DanceSpeak

Welcome to Episode 152 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Gordon Watkins (Prince, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd at Super Bowl LV and moreee). Gordon originally appeared on the podcast early on as one of our youngest guests at the time. The general public might know Gordon best at the moment for his presence on social media, but what is behind it is years of experience in Los Angeles and a work ethic that we get to learn more about in this episode. Personally, as a Millennial, my views of social media are mixed. I came into this interview with loads of curiosity as Gordon has learned how to propel his own brand and also my general fear of losing myself in social media and ‘trying to make it.’ What I walked away with after speaking with Gordon is an expanded sense of what can be done right with social media and also how it can ultimately benefit the dancer and dance world. With a crossover between the dance industry and social media insta-verse this episode gets into the nitty gritty of growing your presence on social media without needing to sacrifice your essence. Gordon is open about staying on track without needing to get it perfect. This episode is a behind the scenes look at an influencer who sees a bigger picture and how each one of us can create our own path in a beautiful and new way. Enjoy, listen, share, subscribe and DO YOU!!!

Welcome to episode 151 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Dr. Arnel Calvario (Culture Shock LA, Beat Freaks, Kinjaz, Fanny Pack, Kabba Modern, and MORE!). Arnel is an Occupational Therapist who simultaneously maintains his purpose and distinguished role in the dance world. This episode explores who to make room for the things you love. Arnel's journey teaches us that you don't have to choose or be just one thing. Things we explore include the difference between the LA dance scene in the 90's/early 2000's and now, how to affect major change in large dance organizations, pacing yourself during the busy season, ways to give back to the dance world, and so much more! Enjoy, share with a friend and subscribe!

Welcome to Episode 150 of the DanceSpeak podcast where we lift the veil of podcasting and SHARE SHARE SHARE. Jojo Diggs (previous guest episodes 15 and 91), who is known in the dance world as a community leader and educator, is starting work on her own podcast: "Healing Shame." Jojo asks me to go in-depth on how I started DanceSpeak, the creative choices I have navigated, pitfalls, and wins. Beneath it all, this episode is about making a new pathway in your life, career, and journey. Listen, enjoy, share, and subscribe!

Welcome to episode 149 of the DanceSpeak podcast where we talk about love, s-x, romance, our own experiences and do not hold back. Dare I say more? Jasmine Raphael and Alyssa Stamp sit down with me for a roundtable where we get into different types of relationship styles, benefits and drawbacks, our own identify, and things no one seems to talk about that go down in the bedroom. This episode is an expansion of a conversation we had a little over two years on episode 104 where Jasmine, Alyssa, and Amy Morgan discussed experiences being fem. and queer in the dance world. In the space of 2021 Jasmine and Alyssa share about what they've learned over these years and open up about navigating their own journeys in love, romance, and personal growth.

Welcome to a re-release of April 2018's episode 74 of DanceSpeak with Fresh Redding!! (Credits Include: Kendrick Lamar, Pharell, Justin Bieber, Will.I.Am, Busta Rhymes, America's Best Dance Crew, Nike, DWTS, Kia and more...) Fresh has proven himself to be an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and a true entrepreneur. With a clothing brand, event company, and management company, Fresh epitomizes what it can look like to do it all and be an artist. Topics we explore include: What Fresh has learned from working with Kendrick Lamar, giving yourself a 'grace' period while preparing for a career in entertainment (and learning as much as possible in the process), when to work without monetary compensation, the many hats he wears and how he does it all, the significance of leaving his home environment to go to college, dealing with the loss of peers, branding for himself and others, his first experience working for Will.I.Am, what motivates Fresh, and much much more! We also have a segment where I ask fresh to give impromptu coaching to one of our team members in the room and it is AWESOME!

Welcome to episode 147 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Ray Basa. Ray is one of those unbelievably fly dancers who is equally as warm as he is talented. To keep it so real, this episode does one of the best jobs we've done so far at keeping the conversations as real AS IF it wasn't even being recorded. And that's what I LOVE. We talk about everything from freeing up your freestyle, to choreographing on the spot, to finding love, our thoughts on cussing, finding fashion without having to buy new, and more and more. I feel strongly that this episode can apply to all creatives and beyond!

Welcome to Episode 146 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Kim Gingras (Madonna, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake... the list goes OOOON). I think it's impossible not to love Kim. She came from Montreal to Los Angeles with a dream and unstoppable work ethic, which paid off FOR SURE. On top of this, Kim emanates humility and kindness, with a clear passion for sharing as much as she can to contribute to others' journeys. In this episode Kim speaks about her choice to move countries for career and how the parameters of being on work visa actually helped her in the long run. It becomes clear quite quickly that Kim is balancing wearing different hats and she shares how she makes it all work (there is actually a clear approach that is GOLDEN). We talk about how to find your mentors at any stage of life, which celebrity she has worked with that has the most surprising (and fun) difference in personality on and offstage, and I somehow manage to elicit excellent dating advice (wooohooo!). Enjoy this episode, share, rate, review, and follow us on IG @dancespeakpodcast!

Welcome to episode 145 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Violeta Galagarza (In The Heights, Grand Theft Auto, the Latin Grammys). Violet is a forever dancer, choreographer, and founder of a non-profit dance company, KR3Ts, which plays a major role in the bridge between underground and industry dancers in New York City. Violet and KR3Ts have come up in loads of episodes here (if you re-listen or go back into the library, you'll NOTICE), and it is long overdue to have the woman herself come on and tell it like it is. Get ready for a story that exceeds what fiction can ever do. Violet lives hip hop; she lives the melting pot that NYC is; she lives what it is to be a strong Latina woman... we laugh, we reminisce, and I get REEALLL INSPIRED. I can't wait for you to hear the full story for yourself! Listen, subscribe, share, and never give up on your dreams!

Welcome to episode 145 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Violeta Galagarza (In The Heights, Grand Theft Auto, the Latin Grammys). Violet is a forever dancer, choreographer, and founder of a non-profit dance company, KR3Ts, which plays a major role in the bridge between underground and industry dancers in New York City. Violet and KR3Ts have come up in loads of episodes here (if you re-listen or go back into the library, you'll NOTICE), and it is long overdue to have the woman herself come on and tell it like it is. Get ready for a story that exceeds what fiction can ever do. Violet lives hip hop; she lives the melting pot that NYC is; she lives what it is to be a strong Latina woman... we laugh, we reminisce, and I get REEALLL INSPIRED. I can't wait for you to hear the full story for yourself! Listen, subscribe, share, and never give up on your dreams!

Welcome to episode 144 of the DanceSpeak podcast; this is the Fifth Year Anniversary episode! This episode is a switcheroo as the industry vet and 'Words That Move Me' host, Dana Wilson, interviews me, Galit, the creator and regularly scheduled host of DanceSpeak. I let Dana know we can go DEEP and that nothing is off limits. We get into what prepared me for my journey to move and STAY in Los Angeles, what keeps me going in the face of failure... the life experiences that nearly took me out (in many ways). I share one of my favorite memories during my time working as Asst. Choreographer for Prince. I also learn some really surprising similarities that Dana and I have! This episode lifts the veil as your host becomes the guest and I share to let you all know... you never know what one may go through to show up in the packaging - in the light - that they might show up in today. Listen, enjoy, share, and thank you for these 5 years, we are only getting started!!!