Have you already dropped your New Year's Resolution? What're your thoughts on Resolutions? Do you even have any?

2 old friends unpack the surrounding stigma of Resolutions and why saying the words "New Year's" in front of the R-word will only set you back.

Rebecca Drew, life-long friend and teacher joins me as we cover way more in this episode than intended. Somehow a trip down memory lane circled us back to our discussion about bettering ourselves this year. Some of those memories came out of the vault.

This episode ends with a tool to accomplish your wishes and dreams this year.

Submit your questions for the Podcast here: https://www.amandamontoni.com/ask-the-podcast

Book Recommendation: The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes.

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Why do we live in a world where appearances are what we concentrate on the most? Here's proof that they don't matter as much as we think they do.

Let me re-introduce myself. Hi. My name is Amanda Montoni and I am a fat dancer. I grew up in a world I loved. But this world was one that would chew me up and spit me out. It almost did, until I realized these things:  

1. The ideal image of a dancer is unattainable. 

2. I moved up a year in dance because of my talent, technique, work ethic, and attitude. 

3. I was the youngest in the class because of #2.  

4. My weight does not determine my worth as a dancer or human being. 

For 10+ years, I encouraged students to follow their dance dreams, no matter their body shape. I became an award-winning choreographer and an author. My children's book, Bella the Buck-Toothed Ballerina was written for all of the dreamers out there. I wrote it to say "You Are Worthy" because You Are. 

This is my complicated and rambling story about my relationship with dance. I hope hearing my story helps you the tiniest bit to start seeing yourself for the magic you truly are. 

You can purchase Bella the Buck-Toothed Ballerina by visiting www.amandamontoni.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and give me a follow on Instagram (@amanda.montoni). Let’s connect. Tell me your story. 

In my conversation with Jim Haines, we talk about the importance of creativity in this structure-filled world. The brain is capable of many things, and William Shakespeare embodies the human experience. Mr. Shakes also happens to be one of Jim's major influences  - so much so that he wrote a one man show about the bard's impact on his life. 

The show, The Crackpot Shakespeare Theories Vol. 1 is premiering June 28th, 2024 with City Gate Productions. Go to www.citygateproductions.org for more info about this jam packed show and to get your tickets. Go. Do it now. It's one only Jim Haines could create.

Putting parts of ourselves into boxes is a thing of the past. In this episode, the CEO - excuse me, Head Penguin - of Red Penguin Books and Red Penguin Web Solutions bestows some beautiful advice upon us.

Stephanie Larkin is a fellow multi-passionate, multi-faceted human. She has worn hats with the titles of Musician, Entrepreneur, Performer, Mom, Podcast host, and more.

The road never stopped for Stephanie and in this episode, she tells us how to embrace our multi-faceted authentic selves without putting pieces of ourselves in boxes. Believe it or not, this works especially for your business ventures and brand.

"Raise the bar!" she tells us. It is super important to think of ourselves as a whole, to read the room, and to never give up on ourselves. For we've got us for life.

You can check out Red Penguin by clicking the hyperlinks above. To subscribe to The Sweet Madness Newsletter, click here.

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To answer the title question: Besides being partially Italian, they have more in common than you think.

Join Theatre Performer, Tara Mangione, as she discusses the importance of Vulnerability with a capital "V" in a cut-throat business.

In this episode, Tara gives a play-by-play of her college audition experiences and what made her ultimately choose Molloy/Cap 21 for her college program.

Tara also gives us a run-down of some of her college experiences in the program, and how theatre has helped shaped her into the socially and emotionally aware person she is today (and continues to).

There's a lot of work to being a person, and it can feel overwhelming. Dive into this episode to hear 2 best friends chat about how theatre is not only applicable to performers but to all (including you).

You'll hear how theatre fundamentals can help you make your life one that is fulfilling, easier, and most importantly, yours.

To download your free "Let it Go to Let it Flow" phone wallpaper, click here.

Subscribe to The Sweet Madness Newsletter here.

To check out the episode that focuses on Perfection, feel free to hit the play button on "The Pressure to be Perfect (and the secret to taking the pressure off).

Don't forget to subscribe to The Sweet Madness Podcast, rate, comment, or leave a review. We thrive on your feedback to bring you more content that you want to hear.

www.amandamontoni.com @amanda.montoni

What’s more important than a sense of belonging? What’s more important than community? We can think of a few things, but this world survives on community.

In this episode, Amanda speaks with 2 of the founders of Random Thursdays Radio Theatre - Actor/Director/Playwright Dany Stravino and Playwright Peter M. Carrozzo. 

Dany and Peter speak of their writing practices and the very thing that keeps the theatre alive: community. Without it, where would they be? 

Hear how they created something different than their usual theatre experience and what kept them going in times of uncertainty. 

You can check out the Random Thursdays Radio Theatre podcast anywhere you get you get your podcasts. Who doesn’t want to listen to new and random stories? 

Go to https://randomthursdays.com to learn more about their original plays, cast members, and their company. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the RTRT podcast. Head over to https://www.amandamontoni.com to see a full list of her theatrical credits and opportunities. 

Drop a comment or review for The Sweet Madness Podcast at your will. We love your feedback - that’s how we keep the Sweet Madness Community alive. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a piece of the madness. 

Are you single? Hating the dating world right now? Us too.

The dating world has changed rapidly over the last few years. Apps and chances to connect are abound, and yet the single struggle feels stronger than ever.

Listen in on a conversation with Professional Actor, Julio Ulloa Jr., and Amanda to hear how their experiences in the single world taught them some very valuable lessons.

To listen to Amanda's giddy love playlist, click on this link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4jGM5DEv7R7xA7v2riNlxu

Love lives are full of sweet madness, friends. To subscribe to The Sweet Madness Newsletter with weekly encouragements, visit https://www.amandamontoni.com/

Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to The Sweet Madness Podcast. We thrive on feedback.

Why the heck do we feel alone when we are surrounded by people? 

It's not that we're alone. It's that we are lonely. 

In this episode, Amanda talks about her experiences and what she has done to combat loneliness.

If you’re feeling lonely, give this episode a listen. You may find the answers you’ve been looking for. 

Read her lonely poems in her poetry collection Trains, New York, and the Love (or lack thereof) That Goes Along With Them here: https://a.co/d/iLttCwj 

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to The Sweet Madness Podcast or leave a review. 

Sweet things are always happening in the madness. 

Am I good enough? I don’t believe I did a good job. I’m a fraud. 

Do those thoughts ring through your head? Do you have trouble accepting praise? 

Imposter Syndrome is a killer. In this episode, you’ll learn simple tools to get you to start believing in yourself. 

You’ll believe are worthy of the praise you get - because you are.  

I chose to talk about Imposter Syndrome because this is something I see lots of people struggle with, including myself. 

Don’t forget to like, follow, subscribe, and leave a review for The Sweet Madness Podcast. I want to hear your feedback. 

As promised, here are the links I said I would drop in this episode: 

The Thoughts While Singing Official Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2VwnKJLashHEpswMt3uIqh?si=537703e0ade64cbd 

Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://www.amandamontoni.com/ 

And here’s the Psychology Today definition of Imposter Syndrome: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/imposter-syndrome 

Sweet things are always happening in the madness.