Latest / STOPTIME: Live in the Moment. / Chloe & Maud Arnold: The Humans Behind the Headlines

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Chloe & Maud Arnold: The Humans Behind the Headlines · STOPTIME: Live in the Moment.

• 0:23
  Lisa Hopkins: This is the stop time podcast. I'm your host, Lisa Hopkins, and I'm here to engage you in thought provoking motivational conversations around practicing the art of living in the moment. I'm a certified life coach, and I'm excited to dig deep and offer insights into embracing who we are and where we are at. My next guests are a dynamic duo of sisters, who have worked together as a team and separately on countless projects in film, television, fashion and live stage. Their work has taken them worldwide to over 30 countries and inspired so very many widely known for their all female tap dance fan syncopated ladies, they have amassed over 100 million views online with appearances on The Ellen Show.
• 1:13
  Lisa Hopkins: Good Morning America, the Kelly Clarkson show So You Think You Can Dance and have received praise not only from their fans and followers, but from Beyonce, Whoopi Goldberg, Shonda Rhimes, Janet Jackson, as well as many other celebrities and news outlets around the world. During the pandemic, they gave free classes to over 25,000 students worldwide online and continue to their after school programs in South Central LA and favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They are on a mission to elevate and celebrate the art of tap dancing through film, television and live events. They are tap dancers choreographers, educators, entrepreneurs, philanthropist, and I'm thrilled to say that they are here with me today on stop time. So please welcome Chloe and Maude Arnold, welcome golf. Thank you. We're
• 2:03
  Chloe Arnold: so glad to be here.
• 2:04
  Maud Arnold: Yes. And thank you for that awesome intro.
• 2:06
  Chloe Arnold: I know, I'm like, Wow. I was like, wow, we did some things. Well, it's
• 2:12
  Lisa Hopkins: really, really interesting. Because, literally, you know, as I was thinking about you, and I do a lot of time thinking about my guests prior, you guys have such a strong energetic presence, not not just because you're everywhere, everywhere, literally. But you just you just do like you held a lot of I felt a lot of energy. And, you know, it made me think, you know, you both have this, this super impressive track record of accomplishments, right. And your work is obviously truly captured the hearts of so many. And I just wanted to ask you if it's okay, if it's okay with you guys. Like I just like to take a moment. And like just slow down the tempo a bit right? And hold space and acknowledge the two of you, individually and together for the humans behind the headlines.
• 3:07
  Chloe Arnold: I love that I love that's a beautiful thing. And I think that the human behind the headline is the only reason there's a headline because when I was talking to cherish one of our managers yesterday and there's a like something really awesome in the works for us a television project. And but the way that we got the tell that this whole thing transpired.
• 3:39
  Chloe Arnold: It's been as a dream of ours, something we've been planting for, you know, like a decade.
• 3:42
  Chloe Arnold: But the way that we ended up with this relationship that's pushing this forward is because mod gave a ride to a friend, instead of having them take an Uber. And we know especially if you live in LA, they're giving a ride to a friend during rush hour is a generous kind act when they could afford an Uber it's not like this was because they couldn't afford it. Uber is a little tough, no, just to be kind and to spend a little more time with a friend. And that transformed into a whole night that then created a relationship that has put us where we are and ever even
• 4:25
  Maud Arnold: me meeting her when I spoke to her I didn't really know what she did. But she told me that her daughter wanted to dance but had lupus. And I said oh, I said we've worked with very sick dancers before my sister just said I said take my number because my sister is very kind. She's very kind choreographer. And if nothing else, your daughter could come learn and just be in the room.
• 4:45
  Maud Arnold: And that is how me and this woman connected. I didn't even know that she was an Emmy Award winning producer.
• 4:54
  Chloe Arnold: So what I'm saying is every blessing like the big ones have come because of literally some form of giving or being present. It's really even our tour was was our agent for our tour was a former tenant of ours in an apartment in New York when she 20 years yeah when she was like on the come up and didn't have a spot and blah blah you know and so I'm just really think For, honestly, for the human experience, which is then given us these incredible moments and places to be, and it just being in the right place, right time, with a very clear mission. So I, when I look at like all of the, again, the headlines and these big things that are happening for us, they're really just the magnification of this initial purpose that we had for our day to day lives.
• 5:53
  Lisa Hopkins: Totally. No, that makes perfect sense. You know, what I'm really I'm really super curious about, you know, successful people. You know, we hear their headlines, right?
• 6:04
  Lisa Hopkins: Because, you know, would you share with us like, what, what maybe, you know, something that it didn't become a headline that maybe you should have, like a low light or something, because I think it's important for people to hear that, you know, there, there's probably an equal number of failures. They don't know how many things didn't fail, but you try.
• 6:23
  Chloe Arnold: I want to share one, because we had the onset of YouTube, when I was traveling around the world. And I was going, I was going everywhere I was in Prague, and you know, Len, Hye won, and France and like, everywhere, and so I was I started Chloe's world, which was a video blog. And I want to say like, 2007. So this is so far before Instagram, and like Facebook videos, this was on YouTube, I just shooting it on.
• 6:55
  Chloe Arnold: Oh, my God, I think it was on mini DV or like, just something really antiquated. And I was self editing. And I had a we had a friend who was really great and graphics, and he did this super awesome intro for me. And I was like, This is gonna be the moment I might my shows gonna blow up. And then you know, the thing has, like, you know, 500 views, which. Like, yay. And I look back, though, and that's kind of the thing about anything you're imagining is that you have to start somewhere. I love the saying that our friend has.
• 7:33
  Chloe Arnold: His name is Maverick Carter. And it's his company saying so you know, I don't know who made it up. But it's LeBron James's team, they're saying is, make it until you make it and keep making it. Hmm. It's like, yeah, if you enjoy something, make it, maybe no one will see it, that's okay. You make something else, and you make something else. And you you truly never know what the thing is that someone's gonna see. But I was always making videos, just nobody, you know, in college, I made short films. My made short films.
• 8:17
  Maud Arnold: I kind of want to, like, you know, we would do those reaction videos, I kind of, like put them out there and be like, Oh, my God, what were we doing here? Because that's funny, but the reality is, is like, it's good to look back on something and be like, Oh, I've gotten so much better, as opposed to looking at something 10 years gonna be like, dang, that was so much better than what it is now, you know,
• 8:37
  Chloe Arnold: and also looking back and saying, I wish I had, because now I look at all those countries I went to, and even if no one else is looking at the video, I get it and go, Oh, my God, that was me in that year.
• 8:49
  Chloe Arnold: And that time, how was I feeling about myself? How was I feeling about my art, you know, and it was a definitely a time where I was still in the, you know, trying to find exactly how to amplify my voice in the most authentic way. You know, because I think, because I'm the older sister, and because I'm also the older, like, Michelle and Michelle Dorrance and I are a generation of specific generation of women and tap. And you know, like, our mission kind of emerged both out of New York at the same time. And we were both clear, she was so clear, I wanted to you know, doing the concert dance space and really putting tap dance into that space in like such a powerful way. And for me, I was like, I want to put tap on TV and film.
• 9:42
  Chloe Arnold: And I want to make like a rock concert basically, tap women and so but you know, at that when we were starting our voices were so small in the land of tap because it was just such a massive, powerful male voice with massive you know, Broadway shows that were all men brought massive tours that were all guys and you know, amazing women that were honestly the the tradition bearers and keeping all going but not having necessarily the same platform. As these fellas and so I think I started tap dancing very much. When I was in New York, I was definitely like me my college days and early 20s. And Michelle as well, I would say we were in the battle zone, we were like, on the jump in the circle, and I'm going to show you how good I am, you know, and, like, very much approve yourself, state of mind.
• 10:45
  Chloe Arnold: And like, I've got to have the best chops, my technique has to be incredible. My musicality, and he's like, you're, you're just fighting for respect. And I definitely the difference of that life. And the life I live in now is drastic. And it's, and again, I feel like I needed to go through that. But just for folks to know, I would get in those battles, and I wasn't winning, and I wasn't shining.
• 11:15
  Chloe Arnold: And I was off beat. And I remember, like, 16 years old, and like falling off the rhythm and big mat and a big jam session, that was like pivotal to, to me, to me, that was like, if you can kill it today, you'll make it in life. And it was like, I didn't kill it. But it became a formative experience to understand, oh, this is a journey. Like, I'm not gonna kill it for a while, I'm gonna have to keep getting in this circle, and keep not being good for a minute. And then I'm gonna start to make sense. And then I'm gonna start to soar. And then I'm gonna realize none of it matters. And I, I have a skill, which matters, and that's amazing. But it doesn't matter.
• 12:02
  Chloe Arnold: Who's the best in the circle.
• 12:02
  Chloe Arnold: That's not the defining component of being an artist. I think if I were to look at like, failure, it would be kind of part of it is also setting a goal that you don't even ever need to meet that, you know, like this false sense of success, that you're like, I have to do this to be successful. And then you realize a little older. Oh, no, that's not the answer. It's just a part of the like, learning journey,
• 12:32
  Lisa Hopkins: one or 2%. And it's so interesting, because what stands out to me is it had nothing to do with tap dancing.
• 12:37
  Lisa Hopkins: Your goal was to be seen in that realm. Your goal was to speak your voice. But the irony is you didn't know what you've always was, because you hadn't been seen, but like you needed both.
• 12:48
  Lisa Hopkins: And that was that was just the conduit, right? So you're right, it's until you have the journey until you have the bandwidth.
• 12:54
  Lisa Hopkins: You can't look back and learn and develop your voice. Yeah, that's brilliant. Thank you.
• 13:00
  Maud Arnold: I'd say on a quick note. I mean, I got denied for grant this morning. And I was actually screencapture that I was going to post it on my story because I apply for all of our grants. And, and the reality is, is that people do need to see that you don't get everything, but you just keep it pushing.
• 13:19
  Maud Arnold: And it's fine. Like, and I'm not angry about it. I mean, I auditioned for a commercial that Chloe is choreographing right now. And I didn't get it. And I am totally fine with it. Because what's meant for you is for you.
• 13:30
  Maud Arnold: And I'm just like, I want to post my audition video because it's so funny. And I'm just waiting to be able to do that.
• 13:38
  Maud Arnold: But I'm not angry or bitter. And I think it's important to for young people to see that. But I think people you know, do show their highlight reel publicly.
• 13:48
  Maud Arnold: And then people forget that, like, everybody fails.
• 13:52
  Chloe Arnold: I think you should share the story about the Rockettes Oh, so
• 13:58
  Maud Arnold: when I was in college, I auditioned to be a rocket and I made it through to the end, which also now when I look back, I'm like, Did I make it through that bar because I'm not very good at precision dancing. And they pulled me aside and the woman she was like, You're really great. But fitness is an issue. And she was like probably like 15 pounds or so. You know? And I said okay, and I looked at her and I said in my head I smiled and said thank you and I hit my head I was like she's crazy. And I left and I went back to my dorm room and probably ordered some more shrimp fried rice and but I never got angry and never got bitter and I never badmouth them because I had Facebook at the time I was like one of the first people on Facebook. I never said anything bad I just remember being like well that's not for me. But we did what was for us you know and Chloe created syncopated ladies and you know all that. So 16 years later, I this summer I just finished teaching at their intensive for the rackets. And you know, it's just a testament to you don't get better, you get better, and you focus on yourself. And like clay has been talking a lot about purpose. It's like, what I have made a great racket, probably not at the end of the day, you know, but did I go home and become anorexic? No. Did I go home and become angry? No, we take almost 100 50 kids and families from underserved communities to see the Rockettes every year, we have an amazing partnership with them. The woman who told me I was too fat essentially, is no longer there.
• 15:31
  Maud Arnold: And they have a whole new philosophy and approach. They have so many women of color on the line now. And it's it's really quite refreshing to see.
• 15:41
  Maud Arnold: Yeah. And
• 15:41
  Chloe Arnold: so we did during the pandemic, we did a collaboration, a video collaboration with Rockettes, it was modernI and the Rockettes.
• 15:49
  Chloe Arnold: And we did it virtually. And we all we choreographed it offline, and then videoed everything, and then put it together. And again, the Rockettes posting us dancing with the Rockettes, specifically us dancing differently than them. I mean, you want to talk about changing of just the guards and the mentality. And I think, you know, for there to be progress for there to be changed, you have to stay open, and you can't get so heavy, and kind of, you know, just write off the system, because it's, it's going to keep being there.
• 16:26
  Chloe Arnold: So the options are, be like mindset be bitter, or push forward and try to be better and try to try to create change. And so it's exciting to be able to see an institution that's so old, hire new people, and hat and stretch their imagination and open their minds. And that's, it's really special.
• 16:49
  Lisa Hopkins: Yeah, and 100%.
• 16:49
  Lisa Hopkins: Hey, Chloe, I understand that you applied for all of the all of the Ivy League schools. Is that right? And you got accepted to all of them? Yeah, so yay, first of all, but I'm really curious to know why that was important to you to apply to all of them.
• 17:08
  Chloe Arnold: I love that you asked that question. Okay, there's a video that is to grant right now. It is so funny. It's me playing tug of war with three guys hysterical.
• 17:25
  Maud Arnold: It's like you have to cry laughing. I cried. Okay, I will post the link on
• 17:33
  Chloe Arnold: this video depicts who I am. If you say who's Chloe. It's
• 17:41
  Maud Arnold: so true.
• 17:42
  Chloe Arnold: So from from a child, I have always been competitive. And it's interesting, because I've also is this weird combination, because I've always been competitive from very young. But there was definitely the time of like, 12 to 15, where my dancing, who was still very, like, shy, and not like, not bold, but still in I was still very competitive. It's very interesting. In my mind, I don't mean like hurting anyone else or like trying to beat people. But I mean, I played sports. And I was going to run, run as fast as I could down the soccer field.
• 18:20
  Chloe Arnold: In the neighborhood. I played basketball every day, I wanted to make the three pointers, like I loved competing at anything, it'd be like, who wants to play the game, I'm participating who wants to run the relay race. I'd like to in a in a class and like fifth grade. It's like who wants to play trivia? I do. I realized from tug of war, this this party that I went to, it was a adult birthday party with all these games, who played all the games.
• 18:49
  Chloe Arnold: I was the only person who played all the games, I realized that that is who I am. I'm a participator I like to participate. And then I like to achieve within said fitness participants. Now, when I was in high school, I was in a public high school. My mom is so amazing, because I had gotten into a Gifted and Talented program in middle school. And I went to that school she was like you need to try it out. And I wasn't in my like, track of the schools. I was in District Yeah, with all my friends and and I went to the school for like two weeks and it's like the school that's gonna get you into every great college because it's more everything. And I went for two weeks and I was like, Mom, I don't like it. I don't like the environment. I don't like the culture. I don't like the people. Can I please go back to my regular school. Now what parent lets their kid leave the magnet gifted and talented to go back to the quote unquote regular school? Well, my mom does. So she lets me go back.
• 19:56
  Maud Arnold: Our mom is an educator by the way. Yes, school teacher.
• 20:00
  Chloe Arnold: She lets me go back I'm the happiest that can be in my back to my school, playing all my sports and seeing all my friends and being in you know what I considered just regular school with all my folks. So then get to high school through this, you know, like same track. And mind you of course the schools that were that I We're in had just more minorities than the magnet school, unfortunately, the nature of how the US education system works. So I get to high school and I had an English teacher. And this was now in like maybe 10th or 11th grade English teacher and she was like, Yeah, you'll never get into Harvard. Because I was saying, like, what schools I'd like to apply to, you know, and again, since I'm an achiever, I like say, I'm gonna apply to Harvard, like this name. And she's like, Yeah, you'll never get in.
• 20:56
  Maud Arnold: And that I remember, she said, You need to just apply to University of Maryland, or maybe you could go there.
• 21:04
  Chloe Arnold: So I said, Oh, really competitive. Chloe was like, I'm gonna apply to every Ivy League. And you watch me work. And my mom went, Mommy did my mom when she did that, found?
• 21:27
  Chloe Arnold: Found, perhaps took a poster that was on a wall.
• 21:35
  Maud Arnold: It was a bus stuck at a bus stop.
• 21:39
  Chloe Arnold: And it said, what if Harvard were your safety school, she took it, she put it on our front door, on the inside of our front door. So every time on the way to school, that's what we saw on the door, heading out to school. And it she really manifested the idea that whatever we imagined, is beyond possible, it's beyond possible.
• 22:01
  Chloe Arnold: And so when it was when it came time to apply, again, our mom was an educator. And you know, she was like, Yeah, go for it, apply for everything, whatever you want. So I applied to all the ivy League's I applied to USC, UCLA, and I had visited Columbia. Again, back to like how dance and everything ties together. I wanted to go to New York couldn't afford to go but I wanted to go to see shows and take master classes. So I reached out to BaKari Wilder, who was a DC hometown homie. And as I admired you, we hadn't been in touch at all. I cold call.
• 22:43
  Chloe Arnold: He's in New York on Broadway.
• 22:48
  Chloe Arnold: Hi, Bukhari. I don't know if you remember me. I'm the one who always had the break down her back. And he's like, of course, I know. You. I know. Like, really? And I was like, so I really would love to visit New York. And come see your show.
• 23:03
  Chloe Arnold: But I don't have anywhere to stay. And he was like, come on, you can stay with me. So at 15 I took $20 took the greyhound. The Greyhound was the greyhound.
• 23:15
  Chloe Arnold: There was no yeah took the $20 Greyhound by myself to New York.
• 23:19
  Chloe Arnold: BaKari picks me up at Port Authority. I'm like, oh my god, what is this? And we go to Brooklyn. And he introduced me to the world of New York as a professional dancer. Thanks to him. I understood the land. And so one day I was with some of the cast members. And they like they're not the ones that were in the show the ones training for the show. And I was like, Do you guys know where Columbia is?
• 23:52
  Chloe Arnold: And it's like, can you tell me how to get there? They're like, we'll take you. So a group of the tap dancers took the subway uptown with me. They hung out at the park Morningside Park. Well, I went on my, they're like, Well wait for you here. Have fun. I go up to Columbia, like, Do you know where admissions is? And I do my own college visit. Not plan not scheduled. I just walked into like, Hi. And I remember a really nice guy named Peter Johnson. God, yeah, rest in peace. He passed away. I got his card. And he ended up being the, let's just say the, the kindest admissions person for me, my sister, all of our friends, like he and I, but I'll never forget getting his business card and going, admissions great. And I got all the brochures. And then I went back and met the guys in the park. And they're like, how was it? I was like, I think I want to go here. And they're like, great. And then we took a step back and went back to dancing.
• 24:55
  Chloe Arnold: But it was, it's one of those things where I look at that and I go, so when I applied to all the schools. My thought is I'm gonna get into all of them, but I'm going to Columbia, like I already had that in my head. But then when it really happened, that I got into all of them. It was like, Whoa, I got into Harvard, and they've given me a full ride. Like a Now I gotta do what I do now. And again, my mom being so our mom being so amazing when I said to her, but I really want to go to Columbia.
• 25:31
  Chloe Arnold: She said, Okay, that's your choice, you got to go where you want to go. And she said, You need to leverage the Harvard money to get Columbia to do more. And so I took the financial aid package from Harvard, went to Columbia. And then in the long run, Bill Gates came and gave me a scholarship that covered the whole thing. So it wouldn't matter where I went, but and we're actually performing for his foundation.
• 25:59
  Chloe Arnold: Next week in New York.
• 26:03
  Lisa Hopkins: How cool.
• 26:04
  Chloe Arnold: I know. It's 20 years later. I'm a scholarship student, and I am performing for his next program, which is an you know, for us foundation forgiving as well.
• 26:15
  Lisa Hopkins: That's cool. It seems like there's a full circle theme going on here right with rockets and Daryl gates, always hate mud as the younger sibling.
• 26:21
  Lisa Hopkins: What did what did you admire and emulate from Chloe's path? And then what distinctions did you create to set yourself apart from following in her footsteps?
• 26:34
  Lisa Hopkins: I'm so curious.
• 26:36
  Unknown: Well, we grew up together so closely, we shared a room. We've had a business together since she was 10. And I was like four or five, we've made scrunchies. I think Chloe made them as a salesperson.
• 26:49
  Lisa Hopkins: Okay, I love that.
• 26:52
  Maud Arnold: They were one.
• 26:52
  Maud Arnold: Yeah. They were $1. And we would go to like, buy the scraps of the scrunchie. Didn't you buy like scraps of fabric for like$5 for thing, we'd buy that. And then we shared a room together, we went to dance together. When our parents got divorced. Chloe became like, my full time babysitter. So because my mom at this point was a single mom. So she had two jobs. So my mom was like, you basically can do whatever you want Chloe, like, go out, go with your friends, but mine has to come with you.
• 27:24
  Maud Arnold: So I was everywhere. Which was amazing. And I think
• 27:34
  Chloe Arnold: it actually because well, my friends really liked her. So it became It was amazing. From the standpoint of she just like she was more social. I don't really want to say social because I'm very social, but she was more wild.
• 27:53
  Chloe Arnold: And like confident, super confident. And like, yeah, of course I'm here. These are my friends to like,
• 28:02
  Maud Arnold: I would say that and especially as an adult looking back, that's probably what was the close about close that she didn't mind taking me?
• 28:07
  Maud Arnold: Where's you know, people now like, Oh, my God, I don't want my little sister to come with me. And I'll tell my students, I'm like, Are you kidding me?
• 28:14
  Maud Arnold: That's like the coolest like, take her with you. You guys can share friends. And it's actually really cool. It's actually fun.
• 28:21
  Maud Arnold: I think people these days compartmentalize too much.
• 28:24
  Maud Arnold: Because everybody has their own phone and their own headphones.
• 28:27
  Maud Arnold: There's such lack of community within the household now because of technology. So I'll say that was cool. And then Chloe always stood up for herself and was not like, fast with boys. So those are the things that like big things, I would say I remember.
• 28:43
  Maud Arnold: And like really smart. And again, full circle and not being fast with boys. It has carried over into our professional lives where we're still the same. And Chloe just had a meeting with probably one of the most powerful people in Hollywood.
• 28:56
  Maud Arnold: And he was like, I have heard nothing about you guys. He was like, there is no dirt, because there is no dirt to be heard.
• 29:01
  Maud Arnold: And he was like, and I asked around. And he's like, You guys are saints and angels. And it's impressive.
• 29:09
  Chloe Arnold: And I say it's, it's not just to be clear, because everybody's on their own journey. It's not to be judgy if you've had things in your life that you're not proud of. It's more so just that from very young, and it's in my diaries, I really I wrote in capital letters, my rules. And then I had this whole set of things.
• 29:28
  Chloe Arnold: Not that my mom told me to do.
• 29:34
  Chloe Arnold: Not that any adult told me to do, strictly from my observations of how people are treated and how I wanted to be treated. The first thing was like respect myself. This is so Right, right, just respect myself. Love Myself. Don't let these boys get over on you should
• 29:55
  Maud Arnold: you should post that a lot because I because it is definitely written and it says rules. It's pretty hilarious. What do you think that
• 30:01
  Lisa Hopkins: comes from? I mean, that it's it's such a powerful personal manifesto for a young person, right?
• 30:08
  Chloe Arnold: I think it's because we were,
• 30:11
  Maud Arnold: like I said, because we were around everything.
• 30:15
  Chloe Arnold: And we were in survival mode. Meaning Okay, we have these dreams. We don't have any money. Are mom is busy because she's trying to make money for us to eat and to live, because she was a teacher, but she wasn't the official teacher, she was teacher's assistant. So her pay wasn't a teacher. And we already know teachers don't get paid a lot. So she was getting less pay than was making like$23,000. It was it was $26,000 a year for three children. I remember this.
• 30:45
  Maud Arnold: When I was in college, it was 28. I remember and I was like, wow, Columbia is double what my mom makes a year.
• 30:51
  Chloe Arnold: And so I look at it and I say, and we were say, okay, so we got these big dreams, we want to dance, we don't get Harvard. No this. And then I'm looking at the circumstances around me, which were absolute chaos, in regards to, you know, just violence, a lot of disrespect to women, lots of drug activity, all of these things, all of the pitfalls of an inner city. And I really had to look at it and go, Well, what, what is our lane going to be? I take the subway, the bus, I walked to school. So I gotta be smart. I got to be safe. I gotta be looking around and paying attention. And so I think I also, I think another thing is having the responsibility of a little sister, X you cognizant of, I'm a role model. So what do I want her to do,
• 31:50
  Maud Arnold: we also have a brother, who taught us a lot of land was very candid and honest.
• 31:54
  Maud Arnold: I mean, he would take me everywhere to and his guy friends would like talk about girls, in crass ways, and other but oh, sorry, little mods here and my brother like No, speak the way you're gonna speak because she needs to know how men talk, like how men speak about women. And so also hearing all that from a very young age.
• 32:18
  Maud Arnold: Don't be like, Oh my god, I never want to be one of these girls spoken about like this
• 32:22
  Chloe Arnold: person, it's not to excuse their behavior, because they have a lot of work to do. And I'll say our brother is
• 32:30
  Maud Arnold: such a, he'll never the one talking badly about our brother is them. Everybody who knows our brother loves our
• 32:39
  Chloe Arnold: thank, he always made us feel loved, like, seeking a man died and make us feel good about ourselves. He'd be like, you can do it. He was such it has always been a you can do it, it's yours, if you want it, go for it. And I think that's like, the general theme of our household I would say is, you can do it and not fear us.
• 33:01
  Chloe Arnold: But if you stepped foot in our house, our moms, our grandmas, our houses. Now, somebody's gonna remind you that you can do it from literally every person in our family, even though our parents didn't stick together, there were all kinds of issues.
• 33:23
  Chloe Arnold: At the end of the day, the one thing for sure, that also our dad taught us is you can do it, you're smart, and you have the you have the you have it in your spirit to do whatever you imagine, so
• 33:40
  Maud Arnold: deserve to do it, you know, as black people, you know, we're taught and conditioned that we don't deserve greatness, and we don't deserve success and, you know, don't belong and don't belong.
• 33:49
  Maud Arnold: And so much of our history is like slavery, slavery, and it's about the slaves. And I'm like, what talk about the evils of the slave masters? Like we never talked about that. We're always talking about how the slaves couldn't read and couldn't do these things. And so you're like, you know, you're taught that you come from a lineage of very strong, resilient people, but not a thriving people. And I think that our parents, our dad, and our mom, who was white empowered us, as women and as black women very specifically, and very pointedly, which is also a huge reason for our success. And our confidence is that we've never questioned who you were, where we came from, and our power as individuals
• 34:34
  Chloe Arnold: Yeah. And like Maude said, both both of our parents are very smart, and well,
• 34:40
  Maud Arnold: highly intelligent.
• 34:40
  Maud Arnold: And so
• 34:42
  Chloe Arnold: they always gave us tools, particularly books, to learn about our history in a way that was empowering and that can make us feel proud and make us feel like we're actually standing on the shoulders of greatness. Not you know, on on folks that were just suffering but rather have like not just resilient people but but again, you know, going back to queens and kings and have their have their own lands and I think all of that really matters. Our white mom had a celebrating Kwanzaa with all of our black brands. You I like because the principles are so powerful of Kwanzaa if people don't know Kwanzaa is an African American tradition, that is practice near Christmas time. It's right after it's between Christmas and New Year's. Yeah. And it's every day there's a principle. And each day reminds you of something within, in a way, it's
• 35:44
  Maud Arnold: Koujun. Chatterley is self determination, community, just principles that really are about uplifting and coming together. And it's not really about gift giving, you can get gifts, but it has to be something that you make for somebody and you know, and you go around and you talk. It's a really cool thing that
• 36:04
  Chloe Arnold: it's like affirmations of like, again, your purpose. And I think that I think that's kind of the general theme, honestly, of this conversation is like your purpose. And like learning trying to find it, understand it, but I think, from very young
• 36:18
  Maud Arnold: by clay, I never finished answering the question.
• 36:20
  Maud Arnold: Oh, go ahead. Yeah. So this is something to that you'll see often Lisa is that clay will go on and on. And I have to bring her back. She said, What differentiates me from you? I got there, because you cut me off sisters, is that? Well, like koi said, our personalities are actually very different. We just have the same value system. But anybody who knows us are like, y'all could not be more different as personality wise.
• 36:56
  Maud Arnold: Like I'm louder. I am. I thrive being around people and social and like, I don't get drained by social interactions. I could go interact with 2000 people today and be like fully energized afterwards. But I will say it was one particular instance, that really was the defining moment of my independence is in 11th grade, I got offered a scholarship to go study in Brazil for my for that summer between junior and senior year.
• 37:31
  Maud Arnold: And I had a scholarship to go to Debian and Dance Academy. And I called Miss Allen. And I was like Miss Allen, I got this scholarship to go to Brazil.
• 37:38
  Maud Arnold: It's at the same time as data summer intensive. You gave me a scholarship, I don't want to disrespect you like, what should I do? And she said, Honey, you better go and learn how to samba. She says that's amazing.
• 37:51
  Maud Arnold: She said, I'll see you when I get back. I'll always be here for you. Best mentor ever also, because she wasn't trying to just hold me and going to Brazil because Chloe hadn't been to Brazil, yet. I was the first in my family to go to Brazil. This is when you didn't have like, I found those internet cafes. I could email them like once a week, and I was there for six or seven weeks. And that trip really was like a turning point for myself to develop my own friends and just be around my own. Like be mine and not close little sister. But I also don't mind that like when I go places.
• 38:26
  Maud Arnold: Even here, crystal here at Point Park the other day she called me Chloe by accident. And then she's like, I'm so sorry. And I was like, I don't care. I was like, it's fine. I was like you like Chloe, right? She said, Yeah, I said, That doesn't matter. I said you so it's associated with something good.
• 38:40
  Maud Arnold: It doesn't matter. So it's not like a problem for me. Because also we're really competent, and who each other are. So Chloe goes somebody. They're like, Oh, you're my sister. She's not going to. I'm Chloe. It's like oh, great. You like my sister.
• 38:54
  Maud Arnold: Awesome. We're already friends.
• 38:57
  Maud Arnold: Cool.
• 38:59
  Chloe Arnold: It's easy. It's a passport?
• 39:01
  Lisa Hopkins: It is. Yeah, no, for sure. It's amazing what something that really, really stands out to me, which we could probably go off on for two hours. So we won't but I just want to share with you because to respond to something that Chloe said about well, what you're both saying but what Chloe said specifically about what was imparted to you growing up about your culture. Because I really as a white woman, or is it you know, I really I hear that because even even without the history that your culture has is as you know, African American we we tend to get the messaging in general I see it with parents of of you know, you can do it you can do better than you can you can take it to the next level you can be better be better than us. We worked hard, you can work harder, but it sounds like you didn't get that you got the No no, it's amazing.
• 39:51
  Lisa Hopkins: You know you're starting at a very high bar so keep going keep this is good. You don't have to prove it like you know what I mean? Like it's a different it's not so empowering.
• 40:03
  Maud Arnold: I actually have never thought about that. That's really an amazing observation because and takeaway because it's true, which is also I think we don't compete. Yeah, anybody because it was never like be better than those other people be better than no, it was a fight
• 40:19
  Lisa Hopkins: fight to get out of what we're in. This is awful.
• 40:22
  Lisa Hopkins: It's your job. Well, you're here on this earth to speak for us.
• 40:25
  Lisa Hopkins: It wasn't that it was like no honor. What? What went before you and keep going? Yes.
• 40:32
  Chloe Arnold: I think about like the titles on our bookshelf. You know, there was a book by Lorraine Hansberry, it was called to be Young, Gifted and Black. That means that somebody's way before us. And was asserting that that was a beautiful thing. And I remember, I would always, like it's one of those things in printed
• 40:51
  Maud Arnold: Beige Book because that writing, yes.
• 40:54
  Chloe Arnold: And it's like, the mess, the writing on the wall really matters. Like parents, it really matters, what you're seeing every day because it truly sticks in your head. And I think, you know, it's a really good point, because I remember in fifth grade, I was doing a trivia because like I said, So in regards to just to clarify, I said, I'm really competitive, and I truly am. And the mod said, we don't compete. And that can sound like a contradiction.
• 41:21
  Chloe Arnold: But I'll get if you look at the tug of war, that's a great example, if you also look at a video on my Instagram, of us running up a hill.
• 41:32
  Maud Arnold: Like to return one
• 41:34
  Chloe Arnold: cent for me, running up the hill is so important, I do it as much as I can.
• 41:43
  Maud Arnold: It's a Santo we were racing, sand hill, it is the hardest thing. Because yes, and every
• 41:50
  Chloe Arnold: time I reach the top of that hill, I say to myself, I could do it. Like it is a reminder of self, this ability within to, to conquer the obstacles within because that is a physical and you know, as you're a woman and you're getting older, you know, everybody tells you, it's gonna get so hard and your body's not going to do it. And it's so for me, it's that internal. Like, I can do this for me, nobody else and I'm not getting any money from getting to the top of that hill, i Nobody gives me a prize.
• 42:20
  Chloe Arnold: It's that personal. Knowing that I can still push past obstacles, and reach goals within that, that make that are special to me. And I think it's just for everyone. We all have those things. But when I was in fifth grade, there was a trivia on black history. And I remember I knew it all. And I was so proud that I knew it all, because a lot of the kids were learning it. And I'm like, oh, yeah, I know, Madam CJ Walker, she was one of the first black millionaires in America. You know, like I was, I was so proud to know all of these incredible accomplishments of my ancestors.
• 43:03
  Chloe Arnold: And so I think I never like mindset. I never thought of this really the way you're putting it. But like, yeah, it was like, you know, we're
• 43:12
  Maud Arnold: surrounded by black excellence in DC, which is why DC is such a unique place to grow up, because you're in the spectrum of black people. Of course, you aren't crackheads, because it was the crack epidemic. But then we also our friends, parents were general counsel for Verizon. And you know, and we met those people through dance again, dance, because dance brings all types together.
• 43:35
  Chloe Arnold: So that is the most beautiful part, the dance studio. We were on scholarship.
• 43:39
  Chloe Arnold: And and our best friend's mom was a lawyer at Verizon,
• 43:45
  Maud Arnold: lawyer, Chloe, Genesis counsel, he's very clear, because I didn't even realize how big of a deal that was until maybe like five years ago, when one of my friends is general counsel of the 40, Niners. And I was like, what's that mean? Exactly. And she told me and I was like, Hold on, I think that's what Miss Sherry did. Back in the day when you didn't see any black people, particularly not black women. In the C suite, it didn't happen.
• 44:07
  Maud Arnold: And so we were surrounded by people showing us and telling us you can do it. I mean, my my end, yeah.
• 44:15
  Chloe Arnold: And the women, the moms of our dance of our dance company called taps and company, and Tony lambrate. They were they believed in the village.
• 44:26
  Chloe Arnold: They were like, We're village moms like that was across the board. Everybody's like, yeah, we're village moms. We're your mom. We take care of you.
• 44:35
  Chloe Arnold: Really? Did. They really did.
• 44:35
  Chloe Arnold: Like, our mom was working. Oh, don't worry, I'll take you home.
• 44:40
  Chloe Arnold: You know, like, Oh, you guys didn't eat Hold on. Let me grab some food for everyone. It was.
• 44:48
  Chloe Arnold: We were we knew we were backed up. We knew we were were supported by a community that Oh, yes, we all love tat. But it was just so much more. And I think going back to never tit for tat. No, never quantified, like who does more whose parent does more like everybody brings their own unique thing. And when I look at that, and you know we were talking Lisa about like, that journey of me in New York and like, I need to be respected and all that I irony is that when I created a sink, ladies and not in the early stages, because I didn't realize it, but now retrospect, all I was doing was recreating the best part of my childhood, which was an all female tap crew that Miss Tony Leung right had started. But I got to be a part of that gave me the most joy as a child. I just recreated that
• 45:48
  Maud Arnold: it was women who we danced with as children have volunteered at the DC tap fest last week.
• 45:55
  Lisa Hopkins: Oh, another circle? What a surprise.
• 45:58
  Maud Arnold: Yeah,
• 45:59
  Lisa Hopkins: this is amazing.
• 45:59
  Lisa Hopkins: This is so amazing. I have to ask you, I have to ask you what your definition of living in the moment is given that the podcast is called Stop Time Live in the moment. So who would like to answer? Okay,
• 46:13
  Maud Arnold: perfect. I would say okay, this is my moment, this is mine, I have the raspy voice. Living in a moment is being free to do whatever you feel. So if it's like, I feel like going to buy a smoothie now or I feel like going to take a nap or I feel like reading a book or I feel like getting on a flight to Paris. That to me is living in the moment.
• 46:34
  Lisa Hopkins: I mean, you can translate that. So living in the moment is being a choice is what I'm hearing.
• 46:41
  Chloe Arnold: Yeah, I would say particularly because our lives are so you know, vast, we have so many. Yeah. I was saying this yesterday, I was choreographing the commercial and I was on set.
• 47:03
  Chloe Arnold: And the producer was uh, how do you do it all. And I was like, because I stay present. I know I have 700 things to do. And, and but I in this moment where I am currently with you. I'm giving you and this project me for today. And as soon as this wraps on to the next moment of what it is that I'm prioritizing. But I think being present, you know, like I get such a massive thrill from like, when we get off the call, I'm going to tell you what I'm going to do before I've rehearsal at 1030. And people will be trickling in. But between that that, like
• 47:54
  Maud Arnold: she says, I'm gonna go around her property, and look at what they're doing.
• 48:02
  Chloe Arnold: Because the fence they're building gives me an absolute thrill. And so I got excited I woke up this morning, like they're building the fence.
• 48:09
  Chloe Arnold: And so I try to just stay allow myself to be present. Because I know that I'm going to be pulled in every direction. By by nature of all the things I like to do.
• 48:22
  Chloe Arnold: This is not someone forcing me to do this, this is total choice to overload the plates. But I try i i honestly, and this is definitely the moment, this is a moment in my life because this wasn't before. Like my said, we do have way more choice. We have way more you know, ownership over our day to day, which has been earned. Because, you know, before we we were financially so unstable that we had to take every job had to do everything.
• 49:04
  Chloe Arnold: And now I get to have discernment and say, this is fully in alignment, this will bring me joy, I will be able to give my all to this project, I actually just turned down a a play. Because I knew I couldn't, not couldn't, I knew I didn't want to multitask it because I wouldn't have been able to be present the way that would honor them and honor my standard of work. And
• 49:34
  Maud Arnold: also say in addition to that, I still do a lot of things that are not on my cup of tea, I do a lot of just to make it clear for everybody listening. I do all of our finances, all of our bookkeeping for our foundation, and our all of our businesses and the DC tech fest. I run every aspect from the merch to the credit card processing. And I say that it's important for people to know that like, we don't just show up, like why did I die?
• 50:02
  Maud Arnold: Like I am still doing a lot of the work but it is for things that we want to do. And so I think that's important to discern. I'm not working for somebody else or working on something that's not you know, bringing us joy, but it is still
• 50:18
  Chloe Arnold: a lot of work.
• 50:18
  Chloe Arnold: Yeah, and I think that you know In regards to choice, right? I think that with choice comes responsibility. So it's not just like, Oh, I'm gonna be just like the star, that was my choice.
• 50:30
  Chloe Arnold: No, it's like, with that platform, because it comes all the responsibility, all the people that are following your footsteps, all of the people who you must pay all of the all of the various things that come with it, I just say living it from I get to summarize it, living in the moment is being able to just be present, and to enjoy the space and time that I have. Because, like I said, there's so many diverse experiences I have in a day in a week in a month, and being able to so that it doesn't become just a mishmash. And like, where I lose appreciation, I try to just lock into gratitude for that moment. And that time and that hour, and like this hour, I'm very thankful for this hour.
• 51:20
  Chloe Arnold: Because if we didn't have this hour, we would have been doing something else. Right, and not maybe reflecting on the process and journey. And even by you asking that question, it's going to make me appreciate the moments even more, because now I'm even more aware of it.
• 51:38
  Maud Arnold: Sidenote, Chloe, Chloe, for the record said, I talk a lot, huh? It runs in the family? No, no,
• 51:47
  Lisa Hopkins: it's you guys are brilliant. It's so funny. So just just really quickly to just to rip off what you were saying, Chloe? And maybe this is a separate conversation what's so so interesting and makes so much sense. And you'll get this because you understand energy, both of you and dance, right?
• 52:05
  Lisa Hopkins: Because when you think about meter and time, and it's called stop time, right? It's that time that where the rhythm of let's say life is going on and where, where it's holding the pulse for you. But you can do whatever you want in that space. Yes. Right.
• 52:22
  Lisa Hopkins: And so I mean, that's my whole concept behind the the idea of using that as a thing. I mean, it's fun, because yeah, I've been taught dance background, you know, but, but but as tap dancers, we know that right? We know that when when it comes time to solo, everyone's supporting you, you know, the rhythm of life is underneath you. And it's up to you what you want to say in that space. And what really dawns on me when I talk to you, and again, we'll probably need to talk about separately is that you're, you're speaking to being able to be really focused, because it's a value to you, and then to having to create the space and the perspective in a very, very packed schedule that you've chosen to mods choice, right.
• 53:01
  Lisa Hopkins: And I'd love to dive in deeper with you. And this is where my work as a coach, like I really get excited, working with high performers like you, like how do you create that? How do you?
• 53:10
  Lisa Hopkins: What about the places where there are spaces? How can you elongate that, and you do that by walking around and looking at the fence? Because you don't go, I can't do that I'm too busy, you will allow for that. And that is really fascinating to
• 53:21
  Chloe Arnold: me, I think we both modern, I think help each other, implement the downtime.
• 53:25
  Chloe Arnold: And again, it's not a lot of downtime. But if I say to her, I can't I can't talk about there and I can't work on the right now. She gets it or if she tells me I don't want to hear about that again. Right now. I did this morning this morning.
• 53:43
  Chloe Arnold: Exactly. So we're able to tell each other when we need space to just be to do nothing. Yeah.
• 53:56
  Maud Arnold: Or even and also a shout out to our amazing manager, Kalina, who also knows like there's a certain job that I have where I volunteer, and Chloe and I are foundation I've actually also helped sponsor this program. It's called Art saves lives and it's in St Maarten and it's, you know, I pay to go basically and teach these amazing children from underserved communities dance for a week, and I will miss paid work and our manager is like fine with it. She's not like ma This is a paid job. She's like, because she knows it is important for my spirit to go and be with these children. We have the
• 54:32
  Chloe Arnold: best team
• 54:34
  Maud Arnold: best team I mean hands down best team
• 54:38
  Chloe Arnold: most managers because I have so many friends in the business are literally just chasing the dollar Yeah, the biggest get the biggest payoff get the biggest job and again going back to purpose Kalina is so locked in to her personal purpose that aligns with ours and then that's why it works. She has always led with her gut and always says, Oh, this is wonderful for you ladies, or adds a lot of money but I don't think it aligns with your values. Amazing. Say No thank you and walk away easier away. That's from a paramount movie. She was like she said, Nope, she's i said i I'm uncomfortable. She said, I'm uncomfortable. She said, Nope, leave it.
• 55:26
  Lisa Hopkins: Amazing. That's amazing, right? Yeah, we're
• 55:28
  Maud Arnold: blessed. Yes. It's very rare for somebody who are just like money finding opportunity.
• 55:33
  Lisa Hopkins: Oh, yeah. No, it's brilliant. All right, I'm gonna Can you finish this phrase?
• 55:36
  Lisa Hopkins: These are two things to go I gotta get this in for you. And Maude, why don't you go first?
• 55:42
  Lisa Hopkins: Okay most people think that mod Arnold is but the truth is
• 55:49
  Maud Arnold: most people think mod Arnold is is the nicer sister but the truth is, my dad is actually the one who will tell you about yourself and cut you off
• 56:16
  Lisa Hopkins: perfect glory.
• 56:16
  Lisa Hopkins: What about you?
• 56:18
  Chloe Arnold: I was gonna say most people will think that I'm serious. I'm serious. But I really love to have a good time.
• 56:25
  Chloe Arnold: Love it.
• 56:29
  Maud Arnold: That's correct.
• 56:29
  Maud Arnold: Yeah,
• 56:30
  Lisa Hopkins: that's so cool. So really quick, rapid fire. Okay, I'm gonna say what makes you and then you're gonna say the first thing that comes to your mind and we can go do you want to go like mod koi mod Chloe or do you want to go? So what makes you hungry?
• 56:47
  Maud Arnold: Smell of croissants.
• 56:53
  Chloe Arnold: Hungry literally the desire to achieve
• 56:59
  Lisa Hopkins: what makes you sad. When people die
• 57:04
  Chloe Arnold: when people don't believe in themselves.
• 57:06
  Lisa Hopkins: What inspires you?
• 57:09
  Maud Arnold: Life and children.
• 57:12
  Chloe Arnold: I was gonna say people,
• 57:15
  Lisa Hopkins: what frustrates you.
• 57:18
  Maud Arnold: Liars and people who are in that of their word.
• 57:22
  Chloe Arnold: Hatred and, and unkindness.
• 57:26
  Lisa Hopkins: What makes you laugh?
• 57:28
  Unknown: Everything
• 57:34
  Chloe Arnold: circumstances, circumstances, people and circumstances perfect.
• 57:38
  Lisa Hopkins: What makes you angry?
• 57:42
  Maud Arnold: Racism.
• 57:43
  Chloe Arnold: Yeah. When people are disrespectful, all the isms?
• 57:50
  Lisa Hopkins: Yeah, fair enough.
• 57:50
  Lisa Hopkins: And finally, what makes you grateful?
• 57:54
  Maud Arnold: waking up every day.
• 57:57
  Chloe Arnold: Life, life, every component. I always say I'm thankful for everything. Every one. Every moment, every opportunity that I get to live.
• 58:05
  Chloe Arnold: And I always say from my prayers, I just pray for health and life for myself, my family, my community, my friends.
• 58:14
  Chloe Arnold: Everything else will work for it will earn it will get there. I just need to be for us to be alive and well.
• 58:26
  Lisa Hopkins: Mod what are the top three things that have happened so far? Today? I
• 58:30
  Maud Arnold: woke up. I walked to the bathroom on two working legs and feet. And I got the most kind message from a dear friend of mine that actually made me to your app. It was just a message of gratitude for being a good friend. And it was random. Love it.
• 58:52
  Lisa Hopkins: What about your koi top three things?
• 58:55
  Chloe Arnold: I got a good night's sleep. I had my mask on and I woke up and I was still on. Because a lot of times so that was like I woke up as a yes leave. Because
• 59:12
  Maud Arnold: rapidfire
• 59:13
  Chloe Arnold: I sleep no it's not sleep. I got a good night's sleep. I had a beautiful, warm shower. And I got to talk to my contractors about where the fence goes.
• 59:31
  Lisa Hopkins: The fence was gonna come into that fence is gonna come in. Oh my god.
• 59:34
  Lisa Hopkins: Ladies, I so appreciate you taking the time to be with me today on the podcast. I really do.
• 59:42
  Chloe Arnold: Thank you. And again thank you for just being consistent in who you've always been. Yes to fall well, it's to stay also connected like the years don't mean a thing.
• 59:53
  Lisa Hopkins: No, they really don't. And I love that we're sort of in our new our new stage and getting let me know how I can support you in any way we'll be in touch.
• 1:00:01
  Maud Arnold: All right, thank you so much enjoy Quebec in the lake. Oh, no.
• 1:00:07
  Lisa Hopkins: All right, guys.
• 1:00:07
  Lisa Hopkins: Much love. Bye bye. I've been speaking today with Chloe and Maude Arnold. Thanks so much for listening. Stay safe and healthy everyone and remember to live in the moment In music stop time is that beautiful moment where the band is suspended and rhythmic unison, supporting the soloist to express their individuality.
• 1:00:30
  Lisa Hopkins: In the moment, I encourage you to take that time and create your own rhythm. Until next time, I'm Lisa Hopkins. Thanks for listening