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In this week’s episode, Imania and I talk about how family based community organizations prepared her for the industry — and the difference between being pushed and supported into greatness.  We also have a refreshing and IMPORTANT talk about the state of the entertainment industry and even the teaching industry with regards to African diasporic movement.  I do very much feel like a beginner in th...

This week, we’re talking about a few of the ways audition burnout can happen at different career stages, and then we dig in on how to tell the difference between stress, burnout and good old fashioned FEAR! We’ll also talk about how to avoid burnout by managing your stress and addressing your fears…   Show Notes: Start your membership with Sugarfoot Therapy  Listen to all the episodes about “Fear”...

One mark of a master is that other masters look to them for expertise and support.  In this episode, I talk to movement analyst, Gary Tacon, about how Martin Scorcese looked to him when he needed Robert De Niro, Al Pachino, and Joe Peschi to look 40 years younger on camera for The Irishman. We discuss how he came to be a movement analyst, how he operates on set, we dig in on one of Gary’s most val...

This is one for the books! Yup! The one and only Kevin Maher and I are getting nostalgic, a little bit catty, and a lotta bit deep this week. We dig into managing difficult personalities on set, we dish out some seriously cringeworthy industry horror stories, and we talk about knowing when to quit… Which, for Kevin, is almost never. Please enjoy this conversation with Kevin Maher.   Show Notes: Co...

Asiel Hardison joins me on the podcast today! We’re talking about how a black boy from the southside of Chicago and how he found himself on world tours with Lady Gaga, in super bowl commercials, and choreographing Vegas residencies. Asiel also gives some great insight on instincts and what makes one “good” or “bad”. Please enjoy this conversation with Asiel Hardison.    Show Notes: Find Asiel on I...

Picture this: you are submitted for one of your dream jobs, you tell a friend about the potential job, and they tell you, “don’t get too excited it might not work out.” Well I’m here to tell you that the correlation between excitement and disappointed is not mutually exclusive. You might think it’s a FACT that the more excited you are about something, the more it hurts when it doesn’t work out the...

A little bonus Words That Move Me episode with the wonderful Brian Shutters, director, designer, and much much more. Brian comes on the pod to talk about being a multi hyphenate person and how/when he chooses to include others in the conversation. We also talk about Ben Rector’s new video Brian directed “Wonderful World” OUT TODAY! Go check that out and enjoy this conversation with Brian Shutters....

Summer is coming to a close and I am taking some time to reflect on what that means. Follow along with me as I dig into what I’m taking with me as we leap into fall and what I’m leaving behind. Show Notes: Watch 8 Counts: The Words That Movie For more DANA For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY  To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER To shop for GOODIES &amp...

This week we have returning guest Kara Mack , back for round two! She’s going to tell you all about her latest venture (that you can 100% benefit from no matter where you live or how you dance)… Yes, we’re talking about the first ever online hub for African diasporic music and DANCE. As if that wasn’t enough, we go deep on purpose, influence and (of course) instagram! Show Notes Join the Bopsidy L...

Fashion icon and writer of “Fear and Clothing: Unbuckling American Style”, Cintra Wilson, joins me on the pod today.  Cintra is constantly making statements both as a writer and fashion connoisseur, and you’ll get to hear a few of those fabulous statements on style, fashion, femininity, counter culture, and more on the pod today.  You’ll learn about the life and work of Cintra as well as where “hi...

Today we wrap up audition august with the man, the myth, the legend himself… Brian Friedman. Brian joins me on the pod today with over 30+ years of experience of auditioning, both in front of the table and behind it. You’ll find out how to bring YOU to every audition and the difference between, self confidence, arrogance, and over-confidence. Please enjoy this conversation with Brian Friedman.   S...

Today we are talking to Jillian Schmitz: burlesque icon, incredible teacher, and wonderful guest. We dig into relationships… relationships to our bodies as dancers, relationships to money as artists, and our relationship with dance. Dig in with us and enjoy this conversation with Jillian Schmitz.    Show Notes: Sign Up for our Free Coaching Call Read Jillian’s feature in ShoutOutLA Listen to Ep. #...

Mimi Cave, director, writer, art director, and overall lovely human being joins me on this week’s podcast. You may know her as the director of the film Fresh, or as the director of a certain rather important Seaweed Sisters video…. but I know her as a great friend and artist. Enjoy this conversation with Mimi Cave. Show Notes: Learn more about Mimi  Find Mimi on Instagram  Watch Vance Joy’s “I’m W...

Step Up, Encanto, Aladdin, Hairspray, Footloose… I would name all of Jamal’s choreography credits but you’d be here for awhile! I am so honored to have the great Jamal Sims on the podcast today. Although he has all of these credits, he is so much more than them. This episode truly had me smiling from ear to ear, so if you’re looking for a good time (and looking to learn a thing or two along the wa...

Let’s talk auditions! When you are a dancer in the commercial industry, auditions are a part of the lifestyle. As an auditioner of many many years… I’m here to tell you the three things you need to do for your next audition/interview!   Show Notes: For more DANA For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY  To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER To shop for GOODIE...

After some great feedback from last week’s episode, I decided to take a deeper dive on ambition. Can you have too much? Can you have too little? How do you know when to turn it on and off? Listen to this episode and you can become the traffic cop of your ambition intersection. Show Notes: Take Jillian’s Schmitz Class at PAC Donate to the Words That Move Me Community For more DANA For coaching with...

Are you someone who is constantly setting new goals for yourself? Have you ever considered not having any ambition? On this week’s episode I explore a world without ambition. We take a look at life when you’re not always striving to get better. What else could be out there that we’re missing? Take a listen and find out. Show Notes: Watch Evan Finds The Third Room Official Music Video For more DANA...

WTMMCOMM made a movie and you can watch it! (and hear about the process) In today’s episode I am joined by special guests, The Seaweed Sisters, Eric Scholesser, Brandon Mathis, and Hok to answer live questions about our films. You’ll learn about what it takes to put your film in a theater, how you can strengthen your tastes, and what a DCP is. All films from this screening can be found in our show...

Choreography, and movement direction and movement coaching… OH MY!!! Today, I am breaking down the differences between the three… To me! This subject is very near and dear to my heart because movement coaching lights me up in a way that nothing else does. For me, it is the center circle of the Venn diagram of Teaching, Training, Dancing, Acting, and Translating. I could talk about this all day, bu...

This week is MORE Toogie. This is the first half of my two hour conversation with the sensational Toogie. We talk about her move from Miami to Los Angeles and what her process looks like choreographing for stars like Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, and more. This episode is not to be missed so dig in now! Show Notes: Help Toogie meet her fundraising goal Read about Billboard’s Top 12 Choreograp...

Meet Toogie! She’s on Billboard’s top 12 list for the most iconic music video choreography featuring her work on Dua Lipa’s “New Rules”. She is a fantastic human with a great heart and I loved talking with her… so much that this became a two parter! In this episode Toogie and I talk about her new show “Metanoia” premiering June 23-26 2022 honoring her late mother. Listen in to part one of this con...

Our guest today, Jamila Glass, has many gifts, but perhaps the most useful is her ability to see the big picture AND the small details. She also values the human experience above all else, and THAT is exactly why she is the best person to talk about bridging the gaps between people… And skill sets… The commercial and company worlds, and of course, cultural and racial divides.   Here is what you’ll...

James Alsop is a choreographer and teacher who knows the value of owning your truth, your identity, your wholeness. She has created some seriously earth shaking work and doesn’t show any signs of stopping. In this episode, we talk about her affirming transition, her thoughts on working in New York vs LA and commercial work vs. Broadway ANNNND the lessons she learned from Beyoncé that have trickled...

There are no words available to speak highly enough of this week’s guest! She is the founder and creative director of Dorrance Dance, she is a MacArthur Fellow (a.k.a. “Genius Grant” recipient), Princess Grace Award winner, and matter of fact, I’ll stop with the awards right now because there are too many to list. Michelle is exceptional, masterful, and generous in so many ways. In this episode, s...

Mandy Moore brings movement to mega musical movies, TV shows, commercials and beyond… But let’s be clear, she does WAY MORE than make up steps. This episode digs into Mandy’s path to mastery, her process, her team and style of leadership, and yes, even her struggles. We talk about what it means to be a woman head of department in show business and, yes, we have a great time and laugh a lot while d...