In this milestone 10th episode of the No Counts Given Podcast, host Kyle Rush takes you behind the scenes of the International Dance League (IDL) and the evolving world of competitive dance. Kyle dives into the controversy between IDL OG (2019) and IDL NEW (2025), transparency issues in scoring, and the ongoing battle to elevate dance as a true professional sport.Thank you to our sponsor, Dance Team Union! Head over to www.danceteamunion.com for more information on their regional and national events!From exclusive VIP insights to the cutting-edge impact of contracts, salaries, and championships on dancers' careers, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of art, sport, and competition. Kyle also shares his VIP experience to the Launch Event of the International Dance League.

In this episode, I sit down with Emma Desiderio and Sophia Mervenne, the powerhouse coaching duo behind Grand Valley State University’s Dance Team. 

Thank you to our incredible sponsor of today’s show! DANCE TEAM UNION! Head to www.danceteamunion.com to learn more about their summer camps, regionals and national events! 

We dive into their journey from athletes to head coaches, the legacy and evolution of GVSU Dance, and how they’ve continued to build a championship-caliber program rooted in accountability, creativity, and culture. From training philosophy to team standards to the importance of alumni ties, Emma and Sophia share an honest look at what it takes to lead one of the most respected collegiate programs in the country

Follow Grand Valley State University @gvsu_lakerdanceteam

Follow Kyle Rush, the host of No Counts Given @itskylerush 

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Rob Miller from Proactive Coaching for an inspiring and honest conversation about leadership, culture building, and the changing landscape of coaching generational athletes. Rob brings decades of experience working with coaches and teams across the country and drops invaluable insight that every dance coach, athlete, and leader needs to hear.Special thank you to our amazing sponsor,  @DanceTeamUnion  - go to www.danceteamunion.com for their competitions, summer camps and national events! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews and conversations that matter.Follow Proactive Coaching  @ProActiveCoaching  Follow Kyle Rush  @itskylerush  Follow No Counts Given  @NoCountsGiven  www.nocountsgiven.com

Join me for a MAJOR sit down chat with Sara Heptig, head coach of the Kansas State University Classy Cats, to talk all things game day, tradition, and building a legacy.HUGE THANK YOU to our sponsor Dance Team Union! Visit their website for all things camps, regional competitions and nationals at www.danceteamunion.comFrom performing on the field to competing on the nationals stage, Sara chats about the culture she’s created within the K-State spirit program, the evolution of the Classy Cats, and what it means to represent purple pride. We also dive into her coaching philosophy, the importance of consistency and class, and how she's empowering the next generation of dancers through structure, support, and school spirit.Follow the K-State Classy Cats @kstateclassycats Follow No Counts Given  @NoCountsGiven  Follow Kyle Rush, the host of No Counts Given  @itskylerush ​

In this episode of No Counts Given, we sit down with Quinton Peron, an award-winning choreographer, former Rams cheerleader, and one of the most influential figures in the dance team world.Thank you to our sponsor Dance Team Union! Go to www.danceteamunion.com for more information on their summer camps, regional competitions and national events! We dive into his recent collaboration with the San Diego State University Dance Team and explore how he approaches choreography across competitive dance, game day, and those viral moments we've all seen. Follow Quinton  @MrQChoreography  @itsaquintonthing Follow Kyle, the host of No Counts Given  @itskylerush  Follow No Counts Given @nocountsgiven www.nocountsgiven.com

We have a legend on the show!! World-renowned choreographer, Phil Wright, joins me for a unfiltered conversation about pressure, purpose, and representation in the dance industry.Major THANK YOU to our sponsor,  @DanceTeamUnion  - head to www.danceteamunion.com to learn more about their Camps, Competitions and Nationals events!Phil is best known as the creator of The Parent Jam, his work as a featured choreographer on Disney Channel, Lil Nas X, Cardi B, and Will Smith. He’s built a global platform blending entertainment, education, and heart.Then, in this week’s Hot Topics, Kyle breaks down the real issues shaping the 2025-2026 dance team season... The Acro Craze... is it helping or hurting teams? Why are so many routines being recycled? Are judges too scared to score top programs fairly? Do low scores actually mean the routine was bad? Is Pom harder than Hip Hop?🔗 Follow Phil WrightInstagram: @phil_wright_TikTok: @philwright_YouTube:  @PhilWright  🔗 Follow Kyle Rush / No Counts GivenKyle Rush:  @itskylerush  No Counts Given: www.nocountsgiven.comTIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Let’s Go: Episode Intro00:10 – DTU Says Speak Up: Your Voice Matters01:11 – Welcome to the Chaos: No Counts Given Begins03:49 – From Pitbull to Nicki Minaj: How Dance Saved Phil Wright’s Life06:04 – Hot Take: Are We Still Teaching Fundamentals?07:37 – How Parent Jam Took Over the World13:03 – Chicken Nugget University??15:53 – Did Phil Wright Get Cut from Chris Brown’s Tour?!17:37 – Not SYTYCD... But ABDC? YES.18:37 – Life on Tour: Educating Dancers Around the Globe20:01 – Fatherhood Changed Everything21:12 – Being a Black Creative in the Dance Industry23:28 – DTU: More Than a Sideline Moment24:25 – Black History IS Hip Hop – Say It Loud26:34 – Phil’s Ready to Perform Again?!29:04 – The Creator Era: Be the Boss of Your Brand32:03 – Phil Wright on What Brings Him Pure Joy33:11 – HOT TOPICS: Acro Overload, Scared Judges, Bad Scores & POM vs HIP HOP?!

Follow Maya Zafrani and the University of Oregon Duck Dancers through a powerful and transformative season unlike any other.

Thank you to our sponsors, Dance Team Union. Go to their website at www.danceteamunion.com to learn more!

From redefining their team culture and transitioning from UDA to competing on the world stage at the World Cheerleading Championships and the College Classic, this video captures the highs, challenges, and growth of one of the most dynamic collegiate dance teams in the country. You'll get an inside look at their recruitment process, meet standout dancers, and see what drives their passion, unity, and competitive edge. This is more than just a dance season, it’s a story of evolution, resilience, and the power of team.

They’ve dominated The College Classic DIA division and set the gold standard for collegiate dance team performances. This week on No Counts Given, we sit down with Bianca Zumbo Caryl, head coach of the Arizona State University Dance Team, one of the most respected programs in the country.

Thank you to our incredible sponsor, ‪@DanceTeamUnion‬ visit www.danceteamunion.com to learn more about Summer Camps, Regional Competitions and National Events... Hey, I might see you there!

From high-level choreography to program culture, Bianca opens up about what it takes to lead a nationally ranked dance team year after year. We talk about ASU’s transition from UDA to DTU, building a program rooted in character, and how she’s preparing the next generation of dancers for both the stage and life.

Whether you’re a dancer, coach, or fan of the competitive dance world… This conversation is a must-listen.

Follow Bianca and the Arizona State University Dance Team @zumbocaryl @asudanceteam

Follow Kyle Rush, the host of No Counts Given @itskylerush

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro

0:09 - DTU Spirit Flight Contest

1:32 - Welcome to the No Counts Given Podcast

3:47 - Kyle’s Top 5 Jazz Category Routines

9:13 - Who is Bianca?

11:04 - Cut It or Count It

11:48 - Then and Now: Dance Team Evolution

22:53 - Taking on the ASU Dance Team Legacy

25:01 - Dance Team Union: You Are The Main Event

25:59 - The Culture Behind Winning Routines

30:26 - Methods Behind ASU Recruitment

34:38 - FOFI: “Full Out First Year” & Sun Devil Expectations

36:36 - University Support & Protecting Team Culture

38:45 - The Transition from UDA to Dance Team Union

42:09 - What Does the ASU Dance Team Look For?

47:31 - Count On It! (Instagram Asks)

49:00 - Thank You Bianca!

50:00 - Closing

From her ballet roots to dominating the sidelines at LSU and beyond, Sammy McFadden  @sammymcfadden  is a force in the dance team world. In this no-fluff conversation, Sammy opens up about her unique journey to the top, her classical training, the insane music restrictions and the iconic pieces she has choreographed. Major THANK YOU to our Sponsor, ‪ @DanceTeamUnion - head to www.danceteamunion.com to learn more about Summer Camps, Regionals and Nationals! Follow us: @nocountsgiven on social media platforms, or visit our website www.nocountsgiven.comFollow Sammy McFadden @sammy__mcfadden Follow Kyle Rush, host of No Counts Given  @itskylerush 

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Intro
0:09 – Dance Team Union's Instagram Flight Contest
1:03 – Welcome to the No Counts Given Podcast
2:55 – The Trendsetter Report & Kyle's Top 6
8:37 – Who is Sammy McFadden?
14:35 – "It's Not Pressure... It's Privilege"
16:47 – Staying Authentic in the Dance Team Industry
21:11 – Music Inspiration & the Queen B
23:43 – DTU: We Celebrate YOU!
24:23 – Corral Reef’s “Fallin’” & the Journey Through Music
30:28 – The INSANE Varsity Music Restrictions
36:28 – Protecting Choreographers’ Visual Choices – We Ride at Dawn!
41:50 – What’s Next for Sammy?
45:38 – Like, Comment, Subscribe!

From the ballet barre ➡️ to the LSU sidelines…Sammy McFadden isn’t just making waves...she’s redefining the dance team game. 💥NO fluff. ALL fire.🎧 New episode drops TOMORROW on all major platforms.