This is an IHeart podcast.

Hello, from home. Once again. I am Danielle Fischel, podcaster, TV director, mother of two,

and even at spelling bees, I am T-O-P-A-N-G-A from the 90s family sitcom Boy Meets World. But in 2025, I was a contestant on season 34 of

Dancing with the Stars. I am just off the press line for rock and roll Hall of Fame night.

Despite having no prior dance experience and the fact that the last time I danced in public

may have

been at my wedding, which was seven years ago tonight, by the way. Here I am back in my house

after making it to the final eight. Throughout this entire experience, I have continued to record this here podcast, sharing

every detail and behind-the-scenes story with you as I fought my way through a slayer-like

mosh pit of talented dancers and explosive personalities, all in the hopes of winning a Len Goodman mirrorball

trophy. As you are probably aware at this point, I, tonight was my last night. It was my last

dance. I was eliminated. And I have such a wide range of emotions. I'm obviously very sad to be leaving

the competition. I'm sad to have the, my day-to-day life is going to so drastically

change now. I have literally woken up every single day and looked forward to rehearsal and

looked forward to what dance we were learning that week and to seeing

Pasha and collaborating with him and hanging out with him.

Talking about not seeing him every day is going to make me very sad.

We had the most dreamlike partnership you could possibly ask for with someone that you get thrown

together with.

You have no idea what you're in for when, you know, you throw yourself into something so wholeheartedly and something that's

going to be so much a part of your life. And same for him. You know, this is, this is his livelihood.

This is something he's been, he's, you know, he's a professional dancer for his entire life.

...