Dance Real Podcast

Season 3 Ep:06 In this inspirational episode, Kate Histon sits down with Austin Crumley, The Ballet Educator, to discuss what human-centred ballet looks like inside a working dance studio. The conversation focuses on leadership in the room: steady pacing that protects attention; brief readiness check-ins; clear boundaries that keep learning safe; feedback that is specific and proportionate; and cl...

Season 3 Ep:05 In this solo episode of Dance Real Podcast, Kate explores perfectionism in the lives of pre-professional dancers. While perfectionism can sharpen detail and raise standards, it can also drain confidence, increase anxiety, and diminish joy. Kate unpacks how perfectionism shows up in daily habits, inner self-talk, and relationships with teachers and parents. She offers practical strat...

Season 3 Ep:04 Illuminating Mental Wellness in Dance Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of mental health challenges such as perfectionism, anxiety, body image, and eating disorders. Listener discretion is advised. If you are affected by these topics, please reach out for professional support or visit local mental health resources in your area. In this episode of Dance Real Podcast,...

Season 3 Ep:03 In this episode of the Dance Real Podcast, I sit down with mother–daughter duo Kate and Kyra Martinov to explore the shared journey of teaching, parenting, and dancing together. Kate reflects on her own path from small-town beginnings to performing overseas and eventually founding Bay Dance Academy in Nelson Bay. She shares the joys and challenges of teaching her daughter within a f...

Season 3: Ep:02 In this solo episode, Kate explores trauma-aware teaching in the dance studio through a clear, practical lens: how the nervous system adapts under sustained pressure; why safety and rigour must be held together; and what this looks like in daily practice. She defines trauma awareness for studio settings, distinguishes it from therapy, and offers concrete habits that protect dignity...

Season 3 Ep: 01 Opens with artist, advocate and thought leader Josef Brown: former Soloist with The Australian Ballet; principal performer with Sydney Dance Company; featured artist with Modern Dance Turkey in Ankara. His range spans ballet and contemporary stages, musical theatre, film, and television, including roles in Dance Academy, Spartacus, and Neighbours. He now channels that breadth into...

Episode Summary In this short solo episode, Kate reflects on the journey of Season 2 of The Dance Real Podcast—a season filled with bold conversations, personal stories, expert insights, and unapologetic truths about the dance world.   From examining competition culture and coercive power dynamics to unpacking pedagogical frameworks, parenting roles, emotional safety, and embodied creativity, Seas...

Season Two  Ep:14 Dance Real Reflections: How to be a Dance Mum without Losing Yourself or Your Child   In this episode of the Dance Real Podcast, Kate pulls back the curtain on the powerful influence dance parents have—not just on their child’s dance journey, but on their emotional wellbeing. Speaking from her own lived experience growing up with a well meaning but high-pressure dance mum, and la...

Season Two  Ep: 16 Starving For Success? Dance Nutrition and the Truth No one Talks About with Dr. Stephanie Potreck. In this powerful episode of the Dance Real Podcast, host Kate Histon is joined by medical doctor and dance nutritionist Dr. Stephanie Podreck, whose career spans medicine, sports nutrition, and global health—and is deeply rooted in her own experience as a professional dancer. Toget...

Season Two Ep:15   In this episode of The Dance Real Podcast, Kate unpacks the often-hidden emotional dynamics that dancers, teachers, and leaders navigate in high-pressure environments—including covert competition, credit theft, love bombing, and silent sabotage. Drawing from lived experience not only as a dancer, teacher, studio owner, and adjudicator (as well as her professional training in Hum...

Season Two Ep: 11 Finding Your Voice - Exploring Identity, Power, and Pedagogy with Dr Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel In this episode of the Dance Real Podcast, Dr. Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel shares her extensive journey in dance scholarship, exploring the cultural influences that shaped her education and career. She discusses the transformative power of dance education, the importance of finding one's voic...

Season Two  Ep: 10 Improvisation in the Art of Life - Dance Real Reflection   In this episode of the Dance Real Podcast, Kate explores the concept of improvisation not just in dance but as a vital life practice. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity over judgment, the need for spaciousness in our actions, and the detrimental effects of harsh self-judgment. Kate encourages listeners to embrace...

Season Two Ep: 09 Dance is Broken? Improvisation Might be the Fix In this rich and heartfelt conversation, Kate Histon reconnects with longtime friend and fellow dance educator Jen Murray to reflect on their shared roots in Byron Bay and the evolving landscape of dance education. Together, they explore Jen’s journey through contemporary dance, her deep belief in the power of improvisation, and the...

Season Two Ep:08 Dance Real Reflection "Integrating the Mind, Body and Soul" In this episode of the Dance Real Podcast, Kate Histon dives deep into what it truly means to develop a Master Dancer Mindset—one that unites the mind, body, and soul. Far beyond steps and technique, Kate challenges traditional training norms and reveals how intuition, presence, and emotional intelligence are often the mi...

Season Two Ep: 07 ‘The Power of Intuition in Dance' with Professor Allison Pagano In this enlightening conversation, Kate Histon speaks with Alison Pagano, a former dance professor and creator of Embodied Dance. They explore the profound connection between intuition, mental health, and the dance industry. Alison shares her personal journey of healing through dance, the importance of self-acceptanc...

Season Two Episode: 06 Dance Real Reflections : How I Approached Dance Competitions as A Dance Studio Owner   In this episode of the Dance Real Podcast, Kate Histon discusses the complexities of dance competitions, emphasizing the importance of managing competition culture within studios, the role of parents, and the significance of feedback in judging. She shares her experiences and insights on c...

Season Two Ep:05 Beyond the Trophy; It’s a must-listen for educators, parents, judges, and dancers who care deeply about growth, values, and creating lasting impact through dance. In this inspiring and expansive conversation, Dance Real host Kate Histon is joined by industry thought leader and author Chasta Hamilton, who shares her journey from high-stakes competition culture to building a more ho...

Season Two Ep:04 For the Ballerina Who Wants More Than Perfect Lines… 🩰✨ Isadora Duncan’s Philosopher’s Stone wasn’t a rejection of dance—it was a call to reconnect with its soul. She believed true artistry comes when movement flows from within, not just from mastering form. For the career-focused ballerina: 🌿 Let ballet be your language, but speak with your soul 🌿 Feel before you perform — te...

Season Two Ep: 03 "That's Not OK!" Consent in Dance   In this podcast episode, Kate Histon interviews Cindy Ambridge about the importance of consent and boundaries in dance education. They discuss the evolving understanding of consent, the significance of communication, and the need for a collaborative approach in teaching. The conversation also touches on the impact of trauma on students and the...

Season Two Ep: 02 "The First Time I was Hit in Dance"  *Content Warning: This episode contains sensitive content about a childhood experience of being hit in a ballet class. Listener discretion is advised. In this solo mini episode, Kate Histon shares a deeply personal story: the first time she was hit by a ballet teacher at just six years old. More than a reflection on one moment, this episode ex...

Season Two Ep: 01 In this enlightening conversation, dance educator Marie Walton-Mahon shares her inspiring journey from a young dancer to a global mentor in the dance community. With over 50 years of experience, Marie discusses her early influences, the challenges she faced in her training, and the importance of creating a supportive environment for dancers. She highlights the development of Prog...

Ep: 08 "I Never Won a Dance Competition and Still became Principal Dancer" Rethinking the Dance Industry with Shane Wuerthner In this thought-provoking episode, Shane Wuerthner shares game-changing insights that challenge conventional perspectives in the dance world. From perfectionism and competition culture to body composition and beyond, Shane delves into key issues shaping the industry today....

Ep:07 “I was Told I Couldn’t Dance Again” In this conversation, former professional soloist ballet dancer Charlene Dujardin shares her inspiring journey from overcoming a life-altering injury to becoming a dance teacher and studio owner. She discusses the challenges she faced in her career, the importance of self-belief, and her vision for nurturing future dancers. Charline emphasizes the signific...

Ep: 06 “My Drive comes from Within” The journey of Amelie Pollock from student to Professional Dancer. In this podcast episode, Amelie Pollock shares her inspiring journey from a young dancer in Byron Bay to a professional jazz dancer now living in London. She discusses the importance of family support, the challenges of transitioning to full-time dance training, and her experiences in the competi...

Ep: 05 - "Breaking the Cycle" - Supporting young Dancers without Passing on Our Wounds" In this enlightening conversation, Kaz Amos, a psychologist, discusses the mental health challenges faced by young dancers and the crucial role parents and teachers play in supporting them. The dialogue explores the developmental stages of children, the importance of emotional support, and the impact of toxic e...