- 34 minutes 6 secondsSeason 7 Wrap Up!
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
That's a wrap on Season 7 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! Thank you to all our loyal listeners who have been here since the beginning for all your support, and to our new fans who have joined us this year! We can't wait to share season 8 with you - but for now, happy summer!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Season 8 is scheduled to release on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026.
Topics Include:
- Favorite episodes of Season 7
- Info on summer bonus episodes
- What's new for Season 8
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Impact Dance Adjudicators - @impactdanceadjudicators
Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com28 May 2026, 12:00 pm - 1 hour 9 minutesJudging Horror Stories - Why Treatment On Events Needs an Industry-Wide Overhaul! - Part 1
Guests - Robb Gibbs, Brittni Johnson, and Anonymous Submissions
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
To close out Season 7 of Making the Impact, we are getting real about the often unspoken truths in the dance competition judging space. Veteran IDA judges Robb Gibbs and Brittni Johnson, as well as anonymous submissions from judges around the country, share what it can really be like during those long weekends behind the table. Spoiler alert - sometimes it's not pretty.
This is the first episode of a two episode series, so stay tuned for part 2 releasing as a summer bonus episode in June!
Topics Include:- Discussing the reasons we love judging - and the reasons that it becomes harder and harder each season
- Travel nightmares and lodging snafus - all to save a dollar
- The realities of trying to stay true to your values while adhering to company policies
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Robb Gibbs - @robb.gibbs
- Brittni Johnson - @being_brittni, @alignment.in.dance
Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques
Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
Submit your video now!Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com28 May 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 34 minutesThrowback! - S3 EP 96 – How to NOT be a Stage Mom!
Guests - Summer Aiello & Shannon Thomas
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
Our final throwback episode is one for the dance moms out there! Being a dance parent requires learning a lot of new information, from theatre etiquette to competition structures. But one thing that’s not covered in any studio handbook is how not to be a stage mom. Join studio owner Shannon Thomas and veteran dance mom Summer Aiello for this informative chat! This episode originally aired on March 24, 2022.
Topics Include:- Understanding boundaries between your dancer and your studio owner
- Learning what is acceptable dance parent behavior
- How to stay involved without pushing limits
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Summer @Summerbellies
- Shannon @legacydance386
This episode is sponsored by:
Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques
Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
Submit your video now!Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com21 May 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 19 minutesRaising the New Generation - Former Dancers Who Are Now Competitive Dance Parents
Guests - Lynne McNelis and Jennifer Lobaito
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 267 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two former dancers join us to chat about what it's like to raise competitive dancers in this new era in the industry. From memories of "the good old days" to current challenges and joys, this is an episode you don't want to miss!
Topics Include:- The search for the right dance studio
- Differences between the old generation and the new generation of dancers
- Setting your dancer up for what success looks like for them using your knowledge of dance
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Lynne McNelis - @lynnemcnelis
- Jennifer Lobaito - @Dancefixwithjenn
This episode is sponsored by:
The DanceOne Summit
The premier event for dance teachers and studio owners to unite. share. inspire! This summer in New York City - August 13-16th, 2026.
Register now for $100 off using promo code: DOS26IMPACTCheck out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques
Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
Submit your video now!Check out IDA affiliated competition True Dance Challenge! www.truedancechallenge.com
Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com14 May 2026, 11:00 am - 50 minutes 32 secondsThrowback! - S1 EP 21 – Beyond the Barre - Why Ballet Matters in Competitive Dance
Guests - Carrie Euker, Holly Gannett
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
Today's throwback episode takes us back to Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast's very first season! This episode features IDA judges Carrie Euker and Holly Gannett discussing ways to keep ballet fun, relevant and beloved in the dance competition world. This episode originally aired on March 30, 2020.
Topics Include:- Ideas for keeping ballet class interesting
- What judges look for in a ballet competition routine
- How ballet can benefit other styles of dance
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Carrie Euker - @CMEuker
- Holly Gannett - @Hollcoll77
This episode is sponsored by:
The DanceOne Summit
The premier event for dance teachers and studio owners to unite. share. inspire! This summer in New York City - August 13-16th, 2026.
Register now for $100 off using promo code: DOS26IMPACTJoin our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com
7 May 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 7 minutesAll About Pointe For Training Dancers
Guests - Kathryn Morgan and Tommie Lin Kesten
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 265 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, guests Kathryn Morgan and Tommie Lin Kesten join us for an eye-opening chat about pointe! From pointe-readiness to shoe preparation, we dive into the challenges and joys of dancing en pointe!
Topics Include:- The real amount of training that should occur prior to going en pointe
- Tips for finding the right pointe shoe for you
- Is pre-pointe class necessary?
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Kathryn Morgan - @Kathryn_Morgan
- Tommie Lin Kesten - @tommielin
This episode is sponsored by:
The DanceOne Summit
The premier event for dance teachers and studio owners to unite. share. inspire! This summer in New York City - August 13-16th, 2026.
Register now for $100 off using promo code: DOS26IMPACTCheck out IDA Affiliated Competition Star Talent Productions!
View their 2027 season tour dates and register now at www.startalentproductions.comJoin our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com
30 April 2026, 11:00 am - 56 minutes 50 secondsIDA Competition Spotlight - Star Talent Productions
Guests: Jennifer Armstrong, Devin Pendleton and James Murphy
Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz
Today's IDA Competition Spotlight episode features Star Talent Productions, based in North Carolina and celebrating their 20th season this year! Owner Jennifer Armstrong and emcees Devin Pendleton and James Murphy join Courtney to chat about their journeys in the competition space, and what makes Star Talent Productions stand out from the crowd!
Follow Jennifer Armstrong, Devin Pendleton and James Murphy on social media - @StarTalentDance, @startalentdevin, @startalentjames and be sure to check out their upcoming projects.
Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members-only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 & 5. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
This episode is sponsored by:
Check out IDA Affiliated Competition Star Talent Productions!
View their 2027 season tour dates and register now at www.startalentproductions.comCheck out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques
Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
Submit your video now!Follow your Host & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Jennifer Armstrong - @StarTalentDance
- Devin Pendleton - @startalentdevin
- James Murphy - @startalentjames
Join our NEW Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow us on social media at @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com
23 April 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 3 minutesBringing Inclusivity and Diversity to Competitive Dance
Guests - Ty Williams, Tonysha McIntosh, Haley Everett
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 263 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by studio owners Ty Williams and Tonysha McIntosh, and dance educator Haley Everett to talk about the many ways competitive dance can be more inclusive and diverse. Dancers from all walks of life deserve to feel welcomed and included at dance competitions, and our guests are doing great work in the field to contribute to that positive atmosphere.
Topics Include:- What Haley's All Needs dance classes are all about, and advice for others who are interested in adding inclusive programming
- The types of diversity that people often overlook in competitive spaces (diversity of style of dance, age, and race on judging panels, diversity of competition leadership) and why it's important for everyone to be represented
- What work still needs to be done to make competition spaces more inclusive
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Ty Williams - @Ty.Williams.5, @tntdanceacademy_
- Tonysha McIntosh - @nyshfaith, @tntdanceacademy_
- Haley Everett - @haley_everett19, @studio19dancecompany
This episode is sponsored by:
Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques
Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
Submit your video now!Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com
16 April 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 50 secondsThrowback! - S3 EP 77 - The Open Category - Expectations from Your Judges
Guests - Ashley Marinelli and Amy Maze
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
Today's throwback episode was one of our most popular episodes in season 3 - expectations in the open category! This conversation is far from over even five years later, and IDA judges Ashley and Amy don't skimp on the advice for dancers entering in this nebulous category. This episode originally aired on November 11, 2021.
Topics Include:- What dances should (and shouldn't) be entered into the open category
- How the open category is judged
- Judges' pet peeves about the open category
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Ashley Marinelli - @alm433
- Amy Maze - @mazeamy
This episode is sponsored by:
Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques
Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
Submit your video now!Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com
9 April 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 13 minutesA Day in the Life of a Competition Staff Member
Guests - Haley Crocombe and Cat Milone
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 261 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we go backstage with the folks who keep competitions running to find out what a day in their lives look like on a busy event weekend! Our guests today serve as tally manager, backstage manager and emcee and the show can't go on without them. If you've ever wanted to work for a dance competition, this is the episode for you!
Topics Include:- A brief run down of the weekend's duties from start to finish
- What load in and load out entail
- A look at the most rewarding parts of competition from behind the scenes
- Advice for studio owners and teachers to help competitions run smoothly
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Haley Crocombe - @haleycrocombe
- Cat Milone - @catmillermilone
Check out our guest’s current projects!
Visit ActorsNET of Bucks County Summer Stars Program to sponsor full and partial scholarships for children ages 7-17. Donations are tax deductible and help local children in Bucks County, PA access theatre programming during the summer!
This episode is sponsored by:
Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques
Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
Submit your video now!Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com
2 April 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 5 minutesThrowback! - S4 EP 122 – The World of College Dance Teams - What You Need to Know
Guests - Melissa McGhee and Carsen Rowe
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
Our next throwback episode of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast brings back a fan favorite, with more dance team talk! Our guests share what it's like to be on a college dance team, what recruitment looks like, and ways to prep for auditions! This episode originally aired on December 1, 2022.
Topics Include:- The differences and similarities in the training that goes into preparing for dance teams and other kinds of dance
- Recruitment strategies and how to audition for a dance team
- Breaking down the circuits and divisions of dance teams for all ages
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Carsen Rowe - @tribe99official, @carsen.rowe
- Melissa McGhee - @mmcghee65
This episode is sponsored by:
The DanceOne Summit
The premier event for dance teachers and studio owners to unite. share. inspire! This summer in New York City - August 13-16th, 2026.
Register now for $100 off using promo code: DOS26IMPACTJoin our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com
26 March 2026, 11:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App