Insights from recent episode analysis
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Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Total monthly reach
Estimated from 2 chart positions in 2 markets.
By chart position
- 🇦🇺AU · Performing Arts#34100K to 300K
- 🇫🇮FI · Performing Arts#152500 to 3K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
30K to 91K🎙 Daily cadence·51 episodes·Last published 3w ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
101K to 303K🇦🇺99%🇫🇮1% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
40K to 121K
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
Recent episodes
That's a Wrap on Season 4!
Apr 21, 2026
7m 28s
How Do Judges Shape Dance Culture? Leadership, Ethics, and Artistry
Apr 12, 2026
51m 01s
Behind the Dance Adjudicators Desk (solo Episode)
Apr 5, 2026
10m 47s
Are We Pushing Dancers Too Far? With Dr.Melanie Fuller
Mar 29, 2026
42m 36s
What Ballet Took From My Body: Fertility, Fuel, and Life After the Stage
Mar 22, 2026
51m 01s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/21/26 | That's a Wrap on Season 4! | Season 4 of the Dance Real Podcast, Going Global, explored what it really means to move through the dance world across countries, cultures, and life transitions. Across this season, Kate Histon spoke with dancers, educators, and leaders about relocating overseas, adapting to new systems, identity beyond performance, positive leadership, and the cost of unsafe dance practices. A reflective finale that brings together the biggest themes of growth, belonging, wellbeing, and the future of dance. Stay tuned for Season 5 and in the meantime, to stay in touch, sign up to Kate's Newsletter at www.katehiston.com | 7m 28s | ||||||
| 4/12/26 | How Do Judges Shape Dance Culture? Leadership, Ethics, and Artistry | Season 4 Ep:11 In this episode of The Dance Real Podcast, Kate Histon sits down with Finnish dance leader, educator, and international adjudicator Marco Bjurström to explore what it means to lead, teach, and judge with integrity in the global dance landscape. Marco reflects on his early beginnings in Finland, from discovering dance through popular culture to building Step Up Company and Step Up School into one of the country’s most influential training environments. He shares how teaching beginners across rural Finland shaped his belief that dance is fundamentally about atmosphere, emotional safety, and the responsibility that comes with holding authority in a learning space. The conversation moves into the ethics of judging, where Marco outlines the difference between analysis and approval, and why honest, structured evaluation serves dancers more than pleasing feedback. Together, Kate and Marco explore cultural responsibility in choreography, including the importance of understanding the historical and social context of music and movement, and how competitions can become spaces for both artistic growth and ethical awareness. They also discuss originality in dance creation, the risks of trend-driven choreography, and why artistry emerges when a piece is shaped around the dancer rather than the formula. The episode closes with reflections on studio leadership, parent boundaries, and the role of communication in creating training environments that are both high-performing and psychologically safe. This is a thoughtful dialogue for dancers, educators, adjudicators, and studio leaders who care about excellence that is grounded in respect, responsibility, and human development. Marco’s Career Credits • Co-founder of the Finnish Dance Organization (1989). • President of the Finnish Dance Organization (served three separate terms). • Member of the IDO Presidium (International Dance Organization). • Presidium member of the Finnish Dance Sport Federation. • International dance adjudicator, judging IDO competitions since 1988. • Supervisor for IDO Championships. Performance and Creative Work • Dancer in Cats at Helsinki City Theatre. • Founder of StepUp Company. • Founder of StepUp School (1997), which has grown from one studio into a major dance institution. • Choreographer of the musical HYPE at the Swedish Theatre in Helsinki (1994), a major commercial success. Stage Director and Choreographer Directed major theatre productions including: • Grease, Hair, Saturday Night Fever, Avenue Q , High School Musical (1 & 2), Rent, A Chorus Line, Chicago, The Prom, From Berlin to Broadway, Hype Opera directing credits: • Carmen, Sillanpää Television, Creator of the StepUp Show (television series featuring dancers and celebrities)., Host of the hit Finnish television game show “BumtsiBum!” (approx. 230 episodes), Host of Dancing With the Stars Finland (2006–2009), Head Judge on So You Think You Can Dance Finland (2010). Choreographic and Creative Output • Creator of 18 large-scale adult dance productions. • Choreographer of 30+ dance formations, plus numerous small group and duet works. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @dance_real_podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and | 51m 01s | ||||||
| 4/5/26 | Behind the Dance Adjudicators Desk (solo Episode) | Season 4 Ep:10 Behind the Adjudicator’s Desk: What I Look For in Dance Competitions In this solo episode of The Dance Real Podcast, international adjudicator and mindset coach Kate Histon offers an honest and educational look behind the judging desk. Drawing from her experience adjudicating across Australia, Europe, and South Africa, Kate explains what truly matters on stage and how dancers, teachers, and parents can create healthier experiences in the competition space. Through grounded insights and gentle storytelling, she shares what she observes in strong performances: presence, artistry, musicality, and emotional connection. Kate also explores the often-overlooked factors that shape a dancer’s stage experience, such as recovery, stamina, and mindset and how each performance becomes an opportunity for growth rather than perfection. Parents and teachers will gain guidance on supporting children through both success and disappointment, learning how to foster resilience and self-worth beyond medals or rankings. This episode invites reflection on what competitions can teach us about presence, growth, and the art of truly being seen. Key Topics What adjudicators actually value during performances. The importance of presence, balance, and emotional connection. Choreography choices that support rather than overwhelm. How dancers can recover after mistakes and build resilience. The role of parents in helping children process disappointment. Why perfectionism undermines artistry and joy in dance. Competitions as a vehicle for growth, not validation. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @dance_real_podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share—and what my guests share—is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation—not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 10m 47s | ||||||
| 3/29/26 | Are We Pushing Dancers Too Far? With Dr.Melanie Fuller | Season 4 Ep:09 In this episode of the Dance Real Podcast, Kate speaks with physiotherapist, researcher, and former dancer Dr Melanie Fuller about the growing physical demands placed on young dancers and the rising conversation around injury prevention in dance training. Dr Fuller has spent many years working with dancers across recreational, pre-professional, and professional settings. Her clinical and research work focuses on reducing injury risk and supporting dancers to train safely while sustaining long careers in the art form. Together, Kate and Melanie explore some of the most common injuries seen in dancers today and discuss why many of these injuries develop gradually through training loads that increase too quickly. They also look at the increasing pressure placed on young dancers to perform complex tricks, achieve extreme flexibility, and progress rapidly through training. The conversation examines the role of strength-based conditioning, gradual skill development, and body awareness in supporting healthy training environments. Melanie explains why strength training, rather than stretching alone, plays a critical role in reducing injury risk and building resilience in dancers’ bodies. Kate also reflects on her own experience as a dancer and teacher, including the psychological pressure many dancers feel when injured and the shame that can arise when young performers believe they are letting others down. This episode offers practical insight for dancers, teachers, parents, and studio leaders who want to better understand how to support high performance while protecting long-term physical and psychological wellbeing. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston | @dance_real_podcast | @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 42m 36s | ||||||
| 3/22/26 | What Ballet Took From My Body: Fertility, Fuel, and Life After the Stage | Season 4 Ep:08 In this episode of Dance Real, Kate Histon speaks with former principal dancer Jenna about the long-term impact of a professional ballet career on the body, identity, and life beyond the stage. Jenna reflects on her early training, leaving Australia on scholarship, and the realities of entering elite ballet systems at a young age. She speaks candidly about homesickness, injury, and the subtle ways under-fuelling and performance culture shaped her relationship with her body over time. The conversation also touches on family, grief, and resilience. Jenna shares the profound influence of her parents, particularly her mother, whose strength and support shaped her values both as a dancer and as a person. She reflects on her mother’s illness and passing, and how that period deepened her perspective on care, priorities, and life beyond achievement. A central focus of the episode is Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and how chronic under-fuelling affected Jenna’s health and fertility later in life. She shares her eight-year journey through infertility, IVF, and eventual motherhood through egg donation, offering a considered perspective that connects dance training, medical oversight, and long-term wellbeing. The episode also explores identity beyond performance, conscious retirement, and the transition into teaching, rehabilitation work, and life after dance. Throughout the conversation, Jenna and Kate reflect on the responsibility of educators, institutions, and families to understand the full cost of high-performance pathways and the importance of health, language, and longevity. This is a reflective and informative conversation for dancers, teachers, parents, and leaders interested in sustainable excellence and life beyond the stage. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston | @dance_real_podcast | @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 51m 01s | ||||||
| 3/15/26 | Why This Dance Studio Refuses to Film Classes - Judging, artistry, and leadership in dance education with Suvi Salmi | Season 4: Ep 07 In this episode of Dance Real, Kate speaks with Finnish dance educator, studio owner, and international adjudicator Suvi Salmi about studio leadership, the realities of running a dance school, and the evolving culture of dance training in the age of social media. Suvi shares the story of how she moved from being a dedicated performer into teaching and eventually opening her own studio. Along the way she developed a clear set of values that guide the culture of her school. One of the most distinctive decisions she has made is choosing not to film classes or post student videos online. Her intention is to protect the learning environment and allow dancers to focus on training, exploration, and artistic development without the pressure of constant public performance. Kate and Suvi also discuss the role of adjudicators in competitions and how dancers, parents, and teachers can better understand judging systems used internationally. Suvi explains the scoring structure used in many European competitions, where technique, composition, and image are evaluated separately in order to place dancers within a category. The conversation explores the difference between technical skill and expressive performance, the courage required to develop an original artistic voice, and the pressures dancers face in a highly competitive and digitally visible culture. This episode offers thoughtful insight for dancers, teachers, studio owners, and parents who are interested in cultivating strong training environments while supporting the long-term development of the dancer. About the Guest Suvi Salmi is a Finnish dance educator, studio owner, and international dance adjudicator. She has worked extensively across performance and competition environments and brings a thoughtful perspective to dance education, studio leadership, and artistic development. Her work focuses on creating training environments where dancers receive individual feedback, develop strong technical foundations, and explore artistic expression within a respectful and focused learning culture. www.suvisalmidc.fi 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston | @dance_real_podcast | @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 51m 41s | ||||||
| 3/8/26 | Nervous System Regulation: The Missing Link in Dance Performance and Leadership | Season 4: Ep:06 In this episode of Dance Real, Kate explores nervous system regulation as a foundational element of high performance in dance. Drawing on lived experience as a dancer, teacher, and studio owner, she explains how performance, confidence, creativity, and leadership are shaped by the nervous system rather than effort alone. This episode looks at why pushing harder often leads to burnout, injury, and anxiety, and how regulation supports sustainable artistry and leadership. Kate discusses how dancers, teachers, studio owners, and parents are all influenced by stress states, often without realising it, and offers practical ways to build awareness, regulation, and resilience in high-pressure dance environments. This episode is relevant for dancers, dance educators, studio leaders, and anyone interested in performance, wellbeing, and long-term sustainability in the dance world. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world:🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com📷 Instagram: @katehiston @Dance_Real_Podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation, not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 12m 51s | ||||||
| 3/1/26 | Leaving Home to Dance: What No One Prepares You For | In this episode of Dance Real, Kate speaks with Spencer Bloomfield, an 18-year-old dancer from regional New South Wales who has relocated to Germany to undertake full-time tertiary dance training at the Palucca University of Dance Dresden. Spencer reflects on what it has meant to leave home, family, and familiarity at a young age, and to step into adult life in a different country, culture, and language. Together, Kate and Spencer explore the emotional realities that often sit beneath the surface of overseas training opportunities, including loneliness, grief, identity formation, and the gradual process of adaptation. The conversation also touches on cultural differences between Australia and Germany, the experience of navigating language barriers, and the role that self-awareness and emotional literacy play in sustaining both wellbeing and growth during periods of major transition. This episode will be particularly meaningful for: Young dancers considering training away from home. Dance parents navigating the emotional side of letting their child leave. Educators interested in the developmental impact of elite training pathways. Anyone reflecting on belonging, identity, and growing up through change. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston | @dance_real_podcast | @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 35m 50s | ||||||
| 2/22/26 | Power, Trauma and Safety in Dance with Nicole Perry | Season 4 Ep: 04 In this episode of Dance Real, Kate Histon is joined by intimacy director and educator Nicole Perry for a grounded conversation on consent, power dynamics, trauma-informed practice, and psychological safety in dance and performance training. Together, they explore how consent-forward practice applies not only to intimacy and partnering, but to everyday teaching environments across ballet, contemporary, theatre, and musical theatre. Nicole explains the role of intimacy direction and coordination, clarifies common misconceptions, and unpacks how power operates in studios and classrooms, often without teachers realising it. The conversation also examines trauma-informed education, why trauma cannot be reduced to a checklist, and how psychological safety is experienced rather than declared. Practical, sustainable shifts are discussed for teachers who want to integrate consent awareness without abandoning structure, rigour, or high standards. This episode is for dance teachers, studio owners, parents, and dancers who care about ethical leadership, embodied learning, and creating training environments that support both excellence and agency. Connect with Nicole Perry; Book on Routledge, can pre-order as of 1/2/26: https://www.routledge.com/Care-full-Creativity-in-Theatre-and-Dance-Education-Consent-Forward-Trauma-Informed-Psychologically-Safe-Movement-Pedagogy/Perry/p/book/9781032979502 Book on Amazon, currently available for pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Care-full-Creativity-Theatre-Dance-Education/dp/103297950X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Nicole's website Momentum's website IPEC's website Intimacy Direction in Dance website dancers.ai 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston | @dance_real_podcast | @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 50m 38s | ||||||
| 2/15/26 | Effective Dance Studio Leadership: Communication, Boundaries, and Emotional Intelligence | Season 4: Ep: 03 Effective leadership in a dance studio requires more than management skills. It requires emotional intelligence, clear communication, strong boundaries, and systems that support psychological safety. In this solo episode of Dance Real, Kate reflects on over 23 years as a dance studio owner and leader. She explores what effective dance studio leadership actually looks like in practice, including how leaders influence emotional climate, manage conflict, create safety through systems, and sustain themselves over time. This episode is grounded in lived experience and professional reflection. It speaks directly to dance studio owners, directors, teachers, and leaders who are navigating complex relationships with staff, parents, and students. Kate discusses leadership as an evolving internal practice rather than a fixed role. She explains how self-regulation, boundaries, and clarity shape studio culture and why unresolved emotional dynamics often sit beneath recurring conflicts. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world:🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @Dance_Real_Podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 14m 39s | ||||||
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| 2/8/26 | The Making of UNBOUND - Ballet abused them and now they are fighting back | Season 4 Ep:02 In this episode of the Dance Real Podcast, Kate Histon speaks with Co-Founder of Otoxia Productions John English, who co-director of Unbound, a powerful film following a group of professional ballet dancers who are also survivors of abuse within the ballet system. Unbound documents the formation of Ballet de Barcelona, a radical new company created by dancers who chose to walk away from toxic institutions and rebuild ballet on their own terms. Led by a gender-fluid director and grounded in values of inclusion, psychological safety, and artistic integrity, the dancers begin again with no funding, no institutional backing, and no guarantee of success. Together, Kate and John explore the realities behind the “code of silence” in ballet, the long-term impacts of abuse on identity and wellbeing, and the complex intersection of trauma, the body, and artistic expression. This conversation offers rare insight into what it takes to reclaim agency after harm, both individually and collectively. In this episode, we explore: • Why abuse and mistreatment remain structurally normalised in elite ballet training • The identity conflict dancers face when leaving institutions that shaped their entire sense of self • How trauma shows up in the body, rehearsal space, and performance • The emotional and ethical responsibilities of documenting vulnerable stories • What psychological safety looked like during the formation of Ballet de Barcelona • The role of leadership, consent, and trust in trauma-informed creative environments • Why dance itself can become a pathway for healing, resistance, and recovery • What parents, teachers, and studio owners can reflect on regarding culture and care John also shares how Unbound was made with consent as an ongoing relational process, rather than a one-time formality, and how the filmmakers intentionally prioritised trust, presence, and listening over extraction or spectacle. This episode speaks directly to dancers, educators, parents, and leaders, while remaining accessible to non-dancers interested in creativity, power, and human resilience. Where to watch Unbound: The film is available worldwide on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV(excluding Spain, where it will be released in early 2026). To follow updates, behind-the-scenes material, and join the conversation, connect with Otoxia Productions and Unboundon Instagram. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston | @dance_real_podcast | @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 33m 00s | ||||||
| 2/1/26 | The Dance Journey of Adam Scown | Season 4 Ep:01 The Dance Journey of Adam Scown Choreographer, Educator & International Dance Adjudicator In this episode of the Dance Real Podcast, Kate Histon sits down with Adam Scown for an open, reflective conversation about building a sustainable career in dance across countries, cultures, and career stages. Adam shares his journey from training and working in Australia to establishing himself in the UK, offering insight into the realities of international dance careers, shifting industry expectations, and what truly supports longevity beyond talent alone. Together, Kate and Adam explore dance pedagogy, competition culture, judging, individuality, and the evolving needs of today’s dancers. This is a grounded, experience-led discussion that speaks to dancers, teachers, parents, and creatives navigating long-term pathways in the performing arts. 💭 Key themes: Sustainable careers require more than technical excellence Self-belief and consistency matter as much as opportunity Judging is subjective but grounded in the present moment Dance success looks different for different people Fulfilment and wellbeing remain valid outcomes 👤 About the guest: Adam Scown is an Australian-born choreographer, educator, and international dance adjudicator based in the UK. His career spans performance, choreography, higher education, and adjudication across multiple countries. Adam works closely with emerging dancers, focusing on professionalism, individuality, and long-term sustainability in the dance industry. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @Dance_Real_Podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share, is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation, not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 46m 17s | ||||||
| 1/27/26 | Season 4 Commences Monday 2nd February! | After a year of recording The Dance Real Podcast, this new introduction felt necessary. When I began, I knew what I wanted to question. Over time, I became clearer about what I was here to build: a space that honours high-level training while holding equal regard for wellbeing, agency, and relational integrity. A space where dancers, educators, and parents can reflect together on culture, leadership, the long-term impact of how we train, mindset for dancers, as well as inspirational journey's of those who have paved the way. This updated introduction reflects that clarity. It acknowledges the realities many experience in the industry, including unspoken pressures, while remaining oriented toward thoughtful progress and conscious leadership. It brings my lived experience into closer alignment with the conversations on the podcast and the future I hope we continue shaping together. The Dance Real Podcast has grown into a place for honest dialogue, shared responsibility, and a more human understanding of excellence. Thank you to everyone who has listened, reflected, and stayed curious along the way. Season 4 begins February 2. If you have been listening for a while, I would love to know which themes have mattered most to you this past year. | 1m 11s | ||||||
| 12/29/25 | Forget New Year Resolutions! Dancers and Leaders Try this! | Happy New Year! As we enter 2026, many people begin the year with resolutions. Kate opens this episode with a different view. She does not subscribe to New Year’s resolutions because they imply something about the self needs fixing. She does believe in goals. Goals offer direction, structure and growth without the self-judgement that resolutions often carry. This episode explores the psychology of setting meaningful goals for dancers, teachers, studio owners and parents. Kate reflects on how the way we set goals reveals our relationship with growth, control and self-worth. She explains why some goals energise us while others drain us, and how our underlying motivation shapes our experience of progress. Key themes include the difference between goals and expectations, the role of values in shaping direction, and the importance of pacing for nervous system regulation. Kate outlines a clear process for effective goal setting and describes how leaders can use these principles to strengthen communication and culture within their communities. The conversation also examines common traps such as perfectionism, rigid outcomes, all-or-nothing thinking and external validation. Kate offers insight into rebuilding a healthy relationship with goals through small commitments that restore self-trust. Listeners are invited to approach 2026 with steadiness and clarity. The focus is on who we become through the process of intention, action and reflection. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston | @dance_real_podcast | @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 10m 03s | ||||||
| 12/22/25 | A Guided Meditation for Reset and Renewal | A Guided Meditation for Reset and Renewal This short guided practice is offered as a gift to listeners during the holiday season. It creates a quiet space to settle the body, steady the breath, and reconnect with a sense of inner clarity. The meditation supports gentle release and thoughtful renewal, inviting a calmer orientation as the year comes to a close. Across the twelve minutes, you are guided toward awareness, softening, and presence. The intention is to provide a moment of stillness for dancers, parents, educators, and anyone navigating a full life. It can be used at any time, whether you need to unwind, reset, or return to yourself before moving into the rest of the day. Thank you for being part of this community. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful, restorative holiday period in whatever way you celebrate. I hope this practice offers ease and renewal when you need it. | 12m 45s | ||||||
| 12/14/25 | That's A Wrap on Season 3 | www.katehiston.com - Join the Newsletter for more info. Season three has come to a close, and I want to acknowledge what this season represented. The theme was paving a new way. Each conversation, each solo reflection, and each story contributed to a wider shift in how we understand training, leadership, and care within the dance world. This season also marked a personal transition for me. I began The Dance Real Podcast while living in Germany. I recorded episodes between teaching commitments, language study, parenting, and travel. The show travelled with me. As I prepare to return to Australia, the podcast continues to evolve into a home for honest dialogue, thoughtful examination, and community learning. Thank you for being part of this space. Whether you joined for one episode or for the full season, your presence shapes the direction of the work. The conversations held here are offered with the intention of strengthening the culture of dance through clarity, insight, and relational understanding. However you spend the coming weeks, I hope you find rest, connection, and time to ground yourself. The podcast will return with new episodes, new voices, and a continued commitment to meaningful dialogue in the year ahead. Season three is complete. I look forward to meeting you again in season four. | 2m 54s | ||||||
| 12/7/25 | Creating Child-Safe Dance Studios with Dance Arts Alliance Co-Founder, Melanie Gard | Season 3 Ep:12 In this episode of The Dance Real Podcast, Kate speaks with Melanie Gard, co-founding member, chair and spokesperson of Dance Arts Alliance (DAA) and director of Peninsula School of Dance. Together, they explore what genuine child safety looks like in dance studios today, how Dance Arts Alliance is leading national advocacy for industry standards, and why safeguarding is about more than just policies, it is about culture, communication, and leadership. Melanie shares her journey from studio owner to advocate, how COVID-19 exposed the lack of industry representation at a national level, and why DAA formed to fill that gap. She and Kate discuss common risks in dance education, the importance of boundaries between teachers and students, and how to build trust and transparency within schools and families. This thoughtful conversation highlights both the complexity and hope of creating environments where children can thrive artistically and emotionally, and where dance educators feel empowered to lead responsibly. 🩰 Topics Covered The origins and mission of Dance Arts Alliance in Australia What makes a genuinely child-safe culture in dance Common safety gaps and risks in dance studios Power dynamics between teachers and students Why safeguarding goes beyond compliance and requires reflection Setting healthy social media and boundary policies The need for national regulation and advocacy in dance Parents’ role in ensuring their child’s safety and wellbeing How early dance training can remain playful, safe, and developmentally sound The importance of uplifting ethical leadership and transparency in the industry 🧠 Key Insights “A piece of paper isn’t a culture.” True safeguarding requires embodied practice, not just policy. Teachers must understand their power and continually reflect on how they hold it. Healthy dance environments prioritise openness, communication, and respect over perfection. Parents can use child-safety awareness as a guide when choosing a studio. Regulation must be industry-led to ensure relevance and trust. 🔗 Connect with Dance Arts Alliance Website: www.danceartsalliance.org.au Instagram: @danceartsalliance_ Peninsula School of Dance: www.peninsuladance.com.au 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @Dance_Real_Podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share, is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation, not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 57m 56s | ||||||
| 11/30/25 | How to Spot and Stop Bullying in Your Dance Studio | How to Stop Bullying in the Dance Studio DescriptionBullying in dance studios rarely looks dramatic. It often grows through small exclusions, subtle alliances, and unspoken hierarchies that shape the emotional climate of a group. In this episode, Kate explores how bullying develops in dance settings, why it takes hold so easily in high-pressure environments, and what leaders can do to disrupt the patterns early. This conversation examines group dynamics, power structures, and the conditions that allow relational aggression to form. It also offers practical approaches for teachers, studio owners, and parents who want to create a culture of psychological safety without losing clarity or authority. Topics include:• How bullying emerges in training environments• Why some students become targets within group dynamics• The role of teacher presence and boundaries• Strategies for early intervention• Ways to strengthen communication with families• Building a culture that supports accountability and emotional steadiness This episode is intended for dance educators, adjudicators, parents, and anyone who contributes to a healthy training environment. It encourages reflection, grounded leadership, and a more mature understanding of how studio culture is shaped. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston | @dance_real_podcast | @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 12m 37s | ||||||
| 11/24/25 | Georgina Pazcoguin: The Rogue Ballerina Breaking Ballet’s Old Moulds | In this episode, Kate Histon is joined by Georgina Pazcoguin, soloist, author, and advocate for change in the performing arts. Known as The Rogue Ballerina, Georgina made history as the first Asian American woman to be promoted out of the corps de ballet at New York City Ballet. Her memoir Swan Dive: The Making of a Rogue Ballerina offers an honest and often humorous look into the world of elite ballet, revealing the grit, isolation, and courage behind the glamour. Georgina speaks about her upbringing in Pennsylvania, the cultural and systemic barriers she faced as a dancer, and the moment she decided to tell her story. She discusses identity, artistry, body image, injury, and recovery, describing how advocacy became a natural extension of her creative life. The conversation touches on the founding of Final Bow for Yellowface, the Me Too era in dance, and the cost of speaking up in systems that resist change. Kate and Georgina explore how tradition can evolve without losing rigour, what a healthy company culture should feel like, and why younger dancers need mentors who remember what it was like to be in their shoes. They discuss autonomy, the psychological impact of control within institutions, and the process of redefining oneself after leaving a major company. Georgina also shares her current projects across theatre and film, including her one-woman show Swan Dive and an upcoming performance series in London supporting Ukrainian law students. The episode closes with reflections on visibility, presence, and respect between artist and audience, and on how applause is part of the sacred exchange that keeps live performance alive. This is an inspiring and deeply human conversation about courage, artistry, and the evolving identity of ballet in the modern world. Learn more about Georgina Pazcoguin:Website: https://www.rogueballerina.comFinal Bow for Yellowface: https://www.finalbowforyellowface.comBuy Swan Dive: The Making of a Rogue Ballerina: Bookshop.org | Amazon 🩰 Stay Connected with KateFollow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world:🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com📷 Instagram: @katehiston | @dance_real_podcast | @Master_Dancer_Mindset🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer:The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share, and what my guests share, is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you are seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation, not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 43m 57s | ||||||
| 11/17/25 | What Shapes a Dancers Mindset with Terry Hyde MA MBACP | Season 3 Ep: 09 In this episode, Kate speaks with Terry Hyde MA MBACP, a former professional dancer with The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet who later retrained as a psychotherapist. Terry is the founder of Counselling for Dancers and STEPPS Charity, a UK-based organisation dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of dancers and performing artists. Together, they explore how perfectionism, fear, and cultural conditioning shape a dancer’s mindset from early training through professional life. Terry explains how subconscious bias, language, and pressure can erode confidence and create patterns of anxiety, people-pleasing, and burnout. Kate and Terry also discuss the legacy of abusive teaching methods, how trauma manifests in adulthood, and what it takes to create psychologically safe learning environments. They touch on competition culture, judging bias, and how both teachers and parents can help young dancers build resilience without sacrificing wellbeing. This conversation offers insight not only for dancers and teachers, but also for anyone working within the performing arts ecosystem who values emotional literacy and trauma-informed practice. Key Themes: The psychology of fear (F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real) and its impact on performance. Perfectionism and black-and-white thinking in dance culture. The legacy of abusive training and its influence on adult mental health. People-pleasing, anxiety, and self-worth in high-pressure environments. The difference between supportive correction and shaming language in teaching. Competition culture, judging bias, and how awareness changes fairness. Building holistic, trauma-informed dance education that nurtures both skill and self. How teachers and parents can support rather than fix dancers’ struggles. The work of STEPPS Charity, offering accessible mental health and first aid training for dancers and arts professionals. Guest Bio: Terry Hyde MA MBACP began his career as a professional dancer with The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet before moving into musical theatre, film, and television. After retiring from the stage, he retrained as a psychotherapist and founded Counselling for Dancers and STEPPS Charity (Support Through Education of Performing and Production Arts Students), a UK-based organisation providing affordable mental health support and education for dancers and performing artists. Terry’s work bridges lived experience and clinical insight, helping dancers navigate anxiety, perfectionism, and transition within a profession that often equates worth with performance. Visit counsellingfordancers.com or steps.charity for more information. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @dance_real_podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 43m 01s | ||||||
| 11/9/25 | Resilience vs Suppression - What Dancers really Need | Season 3 Ep:08 Resilience is one of the most used words in the dance world, yet it is often misunderstood. Many dancers think it means pushing through pain, hiding disappointment, or toughening up so no one can see them crack. In truth, that is suppression, not resilience. In this episode, Kate explores the real meaning of resilience: the ability to feel emotions fully, process them, and move forward with balance and adaptability. She unpacks why emotional processing is the foundation of true resilience, and how dancers can avoid the rigidity that comes from burying feelings. Kate also discusses the role of the nervous system in managing setbacks, offering practical tools like breathwork, grounding, shaking out tension, and recovery rituals. Teachers and parents will find guidance on how to create safe spaces for disappointment, support dancers without rushing them to “get over it,” and celebrate recoveries as much as wins. Key insights include: The difference between resilience and suppression. Why emotional processing strengthens dancers. Nervous system regulation tools for stress and setbacks. Recovery rituals that help dancers reset. Practical exercises for classrooms, auditions, and home life. How teachers and parents can nurture resilience by shifting focus from outcomes to experiences. Resilience in dance is not about becoming harder. It is about staying open, adaptable, and connected so challenges do not close dancers down. Resources Mentioned Film, Name, Frame exercise. Emotion Debrief after auditions or performances. Reset Breath pause in class. Creative Resilience Journal. Parent check-in: comfort, advice, or space. Closing Reflection Resilience is essential in dance, but it cannot be built on suppression. When dancers are supported to process emotions, they develop resilience that sustains them not only through training but through life. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @dance_real_podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share—and what my guests share—is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation—not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 9m 33s | ||||||
| 11/3/25 | How Dance is Judged - with Lisa Maloney Australian Dance Adjudicators President | Season 3 Ep:07 Australian Dance Adjudicators President Lisa Maloney joins Kate Histon to unpack what high-quality judging looks like in practice: core competencies, the balance of technique and stagecraft, and how clear feedback helps dancers and teachers improve. Lisa explains how adjudicators calibrate consistency across sections using the first performance as an anchor; how to structure voice or written critiques so competitors leave with one or two applicable notes; and how to address age appropriateness in music and costuming while maintaining psychological safety. The conversation covers how an adjudicator runs the day, progressive placing, and timekeeping that respects young performers. It also explores bias management, professional boundaries on social media, and the values that sustain trust in competitive settings. Trends and training are discussed with attention to musical phrasing, trick-heavy choreography, and safeguarding developing bodies, alongside thoughts on the future of voice critiques and the importance of live theatre. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @dance_real_podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. #DanceJudge #DanceMindset #DanceTeachers #DanceParents #DanceTraining #AustralianDanceAdjudicator #DancerWellbeing #DanceEducation #KateHiston #LisaMaloney | 41m 56s | ||||||
| 10/27/25 | Human-Centred Ballet training with Austin Crumley "The Ballet Educator" | Season 3 Ep:06 In this inspirational episode, Kate Histon sits down with Austin Crumley, The Ballet Educator, to discuss what human-centred ballet looks like inside a working dance studio. The conversation focuses on leadership in the room: steady pacing that protects attention; brief readiness check-ins; clear boundaries that keep learning safe; feedback that is specific and proportionate; and closing rituals that help dancers integrate the work. They discuss why teachers should avoid teaching from fear, and how personal reflection, therapy, or supervision supports cleaner decision-making so past baggage is not carried into the studio. Social and emotional wellbeing sits alongside technical standards, with practical ideas for reading early fatigue, aligning demands with current capacity, and communicating with parents. Austin talks about periodic training: phasing effort across busy periods, tapering before performances, and protecting recovery after peaks. The aim is simple and rigorous: high standards that respect bodies, minds, and relationships. A must listen episode! To find out more about Austin visit his instagram @theballeteductor 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @dance_real_podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. #HumanCentred #DanceMindset #periodictraining #AustinCrumley #DanceTeachers #DanceParents #DanceTraining #MentalHealthInDance #DancerWellbeing #DanceEducation #KateHiston #perfectionism | 47m 34s | ||||||
| 10/20/25 | Perfectionism & The Pre-Professional Dancer | Season 3 Ep:05 In this solo episode of Dance Real Podcast, Kate explores perfectionism in the lives of pre-professional dancers. While perfectionism can sharpen detail and raise standards, it can also drain confidence, increase anxiety, and diminish joy. Kate unpacks how perfectionism shows up in daily habits, inner self-talk, and relationships with teachers and parents. She offers practical strategies that both teachers and parents can use to support dancers in balancing excellence with self-compassion. Topics in this episode include: The difference between healthy high standards and perfectionism Why language from teachers and parents deeply shapes a dancer’s inner voice Practical exercises such as progress journaling, the 80% rule, and “mistake rituals” How parents can reframe post-performance conversations at home The importance of modelling imperfection as adults Protecting a dancer’s identity and joy by encouraging life outside of dance By the end of the episode, listeners will walk away with tangible tools to help dancers thrive both in and beyond the studio. 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @dance_real_podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share and what my guests share is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. #DanceResilience #DanceMindset #EmotionalResilience #HealthyDanceCulture #DanceTeachers #DanceParents #DanceTraining #MentalHealthInDance #DancerWellbeing #DanceEducation #KateHiston #perfectionism | 11m 27s | ||||||
| 10/13/25 | Illuminating Mental Wellness in Dance | Season 3 Ep:04 Illuminating Mental Wellness in Dance Trigger Warning:This episode includes discussion of mental health challenges such as perfectionism, anxiety, body image, and eating disorders. Listener discretion is advised. If you are affected by these topics, please reach out for professional support or visit local mental health resources in your area. In this episode of Dance Real Podcast, Kate speaks with the founders of the Ilumn Collective: Kari Brunson Wright, Josh Spell, and Rachel Coats. All three are former professional dancers who have transformed their lived experience into work supporting the mental wellness of dancers today. Together they explore the challenges dancers face with perfectionism, body image, self-worth, and identity, and share how Ilumn Collective is creating accessible tools for mental health in dance training and professional companies. Their reflections highlight what dancers, parents, and teachers can do to foster healthier training environments while honouring the joy of dance. Topics covered: The transition from professional performance to supporting dancer wellness. Perfectionism and self-criticism in both pre-professional and professional dancers. The role of body image and nutrition pressures in ballet culture. The importance of self-compassion and building resilience. Social media and its impact on young dancers’ mental health. Guidance for parents, teachers, and company directors in supporting dancers. Why identity beyond dance is essential for long-term wellbeing. Whether you are a dancer, parent, teacher, or simply someone who loves the art form, this conversation offers insight, honesty, and practical wisdom. To find out more about Ilumn visit Instagram @the_ilumn_collective 🩰 Stay Connected with Kate Follow Kate for more episodes, personal reflections, and real-talk on healing and integrity in the dance world: 🌐 Website: www.katehiston.com 📷 Instagram: @katehiston @dance_real_podcast @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎧 Podcast: Dance Real Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms Disclaimer: The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share—and what my guests share—is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation—not to harm or misrepresent. By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided. | 46m 57s | ||||||
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2 placements across 2 markets.
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2 placements across 2 markets.