Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Julie LaPlaca | The Bachelor Producer Behind The Peter Weber Headlines!

Episode Date: June 9, 2026

#952. For years, Bachelor fans speculated. Now, former producer Julie LaPlaca is opening up about the headlines, the rumors, and what was really happening behind the scenes.From her widely discussed connection with Peter Weber to the reality of spending years producing some of the franchise's biggest love stories, Julie is sharing a side of The Bachelor viewers rarely get to hear.Julie spent seven years behind the scenes of The Bachelor, working with leads like Hannah Brown, Peter Weber, Matt James, and Clare Crawley. She sits down with Kaitlyn to answer the questions fans have been asking for years: What are producers actually doing all day? How much of the show is real? Are storylines created before filming starts? What really happened during Peter's season? And what goes through a producer's mind when they're helping shape one of the most dramatic seasons in Bachelor history?Plus, Julie shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time on the show, what surprised her most about the leads she worked with, and why she ultimately decided to walk away from the franchise.Consider this your backstage pass to one of reality TV's most fascinating jobs.YOU CAN PRE-ORDER HER BOOK HERE: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Love-Producer/Julie-LaPlaca/9781637748862If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these AMAZING deals!Macy’s: Shop in stores or online only at Macys.com!Figs: Right now, if you go to wearFIGS.com and use the code FIGSRX, you can get 15% off your first order.Merit Beauty: Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com.Wayfair: Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! head to Wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.Progressive: Visit Progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little extra cash back.Apartments.com: The place to find a place!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Progressive, visit Progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little extra cash back. And Apartments.com, the place to find a place. You're listening to Off the Vine with Caitlin Bristow. Okay, today's episode is one I've personally been so curious about because we're talking to someone who did just go through the Bachelor world. She helped create it. A Bachelor producer. Julie Laplaca was a producer on the show for years, meaning she was behind some of the biggest love stories, heartbreaks, moments we all became obsessed with. And at one point, she kind of

became the story herself. And I feel like there's a whole layer of the bachelor world that people think they understand, but they really don't know what's actually happening behind the scenes. I'm here to ask all those questions. And did she or did she not fall in love with pilot Pete? What happened there? Today we're getting into all of it. And how being surrounded by love stories for a living can actually mess with your own. So for people watching and listening, and we were just talking about where we go in our dreams. And then the engineer, our sweet wolf, was like, say to that into the microphone, because you were talking about astro projecting and where we go. And you had a very vivid dream and you saw yourself literally where you ended up in Bali before you went.

Yeah. Yeah. That was same with me on The Bachelor. I saw, I saw the cameras. I saw myself sitting in an ITM, which I didn't even know what that was. Yeah. I was on Ben Flanick's scene. in my dream and like on a on a group date I specifically remember a lot of things yeah so okay it fascinating it is but where do you think we go when we dream okay so I there's a bunch of different

theories but when I went to hypnotherapy school yeah there's sort of you went to hypnotherapy school yes obsessed yeah when I quit the bachelor I didn't know I was doing my life three weeks later I send it for hypnotherapy school mostly so people would like stop asking what I was doing with my life and I was also getting more into like the power of the subconscious I'm like oh this will be fun to do while I'm working on all my like creative ideas. Oh. And so then I, that's, that was the start of my like healing, spiritual inner. Really?

Yeah. But so they say, okay, there's three parts of the dream. Okay. So the first part is like when you're going to sleep and it's you sorting out like what you took in in the day, what to hold on to and your subconscious and what to release. Yeah. The second part is the sort of more mysterious part where it's almost like you're trying to predict things.

That's where maybe if you have intuitive dreams. Yeah. That's where I think also messages could come. come in from other dimensions. Yes. And then the third part, the part you usually remember when you wake up, they, in my school, they called this venting dreams. So that's what your subconscious is trying to release.

So like if you keep having dreams about an ex or like, you know, I'm still having Bachelor work dreams for a lot of time. That was my subconscious just like trying to release it all. Yeah, because I have server nightmares all the time from working in restaurants. Oh, interesting. And dance, like forgetting dance choreography. And okay, well, what is this one? I mean, I always, you know what?

It used to be a dream that happened at least four times a week. And now it's maybe once in a while that I get shot. Oh, interesting. What does that mean? Oh, gosh. Okay. Is it right before you wake up or do you wake up in the middle of the night with it? I don't even wake up.

I just fake dead. I just lay there and I'm like, well, I've been shot. I'm going to pretend I'm dead. Oh, interesting. Yeah. And I like try and process if I'm feeling pain or what I'm feeling, but really I don't feel anything. Yeah, I was going to say, how do you feel during it? Nothing.

Mm. Yeah. Well, maybe it's you going through your rebirth. Maybe. I just keep rebirthing four times a week. Yeah, that's weird four times a week. Or maybe I'm, I really don't actually remember the last time that I had that dream, but I will tell you, I saw a study. We were just talking about, like, everyone says that.

And who knows if the study was AI or if it was real. But the study said that it's. been proven that we do go to another realm that is real in our dreams. And I don't know why I was feeling so froggy. I commented under it and I was sober and said, well, then Haley Bieber better keep her head on a swivel because I see Justin at least four times a week. Because I truly have the most vivid dreams of being so close with Justin. And that were like so close. Oh, maybe in another realm. Well, sometimes they say we're living like these other lives and other realms like simultaneously. He does watch the Bachelor. He does. So maybe he just meets me there. Yeah,

it's possible. He just said, I know you're watching. Do you dream about me too? I'm sure. I'm sure, especially during your season, I'm sure you were deep in his subconscious. Link twice. Yeah. Link twice if you dream about me. Okay. But maybe that's something in the future. Maybe your worlds are going to collide somehow. That's what I'm thinking because it's as vivid as it was when I pictured myself on the bachelor dreamt about being on the bachelor. Oh, that's interesting. So I'm like, this is just bound to happen at some point. And I don't, it doesn't need to be romantic. It doesn't have to be romantic. Yeah. I just think we would vibe. Collaborative. We're going to sing together. Oh, yes. Totally. Yes. And then or I'll be in a music video for him as like a ballroom dancer.

See? These are all totally possible things. I'm just spitballing now. Yeah. I love your Mel Robbins episode. Oh my gosh. Isn't she? Yeah. She scares me too in the best way. Like in a way where I'm like, I respect you so much, please, like, yell at me. Yeah. Yeah. Did you have Peter Weber dreams that were vivid? Yeah.

Yeah. Still last week. It's annoying. You're kidding. I know. Okay. Well, let's jump into it because obviously you were executive producer. Supervising.

Oh, what is the difference? Okay. You were high up in the production world. No, I mean, executives were like the biggest. Yeah. On The Bachelor. What season did you start? Andy Dorfman's.

It was. Yeah. Okay. I knew it was right around me, but I didn't know because she was a season right before me. Okay. So. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

So then how many years was that that you did? I was there for seven years. Okay. Andy through Matt. Seven years. From your perspective, what is the biggest thing viewers think they understand about the Bachelor that they actually have completely wrong? Oh, interesting.

What do people think they understand? Well, I hate how they're like those evil producers. I'm sorry, I'd definitely say that. I always say there's a special place in hell for Bachelor producers. Not all of you. But I hope I paint a different picture of us because sure there's those ones. But then there's the ones who like, okay, after leaving and I was on my whole journey, I realized what an empath I am. Yeah.

And a very sensitive person. You had to leave. So I realize, you know, how much you absorb. I absorbed like the emotions of the people I was producing. Because I didn't have the tools then to like cut it off. Right. So like, you know, when I was, I mean, I remember one time crying over like a sad story. And then it was Matt's season.

He like thought I was faking crying. And I'm like, no, she just told like a really sad story. Like because he also had friends. He had Tyler Cameron. He had Hannah Brown. He had all these people who have gone through both sides of production where there is some like evilness because you have to make a TV show. And there is

really good people. I do believe that. I still am close with so many of the producers from the show. So I'm sorry that you all get a bad rep. But he was probably overthinking a lot. Yes. For sure. I've been in the presence of someone fake crying to me about something as a producer. I'm sure you have. I'm sure

you have. Yeah. I call them out right in that moment. And she was like, no, I'm serious. And she later told me actually, she doesn't work there either. That she, that was like her charge. that she could turn it on. Yeah. Listen, I'm sure that's why they're like, oh, she'll be good with the leads because she's very

sensitive and cries easily. 100%. You're one of the sensitive ones who absorbs people's energy, so it's sadly good for everyone. Yeah. Yeah. I know. I know. Until I reached my breaking point.

Well, that's, so do you think, I mean, the whole story is you wrote, how would you sum it up the book that you wrote? Like what, if somebody was like, what is the book you wrote about? How do you sum it up? Synopsis. is what they say is it. Yeah. So I like to say it's a little 27 dresses meets E.Prey love with a dash of EPray love in it, right?

Because it's it's about the girl who's helping everyone else find love. And as a result, neglecting her own love and happiness. Got a bit entangled in the fantasy she was creating with one of the bachelors, which led to a mid-30s meltdown where I quit and embarked on my own journey. Which is, okay, it's like, who doesn't want to read that, first of all? So when you're saying like you're involved in. in the fantasy of falling in love with somebody. Did you actually fall in love with Peter Weber?

Or were you caught up in the fantasy? Like, that happens for some of us. Yeah, that was like a constant question in my head. So I, you know, at the time when all these rumors came out, I think I was really in denial at that time. but then it was coming from all these angles, including like our family. And then I'm like, oh, am I actually like denying something that actually might be quite real?

Or am I just getting entangled in like what seemingly the world, you know, and I started to write the ending. And wow, this actually is like a beautiful rom-com. This is my moment, you know. But then there was like there was also sadness when it wasn't that. and there was a lot of hurt. And so then on my journey, I started to realize, oh, yeah, there were real feelings. And part of my job for so many years was getting everyone else to be vulnerable and share their heart and share their truth.

And I'm like, why do I shield my heart? Yeah. Why do I hold in my feelings? I've never been one to go and be like, tell a guy how I feel. Right. And you hear you are telling everybody else. Yeah. Well, that's probably why you did it because it was.

it kind of allowed you to not focus on yourself and do it for other people. And that probably felt good. Yeah. Well, and especially, you know, when I started on the show, I had a boyfriend. I had a serious boyfriend. I like dream guy. I thought, okay, I'm going to put in my years of being a strong independent woman. And then, you know, we're going to get married and have kids. And the life, I saw the life. And then, you know, then I was gone on the road all the time. And there were other issues in the relationship. And, you know, after five years that end. And, you know, you know, after five years that end. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. You know, you know, it. And then, so then I really put the shield up and just dove more into my career and helping everyone else and, you know, neglecting my own heart. Sad. Well, I'm glad you realized it because otherwise we wouldn't be here. Yeah. Thanks. But what, like if somebody, for somebody listening that wonders, like, what the heck does a Bachelor producer do? What were you doing day to day as a producer? Like, if someone

was following you around with the camera, what would surprise them? Yeah. Okay. So when I first started, I was on the date side. So that's when we were, and it's funny, before I switched to the cast, We're like, oh, the date producers are like, we're like, you know, we're the cool ones who plan the dates. Yeah. Which we get blamed for us, the leads. Like, if guys are fighting in a ring and they're like, why would Caitlin want to find a husband who just wants to beat up another man? This is sick that you'd go on this date. And I'm like, I didn't come up with it.

It was you. Collaborative effort, right? Totally. Collaborative effort. So, you know, we're like, so day to day in prep time, it's coming up with the day concepts, developing them and working with the art and production team and scouting. locations, also negotiating tradeout deals with different hotels and tourism boards and like going to location ahead of time. San Antonio, is that you?

Yeah. I went to San Antonio ahead of time. I was the first to kayak down that river. Me and Jason Bray were like, they're like the tourism's like, you guys are the first to kayak down the city river. And here I was thinking. Me and Sean Booth were the first to do it. No, I know that you guys have to test every date.

Yeah, but we get to test the dates, which is really cool. You get to like do all the fun activities. because, you know, you had to figure out logistics and how long it's going to go. It's a comfortable for you guys. So we're doing all of that. So, yeah. So that was fun and one part of the brain. And then I was kind of starting to feel a little stuck there because, you know, there are two supervisors above me.

And I always get like a five-year itch. I think that was around my five years. I was like, what do I do? And then they randomly, I was actually scouting Rhode Island for Hannah season. And then they call me and they're like, we want you to switch and be with you. the lead. And so I was actually shocked because usually it's someone from like the cast side. Yeah. Yeah. And I was like, okay, great. I was really excited about it. I was like, I just, you know, and for me, I wasn't going in with any like method. I was like, I just want to go and

like chat and be the girl's girl and like that kind of thing. So then with the lead, the day to day, you're basically, I mean, you know, we're together 24-7. Sometimes we're best friends. Sometimes we're worse enemies. Sometimes I'm like your mom. And sometimes I'm like your older sister, you know, just depends on the day. Yeah. But yeah, we're with you, prepping you for the day, guiding you on your journey. Were you Hannah Brown's main producer?

Yeah, that was my first time. This is all making sense. We have to talk, because she was so open about it. And so I just had Hannah on the podcast before it. I even think I said to my team, reach out to your team to see if that's okay with the crossover. And you both seemed okay with it. So I was like, okay, surely.

And Hannah was like, oh, yeah, she wrote in her book about how I was so difficult to deal with it. She goes, but that's not true. Like that was, I was difficult to deal with. And she owned it. And now I was like, well, how much? And then I didn't realize you were her main producers. So yes, you guys spent 24-7 together.

And like she said, Hannah and I both say how we're pretty difficult. Like, I like to think I'm professional. And but looking back on how I behaved as a bachelor. I feel actually really bad for producers. Anyways, go on. Okay. Yeah. Thanks for acknowledging that.

It's like a tricky thing. because, again, because I am very sensitive. And, you know, then once I went on my journey, it's like, oh, yeah, I always just want everyone to like me. You're just like a people pleaser, you know? So, like, yeah, we had a love-hate relationship. Like, I think we had a lot of similarities when they put me in the role. They're like, you're super silly and quirky and we just want you to be you and be weird.

Yeah. And, you know, she's like that too. So are you. And again, you know, that kind of works for the show. You guys are some of the prime leads. The messy ones, some would say. Yeah. Damn it, Taylor Frankie Paul, I thought you were going to join the crew of the best of ones.

No. I know. So, yeah, so I was excited. And then I think, I don't know, it was hard. I think she probably was still, she had her old producers that she liked. And I think, you know, it's always like this awkward thing when they're used to them. And yeah, so we went through our growing pains. Actually, when we were in Rhode Island, that's when I, like, had a little breaking point, episode four.

I think that gets us all, right? Yeah. You're really not on any sleep then. But then, you know, then we, I feel like we grew and got better. Well, did that affect Hannah? I don't know the answer to this. About you and Peter, because I feel like there was still stuff going on with those two. That's what I've never talked to her about.

And that's, but then, like, it's interesting because in my book, I, you know, I have this existential meltdown where, like, actually, I saw something like Canada was somewhere and she, like, didn't respond to my DM. And I had this whole like inner like meltdown. I was like, oh my God. Like I had this fear that she knew things and like didn't. It was upset with me. You know, you make up stories in your head instead of just having the conversation. And yeah, I always had this paranoia about what people might know. Were they like gossiping about me?

You know, you kind of feel like you have a scarlet letter on your back. Right. Deal with a lot of shame. So there's a lot of that. I bet. I mean, and you guys have never talked about it. No. I have so many questions.

We will get there. Okay. Okay. How much of The Bachelor, what we're watching, is truly happening versus being guided? Oh. Well, we definitely guide you, of course, right? We have to guide you. And it's truly happening.

That's what I said. Because when people say it's scripted, I'm like, no, it's really not. No, it's so much of it is so real. But as someone who is not in the television world, I need guidance. You need guidance. And if you do build like a good rapport and a trust with your producer, like I hope, you know, obviously depends. Like if you're a villain, you're probably going to end up a villain, right? If you're not a good person, you're probably going to end up.

But for most part, like if people just like surrender to the process and they allow themselves to just be guided, like, I think they're going to grow and learn a lot about themselves. Yeah. But yeah, sure. Like we might, you know, if you have a fear of heights, like putting you in a situation where you're going to have to conquer your fears. But there's a reason for that, right? It helps form a stronger bond. I get a lot of it. I do.

The part that I still will never let Bennett live down, who is my main day-to-day producer, is that he put hidden mic in his pocket and then they had a hidden camera and he made me go out to the balcony and talk about something really private. it. But at the same time, it made my season so controversial and it gave me this platform for women. And like, it helped. And I'm proud of it. But at the same time, I was like, you've douched me. Yeah. Yeah. It's tough. It's tricky. And I think that's probably why I ultimately had to leave. Yeah, because I was going to say, that kind of reminds me of Amber Connittle. Like, she's just one of my favorite humans on fun. Mine too. Mine too. Love her. And she was just like, I mean, it really can mess with the good ones. Yeah. It's a lot. How are you able to talk about this without getting in trouble with ABC? Because I get in trouble with ABC all the time. Oh, yeah. I know. I'm like trying to be a slightly filter because they sent me an email last week. That's my got that email many times. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's funny. I, yeah. I, um, I hired the lawyer that used to look at the show and read the book. So she read through my book and it like gave me the blessing. But yeah.

Yeah. You know what? That means I'm really like, you've made it when someone tries to come after you, right? You said desist. You're like, wow, they care. Yeah, this book is doing well. Well, people are so curious. I mean, just like that's like the number one.

When people, if they didn't know and they meet me and they find out I was on The Bachelor and the Bachelorette, immediately the same questions over and over. And people want to know so many things. So to hear it from someone who's been a producer on the show, I mean, the fact that somebody that was a high-up executive producer made the show unreal, how do you feel about that? Oh, the scripted show. Yeah. Yeah.

Okay, it's so funny. I only ever watched the first three episodes. Yeah. Because I was working at the show and it came out. It was just like a little too close to home. Yeah. It's dark. It's dark.

I think it's obviously much darker than reality. Well, and I think that it used to be that dark. It's not. It's still fucked up and in certain people's minds, but it's not. as dark as it used to be. Yeah, there was definitely a shift. I'm not exactly sure where, maybe when the drinking rule kicked in.

Yeah. Yeah, there's definitely, it was a shift. But yeah, there's going to be. And again, I think it depends on the person and who's doing what. Yeah, they were taking like the dark side of everything. They were taking the dark side of everything. Yeah.

Yeah, I'm like, I was always like, I wish we got a cash bonus. I know, right? That's why I saw that too. And I was like, do they? Instead of a flat weekly rate. So you don't get... And no days off.

So you're not like in retail where if you sell that outfit to somebody, you get a little bonus. Where if you make that person cry, you get a little bonus. No, that doesn't happen. No, no bonuses. Okay. Yeah, that's... I mean, it would make sense if you did because I'd be like, wow, you all are good. But that makes sense.

I kind of get screwed because even though it's a union show, producers are not and we're on a flat rate and we work, we don't sleep. You really don't sleep. Yeah. Let's talk about the hardest part about shopping for dads. Okay. He already has everything he needs. He's very practical. If he doesn't need anything, he's already figured out a way to make it work because he's a dad. He's very much a, this is fine kind of guy, even when it's clearly not fine.

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My dad loves a cup of coffee, just making what he already does feel a little nicer. And I think those are always the best gifts, you know, when it's not forcing something new, it's just making his everyday stuff a little better. And of course, classic Macy's making it really easy with their gift guide because it's all based on what your dad already loves. So if you're stuck, just think about it. what he uses all the time. Upgrade it. Head on over to macy's.com slash gift guide to find something that actually feels like him this Father's Day.

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That's wherefigs.com promo code Figs RX. Are there times where you're like waiting for something to blow up that you know is going to blow up and like, you're like, this is going to happen. Can't wait. Like it's about to blow up. You know, we all think we're really smart and can predict things. So yeah, sure, like, oh, that person's a ticking time up or, you know, or this is probably going to happen. But at the same time, usually the best TV are things we couldn't have predicted. That's so true.

You know, like when Colton jumped the fence or. So true. You know. Well, to talk about Hannah, like, she was so all in with Luke at the beginning. Right. But, you know, she doesn't know what's happening at the house and sort of how he's going. And so you're wondering, okay, when's it going to click for her? Right.

So you're kind of, because it's hard because we can't. We obviously can't tell the leads things. You know, it's part of it, is them having to find out on their own. I know. I remember, I won't say names, but somebody like, like let me look through one of the guys' Instagrams.

Oh. And because I was, all I can say, who it was, it was Sean. Because I was so obsessed with Sean and I was so all in on Sean. And they were like, we need to make a show here. You can't be so, like, this can call me. And so they were like,

oh, like casually showing me a couple of Instagrams. And they showed me Sean's. and they totally made him seem like a boy. Because they were looking at him with all these models and looking at him without his shirt on in this photo. And I was like, oh, no. And I was like, ew. And then, you know, it's the power of suggestion

when somebody just says something. And I was like, yeah, maybe I don't. And they're like, perfect. Yeah. But it really got me to open myself up to explore other options. Yeah. So, oh, interesting. Zone in on the one.

Yeah. Yeah. So I'm like, there are tactics. There are tactics. But, yeah. I mean, how, I mean, intentional casting. I always say is such a big thing. Casting does a brilliant job on so many reality shows. But I, this question is something I'm so curious to know. I think I know the answer too.

Are you building a storyline with people before you even start filming? Like, are you like, because I think they thought I was going to be the crazy one, the drunk one, the crazy one. And I think they had to shape shift while it was happening because they're like, oh, she actually has feelings. And she's so much softer than she pretends to be. Let's like go that direction instead. But do you have storylines already from casting that you're like, oh, this would be good to make them the villain or this would be good to. Well, again, it's like, you know, producers think they're so smart. So we have our, we have our thoughts.

Yeah. We have our predictions. We, you know, like, yeah. So we, of course, like, we'll talk about you guys and like what we think's going to unfold. Yeah. But again, like, we're not always right. The thing is, like, I've been in control rooms now as a host on a show. And I was like mortified and I'm so glad I didn't know the producer role when I was The Bachelorette

because you guys have an earpiece in. You can hear every conversation, every makeout noise, every like if someone is in the bathroom, like obviously you don't want to hear that so you do this. But like you hear everything that goes on at all times and you can see every. everything that's going on at all times. And people who have never done TV before think, oh, they'll probably just, like, watch the tape later. But it's like a whole room of people watching everybody's every move. And...

Shut, tell. I'm not talking about The Bachelor. I'm talking about a different show I worked at. Any show. There's a control room. Well, every reality show has that. But it's just so... It's really hard to focus.

I have, like... Yeah. I'm the type of person who can't normally, like, be working with music with lyrics is. So imagine being there interviewing you and then I have my walkie with like my boss's screaming one thing and one air. And then this like hearing conversations in another air and then trying to like focus on your emotions. Right. And listening to what I couldn't do it. It's very difficult. I couldn't do it. I can't I can barely like well I also have ADHD and sometimes a lot of things happening is how I function.

Same. If I'm trying to listen. I just got diagnosed at 40 with ADHD. Oh, I haven't been diagnosed. I just diagnosed myself like everybody else does with ADHD. but if I had someone in my ear right now, well, I did it when I hosted the Bachelorette and I did the, I didn't have three things, but I had like, I'm sitting there talking to Michael A about like a really awful thing that's happened to him. And my eye start watering. He thinks I'm in producer mode. He thought I was crying to make him cry. I wasn't. I'm just a human being. And then I had somebody in my ear telling me I needed to go to commercial break while I'm like holding space with that. I'm like holding space with that. I'm like holding space with that. I'm. I'm like holding space. And I'm like, how do you do it? Yeah. Yeah. That's hard. Well, at least we didn't have to deal with commercial breaks.

Yeah. But it is hard, especially if, like, they're, like, yelling about something else as I'm, like, connecting. Yeah. That's hard. It's hard. Okay. Maybe I was in the wrong job. Well, you clearly were because you got out.

I feel like it's manipulation sounds like a really harsh word. But, like, think about when you're making pottery. You're manipulating the pottery to go. where you want it to go. Yeah, that's a good point. You kind of have to manipulate a person. I got manipulated 100%, but I'm looking back on it. I was like, that created such a beautiful storyline and empowered me in so many ways.

And like, yes, I got manipulated and. Yeah, I think that's a good way to look at it. Because listen, we're in show business. At the end of the day, we're creating a show. We want good ratings. We want to succeed. And in a 20-hour rom-com, there's an arc. There is conflict.

There are villains. There are drama. There's resolution and hopefully like love forming too, right? And so yeah, you have to have to have a little bit of it all. So did you ever find yourself in a position with the storytelling manipulation where you felt like you were crossing a line? No. Okay. I don't think so.

I feel like I have a pretty good like moral compass that like I have. If I had gotten there, I would have made Bennett do it. Yes. And he'd be like, put me in coach. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah.

How do you think you make good TV while protecting somebody's emotional well-being? Hmm. How do you make good TV? You know, that's a good question. Well, because a lot of us do come off the show and a lot of people, I think a lot of people go in, maybe not in the best headspace. and then to come out of it feeling like you got chewed up and spat out and whiplashed while also trying to navigate new love and all these things. And we go through really dark times after. And I feel like a lot of people have like mental health. I don't know if problems is the good word to use, but situations because of what we just went through.

But at the same time, we did quote unquote, sign up for it. It is laid out flat in front of us on the contract that you could suffer from these kinds of things. it is a whirlwind. Yeah. But it's hard to protect people's well-being when you're, you know, not just you. I mean, like any producer. Yeah. You know, I, well, I'd be curious your perspective in that I do like, I like to see the people who actually like went through it and really grew, right? Because even, even in like diving, like, sure, I might force you to go deeper on a topic that you don't feel comfortable talking about or it's making you. uncomfortable, but maybe by getting you to go deeper, you're starting to move some stuff in you that you wouldn't have confronted.

I say all the time, it was like therapy every day. I grew tremendously going in and coming out of that show. Even though I had a dark period after, it was a perfect storm for darkness. Like it wasn't just a producer. It wasn't just this. It was the relationship. It was this person. It was that person.

It was media. It was trolls. It was friends. It was all these things that, like, is. is going into it, but. Which I'm sorry you had to deal with all that. I feel like they all do. Yeah.

I feel like everyone who makes it far on that show goes through some darkness after because nobody knows how to navigate that. Nobody knows. And then you have to just jump into the next season. Yeah. So it is hard even because, you know, it'd be nice if we could stay by your side and, like, help you through it. But yeah, then we're just like, bye, I got to do the next one.

I remember feeling so alone after because then it was like into Jojo's. and the same people that like were you know dealing with me 24 hours a day did not have time for me anymore no matter what I was feeling yeah it's hard they started an aftercare program I'm really glad they did that I think that is safe to Amber Caniddle and Megan A Rouge well what do they call her Lady Kaye um I feel like is that did they started like right after I left they did yeah um necessary yeah it is and actually like even the work I'm doing now I when I study I studied like coaching and hypnotherapy and NLP and tapping. I've learned all these sort of like actual healing modalities.

And so now I work with women to like actually navigate through that kind of stuff. That's a nice like full circle where you can. Yeah. I do want to talk about the moment where everything kind of flipped for you because you went from producing to the love story, as we've said, to being a part of the conversation around it. So when you're that close to the lead as a producer, like. I even found myself, like, confiding in Bennett or, like, I, like, had, I've never been that close to a man before. Yeah. Just because of, he knew everything that was going on with me.

He was there. He also is pumping my tires the whole time to these guys. Yeah. So he's speaking highly of me or spending all this time together. Like, never, ever did anything ever cross a line. He's, like, so in love with his wife, too. It's adorable. But, like, you get really close to the lead.

is what I'm saying. Was Peter the only male lead you ever did? And Matt. Oh, and Matt? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. You learned your lesson.

But there's like, you know, when you get that close, there's a level of trust to be built. Yeah. There's obviously been a lot of talk whether you and Peter ever crossed into something romantic, emotionally or physically. So from your perspective, what is the truth? Well, you got to get the book to. to find that out. But I will say that, yeah, as you're saying, you're like spending all your time together and my job's that gets you to be vulnerable and share your heart and you talk about love

and your hopes for the future and your dreams and your past relationships and the hurt. And so, like, as I'm talking to the lead, like, I'm also sharing my heart. It's yeah, it's part of my job to help you connect, but it actually felt really like natural and easy. And there was like an immediate like almost like soul connection, I would say. Really? Yeah. Oh yeah, yeah. And he's definitely was a soulmate.

But I, but okay. No, I love this. Does, did he feel the same energy? I, I don't know. Yes, we think so. Okay. I think so. Yeah, but you know, it was like, it was like, oh, best.

friends immediately kind of thing. Yes. Okay. Yeah. I would say that. But it's funny, do you have the pattern app? Yes, of course. Do you ever run your bonds? Always. Yeah, I one time checked ours and said soulmate. I did that with a guy who I'm not with. Same thing. Soulmate, but I was like, I don't even talk to him, but it, I know what you mean. But I think I, okay, I should clarify soulmate because some people think soulmate is your one romantic partner. But now I, I believe we have multiple soulmates in this world. And, and, I think. And, I should clarify, and, And some sure are your romantic partners or others are maybe there to help guide you towards something else or help you learn a deeper lesson.

And I now take him as helping guide me towards finally like doing my own inner work and learning more about myself and my blocks. Yeah, big reason for why you were paired with him. Yeah, I think I really. On a bigger scale. I really trust that. Yeah. There was a divine reason for it.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I mean, I'm sure everyone wants to know this, but did you tell Peter about this book that you were writing? I did. Yeah. Okay. And what did he say? Was it a phone call or a text? I first text. Yeah. Yeah. And then he called. Okay. Yeah. And he was probably not excited.

Yeah. We tried it for like a couple hours, actually. Okay. Yeah. And was that a healing conversation, a tough conversation? All of the above. How did it end? It was actually super healing for me. Okay. Yeah. It gave me, after I hung up, it gave me such great freedom and clarity. Mm-hmm.

Yeah. And you didn't have that before. Yeah, you're always a little like nervous and anxious. But, you know, the truth is, book's not, not for him. The book is for, I think, for a woman out there who are, you know, afraid to share their truth or something. stay quiet because of shame. And I just hope that I can empower other women to like own all their imperfections and just own their truth and own their voice. I love that. I'm, I'm so happy for you because you can't let someone like, I love Pilate Pete, but you can't let someone, a man stop you

from speaking your truth. Yeah. And if that, if it was healing to you in any way whatsoever, then it's so worth it. Yeah. All right. Maybe it's just me, but once summer hits, I feel like my relationship with makeup completely changes. Because in the wintertime, I mean, sure, I'll do a full look. But in the summer, I'm outside, I'm golfing, I'm walking the dogs, I'm sitting on paddows with friends, and the thought of just putting on a full face of heavy makeup just doesn't sound appealing.

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he's got his final two, because that was a crazy final two moment in Bachelor history. You know, they always say the most dramatic and this has never happened. But this really was this whole thing. Now, in my opinion, and you don't have to confirm or deny, I think sometimes it is produced in a way where they knew he they pushed him in a direction to pick somebody but they knew really he would go back and want the other one because that makes for great TV you don't have to confirm more than I

unless you want to No that wasn't the case at all It wasn't? No So what was his confusion? Well Madison left on her own Oh maybe I'm forgetting what Okay explain what happened

So it was Madison and Madison right before the fantasy suites said, I'm saving myself from marriage, and I don't know that I'd be able to continue if you slept with other women. And this was after he slept with Hannah. This was before. Oh, okay. But then, so he was really conflicted, but then he did end up sleeping with the other woman. Okay.

And so she left. Okay. And, you know, guys always want what they can't have. Always. So true. Actually, I have very dude energy in that way, too. I feel like I'm not saying. As someone that was in a position where you were starting to have romantic feelings from,

how hard was that for you to produce him into fantasy suites? So when I was producing, I was just fully producer mode. It was more as I reflected back, I started to realize there were these moments. Okay. And I was like, ah, ah, ah, oh, oh, why did that, yeah. So I remember in the book, there was a moment where you ran into Pete at stagecoach. Yeah. Okay. And this was obviously after you had done some reflecting, realized these moments were there, that energy was there, soulmate connection. You think he feels the same way. You see him at stagecoach. Had you talked to him in a while? I can't remember. We hadn't talked in a while. Okay. Yeah. So what was the connection when you see each other for the first time in person again? Yeah. It's just like an instant like, ah, you know, I really always loved his energy.

energy and sort of all those unresolved feelings came back to the surface. And then, yeah, there was a part of me just that always knew, like, I just needed to have a conversation with him because I never had. And did you have that conversation? Yeah, it took a while more, but then I finally did. Okay. And so when you reciprocated, or when you gave your feelings, did he reciprocate and, like, validate anything for you?

Yeah, I got, I got the answer. I need it. Okay. Yeah. Like, wait, this is recently or in the midst of it? This was like a couple years ago now. Okay, okay, okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And do you think this is like more common than people think in the dating reality TV space? So funny, because I dealt with so much shame around it. I'm so sorry also. And I hope I'm not like bringing up shame. No, no, it's okay, because I'm good now. Okay, okay. But like for a while, you know, it's six years later. You know, so like now I'm good. Yeah. I can laugh about it.

Okay. But for a while, I was like, it was really tough. Yeah. But then, like, I remember one time sitting and like having conversation, I'd, because I would randomly do other shows just to like make some money while I was like on my journey. And I remember talking to some other producers and then mentioning some contestants from like other shows and stuff. And I was like, oh, oh, maybe this is more common than I realized.

I think I've heard some stories. I think it is. Yeah. Because again, there's, it's kind of like a, the same situation where like people fall in love in the big brother house when you spend that much time with somebody. You know, like it's kind of just being human. But also it's got to be. So did anyone make you feel bad in the bachelor world? Like, while it was happening, did they notice and be like, you were in love with him.

You can't do this. Or was there, like, did people make you feel shame during? No. I don't think anybody. Well, I didn't know if, I didn't know what anyone was thinking. I didn't know what I was thinking. People were like calling it out. Because the media ran with it.

Yeah. Yeah. But it's interesting because So it's funny because in the middle of filming actually, Ben, it was like, you know, our biggest fear was that like, Peter might fall in love with you. And I was like, oh.

And then I made a joke back and I was like, what if I fell in love with him? And he goes, well, you know you're not dumb enough to do that. Oh. And that just kept. swirling through my mind. Yeah. What does he mean?

Why am I not dumb enough to fall for like a sweet and a naive pilot? Yeah. Good looking at all. Why do I always fall for these like complicated artsy weirdos in L.A.? Like maybe I just needed like a nice simple man. Do we think Peter is a nice simple man now? You know, I think I, I do. I do.

I actually really like him. I really like him too. I have no bad feelings about Peter at all. Does he have bad feelings towards you now? A problem. He might. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Like, do you guys still follow each other on social media? No. No. No. He blocked me. Okay. So he is not feeling the same about you.

You're like, I know. I still like him. And he's like, block. Delete. We all, we all choose our methods. Yeah. Yeah. But do you care or does that hurt your feelings a little bit or no? Oh, um, it, I see it as like universe protecting me. I feel like because, yes, I do care and I never want to hurt anyone. And that's probably why I, like, didn't do this for so long because I don't want to hurt anybody. I've always been like, I just want to make everyone happy. I want everyone to like me. I think a lot of women feel that way, right?

And so it's hard to fully just be vulnerable and share your heart and share your truth. Yeah. But I think I'm very kind. You are very kind. I've always thought that about you. I mean, oh, thank you. I mean, sorry, in the book. Oh, but thank you. Thank you.

I just do want to reiterate that you as a producer I did think was kind. Thanks. But yeah, in the book, okay, like you're saying it's not like you're shitting on. I don't know. No, no, no. I didn't get that. I think everything comes from a place of love and from my heart. Yes. And you chose to leave the show. Yes. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So that was, you know, I, yeah, I had like a mid-30s meltdown in the middle of Matt season.

I just laid it on the nim and calling golf course. Just staring at the clouds. Like, does God exist? What am I doing? My life. Is it all worth it? I had had a grandparent who passed away and I didn't leave to go to the funeral because I would have had to like quarantine again. Oh, right.

And then my other grandparent was on their deathbed. And I'm like, what am I doing here? You know, Matt and I was like tough with him. And then, yeah. And then I realized my grandpa wasn't going to make it. And my production was super nice. and they gave me like a production band, and I packed up and I left.

So at that time, I was like, oh, I'll probably come back. We're about to have like our little winter hiatus. I'm like, I just need to be with family. But then when I was with family, and then I was just doing my own inner reflection. And then, you know, I did my Zoom call with like my two-year plan. They were talking about my two-year plan to like run the show. And I was looking at all the Zoom squares.

I'm like, I don't think I have any desire to become any of you. Yeah, were they all old white men? and then a couple single women in the 40s which like God bless them if that's your path but I'm like oh my God

if I ever want to get married if I ever want to fall in love and have kids I don't know how anyone does it I need to get out of here and some people do it and they'll bring their kiss on the road like super woman God bless you

but I'm also like is that the lifestyle I want no I'm so I'm like shit I got to get out of here so then I just like email the next day they're like oh I cried the entire Zoom I couldn't stop crying really I couldn't stop crying.

I'm like, first off, because it was like all 10 of them. I'm like, why are you all on this call? Yeah, yeah, that's a lot. I was like, don't you have something better to me doing? Like, you really, you all got to talk about my future? I'm like, can't I just be in the moment? I couldn't stop crying. And I'm like, maybe that's your body talking to you.

Yeah, truly. Yeah. I always believe a woman's intuition in what the body's trying to tell them. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, it's fascinating when you start listening. And you did. I mean, you did. just one quick question, were you surprised when Matt and Rachel broke up?

No, not at all. Okay. Because I think a lot of people were online because they always were together and living together. I was surprised they were together as long as they were. But then it was like people started being like, wait, he hasn't actually proposed yet. Like what is, why are you surprised? Or why were you not surprised? I don't know.

I think Matt probably just needs to do like his own inner work. Totally. Yeah. I know. And I want that for him. Yeah, me too. I wonder if he is. I think I say like we butted heads, but he, like in his heart, he's like a really sweet, like Southern guy.

He had all the girls pray for my grandparents. Like he, I really adore him. And I think, yeah, he probably just needs like all of us, right? Do you think Rachel knew that or do you think Rachel now knows that? So hard when you're like caught up in it. I know. You always try to see like, you always just try to, you know, you see the, you know, you see the potential. Yeah. The potential. But again, like, I also believe we're all mirrors, right? And you

attract them what you need at that time. And they're, I'm sure they serve their reason. Well, 1,000 percent. I mean, that's, if I look back on every relationship, that's what it was. Yeah. Yeah. No, totally. Okay. So who are some of the leads besides Matt, Pete, Hannah, that you've worked really close with that stand out to you? Well, then the other two leads I worked with were Claire and Tasia. Oh, wow. And how was that experience? Well, did you know there was a moment

where I almost became The Bachelor of? No. When? When all the rumors came out. Wait, so all the rumors came out because I remember thinking, they tried to get me, actually, I did this. I held hands with a producer

or a camera guy, I can't remember, because they thought reality Steve had photos, photographers watching. So me and a camera guy, I can't remember who it was, were holding hands to try and start that. rumor that you were that that I was with yeah oh that's funny and because then they were trying to

throw them off so then I was like okay the media started running with you and Pete being a thing like does he leave the women for her did do you think somebody sold that story to try and get more people talking and into the no it was like a Reddit theory I remember seeing like someone tagged me on Instagram I saw this Reddit theory and then like overnight it just like I think Cosmo picked it up and then another then good morning America and then they and also on Howard Stern was talking about it. I was on page six. Like, real accomplishment for her Carrie Bradshaw.

Truly. Oh my gosh. So then wait. So then the producers were like So then I I had gone to Florida for the weekend for my Papa's 90th birthday and I get a call from Mike Flies. Uh-huh. And he's like, Julie. And I was so scared because I was like, yeah. Yeah, I was like, and he's like,

Julie, I want you to know we are loving these rumors. And I was wondering, would you ever consider being the Bachelorette? And I was like, yes. I'm like, really? Line up 25 men for me. I am ready to throw down this walking. Even knowing what you know? Put on the gowns.

Yes. Wow. I'm like, I am done with this. I just want love. Yeah. I believe. I'm like, you know, I'm a hopeless romantic. I've seen it.

I've seen the love happen. Yeah. And I was like, yes. He's like, you know, the storyteller meets. He was like the modern day Cinderella story. I'm like, I'd be lying if I said I didn't think the same. Yeah. I am the girl behind the camera picking the boogers out of your nose.

I'm like, I'm ready for my close-up. Yeah. So I really thought for a minute, I had like a secret meeting. How long did that conversation go for? And then when did it, then it was Claire? Yeah. Because I know that every bachelorette season, there's usually like a few people in the running. So obviously Claire being one of them, you probably Tasia.

So what happened? Yeah. So I was in Florida. He's like, let's have a meeting when you get back. I had a meeting with him and Rob, and I really thought I crushed the meeting. They were like, they were really excited about it. We were like, yes, we're going to do it. Wow.

Because confession, I totally auditioned for the show when I was like 22. Oh, okay. So you're like, oh, I got it. Here's my time. It's happening. Finally, I'm going to be a star. No, I'm just kidding. That's funny.

An old coworker, like, submitted me. That wasn't my time. But yeah, so I always love the show. That's why I ended up coming and getting the job. But then, yeah, and then after they're like, we want you to meet with the other executives, like, you know, stand by. We're going to talk about it, whatever. And then like a few days went by. And then I get called into another EP's office, Martin's.

And then he was basically like, you know, we talked about it for hours. And after all this deliberation, we just, as a producer, it'll be really hard for people to believe your story. I just start crying. Looking back, are you glad that happened that way now? Or do you still wish it would happen? That's funny. Well, then it was like then COVID hit. So I think, yeah, I trust that everything happened as it should.

But I would have loved it. That's funny. So wait, then you had to go produce the season you could have been? No. No. Literally like four days later. Yeah, they picked Claire. It was all very like last minute.

Who would you have picked if you were the Bachelorette that season? You would have picked Zach. Totally. But, you know, then I also fantasize about someone else coming back, you know. Who? The Bachelor I just produced. Oh. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, you can start creating all these stories. I'm sure. Especially as a date, a date, producer, a storyteller, like, you. Yeah. You're always just writing stories in your head. Yeah.

Helpless romantic. Yeah. So I was writing all these stories in my head. Oh, my gosh. So you just had to. again sit with your producer hat on think these guys could be here for me right now but they're instead here for these women what was the whole clear thing with dale like that really was a real thing and you guys panicked or did you always know that was going to happen no we did not know that was

going to happen we so for the first time because COVID happened she got to go back home and so for the first time all these cast members were released to the public you know we used to do that we did that as a safety precaution yep and um So she got to see all the guys. So we knew that was like her front runner, but you didn't expect it to be. Maybe we should. Well, no, she already saw his Instagram when it worked like the Sean tactic. Yeah, yeah.

But yeah. And it's hard when, you know, it's hard when they're just locked in. Yeah. Especially, you know. Yeah. We knew it wasn't, she wasn't going to be able to just like wing it with the other people. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. So then I was like, put me in, boss. I'm here. I'm in the COVID bubble. Yes. Oh, you're like, wait, this is perfect timing. Yeah. Entertasia. Yeah.

They had started casting older guys because I was like, oh, maybe I'm too old. Because at the time I was 35 and I was like worried even when I met with them. I'm like, I'd be the oldest bachelorette ever. Yeah. My age stuff was really starting to kick in then. I was all the contestants were getting like 22. I know. It's so annoying.

I was an older bachelor at 30. Like what? So silly. It is silly. They need to grow with the time. Oh, my gosh. So then you had to. again put that to the side.

Yeah, yeah. Was it hard? Yeah. Yeah. You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact that you might not know yet. Drivers who switch to save with Progressive save over $900 on average. So they make it super simple.

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Yeah. That's like the best compliment. No, but absolutely. Even though it was a hot mess, I'm like, I still feel like I was the same on TV that I am in real. You absolutely. But that's not the case for everybody. It's not the case for everybody. And I get surprised how much of an act people can put on for that long.

I couldn't do it. Yeah. But your job is to make that person look good. So my question is, do you ever have someone that gets engaged and then they come back weeks later and go, that's not who I got engaged to? Like, because you have to amp up the lead. You have to make them seem like they're the greatest person to ever live, even if they're not. Well, we start shifting that a little bit. Yeah.

Right? You know? Like, yes. I mean, even like when Nick was the lead, people kind of knew he was a little like cocky. Yeah. Right. True. But has that ever happened where somebody, they get picked and then they go, that's not who I thought it was?

Yeah. And we kind of, well, okay, less with the lead and more the lead and who they picked, right? Oh, really? I think so. Okay. And that's when we always end up shooting those. like surprise breakups and stuff. Yeah.

It's real life. That's what's the most interesting, don't you think? Yeah. All of them stuff that I would be like, God, I'm glad that wasn't me. It was the good TV. And Hannah, I would say Hannah, too, is fully authentically herself. Yes.

Which I really think, like, I think that's where Colton's season was so transformational for her. Yeah. Right? I think they really, like, got her into that full hot mess express where that was her superpower on her season. Yes. Right?

So we embraced her going in and just telling them how she felt. Yes. And that was like super admirable that she just, she was just fully herself. I agree. She was one of my favorite seasons. Yeah. Because of that, obviously. Yeah.

And because people celebrated her having sex. I was like, finally. Yeah. I was so happy. I was like, yes. There was hope. Do you have a favorite love story that you were part of creating? Oh, gosh.

Hmm. I'm like, who's still together? I know. Hannah G. and Dylan are still together. I was Hannah's producer in Paradise. They are cute. And I remember her being so nervous, not sure if she should get engaged. Might it be too soon?

I love the fact that they're actually still together and happily in love and married. Okay. Was there a couple where you got engaged and had to produce this big beautiful moment and go, that's not going to last? Yeah, for sure. We'll just, we'll just give us it. You see all the ones that didn't love. Yeah, true. But it's hard.

I, again, I always like to see the glass half full and you're really like hopeful in the moment. Yeah. Usually in the moment they're fully, you know, you're fully in it. It's more like once you're outside of that bubble and the real life shit comes up. Yeah. It's like, oh, can we actually do this? Yeah. Oh, I don't want to live there or, oh, wait.

The pain phase wears off and real life happens. Real life happens. Who is the bachelor contestant that you loved working with the most? Probably Peter Yeah Makes sense These favorite Oh I'm gonna play the fifth on that

Yeah I'm just trying to trick you at your own game Yeah Yeah See what you're doing Okay now Here's where things get really real And we've kind of touched on it

About your mid-30s Your breakdown Your reckoning Helping people find love for living While your own life is kind of unraveling So was it during that season That was your Like the breakdown that you had

Was that your moment that you realize you're ignoring your own feelings? Yeah. Well, I would say it probably started like that finale week of Peter's season was crazy because it was like, yeah, the week before I thought I might be The Bachelor. Then it was clear. And then I'm like shooting like flying with her and doing her revealing Good Morning America. And then the next day flying back and then having to do that live finale show, which was a lot.

Yeah. I don't know if you remember, like his mom and like. all that. You know, there was just like a lot. A lot of emotions. Peter's mom like you. Well, she loved me. I was her favorite person the week before. And then that day, I got the grunt of it. And it was like, oh, like, I thought she loved me. Why does anyone love me? Yeah, that's tough, though. I literally, I'm in an impossible situation. I literally like sunk down in like the dressing room and just cry, got to cry all the time. This is the thing. You cry. Then I went to a control room and cried to them. And then I had a go. I'm like, go out there, you know, and you're like, oh, my God, when am I going to work at myself? And then, and then we were supposed to start filming Claire's season. And then I had some family stuff happening simultaneously. And I was like, had my sister come up and like, Claire was in one room. Peter was in one room. My sister was in another room. Like,

and I was like navigating everyone's emotions. It was so intense. And then I'm like, what about me? And I had to be packed the next day up in Westlake Village in for two. months. And I was like, please, God, I need something. And then COVID hit. And I was like, I really thought I like manifest it COVID. I look damn. I am powerful. I'm like, you know, before I knew the extreme of that, I was like, oh my God. Yeah. Yeah. It was a lot. I mean, but I think there was like a little awakening happening for everyone during that time. Yes, I agree. There was, it was, you know, Gabby, Wendy says like, there was like, when did you know she was, you were gay? And she's like, there's always little whispers.

I feel like that was like for everyone, just like little whispers happening throughout life. And when COVID happened, we all wanted to either avoid and push down everything. That was like we were feeling or explore what was happening within us and be like, wow, now we have to sit with ourselves, which is like therapy 101,

like learn to sit with yourself in the quiet and the like, you know, without the people and the scrolling and the whatever, like who are you? Yeah. And it forced everyone to do that. It forced us to do that. And I, so when I was forced to finally, like, sit still and be in my thoughts, I mean, it was really hard because there was so much going on, I should dissect in the book.

But then I started reading Becoming Supernatural by Joe Dispenza. Love him. So good. He went to the same hypnotherapy school as me. Really? Yeah. Yeah. And then through that, I had my first sort of, like, transidental meditation, out-of-body experience and seeing, like, my future.

saw like all this crazy visuals just through like the pineal gland meditation. Don't get me started on that gland. I'm taking medicine to decalcify it right now. I heard you on your podcast. Oh, no, no, it's important. Yeah. No, I'm, if they air what I say on the show I just filmed about the pineal gland and me talking about what Hitler used to put in the water for his camps to calcify that.

I'm going to look like a crazy person. Anyways, go on. No, you're not. No, you are awakened. I won't. I'll look crazy to the people who aren't and there's a lot of those. You know, people used to think I was crazy when I was talking about aliens five years ago and now it's so mainstream. Yeah, I know, right? When my acts used to call me a witch, I'd get like turned on. I was like, yes, I am. Yeah. Yeah. You mean like we actually tap into our abilities? Yeah. Uh-huh. Got it.

And then just kind of handle it. I literally when he called me a witch, I'm not even joking. And I think he was seeing it in like maybe a nice way. I'm not sure. I took it as nice. I was like, okay, well, before I leave, make sure you don't leave that candle burning. I just have this feeling that the glass is going to break. He said I left and the glass broke. Shut up. It was like overheated and the glass just broke and wax went everywhere. And I was like, but by the witch, wait, witch is like a good thing. Totally. I agree.

But people get mad at me about the term witch because they say I need Jesus. But anyways, go on. It's all the same. Yeah. That's what I say. It's all tapping into higher vibration. So I guess my meltdown like slowly started like end of Peter's finale and then COVID. bit hit and then I was forced to be with my thoughts, had these sort of transidental experiences,

and then was like forced back into this chaos. And I was like, and I had actually like started having a normal routine and like I actually slept and like ate balanced meals and worked out. And I was like, then trying to go back to it. I was like, you know, I was like a ticking time bomb. And then yeah, and then mats and then boom. And then you're also, how old were you while you were doing that season? I was 35. Okay. See. And then that's, I feel like there's, I feel like there's that pressure. Almost, almost 36. You've talked about the pressure that women feel around timelines, career-wise, love family. And that was probably, was that all just showing up for you at once? Because I feel like that's the age, too. It starts really hitting you. Yeah, exactly.

Do you laugh at that now where you're like, oh, L-O-L-L you think you have to have it all figure out at 35? Because I do. Yeah. Yeah. I think like, I think like the real thing is like, we'll never, no one ever hasn't figured out. And we should just like be open and curious. and just have fun in life because, you know, that's what it's for. Yeah, and you ended up freezing your eggs. I end up freezing my eggs. Yeah. Is that just the best decision you've ever made?

Yes. I still am so happy I did that. Yeah. Yeah, you did it. You were smart. You did it even sooner. I did it at 32. Yeah.

You know, in hindsight. I wish I did it sooner. Because I was in my like five-year relationship, 27 to 32. In hindsight, it would have been great if I did it right after that. But at that time, first off, I was like so busy with work. It was like the last thing in my mind. And I'm like, oh, 32. You know, you just have this 40 in your head, like 40, 40.

I'll totally be married with kids by then. And then that's when, like, yeah, it was like two weeks shy of my 36th birthday when they're like, two year plan to run the show. And I'm like, I'll be 38. Like, and then I got a date and meet someone and spend the time to get to know them before we get married and then have kids. I don't want the, I hate the pressure. I hate the pressure. Yeah. I've always been like a date being the moment type of person, you know, sort of feel like, even for the guys, I hate it that they would date me, know my age and be like, oh, shit.

I got to be serious about this. It's so funny because now I'm like, I literally find myself being proud of my age. Like when people like don't know, I'm like, I'm turning 41 next week. Can you believe? Yeah. Wait, is it next week? Sorry, next month. Next month.

I'm rushing it. Yeah. Yay, welcome. Well, by his air, you'll be 41. Exactly. Yeah. Welcome. I'm 41.

Forties are just wonderful. They are. Where are you at in life now? Compared to all that, you went through this healing journey. You went to school. You found yourself. You froze your eggs. You went from producing love stories and then helping women rewrite their own.

What has changed for you internally and where you're at now? Yeah. I think I finally feel like I have a better sense of myself who I am. I've found my voice. I healed like my own inner wounds. And so for me, I'm in a really happy place where I feel like I finally like fully stepping into my power. Yeah. And my message, and I really just hope to spread a message of like this idea that we could all be love producers in this world, right?

I like that. I think it really all starts by like going on that journey within and then being able to radiate from that place of love so that you attract in all that you do and bring conscious awareness to like, you know, what your triggers are. So you could reproach, you know, re-approach everything from a place of love. I mean, going to hypnotherapy at school is such a brilliant idea for wanting to heal. your own wounds? You're like, why don't I just go to school for this? Well, but then through that, I realize I'm like, oh, I always just like go to become the expert in something instead of like trying it myself. I'm like, wait, maybe I need to like actually, I was like, oh, maybe I should start seeing a hypnotherapist since now I'm in school to be a hypnotherapist. And did you? Yeah, yeah,

I have a funny chapter on that because that was my first like proper like sit down in a chair. Yeah. And the guy says, so how are you feeling today? And I was like, I'm uncompy. I was like me So that's usually what I asked the other people I was like oh my God That's so cruel I just started crying there too I was there too I was there for my TMJ

And I'm just like how am I feeling I was there for my TMJ Well ironically because I have a hard time expressing myself so I was holding it all my jaw Yeah there's Botox for that So I've heard Yeah Because I do the same thing

I wake up in the moonlight just clenching the shit out of my Yeah Yeah well we can work on that Yeah we're going to but I know you have these special powers. Yeah. That's amazing. Yeah.

My last question is, do you think shows like The Bachelor or dating shows on reality TV help or hurt how we see relationships? Oh. I think they could really help. Yeah. I really do. It was interesting. I was talking to someone in the post department at the reunion for the show.

Yeah, I saw that. And he's like, wow, you know, when I sit there and watch all the, you know, raw footage, it really had me reflecting a lot on like my relationship and, like, the questions we should be asking. Oh, interesting. Yeah. It was a really like, it was a really sweet conversation. I was like, yeah, that's how I felt as a lead. Like I was like, God, why are they having such meaningful, vulnerable conversations that I can't have with my boyfriend of five years. Right. Oh, like, so I think, I think everyone at home can just kind of let themselves. Yeah, like, how those uncomfortable conversations. Like, you know, talk about that wound from your

childhood. Yeah. Right. People will, like, suppress it. And are you dating now? I'm dating. I'm open. I love it. What if they asked you to be the Bachelorette. Oh, what do you think? Yeah, you would totally do it. The oldest bachelorette.

Good. We need to see more. That's, I mean, I get that, like, train wrecks are fun to watch, and I was a train wreck in my 20s. 30s was a little better, but that was my very early 30s where now I'm like, actually, no, our brains, again, I don't know how you could have done it knowing the production behind it. I actually think I would have totally surrendered to the process.

I think I would have. I'm glad I did. I really feel like I surrendered to it because it was how you get the most out of it. Yeah. Yeah. It forces you to really like go deep. Yeah. Tell everyone when this book comes out.

I'm sure we're going to air this when it is out. So where can be able to find you? July 7, 7-7 angel numbers. Oh, love that. Yeah. You go the love producer.com is my website and it has a link to the book. It puts on any like, you know, Amazon, any bookstore. I love to support local bookstores if you go there.

And then I'm also, so as a love producer now, I'm planning different like retreats and workshops. So I'm actually planning one at Playa Escondita where we film Bachelor in Paradise. That's going to be my first big thing. Cool. Yeah. So it's like come to Paradise, let me be your love producer. I'm bringing different people that helps me on my journey. So like, hypnotherapist and breath work and all these real things to help you work through those barriers to love.

Wow. Yeah. That's exciting. Yeah. Okay. So people can go to that website and see the loveproducer.com. The love producer. The love producer.

Yeah. And find out all those dates and how they can sign up and everything. Yes. Yes, yes, yes. And then my Instagram's Julie La Placa. Okay. Yeah. I really am proud of you for finding your voice for healing your wounds that you needed to heal for doing the work and actually choosing you instead of, you know, the grind of a business that was very successful.

Thank you. Yeah. That's hard to, like, get out of those. old pattern. Yeah. Okay, we all know this feeling when your to-do list is so long. You don't even know where to start. Oh, I feel like that right now, actually. Work appointments, catching up with friends, remembering to drink enough water. Life is nonstop. And if you throw apartment hunting into the mix, well, forget about it. Just forget about it. But that is where Apartments.com can come in handy. They take the stress out of finding your next home so you can actually enjoy the process instead of

dreading it. So if you want to see if a place is a good fit, you could take a 3D virtual tour. and get a real feel for the space without even having to leave your couch. And once you find a place you love, you can schedule a tour online and even apply with one click. So you're not stuck filling out endless paperwork for every single place you're interested in. It's all in one spot making your search just way easier. So whether you're moving for a fresh start, a new job, just better vibes all around, Apartments.com helps you get it done so you can get back to literally everything else. So join the millions of happy renters.

find your next home at Apartments.com, the place to find a place. At first, I didn't think it was real. I woke up to this blinding light, and I was transported to another place. Pluto TV! Then I heard a voice. Come with me if you want to live. There were thousands of movies and shows, and they were all free. The truth is our scene.

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