TW: Sexual assault In the final episode of Season 2, Honza Pelichovský interviews Jess to follow up on last week's solo episode. Jess shares: The three changes she believes dance programs can make to improve the lives and careers of their dancers Advice and loving words that she would tell my younger self Whether or not she would take back her traumatic experience because of how it’s shaped her How she feels about publicly sharing her story and the healing that it has offered Her favorite parts of making this podcast (and more about her endless gratitude…) @storyprojectpod⁠ ⁠@jessaltch⁠ ⁠jessicaaltchiler.com⁠ Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support

In this solo episode, Jessica Altchiler dives into her personal journey and the evolution of The Story Project podcast. She reflects on her experiences, sharing anecdotes from her college years that shaped her perspective and fueled her passion for storytelling. Jessica recounts a pivotal moment in her life — her experience with sexual assault — and candidly discusses the profound impact it had on her. She goes on to share how the Me Too Movement influenced her and highlights the power of collective voices in fostering awareness and driving change. @storyprojectpod @jessaltch jessicaaltchiler.com Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support

Jenna Ushkowitz is a SAG and Tony Award Winning Actress & Producer, voice actor and Podcast host. She is known for her role as Tina Cohen-Chang on the Fox TV show Glee and has appeared in Broadway shows such as The King & I, Spring Awakening and Waitress.  In today’s episode, Jenna discusses the beauty and pain that came from Glee, how she learned to separate her worth from her career, and the fear and confidence that comes from pursuing new opportunities.  She also shares how motherhood has reconnected her with her desires, how she learned to effectively and respectfully advocate for herself, and how sharing our stories helps us all feel less alone. Follow along on Jenna’s journey: @jennaushkowitz Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support

Lisann Valentin, an established film and television Actor, a New York Times Best Selling Author, and Certified Spiritual Coach guiding creatives into personal transformation. From hit shows like Manifest, Narcos, and The Blacklist, to the New York Times best-selling anthology Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It, Lisann captivates audiences and readers with her raw vulnerability and empowering wisdom.  In today’s episode, Lisann shares her journey of self-exploration, authenticity, and reconnecting with spiritual roots, how she allows her heart’s calling to dictate the medium of expression, and the importance of honoring the union of all parts of oneself.  She also discusses her creative process and embodying characters as an actor, what she offers as a spiritual coach, and how we can be grounded in the present moment.  Follow along on Lisann’s journey: @lisannvalentin Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support

Kaia Goodenough is a freelance curator, writer and facilitator in London, particularly interested in interdisciplinary and collaboratively embodied practices. Kaia originally trained as a contemporary dancer at London Studio Centre and her choreography has been performed at Lillian Bayliss, Sadlers Wells, DanceEast, Battersea Arts Centre, The Place and the Point, and Eastleigh. She recently studied at the Royal College of Art graduating with a Masters in curating contemporary Art. In today’s episode, Kaia discusses how she took her complicated relationship with dance and worked to reclaim it as her own, how being a dancer influences her art, producing, and curation, and the beauty of dancing explicitly to have a good time.  She also shares how having her work funded was the least creative she’s ever been, how the choreographic project empowering students led to her never being asked to return,  and how she explores femininity and womanhood through movement. Follow along on Kaia’s journey: kaiagoodenough.co.uk Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support

Lee Hubilla is an actor whose performances have graced the screen on Law & Order: SVU, Dash & Lily, and FBI: Most Wanted and on the stage at The Magnet, The PIT, and Ars Nova. She was an acting mentee under Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab and had a writing mentorship under Giant Leap’s inaugural accelerator program. In today’s episode, Lee and Jessica discuss the deeper rewards and empowerment that came from chopping their hair, the impact of dance on identity and self-perception, and the process of reconnecting with your body after trauma.  Lee shares how she transitioned from dancer to actor and writer, what she learned from taking conscious breaks from her chosen crafts, and how to embrace the messiness of life.  Follow along on Lee’s journey: @butactuallee Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support

Lexi Garcia-Toye is a distinguished dancer currently enchanting audiences with the Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida. She previously performed in Broadway's "Hamilton," the touring productions of "Finding Neverland" and "Hamilton," as well as "Mamma Mia" at The Fireside Theater, "Whiskeyland" at the Orlando Fringe Festival, and "Le Cirque Bijou" on Norwegian Cruise Line.  In today’s episode, Lexi talks about the onset and recovery of her eating disorder, her magical connection to Finding Neverland, and her experience auditioning and performing in Hamilton.   She also discusses how the COVID pandemic altered the course of her life for the better, the difficulties and joys of working at Magic Kingdom, and how she is grateful and excited for the uncertainty of the future.  Follow along on Lexi’s journey: @lexi_toye Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support

In today’s conversation, Thomas Hodges bravely shares his journey through the past six months of sobriety. He shares the impact it has had on his creative process, how we can become curious about toxic cycles and what no longer serves us, and what challenges have arose thus far.   Thomas and Jessica discuss the power of creating art from the feelings you are currently struggling with, the ability for artists to create meaningful connections and impact other people’s lives through their work, and one surefire way to get yourself to write a cabaret.  *Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠! About Thomas Hodges: Thomas Hodges is an award-winning composer and educator who received the 2018 Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation Grant and The Anna Sosenko Assist Grant for his musical Sonata 1962, which won the 2018 New York Musical Festival Award for “Outstanding Musical Arrangements and Orchestrations.'' His musical Underground was part of the 2019 NYMF Reading Series and he was most recently the Developmental Music Consultant for Life Jacket Theatre’s The Gorgeous Nothings. Thomas’s score for Dear Harvey (Playscripts Inc.) has had 50 international productions, 3 language translations, earned him a commendation from the City of San Diego, and an award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. His Commissions include The Harvey Milk Foundation, Diversionary Theatre, and Borough of Manhattan Community College.  In addition to performing his album release “Time Travelers” at Joes Pub, he’s performed across the country at notable venues including The Kennedy Center, California Center for the Arts, and 54 Below. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support

Ramita Ravi is a startup founder and artist. She is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator with Bloc Talent Agency NY/LA. As a dancer, she’s worked on John Oliver and NYFW, and was one of the first South Asian dancers on So You Think You Can Dance and in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Ramita’s choreography credits include Coachella, Miss America, and Lincoln Center. She is the co-founder of Artswrk - a tech platform that connects artists with flexible work. She is passionate about representation, equity, and innovation in the arts.  In today’s episode, Ramita discusses the empowerment that comes with being a multi-hyphenate artist and entrepreneur, the importance of exploring multiple avenues of both employment and fulfillment, and how the company she built aims to disrupt the financial struggles that artist’s face. She also shares what it means to be one of the first South Asian artists performing and choreographing in multiple spaces, the most empowering choreographers and directors she’s worked with, and what she’s most interested in diving into next.  Follow along on Ramita’s journey: @ramita.ravi Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support

Honza is a professional dancer who traveled across the country as the Dance Captain on the Dirty Dancing National Tour and the Fiddler on the Roof National Tour. He’s performed with numerous dance companies in New York City and is now living in Charlotte, NC with his partner and puppy, where he is navigating the next stage of his career.  In today’s episode, Honza shares the struggles in balancing personal and professional goals, how he chases his dreams while leaving room for those dreams to evolve, and his relationship with the natural craving for positive reinforcement as an artist.  Honza and Jess discuss how success is defined by the individual, how navigating auditions requires finding a balance between authenticity and standing out, the challenges that comes with living in the United States as an artist (including visa limitations and financial constraints), and the hope that conversations and storytelling have the power to create change.  (Part 2 of 2) TW: Brief mention of sexual assault. Follow along on Honza’s journey: @honzapelichovsky Transcript available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storyproject/support