April 14, 2024

Pointe of Podcasting | Lauren Ritchie

As podcaster, you can imagine the fun I had speaking to a fellow trailblazer within the scene

What does it take to stand out as a podcaster anyways? Is the craze for this new medium truly justified for the world of dance? Like in every other sector, the field of dance-related podcasts is now beyond saturated. Yet, that didn’t discourage me from starting a show, completing a full season and then embarking on a whole new one right after! It starts with your message and the value it brings to listeners who are looking to learn something from you which they cannot do elsewhere - which I did through one of the first podcasts I ever listened to, The Dance Podcast.

Lauren Ritchie is the host and one of the earliest pioneers of dance podcasting, starting as far back as 2016. After a highly competitive career as a dancer, having trained in ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical styles, she transitioned into a coach, educator, writer and adjudicator for part two of her glittering career. Recognizing the lack of mental skills training in dance, Lauren created programs dedicated to educating and empowering dancers’ mental health as well as fitness to optimize their training, subsequently transforming her experiences into 5 seasons totaling 160 episodes on her podcast.

Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Media, this episode explores the role of podcasts as performing arts media and what it takes to excel as a dance podcaster. Ready to discover the podcaster within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

Soundtracks:

Birds - Tyler Twombly
Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
Double Overhead - ItsWatR
Embrace - ItsWatR

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Chapters

02:12 - Introduction

16:09 - Everyone has an invisible story

39:51 - Do the thing you are most curious about. Take action.

59:18 - Let other people’s skepticism and judgements be a reflection of them - not the worthiness of you or your project.

Lauren Ritchie

Educator / Mindset Coach / Podcaster

Lauren Ritchie has been studying, researching, and educating dancers on the physical, emotional and mental intricacies of dance. Lauren has made it her life’s work to support dancers to be their best – mind, body and spirit. Recognizing the lack of mental skills training in dance, Lauren has created programs and exercises dedicated to educating and empowering dancers mental health and fitness to optimize their training. From her MEd in Coaching Studies to a BA in Professional Communications, to multiple Yoga certifications and an accredited Art & Science of Coaching Certification, Lauren has a unique blend of education and resources that offer a holistic training approach for dancers.

Lauren has firsthand knowledge of the attributes required to achieve and sustain peak performance. She was a highly competitive and decorated dancer having classically trained in ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical.

After completing her Advanced R.A.D, Lauren knew she “wanted to dance” but had little guidance and awareness of the true process of transitioning into a professional dance career. This is why Lauren has created and hosts The Dance Podcast; an invaluable resource dedicated to inspire and educate dancers, teachers, and parents through candid conversations with industry professionals.

Lauren is an established facilitator and speaker, delivering workshops to prestigious schools and training programs like the Alberta Ballet School and Harbour Dance Centre. She is the co-founder of the Dance Teacher reTREAT AND has also facilitated and contributed to the DTRC’… Read More