Pod Meets World – “Q&A Meets Twirl’d”

Episode Date: October 26, 2025
Hosts: Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle ("Will Danyet"), Rider Strong ("Ryder Danyet")

Brief Overview

This episode of Pod Meets World delivers a unique Q&A format, blending behind-the-scenes insights from Danielle Fishel’s current stint on Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) with the familiar Trio's signature wit and warmth. Listeners' questions guide the discussion, providing an intimate look at Danielle's dance journey, the technical and emotional realities of live competition, and the supportive, comedic camaraderie between the former Boy Meets World stars. The conversation also touches on the specifics of TV production, fandom, viral meme culture, and the personal bonds that make both the show and podcast special.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Behind the Scenes on Dancing With The Stars

Rehearsal Realities

• Always On Camera: Danielle explains rehearsal is entirely filmed, with both fixed and roaming cameras, leaving no private moments with her pro dance partner.
  • “When you're rehearsing, the entire time we're there, there is a camera that lives in the corner…there is also a cameraman…and they roll around…So there's no downtime.” (Danielle, 04:43–05:09)
  • Will and Ryder reflect how invasive this would have felt on Boy Meets World.

Song Selection Process

• Contestants fill out a detailed music questionnaire before the season begins, hinting at possible themed weeks.
  • The music department runs selected songs against an internal algorithm—reviewing for repetition and clearance issues.
  • “...They make suggestions to you. The music department says, what about this and, and what about that?...You have, it's a process and a lot of factors are at play.” (Danielle, 08:55–09:14)

Pairing Pro Dancers with New Celebrities

• Danielle would pair Will with Emma Slater (“...such a wicked, wonderful sense of humor...she is very good at social media...”) and Ryder with Britt Stewart (“She learns about [her partner] and almost takes on who you are so that I can choreograph from the inside out to showcase your vibe, your personality...”). (09:36–12:43)

2. Emotional Moments and Scoring

Dedication Night and Crying On Camera

• Listener asks about seeing Danielle cry after her performance.
  • Danielle describes being moved by a fellow contestant’s baby announcement, then immediately feeling like she let her partner, Pasha, down after a missed step.
  • “...the worst feeling of screwing something up in your dance is not, oh, the judges are gonna judge me...The only thing I care about is that I feel like I let pasha down.” (Danielle, 23:40–23:53)

Dance Scoring Nuances

• Danielle discusses the tough judging standards and the impact of early-season scores on perceived progress.
  • “...once they've given Andy sixes three weeks in a row, if there's any improvement. How do they say that's a five?...it's really hard for them to pull out a four.” (13:13–13:58)

Choreography Challenges

• Danielle recounts last-minute choreography changes:
  • “I just got it...don’t kill me, but I want to change eight counts...He said, if you want to do it, we can do it, But I'm gonna tell you right now it's not good.” (26:22–26:57)

3. Life Impact & Workload of DWTS

• Danielle’s schedule is all-consuming: filming, rehearsal, promo shoots, podcasting.
  • “Dancing with the Stars and podcasting is literally all I do. I don't sleep, I barely eat...I haven't seen my children. I barely get to see my husband. I have no more friends, and I just live in a microphone and then on a microphone. I'm miked all day long.” (32:35–33:10)
• She notes the expectation was for more scheduling flexibility, but reality is “44 days since my last day off.” (36:57)

4. Dance As Personal Growth

• Despite the hard workload, Danielle is hooked on dance and aims to continue:
  • “I love it so much. I wanna start taking ballroom lessons. I wanna find a partner. I wanna practice. Yeah, it's great exercise. That's the serotonin boost.” (38:01–38:10)

5. Judges’ Process and Show Production

• Judges typically only see dress rehearsals (not the day-to-day practice), but this does influence their live scoring and comments. (52:10–53:28)
• Production is “a full-blown production...Of course, the judges also need prep, so they watch dress rehearsal so that they have an idea of the storytelling...”

6. Dance as Emotional Storytelling

• Ryder finds a new appreciation for expressive contemporary dances, feeling more drawn to dance as storytelling than ever before.
  • “...I just love the expressiveness. And it just made me realize that I really do enjoy watching dancing. The expressive, emotional storytelling part I really love.” (49:51–50:36)
• Will’s most emotional moments come from watching Danielle:
  • “...the most emotional thing for me is watching you...I know what you've been through over the last year, year and a half...” (50:51–51:08)
• Danielle is moved by the response from listeners and her friends:
  • “The way people love the way you guys love me is just so...It's just so sweet.” (51:08–51:29)

7. Audience Questions: Humor, Fandom, and Meme Culture

• Questions range from “who’d win a mirrorball on TGIF?” (Mr. Feeny is the popular answer, 43:33), to viral memes (“six, seven” TikTok trend explained, 14:24–15:31), to whether any pro/celebrity romances are developing (answer: pros date each other, not celebrity partners). (56:13–57:48)

8. Thematic and Creative Brainstorms

• If the hosts could invent a theme night:
  • Ryder suggests “Memory Songs” night—songs that transport the dancer back to a specific memory. (54:34–55:12)
  • Will proposes “Movie Score Night” or “First Love Night,” dancing to music associated with a first love. (55:27–56:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On rehearsing reality TV vs. sitcom:
  • Will: “Can you imagine us on Boy Meets World, every single rehearsal, being miked and having cameras in our face for every time? That would be horrifying.” (05:28–05:37)
• On DWTS song selection:
  • Danielle: “...They want detail about why would this be your anthem song? Why was Kelly Clarkson stronger important to me?” (07:44)
• On the toll of the show:
  • Danielle: "It's been 44 days since my last day off." (36:57)
• On why Danielle cried on air:
  • Danielle: “The only thing I care about is that I feel like I let Pasha down.” (23:53)
• On continuing to dance:
  • Danielle: “I love it so much...That's the serotonin boost...I couldn't possibly say enough good things about it.” (38:10)
• On partnership and support:
  • Danielle: "Who could have predicted that me doing Dancing with the Stars was going to showcase a side...our friendship...now it's...a real, like, testament to this love and deep devotion we have to each other. It's just, like, shocking." (51:30–52:08)
• On meme culture:
  • Danielle: “It's just became a thing that now in any. For no reason at all whatsoever, you just say, six, seven.” (14:52–15:01)
• On bonding with co-stars:
  • Danielle (on friends for life): “Dylan is stuck with me. Absolutely.” (44:41)
• On live shows and adrenaline:
  • Danielle: “...you know what that's like after a Pod Meets World live show where you're just, like, wired. I go to bed at 1, I get up at 5...” (35:49–36:05)
• On learning the art and science of lifts:
  • Danielle: “...just a bunch of trial and error and like, me being a sack of potatoes and him tossing me around and...I really need to hold myself firm, which is why my pec muscle hurt.” (48:36–49:10)
• On dance as narrative:
  • Ryder: “...telling story through dance. I get very connected to it.” (50:17)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:18] – Q&A framework; setting up the episode’s roles and listener interaction
• [04:36] – First questions: Reality of dance rehearsal filming
• [05:52] – DWTS song selection explained
• [09:36] – Danielle picks DWTS pros for Will & Ryder
• [13:13] – Scoring controversies and judge dynamics
• [21:13] – Emotional impact of Dedication Night; Danielle discusses crying live
• [32:35] – Life consumed by DWTS; time management (and lack of)
• [38:01] – Continuing dance post-show
• [49:51] – Ryder’s newfound fascination with dance as performance
• [52:10] – How much judges see; the importance of dress rehearsal
• [54:24] – DWTS theme night ideas brainstorm
• [56:13] – Are there DWTS showmances?
• [58:18] – Episode wrap-up and outro

The Original Tone & Dynamic

Throughout, the episode maintains a warm, candid, and distinctly playful tone—full of friendship, self-deprecating humor, and deep affection among Danielle, Will, and Ryder. Danielle’s responses are detailed and transparent, often blending technical TV details with heartfelt emotional honesty. Will’s skepticism and comic pessimism, plus Ryder’s curiosity and earnest reflection, keep the dialogue engaging and accessible for listeners regardless of DWTS familiarity.

In Summary

“Q&A Meets Twirl’d” is a deep-dive into the realities of competing on Dancing With The Stars, viewed through the unique lens of the Boy Meets World trio’s enduring friendship. They tackle questions both technical and silly, reveal untold backstage and emotional stories, and end by celebrating their mutual support—making it a must-listen for fans of TGIF nostalgia, reality dance shows, and genuine podcast chemistry alike.