Pod Meets World: "Matthew Lawrence Meets World Once Again"
Podcast: Pod Meets World (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Date: January 26, 2026
Guests: Matt Lawrence (Jack Hunter)
Hosts: Danielle Fishel (Topanga), Will Friedle (Eric), Ryder Strong (Shawn)
Episode Overview
This episode welcomes Matt Lawrence back to "Pod Meets World" to reflect on Season 7 of "Boy Meets World" as the hosts embark on their rewatch of the show's final season. The conversation is filled with nostalgia, candid insights about the challenges and triumphs of being child actors, and a heartfelt look at growing up both on and off the set. The group explores Matt’s unique experience joining the cast, his memories of the show’s end, behind-the-scenes stories, and life after "Boy Meets World". They also touch on heavier topics such as body image, aging in the public eye, and what it means to authentically navigate social media and post-show careers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Nostalgia & Season 7 Reflections
[14:33, 16:41]
- The hosts kick off their revisit of "Boy Meets World" Season 7, noting how the final episodes felt both surreal and significant.
- Matt shares that by the time he felt comfortable on the show, it was ending—a bittersweet realization:
"I was just kind of like, you know, getting my... getting into stride, getting my sea legs, and it was like, done, and I was so bummed..." – Matt Lawrence [17:11]
- The cast jokes about the strange logic of their characters' storylines ("Remember, Chet just died and we're just never going to reference it again") [18:49].
- Matt says the show became a true “benchmark sitcom”:
"When I look back on, like, sitcoms I've been a part of, I mean, Boy Meets World is by far the standout." – Matt Lawrence [26:40]
2. Joining the Cast & Fitting In
[24:06, 25:15]
- Matt entered as an “outsider” but had more sitcom experience than the original cast, which created a unique dynamic.
- He reflects on how Boy Meets World felt uniquely welcoming:
“[It] felt more like my age group...like the mystery high school/college experience in a way.” – Matt Lawrence [25:56]
3. Set Memories and Behind-the-Scenes Camaraderie
[21:19, 21:37]
- There was an ongoing friendly rivalry between Will and Matt to make each other laugh on set:
"You and I were actively trying to crack each other up. And a lot of times did." – Will Friedle [21:37]
- Matt describes the "warm and fuzzy" feeling watching the main cast interact, and a rare bonding moment with William Daniels (Mr. Feeny) in the show's final scenes [23:39].
4. Social Media—Pressure, Vulnerability & Authenticity
[02:33–08:07]
- Will contemplates returning to social media, torn between creative opportunities and mental health concerns.
- Ryder and Danielle weigh in on the anxieties and realities:
"I think as long as you're doing something that you believe in and you have an authentic presentation of yourself...It can be a really fun community." – Ryder Strong [04:08] "It becomes a job. And in order to do it well, considering we are too old for us to truly know TikTok and Instagram, how to use...to teach yourself really how to be very good at it is nearly impossible." – Danielle Fishel [06:49]
5. Acting, Character Arcs, & Retrospective Self-Critique
[40:31–45:26]
- The group discusses how their perspectives on acting have evolved and what they’d do differently:
“If I had to fight back, it would have been, let's have some consistency with the character...I went through 37 different iterations of Eric.” – Will Friedle [44:16] "I noticed when I was playing the joke versus living the joke...Don't play it, it would have been funnier, you know?” – Matt Lawrence [42:56]
6. Body Image and Growing Up on Screen
[53:39–57:44]
- Anticipating upcoming episodes dealing with "weight gain" storylines, the hosts reflect on harmful 90s body standards and lasting impacts:
"Writers and...adults maybe in general, were comparing you to your 11 year old body. Like, think about how messed up that is. But that's what happens with child actors." – Ryder Strong [54:38]
- Matt shares concern over current pressures on young people, especially women, to conform to extreme body standards:
"It's so focused on like, what can I change about my body and my faith with surgeries and I'm just like, oh my gosh..." – Matt Lawrence [55:27]
7. Fond Memories, Bittersweet Goodbyes & Post-Show Life
[59:40, 62:04]
- The cast recalls the emotional weight of the final tape night:
"I was definitely emotional...as to like, darn. And I don't know, who knows if that will ever happen again. And it never did. That feeling never happened again." – Matt Lawrence [59:40]
- The group jokes about a “fancy dinner club” they started as the series ended, with Danielle mock-chiding them for not including her [60:26].
8. Matt Lawrence’s Current Projects
[62:04, 67:09]
- Matt discusses the "Brotherly Love" podcast with his brothers, revealing their goal to reach 500 episodes.
- He shares about hosting his new reality show, "Second Chance Love," filmed in Sardinia with his girlfriend Chilli (of TLC), highlighting the region's community spirit and health culture:
"There's a reason why it's a blue zone, you know, where people really have this extended life expectancy...The community is one and people are good to their neighbors..." – Matt Lawrence [67:31]
9. Aging, Growth, and Staying Grounded
[62:34, 63:43]
- The group discusses challenges unique to child actors and the pride they feel seeing each other continue with fulfilling lives and careers:
"What I'm really proud of is...the people that you have been able to become, because, as, you know, a lot of our peers, you know, have...fallen into lives that aren't conducive to health and wellness. And so I'm just super proud that you guys have been able to get over these hurdles and still let your abilities and your talents shine." – Matt Lawrence [63:43]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On being part of the show's finale:
"I thought we were going to be working together for the next 20 years...I thought they were going to spin us off..." – Matt Lawrence [18:11–18:15] -
On chemistry in the cast:
"Every time I went to work, I knew I was gonna laugh." – Matt Lawrence [21:19] -
On the pressure of body image in the industry:
"The pressure of comparing you to your younger self is right...There's no way to win that one." – Matt Lawrence [56:04] -
On support within the cast:
"No woman in the world has three better friends than you three..." – Danielle Fishel, about the support she receives from the guys [30:13] -
On physical peak in Season 7:
"You are like a specimen of a man on this show. You are, like, chiseled from stone." – Danielle Fishel to Matt Lawrence [46:37] -
On authenticity and aging:
"You gotta try to embrace the aging and age as gracefully as you can. I don't understand trying to lock yourself [in youth]." – Matt Lawrence [55:27] -
On post-show pride:
"I'm just super proud that you guys have been able to get over these hurdles and still let your abilities and your talents shine...I'm just super proud that you guys have been able to get over these hurdles and still let your abilities and your talents shine." – Matt Lawrence [63:43] -
On Matt's takeaways from Sardinia:
"The food is on another level...And you can eat pizza and pasta and you don’t feel bloated...it's not chemicals, it's just natural food." – Matt Lawrence [68:42]
Major Segments & Timestamps
| Topic | Start | Notable Moments | |-------|-------|-------------------| | Will debates social media return | 02:33 | Honest talk on anxiety, creative value [03:32, 04:27, 06:49] | | Matt joins for Season 7 revisiting | 14:33 | Reflections on finale, cast dynamics [17:11, 18:11] | | Set stories, cast chemistry | 21:19 | Making each other laugh, bloopers [21:37, 22:00] | | The transition to the final season | 23:39 | Riders’ and Matt’s adjustment to new cast dynamic [23:39, 24:06] | | Actor insecurities and watching old episodes | 40:31 | Self-critique, growth as performers [42:56, 44:16] | | Discussion on body image pressures | 53:39 | Commentary on 90s TV and personal impact [54:38, 55:27] | | Final tape night memories, dinner club stories | 59:40 | Emotional goodbyes, off-camera friendships [60:26] | | Matt’s podcast and new reality show | 62:04, 67:09 | Preview and stories from "Second Chance Love" [67:31] |
Tone & Atmosphere
The conversation is warm, sincere, and peppered with playful teasing—the same camaraderie that defined "Boy Meets World" is alive in this deep-dive rewatch. The cast is open about their insecurities then and now; they balance humorous banter ("MoPanga" as a nickname for mopey Topanga [45:43]) with mature reflections on the long-term effects of being in the spotlight. They’re supportive of each other’s individual journeys and unafraid to discuss past regrets, growth, and hopes for the future.
Takeaways for Fans & Listeners
- Expect fresh insight into the experience of aging out of child stardom and learning self-advocacy as actors.
- Understand the enduring friendships at the show's core, with Matt’s inclusion as proof that the cast became true family.
- Hear a first-hand account of the joy, challenge, and impact of bringing your real self to both a beloved old show and today's media landscape.
- Enjoy behind-the-scenes details and honest, often hilarious, commentary on memorable and awkward moments from both on and off camera.
- Discover what Matt Lawrence is doing now, including his podcast and a new reality show filmed in a European "blue zone."
- Most importantly, the episode captures a sense of gratitude and pride for what the cast, both individually and together, has managed to build—then and now.