Episode 18 - Ricardo Ludgero Souza on Prioritising Joy and Care within Freelancing and Social Structures Today

In this episode, Megan is joined by Ricardo, a professional dancer and creative working across stage, film and commercial performance, for an honest conversation about sustainability, authenticity and care within a demanding freelance dance career.Ricardo shares his journey into dance, from early training and time on the Centre of Advanced Training Programme at The Place to performing in Wicked and creating his own short dance film, Shattering Conceptions. Together, they explore what it means to stay connected to joy and self-expression in an industry that often prioritises output, speed and visibility.The conversation moves through themes of self-care and mental health, including journaling, therapy, emotional regulation and taking intentional breaks to prevent burnout. Megan and Ricardo reflect on empathy in creative work, the pressure to prioritise others, and how sustainable practices can look different across seasons of life.They also discuss navigating freelance structures — finding the right agent, managing multiple projects, and building supportive professional relationships — alongside broader reflections on the commercialization of dance and the importance of returning to its roots.Throughout the episode, Ricardo speaks candidly about vulnerability, resilience and showing up authentically, offering a reminder that longevity in dance is built not just on discipline, but on care, presence and honesty.