By Alyssa | Rhinestone and Rants

About Rhinestones and Rants

Rhinestones and Rants...

If I only knew then what I know now!

Welcome to Rhinestones & Rants, where the glitz of the dance world meets the real talk of industry and a dance mom who lived it every day. This podcast isn’t just about perfect pirouettes and dazzling costumes—it’s about the raw, unfiltered journey of raising dancers, navigating the competitive scene, and balancing the chaos of life beyond the studio.

Each episode dives into the heart of industry secrets and behind every amazing dancer is dance mom life with humor, honesty, and a little bit of sparkle. From the backstage battles over costume rhinestones to the emotional rollercoaster of competition season, no topic is off-limits. Expect lively discussions, behind-the-scenes stories, expert interviews, and listener call-ins where real moms share their experiences—the good, the bad, and the tutu-clad tantrums.

What You’ll Hear on Rhinestones & Rants

💃 Turnout & Takeout – Balancing dance commitments with everyday life (and figuring out what’s for dinner in between rehearsals).
🎭 Backstage Banter – The unfiltered drama, friendships, and rivalries happening behind the curtain.
🩰 Bunheads & Backstage – A deep dive into the training, dedication, and sacrifices made by serious young dancers.
📖 The Dance Mom Diaries – Sharing the highs, lows, and hilarious moments that only dance parents understand.
☕ Eight Counts & Espresso – Because caffeine is a dance mom’s best friend, especially during competition weekends.
✨ Rhinestones & Rants – The signature mix of sparkle and straight talk, where we break down the glitz, glamour, and grind of dance life.
🔥 Tutus & Tension – Competition season survival tips and the intense moments that make (or break) a dancer’s career.
🎟 Front Row Frenzy – The battle for the best recital seats and other absurd but all-too-real dance mom struggles.
👩‍👧 Moms, Messy Buns & Mayhem – The realities of raising a dancer—early mornings, late nights, and the never-ending carpool.
🎯 On Pointe Parenting – Finding the balance between being a dance mom and just being mom.

Whether you’re a seasoned competition veteran or a first-time dance parent trying to figure out how to pin a bun without tears, Rhinestones & Rants is your go-to podcast for laughs, advice, and a whole lot of relatability.

So grab your coffee or wine adjust that messy bun, and join me and special guests for a little bit of rhinestone-covered realness.

Meet Our Team

Alyssa Better

Podcast Host

Alyssa Better is the powerhouse behind Rhinestones and Rants, a podcast born from 17 years of being a full-on dance mom to a national award-winning daughter—now 19 and pursuing her BFA in Dance at San Diego State University. After nearly two decades spent in convention ballrooms, studio parking lots, and dressing rooms, Alyssa created this show to answer the question every dance parent has asked at some point: “If I only knew then what I know now.”

With a no-filter, deeply honest approach, Alyssa dives into the highs, lows, and realities of the dance world—interviewing dancers, choreographers, studio owners, and insiders from across the country. It’s her way of giving back to a world that’s given so much to her family.

Outside the studio walls, Alyssa leads global sales enablement for high-performing organizations. A seasoned executive, she’s built and scaled worldwide sales and onboarding programs, designed award-winning enablement strategies, and supported thousands of sellers in mastering skills that drive business impact. Her corporate expertise gives her a unique lens in how she organizes, elevates, and communicates the stories of the dance community.

Whether she’s leading a boardroom or a backstage quick change, Alyssa brings passion, precision, and heart to everything she does.

Ann Eastland

Podcast Coordinator

Ann is the right and left hand behind Rhinestones and Rants, bringing unmatched coordination, insight, and precision to the heart of this passion project. A lifelong force behind the scenes, Ann has spent her career supporting top business leaders, ensuring excellence in every detail and delivering flawlessly executed outcomes.

Having worked closely with Alyssa Better for many years in the business world, Ann seamlessly transitioned her skills into this creative endeavor—helping shape the structure, flow, and success of the podcast. Her ability to “peel back the onion” and get to the root of any challenge makes her an indispensable asset, both operationally and strategically.

Ann is a master of research, logistics, and foresight. Whether it’s managing the moving pieces behind the mic or digging deep to uncover the best stories, she’s the calm in the chaos, the one who connects the dots, and the steady hand helping to bring Rhinestones and Rants to life—episode after episode.

The Rhinestone Roster

A gallery of the bold and brilliant - these are the faces who stepped into the hot seat and lit up our studio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics does Rhinestone and Rants cover?

Each episode dives into the heart of industry secrets and behind every amazing dancer is dance mom life with humor, honesty, and a little bit of sparkle. From the backstage battles over costume rhinestones to the emotional rollercoaster of competition season, no topic is off-limits. Expect lively discussions, behind-the-scenes stories, expert interviews, where guests share their experiences—the good, the bad, and the tutu-clad tantrums.

How often do you release new episodes?

We release new episodes weekly on Wednesday 6am PT/9am ET, ensuring our listeners have access to the most current insights and stories from the dance world. You can fund us where ever you get your podcasts or head over to the podcast tab.

Can I suggest a topic or a guest for the podcast?

Absolutely! We love hearing from our listeners. If you have a topic or guest in mind that aligns with the theme of our podcast please reach out through our website’s contact form.

Where can I listen to Rhinestone and Rants podcasts?

Rhinestone and Rants podcasts are available on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio and our website. Choose the platform that works best for you and dive into our content.

How can I support Rhinestone and Rants?

The best support is to listen and share our podcasts with your network. If you're interested in further supporting Rhinestone and Rants, consider subscribing to our newsletter, engaging with us on social media.