Staying Grounded is a podcast about learning tango, creating a welcoming dance community, and sharing the journey of building a thriving tango business. Hosted by Amanda, Melody, and Jon, each episode covers real experiences, practical tips, and candid conversations about what makes tango so captivating.
When we first discovered Argentine tango, we thought it was all drama, roses, sensual choreography, and Moulin Rouge energy.
Turns out… social tango is something completely different.
In this season finale, we reflect on how our perception of tango has changed over the years — from our first awkward classes and early insecurities to navigating tango politics, social dynamics, confidence, community, friendship, and personal growth.
We talk about:
What originally drew each of us into tango
How tango changed our lives outside the dance floor
Social anxiety, cliques, and the emotional side of milongas
The difference between stage tango and social tango
Why tango became therapy, community, and creative expression for us
What actually makes a “good night” at a milonga now
This episode is a little nostalgic, a little philosophical, and honestly one of our most personal conversations yet.
Thank you for being part of Season 2 of Staying Grounded. ❤️
💬 We’d love to hear from you:
What did you think tango was before you started dancing?
#StayingGroundedPodcast #ArgentineTango #TangoPodcast #SocialDance #Milonga #DanceCommunity #TangoLife #TangoCulture #PartnerDance #DanceJourney #TangoMusic #TangoStories #SocialConnection #DanceTherapy #TangoWorld #TangoCommunity #ViennaTango #TangoLessons #TangoBeginners #DancePodcast #TangoThoughts #SocialTango #TangoExperience
A product of Vienna Tango School LLC
Produced by Amanda Garley, Melody Yazdani, and Jon Zhang
Edited by Jon Zhang
Business & Media inquiries: hello@viennatango.com (mailto:hello@viennatango.com)
27 May 2026
Staying Grounded #33 - Becoming a Tango Teacher
Becoming a tango teacher is a lot more complicated than simply knowing how to dance.
In this episode, we talk about what it means to step into teaching tango, especially in communities that need more people willing to help grow the dance from the ground up. We discuss imposter syndrome, judgment from others, teaching methodology, beginner retention, mentorship, and the difference between being a great dancer and being a great teacher.
We also get into why teaching beginners can be surprisingly difficult, why “fun” matters more than some tango people want to admit, and how communities can support new teachers without gatekeeping them into oblivion.
Whether you’re thinking about teaching, already teaching, or just curious about what happens behind the scenes of building a tango community, this episode is for you.
💬 What makes a great tango teacher? And how should communities support new teachers? Let us know in the comments.
The "German Couple" Melody mentions is actually Eric Jorissen and his Student. An interview can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JtG3Rtv32Q
#StayingGroundedPodcast #TangoPodcast #ArgentineTango #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #TangoCulture #TangoLife #TangoTalk #LeadAndFollow #MilongaMoments #DanceEducation #TangoTips #DanceJourney #TangoInspiration #DanceConversation #TangoWorld #TangoLifestyle #TangoLearners #DancePodcast #ViennaTango #Tango #SocialDance #CommunityBuilding #Milonga
A product of Vienna Tango School LLC
Produced by Amanda Garley, Melody Yazdani, and Jon Zhang
Edited by Jon Zhang
Business & Media inquiries: hello@viennatango.com (mailto:hello@viennatango.com)
20 May 2026
Staying Grounded #32 - Tango Economics
Tango may be a passion project… but the math still has to math.
In this episode, we open the kimono on the business side of running a tango school, hosting workshops, bringing in teachers, growing beginner classes, and trying to build a sustainable community without losing our minds — or our shirts.
We talk honestly about the hidden costs behind tango events, why workshop pricing is more complicated than it looks, what attendees often don’t see from the outside, and why “just charge less” is not always as simple as it sounds. We also share what we’ve learned from our first year of Vienna Tango School: what worked, what didn’t, what surprised us, and why growing a tango community requires both heart and strategy.
In this conversation, we cover:
The real costs of hosting visiting teachers
Why some workshops lose money, even with strong attendance
The balance between accessibility and sustainability
Beginner retention, marketing, and the cost of getting people in the door
Why tango organizers need both artistic vision and business sense
The difference between scarcity mindset and abundance mindset
And why supporting local organizers matters more than people realize
If you’ve ever wondered where your workshop fee goes, why events cost what they cost, or what it actually takes to grow a tango community — this one is for you.
💬 What do you wish more dancers understood about the business side of tango? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
#StayingGroundedPodcast #TangoPodcast #ArgentineTango #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #TangoCulture #TangoLife #TangoTalk #LeadAndFollow #MilongaMoments #DanceEducation #TangoTips #DanceJourney #TangoInspiration #DanceConversation #TangoWorld #TangoLifestyle #TangoLearners #DancePodcast #ViennaTango #Tango #SocialDance #CommunityBuilding #Milonga
A product of Vienna Tango School LLC
Produced by Amanda Garley, Melody Yazdani, and Jon Zhang
Edited by Jon Zhang
Business & Media inquiries: hello@viennatango.com (mailto:hello@viennatango.com)
Who has been a guest on Staying Grounded
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Germán Filipeli
Nicholás Filipeli
Lorena Tarantino
Gianpiero Galdi
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