The Studio Podcast with Blanca and Sandy

S2 Ep. 14 | Life Beyond Hollywood: Christina on Military Life, Marriage & Finding Community: Interview with Christina Grady | Part 2

If you haven't listened to Part 1 of Christina's episode, check it out here first! What happens after you've achieved the dream you've worked your entire life for? In Part 2 of our conversation with professional dancer and choreographer Christina Grady, we move beyond the bright lights of Hollywood and into the experiences that shaped her most: building meaningful friendships, becoming a military wife, navigating long deployments, and discovering what truly matters beyond career success. Christina also gives us a rare behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry, sharing stories from working with some of the world's biggest artists- including Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey- and why kindness and character matter more than celebrity status. This conversation is full of wisdom about resilience, perspective, work ethic, relationships, and creating a life that feels meaningful both on and off the stage. In this episode, you'll learn: * How to stay humble after achieving big dreams * Why meaningful community changes everything * The realities of balancing career and marriage * Leadership lessons from working with world-famous performers * The importance of work ethic and perseverance * Why perspective is one of life's greatest gifts Links & Resources: * Come say hi on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/the.studio.podcast/] * Connect with Christina on IG [https://www.instagram.com/shadypasty/] Subscribe & Review If you loved this episode, subscribe to The Studio Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you leave a review, it helps more women like you find this empowering community. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Leave your burning questions or topic ideas for future episodes here! [https://www.speakpipe.com/BarreTalk]

S2 Ep. 13 | From Small-Town Dreams to Dancing with Lady Gaga: Interview with Christina Grady | Part 1

From dancing in a small town outside St. Louis to performing alongside some of the biggest names in music, Christina's journey is a masterclass in persistence, resilience, and chasing big dreams. In Part 1 of this conversation, Christina shares with us how she packed up at 18 years old and moved to Los Angeles knowing almost no one- all because she believed she could build a career as a professional dancer. In this episode, you'll hear how Christina: * Grew up with big dreams in a small town * Worked multiple jobs to save enough money to move to Los Angeles * Started her first business as a teenager * The realities of auditioning in Hollywood * Landed her first professional dance jobs * Toured with Avril Lavigne * Spending over 15 years working alongside Lady Gaga * What the entertainment industry is really like behind the scenes * Why hard work, consistency, and believing in yourself matter more than connections Links & Resources: * Come say hi on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/the.studio.podcast/] * Connect with Christina on IG [https://www.instagram.com/shadypasty/] Subscribe & Review If you loved this episode, subscribe to The Studio Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you leave a review, it helps more women like you find this empowering community. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Leave your burning questions or topic ideas for future episodes here! [https://www.speakpipe.com/BarreTalk]

S2 Ep. 12 | 23 Years in the FBI: The Truth Behind the Career and What Comes Next: Interview with Legend Anne

In this episode, we sit down with one of our most requested guests, Anne- and her story is nothing short of unexpected. This episode is a powerful look at a life filled with service, discipline, and surprising depth. Anne shares her journey from law school to becoming an FBI agent for over two decades, offering a behind-the-scenes perspective on what that career really looked like (It's not like the movies). Beyond her career, this episode explores identity, life transitions, and what happens when you step out of a high-intensity role and into a slower, more intentional season of life. Anne opens up about balancing work and personal life, the sacrifices she made along the way, and what she's learned about herself in retirement. In this episode, you'll hear: * The reality of working in the FBI and major moments that shaped her career * Life after retirement and navigating a completely new pace * The importance of community, connection, and finding your people * Letting go of perfection and learning to live a little more freely * Travel stories, personal growth, and lessons from decades of experience Links & Resources: * Come say hi on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/the.studio.podcast/] Subscribe & Review If you loved this episode, subscribe to The Studio Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you leave a review, it helps more women like you find this empowering community. Anne stays as far away from social media as possible. So head over to our IG and tell us how much you loved this episode so we can tell Anne. And if you want to connect with her, you'll have to do it in person. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Leave your burning questions or topic ideas for future episodes here! [https://www.speakpipe.com/BarreTalk]

S2 Ep. 11 | The Truth About Luck: Why Successful Women Don't Wait for It

In this episode, we're diving into a conversation about luck- what it really means, how it's created, and why the people who seem "lucky" are usually the ones taking consistent action behind the scenes. When you peel back the layers, what often looks like luck is actually a combination of belief, courage, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up when things get hard. Throughout this candid and honest conversation, we share personal stories about stepping outside their comfort zones, making bold decisions, and navigating the messy middle that no one sees. We explore the mindset shifts that allow you to move forward even when things feel uncertain- and why the way you talk to yourself has a powerful impact on the life you create. If you've ever felt like other people are just "luckier," this episode will challenge that belief and remind you that the most powerful kind of luck is the kind you create. What You'll Hear in This Episode: * Why people who appear "lucky" are often the ones doing the most behind-the-scenes work * The difference between waiting for luck and creating opportunities * How tiny daily choices compound over time to create massive results * The mindset shift that helps you move forward even when life throws difficult situations your way * Why belief in yourself and your vision is often the catalyst for the opportunities you want * The role of resilience and perspective when things don't go according to plan * Why stepping outside your comfort zone is often the doorway to the next chapter of your life Links & Resources: * Come say hi on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/the.studio.podcast/] Subscribe & Review If you loved this episode, subscribe to The Studio Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you leave a review, it helps more women like you find this empowering community. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Leave your burning questions or topic ideas for future episodes here! [https://www.speakpipe.com/BarreTalk]

S2 Ep. 10 | From diagnosis to healing: A real conversation with Candice about Mental Health | Part 2

🚨 Sensitive content warning 🚨 This is Part 2 of Candice's interview. If you haven't listened to Part 1 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-podcast-with-blanca-and-sandy/id1768371868?i=1000751912802], make sure you go back and listen! In this second part of our conversation with Candice, the discussion continues with an honest and deeply human look at living with mental illness, navigating treatment options, and building a life with support, resilience, and hope. Candice shares more about her experiences trying different treatments for her mental health. The conversation also explores the emotional realities of managing mental health within relationships and family life. Beyond treatment and diagnosis, this episode highlights the importance of compassion, community, and small acts of support. Candice shares practical advice for friends and loved ones who want to help someone struggling with mental health, reminding us that simple gestures can make a meaningful difference. This episode is both heartfelt and enlightening, offering listeners a deeper understanding of what it means to live with mental health challenges while continuing to fight for joy, connection, and a fulfilling life. Inside this episode, we talk about: * Candice's experience with different depression treatments * How medication changes and hormonal shifts can affect mental health over time * How Candice shared her diagnosis with her husband and built a supportive partnership * What it looks like to parent while managing mental health challenges * Why mental illness doesn't always "look" the way people expect * How friends and loved ones can support someone going through depression Resources for you 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or Text: 988 Website: https://988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org] Available 24/7, free, and confidential. Call, text, or use chat via the website. Crisis Text Line Text: HOME to 741741 Website: https://www.crisistextline.org [https://www.crisistextline.org] Free, 24/7 support via text with a trained crisis counselor. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline Phone: 1-800-950-6264 Text: 62640 Website: https://www.nami.org/help [https://www.nami.org/help] Mental health support, education, and resource navigation (not a crisis line, but helpful for ongoing support).