EASE Podcast

Today I welcome Alyssa Gruber, business expert and creator of AlesandAsanas, a yoga community built in the heart of craft breweries. We discuss her many sides of character work, entertainment, and how she pivoted quickly to maintain a solid business in 2020. Join in on the conversation!

HE'S BACK! He's back in NYC, he's back on the program, and he is soon to be back on broadway. We catch up with Calvin Cooper on all the fun things he has been creating during the past year. Don't miss out on this hilarious interview.

We catch up with Drake Robertson (Chef Hollywood) to see what he has been up to since Season 2. Be on the look out for more things to come from Chef Hollywood and EASE Podcast. Follow Drake's podcast called "Cooking Your Way Through Life".

I'm excited to have the CEO of Noowave, Greg Frontiero. We talk about growing ups, building a brand, Wrestling, and creating the first of many kick ass products. How the pandemic pushed him into trying new things and we discuss the benefits of Noowave's Flow State Coffee. This ultra creative human shares all this tips and tricks. Enjoy this weeks interview!

My guest this week is a longtime friend, Rachael Ma. She shares her experiences on TV, Movies, Broadway and more. She lets us know what motivates her every day to challenge herself to try new things. I'm excited to bring you this interview.

This 21st Century Renaissance Man, Mark Edwards TAKES OVER the podcast and we discuss podcasting, voice over work, and perfectionism. Its a fascinating adventure from being burnt as a child, musical theater, and hope for more fun times ahead.

Join in on the conversation with Dr. Joy Siegel. We discuss how she is helping to improve the health and wellness of the seniors she serves. She tells me why art is important and lets me know a little secret, she started her own radio show and has interviewed the last 5 presidents. Im honored to share this incredible journey of determination, hope, and plenty of cake. Enjoy Dr. Joy Siegel

Welcome to Season 3 of EASE Podcast. This season is devoted to "New Beginnings". This week I welcome my guest Adam Roberts. He lets us know what gave him the motivation to write an entire musical in 90 days, during the quarantine. We also discuss his early performing career, traveling the world, and finding his truest self. Enjoy this incredibly inspiring story. See you next week.

Stephanie Hengstenberg, The Casting Director that gave me my first real dancing job, joins us on EASE. We discuss her upbringing, her experience as a swing with Radio City Christmas Spectacular, her days as Casting Director for Stiletto Entertainment, her incredible new projects and her Holistic Wellness journey. Take a listen to this weeks one on one!

Part 2 of John Charron's incredible journey. He tells us what he told Bill Prince! We discuss all the incredible work he has done for HAL. The discussion of his newest project, The StepOne Dance Company, and how entertainment on cruise lines is shirting. We then shift our focus to how the pandemic is effecting him and all his friends in the industry. We backtrack a bit to discuss school verses streets smarts, but finish on an incredible note. What a great journey and so much to learn from. He truly is a mentor to so many. Enjoy this one on one!

John Charron carves out some time to speak with me about his incredible entertainment journey. In Part 1, we discuss how moving came so natural to him from the beginning. We speak in depth about his amazing career at Disney, his unbelievable industrial jobs, dancing and choreographing Broadway Musicals, and what got him to say YES to dictating the new entertainment for a luxury cruise line. You won't want to miss this incredible story of Writer, Director, Choreographer, Mentor and Friend, John Charron. See you next week for Part 2 where we discuss all his incredible credits including StepOne Dance Company. We also end the conversation about how the pandemic is effecting him and all his incredible dancers. You won't want to miss this 2 part series.

We have the Artist, Writer, Performer, Dancer, and Social Media Extraordinare Bernard Velasquez joins me. We talk about being sa elf taught dancer from music videos, LA experiences, and some of his incredible NYC projects. We then discuss how he pivoted his whole persona and found an incredible niche for himself, on TikTok. He created a brand and overnight really has flourish with a solid following. We discuss queer black culture and some struggles we all face. Take a listen to this weeks incredible one on one.!

Tammy Holder joins the podcast this week. She is currently the Artist-In-Residence at the Broward Center for The Perfoming Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL. We discuss her small town upbringing, her love for directing musicals at such a young age, her incredible touring stories, and 20 years living in New York City. We also break down how this pandemic will effect theater as a performer, viewer and teacher. Her incredible talent is on full display every day at the Broward Center and now you get to witness a small dose of this incredible human. Enjoy this weeks one on one!

Part 2 with Calvin Cooper. We discuss all things broadway and Mrs.Doubtfire. We make a 180 degree turn and talk about the Ballroom Culture. All the tips and tricks of this fascinating subculture. Covid 19 and the #BLM movement has really effected Broadway, so I look forward to bring you a "Then and Now" episode. Be on the look out for that in a couple weeks. Enjoy the remainder of Calvin Cooper's incredible journey.

What it takes to get to broadway. Calvin Cooper has done it all and followed his dreams right to Broadway and the original Broadway cast of Mrs. Doubtfire. This two part series investigates all the struggles and personality it took for him to get to the success of Broadway. Did I mention he made it to Broadway! I'm so proud of my best friend. Take a listen to this weeks one on one.

Sabrina Jafaar joins us for part 2 of her 2 part series. We dive into COVID-19 and how it has effected her, her students, their learning, and what we think the future of dance might look like after this is all over. I can't thank Sabrina enough. To follow her and her incredible students, IG:fhhsjoffrey.

In this seasons first 2 part series, Sabrina Jaafar joins me to explain how she started a successful High School dance program in the biggest school district in the country-From scratch! She speaks candidly about her career, injuries, COVD-19, mental health in dancers, and some key factors that helped her get her program up and running. Listen to this inspiring story and tune in next week for Part 2.

My Friend, Mondrekio Robertson joins me this week to discuss FOOD! He explains how he went from Finance to Entertainment, being a part of the America's Test Kitchen brand. We share stories about skiing (you won't want to miss this, around the 20 minute mark), food, nutrition and what things he likes making for other people. And we answer the biggest question, WHY BACON?

Welcome to the podcast. I'm excited to introduce Alicia Pociask. Owner and Creator of, BOLD Dance Project. An intimate Learning (Dance) Experience based in NYC. She collected some of the best talent across New York City to provide small "hands on" class for students. She explains why its important to her to keep the classes small and what they are doing now that COVIC-19 has changed the face of entertainment.

Welcome to Season 2 of EASE Podcast. I'm so excited to bring you some amazing guests. This week I talk to Heather Nicolas, Mother of 6 and Co-Owner of 8 National Talent Competition and Motiv8. We sit down and discuss Dance Competitions and she is focused on unity in her weekend events. We also talk about her dance training in LA and her many years teaching in Texas. She also give us her insight on how to get the most out of her weekend events. Please sit back and listen to this amazing ball of energy.

In the Season 1 finale, the tables are turned and my friend and fellow season 1 interviewee, Tom Ragen, takes the time to find out more about...ME! We discuss getting into dance, negotiating college, the heartbreaks during college, my robust career in the cruise line industry, and what I'm doing now.He springs a Top 5 on me, so take a listen to what I say. I want to Thank You so much for listening to this incredible season filled with amazing advice from leading industry professionals and my dear friends. Season 2 is in the works so stay connect via social media (IG/FB @easepodcast) for new content. Release dates are expected in January 2020, right around the corner. Thanks for your time and enjoy this weeks One-on-One.

In Part 2 of the series, Co-Executive Artistic Director, Hannah Baumgarten and I finish discussing a few things. We discuss Regional Dance, being valid, speaking up when it comes to your career, series of heartbreaks, outcome in different proportions, and Arts in public schools. We also discuss what it took to start The Dance Now Miami and what it takes to actually own your own company. She gives us her Top 5 attributes to becoming a stand out company member in the company and dance community. Take a listen to this weeks One-On-One.

Part 1 of a 2 part episode. This week we sit down with Hannah Baumgarten. Co-Director and Co-Choreographer of The Dance Now Miami. We discuss ALL things concert dance. We all so discus NY Culture, Body Images in the Dance World, and realizing you are not alone in situations. "Sometimes the thing you want the most, isn't the right fit for you right now". Part 1 of 2-Lets take a listen to this weeks One-on-One

Who wants to be a doctor? Well the Director and Creator of the Social Movement Dance Company, Elijah Gibson, takes time for his busy schedule to sit down with me. On the heels of opening his show, Human Condition, we talk about all things movement/jazz dance. We dive deep into understanding the source of your material, chicago culture and history, being part of the legacy that is Gus Giordano, and starting his own company. He pushes past boundaries and inspires people everyday. This week we join the conversation when Elijah is discussing his journey though college and wanting to become a doctor. Take a listen to this weeks One-on-One

On this weeks episode, The talented voice behind my intros and outros, Tom Ragen, joins up to explain what Entertainment I like growing up in Australia. He discusses bullying, the schooling system, and the culture. He also gives us insight on Singapore, where he spent a few years at school and working. He also breaks downtime new adventures in radio and school. Tom gives us some words of advice in his Top 5. Lets take a listen to this weeks One-on-One.

On episode 7, Multi-Talented Director Casey Johnson, gives is the full insight and his views on Entertainment. We talk touring, traveling, college degrees, performing, influential people, perfecting your craft and much more. We heavily discuss directing and choreography, as well as tackle the stigma around cruise ship entertainment. We keep it light, but also break it down to the core of each topic. Find out what his Top 5 advice would be fore helping you later in your career. Lets take a listen to this weeks One-on-One.

On this weeks episode, dancer turned yogi, Karen Kim tells us what it takes to live in NYC. From bartending to knee injuries, Aerial Dancing to Magic, and everything between. You can now find her in Tokyo teaching her own form of "Sculpt" yoga class, traveling the world, and finding the hottest bars in the world. Follow her incredible life on social media and lets take a listen to this weeks One-on-One

On this weeks episode, Host TJ Tekurio will interview full-time Momtreprenuer, Ana Carolina Rojas. The mother of three ,runs a body positivity blog, Power To Prevail. She also is Founder and CEO of Orolait, a swimwear line for breast feeding mothers. She continues to create her own path to success and finds the parallels between entertainment and business. She will let us know what her Top 5 things she wished she learned in school to help impact her business path. Enjoy this weeks One-on-One.

On this weeks episode, TJ Tekurio will interview Associate Director/Mentor Jill Hillier. Jill will let us inside her highly creative world, from Dancer to Choreographer and beyond. Some OCD, some learning , but always producing the highest level of work for some of the industries biggest players. She lets us know why keeping your contacts close and respond to your emails are important. She also gives us her Top 5 favorite jobs she has ever done, even performing again after some time off. Lets take a listen to this weeks one on one.

On this episode, Artistic Director, Angela Mauti tells me what it takes to run a successful dance studio for 37 years. She also shares a couple secrets about the November production of Sleep Beauty, with her Fort Lauderdale Children's Ballet Theatre. She also gives me her Top 5 words of advice to becoming a dance teacher AND Top 5 words of advice to teens wanting to start dancing. Take a listen to this weeks One on One.

Michael McArthur. I had the honor of interviewing this incredible human being. I decided to strip it back and honor the person we all knew and loved. I replaced the original track with a raw version o the interview. His life, his talent, unedited in his own words. I will forever be The Greatest Fan fo You Life. I love you always, Best Friend!

On this episode, Host TJ Tekurio, welcomes you to Season 1 and sits down with Erika Tomlinson. She explains ALL things LA! Auditions, agents, working, and finding the right fit. She now bounces back and forth between Le Reve Las Vegas, Teaching, Choreographing, and her own business, Infinity Lip Sisters. This weeks Top 5 are "Words of Advice people told you that you still hold onto today". Follow EASE Podcast on IG/FB: @easepodcast and Erika Tomlinson on IG: @erikalea17