Dance Dad With John Corella

Dance Dad LLC
  • 5.0 (20)
  • PERFORMING ARTS

As one of the co creators/executive producers of the hit reality show Dance Moms, this podcast will be a safe space to talk about all things Dance. I will have meaningful conversations with guests from the show Dance Moms, as well as discussing the colorful, magical Dance competition world that I grew up competing in and am still a part of teaching and choreographing for. Dancing and being in the film and TV Industry for over 40 years I will be talking with those who who have inspired me and we will share our knowledge on what worked, what didn’t and why. Growing up a young feminine boy who loved to dance was extremely challenging in a lot of ways. Now as gay man I will have some heartfelt meetings with people in the LGBTQ community to share about this and the suffering that goes on currently with adults and kids and how we can help and most importantly heal it. Put your dance shoes on every other Friday when this podcast comes out! Listen. Be Bold. Be Fierce. Sincerely, John Corella

  1. 11H AGO

    EP 49: Season 3 Premiere Episode: When Her Boys Became Men on Stage with My Dance Mom

    For anyone raising boys who dance, this Mother’s Day episode will hit home fast. In this season 3 premiere episode of Dance Dad, John Corella sits down with his mom Sylvia and his brother Joseph for a conversation that goes far beyond recital memories. It gets into what it really takes to believe in a child before the rest of the world catches up. Sylvia shares what it meant to be a dance mom for two sons in an environment that did not always make room for boys who dance, and why supporting boys in dance can shape far more than talent. It can shape confidence, identity, and the courage to stay true to yourself.   There is a lot here for listeners who want honesty, heart, and a few Dance Mom funny moments too. You get family stories about competitions, Broadway, Star Search, tough feedback, and the kind of humor only siblings and a seasoned dance mom can bring. You also hear how Sylvia’s life experience as a survivor of cancer, stroke, and loss gave her a deeper sense of faith and perspective. That turns this into more than a family tribute. It becomes real inspiration to be kind, stand up for your kids, and keep going through hard seasons. If you care about parenting, resilience, or the lasting impact of believing in boys who dance, this one is worth your time.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Mother’s Day Special With Sylvia Corella and Joseph Corella 05:22 How a Dance Mom Supported Boys Who Dance 16:20 Bullying, Courage, and Supporting Boys in Dance 20:23 Advice for Dance Moms Raising Boys Who Dance 33:08 Cancer, Faith, and Staying Strong Through Hard Seasons 36:42 Broadway, Star Search, and Proud Family Milestones 44:59 What Winning Means in Dance and in Life 53:55 Dance Parent Pressure, Judgment, and Protecting Young Dancers 01:00:21 Betty Boop, Dance Memories, and Funny Family Moments 01:09:13 Bold Choices, Moving Away, and Building a Creative Life Connect with John Corella: www.josephcorella.com Follow Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram Follow John on Instagram Join Dance Dad with John Corella on Patreon Visit John Corella’s website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    1h 23m

  2. MAR 26

    Bonus Episode: How to Win at Dance Competitions: What Alysa Liu Actually Reminded Us

    Mental performance coaching is changing how athletes and parents think about success in youth sports. In this bonus episode, John Corella and mental performance coach Lisa Mitzel discuss how a healthier youth sports mindset can help young athletes compete with confidence without losing their sense of self. The discussion draws inspiration from Olympic champion Alysa Liu, whose approach to competition highlights the power of present moment performance and emotional awareness.   Lisa explains how mental performance coaching helps athletes stay grounded during pressure moments instead of becoming trapped in results, expectations, or fear of mistakes. Alysa Liu’s journey illustrates how athletes can perform at the highest level when they trust their instincts, respect their bodies, and remain present during competition. Present moment performance allows athletes to stay connected to what they are doing instead of obsessing over scores, placements, or approval from others.   Parents also influence how young athletes experience competition. John and Lisa discuss how family values shape the environment around training and performance. Parents often feel pressure to protect children from disappointment, yet mental performance coaching shows that resilience develops when kids learn to face setbacks with support instead of avoidance. This youth sports mindset encourages patience, accountability, and emotional strength.   The conversation also addresses body image and the messages young athletes receive about their bodies in dance and sports. Through sports parenting advice and real examples from training environments, John and Lisa encourage parents to create conversations that help children appreciate their bodies and build confidence from within.   Mental performance coaching appears throughout the episode as a framework for helping athletes manage pressure, respond to mistakes, and compete with greater awareness. Parents who want a healthier youth sports mindset will hear practical sports parenting advice that supports both performance and well-being.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction to Mental Performance Coaching and Youth Sports Mindset 01:27 Alysa Liu and the Power of Present Moment Performance 04:34 Sports Parenting Advice and Building Strong Family Values 08:57 Shifting From Results to a Healthy Youth Sports Mindset 13:00 Present Moment Performance vs Perfection in Competition 20:03 Mental Performance Coaching and Learning From Failure 29:44 Parents, Pressure, and Accountability in Youth Sports 33:05 Alysa Liu and Joy in Competition Connect with Lisa Mitzel: Visit Lisa's website   Connect with John Corella: Follow Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram Follow John on Instagram Join Dance Dad with John Corella on Patreon Visit John Corella’s website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    39 min

  3. 12/25/2025

    EP 48: How to Audition for Convention Scholarships

    Auditions take on a new clarity as John Corella shows how dancers can stay grounded, choose an outfit that supports their presence, rely on their 3 tricks, and move through the journey with steadier confidence.   John talks openly about the pressure dancers feel and the emotional weight parents carry. It raises important questions. What helps someone stay centered in a room full of nerves? How does a dancer build confidence when the result is out of their hands? He explains why courage grows in spaces where dancers can try, fail, and continue without shame. He also breaks down what teachers actually notice, from focus and kindness to an outfit that helps them remember you. His take on improv feels especially helpful. The 3 tricks approach gives dancers something reliable to lean on when the moment feels unpredictable.   Listeners will leave with a clearer sense of the audition journey and the mindset that helps a dancer stay steady through every high and low.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction to Dance and Auditions 03:03 Navigating the Audition Process 05:52 Preparing for Auditions: Tips and Tricks 08:46 The Importance of Presentation and Focus 12:10 Understanding the Audition Environment 15:10 Improv and Showcasing Your Strengths 18:04 Coping with Rejection and Disappointment 20:57 Post-Audition Reflections and Growth 23:50 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Connect with John Corella: Follow Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram Follow John on Instagram Join Dance Dad with John Corella on Patreon Visit John Corella’s website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    32 min

  4. 12/11/2025

    EP 47: Holiday Episode with Yvette Walts from Dance Moms, AUDC

    Yvette Walts opens up about the pressure tied to Dance Moms fame, the panic attacks that surfaced once episodes aired, and the steady purpose that guides her work as a studio owner.   John Corella invites her to revisit the intense reality-TV environment that shaped so much of her early public life, and the conversation turns into an honest look at what happens when you see a version of yourself on screen that doesn’t match who you believe you are. How do you process that kind of shock? What helps you find your footing again? Yvette shares the role her community played as she worked through anxiety and self-forgiveness and she reflects on the difference between reacting in the moment and living with those reactions once millions of people have seen them.   Yvette also brings forward two decades of insight from owning a dance studio and explains how structure, clarity, and genuine care built a space where more than a thousand students feel supported. What does it take to create a place that feels safe for growth? How do you lead with both expectation and compassion? Through stories from AUDC and Dance Moms and through reflections on panic attacks and leadership, this episode shows the resilience required to stay centered in a world that rarely gives you time to catch your breath.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Yvette Walts Joins John Corella 03:08 Behind the Scenes of AUDC 05:48 Reacting Under Stress on Reality TV 07:30 Regret, Self-Forgiveness, and Online Judgment 08:58 Panic Attacks After Seeing Herself on TV 19:47 From Gymnastics to Owning a Dance Studio 25:08 How Dance Moms Impacted Her Business 32:18 How Her Teaching Style Evolved Over Time 48:12 The Systems Behind a 1,100-Student Studio 49:53 Creating a Full Studio Experience 53:25 Advice for Studio Owners on Brand and Culture 01:00:06 Creative Influences and Final Reflections Connect with Yvette Walts: Follow Yvette on Instagram Connect with John Corella: Follow Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram Follow John on Instagram Join Dance Dad with John Corella on Patreon Visit John Corella’s website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    1h 1m

  5. 11/27/2025

    EP 46: Defying Gravity for 15 Years With Wicked Dance Justin Wirick

    Fifteen years in Wicked collide with grief, queer joy and the quiet rituals that keep a performer brave eight shows a week.   With part two of the Wicked movie now in theaters, John Corella celebrates the moment by revisiting his conversation with Justin Wirick, a longtime dancer with the Broadway National Tour of Wicked. What begins as a lighthearted holiday replay opens into a layered, intimate look at creativity, identity, resilience and the emotional depth woven into performing the same show thousands of times.   Justin shares how ritual, presence and community have sustained him through the demands of touring life, the pressure of staying fresh onstage and the grief of losing his mother. He reflects on the ways Wicked mirrors the lived experiences of queer performers who spend years learning to celebrate the parts of themselves they once hid. This episode is a reminder that the courage to keep showing up for your art and for your truth is its own form of defying gravity.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcome and Wicked Movie Celebration 02:00 Justin Wirick on Nerves and Finding His Voice 05:30 Fifteen Years in Wicked and Touring Life 12:44 How Justin Finally Joined Wicked After Three Offers 17:41 Wicked Choreography: Stage vs Film 23:54 Justin’s Rituals for Calming Nerves Before Every Show 37:04 Choosing Joy and Staying Fresh After Thousands of Performances 41:08 Performing Through Grief After Losing His Mom 41:25 Why Wicked Resonates With LGBTQ+ Audiences 54:32 Staying Kind and Grounded in a Tough Industry 01:04:15 Dance Lightning Round and Where to Follow Justin   Connect with Justin Wirick: Follow Justin on Instagram   Connect with John Corella: Follow Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram Follow John on Instagram Join Dance Dad with John Corella on Patreon Visit John Corella’s website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    1h 7m

  6. 11/13/2025

    EP 45: The Boy Is Mine Tour Dancer with Charm Spencer

    Charm Spencer opens up about tour life - the late nights, the travel, and the mindset that keeps him grounded while performing on The Boy Is Mine Tour with Brandy and Monica. In this episode, he joins John Corella to talk about learning to move between masculine and feminine energy onstage and how that balance shapes both his artistry and his identity.   He reflects on rejection, growth, and humility with a kind of honesty that pulls you in. How do you stay true to yourself when every role asks for something different? How do you keep your confidence in an industry built on constant change?   Charm’s story connects discipline with self-acceptance and reminds dancers that authenticity is its own kind of power. And for anyone who grew up watching Dance Moms, he shows how those early lessons in adaptability and storytelling still echo through every performance today.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Behind the Scenes of The Boy Is Mine Tour 06:00 Charm Spencer’s Journey to Becoming a Professional Dancer 09:03 Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energy in Dance 11:57 Breakthrough Auditions and Career Lessons 15:05 A Real Look at Tour Life 47:59 Handling Criticism and Protecting Your Energy 49:47 What Touring Dancers Teach Each Other 54:08 Dance Moms and Early Influences Connect with Charm Spencer: Follow Charm on Instagram    Connect with John Corella: Follow Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram Follow John on Instagram Join Dance Dad with John Corella on Patreon Visit John Corella’s website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    1h 2m

  7. 10/30/2025

    EP 44: 1988 Olympics Womens Gymnastics Team Controversy with Missy Marlowe

    When former Olympian Melissa Marlowe talks about the 1988 Olympic controversy and the bronze medal being taken away, she doesn’t just revisit a headline; she relives what it felt like to stand on the edge of history and have it quietly rewritten overnight. How does someone keep competing after that? What carries an athlete through when the spotlight fades but the memory doesn’t?    As she joins John Corella in this episode, Melissa reflects on the discipline, artistry, and strength that defined her career, from the power in her legs and feet to the mindset that helped her face pressure and perfectionism. She shares how her coaches’ mix of kindness and toughness shaped her longevity in a sport built on precision and risk, and how she’s come to measure success in ways that last longer than medals.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcome to Dance Dad and Guest Intro 01:47 Early Ballet Roots and Natural Flexibility 05:05 Signature Lines: The Power of Legs and Feet 06:35 Beating Nerves with Sports Psychology 21:39 The Reality of Olympic Pressure: Was It Worth It 23:40 1988 Olympic Controversy: Bronze Medal Being Taken Away 45:22 Competing in the Cold War: USA vs USSR 51:09 Hard but Kind Coaching and Athlete Longevity 59:12 Scholarships, Overtraining, and Choosing Longevity 01:00:42 Life After the Olympics: Movement, Motherhood, Meaning   Connect with Melissa Marlowe: Connect with Melissa on Instagram   Connect with John Corella: Follow Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram Follow John on Instagram Join Dance Dad with John Corella on Patreon Visit John Corella’s website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    1h 12m

  8. 10/16/2025

    EP 43: The Turn Coach Method

    What does it take to hit 10 turns with confidence? For Lynnrae Hiers Serra, it comes down to repetition, mechanics, and belief - the same mix that’s helped dancers of every level find their balance and push past limits.   John Corella talks with Lynnrae, known to many as “The Turn Coach,” about how her journey started at the JPD dance studio under her mentor Terry Schulke and how that experience shaped her lifelong fascination with precision and progress. She explains why mastering turns isn’t about perfection but about patience, consistency, and learning how your body works. What happens when a dancer stops chasing technique and starts trusting the process instead?   Lynnrae also shares tips for teachers and parents who want to help dancers grow without pressure, along with the story behind TurnCoach Enterprises and her mission to make effective turn training accessible to anyone. This episode looks at the intersection of art, discipline, and belief, and how small shifts in mindset can lead to those moments when everything clicks and the turns finally stick.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcome to Dance Dad and Episode Focus on Turns 01:10 Meet The Turn Coach and Motto “I Can Make Anybody Turn” 04:15 JPD Dance Studio Roots and Mentor Terry Schulke 06:25 The Turn Coach Method Progression and 10 Turns System 11:55 Challenging Tradition: Why Mechanics Come Before Perfection 13:59 What Actually Makes You Turn: Practical Mechanics That Work 19:50 TurnCoach Enterprises: Scaling a 700 Person Waitlist 26:40 Most Common Mistake: Fix Your Prep to Unlock More Rotations 33:20 Every Body Can Turn: Mindset, Confidence, and Inclusive Coaching 44:50 Healthy Body Image in Dance: Language Teachers Should Avoid   Connect with Lynnrae Hiers Serra: Visit The Turn Coach Website Follow Lynnrae on Instagram   Connect with John Corella: Follow Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram Follow John on Instagram Join Dance Dad with John Corella on Patreon Visit John Corella’s website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    1h 5m
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Trailer

5
out of 5
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About

As one of the co creators/executive producers of the hit reality show Dance Moms, this podcast will be a safe space to talk about all things Dance. I will have meaningful conversations with guests from the show Dance Moms, as well as discussing the colorful, magical Dance competition world that I grew up competing in and am still a part of teaching and choreographing for. Dancing and being in the film and TV Industry for over 40 years I will be talking with those who who have inspired me and we will share our knowledge on what worked, what didn’t and why. Growing up a young feminine boy who loved to dance was extremely challenging in a lot of ways. Now as gay man I will have some heartfelt meetings with people in the LGBTQ community to share about this and the suffering that goes on currently with adults and kids and how we can help and most importantly heal it. Put your dance shoes on every other Friday when this podcast comes out! Listen. Be Bold. Be Fierce. Sincerely, John Corella

Information

  • Creator
    Dance Dad LLC
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Dance Dad With John Corella

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