Pod Meets World: "Dancing with...Jenna Johnson"

Host: Danielle Fishel
Guest: Jenna Johnson (DWTS Pro)
Date: September 12, 2025
Podcast Feed: Danielle with the Stars (Pod Meets World minisode)

Episode Overview

In this engaging interview, actress and director Danielle Fishel (best known as Topanga from "Boy Meets World") sits down with Jenna Johnson, one of the most accomplished professional dancers from "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS). As Danielle embarks on her own DWTS journey, she seeks insight from Jenna, a two-time Mirrorball champion, Emmy-nominated choreographer, and member of the iconic Chmerkovskiy dancing family. The episode centers on Jenna’s path from troupe member to pro, her family’s Dancing with the Stars legacy, lessons learned from partnership dynamics, and the evolving cultural impact of the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jenna Johnson’s Journey to DWTS Pro

• From Troupe to Pro: Jenna explains being scouted for DWTS after "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD), spending about three and a half years in the DWTS troupe, and then being promoted to pro (05:13–05:54).
  • "I represented ballroom on that show and it was a really smooth transition. ... I joined the troupe for like seven seasons ... then I got myself a partner, and here we are." — Jenna (05:13)
• Learning from Legends: She reflects on observing OG pros like Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Cheryl Burke, etc., gaining invaluable teaching and choreography insight (06:15–07:06).
  • "I got to learn from the pros themselves how to do this and who was successful with it, who wasn’t necessarily." — Jenna (06:54)

2. Family, Mentorship, and Full-Circle Moments

• Welcoming Her Niece, Haley Bills: Jenna shares her pride and emotion as her niece joins the show’s troupe, noting her own need for mentoring early on and her excitement to now be that support for Haley (08:32–11:06).
  • "She’s the next star. I really do. Like, she’s coming for my job, and I’m like, let’s get it, girl." — Jenna (10:39)
• Chmerkovskiy Family Support: Jenna expresses gratitude for being "adopted" into the Chmerkovskiy family when she first moved to LA and how it provided her needed guidance (08:45).

3. Transitioning from Troupe to Professional Partner

• First Season as Pro: Jenna recounts the challenges of debuting as a pro in Season 23 with Jake T. Austin, her insecurities, and realizing the importance of highlighting her celebrity partner, not herself (12:04–13:14).

  • "This is not a moment for you to show off. This is a moment for your star to shine." — Jenna (12:29)

• Learning from Setbacks: After a first-round elimination, Jenna’s confidence is restored when she subs as a pro for injured Sharna Burgess, marking a pivotal growth moment (13:45–14:51).

4. Winning and Chemistry with Partners

• Victory with Adam Rippon: Jenna discusses her Season 26 win with Olympian Adam Rippon, attributing their success to mutual trust, chemistry, and the ability to have fun while working hard (15:30–18:54).

  • "I think trust was huge. ... Our superpower was being able to, like, tune everything out on the dance floor and just be so present." — Jenna (17:06)

• Coming Close with Other Celebs: Describes the emotional challenge of coming in second with Neve Schulman (Catfish, Season 29) and JoJo Siwa (the show’s first same-sex couple, Season 30) (19:12–19:54).

  • "Second is torture. ... The mirror ball’s in between two couples, and you’re just, like, so close." — Jenna (19:16)

5. Pioneering with JoJo Siwa & Same-Sex Partnerships

• Choreographic Innovations: Jenna outlines the complexities and creative freedom of working with JoJo Siwa, ensuring both maintained feminine performance while JoJo learned the "male" ballroom part (19:54–21:31).
  • "I wanted to make sure that I didn’t lose my identity, but still make this partnership work." — Jenna (20:18)
  • "She wanted to represent [feminine style], but she was definitely down to do the male steps." — Jenna (21:10)

6. Dance Experience: Boon or Bane?

• On Celebrity Dance Experience: Jenna clarifies misconceptions about her partners’ backgrounds, emphasizing that every journey offers unique challenges and growth arcs, regardless of prior experience (23:22–24:38).

  • "It is so beautiful to see somebody with no dance experience evolve into a dancer." — Jenna (24:39)

• Highlight: Joey Grazia Day’s Transformation: Praises past partner Joey, a non-dancer and recent Bachelor alum, for his dedication, humility, and winning journey (25:00–26:09).

7. Dance, Fandom, and Show Evolution

• Favorite Dance Style: Jenna’s recommendation for first-timers is the tango—blending drama, technique, and partnership (27:14–27:42).
• Generational Appeal & DWTS's Longevity: Reflects on the massive multi-generational fandom (“30 million viewers!”) and new engagement trends via social media and TikTok, emphasizing growing excitement and diverse audience (27:42–29:06).

8. Balancing Career, Marriage & Motherhood

• Partnerships On & Off Stage: Jenna and Val’s marriage, their hypothetical alternative careers (comedy for Val, forensic anthropology for Jenna), and blending their love of performance with family life (29:13–31:42).
  • "You could not pay me $1 million to go in front of a crowd and try out and do jokes." — Jenna (30:13)
• Raising Rome: Discusses the logistics and support needed as both parents are DWTS pros, relying on family (Val’s parents) rather than nannies during this season (32:12–33:40).

9. Preparing for Season 34

• Evolving Each Year: Jenna notes the unique challenges of each season and the importance of customizing teaching for each new partner (34:20–35:19).
• Partnering with Corey Feldman: Talks about adapting training when her partner needed to miss early rehearsals, and the silver lining in working with a motivated beginner (35:32–36:58).
  • "He’s excited to work hard... One of the best qualities you can ask in a new partner: they need to want to be there." — Jenna (36:23)

10. Fun & Personal Touches

• Pinkberry Preferences: Jenna gets candid and playful about her ideal Pinkberry order (hazelnut, pomegranate yogurt, milk chocolate crunch, popping boba, and pomegranate juice) and the joys and pitfalls of eating on camera (37:30–38:39).

11. Jenna’s Advice for Danielle and New DWTS Contestants

• Resilience is Key: Her top advice: Don’t let one bad week derail your whole experience. Persevere through tough critiques, and see them as learning opportunities, not defeats (39:13–40:16).
  • "Not every week is going to be your best dance. ... What you do after a rough dance is going to be your biggest superpower." — Jenna (39:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I went from Johnson to a Chmerkovskiy real quick.” — Jenna jokes about her last name change (03:53)
• “It’s not about me at all. ... This is a moment for your star to shine.” — Jenna, on learning partnership humility (12:29)
• “Second is torture.” — Jenna, on finishing as runner-up (19:16)
• “I am forever grateful that I said yes.” — Jenna, on making history with JoJo Siwa (22:50)
• “It is so beautiful to see somebody with no dance experience evolve into a dancer.” — Jenna (24:39)
• “He is such a special, special human. ... Something that I think makes Joey magic is he just really has no ego.” — Jenna, on Joey Grazia Day (25:56)
• “What you do after a rough dance is going to be your biggest superpower.” — Jenna’s advice to Danielle (39:31)
• “When I saw you were casted, I was like, you are that perfect candidate for the show. Like, you are Dancing with the Stars.” — Jenna, encouraging Danielle (40:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jenna’s DWTS Origins & Troupe Years: 05:13–07:06
• Mentoring Her Niece, Haley Bills: 08:32–11:06
• First Season as a Pro—Lessons Learned: 12:04–13:45
• Winning with Adam Rippon: 15:30–18:54
• Coming in Second, Coping & Growth: 19:12–19:54
• Same-Sex Pairing with JoJo Siwa: 19:54–22:52
• Dance Experience Debate: 23:22–24:38
• Joey Grazia Day’s Journey & Impact: 24:58–26:09
• Favorite Dance to Teach: 27:14–27:42
• Fan Base & Social Media Impact: 27:55–29:06
• Balancing Show Biz, Marriage, and Kids: 31:42–33:40
• Season 34 Prep & Working with Corey Feldman: 35:32–36:58
• Pinkberry Ritual: 37:30–38:39
• Jenna’s DWTS Advice: 39:13–41:03

Tone and Style

The conversation is warm, candid, and supportive, blending professional insight with personal anecdotes. Both host and guest infuse humor, vulnerability, and genuine enthusiasm about dance, family, and mentoring.

This episode is a must-listen for DWTS fans, aspiring dancers, and anyone inspired by stories of perseverance, mentorship, and the power of teamwork. Jenna Johnson’s journey—marked by both humility and confidence—offers both practical advice and heartfelt encouragement for Danielle Fishel and every dancer stepping onto the ballroom floor.