DANCE +

Dana Wilson

The dance podcast where movers and shakers like you get the information and inspiration you need to navigate your creative career with clarity and confidence. Master mover, Dana Wilson, taps into 20 years of industry experience, and talks to some of the best in the entertainment biz, who have been there and done that so that you don’t have to… do it alone.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

283 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes283

Newest first

Mar 26, 2025 · 58 min
235. Body Wisdom & Food Freedom for Performers with Sherry Lin
Reimagine Your Relationship to Wellness by Understanding Food, Hunger, and Hormones with Sherry Lin In this eye-opening episode, dancer and registered dietitian Sherry Lin shares her holistic, non-diet approach to nutrition and wellness. Drawing on her thirteen years of experience specializing in eating disorders, gut health, and performance nutrition, Sherry breaks down: The three types of hunger we experience (physical, emotional, and mental) and how to identify each in your body Why restri
Mar 19, 2025 · 57 min
234.The Movement Multi-hyphenate: Samø Soto’s Journey from Breaking Battles to Breaking Falls
Beyond Boundaries: The Multifaceted Journey of Samø Soto Join us for a revealing conversation with Samø Soto, a professional who has masterfully navigated the transition from B-boy to Stuntman while challenging industry perceptions about artistic identity. In this episode, Samø shares the emotional complexities of expanding beyond dance—the guilt, the external perceptions, and the struggle to be seen as multidimensional in an industry that prefers singular labels. Despite his passion for choreog
Mar 12, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
233. Toni Basil: The Extraordinary Life and Art of the “Hey Mickey” Hitmaker
Behind the Curtain: The Extraordinary Life and Art of Toni Basil Featuring legendary Choreographer, Dancer, Director, Producer, Recording Artist, Historian, and “Hey Mickey” hitmaker Toni Basil in a rare, intimate conversation! We explore her remarkable career spanning decades in entertainment, from backstage memories as Vaudeville royalty to collaborating with icons like Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Bette Midler, and Tina Turner. Here’s what you’ll discover: – How Toni’s behind-the-scenes child
Mar 5, 2025 · 22 min
232. Transformative Change: The Delicate Balance of Grit and Grace
Self-improvement is not about perfection, it’s about finding the right balance between pushing yourself and accepting yourself. When pursuing transformative change, there are two seemingly opposite approaches – “Grit” (hard work and critical coaching) and “Grace” (gentle and nurturing self-care). This episode is all about this “Personal Growth Paradox” and the tools and techniques for identifying and effectively balancing self-criticism and self-compassion. This episode will help you: Reflect
Feb 26, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
231. Persistence + Passion: Tony Testa’s Artistic Journey
Conversations on Creativity: Tony Testa’s Journey from Dancer to Creator Featuring my lifelong friend and visionary choreographer Tony Testa in his FIRST-EVER podcast interview! We dive deep into creative intuition, mentorship, and processing life’s challenges. This conversation reveals how following your instincts—even when they lead you away from what everyone else expects—can open doors to your authentic artistic voice. Here’s what you’ll learn: -How Tony discovered his calling as a chore
Feb 19, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
230. Be Unflappable with Byron Tittle
The Art of Letting Go: Byron Tittle on Dance, Spontaneity & Finding Flow Mastering the “first time feeling” – how commercial dance taught Byron to embrace every performance as the final version The power of relaxation: discovering how letting go actually amplifies your technique & expands possibilities Beyond the tap shoes: hearing rhythm in everyday life & staying present in every moment From Broadway to the Grammys: invaluable lessons from crossing industry boundaries PLUS! A New segm
Feb 12, 2025 · 19 min
229. “I’m Not Working Right Now” and Other Useless Thoughts
Facts vs. Fiction – A Deep Dive into YOUR Thoughts on the Industry’s Changing Landscape Critical Thinking in Crisis: The danger of making career decisions based on rumors instead of facts, plus actionable strategies for navigating change Power of Perspective: Redefining what it means to be “working” in entertainment – from on-set gigs to personal growth & skill development Breaking Down the Numbers: Why the “mass exodus” narrative might be more dramatic than the data suggests Listen now
Feb 5, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
228. Marie Poppins: Writes Her Own Rules (on Learning, Auditioning, and Mastering Dance)
Breaking Rules & Breaking Through – A Raw Conversation About Dance, Freedom & Finding Your Way with Marie Poppins: “Technique should facilitate freedom” – dive into why mastery doesn’t mean conformity From baggy clothes to bare skin: exploring how clothing choices impact movement & confidence The audition heard around the world – turning voguing into victory when classical dance was “required” Real talk about owning your style & challenging dance gatekeepers Plus, candid confessions about
Jan 1, 2025 · 57 min
227. THAT’S A WRAP ON 2024! A.I, New Years Resolutions, and Where We Go Next
From friendly New Year reflections to game-changing networking strategies – we’re kicking off 2025 with warmth and wisdom: Should you be buying followers? We discuss it! Learn why generic “pick your brain” requests fail and what questions actually open doors Explore the rise of AI in creative fields, including its surprising impact on choreography and dance Get real about building genuine connections through sincere appreciation and follow-through Plus, we’re mixing serious career advice
Dec 18, 2024 · 1 hr 26 min
226. 2024’s Unfiltered Stories of Struggle in the Entertainment Industry
Diving deep into the unfiltered stories of success and struggle in entertainment: Uncover the raw, behind-the-scenes realities of creative careers Learn how professional journeys are anything but linear Discover the power of resilience, advocacy, and honest self-reflection Understand why failures are just as important as successes Plus, we’re exploring the untold stories of every guest from 2024, breaking down the glamorous myths, and revealing the true human experience behind creative a
Nov 20, 2024 · 19 min
225. A Dancer’s Guide to Conflict Resolution
Diving deep into the art of conflict resolution this holiday season: Learn game-changing insights from Dana Caspersen’s transformative book Discover why understanding beats winning in difficult conversations Master the gentle art of “untangling” conflicts like delicate knots Transform your approach to heated discussions with dance-inspired wisdom Plus, we’re exploring powerful metaphors, practical conflict resolution techniques, and discovering how dance class mindsets can revolutionize diffic
Oct 30, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
224. Harry Shum Jr. & Shelby Rabara Dare To Dance… and Act & Write
Stepping into the studio with power couple Harry Shum Jr. and Shelby Rabara: How they both got started on Glee (and who was there first) Bringing movement to life in their new children’s book ‘Martee Dares to Dance’ (available to order now!) The secret language of dance that enhances their acting craft How dance training can help you multitask Plus, we’re exploring impromptu dance demonstrations, trading stories about movement inspiring character work, and discovering how rhythm shows up i
Oct 23, 2024 · 59 min
223.Leslie Grace – ‘In The Heights’ Debut, Acting Insights & Pocket Philosophies | WTMM Podcast
Unpacking Leslie Grace’s career from ‘In The Heights’ newbie to seasoned performer: That life-changing debut in ‘In The Heights’ (still her most beautiful experience to date!) The art of ‘letting in’ whatever’s knocking (and why Meryl Streep always answers) Navigating feedback as a pro Plus, we’re dishing on the unexpected joys of rehearsal pants, why pockets are essential for storing memories, and the delicate balance of embracing life’s contradictions in your work. It’s an acting masterclas
Oct 16, 2024 · 53 min
222. The Full Circle Boys – From Dance Studio to Tricky Stewart’s Recording Studio | WTMM Podcast
The fullest couch I have ever had! From the convention ballroom, to boy band battles, to working with Beyoncé’s producer: our wildest episode yet! Join the Full Circle Boys as we spill ALL the tea on their journey from ‘convention kids with a dream’ to working with music industry legends: Studio sessions with Tricky Stewart (the genius behind Beyoncé, Rihanna, and more!) Their hilarious first show at an all-girls Catholic school (featuring Dawson’s epic jacket fail ) Which one of them is the M
Oct 9, 2024 · 1 hr 13 min
221.Performance Artist & TikTok Star Smac McCreanors’ Dance Career Tips | Words That Move Me Podcast
Join host Dana Wilson as she interviews viral sensation Smac McCreanor on the Words That Move Me Podcast. With 2.8 million TikTok followers, 70+ commercials, and an exhibit at the National Gallery of Victoria, Smac discusses: Creating work you love by focusing on your strengths Behind-the-scenes of her popular series: #hydraulicpressgirl, #Ikea, and #emoji The importance of creating content for yourself first Career Tips for Dancers: Best practices for brand and influencer relationships Insi
Oct 2, 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
220. Taylor James – Starting Over: From Dancer to Director
Taylor is a retired backup dancer turned director and screenwriter. In this episode, we cover everything from sharing the screen/stage with Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, JLo, etc. etc., to crushing the festival circuit with his first short film “ILY, BYE”. It hasn’t always been glitter and glory for Taylor. We dig into struggling with drugs, alcohol, and overeating, finding self-worth separated from our work, a 30.000 ft. view of commercial dance, and what it took to create his new fil
Sep 25, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
219. Phillip Cbeeb: Identity & Purpose
Dana Wilson hosts Phillip Chbeeb on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Phillip is a globally recognized and co-decorated choreographer (2 times Emmy nominated, along with his partner, Mackenzie Chbeeb) and he is still finding themself! The question of “who is Phillip Chbeeb” follows us as we discuss self-confidence, the economics of dance/choreography, membership structures, Paula Abdul, and what might happen if AI consumes creative industries. Be prepared to go introspective with the one
Sep 11, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
217. Jillian Meyers: Be moved, Be Impressive, and Know WHY!
Dana Wilson hosts Jillian Meyers on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week! Jillian’s work has touched the biggest stages and screens on earth; she has given rhythm to the beating hearts of dancers everywhere. Today, we answer the question: what’s even better than being impressive? We also unpack 20 years of friendship, techniques for teaching and training, the keys to being “successful”, and the challenges that come with it. Listeners, please enjoy the one and only, Jillian Meyers! Watch the
Sep 4, 2024 · 12 min
216. How To “Get Out Of Your Head” and If You Should
Today we’re talking about getting out of your head… And if you even should! How do you know if you are “too” in your head? How do you get out? Why aren’t we talking about this more?! Getting caught in thought spirals that lead to unwanted feelings is normal… And also optional. If you want tools to become more present, empowered, and embodied, this one’s for you! Show Notes: For more DANA For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOU
Aug 21, 2024 · 1 hr 14 min
215. Nina Flagg: Elevate Your Dance IQ
Dana Wilson hosts Nina Flagg on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week, and if you are interested in elevating your dance IQ, this episode is for you! Nina brings decades of experience and study to one jam-packed episode. She shines her light on hip-hop culture, engaging with higher education, and the legends that shaped her life and work (including Toni Basil, Bette Midler, Debbie Allen, Rennie Harris, and Tina Turner). Nina is a consummate professional with an insatiable appetite for dance,