A chat on the predictable unpredictability of life as a parent, but also the pride and importance of sharing that we are parents, guardians (1:57), Chi-Chi shares the whirlwind of her successful professional career coinciding with her young child’s blossoming Broadway career and gratitude for the wonderful, caring people who have helped along the way (5:51), how we can do the things we previously didn’t think we could (15:34).
Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson
Guest: Charlene “Chi-Chi” Smith
Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions
Follow Charlene “Chi-Chi”
YouTube @DanceChi
La Danse School of the Performing Arts
Follow Us
Instagram @creativemamasunplugged
Facebook @creativemamasunplugged
Apple Podcasts @CreativeMamasUnplugged
Spotify @CreativeMamasUnplugged
Amazon Music @CreativeMamasUnplugged
YouTube @CreativeMamasUnplugged
iHeart Radio @CreativeMamasUnplugged
Podbean @CreativeMamasUnplugged
In this episode, Chi-Chi opens up about the delicate balance of managing her son’s budding performance career while continuing to thrive in her own. She highlights the power of her village, reminding us all that, above everything, her most important title is mother. With her signature cool, calm, and collected energy, Chi-Chi shares an insightful perspective on navigating motherhood and career with grace and decisiveness.
Hailing from the South Bronx, Chi-Chi’s roots in funk, soul, hip-hop, and Latin music have shaped her dynamic career. She has worked with top choreographers in the industry performing alongside legends such as Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, and Mary J. Blige.
Her choreography credits span major brands, hit TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Broadway. Up next, she’s set to portray Damita Jo Freeman in Hippest Trip—The Soul Train Musical.
A dedicated dance educator, Chi-Chi teaches at Pace and Rutgers University, bringing her signature Groove Theory to the next generation—all while being a devoted mom to her SONshine, Kane.
Popular Podcasts
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.