In this special preview of the Stagelync Podcast, I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with a long-time peer and a true force in the industry, Zoie Golding. It has been over 20 years since we last saw each other in person, but Zoie’s energy is as infectious as ever. As a dance pioneer who has spent 25 years at the intersection of choreography and social change, Zoie has a story that is a masterclass in “following your nose” toward a greater purpose.
We dive into how her company, ZoieLogic, evolved from a small studio experiment into a powerhouse of social innovation. We discuss her mission to break down the barriers that prevent men from accessing their emotional intelligence and her fierce advocacy for a more sustainable, business-minded approach to the arts.
This conversation is just a glimpse into Zoie’s 25-year legacy of change-making. To hear more about our shared history and her vision for national movement initiatives, catch the full episode next week!
How did a teenage “maker of ideas” end up founding a male-dominated dance company?
Zoie Golding realized early on that her true calling was as a director. At 19, she noticed a void in the industry—men and boys were virtually invisible in contemporary dance, and the existing styles lacked the high-stakes physicality she craved. By recruiting a local football team to experiment with “lifting, catching, and throwing,” she discovered that the grit of sport could be translated into the grace of dance, leading to the creation of Fuzzy Logic and a lifelong mission to make men in dance visible.
Why is creating a “non-competitive” space so vital for male mental health?
Zoie explains to me that most male-dominated environments, from the gym to the boardroom, are rooted in competition. Dance offers a rare alternative: a space for exploration rather than performance. By focusing on how the body tells a story rather than perfecting a “five-six-seven-eight” routine, she helps men unlock emotional intelligence. This shift allows them to move from “what they are doing” to “how they are feeling,” creating a profound tonic for mental well-being.
What does “safe failure” look like in leadership and social innovation?
As a CEO, Zoie has learned to balance her role as a creative visionary with the need to empower her team. She practices “safe failure” by letting her staff pursue passionate ideas, even if she suspects they might wobble. As long as a project doesn’t risk the company’s reputation or financial stability, she allows the team to “get lost and found” in the process. This trust-based leadership has allowed young dancers to transition into world-class creative producers.
How is ZoieLogic changing the “fluffy” perception of the arts?
One of Zoie’s biggest challenges is the external perception that the arts are an “add-on” or “fluffy” sector. She argues that her work is high-stakes placemaking that is intrinsic to society. By running her company with the rigor of a commercial business—focusing on systemic inclusion, behavioral management, and transferring production skills across industries—she demonstrates that creative organizations are essential, rigorous businesses that drive social change.
How can we bridge the gap between artistic training and the “business of freelancing”?
Zoie Golding and I both feel strongly about a significant disservice in the industry: dancers are trained in technique but rarely in entrepreneurship. She advocates for teaching freelancers how to manage taxes, build a brand, and maintain “orbit” around potential employers. ZoieLogic treats freelancers as a long-term workforce, building subsidized training and mental health support into project budgets so that the artists grow alongside the institution.
Main Image: Courtesy of ZoieLogic Dance Theatre