Danielle Fishel Signs Seven-Figure iHeartMedia Deal, Sets New ‘Teen Beat’ Podcast and More ‘Pod Meets World’ After Recaps Finish

iHeartPodcasts is expanding its partnership with Danielle Fishel with the launch of a new original interview series, "Teen Beat," debuting in January 2026.

via: Variety

Danielle Fishel is out of the ballroom and back on the mic. Hot off of Season 34 of “Dancing With the Stars,” the actor and director has signed a new, overall seven-figure deal with iHeartMedia. Fishel will host a weekly interview podcast titled “Teen Beat.”

The official logline for the podcast reads: “As someone who spent her teenage years on millions of TVs, from her first kiss to her first haircut, Danielle has decided it’s time to turn the tables. She’ll sit down with other celebrities to unearth details from their (untelevised) upbringings, cracking open childhood diaries for embarrassing fashion choices, school crushes and dramatic friend fallouts. Since most people’s bouts with pimples weren’t broadcast during a beloved TGIF lineup, the least they can do now is talk about theirs now.”

Fishel says, “I have cherished my relationship with iHeart over the past three years and look forward to our newly minted future. Like only I have said, loudly in the hallways of their office: I am the new Ryan Seacrest.”

The new podcast, which will premiere in January 2026, marks the fifth collaboration between iHeart and Fishel and her husband, Jensen Karp, who produce via their company, Foghorn Media. Their new overall deal includes exclusively producing and developing new projects. The duo currently produce “How Rude, Tanneritos!,” Magical Rewind” and “Pod Meets World,” the latter of which is closing in on 50 million downloads.

Variety can also announce that Fishel will continue to co-host “Pod Meets World” with Rider Strong and Will Friedle. While the group is set to start recapping the final season of “Boy Meets World” in January, they’ve re-signed for a multi-year deal to continue the podcast past the end of the recaps.

While competing on “Dancing With the Stars,” Fishel hosted the “Danielle With…” podcast, interviewing members of the “Dancing” family, while Strong and Friedle co-hosted “Pod Meets T’wirld,” watching and recapping the competition show for the first time.

“Teen Beat” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts as part of its Popworthy slate.