Kai Martinez on marketing, empowering women through choreography, jealousy, Anderson. Paak, and all things Encanto!

In this episode, accomplished dancer and choreographer Kai Martinez shares her journey from passionate performer to industry innovator, revealing how clarity of purpose transforms both artistry and career trajectory. The Latina powerhouse, whose credits span from Christina Aguilera and Kendrick Lamar to Disney's Oscar-winning Encanto, explores:

• "tuning into your frequency"—discovering what you stand for as an artist and how that clarity naturally aligns you with the right projects, from empowering women through movement to championing underserved communities and sharing diverse cultural stories

• The groundbreaking process behind Disney's "We Don't Talk About Bruno"—how they reated choreography from storyboards alone, with their studio footage directly informing the animation layout, then spending six months collaborating with Disney's animation team to ensure every hip rotation and beat hit with precision

• Her revolutionary work bridging dance and animation—collaborating with Disney's Michael Woodside to establish new standards for how choreographers and animators work together on musical sequences, creating a template that elevated the entire industry's approach to animated dance

• The power of reframing jealousy as a navigational tool—using the "jealousy map" technique from The Artist's Way to transform envy into actionable insight, discovering what you truly want and taking immediate steps toward those goals rather than scrolling past inspiration

Kai represents the evolution of choreography across mediums. From her roots watching dancers in underserved neighborhoods to mentoring the next generation, she embodies how finding your authentic voice and values can create pathways not just for personal success, but for lifting entire communities. Whether you're interested in the intersection of live performance and animation, building authentic artistic relationships, or learning how to channel inspiration into action, this conversation offers powerful insights into creating work that truly matters.

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with Kai

Take a class with Kai

Kai’s Black Sweat video

Watch colorwise by the Seaweed Sisters

Listen to our episode with Popin'’ Pete

Listen to our episode with Jamal

Listen to our episode with Marty

Listen to our episode with Reina

Listen to our episode with Asiel

Comfort Fedoke on Emotional Choreography, Collaborative Art-Making, and the Power of Adaptability

In this episode, Emmy Award-winning dancer, choreographer, and multi-hyphenate artist Comfort Fedoke opens up about her innovative approach to movement as emotional language and the art of authentic collaboration. The Nigerian-American performer, known for her journey from So You Think You Can Dance contestant to All-Star to judge, reveals:

• Her groundbreaking new show "A/VOID"—a double entendre exploring the emotions we avoid and the void they create, developed with creative partner Zoe Rappaport and set within the immersive light-and-sound installation Chromasonic Field in downtown LA

• The magic of synesthetic performance—how she's creating work where "color becomes audible and sound becomes visible," using all the senses to help audiences viscerally understand what they're feeling through movement

• Her collaborative choreographic process—the late-night living room sessions that led to the Ozdust Ballroom Scene in Wicked, where authentic movement language emerges through freestyle experimentation, building "like a puzzle" until the soul speaks louder than technique

• The biggest lesson from her So You Think You Can Dance journey: learning to be adaptable and understanding her role as a muse and influential collaborator, discovering how to elevate choreographers while maintaining lasting artistic relationships

As a performer who has shared stages with H.E.R., John Legend, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, and countless other A-list artists, while also working as a commentator for Red Bull TV and judge on Nigeria's Maltina Dance All, Comfort embodies the evolution of dance as storytelling. From splitting time between London (where she's associate choreographer on "Wicked" and the West End's "Cabaret") and LA, she's creating work that transforms spaces and challenges audiences to feel more deeply. Whether you're interested in the intersection of technology and movement, the business of being a creative collaborator, or simply want to understand how dance can make the invisible visible, this conversation offers profound insights into making art that moves both bodies and souls.

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with Comfort on IG

Get Tickets to Comfort’s show

Donate to A/VOID

Watch “Try A Little Tenderness” from SYTYCD

Listen to our episode with the In The Heights Team

Watch the full Ozdust Ballroom Scene

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

Zoey Anderson on Becoming Undeniable Talent, Defying Gravity, and Finding Your Artistic Home

In this episode, Parsons Dance Company principal Zoey Anderson shares her remarkable journey from summer intensive discovery to becoming one of contemporary dance's most captivating performers. A 10-year company veteran, Clive Barnes Award winner, and Bessie Award nominee reveals:

• Her serendipitous path into Parsons Dance—how being spotted at Marymount's summer intensive led to an immediate company placement when the stars aligned and a dancer departed

• Dana’s philosophy on developing "undeniable, untouchable talent" over focusing on industry mechanics—why she believes pre-professional dancers should redirect energy from questions about hair color and tattoos to becoming the artist companies can't live without

• The mesmerizing solo "Caught"—a gravity-defying illusion performed in strobe lighting that creates the impossible: a body suspended in space for five minutes, executing over 112 jumps while appearing to never touch the ground

• Operating at extremes: her all-or-nothing approach to energy management, planning for both 100% intensity and complete restoration through 13-15 hour sleep cycles

As a performer who has graced stages from Broadway's "On The Town" opening night gala to the Academy Award-winning film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and competed as a National Champion in Ballroom Smooth dancing, Zoey embodies the athletic artistry and infectious joy that defines contemporary dance. Whether you're an aspiring dancer seeking your artistic home or anyone fascinated by the intersection of illusion and movement, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and pure magic for understanding what it means to become irreplaceable in your craft.

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with Zoey on Instagram

Watch a Parsons Dance performance

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

From Basketball Dreams to Dance Floors: Lisa "L-Boogie" Bauford's Journey of Art, Family, and Finding Light in Darkness

Meet Lisa "L-Boogie" Bauford - a professional dancer, creative entrepreneur, and the heart behind Blame Boogie LLC. In this inspiring conversation, Lisa opens up about her incredible journey from childhood basketball dreams to becoming a world-traveling dancer and emcee.

What You'll Discover:

Family DNA of Dance - How Lisa's love for movement began at age 3-4 in a juke joint, with party lights flashing and grown folks cheering her on

The Pivot - Why her first love of basketball led her to an even greater passion for dance and the stage

Chronicles of Tour Life - Stories from her global dance career and how travel experiences influenced her unique clothing designs

Survivalist to Artist - The courageous leap from financial security to chasing dreams, and how her community rallied to support her audition journey

The Philosophy That Drives Everything:

"People will forget what you did, people will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou (tattooed on Lisa's body and embedded in her soul)

Plus Some Real Talk:

Ever wonder about those pre-performance jitters? Lisa gets hilariously honest about the universal performer experience of suddenly needing to pee right before showtime.

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with Lisa on IG

Listen to the Seaweed Sisters episode

Listen to Shaun’s episode

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

Sydney Mesher on Disability Representation, Kicking Down Barriers, and Changing the Entertainment Industry

In this episode, trailblazing performer Sydney Mesher shares her journey as the first visibly disabled Radio City Rockette and her mission to transform representation in entertainment. Born without her left hand, Sydney reveals:

• Her transformative experience making history with the Radio City Rockettes and performing on iconic stages

• The often overlooked reality of navigating dance training and professional choreography with a disability, including the mental gymnastics of constantly adapting instructions and movement on the spot while never wanting to disrupt the creative process

• The profound importance of portraying disabled bodies as desirable and sexy in media—a taboo topic that Sydney addresses with remarkable candor—and how the absence of such representation affected her own self-image growing up

• Creating more examples of her in the world with her book “She Kept Dancing”

As a multi-disciplinary artist working across dance, modeling, and acting, Sydney exposes the stark contrast between being hired as a dancer versus being brought on as "inclusive talent," and her determination to change how the entertainment industry approaches disability. Whether you're a performer with a disability seeking representation or anyone passionate about creating more authentic and diverse art forms, this conversation offers both emotional honesty and inspiring insights for breaking boundaries and embracing your unique artistic voice.

Watch the full episode here!

Show Notes:

Connect with Sydney on IG

Buy Sydney’s book “She Kept Dancing”

Read Sydney’s ESPN article

Listen to Joe’s episode

Listen to the Seaweed Sisters episode

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

The Business of Dance: Revealing the 3 Paths to Income for Professional Dancers. This episode pulls back the curtain on the financial realities of dance careers through a fascinating analysis of booking patterns and relationship-building. Discover the surprising statistics that show how much work Dana has booked from established relationships rather than auditions. Learn why unpaid passion projects often fuel paid opportunities, and explore the universal value-creation formula that applies to dancers and entrepreneurs alike.

This episode will help you:

• Understand the three primary ways dancers secure paying work

• See the crucial connection between unpaid artistic projects and paid opportunities

• Recognize the "full-time job" of community relationship maintenance

• Apply a simple 6-step formula for creating and monetizing value

• Balance artistic passion with practical business strategy

• Transform your perspective on dance as both an art form and a viable career

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Coach with Dana

Listen to our episode with the Seaweed Sisters

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

Erik Cavanaugh (Dicks: The Musical, SavageXFenty, Apple Billboard) joins us on Words That Move Me this week!

Breaking Barriers in Dance: Erik Cavanaugh on Body Representation, Big City Dreams, and Creating Inclusive Spaces

In this inspiring episode, groundbreaking dancer Erik Cavanaugh shares his journey of reshaping the dance world and challenging body stereotypes. Drawing on his experiences across fashion, television, film, and advertising, Erik reveals:

• His surreal moment seeing himself on billboards in major cities worldwide—from Times Square to Tokyo—and the emotional impact of representation in an industry that often excludes diverse body types

• Practical wisdom for dancers considering relocating to major entertainment hubs like LA and New York, including why building a strong foundation before making the leap can prevent burnout

• The frustrating reality of costume departments failing to accommodate plus-size performers, forcing dancers like Erik to bring their own wardrobe or make last-minute purchases out of pocket

As the creator of the movement "Dancers Come In All Sizes," Erik is committed to mentoring the next generation and creating spaces where all body types feel welcome in dance. Whether you're a performer facing body discrimination or someone passionate about creating more inclusive creative industries, this conversation offers both validation and actionable insights for breaking barriers and embracing your authentic artistic voice.

Watch the full episode here!

Show Notes:

Connect with Erik on IG

Watch Dicks the musical

Take Erik’s class in Nashville

Watch Holland

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and

The Choreographer's Canvas: Jasmine JB Badie on Redefining Stage Direction

As both a performer and creator, JB knows the distinction between dance class choreography and effective stage direction. Whether you're a dancer looking to transition into choreography or a creative director developing your leadership style, this conversation offers loads of wisdom for crafting performances that serve the vision while preserving the humanity of everyone involved.

Drawing on her experiences with Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, and more, Jasmine breaks down:

• Why her "humane choreographer" approach prioritizes kindness and efficiency over intimidation, creating better results without the trauma

• The pivotal moment when mentor Gil texted that he and Janet Jackson wanted to attend her show, culminating in a full-circle career validation

• The importance of purpose-driven choreography—why she refuses to create exhausting "class routines" when they don't serve the artist or audience

• Her unique creative process focused on viewpoint and feeling rather than technical complexity

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with JB on Instagram

Watch the seaweed sisters at Vibe

Victoria Monet BET awards

Listen to the seaweed sisters episode

Listen to Mandy’s episode

Listen to Tony’s episode

Listen to Gary’s episode

Listen to Toni’s episode

Listen to Good Questions episode

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and