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 and Kendrick Lamar to Disney's Oscar-winning Encanto, explores: "tuning into your frequency"—discover...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min
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 contestant to All-Star to judge, reveals: Her groundbreaking new show "A/VOID"—a double entendre expl...
Jun 10, 2025•48 min
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 into Parsons Dance—how being spotted at Marymount's summer intensive led to an immediate company place...
Jun 04, 2025•47 min
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 You'll Discover: Family DNA of Dance - How Lisa's love for movement began at age 3-4 in a juke joint, w...
May 28, 2025•49 min
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 Rockettes and performing on iconic stages The often overlooked reality of navigating dance training...
May 21, 2025•53 min
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 projects often fuel paid opportunities, and explore the universal value-creation formula that applies to da...
May 14, 2025•22 min
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 across fashion, television, film, and advertising, Erik reveals: His surreal moment seeing himself on bi...
May 07, 2025•48 min
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 the vision while preserving the humanity of everyone involved. Drawing on her experiences with Beyoncé, ...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min
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 we experience (physical, emotional, and mental) and how to identify each in your body Why restricti...
Mar 26, 2025•59 min
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 seen as multidimensional in an industry that prefers singular labels. Despite his passion for choreog...
Mar 19, 2025•58 min
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 Bowie, Bette Midler, and Tina Turner. Here’s what you’ll discover: – How Toni’s behind-the-scenes childh...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 17 min
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 and effectively balancing self-criticism and self-compassion. This episode will help you: Reflect on...
Mar 05, 2025•23 min
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 authentic artistic voice. Here’s what you’ll learn: -How Tony discovered his calling as a choreogra...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 6 min
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 moment From Broadway to the Grammys: invaluable lessons from crossing industry boundaries PLUS! A New s...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 18 min
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 Numbers: Why the “mass exodus” narrative might be more dramatic than the data suggests Listen now for ...
Feb 12, 2025•20 min
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 “required” Real talk about owning your style & challenging dance gatekeepers Plus, candid confessi...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 4 min
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 connections through sincere appreciation and follow-through Plus, we’re mixing serious career advice with pl...
Jan 01, 2025•57 min
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, breaking down the glamorous myths, and revealing the true human experience behind creative achieveme...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 27 min
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 conflict resolution techniques, and discovering how dance class mindsets can revolutionize difficul...
Nov 20, 2024•20 min
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 demonstrations, trading stories about movement inspiring character work, and discovering how rhythm shows up in the ...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 5 min
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, and the delicate balance of embracing life’s contradictions in your work. It’s an acting masterclass f...
Oct 23, 2024•59 min
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 at an all-girls Catholic school (featuring Dawson’s epic jacket fail ) Which one of them is the Mar...
Oct 16, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 222
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 yourself first Career Tips for Dancers: Best practices for brand and influencer relationships Insights...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 separated from our work, a 30.000 ft. view of commercial dance, and what it took to create his new fil...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 6 min
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, and what might happen if AI consumes creative industries. Be prepared to go introspective with the one...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min
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 the challenges that come with it. Listeners, please enjoy the one and only, Jillian Meyers! Watch the ...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 217
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 coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURC...
Sep 04, 2024•13 min
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 Harris, and Tina Turner). Nina is a consummate professional with an insatiable appetite for dance, ...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 Tame Impala Watch Hey Mickey by Toni Basil Listen to Asking Good Questions Listen to Joe’s episode Wa...
Aug 14, 2024•35 min
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 episode has range… As does our lady, the one and only, Meg Lawson! Watch the full episode here. Show Notes...
Aug 07, 2024•58 min
