Teen Beat with Danielle Fishel
Episode: More Time With: Rachael Leigh Cook
Release Date: March 20, 2026
Host: Danielle Fishel
Guest: Rachael Leigh Cook
Episode Overview
In this special “More Time With” episode, Danielle Fishel sits down with actress Rachael Leigh Cook for a warm, funny, and deeply nostalgic conversation covering everything from awkward first dates and ‘90s crushes to parenting, pop culture, and the realities of growing up in the spotlight. Danielle and Rachael swap stories about their formative years, dissect the perceptions of “coolness,” and reflect on how shared experiences as teen idols have woven their lives together over the decades.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Listener Teenage Embarrassment: The Tattoo First Date
Timestamp: 03:50 – 05:27
- Listener Emily from Oklahoma shares an embarrassing first-date story: after a spontaneous pitstop at her date’s sister’s apartment, she unexpectedly finds herself witnessing her date get a two-hour teddy bear tattoo on his chest from a friend, before they ever get to the restaurant.
- Rachael and Danielle sympathize, with Danielle revealing her own first date with now-husband Jensen also involved a surprise tattoo appointment at Dr. Wu’s studio:
“When I showed up for our date, he was like, ‘I’m still at Wu’s office. Can you meet me here?’... then I went to Dr. Wu’s tattoo place and sat there for like an hour while he finished getting his tattoo—and still married him.” — Danielle Fishel (05:13)
2. Reflections on Dating, Risks, and ‘Doing It for the Story’
Timestamp: 05:27 – 07:30
- Danielle and Rachael reflect on why sometimes people give questionable dates a second chance.
“Sometimes we’ll go out with someone again, even if it’s a bad date, because we want to rewrite the ending.” — Rachael Leigh Cook (06:53)
- The idea emerges that sometimes you do things “for the story,” embracing the unpredictability of young adulthood.
3. Teen Dating, Then & Now
Timestamp: 07:50 – 09:13
- The conversation shifts to how dating works for teens today, with Rachael commenting on group hangouts and social rituals that echo their own youth, but with a modern twist (i.e., "passing passwords" through friends).
- Danielle defends the mall as a timeless, perfect teen date spot:
“I think we need to keep the malls open, if for nothing else, so that the population can continue—so that people can date at malls.” — Danielle Fishel (08:56)
4. The Allure of the ‘Angsty’ Boyfriend & Teen TV Stereotypes
Timestamp: 09:15 – 11:12
- Danielle asks Rachael about her “type” as a teen; Rachael jokes “great hair,” then earnestly cites affection for smart, curious, slightly older-seeming guys—specifically referencing her former boyfriend, Ryder.
- Both reminisce about the influence of TV’s “angsty” heartthrobs (Dylan from 90210, Jared Leto’s Jordan Catalano from My So-Called Life) on their romantic ideals:
“That’s what we were being fed as being like, ‘That’s the guy you want— you can’t nail him down.’” — Danielle Fishel (11:02)
5. Their Kids’ Perspective on Fame & Nostalgia
Timestamp: 11:16 – 13:35
- Danielle and Rachael discuss whether their own children see them as “cool.”
- Rachael shares the hilariously humbling tale of showing her daughter Josie and the Pussycats:
“I tried to put on Josie and the Pussycats for my daughter one time. She made it about 10 minutes, and then just goes, ‘Do I have to? I don’t wanna watch the whole thing because at the end, there’s gonna be a concert and some kind of a speech about being yourself.’” — Rachael Leigh Cook (12:53)
- Despite everything, both moms are comforted when their kids and their friends know Boy Meets World.
6. Growing Up Famous & “Proverbial High School”
Timestamp: 13:33 – 14:02
- Rachael and Danielle see each other as classmates in a “proverbial high school” of teen stars, bonded over unique experiences.
- They look forward to “reunions”—like 90s Con—where their paths cross, even if they live close by in L.A.
7. Mental Health and Breaking Myths about OCD
Timestamp: 14:02 – 15:42
- Danielle takes a thoughtful moment to discuss her husband’s experience with real OCD, distinguishing it from misconceptions about “neatness,” and promoting ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy.
- “Real OCD is a serious condition where you get unwanted, distressing thoughts... not just about being neat and organized.” — Danielle Fishel (14:12)
8. Reunion with Freddie Prinze Jr. and "She's All That" Legacy
Timestamp: 18:51 – 20:54
- Rachael opens up about reconnecting with her She’s All That co-star Freddie Prinze Jr., especially after Paul Walker’s death.
“Nothing will remind you how short life can be as something like that... I was really glad to have picked that [friendship] up with Freddie again.” — Rachael Leigh Cook (19:01)
- The two never dated (Freddie “was always with Sarah”), and their lasting friendship helped make their screen chemistry so memorable.
- Rachael teases their upcoming Christmas movie, now aimed for 2027.
9. Navigating Awkward Fan Encounters & Perceptions
Timestamp: 22:20 – 23:41
- Both women share their go-to responses to fans who confess childhood crushes. Danielle keeps it gracious—“Thank you so much, that’s so sweet”—but draws the line at being someone’s “hall pass.”
- They reflect on social boundaries and the sometimes awkward experience of nostalgia-based fame.
10. Sixpence None the Richer: The Ultimate Reunion Wish
Timestamp: 23:42 – 24:29
- The conversation takes a playful turn as Danielle suggests that Rachael’s next move should be orchestrating a reunion for the band Sixpence None the Richer (“Kiss Me”), cemented eternally with She's All That:
“Can we get Sixpence None the Richer back together? … I would like to add to your resume, responsible for getting Sixpence None the Richer back together.” — Danielle Fishel (24:21)
Notable, Memorable Quotes
- “Sometimes you do things for the story.” — Danielle Fishel (07:19)
- “He was so mature. He seemed older, even though I was two months younger, which did pain me to be the older woman in the relationship by two months.” — Rachael Leigh Cook (10:16)
- “Do your kids know how cool you were?” — Danielle Fishel (11:16)
- “...There’s just not all that many people in town who, like, you can look left, look right, and someone’s had so many similar experiences to what you have. And that’s why I will forever insist that we went to proverbial high school.” — Rachael Leigh Cook (13:33)
- “I have a hard time accepting most compliments. That one, I just—‘thank you’—and then a quick question after about anything else to change the subject.” — Danielle Fishel (22:38)
- “I think we need to keep the malls open, if for nothing else, so that the population can continue—so that people can date at malls.” — Danielle Fishel (08:56)
Episode Highlights by Timestamp
| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | |---------------|-------------------| | 03:50–05:27 | Listener’s tattoo first date story; Danielle’s tattoo date memory | | 07:05–07:30 | “Doing it for the story” moments | | 08:09–09:13 | Teens & dating today; defending the mall as a “safe date spot” | | 09:28–11:12 | Rachael’s “type” as a teen; TV heartthrob influence | | 11:30–13:35 | Do their kids think they’re cool? Pop culture legacy and “Josie and the Pussycats” story | | 14:02–15:42 | OCD: Realities vs. stereotypes, therapy advocacy | | 18:51–20:54 | Rachael & Freddie Prinze Jr.; the emotional reunion; "She’s All That" legacy | | 22:27–23:41 | Handling fan crush confessions; setting boundaries | | 23:42–24:29 | Joking goal: Get Sixpence None the Richer to reunite |
Tone and Atmosphere
The episode is casual, candid, nostalgic, and sprinkled with self-deprecating humor. Danielle and Rachael banter like longtime friends, offering listeners genuine insight into growing up famous, enduring bonds, and the sweet (and embarrassing) awkwardness of being a teen. The discussion’s openness about mental health also adds depth, while the shared laughter keeps things light and relatable.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever loved a ‘90s movie, crushed on a TV character, or wondered if your embarrassing first date was truly unique, this episode proves you’re in good company. Danielle and Rachael’s warmth and deep connection make for an engaging, empathetic listen—one that honors the past, pokes fun at it, and reminds us of the stories that stick with us long after the credits roll.