Nobody Listens to Chasta

Podcast Cary
Podcast Cary

What happens when someone says the things everyone else is thinking—but nobody is willing to say out loud? Nobody Listens to Chasta is a counterculture podcast hosted by entrepreneur, speaker, and author Chasta Hamilton. With humor, candor, and unapologetic honesty, Chasta tackles the uncomfortable topics shaping modern life—from youth sports trophies and toxic achievement culture to entrepreneurship, parenting, grief, addiction, and the pressure to conform. Drawing from her experience building Stage Door Dance Productions, founding Girls Geared for Greatness, and writing books like Trash the Trophies and Handle the Horrible, Chasta challenges systems that no longer serve us and explores better ways to live, lead, and raise the next generation. Expect bold conversations, unconventional perspectives, and thoughtful debate designed to inspire healthier, happier, and more intentional lives. If you've ever questioned the status quo… you might be someone who actually listens to Chasta.

  1. 5d ago

    Super Fun Halloween Episode

    In this Halloween-themed episode of Nobody Listens to Chasta, Chasta and her husband John celebrate the season while highlighting that Chasta has been awarded the City of Raleigh’s Medal of Arts for transformative contributions over many years. They chat about their low-key approach to spooky decor, favorite childhood costumes (including Chasta’s custom-made skunk suit and John’s Stormtrooper), and their differing candy preferences. They also share how their son Sebastian landed on a Tiger Shark monster truck costume after an unrealistically expensive search for a red Yoshi. The conversation shifts to “tricks and treats” in everyday life, touching on parenting, emotional regulation, perfectionism, and the joy of the “BER months,” including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, before wrapping with a listener call for costume and candy favorites. 00:00 Podcast Halloween Kickoff 00:58 Medal Of Arts Tribute 02:51 Costumes And Vintage Pumpkin 04:26 Scary Decorations And Skunk Story 08:24 Johns Childhood Costumes 10:36 Candy Favorites Debate 12:20 Bash Costume Hunt 17:07 Tricks Treats Parenting 21:15 Holiday Season Traditions 22:17 Wrap Up And Halloween Wishes 23:11 Outro And Call To Share

  2. Oct 13

    Ending Gender Based Violence - Melinda Manning

    What happens when speaking up for what is right comes at a personal and professional cost? Chasta Hamilton sits down with Melinda Manning, a longtime advocate against gender based violence, former UNC assistant dean of students, and current Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Board of Education member, for a powerful conversation about accountability, resilience, and creating meaningful change. Melinda shares her experience working with hundreds of survivors of campus sexual assault, why she became a whistleblower at UNC, and how institutional failures can affect students far beyond the classroom. She discusses the lasting effects of trauma, the importance of consent education, the challenges survivors face when reporting violence, and the need to invest in local rape crisis centers and survivor support services. The conversation also explores education, technology, media literacy, and the importance of building real community in an increasingly digital world. From the documentary The Hunting Ground and Lady Gaga’s song “Til It Happens to You” to the role of schools in developing critical thinkers, Melinda and Chasta examine how awareness must lead to action. Melinda also shares how community support helped her through cancer treatment and why staying connected to others matters during life’s hardest moments. This episode is a reminder that meaningful progress requires uncomfortable conversations, collective responsibility, and the courage to keep speaking up. As Melinda emphasizes, we cannot become complacent or accept injustice as simply the way things are. 00:00 Introducing Melinda Manning and her advocacy work 02:00 From education law to student advocacy and social work 03:30 The Hunting Ground and UNC’s campus sexual assault crisis 05:00 Supporting survivors and managing emotional stress 06:30 Title IX, institutional accountability, and reporting failures 09:30 Why Melinda left UNC and became a whistleblower 11:30 How sexual violence affects education and future potential 14:00 Understanding why sexual assault often involves someone the survivor knows 16:00 The Title IX complaint and the personal consequences of speaking up 21:00 The professional cost of whistleblowing 23:00 Progress in consent education and campus support services 25:00 Why local rape crisis centers need community support 26:30 Sexual assault nurse examiners and survivor services 29:00 Melinda’s transition into school board leadership 32:00 Technology, AI, and the importance of human led education 35:00 Digital habits, real relationships, and community building 38:00 Why small businesses and local gathering spaces matter 40:00 Media literacy, reading, writing, and critical thinking 42:00 Creativity, art, and the value of being present 48:00 Documenting experiences and recognizing patterns of stalking 50:00 Campus safety and why familiar people can pose risks 52:30 Preventing sexual violence through education and cultural change 54:00 Challenging harmful attitudes toward women 56:00 Resilience, cancer treatment, and the power of community support 59:00 Staying engaged, speaking up, and continuing the fight

  3. Oct 6

    Burnout, Body Image, and Ballet With Annie Wright Hamrick

    Professional ballerina, educator, and choreographer Annie Wright Hamrick joins Chasta for an honest conversation about burnout, body image, and the culture surrounding ballet. Annie shares her experience with restrictive eating, body expectations, and the pressure dancers can face as their bodies naturally change. They also discuss how ballet can become more inclusive and accessible, from flexible dress options to greater diversity in body types, heights, skin tones, and backgrounds. The conversation also explores the role of parents, teachers, and dance organizations in creating healthier environments for young dancers. Annie and Chasta talk about the importance of nutrition education from qualified professionals, moving away from harmful comments about students' bodies, and helping dancers focus on strength, technique, and the joy of movement. They also discuss the influence of movies like Black Swan and Whiplash, the growing popularity of ballet, and the importance of keeping the art form meaningful while making it more welcoming. 00:00 Meet Annie Wright Hamrick02:00 Annie's journey into professional ballet04:00 Ballet beyond the professional path06:00 Body image and ballet culture08:00 Nutrition and fueling dancers10:00 Annie's experience with body expectations13:00 Strength training and changing her relationship with food16:00 Leaving professional ballet18:00 The pressure to maintain a certain physique20:00 Body image and pregnancy22:00 Making ballet more comfortable and inclusive25:00 Youth America Grand Prix and body image28:00 Height, weight, and audition standards30:00 Scales, mirrors, and body image32:00 Black Swan and Whiplash34:00 Finding freedom through dance35:00 Creating a healthier ballet culture37:00 Food, balance, and joy39:00 Raising the next generation of dancers42:00 Ballet, attention spans, and new trends44:00 Using real dancers in advertising45:00 The importance of asking questions46:00 The lasting impact of comments47:00 Annie's advice for dancers, parents, and educators

  4. Sep 29

    Closing the Show With Ira David Wood III

    Nobody Listens to Chasta Episode 20 brings Chasta together with longtime friend and theater legend Ira David Wood III for a deeply personal conversation about theater, life, loss, and what comes next. Ira shares stories from his decades in the theater, including his many iconic roles, the origins of his beloved production of A Christmas Carol, and the lessons he has learned from stepping outside his comfort zone. The conversation also explores how grief and childhood loss shaped both Chasta and Ira, and how they found ways to turn pain into creativity, connection, and something meaningful for others. They talk about the importance of community, staying connected in an increasingly digital world, appreciating the time we have, and being present for the people we love. Ira also shares stories from his upcoming book Next, including his thoughts on death, forgiveness, healing, love, humor, and finding peace before the final curtain. At its heart, this episode is about embracing every stage of life, letting go of what weighs us down, and remembering that when one show closes, something new is always waiting to begin. 00:00 Life, theater, and closing the show03:00 Learning through difficult roles06:00 Aging, gratitude, and appreciating life09:00 Finding a place in the arts12:00 Finding your community and your tribe16:00 The teachers who change our lives18:00 Childhood loss, grief, and the power of imagination23:00 Turning grief into art25:00 Being present for people through difficult moments28:00 Gratitude and making the most of life30:00 The story behind A Christmas Carol35:00 The inspiration behind Next40:00 Losing the fear of death44:00 Being present at the end of life50:00 The power of live theater53:00 Healing, forgiveness, and letting go56:00 Living with love and authenticity58:00 Finding humor in difficult moments01:00 Caregiving and letting go01:04 Closing shows, hope, and what comes next01:05 Pretty dreams never die

  5. Sep 22

    Just Do It - Mister John

    Just Do It: John’s Late-Blooming Theater Journey (Season 2 Premiere) Chasta opens season two of Nobody Listens to Chasta with her husband John, reflecting on how he jumped into theater later than many and learned to push past stereotypes about what’s “cool.” They revisit his first audition for Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol (2014), including a frantic missing-guitar-pick moment that ended with him being cast as Nephew Fred, and the challenges of dance rehearsals, illness, and the loss of his Pop-Pop during the run. They then discuss John leading The Wedding Singer as Robbie Hart (2016), his musical growth with coaching and learning healthier technique, and the catharsis of the show ending, plus the low-budget creativity required to make it work. The conversation continues through Ghost: The Musical (2017) and the pressures of ambitious storytelling, ending with encouragement to take risks, audition, and create at any age. 00:00 Season Two Kickoff 01:00 Just Do It Mindset 01:46 Art Versus Cool 03:01 First Audition Story 03:55 Recession To Theater Leap 05:00 Guitar Pick Panic 08:37 Angelic Callback Moment 09:16 Cast As Nephew Fred 10:15 Terrifying Dance Rehearsal 12:22 Sickness And Loss 14:16 After The Run Ends 15:16 Wedding Singer Invitation 16:46 Leading Man Pressure 17:31 Learning Music Fast 18:30 Finding Your Voice 19:18 Choreo Challenges and Trust 20:31 Meaning Behind the Show 22:01 Love and Scrappy Creativity 23:30 After the Curtain Falls 24:42 Facing Fear by Doing 26:00 New York Dreams to Ghost 28:42 Ghost Musical Tall Order 32:06 Budget Limits and Big Art 36:08 Life Is a Production 37:37 Marketing Mishaps Lessons 39:06 Do It at Any Age 40:19 Season Two Wrap Up

  6. Sep 15

    The Meaning of it all - Patrick Torres

    Patrick Torres on Art, Leadership, and Why the Meaning of It All Is People  Chasta opens season two of Nobody Listens to Chasta with longtime friend and theater leader Patrick Torres, who shares his path from West Texas football player and aspiring pharmacist to theater artist focused on community and humanity. They discuss art as a vital part of systems, Dolly Parton’s impact, and Patrick’s approach to making theater relevant through interpretation, process over product, and intellectual curiosity. Patrick reflects on stepping into Raleigh Little Theatre after Haskell Fitzsimons’ death as its first artistic director of color, including the decision to cancel Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson after conversations with Native American community members and the backlash that followed. They revisit collaborations on Much Ado About Nothing, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop, and Pippin, addressing criticism, ego, failing forward, grief during productions, burnout, returning from Texas, and Patrick’s work at Book Harvest, concluding that the meaning of it all is people and love. 00:00 Welcome to Season Two 00:38 Meet Patrick Torres 01:57 Art as a Living System 03:17 Raleigh Little Theatre Transition 04:15 Bold Leadership and Representation 06:00 How We Met Much Ado 07:48 Making Theater Relevant 09:01 Bloody Bloody Cancellation 12:08 Process Over Product 15:19 Sweeney Todd in the Body 20:04 Little Shop and American Greed 23:08 Why Theater Community Matters 24:53 Curiosity as the Artist’s Job 25:51 Point of View Choices 26:29 Overthinking Self-Doubt 28:16 Fail Forward Together 29:41 Imperfect Art Audience 30:30 Alice Digital Dangers 31:36 Gentle With Egos 35:20 Trash The Trophies 35:49 Beginning of the End 38:51 Handling Critics 41:55 Pippin Bold Swing 44:10 Theater Through Loss 48:55 Community Final Takeaway 50:17 People Are Meaning 51:03 Closing Thanks, Subscribe

  7. Sep 8

    That's Showbiz Baby - Nicholas Kraft

    Season 2 of Nobody Listens to Chasta kicks off with actor and performer Nicholas Kraft for a conversation about growing up in theater, pursuing a career in the arts, and learning how to navigate rejection, comparison, and the pressure to succeed. Nicholas reflects on his journey from performing in local theater with Chasta to the Jimmy Awards, the University of Michigan, and eventually pursuing opportunities in New York City. They also discuss social media, perfectionism, AI and creativity, and why human artists still matter in an increasingly digital world.  The conversation takes plenty of detours through Broadway and musical theater, including Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and Oh, Mary!. Nicholas also shares his memorable encounters with Cynthia Erivo, including giving her a four leaf clover and having her sign her book Simply More.  Ultimately, this episode is about staying creative, embracing your own timeline, and recognizing the people and experiences that shape your journey. 00:00 Season 2 begins: That's Showbiz, Baby 02:00 How theater changed Nicholas's life 05:00 The Jimmy Awards and learning to handle rejection 12:00 Perfectionism, auditions, and the pressure to succeed 17:00 AI, creativity, and "brains over bots" 22:00 Writing, blogs, and Substack 27:00 Broadway memories and the shows that shaped Nicholas 32:00 Why theater should make people feel 36:00 Meeting Cynthia Erivo and Simply More 43:00 From watching Broadway to pursuing it himself 44:00 Comparison and the pressure of watching your peers succeed 46:00 Appreciating who you are right now 48:00 The people you meet along the way

  8. Aug 11

    The Finale Nobody Asked For

    Season 1 Finale: The Finale Nobody Asked For + Introducing Dance Local Chasta closes out season one of Nobody Listens to Chasta with guests John and Sarah in “The Finale Nobody Asked For,” reflecting on what they learned from the season: shared missions despite different perspectives, the importance of culture for grounding, and the surprise of discovering who’s been listening across thousands of listeners in 25 countries. They discuss feedback on vocal fry and gender dynamics, authentic conversations versus performative content, and listener responses to topics like private equity’s impact on youth activities and dance. The trio marks the sixth anniversary of Trash the Trophies, touches on themes like advocacy, parenting grace during back-to-school chaos, and hopes for season two including grief, education, and unexpected parenting moments with possible surprise guests. The episode’s main announcement is the launch of Dance Local, a new organization supporting local studios and communities, with shirts available now and full details coming September 1. 00:00 Finale Kickoff01:05 Party Vibes Missing02:12 Season Lessons Learned03:28 Culture Grounds Chaos04:34 Beyond Content Movement05:47 Biggest Surprises08:13 Topics Left Out10:03 Listener DMs Impact11:20 Trash Talk Anniversary14:50 Rapid Fire Opinions16:41 Real Life Parenting17:57 Back To School Chaos18:20 Dishwasher Meltdown Story19:21 Parenting Temperature Check19:37 Misunderstood Motives21:37 Unhinged At Home23:15 Dance Industry Forecast24:42 Phrases We Hate26:20 Broken Links And Critics28:44 Season Two Wish List31:20 Dance Local Announcement33:49 Season One Wrap Up34:41 Final Thanks And Outro

    The Finale Nobody Asked For
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5
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7 Ratings

About

What happens when someone says the things everyone else is thinking—but nobody is willing to say out loud? Nobody Listens to Chasta is a counterculture podcast hosted by entrepreneur, speaker, and author Chasta Hamilton. With humor, candor, and unapologetic honesty, Chasta tackles the uncomfortable topics shaping modern life—from youth sports trophies and toxic achievement culture to entrepreneurship, parenting, grief, addiction, and the pressure to conform. Drawing from her experience building Stage Door Dance Productions, founding Girls Geared for Greatness, and writing books like Trash the Trophies and Handle the Horrible, Chasta challenges systems that no longer serve us and explores better ways to live, lead, and raise the next generation. Expect bold conversations, unconventional perspectives, and thoughtful debate designed to inspire healthier, happier, and more intentional lives. If you've ever questioned the status quo… you might be someone who actually listens to Chasta.

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