Explore every episode of the podcast Public Showering

For the first time ever on Public Showering, we have two amazing guests, Comedian / Pole Dancer Sian Docksey and Comedian / Not Poleing (yet), Lulu Popplewell. Get yourselves ready for a very different sound on the airwaves. If you’re interested in comedy and pole, creating different kinds of stories, or just getting to know the life of a famale comedian, this ones for you.

In episode 1, we talked about alot of the life you might never have known but we’re going even further this time. Goddam shes such a lovely human, we’re talking about being humble, learning from begginers and that art and progress can be found and made anywhere, you just gotta keep looking for it!

From Poverty to Pole Studio: The Amazing Journey of Vania NobleYou might not have known this but Vania Noble hasnt had it easy. Her incredible journey led her to not only owning her own pole studio but also finding love and embracing the unpredictable nature of life. In this episode, Varia tells us how she faced countless hardships that could have easily crushed her spirit, but pursing her passion for dance, she made some amazingly hard life choices to get where she is today. As she continues to inspire others through her art, she reminds us that with an unwavering belief in ourselves and a willingness to embrace the unknown, extraordinary things can happen.

In Ep1, we were pretty fun loving and we’re keeping with that vibe, but this time, Jess is telling us about the time one post reached over 7 million views on TikTok, which is a huge deal…until the troll’s came out to play. We’re talking race, body image, we’re talking abuse, and we’re also talking, “what the actual F?!” Can you imagine that kind of drama from a single post…well if you can’t this is the podcast for you.

So you got a taste of Mel’s amazing journey from Space to Pole, so now lets talk about competing, the journey into the performing world and how to follow that dream. It’s not easy looking forward into the unknown, but Mel’s figured out how it works for her.

Mel Lee starting sending stuff up to space, and then decided that pole dance was truly her passion. But her degree in Aeronautical Engineering has clearly set her in the right space to be training, performing and igniting the dreams of all polers around the universe.

In part 1, we talked about Andrew’s amputation and getting the disabled community more visible in pole and in life in general. This time, we’re talking more about competition, training, and otherwise just more good chat. Enjoy!

It’s time to meet a pretty extraordinary human, Andrew Gregory. 17 years after a motorcycle accident left his body in a state of disrepair, He opted to have is lower left limb removed in order to improve his living experience. Finding pole and aerial hammock prior to his amputation, he continued to progress and grow in the art, becoming an icon in his own right in pole sport in the UK and internationally. Alongside his wonderfully dry humour and overall matter of fact personality, he’s an advocate for inclusion and making disability visible not just in pole, but life in general.

In part one we talked about the concept of growing a human inside you and then getting back to training, but this time, we’re talking about the growth of one of the best known competitions in the UK, Pole Art. If you’re planning getting stuck into this amazing comp from the point of view of the judge, competitor or audience, you’re in the right place.

Performance, Pregancy and Pole life If theres one person I can personally say played a big part of my pole journey, it would be Lorna. Quick witted but calm, energetic but whole and a person who’s been through some absolutely amazing life changing and life growing (literally) times, you’ll not want to miss this amazing episode.  

So, most of us don’t just invent a comp over night and then 2 months later its already online and ready to roll…unless you’re Jade Bensilum. On the 29th July 2023, we will witness the first ever Elite Pole Championships. New judging criteria, where the judges will be adjudicated themselves on their feedback and scoring. We’re slowly seeing the athletes announced in the invite-only Idols category, and more people are getting excited about who’s wanting to take the stage for the first time…here’s some vital info you should know!

In the first part of Lisa’s incredible PS podcast, bringing psychology into the world of comps, we learned so much about our basic needs, our motivations and now we’re getting in a bit deeper. Learn more about your intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for competing. Ask yourself, ‘are you meeting your basic needs?’ And can you train yourself to deal with your NATS? …. (Negative Automatic Thoughts). Again, a truly world shattering episode!

We’re getting deeper in the the new judging criteria of the upcoming Elite Pole Championships. What is it? Why is it different, fairer, and more challenging than ever? Judges need to be tighter with their comments and this is where pole is heading with Stacey, and her partner in crime, Jade Bensilum at the helm. We’re stepping it up guys and so, if you wanna make sure you’re in the know…this is not to miss. Another amaing episode with the woman who’s seen it all, Stacey Snedden.

Jade Bensilum lives and breathes pole. Like many, she’s competed in the UK and internationally and is now part of the double act that organises Pole Theatre UK. But this year, she’s going bigger and she’s created a new platform…the Elite Pole Championships. A brand new event with an invite only ‘Pole Idols’ category, Elite, Pro and Semi Pro. So I thought it’s time to talk to the person behind it all. In this episode, I’m getting to the know the fast paced, giggly and energetic Jade, and warming you up for Ep 2…where we really get into the nitty gritty. 

It’s not surprising that at some point my best buddy Lisa Hammond would grace the airwaves of PS, but we’re not just sharing banter. Currently in her second year of her Masters in Psychology from Derby University, I wanted to get Lisa so she’s can flex her pysc muscles and talk to us about the reasons we feel the way we do about competition. The anxiety, the reasons that motivate us to do it, even our animal instincts behind it. 

Stacey Snedden. Possibly the most well-known and respected competition organisers in the UK talks to us about her first time enjoying the scrutiny of the judges, and her unrivalled passion for pole. Having lead some of the most prestigious comps in the country, including Pole Theatre UK and Pole Art, she’s seen the industry closeup and personal for over 18 years. She’s seen it all: dogs on stage, cream pies and all the tricks anyone could possibly get their heads around, and now she’s gotten a whole new lust for life as a competitor herself. It was an honour to chat with her, so, grab yourself an hour, and let’s hear it! 

Ok, i’m not for a second asking you to do so. But really, could you, would you? Getting naked on stage is a new thing for me. Yep I’ve done it. A bit of a defferent podcast this week as it’s a bit of a retrospective of my new experience performing for Austrian choreographer Florentina Holzinger. Each month, I get my naked ass out in front of 800 people, and…..I love it. Let me tell you why.

Right…get this around your head… ‘Are you really thinking for yourself? Or are you thinking based on what you think people think you should think’. Yep. So what does that mean in relation to your choreography? Are you choosing whats right, authentic and organic to you?

Part 2 of this glorious chat with studio owner, comp organiser and performer, Emma Coffey. In this episode we talk more about the build up and the aftermath of comps, and why compete, is it worth it, and what can you get out of the experience.

Finding technique in ballroom dance initially, Jakub smashed magically into our lives with a generous serving of flow, heels and in unstoppable quick whit. Co-owner of Leeds Pole Dance, competitor, judge, compare and instructor, Jakub worked his way through leading Polish Competitions (the country he was born), and then into the UK scene. In this episode the quality of judging comes into conversation…how it feels to be one, how we‘ve been confused about some reactions in the past, and how to take in on the shoulder and move on.

Perform To The Max Part 2 of this incredibly useful podcast from the amazing Pam McGee. As a studio owner, competitor, judge, competition organiser and instructor, she’s done it all and has the passion to pass on to all the up and coming polers out there. In this episode she talks about things she’s done with seeing, asking where’s the originality? And how we can approach competition with a strong and clear head, and perform to the max - no matter what.

The one holding the thing together… Being a compare is a really interesting role to be in comps. You’re the face of the day, the one who everyone goes to to delay time, to give the info, the speaker of the bios and the source of laughs, holding the day together. But how is it when your’e an instructor, owner and competitor too? Chatting to the glorious BEXIITA, she tells us the highs of comparing, how it feels to be the one behind the mic, and also some amazing tips that could help how you use your bio to help!

Work the camera, show us you’re gonna work the crowd Join the wonderful Emma Coffey as she chats about her starts as a stripper, how she loved the experience and how the original stripper technique can be shaped for the right person. An incredible human, the organiser of 3 yearly competition, a showcase, coach and owner of Empower Pole Fitness in Alford, Lincolnshire, she offers a warm and well rounded approach to the world of competitive pole, pole for performance, and pole as a profession. Also offering some unmissable top tips to your video entries, and your performance in sexy pole competitions.

Who Is Swag? We Don’t Know Her. Finding technique in ballroom dance initially, Jakub smashed magically into our lives with a generous serving of flow, heels and in unstoppable quick whit. Co-owner of Leeds Pole Dance, competitor, judge, compare and instructor, Jakub worked his way through leading Polish Competitions (the country he was born), and then into the UK scene. In this episode there is a big emphasis on keeping the rhythm of the story, making it flow (literally and emotionally) and loosening up.

For the first timer ever, Sophie invites special guests to the Public Showering world, and the focus is on the illusive comp season. This week, studio owner, performer, judge and instructor Pam McGee is joining the party. Based in Birmingham, Pam has been in this industry in all rhelms for over a decade, and this year she’s launching a whole new competition of her own: The British Pole Instructor Competition…because I mean, thats a simple task right? Her insights in these podcasts are really an incredible look into her own personal thoughts about pole, but also a treasure chest of tips, tricks, what makes judges tick, what can make your choreography light up the room and some really great home truths that anyone would love to know on the embarkation of your next comp!

This is a very special podcast, where I’m gonna share with you some of my true secrets to getting to know your music. So we all hear very differently, and we catch on to different sounds in the music. Some of us can count the music, and some of us have absolutely no rhythm, but pick up on sounds and grooves in the music. So really this is more of a tutorial, inspired by a great Lab I taught in July. You’ll learn some very basic musical counting, taking as much as you can from the lyrics, and finding great melodies in the music to catch…all making your choreography so much more dynamic!

Ok, so it’s really easy to get all caught up in the process of making a new competition routine, but you have to remember that this whole process is really about growing, improving and (ideally) enjoying it all. Now, thats not easily done! And most of time it’s because we end up faffing about with the minor details, instead of focusing on the fun of it, the mistakes, the idea of winning, the playing to the crowd. Its not actually life or death, it’s pole dancing. Which is painfully fun,…right?

All stories are for sharing, thats why they’re stories. Otherwise they’d be secrets. This episode is about what it really means to offer up your act to an audience, and giving away that piece of you. And, more importantly, how you can make the audience work in your favour.

Ok, so not all of us set out to win, but we all set out to achieve something. And we all know that focusing on a goal helps us to push on with our training, performance etc. But its so often we don’t want to visualise winning, incase we ‘jinx’ it, or its too arrogant to think about it. But what if you can remix your thought process into enjoying the idea, visualising the winning moment - whatever that is - and using it to bring you an emotional connection to the process of competition making?

You know that feeling when you head into the kitchen for, lets say, your keys, and then automatically go stare into the fridge for 2 mins, and wonder how you got there? Yeah, thats the real life equivalent of going into the studio, the the intent to start a routine and just fan girl on instagram, and waste time. This podcast is about trying to not let time be wasted, but also not to put yourself under the pressure to create anything. Making work isn’t about being 100% successful every training session!

Right, so this one is a bit of a toughy. So, we all have some hard truths, some skeletons, so harsh realities in our lives, and also we’re all very brave when we wanna take these ideas to the stage. Creating an idea from a truthful place is a great thing for emotional, personal and mind blowing work…but…we need to be careful. Are you sure you wanna go there? Are you sure you can do your story justice? Well, heres some things to look out for, because telling the truth was never easy.

Its that time again…there’s that comp / showcase you wanna perform in, the deadline is getting close and you’re still wondering what the hell your story is. Right, let’s talk about how to care a lot less about the idea, and more on the process of how to find one.

Have you ever worried about going to the studio, or thought you’re not strong enough to start pole? Fair, but the only way you’re gonna get strong at pole, is by doing pole. Or anything for that matter! Logical right? This podcast is about the logical approach to going to a studio, or a gym, and finding a new outlook so that fear of the event doesn’t get ahead of your experience and growth!

The first podcast about character building. When we make characters (even if they're a version of ourselves) we need to answer some basic questions to get the most of of them. And you'll find that this can aid you in some many movement a scene building techniques!

So, after a bit of thought, Public Showering was the best name to sum up the podcast and I'm sticking to it! Welcome to my world of making choreography not a mission, not terrifying and actually, you probably know more than you think! Ill be telling you all about SODASY and Club SODA in the coming weeks so, get stuck in! Loving what you're hearing? Join Club SODA, the online community that opens up your world to movement, theatre and storytelling, lead by award winning choreographer, Sophie Duncan - www.soduncan.com/sodasy

This is a really mini intro about where to start when you want to begin the journey of a new piece of choreography. Theres hundreds of ways, but this minicasts gives you a warm up into some options! Loving what you're hearing? Join Club SODA, the online community that opens up your world to movement, theatre and storytelling, lead by award winning choreographer, Sophie Duncan - www.soduncan.com/sodasy

Recorded before Public Showering was a thing, this minicast is about the troublesome task on finding the right music for a piece. Heres a taster: find something that has shape and changes in dynamic, no one like a flat liner. Don't just choose it because you like it...because believe me, you wont by the end of it anyway. Loving what you're hearing? Join Club SODA, the online community that opens up your world to movement, theatre and storytelling, lead by award winning choreographer, Sophie Duncan - www.soduncan.com/sodasy

Part of the pre-Public Showering minicasts, this one talks about how you can make telling your stories a truthful performance. For more, join Club SODA, the online community that opens up your world to movement, theatre and storytelling, lead by award winning choreographer, Sophie Duncan www.soduncan.com/sodasy

Recorded before the name of the podcast was realised, this episode is all about the podcasts future name sake / theory that, if you can dance in the shower, then you can dance in public. We’re scared to create movement because most of us think is a formalised thing that only pro’s can perform - which in some ways in true - but in reality, if we just stop beating ourselves up about it and realise that we all have our own movement style, we can dance. We all can. For more, join Club SODA, the online community that opens up your world to movement, theatre and storytelling, lead by award winning choreographer, Sophie Duncan www.soduncan.com/sodasy

Welcome to SODASY…and the first inklings of what is to become the Public Showering. Recorded before the podcast was named, this pilot is simply a chat about whats to come in SODASY. A brand new creative training system designed by award winning choreographer, movement director, pole dance artist, and , Sophie Duncan.