Dancing with…Peta Murgatroyd

Summary

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Pod Meets World: "Dancing with…Peta Murgatroyd"

iHeartPodcasts | December 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this dynamic episode of "Pod Meets World," Danielle Fishel sits down with renowned "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS) pro Peta Murgatroyd. The conversation spans the evolution of DWTS, the show's latest pop culture resurgence, judging controversies, the impact of social media, Peta’s Broadway beginnings, her new podcast "Penthouse with PETA," and her self-tanning brand. With candid reflections, personal anecdotes, and industry insights, this episode offers both fans of DWTS and newcomers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of professional dance competition.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Enduring Popularity and Evolution of DWTS

[06:41–10:32]

• Danielle notes the growing relevance of DWTS, especially with young audiences, and asks Peta for her take on what’s kept the show so popular.
• Peta attributes the show's longevity to its generational appeal and ability to evoke joy:

  "Everybody can watch the show. Generational people. I mean, it's literally from like babies to grandparents... Dance gives people hope. It makes you feel something." (Peta, 08:33)

• Both discuss the critical impact of TikTok and younger pros like Riley and Ezra who have brought in a new generation via social media.
• Peta acknowledges the show's evolution—admitting mistakes in previous seasons, but credits Executive Producer Conrad Green for revitalizing the show.

2. Season 34: The Winner, Judging, and Standout Contestants

[10:49–22:38]

• Danielle asks Peta if the winner was the right choice:

  "I knew he was gonna win from the very beginning. He was the whole round package that people love and adore... you rarely get given that gift of a partner." (Peta, 11:14)

• Peta offers praise for Alex and Val, highlighting Alex’s growth:

  "She is coming out of her shell. She is a beautiful, stunning human to look at. And then on top of that, she was acting. She was giving it more. Her freestyle was my favorite." (11:39)

• They dissect controversial and inconsistent judging (“Giving somebody a seven when it’s clearly a three is just an interesting judging method.” — Peta, 14:13) and the subjectivity involved, especially with scoring lifts and technical slips.
• Both recall the pressure the instant dance puts on contestants, particularly in the finale, with Peta noting Robert's rare mistakes due to exhaustion.
• The question of DWTS’s end goal arises—is it to find the best or most entertaining celebrity dancer?

  “I won with two non dancers... People vote for who they love.” (Peta, 18:40)

3. The Power of Entertainment vs. Technique

[19:34–21:36]

• With stories of non-dancers like Andy and how Emma Slater brought out his best, Peta emphasizes the importance of partnerships:

  “You have to throw away the dance steps, so to speak... Lean into the strengths and then just run with that.” (20:55)

• The hosts reflect on the genuine joy and entertainment contestants provide, regardless of dance skills.

4. Show Changes, Social Media & Voting Tactics

[27:03–32:49]

• If Peta were showrunner, she’d bring back Tuesday results shows and change the instant dance to the classic 24-hour dance—recalling the camaraderie and creative energy it fostered.

  “It was a celebratory day... some of the best times, although we hated it in the moment.” (28:30)

• Discussion about Whitney’s unexpected elimination dives into the dark side of social media—how targeted negativity and strategic voting (“band together and vote for everyone but her”) shaped results. Both express dismay at online hate and the ease with which voting campaigns can manipulate outcomes.

  “It’s cruel... I can’t imagine being on a group text saying vote for everyone but this person.” (Peta, 32:03)

• They note the personal disconnection from TikTok drama, despite intense voting-block strategies this season.

5. The Role & Requirements of the Pro Dancer

[33:25–37:32]

• Both agree that winning without a true ballroom background is possible if paired with the right partner and with external choreographic support, but Peta emphasizes the immense complexity and workload pros face (“You have to be like three, four weeks ahead of yourself every single time.” — 34:27).
• The misconception about the real time commitment for both pros and celebrities is debated, with Danielle revealing she put her directing career on pause for the show.

6. Partnerships, Teaching Styles, and Broadway Beginnings

[37:40–43:36]

• Peta answers rapid-fire questions:

  • Who would she want as a pro partner if she were a celebrity? Gleb or Artem, because of their height and tough, Russian-influenced teaching styles.
  • Her Broadway experience at 18 was both exhilarating and “a really chaotic time in my life,” with producers telling her the show “rides on you, so strap up, girly... you can’t have a down day.” (40:00)

• Landing on DWTS after Broadway came from a mix of serendipity and necessity:

  “I didn't have much money and I'm like, I kind of need a job. Like this is really hard... And then I ran out of money. Yeah, I need an income.” (43:18)

7. Friendship and the Mirror Ball

[47:49–48:49]

• On her season 2 Mirror Ball win with Donald Driver:

  “It was our friendship. We had the best time together. He gave me everything. Every performance he did, he threw himself into every character.... I knew I had somebody that people loved.” (47:57)

8. Max Chmerkovskiy’s "Hot Takes" and the Value of Honest Opinions

[49:20–55:50]

• Discussion about the hits and headlines Peta’s husband, Max, generates for his unapologetic opinions:

  “I knew that I wanted somebody in my life that was strong and passionate, and whatever he says, it really does come down to the passion behind it.” (50:00)

• Both Danielle and Peta bemoan the culture of “tone policing” and the difficulties of public honesty in today’s climate:

  “Everyone’s so vanilla right now. Nobody wants to like, oh my God, I said a little bit too much... You're going to be canceled if you say this.” (52:44)

• The importance of both having and owning opinions, plus apologizing genuinely when needed:

  “You gotta take accountability. If somebody’s feeling that way, you have to do something about it.” (54:02)

9. Returning to the Ballroom & Business Ventures

[56:46–59:35]

• Mark Ballas’ return to DWTS has Peta considering her own potential comeback:

  “When I feel like... I’ve got my body back and I’m like, you know, fit again... I would love to give it one more stab.” (56:51)

• Peta shares self-tanning tips using her PETA Jane Beauty line, a business she passionately built since 2015:

  “Get out of the shower... exfoliate the day before... consistently moisturize afterwards or use one of our tan extenders.” (58:21)

10. Family Life and Parenting Philosophies

[60:06–61:51]

• On whether her children will be dancers:

  “I don’t think so... My eight year old right now is in dancing. He has a little partner... He’s really good at tennis, though.” (60:06)

• The hosts bond over the struggles and joys of encouraging kids in sports and imaginative play.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Giving somebody a seven when it’s clearly a three is just an interesting judging method.” — Peta (14:13)
• “You have to throw away the dance steps, so to speak... Lean into the strengths and then just run with that.” — Peta (20:55)
• “I won with two non dancers... People vote for who they love.” — Peta (18:40)
• "Everyone’s so vanilla right now. Nobody wants to like, oh my God, I said a little bit too much." — Peta (52:44)
• “You gotta take accountability. If somebody’s feeling that way, you have to do something about it.” — Peta (54:02)
• “We need more of both of those things.” — Danielle on both honest opinion and public apologies (55:50)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 06:41 — DWTS’s generational appeal and TikTok’s influence
• 11:14 — Was the right winner chosen? Robert’s trajectory
• 14:13 — Judging controversies and scoring consistency
• 19:34 — Entertainment vs. technical skill in partnerships
• 27:03 — Peta’s showrunner choices for DWTS
• 29:19 — Whitney’s elimination and social media voting blocks
• 33:25 — Can non-ballroom dancers win?
• 37:40 — Who would Peta pick as her pro if she were a celebrity?
• 40:00 — Broadway beginnings and pressure to deliver
• 47:49 — Winning with Donald Driver and the value of off-camera friendship
• 49:20 — Max’s honesty and the culture of opinion-sharing
• 56:46 — Peta on possibly returning to the ballroom
• 58:21 — Self-tanning tips from PETA Jane Beauty
• 60:06 — Family life and kids’ future in dance or sports

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Tone and Style

• Friendly, candid, occasionally irreverent, but always passionate about dance
• Both host and guest freely share personal vulnerabilities and professional insights
• The conversation flows organically, balancing laughs, industry critique, and real talk about motherhood and identity

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For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode provides an intimate, often buoyant look at the realities of competitive dance TV, the behind-the-scenes mechanics, and the emotional journey for dancers and celebrities alike. Full of personal stories—not just about dance steps, but teamwork, friendship, honesty, and reinvention—it’s an engaging listen packed with wisdom for fans and newcomers. Whether you love DWTS, are curious about how such shows work, or just enjoy a well-told tale of creative passion, this conversation will draw you in.

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Transcript

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[Peta Murgatroyd]

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[Peta Murgatroyd]

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[Danielle Fishel]

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[Danielle Fishel]

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[Peta Murgatroyd]

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[Danielle Fishel]

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[Peta Murgatroyd]

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[Danielle Fishel]

And personal engravings, this season, give a.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Gift that's perfectly theirs. Whether you're shopping for a shiny surprise for your significant other, matching bracelets to celebrate your friendship, or a heartfelt gift for a family member, say more this holiday season with Pandora.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[Peta Murgatroyd]

Boom. 42.

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You're going down, Doug.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh yeah, your price on car insurance.

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When you customize and save is going down.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Hey limu, what are you doing on their team?

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Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com.

[Danielle Fishel]

Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty. Welcome to Danielle Wick, a the part of podcast slowly transforming like a young caterpillar looking to fly. I am Danielle Fishel, a TV director, a podcaster, a mom of two, a former ballroom dancer, and the new owner of the Teen Beat trademark, an element of my new podcast debuting in January right here on this feed. But first, before we fully flip the switch, I'm still on the prowl, interviewing some of my favorite personalities from the Dancing with the Stars universe, hoping to get a close, closer look at the phenomenon that was season 34. I am just weeks away from joining the show's live tour, where I will travel city to city for about 30 days, hosting and dancing all over the country and once in Canada, acting like some sort of fox trotting circus carny. Sure, I'm a little nervous, but at least I'll be crammed in a small bus with some of my absolute favorite people and living off just protein shakes, pizza, peanut butter and rice cakes. But in the meanwhile, I'm continuing to talk to past contestants and professionals from the 20 year history of the show. And today I am sitting down with one of the best and most outspoken legacy superstars who may not have been in the ballroom every week this year, but I was just as glued to her social media as I was the three judges scores. After growing up winning numerous dance championships and completing a run on Broadway, she she joined troop in season 12 and then was upgraded to pro a year later. And it didn't take long for her presence to be felt. She won the coveted Mirror Ball in just her second season alongside former football player Donald Driver, and became one of the most popular Dancers on the show later paired with fan favorites like James Maslow, Nick Lachey and Tommy Chong. And her mirrorball got a friend in season 22 when she finished first again, this time with model Nyle DiMarco. She left the show in 2023 and entered an entrepreneur era with her own self tanning line, PETA Jane, and now just launched a podcast, the Penthouse. With PETA a bit of a lightning rod for attention this past season thanks to some hot takes and her husband, another former pro, Max Schmerkovsky, who has never once said out loud, I don't have an opinion on that. And we love him for it. And the rest of her family tree is still very much on the dance floor because her sister in law and brother in law are a little duo you might know as Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovsky. So this week I'm excited to welcome to Danielle with one of my all time faves, it's Peeta Murgatroyd. PETA, thank you so much for sitting down with me.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Thank you.

[Danielle Fishel]

You have always been one of my favorite dancers. No, truly, you have always been one of my favorite dancers. I can never take my eyes off of you.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Oh my God.

[Danielle Fishel]

But then this past season I had so much fun listening to your podcast and getting to see you and recognize you as an incredible host.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Thank you so much. That means a lot coming from you, honestly.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you. You really very much impressed me.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Thank you. I honestly, this, that wasn't something that was kind of on my dream board wish list or anything. I was approached by a couple of producers and they were like, listen, like let's do a female led podcast and let's see how it goes and if you love it, like it. And again, I was very. Is it the word trepid?

[Danielle Fishel]

Just like trepidatious.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Trepidatious. Going into it, I was like, oh my God, what if I suck? Like I, what if I can't remember my questions? What if I can't segue into the next. You know what I mean? I had never trained it. I, I've never trained in hosting nothing.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

But it's been really fun and meeting new people that come in, like all the different celebrities and stuff like that. It's been really fun.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, you're really good at it. Thank you. And before we get into your story, I wanted to touch on this past season a little bit. It really seems the show just has seemed to have been catapulted into, into a new pop culture realm. Why do you think this 20 year old show has had Such a. A big new audience and has felt. Has it felt different to you this year?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. I mean, okay, so if we go way back, this show was birthed just purely on ballroom dancing.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Just the very basics. I mean, have you ever seen the first stage that they ever created? I mean, compared to what we have now, it's just like. It's on another level. I think why it stayed so popular and so amazing for people to watch is because everybody can watch the show. Generational people. I mean, it's literally from like babies to grandparents are watching our show. And dance gives people hope. It makes you feel something. It makes people happy when enjoy us when you watch it. I mean, there's nothing better than watching two people dance together and like, getting down and like, it's so fun. I mean, you know, you would have had the best time with Kash. He's the best.

[Danielle Fishel]

He is amazing.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. I mean, and now it's just. It's on another level with social media. I think it was not this season, but the one before where we started doing all the talks. That's when it all started.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

When it started to explode this season just blew it out of the water.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right. You're right. Last season, Alona was one of the people who was really helped. Helped bring in the TikTok and social media game to the show.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yep. And Riley, she was really heavy on TikTok at that point, so she did an amazing job.

[Danielle Fishel]

You're right. You're right. Riley. Ezra, bringing in this young TikTok kind of generation was very influential in opening the show up to a whole. A whole new generation of kids. It amazes me, like you said, the show being generational, Both sets of my grandparents loved the show. And now when I go out having done season 34, the amount of anywhere from 6 to 12 year olds that come up and say, are you on Dancing with the Stars?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

The young kids. So kids that aren't even on TikTok, but it's amazing to me how many young kids love it.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Well, people can sit with their family and watch it and have a great time. I think it's just, I. I like the evolution of the show. I think there's been some mistakes in the past. Like, I forget season maybe 30, 31, the late 8, 28, 29. Like, that was kind of our dipping point where it was like, oh, are we gonna go off the air? Like, we don't know. And then it just rose again. And, you know, with Conrad Green, Dina behind it, obviously, for so many years. Conrad really brought it back to what it was and just on another level.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, exactly. Up a notch.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Up a notch.

[Danielle Fishel]

I have a very loaded question for you.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

Did they get the winner? Right. This season?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I believe that I knew he was gonna win from the very beginning. I felt like, Yeah, I feel like he was the whole round package that people love and adore. That Australian accent that he's so kind and lovable. And he nailed his dances. I mean, you rarely get given that gift of a partner.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

You know, and when you get it, you know, you got it right. You know, you have a big job that season and big shoes to fill. You have to complete incredible dances every single week. In saying that, Alex and Val surprised me so much. In the beginning, I was like, she's good. As it went on, I'm like, wow, okay. She is coming out of her shell. She is a beautiful, stunning human to look at. And then on top of that, she was acting. She was giving it more. And, I mean, her freestyle was my favorite of the night. I mean, she. It could have been either one because they both have a lot of fans, too. And that's at. At one stage, I was honestly thinking, oh, Alex can take this as well. So it was. It was kind of like one of these ones. But Robert, I think from the beginning.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, the guy. Yeah, it was his to lose. I think that's the way I thought of it from. From the. That first week when they came out of the gate with just such a big performance. It was like, okay, he's obviously very beloved and for good reason. And he's talented, and he's got the showmanship. This is his to lose. Something would have really needed to go horribly wrong in the season for him to lose it or something incredibly shocking. But you're right that then toward the end, I was surprised that I was like, oh, wow.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

People creeping up behind him. Alex and.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Dylan was great. Wait, did he get third?

[Danielle Fishel]

Dylan was fourth. Jordan was third.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Jordan was.

[Danielle Fishel]

And Elaine was third.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I mean, yeah, they're all amazing. And you were, too.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, thank you. I appreciate it. I thank you. I appreciate that. What were your thoughts on the judging this season? A lot of viewers seem to be extra confused by the guidelines and the consistency, but that also happens every year.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

It does.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Did it seem like it was more confusing this year for at least the audience?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

For me, no.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I didn't feel like it was like, oh, my gosh, what's happening to the judging? Because I've kind of felt that for a while, as in like, you need to start lower. That's not my only thing.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

You know, if you see somebody really cannot dance, they're giving it their all and they're great, but their dancing is really terrible. You're gonna give them a really low score to begin with so they can go somewhere, give them a 2 so they can get to a 5 by week 5 or something like that, you know?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

But giving somebody a seven when it's clearly a three is just an interesting judging method.

[Danielle Fishel]

And really, because I completely agree with you, the hardest part for me is not about the seven that we just gave them. It's that then the other people who are getting eights.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

They're not only one point apart. It would have to be on a scale of maybe to 20, where then I'm comfortable with the 7, and then that could be an 18. But, like, so that's really where. That's why those lower numbers exist, to show the difference.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I. I completely agree. And, you know, it is up to people's artistic expression and what they love. You know, Carrie Anne might have loved that dance, but she's still going to knock you for taking your foot off the floor. Do you know what I mean? Which I'm cool with.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

If you took your foot off the floor, you're not allowed to do a lift in that dance. You should be docked for that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

You know what I mean? I don't have a problem with that. But I think people don't understand that everyone's got their idea of what they love in a dance and what they don't. Some people might want more technicalities. Yeah. Other people might just want them to see showmanship. I just want to see you giving it your all. And like that Robert spirit, like, he never let up every single time, you know? So I don't know. I'm on the fence. I don't care. As long as I think it should be consistent. Like, you can't say then if they did do a lift when they're not meant to keep them at that high score, then. Do you know what I mean? Like, just. Just be consistent and then we're all good.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. There was one week, I think, for Robert where there was something that happened and Carrie Ann said, you know, I saw. I saw your foot left off the floor, but who cares?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Oh, really? Yeah. There was that finale week, or was that before finale?

[Danielle Fishel]

No, it was before finale. It may have been week eight or week nine and it was like. But who cares? Because sometimes you just throw that out the window for the way something makes you feel. And I. And it is. I do understand that she is more of the person who wants to be moved emotionally by a dance.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

But.

[Danielle Fishel]

But then when every other week or say the week before, you did dock somebody specifically because they took a foot off the floor, it's just. Yeah. I mean, and it is. It's subjective.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Is key.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

It's funny though, in. In finale, you know, Robert did make big mistake in the finale. And I believe that that was because everyone's overworked doing that, that dance. I forget what it's called now. That instant dance or whatever.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I mean, that's the only time I have. I think I've seen him make a really big mistake like that. And I was like.

[Danielle Fishel]

And it was in the instant dance with the Cha Cha.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah, he. He went. When he wasn't meant to go in the New Yorker section. And, you know, I think I said it on my podcast. I was like, I don't want to see somebody like Robert make those mistakes in a finale. That's only because he's tired or he didn't think right then that in that split second, whatever. I don't want to see that. I think they were. It was too much. But other people loved it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. So it was definitely a lot. And I know everybody was very stressed about it. I was in the conversation. Cause I was still on the show at the time that they were talking to us about it. And so I just remember being like, wait, I'm sorry, what? And it felt crazy. And then I obviously did not have to. I was not in the finale, but seeing my friends and hearing them talk about it. And Robert, he had said all season long how much he didn't like the Cha Cha. I know it was his number one Achilles heel.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

When he pulled that, I could not believe it. I mean, he did an amazing job anyway. He did just like, come on.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, but you're right. It's tough to watch somebody who has excelled all season long and is rightfully in the finale, and then to see them make an error that, you know, they're like, embarrassed by that he would never have normally made had he not just been exhausted.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Right.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, as a Penthouse with PETA listener, I think I know the answer here. But is Dancing with the Stars end goal to find the best celebrity dancer or the most entertaining celebrity dancer?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I, I think they, they, they try to find the best dancer, but I do believe it comes down to the most entertaining person. I won with two non dancers. So you Know, people vote for who they love. And, like.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

At the end of the day, did Donald Drivers. I don't know, New Yorkers, Were they better than the woman that got second with Mark Ballas? Probably not.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

But he won because of himself and his personality and the guts and the giving that he gave for the whole entire season. And, I mean, he was amazing, but, you know, like, he wasn't the most technically sound dancer on the dance floor. We've always had trained dancers come in either one or two a season, so I do believe that it's the most entertaining.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Yeah, I agree with you. I'll tell you what. Obviously, Andy Richter was such a big story this season, and you were paired with Tommy Chong, who came in fifth, and Barry Williams, who came in seventh. I wanted to get your take on Andy's success and also ask you why you think Emma was able to be so successful with him.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I think all starts in the beginning and what type of friendship and bond that you can create in that first week. I feel like I know that the person within that week, as in, if we're gonna really get along, if it's gonna be, you know, an up and down sort of struggle. Not that I've had any body that we've been fighting the whole season. No, never. I've always had decent partners. But she was able to bring out the joy and the best in Andy that everybody wants to see, because nobody wants to see Andy struggle and try to do a perfect New Yorker.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Or cha cha lock. Whatever. Nobody wants to see that. We know he can't do it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

And I'm being really honest right now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

He can't do it. So what are you gonna do? You have it. You've been given this amazing, beautiful guy to dance with. You have to make him be lovable. You have to make him smile the entire time, and we have to love watching him out there dance with you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

So you have to throw away the dance steps, so to speak. You know, you put together what you can, and you do what you can and find out his limits. And, you know, what he can't do, what he can do and what he does best. Best do a lot of that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Lean into his strengths.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Lean into the strengths and then just run with that. I mean, they had a beautiful partnership. It was so I. I looked forward to watching him every week.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Because I. I don't necessarily want to see a perfect dance every time. And we had a lot of good dancing this season. Yeah. Which was amazing. Yep. But then when it came to Andy, I was like, ah, okay, we have somebody who's just in it for the fun. And just like he knows too that he is not competing at that level. He's in his own race.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yep.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Which is cool.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. He's competing against himself. I really saw them also when they would get the. Early on, they had more actual critique than I feel like eventually they realized, well, he's so beloved. Let's just keep talking about, wow, it's so joyful. And then they stopped really critiquing, like you said, probably, because what else is there to say? We probably reached the limit of what we're gonna be able to see, dance wise. But early on, I did appreciate when one of them, I believe it was Carrie Anne, said, we are gonna need to see some more steps. Like, we're gonna have to have you. And then the next week, he did really good. There were more steps. They did. She really did say, like, we're gonna give them what they asked for. And you saw him pushing himself and really trying. My favorite dance of his was. I literally cried. But when he reached up and grabbed the camera, I know I was like, oh my gosh. I mean, his, his little beautiful face and touching that camera, it was, it was, it was pretty great.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

It was nice to have somebody like that this season in amongst all the good dances.

[Danielle Fishel]

Very. Yes, exactly.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Did you know Tide has been upgraded to provide an even better clean in cold water. Tide is specifically designed to fight any stain you throw at it. Even in cold butter. Yep. Chocolate ice cream.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Sure thing.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[Nexplanon Narrator]

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[Peta Murgatroyd]

I can't face one more sunset without you by my side. Come with me and I vow your desires will be my north star forevermore.

[Nexplanon Narrator]

You're ready. You have Nexsplanon etnogestrel implant, 68mg radio pack to prevent pregnancy. Nexplanon is a non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm and may take a few minutes to insert by your doctor. Don't use Nexplanon if you're pregnant or maybe pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be while in common. Ectopic pregnancy Pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur, which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots, which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs. With less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use NexsPlanon for one year, NexsPlanon is over 99% effective. No matter the fantasy, talk to your doctor, click call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about Nexplanon.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Unrivaled Basketball Announcer]

Season 2 of unrivaled basketball is here and the talent is unreal. The best women's players on the planet are running it back with even bigger moments and bigger stakes. Don't miss as Paige Beckers, Nafiza Collier, Kelsey Plum, Brianna Stewart and more take the court and redefine the game. This isn't your regular season. This is unrivaled, where the pace is faster, the energy is higher and every athlete shines. Unrivaled basketball season two, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, tips off January 5 on TNT, TruTV and HBO Max.

[Audiobook Host]

Hey, audiobook lovers. This week on the podcast I'm sitting down with musician, producer and walking encyclopedia Questlove. We're talking about Mark Ronson's memoir, Night how to be a DJ in 90s New York City. All right, like we talked about before, Mark Ronson found sanctuary in the DJ booth. What's a tool or Piece of equipment in the studio or on stage that gives you the most control.

[Commercial Announcer]

So I have two microphones on stage. We have the microphone that you hear as the audience. Then we have a second microphone in which we communicate with each other. I feel like that second microphone kind of saved all of our friendships. No band likes each other after 20 years or 25 years. Like the Beatles broke up in seven and a half years. And we're going on 35.

[Audiobook Host]

Listen to HearSay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Danielle Fishel]

Now, let's say you are hired as the new showrunner of Dancing with the Stars next season.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

What are the first three things you might change or adjust or add?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

You know what I. That instant dance.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

On top of my head right now, because we just spoke about it, I would change that to the 24 hour dance. Oh. But that means that we would have to have a show day. I would bring back the Tuesday shows.

[Danielle Fishel]

Great. Okay, so we get rid of. Get rid of instant dance. Yeah, you'd bring back.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I'd bring back the second show day.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. The results show.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

The results show.

[Danielle Fishel]

Great.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. Because that was. That was a good time.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

You could be there, although you didn't get that time to train. So that took away a day of training. But I loved the fact that everyone had fun. Yeah. And it was a. It was a celebrated celebratory day. We had, you know, singers come in, artists come in, and we would dance for them. And it would just be a really fun day. Yes. It ended with an elimination. Right. So. But that 24. So that 24 hour dance. So the first day of finale, like the Monday night, you would. You would do your dance and the freestyle, and then you would go straight to the studio. You would have three hours, however long it took you to put a dance together with your celebrity. End at like 1 2am Uhhuh. And then you'd come back the next day and perform that as the finish, the final dance. Usually people all got tens for that because it was just, you know, why would you give somebody an 8 on their last dance?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Um, but yeah, I think I would bring that back. Cause it was a really. Although we hated it at the time, in the moment, we were just like, come on. Like, this is so hard. But in hindsight, when I look back at those hard times, it was some of the best times. Yeah. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's much like parenting.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Every time I've ever taken a trip with my Children. I have thought at least one point, never again. And then you come home and you look at all the photos and you start reminiscing about the tantrum on the carousel and the thing and you're like, in the moment. I said never again. But now know, yeah, I just want to do that again.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. And agree with that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Another big story of the season ended up being Whitney's elimination. Did you see that coming or did you think she would for sure be in the finals?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I thought she would be in the finals.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. I think that's because I wasn't so aware. I could see people saying, oh, she's getting a lot of hate. She's getting a lot of hate. But I wasn't aware of it because I'm not on TikTok every day. Scrolling. Yeah, I don't do that to myself. I can't get into it like that. It's something that I've never kind of grabbed hold of and gravitated to. I love Instagram. I mean, I'm older.

[Danielle Fishel]

Same with you.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah, yeah. Tick tock. I love. But it. There was. Sorry, just to sidetrack. There was one time where I posted a video of my son and I could see all these comments. Yeah. I just remember that taking me back and I'm like, oh, I'm not gonna come on here much anymore. There was one. Yeah. So for me, I didn't see what people were talking about and saying. So if I maybe had seen that all of what she was getting at that time, maybe I could have put two and two together and said, oh, yeah, they're going to be eliminated soon. But no, yeah, I didn't see it. So I thought she was going to be in the finale.

[Danielle Fishel]

I also didn't see it and I think I really. It's made me realize how much like the algorithm really very quickly will jump on whatever you have spent any sort of time on. Because I was getting Only Dancing with the Stars content.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

But I wasn't seeing a lot of hateful stuff. But I think there have been times that both on instagram and on TikTok where my husband and I will be looking at the same video and the top comments are different on both of our. On our feeds where I'm like, or I'll see a post, I'll screen cap the comments and send it to a friend and they open it up and go, those aren't the comments I'm seeing.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

How does that work?

[Danielle Fishel]

I am not sure. But I do think that if you see a post and then click on it to see more. Even like to hate watch something or to just out of curiosity, it thinks, oh they stick around when I show em this type of stuff. So I didn't see a lot of it but I knew from Whitney, cause Whitney and I had talked about it a lot. She was telling me that it's incessant, vile. Yeah. And really bad. I was still shocked. I thought there's no way though that the majority, the voting public, the majority of the voting public are TikTok haters. Like what are the odds, you know, like she has to be getting so many other votes.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

That's what I was thinking to counteract. Right.

[Danielle Fishel]

Whatever sort of.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

They were not voting for her, they were voting for everybody but her. And I didn't see, I didn't know that, I didn't know that concept.

[Danielle Fishel]

So I think that was a new concept this season. I, I'm, I'm pretty sure that was something people very early on put together like hey, let's band together and vote for everyone.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

It's terrible.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's so crazy.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

It's cruel. I mean I, I, I don't know. As a, you know, watcher of TV shows and stuff like that and other reality shows, I can't imagine being on a group text saying vote for everyone. What about this person? I mean who does that?

[Danielle Fishel]

I don't know. But I say the same thing about people who ever leave negative comments. I have never found myself on a video of something and have thought something negative and thought I should write, I should write this. If I think something negative, it's not for me. Move along.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah, I don't need to write it down.

[Danielle Fishel]

When someone tells me their great brownie recipe, I don't need to say I don't like brownies. Okay, go find a cookie recipe then lady.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Like, I agree. Why?

[Danielle Fishel]

Just I, so I, you know, I don't quite get it.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

People like to share their opinions.

[Danielle Fishel]

They do, they do. They like their opinions to be known. Now you are a former Blackpool participant. You are a two time amateur Latin state champion, a premier finalist in Baltimore competitions around the world. Your education is absolutely perfect for the show. But as we mentioned, it's newfound attention on TikTok. Obviously producers are turning to some less traditional spaces to find prose. Do you think that without a true background in ballroom you could win Dancing with the Stars?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Sure.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

It's, it's, it's got to do with who you're partnered with, number one.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

So I feel like that is a huge plus. If somebody with not so much. Ballroom training has a clear winner from day one. Yeah. If they can get outside help to choreograph and do the right thing and can teach somewhat something, then I think, yeah, you, you, you can win. I think though, the job is a very difficult job that people do not understand.

[Danielle Fishel]

Nope. Not one bit. I was like floored. Learning. I mean you always know like, oh yeah, the pros are putting all of this together but then being on the inside of it and seeing how much you are all tasked with.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

While you're still doing that week, prepping the next week, song choices, involvement in wardrobe, production meetings, the knowing when the instant dance dances are coming and the like.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah, you have to be like three, four weeks ahead of yourself every single time. So like it's not just, oh, let's go into the studio and create. You know, it's not like that you. We are literally like four weeks ahead of you. And we're not just a dance teacher. We are in on, as you said, everything. The wardrobe, the song choice, the lighting. I mean we're creating the in not the entire set. But you know, we know what we need. For you. As for you as a dancer, like what do you need?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yep.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

What will look, will make what, what will make Danielle look the best that she can possibly look. So. And the late nights choreographing for the next three weeks, I mean it's, you know, sometimes I would come home when I was single, I would come home at 2am from a dance studio. You know, it was, it was crazy. I can't do that now because of kids. But like, yeah, it's a lot that people do not understand. And celebrities also sign up for the show not knowing how much work you do.

[Danielle Fishel]

All the years they had asked me and I and it just had never worked out. I was always told, don't worry because I would be like, well, I'm working or I'm doing this. And they'd say, don't worry, we, we can work around your work schedule. You can, you can rehearse wherever you are if you're gonna. And thinking like, all right, so then it can't be that big of a commitment if they're willing to like work around my work schedule. Yeah, I mean, sure you can. If you can, you can, yeah. Have a full time job and do Dancing with the Stars if you're comfortable.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Very tough.

[Danielle Fishel]

Just working literally 24 hours a day and. Or not truly caring what kind of.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

What you're putting out there.

[Danielle Fishel]

What you're putting out there.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

True Were you working at all?

[Danielle Fishel]

No, I gave everything up. I said, this has to be my entire life.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

But I still had two children and a household to run, and I was doing podcasts. When I say, no, I wasn't working. I was doing multiple podcasts.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

But you weren't on set.

[Danielle Fishel]

I was not directing. No. How could I have been directing? Like, in my mind, I thought, thank God. I didn't say, well, there's one week I'll be directing a TV show, and we'll just have to make it work that week. Good luck.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I haven't had a lot of partners with that. I had Gilles Marini.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

He had to do some things on set. I forget the show that he was filming at the time, but we would rehearse on set. He was also really naturally talented, so, I mean, he had also gotten second with Cheryl. I got him on an All Star season.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

So he was. He was already sort of prepped and knew what the thing was. But, you know, Max, my husband, he had Meryl Davis, who he ended up winning with. She was on tour, an ice skating tour. They weren't even in la. They came back to LA for the show and then flew straight back out so she could go touring. It was nuts. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And so was Max on tour with her?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

On tour? Yeah. And same with Shanna, because she was dancing with Meryl's partner. Yeah. But so they were like a foursome, going around America together, driving cars to the next city and stuff like that. It was crazy. So you don't know who you're gonna get with, like, what, but you kind of hope that you haven't got somebody with a travel schedule.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Really do. Because it's really hard.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. It just.

[Danielle Fishel]

And we're all getting sick anyway all the time. But now you add travel and, like, cities and planes to the mix.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yep.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my goodness. If a family excluded. If you were a celebrity on the show, who do you hope you'd be paired with?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Family excluded.

[Danielle Fishel]

Family excluded.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

With the people right now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, with. With the pros on there right now.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Let's.

[Danielle Fishel]

Or you know what? Let's open it up. Any of the. Any of the pros who've been on Family excluded. Any of the pros who've ever been on the show, who would be your number one choice if you were a celebrity?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

That's really hot. That's really hot. I'm going through, like, this one. That one.

[Danielle Fishel]

There's so many factors, too, because, like, there are.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Because I'm. If you're talking about Me, I'm.

[Danielle Fishel]

You're tall.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

So I need. Max is the tallest, so I can't have him. So I'm going to have to go with a Gleb or an autumn.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right, okay. Because they're the next.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

They're the next kind of tallest guys. Yeah. A Gleber and Artem, I would have to say.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, that's good. How tall is Artem?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Probably 5 11.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Or something.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I don't think he's quite six feet.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

But, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

All right.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. I think those two. And for me, I like a tough teacher because I grew up with Russian ballet.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Masters. So. Yeah. I. I like to be pushed, and I think that they would be kind of tough on me.

[Danielle Fishel]

You think Gleb would be tough? I don't. I kept trying to figure out what kind of teacher Gleb was.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

He's tough, is he? He's tough. He's fun and tough at the same time. Yeah. Because he speaks so softly. He hasn't got that thing about him, but he is tough, technically. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

During my research, I did some math, and I realized that you were on Broadway as a lead dancer at, like, 18 years old.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Which is quite an achievement.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Thank you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Were you ever nervous or intimidated?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Oh, my God. Yeah. That brings me back. Very much so. We were in Perth training. That's my hometown, with the show Burn the Floor at the time, getting it ready for Broadway. So all the Broadway producers came to Perth to, like, dissect the show and, like, take out this number, put this number there, switch people around, like, where they will be standing. And it was a big, like, ruffle of feathers because we want to get it to Broadway, but, like, people were losing parts and people were getting changed around and stuff. So it was. It was a really chaotic time in my life, actually, when I look back, because, yeah, I did have a lot of the lead stuff in there, and I remember getting pulled into the office and the. The producers, the Broadway producers sat me down and said, look, you know, the show rides on you, so strap up type of thing. Girly, you know, we're going to Broadway and you can't have a down day. You cannot have a down day. Okay. I was like, oh. I did not know what to say. I was like, yes, sir. Like, right, I am your girl. Like, I will get it done type of thing. Yeah, it was. Yeah, it was a moment in my life where I'm like, look back. And like, they probably shouldn't have said that to me, but, yeah, it was it was an incredible experience. Like, I wish I could go back and relive those six days that we worked our asses off and then had the one day off, you know, just to recover and lie in bed all day. But yeah, it was, it was amazing.

[Danielle Fishel]

Isn't it just so kind of fun and interesting the way life works that like, you're able to look back on it and you go, wow, the mo. One of the most chaotic and stressful times of your life. And yet at the time you probably felt very much like, I've got this. Even though you were nervous and intimidated, you were like, I can do it. Like you said, you were like, yes, sir.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And then in your mind you're just like, I have to do it. I'm going to work my off six days a week and then I'm going to lay in bed to recover that one day. And now here we are, we have kids. It's like you say, you know, I used to come home at 2 o' clock in the morning from a dance studio. I can't do that anymore because no matter what, the alarm's going off at 5:30.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Totally. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

There is no such thing as just lying in bed all day anymore.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yep.

[Danielle Fishel]

Wow, you have just, you have had quite a career. How did you then find yourself on Dancing with the Stars after being on Broadway?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

So again, when we were in Perth getting the show ready for Broadway, I was actually given a contract with my then boyfriend for Dancing with the Stars. They reached out to me and they were like, hey, come do the show. I obviously our people have burned the floor, were like, well, you can't do it. You got to choose which one you want to do. And I chose Broadway ultimately because I'm like, I might never get the chance to go back. And I've worked for six years on this touring dance show. Like, I have to do Broadway, so. And also I was, I didn't know if I wanted to do Dancing with the Stars. Yes, it was a TV opportunity, but I've never been on tv. I, at that stage I was still very young and I was very nervous to take that opportunity, but I eventually ended up taking it when I got to LA and Broadway was over and done with.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

And well, I came to Broadway with my then boyfriend and I wanted to act. I was just like, I'm done with dance, I've hit Broadway. You know, I loved it. Like, there's no other Broadway connections for me to kind of go into, so why don't I just try acting? Anyway, it was really hard. Yeah, I didn't have much money and I'm like, I kind of need a job. Like this is really hard. Everybody. I would walk into a room like a cattle call. Everyone looked like me. Blonde, green eyes and I'm like, holy, how am I gonna get this job? I got really close to like three or four and then I just get pipped at the post every time. And then I ran out of money.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I need an income.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah, I don't have rich parents, so I'm like, I. I gotta go and take the job now. So yeah, I took the job and never looked back. Fifteen years later or whatever. Yeah, it was really cool.

[Nexplanon Narrator]

Chapter 18 Prince Lorian's voice gently wakes you from your dreams of him.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I can't face one more sunset without you by my side Come with me and I vow your desires will be my North Star forevermore.

[Nexplanon Narrator]

You're ready. You have Nexplanon etnogestrel implants 68mg radio pack to prevent pregnancy. Nexplanon is a non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm and may take a few minutes to insert by your doctor. Don't use NexsPlanon if you're pregnant or may be pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control methods such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be while in common. Ectopic pregnancy Pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur, which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots, which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs with less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use NexsPlanon for one year. NexPlanon is over 99% effective, no matter the fantasy. Talk to your doctor. Call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexsplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about Nexplanon.

[Commercial Announcer]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway Flu season is here and the in store pharmacy has you covered with a free flu shot with most insurance plans. And as a thank you, get up to $20 off your grocery purchase. Plus it's cough and cold season. Stock up on all the season's essentials and get ready for relief with discounts on items like Hall's Menthol Cough Drops, Tylenol Cold and Flu and Mucinex Fast Max products. Offer ends December 30th. Restrictions apply and offers may vary by location. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Unrivaled Basketball Announcer]

Season 2 of unrivaled basketball is here and the talent is unreal. The best women's players on the planet are running it back with even bigger moments and bigger stakes. Don't miss as Paige Becker, Snafeeza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Brianna Stewart and more. Take the court and redefine the game. This isn't your regular season. This is unrivaled, where the pace is faster, the energy is higher and every athlete shines. Unrivaled basketball season two, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, tips off January 5 on TNT, TruTV and HBO Max.

[Audiobook Host]

Hey audiobook lovers. This week on the podcast I'm sitting down with musician, producer and walking encyclopedia Questlove, we're talking about Mark Ronson's memoir Night how to be a DJ in 90s New York City. All right, like we talked about before, Mark Ronson found sanctuary in the DJ booth. What's a tool or piece of equipment in the studio or on stage that gives you the most control?

[Commercial Announcer]

So I have two microphones on stage. We have the microphone that you hear as the audience. Then we have a second microphone in which we communicate with each other. I feel like that second microphone kind of saved all of our friendships. No band likes each other after 20 years or 25 years. Like the Beatles broke up in seven and a half years and we're going on 35.

[Audiobook Host]

Listen to HearSay, the Audible and iHeart audiobook club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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[Peta Murgatroyd]

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[Danielle Fishel]

Your first mirror ball coming in just your second season.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

What made Donald Driver such an incredible partner?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

It was our friendship. We had the best time together. He gave me everything. I mean, he. You know, the family moved out here. He had three kids at the time, three very young kids. He would get there early. He would leave later than me. He would be there stretching before me. He never gave me any attitude, you know, like, some of the guys can be like, you know, I don't want to do that, or, you know, they will give you something along the way.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

He never did. He just. Every performance he did, he threw himself into every character. I didn't have to, like, tell him, well, you know, I had to describe the dance and everything and say, you got to get close to me here. We got to be angry and, like, a little bit of, like, tension. He would do everything, and I didn't know that we were going to win. It was my second season. I had no idea, but I knew I had somebody that people loved.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

You know, he. He was. You know what the word. Beloved.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Beloved.

[Danielle Fishel]

And either one. Yeah. It goes both ways.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's.

[Danielle Fishel]

He is, by the way, the nicest guy. I got to meet him at the 20th anniversary, which was really special. That, again, that I got to be a part of season 34, which was the 20th anniversary, and they got to bring everybody back. And so I got to meet so many people that I have loved and admired over the many seasons of the show. And he was one of them who came up, introduced himself, was just the kindest.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

Was sitting, like, two rows in front of me. I was like, man, he's. He's incredible. Like I said. I tuned in every week of your podcast to find out what you and Max thought about my scores. Yes. You are an incredible host. Did you expect. When you started the show, did you expect Max to grab so many headlines with his opinions? I love his honesty. I truly. And I told him when he was here, I have always loved his honesty and the way he just is. Like, listen, I'm. I. I cannot tell you something other than my truth. I just can't.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. And that's what I respect about him.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

You know, I love that about him. I knew that I wanted somebody in my life that was strong and passionate, and whatever he says, it really does come down to the passion behind it. Yeah. Yes. He may say things in the wrong tone. They may come out the wrong way. That's his heritage, that's his culture. That's his, his low voice. When he speaks, he speaks like this because he's passionate. You know, it doesn't come from an angry, bitter place at all. But wait, what was the question?

[Danielle Fishel]

Did you expect him to grab so many headlines?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

No, no, I did not know that was, that was a lot. Yeah, that was a lot.

[Danielle Fishel]

As someone who also has been in my personal life especially tone monitored.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Have you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes, I also have a tone.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

And have been told by many people that my tone is scary or that I'm yelling when I'm like. But I'm not yelling. But there's a tone that I take on sometimes that is offensive to people. So I totally understand that you have a full understanding that sometimes and for him, I'm sure he's also been told at his entire life that he's like, man, I just really, when I'm talking about something, I just love what I'm talking about. And that passion whether, like, because also when I get very excited about something I love, I have that, you know, so it's like it's almost feels impossible to then expect someone when they are saying something that might be taken negatively to have to do it in a totally different voice.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Than you.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

And I don't want to like micromanage, push him down. What am I doing? He is who he is. I married him because of that. So it's like, why am I going to say, baby, don't, don't you got to say it like this, you know, I'm going to give him free rein and then if we need to chop stuff out, we're going to chop stuff out. It is what it is. But I think it, what it comes down to also is like people are so afraid right now to speak.

[Danielle Fishel]

Uh huh.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

So afraid. And it's debilitating when you can't have an opinion or say what you really feel. Yes. We don't want to hurt anybody's feelings at all. No, I, that was the one thing that I'm like right. Oh my God. You know, Absolutely not like I don't stand for I got kids. You know what I mean? Like this is not cool, but everybody should be allowed to have an opinion and not be taken down for it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I don't know. That's what I, I just think everyone's so vanilla right now. Nobody wants to like, oh my God, I said a little bit too much. Like everyone is playing it so safe with. I'm not just talking In. In what we do, but, like, the world in general, you know, you're going to be canceled if you say this. You're going to be canceled if you go too. Like, it's just hard.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

You know?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. And everyone does have their own opinion, and we don't have to agree with someone's opinion. There were many times Max has said something or that you said something, and I thought, well, I don't agree with that. Doesn't make me hate you. Doesn't make me dislike you. Doesn't make me think I have to take you down. We just. We disagree. We see something a different way, and that. That is okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

But if we stop ever showing that we have differences of opinion, they're not going to stop the differences of opinion from being there. They're just going to stop us from showing others how you have productive conflict.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I 1000% agree with you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. So I very much appreciate the honest approach that you two took. And like you said, when you did feel like, oh, wow, something we said may have hurt someone's feelings.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Absolutely.

[Danielle Fishel]

You then made a comment about that.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I. That's when you.

[Danielle Fishel]

You own up to it, you put.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Your big girl panties on and you go, I am so sorry. This is not how that was meant to go. You know, Absolutely. You gotta take accountability. If you really. If somebody's feeling that way, you have to do something about it.

[Danielle Fishel]

I even said the same thing about Carrie Anne in the season when Carrie Anne, at the very end, apologized to me about something that had not hurt my feelings.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

What was that again?

[Danielle Fishel]

She had said when she said, you're a tiny little woman. I want to. I want to. But when you let out this. I want to see you. I want to see that more bigger.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

And. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And I. It did not hurt me. I. I am. I'm, you know, five one. Like, I'm a tiny. I'm a tiny, little cutest thing.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

It did not offend me. It's just, to me, it's just a fact.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Right.

[Danielle Fishel]

But some people online felt very much like, so, I guess, dance like you're taller. Because I could see how that it could be taken that way. Like.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

She'S commenting on you physically now.

[Danielle Fishel]

She's commenting on me physically.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Gotcha.

[Danielle Fishel]

And so people were a little. But it did not offend me. But then I did mention it in my package where I said, you know, Carrie Ann said I was a tiny little woman, but I'm big on the inside. And she then apologized, and then people were talking about the apology, and I Said, I will take somebody getting up on national television, even though I did not tell her it offended me in any way. Anyone who's willing to say in a public forum, I may have done something that hurt you, and I'm sorry, we need more of that.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Absolutely.

[Danielle Fishel]

So there is. I mean, just what an incredible thing to be able to do. To say one, what's on your mind openly and with that takes courage. And then to recognize, ooh, saying that may have hurt you. And that was never my intention. I'm sorry.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Right.

[Danielle Fishel]

We need more of both of those things.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I 1000% agree.

[Danielle Fishel]

So I very much appreciate your approach. Who is your dream podcast guest?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Honestly, babe, right now we're just kind of throwing stuff at the wall and just seeing what sticks. It's so new. I'm, you know, where we've got a lot of feelers out to different people to come in, and I'm going to be starting something with Shanna soon, too, so I don't know if I have a dream person right now. We're waiting on a lot of cool people to come in and give me dates and stuff like that. I want you to come on, too.

[Danielle Fishel]

We have been trying to work it out. I would love to. Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

But, yeah, maybe not a. I haven't just got a dream person right now. Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love that because it's still new. This is how shows become incredible, is that you have to figure out the things. What are people, what people like?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I don't know. What do you want to hear about? You know? So we're just kind of still in that stage right now. Yeah. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

With Mark Ballas returning this past season, do you ever get the itch yourself?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah, I do. Do you? Yeah, I do. I mean, it's been really nice to sit out for a few. I will say that it's been lovely just sitting at home on the couch, putting the TV on, and I'm like, yeah, that's cool. You know, that show looks amazing. You know, it's been really nice to not to be able to cheer from the sidelines and just to not have maybe all that stress. Yeah. Because, you know, it is very stressful. It's a big job. But, yeah, I do now when I feel like I've, you know, I've got my body back and I'm like, you know, fit again. I'm not pregnant. I'm not postpartum. I'm feeling pretty good. Like, I would love to give it one more stab. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Oh, I love to hear that.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

They probably wouldn't take me, but I would love to have one more go.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. I love hearing that. Okay. I hope they hear that because that would make me so happy. So thank you so much for being with us. I want to ask you before you go your PETA Jane beauty, your self tanner.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

I want you. You gave me a beautiful bedazzled box and it's sitting gorgeously on my bathroom counter. I am not, I've never done a good self tan.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know your products are going to be the ones that are going to allow me to give myself a good self tan. What are my, what are your like top tips? What are things I must do.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

In order to with your products? Give myself the perfect self tan.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Okay. So number one, you just need clean skin. Get out of the shower.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

That's when you're gonna put your tan on. Or you can do it right before bed and you can sleep in it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Really?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

It won't stain my bed sheets.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Put dark clothing on.

[Danielle Fishel]

Dark pajamas.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Always say that. Dark pajamas, long sleeve, long legs. I would say exfoliate.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

The day before.

[Danielle Fishel]

The day before.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Not right before, not right before because for me anyway, that will irritate my skin. I don't like that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Your pores are too open.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So do it the day before and then consistently moisturize afterwards or use one of our tan extenders to keep extending the life of the tan and the color and the vibrance of it for the rest of the week.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

So yeah, those are my top tips. I mean it dry. It's my baby. I've been working on this since 2015. So you know, it's, it's now my full time job. Yep.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, I'm about to go on tour and I'm not going to be able to get spray tans.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

But you're going on the tour that.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm going on tour. Yeah, I'm opening the tour. I'm going to be doing the first three. The first three weeks I'm gone like the amazing. The 18th to the 15th or something.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

So cool.

[Danielle Fishel]

So I'm gonna, I'm like, I take them with you. I'm going to take them with me because I'm gonna need my little self tan on the go.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

You're going to need to look hot in your dresses and you're going to need brown skin and glowing skin.

[Danielle Fishel]

Brown glowing skin. I love it. So Penthouse with PETA is available wherever you get your podcasts. PETA Jane, her self tanning product is [e-mail] and you can follow PETA and her absolutely adorable family who makes the cutest social media videos. You and Max together are just. Just too freaking cute. Her handle is PETA Murgatroyd. Do we think your kids are gonna be dancers?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I don't think so.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, I don't think so.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I mean, I don't know about the youngest two. They're two and one. But my eight year old right now is in dancing. He has a little partner.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

He loves it when he's there. It's a fight to get him in the car. Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

It's. I, I don't know. He's really good at tennis, though.

[Danielle Fishel]

Really good.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah. So I'm trying to, like, push that more.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love tennis for kids.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I really do.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean, I love tennis for adults. I love tennis.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

But.

[Danielle Fishel]

But looking at what different sports there are, because we have, we have a very. We're an athletic family.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

And so my youngest son loves imaginative play. But every time we put him in something, he does it for a little while. We had him in karate. He got his first belt change and then he was like, I did it. I'm done. No more. I don't want to do this anymore. And then we put him in baseball for a season. He was like, great, I know how to do that now. Don't wanna do that.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

And he's like, oh, I love him.

[Danielle Fishel]

Listen, we're gonna have to keep doing something. Cause we need to keep our bodies active and so.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

How old is he?

[Danielle Fishel]

He's only 4.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Oh, okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

He's only 4.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Yeah, he's fine.

[Danielle Fishel]

But I like football. Like, is off the table for me. Not, you know, soccer, but like NFL style. Football is just a no go. And so then I started thinking, like.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Tennis, Golf, Tennis is great.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. You like tennis?

[Peta Murgatroyd]

I love it. I literally got shy into it because we were living in Malibu at the time and we were in an apartment. And I was like, he just keeps throwing. Yes, he just keeps throwing and hitting stuff. And I'm like, I'm gonna call a tennis coach. And I'm like, I called this tennis coach. And we had courts across the road, like a part of the complex that we were in. And we have never looked back. He is training with like a top coach in Beverly Hills right now. And he, he's killing it. Like, so I don't know. Try it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. Try it.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

He gets it. Gets the, the, the boy stuff out. You know, he gets to whack that ball and he gets it. All out in that hour and I love it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, that's. That's good. Okay, good to know. Thank you so much for being here with me. You are just wonderful and I cannot wait to do your podcast. Yay.

[Peta Murgatroyd]

Okay. I love that.

[Danielle Fishel]

All right, thank you. Danielle with the Stars Produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel Executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman Executive in charge of Production Danielle Romo Producer, editor and Engineer Tara Sudbaksh Theme song by Justin Segal. Follow us on Instagram at daniellewithstars and vote for me.

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[Nexplanon Narrator Variant]

Chapter 10 Ronan's eyes widened as the moon enveloped their secret sanctuary. Go, he warned. I'm losing control. Luna defiantly stepped forward, tracing the scar across his jaw. Then lose it, she whispered. She was ready. She has Nexplanon etinorgestrel implant 68mg radiopaque to prevent pregnancy. A non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm and not in your uterus. Don't use Nexplanon if you're pregnant or may be pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be. While uncommon ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur, which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death, you are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots, which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs. With less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use Nexplanon for one year, Nexplanon is over 99% effective. No matter the fantasy, talk to your doctor. Call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about Nexplanon.

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[Peta Murgatroyd]

All.

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