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Overstretching, underrepresentation, and pressure from every direction… What's really happening behind the scenes in competitive dance?
John Corella sits down with Sharmila Mitra, a longtime friend and respected voice in the dance world. She’s a competitive dance teacher, studio owner, and a Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor who’s helped dancers heal, grow, and stay in the game for the long run. She’s also the author of “The Power of Intention for Dancers,” and her story is one many in the industry will recognize: pushed hard, stretched beyond her limits, and told her work was “too ethnic” to compete.
John and Sharmila dig into some hard truths: Is a dancer’s flexibility more important than their physical safety? How do we stop celebrating movement that could be damaging our joints for life? Sharmila shares how overstretching as a young dancer led to long-term injuries and why she’s passionate about giving today’s dancers a better way forward.
The two also talk about how Pilates, intention-setting, and proper cross-training can shift the entire experience of competitive dance. Can winning mean more than just a trophy? What if dancers were encouraged to check in with their bodies, not ignore what hurts?
This episode is a must-listen for teachers, parents, and dancers alike, especially anyone who’s ever questioned the way things have always been done. You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective, a few strong opinions, and maybe a little more compassion for the kid struggling through warm-up.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Meet Sharmila Mitra
04:33 Body Positivity and Representation in Dance
06:29 Challenging Norms: Bollywood, Identity, and Belonging
16:06 The Long-Term Impact of Overstretching in Competitive Dance
23:08 Protecting Dancers’ Bodies During Competition Season
27:16 How to Train Without Overstretching
33:33 Setting Intentions in Dance and Competition
40:25 Teaching Dancers to Advocate for Their Bodies
47:04 Integrating Spirituality with Dance Practice
52:15 Healthy Boundaries with Dance Parents
56:00 Knowing Your Worth as a Dance Teacher
01:00:00 When Students Leave: Loss, Growth, and Forgiveness
Links
Connect with Sharmila Mitra:
Website: https://coreartscenter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreartspilates
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
Dance competitions may not come with gold medals, but for many kids and their parents, the pressure feels just as real.
In this episode, John Corella opens up about the intensity of competition season and what it actually takes to support young dancers in a high-stakes environment. What does a proper warm up really involve? When is it better for a parent to step back instead of step in? And how do you help your kid build confidence without trying to control the outcome?
John shares tips for dance moms and dads who want to be a steady presence during those long, emotional weekends. From arriving early to managing nerves in the car ride, to letting go of last-minute fixes and creating space for your dancer to get into the zone, this episode is full of real talk and grounded guidance.
Whether you’re new to competitions or just need a reset, this episode is a reminder that the energy you bring matters just as much as the routine on stage.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
04:52 Common Questions from Dance Moms
05:25 What Dance Competitions Are Really Like
08:15 How to Create a Calm Environment on Competition Day
09:00 Warm-Up Tips and Timing
17:28 When to Stop Rehearsing and Start Trusting
22:12 Helping Kids Manage Nerves and Stay Focused
31:41 Why Reflection Matters After Competition
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
Can you be a gay actor, a man of faith, and a bold truth-teller in an industry that often expects you to pick one?
This week, John Corella sits down with actor and LGBTQ+ activist Danny Franzese, best known as Damian in Mean Girls. Danny shares what it was like to play an openly gay character while still closeted in real life, and how that disconnect shaped his early career. The conversation pulls back the curtain on what many actors face behind the scenes, especially when their identity challenges what the industry expects or understands.
Danny also introduces a less-talked-about influence in his journey: the Alexander Technique. For him, it wasn’t just a posture tool. It became a way to find alignment, physically and emotionally. How do you carry yourself when no one’s watching? Can you feel present in your own skin, even in chaos? Danny makes a case for the connection between movement, intention, and inner peace.
John and Danny also discuss the ongoing debate around representation in the media. Should gay roles be reserved for gay actors? What does authentic storytelling really require, and who gets to tell which stories?
This episode is part personal story, part thoughtful critique, and part reminder that the body, the voice, and the truth all deserve space. Danny brings depth, humor, and honesty to a conversation that speaks to anyone who’s ever wondered whether they’re “too much” to be fully seen.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
04:44 Alexander Technique
10:53 Stage Performance and Authenticity
14:48 Acting and Being in the Moment
19:29 Past Danny and Future Danny
23:19 Coming Out and Mean Girls Experience
26:40 LGBTQ+ Representation in Media
29:15 Career Challenges Post-Mean Girls
32:14 Becoming an Advocate
34:07 LGBTQ+ Films and Representation
38:55 Wokeness and Diversity
41:14 Realistic Representation in Media
Links
Connect with Danny Franzese:
www.yassjesuspod.com/
patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella
@dancedadpodcast.bsky.social
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
Instagram is failing kids. What happens when someone decides to walk away?
John Corella sits down with Lennon Torres to talk about her decision to quit Instagram and why she’s pushing for stronger online protections. From cyberbullying to sextortion, social media isn’t just a distraction. It’s a real danger, especially for young queer individuals. Lennon shares the work she’s doing with the HEAT Initiative to hold tech giants accountable and explains how platforms like Instagram and Apple could make simple changes to protect children, but choose not to.
This episode explores an idea that’s central to Lennon’s activism: Joy in Resistance. How do you stay hopeful when fighting an uphill battle? Why is choosing joy a powerful act of defiance? John and Lennon’s conversation challenges listeners to rethink their relationship with social media and consider what real connection looks like in a world that profits from keeping us hooked.
Quotes
Links
www.protectchildrennotabuse.org
https://mashable.com/article/quitting-instagram-meta-you-should-too
Connect with Lennon Torres:
linkedin.com/in/lennon-torres-325b791b4
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Join Patreon for Free! BTS content and monthly zoom meetings: https://patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
Masculinity built on dominance leaves men stuck in a cycle of insecurity and disconnection. John sat down with Brian Recker to unpack the false masculinity that keeps men trapped and explore how breaking free from patriarchy leads to something real.
Brian, a former evangelical pastor turned social media voice, shared his journey of challenging the outdated expectations placed on men. They talked about why traditional masculinity so often revolves around dominance and how that pressure keeps men from forming real connections. Patriarchy doesn’t just harm women and marginalized communities. It also forces men into rigid roles that suppress emotion, vulnerability, and self-acceptance.
Brian opened up about what it took for him to step away from those limiting beliefs and embrace a healthier, more authentic version of manhood. He offers a powerful perspective on strength, one built on empathy, mutual respect, and the freedom to be fully human. This episode is a call to rethink what masculinity really means and create space for something better.
Quotes
Links
Connect with Brian Recker:
www.instagram.com/berecker
www.brianrecker.com
Dance Dad with John Corella Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
Fifteen years in Wicked—that’s a lot of shows, a lot of cities, and a lot of memories. Broadway performer Justin Wirick shares how he’s kept the magic alive night after night, from tumbling across the stage to finding joy even in the hardest moments.
In this episode, Justin sits down with John Corella to talk about the highs and lows of a life in theater. He opens up about the pressure that comes with longevity, the way gymnastics shaped his movement, and how Wicked continues to inspire audiences after two decades. They also get into the Wicked movie, breaking down what worked, what felt different, and why choreography plays such a huge role in the show’s impact.
How does a performer stay motivated after more than a decade in the same production? What does it take to keep showing up, even when life throws its hardest challenges? Justin’s perspective is raw, thoughtful, and full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from experience.
Quotes
Links
Connect with Justin Wirick:
www.instagram.com/justinwirick88
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
“You would think we would have learned our lesson, but we didn’t,” says Reverend Dawn Check—known to fans of Dance Moms as Minister Dawn—who returns to the Dance Dad podcast to discuss the state of the world in the wake of the re-election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. They discuss the fear, the anger, the exhaustion and how this will affect the country, particularly women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. They discuss what role they each had to play, where they failed and what the next four years threaten to look like.
They also discuss what we can learn from Jesus—as well as Moses, Esther and many other stories from the Bible—about strength, forgiveness, perseverance, and faith in the face of fear. They discuss hypocrisy and the way certain groups—namely Christian Nationalists—will exploit the teachings of the Bible to suit their own destructive ends and how people will vote in their own interests at the expense of other peoples’ rights—and even their own. John shares why the beatitudes are even greater scripture to live by than the Ten Commandments.
Join today’s discussion to learn the best way to move forward and how we can start to use our voices to take charge of our futures.
Quotes
Links
https://www.patreon.com/c/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella
https://www.instagram.com/dawnlynncheck
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
“It was a dream come true,” says Lindsley Allen, dancer, dance educator and creative choreographer about her role in the now-iconic dance film Showgirls, starring Elizabeth Berkley. Originally, the movie was supposed to be the big dance movie of its generation—something of a “Basic Instinct” meets “Flashdance.” Though the initial reception was less than ideal, in the 30 years since its release, the film has become a cult classic, with fans memorizing every line, and its star—who so unfairly bore the brunt of the backlash—has gone on to receive long-overdue acclaim. Today, Lindsley discusses what it was like to work on such a major movie production, why it was initially misunderstood and now so beloved, and why dancers should always be consulted when making a film about dance.
Just as “Showgirls” paved the way for later, more lauded films like Demi Moore’s “Striptease,” dancers like Lindsley and host John Corella paved the way to improve the regulations, conditions and rights of dancers working on major film productions. Lindsley discusses what it was like to film the scenes in which the dancers performed topless, working with legendary choreographer Marguerite Derricks, and how her training program The Boom Effect is helping to prepare emerging dancers with bankable skills.
Join today’s episode of Dance Dad to hear Lindsley recall fondly what it was like to be part of what turned out to be a cult classic.
Quotes
Links
Connect with Lindsley Allen:
www.instagram.com/lindsleyallen
1nightonlyboomeffect.eventbrite.com
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
“When you use your voice, you get closer to the truth,” says today’s guest David Coury, acting coach extraordinaire, whose class, as part of the Howard Fine studio, helped host John Corella remember his own authentic voice. Today he joins the Dance Dad with John Corella podcast to explain that when we speak in our own unique, authentic voices—whether it’s in acting, the arts, or in everyday life—we are not only connecting to the core of who we are but we are fulfilling the dream of our ancestors. After all, sound and the speech that grows from it, was born long before us and is infinite.
When not speaking in his own words, Mr. Coury has a wealth of quotes from luminaries, from Hemingway to Emily Dickinson to Shakespeare, to help illuminate his invaluable wisdom which he shares with listeners today. He discusses the importance of speaking before thinking, of “experiencing” words beyond their dictionary definition, and how finding our voices can transform us and set us free in ways we can hardly imagine.
“We all have brilliance just on the tip of our tongues,” Mr. Coury says. Join today’s episode to learn more about how you can tap into your own brilliance and speak your truth, fearlessly, to the world.
Quotes
Links
Connect with David Coury:
https://www.howardfine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mrcoury/
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
“In a world that tries to beat you down, if you don’t have hope, you don’t have anything and that’s why we fight so hard for the stuff that we love,” says John Erickson mayor of West Hollywood, California, who joins today’s episode of Dance Dad with John Corella to discuss politics, social justice, and what it’s like to be at the helm of one of the biggest and most popular gay cities in the world. Mayor Erickson talks to host John Corella about his early exposure to activism in small-town Wisconsin thanks to his grandmother and best friend Gladys, his message for the LGBTQ youth, and how he keeps fighting the good fight for change.
As it goes, being mayor is a bit of a balancing act. He makes strides to support small businesses as well as workers’ entitlement to a living wage; to make the streets safe and clean for cars, pedestrians and cyclists alike. He and host John Corella talk about building a loving and supporting community of influence around oneself and how we can have uncomfortable political conversations while maintaining our boundaries.
Mayor Erickson will reveal how we can break through people’s resistance to change, how people can get involved and register to vote, and the Hillary Clinton quote he sports as a tattoo.
Quotes
Links
Connect with John Erickson:
weho.org
https://www.instagram.com/JohnEricksonWH
vote.org
Be a supporter of the podcast join
www.patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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