Words That Move Me with Dana Wilson – Details, episodes & analysis

From friendly New Year reflections to game-changing networking strategies – we’re kicking off 2025 with warmth and wisdom:

• Should you be buying followers? We discuss it!

• Learn why generic “pick your brain” requests fail and what questions actually open doors

• Explore the rise of AI in creative fields, including its surprising impact on choreography and dance

• Get real about building genuine connections through sincere appreciation and follow-through

Plus, we’re mixing serious career advice with playful moments! ENJOY!

Ready to ring in 2024? 

Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

Show Notes:

For show notes and more PODCAST:

https://link.chtbl.com/dEaK10ZE

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD0FUzWuOMbzFjA83cj8-QlwSxFxMQEKN

For more DANA:

https://www.thedanawilson.com/

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY:

https://www.wordsthatmoveme.com/community/

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER: 

https://www.danceresourcecenter.org/fundraiser/the-dana-wilson-llc/

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES:

https://www.wordsthatmoveme.com/wtmm-shop/

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok:

https://instagram.com/wordsthatmovemepodcast?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.tiktok.com/@wordsthatmoveme?_t=8g0z5pktPwo&_r=1

Diving deep into the unfiltered stories of success and struggle in entertainment:

• Uncover the raw, behind-the-scenes realities of creative careers

• Learn how professional journeys are anything but linear

• Discover the power of resilience, advocacy, and honest self-reflection

• Understand why failures are just as important as successes

Plus, we’re exploring the untold stories of every guest from 2024, breaking down the glamorous myths, and revealing the true human experience behind creative achievements! From choreographers fighting for talent to navigating the unpredictable waves of career success – it’s a must-listen that pulls back the curtain on what really happens in the entertainment world!

Ready to hear the unvarnished truth? 

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

Today we’re talking about getting out of your head… And if you even should! How do you know if you are “too” in your head? How do you get out? Why aren’t we talking about this more?! Getting caught in thought spirals that lead to unwanted feelings is normal… And also optional. If you want tools to become more present, empowered, and embodied, this one’s for you!

Show Notes:

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

James Alsop is a choreographer and teacher who knows the value of owning your truth, your identity, your wholeness. She has created some seriously earth shaking work and doesn’t show any signs of stopping. In this episode, we talk about her affirming transition, her thoughts on working in New York vs LA and commercial work vs. Broadway ANNNND the lessons she learned from Beyoncé that have trickled into her work and the way she leads a room.

Here is what you’ll learn:

• Why James is never afraid to change a step
• How to keep a “humans first” attitude toward your work environments 
• What James learned from Broadway that music videos, tours and TV didn’t teach her
• The one thing James is most looking forward most from the work of the Choreographers Guild

Show Notes:

Connect with James Alsop on Instagram 

Run The World Billboard Performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EwZ_AzDDM4

Run The World MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmMU_iwe6U

Buy tickets to The Devil Wears Prada The Musical 

Half Baked Harvest Cookbook

Island Life  by Janet Jackson

Learn more about the Choreographer’s Guild 

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Epis...

Mandy Moore brings movement to mega musical movies, TV shows, commercials and beyond… But let’s be clear, she does WAY MORE than make up steps. This episode digs into Mandy’s path to mastery, her process, her team and style of leadership, and yes, even her struggles. We talk about what it means to be a woman head of department in show business and, yes, we have a great time and laugh a lot while doing it.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why Mandy always has a plan… AND a backup plan… Or two
• What great dancers and great choreographers have in common
• The key people and lessons that made Mandy the leader she is today
• What choreographers do (hint: more than make up steps)
• What Mandy thinks about her team and being a woman in a leadership position on set
• The value of jumping into the deep end when it comes to creation and production

Show Notes:

Career Coaching Program for Graduates

Find Mandy on Instagram 

Mandy Explains the La La Land freeway scene (which I am in!!!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GocPFyyPGLQ&t=3s

Read Outliers: The Story of Success by Maxwell Gladwell

Learn more about the Choreographer’s Guild

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Episode Transcript

This week’s guest, Katie Schaar has done the tours, the TV shows, the big award shows, THE SUPER BOWL (#nbd) and she has worked with some of today’s biggest stars (Tom Cruise and Cher, to name a few…). She’s truly done it all, and the thing she is most passionate about is MAKING MOVEMENT MAKE SENSE and keep it SAFE for all people.  

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• What Katie encourages all dancers to DO and STOP DOING
• One thing you can do RIGHT NOW to start preparing for a long active career
• Exactly why cross training is so important

Show Notes:

Find Katie Schaar on Instagram

Visit Moti Physiotherapy

Visit Sugar Foot Therapy 

Work with Katie at CLI

Learn about and join The Bridge Dance Project this Summer 2022

Watch Katy Perry Halftime Show

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Episode Transcript

Y’all, I’m not gunna lie… For a 20 minute episode, this one hits HARD. If you’re a person who struggles with family dynamics, this one’s for you!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why your parent / caregiver has such a special way of getting under your skin
• Why so many of us revert to acting like children when we visit with parents
• How to better care for yourself AND them when your buttons get pushed
• The unwritten rules you keep for your parent / caregiver 

Show Notes:

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Episode Transcript

How do you develop your personal style in dance? Today my guest Shaun Evaristo, choreographer for Miquel, Pharrell, and many many more, talks to me about where he got his signature style from. Who does it come from? How do you describe it? 

Shaun talks through his process of finding himself as a dancer/choreographer and as a human. Get ready to dive deep on the topics of freestyle, process, and going through a difficult grieving season. Enjoy this wonderful conversation with Shaun Evaristo. 

Show Notes:

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

Welcome to Aesthetic April listeners where we will be taking a deep dive into personal style. Are you happy with your personal style? Have you ever thought about changing your style? What influences your style? Well before we get there let’s define what you think personal style is. 

I will talk to you through my style guide. You’ll learn a bit about what I think about what clothes you can wear when you dance and where my personal style comes from. Also coming off the heels of money march… we get to talking about how creating a new style for you DOES NOT mean breaking the bank. Tune in to this week’s episode to find out more!

Show Notes:

• Seeing is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Forgetting-Name-Thing-Sees/dp/0520256093
• Donate to the Words That Move Me Community

  WTMM Membership: Join Here  

  Follow us on IG & Tiktok 

  View Full Episode Transcript

Dana Wilson hosts Nina Flagg on the Words That Move Me Podcast this week, and if you are interested in elevating your dance IQ, this episode is for you!

Nina brings decades of experience and study to one jam-packed episode. She shines her light on hip-hop culture, engaging with higher education, and the legends that shaped her life and work (including Toni Basil, Bette Midler, Debbie Allen, Rennie Harris, and Tina Turner). Nina is a consummate professional with an insatiable appetite for dance, its history, and its many forms. She has a 360-degree view of the dance landscape and we are so thankful that she is paving the way for the next generations. 

Watch this episode on YouTube.

Show Notes:

Connect with Nina on IG

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok