Teen Beat with Danielle Fishel – More Time With: Kat Dennings
Podcast: Teen Beat (iHeartPodcasts)
Host: Danielle Fishel
Guest: Kat Dennings
Release Date: January 30, 2026
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Danielle Fishel welcomes actress Kat Dennings for an in-depth conversation about their formative teenage years, awkward crushes, memorable pop culture moments, and the deep connection both have with pets. Known for their candor and wit, both Danielle and Kat swap stories that reveal not only the embarrassment and angst of adolescence but also the pivotal moments that shaped who they are today. The episode is packed with nostalgia, vulnerability, and lighthearted banter, offering listeners both laughs and meaningful insights.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Listener Embarrassing Story (03:12)
- Segment: Danielle reads a listener's embarrassing story about hiding a Playboy magazine in an HVAC vent, only for its pages to circulate through the house and end up on the family kitchen table.
- Kat reacts supportively and humorously, ("Thank God it didn't start some kind of blaze." – Kat, 03:59)
- Danielle reflects on how such memories get "cemented" in us, setting the tone for the episode's reflection on formative years.
2. Kat Dennings' School Crush & Childhood Prank (04:28)
- Kat shares an emotional story about receiving a secret admirer note in her homeschool class, only to discover it was a prank orchestrated by her classmates.
- "There is a time in our lives where these memories get cemented… I was just like, you guys." – Kat Dennings, 06:25
- Danielle commiserates over the emotional impact of adolescent cruelty: "Those moments really, like, at that age... they just lodge themselves. And then you remember it forever." (06:51)
3. First Kiss & Teenage Romance (07:26)
- Kat and Danielle reminisce about their first kisses.
- Kat’s first kiss happened in a boys’ locker room at gym: "He was like, I have to tell you something. I was like, okay. And then he kissed me..." – Kat, 07:48
- The awkwardness and intensity of teenage romance is explored with humor.
4. The Pre-Digital World: Home Phones and Internet Beginnings (08:45)
- Both laugh about the challenges of landline phones, calling crushes, and nosy siblings.
- "Can you… can we talk about how wonderful a home phone was, but also the terror…?" – Danielle, 08:57
- Nostalgic mention of AIM screen names (Kat’s was “Purple Haze” because she played guitar, 13:21) and the struggle to pick the perfect away message.
5. Message Boards & Early Internet Communities (14:53)
- Kat describes participating in early internet message boards like gurl.com and her devotion to Hanson fandom.
- Kat admits to starting many Hanson-related discussion threads and continuing to enjoy their music (15:43).
- Danielle modestly mentions her appearance in a Moffats music video and traces her childhood attraction to unattainable crushes, including dating Lance Bass.
6. Friendships, Safety, and Relationship Patterns (17:02)
- Danielle reflects on the safety she felt in friendships with gay men, and Kat shares that her mom’s first boyfriend was also gay. Both discuss the value of deep friendship as a foundation for relationships.
- "I started young liking men who were never going to be interested in me." – Danielle, 17:02
7. Social Media & Reconnecting (18:11)
- Both praise social media’s ability to reconnect people with meaningful figures from their pasts and to help animals in need.
8. Cats, Pet Adoption, and Grieving (18:47)
- Kat discusses her love for cats, dreaming of adopting a black cat named Sesame, and describes losing her "soulmate kitty" Millie.
- "These animals are like your children… the love is so pure." – Kat, 19:26
- She shares a unique perspective from a commenter: "Always have three cats… if one drops, just get another one and then you always have three." (19:28)
- Danielle notes Jonathan Taylor Thomas’s devotion to rescue animals, underscoring shared values among former teen stars.
9. Shoutouts to Rescue Organizations (21:28)
- Kat shouts out favorite rescue groups: Kitten Rescue LA, Tail Town Cats (Pasadena), Best Friends, and Stray Cat Alliance.
- Emphasis on the deeply rewarding aspects of pet adoption and the incredible work rescues do, especially during disasters like fires.
- “Mr. Rogers says, ‘Look for the helpers’… and Zoloft is a helper." – Danielle, 24:12
10. Closing Friendship and Collectibles Banter (24:18)
- The episode ends with mutual affection and light-hearted talk about trading collectible cards of themselves.
- "You are my Zoloft. I see you and I feel immediately better." – Danielle, 24:22
- Kat is excited to track down Danielle’s “one of one” trading card: "This is huge. I'm going to try. I'm going to track your one of one down for you." – Kat, 25:00
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Cringe Childhood Memories:
"There's a time in our lives where these memories get cemented... we can't forget."
– Kat Dennings, 04:28 -
On Adolescent Humiliation:
"Those moments really, like, at that age when your brain is still developing and you're so vulnerable, they just lodge themselves. And then you remember it forever."
– Danielle Fishel, 06:51 -
On Finding Friendship:
"I've always been a person who loves… for my romantic relationships, for the real foundation to be like a true great friendship."
– Danielle, 17:27 -
On Loving Pets:
"These animals are like your children… you just. The love is so pure."
– Kat Dennings, 19:26 -
On Loss & Love:
"I've lost a lot of people in my life and animals and it's, it's, it's comparable, they're comparable to one another..."
– Kat Dennings, 20:58 -
On Friendship Today:
"You are my Zoloft. I see you and I feel immediately better."
– Danielle Fishel, 24:22
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Listener Story (Playboy in HVAC): 03:12 – 04:17
- Kat’s Secret Admirer Note Prank: 04:28 – 06:39
- First Kiss Memories: 07:26 – 08:29
- Home Phone Nostalgia: 08:45 – 09:56
- AIM & Early Internet: 13:16 – 15:51
- Pop Star Crushes & Relationships: 16:29 – 18:31
- Love for Cats, Pet Loss, and Rescue: 18:47 – 23:41
- Rescue Organization Shoutouts: 21:35 – 23:24
- Mr. Rogers Reference & Helpers: 24:01 – 24:12
- Friendship and Trading Cards Banter: 24:18 – 25:03
Tone & Style
The episode is warm, open, and self-deprecating, with both guests making fun of their own awkwardness and inviting listeners to find solidarity in shared teenage angst. The conversation is laced with genuine affection and respect, especially regarding friendship, pets, and the ways embarrassing moments shape us.
Summary Conclusion
This episode of “Teen Beat with Danielle Fishel” offers listeners a blend of comedy, nostalgia, and emotional reflection as Kat Dennings joins Danielle for stories about growing up, handling heartbreak, finding friendship, and the abiding comfort of beloved pets. With candid anecdotes, relatable confessions, and heartfelt support for animal rescue, it's an honest and uplifting conversation that will resonate with anyone who's ever survived adolescence—or loved a cat.