Podcast Summary: The Squeeze

Episode: Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant: The Power of Communication
Date: October 29, 2025
Host: Taylor Lautner (joined by co-host/husband Taylor Lautner)
Guests: Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant

Overview

In this heartfelt and illuminating episode, hosts Taylor Lautner and her husband Taylor are joined by professional dancer Britt Stewart and actor Daniel Durant. The couple, who first connected on Dancing with the Stars, discuss the power of authentic communication in their relationship, navigating the intersections of the deaf and Black communities, and the importance of mental wellness. This is the first time The Squeeze has featured an interpreter, making it a groundbreaking moment for inclusivity on the podcast.

The conversation covers their journey from professional partners to romantic soulmates, experiences with representation in entertainment, misconceptions about deafness, and their individual approaches to mental health and self-care. Both guests are open about the challenges and joys of their backgrounds and careers, offering genuine insight and encouragement for listeners navigating their own relationships and mental wellness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Importance of Inclusive Communication

• First Interpreter on the Podcast: The episode opens with gratitude for the inclusion of an interpreter, highlighting the importance of accessibility for the deaf community (00:05–00:36).

  "I think of podcasts, mostly for the hearing. Thank you for being inclusive of our relationship. And Daniel, it means a lot." — Britt Stewart (00:07–00:13)

  "The deaf community doesn't tend to really listen to podcasts, but it's so nice to have those conversations that are really intimate." — Daniel Durant (03:35–03:59)

• ASL Journey: Britt learned American Sign Language (ASL) quickly to communicate directly with Daniel, reducing reliance on interpreters and deepening their personal and professional connection.

  "My first reaction was, I want to learn ASL. I didn't want to rely on an interpreter to communicate with him." — Britt Stewart (09:51)

  "She picked up sign language so quickly. The interpreter actually became so bored at work, he was just standing in the corner." — Daniel Durant (11:36)

Their Relationship: From Partnership to Soulmates

• Meeting on Dancing with the Stars: The couple reflects on their first meeting, initial nerves, and building trust across different cultures and abilities.

  "We're two very different people. But we're soulmates. We fully believe that." — Britt Stewart (08:45, recalled 01:27)

  "When I met Britt for the first time...Britt was so charming, so friendly, so comfortable...her sign language just really took off." — Daniel Durant (11:36)

• Falling in Love: The shift from friendship to romantic interest developed after their elimination from Dancing with the Stars, when distance highlighted the depth of their feelings.

  "I was talking to my mom, and I was like, I'm thinking about Daniel a lot, and I think it's maybe, like, more than I should be..." — Britt Stewart (28:28)

  "We were eliminated. I wanted to tell her that I actually... and then she was looking at me. I was trying to think of something to say. How can I express this?" — Daniel Durant (00:54)

Communication as the Foundation of their Relationship

• Overcoming Language Barriers: Their relationship highlights the benefits of intentional communication, born of necessity from different languages but strengthening their connection.

  "This is the best communication that I have ever experienced before. And I think it had a lot to do with our beginning." — Britt Stewart (31:04)

  "He knew when to introduce new sign to me... You could see that I was ready for more and when I was ready for more." — Britt Stewart on Daniel's teaching style (29:46)

• Mutual Teaching: Britt taught Daniel dance; Daniel taught Britt sign language. This reciprocal approach enhanced understanding and intimacy.

Representation & Misconceptions About the Deaf Community

• Gratitude for Inclusive Upbringing: Daniel shares his adoption story and the crucial importance of language access for deaf children.

  "85% of deaf children are raised by hearing parents, and the hearing parents don't know sign language at all. And so fortunately, my aunt is hearing, and she is fluent in sign language." — Daniel Durant (38:03)

  "A lot of deaf people hate the holidays because it's like a nightmare... you're isolated, you're bored." — Daniel Durant (39:12)

• Common Misconceptions: Many people, even today, may not realize basic facts like the ability of deaf people to drive or assume their homes are silent.

  "I'm pretty shocked that some hearing people today don't know that deaf people can drive." — Daniel Durant (40:24)

  "People assume that if you have someone deaf in your life, that your life is quiet and it's, like, so far from the truth." — Britt Stewart (40:52)

Challenges and Opportunities in Entertainment

• Cycles of Representation: Daniel discusses fluctuating opportunities for deaf actors in entertainment, highlighting the impact of shows and films like Switched at Birth and CODA.

  "When Switched at Birth was over, it was almost like we were forgotten. The opportunities really weren't out there." — Daniel Durant (43:39)

  "With CODA, it made a big impact... people in other countries started adding deaf characters." — Daniel Durant (44:17)

• Improving Inclusion: Britt suggests that casting should be more open—deaf actors could play any role, not just those written as "deaf characters." (46:25)

Personal Career Journeys

• Britt on Becoming a Dancer and Trailblazer:

  • Started dancing at three, discovered professionally at 15 via High School Musical.
  • Became the first Black female pro on Dancing with the Stars, a point of pride and responsibility.

  "I hope that those little girls that are looking up to me, I hope they will be better than me one day and more successful than me one day." — Britt Stewart (62:52)

• Daniel on Authentic Self-Discovery and Advocacy:

  • Open about difficult beginnings and finding a voice through acting and YouTube videos in ASL.
  • Proud of embracing his talent, following his passion despite doubts from family.

  "I'm proud that I found my passion... I knew that path wasn't for me. I knew that I had talent. I knew I could act. I knew I had it in me, and I knew I needed to follow that dream." — Daniel Durant (79:09–80:34)

Mental Health, Self-Care, & Therapy

• Early and Ongoing Therapy: Both Daniel and Britt have long-standing relationships with therapy as a self-care tool. Daniel, in particular, started in childhood, works with deaf therapists when possible, and is supportive of medication when needed.

  "I've been going to therapy ever since I was young. That really did help me big time and helped me understand some tools and appropriate behaviors." — Daniel Durant (71:00)

  "It's okay if you have a mental health issue or you're not... you're feeling some anxiety or depression. Just be open about it. We're all human." — Daniel Durant (71:00)

• Movement and Meditation: Britt values meditation, movement (including qigong), and checking in with herself.

  "Movement meditation is amazing for me... It's specifically I do qigong... you can feel your body, like, buzzing. You can feel it." — Britt Stewart (70:06–70:23)

• Importance of Safe Spaces: Both speak to the sanctuary of home and private life as a place of restoration and authenticity.

  "Our home, when we walk through our front door, that's safe. That is our place and space for us to just be us and to not worry." — Britt Stewart (69:15)

Navigating Public Roles and Pressures

• The couple discusses carrying the burden and privilege of representing their communities (Black, deaf, entertainment), and coping by supporting each other and consciously learning about each other's backgrounds.

  "I always try my best every day to learn about her community because, you know, one day the two of us will have kids and...those kids will be a part of both of our communities." — Daniel Durant (63:58)

  "When I fell in love hard with Daniel, it...hit me like a train...when I accepted that, I also knew that I was accepting his community with that too." — Britt Stewart (66:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Introduction of Interpreter:
  “We feel, like, honored to be here too. I think of podcasts, mostly for the hearing.”
  — Britt Stewart (00:07)

• On Parental Support:
  "I wouldn’t be here if not for my aunt. My aunt is a wonderful woman. She’s such a strong and stubborn woman."
  — Daniel Durant (36:40)

• On Communication:
  “This is the best communication that I have ever experienced before.”
  — Britt Stewart (31:04)

• On Inclusion:
  “I don’t think you have to write a deaf character. I think that deaf actors should be included in all characters.”
  — Britt Stewart (46:25)

• On Representation:
  "I just want to succeed, not only for me, but for, like, you know, the little Black girls that are looking up to me..."
  — Britt Stewart (61:08)

• On Mental Health:
  "It's okay if you have a mental health issue or you're not... you're feeling some anxiety or depression. Just be open about it. We're all human."
  — Daniel Durant (71:00)

• On Pride in Each Other:
  "I am proud of you. For you, you are like, Daniel Durant is the only one in this whole world, and you are stubborn in that. And I’m proud of you for being stubborn in that."
  — Britt Stewart (82:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Importance of Interpreter: 00:05–03:36
• Icebreaker/“Citrus Got Real” Game: 03:59–06:46
• Wedding Reflections: 06:55–09:26
• First Meeting & Communication on DWTS: 09:26–14:26
• Daniel’s Perspective on Deafness & Dance: 14:47–16:18
• Developing Feelings, Relationship Growth: 26:19–29:46
• Learning Sign Language Together: 29:46–32:22
• Daniel’s Adoption, Upbringing & Language Deprivation: 33:15–38:03
• Deaf/Family Relationships, Misconceptions: 38:03–42:47
• Representation in Media: 43:39–47:05
• Britt’s Dance Career & Becoming DWTS Pro: 52:13–59:27
• On Being First Black Female Pro: 60:18–62:52
• Dealing with Representation Pressure: 63:32–69:15
• Self-Care & Mental Health: 69:18–76:24
• What They’re Most Proud Of: 76:58–81:49
• Pride in Each Other: 82:01–82:54

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode balances emotional vulnerability, warmth, and humor with clear-eyed discussion of serious topics like trauma, cultural difference, and public responsibility. Both Britt and Daniel are candid, supportive of each other, and encourage listeners to embrace openness and seek understanding across boundaries.

Final Takeaways

• Communication is not just about language, but about genuine effort, openness, and care—qualities that Britt and Daniel demonstrate at every level of their relationship.
• Representation in media and entertainment matters deeply, not just for visibility, but for nurturing empathy and understanding across communities.
• Both guests underscore the critical value of therapy and self-care, normalizing mental health conversations for all.
• Daniel and Britt’s story is a testament to the power of connection across difference, and the transformative impact of letting yourself be fully seen and understood.