Shows
The Real FutureShe Street–Community, Culture, CareerMy guest today is Sheopatra Jones, aka She Street aka She. I am really excited to share this conversation, and the drum/dance improvisation that follows. She has been mentioned by multiple guests as an influence and mentor, and following these connections is what this podcast is all about. As a dancer, videographer, director, and choreographer, She Street has worked with a long list of artists including Missy Elliot, Pharrell, Snoop Dogg, Donald Glover, and Estelle. She Street has also formed The Council, an L.A.-based Empowerment Collective that creates space and support for wo...2025-07-131h 22
The Real FutureJon "Gifted" Jimenez–Organic MovementMy guest today is dancer and visual artist Jon Jimenez, aka Jon Gifted. As a dancer, Jon is a member of the pioneering Wave Gang, the Newz Fam trump family , and the Rock Solid crew out of Dallas. He also works behind the scenes as a videographer and film maker. Gifted has a welcoming personality and a calm presence, and beneath all of that is someone intensely dedicated to his craft. When you see him move, as you will at the end of this episode, there is an intrinsic fluidity behind his expression. We talk about the origins of h...2025-06-221h 32
The Real FutureBrandon Juezan aka BeastBoiMy guest today is Brandon Juezan, aka BeastBoi. Brandon is the Creative Director of Touring and Events for Versa-Style Dance Co., a Hip Hop dance instructor for Steezy Studio, and a member of the international Krump family Beast Camp. This is a unique episode. Before our conversation, I took a dance lesson with Beastboi and in the intro you will see some footage of my attempts at hip hop foundation. When he came to the studio a couple of weeks later, our extensive exchange explored his personal story, what it takes to manage and fund a non-profit dance company...2025-05-271h 07
The Real FutureRandi Freitas aka Rascal RandiMy guest today is Randi Freitas aka Rascal Randi. Randi is best known as a B-girl but she’s built a career that goes beyond breaking. She’s a choreographer whose work has been on prominent stages including the Lincoln Center. As an educator, Randi developed Omega Flow, a floorwork training method, and launched Dancers U, an artist education program that provides creative space along with an entrepreneurial and financial curriculum. I learned about her roots in the California Bay Area breaking scene, talked about what it takes to fund a full-blown education program, and discussed how the current politi...2025-05-1259 min
The Real FutureMalik Bannister–Following MovementMy guest today is Malik Bannister aka Gvmby. Gumby is a professional dancer, fluent in multiple styles with a natural gift for showmanship. He’s also a creative director for film, and a a dance educator, including a role as a teaching artist with Heidi Duckler dance. Malik brought a lot of energy to the studio–and an extra set of bunny ears–for our conversation that touched on everything from his origin story to the strange place that is Los Angeles.CONTENTS0:00 - 14:54 : Conversation14:55 - End : Drum/DanceCREDITSProduction, Writing, Concept, Design...2025-04-261h 18
The Real FutureJaylin Sanders - Joy With PurposeMy guest today is Jaylin Sanders. Jaylin moved to LA from Nashville in 2021 to both attend college and pursue his dance career. He had been working as a professional dancer since the age of 15, has a level-headed approach to the entertainment industry that belies his years. He’s worked with Dolly Parton, Wayne Brady, and got a lot of exposure in the 18th season of So You Think You Can Dance when he made it to the top 6. Jaylin is a self-described extrovert and I really enjoyed getting to know the real person behind the exuberant personality. I think yo...2025-04-151h 15
The Real FutureRobozilla - Master of AnimationMy guest today is Saleh Simpson aka Robozilla. Since moving to L.A. in the middle of pandemic lockdowns, he’s been winning battles all over California and his reputation has really started to grow, as evidenced by his travels to Paris and Singapore. Choreographers are catching on as well, leading to recent work with Snoop Dog and Bad Bunny.We had a wide-ranging conversation including a story about Twitch, the meaning of “animation” in dance, and how growing up in a tough environment shaped his character. We’ve collaborated on several visuals over the years and I’ve cut...2025-04-061h 27
The Real FutureShantel Ureña - Passion & PurposeMy guest today is Shantel Ureña. Shantel is one of the first dancers I photographed and has experienced incredible growth during her 10 years in Los Angeles. As a dance artist, she’s choreographed her own stage pieces, created films, taught classes, and competed in the battle scene, all while expanding the range and foundation of her expre ssive movement.We talked about her upbringing in Tampa - Shantel is yet another Florida dancer who brought her dopeness to the Left Coast - about her growing career, and about building a more inclusive scene for younger generations. At th...2025-03-3059 min
The Real FutureHans Pierre - Dancer, DJ, EducatorMy guest today is Hans Pierre. I met Hans at one of the legendary Battle Games, introducing myself after I saw him perform a headspin in exuberant fashion. After I met him, it confirmed my instincts that his infectious energy is very much for real. Hans is not only a dancer, but an educator, the producer of Thesis Dance Festival, and in recent times has been the hardest working DJ in street dance. He’s also a major sneaker enthusiast, but that subject is gonna have to wait until next time. You’re about to meet a really special type...2025-03-231h 17
The Real FutureMadaline Riley - The Hybrid DancerMy guest today is Madaline Riley. Like most people in the street dance community, I first knew her as Mad Linez, the angular mover who constantly challenged herself to integrate new foundations into her ever-evolving style.Over time I learned that Madaline is a multi-disciplinary artist who works in both visual arts and performance production. She creates and collaborates on works that blend choreography, acting, fashion, and painting. I’ve had the privilege of seeing a wide range of her output; it’s always compelling and never boring. Her pieces may be challenging and rooted in multiple tradit...2025-03-161h 09
The Real FutureKeumsae Pae - Master of DetailsMy guest today is Keumsae Pae, one of the world’s best robot dancers. The robot style is not simply about imitating mechanical movement; rather, it embodies a philosophy of a robot trying to become human. This implies an emotional struggle, and Keumsae, with her subtle, detailed, movement, creates narrative arcs that bring this struggle to the surface. She is, quite honestly, the rare dancer who can bring tears to my eyes.She is also an essential member of the L.A. street dance community . When all of us were struggling during the pandemic lockdowns, Keumsae organized the...2025-03-0940 min
The Real FutureDarrel "Friidom" Dunn - Life Is The DanceMy guest today is Darrel “Friidom” Dunn. Friidom is a dancer, and we’ll discuss how he got started in the Dallas-area krump scene. Friidom is a choreographer, and he’s in his first year as a MFA candidate at The California Institute of the Arts.Friidom is a philosopher, and he’s innovated a movement philosophy he calls Epiic.Friidom is a producer - he has produced countless improvisational narrative works that take dancers and audiences to new places in the context of live performances.But what makes Friidom really special is...2025-03-0246 min
The Real FutureDustin Payne - The Evolution of StyleMy guest today is Dustin Payne, aka DPayne.You might know him from SYTYCD15 where he made the Top 20, or from music videos with DaBaby, Kid Cudi, or Kurtis Blow.If you participate in the LA dance scene you DEFinitely know D Payne, and near the end of 2024 you might have seen him win the hip hop category of Versa-Style’s 18th LTMMY battle. CREDITS:Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, and Photography by John Nyboer.2025-02-2345 min
The Real FutureSon Lam Nguyen - Global FlavorSon Lam Nguyen happened to be in town just as I was launching this podcast, and I was lucky enough to be able to book him as my first guest! 0:00 - 2:00 Introduction 2:01-49:14 Conversation 49:15 Drum/Dance Improvisation Son Lam came to Los Angeles in 2017 on the heels of winning So You Think You Can Dance Vietnam. His talent, commitment, and open personality have earned him a lot of love and respect in the L.A. street dance community, and that reputation has gone global.He won the 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style U...2025-02-1653 min