House of Maher Podcast

Episode: Alan Bersten & Emma Slater: DWTS Finale, Hard Launch & Holiday Traditions

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Ilona Maher with sisters Olivia and Adrianna
Guests: Alan Bersten & Emma Slater (Dancing with the Stars pros, Mirrorball champs, and now a confirmed couple)

Episode Overview

This festive episode of House of Maher is a conversational deep-dive into Dancing with the Stars’ finale week, the intricacies of working and dating as pro dancers, the differences in British/American culture, relationship “hard launch,” the role of social media, content creation, holiday traditions, and the chemistry and banter between Alan Bersten and Emma Slater. Ilona and her co-hosts also sprinkle in family memories, holiday “naughty list” commentary, and plenty of comic moments.

Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. DWTS Finale Week Prep & Dance Reflections

Timestamps: 03:21–07:05; 18:19–24:53

• The episode is recorded just before the DWTS Season Finale, with Alan prepping for his big performance, and Emma supporting as both a partner and choreographer.
• The unique stress and excitement of finale week:

  “Double finale. Turn it up, back to back.” — Alan (03:37)
  “For some reason this season, it's like, oh, we made the finale. Just enjoy it.” — Emma (03:51)

• The new twist this season: instant dances.

  “They're doing instant dance in the finale... you have to prepare four dances and then you don't know which one you do until it's live.” — Emma (03:33)

• The creative process for choreography, balancing high-stress environments with fun and collaboration.

2. Dance Partnership, Choreography, and Social Media Mastery

Timestamps: 18:19–24:53; 28:23–33:38

• Alan and Emma discuss the nuances of teaching and choreography, stressing vulnerability, humor, and allowing their dance partners to own the spotlight.
• The shift in DWTS towards personality-driven, authentic social media content, largely inspired by Ilona’s own viral season:

  “You really changed the game for the show...we really made [social media] the forefront of the season last year.” — Alan (18:50)

• Emma’s viral TikToks with Andy and the process of helping each other out:

  “This season with Andy...he had 12 followers...now he has over 100,000. He was game for everything.” — Emma (20:36)

• The necessity (and humorous reluctance) to add TikTok trends on top of learning intense dances:

  “So you're telling me you had to learn two dances—you also learned a TikTok dance. Couldn't be me.” — Ilona (33:05)

3. Cultural Differences: American vs. British & Holiday Traditions

Timestamps: 06:28–17:16; 53:55–61:58

• Alan and Emma reflect on the fast-paced, “turnover” American dining experience vs. the leisurely meals and pub culture in Europe.

  “In Europe, especially for dinner, it can take, like, three hours. But over here, if you've got someone looking at the watch... Don't you want to digest your food?” — Alan (07:27) “I like when it all comes out. Don't course it all. Bring it all at once, and then I'll take my time.” — Emma (08:06)

• Fond memories of DWTS cast hangouts after shows—now harder with fame and security.
• The Maher family’s Dutch roots, Sinterklaas (with chocolate initials!), and the origin of coal on the naughty list.
• Holiday celebrations: Alan’s Christmas Day birthday, advent calendars in the UK, balancing time with families in England, Minnesota, and contemplating warm getaways.

4. The Relationship “Hard Launch” and Navigating Public vs. Private Love

Timestamps: 49:06–54:36

• The viral on-stage kiss and Instagram reveal:

  “You got to just kiss her on stage, dude.” — Ilona (49:15)
  “We keep things private...I wanna kiss you. Are you okay with it?... During the dance, I was like, we’re doing it. And then I did it. We were both like, oh God, we did it.” — Alan & Emma (49:50–50:16)

• The decision to go public as a couple, liberating but nerve-wracking:

  “The second we went public, it was like, oh, nothing else matters...we just popped that illusion which was that everybody hates us...You can choose to own the life that you're living.” — Emma (51:52)

• Relationship dynamics on tour and in daily life—joys of working together, learning to balance work-talk at home.

5. Mutual Support: Collaboration at Work and in Life

Timestamps: 34:17–44:39

• Alan and Emma detail how they help each other with choreography and partner training, especially when one is eliminated from DWTS and can become full-time support.
• The healthy, supportive culture among DWTS pros, contrasted with tabloid rumors of backstage conflict.
• Communication, dealing with conflict, and processing emotions differently:

  “Men like to try to solve things, and women just like to talk...Now I ask, do you want me to help or do you want me to just listen?” — Emma (44:39–44:58)

6. Personality, Banter, and What They Love About Each Other

Timestamps: 63:20–68:48

• Lighthearted takes on the best and worst of each other, from Alan’s “alien look” going viral to Emma’s “butt” getting repeated praise.

  “The thing I love most about Emma is—have you seen her?...she really wants me to be a better person.” — Alan (64:45) “What I love most about Alan is we are very different, and I need someone who is so practical...I love his humor...I love the fact that he really does show affection and takes care of me. I love his heart...even when he hides it.” — Emma (63:27)

• Banter about household chores, TikTok trends, and future plans to dance more together.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the stress and joy of DWTS finale week:

“For some reason this season is just like, oh, we made the finale. Just enjoy it.” — Emma (03:51)

On partner support and being in the background:

“I'm totally okay in the background.” — Alan (29:02)
“You highlighted me at many dances by putting me up there. I think it's really why your pros do pretty well.” — Ilona (28:23)

On social media & authenticity:

“One specific thing that you said was, just post it. Even if you think it won’t work.” — Emma (20:36) “What made Emma and Andy so special is that it was that original content. Sometimes they did trends, but it was more of personality.” — Alan (33:26)

On relationship “hard launch”:

“I wanna kiss you. Are you okay with it?... During the dance, I was like, we’re doing it.” — Alan (49:50–50:16)

On handling fame and touring:

“When we’re on tour, people know we’re there and they’re looking for us, which is great...but sometimes we just want to go and have a beer.” — Emma (12:12)

On collaboration and communication:

“Communication is so, so important...I’m a very vulnerable person...She really wants me to talk about my feelings, which I do.” — Alan (43:41)

On balancing positivity and healthy boundaries:

“You don’t have to go in there and change that. Oh my gosh—relief. It was awesome.” — Alan (56:13)

On opposites attracting:

“She [Emma] helps me with the bigger picture, and I can help her with the smaller picture. ...She's a dreamer, and I'm very detail-oriented.” — Alan (68:12)

On British holiday quirks:

“Advent calendars are massive in London...my mum has bought him an advent calendar.” — Emma (59:10)

Highlighted Segments with Timestamps

• DWTS Finale Prep, Instant Dance Rules: 03:21–07:05
• Dining and Bar Culture Differences: 06:28–09:02, 09:59–13:16
• Sinterklaas, Naughty List Traditions: 13:16–14:44
• Tea Time & British Habits: 14:46–16:01
• On-Stage Kiss (Hard Launch): 49:06–51:58
• Mutual Support & Eliminations: 34:17–39:23
• Communication & Relationship Insights: 43:41–45:15
• Family & Holiday Traditions: 53:55–61:58
• Chores, TikTok, and Best/Worst Qualities: 71:04–68:48

Tone & Vibe

• Authentic, funny, and relaxed.
• Joyful teasing and real vulnerability, especially around relationship dynamics and the unfiltered look at working together.
• Warm holiday spirit and support for each other professionally and personally.
• British/American cultural banter, dance world “inside baseball,” and classic sisterly “judging from the sidelines.”

For New Listeners

This episode offers an intimate, entertaining window into DWTS pros Alan and Emma’s lives both on and off the floor: their creative process, partnership, viral moments, and the joys and challenges of making their relationship public. You’ll also get cultural observations, tips on communication and teamwork, and some comedic family holiday chaos thrown in for good measure. Even if you’re not a DWTS fan, it’s a sparkling look at modern relationships and adulting in the social media/dance/holiday whirlwind.