In this heart-warming and strategy-packed episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Inner Circle mentor and Los Angeles studio owner Jodi Shilling to talk about one of the toughest seasons for studio owners—the holidays. 
When attendance dips and families get busy, Jodi shares how she keeps her dancers coming back year after year through community, simplicity, and a little festive magic. 
From The Cracked Nut to pajama week, discover how to transform your December from stressful to joyful—and why "easy" might be your most powerful retention tool yet. 

What You'll Learn: 

• The honest truth about why holiday retention is always a challenge—and how to plan for it 

• Simple, high-impact ways to create festive fun inside class instead of adding more events 

• How to balance fun and technique without sacrificing progress 

• Why "everyone needs a break"—including your teachers—and how to lead with empathy 

• The difference between attendance gimmicks and genuine community-building 

• How mentoring and "big-little" programs turn students into lifelong team members 

• The "third-space" concept and how to make your studio a true safe haven 

• How anticipation, communication, and small delights boost year-round loyalty 

• Easy ideas like kindness bingo boards and grateful trees to reinforce gratitude and connection 

• Why retention isn't luck—it's leadership 
   

This episode is perfect for: 
Studio owners ready to trade holiday chaos for connection—and keep their dancers thriving into the new year. 

Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!