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

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

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.

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])

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])

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]

"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])

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.