The Dance CEO Podcast

Podcast by Audra Queen

The Dance CEO Podcast

The Dance CEO Podcast is where dance professionals come to grow — in business and in life. Hosted by coach and entrepreneur Audra Queen, this show combines real-talk solo episodes and honest guest conversations about what it actually takes to lead yourself well, build a sustainable business, and release the toxic patterns so many of us picked up in the dance world. Whether you’re navigating burnout, shifting your mindset, or redefining success on your own terms — you’ll find insight, support, and reminders that you’re not alone. Because your business is only as successful as you are doing personally.

Latest episodes

20 August 2025

69. Guests: Abun(dance) Podcast Hosts Kristen Faraclas & Hannah Schayes

So excited to share with you this weeks episode guests, Kristen Fraclas & Hannah Schayes, co-hosts of the Abun(dance) Podcast. In this dicussion we talk through the process of how their podcast came to be, their dance backgrounds and next steps for each of us. If you've wondered what it's like to be a podcast host, especially in the world of dance, this is the episode for you.

Highlights:

How a traditional dance path can lead to unexpected careers
What it's like starting and hosting a dance podcast
What's ahead for the future

Links/Free Resources:

Laban Notation

The Dance CEO Society™ Community

Follow & Connect:

@abundance_podcast

@kristen_faraclas

@hannah_schayes

@thedanceceocoach

thedanceceocoach@gmail.com

00:00

51:31

30 July 2025

68. What To Do When The Clarity Isn't Coming...Yet

Today's epsiode dives into why clarity isn't coming, how to stop forcing it to come and what to do instead to make it a more easeful process.

Speaking from personal experience of trying to force clarity for years in all areas of my life, the shift into ease and trusting the process has been a game changer. And I invite you to do experience the same transformation I have.

Topics Discussed:

What it means when the clarity isn't coming
What you can do to get ready for when the the clarity comes
What to do when you feel in a holding pattern

Learn More:

The Dance CEO Society

Follows & Contacts:

@thedanceceocoach

thedanceceocoach@gmail.com

00:00

09:45

24 July 2025

67. Guest: Shaté L. Hayes - How To Build Strategy Into Your Dance Career For More Success

Guest Shaté L. Hayes and I get real about the hustle culture and how it can lead to an entirely new career path, and what to about it. We also chat all things sustainable in your career and how strategy plays a key part in that. Join us to hear Shaté's journey that might seem familiar at first and then takes an unexpected turn.

Guest Bio:

From professional dancer/choreographer to adjunct dance professor teaching her students how to build sustainable careers to full-time career coach turned career program exec for EdTech organizations—Career Steward Founder, Shaté Hayes, has mastered the art of building a career on her own terms. Now, she's a career strategist and storyteller who helps creatives replace their job and income through consulting or independent contract work. If you’re ready to ditch the traditional 9-5, she can help you build a career on your own terms, too.

Highlights:

Why hustle isn't sustainable
The benefits of choosing dance in college
All the ways dance has helped us each build a unique career path

Links/Free Resources:

www.careersteward.co

Light My Career Freebie

The Dance CEO Society™ Community

Dance CEO Masterclass Series

Follow & Connect:

@careersteward

@thedanceceocoach

thedanceceocoach@gmail.com

00:00

49:09

17 July 2025

66. If You Don't Have A Traditional Dance Business, Why Try To Run It Like One?"

Today's epsiode answers the question "if you don't have a tradtional dance business (aka dance studio), why are you trying to run it like one?"

I share my own personal experience of struggling to apply traditional business knowledge to my virtual business back in 2018, and how the dance world is so unique that we have to be unique in our approaches to serve our communities and increase our businesses. It's not your fault if you have been struggling to run it in a traditional fashion, there haven't been many resources to tell you otherwise... until now.

Topics Discussed:

Why it's important you run your unique dance business, uniquely
The reason for the extra challenges of dancers investing in your services
What you need to do to change your approach
What I do and teach my clients to do as well

Learn More:

The Dance CEO Society

Follows & Contacts:

@thedanceceocoach

thedanceceocoach@gmail.com

00:00

17:47

02 July 2025

65. Guest: Lauren Messina - Shifting Your Identify When You No Longer Dance Full-time

Guest Lauren Messina and I discuss what it's like to build your own community in the dance world, the unexpected changes in your life when you have children and what happens when you no longer dance full-time and how your identity changes. We both get deep and share personal expereinces and some of our "hows" of coming out on the other side. If you enjoy genuince conversation that organically finds its way, then this is the podcast for you.

Guest Bio:

Lauren Ashlee Messina, M.F.A. (she/her/hers) is a Big Easy Award-winning dance choreographer with a heart for community. Born in Springfield, Illinois, Lauren has developed her career in the Greater New Orleans area in collaboration with a variety of dance related organizations, in addition to the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans and NOVAC. She is a 2023-2024 cohort member for New Orleans Museum of Art's Creative Assembly and founder of Dance Hub Community on Skool.

Highlights:

The crossroads of community and dance
How motherhood changes your dance path
What happens with your identity as dancer when life changes

Links/Free Resources:

Skool Dance

The Dance CEO Society™ Community

Dance CEO Masterclass Series

Follows & Contact:

@laurenashleemessina

@skooldance

@thedanceceocoach

thedanceceocoach@gmail.com

00:00

51:37

04 June 2025

64. Why The Peace I Feel At 40 is Something I Fought For

In this solo episode I pull back the curtain on my 30's. That may not seem like a big deal, but my 30's were frought with so many challenges that I am in awe of where I am at 40 today. I've shared a little of my story here and there, but now I go all in.

I share this to help you grow on your journey and learn what you need to from my own experiences.

Running a dance business is not easy. Living life is not easy. But it doesn't have to stay in a long season of difficult. It CAN change.

Topics Discussed:

Why my first marriage ended
What caused me to leave my Director of Dance position
What it was like being a single mom for 4 years
The process from being homeless to where I am now
How many challenges led to the life I am blessed with today

This episode is for anyone who feels they will never get out of the slog. That there will always and only be challenges. And maybe even hold onto a little hope that things can improve.

Follows & Contacts:

@thedanceceocoach

thedanceceocoach@gmail.com

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24:33