238. How to Coach Through Conflict

In this episode, Cindy sits down with Bill Taylor, author of the new book Managing Sports Conflict- 5 Tools to Master Conflict. They talk about what it’s really like to handle conflict in coaching, from player disagreements and playing-time debates to tough talks with parents. Bill shares best practices for staying calm when tensions rise, communicating clearly, and turning hard moments into chances to build trust.You can find Bill Taylor’s book, Managing Sports Conflict- 5 Tools to Master Conflict, at sportsconflictlab.com.Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

Cindy sits down with April Wagner to talk about how to be a great coach to your alternates with tips to keep them engaged and ready.April shares her approach to coaching alternates and explains how they fit into a strong team. They also cover one of the hardest parts of coaching, which is handling parents who are upset about placements, with practical tips for keeping those conversations calm and productive.Whether you’re a new coach or a seasoned director, this episode will help you build a team where every dancer feels valued. A must listen for all coaches!April Wagner is a dance educator, coach and choreographer with more than 32 years of experience building award-winning programs. A 1989 graduate and former captain of the Lake Mary Marionettes, she went on to captain the UCF Sun Dolls while earning her degree in health, physical education and dance in 1994. After starting her teaching career at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida, she founded the RV Dance Team at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, New Jersey, 27 years ago. Under her leadership, the team has won 18 New Jersey state championships and six NDA national championships, competing mainly in team performance and high kick.Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

Cindy sits down with Ottie and Bill from The Teehive to talk about bringing your team’s look to life with custom Team Stores. From picking a design to choosing apparel from the The Teehive, MoveU, and Just For Kix catalogs, they break down the simple steps to building a store your team will be excited to shop.From the dance floor to the sidelines, this episode is for studio owners, coaches, and team leaders ready to get their teams geared up. If custom apparel has been on your to-do list, start here!Explore the possibilities at theteehive.com or email [email protected].

Cindy and Ali sit down with Las Vegas-based performer, choreographer, and educator Tyrese Parker to talk about his journey from Minnesota to the professional dance world. With credits including Cirque du Soleil, So You Think You Can Dance, and Royal Caribbean, Tyrese shares what it takes to build a career as a performer while continuing to grow as an artist and leader.Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

Cindy sits down with Eddie, founder of Hibernate Fundraising, to talk about a fundraising idea you may not have tried yet: bedsheets. Eddie breaks down how his company helps dance studios, high school teams, and other groups raise money through bedsheet sales. It's a simple, low-effort program that turns a product everyone needs into real dollars for your team. Tune in to learn how it works, why it's a great fit for studios and teams looking for an easy fundraiser, and how to get started.Visit hibernatefundraising.com to learn more.Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

This episode was recorded in July 2026.Cindy sits down with Curt Carbaugh, a speed coach with Acceleration Minnesota and the creator of the C2 Performance Training System. Curt explains how full-body resistance and core activation can target smaller stabilizing muscles that traditional free-weight training may overlook.They explore the equipment behind the C2 system and how dance teams can use it to build strength, improve flexibility, activate the core, and enhance overall performance.Find more about C2 and the Performance Training System at c2equipment.com.

Cindy sits down with Jenny Raiche to talk about the college dance recruitment journey.Jenny shares tips on what dancers can expect, how to prepare, and what to consider when pursuing dance at the collegiate level. They also discuss how the recruitment process has changed over the past decade and what dancers and families should know today.Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

Cindy sits down with legendary UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field, one of the most successful coaches in collegiate sports history.A former professional ballet dancer with no gymnastics background, “Miss Val” took an unconventional path to leading UCLA to seven NCAA National Championships and 15 conference titles during her 29 seasons as head coach.Cindy and Valorie talk about leadership, resilience, developing athletes, and the lessons behind her remarkable career. Now an author and motivational speaker, Valorie shares the philosophy that inspired her book, Life Is Short, Don’t Wait to Dance, and what it means to build a legacy beyond winning.Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

Cindy talks with Kevin Heath, the founder and owner of Fusion Sound Mix, a music production and custom mix company specializing in dance and cheer music. Kevin is widely recognized as a pioneer in mobile DJ and performance music production in the United States. According to Fusion Sound’s company history, Heath was born in Greece and immigrated to the United States at age five with his twin sister, later being adopted by a family in Kaysville, Utah. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and later attended Weber State College, where he played football after recovering from combat injuries. In 1973, Heath launched what Fusion Sound describes as one of the first mobile DJ systems in the United States. That work evolved into editing and producing music mixes for drill teams, dancers, and cheerleaders. He later founded Dance America, a Utah-based dance competition organization that expanded throughout the western United States. Today, Fusion Sound Mix and Dance America serve clients across all 50 states and dozens of countries, producing custom music mixes, dance competitions, camps, and workshops. Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

How do you know if a dancer is truly in the right class or level? In this episode, Ali and Sharaia unpack the purpose behind placements, why age and ability don't always tell the whole story, and how real growth often happens when dancers are challenged rather than comfortable. Whether you're a parent, coach, or dancer, you'll gain a fresh perspective on placements, leadership, resilience, and why the goal is always growth: not just making the next team.Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine