Originally recorded in October 2023, we're re-releasing this conversation because it's still just as relevant today. Dan sits down with Jason Larkins, host of the Let's Talk Cheer podcast, to work through a list of real questions submitted by NextGen Academy gym owners - and it turns into one of the most practical, wide-ranging conversations on the show. They dig into how to fix choreography mid-season without blowing up a routine, Jason's parent-email strategy for cutting down athlete absences (and his "we're all missing kids" gut-check for coaches), how to keep practice productive when half a stunt group is gone, and why Jason has started making his teams finish their work before letting them go instead of ending practice strictly on time. They also get into the harder stuff: co-managing a gym with your spouse, managing stress on competition day, and Dan's ongoing gripe with the 25/75 scoring split. Before you dive in, make sure you're in the Cheer Gym Owners and All-Star Cheer Coaches and Owners Facebook groups, and if you want to learn directly from Dan's team, check out the upcoming Cheer Biz Accelerator events.

The cheer industry is huge, but the network behind it is small — and your reputation travels fast. In this episode, Dan Cotton breaks down why how you treat independent providers (choreographers, camp companies) and your own staff can make or break your gym's reputation — and what to do if you're already struggling with it. Dan shares a real story from this summer: a longtime program canceled 60 camp beds with only 14 days' notice, and what that kind of last-minute cancellation actually costs the people you hire. He also covers how staff turnover and disorganization build a reputation that follows you, and why every gym owner should have a business coach in their corner. Don't miss the Cheer Biz Accelerator events happening in 2026 and 2027 — visit cheerbizaccelerator.com for details. Join the conversation: Cheer Gym Owners (Facebook) → [link] All-Star Cheer Coaches and Owners (Facebook) → [link]

Winning Worlds is an incredible accomplishment—but sometimes the biggest lessons in cheer come from the moments that don't end with a trophy. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton sits down with Kaden Snyder, World Champion with MACS Senior Starz and Weber State Cheer athlete, for an honest conversation about resilience, leadership, elite tumbling, and what it really takes to grow as an athlete. Kaden shares the highs of competing at the highest levels of all star and college cheer, but he also opens up about one of the most difficult moments of his career and how it completely changed the way he views leadership, teammates, and success. If you're a cheer athlete, coach, parent, or gym owner, this episode is a reminder that some of the most valuable lessons in cheer happen when things don't go according to plan.