THE JUSTIN AND INEKE PODCAST — A podcast for dance parents

THE JUSTIN AND INEKE PODCAST — A podcast for dance parents

by Justin and Ineke
Performing ArtsParenting
How Much Does a Ballet Summer Intensive ACTUALLY Cost? (Free Calculator)
In this episode of THE JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST, we pull back the curtain on the financial reality of elite dance training. We’re breaking down every single expense from our time at the Amsterdam International Summer School—from tuition and travel to those "hidden" costs no one tells you about. Whether your child is auditioning for London or Amsterdam, this breakdown will help you plan without the stress. Want to take the guesswork out of your planning? We’ve built a free Summer Intensive Cost Calculator for you! Just send an email to hello@justinandineke.com with the subject "Calculator" and we’ll send it over.
E29
Sep 3, 2026
18:06
Why Is My Child In The Back (What Parents Don't See)
Is your dancer struggling with being placed in the back row? In this episode of THE JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST, we speak on how choreographers actually make placement decisions. We discuss: 1. Why is my child in the back of the dance choreography 2. How dance teachers decide stage placement for competitions 3. Dealing with disappointment in dance role assignments 4. How to talk to a dance teacher about my child's position 5. Dance competition choreography placement criteria 6. How to help my dancer overcome stage fright 7. Preparing a teenage dancer for national championships 8. Supporting your child when they don't get the lead role 9. How attendance affects dance competition placement 10. Dance teacher perspective on high-stakes vs. low-stakes shows Why your dancer's placement is never random or impulsive. How to help your teenage dancer handle disappointment with a growth mindset. The direct link between attendance, habits (referencing Atomic Habits), and stage position. Real-life examples of "too much, too soon" and how teachers manage placement criteria for high-stakes competitions. Choreography Placement Concerns Learn how to be the "chauffeur and calendar manager" your dancer needs to succeed, and how to support them when they don't get their desired role. If you found this helpful, subscribe for more honest conversations on raising elite dancers, and share this with a dance parent who needs to hear it today!
E28
Aug 28, 2026
37:57
Is My Child Talented In Dance? (Parent needs to know this) | Studio Politics and Jealousy
Is your child genuinely talented, or are they just a hard worker? In this episode of the JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST, explore the questions every dance parent asks but is afraid to talk about. We break down the difference between "potential" and "talent," how to navigate toxic studio politics, and when it’s actually time to consider a professional career. What we cover on this podcast Can hard work overcome physical limitations? How to interpret a teacher's "compliment" vs. real feedback. The reality of studio favoritism and jealousy. Balancing elite dance training with academic success. If you’re a parent raising a teenage dancer, this is the guide you’ve been looking for to protect your child’s passion and your sanity. Drop a comment below—let’s talk about how to handle it. Don't forget to subscribe for more honest conversations on raising a dancer! / @thejustinandinekepodcast Real questions that parents ask about their child. "recreational vs professional dance," "how to deal with dance studio politics," "dance vs academics," "signs of dance talent." "How to handle dance teacher feedback," "is dance worth it for my child?" "dealing with jealousy at dance studio," "Can hard work beat talent in dance?"
E27
Aug 12, 2026
33:48
Master Your Next Dance Audition: Over Come Dance Audition Mistakes, Stress and Self Doubt
Are you prepared for your next dance audition, or are you just showing up? In this episode of THE JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST, we break down the entire audition process from both sides of the table. From handling rejection and managing mental stress to knowing exactly what choreographers are looking for, we cover the essential steps to ensure you stand out for the right reasons. What we discuss: When to start your preparation. How to answer common interview questions with confidence. The "Reset, Release, and Recover" method. how to pass a dance audition" "dance audition tips for beginners" "how to deal with audition nerves" "ballet audition advice" "overcoming performance anxiety for dancers" "what to wear to a dance audition" "how to stand out in a dance audition" "mental health for dancers"
E26
Aug 4, 2026
14:32
Is Your Dancer Ready? Professional Advice for Parents
#TheJustinInekePodcast #DancePodcast #RaisingADancer Honest, professional advice on navigating the dance world. What does it actually take to go from being a student to leading a dance department? In this episode, we sit down with Nishant Bhola—dancer, teacher, and now Head of Dance Teaching—to uncover the professional insights every dance parent and student needs to hear. We dive deep into Nishant’s career transition, his philosophy on dance education, and his practical advice for parents on how to best support their children’s aspirations without losing sight of the joy of dance. Whether you're a parent of a budding ballerina or a dancer looking for your next step, this conversation is for you. If you found Nishant’s journey inspiring, make sure to subscribe and hit the bell icon! What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Let us know in the comments below! "how to support my dancer," "pro dancer career path," "dance teacher advice for parents," "ballet school expectations," "dance career transitions," "male dancer journey." Dance Parent Education Professional Dance Training Dance Teacher Insights Career in Dance Dance Studio Culture Supporting Young Dancers Nishant Bhola #dancepodcast #danceparents #danceeducation #nishantbhola #dancelife #professionaldance
E25
Jul 28, 2026
33:26
BOYS IN DANCE | The Masculinity Problem
#TheJustinInekePodcast #DancePodcast #RaisingADancer What does masculinity mean in 2026? In this episode, Justin & Ineke dive deep into the unique pressures facing boys today—from the rise of the "manosphere" to unattainable body standards and the reality of bullying. Masculinity in 2026, boy dancers, dance parents, raising sons, male dancer bullying, body image in boys. "How to support my son in dance," "masculinity and dance," "bullying in male ballet," "modern masculinity for parents," "why boys quit dance." We share the heartbreaking story of "Max," a talented boy who now only dances alone in his bedroom, and talk to Stephan and Nishant about what it truly means to be a man across different cultures. If you’re a dance parent, a dad, or anyone trying to navigate the shifting landscape of raising sons, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we cover: The "Gender Backlash": Analyzing Gen Z data Stephan on vulnerability as a father The "Comparison Trap" in the dance studio Max’s Story: When bullying wins A Playbook for Dads: How to be the "Shield" Why "Wisdom" is the new Alpha Does your son dance? How do you handle the "masculinity" conversation at home? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your story. #maledancers #boydancers #danceparents #masculinity #parentingadvice #ballet #podcast
E24
Jul 22, 2026
22:12
Will Dance Make Him Gay? The Question Parents Ask
In this episode of THE JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST, we discuss the often-misunderstood world of boys in dance. We tackle the tough questions parents face, from addressing stereotypes about sexual orientation to navigating the harsh reality of bullying in ballet. What we discuss: Does dancing determine a child's orientation? We look at the facts. Strategies for helping boys handle and resist bullying. The emotional toll of suppressing feelings and how to encourage openness. Understanding the tradition and function of dance costumes and cross-dressing in ballet. This video is a must-watch for any parent, father, or educator supporting a young male dancer. Full Podcast - Parenting a Male Ballet Dancer | What Every Parent Needs to Know About Puberty, Mindset & Stereotype - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdVke2uANwE If you found this discussion helpful, please like this video and subscribe for more parenting and dance insights. Have you or your child faced these challenges? Share your story in the comments—we'd love to hear from you. #BoysInDance #DanceParenting #BalletStereotypes #StopBullying #MaleDancers #ParentingAdvice
E23
Jul 14, 2026
12:30
The Audition Secret: Why Talent Isn't Enough | 7 Tips from the Panelist
#TheJustinInekePodcast #DancePodcast #RaisingADancer Preparing for dance auditions can be a rollercoaster for both students and parents. In this episode, we break down the essential "dance audition tips" you need to stand out from the crowd. What panels are actually looking for, we cover the strategic side of getting that "YES" from elite training programmes. You’ll learn: How to prepare mentally and physically for high-stakes auditions. The top mistakes students make during the selection process. Actionable advice for parents on how to support their dancer without adding pressure. If you found these tips helpful, subscribe to THE JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST for more insights on the dance world. Drop a comment below—what’s the biggest audition challenge you’re facing right now? #danceauditions #dancetips #dancepodcast #balletaudition #danceparents #dancetraining
E22
Jul 9, 2026
17:34
She Spent Years Overthinking Dance. Now She Teaches Dancers How to Stop.
#TheJustinInekePodcast #DancePodcast #RaisingADancer Part two of our conversation with Jee-Eun Petitqueux, former professional ballerina and teacher at the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp. In part one she told us what happened when a teacher predicted her ballet career at age ten. This episode picks up where that left off: how she deals with the overthinking now, as a teacher, a coach, and a mother. We talk about feedback. Not how it’s delivered, but what you do with it. How to take what works, leave what doesn’t, and stop making it personal. Feedback hurts sometimes. That’s part of being a dancer. You can’t take the pain away, but you can change how it lands. We talk about what social media does to young dancers who see the finished product and never the years of work behind it. And how that comparison feeds the overthinking. Jee-Eun shares four tools she uses with her students when they’re stuck in their head. Go from your head to your centre. Focus on the next move, not the current one. Find a reset. Evaluate whether it worked. Simple enough to use before class. Powerful enough to change how a dancer trains. We talk about why the dance path is longer than teenagers think it is, why knowing what you want at a young age is a gift, and why there are more paths in the dance world than most families realise. And Jee-Eun tells us what she would say to her fifteen-year-old self, crying in a bathroom. That moment alone is worth pressing play. #DanceLife #OvercomingOverthinking #MentalPerformance #DanceTips #DancerMindset #DanceTraining #PerformanceAnxiety #DancerWellness
E21
Jun 30, 2026
25:59
A Teacher Told Her She’d Be a Ballerina | Here’s What That Pressure Did | Dance Parent Podcast
At ten years old, her teacher told her parents: Your daughter will become a ballerina. A dream come true. And the beginning of years of overthinking, fear of failure, and pressure she never talked about at home. TED Talk: “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” (2006) - https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinso... In this episode, Jee-Eun Petitqueux, a former professional ballerina and current teacher at the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp, shares what happened between that prediction and her graduation day. How she started underperforming on purpose as a teenager. How she thought about quitting. How she pushed through in silence, got the contract she always wanted, moved to South Korea for a fresh start, and discovered the doubts followed her anyway. Now she teaches young dancers and raises gifted children of her own. She sees the same patterns in her students: stuck in their head, overthinking every correction, afraid to fail. She shares what she does differently. We cover why the teenage brain can’t regulate pressure the way adults expect it to, what the beginner mindset is and why it matters for dancers, and how dance can be a powerful space for neurodivergent children. Practical tools in this episode: breathing and body awareness before class, the power move technique, when to find alone time, when to find support, and how parents can help without adding pressure. If your dancer overthinks every class, doubts themselves after every correction, or pushes through without telling you how they really feel, this one is for you. Did you ever feel this kind of pressure as a student or a parent? Drop a comment below and share your story—we’d love to hear how you navigated it! And if you found this conversation helpful, don't forget to subscribe to THE JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST for more honest talks about the world of dance.
E20
Jun 23, 2026
33:25
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