"Everyone Was Happy - That's The Only Metric I Need": Swingsota's Joy Over Competition Philosophy

From "Let's NOT Date" to West Coast Swing US Open Glory: The Ben and Cameo McHenry Story

What happens when you spend 3 hours choreographing a routine and place 2nd at a major competition? When you try desperately NOT to date your dance partner? When an Emmy Award winner marries a guy who got manipulated into the Champions Division by event directors lying to him? Join Harold Baker for the most candid conversation yet with West Coast Swing power couple Ben and Cameo McHenry. Recorded at Swingsota 2025, this episode delivers everything from romantic confessions to controversial takes on WCS history that will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about our dance. The Tea Includes: * How they choreographed a competition routine in THREE HOURS and shocked everyone by placing 2nd * The months they spent trying not to date each other (spoiler: it was "the dumbest idea ever") * Why Cameo's parents already loved Ben before they started dating * Ben's hot take that destroys the "blues is the root of WCS" narrative * The real reason Ben retired from competition and what's bringing them back * How Cameo casually won an Emmy for a baseball-ballet fusion project Plus: Ben drops truth bombs about WCS evolution, Cameo reveals her classical training secrets, and they both explain why most people's "swing content" is just "what they've seen before" (Glenn Ball quote that will change how you see judging forever). Perfect for: Anyone who loves dance drama, couples navigating partnerships, competition junkies, and people ready to have their WCS history beliefs completely shattered. People Mentioned: Main Guests: * Ben McHenry - Professional WCS dancer, teacher, and the guy who somehow won by being lied to * Cameo McHenry (formerly Cross) - US Open cabaret champion, Emmy winner, and daughter of WCS royalty WCS Legends: * Ben Morris - Instagram: @benmorrisdance ("Name brand Ben" to Ben's "Kirkland Signature") * Michael and Amber Cross - First-ever US Open swing champions (Cameo's parents who loved Ben first) * Thomas Parrott - Cameo's first partner, Young America champion * Robert Royston - Instagram: @robertroyston (WCS historian dropping knowledge) * Glenn Ball - Instagram: @glennball7 (The "swing content" quote that breaks everything) The Roster: * Brandy Guild - Instagram: @brandiguild * Tara Trafzer - Instagram: @taratrafzer * Benji Schwimmer - Instagram: @benjischwimmer * Demetre "Meech" Souliotes - Instagram: @meechy Warning: Contains strong opinions about WCS history, relationship oversharing, and at least one Costco tangent Host: Harold Baker - Affinity Swing Instagram: @affinityswing

Queen of support Casey Margules: Building Healthy West Coast Swing Communities

Queen of support Casey Margules: Building Healthy West Coast Swing Communities Join Harold Baker for an inspiring conversation with Casey Margules, Minnesota's most enthusiastic all-star level West Coast Swing dancer and community champion. Recorded live at Swingsota 2025, this episode dives deep into what makes the Minnesota WCS community one of the most welcoming and supportive scenes in the country.Casey shares her journey from moving to Minnesota to becoming a cornerstone of the community's positive culture. Discover the power of "celebration dances" - Minnesota's innovative approach to making everyone feel valued, whether they're celebrating a birthday, a new job, or simply having a good day.Key Topics Covered:* Building inclusive dance communities that support introverts and extroverts alike* The Minnesota model: puzzles, friendship bracelets, and celebration culture* Overcoming the internal struggles every dancer faces* Balancing competition with genuine friendship and support* Creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed and celebrated* The importance of showing up for others even when you're having an off dayPerfect for: Community leaders, event organizers, dancers feeling disconnected, and anyone interested in building more inclusive spaces in West Coast Swing.

"Everyone Was Happy - That's The Only Metric I Need": Swingsota's Joy Over Competition Philosophy

What happens when an event director spills his pre-event anxieties and post-event relief? When toilet paper becomes a weapon of war? When a dance weekend prioritizes joy over competition results and accidentally creates magic? Join Harold Baker for a raw, honest conversation with Hieu, the mastermind behind Swingsota 2025. This before-and-after interview captures the emotional rollercoaster of event directing - from pre-weekend nerves about venue changes to post-weekend euphoria about community success. The Journey Includes: * Hieu's philosophy: "Maybe the results don't matter" and why that's revolutionary * The move from children's theater to hotel and what that meant for the vibe * Harold's severe FOMO about missing everything while filming * The legendary Toilet Paper War of 2025 (historically accurate according to Harold) * Why Swingsota aims to make people "refreshed, rejuvenated, and happy about dance again" * The philosophy of prizes that aren't first place (including the coveted Altman prize) * Harold's realization he needs camera people to follow him around Disney World style The Swingsota Philosophy: * "Maybe the results don't matter" * Creating space for people to be "joyful and let go" * Building a weekend that people "didn't know they needed" * Supporting everyone who "makes any sort of attempt" People Mentioned: * Hieu - Swingsota Event Director and philosophical mastermind @swingesota * Robert Royston - Instagram: @robertroyston (Science piece participants puller-inner) * Casey Margules - First place comedy gold winner @case_face_dance Event References: * Swingsota 2025 - The low-pressure, high-creativity dance weekend @swingesota * The Open - The serious competition people need to decompress from @theopen_swingdancechampionships * TAP - Post-Open decompression essential @tapwcs Warning: Contains honest discussions of event director anxiety, severe FOMO about missing Between Two Ferns, and historically questionable battleship tactics Host: Harold Baker - Affinity Swing Instagram: @affinityswing

Emily Huang and Christopher Dumond - Champions After Dark: The 5AM Tell-All

What happens when you stay up until 5 AM spilling tea about the dance community? When a “Schwimmer Kid" explains he wants to be Keanu Reeves? When Emily Huang admits her dog might be a better influencer than she is? Join Harold Baker for a late-night conversation with West Coast Swing champions Chris Dumond and Emily Huang. Recorded at Swingsota 2025 at an absolutely unreasonable hour, this episode delivers everything from childhood dance trauma to visa marriage proposals that will have you questioning your life choices. The Chaos Includes: * Emily's confession about having ZERO personality until you meet her boyfriend Joseph * The “Schwimmer Kids" generation explained - and why they were basically forced to do routines * Emily’s plan to marry Harold's to her sister for a US visa (she's very married, sorry mate) * Why Tofu the dog might actually pay rent before any of them do * Chris studying Keanu Reeves to learn how to handle being a "celebrity" * The European dance invasion and why Maxence Martin "murdered" US competitions Plus: Emily reveals her secret love of overcast weather, Chris explains his shoe modification techniques and they all contemplate ASMR foot content at 4:45 AM because clearly good decisions were no longer being made. People Mentioned: Main Guests: * Chris Dumond - Instagram: @christopher.dumond  * Emily Huang - Instagram: @emollee (US Open Champion hiding behind her dog's social media success) The Buddy Schwimmer Legacy: * Benji Schwimmer - Instagram: @benjischwimmer * Tara Trafzer - Instagram: @taratrafzer  * Sean McKeever - Instagram: @seanshiggity  * Nicole Ramirez - Instagram: @nicrmz  * Victoria Henk - Instagram: @victoriahenk Jaden Jaden Pfeiffer - Instagram: @jadenpfeifferdance  The Inspiration Station: * Ben Morris - Instagram: @benmorrisdance ("Name Brand Ben" forever haunting Chris) * Maxence Martin - Instagram: @maxlau_ (The European who "murdered" American competitions) * Jordan Frisbee - Instagram: @Jordancer98 (First video Emily ever watched) * Torri Zzaoui - Instagram: @MaximeandTorri (Jordan's partner in that legendary video) * Emeline Rouchefeuille - Instagram: @em_roc (European flow inspiration) Special Mentions: * Joseph/Joe Tong - Instagram: @joccert25 (Emily's boyfriend who unlocks her personality) * Tofu - Instagram: @tofu_the_ween (The real star with opposable thumbs) * Tracy Wang - Instagram: @w3.wildwildwestie (Joel timer champion) * Ryan & Kelly - Instagram: @austinwestieacademy (Austin scene leaders) Warning: Contains discussions of dance childhood trauma, visa marriage schemes, and at least three different tangents about shoe modification techniques Host: Harold Baker - Affinity Swing Instagram: @affinityswing

Meech Souliotes: From LA Clubs to China's First WCS Scene

Every dance scene has that one person who changed everything – but what if their story involved starting a West Coast Swing music revolution in LAV, teaching in Communist China, and literally making enemies to save an art form? Meet Demetre "Meech" Souliotes, the champion dancer who refused to accept the status quo.When Meech couldn't find anywhere in LA worth taking three professional backup dancers to see West Coast Swing, he didn't just complain – he started a movement that would transform the dance forever. From invite-only swing clubs to becoming the first person to teach WCS in China, Meech's journey reads like a dance world thriller.In this explosive conversation, Meech reveals the story behind TAP (The After Party), the events that define modern West Coast Swing, and why his generation literally had to "drag this community" toward the future while "pissing a lot of people off" in the process.You'll discover:The controversial invite-only club that launched modern WCS cultureHow a group of teenage dancers revolutionized an entire art formThe real story behind California's biggest dance scenes (spoiler: it's all Meech)What happened when WCS met Communist China for the first timeWhether you're a seasoned competitor or someone who just discovered WCS on social media, Meech's insights will change how you see this dance and its community. Plus, get the inside story on why TAP has become the event every dancer talks about.Tag @affinityswing and @meechwise to join the conversation!Dancers & Pros Mentioned:Ben Morris - Instagram: @benmorrisdanceJordan Frisbee - Instagram: @Jordancer98Tatiana Mollmann - Instagram: @tatianadwcsdanceKyle Redd & Sarah - Instagram: @kylesarah.wcsChuck Brown - Instagram: @chuckbrowndanceBenji Schwimmer - Instagram: @benjischwimmerSean McKeever - Instagram: @seanshiggityParker Dearborn - Instagram: @parker.dearbornPete Green - (Classic/early LA scene pioneer)Thibault Ramirez - Instagram: @thibault_ramirezTorri Zzaoui (formerly Smith) - Instagram: @MaximeandTorriNicole Ramirez (formerly Clonch) - Instagram: @nicrmzRJ Santino - Instagram: @arjaycentenoBrandy Guild - Instagram: @brandiguildJade Bryn - (San Diego scene)Jeff Wingo - Instagram: @therealjeffwingoHelen Tocco - (San Diego scene)Joel Torgeson - Instagram: @joeltorgesonLarisa Tingle - Instagram: @larisatingleConnor McClure - Instagram: @cmcmoveAidan Keith-Hynes - Instagram: @aidanwestcoastswingDavid Guido - (San Diego scene)Ryan Boz - Instagram: @heyimryryElizabeth Spann - Instagram: @lizzy.spannRachel Shook - Instagram: @Rachel.shakesSebastian Quinones - Instagram: @sqdanceJakub Jakoubek - Instagram: @jj.movesEmeline Rouchefeuille - Instagram: @em_rocMaxence Martin - Instagram: @maxlau_Brad Wendt - Instagram: @bradwendt21Classic Champions Mentioned:Phil Adams, Annie Hersh, Jack Carey, Charlotte and Wayne, Marion Nunez Event References:TAP (The After Party) - Co-founded by Chuck Brown and MeechAustin Rocks - Event now owned by MeechAtomic Ballroom/Swinging the Blues - Founded by Ben MorrisBlackout Friday - Co-founded by Meech and Carlos Reid