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Dear Dance Mom...
Mom Hacks: Life as a Dance Mom
In this episode, the moms share their best tips and tricks for surviving life as a dance mom! They share how they organized costumes, prepped for competitions, and stayed sane.
But first, they catch up. Jill is taking care of her mother, Kelly just had surgery and Melissa is getting ready to head back to Pittsburgh.
A Speakpipe question leads them to discuss the body shaming that was done on Dance Moms. How did they feel about it, how did the girls handle it and what are the lasting impacts?
Have a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!
Hey everyone! We want to hear from you! To make sure we’re delivering the content you love and shaping the show in the best way possible, we’ve put together a super quick survey. It’ll only take a few minutes, and your feedback will help us make the show even better. Whether you’ve been listening from the start or just discovered us, your opinion matters. http://bit.ly/deardancemom-survey
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Melissa’s a Brat, Kelly’s Dress Is Missing & Jill’s Watching Pair Skating
01:00:00|This week, Melissa, Jill and Kelly are in full wedding prep mode — except there’s just one tiny problem: Kelly still doesn’t have a dress and Brooke’s wedding is NEXT WEEK. Panic levels? High. Alteration options? Questionable.As the glam plans roll in (nails, hair, makeup schedules — the works), they reveal that Brooke may be the most prepared bride of all time… complete with a full PowerPoint presentation for the bridal party. Yes, really. From timelines to seating charts, she’s running this wedding like a board meeting and we’re honestly impressed.Meanwhile, the moms are counting down the days until they can escape the freezing weather, binge-watching the Olympic Games, and obsessively tracking Team USA’s medal count. Jill, in particular, has entered her professional commentator era thanks to her full-blown pair skating obsession. And of course, we get into the Dance Moms tea. A listener asks the big question:Were Maddie — or any of the kids — actually brats in Season 1 of Dance Moms… or was it all editing?Plus, Melissa addresses the viral clip where she says she “doesn’t know what it feels like to lose.” Was that real brat energy… or producer manipulation? Have a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!Join us on Patreon for video, exclusive content, live chats and more! https://www.patreon.com/deardancemom
Florida Bound With Full Hearts: A Wedding Countdown!
01:04:55|Jill, Melissa, and Kelly are back together for a heartfelt catch-up that feels like sitting at the kitchen table with old friends. The episode kicks off with Melissa gushing about her new puppy and sharing how this little bundle of joy has unexpectedly helped her heal in the best way. As they chat, excitement builds around Brooke’s upcoming wedding. Brooke is already in Florida getting settled, Kelly is deep wedding mode and can’t believe the day is finally here after months of preparation, and Jill is counting down the days until everyone’s together. Paige, meanwhile, is living her best life in Milan for the Olympics, which sparks a bigger conversation about how surreal and grateful they all feel for the opportunities that came their way because of Dance Moms.Kelly shares some behind-the-scenes wedding details—including the shocking moment she found out Brooke’s venue required outdoor bathrooms… with a $15,000 price tag 😳—and what it’s like opening up her Florida home to family and friends for such a special weekend.The conversation turns reflective as the women look back on the Dance Moms years: juggling intense schedules and somehow holding their families together through chaos, pressure, and cameras. How did they manage it all? Have a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!
Cold Weather, Hot Tea & Brooke’s Birthday
01:02:57|Jill, Melissa, and Kelly are back catching up on everything—starting with the brutal cold weather hitting close to home and the wild Tennessee ice storms where trees were literally exploding. The moms share a sweet update on Riley and how her pregnancy is going, plus Jill’s upcoming trip to visit and help get the nursery ready.They dive into thoughts on paid paternity leave for dads, obsess over how cute (and stylish!) pregnancy clothes are these days, and then shift gears into sports talk—because Pittsburgh is having a moment with the Penguins officially back in the win column.The moms talk about escaping the winter weather and heading to Florida to celebrate Brooke’s wedding. They also attempt—attempt being the key word—to wrap their heads around the Blake Lively and Taylor Swift text message drama… and quickly admit they’re very confused but have plenty of opinions anyway!Join us on Patreon for video, exclusive content, live chats and more! https://www.patreon.com/deardancemomHave a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!
Dance Moms Reunite—Wedding Showers & Winter Weather
53:16|Snowed in and stuck inside, Jill, Melissa, and Kelly settle in to talk all things winter weather—how they prep for storms, ride out snow days, and keep their sanity when everything shuts down ❄️The conversation turns nostalgic as they recap the recent Dance Moms reunion at Brooke’s wedding shower. From the guest list to the tiniest details, the moms share how Brooke’s perfectionist side shined through, with every element thoughtfully planned and beautifully executed.The episode also takes a heartfelt turn as the moms offer advice to listeners in their 20s who are still finding their footing—navigating heartbreak, growing pains, and the uncertainty that comes with figuring life out. Real mom advice, no pyramid required.Melissa opens up about the recent loss of her puppy, sharing her belief that although the puppy was sick when she received her, she was an angel sent to her—meant to be loved deeply, even if only for a short time.Join us on Patreon for video, exclusive content, live chats and more! https://www.patreon.com/deardancemomHave a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!
Showers, Puppy Love & Black-and-Gold Blues
57:27|The moms are catching up! Jill, Melissa, and Kelly are covering everything from family milestones to pop culture and sports. They recap Riley’s baby shower—where Jill had plenty of input—and look ahead to Brooke’s upcoming bridal shower, with Kelly officially on deck next.The conversation takes a turn to football as they break down the Steelers’ tough playoff loss and share their thoughts on what the team needs to do moving forward. Melissa gives an update on Maddie and Kenzie’s upcoming movies, and introduces the newest member of the family: an adorable new puppy named Penny Lane.Plus, the moms chat about how this generation seems to eat so much healthier than they did, how their kids’ habits have changed over the years, and even tackle the all-important question—what do you wear to the theater these days? Join us on Patreon for video, exclusive content, live chats and more! https://www.patreon.com/deardancemomHave a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!
Baby Showers, Bridal Showers & the Reality of Raising Kids on Camera
01:12:41|This week, Melissa, Jill, and Kelly are catching up on life’s biggest moments—both joyful and challenging. From prepping for Brooke’s bridal shower to getting ready for Riley’s baby shower, the moms share what it’s like celebrating major milestones while juggling everyday responsibilities. Kelly opens up about not feeling her best, and the conversation turns to making healthier choices in the new year, including how they approach nutrition and using supplements to help fill in the gaps when life gets busy.The moms also reflect on their time on Dance Moms and the real struggles of being on the road—how exhausting it was for both them and their kids, and how that lifestyle affected family dynamics. They dive into one of the hardest topics: discipline under pressure. What was it really like trying to parent and correct behavior while cameras were rolling and other kids were watching?They talk about the balancing act of discipline and empathy, especially when a child lashed out or showed attitude because of stress, exhaustion, or what they were going through emotionally. Join us on Patreon for video, exclusive content, live chats and more! https://www.patreon.com/deardancemomHave a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!
Still Moms, Even When They’re Grown
57:50|In this episode, Jill, Kelly, and Melissa ease into the new year together as they officially say goodbye to Christmas and reflect on what this season of life looks like now. They talk about the pressure of social media, “if you don’t post it, did it even happen?” mentality, and why sometimes living in the moment matters more than sharing it.Even though their kids are grown, the moms laugh about how they’re still very much needed—proved in real time when each of them gets FaceTime calls from their kids during the podcast. Melissa opens up about still struggling with the trauma of losing her dog, the complicated feelings of anger and grief that come with it.... all while debating whether she’s ready to welcome another dog into her life.The conversation also turns reflective as the moms discuss confidence—whether they ever struggled with it themselves, and how it showed up for the girls on Dance Moms. Join us for video, exclusive content, live chats and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deardancemom Have a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!
Post-Christmas Burnout, Pittsburgh Storms & Dance Moms Truths
55:52|A Pittsburgh storm sets the scene as Melissa and Kelly deal with WiFi issues while Jill happily declares Christmas officially over—at least until next year. The moms are exhausted but full of stories as they recap everything they did post-Christmas, from gift returns and holiday cleanup to the big question: when is it actually acceptable to take the tree down?They share their love for seeing The Nutcracker and why New York City at Christmas will always have their hearts. Then, the conversation turns to Dance Moms behind-the-scenes truths—who really came up with the routines, how much input producers had, and how many dances were reused from before the show even began.Join us on Patreon for video and even more exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/deardancemomHave a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!
Christmas Cheer, Dance Moms Drama & Moving Forward
01:08:06|The holidays are here, and Jill, Melissa, and Kelly are bringing the cheer 🎄✨ In this festive episode, the moms reflect on spreading kindness this season and look back on their time on Dance Moms—including whether they have any regrets about the fights they got into along the way. They share how their perspectives have changed since the show and what they’ve learned over the years.Kelly recaps her recent trip to Mexico, including an unforgettable night seeing Lionel Richie with Paige—where Paige surprised herself by knowing way more songs than she expected. The conversation turns cozy as they talk about hosting Christmas with family, holiday traditions, and the chaos of holiday grocery shopping. Melissa also shares a wonderful story about blessing a waitress and gifting someone in need, reminding everyone what the season is really about. From heartfelt moments to lighthearted laughs, this episode is all about reflection, gratitude, and holiday fun. 🎁🎶Join us for more exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/c/deardancemomHave a question for the moms? Leave a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/deardancemom and you might be part of a future show!