DanceSpeak

In episode 162 host Galit Friedlander and Cultura (Ariana Grande, Maluma, Farruko, Owner of Cambio Studio), discuss gender-bending in the dance world, wardrobe woes, and how to create your own lane. 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 Cultura on Instagram. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

In episode 161 of the DanceSpeak Podcast, Galit Friedlander and Lee Gumbs (photographer w/ credits that include Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Jason Derulo) sit down and talk about Lee's start as a professional dancer and how he became the ultimate photographer for movers. 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 Lee Gumbs on Instagram @LeeGumbsPhotography. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

In episode 160 Galit Friedlander and Janelle Ginestra (Naughty Girl Fitness, SZA, P!nk, more...) do a deep dive into Janelle's early years in dance, how she made it big in Los Angeles, and her approach to self-confidence. 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 Janelle on Instagram @JanelleGinestra and check out Naughty Girl Fitness on Dance Tutorials TV, or in the Apple and Google app stores. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Happy 2022 and welcome to Episode 159 of the DanceSpeak Podcast with our very special guest, Solange Zindzi. Solange is a professional dancer who has toured the world with her artistry in dance and as a model, and is the author of the book 'Solo Jump.' Originally from the Netherlands, Solange's journey spans continents and includes quite the career crossover. In this episode, Solange shares about her decision to come to New York City to pursue a career in dance and her choice to move to Los Angeles after. We also get into what it's like dancing on cruise ships (a significant industry for dancers) and touring the world with international super star Chayanne. Chatting with Solange gave me insight on how vital it is to listen to your gut, how the pandemic can also be an incredibly creative time, and how to trust in the journey regardless of how it looks at any given moment. We also got into Solange's step-by-step process of bringing her book from an idea to a finished piece of literature and how she even had fun in the process (who knew, right?!). Are you ready to kick off your year with some serious inspiration? Then this episode is for you. Listen, subscribe and enjoy!

YERRR! We are delighted to present you with Episode 158 of the DanceSpeak podcast as we bring you a handful of curated moments from this last year of interviews. Topics that are covered in this episode include tales from the cypher in the earlier days of hip hop, an unbelievable tour story, patience and being YOU, winning your career, dancers rights, and words of inspiration that will move the soul. Guests that are featured in this compilation include: Jonte (ep. 135), Brian 'Footwork' Green (ep. 140), Chase Benz (ep. 143), Anissa Williams (ep. 138), Taja Riley (ep. 156), Kara Mack (ep. 137). Listen, subscribe, and enjoy listening to our library of over 150 episodes!

Our Special Guest this week is the one and only Brian "Footwork" Green. This is Brian's second visit to the podcast and as always he shares with us a gorgeous boatload of knowledge on how to keep growing as dancers, teachers, humans (I know I know). My conversation with Brian weaves through broader lessons of the human experience while also being specific to dance knowledge. For instance, when it comes to confidence, Brian has a way of looking at things that I feel can apply to anyone who's interested in showing up with a stronger sense of self. Brian and I also get into musicality and the different ways of looking at it to keep one's dancing or freestyle from getting stale. From there we discuss culture, the erasure of a generation of dance, and where to still access the source inspiration for so many dance forms we love today, such as Chicago Jit, footwork, and house fusion. Are you ready to get into it?

Welcome to episode 156 of the DanceSpeak podcast with special guest Taja Riley (Janet Jackson, Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, the list goes ON). Taja, a dance prodigy, has been working professionally for years and is now using her platform to stand UP for dancer’s rights by breaking the myth of the “replaceable dancer”. This is a must-listen episode for dancers and I would say for anyone who appreciates dance too. Taja bravely shares some of her personal experiences on the job, including on-set treatment of the dance artists that was not up to par. We also discuss how gratitude is not an invitation to be any less respected, navigatong how to get needs met on set, injury talk, mental health in the audition space, MONEY, and what we can do as members of the dance community to break the viscous cycle of low pay and mistreatment. Listen, subscribe, share, let's grow!

Welcome to Episode 155 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Erica Hornthal (dance/movement therapist and counselor). I originally met Erica as a colleague on Doctors for Dancers. She impressed me with the way she approaches well-being and her understanding of dancers' needs from her own background in dance. I knew that I wanted to unpack some of the longer-term impacts of the demands of dance, especially in the professional world. In order to bring more than just my own lens, Codie Wiggins, who has a major list of professional accomplishments, joined in to ask questions and discuss. Some of the major topics we discuss and ask Erica about include how to deal with the constant comparisons of dance (and social and life), how to navigate going in and out of burnout (or in and never leaving?!), and ultimately learning to listen to yourself. Listen, enjoy, share, subscribe!

Welcome to Episode 154 of the DanceSpeak podcast with repeat guest Codie Wiggins (first episode was ep... 6?!). Codie's credits are plentiful including Justin Timberlake, Usher, Pitch Perfect, Get On Up... the film! To be real, when I read the resume I blushed, but what REALLY gets me about Codie is his humanity. Striking the balance between unparalleled focus and humor galore, Codie is a joy to sit on the DanceSpeak couch with as he shares about finding love while on tour for Justin Timberlake and walking us through the journey to... mmmmm... we won't give it away! Codie also opens up about his journey from Los Angeles to living in 4 separate countries/5 different cities all while continuing to propel his career. Listen, enjoy, subscribe, and let us know your favorite part (that's what IG is for right?).

Welcome to episode 153 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Yani Marin (The Beyoncé Experience, Broadway's Westside Story, Empire, Jack Ryan and more). From starting ballet as a child at one of the most competitive ballet schools in New York (School of American Ballet) to making her debut as an actress on television with Empire, Yani knows the entertainment industry and what it takes to pivot. This episode looks at choosing between New York and Los Angeles for work while navigating longevity in the entertainment industry regardless of what you're told you 'should' do. Yani is a powerhouse who shares about being fearless when it's time to take a break, proving herself multiple times for every career change she has made and what the different iterations of her career have taught her over the years. We also get into love advice... when it comes to finding romantic partnership with an artist and why you shouldn't let life 'should' on you (get it?!). Enjoy this episode, share, subscribe, and remember: you do not need permission to pursue YOUR journey.