Art imitates life. However, art is most often born from the places that we fear the most.

In this episode of MercyCast, I had the honor of sitting down with the very talented tattoo artist and owner of First Class NYC, Mikhail Andersson. From the first moment we started talking, it was clear this wasn’t just a conversation about ink or murals—it was about the stories we carry, the pain we try to process, and the beauty we’re capable of creating in the midst of it all.

Sometimes, hip isn’t always healthy.

In this episode of Mercycast, I sit down with Pastor Danny Torres of Swerve Church in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Together, we dive into the complex reality of gentrification in this vibrant neighborhood, exploring its impacts on longtime residents and the ongoing shifts in the community's dynamics.