Starbound Unscripted
Welcome to Starbound Unscripted—the podcast where studio stories, backstage laughs, and real performer moments take center stage. Hosted by Jennifer Hawkins, founder of Starbound Performers and mentor to thousands of dancers and teachers around the world, this show pulls back the curtain on the heart, hustle, and humor that fuel the performing arts world. Whether you're a dance parent, a passionate performer, an aspiring teacher, or just someone who believes in the power of movement, you'll find inspiration, insight, and a little sparkle here. Each week, we dive into everything from the studio floor to the stage—sharing candid conversations, personal stories, teaching tips, and our signature "chocolate moment" with a sweet message to reflect on. Real talk. Real moments. All unscripted. Because at Starbound Unscripted, we believe Every Performer is a Star!
Episodes
Why does it sometimes feel harder for young dancers to focus, follow directions, transition between activities, or stay engaged in class?
A recent conversation among the Starbound Performers staff got Ms. Jennifer thinking when her receptionist, Ms. Debbie, brought up one simple word: structure.
In this episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer explores how predictable routines and clear expectations can help youn...
What are you counting—the things going wrong, or the good that is happening all around you?
In this personal episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer shares an update on her unexpected journey with acute angle-closure glaucoma and a powerful moment during a recent doctor's appointment. Frustrated after learning she would need to wait another month before taking the next step in her recovery, Ms. Jennifer r...
Sometimes life changes the choreography.
After a sudden and serious medical emergency forced me away from Starbound Performers and into months of recovery, I've been learning some lessons I never expected to learn.
In this deeply personal episode of Starbound Unscripted, I share a little of what has happened behind the scenes—including losing the vision in my right eye, multiple emergency procedures and surgerie...
The Dance Is in the Journey takes us on a journey through a very busy Starbound Performers summer—from our first-ever Company Team Banquet, to Nationals, to a Midwest road trip that unexpectedly gave me the inspiration for this episode.
Along the way, I'll share some of the moments that reminded me why the journey matters so much: celebrating both team and individual accomplishments, watching our dancers find c...
What do roses, thorns, imagination, courage, and penguins have in common?
More than you might think.
In this episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer Hawkins shares powerful lessons she observed during the first few weeks of summer at Starbound Performers.
From a ballet workshop where dancers received roses and a meaningful lesson about thorns, to a nervous dancer preparing to audition for title at Nationals, to c...
What happens when a month feels like you're trying to drink water from a fire hose?
In this heartfelt episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer reflects on a whirlwind month filled with graduations, awards ceremonies, concerts, meetings, community service, and the Starbound Performers annual recital.
From attending the wedding of a former student to hearing from former dancers now living in Idaho and Tennessee, th...
As the dance season comes to a close and graduation season begins, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and look ahead.
In this heartfelt episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer Hawkins shares powerful insights on what it truly means to grow—not just as dancers, but as individuals—by embracing the journey through our past, present, and future.
From flipping through cherished dance photos of...
What if the secret to becoming a stronger dancer… isn’t about standing taller—but about who you’re standing with?
In this heartfelt episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms Jennifer Hawkins shares a powerful lesson inspired by the tallest trees in the world—Redwoods. While they can grow over 300 feet tall, their strength doesn’t come from deep roots… it comes from connection.
Thr...
How many times have we heard a dancer say, “I can’t”… before they’ve even begun?
In this powerful episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer Hawkins dives into the mindset shift that can change everything for dancers — moving from fear, hesitation, and self-doubt to courage, growth, and confidence.
This episode explores how the words dancers speak over themselves shape the way t...
In this episode of Starbound Unscripted, we’re talking about a topic that affects every dancer, parent, teacher, and studio owner: technology.
Technology can be an incredible tool for growth. It can help dancers review choreography, find inspiration, and stay connected. But it can also bring distraction, comparison, pressure, and noise that slowly chip away at confidence and focus.
In this episode, Ms. Jennifer ...
Why do some dancers feel calm on competition day… while others feel completely shaken?
Same choreography.
Same rehearsal schedule.
Different preparation.
In this episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer shares a powerful cherry orchard metaphor about procrastination, pressure, and what really creates confidence in dancers.
When we wait… responsibilities cling.
When we prepare steadily&hellip...
In this episode of Starbound Unscripted, we’re talking about the quiet conversations many dancers are already having — about food, bodies, mirrors, comparison, and the question we don’t always say out loud: Am I good enough?
Through personal stories, a powerful classroom moment, and an eye-opening London façade analogy, we explore how easily strength can be misunderstood and how self-talk shapes con...
As the 2026 Winter Olympic Games begin, this episode invites us to pause and reflect on a powerful question: What are we really aiming at?
Inspired by an Olympic story about perfect execution and misaligned focus, Ms. Jennifer Hawkins explores how effort alone isn’t always enough — alignment matters. Drawing from recent leadership retreat insights, studio life, and real moments inside Starbound Performers...
In this special episode of Starbound Unscripted, I’m sharing a moment I didn’t want to rush past.
I recently returned from a Dance Studio Owner Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, where I had the chance to connect with fellow studio owners — including members of my personal dance studio owner squad, Squad 13 and Pod 1, from across the United States and Canada. The conference was a reminder of how pow...
What if goal setting wasn’t about pressure—but about purpose?
In this heartfelt episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer Hawkins explores how meaningful growth happens when we look at the whole person—physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Through personal stories, studio culture, and real-life examples, she shares why writing things down, reflecting often, and setting intention...
As we head into winter break and begin thinking about the New Year, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and consider one powerful question:
What if growth doesn’t come from working harder — but from making the right shift?
In Episode 15 of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer introduces the concept of a Quantum Leap — a small but intentional change that unlocks meaningful progress. Inspired by ...
Behind every magical performance is a team you don’t always see.
Over the past few months, Starbound Performers experienced one of the busiest seasons in our history — from hosting over 21 Fall Festivals, to overseeing daily entertainment for the Light the World Giving Machine experience, holiday school performances, city parades, and community events.
In this episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer ...
It’s officially competition weekend at Starbound Performers — and we’re pulling back the curtain on how we prepare our dancers, families, and staff for a fun, positive, and organized start to the season!
In this upbeat episode, host Ms. Jennifer Hawkins takes you behind the scenes of choosing competitions, preparing routines, building props, teaching awards etiquette, and creating unforgettable memo...
At Starbound Performers, our motto “Where Every Performer is a Star” isn’t just a tagline — it’s a way of life.
In this heartfelt episode of Starbound Unscripted, host Ms. Jennifer Hawkins dives into how to create a values-based dance studio where every dancer feels loved, accepted, and capable of shining. From kindness and respect to confidence and gratitude, discover how strong studio ...
It’s Fall, y’all — and that means it’s time for costumes, candy, and community! 🍂 In this episode of Starbound Unscripted, Ms. Jennifer takes you behind the scenes of Starbound Performers’ favorite Fall traditions — from the annual Trunk-or-Treat and Harvest Hoedown to local school and community performances.
You’ll hear how these events bring dancers, families, and local pa...
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