, and survival mode. Something that is reflective of what so many families are experiencing right now.

Mel and Kirsten talk openly about the current state of the economy, rising costs, inflation, and the reality that many people are struggling just to keep up. Whether you're dealing with unexpected holiday expenses and home repairs or just the pressure of living paycheck to paycheck, Kirsten and Mel unpack how financial stress can quietly take over your mental health. As they point out, when the bills are paid and the fridge is full, a lot of anxiety suddenly feels more manageable.

The conversation also explores the tension between passion and stability. They discuss the reality of independent work, especially in creative industries like tattooing, where countless unpaid hours go into social media, content creation, networking, and booking clients.

One of the hosts shares her decision to step away from tattooing full time in favor of a steady job in the restaurant industry, and how having reliable income has improved her health, reduced anxiety, and actually made tattooing fun again.

Kirsten and Mel also touch on mom guilt, work-life balance, and the challenges of working from home as an artist. From feeling like work is never done, to partners misunderstanding what independent work looks like, they talk about setting boundaries and redefining what a sustainable life really means.

This episode is a grounded look at how money, work, and motherhood intersect, and why so many people are craving a slower, more intentional life in a world that constantly demands more.

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.

In this episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger open up about the often unspoken side of being creative professionals: mental health.

They talk honestly about coping with anxiety, burnout, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome, especially in an industry that is highly visible, competitive, and constantly evolving. Kirsten and Mel share how the pressures of being tattoo artists, business owners, and content creators can take a toll, and what they've learned about protecting their mental health along the way.

From setting boundaries and managing expectations to giving themselves permission to rest, this episode is a candid conversation about resilience, vulnerability, and the importance of taking care of yourself while building a creative career.

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.