Pod Meets World: "20th Birthday Party (Week 9)"

Host: Danielle Fishel
Air Date: November 12, 2025

Episode Theme

This special episode transports listeners to the 20th anniversary celebration of "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS), with host Danielle Fishel sharing a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes look at both the milestone event and the Week 9 competition. Recently eliminated from season 34, Danielle reflects on her unique perspective as a returning audience member, cheering on friends and recounting memorable moments from the ballroom.

Main Segments & Discussion Highlights

1. Personal Reflections on Returning to the Ballroom

• Danielle's Experience as an Audience Member

  • Danielle describes the excitement and complex emotions of returning to DWTS, this time not as a competitor but as a spectator dressed in a "really beautiful yellow dress" (04:48).
  • She highlights the joy of reconnecting with crew members, wardrobe assistants, and behind-the-scenes staff in a more relaxed, non-competitive setting.
  • Quote: "On the other hand, man, is it ever fun to like, see all these people I love so much?... All the people that really, like, make the show, the stand-ins, all the people who make this show from behind the scenes that you guys never get to see." [06:55]

• Reflections on Leaving the Competition

  • Admits a touch of sadness not being in the competition, but emphasizes lingering connections and camaraderie with the cast and crew.
  • Finds comfort in knowing "it does still feel like my home" [07:30].

2. 20th Anniversary Extravaganza: Party & Atmosphere

• 34 seasons over 20 years—Danielle explains the show's history and the reason behind more seasons than years (two seasons a year previously).

• Reunion of iconic celebs, pro dancers, and judges from every era of DWTS.

• Tom Bergeron's Return as guest judge is a major highlight:

  • "Just an absolute legend of hosting, came back tonight as a guest judge, and he... made the request to go back to the days of having a results show, which I thought was really interesting." [08:45]

• Archival Footage and Tributes:

  • Opening number choreographed by Derek Hough with original and current pros participating: "Boy was it beautiful... really fast paced." [13:04]
  • A moving In Memoriam segment with Riley and Ezra's dance honoring Len Goodman.

3. Behind-the-Scenes Encounters

• Features heartfelt run-ins with friends and former contestants:
  • Shared moments with Dylan and his partner Dani regarding their Argentine tango: "He really wanted to rise above the pack, and have a standout, spectacular dance." [09:51]
  • Emotional first-time meeting with Louis Van Amstel after years of communication: "He is such a warm, thoughtful, lovely man..." [12:38]
  • Candid catch-ups with celebrities like Candace Cameron Bure, Danica McKellar, Sharna Burgess, Peta, Sean Johnson, Christy Yamaguchi, Donald Driver, Rashad Jennings, and Apollo Ohno.

4. Individual Dance Recaps & Judging [From 26:41]

Alex and Val (Foxtrot to "Singing in the Rain")

• "Unbelievable… truly beautiful… a perfect 40. I'm gonna go out on a limb... I think Alex is the best dancer on the show right now." [27:11]

Robert and Whitney (Foxtrot inspired by Bindi's freestyle)

• Dedication dance to their dads.
• "First full 40 for an individual dance team… I ran upstairs into the skybox and grabbed him… so proud and so excited." [28:11]

Whitney and Mark (Argentine Tango to "Cell Block Tango")

• "Remarkable... intense, sultry, filled with personality. Another perfect dance... No notes, perfect dance." [29:18]

Dylan and Daniella (Argentine Tango to "Ain't No Sunshine")

• Most emotional and personally significant for Danielle:
  • "I think Danny and Dylan's Argentine tango was the dance of the night for me... I cried the minute it was over." [30:58]

Andy and Emma (Quickstep to "Puttin' on the Ritz")

• Andy exits the competition, but Danielle asserts it was his strongest dance:
  • "I thought tonight was the most impressive night Andy had had since he held the camera in his hand..." [34:04]

Elaine and Alan (Salsa to "It Takes Two")

• "Elaine in that green... spectacular. They kicked off the show... four nines." [36:25]

Jordan and Ezra (Cha-cha to "Get Up")

• "Super sexy... absolutely knocked it out of the park." [37:13]

5. The Relay Races [From 38:00]

• Structure: Six couples were paired with former celebrity champions or pros for relay dances, each dancing to a shared song.

• Notable Moments:

  • Alex’s “bloody nose” moment with Joey Grazia Day highlighted her determination: "She is not afraid to get her hands dirty." [41:23]
  • "Rumor Willis and Dylan... looks like they have been dancing together for years." [43:25]
  • "Jordan and Apollo Ohno... elegant, precise... a beautiful, beautiful dance." [44:00]

• Relay Winners:

  • Jordan & Apollo, Dylan & Rumer, Robert & Sochi won their respective relays (49:16), boosting their overall scores.

6. Elimination & Party Aftermath [49:16]

• Danielle is genuinely surprised by Andy's elimination.
  • "I was actually shocked that they did an elimination tonight. It feels like such a massive party and celebrating 20 years..." [49:27]
• Unexpectedly emotional about Andy's final performance and celebrates his journey.
• Describes the lavish 20th anniversary afterparty—"I basically just ate my way through it." [52:20]—highlighting food, photos, and a bedazzled Voss water bottle as her personal "mirror ball."
  • "Listen, I didn't win a mirror ball, but now this Voss water is going to be my mirror ball." [55:17]

7. Looking Forward

• Next week is the semifinal/Prince Night with each couple performing two Prince songs.
• Danielle hints at possible double elimination and her unpredictable predictions for the finale.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tom Bergeron's Judging Style:

  • "He didn't offer any critiques... He just said what he connected with. He gave them compliments. He talked about how something made him feel." [15:29]

• On the Emotional Toll:

  • "I wish I could stop crying because I feel a little like a crazy lady who just keeps crying over a dancing show." [28:37]

• On Andy’s Elimination:

  • "I actually thought of all nights tonight was his best... not just because you love him... but because of dance ability." [49:40]

• On the Power of Community:

  • "Every time I see [Robert], I get so bright inside... it's just every single time I see him, I walk away feeling better, and I hope he feels the same way." [16:07]

• Reunion Joy:

  • “Seeing all of them and not having it be a rushed... to just really be living in it and to still feel like such a part of it...” [07:17]

Key Timestamps

• 04:48 – Danielle describes her night and wardrobe experience
• 06:55 – On returning to the show, gratitude for behind-the-scenes crew
• 08:45 – Tom Bergeron's return; longing for the old results show format
• 09:51 – Danielle’s pep talk with Dylan before his performance
• 12:38 – Meeting Louis Van Amstel in person for the first time
• 13:04 – Opening number rundown and tributes
• 26:41 – Switch to detailed dance commentary
• 28:11 – Danielle runs to congratulate Robert after perfect score
• 30:58 – Emotional response to Dylan & Daniella’s dance; “the dance of the night”
• 34:04 – Andy’s quickstep and exit reflection
• 38:00 – Relay race segment setup and first impressions
• 41:23 – Alex and Val’s relay mishap and resilience
• 43:25 – Praise for relay partnerships, esp. Dylan & Rumer
• 44:00 – Jordan & Apollo’s relay dance reaction
• 49:16 – Relay race winners and elimination surprise
• 52:20 – Anniversary party food and fun
• 55:17 – The bedazzled Voss water “mirror ball” moment

Tone & Style

Danielle’s storytelling throughout is warm, self-deprecating, and effusively supportive of her DWTS family. Her accounts blend humor, sentimentality, and fan-like enthusiasm, bringing listeners into the ballroom and afterparty alike.

Summary

For fans and newcomers alike, this episode is a deep-dive into the emotions, people, and culture that make "Dancing with the Stars" a television institution. Danielle Fishel’s vivid recollections—from sweating it out in a yellow dress to tears of joy in the skybox—capture the heart of the celebratory 20th anniversary, delivering anecdotes and insider access with affection and authenticity. Listeners come away with a sense of the DWTS family’s enduring bonds and a preview of the competitive heat still to come in the semifinals.