Pod Meets World – "Pod Meets 50 Million Downloads PART 2"
iHeartPodcasts | Aired: December 31, 2025
Hosts: Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, Will Friedle
Recorded live at Yamava Resort and Casino
Overview
In this celebratory episode marking 50 million downloads, hosts Danielle, Rider, and Will reflect on their personal highs and lows from 2025, talk candidly about the future of the podcast, and invite listeners behind the scenes of their ongoing friendships and creative plans. The gang weighs in on potential next steps for the show—especially whether to cover "Girl Meets World"—and delight in impromptu humor and genuine camaraderie. This episode is an intimate blend of nostalgia, forward planning, and the playful banter that longtime fans love.
Highlights & Key Discussion Points
Reflections on 2025: Personal Highs & Lows
Danielle Fishel on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
- Danielle identifies her standout 2025 moment as participating in the "Team Chicago" group dance on Dancing with the Stars.
“Team Chicago, group dance. That was a real high moment for me, man.” (04:35)
- She expresses excitement about joining the 2026 Dancing with the Stars live tour and the unique experience of group performances.
Will Friedle’s Milestones
- Will shares major personal and professional milestones, highlighting his grandson's birth.
"This was a strange year. I mean, my grandson was born this year...a lot of very good things happened and a lot of very bad things." (05:16)
- He expresses gratitude for the continued fun and adventures he shares with Danielle and Rider.
Rider Strong’s Emotional Farewells & Nature Memories
- Rider’s most emotional moment: the final live Pod Meets World show of the year.
"...the final live show. Sitting on stage there, like, when that ended...it got really emotional and I’m so— I'll never forget that moment." (06:09)
- He recounts a magical waterfall discovery on a family camping trip in Oregon.
"...it was the most astounding waterfall I've ever seen in my life." (07:23)
Planning for 2026: Goals and Resolutions
Will’s New Year’s ‘Revolution’
- Will commits to finishing the book he’s been writing.
"I'm finishing my book this year. I'm 300 pages in... whether no one reads it, I'm gonna write 'The End' and just be done with it this year." (09:23)
Danielle’s Pursuit of Balance
- Danielle wants 2026 to be her “year of no”—being more selective to find better work-life balance.
“I’m starting off the year with something I said yes to in 2025, which is the Dancing with the Stars tour...But then that means I am spread thin and everything kind of suff[ers], so my goal for this year is to say no to things...and find a way to be more selective.” (10:05, 10:53)
Rider’s Hope for Presence
- After expending energy on multiple creative projects, Rider aspires to be more present and enjoy the fruits of his labor rather than always focusing on what’s next.
“I'm hoping that I can just be present... I want to be, like, able to just be more present in wherever I am.” (11:56)
Looking Ahead: New Podcast Projects
Pod Meets Twirled Presents: ‘Traiting Places’
- The team announces they’ll continue with the “Pod Meets Twirled” series, this time recapping and analyzing the new season of The Traitors.
“So we’re gonna keep it: Pod Meets Twirled presents Traiting Places... we're going to be watching the new season of Traitors and becoming experts on that, as we have become dance experts.” – Will (16:34–16:46)
- Fun side-notes about potential guests and the hosts' relative unfamiliarity with the show set up humorous expectations.
The ‘Girl Meets World’ Debate
Should They Cover It?
- A major discussion centers on whether the podcast should continue with a “Girl Meets World” rewatch and analysis.
Danielle’s Hesitation
- Danielle is deeply reluctant, citing the younger target audience and her lack of centrality on the show.
“It’s not our show... I don't think we could do it fairly. And I don't think it’s our...I don't think we have the perspective…” (27:49–28:37)
Rider & Will’s Counter-Arguments
- Ryder points out the narrative continuity and unique chance to examine how the iconic characters aged.
“I feel like if we come at it from, well, let's just see where those characters go and discuss how they ended up...there's a story that continues.” (28:37–29:39)
- Will notes that, having never seen most episodes, he’d bring a fresh perspective.
“I truly am going in blind. I have never seen the show.” (30:04)
Listener Interest
- They speculate what portion of their audience would want a Girl Meets World rewatch, with Danielle guessing as low as 20% and the others upwards of 75-80%.
“I would say 20.” – Danielle (34:19) “I would bet it would be. At least 80% of our listeners would want us to do Girl Meets World.” – Will (34:12)
Tentative Consensus
- While Danielle remains cautious, the group agrees it might make sense chronologically, but are open to pivoting if it doesn’t resonate.
“We try one season... if we're 10 episodes in and we're like, we don't like this... We can bust through them very quickly.” (32:05–32:13) “I mean, you have me at it's a continuation of the world and we have the ability to put a button on.” – Danielle (35:02)
Behind the Scenes: Live Show & Listener Love
Gifts, In-Jokes, and Spatulas
- At Yamava Resort, the group obsesses over the odd but delightful tradition of gifting guests panini presses and spatula sets—leading to playful Latin jokes and fond reminiscence.
“It was a Cuisinart. It was a panini press.” – Will (21:38) “It's a six piece serving utensil set...God, I love a slotted spatula.” – Danielle (37:27, 37:38)
The Spirit of the Podcast
- They muse on why the podcast endures: unfiltered discussion, nostalgia, and affectionate teasing.
“This is why people like our shows.” – Dr. Jake Goodman (36:25)
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “I was very positive about dance. I really loved that dance…you were kind of directing at times.” — Ryder (04:10)
- “I'm ready to move on from 2025.” — Will (05:40)
- “That final live show…got really emotional…and I’m so— I'll never forget that moment.” — Ryder (06:09)
- “So my goal for this year is to say no to things…find a way to be more selective.” — Danielle (10:04–10:53)
- “I'm finishing my book this year.” — Will (09:23)
- “If I knew how to camp the way Ryder knows how to do it.” — Danielle (08:04)
- “We’re talking about Girl Meets World...It’s not our show.” — Danielle (27:49)
- “I think we would come at it with a much lighter touch, probably, than we have Boy Meets World.” — Ryder (30:09)
- “You have me at it’s a continuation of the world and…we have the ability to put a button on.” — Danielle (35:02)
Memorable Moments
- Danielle and Will joking about their aversion to camping but interest in a glamping-style road trip (08:15).
- The hosts fantasizing about a “dip party,” escalating into a playful riff about fondue key parties in the 1970s (38:10–38:25).
- Gentlest ribbing over listener interest—“Our ratings go from 50 million downloads per episode to 1 million per episode.” — Danielle (34:43)
- The recurring “spatula”/“spatulae” running gag and its eventual crescendo with the Yamava gift (22:21, 37:27).
The Future of Pod Meets World
- The trio will keep podcasting together, with the immediate next step likely a “Girl Meets World” rewatch (with a caveat for course correction).
- “Pod Meets Twirled presents Traiting Places” will launch as a fun, fandom-driven side project.
- The spirit of exploration, humor, and nostalgia remains central, promising more heartfelt, irreverent conversations for longtime fans.
For More:
Follow @PodMeetsWorldShow on Instagram or email podmeetsworldshowmail.com.
Check out new merch and upcoming live events—dip party, anyone?
Pod Dismissed!