Al Dayhoff: The Tattoo Story Hunter

In this episode, Emma and Ginny introduce their new podcast by welcoming their first guest, Dr. Al Dayhoff, the executive director of Evangelize Today and a self-proclaimed ’Tattoo Story Hunter.’

Dr. Dayhoff shares his journey from pastoring a fast-growing church to finding his passion in listening to the stories behind people’s tattoos, especially those he encountered in a blues bar. Over the past decade, he has conducted roughly 10,000 interviews, uncovering deep and often untold stories embedded in tattoo art. The discussion delves into the spiritual and philosophical aspects of tattoos, touching on how they serve as confessions looking for a confessor and how Dr. Dayhoff has been changed by this unique ministry.

Finally, Dr. Dayhoff reflects on his encounters with various tattooed individuals, including bikers, and emphasizes the importance of listening and holding a space for people to share their personal stories. 

Check out more about his work at Evangelize Today at https://www.evangelizetoday.com/ and follow him on TikTok at @tattoostoryhunter at https://www.tiktok.com/@tattoostoryhunter 

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Purpose
00:30 Meet Dr. Al Dayhoff: The Tattoo Story Hunter
01:01 From Pastor to Blues Bar: A Journey of Discovery
02:42 The First Tattoo Interview
05:43 Tattoo Stories and Their Impact
08:03 Global Tattoo Research
10:08 Judgment and Understanding
13:14 The Emotional Weight of Tattoos
17:16 The Biker Tattoo Experience
20:43 Becoming a Tattoo Researcher
24:38 Conclusion and Future Topics