DJ Angel Figueroa joins us from Chiba, Japan to share with us the value of diving deeper into salsa songs. From the political feeling at the time of writing, to the stories behind an artist’s motivation, Angel teaches us that, like all forms of art, the more we know about a piece, the better we can connect with it and enjoy it. Born into a family celebrating Caribbean rhythms from Jamaica and Cuba, Angel grew up with salsa music around him. From starting out his DJing journey in Korea to beco...

Sarah Balzat last joined us to talk about her entry into salsa and her focus on learning about different body types in dancing. We are lucky to welcome Sarah back to talk this time about Embodied Philosophy - her toolkit for salsa teaching, dancing, choreographing and even everyday life. Embodied Philosophy seeks to create synergy between top down (verbal information) and bottom up (sensations through movement) forms of learning to become better in touch with the balance between body an...

Tudor Sirbu is a teacher and social dancer based in Sheffield and is the teacher behind Sheffield Bachata Collective, a dance school that puts core values front and centre in its mission to provide quality bachata classes and events. Guided by Inclusivity, Respect and Growth, Sheffield Bachata Collective is committed to actively teaching their values through welcoming and celebrating all dancers, handling inappropriate behaviour with respect and transparency and educating dancers on all aspec...

Lynne Joyner started dancing salsa, bachata and kizomba in her 60s and it is safe to say that she has become thoroughly addicted over the last 1.5 years of dancing. Learning new skills, keeping active, making new friends, the SBK scene has become a core part of Lynne’s life and she is thriving. But her confidence is something she has had to learn as Lynne reflects on being an older woman entering a new hobby space, where her age is sometimes something she feels is something she is judged for....

Giulia Settomini has many years’ experience in competitive latin and ballroom as well as social salsa and bachata dancing and she sat down to share her experiences of gendered roles in latin dancing and the power we give ourselves when we remove gender from the equation. Society is peppered with situations that seek to cast men in a strong and dominant light, whilst objectifying or sexualising women. The SBK and latin and ballroom dance scenes are not exempt from this and Giulia, as an active...

Anna Kan is a bachata dancer who is no stranger to being in a cultural minority at dance events. In her open and welcoming way, Anna offers us a window into her rich cultural background and talks us through her bachata journey, including how it felt when she met her local east/southeast Asian bachata teacher, as well as experiencing places where other people of her culture see bachata dancing as the norm. Shout out to Melody Wills of Bristol and Pierre Henry of London for the inspiratio...

Despite starting out in singing, Sarah Balzat has been dancing most of her life. Sarah has an incredible mind when it comes to her approaches to teaching salsa and salsa dancing itself and today she joins us to talk about her unusual entry into salsa in Germany in the 90s and the power of bringing philosophy and vulnerability onto the dance floor, both in terms of teaching and learning. With nearly 25 years of teaching experience, Sarah has been learning about different body types in da...

Eddie Hunt is a salsa DJ and teacher based in Bristol and Clevedon in the UK. He has been dancing for over 20 years and DJing and teaching for over half that. Today Eddie joins me to chat about his journey as a DJ and the special place in his heart he has for vinyl music. Vinyl offers an insight into a deeper and wider experience of salsa music, of which so many of us have very little knowledge. Tuck in to hearing why you should have a look in your local area for a vinyl party - yup, vinyl pa...

Today we sit down with Fiorella the Dancing Psychologist, a bachata teacher based in the Netherlands. Fiorella merges her expertise in psychology with her passion for bachata, helping dancers connect their mind and body for holistic well-being. Listen as she shares her journey, from techno dance floors in Amsterdam to discovering the magic of bachata in Spain. Fiorella discusses how dance helps people unwind, stay present, and enhance their mental health and how she is positively impacting th...

Language is a powerful thing. We are dancers and movement is a big part of how we communicate on the social dance floor, but in lessons and workshops, words are the communication method of choice. So the words we choose matter. Using “men/guys” as interchangeable with “leaders” and “women/girls/ladies” as interchangeable with followers keeps all dancers in a box they never chose to be in and maintains the social limitations of everyday life that so many of us are trying so hard to overc...

A dancer from Malaga, Spain, Nahuel discovered his love for dancing about a decade ago in Nottingham in the UK and it has since become his way to integrate into new communities, make friends, and explore different cultures. His journey through different cities has not only shaped his dance skills but also broadened his social horizons. He's navigated language barriers, particularly in places like Geneva, where he was able to double up dancing as a tool to practise French and connect with loca...

Sherony Lock has been dancing for over a decade and is both a skilled follower and leader. Dancing can be an incredible vehicle for personal growth and Sherony shares with us how salsa and bachata have been a part of her confidence-building journey. She also talks us through the language of dance and the conversation between leader follower and music. If you are in need of a dose of empowerment and inspiration, from football to bachata, Sherony has you covered. What to expect in this episode:...

Meet Lucy Woodham, a lifelong dancer and a seasoned physiotherapist with over a decade of experience in sports and complex rehab. Passionate about the connection between physical and psychological well-being, Lucy is pursuing a master’s in psychology. In this episode, Lucy challenges us to step away from the Western approach to wellbeing of separating physical and mental health and to instead consider integrating the mind and body as part of one whole human. Her research focuses on the connec...

Join us for a conversation with the incredible Rasa Pauzaite, a professional salsa and bachata dancer, teacher, and performer! With so many years of experience under her belt, Rasa has so much to share with dancers, she is a treasure trove of knowledge! Rasa the Dancer is a favourite at dance events in the UK and beyond, bringing joy and expertise to every class.In this episode, we explore the importance of respecting dance levels and boundaries in classes, while also being open to new experi...

We are welcoming back Lea Avrany, an advocate for safer dancing from Switzerland in the bachata scene. The episode explores the concept of "rotation," where dancers switch roles mid-dance, enhancing connection and inclusivity. Lea and Bobbie share insights on overcoming traditional dance norms to create a more inclusive and empowering dance community. Lea also discusses her role in creating codes of conduct for dance events, emphasising the importance of understanding both leader ...

Join us as we dive into the vibrant world of salsa with Déaglán Gibbons, a fellow Irishman and passionate salsa dancer right here in Bristol. Hear how moving from Ireland to England sparked his love for dance, and how salsa helped him connect with a new community. From casual social dancing to totally hooked, Déaglán's journey is inspiring and full of cultural richness. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, you'll love hearing about his experiences, his dedication to learning, and h...

Today is all about Codes of Conduct. Join me to go through what a Code of Conduct is, its place in the salsa, bachata and kizomba scene and why it is worth having them across the board at dance events.What to expect in this episode:(00:00) - Introduction.(01:50) - What is a Code of Conduct?(03:50) - The Purpose of a Code of Conduct (05.23) - "Having a bunch of rules isn't going to fix things" (06:37) - "You cannot tell people what to do"(08:38) - "It's common sense, what's the point in having...

Dive into the world of dance empowerment with Stellan, a salsa teacher with over 17 years of teaching experience and 23 years of dancing passion! Stellan's journey began in the 80s and took him around the world, ultimately leading to a thriving dance scene in Bristol. In this episode, Discover how Stellan promotes not just dancer empowerment, but also supports teachers and organizers in creating safe, inclusive spaces. Join us as we explore his fascinating story, his commitment to dance...

Join us for an inspiring episode with Sandra Burdet, a Bachata instructor, who believes in a continuous growth journey for herself and her students. Learn about her journey from dance to fitness and back again, and how she integrates these experiences into her holistic coaching practice as well as her bachata teaching.In this episode, Sandra shares her insights on the importance of giving space to emotions in dancing, the importance of self-acceptance, and how fitness and dance can enhance me...

Discover Lisa's bold, straightforward strategies that can empower you to achieve your dreams. Lisa helps thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide, focusing on passive income and business growth. Her success is also reflected in her recent launches and her advocacy for supportive and inclusive business environments.Join us as we chat with the incredible Lisa Johnson, a global business strategist and Sunday Times Bestselling author. From overcoming a challenging childhood in social housing to trans...

Tune in for interviews with inspiring individuals who share their stories, experiences, and perspectives on and off the dance floor. Ready to boost your confidence on the social dance floor?In this episode, Lea Avrany and Bobbie Miles share their thoughts on the shared responsibility of the community to look after each other and speak up to inappropriate behaviour and bad intentions.. Lea has developed her role as an Anti-Harassment point of contact at the Bachata Geneva Festival and announce...

Tune in for interviews with inspiring individuals who share their stories, experiences, and perspectives on and off the dance floor. Ready to boost your confidence on the social dance floor?In this episode, Ysenah Bosle, Diana Liu, and Bobbie Miles shared their experiences and perspectives on empowerment and confidence in Latin dancing. They emphasized the importance of practice and perseverance and provided insights on boosting confidence on the social dance floor. They also shared their pas...

Dancing is more than just movement; it's about confidence and feeling fantastic. However, taking those initial steps into the dance world can be quite challenging, especially if you lack prior experience.From those first beginner steps into dance and now inspiring others to take their first steps into the bachata community, Coach Wil delves into confidence-building techniques, his own stories, and the personal growth and empowerment that comes from learning to dance, Wil offers listeners his ...

Neurodiversity's impact on movement and social interaction, particularly within the context of dance, is a topic often overlooked.This episode highlights the challenges faced by some neurodivergent individuals in society from moving to adulthood to dance spaces, particularly those who struggle following instructions. The discussion also opens the potential of dance as a safe and empowering outlet for self-expression through movement, especially for those who find verbal communication difficul...