ABSOLUTE TALK

We start off the second part of Julia's conversation by looking back at how she was first interested in west coast swing dancing and what she realized very quickly how different local dancing was vs. weekend events. Also, what was the best advice she'd ever gotten from a pro at an intensive (seminar-type) event that applies to her skill as a dancer. Then we talk more music, singing techniques that describes her vocal style, the differences between paramedics vs. EMT. And we dive into her lineage that may surprise you!

The conversation was so much fun it had to be broken up into two parts. For this week, Julia Boucher joins the podcast to share her stories from hiking, to working as an EMT, coral researching in Belize which we'll find out how that came to be. She's also a musician in which we'll hear about with regard to her career in that during the pandemic and her favorite inspiration. Plus, there's one common food item that she never had tried EVER till two years ago that you'll be shocked by.

This week the event-directing fun continues as I chat with the co-creater of Swustlicious, Stephanie Risser Loveira!! Some of the great things we talked about were how got started in hustle to adding in west coast swing, and how that helped improve her first dance greatly. We'll also get into how she started Swustlicious with her tag-team partner Angela McCabe including some great behind-the-scenes stories. And we'll look back at how she met her husband Victor, the dance community and even more!!

One of the greatest minds of the west coast swing circuit, Victor Loveira, returns to the pod as we look back at his DJ journey from the very beginning!! He shares with us memories of the mobile DJ business he started with his brother, first influences, to even his first gigs and more! He also dives in to the equipment used back then, how he learned so much from nightclubs including stories he has from that along with the behind-the-scenes of the music biz. And also some of his favorite clients, parties, other places to DJ for, and celebrity encounters that will shock you!

This is definitely a historic moment today as Absolute TALK! celebrates it's 100th episode with a twist!! The "Dancing Doctor" Elysha Greenberg takes over as the special guest host interviewing me about all sorts of topics related to me and the show. We also read some of the questions that fans and past guests of the show sent in that we truly thank you for, and also play back some clips from past episodes that really stood out.

It's great times and I want to personally thank each and every one of you that either tuned in or were a part of the show from when I started to now! None of this wouldn't be possible without your love and support!

Don't forget to follow the show with #absolutetalkpodcast

Today, Ben Pollak joins the show for some great stories and great journeys of multiple proportions! We'll dive into his life on the farm and what he has going on these days. Also, he shares his days of traveling overseas to places such as Australia, New Zealand and more as well as his love for animals. And also we get into how his passion for west coast swing dancing ignited, plus we share some of our favorite memories when we used to go to Super Swing Tuesdays at The Brix!

On what would've been his 89th birthday, myself along with Victoria Locke share our favorite memories of the late, great icon, Regis Philbin. Not just that, but also a few facts that we recall from his book, "How I Got This Way", that he wrote in 2011 which is worth reading or listening to the audiobook version of. Also, if you have a favorite memory of him that you would like to share, please post on Facebook with the hashtag #absolutetalkpodcast and I'll read it on my next solo episode.

That's right we are putting the spotlight on one of the great west coast swing dancers to come out of Montreal, Quebec, Simon Girard!! We'll look back at how he got into that dance and why "Spotlight" is the key word in the episode that has some great stories to it! Plus, we'll get his recollection on how he met his wonderful wife and mom-to-be Isabelle Roy which they are expecting their first child at the end of September. We also share great travel highlights, food for thoughts, and other great topics!!!

We continue the conversation looking at a variety of things from fun facts to music to weekend events we've both been to and where we would like to go in the future. Also she gets into her passion of healthy foods including what she had cooked up during the pandemic. Then we look back at some other dance highlights from our Jack and Jill dance and what the future holds for us doing strictly swing in 2021....maybe.

Joining me this week for this two-part episode is the talented dancer Erika Victoria Dane! This interview took place prior to her moving from NY to San Diego, but we'll get into why she's making this move temporarily. Plus, how her dance story began along and the challenges of teaching. Not only that, she reflects back on her days growing up with stage fright, going to modeling school and why she left later on, and the physical and mental changes she had dealt with over time. Also she's got some questions for me and we'll get into music a bit later on.