The Topanga Transformation: 5 Shocking New Projects And Personal Life Updates For Danielle Fishel In 2025

The question of "What is Topanga Lawrence doing now?" has never been more relevant, as the actress who brought the iconic character to life, Danielle Fishel, has exploded into a new phase of her career in late 2025 and heading into 2026. The former *Boy Meets World* star has successfully transitioned from beloved teen idol to a powerhouse director, podcaster, and media personality, securing major deals and launching exciting new projects that keep her firmly in the spotlight. This deep dive reveals the freshest, most current details on her professional endeavors and personal life as of December 10, 2025. Danielle Fishel’s career has seen a remarkable resurgence through her highly successful rewatch podcast, a new directorial focus, and a surprising turn on a major reality competition show, proving that the intelligence and ambition of Topanga Lawrence are very much a part of her real-life persona.

Danielle Fishel: Biography, Profile, and Current Family Life

Danielle Christine Fishel is an American actress, director, and television personality best known for her role as Topanga Lawrence-Matthews on the ABC sitcom *Boy Meets World* and its Disney Channel spin-off, *Girl Meets World*.

• Full Name: Danielle Christine Fishel
• Date of Birth: May 5, 1981
• Place of Birth: Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
• Occupation: Actress, Director, Podcaster, Author
• Spouse: Jensen Karp (m. 2018)
• Children: Two sons: Adler Lawrence Karp (b. June 24, 2019) and Keaton Joseph Karp (b. August 29, 2021)
• Breakthrough Role: Topanga Lawrence on *Boy Meets World* (1993–2000)
• Recent Notable Work: Host of the "Pod Meets World" podcast, Director on Disney Channel shows, Competitor on *Dancing with the Stars* (Season 34)

In her personal life, Fishel is married to writer, producer, and podcaster Jensen Karp, who also goes by the stage name Hot Karl. The couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in Los Angeles in November 2018. They share two young sons, Adler Lawrence Karp and Keaton Joseph Karp, and Fishel often shares candid, relatable details about her life as a working mother on social media and her podcast.

The Podcast Empire: A Multi-Million Dollar Deal and New Shows

The biggest story for Danielle Fishel in the current media landscape revolves around her massive success in the podcasting world. This is where her professional life is currently most active and lucrative.

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Pod Meets World: The Rewatch Phenomenon

Fishel, alongside her former *Boy Meets World* co-stars Rider Strong (Shawn Hunter) and Will Friedle (Eric Matthews), launched the rewatch podcast "Pod Meets World." The show quickly became a massive hit, offering fans a nostalgic and often revealing look behind the scenes of the beloved 90s sitcom.

The podcast’s success led to the trio securing a multi-year, seven-figure overall deal with iHeartMedia, solidifying its future as a major media property.

As of December 2025, the hosts are preparing to dive into the final season of *Boy Meets World* on the podcast, with new episodes scheduled to begin in January 2026. This highly anticipated arc will cover the characters' college years, their marriage, and the conclusion of the original series.

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The podcast has also been a source of recent headlines, including a notably heated on-air argument with former co-star Maitland Ward, who played Rachel McGuire. This unscripted moment provided a viral talking point, highlighting the real-life complexities of the cast's decades-long relationships.

Launching "Teen Beat" and the "New Ryan Seacrest" Joke

Leveraging her new deal with iHeartPodcasts, Danielle Fishel is set to launch a brand-new show titled "Teen Beat." This project is a significant step outside of the *Boy Meets World* universe and positions her as a broader media producer and host.

The "Teen Beat" podcast is scheduled to premiere on January 7, 2026. The show will feature interviews and discussions focusing on the world of celebrity and pop culture, particularly through a nostalgic lens. Fishel has jokingly embraced a bold new title for herself, suggesting she is the "New Ryan Seacrest" in the podcasting space, showcasing her ambition for the new venture.

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From Actress to A-List Director and Producer

Beyond her on-screen and audio work, Danielle Fishel has quietly built a substantial career behind the camera, focusing heavily on directing and writing for family-friendly television.

A Solid Directorial Résumé

Fishel made her directorial debut while reprising her role on *Girl Meets World* in 2016, and she has since become a regular director for several Disney Channel and other family-focused series. Her directorial credits include multiple episodes of popular shows like *Raven's Home* and *Sydney to the Max*.

The actress-turned-director also helmed her first feature film, titled *Classmates*, an experience she shared was completed in a remarkably short period, demonstrating her efficiency and commitment to her craft.

New Writing and Producing Projects

Fishel is actively developing new material, having co-written several kid-friendly projects that she is currently pitching to various networks and studios. This move into original content creation shows her desire to shape the future of family programming, much like she did with the *Boy Meets World* universe.

One of her most intriguing announced future projects is a film based on her real-life friendship and relationship history with *NSYNC* member Lance Bass, offering a unique, personal story from her own life for the screen.

Dancing with the Stars and Other Recent Appearances

In a move that surprised and delighted fans, Danielle Fishel joined the cast of Season 34 of *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS). Her participation on the reality competition show allowed fans to see a different, more vulnerable side of the actress as she trained and performed on live television.

Her time on DWTS, while challenging, further cemented her status as a nostalgic figure who is still highly relevant and capable of connecting with a broad, multi-generational audience. The experience gave her a new platform to discuss her life, her career, and her current projects, including the upcoming "Teen Beat" podcast.

From the ambitious, high-achieving Topanga Lawrence to the multi-hyphenate Danielle Fishel of today—director, podcaster, mother, and entrepreneur—her career trajectory is a genuine success story. With a major podcast deal, a new show launch in January 2026, and a growing directorial career, the former teen star is undoubtedly thriving in her mid-40s.