18 hours ago

EP 35: Finding Her Voice with Dance Moms Star Melissa Gisoni

Melissa Gisoni spent a lot of years trying to do and say the right thing. Then she hit 50 and decided to stop worrying about how others might see her. She joins John Corella for a conversation about finding her voice, showing up more boldly, and choosing joy on her own terms.

John and Melissa talk about the power of allyship, what it meant to her to attend West Hollywood Pride, and how her daughters, Maddie and Mackenzie, have grown up with a strong sense of inclusion and empathy. What does it look like to raise kids in the spotlight while still protecting their spirit? And how do you hold boundaries when the world keeps asking for more?

Melissa also opens up about her dream of becoming an actress and what draws her to roles that feel fun and lighthearted, maybe even a Hallmark movie someday. She shares what she learned from being a dance mom, how she supported her girls as they built careers of their own, and what she would do differently if she could go back, especially when it came to speaking up for Mackenzie.

In this episode, Melissa reflects on what she got right, what she let slide, and what she’d never do the same way again. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how to support their kids without losing themselves, what it really means to protect someone in the public eye, and why using your voice, especially later in life, can feel both freeing and necessary.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Melissa Gisoni

03:10 Celebrating Pride and Community

06:00 Finding Your Voice After 50

08:59 Navigating Social Media and Self-Expression

11:48 The Journey of a Dance Mom

14:51 Reflections on Reality TV

18:07 The Competitive Nature of Dance

20:59 Recognizing Talent in Your Children

24:04 Lessons from Dance Moms

27:06 Navigating Dance Mom Dynamics

30:00 Handling Fame and Its Challenges