Sia Dancing

#164 Taking a piece of Herräng home - with Marie Sörqvist | Herräng Dance Camp 05.08.2026 18min

Do you leave a little part of yourself in Herräng, and take a little piece of it home with you?In this episode, I sit down with Marie Sörqvist, Camp Director of Herräng Dance Camp and a member of the Herräng community since the mid-1990s.We recorded this conversation during the first weekend of Herräng Dance Camp 2026, surrounded by the everyday work, conversations, and small moments that make this place feel different from ordinary life.Marie shares why people often come to Herräng for the dance but stay for the people, and why she believes (or, more accurately, hopes) that spending time here can make us better humans.We talk about:• Why Herräng became much more than a dance camp for her• Taking a piece of Herräng back into everyday life• Being the best version of yourself in a supportive community• What makes a good dancer and a good dance teacher• A beautiful sunset boat ride on the lake behind Folkets Hus the day before the camp has startedAre you also the best version of yourself when you're in Herräng?For dancers who care about community.For anyone who has ever found a place that feels a little like home.A shout-out to Herräng Dance Camp:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of July 2026 during Herräng Dance Camp, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible.______________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#HerrängDanceCamp #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #SwingDance #Herräng

#163 Dancing as a common language - with Shehan Jayasekera | Lindy, Blues, Hip Hop | Réunion Island 29.07.2026 26min

What if dance is the language that helps us find home anywhere in the world?In this episode, I sit down with Shehan - a dancer, community builder, and dance facilitator who was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in New Zealand, and eventually built a thriving swing dance scene on Reunion Island.We recorded this conversation during his short visit to Stockholm, as part of his european tour - back in May.This episode is about connection - to yourself, other people, and the history that lives inside social dancing. Shehan shares how dance became a way to communicate across cultures for him.We talk about:• Growing up in Sri Lanka and New Zealand• Discovering Lindy Hop through a love of music and movement• Building a dance scene from scratch on Réunion Island• Why Shehan prefers the word "facilitator" over "teacher"• How lighting and atmosphere shape the feeling of a dance event• Staying connected to the roots of a dance while developing your own voice• The importance of community, resilience, and shared joy.If you've ever walked into a dance event without speaking the local language, wondered where you belong on the dance floor, or felt that special moment when dancing connected you to someone you had never met before, this episode will likely feel familiar._______________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #LindyHop #SwingDanceCulture #SocialDancing #DanceCommunity

#162 A few more beats to breathe - with Spela Sedej | Herräng Dance Camp 22.07.2026 28min

What if the best part of dancing is not the moves, but the connection?In this episode, I sit down with Spela Sedej, a long-time member of the Herräng community, originally from Slovenia and deeply passionate about swing dancing and the people who make it meaningful.We recorded this conversation during a quiet spring visit to Herräng, while we were both volunteering there for a weekend, far away from the busy festival weeks. The calm atmosphere gave us space to reflect on dancing, community, and what keeps bringing people back year after year.This conversation is really about the human side of social dancing. About connection, trust, encouragement, and the small moments that stay with us long after a song ends.We talk about:Why Spela keeps returning to dancing after all these yearsHow social dancing creates connection between complete strangersWhat Spela has "soft knees" for (a hint: it's eatable) Dancing, hiking, and finding joy in unpredictable momentsA beautiful memory of dancing by moonlight, with candles and the moon reflecting in a lakeCreativity, encouragement, and making space for one another on the dance floorMany dancers know the feeling of wondering whether they are doing enough, taking too much space, or not enough space. This episode is a reminder that dancing does not have to be perfect. Sometimes the most meaningful dances are simply the ones where we feel accepted and encouraged to be ourselves.This episode is for anyone who loves the people behind the dancing. And for anyone who wants to feel a little more at home on the dance floor.This episode has been recorded in May in Herräng, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible._______________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #HerrängDanceCamp #LindyHop #SwingDance #SocialDancing #DanceCommunity

#161 It could happen to you - with Jacob Sznajdman | Salsa, Bachata, Tango, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Rumba, Orisha | Minor Swing 15.07.2026 16min

Have you ever had something go wrong and just had to begin again? ...I did, with this very episode. The recording randomly stopped without making it visible, meaning that we had to re-record. It was unexpected. A bit messy. But also honest.In fact, the first 4 minutes of the recording are pretty badquality due to background noises so you might enjoy our quite conversation recorded several weeeeeks after.This episode is with Jacob, a social dancer who has explored many styles over the years. We talk about:- Why dancing feels like a natural part of being human- Exploring styles like salsa, bachata, tango, lindy and balboa and mizing them up on the social floor- Jacob's experience in Cuba with rumba and Orisha dances- Small crushes in social dancing and how to handle them with care (thanks Hadeel to that question)- Seeing each dance as a short and complete momentThere is a soft thread through this episode. Things do not need to be perfect to be real and to be enough.______________________________________________________A shout-out to Minor Swing Festival:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. (and later on re-recorded, but that's another story). Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #MinorSwing #Orishadances #CubanSalsa

#160 From gender-separated dance to close embrace - with Hadeel Ibrahim | Minor Swing 08.07.2026 16min

Hadeel grew up in Libya, in North Africa, where people dance whenever there is music, whenever there is a celebration. However, the dance there is often gender-separated. Even if you dance together, you do not touch each other. How does coming from this culture affect Hadeel in her partner dancing? Well, listen in to find out ;)In this episode, I talk with Hadeel during Minor Swing, in the middle of a busy dance weekend filled with music, classes, and people passing through the room.This conversation is about how culture shapes the body, and how dancing can slowly become a place of freedom. It is about learning to follow without losing yourself. And about being a person who may dance as a follower, but still carries a strong leader energy inside.We talk about:growing up with gender-separated dance culture in Libyastarting Lindy Hop as an adultlearning to feel safe in partner dancinghow close embrace can feel different in different danceslighting, comfort, and what helps people relax on the dance floorThis episode may speak to you if you have ever felt unsure in partner dance. If you have ever tried to be “good” instead of being yourself. Or if you are still learning how to stay present, open, and fully there in a shared dance. This episode is for followers who want more space - or the other way round, who are curious to get inspired to.______________________________________________________A shout-out to Minor Swing Festival:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #MinorSwing #CloseEmbrace #DancinginLibya #PartnerDancing

#159 From frustration to connection - with Giovanni Ligorio and Shieva Norusian | Balboa, Lindy Hop, Blues | Minor Swing 24.06.2026 29min

What if dancing is not about impressing, but about listening?In this episode, I chat with Giovanni Ligorio and Shieva Norusian during Minor Swing.They are dancers and teachers who care deeply about connection and how we show up with each other.We talk about:Why teaching brings them more joy than performingDancing as a way to communicate and listenBeing introverted in a very social dance worldThe difference between social dancing and competingHow lighting shapes intimacy and comfort on the dance floorWhat it means to take care of the community, one dance at a timeThis episode in itself feels like a dance - you will know what I mean once you take a listen.A shout-out to Minor Swing Festival:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #MinorSwing #Balboa #LindyHop #Blues

#158 Finding freedom in playfulness – with Jenn Lee | Balboa, Lindy | Minor Swing Festival 17.06.2026 33min

When was the last time you let yourself be bad at something… and enjoy it?Jenn Lee is a swing dancer and teacher based in the US, and we recorded this episode together during Minor Swing Festival in Sweden.This conversation is about learning, letting go, and remembering why we dance in the first place.We talk about:Starting dance later in life and being a student for a long‑time (not giving up!)The courage to be bad and how that leads to growthWhy joy and humour matter on the dance floorSwitching roles and finding new perspectives in partner danceBuilding community through inclusivity and creative projectsHow light, movement, and connection inform one otherThis episode reminds me that dancing does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. If you have ever felt not good enough, or unsure where you fit in, this conversation will meet you there.This episode is for you if you want to feel more free.Links to what has been mentioned:A nonprofit event and initiative Jenn runs: www.therrealjenniferlee.com and www.swingartsfoundation.com A performance project done by her sister: ⁠www.susiejlee.comA shout-out to Minor Swing Festival:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #MinorSwingFestival #Balboa #LindyHop #SwingArtsFoundation

#157 Taking pieces from every dance – with Oscar | Bugg, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Foxtrot 10.06.2026 22min

What makes you stay in one dance style or move to another?In this episode, I talk with Oscar during Minor Swing in Gothenburg.We record in the middle of the festival, between classes, music, and small moments of rest.We talk about:- why he started dancing- how he moved from competitions to social dancing- how different dance styles connect and influence each other- a dance memory shaped by cozy interior in a small dance hall in ________________________________Subscribe and review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #DancingintheNorth #LindyHop #Bugg #Balboa #SocialDancing

#156 Building a festival that feels like a hug - with Stina Johansson & Karin Lundström | Balboa | Minor Swing 03.06.2026 25min

What makes a dance event feel safe, warm, and easy to enter?In this episode, I talk with Stina and Karin from Minor Swing in Gothenburg.We speak right in the middle of the festival, while music is playing, classes are happening, and everyone is running on very little sleep and a lot of heart.This conversation is about more than organising an event.It is about building a space where people can arrive as they are and still feel included.We talk about:why they dance and what keeps them coming backhow Balboa and Lindy Hop became part of their dance liveswhy does Minor Swing festival have no competitionswhy small details matter, like free coffee and pop-up momentshow their care team helps people feel supported during the eventdance memories shaped by lighting, from dim rooms to candlelit magic at Castle CampYou can hear how much love and thought goes into creating a social dance space that feels human. If you have ever walked into a festival and felt unsure, outside, or a little lost, this episode may feel soft in the best way.This one is for dancers, organisers, and anyone who believes that community is built in the little things.A shout-out to #MinorSwing:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #MinorSwing #WCJ #Balboadanceevents #BalboaFestivals

#155 Born to sing – with Nicolle Rochelle | Jazz, Soul, Opera, Rap | Minor Swing 27.05.2026 26min

Some people spend their whole life wondering what they are here to do. Nicolle knew when she was five.In this episode, Nicolle shares what it feels like to live with a clear calling. Not as pressure. But as freedom.We talk about singing as a way to move emotion through the body. Why having many voices can be a strength, not a flaw.And how singing for dancers creates a different kind of safety and play.Nicolle reflects on performing for moving bodies instead of watching eyes.How dancers give space to experiment.How shared rhythm can lower self‑consciousness.And why connection matters more than perfection.We also touch on light, space, and atmosphere. How a room feels changes how music lands. And how dancers, musicians, and environments quietly shape each other.A shout-out to #MinorSwing:This episode has been recorded during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #JazzSinging #MinorSwing #SwingDanceCommunity #NewJersey

#154 Chosen by the music – with Amanda Sedgwick | Saxophonist and composer 20.05.2026 27min

What happens when music stops being a performance and becomes a conversation?In this episode, Sia sits down with a Swedish alto saxophone player and composer who has spent years playing both for concert audiences and for swing dancers.We talk about what changes when musicians really listen to the dance floor. Amanda reflects on how learning to dance Lindy Hop changed the way she would play for the dancing audience. And how watching dancers move can shape the music in real time.We also talk about letting go of focusing on being watched and making art for your own sweet pleasure.This episode is for dancers who wonder if musicians notice them... ;)_________________________________________________Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #SocialDance #JazzMusic #SwingDanceCommunity #RoyalCollegeofMusic #Chicago

#153 Taking your time – with Daniel Larsson | Lindy Hop, Tap, Jazz | Herräng, IsThereHop 13.05.2026 30min

In this episode, I am talking with Daniel Larsson, swing and modern jazz dancer, tap dancer, teacher, and all-in-all jazz lover based in Stockholm.Daniel shares how he started dancing as a child, discovered Lindy Hop and jazz, and grew up learning directly from the roots of the dance, taking his classes from Frankie Manning at Herräng. He reflects on rhythm, presence, and what happens when we stop pushing and start listening.This is a conversation about:Why dancing is a lifelong journeyHow rhythm lives in the bodyThe value of staying with the basicsLetting dance take timeConnecting without wordsA calm and honest episode for social dancers who want to feel more grounded, more present, and more at home on the dance floor.Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #SocialDance #ModernJazz #DanceCommunity #TakeYourTime

#152 Between self-expression and respect - with Tobias Ramberg | From bugg to locking to swing | Stockholm International Tap Dance Festival 06.05.2026 21min

Tobias started dancing at six, guided by parents who also danced. Dance became his way to connect with music and express himself.In this episode, he shares how he moves between two sides. Dancing with a partner and dancing alone. Growing up, he was bullied for dancing, yet dance gave him strength and confidence that supported him in other sports.Tobias also talks about how dimmed lighting helps him feel safer and more creative, and reflects on the balance between modern self‑expression and respect for the roots of traditional dances.Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #SocialDance #Balboa #WhyWeDance #DanceCommunity #Herräng #JazzDance #DanceAndIdentity

#151 From pure joy to responsibility - with Gio Balboa | Sardinia to Sweden | Swedish Swing Society 29.04.2026 17min

What happens when dance is something you cannot live without?In this episode, I talk with Gio - a dancer who has been dancing since childhood.- From Sardinia to Sweden.- From joy to responsibility.- From dancing all night until the sun goes up to taking it a little easier.We talk about identity, learning without losing yourself.Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #SocialDance #Balboa #WhyWeDance #DanceCommunity #Herräng #JazzDance #DanceAndIdentity

#150 It is all about the groove - with Erik Tengholm | Jazz music | Trumpet and piano 22.04.2026 17min

In this episode, I talk with a jazz musician Erik Tengholm who plays trumpet and piano. His favourite gigs are those when he gets to play for dancers. Tune in to find out why ;)We talk about:- what changes when musicians play for dancers- why groove matters more than details- and how dancers listen in different waysWe also talk about lighting, of course, and about money. And why full‑time creative work is not always the best solution. The episode ends with a simple challenge.Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅ #SiaDancing #Trumpet #Groove #JazzGroove #SocialDancing

#149 Improvisation and fun in partner dancing - with Stefan Andersson | Improvisationsteater Stockholm | Lindy hop 15.04.2026 25min

What if dance is not about the music? What if it is about the person in front of you?In this episode, Stefan shares his take on social dancing through the lens of an improvisation. We talk about:Why does the partner matter more than the song to him?How lighting changes the feeling of a dance spaceCompeting without losing joyThe hard economics of lindy hop teachingP.S. Stefan did manage to win a cometition before the episode is out, reaching the goal he set at the moment of the recording ;)Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #Improvisationsteater #SocialDanceCulture #Improvisation #SocialDancing

#148 Dancing like yourself - with Sanna Leinonen | Tampere, Finland | Balboa 01.04.2026 23min

In this episode I sit with Sanna, a Balboa dancer from Finland with more than twenty years on the dance floor.We talk about how she began, what kept her in the scene, and what she wants to see more of on the dancefloor. Sanna shares how jazz music shaped her dancing, how community became her safe bubble, and why she wants dancers to believe in their own style.We also talk about lighting, teaching, and the small shifts that help people feel brave enough to try something new.See this episode as a reminder that you CAN (and maybe SHOULD) embrace your way of moving, not someone else's.Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟Connect with me on Instagram @SiaDancing ✅#SiaDancing #DanceStories #SocialDanceCulture #Balboa #SocialDancing

#147 Relax and breathe - with Ingrid Vaksvik | Bergen, Norway | Kizomba, Salsa, Bachata, Lindy, Balboa, Blues 18.03.2026 13min

In this cosy and sleepy‑morning conversation, we meet a dancer and biologist from Bergen who loves nature, rhythm, and the quiet joy of moving with another person.We talk about:• why dance brings joy• how different styles share the same roots• what low light does to our attention• how breath can change a whole danceThere is a lovely moment about strobe lights at an electronic concert, and how lighting can lift us into a dreamy, hypnotic state.Subscribe & ReviewFollow the podcast and leave a review to help me grow 🌟Share Your ThoughtsTag me on Instagram @SiaDancing and tell me your favorite moment from this episode 💃Join the ConversationWhat is the craziest move you have seen on tha dancefloor?✨#SiaDancing #DanceStories #SocialDanceCulture #LazyRiver #SocialDancing

#146 Navigating the dancefloor without being able to see in low light - with Jenna Applegarth | Lazy River and the Snowball | Lindy, Balboa, Blues, Shag, DFW Swingout, Houston Two Step, etc 04.03.2026 25min

In this gentle and honest conversation, Jenna shares what dancing has meant in her life. She talks about growing up in the U.S., dancing for the first time when someone accidentally has invited her to dance at prom when “Big Bad Voodoo Daddy” song came up, and how it slowly shaped everything from her friendships to the place she now calls home.We explore what it’s like to dance with poor low‑light vision, how lighting can change safety and comfort on the floor, and why inclusive environments matter more than most people realize.Jenna also opens up about:• why she dances• how she builds connection when leading and following• the influence of other dance styles• the beauty of bringing your whole self into the dance• what she wishes more dancers understoodThis episode is soft, thoughtful, and full of insight for anyone who cares about community and connection on the dance floor.Subscribe & ReviewFollow the podcast and leave a review to help me grow 🌟Share Your ThoughtsTag me on Instagram @SiaDancing and tell me your favorite moment from this episode 💃Join the ConversationWhat is a dream that you would like to see come true? ✨#SiaDancing #DanceStories #SocialDanceCulture #LazyRiver #SocialDancing

#145 Dancing with social anxiety - with Raya Bouslah | Bluesila and The Snowball | Blues and lindy in Tallinn 17.02.2026 22min

Here we are in Stockholm talking with Raya, who is based in Tallinn. We have shared a warm, honest conversation with Raya Bouslah: born in Tunisia, now building a dancing life in Estonia, and finding her way across lindy hop and blues.Raya started right before Covid and never stopped (well, apart from when the Covid was in its bloom). She talks about how dancing helps her stay sane and how social dance became a special way to meet people and bond. She gives a shout‑out to Rostom, who first nudged her into the scene. We also talk openly about social anxiety: the first class felt great until the moment everyone was asked to grab a partner, then everything tightened. She stayed anyway. Which she reflects on as being a great way of moving through ansxiety. Classes being in Estonian sometimes felt alienating, yet social dancing opened a different part of her brain, almost like a contract of safe space.We look at human connection on the dance floor and how often it gets sexualised, then turn toward the kind of connection that feels respectful, joyful, and clear. Raya shares memories from Bluesila and leaves thoughtful advice about finding your own language of dancing.Subscribe & ReviewFollow the podcast and leave a review to help me grow 🌟Share Your ThoughtsTag me on Instagram @SiaDancing and tell me your favorite moment from this episode 💃Join the ConversationWhat is a dream that you would like to see come true? ✨#SiaDancing #DanceStories #SocialDanceCulture #Herräng #SocialDancing

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