Bachelor Happy Hour - Serena & Bri on Hometowns and Loving Their Michelle!

Episode Date: December 1, 2021

This week, Michelle’s besties stop by “Bachelor Happy Hour” to chat with Becca and Tayshia about surprising the beloved Bachelorette in Minnesota and everything she told them after her Hometown dates! In this girl chat, nothing is off the table. Serena and Bri discuss who they thought Michelle was leaning towards after meeting the families, who they can’t wait to see in the hot seat at “Men Tell All,” and their thoughts on whether Michelle gets engaged at the end of her journey. Plus, they share their advice for whichever lucky man is at the end with Michelle and also give an update on what is going on in both of their love lives!   Then, the girls play a fun game of “Michelle, Serena, or Bri,” and Becca and Tayshia break down all the dramatic moments from this week’s much-anticipated Hometown dates.   “Bachelor Happy Hour” has exclusive interviews every week. Watch “The Bachelorette” on ABC and listen to “Bachelor Happy Hour” the next morning.  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.

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Make sure to listen to this episode of Politics on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back, happy hour listeners. You know, we are back now. We're fresh. I hope everybody had a fun Thanksgiving, whether you spent time with family or with friends. I hope you were able to relax and not have too much of a food coma. But I'm excited to be back with you, Tasha, because we had a big week.

Hometowns is so serious. So we have to get into everything. I can't wait to recap this one with you. I know. But in addition to hometowns, we also have two of Michelle's best friends off the episode today, which I'm so excited to pick their brains and just talk to them. Like, your girls know you best. You know what I mean?

And they get the situation. They can give us the real tea. So we're going to have Bree and Serena on today's episode as well. So I don't know. It's going to be a fun one. It's going to be good. We love our girl gangs here. I can't wait to have them come on because like you said, they know Michelle so well, like they knew her prior to her being the bachelorette. So they kind of knew, I'm sure, how she prepped, how she got mentally ready for this role. But before we get into that, let's dive into hometowns. Because as I mentioned, it's a serious week. I would say, as you know, being a past bachelorette. Like, this is really where it hits, pun intended, home where you're meeting families. Like at this point, like the fun of

kind of over and now it's actually time to get down and dirty and serious to see who's family you could actually see yourself living with and being involved with for potentially a lifetime. Yeah, it's a total reality check. Like, it's like, this has been fun. I've been making out with all y'all and this has been a cute, like, cool girl summer. But then it's like, wait, but I'm taking y'all home. And mom and dad are like, they're the real deal. They're the real deal. And they want to know. you know, like how does their son stack up to the other guys? And, you know, like, and they all want to hear that their son is the one. They want to hear that he's the top contender. But that's not

always the case. You know, it's hard to juggle for relationships and then add on families, parents, siblings, sometimes friends. It's a lot. So let's get into it. And we should just start from the beginning because Brandon started off hometowns solid. I thought it was the perfect date. perfect guy, perfect family to kick off the week of hometowns with because they've always had such a good relationship. Right, right, right. And his family just seemed so solid. Like she felt like right at the top of this week that like this is working. She could see herself in with this family. Well, definitely felt, I think, for me, I think I got a sense of her thinking it could be like home. Absolutely. Her parents, his parents were absolutely amazing. She clicked with his dad right off the

bad. And like you were saying, we were talking earlier, you were saying, like, I thought they were going to be, like, best friends at the end of it all. But I just think there's something about Brandon, you can just tell he comes from a, like, a really good home and, like, parents that he's able to, like, actually talk about life with since a young age and has just, it's a really loving home. And I think if that's something you want in a partner, and Michelle felt that, which I think she even mentioned, like, he kind of came out of nowhere. and okay two things about this hometown one is like and we've chatted about this before too i know is like we kind of wrote brandon off a little bit like i honestly i'll be the first one i think it's a baby face

you know what i mean i think he's the baby face you kind of just don't think he's like or he's kind of quiet yeah quiet very well spoken but like such a smooth talker which she ever said like right away she's like oh I wrote him off because he was so smooth I like didn't think he was you know being totally real with me she thought he was putting it on the front which I so appreciate the fact that she's kept him around and we've got to know him more and more because that's not the case like yes he is a smooth talker but he genuinely is invested in her and in the relationship and it's fun to see this slow fire burn brighter but they seem like they are as you just mentioned a little bit of best friends like they just had this solid

friendship foundation that upon that they have this now emotional physical connection to which I think it makes for a lasting relationship he surprised her he surprised her in a very pleasant way well he surprised her so much that she told him she's falling in love with him which I was shocked I mean that's not something we see too often is she no he didn't even say it first when they were sitting there at the end she was the one to vocalize it and I was like Michelle's into this guy he's going far um also shout out to brandon's brother who pushed his military sin back just to meet her to see how his brother interacts with this potential fiancee and i thought that was incredible so shout out to the brother there um that was a big bold move but hopefully

it paid off um then we get into the next couple hometowns we had who was next rodney rodney was next Rodney, of course, really had to bring it full circle. Mr. Granny Smith himself had to take Michelle Apple picking, which is a very Minnesota fall activity. I love that. I love their playfulness together, but as I'm watching this, I can tell she is more invested in the other relationships. I think on every level than with Rodney, which I love Rodney, but I kind of knew at that point, I was like, oh, especially especially when when she met the parents and the mom who I loved give me more Rodney's mom she kept his mom is MVP yes MVP she's logical she she obviously loves her son so much but she was still trying

to keep him grounded yeah like look there's three other guys here you don't know how you stack up and so which I think is a very you know I'm not a mother but a very parental thing to do it's like you want to see your child, I'm sure, succeed and fly and be in love and be happy, but you also don't want them to get hurt. Right. Well, him and his mom obviously have a really close connection. You can just tell that. And I just love the fact that she can be real with him, but also trust him to make a decision. I really do feel like Michelle likes Rodney because he feels, and this is not in a bad way. And I guess when people feel like they feel safe, it could be taken in a a bad way. But no, I feel like he definitely is a solid guy that makes her laugh when she's down.

However, you can definitely tell that she's a little bit more emotionally invested in everybody else. Which is so sad. I know. But, listen, big things will come for Rodney. I have no doubt, which then, you know, it was pulled towards Joe the next day because we see him in his hometown, which I know, which is so weird to me. And I was really hoping. Okay. don't be wrong. The prom date was very precious. He really listened when she talked about, you know, she was picked last or asked last to prom when she was in high school. But I was like, come on, Joe, this is your time to shine. You live in this state. You've grown up in this state. Michelle has grown up in this state. Like really wow us with your Minnesota knowledge here.

And this was his time. This was his time. And he kind of, he kind of dropped the ball for me a little bit. You know, we get into Joe's family, which now I see where he gets his. his strong, silent demeanor from, I will say. A family of, I would say, very few words. Very few words. But, you know, this is good for her to see kind of where he gets from, how he grew up, what that family dynamic would be like, which I thought was very important. But it also kind of, I don't know, I feel like, correct me if I'm wrong.

Are a lot of, are you called Minnesotians? Minnesonians. What? Minnesotans. Okay, I can't say that. Whatever. We just call you minnows, okay, you're minnows. We're little minnows.

Yeah, your little minnows. Y'all are kind of laid back, I feel like. A lot more chill. Am I right or am I wrong? No, I mean, I would say, yeah, we're very, shout out to all my Minnesotans. I love you all so much. We are much more relaxed, very slow-paced Minnesota

compared to the big cities. It's a lot more chill. Y'all are just like a little bit more. Yeah, we're not in a rush. We like to enjoy the little things in life. I'm picking that up. I'm picking that up. Okay.

And then we go on to last hometowns with Mr. Nate, which I can kind of see why they waited for this hometown for the last. Because there was a comment made that, you know, Nate might not be ready at the end of this. So, of course, it keeps us on our toes, and it keeps Michelle kind of playing this guessing game. But Nate's family and this conversation that dynamic, he went in being like, you know, we don't really express love. We're not very touchy-feely. We're kind of, you know, guarded, closed off.

But he had a breakthrough moment with his family members. And especially, I believe it was his stepdad, I want to say, where they finally exchanged, I love yous with each. other which which is huge which is so huge baffling to me because I grew up in a totally different dynamic where we've said it every two seconds but I thought it was very very sweet to see I thought it was obviously something he I don't even think he needed until he got it right but it was it was a really great breakthrough moment which I don't want to say it took away from him and Michelle in that in that evening but it kind of did I I feel like for Nate, especially, it kind of overshadowed everything else.

Yeah. I feel like his family needed, yeah, his family definitely needed that a little bit more than I think they even realize. And again, I think that that's just kind of, we've talked about this about what the show does. It really allows, it really makes you be vulnerable and like up front with the things that are in front of you. And I think for their family, especially Nate when he's on this journey of trying to find a wife. or his person that he wants to be with. It's kind of inevitable as a conversation. You sit down with your parents and like,

okay, so are you falling in love with this girl? Like it's kind of like you can't not, what are you to do? Just sit there and be like, the game was cool yesterday. Like, no, it really puts you in the position to kind of challenge yourself.

And as a family, if you're not used to doing that, it's a very emotional experience. And I think it was just so beautiful to be able to watch them have that breakthrough. And have Michelle also be a part of it. It's just, I don't know. I feel like that's,

like something that you can explain to someone, but to be there and feel it. And even for us to watch it, it was just something that was like very emotionally a part of. Yeah. It was a beautiful moment. And we, and I think it hit Nate. It struck Nate very hard. We have to get into our guests this week because two of our favorite girls will be joining us. You saw them on last night's episode for a hot second. I wanted more of them. But that's why we have them on Bachelor Happy Hour right now. So please, Tasha, Welcome, Serena and Brie with me. Hello, guys. Hello.

Welcome to Bachelor Happy Hour, you too. Serena, we haven't seen you since you and Joe joined us after Paradise is the newly engaged couple. And Bree, we haven't had you on yet. And you're somebody that I have been dying to talk to because I've heard nothing but incredible things from so many of our mutual friends. So I just want to check in with you both. Serena, if you want to start, how have you guys been? Sure. We've been good.

So good. Yeah, life's been more like we've been able to go out in public since last time you talked. And it feels like we have just some more like structure and normalcy to the relationship, which has been really nice. It's definitely made the long distance easier, not being confined to like hiding in his apartment every time I'm in Chicago. So, yeah, Joe's great, life's great. It's super busy, which can be a little draining. But overall, it's just we're very lucky to be busy. And it's been a lot of fun.

well we love following you and jo along on instagram and keeping up with you too it's been such such a blast for me just as a friend but how have you been making me hungry with all those food posts especially i i know i absolutely loved meeting joe i got to me joe for the first time the last time serena and him were in new york and it was i loved him he was my favorite for like my favorite like guy from bachelor nation ever since meeting him on clickbait and he's just even better on person so that was really

exciting and it's been awesome to see and i've just been yeah kind of traveling moving around a lot like i new york is really cold and i realize that i need sunshine to like stay sane and be nice to people so i have been um spending some time down in texas with my family and also in california with my boyfriend so it's been good I got a boyfriend. Wait, we're in California. Yeah. In San Francisco. So he, I still live in San Francisco and we actually met in San Francisco like pre-Bachelors. So that's how we know each other. So I'm very familiar with it. And that's where I go back. That's nice. I love that. I'm so happy to hear that. I'm so happy for you both. And trust me, I get it. Coming from somebody who grew up 28 years in Minnesota, I understand needing the sunshine and the warmth to.

be nice to people so I love that you I love that you said that all right well you too we obviously saw not enough of you on last night's episode but we love michel I know you too love michel so how do you think she's doing so far as the bachelorette and what are your thoughts on her season serena I'll let you go first okay so I mean our thoughts are probably going to be very similar but I think she's doing an amazing job to put it simply I mean I think that she just handles things so maturely and calmly and with such like poise and grace and strength like she has been put in a couple like very uncomfortable difficult positions with the men this season and it's always interesting I think to see how the lead handles it because every lead

I find has like their own style on handling the drama and the conflict and I find and I mean this in like the best way Michelle goes into, like, teacher mode. I am the boss. 100%. I'm going to control the situation. I'm going to handle it with respect and care. And we're going to, like, figure out what the problem is here. And she can, you know, sniff out all the BS.

And I just, I love it. Oh, my God. I hear what you're saying, but absolutely not. It's basically what she does. I was just about to say she's kind of in the perfect situation because she is a teacher and she can like I feel like so many times whenever you're spawning people in these environments and situations it feels like you're being like the bad top the principal the the mean teacher but it's perfect because that is Michelle and that's who she is and like

a little bit of a sense like sometimes they're acting like children so yeah it works out like who are the boys and who are the men yes exactly exactly exactly exactly and I'm sure you know this she has such a big, kind, caring, patient heart that not only has it been fun as a friend and as a viewer to watch her, you know, keep these men in line and be able to sift out the bullshit and to hold herself well, but she also does it in such a respectful way where it's not condescending, it's not rude, it's not putting anyone else down, it's just so respectful and to the point, which I think you two will really enjoy and men tell all. I think you two will, I think everybody

will really enjoy seeing how she handled herself on that stage in front of all of those men because there were times I was sitting back stage and I was cheering, shut up. I was clapping. I was screaming. I was like, that's our girl. So it was at the point where I was like sitting there because I really want to be like, speak on it. Like I wanted to just like, no. But I just like had to be like, it was just i kind of was in a whole other level of like you heard the girl you heard the girl i feel like she probably came into mentel all being like i've seen the behind the scene stuff now like i know all of your true intentions i know what people forget it's like everything's on

camera she's gonna see it it's so funny that they forget that yeah i can't wait to see her sitting there in front of all the men and being like i saw this i know this you're great you're sucked in the next way possible you can definitely tell when she has something to say too because she'll go mm-hmm it's like she's waiting for you to stop so she can tell you that's been like the biggest 180 from i think her season the season that we got to experience with her into her season like her stepping into her own season now was like before she was like very like just i felt like she just kind of was the receiver on all ends of everything that happened on the show but now she truthfully has like found her voice and is using it and with such grace and in the best

way possible where I'm just like she just owns this role so well. She just has this confidence about her, which I'm glad that you touch on Matt's season. Obviously that's where you all met. I'm pissed that Michelle was brought in week four because I feel like we were robbed of more time with her. but give us more background to your friendship like where it really formed how close you all have been since then like just give us more to to this I can't talk to this friendship of yours yeah yeah it was yeah I would say Michelle the funniest thing was that Michelle and I were not

actually as tight as we are while filming the season I mean Serena and I were like attached at the hip it felt like throughout the entire season especially having been like some of the earlier ones to receive one-on-ones and Michelle coming in afterwards and I definitely feel like she was kind of like robbed coming in in the middle of the season because as soon as you watch that episode back with her I was like oh wow

like Michelle is like a real competitor in this and I never felt that way on the show because she was so quiet and reserved and kept herself all the time but it really wasn't until we got back and Michelle called me and that was the first time where she remembers this so clearly but we were on the phone for like five hours and she told me that we were crying at one point

just on the phone to each other just like sobbing like trying to put the pieces of the puzzle back together and like figuring it all out that's where I think mine and Michelle's relationship like fully formed or having been in those two positions at the end yeah it's a different kind of bond being on this experience you know what I mean yeah like no one really gets it except for us girls And I know we always say that, but it's just, it's a totally different experience. And then when you come back home, if you're like, you don't even know how to explain it, but the only feel that get it is us and friendships form that are just so strong after the fact. Yeah.

Having somebody to lean on who's gone through it is the most helpful thing, I think, to get through it. She was that person for me, for sure. I really want to know what it was like. Okay, so they probably what, called you guys and were like, we need you to come see Michelle, surprise her, check in on our girl. And did you guys freak out? I want to know what that phone call is like and then what it was like having her open the door because she was shocked to see you guys.

She had no idea. It was a surprise. So tell me. Oh my God. When I was in paradise, I was like, how is Michelle? She's going to go? How are the men? Is it ready?

Like I had all these questions. And then we got back and it was like a three week period, I think, before she left. So we have a little bit of time altogether to chat. And then once she left, like, I just remember Brie and I being like, what is going on? What is she on? How many men are left? Like, trying to do the math in her head to figure out where she was at. I was like texting producers being like, tell me me me me.

And obviously they were like nothing. Like, please stop harassing us. Lose my number. Please lose my numbers, Trina. But no, it was so exciting. Like I remember texting Bray and she was like, I got the calls to and we just had a million theories about what we were going to be walking into and mostly just because we know how difficult it can get like going through it together the first time like knowing, you know, what mindset is she going to be in? Is she happy? Is she struggling?

Like I can only imagine how much she's been through at this point. So it was really exciting to see her and we just kind of went in with an open mind wanting to know every. and just be whatever she needed us to be at that time, whether it was like a cheerleader or a support system or a sounding board. We just went in being like, we want to give her as much as we can and the limited time we're going to have with her. And yeah, I think we were just really grateful to be there and excited and felt really good walking away hearing like how she was doing. When you finally were able to see her, was there any advice that you really wanted to give her? I mean, obviously you were all on that season together, but Serena, you were on Paradise,

so you kind of know this whole other added level of production and filming and just, you know, finding love in a different, unique way through the show. So was there any advice you gave her? Was there any red flags when she was talking about the men that you had? Like, was she very nervous, excited? Like, give us all of the good details. Yeah, for sure. I mean, I think she seemed really good.

I don't know if there was any red flags, if anything. It was like a green flag that she was so confident in like her decision making. Like she wasn't saying there being like, I don't know. I'm freaking out. Like obviously there's like the doubts and the uncertainty, like the naturalness of all that. But it wasn't like, oh my gosh, I feel like I've made mistakes or I feel like this has happened or I don't know. Like she was just very comfortable. Yeah.

Like would you agree really? She would just felt like comfortable where she was at and where she was going. could not agree more because I was so nervous going into it that she was going to be struggling. I don't know why we thought that. I guess because it's also so different being on the other side of things, which is where we enter, how we started. Also, I remember us by hometowns on the contestant side, like we were struggling. Yeah. It was like the struggle was. It's a stressful week. We were having our girl chats on the floor. Like it was at that point,

just chaotic and a mess. So being able to come in and just hearing her voice and like reading her body language and her again sounding as confident as she was, we were like, oh, great. We have just here as a support system to just tell her that, you know, to keep going to seeing our faces and feeling that comfort and having that vote of confidence, I think that's all that she really needed. and she was in a perfect situation that felt that sounded like.

I want to know, okay, you two, be honest with me because I actually had some girlfriends on my season come the same week you two came after all the hometown dates were done before I went into the roast ceremony and I was able to talk through the four guys left kind of what their families were like. I'm sure Michelle got very into detail

that we weren't able to see on the screen. So out of the four guys, whose team were you on? I know that you each were leaning towards somebody. You have to spill the tea here. I thought that she was very, like, head over heels for Nate and Joe. I could see that, yeah. I could see those two, too, Joe.

Okay. Yeah. What are you, Serena? I'm trying to remember. I remember thinking, like, Rodney sounded, like, she spoke about Rodney really highly but I wasn't sure if like the chemistry was there and I know she was like

yeah like he's an amazing like we have such a great a strong friendship and then yeah I remember thinking Joe but I think for me it was it was Brandon and Nate stood out to me because I know she said like the first impression rose and the first kiss went to Nate

and she is like a very pragmatic but she's also like a very instinctual person and I just felt like if that was like her first gut instinct like that was going to be really powerful for her yeah yeah and and maybe it's just me there's joe is so hard to read and like really get a sense of that and i maybe she felt that at times too but yeah it's interesting because we can all see she's had over heels for nate like she's very into nate there's no disagreeing about that but then brandon just has like this slow

burn where i feel like they have all like all these different categories that you would need to to make relationship work add on top of the fact that like his family was incredible she became BFFs with his dad like it just uh but i'm i'm actually very glad that you two were there to kind of help her through talk through things because it's one thing to do it you know with the producers when you're on the show but there's something different about being with girlfriends and just being able to like totally say any and everything let your guard down like she can rely on you i think that was so important for her uh did you guys sneak her anything when you were there, like, notes, can't be anything?

What little mysterious things did you guys do? I need to know. We did sneak her a little, a little note from some of the other girls from our season. I thought it was from like a guy or something. I was kind of bummed. No, I was going to say I'm kind of bummed. We didn't like think of anything crazier though. I know.

Well, yeah. It's hard, though. It's hard to get anything passed. We had like a little note from, well, yeah. I don't know. I think our thing was more like we had the little gift from Ryan from our season who is also really close to Michelle. So she had written a letter for her because she couldn't there. But I think our thing was like we're going to go and talk to her and I just don't know if they're going to let us bring her anything or give her anything. Well, we also just tried to extend the time for as long as possible. Because of anything you just selfishly wanted to stay there with her all day. As you should. As you should. wait i have one more question about the guys okay i'm sure michelle told you that because jo being from minnesota that they had you know previously conversed through dms or text whatever it was what were your thoughts when she told you that he ghosted her are you freaking

oh my gosh i totally do you remember this for you i remember this so clearly what did she what did she say though i can't remember exactly what she said she was like she was like talking about each of the guys she gave us like a breakdown of each of the guys and she was like so joe is from minnesota and like i actually said into his dms a couple years ago and we're like that's right love that what did he say and he's like oh he ghosting no how is he still here you're like and you let him in what the heck right except i was swooned by him whenever she said he looked like dr abry because she also gave us that like like that kid and I was like oh my god like I want it like I want

well then we obviously looked him up after she said that and he totally looks like yeah she didn't do a bad job okay she has a really wonderful looking top for okay she did a great job you guys are such good friends I would have been such an asshole if that was one of my best friends I would have been like what the fuck is he still doing here it's only because you're the bad guy out his ass like I'm just when it comes comes to my friends that I'm like so protective over I just turn into such like a mama bear that I would have they probably would have never been able to air anything I would have said to a friend because it would have been just cursing the whole time but she did she did say he redeemed himself yeah okay well then that's good I will say slow it's slow but sure for me but jury's still out for this one on Joe I will say that wait did you actually get the sense that she like may have been like starting to fall in love. Like, did you actually get the feeling that she was, like,

head over the heels, like, I'm in fucking trouble. It was working. Definitely. Yeah. And that's why that's whenever all of my worries just, like, flew out the window because I was like, I think I know who it's going to be in the end of this.

And I was just, I think that's all that we wanted going in as, like, her two friends and sounding boards is that we could feel confident that she would walk away happen. and in love. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

She definitely seemed like so glowy and calm. And I remember, I remember once I got the vibe that like this was going to work for her. I was like, so what engagement ring do you want? She probably asked to see yours to try it on to get the size and everything. Wait, because she didn't know that you were engaged at this point, right? Or she did? I don't think I told her before. she left um and it actually worked out really nicely because i hadn't told brie either so i told

both of them in person oh that's sweet that's really sweet oh how was that reaction it was really nice it was really wonderful yeah pre cried and she did a really freaking good job at hiding it though especially because knowing serena i was like oh yeah like you know serena walked away she's not like that's the thing is it was very believable that I didn't get engaged like knowing me so I didn't convince anyone people were like yeah obviously you just like I didn't even should like think twice about it I know it was the first question you asked me too I think when I facetamed you guys I was like no and then it was so nice I was glad I did because having that moment in person with them yeah so much better way more meaningful yeah okay I want to ask you this too sorry I'm

totally going off script here because I just have so many questions. One thing I remember before Michelle started her season was that she was like, I'm not going to break down, I'm not going to cry, you know, like I'm not like overly emotional. And I was like, it's going to break you at some point. I give it two weeks. But prior to her leaving, was there any conversation or anything that she was adamant, like would or would not happen? Like, was she like, I'll probably fall in love, but I won't get engaged or I for sure

will get engaged, anything like that. that she actually said that i remember her stressing a lot before leaving because i feel like we had so many conversations and it's always put you in a tough position i feel like stepping into that role whenever you know you you you weren't the it didn't work out for you the first time and so she was very much like had steadfast in her decision of if this does not work out how i intend for it to like I won't get engaged and that's something that everyone's going to have to accept. Yeah, but I remember her saying that before we left and I think a lot of that came from like the hurt from Matt season of like thinking because like it's such a heartbreaking feeling.

I think everyone's been there at least once in the life where you think you found the person you're going to spend the rest of your life with and then realizing that you were wrong or like that the other person didn't feel the same way. so like that's a like intense pain that I can imagine was kind of affecting going into this season that like okay well I'm not going to put myself in the position to like think this is the one and I'm going to spend the rest of my life with them if like I'm not certain that like someone else is going to reciprocate that so like it's really nice to see the reassurance that the men are giving her I think that really helped her and then I know like going into Paris I had a similar

feeling of like well I don't know we'll see if this works we'll see if like I can't even fall in love in this process and like she didn't know I was engaged at the time but I did say to her like look you might I get you feel this way but like go in open because you just never know like we like she's very logical very pragmatic but I was like you know lean into your feelings it's not natural always but it will help and I really see her doing that yeah oh she's incredible do you think because knowing how Matt season ended in the way that it did where I mean she was so caught off guard so hurt with the way he ended things do you think that has helped her form the correct conversations with these men because I can imagine she doesn't want to hurt any one of these guys in the way that she was totally like I think that I think that that Michelle, she's also very, I think this is kind of comes from her days as a D1 athlete, but she's just very, like, she has, she's very goal-oriented.

Like, at the end of everything that she starts, there is a goal, and she's going to do whatever it takes and make sure to, like, cross all her T's and all her eyes to get to that goal. And I think that that's exactly what we're seeing. She took a lot of lessons and learnings away from the last, time and is using all of that like all of those learnings into like bringing that into this experience this time around and it's like so incredibly clear to me yeah yeah 100% I was just I say I feel like we can we we know Michelle's a teacher she has like all these amazing skills

like she can definitely see through all like the BS that the guys are giving but also she's so logical and so level how it when it comes to drama and just like really analyzing what's going on and saying true to herself, is there something about Michelle that we do not know that, you know, people should know that you guys know as being her friend that, like, I don't know,

maybe she's extremely emotional when she's, like, at home and things like really affect her or just something that, like, us viewers don't know about Michelle or, like, having gotten privy to see. That also adds to her. I think we're all the same in this way.

Like, me and Serena, But, like, you don't really get to see Michelle's goofy side all the time. Like, I think a couple of the guys bring that out in her from time to time. But Michelle is very, like, sassy, witty and also funny as puck. So I feel like you kind of, like you said, like you get that teacher side of her, the serious side, the pragmatic and the logical side. But other than that, I think there's just such like a funny, hilarious, like witty side to her that is not entirely, um, it's, it's hard to see because, you know, she means business right now. Yeah. It's so funny you said that because I literally

just said that to my mom last night, like that exact thing. My mom was like, I love watching Michelle. I was like the only thing is I feel like she has such a playful side that it's just hard because you see her as the lead and like the main thing shown are like the intense emotions across the boards like the really intense love stories like the heart breaks the dramas right so there's not always time for those like playful loopy moments but yeah she has a great sense of humor you know what i think we need like a spin-off show like all of us just being yeah wow well that's like us just sitting in the living room i swear there's like this bachelorette edit where and the bachelors get it too because playing off of what you're saying serena there's so much

like heartbreak, drama, the real deep, raw, like, hardcore emotions that they don't have time to show anyone's goofy, playful side. I mean, like, thank goodness for the bloopers at the end, but those are only, you know, two minutes, which sucks. So it's always good to have people who know the lead on and can really attest to, like, how goofy or silly they are, whatever it might be. I think, you know, each season, we're all robbed of that as viewers. Luckily, we know Michelle well enough to know that she she is like that but hopefully we'll see some good stuff with the bloopers um overall watching michel's journey up till this point what have been some of your favorite moments your standout moments like give us give us each your top one or two

terena you go first i'm trying to thank you for all the spot free um i'm trying to go back so Michelle comment or something like something that you're like oh my god that's so Michelle um oh my gosh her um she does this like no like nose squinch whenever she's like that thing she goes excited and how yes like and i love saying her do that because it's one of those like quirks and mannerisms but i feel like you've almost like kind of cracked her like you've made her like feel very like happy inside so that's like I actually laugh whenever I see her do that. Yeah, that's a good one.

I feel like this is only coming to mind because it's like the most recent. Like I'm sure if I went back and like thought through each episode, there'd be other ones. But I, I loved her poem. I'll say that actually. I loved her poem. I thought it was really beautiful. Amazing. And I really liked the moment with her and Brandon on the ice cream portion of their date.

It just. Where she bit the ice cream? She didn't lick and she bit it. Oh my gosh. Crazy girl. She was like, that's wild. But I just, the way she was talking, I could just tell, like, she was so, like, comfortable and in her element and, like, really in the moment, like, knowing her. And, like, just her sharing, like, that piece of Minnesota with Brandon.

I was just like, this is a really cute moment. I just really see Michelle feeling like so, just at home and totally herself in that moment. So that was really nice. Oh, we're brain-in fans over here. Okay, wait, I have a question. Now that you guys have watched so many episodes and you guys have been seeing like, you know, even the moments that Michelle hasn't seen

because she's not seeing them until she's watching all of this back. Right. Who? Are you dying to see in the hot seat at Menthal? Because I know I had some conversations that I was waiting to see happen in that hot sea. And they definitely do happen. Oh, I mean, Mark.

The one guy. Who? Is that the one with the blonde tips? That's Martin. That's Martin. That's Martin. Jamie. Jamie.

I cannot wait to see. Some of the comments he made just like crawled under my skin. Like I wish I was there so I could just go off on him. But I hear that. For another time. Well, you will see more of him. All right. Well, I want to get into a little bit more of you too because we love

you we miss you um serena let's start with you how i know you touched space a little bit about what you guys did for the holidays um at the top of the episode but how have you and joe been how is the long distance dating going just feel us in about you too a little bit joe and i are good we're really good um everything's been yeah just it's cheesy but just getting better every single day more in love every single day um we are still figuring out just like the details of our future together um while also trying to like enjoy the present and live in the moment um because you know being in Canada and the US there's a lot of decisions and a lot of logistics involved um so that can become tricky and we're taking we're taking the steps and yeah we're just trying to spend as much time together

as possible because like right now I'm here and he's in Chicago but like we're trying to integrate it to a point where like we're living life like I just feel like long distance like you could probably relate to this where sometimes it feels like you're living individual lives and then you come together and you like spend time together and then you go back to your individual lives so I feel like we're just trying to get it to a point where it feels like like we're doing life together a majority of the time but yeah life's like life's good and we're you know excited for the holidays got people's choice coming up for oh that's right so let's say are you guys going yeah we are going actually so we're going next week

and brie how is life with you i know you mentioned you have the boyfriend so how is that long distance going my boyfriend and i were doing really really well um we are doing long distance and truthfully it is such a pain but it works because we We both have such busy schedules, you know, whenever I'm in New York and whenever he is in San Francisco. So the distance, I feel like only makes the heart grow fonder because whenever we're together, it's like rainbows and butterflies and it's all great. So it's like we get to see each other in doses.

I think we go about like every two weeks. And then the time that we do get to spend each other is just that much more special. That's good. And the families like each other? Our families haven't met, but he, was just spending Thanksgiving with my family, and it wasn't the first time. So I felt like this time, like, it almost felt too comfortable. Like, I forgot that he was still around. Like, he was like, you know, like, I still have to, like, impress your family, right? That's a good problem to have,

though. I was going to say, it's a really good thing. He's one of you know. In my mind, I was like, okay, you know, like, you're not at work. Like, you don't have to, you know, like, talk a certain way I have to start mailing. It was my family. You can like relax. Because this is where I feel most comfortable and most at home and like no one's listening or like to what I'm saying. So to me it's just like I felt that he was finally like welcomed in and it was such a good feeling.

Oh, that's good. That's so nice. That's so nice that you just wants to impress your family, you know? Like it means he's an overachiever. He's an overachiever. He is such an overachiever. Oh my gosh. He should always want to impress your family and still always want to impress you.

Exactly. Exactly. Serena, that's actually a good question for you, because I remember the last time we talked to you, you and Joe, you know, were just freshly announced as an engaged couple. Like you're, you were still trying to navigate how your family would receive Joe. So how has that been with your parents and Joe? It's actually been really good. It was definitely just such a shock for them at first. I mean, I can't imagine like I'm the oldest daughter too. So like I'm the first one to get engaged. Like, how. this serious relationship and I basically left and I came back three weeks later a month or however long it was and was like hey this is my fiancee that he's never met that's from Chicago he does not live in our country so it was like a really big shock and definitely like an adjustment for them to wrap their head around and I think meeting him helped but like the biggest turn around was like we actually watched the engagement with them and my mom like got balloons and like a cake and champagne and made it like a really special moment. So it was like we got to kind of share the engagement with them also in that moment.

And since then, it's been so good. Like they've really gotten to know him. I've gotten to know his family and who are absolutely lovely. My dad and him like text. My mom and his mom follow each other on Instagram. So like it's been good. Good. I love that.

This is so fun. So do either of you have big plans for the holidays? I'll be meeting my boyfriend's parents for the first time. We decided to, like, switch off. So he spent Thanksgiving with my family in Texas, and I'm going to go spend Christmas with his family in Maryland. Oh, fun. I love Maryland.

That's so nice. I love it. We'll report back. Let us know how that goes. It's meeting the families. I'm we so exciting. I love hearing about people's doing my best interactions. I'm sure you will.

They will love you. Three, you have hometowns coming up. I literally have hometowns coming up. I think I'm so nervous because he also, like I was just saying he's an overachiever, but like not only is he an overachiever, his entire family is an overachiever. So they're going to be, they're going to have very high expectations as what I've gathered. Well, I can't imagine them not loving you at all. I think you will be just fine.

Just fine. And if you need any tips, tricks, just go watch the episode again. For Michelle, she did a great job. Exactly. Okay, where are you two going to be watching the finale? Oh my gosh. I haven't even thought about that. I wish we could watch it with Michelle.

I know. I know. But soon enough, like after that, that's when like the fun begins. You guys will be able to, well, at least I hope the fun begins. I mean, do you guys think that Michelle gets engaged? I feel confident that she. gets engaged. Yeah. I mean, I like all four men. I think she has four strong connections. So if she doesn't get engaged, I'll be really surprised. But she seems happy. So that's the most

important thing. Yeah. If there is any advice that you could give for, I'm assuming she picks one guy at the end of this. I'm not totally sure. But I mean, she could put a wall over her eyes and just be like, I'm taking y'all home. Okay. But if she does choose just one man, what is one bit of advice you would both give him? Cool. I think, I think, um, like knowing Michelle and then also, you know, watching her be so vulnerable this season, she's just talked a lot about being seen. And I think just in any relationship, but like specific to Michelle, because she's expressed,

you know, her past and feeling like she was unseen, just appreciating her. like I think the small things are important in a relationship and feeling appreciated in those moments and seen and valued for like exactly who you are is such a big thing and I think that Michelle has so much to offer and she takes on so much and she gives so much like she is truly such a giver to the people in her life and what she's passionate about so like taking those moments to appreciate her and take care of her when she's like giving out so much to others and, like, fill up her energy bank is, is important. That's a really good one.

Whoever it is, and I hope they listen. I would say that Michelle also, she takes on so much. Like, I truthfully cannot wrap my head around how she's juggling being a bachelorette of, like, a huge TV show and also being a wonderful, a wonderful amazing teacher full time. she's always busy and she's constantly having to like prioritize her schedule and so I think it's just knowing how to support her and you know not having someone who's like extremely needy and not saying that you know they can't like reach out to her but like Michelle's just one of those people where you have to trust that she is doing what's best for her and she's also like like valuing her alone time in the time that she does have because even like right now I know she can't text up back every

single time that we reach out to her, but it's just kind of like sitting back and knowing that she is making the best decision for herself and just being there, support her whenever she comes to you and needs you. Yeah. Yeah. Those are both great bits of advice. Actually. Yes. We hope we hope that lucky man is listening in and taking note of all this. And who knows her better than you too and, you know, some of our family. So I think that's, those are great, great bits of wisdom to impart on these men before we let you two go, I always say this each and every week, we love our games here in Bachelor Happy Hour, so we couldn't let you two go without indulging in a little game time here. Tasha, do you want to explain it? Of course. We're going to play a little game

called Girls Nights of Perletives. It doesn't really sell very fun. But we're going to give you most likely to, and you'll finish a sentence with either Michelle, Serena, or Bray. Okay, you could obviously say yourself. We're similar, so this will be in here saying. I really want to get to know y'all a little better. So it's going to be rapid fire. We don't have too much time to think. So, are you ready?

Yes. Okay. Most likely to change their outfits three times before leaving. Free. Free. That was an easy one. Okay. Most likely to suggest you stay in and drink wine.

Michelle. Oh, yeah, no. Maybe. I don't know. It depends on the night. But yeah, no, you're right, Michelle. I think I know the answer to this. Most likely to wear the highest heels.

Brena. Probably because, well, I would say Michelle, but Michelle's. Really tall. Very tall. I kind of counted her out. Okay. Probably me, I guess. I like, I hate heels.

Yeah, I guess I do wear the highest heels. And Michelle, and Michelle has been forced to wear them every day for the past couple months. So she's probably not going to choose them anymore. I'm also like such a shoe girl. So that's probably. And Joe's so tall. It's like, you know, it's a good can wear them. That's good.

I got a lot of growth space. Yeah, exactly. Utilize it. Okay. Who is most likely to make new friends at the bar? Serena. Maybe me. Yeah, maybe me.

I love that. I'm a chatty drunk. That's a good thing. Most likely to start a dance party. Me. I was going to say you or Michelle. Oh. Yeah, Michelle too.

Michelle likes a good dance party. Okay. I like a sip and giggle kind of girl. I like that. She's like, yeah, you got me. You're like, yeah. I'm not even trying to vibe that. Who is most likely to suggest ordering a bottle instead of a glass?

I hope all of you. I hope all of you, yes. But definitely Serena also. That's why I go too. That's why I go too. Should we just get a bottle? I feel like I feel like Shereena and I bonded over that the most on our season. I love it.

And I would be like, we're not going to drink tonight. and then like eight o'clock roll around and she'd be like end up with a glass where's the bottle no i get it especially when you're filming the days are so long there's so much drama so much catiness that like by the end of the night you're like okay i need a little like pick me up right now something to like take the edge off it's like our girls moment like we got a glass of red and we well with that glass of red it was most likely to sing karaoke wow not karaoke people got it maybe me

maybe we need to go out here so I think I know that's true we uh we all got to get together and do a little karaoke night with that bottle oh yeah let's do it

who is most likely to post the first Instagram page like if you guys are if the three of you are out you're drinking you're singing your karaoke you're having a good time who's going to put it on social media first not Michelle so probably Brie yeah I'm going to go three too

okay that's good most likely to make toast no a toast oh oh oh okay I need to go eat okay I'm honestly starved so but also who can make me toast who can make us the best Brett oh I'm Michelle in terms of who makes Who's going to make the toast? Definitely, Michelle. Okay. She makes a toast. I would try to hide from making the toast on fashion and paradise. Same. Same. Same.

I, what was I just going to say something? Well, I was going to say Michelle's now a pro at making the toast, so I hope she's the go-to girl. Who's most likely to go to bed first? Not me, not Bree. Yeah, Michelle. That's what I say, Michelle, probably, right? Strict schedule. When everyone on FaceTime, Michelle's like, I got to be in bed by 10. So I only be a solid.

It's a teacher. It's a school night. It's always a school night. So like she has to go to bed. Like, yeah. I mean, between teaching a full fifth grade class and leading one of the most popular reality TV shows, I get it. She needs her sleep.

I understand. It's a busy girl. You too, it has been such an absolute blast having you both on ice. Okay, when you come out to L.A. Serena, let me know. Maybe Bree, you can make it. we'll have a girl's night. I'll have the bottles ready. It'll just be a fun night.

But it was so good to meet you, Bree. Thank you both for joining us. Thanks for having us so much. It's good to see you guys. Absolutely. Happy holidays. So happy for both of you.

Have the best time this next few weeks. And oh my gosh, I guess we'll see you next year. Yeah. Yeah. Damn, that's crazy to say. That's like my first time.

I usually hate when people say that. But like, yeah, that's crazy. Well, Serena, enjoy all of the traveling wind show. And Bree, enjoy meeting the family for the first time. I know. Thank you guys so much. Have the best holiday.

Of course, you too. Take care, you too. I just love girl time. If we could do this, I mean, you and I obviously do this every week. But it just, when there's more women, it just feels like it's like a slumber party, Kiki. Thank you so much to those girls for coming on the show today. It was so fun.

Yes. A huge thank you to Serena and Bree. That was an absolute blast. And an even bigger thank you to our Bachelor Happy Hour listeners. Thank you for tuning in each and every week. And before I let you all go, we are actually casting for both the Bachelor and The Bachelor So please make sure to head to bachelornation.com slash apply if you want to nominate yourself or somebody else because the more the merrier.

But also do not forget to hit us up on social at Bachelor Happy Hour on Instagram at BatchNation on TikTok and Twitter, and then Bachelor Nation on Facebook. Please don't forget to subscribe to our podcast. You can do that on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the Wondry app, or wherever you are listening to us right now. Take care, everyone. Bye. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious.

Wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, luckily, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast. we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend's been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem,

but I don't trust her. Now he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 i'm jemail hill hosted the sports and politics politics and on the latest episode of spolitics house minority leader hakeem jeffreys joins me for a candid conversation about the state of the Democratic Party. What do Republicans say to you privately that they won't say publicly? Many of them are in fear of their political lives. We continue to say to them, you were elected to defend your constituents. And there's life after Congress.

Make sure to listen to this episode of Politics on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast.