Podcast Summary: Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: I'll Have Another: Dancing With The Stars' Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Host: Kennedy
Guest: Maksim Chmerkovskiy (“Dancing with the Stars” champion, entrepreneur)
Air Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively episode of “Kennedy Saves the World” is a celebratory deep dive into freedom, hard work, and family—viewed through the lens of dance and entrepreneurship. Host Kennedy shares drinks and conversation with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, reflecting on his journey from dance prodigy to household name, the transformative nature of “Dancing with the Stars,” and his latest venture: premium vodka brand Tetia Kappa. They reminisce, joke, and get candid about showbiz, personal growth, and what it means to lead with quality and authenticity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Starting Out: From Restaurant Dancer to Professional (00:43–03:13)

• Early Hustle: Maksim began dancing shows at a restaurant at 15, earning $25 per performance. Negotiating as a teen felt daunting, so his strategy became: win a trophy, then ask for a raise.
  • "If I come back with a trophy of any sort, like, look, I won Philadelphia Open. Why not?... I felt like that would have been a better trade off." (01:47, Maksim)
• Education Detour: Maksim attended high school and briefly Pace University, but dropped out when absences for international competitions led to failing grades.
  • Kennedy: "You should go back and demand your diploma. Look what he's done for your school." (03:03)
  • Maksim: "Let me get back in it." (03:11)

“Under-Promise and Over-Deliver”: A Life Philosophy (03:23–03:57)

• Maksim emphasizes delivering consistent quality in all pursuits—dancing, business, or vodka.
  • "I'm not trying to boast... but my goal is that, you know, I under-promise and over-deliver. That's key to life, in my opinion. And you'll never not be successful if that's how you're driven." (03:23, Maksim)

Showbiz and Family Life in the Spotlight (04:32–05:13)

• Dance at Home: Dancing isn't left at work—the Chmerkovskiy household dances together when possible.
  • "We try to make it every day. We don't get to do it every day. Kids took a long time away... But now everybody's trained to stay away and let Mama Papa film some videos." (04:37, Maksim)
• Dancing with the Stars Impact: The show celebrates its 20th anniversary, having revolutionized opportunities for dancers and celebrities alike.
  • "It put a lot of people on the map on the dancer side. I mean, it gave us the house and the life and the opportunities." (06:34, Maksim)

Finding Love Through Dance (06:47–07:33)

• Meeting Peta: Maksim met his wife, Peta, thanks to a dance production, although their romance began later.
  • "When I came back into the show sometime later, already as a single person, she was still not single. So that was still kind of simmering going on. But by the time we were both single, it was just, you know, obvious... It's like gravity, like entering into a black hole." (07:17, Maksim; 07:33, Kennedy)

The Challenge of Dancing with Celebrities (08:30–13:10)

• Celebrities vs. Dancers: Celebrities bring more drama to the show experience.
  • "Celebrities, obviously..." (08:30, Maksim)
• Role Evolution: Maksim was initially told to help a partner win, but learned the real task is to provide a great experience.
  • "I was told... it is to give your partner the best chance at winning... but that's not my job. The job of a professional dancer is to give the celebrities the best experience." (08:59, Maksim)
• Emotional Support: Dancers are mentors and emotional scaffolding for celebrity partners.
  • "You have to lead them through this emotional roller coaster too... I was just not ready." (09:27, Maksim)
• Actors vs. Athletes: Actors may find it harder because they must drop their character and reveal themselves through dance; athletes are used to hard work but can be emotionally reserved.
  • "I think the actors... have always relied on a character, and dance exposes you... you have to be you." (11:20, Maksim; 11:41)
• Memorable Partners: Maksim names Meryl Davis, Kirstie Alley, and Mel B as highlights. Mel B excelled by not overthinking choreography.
  • "Meryl Davis... I won with... Kirstie Alley... we did some memorable things. Mel B... I had an incredible time with." (12:17, Maksim)

Secrets and Setbacks: Dancing Under the Influence? (13:10–14:10)

• At Kennedy’s prompting, Maksim shares an anecdote: Encouraging a tense celebrity to take a shot before performing backfired when they got drunk and ruined the routine.
  • "That person got super drunk and ruined that step, that routine. It would have been bad anyway, but it backfired." (13:17–14:10, Maksim)

Philosophy on Preparation & Moderation (14:10–14:23)

• Preparation always wins over quick fixes.
  • "Preparation goes a long way." (14:10, Kennedy)
• A little is good, but more is definitely not always better—especially with alcohol and nerves.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Quality:
  "Whatever I'm representing... I under-promise and over-deliver. That's key to life, in my opinion."
  — Maksim (03:23)

• On “Dancing with the Stars” Impact:
  "It gave us the house and the life and the opportunities..."
  — Maksim (06:34)

• On the Role of the Pro:
  "The job... is to give the celebrities the best experience... not just teach them dance and dance steps and then bow out."
  — Maksim (08:59–09:28)

• On the challenge for actors:
  "The actors... have always relied on a character, and dance exposes you. You're no longer a character. You have to be you."
  — Maksim (11:20–11:41)

• On accidental overindulgence:
  "That person got super drunk and ruined that step, that routine. It would have been bad anyway, but it backfired."
  — Maksim (13:17–14:10)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:43–01:46: Maksim’s first paid dancing job & learning negotiation
• 03:23–03:57: Philosophy on quality and under-promising
• 04:32–05:13: Dancing with family and daily life
• 06:34–07:33: Meeting Peta and family legacy
• 08:30–09:28: Challenges with celebrity partners
• 11:20–11:41: Why actors struggle on the show
• 12:17–12:42: Reflecting on favorite dance partners
• 13:10–14:10: The vodka mishap and its repercussions

Final Toast

Kennedy and Maksim close the episode with a toast to family, the joy of dance, and the importance of quality in all things:

“Cheers to you, Max, and your family and your dancing and delicious vodka. And on that, we believe you.”
— Kennedy (14:26)

This episode is a fun, insightful journey through dance, perseverance, showbiz, and the rewards of doing the work—always with a pinch of humor and warmth.