Bachelor Happy Hour - An Important Update From Michelle, Plus: Nayte & Rodney on Their Bromance

Episode Date: May 31, 2022

Michelle flies solo for the first time this week on “Happy Hour” and shares an important life update. Then she is joined by her fiancé Nayte and their third wheel Rodney for a fun conversation about friendships in the Bachelor franchise, how Michelle and Nayte handle the pressure that surrounds them, and why Rodney needs sign-off from Michelle on anyone he plans to wife up in the future.  Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the psychology podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you. When you think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choose an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is easier. Ignoring is easier. Denials easier.

Complex problem solving takes effort. Listen to the psychology podcast on the. iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, my name is Enya Eumanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD...

Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free iHeartRadio app, search emergency intercom, and listen now. Every case that is a cold case that has DNA. Right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime. On the new podcast, America's Crime Lab, every case has a story to tell.

And the DNA holds the truth. He never thought he was going to get caught. And I just looked at my computer screen. I was just like, ah, gotcha. This technology is already solving so many cases. Listen to America's Crime Lab on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back, Happy Hour listeners. I'm so excited to be here with you all again for another episode of Bachelor Happy Hour.

I am sad to say that I'm here solo today. Becca will not be with us. She will rejoin us next week. But I am excited because we are going to be having Nate and Rodney on today. So we're going to be third wheeling a little bit, and I'm not really sure if I'm the third wheel or Rod needs the third wheel. But I cannot wait to have two of my favorite guys on and to get all of that good energy that they always bring. But before we jump into that, I want to do a little life update and a little recap. You know, it has been an incredibly heavy week as a teacher.

And this year has been completely wild. It's been something that I couldn't even imagine, you know, starting the school year as Miss Young and Miss Young the Bachelorette. It has been a complete whirlwind hanging out with my students, teaching in the classroom, and then living that double life as a bachelorette walking red carpets and going to premieres. And wow, have things changed. Um, it has really got me in this reflective mindset. And I, you know, a few weeks ago was, was talking with one of my coworkers who truly just did a mental health check in with me. And I'm a big advocate for mental health and being able to talk, being able to share those things, being able to be vulnerable and open up. And I will be very honest with you, this is not easy for me talk about because as important as I know vulnerability is, it's not an easy thing for me, even though I was on the show in this very vulnerable situation. So I'm kind of just giving you a little inside scoop today.

But I was sitting down with my coworker and we were just kind of talking about this school year and how long we've been in survival mode. And my coworker kind of just asked me, well, Michelle, how long have you been in survival mode. And, you know, as she asked that, it kind of caught me off guard to actually stop and think how long I have been in this position. And my response was two years. I've been in the survival mode, two years where I have just been flying by the seat of my pants. But really, not necessarily living or just surviving with the pandemic, with going through these crazy but awesome changes as the show with getting a fiancé, there's just so

much going on. And as I kind of sat and thought about that and thought about the position that I'm in, it really just highlighted the fact that there is so much going on with our education system. And I really feel that, you know, as I move into this next year, I have decided to step out of the classroom. Bear with me here. This is going to be emotional. So I've decided to step out of the classroom. I've decided to step out of the classroom. classroom because I need to make sure that one, I'm taking care of myself, but two, those teachers and those who are in the profession know that teaching is a profession that is completely built on passion. Our foundation is passion. It's not money. It's not materials. It's not benefits. We are in it for the passion.

And the amazing thing about that is a lot of wonderful things can come from that. The difficult part of that and the realistic side of that is that when it's built on passion, if those people who are in those foundations aren't valued, if they're not supported, if they're not taking care of, if they're not listened to, that foundation starts to crack. And I think you can talk to pretty much any teacher, and they will tell you that these last years have been really difficult with the pandemic. And even before the pandemic, the foundation was already starting to crack. And these things keep piling and piling and piling. And honestly, we kind of call it this like big game of jenga, right? Where you just keep stacking

things on and you keep pulling out from underneath and it gets more wobbly and it gets less supportive and eventually it's going to, you know, tumble down. unless you figure out ways to repair those cracks and repair those holes. And honestly, when I really think about education, when I talk to my family about education, I really compare it to like an architect, right? Architect engineer, when you're about to build a building, you look at the area, you look at the environment that you're building in, and you take all of those environmental factors in to consideration when you're figuring out what materials to use, how to build a structure that is sturdy, a structure that's going to be successful.

You're not going to, you know, if you're going to build a skyscraper, you're going to have to figure out how to use different materials and structures and pillars that are going to make that successful even in high winds, even in hurricanes, so that everybody is safe. And with education and what we're seeing is the fact that you have these pillars of passion that are cracking and that are the exact same, even though the environment has changed. And these last two years have really amplified those cracks. And the result of that, and a big part of that is teacher mental health and not valuing our teachers. And I would say that education is something incredibly close to my heart. Being in the classroom and working with students is incredibly close to my heart. And it's

something that I am passionate about. But with this cracked foundation, I see myself moving. forward outside the classroom, giving back, raising awareness for teachers, and truly really moving and putting my energy and efforts with my platform towards being able to push for these types of changes. Because being in the classroom right now isn't the way to do that for me. Mental health and you know I think what's really difficult for me is that I came from you know a reality TV show I'm known as the Bachelorette Miss Young which is a great thing but it's also this pressure that I always have to be a teacher and I love teaching and I'm also burnt out on teaching and I'm also more than just a teacher. And I really admire and respect the teachers who are returning to the classroom

next year. And I also really respect the teachers who and educators who are not returning and are able to make that choice because it's not an easy one at that. And this doesn't mean that I'm never going to step back in the classroom. This doesn't necessarily mean that I'm not going to continue, you know, working towards a master's and administration and potentially get back into that direct line of education. But it's me stepping away for a year to truly capitalize and push forward and put all my energy and efforts into my passion in a different way and really truly try to push for that change because staying. in the classroom and seeing and feeling that weight just shows me that something has to be done.

And I will also say this doesn't mean that I'm not going to live outside my teacher world, right? Like you're going to see me promoting different products. You're going to see me, you know, doing something with skin or fashion. And you're also going to see me do things with nonprofit organizations and, you know, potentially starting up my own organization. And so it's definitely going to be a balance, but that balance means that I'm, one, not in survival mode, and that balance is also me continuing to utilize the passion that I still have for education. So it's been hard to hold back on this decision.

I know I've talked to Nate a lot about this. I've talked to my friends and my family. And June 8th is not going to be an easy day for Ms. Young, as I'm sure there will be many tears. But I appreciate my supporters and those who understand. And I think the biggest thing that I've learned is that it's okay if everyone doesn't see the big picture and my big picture of where I'm headed. And, you know, there are going to be a lot of people who have judgments of me stepping outside of the classroom. There's going to be some of my own teacher guilt that we always just naturally feel. and we want to make sure that we're doing the best for our students.

But at the end of the day, I know that I'm making the right decision. At the end of the day, I know that I'm really moving closer to changing the world, and I'm not moving away from that or making the world a better place or inspiring. And I know the big picture. So it's a heavy conversation, and I didn't really want it to be this heavy of a conversation. And I do want to take time to make sure that everyone knows it. You know, it was a decision that was made a few weeks ago, and it was a decision that was not influenced by all that was happening in Texas, because that is also just an incredible weight. And really, I cannot even imagine the heaviness that that community is going through, that those families, the staff are going through because we feel the heaviness all the way here in Minnesota and just thinking about them and knowing that that is a possibility.

And I know that I've been asked several times this past week of what can people do with this? How can we support? And I will point you in the direction of Everytown.org. It is it's an organization that really focuses on gun reform, focuses on supporting people who have been affected by gun violence and really does focus in putting funds and energy towards making those changes because, as we know, everyone has to be on board for something to truly change. And so everytown.org, I really highly suggest that you guys change.

check it out. It's an amazing organization and it would be a really good place for you to put your energy and efforts as well. So I know it's been a heavy episode. We are going to bring Nate and Rodney on. It's going to be a total switch of gears for the most part. So we are going to bring on the boys and get this third wheel started. Welcome to Bachelor Happy Hour, guys. I am so excited to have both you Nate and Rodney here today. Um, it has been a quite heavy episode, uh, just with announcing that I'm not going to be returning to the classroom next year, as well as giving condolences to everything that has been happening in Texas. So it is, I apologize, but it has been an emotional one. No, you're good, babe. You're good. It's been a lot. It's been a lot. But hey, you're like, you're like one of the strongest people I know. So I, uh, I. I know Nate has been, you guys, Nate has been probably one of my, like, biggest comfort humans aside from children to just kind of help bounce ideas off of, just kind of really think through it as, you know, like teaching is definitely something that I'm incredibly passionate about, you know, when you go to college, you know, for something that you absolutely love.

And then it kind of like, I think I explained it to you like a breakup where like you're in a relationship. relationship and you love it, love or whatever, you're in love. And then you like start to fall out of love or you just know that it's going a different direction. Like it's hard. It's not just like this exciting thing that you're going the new direction, right? Like you have to go through that pain of the breakup. And so I feel like I'm, I'm not breaking up with teaching, but just even like putting it down for a year, it's. But you teach in so many different ways, right? Like that's, that's why it's like you're not going to be the, um, traditional teacher. anymore but from what you're going to be doing moving forward like i mean you already do so much that

you're still a teacher and in its own sense of the word just not in a classroom right so you're you're breaking up with the classroom you're not breaking up with teaching if you ask me that's kind of how i look at it that's your really good point and obviously michel is it's definitely your passion and uh you know you you showed that in and day out but i mean more importantly it's going to be so excited to see whatever your next chapter is. And I know, obviously, we've had a lot of discussions, but more importantly, like, I'll definitely be praying for you in your next chapter. And yes, you touch so many lives through teaching.

But just like Nate said, you're going to continue teaching. It's just going to be in different ways. And no matter what, like, you've always been a major blessing to any single life that you touch, talk to, just being next to you. It's just a blessing. So you're going to continue to do that, whatever you choose to do. See, this is why I keep these two around because they just, hey, always good vibes

always good vibes but like as you guys know though it's I mean the positions that we're in it's so it's so difficult because you come on the show so like Rodney you come on the show dressed in an apple correct

and that sticks with you right like that sticks with you wherever you go and then you know Nate you come in as the red flag and I feel like you know what I mean maybe you've gotten rid of that a little bit right I'm not saying what I think I'm saying Just, you know, like when you're on the show, it's like, viewers see you in one light and then sometimes they get stuck on that.

So I think like one of the biggest things that I've been worried about to some extent is like coming out with this decision, knowing it's the best decision for myself, knowing what I'm going to do with it, knowing that I'm still going to make an impact, right? But viewers and people in Bachelor Nation are going to be like, oh, she's turning into an influencer. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing. but right like there's just this this pressure that oh you have this like teacher who she cannot do anything else you shouldn't do anything else you know what I mean it's just it's such a weird pressure to to get used to yeah I think like I mean I kind of look at it and you know how my mind works I'm going to be all over the place here but it's kind of like where we all met Steve Harvey for family feud like you only know this guy as somebody who's on just like TV screen right

and it's almost like we all kind of say the same thing it's like you don't even look at him like he's like he's like a fictional character like it's so easy for people forget that like you're a human being right like like you're a human being yes you're a teacher but you're a human being and you go through life you go through ups and downs and the spirals and emotions and all this different things and life changes just like life changes for every single human being on this planet and so easy for for people who they see you on this tv box and say oh that's michelle young the bachelor who's also a teacher and that's it nothing more like that is it and they forget that you're actually human being with family

friends emotions ups downs all that fun stuff right um so whoever's listening do not forget that michelle young is a human being i appreciate that i can friendly reminder a friendly reminder you know what i feel like that's a good point to transition like i could i don't have anything to like add after that that was just that was beautifully said you know i've been super emotional today so I feel like my, my words and thoughts are jumbled, but normally that's you, Nate, but you hit, you know, I'm just kidding. He's sleut. But anyways, enough about me. We're going to switch gears to you guys.

How have you guys been? I feel, Rodney, you have seen Nate more than I have this month. How are you doing? I think last month was your month. This month was my one. No, I'm playing. we go back and forth oh no

see third wheel that's why third wheel there you go I told you Michelle like Michelle already knew she couldn't get rid of me I'm the third I'm the third wheel

this month I think you and Becca talked about me being in the back house something like that so I was like either way we'll make it work

but the granny pod yes the granny pot sorry Rodney there's no Rodney pod at our future home it's okay it's okay

I understand you understand that you cannot pass this guy a key without my permit permission like this man's not going to have a key to our house all do respect ronnie i really do love you're like hey we're going to have that extra room just for god for just for your match his room i don't care wake up good morning guys but talk to us like tell our listeners you guys you guys have been all over the place first you were in l.A for a golf tournament how was that yeah so that was a lot of fun we were

We were down in San Diego for a golf tournament. I met this amazing woman through Claire who partners with the Andre Reed Foundation. And so this was all through Andre Reid Foundation and the Reed with Reed initiative. And so what he does specifically is he'll create these reading rooms for kids all throughout the nation at the Boys and Girls Clubs where he grew up. And he wants to make sure, hey, that kids are more focused on. on books instead of any type of violence or anything that's bad going on in these streets out here. We want to make sure that kids are more focused on learning and growing their knowledge and having fun with that instead of all these outside distractions. So we were so excited to

partner up with them and for them to kind of ask us to be a part of that was so exciting. And And then through that, we've met just amazing people, a lot of, a lot of Hall of Famers from the NFL, and then also some other reality TV people. So it was really nice to kind of see that and to see us, like, figure out ways how we could try to make a difference in these communities. And even Nate and I talking about how we could partner up in these other cities to see how we can kind of spread that mission. And so, yeah, it was very exciting for us to do that. And then obviously, yeah, we were out there golfing. Nate's a lot better than I thought. I'm still trash.

I need some lessons. I got to go back to top golf or something. But it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun. That's truly amazing. There was a lot of Bachelor faces, I feel like, that I saw on Instagram, right? Yeah. So we had a, I know in our group, it was us too.

And then we also had Jason and Spencer, who were great guys from Clarenetation Season. And then Claire was there at the mixer. And we also had, I think there's, is there someone else I'm missing, Nate? That was about it, right? I think that's about it. I figure if I'm missing anyone. It was just back to back night. So just honestly networking and connecting.

It was really a fun circle to be around because these people are all in the same collective to really make a change in these communities. So it was really exciting to see. I think the thing that I love about you both or just like your friendship in general is the fact that like you can go on and you can have fun and you can do all these different things. But it's also really awesome to see both of you go to this event. you know, you get there and then you see all of these people coming together to make these amazing things happen and then you want to jump right into that. So it seems like you both had a lot of fun. It was for a really good cause. I do remember seeing a TikTok. Rodney, you might not be the best at golf, but you definitely beat Nate's TikTok abilities. Yeah, we both know, Michelle, Nate needs to

work on his hips a little bit. So that's okay. We're not we're not prepared for dancing with the stars or anything. Michelle so we'll get him right he definitely likes to do a lot of shoulder work so yeah his shimmy goes crazy but yeah no we're gonna keep working and see Michelle knows Michelle knows hey first of all my hips are nice bro

I don't know what she's talking about only sometimes no honestly he literally there are moments though there are moments where he actually like dances right

when you cook when you cook you're dancing Like, there are time when you're feeling yourself and you dance. Like, so you are, you actually can dance. You actually have rhythm, you know? I feel he gets a little camera shy. Here's a thing. Just bring that out.

I get, I get camera shy because of my height, you know? Because when you dance, you kind of just want to live with you, you just let loose. No, he's looking at you because you blend in, right? Like, Ron, you like five, some. You know what you're going to be twisted, okay? You know, do you know, you're going to say five, seven? Were you six eight? Did you say five, five, seven?

Five, seven? Five, seven? I'm five eight. Roddy, you're taller than me. I said five something. Five. I thought you said five. You don't want to be dancing.

All the eyes are on you. Like, ah, it sucks. Right? I'm a good dancer. I just give a camera shot. It doesn't matter about the height. You're out there gigging, live in your best life. That's okay.

That's what people want to see. Right. You're right. You're right. Roddy, you might be five something, but she has six five energy. Thank you. Don't let him lie to you. Yeah.

Yes. Okay. Okay. I love that. So Rodney, you've been everywhere. You've been in L.A. You've been in Austin. And you traveled around for Bachelor live on stage. I don't think I've talked to you about how everything went. So you're going to have to fill us in. I loved it. Yeah. So I don't know how much Becca said. Obviously, you know, Becca, she's the hostess with the mostest. So it was just so such an honor to. to be on stage with her. I loved it. For me, it was like a life-changing experience. I didn't really know how I was going to respond, how I was going to react because I was just like on stage. Like, what are we talking about?

Like, I don't do theater or anything like that. And so I was really excited for the opportunity, the chance to be on stage and to really engage with the fan base, kind of like face-to-face, you know? Right. And with Becca, obviously, Becca is so good at what she does. She kind of just makes you feel comfortable, like the first show my first show was pittsburgh and i'm just over here shaking i'm all excited

and i'm just like oh my god like i don't know how this going to go she's like rodney just be you you'll be fine you're going to be great and it was it was a phenomenal night one that i'll never forget uh for my first show and just hitting up all these cities uh on the east coast that i never would have thought i would hit up ever so um you know i i hit up like a really cool coffee shop in morristown new jersey i hit up some really good barbecue in charleston south carolina and being in Atlanta, Georgia, I've always wanted to go to Atlanta. And so that was really cool for me. So the experience as a whole, being on stage,

meeting these amazing women who shared the stage with me and just kind of gave it there all too and just like their night at the mansion. So it was really exciting for me. I loved it. I heard you were a fan favorite. I wouldn't say that. It was a lot of fun.

Like I wanted to make sure that it was. really engaged in with the crowd and that they felt my energy as I felt there. So I was kind of feeding off that and I just had a great time. Nate and I were super sad that we, because we were going to try to come to the Atlanta show and pop in and see you and support you because you know that we all, I mean, Nate and I love watching you do your thing. This is kind of weird for me to ask, but I feel like it's something that's commented on all the time. Is it weird or like how the two of you, this is going to go to both of you, how the two of you, how the two of you've been able to maintain your relationship or friendship through the show in this weird

situation. Like, let's just, let's just talk about it. Because I feel like everybody asks. Anytime Rodney's on my Instagram story, everyone's like, that's weird. Why do you hang out? Wow. It really hurts. It really hurts.

I think for me, in a sense, it's, I look at our experience as a whole. obviously like we all met the same night right and clearly I truly think everything happens for reason and so even watching back with your guys's connection like Michelle I knew you and I were going to be cool instantly I just felt that but seeing the spark that you guys had I was like okay this is different and so I knew obviously living with Nate like living with Nate throughout the process I'd come back from a date and I was like oh I'm so excited name would come back from a date And Nate's like, bro, you don't understand. Like, we had the best time ever so happy.

Like, me and Michelle, it's a rat. It's like, all this stuff. And I was just like, okay, okay, I'm not on that level yet. But, you know, I'm out there having fun with Michelle, too. Like, we had a great time. Like, you know, Apple jokes. But at the end of the day, like, I knew no matter what, like, I wanted you happy, right? And living with Nate, obviously 24-7 were together, you know,

going to sleep late, waking up early for these shoots, all that good stuff, right? Being so close with Nate, I got to learn so much about him. I got to learn so much about you. And the more I look at it, I was just like, okay, well, at the end of the day, Michelle has made the best decision for her. I'm going to respect your decision because I respect you and I want you happy. I want him happy. And it's like, yeah, it's the craziest thing. I never would have thought I went on the show and just I meet Michelle searching for you, searching for love.

We become great friends. and then I meet brand new best friend, brother, all that stuff. So it's just a crazy world that we live in. But when people ask us this question, it's always funny because we know our dynamic and that's okay. Like, I think at the end of the day, maturity and respect is why I'm able to be so close with you, why we can have all. You give me advice.

Why talk to this man every single day, check on him, make sure he's good. We're laughing and joking, just like we still live together back at the hotel. So it's just a wild world we live in, but this is our life now. This is our life. It's our life. It's so funny. Okay, wait, so, Nate, you're kind of like on the other end of it because, right? Like, you're in the same position a little bit different at the same time, though.

And it's like, I mean, really Nate went in. He's like, that's my future wife and that's my new best friend. Like, Nate just, you know, they got the best of both worlds. Exactly. No, I mean, I knew, I knew, like, early on. Like, I remember, like, when he was still in his apple suit, we were like, you know, by the bar, just talking. This is like night one.

Night one, night one. I remember looking down at him, like, yo, like, I really mess with you. He looked up to me. He's like, I really like you, too, you know? I can't lie. That's really how it went. That's really how we were starting off on the couch. Started out of the couch, and we were just joking about how nervous we were to meet you.

Oh, man. At first I was intimidated by him, though, because this dude, bro, like, in an apple suit? Yeah, because, like, who pulls up to the show on an apple suit? Like, you've got to be kind of a crazy dude. Like, you're kind of nuts, right? Yes. So he walks down, he walks down the stairs in this apple suit, arms big as hell. And I'm just like, and he got clean-shaven, but a little bit of stubble, you know, kind of like he looks like a fighter, you know, like no neck just looks like a fighter.

Like, he's just ready to, you know. That's six-five energy, Rodney. That's six-five energy. yeah see that's right there you don't have to know what kind of apple you don't that is so funny

when I first saw when I first saw when I first saw Rodney I was like yo this guy's going to cause a lot of trouble and then like five seconds into the conversation my first time talking I was like yo I like this guy this guy's energy is crazy

yeah yeah and then I said that yeah next you know we're like yeah roommates and just it was funny because when they asked because they ask you like hey like who did you buy with the most

who would you want to be roommates with and I was like I really like the pizza guy and I really like the Apple guy and I'm really happy I'm really happy they got me with the with the Apple guy so yeah that's my dog

oh my gosh Ronnie do you remember this is this is going to be funny to talk about but like the hometown date where we had to do where we did, I think it was like a blooper. How about them? How about them Apple's cooking show? Oh, yeah.

Our cooking show. Yeah. Nate, how would you feel? Nate, how would you feel about hosting our cooking show so we can stuff to do it? I'd be there. I'd be there. I don't know if people would be. I don't know.

I don't know. I feel like I would watch it. But honestly, I feel like, Rodney, all you would do is everything would be in the air fryer. Like, that's it. we talked about an air fryer for literally 40 minutes this man still does not shut up about the air fire every time we're together

somehow gets brought up and he's pitching the air fryer again some air fryer company out there needs to talk to Rodney you know you know how you have okay so like on the show you have maybe 10 minutes right to like talk to people

like it's like 10 minute increments or whatever it's quick how many times he brought up an air fryer as a part of his 10-minute time was actually very, very impressive. Yikes. But everybody jokes about being the third wheel and all of these things. Nate, this question is specifically for you. Okay. So you found your fiancé.

You found your best friend. My question to you is with Rodney, what kind of partner does? do you want to see him with or what kind of partner do you think would be the best? Okay, okay, okay, best for my, for my, for my, for my bestie, bestie and the testy. All right, let's see. I know Ronnie, I know Ronnie. I mean, at the end of day, like somebody, Ronnie, I hope that Ronnie finds a woman that genuinely appreciates the type of guy he is because

there's not a lot of people in the world who are like Rodney in the sense that you can get you can get thrown into any group of people at any time and this guy this guy is just on it like I've sat back because like because you know me sometimes I'm really quiet I just stay to myself and as people don't know how to read that right I sit back sometimes I just see how Rodney is with people I'm just like holy like this guy is like like immediately like hitting these people and then like making them like I love Rodney like because I've introduced Rodney to some of my best friends from Canada from Seattle from Seattle. from Austin and just immediately, I'm getting text when Rodney leaves, when Ronnie goes back to LA, I'm going to text like, yo, man, like, Ronnie's cool as hell. Like, you got to bring around more often. Like, this guy is cool.

Like, it's just amazing. We'll be, we'll be, for example, the people that we were on the golf course with make those TikToks, we had just met them. We had no idea who those people are. Ronnie, they fell in love with Ronnie in 15 seconds. You know what I mean?

So I think, I think, like, somebody who can just appreciate, like, and like, just let Ronnie be rot. You know what I mean? And never try and hold. holding back or trying to change the type of person he is or or whatever it is like like ronnie's the type of person that you just need to you need like especially as as his partner you got you got to you got just let my man be him and love him for him and never even consider trying to change this guy

you know what i mean because i mean like i i look i look sometimes i'm like man i got to be more like rodney you know what i mean like this is this is a great motherfucker oh my bad this is a great dude No, but I'm just saying, like, I don't know. I think, I think, I think, like, I think in relationships, it's so easy to kind of, like, try and changing the person. But I hope that for Rodney, like, just, just whoever the girl is, like, don't ever try to change this guy, because this guy is, this guy's A1 already, you know what I mean?

So just respecting and, and allowing him to be the guy who he is, because this dude is, he's on top of this, man. He makes sure that everybody's taking care of. He makes sure that everybody's, like, knows that they're seen, like his birthday party was huge huge like he had everybody at his birthday party he made sure that everybody got rod time so that nobody was kind of just like hey like why why is rod not talking to me or whatever it is because he's got like 50 people at his birthday party that he's invited making sure everybody gets their individual rod time you know nobody felt left out from rod you know

what I mean because everybody's there for rod you know what I mean so um he's just a special individual and you know I just hope that whoever whoever you end up with I mean they respect that Because if they don't, come on. Hello. At the end of the day, if she's not a Tunei approved, I don't want her. I just can't. Yeah, yeah. I mean, that's your one man right there.

Clearly, you're a high man. Okay, Rodney. So, hypothetically, you already know what's coming. Hypothetically, if you were going to paradise, what would you be looking in a partner? what would you be looking for what is like give me your top two traits um i definitely want and need someone who is strong and independent just like just like nate said i i don't i want someone to come into my life to enhance it you know i don't really need someone to kind of change who i am so you know i i just hit 30 so all the growth throughout my life i'm realizing hey i don't want to

come into someone's life and change that person. Like, I don't want to change that person to become someone who I want to need. Like, I just want to love and accept that person for who they are. And I just need the same, right? Because just like Nate said, and obviously, Michelle, you know this too. But, like, you know, when I walk into the room, I do want to make sure everyone feels seen. And I want to make sure everyone is happy and excited and having a good time.

Like, that is what truly makes me happy. Like, I've always been the host way before the show existed. for me like i've always been hosting game nights hosting sunday football game game days like i always want to make sure that people have a good environment to to be themselves open up be vulnerable stuff like that that we did on the show as well so i'm really truly looking for a woman not necessarily who has to match my energy but can make sure that since i'm going to go in and give my all she has to give her all too and just really truly be strong and independent and confident in who she is knowing that, okay, I'm talking to Rodney with intention. He can enhance my life and I can enhance his. And this is

how. And I do want a woman who can who can challenge me and really truly make me a better man as well. Yeah. I think that's really, really, really well said. And I know I know that you've said that you need Tune Day's approval. But let me tell you, you need my. You need my. approval too why because she's going to be spending more time with me than with you because of how y'all are okay so understand that i have veto power and in fact i have more veto power than nate okay i just want to lay it clear i understand this girl's got to be my best friend I was like, it's a note for me, dog. No, but that's facts, though.

That really is facts. That is facts. But I would like to flip the script real quick because I know that you already gave me some love and praise, which y'all didn't have to do that. So I really appreciate that. Y'all see me getting red? Okay. But, you know, looking at you too,

you all know how much I love your, obviously. I mean, it goes without saying we've had talks on own where we've already had this, but just to kind of say it on screen real quick with us, I'm so grateful for the impact that you guys have not only made in my life, but just kind of like Bastronation as a whole, I think really just more so just kind of like, whole, but just two amazing people coming together. And that's like, that's what we live for, right? It's just we want to see good people together. And that just really, made me happy. And so I just hope y'all know how deeply I care about both of you. And yes,

like, you know, Michelle, we grew so close from the show. And anytime we have a call or a conversation, I'm always excited and grateful. And you always offer me great advice. Like, even post show, it's just every time we talk, that's what I'm saying. I'm like, you're never going to stop teaching Michelle, because you still teach me. You teach everybody you talk to. Like, all we can do is learn so much from you and all the knowledge that you've gained. And like I said, I'm not even talking about Bachelorsation anymore. I'm just talking about in life in general. So I'm so grateful for you and that.

And Tunday, you already know now I feel, man, I can go on and on forever. But I'm just grateful for your brotherhood, your guidance, your wisdom. You know, even us having a call this morning, man. I'm just, I'm grateful for everything that you guys bring into my life as a collective. So obviously, I know you two just truly phenomenal human beings. And I just, I really truly love y'all. So I'm really grateful for you guys. Oh.

Much love, young Rod. Appreciate you, man. It is hard, though, because it's like having, it's like one thing to be in this world, but then it's also one thing to be in a relationship in this world. And so, like, you see, I think Rodney gets a very close up perspective of just, you know, any movements we make are constantly judged, like, on the relationship, right? And, you know, Nate and I haven't seen each other for a little bit. So, you know, all these different people pop off. Like, they broke up. There's articles like, we're not together. Why hasn't Nate moved in? Like, all this different stuff. And it's just, it's really crazy to think that people care to that extent. Right. And it is hard being under that type of pressure. But also, like, having really close friends from this. world who understand this world and they don't react to that stuff because i mean roddy you see it i mean

you must see it right like yeah i just i think it's that's the last thing i'll touch on to michel and i'm glad you brought it up is like no one understands the pressure you two are under and being out in public with you guys seeing phones out like i'll just i'll just be chilling i got a hat a mask whatever i'm able to fall into disguise you too can't like hat mask hood no it doesn't matter you guys will always be noticed you two are two beautiful distinct faces right and so everybody knows you guys and the pressure that comes with that i can't even imagine the level that it's on for you too and you guys handle it so well and so that's always the first thing that comes to mind when people are just like hey michelle what can you tell me i'm like you'll never understand the pressure

that they're under because they won't show it but it's a lot of pressure they can be overwhelmed but i love how you two handle it you know it's always with maturity respect love it's oh you guys just phenomenal i can brag about that all day but you guys deal with that very well what do you how do you feel about the pressure because there's a lot it's different right i mean i've been through this twice now yeah yeah yeah this is your first time going through this yeah talking about the pressure i mean um i don't know i mean the pressure sucks you know like the pressure sucks but i mean like hey you know what are you going to do how did you how did you say we'll lean on each other with that pressure?

For me and you, like, for, like, how do we, how do you and I lean on each other? Yeah, I mean, for me and you, I mean, we just, we talk it through. You know, it's, it's like, we just, we just talkers. Yeah, we just, we just talk it through. But, I mean, at the same time, like, this is your second time around. You're, like, a veteran by this time. I think, like, at the beginning, that's when, like, the pressure that was, like, how I was dealing with things six months ago compared to now is night and day right like

the pressures of like six months ago that was nuts but now it's kind of just like oh I went paddleboarding and there's a picture of you with a girl that's one of my best friends on Reddit and people are saying I'm cheating on me it's like yeah it doesn't doesn't even bother you know I mean it's like okay okay guys like I've known this girl actually just the other day there was one of my my college roommate who was my best friend my best friend and my old roommate, his girlfriend of 14 years. There's a picture of her and I, and people are saying that, you know, obviously I'm cheating on Michelle because there's a picture of us. It's like, that's my roommate. That's my college roommate and like my best friend's girlfriend of 14 years.

So like the pressures of like what kind of what Roddy was saying of just like, you know, every move you make, whatever, there's things. People are talking about, oh, they're broken up or oh, Nate's partying or Nate's spending too much time with the boys, whatever it is. Now it's kind of just like, oh, that's funny, whatever. I don't, I don't really read too deep into. it. But now if we had this conversation six months ago, I'd be like, oh, this is nuts. Like, you know, I'm talking to you about it like all the time, calling Rodney 12 times a day to have been to him, calling my mom to vent to her, whatever it is, just because like, it's, like, you know, it's just all new. But, you know, it's nice because this is your second time

round, right? So if it was both of our first times, I think we kind of deal with this a lot differently. But since you've already kind of, you've been through the ringer with this this whole reality TV thing, right? So it's nice to be engaged to somebody who kind of already knew how to navigate the world and could kind of like let me know, like, hey, like, yeah, people are talking a lot. But it's also like the 2% of people who are the loudest, the other 40, let me do math really quick. So really quick math, 49% of people don't care.

49% of people do care, but 2%. of the people they're just the loudest and that's the only ones that you see yeah i think the biggest part is the fact that it really doesn't matter what everybody else is like thinking or responding to you know because it's like i if i see that picture i'm like like it doesn't you know what i mean it the other person so it's like all these different things can pop up or this or that it's just and it's all perception but it's like you're not phased on one end i'm not phased on the other end and then you know it's just it's just not something that we necessarily um put energy towards so rodney Hey, if you, once you find your person, we got you.

You know, always, always. We got you. But, all right, one more question before we move into our Rose and Thorn for the day. We've talked a lot about The Bachelorette and just relationships, being in the spotlight, everything with that. How surprised are you guys that you were able to come out of this situation with, like, such meaningful friendships? I'm, I mean, for me, I'm, I was definitely very surprised. Like, I, coming into this process, you have no idea what's about to happen.

And so, obviously, the goal is we all go on there searching for love. And then we know the chances are tough, like 30 guys, one woman. It's going to be a tough situation. And so the rest of us, it's like, okay, well, what are we going to do? but I didn't understand the process behind so much bonding. There's so much downtime, you know, 24-7, it's like, hey, if you're not on that one-on-one, you're not on a group date, you're with the guys. And so when people are like, how are you guys so close, I'm like, well, you know, you take

away all distractions, you know, no phone, no music, no TV, no none of that, all day every day, it's just human-to-human interaction. And I know it sounds crazy in today's world because we're also connected to our phones, the iPads, tablets, stuff like that. But when you take all those distractions away and it's just you and another human being in a room and you're all you got, it's like, okay, well, I guess we've got to talk and learn about each other because I don't have a phone to distract me anything like that. So I never would have guessed how close we would all become after this process.

It's crazy. Nate, are you surprised by, like, how much you've learned? Because, I mean, it's a crazy experience to go through and you come. into it. I mean, it's reality TV. It's like this different life. And I feel like viewers don't necessarily understand like how much you actually can learn about yourself during this process. Are you surprised? That's a good question. Yeah, I think I'm surprised. Yeah, no, I think I'm surprised when it comes to that. You're asking more so just like on what I like, am I surprised at what I learned about myself? Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, like, what have you learned if you feel like you've learned something? Yeah, I mean, like, for me, like, the biggest thing I learned is, you know, it's not on the whole romantic side of things. It's more so that I went my entire life thinking that since my parents got divorced that four years old, that it just didn't affect me. I was too young. Like, how could it affect me? I was four years old, right?

And then next thing you know, like, during that whole process, just how much family was brought up, whether it was between me and you or, you know, me and Rodney or me and some of the producers, whatever it is, just talking about family. You know, I remember having, like, when I first got back from film, it was like one of the first conversations I had my mom was just like, like, I had no idea, you know, and so it was nice for me to kind of learn that about myself that my parents' divorce actually did kind of mess me up and then be able to kind of do what needs to be done to kind of, you know, fix that. So, but yeah, that, like, if we're talking about what I learned the most,

that's 100% what I learned the most of. And I know that that's not the, romantic answer that I think a lot of viewers want for me, but it's my honest answer. But, you know, I had no idea how much that my parents' divorce really did mess me up. Like, Michelle, you and Michelle so much helped us as men open up, be vulnerable, talk about our feelings. And that's something we never do. Like, as men being brought up, especially as black men, that's something we are never, ever taught. You know, and that for us to, for you to open up that space for us and then us to continue in the rooms when hey Michelle's done for the day like hey we got to go to our rooms and stuff like that like we just kept talking and kept learning

and kept opening up I was like hey so what do you miss most about being back home or what's something that you're looking for in a future wife like all this different stuff that we get to learn from and it's so cool for us to open up and be vulnerable and actually talk stuff out because that's something that we were never taught before so yeah right they did help in that sense right and even like in even neat like towards what you said of like viewers wanting a romantic answer honestly i would have i would have responded very similar to both of you where i think walking away from this experience and even my experience before being the bachelorette um as a contestant it's like the things that i learned the most was i i wasn't good at vulnerable being vulnerable but i learned how to and i pushed myself to to be vulnerable and then also seeing the effects and the positive effects on my relationships and friendships that that has. And so that once you step off the show, right, that is still intact, especially when you're friends with people who went through that with you, right? Like,

that's just what's normal because that's how your friendship started is talking about your feelings, right? So it's so much easier when you're going through a difficult piece in life to be able to, you know, reach out to Nate or for Nate you to reach out to Rodney and talk about those feelings and be vulnerable because when you meant that was almost like what was set, right? That's normal for you guys. Yeah, 100%. Yeah, I agree with that completely. Most definitely. But we are about to wrap it up here. It's been a lot of fun. I feel like we've covered a lot. We've covered a lot today. This is like a true therapy session. But before we let you go, it's our time to share our rose and thorns of the week.

And so you boys are going to let us know what your best moment of the week is and what was the messiest moment of the week. I only can imagine what you might have. I will start us off. Not surprised that Rodney and Nate are cracking up right now. All the inside jokes. I will start us off. I'm going to start with my thorn first.

I would say my thorn first is just the school, the heaviness of everything going on and having those conversations have been fairly difficult and just, you know, thinking about teachers this week. And then moving forward to my rose would be the fact that this weekend, it is going to be Minnesota Lake weekend because the weather is finally nice. everyone has their boats out on the dock so it'll be nice to be able to put your devices down and just like spend time with friends. Are we ready? Nice. Yeah, we're ready.

Rodney, go ahead and take it away. Yeah, so my thorn obviously would have to be the same thing. You know, for me, I just posted about it on my story too. I think like all of us did. But first and foremost, you know, quick shoutouts and prayers to Texas and Buffalo as well. You know, it's something that's just been weighing heavy on my mind and on my heart.

So, yeah, I think we've all had a really tough week just as a nation, as a people, just struggling with kind of the world that we live in and just praying for hope and change and actual change for once. So, and then my roles would be, you know, hanging out with my family on this long weekend, You know, last weekend, obviously spending more time with Tunday on a boat.

You know, that's always good times. But this man in his city, it's always funny. But this upcoming weekend, I will be able to spend some time with my family and meet my brand new nephew. So I'm excited about that. That's exciting. Yeah, my little nephew, Cairo. I'm excited. That's awesome.

All right, Nate, wrap it up. Royal Sun? Yeah, yeah. That's nice. That's nice. Yeah, no, I mean, same as pretty much anybody else in the nation when we're talking about the thorn of the week, everything that happened in Texas is just, um, it's so hard to process. I don't know about you.

I talked about this with Michelle yesterday, actually. Um, haven't talked to you, brother. Yeah, Rodney, but like, I don't know how to process stuff like that. So, um, I'm, I actually got in a conversation with my mom the other, uh, was it the other day, yesterday? I don't know, just trying to, like, we just got into the conversation about like, like, like, are humans wired in a way to even be able to process kind of like, you know, mass shootings, especially when it's involved second, third, and fourth graders and just,

what it's it's like 22 people are dead now right it's just like you know like are even wired in a way to be able to process that so yeah long story short that's definitely definitely my thorn of the week um rose of this week um rose of this week um i get to see michelle next week so it's not for this week but it is for next week so that's always exciting so it's you know actually in a week from today. So that's actually quite exciting. It's a week from today. It is a week. It is a week. Yeah. No, it'll be nice. Sorry, Rodney.

I have him for the month of June. April. I'll see you in July. And August. So hop off. Okay? Goodbye. All right. Well, it's been awesome having you guys on here. Thank you, Bachelor. Happy our listeners. And thank you, Nate and Rodney, for sharing your positivity, bringing your good energy and vibes like you always do. Make sure to hit us up on social. You can follow us at Bachelor Happy Hour on Instagram and then from there you will find everything you need to know to follow us on

Twitter and TikTok. Bachelor Happy Hour is also available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, music, or wherever you listen. You can listen ad-free by subscribing to Wondery Plus in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app. Thank you again, Nate and Rodney, and thank you everyone. See you next week. I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the psychology podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you. When you think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choose an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is easier.

Ignoring is easier. Denials easier. Complex problem solving takes effort. Listen to the psychology podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, my name is Enya Eumanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom.

If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search Emergency Intercom.

come and listen now. Every case that is a cold case that has DNA right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime. On the new podcast, America's Crime Lab, every case has a story to tell, and the DNA holds the truth. He never thought he was going to get caught, and I just looked at my computer screen. I was just like, ah, gotcha. This technology's already solving so many cases.

Listen to America's Crime Lab on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an I-Heart podcast.