Pod Meets World: Danielle with…Brandon Armstrong

Host: Danielle Fishel
Guest: Brandon Armstrong
Date: October 31, 2025
Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of “Danielle with the Stars,” Danielle Fishel (forever Topanga to many of us) sits down with acclaimed “Dancing with the Stars” pro Brandon Armstrong. Danielle, currently a contestant on DWTS Season 34, delves into Brandon’s journey, experiences with show favoritism, social media stardom, and the nuances of competition, all while sharing personal reflections, laughs, and the realities of show business. Listeners get “everything a fan could ever want”—tears, behind-the-scenes insight, and plenty of wit from both host and guest.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Brandon’s DWTS Journey and the “Luck” Factor

Timestamp: 02:32–05:11

• Danielle introduces Brandon as a “fan favorite,” highlighting his consistent perfect scores and persistent lack of a championship win.
• Brandon recognizes the ironic “luck” he’s had on the show, referencing shock eliminations and tough breaks.
  • “I feel like I am the king of the husbands of the girls that watch Dancing with the Stars.” (Brandon, 05:47)
• Playful banter about their spouses’ fandom and Brandon’s reputation among show fans.

2. Tackling Favoritism on DWTS

Timestamp: 06:12–10:18

• Danielle opens with a “hot button” about favoritism this season.
• Brandon considers the issue nuanced:
  • “Is it favoritism, or is he creating an opportunity for himself?” (Brandon, 07:12)
  • He equates it to LeBron James: some dancers get more attention because of skill, not just preference.
• The show as a “game”—strategy matters, and some pros play it better. He points out that music or dance style selection sometimes comes down to compromise and chance.
• Danielle shares from the celebrity side, “sometimes you get what you want, other weeks not at all,” and that it "all evens out in the wash" if you last longer.
• Both agree fans often don’t see how much is out of a pro's control.

3. Behind the Scenes: Creative Decisions and Critique

Timestamp: 10:34–14:48

• Discussion of dance styles, song choices, and the themes each week.
• Brandon challenges internet commentators’ expertise:
  • “Susan in Connecticut told me I gotta be out of frame more. Like, what do you want us to do?” (Brandon, 11:36)
• Danielle reflects on receiving similar feedback as Brandon—sometimes judges' comments or fan feedback carry over, even when they're vague:
  • “I totally understood it.” (Danielle, 13:01)
• Both advocate for more opportunity to clarify and respond to criticism, noting the disconnect when judges influence narratives (“something’s missing”) without clarity.

4. Navigating Fan Toxicity and Growth of the Audience

Timestamp: 17:24–20:27

• Danielle asks if the surge of passionate (and sometimes toxic) fans has been good overall.
• Brandon is pragmatic:
  • “Don’t cry when it floods when you prayed for rain. ... My livelihood is attached to the show.” (Brandon, 18:03)
  • He acknowledges occasional toxicity but says greater audience means greater opportunity—a blessing he doesn’t take lightly.
• Jokes about online "experts":
  • “That’s like me calling Einstein and being like, man, your math is wrong.” (Brandon, 20:27)

5. Brandon’s Social Media Renaissance

Timestamp: 23:27–25:39

• Danielle praises Brandon’s TikTok content, applauding his authenticity and humor.
• Brandon credits younger cast members and his wife, Briley, for nudging him into content creation. He admits his “no-filter” personality can get him in trouble, but fans respond to his realness.
  • “The good thing about not having a filter is that... there's also not a filter.” (Danielle, 25:25)

6. Does Dance (or Musical) Experience Matter?

Timestamp: 25:53–30:55

• Danielle pokes at the perennial debate—do “ringers” (celebs with prior experience) have an advantage?
• Brandon’s definitive answer:
  • “No. You could be the greatest singer songwriter the world has ever seen and not be able to dance a lick.” (Brandon, 26:39)
• He points out that audience connection, not dance experience, matters more—“Case in point, Alan and Ilona… Chandler and Brandon last year.”
• Danielle summarizes: “Dance experience makes you a better dancer. Does it help you win the show? No.”

7. The Lauren Jauregui Partnership—“We Were Robbed”

Timestamp: 31:00–34:54

• Danielle and Brandon reflect on losing Lauren Jauregui too early in the season.
  • “It blows my mind that Lauren does those things and then gets dumped on by other women.” (Brandon, 32:00)
• Brandon details their planned Dedication Week routine (a moving “daddy-daughter salsa” with singing), and laments what could have been.
  • “You did get robbed of a journey. She could have developed so much.” (Brandon, 33:24)

8. Personal Life: Love and Laughter with Briley

Timestamp: 40:28–46:54

• Danielle probes into Brandon’s relationship with wife Briley—yes, he DMed her (“What’s up?”), got ignored, her mom vouching for him led to a Cheesecake Factory date… and a (failed) deer chase to show off.
  • “Didn’t catch the deer, but did catch feelings.” (Brandon, 42:22)
• They bond over food, social media, and daily California life—and Brandon details their upcoming Tokyo trip and the challenges of balancing touring with home life.

9. Family, Roots, and Advice

Timestamp: 46:54–51:25

• Danielle and Brandon discuss timing for starting a family, reflecting on cultural expectations and personal choice. “Early 30s is a perfect time,” Danielle reassures him.
• Brandon’s advice for Danielle on DWTS:
  • “Just enjoy it, because you’re gonna wake up one day and it’s gonna be over... really, really, really enjoy.” (Brandon, 50:53)
  • Also, “Listen to Pasha the GOAT” for best results.
• The importance of appreciating the journey, regardless of outcome.

10. Final Banter—Body Image, Skims for Men, and Farewell

Timestamp: 52:28–55:29

• Laughter as they riff on the lack of “BBLs” among DWTS pros, dad jokes, the idea of “Skims for men,” and media representations.
  • "That’s homegrown cookies and cream, that’s all it is. I just want the record to show that.” (Brandon, 53:09)
• Danielle praises Brandon’s presence in rehearsal and his hosting/engagement with other cast members.
• Parting words of mutual admiration and gratitude.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Favoritism:
  • “Is it favoritism, or is he creating an opportunity for himself?” (Brandon, 07:12)
• On Critique:
  • “Susan in Connecticut told me I gotta be out of frame more… like, what do you want us to do?” (Brandon, 11:36)
• On Toxic Fans:
  • “Don’t cry when it floods when you prayed for rain.” (Brandon, 18:03)
  • “That’s like me calling Einstein and being like, man, your math is wrong.” (Brandon, 20:27)
• On Social Media:
  • “I like to talk a little crap and I like to be funny and I like to just say things how I like to say things. And I think it's been lucky that it's gotten on social media and people have enjoyed it.” (Brandon, 24:38)
• On “Ringers”:
  • “You could be the greatest singer songwriter the world has ever seen and not be able to dance a lick.” (Brandon, 26:39)
• On Dedication Week:
  • “Would have been dope… She was actually gonna sing the beginning of it, like, acapella to her daddy, you know, then sing it, then mic it up. Then I was gonna take it, then she was gonna do it with her dad, and then we were gonna do it together." (Brandon, 34:20)
• On Relationships:
  • “Didn’t catch the deer, but did catch feelings.” (Brandon, 42:22)
• On Advice:
  • “Just enjoy it, because you’re gonna wake up one day and it’s gonna be over... really enjoy.” (Brandon, 50:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro to Brandon’s DWTS journey & “luck”: 02:32–05:11
• Favoritism Discussion: 06:12–10:18
• Creative Decisions & Show Mechanics: 10:34–14:48
• Fan Toxicity, Internet Critics: 17:24–20:27
• Social Media Emergence: 23:27–25:39
• Dance Experience Debate: 25:53–30:55
• Lauren Jauregui Partnership: 31:00–34:54
• Love and Life with Briley: 40:28–46:54
• Family Planning Advice: 46:54–51:25
• Body Image & Skims for Men (final laughs): 52:28–55:29

Tone & Style

Warm, candid, irreverent, and genuinely appreciative—Danielle and Brandon maintain a mix of heartfelt sincerity and signature joking. The episode is packed with joyful banter, honesty about the realities and pressures of show business, and a deep awareness of audience culture in the digital age.

Summary prepared for listeners and fans who want the inside scoop and can’t get enough of DWTS, Brandon Armstrong, and Danielle’s reality competition adventure.