WHOA That's Good Podcast: Episode Summary Cost n’ Mayor Are Living Their Best Dance Lives (And Having a Blast Doing It)
Host: Sadie Robertson Huff
Release Date: July 23, 2025

Introduction

In this vibrant episode of the WHOA That's Good Podcast, host Sadie Robertson Huff welcomes the dynamic dance duo, Austin and Arthur Otho, popularly known as Cost and Mayor. The episode delves into their journey in the dance world, their personal relationship, and the inspiring advice that has guided their path.

Dance Background and Early Beginnings

Austin and Arthur share their early experiences with dance, highlighting how they each found their passion.

• Arthur’s Journey:
  Arthur recounts, "I don’t know about to this day" regarding being a triple threat, emphasizing his deep-rooted love for dance that stemmed from a class his mother enrolled him in after he stepped away from baseball [14:12].

• Austin’s Experience:
  Austin began dancing at 14, appreciating the balanced identity it offered. He states, "started dancing when I was 14, had an awesome coach who really trained us in like foundational street styles," which later evolved into a love for musical theater [16:52].

Meeting and Collaboration

The story of how Cost and Mayor met is both serendipitous and charming.

• The Six Flags Encounter:
  The duo met while performing at Six Flags Great Adventure's Halloween show, where they were transformed into zombies through elaborate costumes. Austin humorously reflects, "Doesn't that sound like the perfect backdrop for a romance?" [19:19].

• Relationship Development:
  Although they initially dated secretly, the pandemic led them to live together, fostering both their personal and professional relationships. Arthur notes, "After three weeks of dating, I moved into her parents' home," highlighting the rapid progression of their relationship due to unforeseen circumstances [22:08].

Impact of COVID-19

The pandemic played a pivotal role in reshaping their careers and personal lives.

• Relocating to North Carolina:
  With dance studios shut down in New York, Austin and Arthur moved back to North Carolina to stay with family, leading to an unexpected fusion of their creative energies [21:23].

• Creative Collaboration:
  Living together inspired them to choreograph jointly, blending their distinct dance styles. Arthur explains, "We wanted to stay creative and keep dancing," which eventually led to the birth of Cost and Mayor [25:57].

Creation and Growth of Cost and Mayor

Transitioning from individual performers to a collaborative dance brand, Cost and Mayor found their unique niche.

• Swift Growth:
  The couple was astonished by the rapid rise of their dance content. Austin shares, "We never intended for it to become such a huge thing," underscoring the organic growth of their platform [31:25].

• Original Content Over Trends:
  They emphasize the importance of originality, stating, "Whenever we started really just doing original stuff, that's when it really started growing and becoming a thing," highlighting their commitment to authentic creativity [31:09].

Personal Growth and Faith

A significant theme of the episode is how faith influenced their career decisions and personal lives.

• Choosing Purpose Over Pressure:
  Austin discusses pivotal advice from a mentor: "You're not picking dance or ministry. You're picking ministry, and that is your ministry," which helped him align his passion for dance with his spiritual calling [46:47].

• Arthur’s Return to Faith:
  Arthur shares his journey back to faith during the pandemic, illustrating how spiritual support helped him navigate career uncertainties. He poignantly compares life's burdens to "trying to hold all those groceries with one hand" and encourages entrusting them to God [51:04].

Wedding and Life as a Couple

Their wedding symbolizes the harmony between their personal and professional lives.

• A Celebration of Love and Transformation:
  Austin describes their wedding as "the most fun wedding" where they publicly declared their love and faith, celebrating their transformation and shared journey [52:25].

• Strength Through Partnership:
  Meredith reflects on their partnership, noting, "two are better than one... doing your work together," emphasizing the strength and joy they find in collaborating as a couple [54:45].

Future Projects: Dance Card Game

Looking ahead, Cost and Mayor introduce their upcoming dance card game, blending fun and creativity.

• Make a Dance Game:
  The duo unveiled their card game, "Make a Dance," designed to inspire creativity and laughter among players. Austin enthuses, "It's like funky dance charades," highlighting its family-friendly and entertaining nature [57:28].

Notable Quotes

• Arthur Otho on Creativity:
  “[...] the only thing that's standing in your way is just hitting that post button.” [04:07]

• Austin on Authenticity:
  “If you're doing something that isn't you, you're attracting the wrong audience.” [10:00]

• Austin on Faith and Career Alignment:
  “It felt like God's plan was starting to click. You never know what he's got going on.” [35:31]

• Arthur Otho on Letting Go:
  “Put them in the cart.” [51:07]

• Meredith on Purpose:
  “If you're doing what you're doing with minus the purpose part, you're missing it.” [42:35]

Conclusion

This episode of WHOA That's Good Podcast beautifully captures the essence of Cost and Mayor’s journey—balancing passion, faith, and partnership. From their dance backgrounds to overcoming industry pressures and embracing their faith, Austin and Arthur offer a compelling narrative of authenticity and purposeful creativity. Their story serves as an inspiring testament to following one’s true path and the profound impact of supportive relationships.

For more inspiring stories and meaningful conversations, subscribe to the WHOA That's Good Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.