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Artwork for Kicking It Real

Kicking It Real

GABBY ROBERTS
Dance
New York City
Chicago
Rockettes
Habits
Ballet
Disney
Dancing
Pure Bar
Morning Routine
London, United Kingdom
Lazy Ballerina Club
Rockette Auditions
Body Image
Misty Copeland
New York
Yoga
Rockette
Gratitude
Pure Barre

I'm Gabby, a former Rockette who heard "no" five times before I ever heard "yes." Kicking It Real started as real conversations with dancers, and somewhere along the way it turned into something bigger: a space for anyone chasing a big, scary dream to actually get celebrated for it. Every guest leaves with something most people never get: a real moment of being seen, no follow-up question, just a ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes53Founded9 months ago
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Performing ArtsArts

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Artwork for Kicking It Real

Latest Episodes

Today I sit down with Conor DeVoe. This conversation is a reminder that walking away from something does not always mean giving up on it, and that protecting yourself is not the same as quitting.

He is a Coastal Carolina musical theater grad who bui... more

Ryan Hayes didn't take his first dance class until he was twenty years old, and this episode is proof that the timeline you think you're supposed to be on rarely has anything to do with the career you actually end up building. He went from a Spanish ... more

YouTube

Years before she ever thought she'd actually play her, Deanna Cudjoe performed Cassie's monologue in a college acting class and texted her old teacher the day she booked the real thing.

Deanna is the middle of five kids born to Ghanaian immigrant pa... more

YouTube

This episode felt like getting a download from someone a few steps further down a road I'm just starting to walk myself.

Andrew Norlen is a Boston Conservatory grad who wrote the book that gathered over two hundred Broadway letters during the shutd... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Deanna Cudjoe
Dancer, Broadway performer and voice behind a journey from ballet to musical theater
Professional dancer and Broadway performer
Episode: 40. pivoting from ballet to Broadway and what faith has to do with it with Deanna Cudjoe
Jack Taylor
Dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer; grew up in LA and became known for Dandruff Danny on Hannah Montana; later performed in McKittrick Hotel productions and Sleep No More
Independent/Various theatrical companies
Episode: 38. from Dandruff Danny on Hannah Montana to dancing at the McKittrick Hotel with Jack Taylor
Erzsi Bernath
Dancer, choreographer, West Coast Dance Explosion/West Coast convention staff
West Coast Dance Explosion
Episode: 37. early career moves, dance companies & being a part time New Yorker: how to make a dance career work without burning out with Erzsi Bernath
Chloe Roberts
Dancer, choreographer, Steps on Broadway faculty
Steps on Broadway
Episode: 35. the dancer who got a PhD instead of staying in one box with Dr. Chloe Roberts
Lariscy Navera
Classically trained performer and national touring artist with credits including Sesame Street Live, Royal Caribbean, and Broadway-bound repertoire
Self/Personal brand
Episode: 34. the reality of auditioning, ED recovery & life on a National Tour with Lariscy Navera
Shanna Vanderwerker
Broadway dancer, swing, and dance captain known for Wicked; educator at Roosevelt University and Visceral
Wicked, Disney World, Roosevelt University, Visceral
Episode: 33. broadway, Wicked, and learning to do it scared with Shanna Vanderwerker
Laura June Ness
Canadian dancer, aerialist, actress and content creator who moved to London and joined Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast, London West End
Episode: 32. from Canadian competition dance to Harry Potter in London's West End with Laura June Ness
Kathryn Morgan
Former NYC Ballet soloist, YouTube creator, and CEO of her own company
Kathryn Morgan Company
Episode: 31. you're a human being, not a human dancing with Kathryn Morgan
Jason Pickett
Dance educator, mentor, speaker, founder of No Starving Artists
No Starving Artists
Episode: 30. stop being a starving artist with Jason Pickett

Host

Gabrielle (Gabby)
Host of Kicking It Real; guides interviews and discussions with a focus on real-talk and practical takeaways for performers.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 10 ratings
  • Mind Matters

    Love love love the positive thoughts, how you see and speak to self/situations, and intentionality in growing, bettering, chasing dreams. Fun, real, uplifting!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeeLeh
    United States6 months ago
  • really real

    my new fav pod 🥲 the most refreshing, raw, and fun convos

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alli Bollinger
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

What listeners love is the raw honesty and actionable insights for real careers in the arts.
Guests share practical tips on burnout, pay, and career pivots, which listeners find valuable.
The conversations feel uplifting and relatable, not just inspirational.
The show combines warmth with hustle, making it feel authentic and approachable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

40. pivoting from ballet to Broadway and what faith has to do with it with Deanna Cudjoe
Q: Why pivot toward musical theater and acting when ballet was your original dream?
Pivot happened through exploration, counseling, and a key moment of realizing that being true to herself and following what felt alive would sustain her joy and longevity more than chasing a single title.
40. pivoting from ballet to Broadway and what faith has to do with it with Deanna Cudjoe
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring performers about reaching out and asking for help?
Ask for help, use personal connections, and don't assume everyone wants to assist; if someone doesn't respond, keep going. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and trust your gut.
40. pivoting from ballet to Broadway and what faith has to do with it with Deanna Cudjoe
Q: How do you feel that your faith has shown up in your professional life?
Faith provides a framework that reduces pressure, allowing Deanna to stay grateful and focused on being herself, which in turn sustains her through the demanding life of a performer.
06. from perfect pirouettes to real-life pivots ft Tara Charvat
Q: What were the main factors guiding your decision to leave Eisenhower Dance Detroit?
It was a mix of feeling unfulfilled and recognizing I needed to explore new directions that also aligned with my personal life and goals, including opportunities that fit my evolving interests in musical theater and other performance formats.
09. from college dance to NFL cheer - her journey on the sidelines ft Michaela Marie
Q: What was the most pivotal moment that convinced you to chase the Broncos dream again after leaving college?
She describes the moment when a combination of readiness, opportunity, and supportive partner converged, leading to a decision to pursue the Denver Broncos while recognizing the value of her broader life plans.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kicking It Real

What is Kicking It Real about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on real-talk about chasing big dreams in the performing arts, with a consistent emphasis on resilience, career pivots, and mental well-being. Episodes frequently explore audition realities, burnout, body image, and the jump from performer to entrepreneur or mentor, often weaving practical tips for sustaining a long-term path in dance, theatre, and related fields. A standout thread is the emphasis on authenticity, mentorship, and building a multi-hyphenate career—whether through teaching, branding, or creative ventures—while keeping joy and humanity at the core of demanding artistic journeys.

Noteworthy strengths include candid guest conversations with high-profile performers who share concrete lessons on navigating rejecti... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Kicking It Real?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Kicking It Real:

1. The Daily
2. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
3. All There Is with Anderson Cooper
4. Girls Gotta Eat
5. Not So Little with Kendall Vertes

How many episodes of Kicking It Real are there?

Kicking It Real launched 9 months ago and published 53 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Kicking It Real?

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What guests have appeared on Kicking It Real?

Recent guests on Kicking It Real include:

1. Deanna Cudjoe
2. Jack Taylor
3. Erzsi Bernath
4. Chloe Roberts
5. Lariscy Navera
6. Shanna Vanderwerker
7. Laura June Ness
8. Kathryn Morgan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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