How do you build confidence, lead with both high standards and deep care, and shape young people beyond just teaching skills?

In this episode of SpeakHER Sessions, host Kim Atwood sits down with Lauren Metts, founder and creative director of The Dance Department in Irmo, SC. With decades of experience as a dancer, teacher, mentor, and studio owner, Lauren shares how dance can shape character, leadership, and lifelong confidence.

From building a studio that feels like family to leading with trust and respect, Lauren offers wisdom for anyone who teaches, leads, or influences the next generation.

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GUEST INFORMATION

Lauren Metts
Founder & Creative Director, The Dance Department (Irmo, SC)

Lauren has spent decades mentoring dancers and developing young leaders through dance. Her work goes far beyond choreography — she focuses on shaping confidence, work ethic, and character in her students.

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SpeakHER Sessions is hosted by Kim Atwood.
New episodes are coming soon.
Follow the show to hear honest, encouraging conversations with women who use their voice to lead, serve, and create meaningful impact.

Welcome to SpeakHER Sessions — a podcast about voice.

This show explores how our voice is shaped by experience, the moments that invite us to find and use it, and the way our stories can give strength to other voices.

Hosted by Kim Atwood, SpeakHER Sessions creates space for thoughtful, honest conversations with women whose journeys have been shaped by challenge, growth, leadership, service, and courage. These are not highlight reels or perfectly packaged success stories. They are real conversations about what shaped us, what challenged us, and what we’ve learned along the way.

So many women carry meaningful stories quietly. Stories of what they’ve overcome, what they’ve built, what they’re still becoming... often wondering whether those stories matter or are worth sharing. This podcast exists to bring those stories into the open.

If you find encouragement in hearing how others have navigated uncertainty, found clarity, or stepped forward with courage — even before everything felt certain — SpeakHER Sessions is for you.

Season one is coming soon.

Follow SpeakHER Sessions wherever you listen to podcasts and get ready for conversations about voice, courage, and the stories that shape us.

SpeakHER Sessions is hosted by Kim Atwood.
New episodes are coming soon.
Follow the show to hear honest, encouraging conversations with women who use their voice to lead, serve, and create meaningful impact.