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Conversations in Closed

Down Hold Entertainment

Join Jose, Denise, and Jennifer as they interview friends in the Balboa community, and learn more about their stories, ideas, and the experiences that have shaped them.

Hosts: Jose Tello, Denise Lwin, Jennifer Wang

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  • 26 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 54 min
  • English

Episodes 26

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Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • S2 · E1
    January 7 · 50 min

    006 - Taiga Miyajima

    Denise & Jose hang out with Taiga Miyajima at Snowball 2025! Taiga found Swing dancing in 2016 and since then has been relentlessly traveling and competing across the world. In 2023, he embarked on a dynamic six-month worldwide dance adventure, making 23 stops across 17 countries and immersing himself in Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag. Along the way, he earned placements in both national and international competitions across all three styles. Today, Taiga continues his journey, not just as a dancer but as an organizer in Japan. Inspired by the people he met around the world, he has started a new adventure to create welcoming spaces for dancers from all corners of the globe, fostering the same sense of connection and community that has been so central to his own experience.

  • S1 · E7
    Dec 17, 2025 · 29 min

    Competition Injuries & Etiquette (with Karen Tong)

    Our season finale! Welcome to the first of a new episode format titled Pulse, where we interview everyday dancers from the Swing community at large. Our guest is Karen Tong, from Hong Kong, China. In this episode, Karen talks to us about her injury she obtained during a competition and the discussions that have arisen in the aftermath on competition etiquette and safety.

  • S1 · E6
    Dec 10, 2025 · 56 min

    005 - Jennifer Lee

    Jose meets with international dance instructor, Jennifer Lee. Jenn is an internationally recognized swing dancer and Balboa instructor with a long list of competition titles, but some of her most important victories happened far from the dance floor.She earned her first blue ribbon at age eight by winning the 4-H Food Festival, an achievement made possible entirely by her mother’s cooking. In high school, she won first place in state debate, proving she can out-argue nearly anyone. She later became a board-certified physician, despite receiving a strongly worded letter from her medical school dean after she convinced half her class to dance on top of a bar. In the dance world, Jenn has picked up numerous awards across Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag. She is especially proud of placing second in the Hot Wings Showdown at the California Balboa Classic, losing only to the legendary Andrea Gordon. Jenn is known for her musicality, her humor, and her dedication to helping dancers find their voice on the social floor. Music: Deja Vu by Greg Ruby.

  • S1 · E5
    Dec 2, 2025 · 8 min

    Now & Next (with Desiree Roffers)

    The tables are turned! Guest host Desiree Roffers interviews Jose Tello and Denise Lwin about how they got started with this podcast and what we can expect in the future. Listen for a preview of the next interview with Jennifer Lee!

  • S1 · E4
    Nov 20, 2025 · 51 min

    004 - Andreas Olsson

    Denise & Jose sit and chat with Andreas Olsson. Andreas grew up immersed in both wrestling and violin, early experiences that helped shape the creative, musical, and unpredictable style he brings to swing dancing. Trained in Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Solo Jazz, he built an accomplished career in performance, competition, and international teaching, earning top placements at events such as Camp Hollywood, the International Lindy Hop Championships, All Balboa Weekend, and more. He is deeply involved in scene building, co-organizing events like Bal-Love, Slow Bal-Love, and Slow Flow, serving for years as competition and DJ coordinator at the Snowball, and acting as artistic director for Breezy Balboa Camp and Weekend in Bangkok. Known for his musicality, creativity, and technical precision, Andreas brings a warm, approachable teaching style that inspires dancers to grow and stay curious in the ever-evolving world of swing dance.

  • S1 · E3
    Nov 5, 2025 · 47 min

    003 - Jeremy Otth

    Jose and Denise visit Jeremy Otth to hear his stories on how he found dancing and his experiences with the old timers. Jeremy has amassed a great amount of knowledge on the historic essence of vintage swing dances from many of the original jitterbugs. His expertise lies in Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, Balboa, and Solo Jazz. He holds championship titles in competitions such as The International Lindy Hop Championships, National Jitterbug Championships, and the American Classic Balboa Championships, to name a few. He has also been inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. Music: Deja Vu by Greg Ruby.

Showing 21–26 of 26 episodes