Boy Meets World alum Danielle Fishel is opening up about the tougher side of reality TV competition. The actress and Dancing With the Stars season 34 contestant revealed on a recent episode of her podcast, “Pod Meets World,” that the long rehearsal days and filming schedule took an emotional toll on her 6-year-old son, Adler—so much so that his teacher reached out with concerns.
Fishel, best known for playing Topanga Lawrence, competed through Week 8 before being eliminated on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night. The podcast episode was recorded before her exit and captured a candid look at what it took to balance the ballroom with parenting two young kids—Adler and 4-year-old Keaton—with husband Jensen Karp.
Fishel Opens Up On Pod Meets World
Describing a difficult stretch during rehearsals, Fishel said she received a call from Adler’s teacher after her son shared alarming statements at school. According to Fishel, Adler told the teacher he was feeling “very stressed,” then added, “my dad inputted a lot of information on the computer wrong and then got fired” and “Also, my mom died.” Fishel emphasized on the podcast that none of those claims were true, underscoring how overwhelmed her son felt while she was away.
The actress also recalled a particularly emotional moment at home when Adler wanted her to hang out with him and Keaton, but she had to leave for rehearsal. “I hate this job! Why did you take this job? All you do is dance, dance, dance, dance. That’s all you do! You never get to hang out with me and Keaton anymore. I want you to quit. Are you going to quit or not?” she remembered him saying.
As his frustration continued, Adler pressed her for an answer about whether she would quit Dancing With the Stars. Fishel explained that she wouldn’t. “He said, ‘I just need to know if you’re going to quit your job.’ I said, ‘Mommy’s not going to quit her job.’ And he said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Well, a couple of reasons. One, mommy really loves her job. And two, because this job is not forever, and I made a commitment to the job.’”
Fishel’s forthrightness paints a clear picture of the balancing act parents face on a demanding series like DWTS, where rehearsal hours can be long and the weekly performance schedule is relentless. Her explanation to Adler—framing the show as a temporary commitment she was determined to honor—was meant to offer clarity, even amid a tough adjustment period at home.
Online Reaction Splits Between Criticism And Solidarity
As the story circulated on social media, reaction was swift and mixed. Some commenters criticized Fishel and Karp for not more thoroughly preparing their kids for the disruption that DWTS would bring. One viral reaction on BuzzFeed’s Instagram read, “Good God! Did nobody have a talk with this kid about the fact that mom is gonna go away but she’ll come back? It’s an adjustment but you’re supposed to help them adjust.”
Others—particularly fellow working parents—offered empathy and support, saying Fishel’s experience was both common and relatable. “Kids just want their mom,” one commenter wrote. “As a working mom, I feel this. Doesn’t matter what your job is, they just want mom.” Another added, “Parents being away for big chunks of time is hard on kids, no matter what the career is. I’m guessing the family just didn’t realize the impact it would have on them and may not have prepared them for it, thus… this response.”
The conversation highlights a familiar reality for families with young children: changes to routine—especially when a primary caregiver is suddenly gone for large portions of the day—can lead to heightened emotions and acting out. Fishel’s story resonated because it captured both sides of that equation: the professional commitment to a once-in-a-lifetime job, and a child’s very real need for stability and time with a parent.
DWTS Elimination Gives Fishel More Family Time
Not long after recording the podcast, Fishel’s time on Dancing With the Stars came to an end in Week 8, following Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night. The elimination gives the actress more space to reset her family’s schedule and spend time with Adler and Keaton after a whirlwind run on the ABC competition series.
For listeners of “Pod Meets World,” Fishel’s candor is familiar. The podcast, which revisits the legacy of Boy Meets World while delving into personal stories and industry insights, has become a space where she and her co-hosts examine the complexities of life on and off set. This latest episode struck a chord because it pulled back the curtain on the human cost of the DWTS grind, beyond the sequins and scores.
Ultimately, Fishel’s approach—acknowledging that she loved the job, reminding her son it was not forever, and emphasizing her commitment—offers a window into how parents might navigate similar conversations about work, responsibility, and follow-through. It’s a nuanced message delivered in a tough moment, one that many parents balancing demanding schedules will recognize.
While her season 34 journey has wrapped, Fishel’s experience underscores why Dancing With the Stars often becomes more than a dance competition for its celebrity cast. It’s also a test of time management, resilience, and communication at home. For Fishel, the ballroom chapter may have closed, but the takeaway is clear: even in glittering prime-time moments, family remains the center of the story.
