The conversation that we have all been craving within the dance world has slowly began to build traction and Turning Pointe written by Chloe Angyal takes the examination to an even deeper level. With Turning Pointe's release date just a week away I was fortunate enough to share a conversation with Chloe on what motivated her to write this book. The dance world has been perpetuating generations of abuse and communications styles that are not properly built off of a foundation of leadership. Promoting Principal dancers into Artistic Directors with a lack of education and explaining away our mental health, injuries, eating disorders, type-casting, and idealistic body types will continue in our industry if we don't address these stigmas now. Chloe Angyal writes about gender, sex and power and how they shape the lives of women and girls. She’s written about politics and popular culture for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, New York Magazine, Jezebel, Cosmo, Marie Claire and many others. Chloe has a PhD in Media Studies; her dissertation was about romantic comedies and the lessons they teach women about love, sex and feminism. She is a former editor at Feministing and a former Senior Front Page Editor at HuffPost, and was the founding Deputy Opinion Editor at HuffPost. She is currently the Contributing Editor at MarieClaire.com. Chloe is from Sydney, Australia and lives in the Iowa City area. I hope this episode challenges each of us to take a moment and sit with our triumphs and tragedies that we have experienced in dance. I LOVE Ballet and I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't committed to artistry and sacrifices it takes to become a Professional Ballerina, but it is time we set our egos aside our selfish tendencies and address the generational abuse our idols and leaders have experienced and perpetuated consciously or unconsciously. We must heal for the generations to come to keep this beautiful art form thriving into the future. I hope this episode offers you some wisdom.

All my love from your Sister Keefer.