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Walk to work

Walk to work

By Greg Dyke

Thoughts about dance, music and teaching: blues, lindy hop, bal folk and other related topics
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Episode 21 - History of European Folk Dance (part 2)

Walk to workNov 15, 2018

00:00
21:09
Episode 80 - New Teaching Partner Checklist

Episode 80 - New Teaching Partner Checklist

Some things to think about when teaching dance with a new partner for the first time
Feb 08, 202025:22
Episode 79 - Are You Getting in Your Own Way?

Episode 79 - Are You Getting in Your Own Way?

How do we get in our own way. Why does it hold us back and how do we fix it?
Jan 17, 202022:30
Episode 78 - Doing nothing or not doing anything?

Episode 78 - Doing nothing or not doing anything?

Musings on the art of not doing anything, rather than doing nothing or doing something meaningless.

Jan 11, 202012:56
Episode 77 - "X is a racist"

Episode 77 - "X is a racist"

Describing someone as "racist" in a racist society is a bit meaningless. What can we do instead? (I don't actually have an answer to this one)
Jan 06, 202026:60
Episode 76 - How to solve a Rubik's Cube

Episode 76 - How to solve a Rubik's Cube

Anyone can figure out how to solve a Rubik's cube. It only takes 3 key insights to develop your own solution!
Dec 27, 201925:26
Episode 75 - Live music and the wall of sound

Episode 75 - Live music and the wall of sound

Blues dancers can probably learn to like (and even enjoy) live music sets with a low dynamic and rhythmic range
Dec 19, 201925:11
Episode 74 - Cats and Dance Journeys

Episode 74 - Cats and Dance Journeys

An extended metaphor to illustrate some of the difficulties of changing while being oneself. Featuring cats!
Nov 28, 201925:07
Episode 73 - Story Arcs and Partnering Styles (musings on teaching at Lil' Taste of Fusion)

Episode 73 - Story Arcs and Partnering Styles (musings on teaching at Lil' Taste of Fusion)

Jess and I taught at Lil' Taste of Fusion : 3h each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with blues on the first day and fusion the other two. We tried to give the weekend a focus, while also creating a story arc for each afternoon.
Nov 21, 201935:42
Episode 72 - Codes of conduct

Episode 72 - Codes of conduct

What purpose do codes of conduct serve, what should they include, how do they for into your organisation's wider safety strategy?
Nov 14, 201929:38
Episode 71 - Preparation Steps (and Anchor Steps)

Episode 71 - Preparation Steps (and Anchor Steps)

In response to Basil's questions. A bit about anchors and a lot about preps.
Nov 08, 201916:13
Episode 70 - When is it step step vs triple step?

Episode 70 - When is it step step vs triple step?

1) It doesn't matter much 2) it's simpler than you may think 3) why do we ask the question?
Oct 31, 201917:50
Episode 69 - Talking with Tara and Michael about their Experience Parenting Aroha (part 2)

Episode 69 - Talking with Tara and Michael about their Experience Parenting Aroha (part 2)

Tara  and Michael treat their daughter Aroha like a person (because she is  one). We discuss the language they prefer to use to discribe Aroha, the first time Michael met Aroha, elimination communication (also known as natural hygiene),  and the pressure or lack thereof that Tara and Michael put themselves under as parents.

Oct 25, 201928:28
Episode 68 - Talking with Tara and Michael about their Experience Parenting Aroha (part 1)

Episode 68 - Talking with Tara and Michael about their Experience Parenting Aroha (part 1)

Tara and Michael treat their daughter Aroha like a person (because she is one). We discuss how they encourage people to seek Aroha's consent before interacting with her, how they respond to Aroha's feelings if she is hurt or upset, the extent to which they allow the needs of a baby to impact their lives, the importance of co-parenting, and some of the strategies they use to understand and respond to Aroha's wants and needs.

Oct 09, 201930:32
Episode 67 - White Fragility Self Test
Oct 03, 201919:49
Episode 66 - Safer Spaces (part 2)

Episode 66 - Safer Spaces (part 2)

Why do we need to make our safer spaces intersectional? Why do dance spaces in particular need work to make spaces safer? What are the means by which we can go about making spaces safer?

Sep 26, 201919:23
Episode 65 - Safer Spaces (part 1)

Episode 65 - Safer Spaces (part 1)

Why do we need safer spaces? What kinds of issues are we trying to address?

Sep 19, 201922:40
Episode 64 - Talking with Stefanie Buller about Alexander Technique (part 2)
Sep 12, 201922:12
Episode 63 - Talking with Stefanie Buller about Alexander Technique (part 1)
Sep 05, 201927:04
Episode 62 - Talking with Catherine Palmier about Private Escapes
Aug 29, 201925:54
Episode 61 - Talking with Jenny Sowden about Be-Bluesed (part 2)

Episode 61 - Talking with Jenny Sowden about Be-Bluesed (part 2)

I sit down at Mountain Blues Camp to talk with Jenny Sowden about her experience teaching at Be-Bluesed (which I previously discussed in episodes 27-29 and 31)

Aug 22, 201926:26
Episode 60 - Talking with Jenny Sowden about Be-Bluesed (part 1)

Episode 60 - Talking with Jenny Sowden about Be-Bluesed (part 1)

I sit down at Mountain Blues Camp to talk with Jenny Sowden about her experience teaching at Be-Bluesed (which I previously discussed in episodes 27-29 and 31)

Aug 12, 201924:47
Episode 59 - Teacher activities and talking

Episode 59 - Teacher activities and talking

Discussion of different teacher activities borrowed from Kira Emslie and SwingStep, with a little extra in depth on the kinds of talking we do

Aug 08, 201919:41
Episode 58 - Cultural appropriation is a thing (part 4: ...and it's not about *you*)

Episode 58 - Cultural appropriation is a thing (part 4: ...and it's not about *you*)

More myths about cultural appropriation: a) sourcelanders and diaspora have different perceptions of racism and cultural appropriation b) the question is not "is lindy hop cultural appropriation?" (it is), but "how can we reduce the harm we are causing" and c) it's not about getting a "free pass". It's not about *you*

Aug 01, 201922:36
Episode 57 - Musical Notation and European Traditional Music

Episode 57 - Musical Notation and European Traditional Music

Semi-rant about how Western musical notation shapes our assumptions about what music "is".

Jul 26, 201920:17
Episode 56 - Guided Exploration of Postural Improvement

Episode 56 - Guided Exploration of Postural Improvement

Let's get physical! Explore how different approaches to posture have functional impact on your body.

Jul 18, 201918:27
Episode 55 - Talking with Samuel Tinguely about Posture

Episode 55 - Talking with Samuel Tinguely about Posture

We revisit my weak muscle chain fallacy episode to discuss how training muscles for strength and flexibility across their whole range of motion is key to postural improvement

Jul 11, 201918:43
Episode 54 - The Shoulder

Episode 54 - The Shoulder

The shoulder is very multifunctional and has surprisingly complex movement to help move the arms.

Jul 04, 201919:46
Episode 53 - Juneteenth

Episode 53 - Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a holiday to celebrate the end of slavery in the USA and commemorates the announcement of freedom of slaves in Texas on June 19th 1865.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Article on PBS “What is Juneteenth” https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/

What my father and juneteenth taught me about having Expectaitoins (Danielle C Belton) https://www.theroot.com/what-my-father-and-juneteenth-taught-me-about-having-e-1790855737

Juneteenth: Why Celebrate (Racism Review) by Jessie Daniels http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2017/06/19/juneteenth/

When Black Joy Has White Witnessesby Dominique Matti https://medium.com/@DominiqueMatti/when-black-joy-has-white-witnesses-23ba8e5a8e17

Juneteenth:  A RedSpot Day on the Texas Calendar in Juneteenth Texas: Essays in  African-American Folklore by William H Wiggins Jr https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yurNxrACxjQC&pg=PA251&lpg=PA251&dq=Juneteenth:+A+RedSpot+Day+on+the+Texas+Calendar&source=bl&ots=EUWbq1M6jU&sig=ACfU3U3LOynOUV_0wwDz2_qUqevPiGIRRA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwioxoa69vLiAhWEYsAKHeAhATIQ6AEwAXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=Juneteenth%3A%20A%20RedSpot%20Day%20on%20the%20Texas%20Calendar&f=false

Juneteenth – It’s always right to celebrate freedom Dr Charles Taylor (speech from 2004) http://drcharlestaylor.com/JuneteenthCelebrateFreedom.pdf

https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/juneteenth-celebration-meaning-explainer What Is Juneteenth, How Is It Celebrated, and Why Does It Matter? Jameelah Nasheed

Jun 27, 201934:54
Episode 52 - First Annual Review

Episode 52 - First Annual Review

A review of a year of podcasting.
Jun 21, 201919:25
Episode 51 - Cultural appropriation is a thing (part 3: three more myths about cultural appropriation)

Episode 51 - Cultural appropriation is a thing (part 3: three more myths about cultural appropriation)

In part 3 I cover a) "you can choose to be offended" b) "mixing of cultures is enrichment" and c) "This one Black person says it's OK" and "You're not black, so why should I listen to you?"

Jun 13, 201923:43
Episode 50 - You can't learn the same thing twice

Episode 50 - You can't learn the same thing twice

Musings about my experience with Alexander Technique and how the goal is not to find a new, better way, but get comfortable with always finding new ways.

Jun 06, 201917:35
Episode 49 - Turn taking, self-expression, self control (Part 4 - Black and White Styles in Conflict)

Episode 49 - Turn taking, self-expression, self control (Part 4 - Black and White Styles in Conflict)

Part 4 of a multi-part series about the book "Black and White Styles in   Conflict" by Thomas Kochman. This episode covers the third part of   describing classroom modalities of participation in Black American  culture - specifically how turn taking rules differ in black culture and how that relates to both self expression and self control.

May 30, 201925:20
Episode 48 - Struggle is necessary for discussion (Part 3 - Black and White Styles in Conflict)

Episode 48 - Struggle is necessary for discussion (Part 3 - Black and White Styles in Conflict)

Part 3 of a multi-part series about the book "Black and White Styles in  Conflict" by Thomas Kochman. This episode covers the second part of  describing classroom modalities of participation in Black American  culture - specifically how struggle is an important component in a good discussion and carries expectations of how to be a responsible discussion participant.

May 23, 201922:06
Episode 47 - Grounding

Episode 47 - Grounding

Grounding is a physical and mental state that can be used for practical and aesthetic purposes. I talk more specifically about what (psycho-)physical grounding is.
May 16, 201920:14
Episode 46 - Cultural appropriation is a thing (part 2: myths about cultural appropriation)

Episode 46 - Cultural appropriation is a thing (part 2: myths about cultural appropriation)

Myths? Poorly thought out arguments? Let's talk about them!

May 09, 201930:33
Episode 45 - Cultural Appropriation is a thing (part 1)

Episode 45 - Cultural Appropriation is a thing (part 1)

Fueled by recent events, I discuss why cultural appropriation is a thing and how it relates to racism and colonialism.

May 02, 201923:38
Episode 44 - Flow: more on leads being intimidated by follows

Episode 44 - Flow: more on leads being intimidated by follows

Bringing together the idea of flow, male leads being intimidated by women follows (and black american gender roles)

Apr 26, 201919:38
Episode 43 - Black debate is mistaken for hostility (Part 2 - Black and White Styles in Conflict)

Episode 43 - Black debate is mistaken for hostility (Part 2 - Black and White Styles in Conflict)

Part 2 of a multi-part series about the book "Black and White Styles in Conflict" by Thomas Kochman. This episode covers the first part of describing classroom modalities of participation in Black American culture - specifically how argument for persuasion and argument for venting of hostility are considered different by Black people but not recognised by White people.

Apr 18, 201916:50
Episode 42 - Recognition of Black Culture (Part 1 - Black and White Styles in Conflict)

Episode 42 - Recognition of Black Culture (Part 1 - Black and White Styles in Conflict)

Part 1 of a multi-part series about the book "Black and White Styles in Conflict" by Thomas Kochman. This episode covers the introduction and the recognition of Black american culture as a African-derived culture in its own right, not merely an inferior version of White culture.

Apr 12, 201925:03
Episode 41 - Combining teaching of blues idiom dances and partnering technique

Episode 41 - Combining teaching of blues idiom dances and partnering technique

Why I no longer want to teach partnering technique in isolation/out of context. A podcast version of http://gregdyke.github.io/2017/12/08/combining-idiom-dance-technique.html

Apr 04, 201920:55
Episode 40 - Dance Learner Psychographics

Episode 40 - Dance Learner Psychographics

I borrow the idea of psychographic profiles from Magic The Gathering design, where Tammy/Timmy, Jenny/Johnny and Spike describe the player who likes to win big, the player who likes to win quirky and the player who likes to win often. MTG card designers often checklist that they have cards that appeal to each profile, and I think dance classes could be checklisted in a similar way (assuming we could come up with a good set of psycographics for dancer learners)

Mar 28, 201924:05
Episode 39 - How to Lead and Follow Anything

Episode 39 - How to Lead and Follow Anything

Leading is moving our body. Following is tracking our lead's body and moving our body in a way that matches somehow. This breaks down into weight/axis shifts, steps and pivots, and shaping (and giving resilience to a shape)
Mar 21, 201918:19
Episode 38 - Dancing on the Head of a Femur

Episode 38 - Dancing on the Head of a Femur

"How do I know if I'm on my femur heads?". I was asked this question in a private and have some answers, including what femur heads are and why we would want to be on them.

Mar 15, 201930:08
Episode 37 - Posture and the Weak Muscle Chain Fallacy

Episode 37 - Posture and the Weak Muscle Chain Fallacy

Postural issues are often diagnosed as "x muscle chain is too weak/loose and y muscle chain is too strong/tight". But this is typically the symptom, not the root cause. We also shouldn't try to fix postural issues by "holding" a given posture as it's not feasible and will hinder breathing, balance and movement. 

Mar 07, 201919:32
Episode 36 - Men are not actually interested in having awesome dances ...

Episode 36 - Men are not actually interested in having awesome dances ...

... they are interested in having dances where they are seen as awesome! This explains why followers get less popular as they improve whereas leaders get more popular. (It's also both clickbait, and the ego shadow of who we fear to be)

Mar 01, 201921:60
Episode 35 - Blues Idiom Dances

Episode 35 - Blues Idiom Dances

Blues dance is an umbrella term covering a multitude of blues idiom dances. What are they, and how are they relevant?

Feb 21, 201925:25
Episode 34 - Perceptions of dance vs gender roles

Episode 34 - Perceptions of dance vs gender roles

Although dance roles don't have to be related to gender, in mainstream culture they are. Seeing how men (those who are also primary leads) perform "following" may tell us what they think it means to be feminine (and vice versa).

Feb 15, 201913:42
Episode 33 - Why race is relevant to blues and lindy hop

Episode 33 - Why race is relevant to blues and lindy hop

1) Because black people tell us it is! 2) Because there are reasons these dances are no longer popular with black people. 3) Because without understanding black values and their ties to oppression, these dances don't make sense.

Feb 08, 201937:50
Episode 32 - BE-BLUESED part 5 (lessons learned for teaching)

Episode 32 - BE-BLUESED part 5 (lessons learned for teaching)

Last in the 5 part series. More lessons learned and wrapup!

Feb 01, 201923:58
Episode 31 - BE-BLUESED part 4 (lessons learned - teaching team)

Episode 31 - BE-BLUESED part 4 (lessons learned - teaching team)

The first set of lessons learned from be-bluesed is that the format works, especially if you have a great teaching team

Jan 25, 201917:08