DANCE +

This is Moncell Durden on dance education, culture, appropriation, and activism.  In this episode, renowned dance educator and ethnographer Moncell Durden, professor of dance for 22 years and founder of INTANGIBLE ROOTS, is back on the podcast and challenges fundamental assumptions about dance history and pedagogy. Moncell, whose groundbreaking documentary "Everything Remains Raw" was featured at...

This is Will Loftis on creativity as an act of service, finding your personal "in," and the Adele approach to sustainable artistry! In this episode, visionary choreographer and creative director Will Loftis—fresh off his Hollywood Music Video Award nomination for Ariana Grande's "Yes, And?" and his work on the iconic Wicked films—shares wisdom from the biggest stages in entertainment. Will, whose...

This is Taya Lee on assistant choreography, the clarity of movement, and learning while earning in the dance industry! In this episode, professional dancer and choreographer Taya Lee takes us from her San Diego roots to assisting on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour and dancing with Doechii. Taya, whose credits span MTV Movie & TV Awards performances to standing in for Missy Elliott, explores: The...

Kid David on breaking, terrifying tour stories, his Emmy-winning broadcast coverage of the Olympics, and finding freedom through mastery! In this episode, professional B-boy and breaking commentator Kid David (David Shreibman) takes us from the streets where he discovered breaking to the biggest stage in sports—the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Emmy-winning commentator, whose credits span the Step Up f...

Kai Martinez on marketing, empowering women through choreography, jealousy, Anderson. Paak, and all things Encanto! In this episode, accomplished dancer and choreographer Kai Martinez shares her journey from passionate performer to industry innovator, revealing how clarity of purpose transforms both artistry and career trajectory. The Latina powerhouse, whose credits span from Christina Aguilera a...

Comfort Fedoke on Emotional Choreography, Collaborative Art-Making, and the Power of Adaptability In this episode, Emmy Award-winning dancer, choreographer, and multi-hyphenate artist Comfort Fedoke opens up about her innovative approach to movement as emotional language and the art of authentic collaboration. The Nigerian-American performer, known for her journey from So You Think You Can Dance c...

Zoey Anderson on Becoming Undeniable Talent, Defying Gravity, and Finding Your Artistic Home In this episode, Parsons Dance Company principal Zoey Anderson shares her remarkable journey from summer intensive discovery to becoming one of contemporary dance's most captivating performers. A 10-year company veteran, Clive Barnes Award winner, and Bessie Award nominee reveals: Her serendipitous path in...

From Basketball Dreams to Dance Floors: Lisa "L-Boogie" Bauford's Journey of Art, Family, and Finding Light in Darkness   Meet Lisa "L-Boogie" Bauford - a professional dancer, creative entrepreneur, and the heart behind Blame Boogie LLC. In this inspiring conversation, Lisa opens up about her incredible journey from childhood basketball dreams to becoming a world-traveling dancer and emcee.   What...

Sydney Mesher on Disability Representation, Kicking Down Barriers, and Changing the Entertainment Industry In this episode, trailblazing performer Sydney Mesher shares her journey as the first visibly disabled Radio City Rockette and her mission to transform representation in entertainment. Born without her left hand, Sydney reveals: Her transformative experience making history with the Radio City...

The Business of Dance: Revealing the 3 Paths to Income for Professional Dancers. This episode pulls back the curtain on the financial realities of dance careers through a fascinating analysis of booking patterns and relationship-building. Discover the surprising statistics that show how much work Dana has booked from established relationships rather than auditions. Learn why unpaid passion project...

Erik Cavanaugh (Dicks: The Musical, SavageXFenty, Apple Billboard) joins us on Words That Move Me this week! Breaking Barriers in Dance: Erik Cavanaugh on Body Representation, Big City Dreams, and Creating Inclusive Spaces In this inspiring episode, groundbreaking dancer Erik Cavanaugh shares his journey of reshaping the dance world and challenging body stereotypes. Drawing on his experiences acro...

The Choreographer's Canvas: Jasmine JB Badie on Redefining Stage Direction   As both a performer and creator, JB knows the distinction between dance class choreography and effective stage direction. Whether you're a dancer looking to transition into choreography or a creative director developing your leadership style, this conversation offers loads of wisdom for crafting performances that serve th...

Reimagine Your Relationship to Wellness by Understanding Food, Hunger, and Hormones with Sherry Lin In this eye-opening episode, dancer and registered dietitian Sherry Lin shares her holistic, non-diet approach to nutrition and wellness. Drawing on her thirteen years of experience specializing in eating disorders, gut health, and performance nutrition, Sherry breaks down: The three types of hunger...

Beyond Boundaries: The Multifaceted Journey of Samø Soto Join us for a revealing conversation with Samø Soto, a professional who has masterfully navigated the transition from B-boy to Stuntman while challenging industry perceptions about artistic identity. In this episode, Samø shares the emotional complexities of expanding beyond dance—the guilt, the external perceptions, and the struggle to be s...

Behind the Curtain: The Extraordinary Life and Art of Toni Basil Featuring legendary Choreographer, Dancer, Director, Producer, Recording Artist, Historian, and “Hey Mickey” hitmaker Toni Basil in a rare, intimate conversation! We explore her remarkable career spanning decades in entertainment, from backstage memories as Vaudeville royalty to collaborating with icons like Elvis Presley, David Bowi...

Self-improvement is not about perfection, it’s about finding the right balance between pushing yourself and accepting yourself. When pursuing transformative change, there are two seemingly opposite approaches – “Grit” (hard work and critical coaching) and “Grace” (gentle and nurturing self-care). This episode is all about this “Personal Growth Paradox” and the tools and techniques for identifying...

Conversations on Creativity: Tony Testa’s Journey from Dancer to Creator Featuring my lifelong friend and visionary choreographer Tony Testa in his FIRST-EVER podcast interview! We dive deep into creative intuition, mentorship, and processing life’s challenges. This conversation reveals how following your instincts—even when they lead you away from what everyone else expects—can open doors to your...

The Art of Letting Go: Byron Tittle on Dance, Spontaneity & Finding Flow Mastering the “first time feeling” – how commercial dance taught Byron to embrace every performance as the final version The power of relaxation: discovering how letting go actually amplifies your technique & expands possibilities Beyond the tap shoes: hearing rhythm in everyday life & staying present in every mom...

Facts vs. Fiction – A Deep Dive into YOUR Thoughts on the Industry’s Changing Landscape Critical Thinking in Crisis: The danger of making career decisions based on rumors instead of facts, plus actionable strategies for navigating change Power of Perspective: Redefining what it means to be “working” in entertainment – from on-set gigs to personal growth & skill development Breaking Down the Nu...

Breaking Rules & Breaking Through – A Raw Conversation About Dance, Freedom & Finding Your Way with Marie Poppins: “Technique should facilitate freedom” – dive into why mastery doesn’t mean conformity From baggy clothes to bare skin: exploring how clothing choices impact movement & confidence The audition heard around the world – turning voguing into victory when classical dance was “r...

From friendly New Year reflections to game-changing networking strategies – we’re kicking off 2025 with warmth and wisdom: Should you be buying followers? We discuss it! Learn why generic “pick your brain” requests fail and what questions actually open doors Explore the rise of AI in creative fields, including its surprising impact on choreography and dance Get real about building genuine connecti...

Diving deep into the unfiltered stories of success and struggle in entertainment: Uncover the raw, behind-the-scenes realities of creative careers Learn how professional journeys are anything but linear Discover the power of resilience, advocacy, and honest self-reflection Understand why failures are just as important as successes Plus, we’re exploring the untold stories of every guest from 2024,...

Diving deep into the art of conflict resolution this holiday season: Learn game-changing insights from Dana Caspersen’s transformative book Discover why understanding beats winning in difficult conversations Master the gentle art of “untangling” conflicts like delicate knots Transform your approach to heated discussions with dance-inspired wisdom Plus, we’re exploring powerful metaphors, practical...

Stepping into the studio with power couple Harry Shum Jr. and Shelby Rabara:  How they both got started on Glee (and who was there first)  Bringing movement to life in their new children’s book ‘Martee Dares to Dance’ (available to order now!)  The secret language of dance that enhances their acting craft  How dance training can help you multitask Plus, we’re exploring impromptu dance demonstratio...