Bachelor Happy Hour - Richard & Clayton Part 1: Overcoming Hearing Loss and Dating as a Nashville Musician | Happy Hour 

Episode Date: April 21, 2026

Today on “Happy Hour,” we’re sitting down with Richard and Clayton from Taylor Frankie Paul’s season. We kick things off with Richard, a photographer and surfer looking for love. He tells us his harrowing story of overcoming hearing loss, and shockingly, it all started with a rose. Then, we meet Clayton, a singer living in Nashville who’s vying for Taylor’s heart. Clayton has so many incredible stories, including one major fun fact that rocked our world! Tune in to hear all about these incredible men, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. It's Financial Literacy Month, and the podcast, Eating While Broke, is bringing real conversations about money, growth, and building your future.

This month, hear from top streamer, Zoe Spencer, and venture capitalist Lakeisha Landrum-Pierre, as they share their journeys from starting out to leveling up. There's an economic component

to communities thriving. If there's not enough money and entrepreneurship happening in communities, they fail. Listen to Eating While Broke from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Kunky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast.

I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storyline. ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you're watching the latest season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you already know there's a lot to break down. Gorsha accusing Kelly of sleeping with a merry man. They holding Kay Michelle back from fighting Drew.

Pinky has financial issues. On the podcast, Reality with the King, I, Carlos King, recounted. the biggest moments from your favorite reality shows, including the Real Housewives franchise, the drama, the alliances, and the T, everybody's talking about. To hear this and more, listen to Reality with the King on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

On a recent episode of the podcast, Money and Wealth with John Hobriant, I sit down with Tiffany the budgetista Aliche to talk about what it really takes to take control of your money. What would that look like in our families? if everyone was able to pass on wealth to the people when they're no longer here. We break down budgeting, financial discipline, and how to build real wealth, starting with the mindset shifts. Too many of us were never, ever taught.

If you've ever felt you didn't get the memo on money, this conversation is for you to hear more. Listen to Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant from the Black Effect Network on the IAT Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. earners, what's up? Look, money is something we all deal with, but financial literacy is what helps turn income into real wealth.

On each episode of the podcast, Earn Your Leisure, we break down the conversations you need to understand money, investing, and entrepreneurship. From stocks and real estate to credit, business, and generational wealth, our goal is simple. Make financial literacy accessible for everyone. Because when you understand the system, you can start to build within it.

Open your free iHeart radio app. Search Earn Your Leisure and listen now. Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Bachelor Happy Hour. We are here today recording on April 2nd at 1210 PT. And today we have a very exciting interview. We will be getting into some of the guys, talking all about them, and let's get into it. Today's guest, we have a 35-year-old photographer from Charleston, South Carolina. Welcome, Richard.

Hey, guys, how's it going? Thanks so much for having me. Good. Good. Welcome to Bachelor Happy Hour. How does it feel being on the podcast? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's fine. Yeah. Okay. We're going to dive into everything, but I, me and Rachel both want to know, like, how are you feeling? I know this past, it feels like what has been forever, but it's only been, you know, a week or two. How are you feeling with everything? And how are you navigating that, staying grounded? Yeah, it's been a sort of like a wave, you know, like. It kind of comes in certain sets. And I think that at first it was definitely a bummer, just like all of us, the cast and crew and everybody was just kind of like, whoa. And then you kind of let that fade out.

And then it kind of rolls back in. And so I think that, you know, everything is sort of like settling, if you will. And so I think the perspective of them having is just kind of, let me take advantage of the things that I can and then let everything else just kind of play out as it does because it's out of a lot of people's control in some regard. Yeah. No, that's a great mindset. This is such a crazy time. What led you to this experience and to The Bachelorette? Yeah, that's, it's funny. I feel like it's kind of ironic because it's about five years ago, my sister-in-law submitted my name. And so I actually walked through that process and it was probably a week out from filming five years ago

and then of course got cut and then two years ago I got another email and I had like two interviews and then they were like yeah yeah this isn't the right season and I was like okay that's fine I'm like I was going to say like five years ago who I thought two years ago was me that's crazy oh that would have been oh that would have been awesome this is crazy yeah so they I just kept calling you and then saying it wasn't the right time. So did you get, you came to L.A. to film night one five years ago or no, no. I got cut like a few days right before they were going to fly me out. Oh my gosh.

It was like they had said like, hey, you're good to go. Like we're buying your flights and everything. And then they call back and they're like, actually we changed your mind. We're like pivoting. And I was like, oh, man. So anyways, here we are like five years later. and I got an email and I was like, I've been through this before. Sure, I'll do it again.

It's probably going to end up the same way. And I had so much work that I was focused on during the whole interview process. And so every time I had an interview, I just would push that off to the side and focus on what was in front of me. And before I knew it, I was on my way to L.A. Oh, my gosh. Were you a fan of the show? Yeah.

Are you a fan? Were you like a fan of the show? Do you watch like reality TV? I don't watch reality TV, but I was a fan of The Bachelor and Bachelorette like 10 years ago, you know, like Ben Higgins, Jojo, like we have friends of mine. We'd all get together and watch that. So I think it was really fun for a lot of friends to then find out because, of course, I kept everything close to my chest.

Yeah. And then they were like, what the way? Oh my gosh. Wait, that's so exciting that you finally got the chance to come on. Did you know that Taylor was going to be the Bachelorette when they started calling you? I didn't, no, I think they told me maybe a week prior. Okay. But yeah, before that, I didn't know who it was.

And when they told me it was her, I'll be honest. I know a lot of other guys probably said this too, but I was like, I don't know who that is. And I kind of fell back because I was like, I should know who that is. I know. Yeah. like a celebrity. Yeah, get to know her on your own. It's good. Yeah. Yeah, no, it was, I kind of, I appreciated that element of it because, you know, there's, there's a lot said about people in the limelight. And I think with her specifically, I was like, you know what, you can't trust everything that

everybody says. And I just kind of want to go into this and find out for myself. And if it doesn't work, it doesn't work and if it does it does but I'd rather make my own assessment than take someone else's word for it yeah were you and um did you have a lot of dating history before coming into this show or how was if you're comfortable talking or sharing about like previous relationships and then kind of like what you were essentially looking for throughout this experience in terms of a partner yeah i definitely i haven't dated a ton of people but maybe four or five over the course of you know, high school to now. And most of the time, they're on the longer stretch.

And so each time, as you know, you date somebody and you kind of learn like, this works and this doesn't. This is how I need to change. This is the things that I'm looking for. And so I definitely, you know, being 35, well, technically I'm 36 now because my birthday has coming past. Happy birthday. Yeah, thanks.

But yeah, I definitely am more settled into what it is that I'm looking for and the specific qualities that I find valuable. What are some of those qualities that you're looking for? I definitely want somebody that understands, like the has experience of life in the sense that things are thrown at them. and they have learned how to handle them and they have an emotional grasp. Now, that's given everybody gets thrown through the ringer and you learn as you go and you get older. But also somebody that deeply cares about people

and wants to give of themselves. And that's important to me because that's kind of how I operate. And a lot of that has to do with my faith. So faith is also a large part of what it is that I'm looking for and someone that understands that element for their own part of life. And then somebody that's adventurous and fun and has like, you know, charisma and is goofy because I think that it's no fun when somebody is just a flatline person and has no fun personality.

So yeah, definitely have to banter is important. It is. I'm like, it's underrated. Absolutely. Very interesting. Yeah. It sounds to me going into Taylor's season that you're looking for something serious. Have you thought about what you want family-wise?

Do you want kids? I do. Yeah. And at this age, I think there's part of it that's like, all right, well, I'm already on the older side. So I'm going to be having kids later if I meet somebody and that's how we start it. or if I find somebody like Taylor that already has kids, learning how to, I mean, that's never an easy thing to just jump into, but I think that when you have the mindset of being able to be willing

and you're looking at the other person in a way of like, yeah, you know, this comes with you, with having you. And you kind of, you take that on and you end up becomes a part of your life and you end up loving them just as much, you know. Have you ever dated anyone with kids before? I have it. So first time. Yeah.

First time. Oh my goodness. Well, you sounds like you have so many hobbies as well. You're a surfer and you want to fly helicopters and like what else can't you do. So tell us about that. Rachel, you fly. I am a pilot, but not for helicopters. I heard that.

I heard that. I don't know if I could do the helicopters. Those are a lot harder. Really? Have you started or is this just like a dream? You know, right now it's a dream. but I you know dreams become reality so that's that's what I'm looking for yeah um yeah no helicopters I just think they're they're definitely way more dangerous yes but they just I'd seem more fun

because you can just kind of go where you want the aerodynamics are insane absolutely that you also do your photographer right yeah yeah I am so how did you get into that line of work Yeah, I would. Mine is very unconventional for probably most photographers. Yeah. My career has kind of been up and down. And about five years ago, right, when I was like doing the interviews, was when I started photography because I had gone to Hawaii, or to friends like little point and shoot camera.

Because I think at that time I had like an iPhone five, whatever, you know. And just wanted something to document it and kind of had this little inkling. that was like, why don't you just try this? And why I thought that I should do that in the middle of COVID? I have no idea. But here we are. Perfect time. Perfect time.

I was like perfect timing, honestly. Yeah. How do you think the photography and that life would fit in with Taylor's? Is that something you're looking for? Someone creative? Yeah, for sure. I think it's actually all of the women that I've dated have been, have creative minds. And so it's fun because I think that when you have two creative minds,

together. Like the ideas just, oh, yeah, they just explode. It's so fun. So I think that that element would be really fun. And I think that, you know, the social media world in general is like the world is roister in some capacity. But I think that with photography, it's like you can make it look really fun and you can make it look professional and, you know, there's different elements involved. So I think as far as I know, she appreciates it. Yeah. Absolutely. Okay. Take us back to night one a little bit.

Obviously, you're going to have to tease some things. But what was, like, your fears coming into the whole experience and how well did you and the guys hit it off? I'm like, you and the guys. I'm like, you and the guys, too. Yeah. Right. I mean, you guys know. You guys get it. Yeah, it definitely was nerve-wracking. The feelings that you have, it's like at one moment, you're like, yeah, I'm chill. I'm good. This is like so fine. And then all of a sudden, you know, you're pulling up and you're like, what am I doing? What's going on here? It's the craziest moment when you first pull up. Like, no one can prepare you for it. Yeah. And it's hard to explain it.

you know, unless you'd like walk through it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I remember just like shaking. Yeah. Yeah.

Literally. I like, I pulled up and was so calm and then, you know, saw Taylor and my mind just flatlined. And I was like, what just happened with all my thoughts? But then. Yeah. Yeah. Then you recalibrate as quick as you can and ends up being fine. But yeah, then walking into the house, it's like you're anticipating.

a different type of personality clashing, meshing, and you don't know what it's going to be like and who you're going to vibe with or if you're going to vibe with anybody or if you're just going to be alone. And I think that this cast is, like, everyone was so genuine and mature, so to say. I think that's honestly because of,

the age bracket, that there's just a lot of guys that have lived life and understand things. And so it was refreshing. Yeah. Heart Radio is throwing it back. To the days of huge hits and unforgettable items. A non-stop stream of the biggest and best. Drake, Rihanna, Beyonce, Katie Gaga, the weekend. And more.

All your decade defining favorites all in one place. Hi, it's Katie Perry. Hey, it's Bruno Mars. This is Kesha. Find 2010's The Decade on the free IHeart Radio app. Preset the station, so it's always one tab away. There's two golden rules that any man should live by. Rule one, never mess with a country girl.

You play stupid games, you get stupid prizes. And rule two, never mess with her friends either. We always say that trust your girlfriends. I'm Anna Sinfield. In this new season of The Girlfriends, Oh my God, this is the same man. A group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist. I felt like I got hit by a truck.

I thought, how could this happen to me? The cops didn't seem to care. So they take matters into their own hands. I said, oh, hell no. I vowed. I will be his last target. He's going to get what he deserves. Listen to the Girlfriends.

Trust me, babe. On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I don't you. What's up, everyone? I'm Ego Wode. My next guest, you know from Step Brothers Anchorman,

Saturday Night Live, and the Big Money Players Network. It's Will Ferrell. Woo, woo, woo, woo, woo. My dad gave me the best advice ever. I went and had lunch with them one day, and I was like, and dad, I think I want to really give this a shot.

I don't know what that means, but I just know the groundlings. I'm working my way up through, place that come look for up and coming talent. He said, if it was based solely on talent, I wouldn't worry about you, which is really sweet. Yeah. He goes, but there's so much luck involved. And he's like, just give it a shot.

He goes, but if you ever reach a point where you're banging your head against the wall and it doesn't feel fun anymore, it's okay to quit. If you saw it written down, it would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat. Just hang in there. Yeah, it would not be... Right, it wouldn't be that. There's a lot of luck. Listen to Thanks, Dad, on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I feel like it was a little bit unbelievable until I really start making money. It's Financial Literacy Month, and the podcast, Eating While Broke is bringing real conversations about money, growth, and building your future. This month, hear from top streamer, Zoe Spencer, and venture capitalist Lakeisha Landrum-Pierre, as they share their journeys from starting out to leveling up. If I'm outside with my parents and they're seeing all these people come up to me for pictures, it's like, what? Today now, obviously, it's like 100%.

They believe everything. But at first, it was just like, you got to go get a real job. There's an economic component to community striving. If there's not enough money and entrepreneurship happening in communities, they fail. And what I mean by fail is they don't have money to pay for food. They cannot feed their kids. They do not have homes. Communities don't work unless there's money.

flowing through them. Listen to Eating While Broke from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of IHard Media, and I'm kicking off a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Magic, stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. Math and Magic takes you behind the scenes of the biggest businesses and industries while sharing insights from the smartest minds in marketing. I'm talking to leaders from the entertainment industry to finance and everywhere in between.

This seasonal math and magic, I'm talking to CEO of Liquid Death Mike Cesario, financier and public health advocate Mike Milken, take two interactive CEO, Strauss-Zalny. If you're unable to take meaningful creative risk and therefore run the risk of making horrible creative mistakes, then you can't play in this business. Sesame Street CEO Sherry Weston and her own chief business officer, Lisa Coffey. Making consumers see the value of the human voice

and to have that guaranteed human promise behind it really makes it rise to the top. Listen to math and magic, stories from the frontiers of marketing on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. So did you hit it off with the guys as well then? Do you have any really close friends from the house? Yeah, I definitely, I hit it off pretty early with Shane. And then guys like Aaron, Aaron, I feel like everyone hit it off with Aaron because he's just such a kind guy.

And then Christopher, there was a moment on the first night that he, you know, he just made me feel really seen by everybody. And that was like, he didn't have to do, but it was really sweet. And it was in that moment that I was like, wow, yeah, this is a real one right here. And then kindred souls, like Doug, Doug and I. surfers and from the coastal cities and just yeah have a lot in common so there's a few fun fun ones well hopefully we get to see it we keep saying we're like fingers crossed i know right aren't we all i always love seeing the dynamics play out of just the friendships i think it's like if obviously

the love story is the most beautiful but the friendships are equally as important and it's always so interesting to see how they how they form during the season so absolutely and hopefully we get to hear more of your story but if we don't and as much as you want to talk about if you're comfortable are you able to tell us anything about your story of your hearing loss yeah um i appreciate it it's definitely uh obviously a large part of my life and what how it's affected me uh but it was an accident that happened when I was 14 years old. And as you have field day in high school, it's like the fun day, you know, that everybody experiences. And for whatever reason, I think it was like a competition between the grades, the high school grades. They were handing out fake roses,

which is ironic because of, yeah. And so one of my friends was kind of poking around my ear with it, sort of tickle. And I flinched. and it just went all the way down inside. And so it was really hard because immediately, like, I felt out of the ground. And ironically enough, I just talked to my mom like a few weeks ago for the first time in 22 years about her experience with it because it was so traumatic for her because she was there. She saw it happen. And so she.

she shared, you know, details with it about it with me that were like, I'd just forgotten and moved past or shoved down. And it was tough because obviously my body kind of went into shock and I couldn't hear anything. Couldn't stand. All my equally room was out of whack. And so So she was the one that actually took me to the hospital and had an ER surgery right away. And then the doctors after the surgery came out and looked at my parents and said, so he's not going to peer in that year ever again for the rest of his life. He's going to have trouble walking for the rest of his life. And he'll never play any sports ever again.

Oh, my gosh. So as you can imagine, I think that just sent my parents. parents into hysterical mode. And obviously that ended up not being the case. Yeah, you're surfing now? That's amazing. Yeah. Well, and I think there was a sweet moment in high school.

I ended up not playing sports the next three years of freshman, sophomore, junior year. Because it just kind of, it threw me off just mentally. And so then I went out my senior year. year and I was like, I'm going to play football. And my parents were like, you're crazy. You haven't played sports in three years. What are you doing? Like, you're going to sit the bench. And then I ended up starting at running back and breaking records for the school at the time. And it was a sweet moment, I think, for my parents. Because I didn't think anything twice about it. But for them, I think it was really sweet. Oh, my gosh. But it's definitely led into difficulties in life up to this point.

of being in large settings or dinner tables and concerts or house parties or friend events. And it's really tough because I can feel left out and not able to contribute to conversations. I wish that I had like a, you know, captions over people's heads all the time. But it's definitely shaped me more into who I am and giving me more comfort. in myself. And I think at the end of the day, it's something that I'm now trying to just be more vocal about because I realize that there is a massive community of people that struggle with that and struggle with all of the things that come with hearing loss and insecurity. And for a long time, I didn't know that because I was the only person that I knew that couldn't hear out of one ear or both ears or whatever.

So I kind of felt like on an island for a long time. Yeah. I want to ask, how is navigating in the mansion and in that setting where there's so much going on? Because I know that it can be really overwhelming and there's people talking in all different directions. Yeah. It was okay at times, other times when we're in. side and sound is bouncing off walls. It could be really hard.

And, you know, I would try and if there was like a group of guys talking, I'd come up or I'd be in the conversation. But it's always just tough when there's so much noise trying to get into one side. And so having to latch on to words and conversations, that's the hardest part sometimes is not being able to piece together. full sentences. So I might like get a gist of an idea, but I'll miss out on an inside joke or I'll miss out on a specific detail. And, you know, it's, I'm not as much afraid anymore, if you will, to just keep being like, what, what, what, what you say? But I think it is, it is tough when people don't understand that, that then you just keep asking what. And then some people have patience for some people don't yeah i was going to ask if you don't mind me asking um was there ever a point

where you disclose that to like the guys in the cast or even taylor herself about your hearing loss yeah um i i did it was in certain situations um it's not something that i just start out with always yes yeah yeah uh but you know there's an incident uh i say an incident just a situation where I was on the couch talking with, I don't know who, I don't remember who it was, but I, um, they were sitting on my left side. And then I, about halfway through the conversation, I was like, I'm so sorry to do this. Can we switch seats? sides. And part of the fun of that sometimes is like seeing the look on people's faces like, that's weird. Why would you want to switch seats? Um, but then being like, I can't hear I was here. And I'm like piecing together.

your words, but, and I've, you know, I've understood most of it, but it would be really helpful if we could just switch. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I really appreciate you sharing this story with us. I mean, I'm sure it was a difficult time, but hopefully you had moments where you were able to calibrate and just get everything together. So thank you again for sharing. Oh, yeah, thanks for asking. It's, it's fragile in some capacity, but it's also not something. to shy away from because it makes me part of who I am and it's also an opportunity to hopefully be of some sort of influence or light and you know having a voice for other people that might feel left out or feel those same things that I felt so absolutely I think it's so important and

honestly just even doing something like this and like being able to share your story it's like you're representing so many people like you said that go through similar situations. So thank you again for hearing that. Well, it reminds me of people like Daisy Kent and Abigail. I was going to say Daisy. I was going to say, yeah, Genevieve, one of my best friends on my season, she lost her hearing in her right ear. And I remember on our season, she'd have to be like, oh, can you come over to this side? She never talked about it. And I'm like, I wish you would have said more. And I think it could have helped people. So, like, very glad that you are able to do that. Yeah, thanks.

I appreciate you asking. Okay, we could keep talking. And we are. We're going to play our hot seat game. I was going to say, is that good with you? Well, let's bring it on. We'll see how I do. Yeah, it's basically just like rapid fire prom.

So it's just going to, like, be able to show us a little more of your personality. So they're pretty easy. Yeah, yeah. No approach. Bring it on. Bring it on. Okay. He's ready.

So Richard, you have said that you have a version to herb herbs, herbs, like cilantro and parsley. Do you have any other unique food preferences or dislikes that we should know about? I don't love anchovies, which is, okay, because I feel like most people that live on the coast are like, yeah, they're like my favorite thing. And I'm like, you're weird. Like, why would you like that? Tend fish is having a moment right now. It really is. It really is.

Yeah. So just that and cilantro. So interesting. And parsley? Did you just have a bad moment with the food and that's how it developed? You would think. But no, I like, well, it's like a whole study that's been done that the enzymes, some people's enzymes break it down differently.

So it tastes like I'm eating a bar of soap. And I'm like, that just like it just totally ruins whatever dish that it's, that it's, in and so I always ask for it without. Yeah. Absolutely. Okay. So no anchovies, no cilantro, no parsley. Okay, we're good. Moving on. Okay. Okay. What is the one thing people might not know about you? Yeah. Yeah, that's a good one. I think, well, I can't say, you know, I'm deaf on my left ear because we already covered that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's always hard when people put, you on the spot. They're like, tell me a fun fact. I'm like, I don't know. I know. I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, that is my fun fact. I went on the bachelor. Yeah, right. I know. Well, I feel like I've been

posting more about this, like on my social, so maybe not everybody, but I've never been a runner. Like, I was fast in high school, but that was it. I did not want to run. It was like, this is the worst. Why would anybody want to do this? And I have since become a runner. And So I'm now like six, nine, 13 miles and like an eight minute pace. So I'm like, you know, tapping my shoulder, if you will. So you can coach me for the New York City marathon. I was going to say anything for the marathon? Because I'm coaching now, by the way.

I've always been fast too. I wanted to run track in high school, but I was a cheerleader. And I just like, I hate running. But there's something about it that I'm like, I want to get past this like mental hurdle of like why do I associate? like pain with running when I know it's like so therapeutic and it's healing for so many people. I'm like I want to get there. I do.

Yeah. It's so true though. It's like the mental block. I think that's the biggest thing. But then once you push faster, you're like, how far can I go now? No, literally. And I'm like, I want to just experience that. Yeah.

So amazing for you. Yeah. Hopefully we see both running a marathon. Yeah, yeah. We'll sign up together. Yeah, I was like, you come to the New York City one. Yeah, yeah. This is actually a fun fact.

You need to tell us about your shark tooth hunting and everything that that entails, because I've never found a shark tooth, but I always look. Well, can I grab something in the background? No, us. Of course. We love a prop. This is amazing. Because I was not expecting this question.

See, we're full of surprises. Full of surprises. So this is a big jar. full of sharp teeth. Oh my gosh. Wait. Oh, they're so many. That is so cool.

Yeah, it's just, I don't know if you can see that. You found all of those? I'm like, he's in the water. That's amazing. It's something that I grew up doing with my mom specifically, which was really fun. And in Charleston specifically, there are. certain islands like the East Coast is made up of some barrier islands. And so these islands, for whatever reason, just have a bunch of shark teeth that you can,

you know, you got to have a boat. You got to have some sort of access to get there. But, you know, it's part of the fun because they're mixed in with a bunch of shells. So you're like, you really got to look for it. But once you learn how to spot a shark teeth, it's just repetition. Oh my gosh. That's so cool. Do you have a favorite one?

I do. I actually, no spoilers per se, but I don't have it anymore. You gave it to Taylor? You didn't hear me say that. Oh, I love. Oh, my gosh. Wait, this is the cutest thing I've ever heard. I wish someone brought me a sharks, dude.

Like that night, what? I'll bring you one. I'll have souvenirs from the wrong. people. Yes. I'm like, I can't, I don't think I got any gifts. I can't remember. I got a magic show. That's what I got, night one. I'm scary. Hey, that's fun, right? That was my present. Oh, my gosh. Well, this has been amazing. Thank you so much, Richard, for sharing your journey and for being so open with us. We appreciate it so much. Yeah, this has been so fun. Thanks for having me. And your questions are great. Y'all are great. Y'all are fun. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, before we wrap,

Is there anything that you want to share with our listeners, our audience, Bachelor Nation, anything? Yeah, I think that, you know, my biggest thing is, like, I love encouraging people. And so, like, part of that's part of what my social is. Obviously, I have photography and I have funny stuff, but, like, I also love encouraging people. And so I think my biggest thing is, like, if you're, everyone struggles with things. So if like you're struggling with something, you know, deep, it's like, just remember you're not alone. And there's somebody else that's out there that's right there with you. And all it takes is just one person to change your life.

I love that. Where can we find you on social medias for our listeners? It's just my name, Richard Vanderwater, which is a mouthful. But, yeah, you can type it out, you'll find me. I love it. It's such a cool name. Yes, give them a follow. Oh, thanks.

You can see some of his shark teeth journeys and more. Thank you so much for being here. And crossing our fingers, we get to see some more of you in the future. This won't be the last. Yes. Happy hour, very, very soon. Yes. I'm Cynthia Lois.

And I'm Josie Dye. And we're done pretending we have it all figured out. Each week, we laugh, cry, and talk our way through life's messiest moments. The things you think about but would never say out loud. The questions you are always too shy to ask. Relationships, regrets, awkward moments and the stuff no one warns you about. It's honest, it's funny,

and sometimes it gets a little uncomfortable. But that's kind of the point. This is Cynthia and Josie's Unmentionables. Listen on the free I-Heart Radio app or wherever you get your podcasts. There's two golden rules that any man should live by. Rule one, never mess with a country girl.

You play stupid games, you get stupid prizes. And rule two, never mess with her frenzy We always say that trust your girlfriends. I'm Anna Sinfield, and in this new season of the girlfriends, Oh my God, this is the same man. A group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist. I felt like I got hit by a truck. I thought, how could this happen to me?

The cops didn't seem to care, so they take matters into their own hands. I said, oh, hell no. I vowed, I will be his last target. He's going to get what he deserves. Listen to the girlfriends. Trust me, babe. On the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm at you. What's up, everyone? I'm Ago Wodam. My next guest, you know from Step Brothers Anchorman, Saturday Night Live, and the Big Money Players Network. It's Will Ferrell. My dad gave me the best advice ever.

I went and had lunch with them one day, and I was like, and Dad, I think I want to really. give this a shot. I don't know what that means, but I just know the groundlings. I'm working my way up through, and I know it's a place that come look for up and coming talent. He said, if it was based solely on talent, I wouldn't worry about you, which is really sweet. He goes, but there's so much luck involved. And he's like, just give it a shot. He goes, but if you ever reach a point where you're banging your head against the wall and it doesn't feel fun anymore, it's okay to quit.

If you saw it written down, it would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat. Just hang in there. Yeah, it would not be. Right, it wouldn't be that. There's a lot of luck. Listen to Thanks Dad on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I feel like it was a little bit unbelievable until I really start making money.

It's Financial Literacy Month, and the podcast Eating While Broke is bringing real conversations about money, growth, and building your future. This month, hear from top streamer, Zoe Spencer, and venture capitalist Lakeisha Landrum Pierre, as they share their journeys from starting out to leveling up. If I'm outside with my parents and they're seeing all these people come up to me for pictures, it's like, what? Today now, obviously, it's like 100%. They believe everything.

But at first, it was just like, you got to go get a real job. There's an economic component to communities thriving. If there's not enough money and entrepreneurship happening in communities, they fail. And what I mean by fail is they don't have money to pay for food. They cannot feed their kids. They do not have homes. Communities don't work unless there's money flowing through them. Listen to eating while broke from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of IHeartMedia, and I'm kicking off a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Magic, Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. Math and Magic takes you behind the scenes of the biggest businesses and industries while sharing insights from the smartest minds and marketing. I'm talking to leaders from the entertainment industry to finance and everywhere in between. This seasonal math and magic, I'm talking to CEO of Liquid Death Mike Sassario, financier and public health advocate, Mike Milken. Take-2 interactive CEO, Strauss-Zalnik. If you're unable to take meaningful creative risk and therefore run the risk of making horrible creative mistakes, then you can't play in this business. us. Sesame Street CEO, Sherry Weston, and our own chief business officer, Lisa Coffey. Making consumers see the value of the human voice and to have that guaranteed human promise

behind it really makes it rise to the top. Listen to math and magic, stories from the frontiers of marketing on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Today's guest with us on a Bachelor Happy Hour is 28-year-old singer-slash-songwriter from Nashville. Everybody welcome at Clayton. Hi. Hey guys. And listen, Rachel, you can call me any name you want. You know, it's called me by my first name. I was going to say I have a bit of trauma. So going through the cast list, immediately I was like, I don't know. I didn't know how to feel. Trust miss. I saw that first the reaction video to the cast reveal. Hopefully you have a redemption arc for all Clayton's of the world. Because we need, really. Charity, thank you for saying I was 28 years

old. I'm a little bit older than that, so I'm just going to rock with what you said. It's totally just let the world think that. Okay, then we'll go with it. He's 28. He's 28. He'll be 20 on next year. Oh my goodness. I'm so excited to talk to you guys. I've been looking forward to this. You guys are the sweetest. I've been watching your stuff since before I was on the show. So thank you for having me. Oh my gosh. I'm so excited to have you here. Before we get into anything, we've been starting off these episodes, just kind of asking, and checking in with everyone and how are you feeling it's just been such a crazy time it's been it's been a whirlwind um first and foremost uh rachel i hope you're doing okay i know you were dealing

with some family stuff i'm really starting to know it's a lot to jump into something like this immediately after and shift that mindset so thank you sincerely thank you i appreciate that of course you're welcome um as you can imagine it's just been a crazy whirlwind i don't think i've ever had that many texts or phone calls in my entire life You know, when the news first broke that it was going to be canceled or at least pause, I think there's a lot of emotions, obviously, all over the place. The video comes out and you have some confusion, a little bit of sadness, too, just seeing what happened. We obviously knew what it happened, but I think once you see a visual of it, it makes it very real.

And, you know, the best case scenario to go on a show like this is to find your forever person, right? to find that love that you've been dreaming about. And the worst case scenario is to make long-lasting friends, to go on adventure of a lifetime, and to be able to share your story and your journey with the world and for your friends and family to see your growth and to see the whole journey that you're on. So I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some frustration

and a little bit of anger too. But I think as a songwriter, I wear my emotions on my sleeve really heavy. So for me, I allow myself to just feel what I'm feeling. and then shed it. Just get rid of it. And I'm at peace now. Everything's good. But I think it's really important and really healthy to allow yourself to go through those feelings and go, you know, as opposed to holding it in and it boiling over. It was important for me to allow myself to feel what I was feeling and then just get past it. So I'm still very optimistic that the world is going to see

all of our stories. It's a pretty amazing season. I know I'm biased, but it's pretty incredible. That's what we've been hearing. So we obviously are, you know, hope that. in reading for all of you guys. But I'm curious, how did you even get on the show? How did you step into this world? Yeah, you know, I've been a fan of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette for years. I watched it with my mom. I've had ex-girlfriends who are big fans,

and I always said, hey, I'll just watch one episode with you. Next thing, I know I'm binge watching the entire thing. You're invested? You have a roster. You guys are like playing. Yes, so good. So much fun. the brackets. Oh, my goodness. Do you guys ever get those Facebook like the like five years ago

you said this or you posted this? Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know what I'm talking about? So yeah, yeah, yeah. Popped up for me since I filmed that said, man, I'd love to go on the bachelorette one day. Like two or three of those have popped up. You manifested this. Totally manifested it. So I was lucky enough, you know, I've actually been reached out to by the producers a couple times over the years and, you know, for one reason or another, things didn't work out. They called me one day and said, I have a girl that we think, you know, you would really hit it off with. So they told me it was Taylor. And, you know, another reason I felt like it was a safe option and something to jump into, at a mutual friend with Taylor that a couple years ago actually tried to set us up.

Wait, who is it? Do we know them? Is it one of the Mormon lines? Her name is McKinley. We had met. I do music and she was in my music video years ago. And apparently she had done a couple of things with mom talk at the very beginning. But she had reached out to me a couple of years ago and said, hey, I have this friend Taylor. I think you guys would hit it off. You should slide in her DM. So it's pretty crazy, such a small world.

Wait, did you slide into her DMs? I'm not, I think there's a misconception with musicians that were really good at that kind of stuff. I'm not. You're not a DM slider? I'm not, I'm not good at it. So I just didn't hit her up. So to come full circle and to all of a sudden have an opportunity. I felt like maybe this was meant to be.

And to have the comfort of knowing my friend already thought that we'd be a good match. Yeah. And I'm all about adventures. So I was like, let's do this thing. Nothing else has worked out in my past. So best case scenario, like I said, I find my forever person. Worst case scenario, I have amazing stories and friends for life. Absolutely.

So we know that you're a singer, songwriter, musician, typically in the bachelor world, that can come with kind of a stigma. I know that they're not there for the right. right reasons. What do you have to say with all that? It's so funny. Dating has actually been really hard for me as a musician because there are so many stigmas with that. I think it takes a very secure person to be with somebody who is on the road or is in the public eye, even on the small capacity that I am. But I think being in country music, I look at to artists like Thomas Rhett and Russell Dickerson, who are such amazing family men who are proud of their wives, proud of their kids.

And adoption's always been really heavy on my heart. And to see their stories and stuff, too, I relate to those artists so much. So I totally understand why there's those those those those those stigmas there. But for me, you know, that's not who I am and what I'm about. So hopefully, you know, you guys will get to know me on the show and it comes out. And we can break not only the stigma of musicians, but stigma of Clayton's here too. Yes. No, truly.

I'm like, you got to rewrite the story for all of us. Please. You guys were hard on me at first, okay? We were. We were going through some things that day. We were hard on you. Give us a little bit of grace. Yes, your friends were riding for you in the comments.

They're like, Rachel, I love that. You have all the support. Yes. So we are hopefully excited to see your journey. You talked a little bit about dating. In Nashville, what is that? Like, our friends who live there say it is so hard to date. It's really hard.

Yeah. I'm coming from the L.A. world. And I thought L. dating was really rough. And then you get out there. It's like a mini LA in a lot of ways. And you need somebody out and about or, you know, in the real world, come to find out they're just here for the weekend or, you know, they're just here for a Basterrette party or things like that. So dating and national has not been successful for me. I've also been pretty dialed in and focused on career stuff. My biggest dream outside of the music stuff is to be

a father and a family man and a provider for my family. And in order to do that, that I need to get to a certain place financially specifically with my music. So that's really where I've been dialed in. I've been going on dates here and there, but, you know, nobody that's really caught my attention yet. I'm hoping my love changes here soon. But that's why I jumped at the chance to go on the show. Nothing else has worked for me.

And why not go on an adventure and see if maybe she was my person? Amazing. Okay, so take us back to night one just a little bit. I'm curious to know what was your first. impression of Taylor and of the guys. Obviously, I'm sure it's very, it's a lot. I love people. I think I'm also a little bit of a mysterious guy too. I like to sit and watch everybody as opposed to being the loudest one in the room. I am. I think that's important. I heard like a quote that the leader of a pack of lines sits in the back as opposed to leading in the front. So you're a leader.

like to observe. I wouldn't say that, but I, you know, I'm not going to be the loudest in the room. I'm very outgoing and I love people and I love, you know, making new friendships. But I think specifically in a situation like that coming in and just kind of observing and watching everybody. For sure. So important. It was, it was a night for sure. A night we won't forget. I mean, Taylor looks gorgeous. She had this beautiful green dress on. So my favorite color, if you can't tell. And she was just so sweet. I had nothing. but good things to say about her. I love that. Being in the house is so crazy and I feel like we're just experiencing so many emotions. Were you able to channel that into any songs while you were

in the house? I'm not going to lie. Like I said, I can be emotional in the aspect of I feel pretty heavy. I'm very emotionally aware. So you're away from your family, your friends. I was away from my dog. You know, I didn't have a guitar for a little bit there. So to be away from all the things that I kind of used to deal with some of my emotions being in a new place. It was a little tough for me. But I did. I brought a notebook. Eventually, I got a guitar and was able to channel a lot of that into songs. And I mean, that's the beautiful thing about music because it's so therapeutic. And that's why I got it to begin with is on hard days, on amazing days, songs have gotten me through a lot. So to be able to write songs that hopefully people can relate to as well and feel

something. Like, that is the dream of a songwriter for sure. Yeah. I love. Well, I hope we get to speak it. Yeah. Oh, sorry, Rachel. Oh, I mean, I'm on the edge of my seat for this question. I'm perched on the edge also.

You already know. Well, guys, that's all for today's episode. But there is more with Clayton coming, and you are not going to want to miss it because we are asking him about his former relationship with Lana Dill Ray. Tune in tomorrow to hear all about it. See you guys soon. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Kunky, his best friend, and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 podcast.

I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart, radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you're watching the latest season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you already know there's a lot to break down.

Gorsha accusing Kelly of sleeping with a merry man. They holding Kay Michelle back from fighting Drew. Pinky has financial issues. On the podcast, Reality with the King, I, Carlos King, recap the biggest moments from your favorite reality shows, including the Real House Wise franchise, the drama, the alliances and the T everybody's talking about. To hear this and more, listen to Reality with the King on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

On a recent episode of the podcast, Money and Wealth with John Ho Bryant, I sit down with Tiffany the budgetista Aliche to talk about what it really takes to take control of your money. What would that look like in our families if everyone was able to pass on wealth to the people when they're no longer here? We break down budgeting for that. financial discipline and how to build real wealth starting with the mindset shifts. Too many of us were never, ever taught.

If you've ever felt you didn't get the memo on money, this conversation is for you to hear more. Listen to Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant from the Black Effect Network on the I'd Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Ernest, what's up? Look, money is something we all deal with, but financial literacy is what helps turn income into real wealth. On each episode of the podcast, Earn Your Leisure,

we break down the conversations you need to understand money, investing, and entrepreneurship. From stocks and real estate to credit, business, and generational wealth, our goal is simple. Make financial literacy accessible for everyone. Because when you understand the system, you can start to build within it. Open your free iHeart radio app.

Search Earn Your Leisure and listen now. This is Julian Edelman, host of Games with Names. On our latest episode, we got comedian, Blake Anderson from workaholics and the hilarious This is Important podcast. Let's go. We did beat them in improv. You had an improv against the team? Yes, we would pull up their schools

would be there with signs for us. It's competition. What you would win is a bottle of gold slager. James Fester threw it out of a van because he didn't want us drinking it. For more games with names, visit the IHeart Radio app or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast.

Guaranteed Human.