To leap, to quiver, to "dance!" (with Jess Grippo)

What if dancing again could heal something you thought was unchangeable? In this episode, Jess Grippo joins Nicole to talk about dance as more than choreography. It’s expression. It’s story. It’s healing. Together, they explore how movement changes across a lifetime, what dance reveals about our inner world, and why it’s never too late (or too awkward) to start dancing again.

Tune in to discover:

• The unexpected connection between tantrums and tap shoes
• Does dance require music?
• What “prescribed vs. improvised” says about how we approach dance (and life?)
• How dance became a sacred ritual long before it was a performance
• What happens when you stop waiting to be good and start moving anyway

A few quotes:

• “At that young age, I already felt that pressure of having to perform. And I did not like it.” – Jess
• “The more experience we have, the more pressure we feel to be good. But sometimes, younger me just went for it.” – Jess
• “It felt like if I could dance, it would change my life.” – Nicole

Resources & Links:

• Jess’s book: Dance with This Book – Available via jessgrippo.com
• Watch the dance history doc Uprooted for more on jazz and resistance: uprootedfilm.com
• Explore the 13-Day “Dance Again” series at youcandanceagain.com

• Website: jessgrippo.com and youcandanceagain.com
• Instagram: @jessgrippo
• TikTok & YouTube: @jessgrippo
• Join the Dance Again Studio: Online classes and creative challenges via her website