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Unpacking Leslie Grace’s career from ‘In The Heights’ newbie to seasoned performer: That life-changing debut in ‘In The Heights’ (still her most beautiful experience to date!) The art of ‘letting in’ whatever’s knocking (and why Meryl Streep always answers) Navigating feedback as a pro  Plus, we’re dishing on the unexpected joys of rehearsal pants, why pockets are essential for storing memories, a...

The fullest couch I have ever had! From the convention ballroom, to boy band battles, to working with Beyoncé’s producer: our wildest episode yet! Join the Full Circle Boys as we spill ALL the tea on their journey from ‘convention kids with a dream’ to working with music industry legends: Studio sessions with Tricky Stewart (the genius behind Beyoncé, Rihanna, and more!) Their hilarious first show...

Join host Dana Wilson as she interviews viral sensation Smac McCreanor on the Words That Move Me Podcast. With 2.8 million TikTok followers, 70+ commercials, and an exhibit at the National Gallery of Victoria, Smac discusses: Creating work you love by focusing on your strengths Behind-the-scenes of her popular series: #hydraulicpressgirl, #Ikea, and #emoji The importance of creating content for yo...

Taylor is a retired backup dancer turned director and screenwriter. In this episode, we cover everything from sharing the screen/stage with Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, JLo, etc. etc., to crushing the festival circuit with his first short film “ILY, BYE”. It hasn’t always been glitter and glory for Taylor. We dig into struggling with drugs, alcohol, and overeating, finding self-worth se...

Dana Wilson hosts Phillip Chbeeb on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Phillip is a globally recognized and co-decorated choreographer (2 times Emmy nominated, along with his partner, Mackenzie Chbeeb) and he is still finding themself! The question of “who is Phillip Chbeeb” follows us as we discuss self-confidence, the economics of dance/choreography, membership structures, Paula Abdul, an...

Dana Wilson hosts Jillian Meyers on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Jillian’s work has touched the biggest stages and screens on earth; she has given rhythm to the beating hearts of dancers everywhere. Today, we answer the question: what’s even better than being impressive? We also unpack 20 years of friendship, techniques for teaching and training, the keys to being “successful”, and th...

Today we’re talking about getting out of your head… And if you even should! How do you know if you are “too” in your head? How do you get out? Why aren’t we talking about this more?! Getting caught in thought spirals that lead to unwanted feelings is normal… And also optional. If you want tools to become more present, empowered, and embodied, this one’s for you! Show Notes: For more DANA For coach...

Dana Wilson hosts Nina Flagg on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week, and if you are interested in elevating your dance IQ, this episode is for you! Nina brings decades of experience and study to one jam-packed episode. She shines her light on hip-hop culture, engaging with higher education, and the legends that shaped her life and work (including Toni Basil, Bette Midler, Debbie Allen, Rennie...

This week on the Words That Move Me Podcast, Dana Wilson answers all your questions! Get tips on how to ask for help, the three dance moves that define Dana’s career, learn about her choreographic process, and what’s going through her head while she performs! Have more questions? DM us for the next episode on IG! Watch this full episode on YouTube. Show Notes: Watch The Less I Know the Better by T...

There are friends, and then there are chosen family members. This week, Dana Wilson hosts her dear friend for life and fellow Seaweed Sister, Meg Lawson! Meg tells the story of the YouTube video that became her ticket to Madonna’s inner circle, and what she has learned on the job since then. We also talk about discovering/expanding your creative taste, AND  the best socks on the market! This episo...

Dana Wilson hosts Dominique Kelley on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Dom joins us to talk about his new moniker “Broadway Choreographer” for @thegreatgatsby . One thing I love about Broadway is how choreographers are credited and celebrated. On award season not everyone is recognized though…   In this interview Dominique talks about his viral dance #newmoney and the affirmation he got f...

Caroline M. Diamond co-hosts with Dana Wilson and guest Riley Higgins on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Caroline and Riley recently joined Dana in her Skeleton Crew for Paula Abdul’s new tour! What IS a skeleton crew? Why is it essential? How can skeleton crew prep be challenging? What do skeleton crew dancers/choreographers do, and how do you get good at it?… We unpack all of it, and w...

Dana Wilson dives into #careertalk with Rhapsody James  this week on Words That Move Me Podcast! Rhap is back to talk about how she managed her mind around insecurities and mental/ physical challenges while shooting the famous pool scene of In The Heights Movie in 2018. What happens when you want to #bethebestyou on set, but the choreography puts that out of reach? This episode is all about the un...

I want you to have a strong sense of #SelfDirection when it feels like the project is going down in flames. So, this episode is all about the skills you need to create a “YES” in a creative process that is full of the word “NO’.  As a byproduct this episode is also about conflict resolution, refining your creative process, and successful thinking in your life at large. Watch this episode on YouTub...

Dana Wilson hosts Haley Fitzgerald on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Funny person, fabulous dancer, and self-declared “proud influencer”, Haley talks all about being an associate choreographer for Mean Girls the movie musical, how she deals with perfectionism, her most embarrassing moments on set and so much more.. Listen in to learn and laugh… a lot.  This episode is available on YouTu...

Dana Wilson hosts Alison Faulk on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Alison has done it all from dancing with some of the biggest pop stars (Pink, Madonna, Britney Spears, and more), to creating a strip empire with Magic Mike the Film and Magic Mike Live. Alison took some time out of her busy schedule to geek out on dance, talk about what makes something sexy, and she gives us her secret to...

Dana Wilson hosts award-winning choreographer/ director team Keone & Mari Madrid on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Their new feature, “Space & Time” @spaceandtimefilm, is centered around grief so be prepared to feel all the feels and have your notes ready for all the juicy (and very smart) details of their creative process. Stick around till the end for a cameo by Wrist Roll the...

Finally! This week, Dana Wilson reacts to 6 of the funkiest dance videos from across the internet, including one from her deeply funky dance hero, Yoshie. We have talked about making this video for a while now, and it was worth the wait! Please enjoy Dana’s various facial contortions and involuntary outbursts.  Watch the full video here.   Show Notes: Here are all the videos from this episode: G-S...

Dana Wilson hosts Kat Burns on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! This is Kat’s third time stepping into the WTMM hot seat, and we are not sure you’re ready for how smart, genuine, and FUNNY Kat is. Between laughs, you’ll catch them in conversation about The Choreographer’s Guild (which Kat is president of), self-tape pet peeves, some of Kat’s personal goals, and a fantastic question from a...

Dana Wilson hosts Rotem Alima on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Rotem is an Academy Award-winning Producer featured in Forbes 30 under 30 in 2016. This episode gives you the script for saying yes to your dreams when others tell you no. Get ready to be mesmerized by Rotem’s determination and roller coaster ride of making her dreams come true. Fill up your motivation cup and enjoy listeni...

Dana Wilson hosts Alexander Chung on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Alex has 500k YouTube subscribers and even more jokes. In this episode, we talk about what creativity is to us and how we create work and a sense of community. We also dig into the mentorship programs that have taken the dance community by storm. Find out why Alex runs his the way that he does and what Dana thinks about...

If you think artists (like choreographers and dancers) will be the last to be affected (read: taken out) by AI, this episode is for you. Thanks to my work with the Choreographers Guild, I am learning a lot about artificial intelligence and what it means for dancers and choreographers. This week, I’m sharing (almost) everything I’ve learned so the dance community can have an empowered voice in the...

Dana Wilson co-hosts the Words That Move Me Podcast with Ava J. Bernstine-Mitchell this week! They cross-interview each other in celebration of 200 EPISODES OF WTMM! We go way back to  #JustinTimberlake’s Future Love Sex Show world tour; we talk tips for women interested in working in Television/ Film and the role of “being likable,” we talk about being a guest in Hip Hop culture, and we gush abou...

Dana Wilson hosts Marlee Hightower on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! During her quick trip to LA, Marlee sat in the “hot seat” to talk about hip hop, social media, Motiv Dance, training/ teaching, and what she believes makes the mark of a good class! We also dig into the role of honesty and persistence and how her rebellion in dance has led her to where she is today. Watch this full epi...

This week, Dana Wilson hosts Yoe Apolinario on the Words That Move Me Podcast! They talk about Yoe’s new book “So You Want to Move to LA?” and some surprising stories that connect them (including finding out they were let go from a job on Instagram… #OUCH). Listen in on Yoe’s experience dancing with Usher, the transition from competition studio to Los Angeles, and a good old-fashioned game of fu*k...