DanceSpeak

In episode 221, host Galit Friedlander and guest Kim Holmes (widely respected director, choreographer, dance educator) explore the roots of house and hip-hop culture through lived experience, mentorship, and time spent inside New York City’s party and club scenes before these styles became widely visible. Kim shares her journey into dance, discovering house at a young age, and learning directly with pioneers like Marjory Smarth during a formative era that shaped how she moves, teaches, and thinks about longevity. Together, Galit and Kim reflect on what it meant to come up in spaces where culture was built in real time—long before social media or conventions—and how being “the it kids” back then came with both opportunity and responsibility. The conversation also moves into technique, recovery, listening to the body, trusting timing, and how mindset and intuition quietly guide long careers in dance. Originally recorded in 2019, this episode feels especially relevant today as dancers revisit foundations, lineage, and what it truly means to sustain a life in dance beyond trends. Follow Galit: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website – https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home – https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Kim Holmes on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kimd.holmes. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In episode 220, host Galit Friedlander and guest Chad Geiger (dance agent at The Movement Talent Agency) pull back the curtain on what representation really looks like from the agency side and what dancers often misunderstand about it. We talk about essential pieces of a sustainable dance career: communication, contracts, headshots and resumes that actually serve you, and how your choices off the floor impact your opportunities just as much as your training on it. Chad shares insight on navigating direct bookings, building trust with your team, and why “doing the basics well” is still one of the biggest differentiators in today’s industry. Follow Galit: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website – https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home – https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Chad Geiger on https://www.instagram.com/chad_geiger Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In this episode, Galit sits down with creator and educator Jason Pickett for a real conversation about the shifts happening in today’s dance world. Jason shares his path from Utah’s freestyle community to building a career outside the traditional LA route, and the mindset behind choosing what actually feels right. They dig into the responsibilities of teachers and influencers online, the short-sightedness that's causing dance studios and conventions business, and a shift in what dancers want to do professionally. Jason and Galit also explore whether competitions are watering down dance, how COVID changed the mentality of young dancers, and why the best teachers don’t rely on the “combo.” This episode pulls back the curtain on connecting the generations, talent development, and what it really means to create good dancers - not just good perfectionists. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ On-Demand Fitness Courses - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/collections Follow Jason Pickett: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heyitspickett/ Jason's Website - https://nsadance.com/

In episode 218, host Galit Friedlander and guest Ben “BTEK” Chung (Kinjaz co-founder, Jabbawockeez, America's Best Dance Crew, and entrepreneur/consultant) dig into what happens when you refuse to take the conventional route. Ben shares how he went from production work at MTV to dancing full-time, creating his own lane instead of following someone else’s path. We talk about best communication practices, navigating contracts with confidence, and redefining success as your career and even priorities change. Ben opens up about mindset, faith, and finding growth in life’s detours, plus what it really takes to stay sharp and inspired over the long game. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ On-Demand Fitness Courses - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/collections Follow Ben Chung: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/btek_benchung Werkflow - https://www.werkflow.us/

In episode 217, host Galit Friedlander and guest Ana Rokafella Garcia (legendary b-girl, co-founder of Full Circle Productions, choreographer, filmmaker, and adjunct professor at The New School), dive into the history, evolution, and impact of hip-hop. From growing up in New York City during the fires, crack epidemic, and AIDS crisis to discovering her voice in cyphers and clubs, Rokafella shares how dance carved out a future for her. She reflects on commercialization, gender dynamics, and visibility in the scene, while urging today’s dancers to stay grounded in the culture’s foundations. The conversation also touches on breaking at the Olympics, the tension between competition and community, and why hip-hop’s resilience continues to guide her work. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ On-Demand Fitness Courses - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/collections Follow Rokafella: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larokafella Website - https://larokasoul.com/ Full Circle: https://www.instagram.com/fullcirclesouljahs Behind the Groove: https://www.instagram.com/behindthegroovenyc/ All the Ladies Say: https://www.instagram.com/alltheladiessay Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In episode 216, host Galit Friedlander and returning guest Liana Blackburn (Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, Cirque Du Soleil, and more), explore the evolution from performer to guide and what it means to lead from embodiment, worthiness, and creative sovereignty. Now a somatic practitioner and sought-after teacher, Liana shares how she helps passionate creatives connect more deeply with their body and being, and live in alignment with their values, on and off the dance floor. We also get into money mindset shifts, building supportive creative containers, and how to navigate the emotional side of dance, from learning choreography with confidence to knowing when it’s okay to walk out of class. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ On-Demand Fitness Courses- https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/collections You can connect with Liana Blackburn on Instagram @iamlianablackburn or via iamlianablackburn.com. Learn more about Liana's October 2025 retreat by visiting iamlianablackburn.com/retreats

*Disclaimer: The audio quality in this episode is unfortunately below our standards but we felt that the content was too valuable not to share it* In episode 215, host Galit Friedlander and guest Stephanie Scull (dancer for Pharrell, Usher, America’s Got Talent and founder of her own successful styling/costuming brand) get into the real-talk intersection of dance, identity, and personal style. Stephanie shares how her path took her from competitive dance and the fashion world to working major jobs in LA and what made her say yes to pivoting towards her own business. From audition looks to headshot rules to what “comfortable” really means when you’re getting dressed for a career-defining moment, this one is full of practical gems and big-picture energy. We talk about boundaries, burnout, why dancers often forget their power, and how to use clothes to show the world who you are, before you even move. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Stephanie Scull on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/scullysculls/. Stephanie's website is https://www.scullystyles.com. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In episode 214, host Galit Friedlander and guest Kwasi Ohene-Adu (dancer, technologist, and founder/CEO of Groovetime) get into a conversation that’s part dance history, part tech-forward vision, and fully rooted in the reality of what dancers are navigating today. From street performing and coding his own programs in college to building a platform that connects dance trends, AI, and digital ownership, Kwasi shares what he’s learned and where he believes the industry is headed. This episode covers everything from soft power and viral culture to how dancers can create new revenue paths without waiting on the old system to catch up. Expect stories, sharp insights, and future-focused ideas—plus a few unexpected laughs along the way. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ On-Demand Workout Programs -https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/collections Learn more about investing in Groovetime by visiting https://www.startengine.com/offering/groovetime. Check out Groovetime on Instagram and TikTok. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In episode 213, host Galit Friedlander and guest, Gerran Reese (Beyoncé, Kaytranda, Dancing With the Stars, Nike, Monsters of Hip-Hop), deconstruct the topic of virality in the dance world, Gerran’s journey from a young working dancer in PDX to becoming a sought-after teacher in LA/globally, and the deeper work of staying true to yourself in an industry that doesn’t always make it easy. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ On-Demand Workout Programs -https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/collections You can connect with Gerran Reese on Instagram. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In episode 212, host Galit Friedlander welcomes beloved ballet educator and coach Lisa Ebeyer (Jackson Ballet, Snow White, and LA’s go-to ballet whisperer for commercial dancers) for a no-holds-barred convo on dancing through every season of life—without apology. Join Galit and Lisa as they talk about ditching perfectionism, keeping your body strong without surgery, and why “every age is a transitional time.” From her early pro career at 16 to falling back in love with dance at 48, Lisa shares what it means to keep showing up, stretch your big toe (yes, really), and coach with zero BS. This episode is equal parts wisdom, grit, and the kind of honesty dancers don’t hear enough of. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Lisa Ebeyer on Instagram: @lisaebeyer Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.