Pod Meets World – “Danielle Dances! (Week 2)”

Release Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Danielle Fishel (with updates from her stint on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 34)

Episode Overview

In this special solo episode, Danielle Fishel (forever known as Topanga from Boy Meets World) delivers an in-depth, behind-the-scenes breakdown of her second week competing on Dancing with the Stars. With vivid candor and humor, Danielle opens up about the difficulties of adjusting to the show's rapid pace, the emotional stakes of elimination night, and the realities of dancing through injury. She also shares nostalgic connections between the Boy Meets World era and her current journey, offers heartfelt stories of friendship and support, and looks ahead with optimism and a competitive spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Drastic Shift from Week One to Week Two

Timestamps: 03:02 – 06:55

• Difference in Rehearsal Time:
  • Week one featured three weeks of practice, but week two offered only five days.
  • Danielle admits feeling unprepared and overwhelmed by Saturday before the live show.
• “Trust the Pasha, Trust the Process”:
  • Pasha, her dance partner, reassures that it's normal to feel underprepared.
  • “I’ve been saying trust the Pasha, and Pasha now says, trust the process.”
• Adrenaline and Live Energy:
  • Danielle compares the live audience’s energizing effect to performing on Boy Meets World:
  • “The live studio audience just feeds my soul. I feel exactly like I did doing Boy Meets World back in the 90s.” (07:36)

2. Full Commitment in Dance vs. Acting

Timestamps: 07:00 – 10:35

• Differences in Approach:
  • Danielle explains her acting training taught her to save full performance for the cameras, but dance requires giving 100% in every rehearsal.
  • Pasha explains: “When you fully commit and perform, your physical body changes, and I as your partner rely on those cues.” (09:30)
• Danielle acknowledges the challenge:
  • “I want to do it for you, but it’s going against 30 years of training for me.”

3. Emotional Impact of Double Elimination

Timestamps: 10:45 – 12:07

• Who Left:
  • Corey Feldman and Baron Davis were sent home.
• Danielle’s Connection to Baron Davis:
  • “It’s hard, it’s hard to say goodbye to people. […] I told him he stuck with me because he made the terrible mistake of giving me his phone number. And so now he’s stuck with me.” (11:18)
• Realization:
  • The stakes and sense of competition now feel intensely real.

4. Performance Recap: Cha Cha & Wardrobe Drama

Timestamps: 15:27 – 23:32

• Switching Styles:
  • From an intense tango (week one) to a flirty, sexy cha cha (week two)
  • Danielle candidly discusses her insecurities about performing a “sexy” dance in her mid-40s:
    • “You go queen… But when it’s me, I’m like, oh come on. You got two small kids and you’re in your mid-40s, like, settle down.” (16:34)
  • Ultimately, she embraced it and felt empowered.
• Dress Mishap:
  • Last minute changes led to a wardrobe issue during rehearsal and a scramble to fix it before showtime.
  • “This is my public apology to Daniella, the wardrobe master… They know what they’re doing, and I should keep my mouth shut.” (18:33)
• Performance Review:
  • A very minor slip in the final trick became a source of jokes and memes.
  • “It was like he was birthing a fawn… We just started making memes. You guys are going to be sick of the memes.” (21:45)
  • Danielle reflects on her goal of giving herself more grace:
    • “I really just wanted to have more fun. Honestly, even after it happened, I just laughed.” (21:30)

5. Injury and Determination to Compete

Timestamps: 19:45 – 26:40

• Hamstring Injury Story:
  • Danielle describes how a repeated lunge movement led to a tendon snap in her hamstring.
  • Mistakenly had a deep tissue massage and shockwave therapy, worsening the bruising due to cancer medication side effects.
  • MRI showed a severe tear, doctor initially said “surgery,” causing panic over the possibility of bowing out.
  • Final diagnosis: No surgery needed, just careful pain management and PT.
  • “When athletes snap these tendons and they’re in the playoffs, we treat them like they’re in the playoffs. So we’re gonna manage your pain.” (24:53)
  • Vowed to stay in as long as possible, laughing, “They can take me out on a stretcher, otherwise no way!” (24:10)
• Cartwheel & Splits Challenge:
  • Reveals she learned to perform a cartwheel and left-legged split for the routine, despite the injury.
  • “If I could do it at 8, I could do it at 44, why not?” (25:42)
• Next Dance:
  • Foxtrot up next, no splits or cartwheels – “a break for my right hamstring.”

6. Camaraderie Among Contestants and 90s Child Stars

Timestamps: 29:49 – 32:58

• Contestant Nerves:
  • Noticed everyone felt more stressed in week two.
  • Special shoutout to Robert, who was unexpectedly honest about his own nerves.
• Song Connection:
  • “Rhythm of the Night” triggers memories of 1994 and riding to Boy Meets World tapings.
• Support System:
  • Friends and family filled the audience; fellow 90s child actors—Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Elisa Donovan—offered strong support:
  • “The fact that we are there for each other… supporting each other, it just means the world.” (31:51)
  • Gratitude for having waited till now: “This is the perfect year for me to do it.”

7. Jewelry Stories & Symbols of Milestones

Timestamps: 32:58 – 36:10

• Personal Touches:
  • Danielle describes jewelry and watches she wore—each with sentimental meaning:
    • A borrowed ring and choker from her friend Dolly;
    • A mixed-shape bracelet from Jamie at Forever Fine Jewelry;
    • Her own Rolex Datejust, which she bought after directing her first Girl Meets World episode.
  • “I like it when my jewelry and the things I spend money on are attached to a story.” (35:23)

8. Looking Ahead: Next Week & Improvement Goals

Timestamps: 36:18 – End

• Excited for TikTok Week:
  • Social media efforts slowed by the injury, but Danielle is eager to up their game again.
• Practice Goals:
  • Vowing to master her shoulder posture after consistent judge Bruno’s critiques.
  • “Next week, we are doing a foxtrot and it is very elegant and very graceful, which was not my nickname in high school… My number one goal before the week has even started is I want Bruno to say you listened to my note.” (38:47)
• Gratitude:
  • Deep thanks to listeners and supporters:
  • “Thank you for your votes. Thank you for all your support. Thank you for your messages. It really means the world to both Pasha and me.” (39:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On trusting the learning process:
  “If you just trust the process… your brain just absorbs all of the things… overnight.” — Danielle Fishel (05:25)
• Difference between dance and acting rehearsal:
  “As an actor from the time I was 10 years old, we never give 100% until you’re rolling… in dance he needs to know what to expect physically.” — Danielle (07:36 & 09:32)
• On dance wardrobe crises:
  “This is my public apology to Daniella, the wardrobe master. They know what they’re doing, and I should keep my mouth shut.” — Danielle (18:33)
• Meme moment after a move mishap:
  “He was birthing a fawn… We just started making memes. You guys are going to be sick of the memes.” — Danielle (21:45)
• On injury and returning to compete:
  “They can take me out on a stretcher. Otherwise, no way! I am sticking around.” — Danielle (24:10)
• On performing at her age:
  “If I could do it at 8, I could do it at 44, why not?” — Danielle (25:42)
• Support from friends:
  “The fact that we are there for each other… much less a child actor in the 90s. It's just such a unique, small group… it just means the world.” — Danielle (31:51)
• Reflecting on her journey:
  “I'm so, so, so happy that I said yes this year.” — Danielle (32:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:02] Show opens with Danielle’s DWTS journey and thoughts on rehearsal schedule
• [07:36] Energy from live audience and comparison to sitcom tapings
• [09:30] Dance partner Pasha’s perspective on rehearsal intensity
• [10:45] Double elimination impact, Baron Davis’s exit
• [15:27] Cha cha recap and wardrobe mishap
• [19:45] Hamstring injury story and pain management
• [25:42] Cartwheels, splits, and doing the impossible at 44
• [29:49] Contestant camaraderie and 90s child actor friendship
• [32:58] Jewelry stories and celebration of milestones
• [36:18] Setting goals for next week’s foxtrot and responding to judge feedback
• [39:57] Thank yous and wrap-up

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Danielle brings an upbeat, honest, and deeply personal tone to this episode, skillfully blending nostalgia with the raw realities of competing on Dancing with the Stars. Her reflections on injury, self-confidence, and learning under pressure are both candid and relatable. Danielle’s love for performing, gratitude for her support network, and competitive spirit shine throughout, making this a compelling listen for fans of the show or anyone interested in the journey from 90s TV stardom to prime-time ballroom.

Next Episode Teaser: Danielle will sit down with legendary choreographer Mandy Moore (So You Think You Can Dance, La La Land) to break down the season thus far.

(End of Summary)