Episodes

In this episode, host Dr. Chelsea talks to distinguished dance educator Anabella Lenzu about the shifting focus in the dance community from artistic expression to technical perfection and competitive achievements. Anabella, originally from Argentina...

In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea addresses the growing pessimism among teenage competitive dancers. She emphasizes the importance of optimism for competitive success and mental resilience, differentiating it from toxic positivity. Dr....

In this milestone episode, host Dr. Chelsea reflects on 200 episodes of the Passion for Dance podcast, sharing key insights and lessons from the four pillars of the show: mindset, motivation, resilience, and community. She emphasizes the need for...

In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea is joined by professional dancer Nia Lonette. The two dive into Nia's journey from Maryland to becoming an acclaimed dancer in LA, featuring her work with prominent artists and appearances at...

Dr. Chelsea tackles the challenges dancers face during the intense competition season including losing and offers valuable insights into three aspects worse than losing: regret, blame, and lack of improvement. Dr. Chelsea shares personal stories and...

In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea speaks with Jared Redick, a third-generation professional ballet dancer and current Dean at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Mr Redick shares his extensive dance journey and...

In the third installment of 'Emotional Intelligence for Dancers,' Dr. Chelsea delves into coping strategies for managing emotions over the long term, helping dancers recover from disappointment and frustration. She emphasizes the importance of...

In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea continues her series on emotional intelligence for dancers, focusing on strategies for managing negative emotions. She provides five proactive techniques including mindfulness, building a support...

In this episode of 'Passion for Dance,' Dr. Chelsea, discusses how emotions impact a dancer’s ability to focus, move, and connect with the audience. With competition season in full swing, she delves into the importance of understanding and...

In this episode, guest artist Galit Friedlander shares her personal dance journey from starting her professional career as a young teen to working as an assistant choreographer for Prince. She discusses the impact of being highly sensitive and...

In this episode of Dr. Chelsea delves into the benefits of mindfulness for dancers. She clarifies the difference between mindfulness and meditation and discusses how mindfulness can improve both mental well-being and dance performance. Dr. Chelsea...

In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea addresses the common struggle dancers face with comparison. From defining why we compare ourselves to others to exploring its psychological impacts, Dr. Chelsea provides a deep dive into this common...

Dr. Chelsea announces updates for the Passion for Dance podcast in 2025, including a slight shift in focus towards more dancer-focused episodes while maintaining content for dance educators and coaches. There's also a new website: , for easier access...

Would you want to know that your last time onstage was the last time? Would that knowledge bring closure or would it be too difficult to perform if you knew it was your last time? My guest in today’s episode was a professional dancer who battled...

Today’s episode is all about making it as a professional dancer. My guest, Justine Menter, has over 15 years of experience in LA's entertainment industry as a choreographer, educator, and entrepreneur. She hosts her own podcast, Dance Careers...

We are entering the thick of dance competition season where dancers start to feel more pressure and there are some big wins and some very hard days. Dancers who train their mental skills are not only able to increase their chances of success onstage...

It's Nutcracker season, and today I want to pull back the curtain on what life is really like as a professional ballet dancer. My guest today is Janine Kovac who was a professional dancer for 12 years in Iceland, Italy, San Francisco, and her hometown...

I've talked to hundreds and hundreds of dancers all over the world, and I hear from each of them about the heavy load they experience as dancers. There's pressure to perform. We never feel like we have enough time to get everything done. There's...

If you are a dance teacher who has ever struggled to get your students to go full out when they're learning, or if you've been saying the same cue, like, “Pull up,” and they don't get it, today's guest is here to share a different approach with a...

The best performers in the world didn't get to where they are through magic, nor did they get there overnight. The best path to your personal best is to focus on those small, daily habits that add up to consistent growth. Psychological research has...

What kind of dancer will make it in New York City? Do passionate dancers get taken advantage of in the professional world? Today’s episode is a conversation with Dr. Ruth Horowitz, a sociologist who specifically studied recent dancers. She...

It takes a lot of positive mental skills to learn how to focus on small improvements every day and not give up when you don't feel like you're making the progress you want. Many dancers focus on getting the turns, learning choreography quickly,...

When it comes to a focused mindset, I'll admit that I'm one of those psychologists who talks about the benefit of intention. I personally always set a word for the year that serves as my overarching intention, and I often set daily intentions when I...

Many coaches today struggle with accountability on their teams or in the studio. We want dancers who do the hard work and follow through with their promises. Truly accountable dancers own up to their mistakes and do what they say they're going to do...