Professional dancer, and tenured professor at the University of Akron, Cydney Spohn gives us insight into skills that are useful not just for dancers but for anyone in the creative space. 

Show Highlights

Cydney talks about her love for dance from the young age of 4 and how she immediately graduated high school and became a professional dancer.

Later, Cydney highlights the importance of perseverance and the use of her network to land her two very prestigious and coveted positions.

Key Takeaways

If you really want to do something big, the first step is your network.

Never underestimate the power of who you know and use that to your advantage.

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In this episode of the My Creative District podcast, host and founder of My Creative District, Jesse Paul Smith, speaks to successful singer, speaker and podcast host Kelly Clinger. Kelly’s animated spirit brings a life to the show that is engaging, funny, and poignant. 

Show Highlights

Kelly talks about her journey into meeting the stars of the Mickey Mouse club and how being her authentic self helped her make genuine relationships.

Kelly discusses how her suicide attempt hanged her life for the better. 

Key Takeaways

Life is one huge lesson. 

Don’t get bitter. Get better.

Sometimes the good has to get out of the way for something great to come.

Real Kelly’s Book “Chubby Girls Don’t Cheer”

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Co-Founder of Culture Shock Culture & Records and THE guru for building a personal brand on social media, Lauren Davis is the guest on this show. She speaks about practical action items to build your brand and even discusses her start into coaching, speaking, and building her own personal brand.

Show Highlights

Lauren talks about how she has developed her passion for marketing and used it to fund her business and life.

Jesse inquires about the tactics Lauren teaches her clients to get their personal brand off the ground running.

Key Takeaways

When it comes to social media, don’t post and ghost.

People trust people way more than they trust brands.

Culture Shock Clothing & Records 

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A self proclaimed ambivert, Jesse Sykes, is a dancer who believes in living an authentic life and understanding the power of your mindset. Jesse was introduced to the underground scene in Utah in his teenage years and shifted his focus from being a professional soccer player to a dancer. Judging battles by the age of 23, Jesse eventually moved to L.A., where he reached his lowest point. As the episode continues, we learn that a change in mindset and fire for life and dance are what set Jesse back on track. 

Show Highlights

Jesse Sykes talks about how in spite of his plans, moving to L.A. was one of the lowest points of his career.

Jesse talks about how a shift in his mindset was a game changer for his dance career and ultimately, his life. 

Key Takeaways

Let go of the things that no longer serve you. 

Life happens for you not to you. 

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When Michael went from high school teacher to Broadway producer in under two years people started to ask him how he managed it.  Michael began his career as a high school English teacher before producing Off Broadway and then on Broadway. This combination of experience in the arts and entrepreneurship led to Michael starting an arts incubator program to teach more artists about building and growing their own businesses (PLAE). Eventually, he decided to develop a workshop on networking which grew into a full time consulting practice and that became Small Pond Enterprises.

Show Highlights

As Michael speaks, he discusses how to build a business model around connecting people.

Michael discusses his entry point into Broadway and his untraditional networking framework. 

Key Takeaways

It’s not about what you do. It’s what you do for the client.

Relationship retention is what makes you successful.

Small Pond Enterprises

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Dancer and founder of “Unlock Your Style,” Koncept (Paul Giuntu) is the first to admit that he was a “bad” student. “Replace bad with ‘lazy,’” he says. However, once he found his passion in dance, then subsequently Krump, Koncept picked up various skills during his move to Los Angeles. Listen to where “Unlock Your Style” comes from and what it means to the future of the dance community during COVID-19 and beyond.

Show Highlights

As Koncept speaks, we learn about his method of “teaching people formulas and allowing them to input their own variables to get their own answers.”

Jesse asks Koncept what Unlock Your Style is about and highlights how it is changing the dance community.

Key Takeaways

Belief + Action = Results

You are in charge of your mind therefore you are in charge of your results.

Unlock Your Style 

Unlock Your Style YouTube

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Tommy Swanhaus is a global entrepreneur, top influencer, 22X Best Selling Author, and social media/digital marketing expert. He has been described as a Creative Genius for his vision, innovativeness, and monumental accomplishments that he has achieved in short periods of time. In this episode, Tommy and Jesse discuss Tommy’s journey to becoming the marketing powerhouse that he is widely recognized as today.

Show Highlights

Tommy begins by acknowledging the role his family and upbringing have played in his career path and creative/entrepreneurial duality.

As Tommy speaks, we learn about one of the biggest decisions he had to make in his career.

Jesse asks Tommy about his current projects and what the audience can expect to see and hear from Tommy.

Key Takeaways

Creativity is coming up with an idea and executing it. 

The power of mindset trumps the power of skill set. 

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Tommy Swanhaus University

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