Make December Your Most Joyful—and Profitable—Month Yet
Transform My Dance Studio – The Podcast For Dance Studio Owners
Release Date: 11/10/2025
Transform My Dance Studio – The Podcast For Dance Studio Owners
In this clarity-packed episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, host Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with DSOA’s Social Media Coach and Manager Sophie Mckie to unpack what’s actually broken about social media for dance studios and why working harder isn’t the answer. From Canva templates and “pretty feeds” to random posting and constant second-guessing, Olivia and Sophie reveal why most studio owners feel burned out by social media — even when they’re doing “everything right.” This episode...
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In this candid solo episode, Olivia Mode-Cater tackles one of the most stressful realities of studio ownership: summer cash flow. If you’ve ever felt that pit in your stomach when June rolls around, this episode is your wake-up call. Olivia explains why summer doesn’t create cash flow problems, it reveals the ones that already exist. Through real numbers, real talk, and zero sugarcoating, she walks studio owners through the simple math that determines whether your studio survives summer… or finally thrives through it. This isn’t about fear or hustle. It’s about clarity,...
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Do you ever label yourself as “awkward” and then use that as a reason not to take a risk? In the first episode of Season 6 of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater is joined by workplace performance expert Henna Pryor to unpack one of the biggest hidden barriers to studio growth: the fear of awkwardness. Together, they challenge the idea that confident leaders “have it all together” and reveal that confidence isn’t about avoiding discomfort, it’s about recovering faster. From perfectionism and approval-seeking...
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The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is entering a new era and you're invited to join us. This new chapter of the podcast is recommitting to studio owners who want to build businesses that are successful, sustainable, and supportive of a joyfull life. This season brings a renewed focus on honest leadership, practical tools, and meaningful transformation, without pretending that running a studio is easy. For the first time ever, you can now watch full episodes on YouTube with new episodes dropping every Monday. In this new era, you can expect: Thoughtful solo episodes that explore...
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Being “good in chaos” doesn’t mean you’re meant to live there. In this powerful solo episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater invites studio owners into a leadership reset that goes far beyond productivity hacks. If you’ve been stuck in survival mode, constantly reacting, exhausted by meetings, and feeling like your time is leaking everywhere, this episode is your permission slip to lead differently. Olivia pulls back the curtain on how her calendar once trained her to stay busy but fragmented, and how intentional boundaries helped her step fully into CEO...
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What would change in your studio if picture day actually gave you time back instead of taking it away? Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Lisa Mallis, Co-Founder and COO of PhotoDay, to unpack one of the most underestimated (and misunderstood) moments in the dance studio year: recital portrait day. What’s often treated as a logistical headache is actually a powerful opportunity to elevate your brand, increase revenue, and reclaim your time. Lisa shares her journey from high-volume dance photography to building technology that transformed how studios and photographers handle picture day and why...
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In this raw, honest solo episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater shares something many studio owners feel, but rarely say out loud: she fell out of love with her business. After years of leadership, growth, and responsibility, the joy that once fueled her work quietly faded into exhaustion, pressure, and misalignment. In this episode, Olivia opens up about the emotional weight studio owners carry, the shame that often comes with success, and the subtle signs that something needs to change before burnout...
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Dance education is evolving , and studio owners are standing right at the center of it. As our industry evolves, the studios that will thrive are the ones willing to look beyond technique and toward something deeper: leadership, curiosity, collaboration, and belonging. In this powerful conversation, Olivia Mode-Cater and Inner Circle Program Director Lisa DeMaio sit down with Alicia Graf Mack, newly named Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, to explore what it truly means to prepare dancers for the future, not just the...
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You don’t need more strategy. You need more capacity. If you’ve ever wondered why you're working harder than ever but not seeing the growth you expected, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Leadership mentor and capacity expert Lisa Fabrega returns for a conversation that every studio owner needs to hear before stepping into a new year of growth. Lisa breaks down the six “visibility levers” that determine how you show up as a leader, how you attract the right families, and how you sustain momentum without burning out. From pricing to team to positioning, she reveals why many...
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In this reflective solo episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater takes studio owners on a powerful journey through the biggest lessons of 2025—and the mindset shifts required to thrive in 2026. From the collapse of one-size-fits-all marketing to the rise of authentic content and the return of belonging, Olivia breaks down the trends shaping the dance industry and the internal leadership work every studio owner must embrace. She shares the three actions that helped top-performing studios escape hustle culture, the hidden truth about the “re-tiering” of your...
info_outlineIn this heart-warming and strategy-packed episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Inner Circle mentor and Los Angeles studio owner Jodi Shilling to talk about one of the toughest seasons for studio owners—the holidays.
When attendance dips and families get busy, Jodi shares how she keeps her dancers coming back year after year through community, simplicity, and a little festive magic.
From The Cracked Nut to pajama week, discover how to transform your December from stressful to joyful—and why “easy” might be your most powerful retention tool yet.
What You’ll Learn:
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The honest truth about why holiday retention is always a challenge—and how to plan for it
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Simple, high-impact ways to create festive fun inside class instead of adding more events
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How to balance fun and technique without sacrificing progress
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Why “everyone needs a break”—including your teachers—and how to lead with empathy
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The difference between attendance gimmicks and genuine community-building
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How mentoring and “big-little” programs turn students into lifelong team members
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The “third-space” concept and how to make your studio a true safe haven
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How anticipation, communication, and small delights boost year-round loyalty
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Easy ideas like kindness bingo boards and grateful trees to reinforce gratitude and connection
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Why retention isn’t luck—it’s leadership
This episode is perfect for:
Studio owners ready to trade holiday chaos for connection—and keep their dancers thriving into the new year.
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