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
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
Helping Your Dancer Handle Rejection WITHOUT Losing Friends
What this podcast is about: "Dance mom advice teen dancers" "Coping with dance rejection" "Competitive dance studio culture" "Supporting child after losing audition" "How to be a good dance friend" Watching your child lose a lead role to a friend is one of the hardest parts of being a dance parent. In this episode of The Justin & Ineke Podcast, speak about how to handle these setbacks while protecting your child’s mindset and their friendships. We discuss: How to foster a healthy studio culture from home. The power of committing to an ensemble role with 100% effort. Practical tips for parents on reacting to "bad news" in a way that builds resilience. Why the way you react as a parent shapes your child's respect for other dancers. Share your best advice for other parents in the comments below! Don't forget to subscribe for more insights on raising resilient teenage dancers."
E19
Jun 23, 2026
13:47
WHEN DANCE HURTS | Injuries, Setbacks, and the Emotional Side of Recovery
#TheJustinInekePodcast #DancePodcast #RaisingADancer Is your teenage dancer struggling with an injury? In this episode of The Justin & Ineke Podcast, we discuss the emotional and physical side of recovery for dancers aged 13-15. We speak about how to navigate body changes during puberty, the dangers of returning to the studio too fast, and why your child shouldn't just "stay home" while they heal. Learn how to talk to teachers about over-training and how to keep your child meaningfully involved in the dance community—even when they can't dance. If you've navigated a dance injury with your child, share your best piece of advice in the comments below. Don't forget to subscribe for more tips on raising healthy, happy dancers!" The podcast is for Parents: How to help my child with dance injury," "supporting teen dancers through recovery," "dance injury mental health for parents. Injury/Recovery: "safe return to dance after injury," "dancer recovery timeline," "mental side of dance injuries. Body/Growth: dance training during puberty," "body changes in teenage ballet dancers," "preventing growth plate injuries in dancers. The "Assistant Teacher" Role: While many talk about rest, few cover the practical "social" strategy of keeping a dancer involved as an assistant to prevent isolation. -Helps parents navigate the conversation with teachers who may be over-training their children. Gender-Specific Recovery: There’s limited content on how body changes for boys specifically affect their injury risk and recovery in the dance world. #DanceInjuries #DanceParenting #TeenDancers #DanceRecovery #InjuryPrevention #BalletParents
E18
Jun 23, 2026
40:19
My Child Left Home for Dance: The Practical Guide for Parents
Who is this video for: "Boarding school for dancers" "Early professional dance training" "Homesickness in young athletes" "Moving out at 11 for school" "Dance mom anxiety" "Vocational dance school preparation" "Helping teens deal with homesickness "Is your child leaving home at a young age to pursue their dream of professional dance? It’s a moment filled with pride, but also a lot of hidden anxiety and homesickness—for both of you. In this episode of THE JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST, we share practical advice on preparing your child for boarding school, creating a safety net, and managing the mixed emotions of a "quiet house. "In this video, we discuss: How to prepare your child (and yourself) for the big move. The reality of dance boarding schools and vocational training. Practical tips for dealing with homesickness and anxiety. How to stay connected when they are miles away. If you’re a parent in the dance world, you aren’t alone. Subscribe to THE JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST for more honest conversations about raising elite dancers. Leave a comment below: what is your biggest worry about your child leaving for training?
E17
Jun 2, 2026
27:54
The Truth About Dance Competition Culture (What Parents Need to Hear)
Are dance competitions building your child up—or secretly burning them out? In this episode, we speak on the multi-billion-dollar youth dance industry to reveal the truth about dance competition culture. From the subjective reality of judging scores to the hidden toxicity lurking in studios. We break down what is actually happening behind the scenes. More importantly, we look at sports psychology research to reveal how just TWO sentences you say can completely alter your child’s motivation, resilience, and enjoyment of dance. If you are a parent navigating YAGP, local talent completions, or the intense world of solo dance training, this is the honest perspective you’ve been looking for. Leave a comment below: What is your go-to conversation starter in the car after your child performs? Do you struggle with keeping it "task-oriented" instead of "ego-oriented"? Let’s talk about it in the comments. If you want to raise a resilient, joyful dancer without losing your sanity to the competition machine, hit that Subscribe button and turn on notifications. We drop new episodes every week!
E16
May 24, 2026
29:28
How to Help Your Dancer with Anxiety or Fear: The 3-Sentence Script for Parents
A podcast for parents who are raising teenage dancers. In this episode of THE JUSTIN & INEKE PODCAST, we break down the shift from "I am scared" to "I am a scared person"—and why our "be positive" instincts might be making it worse. We share a practical, research-backed 3-sentence script you can use in the car tonight to validate your child's fear without letting it stop them. Key Topics Covered: Why "You'll be fine" is the wrong thing to say. The difference between in-the-moment fear and "not-good-enough" fear. The power of "Affect Labeling" (Naming the emotion). A specific script for the changing room and the car park. If you’re raising a dancer, hit subscribe to join our community. We’re here to help you navigate the wings, the car park, and everything in between.
E15
May 18, 2026
16:43
1 of 3