Shows
United In DanceS1 E11: Kealan McLaughlinWe are very excited to present our conversation with principal dance, choreographer, teacher, and educator, Kealan McLaughlin.A principal dancer with Estonian National Ballet and Canada's Ballet Jörgen, Kelan is now dancing with Opera Atelier while taking the steps towards a relocation back to Nova Scotia. We get into all of the incredible artistic possibilities he sees in the province and the Atlantic region. We also delve into his time travelling the world and his adventures with dance, and how a career in dance can extend far beyond performance or the stage....
2025-04-1638 min
Extreme Sports Performance PodcastEpisode #37 | Prrofessional ballet dancing with Kealan McLaughlinIn this episode Ryan Blake chats professional ballet dancing with Kealan McLaughlin.Links mentioned in this episode:Kealan McLaughlin Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/kealan.mclaughlin Two Two Guys Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/TwoTwoGuys
2022-02-2847 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 33: "Soul", SYTYCD, & Indigenous Representation w/ Jera WolfeThis week we are joined by intrepid choreographer Jera Wolfe to talk about his most recent creation — a dance film called "Soul" for the National Ballet of Canada — and get a behind-the-scenes look at the genesis of this profound piece. We talk about his rise to success, the unique blend of experiences that add to his choreographic vocabulary, and get some stories from his time as a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Lastly, we close with a conversation on the state of Indigenous representation in the arts in Canada, and hear what it has been like...
2021-12-1239 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 32: Dancers as Athletes of Art w/ Joseph GattiHave we got a real bumper of an episode for YOU! This week the man—the myth—the legend, Joseph Gatti stopped by the pod, and oh did he bring it!! Topics include (but are not limited to) that time he invented a new pirouette combination at the NY IBC, stories of working with the great Fernando Bujones, the key to making your feet look better (that I guarantee you've never heard before), what it takes to run a company and why he chose to start his company United Ballet Theatre in 2018! Plus we go deep into the Gatti Method ...
2021-11-2848 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 31: Longevity w/ Greta HodgkinsonThis week we are joined by star of the stage for three decades - Greta Hodgkinson! Greta retired from the National Ballet of Canada as a principal ballerina in 2020 at the age of 46, having danced in the company for 30 years. During this episode we go into the "how" of it all, and try to determine the magic recipe which enabled Greta to dance so fabulously and with such longevity. We talk about how a dancer's mindset changes over time, the importance of good coaching and mentoring, and hear stories from her illustrious career.Also, Greta is launching...
2021-11-1449 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 30: Overcoming Struggle, Paris Opera, and Alicia Alonso Stories w/ Osiel GouneoThis week on the podcast we present part 2 of our interview with Cuban ballet-phenom Osiel Gouneo. In part 2 Osiel speaks on some of his most serious struggles and the lessons he learned in overcoming them. He talks about the unique challenge in guesting with Paris Opera Ballet, and what makes it one of his most cherished professional memories. Finally, he tells a story about his special relationship with Cuban ballet-juggernaut Alicia Alonso, asking for a leave of absence on only his 2nd day at work, and a remarkable story of being recognized by a fan. Plus much more!
2021-11-0242 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 29: Greatness, Pushing the Art Form Forward, and Performance Mindset w/ Osiel GouneoThis week on the pod we are joined by Cuban ballet-phenom Osiel Gouneo for part 1 of a 2-part interview. Having danced as a leading principal at Ballet Nacional de Cuba (Havana), Norweigan National Ballet (Oslo), and Bayerisches Staatsballett (Munich), as well as guesting and performing in galas all over the world, Osiel is in equal measure tremendously talented, completely charismatic, and utterly unpretentious. In part 1 we talk about the relationship between greatness & modesty, the ways people are, and the ways we could be pushing the art form further in the 21st century, take a look under the hood at wha...
2021-10-2440 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 28: Part 2 w/ Ballerina-turned-conductor Maria SeletskajaWe present to you Part 2 of our conversations with ballerina-turned-conductor Maria Seletskaja. On the previous episode we talked about the unique career transition that took her from performing lead roles on stage to leading the orchestra in front of the stage and discussed her upcoming debut conducting Swan Lake for the Estonian National Ballet. On this episode we hear about the performance mere hours after the curtain has closed, share feedback directly from the dancers in the performance, and probe further into the psyche of a conductor in these high-pressure moments.Maria has made the re...
2021-10-1039 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 27: Part 1 w/ Ballerina-turned-conductor Maria SeletskajaSPECIAL MID-WEEK BONUS POD!This week on the show we are joined by ballerina-turned-conductor Maria Seletskaja. Currently Conductor-in-Residence at the National Ballet of Canada, and simultaneously preparing for debuts with Royal Danish Ballet and Estonian National Ballet, she actually began as a ballet dancer. During her 15-year ballet career she danced for companies like Staatsoper Berlin, Estonian National Ballet, and Royal Ballet of Flanders; yet it wasn't until she lifted the baton in her first production as a conductor that she felt she was where she belonged.Maria joins...
2021-10-0744 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 26: Being New vs. Being the Veteran in a Lead Couple w/ Ketlin OjaThis week we are joined by soloist of the Estonian National Ballet, Ketlin Oja. Having performed together for years, Ketlin and Kealan are able to draw from their lived experience on stage to share stories – raw and honest – and give the listener real access into the quiet intensity that exists in every dancer in the moments surrounding a debut.It is a very different thing to premiere a role than it is to partner somebody through their premiere. This is amplified if the role is the first foray into soloist or principal dancing, as was...
2021-09-2646 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 25: Would You Rather: Lockdown or Work? w/Julian BotnarenkoAfter a year and a half at home, a lot of us are beginning to go back to work/school. As life begins to return to "normal" we may notice there are pros but also some cons. Maybe we miss being able to wear the same onesie every day for a week, and now when we wear it to the office we get HR telling us we can't dress up as our favourite Lion King character?!? YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH, SUSAN!! This week on the pod, ballet dancer and friend of the show Julian Bot...
2021-09-1233 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 24: How to Find Your Groove w/ Joakim StephensonHow do we find our groove? Each of us has natural rhythms, tendencies, gifts; how do we tap into them so they can be enjoyed and shared fully? On this episode, movement coach/choreographer/former Royal Swedish Ballet soloist and genuinely groovy guy Joakim Stephenson visits from all the way in Stockholm Sweden to offer his expertise on the subject.Finding your natural way of moving and being is beneficial in dancing, choreographing, and anything non-dance related. It's about finding what works for YOU as an authentic expression of who and what you are, as opposed to...
2021-08-2948 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 23: Could Ballet Ever Be an Olympic Sport? w/Dash GrundyTwo Two Guys resident sports reporter Dash Grundy is back on the pod and this time he's really bringing the heat.With the addition of Skateboarding, Surfing, and Climbing to the Tokyo Olympics, and the announcement that Breakdancing will make its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Summer Games, we discuss the possibility of ballet ever becoming an Olympic event. We look at the process any discipline must go through to become part of the Olympics, address the hurdles specific to ballet, and walk through scenarios of how the event could be structured by comparing it to similar...
2021-08-1647 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 22: Answering Mailbag Questions w/ArloAfter a small hiatus, Two Two Guys is back with the heat. This week on the pawdcast we have an extra special treat. Our first quadrupedal guest stops by to help answer mailbag questions. If you have any cats in the room with you please consider listening with headphones.Host: Kealan McLaughlinGuest: ArloTwo Two Guys can be reached at:Instagram and Facebook:@twotwoguysEmail:twotwoguyspod@gmail.com
2021-08-0130 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 21: Breathwork in Dance, and Accessing the Autonomic Nervous System w/ Damian NormanTake a deep breath everyone, it's going to be ok. We know there's a lot going on and we have something to soothe those aches. This week we have on contemporary dancer, yoga instructor, and certified Breathwork coach Damian Norman. The conversation that follows touches on the importance of conscious breathing in dance and in life, the ability we all have to use the breath to choose between accessing our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and the information needed to understand and then begin making that choice.Damian's work in somatic healing, trauma research, mo...
2021-07-0551 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 20: How to Take Striking Ballet Photos w/Tarzan DanThis week we're joined by legend of the screen, radio, and camera lens Tarzan Dan. Equally at ease interviewing Beyonce and photographing ballet's leading stars, Tarzan brings his effortless charm, wacky sense of humour, and stories galore to Two Two Guys. How many other people can say they've been a guest of the Royal Ballet AND pulled a prank on Jennifer Lopez?Tarzan first gained notoriety as host of YTV's The Hit List in the 1990s. He has worked in radio for decades and has a flourishing career as a photographer, collaborating regularly with ballet dancers. In...
2021-06-2051 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 19: Career Transition w/Joan JeffriThis week our guest is Joan Jeffri, Director and Creator of the Research Center for Arts and Culture at The Actors Fund in New York City, and former director of the Graduate Program in Arts Administration at Columbia University. Having spent decades teaching arts management, spearheading institutions, and conducting research into the later stage of artists' careers, she brings an unparalleled level of expertise, illustrated in her co-authorship of the 2004 research project "Life After Dance: Career Transition of Professional Dancers." (linked below)Over the course of the episode, Joan and Kealan dive deep into the challenges...
2021-06-0654 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 18: What makes a good colleague? w/ Mark BioccaThis week Kealan is joined by the charming and insightful Mark Biocca to discuss which qualities make for the best colleague. The pair discuss the mental and emotional pressures a young dancer may face at the beginning of their career, and the significance of having someone with whom they feel supported and understood. They also share behind-the-scenes stories from their time working together in Alberta Ballet, where Kealan was an apprentice and Mark was a soloist. Mark is a graduate of Royal Ballet School in London and in addition to AB has danced for N...
2021-05-2347 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 17: Mother's Day Special w/ Dr. McLaughlin-JenkinsOn this very special Mother's Day episode, Kealan is joined by his mother, the esteemed Dr. Erin McLaughlin-Jenkins to talk about what it's like being the parent of an aspiring dancer. In addition to her Ph.D., she comes with decades of experience raising a dancer as a single mom. They speak about the joys, worries, long commutes, and the often tumultuous relationship with even the art form itself that a parent may feel while their child pursues a career in dance. Reach the show at twotwoguyspod@gmail.com or on Instagram @tw...
2021-05-0957 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 16: Dance as Self-Expression w/ Thomas Fonua aka Kween KongThis week on the show Kealan is joined by award-winning choreographer and dancer, 30 Under 30 recipient, and community leader Thomas Charles Fonua aka Kween Kong. The pair have a chat about dance as a platform for self-expression, what it feels like when that need to express is supported vs when it's stifled, and how to create the space for oneself and others to self-actualize. Additionally, we hear about Tom's journey from growing up in a working-class Pacific Islander family to dancing for all the major contemporary theatres in Australia, choreographing his own works to international acclaim, founding the H...
2021-04-2654 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 15: Dancers as Nomads, plus Dancing in Europe vs. North America w/ Evgeni Dokoukine and Jonatan DavidssonKealan is joined this week by Evgeni Dokoukine and Jonatan Davidsson, both former soloists with the Estonian National Ballet. They compare the experiences of dancing for a company in North America and a theatre in Europe, talk about the often nomadic life of a ballet dancer, and lay out the pros and cons for anyone deciding between dancing in multiple companies vs staying in one place. Also, Kealan pitches them on an idea for a wedding.Reach the show at twotwoguyspod@gmail.com or on Instagram @twotwoguysF...
2021-04-1148 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 14: In-depth w/ choreographer Annabelle Lopez OchoaIn this episode, Kealan sits down with award-winning choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to discuss her process, the highs and lows of being an in-demand freelance choreographer, the significance of accolades and reviews, and much more. Check it out if you want real insight into what it is like to choreograph for many of the world's top companies. The whole episode is brought to you by wine. Not a specific brand or company. Just wine.
2021-03-2853 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 13: Creativity! w/ Morgan ReidThis week Kealan is joined by Morgan Reid to talk about the nature of creativity. In addition to running his own company - Phase Zero Productions - with his wife, choreographing for other companies, and dancing as a guest artist around the world, Morgan plays guitar in the world-touring metal band Bloodshot Dawn, is a 2nd Dan Black Belt, speaks 8 languages, and is probably better at Duck Hunt than anyone you have ever seen. During their conversation they dive into Morgan's methods, seek to decipher the key to his prolific output, and try to turn their insights i...
2021-03-1448 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 12: Being an Emerging Dancer during Covid w/ Andris KundzinsIn this episode, Kealan is joined by Andris Kundzins, an apprentice with San Francisco Ballet. Together they look at the landscape facing emerging young dancers in the wake of Covid-19 and Andris shares what he feels the psychological impact has been on him and his peers.*Andris' sound quality improves within a few minutes** Sorry Mrs. Kundzins for lying about Pacific Rim 8 years ago. I owe you flowers.
2021-02-2847 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 11: Swan Lake Swan-tacular!In this episode, Kealan is joined by dancer, scientist, and all-around great human being Taylor Gill to talk all things Swan Lake. They look at the ballet's little-known origin, its characters, music, and story, discuss trivia, and tell some stories of their own from the various roles they've performed over the years.
2021-02-2159 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 10: Is Ballet a Sport? w/ Dash GrundyIn this episode, Kealan is joined by dancer, actor, and avid sports fan Dash Grundy to debate the question: Is ballet a sport? In pursuit of a definitive answer they discuss personal experiences, cite the relevant research, and enjoy some of what the self-proclaimed internet experts have to say. Be prepared for a surprise or two.
2021-02-0649 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 9: Injuries w/ Julian BotnarenkoIn this episode, Kealan interviews Julian Botnarenko - ballet dancer, family man, and Kealan's best friend since they were 12. They talk about their experiences with long-term injuries, the lessons they had to learn in order to heal, and the blueprint for finding their way back to health.
2021-01-3147 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 8: Directing and Leadership w/ Christopher RuddIn this episode, Kealan is riding solo, but fear not! He is joined by Christopher Rudd - dancer, choreographer, and director of RudduR Dance in New York City. The pair talk about Chris's upbringing and how his experiences with different directing styles influenced his approach to leading his own company.
2021-01-2448 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 7: Pre-Show HabitsIn this episode the boys talk about pre-show practices they've tried, which ones they SHOULD do, which ones they MUST do, and even a possible curse.
2021-01-1738 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 6: Adam Picks Surprise TopicIn this episode, the boys talk about how to handle having different teachers who want different things from you, and they go in-depth on the importance of filming yourself and documenting your progress.
2021-01-1047 minTwo Two GuysEpisode 5: Early Challenges and How We Handled ThemOn this very special episode, the boys talk openly about challenges they faced early on, and get real about how they made it through them. Also, Kealan misuses the word "prolific" multiple times, and Adam debuts an accent he's been working on.
2021-01-0342 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 4: Nutcracker Spectacular!In this episode, the boys celebrate Christmas together and dive into the tradition that is the Nutcracker! They talk trivia, early Nutcracker memories, and some stories from the stage.
2020-12-2846 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 3: Favourite Things About Being a Ballet DancerBeing a ballet dancer is a job unlike any other. In this episode, Adam and Kealan begin to dive into why that is and go through their favourite things about being professional ballet dancers.
2020-12-2529 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 2: Audition Wins and FailsAuditioning is a part of every dancer's life. It's inescapable. On this episode, the boys talk about the audition process and tell stories of audition wins and fails. Laugh along as they recount their painful memories.
2020-12-2538 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 1: Performance FailsOn this episode hosts Adam and Kealan touch on one of the most fun topics all performers can relate to: Performance fails!Each of them tells a story of an embarrassing moment on stage, but with the passing of time, the tears have turned to laughter.
2020-12-2514 min
Two Two GuysEpisode 0: IntroductionWelcome to Two Two Guys! On this episode, hosts Adam and Kealan introduce themselves, give a little backstory on who they are, and share why they wanted to start a podcast in the first place.
2020-12-2512 min
Download Latest Full Audiobooks in Mystery, Thriller & Horror, HorrorMidnight in the Graveyard by Jason Parent, Kenneth Mckinley, Kathryn Meyer Griffith, Chad Lutzke, Catherine Cavendish, Thomas F. Monteleone,Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/483988 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Midnight in the Graveyard Author: Jason Parent, Kenneth Mckinley, Kathryn Meyer Griffith, Chad Lutzke, Catherine Cavendish, Thomas F. Monteleone, Kealan Patrick Burke, William Meikle, Robert McCammon, John Everson, Ronald Kelly, Elizabeth Massie Narrator: Gary Bennett Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 14 hours 39 minutes Release date: July 28, 2020 Ratings: Ratings of Book: 5 of Total 2 Ratings of Narrator: 5 of Total 1 Genres: Horror Publisher's Summary: Midnight. Some call it the witching hour. Others call it the devil’s hour. Here in the graveyard, midnight is a very special time. It is a time when gh...
2020-07-2803 min