Dance Real Podcast
Podcast Description
Dance Real Podcast is hosted by Kate Histon-Behrend a former dance studio owner of 23 years, now international dance judge, mindset coach to dancers and leadership mentor to teachers and studio owners.
Join in on real conversations exploring the trickier sides of the dance industry with tips and tricks and featuring stories of resilience, triumph, and growth. From dancers and professional performers to teachers and often-overlooked dance parents, each episode dives deep into their unique journeys. With expert insights and reflections from Kate’s years of experience, this podcast sheds light on the full spectrum of the dance world—both on and off the stage
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores various themes within the dance industry such as mental health, body positivity, and communication among dancers and educators. Episodes like the first one, which discusses the challenges male dancers face and the significance of fostering supportive environments, highlight personal stories of resilience and growth while offering practical tips for dancers and educators alike.
Welcome to Dance Real—a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the dance industry to explore what really goes on behind the scenes. I’m your host, Kate Histon—former dancer, teacher (RAD), studio owner, international adjudicator, mindset coach, and someone who’s lived through the pressure, perfectionism, and unspoken harm that too often defines the dance world. This podcast is for dancers, teachers, and parents who are ready to hear honest conversations—about everything from artistry to crossed boundaries, competition, community, intuition to industry norms—and start reimagining a healthier, more progressive approach to dance. We’re here to talk about what’s real. Because only when we tell the truth can we change the story.
www.katehiston.com
📲 @kateHiston 📲 @Master_Dancer_Mindset 🎙 @Dance_Real_Podcast
Episode Summary
In this short solo episode, Kate reflects on the journey of Season 2 of The Dance Real Podcast—a season filled with bold conversations, personal stories, expert insights, and unapologetic truths about the dance world.
From examining competition culture and coercive power dynamics to unpacking pedagogical frameworks, parenting roles, emotional safety, and embodied creativity, Season 2 has taken us on a deeply human ride through the layers of dance training and artistic growth.
Kate shares her personal highlights, recurring themes that emerged, and the growing movement toward more conscious, holistic, and empowered dance environments.
This episode also includes a heartfelt invitation:
If you have a story that aligns with the purpose of Dance Real—whether it’s about harm, healing, leadership, or liberation—Kate would love to hear from you.
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Themes Explored in Season 2:
•Rethinking competition and performance-based identities
•Boundaries, consent, and safety in training spaces
•Teaching methods, pedagogy, and community impact
•Improvisation as a creative and personal life philosophy
•The dance parent’s role: what helps, what harms
•Nutrition, perfectionism, and the dancer’s body
•Recognizing and healing from coercive systems
•Reclaiming emotional and creative agency in dance
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Connect & Share Your Story
Have a personal or professional story that could inspire, inform, or challenge the dance community? Kate is currently curating Season 3 and welcomes diverse voices from dancers, teachers, adjudicators, parents, and beyond.
📩 Reach out via Instagram: @katehiston
🌐 Or submit via website: www.katehiston.com
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Leave a Review or Share the Podcast
If you’ve found value in these episodes, please consider leaving a rating and review on your podcast platform—it helps more people find Dance Real. And if there’s an episode that resonated with you, share it with a friend or fellow creative.
Disclaimer:
The Dance Real Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations rooted in real-life experiences within the dance world. What I share—and what my guests share—is based on personal perspective, not professional advice. If you’re seeking support for your mental health, legal matters, or business decisions, I encourage you to speak with a qualified professional.
The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t always reflect mine. Any references to people, places, or situations are shared with respect and the intent to spark reflection, learning, and conversation—not to harm or misrepresent.
By engaging with this content, you acknowledge and agree that the host, guests, and Dance Real Podcast are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.