Pod Meets World: "Danielle with…Louis van Amstel"

Host: Danielle Fishel
Guest: Louis van Amstel
Date: November 2, 2025
Episode Focus: A heartfelt conversation between Danielle Fishel, current Dancing with the Stars contestant and Boy Meets World alum, and ballroom legend Louis van Amstel. The episode delves into the early days and continued evolution of DWTS, Louis’s career, coaching philosophy, and Danielle’s personal journey as a dancer on the show.

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Danielle Fishel interviews Louis van Amstel—celebrated ballroom coach, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) OG pro, and TV personality. Together, they reminisce about DWTS's beginnings, discuss the show's casting and philosophy, and examine the complexities of coaching and celebrity transformation on reality TV. Danielle opens up about her own dance journey, insecurities, and growth, while Louis provides both candid advice and behind-the-scenes insights from his two decades with the series.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Louis’s Role in the Birth of DWTS

• DWTS’s Origin Story:
  • Based on the British show Strictly Come Dancing.
  • Louis was approached due to his international ballroom background and quickly agreed to join.

    “I didn’t think twice… I did not question it. I did. I also thought it was the golden opportunity for ballroom dancing to be put in the limelight.” — Louis (05:21)

• Recruiting Pros:
  • Louis helped select and recruit the first pro cast, advocating for international and cross-trained dancers.

    “I picked up the phone… here, pick up the phone and make sure you say yes.” — Louis (07:33)

• Impact on Ballroom:
  • Saw the show as a celebration of dance, not a mockery, and foresaw its mass appeal.

2. Coaching Philosophy & Lessons Learned

• Learning Curve on TV:
  • Louis came in with a “coach’s attitude," expecting championship-level dedication.

    “I came in from coaching people like Jenna Johnson… and then I went in with that coaching attitude in Dance with the Stars. Oh, my gosh. I looked like an—” — Louis (12:45)

  • Quickly learned the need for empathy, adaptability, and understanding that celebrities are not full-time dancers.
  • Humbled by early elimination, which shifted his approach from “strict coach” to adaptive mentor.
• Adapting to Each Star:
  • “As a coach, as a teacher, as a dancer—expect the unexpected… because I don’t know who I am partnered with.” — Louis (15:47)
  • Importance of modifying teaching style: some stars need a slower pace, visuals, encouragement; others need a push.

3. Celebrity Experience & Show Evolution

• Transformation Beyond Dance:
  • Kelly Osbourne’s journey cited as Louis’s most profound partnership:

    “Even though it’s 2009, that journey has not only affected her or maybe changed her life, it has changed mine. … To affect and help someone in front of millions and then for her to really listen…” — Louis (30:03)

• The Influence of the Audience:
  • Discussed the tension between “best” versus “favorite” dancer and the impact of viewer votes.

    “We’re not looking for the best dancer to win the show. We’re looking for the favorite. And hopefully the best dancer is also the favorite, you know.” — Louis (29:25)

  • Advice: Even those getting top scores are not safe—viewers must vote.

4. The Debate Over Dance Experience

• Stacked Casts & Mixed Experience:
  • Frustration at first over stars with prior dance experience, but appreciation grew for how non-dancer celebs represent the audience.
  • Visual spectacle and diversity keep the show compelling.
  • Transparency about the realities of audience voting:

    “It’s really the people at home that are voting… and if only dancers made the final, would anyone watch?” — Louis (26:14)

5. Strategy & Success on DWTS

• The Role of Strategy:
  • Strategic song selection and dance assignment are critical—Louis kept song lists and planned for challenging dances early.
• Arranging for the “Narrative Arc”:
  • Saving emotive, high-impact routines for later to “pull on the heartstrings.”
• “Vote, Vote, Vote!”:
  • Even high scores can’t save a pair if viewers assume they’re safe.

6. Personal Journeys, Vulnerability & Advice

• Danielle’s Growth:
  • Opens up about insecurities, team dance pressure, and feeling like the “weak link”.
  • Louis emphasizes comparing efforts, not resumes:

    “You’re not the weakest link. You are the person that came in with the least amount of dance experience. So the pressure is on them, not you.” — Louis (42:26)

• Advice for Danielle:
  • Repeated encouragement to “peel off all the layers,” release emotional restraint, and perform authentically.

    “Your personal, emotional self, I feel, is held back. … Go raw, raw, raw.” — Louis (47:57)

  • Encourages Danielle to commit fully, embrace vulnerability, and recognize her own progress.
• On Performing ‘Dream On’:
  • Danielle describes the emotional weight of the dance and narrative—being judged as a woman in the public eye, feeling “always too much and never enough.”

    “It has been a difficult week for me because I have been really resistant to the dance … it’s triggering so many things in me. … The story is kind of about how you can quiet the outside noise and dream your own dreams and live life to the fullest.” — Danielle (50:10)

  • Louis reassures her:

    “Let these triggers be the reasons why you unpeel that onion. … On Monday, jump off that cliff and fly.” — Louis (53:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On DWTS’s First Season Nerves

  “Season one, week one, everyone—ABC, the showrunner—everyone was so nervous… and then we had 13.5 million viewers and they couldn’t be happier.” — Louis (11:54)

• On Fame and Transformation

  “This is TV. To affect and help someone in front of millions—and then for her to really listen … it has changed mine.” — Louis, on working with Kelly Osbourne (30:03)

• On Coaching Styles

  “I don’t like being put in a box. I don’t like labels. … You expect the unexpected. That’s really my coaching philosophy.” — Louis (16:46)

• On Danielle’s Next Steps

  “It’s like an onion that you peel off every single week and you show a little bit more of yourself. I would say rip off all the layers that are left… It’s the emotional self… go raw, raw, raw.” — Louis (47:51) “Whatever they throw at you, enjoy it and see it as they come on. Bring it on. Bring it on.” — Louis (41:39)

• Danielle on the Burden of Public Scrutiny

  “Whether it’s working outside the home or inside… if you get botox, then you’re not aging gracefully. If you age gracefully, you look old and ugly … it feels like there’s no winning.” — Danielle (50:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Louis describes getting the call for DWTS and recruiting pros: 05:21–08:00
• Coaching and learning from season one: 11:40–13:40
• Adapting coaching style for each celebrity: 15:46–17:37
• Reflections on Kelly Osbourne partnership: 29:49–32:36
• On voting, strategy, and the importance of viewers: 34:34–37:00
• Danielle’s team dance anxiety and Louis’s advice: 41:39–43:32
• Louis’s advice for Danielle’s growth and emotional performance: 47:03–49:36
• Exploring the story and vulnerability behind Danielle’s ‘Dream On’ piece: 50:10–53:01
• Louis’s closing encouragement (jump off the cliff!): 53:39–55:00

Final Thoughts

This episode is a heartfelt exchange about art, growth, and reinvention—both personal and within the world of ballroom dance. Louis van Amstel’s behind-the-scenes memories and wisdom provide historical perspective, while Danielle’s vulnerability and openness about her own journey offer inspiration to contestants and fans alike. Their candor about challenges, performance pressure, and the emotional landscape of DWTS highlights why the show continues to captivate after 20 years.

For fans and newcomers, this conversation is a reminder that behind every cha-cha and quickstep, there’s a real story of transformation, strategy, and courage.

Extra Motivation from Louis for All Contestants (and Listeners):

“Whatever they throw at you, enjoy it... Bring it on, bring it on.” (41:39)