Chasing Dreams with Aimee J.

How is your dream-chase going? For me, I’m taking some time this month to put significant focus on my personal dream-chasing efforts. I’m taking Nicole Walters’ $1K in 1 Day Academy course, so this is a time for me to work on the course, along with preparing better resources and products for you, the listener. I’m always looking for new and improved ways to inspire, empower, and equip you to chase your dreams. There will be no guest interviews for August, but those will return in September; meanwhile, we’ll cover some great topics with a few solo episodes that you won’t want to miss!

“Dear Me, Myself and I”

Have you ever written a letter to yourself? If you haven’t, I highly recommend it, because it’s something I’ve been practicing. It’s teaching me that I am important and my story is important. Even as identical twins, my sister and I are NOT the same people. When she was born 15 minutes before me, my parents thought she was the only baby. They didn’t know we were twins and that I would be joining the family just a few minutes later! The differences began immediately at birth. We have similar interests but had very different experiences as we grew up. Factors like race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion all work to shape us into who we are and tell us how we see things, but between any two people there are subtle (and some not so subtle) differences. 

TWEET: “Out of the billions of people on the planet, no two are the same. You are important.” #chasingdreams

You NEVER know

How far does your influence and impact go? The answer is that you just never know. Your story may be shared with someone and serve to impact and influence them in ways in which you aren’t aware. You might be blown away if you did know how many people hear your story and are impacted by it. That’s a good reason for podcasting, as it shares the story of person after person, especially in how they live and chase their dreams. We each need to fulfill the purpose we were put on the earth to do, and we accomplish that by trying new things and figuring out what we love.

TWEET: “Each person has different experiences, different perspectives, and a different story to tell.” #chasingdreams

It’s YOUR life

Have you had well-meaning people--even your parents--try to tell you what your purpose is? A parent’s job is to grow and nurture the seeds of passion and purpose so that each child can figure out what their strengths and weaknesses are. It’s part of the reason we try different activities as we grow up. Parents can’t determine the steps you need to take in your life. It’s YOUR life and YOU have to live it and discover your true self. THEN you decide how to let that true self shine through to the world. Don’t let anyone have control over your life to decide WHO you are and WHAT you want to be! Let’s review the top takeaways from this episode:

1. You are important
2. You are unique
3. It is YOUR life, not someone else’s
4. It is important to live your true life
5. Chase your dreams and be happy

TWEET: The point of life is for you to figure out your purpose. #chasingdreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [:30] How is your dream-chase going?
• [1:37] No guest interviews during August
• [2:46] Writing letters to myself
• [3:54] Why your story is important
• [6:54] How identical twins can be VERY different people
• [10:55] Our stories can have a big circle of influence
• [13:09] Find your purpose
• [15:10] Find your true self and live to the truest extent
• [16:54] Who is in control?
• [18:00] Top Five Takeaways

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

www.nicole-walters.teachable.com

Wouldn’t it be nice to have an inside track when it comes to your next job search? How would it be to have an expert in your corner when it comes to crafting your resume or navigating your next job interview? If this sounds like valuable information to you, then you’ve come to the right place. Today’s show is packed with expert advice about finding and scoring the awesome job of your dreams.

Joel Quass has 35 years in management and has a CEIP, CPRW, GCDF, and earned his first professional Human Resource credential in 2012. His business, Six Second Resumes, crafts targeted resumes and cover letters. Joel teaches interview skills and facilitates career development through his coaching programs. A guest on radio stations nationwide, Joel has authored two books and shares his knowledge on the hiring process on his Six-Second Jobs podcast. He’s been kind enough to come on the show and help us understand the mysterious world of resumes and cover letters. 

All it takes is six seconds

How many of us have made mistakes in our resumes and job interviews? (all hands should be raised) It truly is a mysterious world and one that few understand. A resume is a marketing tool that tells a company why they should hire you over everyone else. Joel says, “It’s NOT about you!” The employer wants to hire the person that is best for THEM and the one that meets THEIR needs. Your resume should show how you align with the company’s goals and needs. Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of your resume is how it is perceived by the person reading it. Studies show that it takes about six seconds for someone to scan the highlights of a resume and make a YES or NO decision. 

TWEET: “In high schools and colleges, there is not a lot of emphasis on teaching resume skills.” #chasingdreams

Common sense and a plan

What are two essentials you need in any job interview? You’ve got it---common sense and a plan! An interviewer is trying to find a person who is a good fit, and it goes beyond knowing you can do the work and extends to, “Can I work with you?” Badmouthing a former employer in an interview is a bad course of action. Exercise common sense, which is desperately needed and really can’t be taught. Joel teaches clients to have a plan because not all interviewers are experienced enough to ask the right questions. Joel’s clients are taught to ask the right questions and to take notes during the interview. His teaching also covers how to handle “red flags” on your resume to keep the interview moving forward. 

TWEET: “Every single word on your resume is designed to market you and have someone pick up the phone.” #chasingdreams

Standing out among hundreds

Don’t we all want our resume and our interview to stand out among all the others? The key to standing out is in the top third of the first page of your resume and putting all your valuable information where it will be seen immediately. You can’t bury important information on page two of your resume and expect it to be seen! Joel says your resume should “explode the job description,” showing exactly how you match up and exceed the job description details. He teaches you how to help the interviewer “see” you in the position. Part of his expertise is teaching his Six-Second Action Plan with 12 Ways to Land a Job. 

TWEET: “Common sense and the ability to get along with others are key factors that interviewers are looking for.” #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”It comes down to attitude. I look to learn something new every day. It’s natural to have butterflies in a job search. Get them to fly in formation, and away you go!”

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [:00] A good first impression
• [6:31] “It’s NOT about you!”
• [8:25] It’s a window, not a mirror
• [10:40] What...

Episode Title: Ep. 151: Podcast Movement 2018 Group - Post-Coital Cuisine [PM18 episode]

Guests: Podcast Movement 2018 Attendees

Some collaborators:

• Taylor N. Fosters

Some of the Podcast Movement 2018 attendees overcame their fears of podcasting and proved to themselves they could do it. What follows is a collaborative podcast episode made by the attendees together on the spot. They created this episode in 28 minutes and 9 seconds. 

Don't let fear hold you back.

We're back with regular Chasing Dreams episodes next week. 

Until next time...

Keep Chasing,

Aimee J.

https://youtu.be/J90r8_2Tz6c

How have your dreams played into what you have accomplished in life? For some people, their dreams remain unchanged over the years, and others see their dreams take detours and U-turns as life progresses. In celebration of our 150th episode, I’ve invited some of my beloved family members to join us for a chat about their lives and how they’ve chased their dreams.

I want you to meet my sister Jamie Joshua, my sister Gina Wright, and my brother-in-law Josh Wright. I’ve assembled them from across the globe for this virtual chat in which there is no script and there are no prepared questions. Let’s have fun getting to know them and putting them on the spot as only a sister can do.

We start by getting their take on the world of podcasting and some of their favorites that they listen to regularly. I’m even sharing some of my newfound faves, so listen closely for one or two that you might want to catch also.

How their dreams have played out in life

A common thread among my siblings is the desire to help people and make an impact. You hear that passion as they share their occupations and if that career has truly been the one of their dreams. Jamie is Director of Diversity Inclusion at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. It’s not something she imagined herself doing in her former life as an attorney, but it allows her to help people and make a deeper impact. She says it’s fun to work with a variety of people who have the passion to be change agents in the world. Josh is a dentist at Cornerstone Dental, as is his wife, Gina. Josh started the practice with his brother, and their goal has always been to elevate dental care into a less fearful experience. He has wanted to be a dentist since 8th grade, and even though there have been detours along the way, he has kept his constant vision. He loves establishing relationships with his patients and not just running them in and out of the chair. Gina always wanted to be a doctor, but ended up a dentist. She likes the hands-on approach of dentistry and finds great pleasure in helping people with their smiles.

TWEET: “Write it down and tell someone. It’s the first step toward getting there.” #chasingdreams

How they see others following their dreams

Jamie works with people who are interested in using education to help them figure out their dreams. She loves being the person to remind them of those dreams. Josh sees patients ages 1-98, but he says part of his fun in dentistry is seeing kids grow, develop, and chase their dreams. Gina sees younger staff in their office who want to learn and make their dreams come true. Most of them are in the work because it’s a career they love, and not just a way to make a living.

TWEET: “Do research on what interests you and keep a log of what you find.” #chasingdreams

How they stay sane and their advice for those who think they CAN’T

With busy and demanding careers, it’s vitally important to have other interests that bring joy and peace. Jamie likes to see movies, collect comic books, and spend quality time with friends. Gina has a lifelong passion for calligraphy and is always seeking to do new things with lettering styles. She says it’s a great stress release and gives her a way to make things for people, who are always appreciative of her efforts. Josh gravitates toward woodworking projects like spice racks, wooden pens, and cutting boards. Sometimes he and Gina collaborate on a special project that includes his woodworking and her calligraphy. To the people who think they can’t take on a hobby or don’t have time for self-care interests, they give the following advice: Josh says it comes down to making time for dreams with small, manageable steps; Jamie says you should learn to multitask in small batches of time and always make time for self-care; Gina’s advice is to be a little selfish in taking care...

At what age should you start to chase your dreams? Many people think you should get through the college years and have some life experiences before you really know what you want. But why should your dreams have those time-stamped limitations? Today’s guest shows that you’re never too young to take steps toward accomplishing big things in chasing your dreams.

My guest today is James Mathew, my nephew! He is a rising sophomore at Harvard College, pursuing a degree in sociology and global health and health policy. He grew up in a paradoxical environment in the Chicago suburb of Hinsdale, Illinois. His identity as a first-generation Indian-American informs his politics and fuels his passion for social impact, empathy, and diversity. His most notable endeavors to date are Got Food?--a smartphone application that curbs the effects of domestic hunger, and 21 Colorful Crimson, a Harvard-based music group that advocates for a more inclusive America while pursuing professional success. James is staying with my family for the summer while he interns in DC and he is doing such amazing things at a young age that I knew I HAD to have him on the show.

Defying the stereotypes

You’ve heard the stereotypes we sometimes give to certain ethnic groups, like Indian-Americans. James grew up hearing these, too. He was a good student in math and science--like many Indian-Americans--so everyone assumed he would be a doctor. This assumption hits home to James since his mother and several other family members are also doctors. While James’ family did have expectations of his academic performance, he never felt pressured by them to fulfill a certain path in life. He actually felt more pressure from outside his family. Instead of pursuing a medical degree, James’ true passions run in the direction of music, which is also a talent that runs in his family. Music is a love that he can’t keep to himself, and he has found amazing ways to share this passion with others.

TWEET: “We’re a music group of a group of friends.” @the21CC #chasingdreams

Capitalizing on diversion

What comes to mind when you hear the word diversity? Unfortunately, the word has a negative connotation in society today, but it shouldn’t! James is a member of the unique Class of 2021 at Harvard, the first to NOT have a clear racial majority. James wanted to capitalize on the diverse environment of his class and formed the group, 21 Colorful Crimson, out of a desire to share his passion for music. The 21 stands for their class name AND the fact that there are 21 members. The word Colorful highlights the different backgrounds and narratives of the members, who come together around the music they all love. Crimson is the mascot of Harvard. James and his fellow group members overlook and reject the divisions that society would put on them and they are all passionate about what the group stands for and the music they create. 

TWEET: “We look for collaboration in its most sincere form.” @the21CC #chasingdreams

A healthy arrangement

What can a few college students accomplish in only six months? Ask James and his fellow group members! The group began only six months ago as an idea that took shape over winter break. It took time to form the group and gather the members they needed. The group, 21 Colorful Crimson, is made up of rappers, producers, singers, artists, and more. Many of them perform individually on the side as well as in the group. They use any individual attention to shine back on the group, which has proved to be a healthy arrangement. They hope to stay together for the duration of their college career, so the possibilities are endless! They are learning as they work together, how to hear each other’s voices and opinions to better inform a collective perspective. Check out the resources below to listen...

How would you live your life if there were no rules, if money wasn’t an issue, and if you weren’t afraid of anything? THAT is our topic for today because we are talking to someone who has the courage to find and follow her own path and not one that society dictates for her. 

Marci Nault has immeasurable enthusiasm, passion for fun, and a get-it-done attitude, no matter the situation. Her life can best be described as what would result if Marie Forleo and Tony Robbins partnered together on The Amazing Race. In the last six years, she has completed her entire bucket list of 101 dreams come true, all on a barista’s budget while increasing her net worth. She’s the author of The Lake House, has built and sold two companies, and is a real estate investor. Marci has been featured on The Huffington Post, CBS, ABC, Amped Radio, NPR, and more. She lives fearlessly and has accomplished many things, and she’s not done yet!

The shocking moment that changed everything

What do you want from this life? This was the question Marie asked herself as she watched her once-strong brother fight for his life in the hospital during an intense fight with MRSA infection. Her brother’s experience served as a wake-up call for new evaluation and a closer look at her life, which she calls “a mess.” Although she wasn’t sure how to start over, she realized that life can be gone in an instant and knew it was time to go after what SHE wanted for her life. She wondered, “If money wasn’t an issue; if I wasn’t afraid, and if I didn’t care what people think, what would I do? Where would I go? How would I live my life? Who would I want to become?” From these questions came her bucket list of 101 dreams come true.

TWEET: “A bucket list life isn’t about checking things off, but infusing your dreams into yourself.” @DaretoDream #ChasingDreams

A completely different person

Could she ever go back to her old ways of living? She says there is absolutely no way because she has become a completely different person. Her confidence and health have soared. She realized that her bucket list was the road map to the life she was meant to live. Marci travels whenever she feels like it and trains and performs as a salsa dancer and figure skater. She just finished her second book. She confidently lives every single day as her “bucket list life.” It’s no surprise that she is always adding to the list those new things she wants to experience. She says, “Allow the magnificence of life to always come to you. Living your passions means that there is a place that lifts you up no matter what you face in life. Start with the small things. Fully experience life. Don’t just ‘collect’ the moment so you can post it.”

TWEET: “Listen to what you’re doing in your life that doesn’t line up with your dreams.” @DaretoDream #chasingdreams

What we need to change

Life isn’t WHAT you do with your life, but HOW you live! We always want to put people in brackets according to their age, profession, accomplishments, etc. For kids, it’s all about what they want to be. In school, we are told to get it right and follow the path that we’re told to follow. Society has blocks that everyone thinks they have to fit into. We are asked, “What will you be: Who will you love? Where will you live?” Marci explains that people are uncomfortable being asked how they want to live because they’ve never been asked. It’s like we have never been given permission to “think outside the box,” but Marci says that it’s time to give yourself permission!

TWEET: “My whole life revolves around going from one magnificent dream to the next.” @DaretoDream #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser--”Take the baby step. Go back to what you love to do or wanted to do before people told you that you couldn’t. Find that thing and take one little baby step...

Do you need more self-confidence? Does fear hold you back from chasing your dreams? If your answer is YES, then today’s show is one you cannot miss. We are discussing how to improve your self-confidence, overcome fears, and take baby steps toward true success. 

Mary and Lynlee Ropp focus on building self-confidence in women and generally kicking butt in life. They are a little unconventional, mixing metaphysical spiritualism with good old-fashioned swear words. They wrote their book, Shake Your But! to help others pursue and realize their dreams. They do this through their personal development coaching business, AscendingU. They love how their stories are giving voice to other people. In their words, “It’s time to celebrate who we are, stand up and grab our dreams by the lady balls.”

Helping others

If you’ve fought to gain self-confidence in your life, then you become passionate about helping others achieve the same. This is true for Mary and Lynlee, who started their coaching and personal development company, AscendingU, to empower people to laugh, grow, and love. They love seeing other people achieve their goals and succeed, and they gain great satisfaction in watching that process. Self-confidence is feeling comfortable in your own skin, living for you and not someone else, and loving who you are. Having self-confidence can help anything and everything become attainable as you overcome fear to chase your dreams.

TWEET: If you can think it and dream it, then you can do it. @ascendingu #chasingdreams

Step by step

Are you honest about how you’ve grown and changed? Mary and Lynlee are brutally honest about the personal examples of how they have grown and changed, hoping these will inspire and empower others to do the same. The techniques mentioned in their book are from concepts they have applied in their own lives. Their message is to stop making excuses and take small steps to improve your life. The first steps to take are to build self-confidence and battle against fear and imposter syndrome.

TWEET: I realized I didn’t like the person who was staring back at me in the mirror. @ascendingu #chasingdreams

Steps to “Shake Your But”

Is your life full of “buts”? If you stop and think about it, then you will probably admit that you battle against the “buts” of limiting beliefs. The first step is to identify and acknowledge those limiting beliefs. Ask if your belief system is serving you OR constricting you. Mary and Lynlee say to reframe your thoughts, take action, push past the fear, and put your beliefs into action. Each little step will help you gain confidence. Taking just one or two steps will help you realize you CAN do it. You have to do things in the face of fear and build on each little success.

TWEET: If you don’t think you can do something, then you’re not going to. @ascendingu #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser: 

From Lynlee: “Get out of your comfort zone and ask for what you want. Don’t believe that you CAN’T do something. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but just have the confidence to make changes.” 

From Mary: “Buy our book! Step outside your comfort zone and your fear. That’s where the magic happens and where you start to grow. Wake up ten minutes early tomorrow and think about what you’re thankful for and think positively about yourself. You’ll be surprised how that positive mindset can change the course of your day.”

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [:57] Mary and Lynlee’s occupations today
• [2:35] AscendingU and problem-solving
• [4:34] What it means to have self-confidence
• [11:13] Where they’ve come in the last 10 years
• [14:40] The struggle in creating the book
• [17:15] The first chapter on Limiting Beliefs
• [19:38] How limiting...

Are you living the truth of who you REALLY are? Many people struggle to live within society’s constraints, finding themselves miserable, anxious, and depressed--all because they know they are living someone else’s life. Today’s show introduces you to someone who has been through all of these emotions and struggles, but has taken the leap to live in truth and be authentic. The result has been a settled peace and happiness. 

Maryn McGaw is a queer, trans-female cinematographer who grew up outside Cleveland as one of four children born to two architect parents. This led her down the path of studying mechanical engineering before finding her dream in filmmaking and cinematography. Her love is for lighting, camera work, and collaborations. She’s also served as a crisis and suicide prevention phone line counselor at The Trevor Project, talking to LGBTQ youth across the country. She’s proud to further trans visibility.

Finding her dream

How do you zero in on your dream? Maryn’s first dream was to be an astrophysicist, but she found the path to study mechanical engineering with some aerospace mixed in. With a lifelong focus on science, Maryn got her undergraduate degree, never realizing that she wanted to pursue her creative side. Even back in high school, music was the only creative outlet for Maryn. It wasn’t until a college photography class opened her eyes to the world of cinematography and film production that she felt true fulfillment. She looks back now and realizes that an engineering career would have been too static for her preference. Graduate school at SCAD in Savannah followed college and furthered her creative path to her dreams. 

TWEET: Choosing a creative career if the only thing that has given me true fulfillment. #chasingdreams

Finding her true self

Have you ever tried to be someone you’re not? Maryn spent many years knowing that she wasn’t who she was pretending to be on the outside. She came to the point that she just couldn’t go forward in life without transitioning to a female, so she took a year off to focus on her health and the gender transition. She had already battled depression and suicidal thoughts, so she knew these were steps she had to take for her physical and mental health. It wasn’t easy coming out and transitioning because she had no role models to look to and saw no representation of the transgender life on TV.

TWEET: Coming out was hard because I had no trans role models to look up to. #chasingdreams

Finding the career she loves

What steps are you willing to take to make your dream come true? For Maryn, she made the move from Virginia to Los Angeles, knowing she would have to work her way into the cinematography career she craved. She did this through networking, working in every opportunity, working as a production assistant, being friendly, and showing people everywhere what she was capable of doing. She knew that cinematography would be the peak and she would have to work her way up to it, but she was willing to put in the hard work to get there. Maryn fell in love with the care, ingenuity, and creativity of the craft of cinematography. She realized that this art form held the theory and practice she had looked for in engineering, but couldn’t find outside this creative realm. 

TWEET: “Start being true to yourself!” #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take: “Start being true to yourself. Don’t doubt the person you are and the person you want to be. Know the things that make you happy.”

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [:26} Celebrating the LA Pride Festival
• [1:03] Growing up with architect parents in Ohio
• [2:47] Finding photography and the cinematography dream
• [7:21] Regrets about not figuring out the dream sooner
• [9:09] Life after grad school and...

Have you been chasing your dreams your WHOLE LIFE? My guest today knew what she wanted to do as a young child, and even her mother thought she was a little crazy. As she is not only pursuing her personal dreams, she is working hard to make the same dreams accessible for others like her. 

Ashlei Shyne was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. After studying theater at the University of Toledo, she decided to relocate to Los Angeles and pursue a career in television and film. Ashlei’s first movie appearance came in the summer of 2007, when she was offered the role of Melanie Johnson in the feature film, Johnson’s Family Dinner. She has since been cast in national commercials and in print web series. She is best known as Natalie from the hit series Dyke Central, which is now streaming on Amazon. She’s the founder of Rainbow Bright Comedy, a POC Queer Improv team.

A path that wasn’t easy

Ashlei exhibited some crazy symptoms as a child, wanting to be called by different names and going through multiple wardrobe changes daily. Her mother was so concerned that she took her to therapy; the therapist’s answer was that “Maybe she just wants to be an actress.” Growing up in Dayton, Ohio left very few theater opportunities, so Ashlei created her own! She asked her 6th grade teacher, who supported her burning desire to be on stage, if she could put on a play complete with props and costumes. Not long after that experience, Ashlei saved her allowance and her school lunch money for a year so she could pay for a college theater course--at age 14!

TWEET: “The burning desire to be on stage started early and never left.” #chasingdreams @ashleishyne

The healing power of the stage

Ashlei fought anxiety in her life, but found healing in the power of the stage. Being with others on stage who “have my back”  and were looking out for each other brought peace and calm to her life. When she came out of the closet as bisexual, there was more anxiety because of the homophobia in her family, but performing helped. Ashlei came out to her family at the insistence of her wife, who thought it was important to be with someone who truly accepted themselves. Ashlei’s family took a while, but they have finally accepted her for who she is.

TWEET: “I found the healing power of the stage. It brought peace and calm to my life.” #chasingdreams @ashleishyne

Filling a gap

When Ashlei began her career in Los Angeles, she saw the gaping hole in the improv world for people of certain lifestyles, and especially for people of color in the LGBTQ community. She realized that she never saw anyone like her in TV shows and movies. Beginning the Rainbow Bright Troupe has given her friends that she enjoys being with and who have become like family to her. As a queer person of color, Ashlei has a deep desire to help provide acting opportunities for others like her and she’s willing to do the hard work to see progress, one step at a time. 

TWEET: “I had a deep desire to provide acting opportunities to other people just like me.” #chasingdreams @ashleishyne

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream-chaser to take--”I believe you have an inner child who keeps your dreams alive. Listen to your inner child voice and go after what you want.”

OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE:

• [1:20] How Ashlei started out in acting
• [4:20] Saving money at age 14 for a college theater class
• [5:40] Getting therapy as a young child
• [7:26] How she took an acting hiatus until college
• [12:52] Coming out to her parents
• [16:46] Writing and producing a new comedy show about queer people 
• [18:11] How she never herself represented in TV and movie characters
• [18:54] The beginning of Rainbow Bright
• [22:17] Seeing an absence and filling the gap
• [24:35]...

What have you had to overcome to chase your dreams? Today’s guest overcame severe anxiety, explored what he wanted to accomplish in his life, and found the support to make it happen. His journey wasn’t an easy one, but it’s been fulfilling and rewarding, and----the best is yet to come! He’s here as part of our celebration of June as Pride Month, and I’m beyond excited to share his inspiring story with you.

Juel D. Lane is an American dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch.” Most recently, Juel was a featured dancer in NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert, which starred John Legend, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Sara Bareilles. From October 2017 through March 2018, Alvin Alley American Dance Theater’s second company, Alley II, toured Juel’s piece, “Touch and Agree” around the world. Currently dancing with Bessie Award-winning Camille A. Brown & Dancers, Juel D. Lane’s dance films, Just Another Day, How to Kill A Ghost, and When the Beat Drops, showcase this multi-talented choreographer’s dynamism. 

Find what drives you

How does a kid get through anxiety? For young Juel, he was anxious, nervous, and didn’t know WHO he really was. It was his involvement in the arts that broke the hold of anxiety in his life. He says when you figure out what really drives you, then the anxiety evaporates. It was his high school years that revealed his love for the arts and set the path that his storied career would take. With unwavering support from his parents, he found that being on the stage and performing began to “feel like home.”

TWEET: Figure out what really drives you and the anxiety will evaporate. @jueldlane #chasingdreams

Where the inspiration comes from

Can you be real and raw? Juel takes seriously his responsibility to create choreography that “strips labels and shows humanity.” His sources of inspiration bring the rawness and authenticity to his work. He explains that his work, How to Kill a Ghost, came out of a doomed relationship that he was reluctant to let go of. He used the dance as therapy for the healing that needed to take place. Juel produces “honest choreography that comes from an honest state.” He knows that people are looking for dance to “feed their souls.”

TWEET: People are looking for dance to “feed their souls.” @jueldlane #chasingdreams

Fighting the fear

How do you handle fear in your life? Juel says that he takes fear by the hand and says, “Not today!” When you find your zone and can stay there, then everything else goes away. Juel knows that amazing feeling when the lights dim and the curtains go up and he’s proud to have been a part of such monumental experiences in his career. The success is what pushes him to work hard and want more. When you push yourself, it gives you inspiration to lead into the next project. Juel shares how important it is to do things that scare you and help you conquer your fear.

TWEET: Do things that scare you and help you conquer your fear. @jueldlane #chasingdreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [:11] Juel’s recovery from performing in Jesus Christ Superstar
• [:51] Young Juel who was full of anxiety
• [3:25] Support, community, and his love for dance
• [5:35] His college degree and his love for choreography
• [9:23] How his work resonates with others
• [10:10] Why people can relate to dance
• [11:21] Bringing his work to the Alvin Alley American Dance Theater
• [14:05] How his work has inspired people to become comfortable with themselves
• [16:20] How Jesus Christ Superstar came about
• [17:40] What it takes to perform for live TV
• [19:18] Fighting the fear
• [21:42] Juel’s goals regarding TV performances
• [24:29] What’s next for Juel?
• [26:21] Being in Atlanta vs....