Alan Bersten: The Power of Communication

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Squeeze – Alan Bersten: The Power of Communication

Host: Taylor Lautner (with Taylor Sterling)
Guest: Alan Bersten
Release Date: November 26, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Squeeze features renowned dancer and “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) pro Alan Bersten. The main theme centers on the role of communication in relationships, both professional and personal, and Alan’s journey with mental health, self-care, and life as a public figure in the spotlight. The conversation weaves through Alan’s backstory, his DWTS experiences, openness about his emotions, and how vulnerability and honest dialogue shape his wellbeing.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alan’s Background and Dance Journey

• Started ballroom dancing at age 7, influenced by family upbringing in Minnesota within a Russian-Jewish household ([04:15]–[04:57]).
• Initially thought he’d teach at the family studio rather than pursue a TV dance career ([05:55]).
• Attended University of Minnesota, dropped out twice as dance opportunities took over; briefly considered business as a backup plan ([06:35]–[06:56]).

2. Communication: Core to Alan’s Relationships

• Alan emphasizes direct communication as his default mode, rooted in his upbringing:

  “If there’s a problem, you address it… In my mind, everything can be solved with communication.” — Alan ([07:07], [07:49])

• Acknowledges learning to adapt his “abrupt” communication style to consider others’ emotional responses; tone matters as much as words ([08:48]–[09:22]).
• Recognizes that different people are taught different ways to communicate and that maturity is knowing adaptation is necessary:

  “Just because you were raised one way doesn’t mean that’s the right way. Everyone has to find their own way.” — Alan ([10:06])

3. Life in the Public Eye & Navigating Social Media

• Alan and his partner Emma decided to make their relationship public to “enjoy it instead of hiding” ([15:34]).
• On dealing with public reactions:

  “Take everything with a grain of salt — the positivity and the negativity… don’t focus on either one too much.” — Alan ([16:13])

• Social media wasn’t a huge part of Alan’s life until DWTS. Now, it’s a double-edged sword: it offers community connection, but can also become overwhelming — he sets boundaries to avoid getting lost in the feedback cycle ([17:13]–[18:49], [19:02]).

4. DWTS & Partner Dynamics

• Describes DWTS as a supportive, family-like environment despite the competition:

  “Everyone is truly a family. They’re rooting for each other… It’s such a good environment.” ([23:22])

• The quality level among celebrity dancers is higher than ever, increasing the technical standards and stakes ([21:27], [21:33]).
• Votes are more crucial than ever; it’s a 50/50 split between judges and public ([22:15]).

5. Handling Criticism, Growth, and Vulnerability

• Taking both criticism and praise lightheartedly is key for preservation in the spotlight ([20:26], [20:40]).
• Alan highlights the importance of allowing oneself to grow through difficult experiences, viewing challenging moments as essential to his development ([48:37], [49:11]):

  “Every moment that I’ve personally gone through, good or bad, is why I am the way I am now.”

6. Injury, Resilience, and Teamwork (Halloween Incident)

• Describes the impact of his partner Elaine’s rib injury on a live show; rehearsal footage was used for judging, demonstrating DWTS’s adaptability ([30:14]–[32:06]).
• Praises Elaine’s character, effort, and the production team’s creativity ([29:36], [29:48]).

7. Mental Health & Self-Care Strategies

• Alan’s self-care: regular sauna and ice baths, time at Voda Spa, working out — physical activity doubles as mental relief ([39:22], [39:57]).
• On tour, the team provides health-conscious meals and portability for self-care equipment (ice baths, aiming for a portable sauna) ([40:28], [41:22]).
• Emphasizes vulnerability and openly sharing feelings, crediting partner Emma for encouraging him to express rather than bottle up emotions ([46:55], [47:04]):

  “There’s strength in vulnerability. I don’t think it’s healthy to just keep everything inside.”

8. Teaching & Choreography Insights

• Teaching non-dancers was aided by early experience teaching at his family’s studio and as a member of the DWTS “troupe,” observing what works for others ([36:33], [37:41]).
• Values the troupe experience; sees it as essential learning rather than a step down ([37:51], [37:58]).
• Favorite dance style: Argentine tango for its passion and challenge ([35:53]).
• On the “Wicked” performance, handling iconic music:

  “When a song is too big, you gotta make sure you fill it. Otherwise… you get lost in the song.” ([34:59])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Communication & Vulnerability:
  “If there’s a problem, you address it… In my mind, everything can be solved with communication.” ([07:07]) “There’s strength in vulnerability.” ([47:04])

• On Social Media:
  “Take everything with a grain of salt — the positivity and the negativity.” ([16:13]) “I try not to scroll too much… I will get lost. I love TikTok.” ([18:49])

• On Performance & Growth:
  “Every moment that I’ve personally gone through, good or bad, is why I am the way I am now.” ([48:56])

• On Self-Acceptance and Career Gratitude:
  “Every day I wake up and I’m like, I genuinely feel grateful to do it… There’s never a day where, like, ‘Oh, I hate this’.” ([44:45])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Alan’s introduction and dance journey: [00:01]–[06:20]
• Communication philosophies and relationship insights: [07:07]–[10:29]
• Life in the public eye, social media, boundaries: [15:34]–[20:40]
• DWTS dynamics; show environment: [21:09]–[23:49]
• Halloween show injury, production adaptations: [30:14]–[32:12]
• Choreography, teaching, dance styles: [35:07]–[38:36]
• Mental health, self-care, tour life: [39:05]–[41:22]
• Rapid-fire "Lemon 7" segment: [42:42]–[49:22]

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"Lemon 7" Rapid-Fire Insights

1. Song that describes mental health: “Happier than Ever” – Billie Eilish ([42:56])
2. Openness about struggles: Very open, wears heart on sleeve ([43:25])
3. Three social accounts to follow: DWTS, Emma, Tank Sinatra ([43:57])
4. Favorite form of self-care: Sauna and ice plunge ([44:23])
5. Most misunderstood trait: His tone, learning to modulate it ([45:39])
6. Most positive mental health influence: Dog (Jeff) and Emma ([46:52])
7. One moment to revisit: Wouldn’t change anything; all experiences are learning ([48:37])

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Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is candid, light, and supportive — matching the “comforting, you’re not alone” vibe of The Squeeze. Alan’s vulnerability underlines the idea that even the most successful and seemingly confident public figures have their struggles, communication quirks, and growth curves. His story and insights about adapting, learning, and openly feeling (and showing) every emotion emphasize the episode’s inspiration: the power of communication for healthier, happier living.

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Transcript

[Alan Bersten]

The following podcast is a Dear Media production prep Dude, I saw these questions. I wrote it down, and I forgot. I think everyone that watched the show on Halloween was like, oh, my God, he's so sad. I can't control my emotions at all. I started dancing when I was 7 years old. 31 now. Basic math, 24 years. And so I think when, like, growing up, I was like, oh, I'll probably just teach at the studio and do things. I never really expected to be on TV for it. You don't think, oh, I'm gonna move to LA and dance for a living. Didn't get a real job. I started going to. I went to the University of Minnesota. Dropped out twice.

[Taylor Sterling]

Oh, wow.

[Taylor Lorenz]

We tried, we tried, we tried twice.

[Alan Bersten]

It's incredible. Like, Elaine is so special.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

She works so hard, she brings so much joy, and she cares so much. Quality of celebrities, like, their dance ability.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Is so high.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

They're like, everyone's stepping up their game, and the dances are better than ever.

[Taylor Lorenz]

And I hope so too, because that just ups my chances of me being on the show one day. Sweets of the timeline, because one a year, I'm like, I'm getting older. My hips hurt a little more.

[Alan Bersten]

I say things abruptly. Tone wasn't a thing. Like, my intentions are always good. So I'm just. I'm just gonna say it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

I grew up, like, if there's a problem, you address it in my mind. Everything can be solved with communication. I know a lot of people are like, oh, it's hard. It is hard, but, like, I'm so lucky. I get to go with Emma. I bring my dog Jeff, and I get a dance every day. To me, it's, like, the best thing ever.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Exactly. They can just, like, hook up a little trailer to your guys's rv.

[Alan Bersten]

Exactly. Rv.

[Taylor Lorenz]

What is it called?

[Taylor Sterling]

Buzz.

[Alan Bersten]

Tour bus.

[Taylor Sterling]

Tour bus.

[Alan Bersten]

Driving around with an rv.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Alan, welcome to the Squeeze.

[Alan Bersten]

Thank you, Taylor.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Woo, woo, woo. I'm excited because I've watched you on my TV for a long time, so I'm excited to sit and chat. And I know a lot of your friends that you dance with, so.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah, a lot of them have been here before.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I know, I know.

[Taylor Sterling]

We're.

[Taylor Lorenz]

We're racking up the Dancing with the Stars roster here, so this is fun. So we start each episode off this jar. It's a little game called Citrus Got Real. If you want to pull a little piece of paper out of there, just not the citrus.

[Taylor Sterling]

Correct.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yes.

[Alan Bersten]

Okay. And read it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yes, please.

[Alan Bersten]

They didn't tell me how to read. If you could watch one TV show for the rest of your life, what would it be? There's so many good ones. I feel like Seinfeld.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Oh, okay.

[Alan Bersten]

I feel like everyone says the Office because it's probably a good one, but I think Seinfeld. I grew up watching that.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

It's a very particular sense of humor.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And it's my type of humor.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I need to, like, give it a go. Like, I feel like I watched it when I was younger because it would be on, like, late night when, like.

[Alan Bersten]

My parents were watching. Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. So I feel like I need to, like, give it a go.

[Alan Bersten]

You were more of a friendship kind of watcher, right?

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah, Friends.

[Alan Bersten]

I feel like you're either friends or Seinfeld.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

Were they.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Is that because they were, like, on.

[Taylor Sterling]

At the same time?

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Oh, then, yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. And I was definitely a Seinfeld. And, like, the reruns, it's just so good.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. Are they making it? No, they're not. Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

Scrubs, though. Did you watch?

[Taylor Sterling]

I just.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I didn't, but I actually just saw that I worked as a nurse and all of these, like, little things that are, like, coming back. I'm, like, excited. I need to give, like, medical shows a chance. I've never. I haven't done grays.

[Alan Bersten]

Well, it's. Because you know it too well.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah. Yeah, I know. Well, apparently.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Have you seen the Pit? Have you heard of that show?

[Alan Bersten]

No, I've heard about it. I don't, like, when it's too real. I don't. I really like medical shows.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I mean, I don't take offense to that at all, because I don't. I don't.

[Alan Bersten]

It's really scary. I get scared by, like, medical things.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah, I know. So I'm.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I.

[Taylor Sterling]

A lot of my nurse friends said.

[Taylor Lorenz]

That it's good because it's really accurate, but I had, like, not a fun experience. Like, I worked as a coveted nurse and had a lot of, like, PTSD stuff from it. So I'm like, is this gonna be, like, horrible? Or maybe it's, like, a form of, like, emergency therapy. Yeah. I'll see if, like, my EMDR therapy really worked if I watch that show or not. Okay. Well, I'm excited to kind of learn more about you. I think a great place to start would kind of be. Obviously, we're gonna talk a lot about dance today, but when. How old were you when you started dancing?

[Alan Bersten]

I started dancing when I was 7 years old.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

31 now, so basic math.

[Taylor Lorenz]

24 years was was it in the family? Was it something that you wanted to do? How'd that come about?

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah, no, my parents. I have an older brother and an older sister, and my parents put them into dance, and I just tagged along.

[Taylor Sterling]

Okay.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Was it always ballroom or did you do.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah, it was only ballroom. So I grew up in Minnesota. There wasn't many ballroom dance studios.

[Taylor Sterling]

Okay.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So it was kind of rare to begin with. I. I'm. My parents are Russian and Jewish, and so I feel like that Eastern European culture dance, ballroom dancing is popular.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And somehow they found one in Minnesota.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Oh, my gosh. That's so funny. So did you just. You just always did that?

[Taylor Sterling]

Did you do other sports growing up.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Or were you just, like, no. Loving dance?

[Alan Bersten]

I loved the dance, and my parents wouldn't let me do other sports because they're like, he's gonna get hurt.

[Taylor Sterling]

Oh, wow.

[Alan Bersten]

So I never got to do, like. I. I feel like I would have been really good at football.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So I never got to play other sports. My older brother did play football when he was, like, 13.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And he got hurt. So my mom was like, no one's ever playing any sports.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. She was paranoid. Did they let you, like, ski and snowboard?

[Alan Bersten]

No.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah. I mean, that's not.

[Taylor Lorenz]

That's not surprising, to be fair.

[Alan Bersten]

I don't love the cold.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But in Minnesota, like, skiing and snowboarding is. Is a big thing. I never really did it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

I snowboarded for, like, the first time, like, three years ago. It was fun. It was great.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So I feel like, again, I would have been great at it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. That's so funny.

[Taylor Sterling]

Did.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Did you want to make a career out of dance, or was that something that just kind of, like, happened, you know?

[Alan Bersten]

I think so. My family owns a dance studio in Minnesota, and they still do. My brother mainly runs it with his wife.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And so I think when, like, growing up, I was like, oh, I'll probably just teach at the studio and, you know, do things. I never really expected to be on TV for it or, you know, especially growing. Growing up in Minnesota, you don't think, oh, I'm gonna move to LA and dance for a living.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So I thought I was like, oh, I love this. I'll probably keep doing it as an adult, but, like, have a real job.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Then didn't get a real job.

[Taylor Lorenz]

What do you think your job would have been if you didn't dance?

[Alan Bersten]

I feel like I've always said, like, something in business. Like, I like talking to people.

[Taylor Sterling]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

So maybe something in business. I don't know. I started going to school. I went to the University of Minnesota. Dropped out twice.

[Taylor Sterling]

Oh, wow.

[Taylor Lorenz]

We tried, we tried, we tried twice.

[Alan Bersten]

So I did it before I did so youo Think youk Can Dance.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

I went to the University of Minnesota, and I had to take. I had to leave to do so youo Think youk Dance.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And then we went on tour. My mom was like, try doing online. Like, yeah, you're almost there. I tried and failed.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like, that was not for me.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Oh, my gosh. That's fine. I mean, at least you. At least I tried.

[Alan Bersten]

Exactly.

[Taylor Lorenz]

You never have to wonder, what if. What could have happened.

[Alan Bersten]

Exactly.

[Taylor Lorenz]

You didn't try again.

[Alan Bersten]

But I liked. I liked. Like, I went. I remember one class I remember is like, Persuasion Theory. Like, I liked talking and communicating.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Are you, like, when you have, like, a problem with. In a relationship or, like, friendship, are you the person that, like, brings it up to the surface then? If that's. If he.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. You know, I think that's just from my childhood. I think I grew up. Like, if there's a problem, you address it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

You don't let it linger.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Because, like, in my mind, everything can be solved with communication.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Right. Like, I knock on wood. I don't think there's ever a problem that's too big.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

That is not solved by candidly and openly and. And thoughtfully talking about it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, it's just when people are stubborn or don't want to, that's when it becomes an issue.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So to me, I'm like, if there's a problem, it's better to address it instead of let it linger.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. That's so good. I was not raised like that at all. And my husband is very good at communicating. And he, like, is just, like, knows how he's feeling. And that was something. I mean, we've been together for almost eight years. But that was something I had to learn, was that when he was, like, just communicating with me, I was. Would get like, defense mode up and, like, couldn't think. Like, even still today I'm like, I. He knows. Like, I need a minute to, like, process because my brain is like, how am I feeling? Like, what is actually happening? But I had to learn that. That's just like. Just like, need to talk about it.

[Alan Bersten]

I think my thing was I had to learn how to. I say things abruptly.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

There. I used to. My tone wasn't a thing. Like, my intentions are always good. So I'm just. I'm just going to say it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

As opposed to, like, how it's going to make somebody feel. So that's something I really. Lear is like words. Words can be words, but the tone behind it is really people feel about it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So that was a big learning curve because, like, growing up, it was just like, say whatever you. Whatever you feel.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And it's not offensive.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And that's not reality.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. I feel like communication then obviously that came natural with Dancing with the Stars and like having a partnership. Is that when you had to learn how to.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah, I. Yeah, I think for sure.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

I think, you know, on Dancing with the Stars, obviously you get so many different types of partners.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And every year it's a new relationship that you're thrown into.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But it's also like my relationships romantically. Like, it's just everyone is different. And once you get on the same page, it's a lot easier to talk things through, obviously. And I think the big thing for me, and I think for everyone is like, just because you were raised one way doesn't mean that's the right way.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Right. Everyone is different. There is no right way to communicate.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Everyone has to find their own way.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So, like, to me, it wasn't like, we're gonna do it my way because this is, you know, it's more of like, oh, what is the best course of action?

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And I think that that just took a lot of maturity for me to actually learn that as opposed to just like, hey, let's do this.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Or say something that.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Later. Regret.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah, no, for sure. That's good.

[Taylor Sterling]

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[Taylor Lorenz]

Out this holiday season.

[Taylor Sterling]

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[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay, well, you obviously mentioned relationships. Yes, I, I'm obviously a fan of the show. And when you and Emma went public with your relationship, I was loving watching all the tiktoks and everyone freaking out. But I've also been on the other end of it where my husband and I dated for like almost a year before we actually went public with our relationship. How was that decision like for you guys?

[Alan Bersten]

You know, I think it's. And you know, anything in the public eye is scary.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But I think we were just like, you know what, it's time we love each other. Like, why not enjoy it instead of like hiding, you know, why not just be public? And, and everyone reacted so lovingly. So, yeah, it really solidified that decision that we made or like, made us feel validated in it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But it's been great.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. I was gonna ask how the, how the response was, Was it all positive? Was there people like trying to stir the pot with it?

[Alan Bersten]

Oh, for sure. I think, I think in anything, people are always going to try to stir the pot. And something that I've learned being on the show is to just, you know, take everything with a grain of salt. The positivity and the negativity.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So really just there's going to be comments on both sides always. So just try not to focus on either one too much, you know, even the positives sometimes that can make a false positive, you know, like. Yeah, just kind of take everything with a Grain of salt.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

I love that. Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

How. How has that been for you over the years?

[Taylor Sterling]

Because how long have you been doing the show?

[Alan Bersten]

I've been on the show. I feel like 11 years. I don't. I don't know exactly. I have to check. Yeah, I did so youo Think youk Can Dance first.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

And I think that was in 2013.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

And then I think I joined the show in 2015. Maybe. I don't know.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

I don't remember exactly, but it's. It was a learning curve for sure. Because, like, when I did so youo Think you Can Dance, they made me an Instagram and I didn't have social media.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, I think. I don't think that was, like, a thing for.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

In.

[Alan Bersten]

For me in Minnesota. It wasn't like a. Yeah. I remember, like, when we were on so you think you Dance. We all got like 10,000 followers and it was like the. The 10K and we got the K. Remember that? It was like, you know, like. Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

It was such a fun, big deal. But none of us really had it and we were just thrown into this.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And then the same thing with Dancing with the Stars, like, once I got there, it was like, oh, this social media becomes, like, a really cool way to connect with millions of people.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Do you feel like you are able to, like, kind of silence the noise, especially? I feel like in the past few years, like, since the show has really started to, like, pick up, and it is like, I. There's just. When the show is running, I feel like I'm just. Every news article is about dancing. The show. Yeah. It's. There is something always there. How do you. Do you feel like you have a good boundary set with that or you kind of, like, adjusted to that?

[Alan Bersten]

I think I probably. I've adjusted to it, but also, like, we're so busy during the weeks and during every day that it's like, we don't really have that much time to just scroll on our phones.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. Um.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, because we're either rehearsing or we're trying to film our own content and, you know, there's just so much going on. But yeah, you definitely. When I. I try not to scroll too much.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Just because I will get lost. I love TikTok. Like, yeah. I can scroll for hours and, like, time just flies by, and that's definitely not good.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But, yeah, it's. It's funny seeing all the stuff about Dancing of the Stars.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, like, it's my whole for you, Page.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. No, literally. And it's so funny because my husband now. I finally got him to watch the show. Last year was the first one.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah, I remember I saw you guys at the finale.

[Taylor Sterling]

Okay.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. Yeah. I finally got him to, like, watch it and be, like, in it. And now, like. Like yesterday, he, like, came over. He's like, did you see what Max said? And I'm like, oh, my gosh. Like, he's, like, in. He's in it.

[Alan Bersten]

I think, like, it's funny seeing all these videos online. There's a few of them, like, these guys that are like, okay, I'm gonna compare the pros to football players, and it's like, the quarterbacks. And it's like, this person is Russell. Russell Wilson. This person is Patrick Mahomes. And it's just like, which pro is the. The quarterback.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But it's. It's funny how, like, guys and girls obviously are watching it, but, like, they're not afraid to make videos about it now.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So now it's just become this, like, huge, huge thing on social media.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like, the reviews and. And ratings and what they think they should have done. It's wild.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah, I know. I'm curious to see because I feel like last season there was a lot of the Internet more so was, like, upset with judges and how things were going. But I feel like this season, it's been, like, fine so far, I think.

[Alan Bersten]

I mean, it's. I. Again, I think the algorithm. Like, my algorithm is great, so I can't. You know, I only see, like, positivity.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But it's. There's a lot. It's a lot. And so I think what's important is to. To, again, like I said earlier, just don't be hyper focused on what everyone is saying. Kind of trust yourself.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And, like, yet see the positives and take it. See the negatives and take it. But don't hold on to things.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Because there's definitely so much of both.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. No, there's. It's been. I feel like. It's. I feel like I know enough of, like, the pros peripherally to, like. I'm, like, kind of, like, watching everything, like, happen, and I'm, like, so intrigued, like, how are they gonna handle this? How is this gonna happen? And I feel like it's been great this season.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

So I don't. I feel like I've actually learned a lot this season about. Don't make me quote it, but, like, just, like, the different styles and, like, how, like, you know, what what's in frame? What's supposed to. Like, it's. I feel like this season's, like, really technical.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. I think the quality of celebrities, like, their dance ability.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Is so high.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

That, like, everyone's stepping up their game and the dances are better than ever. And it. It's a really hard season because of that. Like, in a good way.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like, everyone has to bring their absolute best every single week.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And they are.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And that's why, like, every elimination is tough. And.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like, you just. You know, it. The season is. Is exponentially getting better and better. And so, yeah, you. The judges are more critical about, like, the actual dance styles, and then in turn, the audience learns more.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So it's good.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. No, it's been fun. And I feel like this season, too, we've really seen, like, how important voting is. Like, it's blown my mind, like, how important that is.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. I think. I think it truly is, like, a 50, 50 thing. Whereas, like, the. You got to do a good job with the judges, but you really have to appeal to the audience, and, you know, you can't just. You can't rely on just one.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. That's true.

[Alan Bersten]

But it's. It's. It's wild. Like, it's. It's amazing. And they're breaking records every single week with voting and.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And the viewership. It's amazing to see it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Because, again, I've been on it for 10 or 11 years.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And, you know, I was on it before, like, Netflix and streaming became a huge thing.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And then so we would see, like, the. The ups and downs of it. And right now it's. It's so popular.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Which is amazing.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. I know. I can't. I can't even imagine how that feels for, like, you guys, because I grew up watching it with, like, my nana. Like, I've watched it for a long time, and it's so, like, fun to see everyone, like, so involved. And I danced growing up, so obviously, like, I love, like, I love watching dance, so. But it's, like, it's so fun to, like, see all of that now.

[Alan Bersten]

It is.

[Taylor Sterling]

It.

[Alan Bersten]

And I think the best part about the show, and I'm sure everyone has told you, like, the energy there is incredible. Like, everyone is truly a family. They're rooting for each other. Like, everyone's helping each other. Everyone just wants the best. It's so, you know, I don't know what people think of, like, what it. They think it is.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like, if it's so competitive or anything. Yeah. Everyone wants to win and be there and be as there as long as you can.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But at the same time, everyone's so supportive.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

That, like, it's such a good environment.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. I feel like you can feel that, especially. I went to my first live show last year. Like, I don't know, it was, like, week four or something like that, and I, like, It felt like I obviously had so much fun watching it, but you could just, like, feel how, like, loving and supportive everyone was of everyone, and everyone's, like, talking with everyone, and it was. It was really sweet to see. Were you on the show when they. When it was still two seasons a year?

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah, I think in the very beginning.

[Taylor Sterling]

Okay.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Do you want them to bring that back?

[Alan Bersten]

I wish. Like, it's. It's just another opportunity to, like, go on a journey again, you know? Like, it's. Yeah, it's fun dancing every week, but it's also, like, amazing to, like, meet this new person and connect with them on a. On a. Such a high level.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And deep level.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

It's wild. It's.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I know.

[Alan Bersten]

It's. It's a lot of fun. So. Yeah, if they brought back two seasons a year, I would not be opposed.

[Taylor Sterling]

I feel like it would be kind.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Of dumb of them not to because of the hype that's going.

[Taylor Sterling]

I know.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I'm thinking that this. I feel like this season will maybe be, like, the. The one to, like, push them over the edge.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah, I hope so.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I hope so, too, because that just ups my chances of me being on the show one day. Sweets up the timeline, because one a year, I'm like, I'm getting older. My hips hurt a little more.

[Taylor Sterling]

Okay, picture this. It's cold out. You're finally done with your day. You've got your show on your book queued up, and you finally pull this blanket over you, and you feel your whole body just exhale. This is exactly how I feel about Lola blankets. I am 1000% a blanket person. This has fully just ruined all other.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Blankets for me in the best way possible.

[Taylor Sterling]

It's the first thing I reach for on my couch every single time when I tell you guys, there are actually four Lola blankets on our couch right now.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I am not exaggerating.

[Taylor Sterling]

When we first got our Lola, I.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Pulled it out of the box, and I literally went, oh, this is different.

[Taylor Sterling]

It's insanely soft. Think luxury hotel robe meets cloud. And the design just makes the room look more put together and cozy instantly. It's not just something you throw over yourself. It actually is a decor piece. Drape it over the couch or at the end of the bed and your whole space suddenly looks intentional and warm. It's made with ultra soft luxury vegan faux fur and has this signature four way stretch to it so it molds around you instead of feeling stiff or crunchy. It's machine washable, double hemmed for durability and it stays gorgeous even after multiple washes. There's always that one person who feels impossible to shop for and a Lola blanket really works for everyone. It's personal, beautiful and something they'll actually use every single day. Give the gift a softness this holiday season with Lolo Blankets for a limited time our listeners are getting a huge 40% off their entire order at Lola blankets.com by using code squeeze at checkout. Go ahead to lolablankets.com and use code squeeze for 40% off after your purchase they will ask where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them that we sent you Holiday season is here and let's be honest, the kitchen becomes the center of everything. Big roasts, game day spreads, endless sides and the holiday baking of course. And if your current pans can't handle the heat, literally, it's time for an upgrade. Enter hexclad, the cookware that means business. These pans give the perfect sear, incredible durability and the easiest cleanup ever. You get the strength of stainless steel, the convenience of toxin free nonstick and the kind of cookware that actually looks impressive sitting out when people come over. Hexclad six piece and twelve piece sets make amazing gifts for yourself or for the home chef in your life. We have been a hexclad household for years and there is no other pan that I want to use because they just get the job done. Which obviously Taylor loves because he is the chef of the two of us. But then I love because I am the one that is left to clean.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Up the pans after he has made.

[Taylor Sterling]

Us a delicious meal. And they are so easy to clean up. And I'm just constantly so impressed by the durability of these pans because let's be real, my husband is not clean when he is cooking. They really check every single box. Metal utensil safe, dishwasher safe, oven safe up to 500 degrees, induction ready and equipped with stay cool handles so you can saute without fear for a limited time. Hexclad is running a massive Black Friday sale. Head to H E x c l a d.com and get up to 52% off. Their biggest discount of the year, that's hexclad.com for up to 52% off. After your purchase, they'll ask where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them that we sent you.

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[Taylor Lorenz]

Can I make my sight softer?

[Alan Bersten]

Can I make my sight firmer? Can we sleep cooler?

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[Taylor Lorenz]

Today, let's talk about Elaine.

[Alan Bersten]

Yes.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Had you seen the Parent Trap?

[Alan Bersten]

Of course.

[Taylor Sterling]

Okay, great.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I just had to.

[Alan Bersten]

I saw it when I was a kid.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Like, I actually just recently rewatched it. Probably like the beginning of the year, and it's so good.

[Alan Bersten]

I rewatched it as well when I found out I was her partner. And it's still great.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. How has your partnership with her been?

[Alan Bersten]

Amazing. Honestly, like, it's been again, when you. Before you meet somebody, like, I've been on so many seasons, I'm like, okay, I know that this is. I know what this entails.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So, like, you don't know exactly what to expect with the individual person, but you're like, oh, I know what this can be. And it's incredible. Like, Elaine is so special. She works so hard. She brings so much joy, and she cares so much. And you can really see the passion in her when she dances.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So it's like, I. I feel like I got so lucky being partnered with her.

[Taylor Lorenz]

That's so sweet. Okay, so what happened on the Halloween show?

[Alan Bersten]

Yes. She's been struggling with rib injuries. I guess her rib hurt from Wicked Night. And in the middle of the dance, it just. It seized up. And we don't. I don't know exactly what happened.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But it was. It was very traumatic. And obviously she went to the hospital and wasn't able to dance on Halloween night, which is scary.

[Taylor Lorenz]

You know?

[Alan Bersten]

Like, you don't. I didn't know what was gonna happen.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. And had the show done that before.

[Alan Bersten]

They have, I believe, with Corey and Cheryl.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

During COVID Okay. They had, I think, two weeks where. One week they showed rehearsal package.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And then one week they danced in separate homes.

[Taylor Sterling]

Oh, wow.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

Oh, wow.

[Alan Bersten]

And it was like. It was. It was interesting. They, like, filmed both live, but, like, they were in two different houses.

[Taylor Sterling]

Oh, wow.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Because of COVID Okay. So when it happened, obviously you were like, there's still hope.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. I was like, you know, I think the rules state, like, if you have a good rehearsal. If you have a rehearsal.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Footage.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Of the full dance from start to finish. They'll judge that.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I didn't realize it was kind of cool. I loved, like, the production side of things, and it was really cool to, like. I didn't realize they, like, full on, like, film camera blocking like that. Like, I didn't.

[Alan Bersten]

Well, that's the first time we're on stage.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

So, like, Mondays are when we try it and we get three times on stage.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And then on Tuesday, then you go. You rehearse more, so you get time to, like, perfect it. You find your cameras, you find everything.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And then on Monday, you do it again two times in the morning, and then you do a dress rehearsal, and then you do the show. So it's like. That was one of our takes on Monday.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Oh, wow.

[Alan Bersten]

Where, you know, we're still getting to know the stage and understanding where we are in it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And so for her to do that well is just because she, like, it's a testament to her character of, like, just going full out and, like, really doing it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And thankfully, the audience voted us through and. And, you know, she killed it, even in rehearsals.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. No, it was great. I love that they were able to do that.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

On the note of camera blocking, like, how.

[Taylor Lorenz]

How involved are like, you in the pros when, like, you know, when Andy, like, takes the camera and spins, like, how, like, involved are you guys?

[Alan Bersten]

That was fully Emma's idea. So, like, we. We can request certain things.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

Okay.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I've always wondered that because I feel like sometimes I'm like, oh. Like. Because obviously, like, the cameramen are so good at their job, but also, like, the dancers know, like, the. Like, you guys know the angle of, like, what's gonna look good.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. And our director is incredible.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And, like, so a lot of the things they help with, but, like. Yeah, that was definitely Emma's idea. Certain things we can, like, pitch, and if it's a good idea, they'll do it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But, yeah, the team is just incredible. The. The camera operators, the director, the creative team in general.

[Taylor Lorenz]

It's so. It's so cool. I loved that.

[Alan Bersten]

It's crazy.

[Taylor Lorenz]

It's I was like, there's this and this and this. And Taylor was like, what do you mean? I was like, no, it's like a. It's like a thing. Like, it's a full on. It's. It's so cool. I. It's so cool.

[Taylor Sterling]

They need to do.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I mean, they kind of show it on Tick Tock.

[Alan Bersten]

The behind the scenes of it.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I feel like that would be a cool, like, docu series.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. Well, it's during the commercials.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Because, like, they. The. There's hundreds of the crew members that are just like, everything is timed to.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

The second.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, of like, even cleaning up the confetti.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like, they have the leaf blowers and like, it's crazy.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. What has been your favorite dance this year? That year?

[Alan Bersten]

Oh, this year for sure. Wicked.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, I think that one was just special. It. It really.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Did you request the song? Were you luckily given?

[Alan Bersten]

So what happens is they were like, they sent out a questionnaire to everyone and they're like, what? Which ones do you want?

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And at first I was like, defying gravity.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And then like, a few weeks later, I was like, that's a really big song. And, like, that's gonna be really. I was like. And we didn't know which one we had yet. And I was like, yeah. Oh, I feel like that's gonna be, like, really hard to do a good dance too, because it's so big. You know, when the music is too big, you're like, how do you fill it?

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And then they're like, you're doing defined gravity. I was like, oh, shoot. Like, I did ask for this, but at the same time, like. And I don't think a lot of people asked for it for that reason.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

I think maybe one other couple asked for it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. I didn't even think. I didn't even think about that.

[Alan Bersten]

And then I got it and I was like, listening to it in my car. I was like, oh, my God, what do I do? I was like, but it turned out.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Oh, it was amazing.

[Alan Bersten]

Like, I. Honestly. One of my favorite dances I've ever choreographed.

[Taylor Sterling]

Oh, wow.

[Alan Bersten]

I think it just really. People connected to it. Elaine was amazing. The moment of her, like, getting lifted in the end, like, it's. Yeah, it was cool.

[Taylor Lorenz]

You're so right about that. Because I think I feel like people first thought, like, whoever had that song obvious, obviously it was going to be good, but you really had to, like, choreograph.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Good movement for that. Because that definitely could have gotten Lost in the song.

[Alan Bersten]

When a song is too big, it's. You got to make sure you feel it. Otherwise. Yeah. You get lost in the song.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

What is.

[Taylor Lorenz]

What would you say is, like, your favorite? Could you pick a favorite style or maybe like. Yeah, what's your favorite? Yeah, what's your favorite? Maybe what's, like, your favorite or, like, least favorite to teach?

[Alan Bersten]

Oh, I love Argentine tango, so I'm really bummed that we didn't get to do it live on Halloween.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But it was, like, still, the rehearsal package was great. Yeah, that one's fun because, like, there's dynamics, there's passion, there's tricks.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like, there's so much in it. I don't have, like, a least favorite to teach. I think everyone will say, like, the hardest one is samba.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

Just because of, like, the. The rhythm and the bounce of it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But again, every celebrity is different. Some people, samba's easy for them.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And, you know, some it's impossible. So, like, it really depends on the celebrity.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

How was it for you in the.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Beginning of, like, your Dancing with the Stars career, learning how to, like, teach a non dancer?

[Alan Bersten]

So I feel lucky because, like, when I was growing up, I was teaching at the studio, and so, like, Even at, like, 15 years old, I was teaching people, and I think I really understood, like, how to do that. But then a bigger thing was when I joined the show, I was on troop. And when you're on troop, you. You. Because on top of just being able to teach somebody, we choreograph the dances, and, like, you got to know what works for camera, what works for your individual person, and then you have to know how to teach.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Because, like, you can be the best choreographer, but you don't know how to teach somebody it, then, yeah, you're gonna fall flat. Or you could be the best dancer, and if you don't understand how to teach it or choreograph it for camera, it's not gonna work.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So, like, you learn from experience. It was nice. It was nice being on troop and seeing the other pros.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

At the time, like, what works well, what doesn't work well, how to do it. Like, that experience is what really makes you better.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah. Wow.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. So I feel like people kind of look at troop as, like, a. Not a bad thing, but it's like, oh, like, you're not a pro.

[Taylor Sterling]

You're on troop.

[Taylor Lorenz]

But I feel like that is, like, you really learn.

[Alan Bersten]

Oh, yeah. I don't think it's interesting. I don't think like, if somebody starts out on Troop, it's not a bad thing.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

At all.

[Alan Bersten]

Or even if they go down the troop, it's not a bad thing. It's. It's just you get to experience it. You get to build that experience, which is you don't get it in any other way.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, you either get it from being a pro or from being in the room.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And so in the British version of the show, Strictly, they don't have, like, a troop per se. They just have pros without partners. So that's essentially the same thing.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And so, like, it's, you know, it's casting. It's. There's so much that goes into it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But, yeah, I don't think it's, like, a bad thing for somebody to be on Troop.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. I mean, definitely not, like, lack of talent either. Especially, like, Haley this season. Like.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I'm, like, so happy that she's Incredible is on the show. I've been watching her on the Internet for so long, and every time Jenna has posted her over the years, I'm like, I'm obsessed with her. I'm obsessed with her. So I'm so happy that she's on the show.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. The. All the. All the troop this season are incredible.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Haley's really, really talented.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. I. I'm excited for her and what's to come for her. She's great and she's so sweet.

[Alan Bersten]

She's very sweet.

[Taylor Lorenz]

She's really sweet. Okay. During season, what. What does, like, mental health self care time look like for you? It's probably not really existent, but when you feel yourself getting anxious or, like, run down, how do you kind of bring yourself back?

[Alan Bersten]

My favorite thing is there's a place called Voda Spa, and it's like a sauna and ice bath. And, like, I. That's how I like, wind up. Like, it's recovery for my body, but it's also like, you don't have your phone, you're in the sauna. You're just relaxing.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And that's kind of like the best for me. Mental.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like downtime or going to the gym.

[Taylor Sterling]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

Because it's like, when I'm. When I'm doing physical activity, like dancing even, or going to or working out, like, my. It just makes my mind feel better as well.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So for me, it's physical activity.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. I really want to get into cold plunging.

[Alan Bersten]

It's. I love it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I feel like I would like it, but I need to just, like, do it a couple times.

[Alan Bersten]

Just it's cold.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Take the plunge. But yeah, I need to. I've been on this, like, red light sauna, cool flip thing that I've been doing. I've been loving it.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah, no, the sauna is great. I. To me, it's like you're in the sauna for 15 minutes, two minutes in the ice is just unbelievable.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And like, you feel so relaxed after.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. What about on tour?

[Taylor Sterling]

Like, how do you.

[Alan Bersten]

We have ice baths. Like, we have one that travels with us.

[Taylor Sterling]

Oh.

[Alan Bersten]

Like a. And it's a nice one. They. They balled out on it. It has, like the chiller. So, like, there's no ice. Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

Oh, wow.

[Alan Bersten]

But I mean, we, like, we use it every day.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, and it's like, my next thing is I want them to bring a sauna as well. Yeah, like a one person sauna.

[Taylor Sterling]

Exactly.

[Taylor Lorenz]

They can just like, hook up a little trailer.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

To your guys's rv.

[Alan Bersten]

Exactly. Rv.

[Taylor Lorenz]

What is it called?

[Alan Bersten]

We are the Millers. We're just like driving around with an.

[Taylor Lorenz]

RV tour bus, so. Sorry. Oh, no, no, I'm teasing.

[Alan Bersten]

RV would probably be nicer.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Are those beds, like, comfortable?

[Alan Bersten]

I love it. It's pitch black and you're like, rocking a little bit. It's amazing.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I'm like a little cocoon.

[Alan Bersten]

I really. Yeah, I like it. I love tour.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay.

[Alan Bersten]

I know a lot of people are like, oh, it's hard. And it is hard, but, like, I'm so lucky. I get to go with Emma. I bring my dog Jeff, and I get a dance every day. Like, it's. To me, it's like the best thing ever.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I love that.

[Taylor Sterling]

How do you guys, like, eat healthy?

[Taylor Lorenz]

Like, how's food?

[Alan Bersten]

They. They supply everything.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Great. Sorry. I know. I'm not even thinking about this.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah, they cater, like, if, like Brits gluten free. Like, they make sure there's gluten free options in every city.

[Taylor Sterling]

That's great.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

So they take.

[Alan Bersten]

They take really good care of us.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I went to the tour for the first time last year and it was.

[Alan Bersten]

Did you.

[Taylor Lorenz]

So fun. Yeah, I loved it because last year.

[Alan Bersten]

Was a great show.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. I feel like it's so cool and people like, obviously we get to see the pros. Like, we get to see you guys dance, but, like, getting to see you guys, like, on stage for that long, dancing together, like, I was like, just blown away.

[Taylor Sterling]

Like, I knew all of you could.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Dance, but it's like, it's so cool to like, really see you guys, like, dance.

[Alan Bersten]

The tours. Yeah, it's like that's another thing is like a. You just go out and dance and have fun. No one gets eliminated. Like you're doing like, like incredible dances.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

It's just such a great experience. So like to me, that's one of the best parts.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah, I love that. Sweet. Okay, well, I have a fun little segment for us to do.

[Alan Bersten]

I'm ready. Maybe, maybe I'm ready.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Maybe.

[Taylor Sterling]

It's called Lemon 7. It's seven questions. You can rapid fire them or you.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Can go into a monologue. Whatever your heart desires.

[Alan Bersten]

I love it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay, question one is what movie or song title best describes your mental health today?

[Alan Bersten]

Prepped it. I saw these questions, I wrote it down and I forgot. No, I think happier than ever. Billie Eilish.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Oh, that's sweet.

[Alan Bersten]

Just like in the. We're in the middle of the season. It's so, so good and like I'm just so happy.

[Taylor Sterling]

I love that.

[Taylor Lorenz]

I love that.

[Alan Bersten]

That or it's getting harder and harder to breathe.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Literally the body starts to ache. For number two is how open are you with people in your life when you're struggling?

[Alan Bersten]

Pretty open. I, I feel like I wear my heart on my sleeve.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like I think everyone that watched the show on Halloween was like, oh my God, he's so sad. And it's like I can't control my emotions at all. So like when I'm sad, I'm really sad. When I'm happy, I'm just a goofball. Like it's.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So I can't, I don't know. I, I'm pretty open.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah, I gathered that. After your communication this episode, number three is if you could only follow three social media accounts, what would they be?

[Alan Bersten]

It would have to be Dancing with the Stars, right, Emma? Have to. And I feel like, you know, Tank's good news. You know Tank Sinatra, he's like a. He's like a meme person anyways. He's like, it's like just like positive stuff.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay, great. Yeah, I'll look it up.

[Alan Bersten]

Look it up.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay. Number four is what is your favorite form of self care?

[Alan Bersten]

What are the options? To me it was like the sauna and the ice plunge. Just like being able to like.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Zone out.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. Oh, I actually remembered I was going to ask you this earlier.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. How?

[Taylor Sterling]

Because you have been dancing so long.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Do you feel like you've ever teetered with like your love for it because it is so much your job up now?

[Alan Bersten]

That's a good question. No, I, I feel really lucky in the sense that every Day I wake up and I'm like, I. I genuinely feel grateful to do it. Like, even if it's, like, a hard day, I'm like, I still get to do what I love. I get to get paid to do it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And, like, I don't know. I'm just so grateful. There's never a day where, like, oh, yeah, I hate this.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, it's all. I. I. And I might be alone in that, or I might be the same as everyone else on the show. Like, I don't know. I just feel so grateful that, like, for 10 years now, I've been on this show that I get to create awesome dances. I dance with incredible people. The pros are incredible dancers. The celebrities are just awesome. And, like, I just feel so lucky.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. That's sweet. Sorry, I remembered that I wanted to ask number five is, what is the.

[Taylor Sterling]

Most misunderstood thing about you?

[Alan Bersten]

I would probably say my tone back to that. I think it's better now, but in the. Back in the day, definitely my tone.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Like, I would just.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Is that. Was that, like, fun for you to, like, watch for the first time on tv? Like, did you know that you. That it was there, no TV or.

[Alan Bersten]

No, I only knew after, like, I'm just learning it, like, last month. No, I'm kidding. No, it's like, Emma will tell me all the time, like, your tone. And I'm like, no, what do you mean? I'm saying something nice. Yeah, but, like, you're saying it, like, really just straightforward. Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

I don't know.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, but it's. It's. I've realized in communication, it's not just what you say, it's how the other person can take it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And so, like, I can say something and be, like, oh, so nonchalant.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But like, in reality, like, probably have to say it in a different way for that person to receive it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But, yeah, it's. My tone has probably been my biggest problem.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Well, you know, at least I'm fixing it.

[Alan Bersten]

I'm fixing it.

[Taylor Sterling]

We're working on it.

[Alan Bersten]

My intentions are good.

[Taylor Sterling]

I love that.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Number six is. Who has had the most positive impact.

[Taylor Sterling]

On your mental health?

[Alan Bersten]

Can I say my dog?

[Taylor Lorenz]

Absolutely.

[Alan Bersten]

Definitely my dog. Also, I. I gotta say, Emma, she's. She's really encouraged me to. To, you know, be vulnerable and. And share my feelings, especially with her.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But, you know, there's strength in vulnerability. It's. I don't think it's healthy to just keep everything inside.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And she's really advocated for that.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Do you feel like it helps because you guys are both pros on the show and, like, you understand what's going on? Do you think that's, like, your time together, do you think that's, like, benefited your relationship in the sense that you both know the. What, like, your life is gonna look like?

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah. I think we both know it's hard because we're both going through the same thing.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So, like, when, you know, if somebody's having a bad day, it's like, oh, I understand. I. I truly exactly understand what you're going through.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

Which is nice. But sometimes you're both going through it.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

You know, and then it's like figuring out how to help each other.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

But I think it. It helps, you know, if. When. When you know what you're both going through. I think knowing what people are going through helps.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah. So, yeah, we've talked with that about that with Val and Jenna, and they, like, I feel like it's. They said, like, the same thing. Like, it's. You understand, like, the work that the other person is putting in.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

And so it's not like, obviously, like, you miss them, but it's not like a. You know, why they're doing it because you're like, I have been there and are also doing.

[Alan Bersten]

Yeah.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Okay, last question is, if you could go back to one moment in your life, what moment would that be, and what would you say to yourself?

[Alan Bersten]

See, I saw this question, and I don't know. I think. I think there's no point in going back to a moment just because every moment that I've personally gone through, good or bad, is why I am the way I am now.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So it's like everything is a learning experience. And so I don't want to take away. Even if there were really bad moments that, like, that really hurt, I wouldn't want to take that away because it helped me grow to who I am now.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

So I don't know. I would just say in general, like, just keep going and. And be proud. But other than that, it's, you know, everything is a learning experience.

[Taylor Sterling]

Yeah.

[Alan Bersten]

And if you look at it that way, then you're. You're. You never fail at anything. It's just a learning experience or you've never really, you know.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah.

[Taylor Sterling]

That's great. I love it. Well, thanks for coming on and chatting.

[Alan Bersten]

Of course.

[Taylor Lorenz]

What's. What's the number to text for Elaine? We'll put it in. In the description below.

[Alan Bersten]

21523 8pm Eastern, 7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific. Text the Lane.

[Taylor Lorenz]

You heard it here first.

[Alan Bersten]

You've heard it everywhere now.

[Taylor Lorenz]

Yeah, literally everywhere.

[Alan Bersten]

But you have heard it here, too.

[Taylor Lorenz]

That's so funny. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.