Dance Dad With John Corella

Cheryl Baxter’s very first job as a young dancer put her on the set of Xanadu with Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, and Kenny Ortega. What does it feel like to step into a world like that straight out of a small town in Wisconsin? And how do you carry lessons from legends into a career that lasts for decades? 

Joining John Corella in this episode, Cheryl reflects on the magic of Xanadu, the influence of Gene Kelly’s ease and Olivia Newton-John’s authenticity, and the ways she has kept her career alive through every crossover - from film and television to teaching and even TikTok!

Cheryl’s story invites you to think about resilience, reinvention, and the joy that comes from saying yes to new stages of life in dance.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Dance Dad Introduction

03:20 Making Xanadu With Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly

06:00 Gene Kelly’s On Set Lesson: Relax and Have Fun

10:30 Meeting Olivia Newton-John and Early Xanadu Memories

16:10 Why Xanadu Became a Cult Classic

28:30 Reinvention and Career Crossover From Stage to TikTok

49:30 Filming Magic on Xanadu: Steadicam, Long Days, Big Finale

57:50 Stay Bold: Resilience and Reinvention in Dance 

Connect with Cheryl Baxter:

Follow Cheryl on Instagram

Connect with John Corella:

Follow Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram

Follow John on Instagram

Join Dance Dad with John Corella on Patreon

John Corella Website

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about conversion therapy, psychological abuse, and self-harm. We share these stories to raise awareness and foster healing, but we recognize they may be difficult to hear. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. If you or someone you know is struggling, resources like The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386) are available to provide support.

Conversion therapy survivor Syre Klenke speaks openly about the damaging impact of being forced into years of so-called “treatment” as a teenager and the depression that followed, while also showing how authenticity and community became a way forward. Joining John Corella, Syre recalls the shock of being taken to a conversion therapy conference under the guise of a family outing, the gaslighting he endured from both licensed therapists and church leaders, and the loss of everyday teenage milestones like dating and prom. These stories reveal how conversion therapy robs young people of their sense of safety and self, leaving scars that last well into adulthood. Yet Syre also reflects on the resilience it takes to survive, the courage to tell the truth, and the importance of building spaces where no one has to hide who they are. This episode confronts the damaging reality of conversion therapy while reminding us that healing is possible through honesty, courage, and community.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcome to Dance Dad with John Corella

01:26 Meet Syre Klenke: Comedian, Activist, Conversion Therapy Survivor

04:46 What Conversion Therapy Really Means and Why It’s Damaging

07:58 Surviving Four Years of Forced Conversion Therapy

12:05 Losing High School Milestones and Identity

18:43 The Most Traumatizing Moments of Conversion Therapy

27:49 Abuse and Self-Harm Tactics Inside Conversion Therapy

29:29 Mental Health Struggles and Depression Afterward

34:33 Religion, Patriarchy, and Gender Roles in Conversion Therapy

39:09 Why Survivor Stories Must Be Told

42:14 Conversion Therapy in Politics and the Supreme Court Case

01:04:30 The Boldest Act: Sharing Your Story Authentically

Connect with Syre Klenke:

Connect with John Corella:

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram

John Corella on Instagram

Patreon

Website

Labor Day becomes a reminder that creativity and connection grow stronger when we pause, take breaks, and allow ourselves to just be.

John Corella takes this episode in a different direction, stepping back from the usual focus on dance and LGBTQ issues to reflect on what Labor Day really represents. Born out of union protests, the holiday was meant as a pause from constant work and a way to honor those who fought for fair treatment. How often do we give ourselves that same pause in our own lives? What happens when we step away from the noise of social media or the pull of endless tasks and simply let ourselves be present? 

John shares how these small choices – to rest, to quiet the distractions, to notice the moment – make it easier to find presence on stage, in creativity, and in life. He also takes time to thank listeners and celebrate milestones in the Dance Dad community, reminding us that growth comes from more than effort alone. As summer comes to a close, this episode invites you to see Labor Day as a chance to recharge, reflect, and practice the art of being.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Labor Day Reflections

01:24 The Power of Breaks and Taking Time Off

03:33 Practicing Presence in Daily Life

05:09 End of Summer and Closing Gratitude

Links

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram

John Corella on Instagram

Patreon

Website

Dance conventions can be magical or a ticking time bomb, and John Corella is here to spill the tea on which is which.

This episode isn’t just a summer recap, but a real conversation about what’s happening in the dance world. John shares his experience with Velocity. He opens up about his reunion with Dance Moms alum Melissa Gisoni and what it meant to see her step into her voice after all these years. There’s also a moment with Beyonce’s “dance dad” Frank Gatson that will make you think about how much real mentorship matters in this industry. 

How do we choose where to invest our time, energy, and money? Are we supporting people who build safe spaces or enabling the same toxic patterns? John asks these questions out loud and invites you to do the same.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Safe Space and Podcast Goals

01:14 Dance Moms Reunion with Melissa Gissone

06:07 Velocity’s Inclusivity and Accountability

09:09 Behind the Scenes of Beyonce’s Show with Frank Gatson

10:12 Calling for Safe and Accountable Dance Spaces

12:25 Why Dancers and Dance Parents Need to Take Breaks

Links

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram

John on Instagram

Patreon

YouTube 

Website

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Dance Moms director Jimmy Chriss shares what really happened behind the scenes, and why protecting kids, honoring joy, and telling the truth still matter in reality TV.

Jimmy joins John Corella to talk about his journey from music videos and commercials to the world of Dance Moms. He breaks down what it actually means to direct a reality show where real people, real emotions, and real stakes are always in play.

What does it feel like to protect kids on set while still delivering what people want? How do you stay grounded when the cameras never stop rolling? Jimmy answers these questions with the honesty of someone who’s lived it, through long days, heated moments, and years of experience. He also opens up about racism in the industry and why representation behind the scenes matters just as much as it does on camera. The conversation takes a heartfelt turn when Jimmy shares stories about his wife, her quiet love for the show, the strength she showed during her illness, and how her legacy continues to shape the way he moves through the world.

This episode is a reminder that behind every show are real people, and that the best stories come from those who lead with care.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Jimmy Chriss on Directing Dance Moms

02:38 From Music Videos to Reality TV

07:21 What It Really Means to Direct a Reality Show

09:27 Behind the Chaos of Dance Moms

19:41 Why Dance Moms Still Resonates

25:15 The Show’s Impact on Dance Culture

29:52 Personal Reflections on Loss and His Wife

34:21 Protecting Kids in Reality TV

37:33 How Reality TV Has Changed

42:20 Racism and Representation Behind the Camera

48:01 Choosing Joy, Even in Grief

Links

Connect with Jimmy Chriss:

https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jimmy_jay_chriss/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-jay-chriss-24b7517b/

Connect with John Corella:

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/

John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella

Website: johncorella.net

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Three dance dads pull back the curtain on competitions, parenting in a female-dominated world, and the unexpected friendships that keep them coming back.

In this episode, John Corella brings together Jason, David, and Nick, who are three longtime dance dads who’ve spent years supporting their daughters through the highs and lows of competitive dance. What begins as a casual conversation over Mickey’s beers quickly opens into something more honest. They reflect on what it means to be an involved dad in a space where men are often absent, and how they’ve found connection, humor, and purpose in a world originally built around Dance Moms. There’s plenty of laughter and storytelling, but woven through are deeper questions: How do you stay grounded when competition weekends run 14-hour days? What happens when your kid doesn’t place? How do you handle Dance Mom drama without getting pulled into the chaos?

The episode also takes on the bigger picture: the dads speak openly about the financial and emotional weight of dance, their respect for the artistry involved, and what it’s like to raise daughters within a controversial dance community that includes drag performers, queer choreographers, and bold expressions of identity. Rather than shy away from those dynamics, they lean in with curiosity and support. And yes, by the end, they each imagine their own Dance Dad solos, offering a rare glimpse at what fatherhood looks like when vulnerability and celebration go hand in hand.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet the Dance Dads

05:46 The Real Cost of Competitive Dance

11:42 How Dance Builds Unexpected Friendships

20:41 Dance Dads vs. Dance Moms

29:21 Protecting Daughters in a Controversial Dance Community

32:40 Teaching Resilience Through Defeat

35:28 Diversity, Inclusion, and the Future of Dance

41:10 Misconceptions About Dance Dads

44:10 Could a Dance Dad Reality Show Work?

Links

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/

John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella

Website: johncorella.net

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Melissa Gisoni spent a lot of years trying to do and say the right thing. Then she hit 50 and decided to stop worrying about how others might see her. She joins John Corella for a conversation about finding her voice, showing up more boldly, and choosing joy on her own terms.

John and Melissa talk about the power of allyship, what it meant to her to attend West Hollywood Pride, and how her daughters, Maddie and Mackenzie, have grown up with a strong sense of inclusion and empathy. What does it look like to raise kids in the spotlight while still protecting their spirit? And how do you hold boundaries when the world keeps asking for more?

Melissa also opens up about her dream of becoming an actress and what draws her to roles that feel fun and lighthearted, maybe even a Hallmark movie someday. She shares what she learned from being a dance mom, how she supported her girls as they built careers of their own, and what she would do differently if she could go back, especially when it came to speaking up for Mackenzie.

In this episode, Melissa reflects on what she got right, what she let slide, and what she’d never do the same way again. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how to support their kids without losing themselves, what it really means to protect someone in the public eye, and why using your voice, especially later in life, can feel both freeing and necessary.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Melissa Gisoni

03:10 Celebrating Pride and Community

06:00 Finding Your Voice After 50

08:59 Navigating Social Media and Self-Expression

11:48 The Journey of a Dance Mom

14:51 Reflections on Reality TV

18:07 The Competitive Nature of Dance

20:59 Recognizing Talent in Your Children

24:04 Lessons from Dance Moms

27:06 Navigating Dance Mom Dynamics

30:00 Handling Fame and Its Challenges

33:16 The Importance of Supportive Parenting

36:04 Spirituality and Personal Growth

39:15 Dreams and Aspirations Beyond Dance

42:17 Community and Mental Health

Links

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/

John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella

Website: johncorella.net

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Boldness looks different when you’re a gay dad, a former Broadway dancer, and raising a toddler named Maverick in Florida.

To kick off Pride Month, John Corella is joined by Bret and Stephen, Broadway performers, husbands, and proud dads, who offer an honest look at parenting, partnership, and identity. They talk about raising their son Maverick with intention, finding joy in everyday moments, and the kind of quiet courage it takes to show up as a two-dad family in spaces built for straight families.

Where does boldness come from when the world keeps trying to put you in a box? What does it mean to raise a child who sees authenticity modeled at home? Through stories about sobriety, social media, and their dance competition backgrounds, Bret and Stephen reflect on what has shaped them and what they hope to pass on.

This episode questions the norms that still dominate parenting culture and the dance world, and it offers a reminder that being seen can be a radical act of love.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction and Pride Month Kickoff

08:57 Becoming Bold as Gay Parents

15:03 How Dance Competitions Shaped Identity

17:55 Coming Out and Family Reactions

21:03 Advice for LGBTQ+ Youth

23:50 Finding Joy in Parenting and Creativity

26:55 Coping with Online Negativity

36:57 Personal Stories of Addiction and Recovery

42:20 Relationship Advice for Gay Men

44:10 Authenticity vs. Conformity in Gay Culture

47:51 Navigating Monogamy and Open Relationships

53:47 Parenting Challenges and Emotional Growth

56:34 What Fatherhood Has Taught Us

01:00:07 Public Reactions to Gay Dads

01:04:46 Challenging Gender Norms in Parenting

01:16:30 Understanding Straight Privilege in Family Life

01:21:15 How Representation Shapes Queer Families

01:23:11 Celebrating Pride and Building Community

Links

Connect with Bret and Stephen:

https://substack.com/@broadwayhusbands

Connect with John Corella:

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/

John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella

Website: johncorella.net

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

This episode is a replay of a previous episode of Dance Dad with John Corella. Enjoy! Happy Pride! 

“I loved how free I was,” reflects Ally Marc Jacobs, a transgender teen and emerging star in the worlds of voguing and drag. Inspired by the House of Juicy Couture’s performances and the House of Balmain  on the HBO series “Legendary”, Ally began vogue dancing and quickly became a sensation across social media. She is now a member of both the House of Juicy Couture and House of Marc Jacobs. Today on the Dance Dad podcast, Ally shares insights into the ball culture, her personal journey of coming out, and how both her mainstream and kiki house communities have become like a second family to her.

Ally’s biological family, including her mother Amy, who also joins the podcast, has supported her from the start. Amy discusses the pressures facing Ally as a prominent figure in the trans community, and the scrutiny she faces as a parent. 

Ally addresses her experiences with bullies in various settings, from playgrounds to churches and even political arenas, and how she has found a supportive community. Host John Corella highlights the hypocrisy of parents who criticize Amy for 'forcing a lifestyle' on Ally, while they themselves push their children into unwanted activities.

Ally, confident in her identity from a young age, and perhaps even in past lives, is forging ahead fearlessly. Tune in to hear her discuss her love for Beyoncé, Monster High dolls, and her very own dance dad.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Pride Month & Podcast Intro  

01:04 Meet Allie Marc Jacobs  

04:50 How Are You Feeling?  

08:44 What Is a House in Ballroom Culture?  

14:01 Allie’s Coming Out Story  

16:06 A Parent’s Perspective  

23:38 Handling Bullying & Finding Support  

25:37 Voguing at Beyoncé’s Concert  

29:14 Where Boldness Comes From  

31:54 The Power of Self-Expression  

42:05 Advice for Kids Afraid to Come Out  

49:24 Allie’s Future Goals  

Links

Connect with Ally Marc Jacobs:

Connect with John Corella:

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/

John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella

Website: johncorella.net

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

This episode includes discussions of depression, suicide, and conversion therapy. Please take care while listening. The content is not intended as providing individual counseling on a professional basis. If a listener is in need of psychological counseling they should seek help from a licensed therapist. The show is intended as information and entertainment and not as a substitute for professionally provided counseling or therapy, professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re struggling, please seek help. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for free, 24/7 support.

Depression isn’t a flaw to fix but a signal worth paying attention to, especially for performers who build their identity around applause.

John Corella welcomes Nathaniel Flatt, a licensed therapist, former professional dancer, and one-time boy band member, for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on mental health in the arts. What happens when the dream gig doesn’t fulfill you? Or when rejection keeps showing up and starts to feel personal? Nathaniel shares how he went from dancing with Beyoncé at the Oscars to sitting on a therapist’s couch, questioning what came next and why it didn’t feel like enough.

They talk about the emotional weight performers carry, the difference between sadness and depression, and what it really means to celebrate depression instead of fearing it. Nathaniel explains how therapy became a creative and collaborative practice for him, and why our culture’s obsession with winning often leaves people feeling more lost than ever.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like their worth depends on a callback, a competition result, or someone else’s approval.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet Nathaniel Flatt: Therapist, Dancer, Boy Band Member

06:12 From Performing to Therapy: A Career Shift

14:04 Celebrating Depression and Redefining Sadness

25:04 Rejection, Perfectionism, and Identity

42:07 Finding Self-Worth Beyond Performance

44:43 Creativity, Play, and Pressure in Hollywood

50:24 How to Work Through Depression

Links

Connect with Nathaniel Flatt:

https://www.instagram.com/natflatt

https://nathanielflatt.com/

Connect with John Corella:

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/

John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella

Website: johncorella.net

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm