Anything But Routine

Cindy sits down with Ottie and Bill from The Teehive to talk about bringing your team’s look to life with custom Team Stores. From picking a design to choosing apparel from the The Teehive, MoveU, and Just For Kix catalogs, they break down the simple steps to building a store your team will be excited to shop. From the dance floor to the sidelines, this episode is for studio owners, coaches, and t...

Cindy and Ali sit down with Las Vegas-based performer, choreographer, and educator Tyrese Parker to talk about his journey from Minnesota to the professional dance world. With credits including Cirque du Soleil, So You Think You Can Dance , and Royal Caribbean, Tyrese shares what it takes to build a career as a performer while continuing to grow as an artist and leader. Welcome to Anything But Rou...

Cindy sits down with Eddie, founder of Hibernate Fundraising, to talk about a fundraising idea you may not have tried yet: bedsheets. Eddie breaks down how his company helps dance studios, high school teams, and other groups raise money through bedsheet sales. It's a simple, low-effort program that turns a product everyone needs into real dollars for your team. Tune in to learn how it works,...

This episode was recorded in July 2026. Cindy sits down with Curt Carbaugh, a speed coach with Acceleration Minnesota and the creator of the C2 Performance Training System. Curt explains how full-body resistance and core activation can target smaller stabilizing muscles that traditional free-weight training may overlook. They explore the equipment behind the C2 system and how dance teams can use i...

Cindy sits down with Jenny Raiche to talk about the college dance recruitment journey. Jenny shares tips on what dancers can expect, how to prepare, and what to consider when pursuing dance at the collegiate level. They also discuss how the recruitment process has changed over the past decade and what dancers and families should know today. Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix...

Cindy sits down with legendary UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field , one of the most successful coaches in collegiate sports history. A former professional ballet dancer with no gymnastics background, “Miss Val” took an unconventional path to leading UCLA to seven NCAA National Championships and 15 conference titles during her 29 seasons as head coach. Cindy and Valorie talk about leadershi...

Cindy talks with Kevin Heath, the founder and owner of Fusion Sound Mix, a music production and custom mix company specializing in dance and cheer music.  Kevin is widely recognized as a pioneer in mobile DJ and performance music production in the United States. According to Fusion Sound’s company history, Heath was born in Greece and immigrated to the United States at age five with his twin siste...

How do you know if a dancer is truly in the right class or level? In this episode, Ali and Sharaia unpack the purpose behind placements, why age and ability don't always tell the whole story, and how real growth often happens when dancers are challenged rather than comfortable. Whether you're a parent, coach, or dancer, you'll gain a fresh perspective on placements, leadership, resi...

In this episode, Cindy sits down with Alaina Rupe —high school drill team coach, professional dancer, choreographer, mother, and sales leader based in Utah. With more than a decade of coaching experience, Alaina leads one of Utah’s top high school dance teams and has helped shape the next generation of dancers in the state. Alaina shares how she began her dance journey, the experiences that led he...

Cindy and Ali sit down with Kristin Biwan as she prepares to enter her 16th season as head coach of the Edina Dance Team. A former captain of the University of Minnesota's National and World Champion Dance Team and two-time MADT AAA Head Coach of the Year, Kristin shares how she landed the Edina head coaching position right out of college and built a lasting career in the sport.  The conversa...

Cindy and Ali answer questions from the Dance Coaches and Teachers Unite Facebook group, exploring how to teach kids that caring is cool, build confidence through choreography, and encourage teachers to take creative risks, try new ideas, and embrace failure as part of growth. Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up t...

Cindy and Ali sit down to talk directly to parents about what it really means to support your athlete. They discuss the impact of pressure, what coaches and dancers experience behind the scenes, and offer thoughtful tips on how parents can better support their athlete’s growth and success. Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything danc...

Ever wonder what goes into a Together We Dance competition? Cindy and Joel pull back the curtain and get real about the chaos, commitment, and growth behind the scenes. From juggling a packed event schedule to preparing for the high-stakes Nationals stage, this episode is all about the hustle that makes it happen. Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Every...

In this episode, Cindy and Ali break down everything you need to know about the ReliaQuest Bowl Tour. From soaking up the sun at Clearwater Beach to the magic of Disney, they share what makes this trip unforgettable. And of course, they dive into the highlight of it all — performing live at Raymond James Stadium during the ReliaQuest Bowl Game Halftime Show. Curious what the experience is really l...

Cindy and Ali sit down with Lindsay Danielson and Travis Cahill for a real-deal conversation about the dance world—what’s amazing, what’s tough, and everything in between. They get into what makes dance different from other sports, share thoughts on college nationals, and break down how different coaching styles can shape a team. Plus: it’s officially high school competition season, so you know th...

Cindy and Ali discuss how to level up your team through accountability, confidence, and higher standards—plus simple coaching shifts that help dancers take ownership and grow fast. If you want stronger rehearsals, sharper performances, and dancers who take ownership, this episode is for you! Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything da...

In this episode, Cindy and Ali share practical ways coaches can guide dancers toward healthier, more mindful social media habits. They discuss how what you share online represents you and your team—and why that matters for dancers and coaches alike. Tune in for simple boundaries, mindset tips, and a positive approach to using social media as a tool for confidence, connection, and team culture. Wel...

Cindy sits down with KKIN to share the story behind the Brainerd Kixters — from how it all started to the powerhouse program it is today. She talks about makes the Kixters “click” on and off the floor. Tune in as Cindy dives into the culture that keeps dancers coming back, the standards they hold themselves to, and a candid look at where the team is at right now and where it’s headed next. Listen...

Cindy and Ali share practical ways to get the most out of the leaders and captains—through trust, communication, and clear expectations. They highlight the impact of spending intentional time with your leaders outside of practice, and how those small moments can completely turn your team around and become the turning point in your dance season. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For...

Cindy and Ali continue the conversation on navigating parents and dancers with entitlement in Part 2, diving even deeper into real-world scenarios, boundary-setting, and keeping your team culture strong while parents still feel heard. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For Kix. This Podcast covers Everything & anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subs...

Cindy and Ali dive into one of the toughest parts of coaching: navigating parents and dealing with student and parental entitlement. In this episode, they share real-world strategies, scripts, and mindset shifts to help you set boundaries, protect your culture, and still keep parents feeling heard and respected. Along the way, they answer listener questions and tackle common scenarios coaches face...

Cindy and Ali talk with Kathy Hain-de Jong to uncover how dancers can stand out in the competitive world of college admissions and dance team recruitment. Kathy Hain-de Jong is an educational consultant and president of College in 3-2-1, where she created Dance into College , a program helping dancers navigate college admissions and dance team recruitment. With her background in management consult...

Cindy talks about the "Secure Your Spot" campaign for The National Dance Coaches Conference in Dallas May 14-16, 2026. link to Secure Your Spot for Conference at the lowest price of the year guaranteed - $400. A code will be sent to everyone who secures their spot on November 1, 2025, and that code is good until November 15.   Registration for the Conference opens on November 1 for the g...

Get custom music for your dance team! 🎶 Cindy talks with Nick Olson of Roar Anthems Productions, a business that specializes in creating music for any sporting event, business, or occasion. Nick even created a couple of songs that you may hear at upcoming Just For Kix events like the Together We Dance competitions. Want to hear what Roar Anthem Productions can do for your team? Check out roaranth...

Ready to take your teaching to the next level? In this video, we share dance teaching strategies, goal-setting tips, and coaching advice every instructor can use to inspire their dancers and build stronger programs. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For Kix. This Podcast covers Everything & anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button. https...