After Class: The Adult Ballet Podcast

If you've ever cried in the car after ballet class, questioned whether you started too late, or wondered why your pirouettes still aren't cooperating, this is your podcast. After Class is for adult ballet dancers — the ones balancing real life, careers, and ballet dreams. Each week, host and fellow dancer Hannah covers technique, artistry, mindset, and the honest conversations that don't always happen in the studio. Whether you're brand new to the barre or a seasoned bunhead, you belong here.

After Class: The Adult Ballet Podcast is a arts podcast hosted by The Busy Bunhead, with 125 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

The Busy Bunhead hosts After Class: The Adult Ballet Podcast, a arts show with 125 episodes published.

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  After Class: The Adult Ballet Podcast

  Ep. 125 - Perfectionism Is Sabotaging Your Ballet Training — Here’s What to Do About It, with Kirsten Kemp (Archive Favorite)

  Aug 12, 20261 hour

  If you’ve ever walked out of ballet class replaying every mistake in your head — the turn you fell out of, the combination you messed up, the step that just won’t click — you’re not alone... As adult dancers, we often hold ourselves to incredibly high standards. And while that drive can be a powerful motivator, it can also quietly take the joy out of dancing, and even sabotage our progress. In this episode, I’m joined by Kirsten Kemp, a high-performance mindset coach who works specifically with dancers, to talk about how perfectionism shows up in ballet training and what to do instead. We talk about why perfectionism can derail your class experience, what’s happening in your brain when you spiral after messing up, and simple tools you can use in the moment to reset and stay engaged. Kirsten also shares her perspective on “mentally budgeting” for mistakes, how to set realistic expectations without lowering your standards, and how to stay motivated even during seasons of slow progress. If you’re someone who cares deeply about improving but often find yourself frustrated, discouraged, or defeated, this episode is your road map to renewed confidence and joy! Connect with Kirsten: Website: kirstenkemp.com Instagram: @kirsten_theconfidentdancer ✨ This Episode is Sponsored By: Apolla Performance: Compression socks designed for support, recovery, and injury prevention for dancers. Shop here: https://rstr.co/apollaperformance/thebusybunhead Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media. www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

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  Episode #124

  Ep. 124 - Ballet Hacks Every Adult Dancer Should Know (Archive Favorite)

  Aug 5, 202610 minS1

  In this episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite ballet hacks. The tips, tricks, and discoveries that have made my life as an adult dancer easier and more comfortable. Some I figured out on my own, some were passed along by teachers or fellow dancers, and all of them are just too good not to share, like: The game-changing nipple cover option for those who want a little extra coverage Using toe spacers in your ballet slippers (NOT just for pointe shoes) to reduce bunion discomfort The waistband modifications that will change how you feel in your tights How to turn convertible tights into stirrup tights so you can wear the brands you actually love A simple spray that fixes heel slippage in pointe shoe (plus a bonus tip that makes it even more effective) A hack for healthier, happier hair (while you dance) PRODUCTS MENTIONED Nipple Covers by Cakes (grippy version) Toe Spacers by Russian Pointe (size medium) Spray Rosin by Bloch Hair Mask by RCA Skincare (use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your order!) EPISODE SPONSOR ✨ Frenchies Hairpins The official brand for ballerinas who love a good hair moment! Shop premium hairpins and new luxury scrunchies in real silk and luxurious velvet. https://frenchieshairpins.com | Code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off! Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media. www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

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  Episode #123

  Ep. 123 - Creating a Pointe Plan You LOVE as an Adult Dancer, with Julie of Broche Ballet (pt 3)

  Jul 29, 20261 hourS1

  You've made it past the first few months en pointe, so now what? This is the final episode in my three-part series with Julie of Broche Ballet , who has coached hundreds of adult dancers (myself included) through their pointe journeys. In this episode, we talk about how to build a realistic, intentional training plan around a busy adult life, why short frequent practice sessions are so effective, the recovery habits that sustain a pointe practice over time, how to work through the fear of learning new steps, and why play might be the single most important ingredient you're missing. If you've ever felt like you're stuck in a rut, wondering how to actually reach your goals, this is the episode for you. It's the perfect way to close out this series, and I think it's going to change how you think about your own pointe journey. Disclaimer: This episode is NOT a substitute for an individual evaluation, so make sure you're approved by a qualified teacher and fitted by a professional before going on pointe. It's also not medical advice, so please consult a licensed medical professional about any injuries or pain. CONNECT WITH JULIE & BROCHE BALLET Instagram: @brocheballet Website: brocheballet.com Free Pointe Readiness Self-Assessment: https://app.brocheballetonline.com/pointe/self-assessment Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media. www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

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  Episode #122

  Ep 122 - The Pointe Plateau: Why You Feel Stuck (And How to Get Unstuck) with Julie of Broche Ballet (pt 2)

  Jul 22, 20261h 4mS1

  You've got your pointe shoes and you've survived the first few months, but now you're in that weird in-between phase: still clutching the barre but dreaming of center, wondering if what you're feeling is normal or if you should be further along by now. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. I'm back with Julie of Broche Ballet for part two of our three-part series on the adult pointe journey , and this episode digs into the messy middle: what those first few months in pointe shoes actually feel like, how to finally let go of the barre, and how to tell if a problem is your strength or your shoes. I also ask Julie how to know when a pair of pointe shoes is really dead, why she's an advocate for a dedicated pointe barre, and what "banana feet" versus "biscuit feet" means for getting over the box. If you've been feeling discouraged by lack of progress in pointe journey, you're not alone! But there is a way through it.... Ready to push past the plateau? Let's get into it. ☺️ EPISODE SPONSOR ✨ O'Mara Sprung Floors | A family-owned business building sprung floors for dancers for over 30 years. Featuring a Marley non-slip surface over a professionally engineered sprung floor with 70% shock absorption, they're designed to protect your body so you can dance safely from the comfort of home! Shop at sprungfloors.com | Use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your ballet practice floor! CONNECT WITH JULIE & BROCHE BALLET Instagram: @brocheballet Website: brocheballet.com Free Pointe Readiness Self Assessment Disclaimer: This episode is NOT a substitute for an individual evaluation, so make sure you're approved by a qualified teacher and fitted by a professional before going on pointe. It's also not medical advice, so please consult a licensed medical professional about any injuries or pain. Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media. www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

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  Episode #121

  Ep. 121 - Starting Pointe as an Adult? Here's What You Actually Need to Know, with Julie of Broche Ballet (pt 1)

  Jul 15, 202653 minS1

  For so many adult dancers, pointe is the dream, whether you're returning to it after years away or dreaming about it for the very first time. But how do you actually know if you're ready? And if your teacher says not yet, what does that actually mean? This is part one of a three part series on the entire adult pointe journey, and I'm joined by Julie of Broche Ballet , who has coached hundreds of adult dancers (myself included) through the process of going en pointe. We get into adult pointe readiness in detail: whether adults are even "allowed" to go on pointe, the four different types of adult dancers who approach pointe (you'll probably recognize yourself in one), the four indicators of pointe readiness, what's actually going on when a teacher says "not yet", why pointe might be safer than you think, and Julie's honest take on demi pointe shoes. If you've been quietly dreaming about pointe shoes for years, or you're already en pointe and want to understand your own journey better, you're going to LOVE this conversation with Julie. 🩰 Disclaimer: This episode is NOT a substitute for an individual evaluation, so make sure you're approved by a qualified teacher and fitted by a professional before going on pointe. It's also not medical advice, so please consult a licensed professional about any injuries or pain. Connect with Julie & Broche Ballet👇🏼 Instagram: @brocheballet Website: brocheballet.com Free Pointe Readiness Self-Assessment: https://app.brocheballetonline.com/pointe/self-assessment Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media. www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

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