Best Help Desk Podcasts (2024)

1
Griff Braun, American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) 1:34:23

3h ago1:34:23

1:34:23

In this episode Griff Braun, National Organizing Director of the American Guild of Musical Artists, discusses the role of unions in the ballet world. Griff shares insights into AGMA’s advocacy for dancer rights, safety, and equitable treatment, including their recent work supporting the dancers of Dallas Black Dance Theater. He illustrated the chal…

1
How to raise Extensions and Bridge Rounds 21:20

2d ago21:20

21:20

In this episode we dive into raising extensions and bridge rounds. Many companies are looking to these as ways to extend their runway, but they can be complicated. How do you go about raising these kinds of rounds? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: What is the difference between an Extension and a Bridge round? How…

1
Caitlin Sloan, On Building Your Ballet Career With Intention 1:03:05

7d ago1:03:05

1:03:05

In this episode, we talk with Caitlin Sloan, the Brainy Ballerina, about her approach to audition coaching. Caitlin explains how she helps students develop personalized audition strategies that consider more than just ballet, setting them up for success in and beyond the studio. Learn more about Caitlin and The Brainy Ballerina on her website. And,…

1
Jess Spinner, The Whole Dancer, on Preparing Dancers for Audition Season 1:10:04

7d ago1:10:04

1:10:04

In this episode, Jess Spinner of The Whole Dancer shares her approach to helping ballet dancers navigate the audition circuit. She offers strategies for auditioning, advice on setting a personalized audition plan that aligns with the type of job they’re aiming for, and insights on the mental, physical, and emotional preparation needed to stay groun…

1
Philip Neal, Ballet's Ultimate Cheerleader 1:24:01

14d ago1:24:01

1:24:01

In this episode, Philip Neal, former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet and current Artistic Director of Next Generation Ballet, shares insights on shaping up and coming dancers, while championing the art of ballet. Neal discusses his transition from performing to directing, the importance of mentorship, and how he helps his dancers find pl…

1
Julie Bowers, Former Royal Ballet Dancer and Founder of Grad Pro - A New Path For Dancers 57:31

21d ago57:31

57:31

In this episode, we sit down with Julie Bowers, former Royal Ballet dancer and founder of Grad Pro, an innovative program designed to help dancers bridge the gap between training and professional careers. Julie shares how her experiences and insights into the challenges dancers face in today's job market, especially post-Covid, led her to create th…

1
Cecilia Iliesiu, PNB Principal Dancer: Career Coaching For Young Dancers 37:24

28d ago37:24

37:24

In this episode, we chat with Cecilia Iliesiu, Principal Dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet and a ballet career coach. As we're headed into audition season, Cecilia discusses the importance of networking in the industry and offers practical tips for aspiring artists on building meaningful connections, setting career goals, and making informed decis…

1
Facebook Ballet Parent Groups: Moderators Unplugged (and Unfiltered) 1:34:42

1M ago1:34:42

1:34:42

Sometimes you just need to talk to other ballet parents! In this episode, we chat with three moderators of large Facebook groups for parents and caregivers of dancers as they spill the tea on what really goes on behind the scenes (hint: it’s sometimes a delicate dance). In our wide-ranging conversation, they share their experiences navigating the c…

1
Jaimie Tapper, Head of Performance Coaching at The Royal Ballet: Shaping the Future of Ballet 1:12:07

1M ago1:12:07

1:12:07

In this episode we sit down with Jaimie Tapper, Head of Performance Coaching at The Royal Ballet, to explore the significant changes she’s witnessed in ballet schools since her own dancing days. Jaimie discusses key challenges today’s ballet students face and questions whether schools are being asked to take on responsibilities they may not be equi…

1
Rachel Bar on Building Healthy Dancers: Inside Canada’s National Ballet School’s Wellness Program 51:14

2M ago51:14

51:14

In this episode we talk with Rachel Bar, Director of Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School, about the comprehensive wellness program designed to support the physical and mental health of ballet students. Rachel shares how the school integrates science-based practices to promote long-term dancer health, foster resilience, and create…

1
Kathleen Gaines, Founder, We Are Minding the Gap: Mental Health Advocacy in Ballet 1:07:54

2M ago1:07:54

1:07:54

In 2017, Kathleen Gaines shared her experience with depression in a Dance Magazine article titled “Why Are We Still So Bad at Addressing Dancers’ Mental Health?” The article quickly went viral, becoming one of the most-read in the magazine’s history, and inspired the creation of her organization, We Are Minding the Gap. In this episode, we sit down…

1
What is Category Creation? 23:43

2M ago23:43

23:43

In this episode we dive into category creation and what it takes to win in a new category. Many startups are building products unlike anything that has existed before, but how do you build a category around it? How do you let people know it even exists? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: What is category creation? H…

1
Social Media's Impact on Ballet: A Double Edged Sword 1:19:24

2M ago1:19:24

1:19:24

In this episode, we sit down with Kristin Deiss and Michelle Loucadoux, Founders of Danscend, to explore the good, the bad and the in-between of social media in the ballet world. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer dancers unprecedented opportunities to showcase their artistry, build communities, and gain visibility, they also bring cha…

1
Lauren Richter's Path to Recovery: Overcoming An Eating Disorder 59:07

2M ago59:07

59:07

This week's special guest is Lauren Richter, a former professional dancer and current Principal of the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education. Lauren reached out to us because she thought it was important to let dancers hear her story. Join us as she recounts her journey through a years-long eating disorder, now in long-term recovery, as both a wa…

1
How can Venture Capital firms help you? 23:32

3M ago23:32

23:32

In this episode we dive into new kinds of Venture Capital firms and what they offer startups. Many startups seek venture funding, but most funds look the same. What can new types of funds offer? When are they a good fit for you? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: How involved should a typical VC be? What’s more impo…

1
Monika Saigal: Nourishing the Dancer - Insights on Nutrition and Eating Disorders 1:12:09

3M ago1:12:09

1:12:09

We sit down with Monika Saigal, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and former professional dancer, who works with professional ballet dancers and ballet students. Monika shares her expertise on the important role of nutrition in a dancer's life and offers valuable insights into the nuances of language surrou…

1
Dawn Smith-Theodore on Ballet Wellness Programs and the Role Trust and Shame Play in Eating Disorders Amongst Dancers 1:14:43

3M ago1:14:43

1:14:43

In this episode, we sit down with Dawn Smith-Theodore, a licensed therapist and author of the book Tutu Thin: A Guide To Dancing Without An Eating Disorder. In our conversation about ballet wellness programs, Dawn talks about the crucial role that teachers play in ensuring the success of these programs in ballet schools. During our conversation we …

1
Jennifer Fraser, PhD. On What Bullying Does to the Human Brain 2:10:59

3M ago2:10:59

2:10:59

Why do we claim to have zero tolerance for bullying when it remains pervasive in society? In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Fraser to discuss the profound impact of bullying on the human brain. Jennifer uses scientific evidence to illustrate how bullying hurts not just youths' self-esteem and emotions, it has a physical impact on their gro…

1
How to Break Out of a Slump and Find Growth Again 22:10

3M ago22:10

22:10

In this episode we answer questions about growth. Specifically, what do you do if your growth has stalled? How do you find a new growth engine? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: How do I break out of a flat sales slump? How do I avoid spending all my time fighting with competitors for deals? How do I stand out in a…

1
Chloe Angyal On Why She's Cautiously Optimistic That Ballet Can Change 1:04:47

3M ago1:04:47

1:04:47

We're joined this week by Chloe Angyal, author of the widely regarded ballet book, Turning Pointe. Chloe addresses such issues as the "ballet brain" and how if affects dancers' willingness to accept problematic practices in the ballet world. We also discuss why she thinks ballet is in crisis, including how we tend to gloss over the authoritarian pa…

1
Shane Wuerthner On What It Will Take For Ballet Schools To Change 1:30:53

4M ago1:30:53

1:30:53

Join us for a candid conversation with Shane Wuerthner, former professional ballet dancer and current master trainer and teacher to hear him talk about how wellness programs in ballet schools have evolved since he was in training. Shane also weighs in on what he thinks of coded language, the power imbalance that exists in ballet as well as how impr…

1
How to Retain Your Top Employees 20:49

4M ago20:49

20:49

In this episode we answer questions about your top employees. The biggest problem with top employees is that they might leave! How do you make sure they stick around? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: What to do if a key employee wants to become a founder themselves? How do I handle competitors trying to hire my be…

1
Ballet Boundaries: Nicole Perry and Sarah Lozoff on Effective Communication 1:16:51

4M ago1:16:51

1:16:51

Intimacy direction in dance. What the heck is it, why is it important and how can these practices be brought into ballet training? Our guests, Nicole Perry and Sarah Lozoff, respected intimacy coordinators who have consulted with RudduR Dance as well as American Ballet Theater, share their expertise on how effective communication between dancers ca…

1
Episode 27: New Pathfinder System Review//Destiny 2 Final Shape ft RoninRedLion 1:40:58

4M ago1:40:58

1:40:58

Welcome to the Destiny Help Desk, I'm ToddtheGatr and it's my mission to help new and returning Guardians that are venturing into the online game Destiny 2. These are short episodes designed to help you with all the little pieces of the game. This is an audio podcast version of my video on the subject on my YouTube channel: ToddtheGatr . Listen to …

1
What We Would Have Done Differently as Dance Parents 26:33

5M ago26:33

26:33

In this episode, we revisit one of our earliest topics: "What would you have done differently as dance parents?" Join us as we reflect on our journey, sharing the mistakes we made and the invaluable lessons we learned along the way. Tune in for honest insights and practical advice for every ballet parent. We'll also tackle other listener questions …

1
Dancer Stories: Abigail Huang, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre 16:05

5M ago16:05

16:05

In our first episode of Dancer Stories, Jenny and her daughter Abbey share how Abbey got her first ballet contract. Tune in to hear how a meeting about dorm policy violations at a summer intensive turned into an apprenticeship offer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. After a last-minute decision to attend the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Company Experien…

1
How to handle Underperforming Employees 22:01

5M ago22:01

22:01

In this episode we answer questions about underperforming employees. If you have a team, some people on that team will underperform. What do you do when that happens? Can you turn them around, or do you have to let them go? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: How long should you give an employee to ramp up? Why would…

1
RAs Spill The Tea On Ballet Summer Intensives 50:29

5M ago50:29

50:29

We're talking with Robert Fulton and Camille Kellems, both professional dancers and also RAs at ballet summer intensives. Get ready for a mix of insider info that's helpful for parents as well as hilarious anecdotes as Robert and Camille let us in on what really goes on behind the scenes. From dorm antics to practice mishaps, they’ve seen it all—an…

1
Adam McKinney, Artistic Director Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre 1:02:19

5M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Tune in as we chat with Adam McKinney who has just finished his first year as artistic director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Hear about McKinney's own background to learn how it impacted his career as a male ballet dancer and how it informs his leadership at PBT. We also got a sneak peek at McKinney's plans for the coming years, both in terms of p…

1
Alicia Graf Mack, Dean & Director, Dance Division at Juilliard 58:53

5M ago58:53

58:53

Join us as we talk with Alicia Graf Mack, the first person of color and the youngest ever to head the Dance Department at Juilliard. Our conversation covered not only how the program is structured, but also the current state of the job market, what Juilliard dancers do once they graduate as well as the school's cross-over academic program that allo…

1
What is Innovation? 20:53

5M ago20:53

20:53

In this episode we answer questions about innovation. Startups are expected to innovate, but what does that mean? What is innovation and how does it become an advantage? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: What is innovation? Is there a process to innovation? What is the cost to not innovating? How do I know if I'm b…

1
Melonie Buchanan Murray, Director, University of Utah School of Dance 1:01:41

5M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

We're joined by Melonie Buchanan Murray, the Director of the School of Dance at the University of Utah. Our conversation covered a variety of areas, including the repertoire the dancers typically perform, admissions standards, the emphasis Ms. Murray puts on mental health awareness, how injuries affect grading and how students can get a BFA in Ball…

1
Susan Stowe, Chair of the Dept. of Dance at Point Park University 54:30

6M ago54:30

54:30

We're joined by Susan Stowe, Chair of the Department of Dance at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Stowe discusses the various tracks students can follow in the dance department, including degrees in ballet, jazz or modern dance and gives us a sneak peek at their latest initiative. Beginning Fall 2024, Point Park University's dance progr…

1
Larry Attaway Chats With Us About Butler University's Dance Program 1:12:49

6M ago1:12:49

1:12:49

Join us as we explore Butler University's Department of Dance, with Larry Attaway, who serves as Chair and Executive Artistic Director. Consistently ranked as one of the top five collegiate ballet programs in the U.S., Mr. Attaway fills us in on its diverse study options—including a dedicated teaching track—as well as the exciting performance oppor…

1
Episode 26: There's NO Better Time to Try Destiny 2 (New Player Exp explained) ft AD2P 1:24:10

6M ago1:24:10

1:24:10

Welcome to the Destiny Help Desk, I'm ToddtheGatr and it's my mission to help new and returning Guardians that are venturing into the online game Destiny 2. These are short episodes designed to help you with all the little pieces of the game. This is an audio podcast version of my video on the subject on my YouTube channel: ToddtheGatr . Listen to …

1
Phil Chan, Co-Founder Final Bow For Yellowface 51:22

6M ago51:22

51:22

Tune in to our latest episode featuring Phil Chan, co-founder of Final Bow for Yellowface, as we discuss the issue of Orientalism in ballet. Phil talks us through how his organization is actively combating stereotypes and Orientalist tropes within the art form. We also hear how major ballet companies are joining the movement, signing the Final Bow …

1
Tim O'Keefe, Artistic Director, Texas Ballet Theater 48:01

6M ago48:01

48:01

In this episode, we sit down with Tim O'Keefe, Artistic Director of Texas Ballet Theater, for an insightful discussion on the company's repertoire and his approach to artistic direction. We also explore the Texas Ballet Theater Studio Training Company, which offers aspiring dancers a platform to hone their skills. Join us for a candid conversation …

1
Should you join an Accelerator? 23:12

7M ago23:12

23:12

In this episode we answer questions about startup accelerators. Accelerators are programs that promise to help improve your chances of startup success, but how do they actually work? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: What do I get if I join an accelerator? How do I know if an accelerator is worth it? How do I get t…

1
Mavis Staines & Keith Morino Discuss The Company Life Experience at Canada's National Ballet School 1:02:35

7M ago1:02:35

1:02:35

Mavis Staines has been described as a visionary dance educator who has revolutionized the way dance is taught, performed, witnessed and shared across Canada and around the world. Over her 30-year tenure as Artistic Director of Canada’s National Ballet School, she has cemented the School’s reputation as the leading champion of programming excellence…

1
Christopher Hird Takes Us Inside Sarasota Ballet's Studio Company 57:00

7M ago57:00

57:00

Christopher Hird, Director of Education for Sarasota Ballet joins us to discuss post-graduate training programs. Hird brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation, having dedicated his career to shaping the next generation of ballet artists. From fostering technical proficiency to encouraging artistic expression, Hird shares the se…

1
Chatting With Christopher Ruud, Second Company Manager & Rehearsal Director, Kansas City Ballet 49:44

7M ago49:44

49:44

Ballet Help Desk sat down with Christopher Ruud, Second Company Manager and Rehearsal Director at Kansas City Ballet. This wide-ranging conversation covered everything from how the post-graduate levels are structured to performance opportunities to how students typically move through the ranks of the school. Chris also touched on the channels throu…

1
How to Build Your Sales Team 21:30

7M ago21:30

21:30

In this episode we answer questions about building your sales team. Many startups sell their product via sales people, and building your sales team is one of the most important things you will do. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: How do I hire my first salesperson? What is a sales commission plan? How do I know if…

1
Sarah Wroth: Inside Indiana University's Ballet Program 1:10:42

8M ago1:10:42

1:10:42

We sat down with Sarah Wroth, Chair of the Department of Ballet at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, to hear all about IU's ballet program. University ballet programs are becoming an ever more viable means to a professional ballet career and IU is a leader is turning out well-trained and mature, employable dancers. Tune in to hear about …

1
Jean-Yves Esquerre, European School of Ballet, Talks European Bridge Programs 1:22:47

8M ago1:22:47

1:22:47

Jean-Yves Esquerre, Founder and Director of European School of Ballet, joins us to talk about his classical and contemporary trainee programs, the current state of the job market in Europe and why he thinks some schools need to rethink their post-graduate programs. Be sure to also listen for information on ESB's inaugural summer intensive taking pl…

1
Racheal Nye, Oklahoma City Ballet, Talks High Achievement And High Empathy 1:11:58

8M ago1:11:58

1:11:58

Join us for a wide ranging chat with Racheal Nye, Director of the Yvonne Chouteau School and Studio Company at Oklahoma City Ballet. Ms. Nye covers everything you wanted to know about their trainee program and second company, including how they recruit, what they look for and what the path into the main company looks like. Ms. Nye also talks about …

1
How to Raise VC Funding 25:31

8M ago25:31

25:31

In this episode we answer questions about raising money from Venture Capital funds. Many startup companies seek VC funding, but it can be a complex process if you haven't done it before. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: Is a SAFE or priced equity round better? What's the recommended amount to raise at every stage?…

1
Lauren Richter, Principal, Tulsa Ballet Center For Dance Education 57:53

8M ago57:53

57:53

Ballet Help Desk sat down with Lauren Richter, School Principal for the Tulsa Ballet Center For Dance Education to learn more about the school, its trainee program as well as the second company, known as TBII. She talked about how the programs recruit, the performance opportunities available, the best ways to audition and how students can progress …

1
Episode 25: Bungie Wants YOU to Play Crucible 2.0 1:45:09

8M ago1:45:09

1:45:09

Welcome to the Destiny Help Desk, I'm ToddtheGatr and it's my mission to help new and returning Guardians that are venturing into the online game Destiny 2. These are short episodes designed to help you with all the little pieces of the game. This is an audio podcast version of my video on the subject on my YouTube channel: ToddtheGatr . Listen to …

1
Vanessa Léonard Discusses Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Aspirant Program 50:16

9M ago50:16

50:16

Ballet Help Desk sat down with Vanessa Léonard, Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Anna McCowan-Johnson Aspirant Program. She covered not only how the program is structured, but how dancers work with the main company, where dancers get jobs and also how students can audition to join the program. Ms. Léonard also covers the unique challenges th…

1
How to Find and Manage a Co-Founder 23:08

9M ago23:08

23:08

In this episode we answer questions about finding a co-founder and managing your relationship with your co-founder for the road ahead. Co-founder conflict is one of the top reasons for startup failure; many argue it is the primary cause of startup failure in the early days. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including: How do …

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