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Artwork for Kicking It Real

Kicking It Real

GABBY ROBERTS
Dance
Ballet
New York City
Rockettes
Body Image
Misty Copeland
Rockette Auditions
Lazy Ballerina Club
London, United Kingdom
Auditions
New York
Theater/musical Theater
Career Transition To Choreography
Teaching In Dance
Chicago
Gena Brady
Pilates
Moulin Rouge!
Goldie Jane
University Of Utah

Life lately — the highs, the plot twists, and everything in between. I’m Gabby, a former Rockette turned big-dream believer, sharing the real, unfiltered side of chasing what’s next. From journaling and self-growth to routines, relationships, and figuring it out in real time, this is where the highlight reel ends and the honest conversations begin. Come for the stories, stay for the “same, me too”... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes43Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsPerforming Arts

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Artwork for Kicking It Real

Latest Episodes

In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Chloe Roberts; dancer, choreographer, Steps on Broadway faculty, Cooper Union professor, and the only person I know who holds a PhD in the history of witchcraft AND just sold out an evening-length dance show in... more

In today's episode, I sit down with Lariscy Navera, a classically trained performer and national touring artist currently on the road with Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Got the Moves, to talk about what the journey of a working professional dancer actua... more

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Shanna Vanderwerker has one of the most full-circle careers in musical theater: swing in the Broadway company of Wicked, Dance Captain of the First National Tour for nearly five years, Jeff-nominated choreographer, and now a professor at Roosevelt Un... more

YouTube

This week I'm sitting down with Laura June Ness: Canadian dancer, aerialist, actress, and content creator who packed up her life and moved to London with no job lined up, no guarantee, and a whole lot of belief that it was possible. She's now in the ... more

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Recent Guests

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
Kirsten Kemp
Former professional ballet dancer; founder of The Confident Dancer; high-performance mindset coach
The Confident Dancer / Kirsten Kemp Coaching
Episode: 29. your mind isn't broken, it's protecting you with Kirsten Kemp
Goldie Jane
Retired professional ballet dancer, founder of Lazy Ballerina Club
Lazy Ballerina Club
Episode: 28. dance world realities & the rise of Lazy Ballerina Club with Goldie Jane
Benji Rivera
Broadway performer and photographer invited guest
Theatre/Photography
Episode: 27. he said no to Moulin Rouge (twice) - broadway, burnout & knowing your superpower with Benji Rivera
Kelsey Lewinski
Former professional dancer, Pilates studio owner and dance teacher
Studio Core Pilates (Royal Oak, MI)
Episode: 26. why dancers are built for more: navigating performing professionally to pilates studio owner & teacher ft Kelsey Lewinski

Host

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

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 8 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 States4 months ago
  • really real

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alli Bollinger
    United States7 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.

26. why dancers are built for more: navigating performing professionally to pilates studio owner & teacher ft Kelsey Lewinski
Q: Did you always know you wanted to open a Pilates studio, or did you figure it out along the way?
I had a sense I wanted to own a studio, but I didn't know the path or timing. A pivotal moment came when a mentor encouraged me that I could create something small and true to me, which eventually led to Studio Core Pilates.
26. why dancers are built for more: navigating performing professionally to pilates studio owner & teacher ft Kelsey Lewinski
Q: How did you survive financially during your apprenticeship?
We were in the studio almost full-time with little pay, while I stacked teaching gigs across multiple studios and other small roles to cover expenses, which taught me the importance of diversification and resilience.
24. body image in ballet, comparison in dance & musical theatre careers ft Morgan DiFonzo
Q: What changes would you want from teachers or directors to support healthier relationships with body image?
She advocates for adults to promote healthy, strength-focused training over dieting, to normalize eating and balance, and to support students in pursuing diverse career paths (e.g., choreography) rather than pressuring them to perform forever.
24. body image in ballet, comparison in dance & musical theatre careers ft Morgan DiFonzo
Q: How did early ballet training shape your sense of self-worth and body image?
Morgan describes persistent weight shaming in her training, the shift toward embracing a broader performance identity, and the realization that technique and presence on stage matter more than conforming to a size. She discusses lessons learned from teachers, her mother's influence, and the process of reclaiming confidence through movement that feels authentic.
33. broadway, Wicked, and learning to do it scared with Shanna Vanderwerker
Q: What was it like stepping into Wicked during a crucial transition period, and how did you handle the pressure?
She recounts open auditions, being brought in as an emergency cover, the intense shortcut to learning vast portions of the show, and maintaining resilience when it felt like the odds were against her.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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. Gals on the Go
2. The Runthrough
3. What We Said
4. House of Maher
5. Good Hang with Amy Poehler

How many episodes of Kicking It Real are there?

Kicking It Real launched 7 months ago and published 43 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. Lariscy Navera
2. Shanna Vanderwerker
3. Laura June Ness
4. Kathryn Morgan
5. Jason Pickett
6. Kirsten Kemp
7. Goldie Jane
8. Benji Rivera

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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