Pivot Ball Change

This week we sit down with Kysa Douglas, a perinatal nurse turned entrepreneur. Kysa is the creative mama of three who has over ten years of nursing experience and she has used that to developed two of her own businesses. She provides safe, positive birth experiences through Bump & Co. and she also provides legal nurse consulting through her other business; Douglas LNC. Kysa does not shy away from talking about the not so commonly talked about things of birth and postpartum in this episode. She even opens up about her own postpartum journey and how she struggled with anxiety and depression. Kysa talks with us about how she utilized the care of a natural path doctor to help her feel like her normal self again. If you are pregnant or in your early postpartum days, mama, this episode is for you. If you are further along in your journey, maybe you know a newer mama that could benefit from listening to this episode. We'd love for you to tag both @bumpnco and @pivotballchange and share this episode in your Instagram stories! Meet Kysa bumpnco.com Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram pivotballchange.com This episode was brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression sock.

This week we sit down with Gina McFadden, a former professional ballerina turned author. She is also the mama to two girls and runs her own online business. Gina talks with us about how she manages to find the time to write a book as a mama. She has also developed several of her own online courses for dancers that focus on the mind, body, and soul.  Gina shares how she utilized Instagram as a platform to help her get recognized by agents for her upcoming book; Dancer 360. To learn more about Gina be sure to visit her website; dancer-360.com. Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram.

Misty Lown is a fellow Wisconsinite and a powerhouse in the dance world. She is also the mama to five kiddos and is the connector between myself and the women of Apolla; our sponsor for this season. If you want to hear from a truly inspiring woman who has followed her passion, started her own business, written a book, and raised a beautiful family, don't miss this episode! As artists we can be so misunderstood sometimes. This week, we sat down with the incredible Misty Lown to talk about how she felt misunderstood when she started her own creative business, Misty’s Dance Unlimited, over 20 years ago. Since then Misty has gone on to create and own several small businesses. She shares how in each scenario she took something she was already doing and turned it into a profitable endeavor. Misty talks about how left-brained creatives are oftentimes misunderstood to not be able to do the more right-brained sides of business. When in reality it is just translating something like choreography, which is very systematic, into accounting! Misty is the author of the Amazon #1 Bestseller, One Small Yes, where she writes about keeping her sanity while raising a family of five and following her calling. In our conversation she gets vulnerable about the moment where she almost gave it all up. Tune in to hear about the next big adventure Misty is embarking on! Visit mistylown.com to learn more. This episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression sock. Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram.

In week two of three of our "Greatest Hits'' series we are featuring our episode from season one with Erin Kiley Rogers. Erin is a dear friend of mine who is the mama to three beautiful little girls. One of my favorite memories growing up with Erin is dancing similar roles in Madison Ballet's Nutcracker and we get together each year to attend the live show still to this day. Enjoy this very special episode.  Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a baby in a European country? Then this week's episode is for you! Erin Kiley Rogers, stay-at-home mom of three and marketing consultant, shares what it was like to have her first child in the Netherlands compared to her second two children in the United States. She is a former professional dancer who worked at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Erin shares some behind-the-scenes information on what it was like working at the most magical place on Earth! Erin's story is interesting, intriguing, and insightful. She'll leave you wanting more!  This episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression sock.  

This is one of our favorite episodes from season one so we are featuring it again this week in our special "Greatest Hits" three week series. If you missed this one, be sure to tune in! Genevieve Custer Weeks, Tutu School founder, shares her insights on balancing a professional ballet career, starting her own creative business, and being a present mom. Genevieve dives deep into the benefits of having a business coach, as an artist, and why perfectionism doesn't always lead to great art. Hear Genevieve's story about how her husband encouraged her to take the plunge into entrepreneurship and find out where she is headed next in the world of ballet! This episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression sock.

This week we are celebrating one year of Pivot Ball Change! Somedays it feels like it has gone by in the blink of an eye, while other days... not so much ;) I am sharing my biggest takeaways from being in the podcasting industry so far. 1.Consistency is key. Be sure to release your podcast episodes on the same day of the week and at the same time of day every day. 2. It’s okay to take a break. I took a break from releasing new episodes every Monday this summer. It was honestly the refresher I needed to come back energized for season two! 3. Don’t let disappointments stop you. Stay persistent. Just because you hear no once, it doesn't mean that is the final answer. 4. Numbers matter but so does strategy. I share how I was able to monetize my podcast in a few different ways with small downloads and a quaint social media audience.  5. It’s okay to go off script. Some of the best interviews I've had so far are the ones that aren't so buttoned up. 6. The pendulum swing.  The highs and lows of entrepreneurship are real. These feelings are normal! 7. People want to hear your side of the story. Even if you have an interview based podcast, throw in a few solo episodes. Your audience wants to hear what you have to say, too! 8. Thinking outside the box. The key here is to create opportunities for yourself that otherwise wouldn't exist. Focus on what IS possible versus what is not. 9. Use pencil! Don't ever think things are concrete in the world of podcasting. Stay flexible and be willing to #pivotballchange ;) 10. You really can teach yourself how to do anything. I share a very personal story about my education background that I still feel insecure about at times. This week's episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression socks. Listen to episode 28 with Bri & Kaycee from Apolla. Listen to episode 22 with Emily Weber on the pendelum swing. Listen to episode 11 with my husband, Travis. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram.  

When Brooke Taylor Luminelli first became a mama she tried to do it all. Brooke was trying to run her businesses and be a full-time stay at home mama as well. She quickly realized that wasn't possible. Brooke owns not one, not two, but FIVE Tutu Schools in California. She is also my childhood ballet bestie. In this week's episode Brooke shares how she went on to perform at Disney Tokyo after college and what that pivot was like. She also goes into details on how teaching ballet has become a creative outlet for her in the current phase of motherhood she is in.  This week's episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression sock. Be sure to enter PIVOT10 at checkout for a discount. Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram.

Have you ever thought about taking the leap from your corporate job to pursue your creative outlet full-time? Then let this week's episode with Hayley Novak of BEV BART Designs be your inspiration. Hayley is the mama of two littles who considers herself a full time stay at home working mom. She explains how her now full time gig as CEO of her own creative business started as a side hustle. Hayley also talks about how she pivoted her business from originally focusing on wedding invitations to now primarily doing digital illustrations. Making the choice to leave a “safe” corporate job is a major decision that involves your whole family. Hayley shares what it was like to have several conversations with her partner about how this dream of hers could, and did, become a reality. You too can make your creative pursuits a full time career. Tune in to learn how Hayley did just that! This week's episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression sock. Enter PIVOT10 at checkout for a discount.

Do you show your body gratitude? This week we talk with registered dietician Sammie Gollup of @anti.diet.mama about how we can shift to a more positive outlook on our own bodies. Sammie is the mama to two littles, a wife, a former collegiate rower, and is in the transition phase of pivoting from a corporate dietician job to her own private practice full-time. Sammie talks about how her and her husband set a deadline of when this change would happen and how it is going to allow her to better serve herself, her family, and her dreams. We also chat about the impact that alcohol can have on our abilities to make smart, intuitive eating decisions and how there is this “mommy wine” culture that can create a toxic cycle of drinking wine at night to relax ourselves but then being even more tired when we wake up. If you’ve ever had body image issues yourself and are looking for ways to help raise your own littles to not suffer from these same struggles, you’re not going to want to miss this one! This week’s episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world’s best compression sock.

Krystle here. This week I share a very personal story about my own struggles with body image. If you are a mama that grew up in the dance world of any realm then I know you will be able to relate to several of my stories. Unfortunately body image issues started for me at the very young age of 12 but it wasn't until I was 30 years old that I reflected back on my journey and realized that it was a lot more serious than I thought. Entering the world of motherhood was also a vulnerable time for me. I share how I was worried about slipping back into my old ways of obsessing over food, calories, and weight gain.  Being a professional performing artist can be so demanding both mentally and physically. If you've struggled through a similar journey with your own body image issues, then tune in!  This week's episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression socks. Enter PIVOT10 at check out for a discount. For an exclusive discount on our podcast management services, be sure to join our email list. Visit pivotballchange.com to find out more.

This week we're talking with Monica Ellison, of Create Your Dance Life. Monica is a former professional dancer who currently owns two dance businesses with her husband and has recently rededicated herself to dance by dancing every single day. In this episode Monica shares her journey of transitioning from New York City to Chattanooga, Tennessee. She speaks on how moving from a thriving arts scene to a nearly obsolete one can be both rough and rewarding at the same time. Monica is the mama of three boys and talks about the current season of motherhood she is in. Although she is busy running her boys to and from activities, she has still found a way to dance every single day for nearly two years! It not only has become a way for her to check in with her body but has also been the means to fulfill her creative side. If you are an adult dancer who is trying to get back into the swing of things, be sure to follow Monica on Instagram or visit her website to find out more information. This episode is brought to you by Apolla Performance Wear; the all-female owned company that produces the world's best compression socks.  Be sure to join our email list for more!

Have you ever let comparison hold you back from doing something you truly love? Comparison is the thief of joy. This week we talk with Kat Herro from Pursuing HER Purpose about how she has learned to overcome imposter syndrome. Kat is the cofounder of TTC Society, The YES & Co., and now Pursuing HER Purpose. She is also a wife and mother of two little girls. Through many pivots in her career she eventually ended up as COO of a multi million dollar online business before jumping into entrepreneurship herself.  Throughout the episode we talk about what it’s like to own your own small business, how parenting can create lots of challenges and opportunities at the same time, and how we both agree that podcasting is an underrated creative outlet. Tune in to hear more about Kat’s business, Pursuing HER Purpose and how it can help you get started in your own creative pursuits! This week’s episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world’s best compression sock.

This week we introduce you to Maggie Schneider of Hilltop Help. Maggie has been very busy behind the scenes at Pivot Ball Change. All of the episodes you’ve heard so far this season have been edited by Maggie! Maggie shares details on how she and I met, how she considers herself more of an integrator and what that means, and what she offers as part of her small business. Maggie is the mama to two littles, a nurse, and has recently started her own virtual assistant business. Hear all about how starting this creative side hustle of hers has reinvigorated her and helped put a new pep in her step! This episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world’s best compression sock.

Allie Karagozian of Holding Both comes to us this week on her experience with infertility and miscarriage. She is the mama of two, a wife, and an occupational therapist based out of Chicago. Allie's journey to motherhood is uniquely beautiful in its own way. In this episode she dives into the methods that her family used to conceive their children and the challenges that go along with. Tune in to hear about Allie's journey as a creative and how she has used writing as a therapeutic way to help her cope. Even if you yourself aren't going through an infertility journey, Allie shares some tips on how to best support a loved one who might be going through something similar. Today's episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression sock.

Co-founders of Present Not Perfect, Emily Enstad and Abbie Pabon, come to us this week to share how they used their strengths as mamas to help them get their creative business up and running as well. Emily is an art therapist, licensed professional counselor and now a mama to three boys while Abbie is an elementary school special education teacher and a mama to two daughters. Together they founded Present Not Perfect; a business that provides accessible and tangible resources for families to incorporate mental wellness topics at home. They sell art and sensory play kits that can be used to teach early social and emotional learning skills. Emily and Abbie have been friends since high school and have since reconnected in motherhood. In this episode they share the story of how the success of their business happened a lot faster than expected, how their children help inspire creativity, and the things that each of them is trying to get back into (hint; dance is one!). This week's episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression socks.

Caitlin is a former professional ballerina, the CEO and founder of The Brainy Ballerina, and is currently on staff at The School of Madison Ballet. She talks with us about how once she became a mama her time no longer felt like her own anymore. She shares how being a mama during the pandemic got her into a routine of not asking for help and how she has since shifted into a mindset of recognizing and asking for help sooner. Caitlin shares details on the resources she provides with The Brainy Ballerina including a mini-course called "The College Dance Decision." This course was created to help dancers decide whether or not they want to go to college as a dance major or if they want to pursue the auditioning and professional route first. Caitlin's wisdom and perspectives as a creative artist shine brightly throughout this episode. She even shares her advice on how getting back to the basics can help you tap into your creative self gain.  Follow Caitlin on Instagram and check out her website for all of her offerings! This week's episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression socks. 

As a bonus episode to episode 31, host Krystle Frey shares more details on her journey with secondary infertility. She shares how as of recently her and her husband have been trying for over two years to have a second child. You'll hear where they are at in their journey and what is next for them at this point. If you've struggled with pregnancy loss or infertility, Krystle hopes that by sharing her own personal story you will feel less alone in your journey.

In the most vulnerable episode so far, host Krystle Frey shares her experience with secondary infertility. With October being infertility awareness month, Krystle hopes that by sharing her story she can help other mamas who might be going through, or have gone through something similar feel seen and heard. Pregnancy loss is such a silent, invisible burden to carry. We as women go through so many unseen circumstances. Yet we carry ourselves beautifully and show up unfazed to the outside world. Trying to conceive can be a long, burdening journey for some. If you too are going through this journey, I feel you and see you. This week's episode is brought to you by Apolla; the world's best compression socks. 

So much goodness in this episode! Bri Zborowski and Kaycee Jones join us to share about their company Apolla. Apolla is an all women owned company that makes the best compression socks in the world. Both Bri and Kaycee are mamas, from the dance world, and have such entrepreneurial spirits. Hear these women share their inspiring story of how they pitched their idea on Shark Tank! Tune in to hear whether or not they got a deal! Bri and Kaycee also share juicy details on how the filming, producing, and airing of Shark Tank actually works. You’ll be surprised to hear how big of a time gap there was from shooting their episode to it actually being on TV. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @pivotballchange. This week's episode is brought to you by Apolla - the world's best compression sock. Visit apollaperformance.com to get your own pair!

Welcome back! Today we are officially launching season two of the Pivot Ball Change podcast. Host Krystle Frey shares behind the scenes details on what we've been up to all summer including bringing another team member onboard, making a huge career pivot, and how we booked our first official sponsor! Tune in to hear the details about what you can expect from upcoming episodes in season two, what Krystle wishes she would've done differently when starting this podcast, and some transparent download numbers that might surprise you. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @pivotballchange. This week's episode is brought to you by Apolla - the world's best compression sock. Visit apollaperformance.com to get your own pair!