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.

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.

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)

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

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

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.