Conversations for the Moving Self

Conversations for the Moving Self
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Hello, I am Megan, a lifelong movement artist and facilitator. Each week I invite you inside of the honest conversations I have been having with incredibly inspiring movement and wellbeing practitioners, as we unpack the beautiful rollercoaster it is pursuing a lifestyle that is built around movement and wellbeing. Join us as we share and reflect on the moments where movement lights your soul on fire, to the situations where you begin to question everything.

  1. 11 hr ago

    Episode 26 - Paloma Perez-Rojas on The Winding Path to Freelance Careers, Putting in the Work, and The Importance of Community

    What does it take to build a dance career on your own terms? In this episode, Megan sits down with Paloma Perez Rojas — American dancer, mentor, and founder of The Dancing Business — to trace her journey from a shy seven-year-old doing cartwheels to a working artist and entrepreneur based in Madrid, Spain.Paloma opens up about the winding road that brought her to dance: switching from visual art to movement, stretching for 90 minutes a night to catch up with her peers, nearly choosing medicine over performance, and eventually stepping away from dance entirely before social media brought her back. Her honest content about balancing a full-time job with a dance career resonated with thousands — and sparked an idea.Today, The Dancing Business is a thriving Instagram community and 12-week mentorship program helping dancers around the world build sustainable careers outside of traditional structures. Paloma also shares what it's like to balance this digital platform with an artist residency at Tejido Conectivo dance company in Madrid — and why community, not just creativity, is what keeps her going.This one is for every dancer who's ever wondered if there's a different way.

    52 min

  2. 30 May

    Episode 25 - Gerard Hawley on the Taoist Principle, Wu Wei, and the Rich Tension between Martial Roots and Meditative Qualities

    In this episode, Megan sits down with Gerard Hawley — Tai Chi practitioner, teacher, and founder of a thriving school of around 100 students — to explore a practice that is as much a philosophy as it is a physical discipline. Gerard shares how Tai Chi began as a personal tool for managing stress before growing into a deeply fulfilling teaching career spanning six years, and he takes us into the technical and spiritual layers that make Tai Chi unlike any other movement practice. At the heart of the conversation are two powerful concepts: Wu Wei — the Taoist principle of going with the flow rather than forcing — and No Mind, the idea of responding instinctively and without overthinking, whether in martial practice or everyday life.Together, Megan and Gerard unpack the balance between Tai Chi's martial roots and its meditative qualities, and why that tension is actually what makes the practice so rich. Gerard reflects on what it means to teach a discipline that asks students to move softly while remaining deeply connected — and how that same principle applies to navigating life's challenges. He also shares his vision for growing awareness of Tai Chi across the UK, collaborating with other experienced practitioners, and bringing this ancient art to more people, including those with health challenges who might not immediately see themselves as Tai Chi students.

    1hr 18min

  3. 23 May

    Episode 24 - Steph Mattiussi Holisitic Approach to Movement and Health, Conditioning the Body versus Caring for it, and Treating the Human First

    In this episode, Megan sits down with Stephanie Mattiussi — dance scientist, educator, and head of dance science and health at London Contemporary Dance School — for a conversation that feels both personal and deeply professional. Stephanie traces her journey from early ballet and tap training through to discovering dance science at university, sharing how combining her love of movement with her curiosity for science opened up a whole new path. Recording just ten days before her due date, she also reflects openly on how her movement practice has shifted during pregnancy, bringing a refreshing honesty to what it means to listen to your body in different seasons of life.Together, Megan and Stephanie explore what a truly holistic approach to movement and health looks like — both for the students Stephanie supports and for herself. They discuss the balance between conditioning and caring for the body, the importance of treating people as humans first, and how community and connection can transform the way we relate to physical practice. Stephanie also shares her strategies for staying grounded when energy is low, reminding us that rest and boundaries are just as much a part of a healthy practice as movement itself.

    50 min

  4. 15 May

    Episode 23 - Paula Nacif on Unrestrictive Approaches to Health, the Power of Nature, and Finding Wholeness

    In this episode, Megan sits down with Paula Nacif — massage therapist, herbalist, and naturopath — to talk about her journey from the arts world into holistic health. Paula opens up honestly about how her own movement practice took a back seat when she opened her studio, and shares her philosophy that well-being doesn't need to be restrictive or overwhelming — it can start with something as simple as a breath. She also reflects on how her background in ballet and working with dancers shaped the way she thinks about body care and longevity in physical careers. Paula walks us through her daily rhythm as a practitioner, from limiting herself to four clients a day to weaving in morning walks and quiet time with nature. She shares the story of a pilgrimage she took with her mother along the Camino de Santiago, and how that journey taught her to slow down and let go of self-limiting beliefs. At the heart of it all, Paula's message is about helping people find wholeness — in their bodies, their routines, and their lives.

    1hr 1min
  5. Welcome to Conversations for the Moving Self

    Trailer

    Welcome to Conversations for the Moving Self

    If you're new here, start with this one. Conversations for the Moving Self is a podcast and community for movement and wellbeing practitioners navigating what it really means to build a sustainable life in this career. In this intro episode, host Megan shares why she created this space, what you can expect, and where she's at right now — because she's not coming to you from the other side of it. She's in it too. You're not alone in this. Welcome.

    3 min

  6. 18 Apr ·  Bonus

    Episode 22 - BONUS Episode with Host, Megan Bader on Caring for the Human, Injury, and Being Informed by Different Movement Practices

    Our host, Megan Bader, jumps on a special bonus episode today to answer some of the questions she normally asks her guests as well as unpacks overcoming injury and how it can shape your journey as a movement artist, and does not have to be the end of the story.

    32 min

  7. 21 Mar

    Episode 21 - Emily Bufferd on Employing Curiousity in Training Spaces, Spaces Built Around Humanity, and Navigating Pressure

    In this episode, Megan sits down with NYC-based dancer, choreographer, educator, and producer Emily Bufferd for a wide-ranging conversation on dance education, artistic practice, and the realities of sustaining a life in the field.Together they explore the relationship between teaching and performing, the importance of practicing what we ask of our students, and how curiosity and explanation can deepen the learning process. Emily shares insights from her work with dancers of all ages, discussing the value of offering students the “why” behind movement and creating environments where dancers feel safe enough to ask questions, take risks, and explore their artistry.They also reflect on the evolving landscape of dance education - from balancing high standards with thoughtful support, to navigating the pressures of competition culture, to adapting teaching practices as our understanding of the body continues to grow. Throughout the conversation, both Megan and Emily return to a shared belief: that dance spaces should center respect, humanity, and curiosity just as much as technique.

    1hr 8min

  8. 28 Feb

    Episode 20 - Kelly Lynch on Curiosity, Listening, and Balance

    In this episode, Megan welcomed American professional dancer and movement educator Kelly Lynch to discuss her journey in dance and her approach to teaching and recovery. Kelly shared her experiences transitioning from a classical ballet background to exploring modern dance and performance art, including her time with companies like Streb Extreme Action and her work as a health coach. They discussed the importance of curiosity, self-care, and listening to one's body in dance and movement practices. Kelly emphasized the need for dancers to challenge their instincts and make choices that align with their personal goals and well-being. The conversation also explored autonomy within structured training environments, the perception of discipline in ballet, and how teachers can balance technical rigor with emotional expression and anatomical awareness. Kelly spoke about supporting dancers through mental health challenges, cyclic hormonal changes, and injury recovery, offering practical strategies that foster resilience and longevity. Together, they reflected on balancing high-level training with genuine care, and the importance of creating adaptable, supportive spaces where dancers can thrive — both in the studio and beyond it.

    1hr 6min
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About

Hello, I am Megan, a lifelong movement artist and facilitator. Each week I invite you inside of the honest conversations I have been having with incredibly inspiring movement and wellbeing practitioners, as we unpack the beautiful rollercoaster it is pursuing a lifestyle that is built around movement and wellbeing. Join us as we share and reflect on the moments where movement lights your soul on fire, to the situations where you begin to question everything.

Information

  • Creator
    Conversations for the Moving Self
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Conversations for the Moving Self
  • Show Website
    Conversations for the Moving Self