Pod Meets World — “Q&A Meets World! Part 3”

Release Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, Rider Strong
Production: iHeartPodcasts
Theme: Listener Q&A — memorable tour moments, “Boy Meets World” lore, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and life lessons

Episode Overview

In this lively Q&A-centered episode, Danielle, Will, and Rider answer voice memos from fans across the country, tackling everything from live tour mishaps and personal career predictions, to rumors, financial transparency, and emotional takeaways from their “Boy Meets World” experiences. The trio’s playful banter blends nostalgia, candor, and humor, giving fans both laughter and thoughtful insights into their lives on and off the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Most Memorable Tour Moments

• Backstage Antics > Onstage Events

  • Danielle insists the best memories are “always the things that happen backstage” rather than on stage (04:33).
  • Legend of the “Fart Broccoli” Incident — Ryder opened rotten broccoli in the Austin green room, causing a legendary stink. Danielle: “It’s like an outhouse that’s never been cleaned” (07:14).
  • Cleaning up the mess resulted in uncontrollable laughter and tears.

• Audience Connections

  • Rider speaks about emotional ovations: “It hits you like a human wall of love” (08:58).
  • Will recalls highlights: a Yankees fan admits allegiance on stage in Philly (09:17), a meet-and-greet where they learn about an audience member throwing up before a Boston show, and a marriage proposal during a show (10:00).

• Notable Fan Costumes

  • Clever fan costumes mentioned—especially a Feeny impersonator, Corey/Feeny rollercoaster duo, and deep-cut in-jokes costumes (10:52).

2. Ryder Strong’s Movie Star Predictions

• Fans remind Ryder of his claim to spot rising stars, prompting an update (12:55).
• Easton mentions Teyana Taylor and Malachi Barton as ones to watch (13:17).
• Will jokes: “A guy named Bradley Pitt—keep an eye on him” (13:31).
• Discussion brings up young talent from the “Zombies” franchise and up-and-comers like Jack O’Connell from “Sinners” (14:36).
• Ryder promises to keep notes for future picks.

3. Will’s Favorite Deep Cut ‘Seinfeld’ Episodes

• Will’s picks:
  • “The Pony Remark” — “Sue and I quote all the time.” (15:10)
  • “The Pen” — “It blows up the entire, like, retirement village.” (15:10)

4. Topanga’s Name Debate (Character Evolution)

• Listener asks if Topanga from “Girl Meets World” refusing to call Dewey “Doy” betrays her free-spirited original self (16:31).
• Danielle: “Season 1 Topanga would have no problem,” but later Topanga became “obsessed with controlling everything... It's a little disappointing that there was no real embrace of Season One Topanga” (17:13).

5. The Infamous Lobster — Double or Not?

• Fan asks: Does the recurring lobster character have a stunt double?
• In a playful voice memo, “the lobster” (voiced by Easton) says, “If I’m given two scenes in one day, you better believe it’s me both times... I’m a professional” (20:18).
• Will: “Leave the stunt doubles to Teddy Ruxpin and that clown from Poltergeist” (20:28).

6. Urban Legends & Rumors About the Cast

• “Danielle went to Quinnipiac College” is one of many rumors (21:12).
• Danielle clarifies: “I did not go to Quinnipiac. I’ve never even heard of Quinnipiac until right now” (22:26).
• Other rumors: that she dated someone’s cousin (23:06), Will being agoraphobic (“never true,” but admits he was reclusive for a period) (24:26).
• Will: “Most young actors in the 90s eventually hear they’re gay at some point” (24:18).

7. Showbiz Finances: Where Did the “Boy Meets World” Money Go?

• James asks if show earnings set them up for life (29:48).
• Rider: Used earnings to pay for college, invest in property, thanks to parents’ guidance (30:20).
• Will: Smart investments, bought a house early, credits family advice (32:10).
• Danielle: Was lowest paid of main cast, started at $7,500/week, doubled after negotiations; parents managed her money for her, invested in property, and kept detailed records (34:12). Says “there are no actual Boy Meets World dollars” left, but investments continue to pay off (37:45).
• They all emphasize the importance of supportive, financially savvy parents in avoiding pitfalls common among young actors.

Quote:
Rider: “If somebody tells me they were a child actor… I can’t assume they have any of that money left” (38:09).
Danielle: “My mom kept every single pay stub, she had everything organized... I never once doubted that my parents were doing fine by me” (35:48).

8. Pre-Show Chatter: How Is It Decided?

• Avery wants to know how pre-show talk is planned (40:42).
• Simultaneous, impromptu process—Will: “Anybody have pre show chatter?... You got writers? Go ahead” (41:27).
• Rider keeps a note folder for ideas but otherwise, it’s spontaneous (41:55).

9. Surprising TV Trivia: Ryder and Bill Daniels’ Hidden Connection

• Listener reveals Ryder played Bill Daniels’ (Mr. Feeny) “grandson” on a forgotten sitcom, “Nurses”: “I did not know that at all. That’s amazing!” (43:14).

10. Ryder’s Wife’s Pregnancy on ‘The Fosters’

• Ryder’s wife’s real pregnancy was written into her role; she filmed while very pregnant, even during a car crash scene (44:50).

11. Cast’s Relationship with Compliments & Teen Idol Status

• Emily asks if they’re more comfortable with appearance-based compliments in their 40s (45:51).
• Danielle: “Now that I’m old, I want to be reminded as often as possible. If you think I’m attractive, you better tell me” (46:47).
• Rider: “I feel in control of my appearance now... I feel confident about how I look and I’m comfortable with it” (47:39).
• Will: “I always hate how I look. It's just how I am... But it feels different getting compliments from Pod Meets World fans” (48:31).

12. ‘Boy Meets World’ Injuries

• Bonnie (8 years old) asks if they were ever hurt on set (53:55).
• Danielle: Cut leg (subway episode)—still has scar (54:20).
• Will: Sprained thumb and leg punctured by smashed Ativan bottle (55:00).
• Rider: Not on set, but talks about an ingrown toenail being fixed during the show (56:48).

13. The Cast’s Actual McDonald’s Orders

• Jenny from Boston makes hilariously accurate guesses (57:14).
• Will’s real order: “Number one super sized. Big Mac. Double quarter pounder with cheese. Double cheeseburger. Two regular cheeseburgers, two medium fries… thousands of calories, which is why I do not go there” (58:38).
• Danielle: “Quarter pounder with cheese, french fries and a vanilla milkshake [when pregnant]” (59:36), now prefers plain cheeseburgers.
• Rider: Used to order cheeseburgers without meat and add tofu as a vegetarian (60:17).

14. Vegas Recommendations (Danielle’s Top Picks)

• Soft serve at Fontainebleau, Miami Slice pizza, Pinball Arcade, Meow Wolf art exhibit, and—of course—“just walk in and sit down at a [gambling] table and leave when my plane leaves 48 hours later” (62:55).

15. Foster Care Themes in “Boy Meets World”

• Felicia asks if the recurring foster care storyline was intentional (63:12).
• None of the hosts recall it being a focus for Michael Jacobs or the writers.
• Rider references a book that analyzes “Boy Meets World” as offering an orphan/foster care narrative but says it’s critical about the show's avoidance of depicting real-life social services (64:41).
• Will: “When they come to government stuff... it wasn’t like protective services were called, it was friends and family who saved the day” (67:48).

16. Did the Show Teach Them Real Life Lessons?

• Mackenzie from West Virginia asks if “Boy Meets World” prepared them for real life (68:27).
• Rider: “I was texting you guys about a situation that mirrored the [‘Grandma Was a Rolling Stone’] episode exactly... it was perfect timing” (69:31).
• Danielle agrees; those family lesson episodes stick with you (70:06).
• Will: “Not that I can think of, but that’s not to say it hasn’t happened… my strongest takeaway is about the relationships I built with these two [Danielle and Ryder]." (70:06).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Danielle on backstage memories:
  “The memories from the live shows are never...on stage. They are always the things that happen on our way to the shows, or the backstage, Ryder with the stinky broccoli.” (04:33)

• Rider on audience energy:
  “It hits you like a human wall of love. It's just insane.” (08:58)

• Danielle on Topanga’s character shift:
  “It’s a little disappointing that there was no real embrace of season one Topanga in the Girl Meets World version of Topanga.” (17:13)

• Will on leftovers:
  “This is why I don’t go to McDonalds. I invent the fake guy in the car with me because I order so much food that I’m pretending I’m buying for two people.” (58:57)

• Danielle on acting finances:
  “My mom kept every single pay stub… I never once doubted that my parents were doing fine by me.” (35:48)

• Rider on childhood acting fortune:
  “Getting that leg up under the age of 20 is insane.” (38:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tour Memories / The Broccoli Incident: 04:08 – 08:13
• Movie Star Prediction Challenge: 12:55 – 14:36
• Seinfeld Deep Cuts: 15:07 – 16:13
• Topanga Character Debate: 16:31 – 18:59
• Lobster Bit: 19:06 – 21:02
• Rumors & Urban Legends: 21:12 – 24:26
• Showbiz Money & Financial Impact: 29:48 – 40:06
• Pre-Show Chatter Process: 40:42 – 41:55
• Fun TV Connections: 42:16 – 44:10
• Compliments and Teen Idol Status: 45:51 – 49:57
• On-Set Injuries: 53:55 – 57:00
• Their McDonald’s Orders: 57:14 – 60:55
• Vegas Recommendations: 60:59 – 62:56
• Foster Care Discussion: 63:12 – 68:13
• Did the Show Teach Life Lessons?: 68:27 – 71:41

Conclusion

This Q&A episode is a perfect blend of nostalgia, honesty, and humor—reaffirming the bond between the hosts and their devoted listeners. With behind-the-scenes stories, financial real talk, and reflections on how “Boy Meets World” has intersected with (and at times shaped) their adult lives, Danielle, Will, and Ryder both inform and entertain, making this a must-listen for fans of the show and podcast alike.

Pod Dismissed!