The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Almost Famous In Depth: Rachel Recchia

Episode Date: September 23, 2022

Fresh off The Bachelorette finale, Rachel Recchia is sitting down one on one with Ben Higgins to discuss the highs and lows from her time as The Bachelorette. Rachel holds nothing back in this raw and unfiltered conversation, as she shares her journey towards healing.   Find out what really happened when the cameras weren’t rolling and what the future holds for Rachel Recchia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Hi, my name is Enya Eumanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble.

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Each week, I'm joined by authors, celebs, book talk stars, and more for conversations that will make you laugh, cry, and add way too many books to your TVR pile. Listen to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Books is the official audio book and ebook home for Reese's Book Club. Visit apple.c.O. forward slash Reese Apple Books to find out more. Why are TSA rules so confusing? You got a hoon. You want to take it all?

I'm Mani. I'm Noah. This is Devin. And we're best friends and journalists with a new podcast called No Such Thing, where we get to the bottom of questions like that. Why are you screaming? I can't expect what to do. Now, if the rule was the same, go off on me.

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What is not a norm is to allow it to prevent you from doing the things that you want to do, the things that you were meant to do. Listen to Therapy for Black Girls on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is Ben and Ashley I, almost famous in-depth. What an honor. We're here with an in-depth episode in-depth at the I-Heart Radio Music Festival with, I was going to say, the Bachelorette. One of two. One of two bachelets.

Rachel, thanks for sitting down with us. Thanks for having me. Finally sitting down in person. I know. I've told everybody on our show, I said, we've got to talk online. I've never met you in person. And so this was something I was really looking forward to because I just watched it on TV, like, what is today? Today Thursday? Yeah, today's Thursday like four days ago. But your life has been a whirlwind. Yes, quite a bit has changed since then.

Are you holding up? Doing the best I can, honestly. Still feels like I haven't had time to process everything. But just trying to hang in there for now. For the fans out there listening, because I guess I don't even know, it's been a few years since I was on the show, what has your last four days look like? Like, what's your schedule meaning? Like, where have you been? Who have you been talking to? What have you done in the last four days to bring you now to Las Vegas? Yeah, so obviously started in L.A., filmed after the final rose, went straight to New York with Gabby, got to do a bunch of interviews with her, and went straight. to Vegas and here we are at the eye heart um and yeah so it's just been definitely a whirlwind and trying to soak everything in and in a way just excited it's over and being able to finally talk about it to everyone are you excited this is all over um I'm so blessed and grateful for the opportunity but I think for so long I've kind of known the outcome and so the fact that I'm finally able to just you know have it out in the world the way it is it just is kind of a relief in a way. I'm going to try to phrase this question properly. If it doesn't come off,

I might have to try again. But there's this unique thing in your story where you have this finale kind of sitting in front of you. You know what's happened in between the end of filming and now the finale. You do the finale and it is just wild no matter what. Even if it all works out perfectly, it's hard on everybody involved. It's tiring. There's a lot of people asking you questions. Then, like you said, you flew in New York City with Gabby, did press out there, now you're sitting here. But yet in the meantime, you've had a real life experience that has hurt you, that has confused you, that you aren't necessary probably having time to process and sit on, where some people, after breakup, would sit in their room, you know, their house

and cry and talk to friends and family and work through it. You haven't had that opportunity. And so as a human, how are you feeling now? Yeah, it's crazy. Obviously, I haven't really had time to process since the world has known, but I have had about a little over a month, a month and a half to really sit down and process everything. And obviously, going through the break up and then having to watch everything back and then see him again, you know, normally when you do go through a situation like this, you don't have to sit down on a couch with them again, especially on a day that, you know, you go through this entire process looking forward to the day where you get to tell the world how and love you are and where

you're ring and to kind of go a month and a half knowing what the world was going to see it after the final rows. It was difficult and definitely on the road to healing and looking forward too continuing that after this. It's just a weird thing to say, right? That I'm waiting for healing until after all of this. Yeah. I don't know if that's healthy or not. I can't say, but do you feel like you're sitting in a place of health right now?

Are you still in a place of like survival? Like just trying to be where you're at and do what you need to do in the moment. Yeah, it's difficult because I definitely have had truly a month where all I had to do was sit there and heal. and talk about it with people. And so that was really nice, but now it is in a situation where the world does get to weigh in on this. And they do get to have an opinion on who's right

and who's wrong and what's left out and what's his side. And so, you know, in a normal situation, you would just, you know, be healing with your friends and family and now to have everyone weighing in and telling you things like, you deserve this or whatever they might say,

it definitely affects healing a little bit, but doing, you know, the best I can to get, like, move forward with my life and heal from this. Well, I have to be one of those people. And it feels weird for me to sit with you today and the first time we've ever met in person. And your, this six months of your life led up to what happened on Monday night.

And now every press and every interview you do is going to ask you about a breakup. And I don't like that. I don't want to do this. I have, it's kind of what I have to do. But it feels weird for me. And I know that's not fun for you, I'm assuming. Is that everybody's like re-bringing up something that probably hurt. Well, definitely.

I mean, it's not just a breakup. It's a breakup that I didn't want to happen. You know, when someone cheats, you don't necessarily, it's not a decision you're coming to mutually. So how do it feel when he told you? I mean, the first thing is just obviously shock. it feels like almost like the stages of grief where you go through just no emotion and then anger and then sadness and it just keeps repeating itself and kind of now just at a place of

acceptance of it and really just have to accept the fact that I'll never have the full story and never really know like truly the you know answer to everything well you mentioned in prep for this I was on social media and a lot of people are saying hey we don't know the whole story here right and and yet people are still choosing size we're going to talk about that in a bit because you don't know the full story obviously the public doesn't feel like they know the whole story was there anything that happened on monday night that you wish was said or brought to light that you didn't have the opportunity to bring to light because of the circumstances because of the speed at which this interview you know on television existed like seven minutes of you guys

sitting on a couch is there anything out there that you would like to say just to bring clarity to the situation. Yeah, I was really hoping. I mean, obviously we had a superheated argument filmed way before I sat down on the couch with him. And I was really hoping my hope was that we could sit on this couch and just, you know, be civil. I do wish the best for him.

I don't want to sit there and make him feel bad or bullied or whatever. Obviously, that transpired was out of my control for the most part. But yeah, I just, I really was hoping. hoping we could sit down and kind of get to that place where we're, you know, just wishing each other the best. And unfortunately, that just didn't happen. So it is sad, I think, for both parts that we're just kind of in this place where it didn't end well in person or in our initial argument. But there's really nothing, nothing I can do. No. I mean, it's a weird environment to be bringing this out. So on national television. So will you at some point reach back out for

healing or do you feel like this is now done and you're going to just move forward and he can move forward and what happened on Monday night is enough for you guys just to put you know close the book and move forward. Yeah, I think that is a huge thing about healing and especially when you're in a position I'm in of just wanting all the answers and wanting to know exactly what happened and what did she say and you know all those things. But I think I've come to like accept everything with having at least a month to kind of heal and just realizing I'll never. get those answers and just not knowing is what I have to kind of live with. And I do wish him all the best. I don't think. I really do think this is like the end of our chapter, what everyone saw on

Tuesday. You know, I had a relationship from the show. And we've both moved forward now. She has a second kid on the way. Very excited for her. And I'm married. Very happy. And congratulations again. Thank you. But there was a season to go back when we broke up. We did announce it publicly. This was not on national television. We broke up because we just weren't fitting. Like our lives are not aligning. It was very clear that it wasn't a healthy relationship for us any longer.

But what happened then is people chose sides. Team Ben, team Lauren. And you still care about that person, right? You still have a piece of your heart that is with them. And it got really hard for me. That was probably the hardest part. because there was two sides of it won. I was like,

how can you beat Team Lauren? Like, look at me hurting over here. And then the second was, how could you beat Team Ben? She's hurting over there. And so finally, in our relationship, and I've never said this publicly, it took a year and a half,

but we did finally talk, not long, but there was like a closure to it. Like, hey, I'm just wishing you the best. Like, I know this got ugly for circumstances. couldn't control. I know there was like a protection that we were both having about ourselves. And it closed the book for us. I felt like it really helped me finally move on

and move forward. I don't know, you know, on her side if it did. But I didn't realize I needed that for a while. And so I'm just telling you when this storm and this tornado of stuff finally ends, there might be some healthiness and just saying, hey, I'm sorry for whatever happened during this. Let's move on, but I still care about you. Yeah, no, absolutely. And that's another thing, too, is I really don't ever want it to be portrayed as if I'm saying I'm not at fault because we were having difficulties. And I mean, I'm to blame for a lot of things. And I'm not perfect. I wasn't a perfect partner. And I really do wish him all the best and his own healing. And I do hope, yeah, eventually we can get to that point where we just are completely on a civil good page, I guess.

It feels good when you see the other person thriving And you know that you're doing really good yourself It does feel good My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly And now I'm seriously suspicious Oh wait a minute Sam Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit Well Dakota, it's back to school week on the okay story time podcast

So we'll find out soon This person writes My boyfriend has 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. Now, hold up.

Isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate. Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor and they're the same age. It's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him?

Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet. So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his professor or not? To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor.

And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you.

Open your free Eye Heart Radio. video app, search emergency intercom, and listen now. The U.S. Open is here, and on my podcast, Good Game with Sarah Spain, I'm breaking down the players from rising stars to legends chasing history, the predictions, well, we see a first-time winner, and the pressure. Billy Jean King says pressure is a privilege, you know. Plus, the stories and events off the court, and of course the honey deuses, the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open.

The U.S. Open has gotten to be a very fancy, wonderfully experienced. experiential sporting event. I mean, listen, the whole aim is to be accessible and inclusive for all tennis fans, whether you play tennis or not. Tennis is full of compelling stories of late. Have you heard about Icon Venus Williams' recent wildcard bids? Or the young Canadian, Victoria Mboko, making a name for herself. How about Naomi Osaka getting back to form?

To hear this and more, listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain, an Iheart women's sports production in partnership with deep blue sports and entertainment on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports. Culture eats strategy for breakfast. I would love for you to share your breakdown on pivoting. We feel sometimes like we're leaving a part of us behind when we enter a new space, but we're just building.

On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us, I was joined by Volisha Butterfield, media founder, political strategist, and Tech Powerhouse for a powerful conversation on storytelling, impact, and the intersections of culture. and leadership. I am a free black woman who worked really hard to be able to say that. I'd love for you to break down why was so important for you to do C. You can't win as something you didn't create.

From the Obama White House to Google to the Grammys, Malicia's journey is a masterclass in shifting culture and using your voice to spark change. A very fake, capital-driven environment and society will have a lot of people tell half-truths. I'm telling you, I'm on the energy committee. Like, if the energy is not right, we're not doing it, whatever that it is. Listen to

Culture raises us on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just like great shoes, great books take you places. Through unforgettable love stories and into conversations with characters you'll never forget. I think any good romance,

it gives me this feeling of, like, butterflies. I'm Danielle Robay, and this is bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. The new podcast from Hello Sunshine and IHeart podcast, where we dive into the stories that shape us on the page and off. Each week, I'm joined by authors, celebs, book talk stars, and more for conversations that will make you laugh, cry, and add way too many books to your TVR pile. Listen to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever

you get your podcasts. Apple Books is the official audiobook and ebook home for Reese's Book Club. Visit apple.co forward slash Reese Apple Books to find out more. One of the things that I wanted to ask you about because I felt like it was a little fuzzy during the show was therapy was brought up a lot, which is very important, something that I did from the moment filming stopped. Still to this day, it's been one of the best things in my life to implement and to take seriously. but there was these hints at the reason why therapy was necessary kind of during Monday night's

show for people out there listening who have never been on the show and have never been a lead can you give some clarity into what you were experiencing starting with night one filming because I got to talk to you the day of night one airing you and Gabby were so excited yeah and I almost at that moment I went to every year and I never do is be like hey this is awesome this is going to suck. Prepare yourself. This is not this is not going to be easy.

And if you're with somebody, just know that it's really hard on them to understand how you could have feelings for multiple people and be kissing people up until the two days before your engagement. And in your mind, you've made sense of it. But in their mind, they don't get it.

And so can you give a little clarity to the behind the scenes when we weren't getting interviews with you and you weren't coming on the podcast to what, like, watching the season back felt like for you personally and how easy or hard it was. Yeah, I think it's hard for everyone. Fortunately for me, I did have Gabby with me and we were able to experience this together and be able to lean on each other as people who were going through watching our relationship while we're trying to like nurture and grow this new

engagement as well. So it was great to have her, but I think you really don't understand the scrutiny you're opening yourself up to when you originally go on the show. And I think I saw one of the other Bacheloretts post about this recently. I think it was Desiree. And she was like, you know, when you go on the show, you make these decisions like for yourself. And you expect everyone to see what you're doing and understand it. But that's just not the case. You really do have to watch yourself make mistakes and, you know, listen to what everyone has to say about that. And I was not perfect. I was making so many mistakes. And I definitely was able to see that and learn from it. But it doesn't necessarily take away from the fact that you are constantly being bombarded with all these

DMs and messages and things that are coming straight to you. And it does affect you in your relationship. And it's difficult because you're going through all this while trying to like grow this new relationship. And I think on both ends there just is a level of difficulty and having to get past that. It's hard. And then like you kind of mentioned add in that you're literally coming you did you were on the bachelor but you know you kind of get hidden on the bachelor amongst a bunch of people uh you have a couple big storylines that come out but you usually aren't getting a lot of focus then you become the bachelor at and you're less than a year from just for you being a very normal human operating in this world and trying to figure it out and trying to

just make the right decisions day to day and then the scrutiny and the praise comes so So talk to me a little bit about what that felt like to you or what it still feels like to you to have a lot of praise and a lot of support, but then also criticism and scrutiny that you're trying to figure out just based on this dating show. Yeah, I mean, I think it just comes with the territory. Like you said, you are, of course, getting praise. Me and Gabby are in this new environment, this new Bachelorette system and just kind of everyone's responding to it different. and it was difficult, but for us to have each other, that was honestly, like, the most helpful thing

because it wasn't, like, across the board, um, like people taking sides. It was just, you know, like people didn't want us, I guess, pitted against each other, but they all, you know, would constantly do that. So to have her, it's difficult, but it was just the most, like, incredible blessing I could have ever asked for. Yeah, I think, you know, I've, um,

I just drove here with Jason Tardick, um, who, uh, you know, Caitlin Bristow was talking to him. And, you know, there's been, especially from past Bachelorette's criticism on the two Bachelorette format. I've always sat in a place, well, I just don't know. I said it would been awesome to have a friend going through this with me, right? To take some of the load off to also be able to confide in. And so I want to know from you.

I'm interested. Has this, has a two Bachelorette thing ever been a problem? for you. Not that Gabby was your second Bachelorette, but just like the idea that you were sharing this moment with somebody that this couldn't just be your season or just going to be Gabby's season. Has it ever been an issue for you?

No. I mean, honestly, like, I will say this till the day I die. I would never want to do this without Gabby. I would never do it without her. Like, looking back, there's nothing I would have changed. My outcome didn't work out, but that has really nothing to do with the fact that Gabby was standing next to me. If anything, I'm just so blessed to have had her going through everything that happened. And I mean, I'm not here

with a man now, but I'll have her for life. So I mean, it was never something that I ever felt like I resented or that I didn't want ever. Well, then you have a lot to teach me because there's something very unique here. You guys are able to stay friends through this process with obvious opportunities to compare yourself against her, for her to compare herself against you, to share these moments with somebody else to date at the beginning, especially the same people, but yet you stayed friends, you stayed supportive of each other. And so for everybody out there who was saying that's never going to happen, they're going to end up hating each other, they're going to end up being their worst enemies. Yeah. What did you two do? Because it might just be your personalities, but I think

there's probably, if you could pull some like tangible things that you had to really learn and do, and be cautious of through the process to make sure that that friendship stayed alive. And I think it would be helpful for all of us. How are we going to be friends with people that we're competitors against? I mean, I think it's so easy for people just to want to go in there

and be competitive and act like, you know, this person is against me, but when you can go in with someone that's on your side, it makes it so much easier. And going in, it was just this unspoken rule with her and I that we would always put each other first and that no matter what we were making decisions together and we were doing this together

and I think one of the episodes we watched together was everything that happened with Logan that day where he came and visited me and the visited her and we both spoke and I just think that episode was like showing the entire world like truly that we always put each other first the first thing she asked was like have you spoken to Rachel

how is she and for us to have this mature adult discussion about it and really just put each other's needs and wants before these men. I mean, I just, I'm so proud of her. I think, like, everything works out the way it's supposed to, and I'm just so glad that I've been able to share this with her. It is impressive, and it is something I admire.

And because I've gotten to be a part of the behind the scenes of the show, and I don't have a lot to hide and say there's some tricks to the trade that happen behind the scenes that people don't know about, I just find it really impressive that you guys, were able to be there for each other as well and as often and as consistent as you two have been and will be. I think for me, beyond all else, that's one of my biggest takeaways from this season was we got to watch two friends stand beside each other through a really confusing and weird experience. Yeah, I think it can be so isolating. Like, as a lead, you went through it on your

own and leaving and to have someone who knew exactly how it felt at the time and how it feels now. And it's just, it really is something that I'll truly like be like forever grateful for. I'm hoping at some point, Rachel, the tides turn for you. And people start celebrating that. Yes. That we stop asking about the pain and the heartbreak and the chaos and the drama. And we can start at some point celebrating the support. And speaking of support, one, thing that I didn't know about until Michelle's season, because I think Michelle is the first to tell me about it, you have this text thread with all the bachelorette. We don't do that as bachelors. I think we all hate each other. I think we're all competitive against each other.

We're all trying to one up each other all time. I wish we would have started it. But I'm good friends with Trista, who was the first bachelorette. She lives there in Colorado with me. She's a part of the I heart family with us. And she was telling me about it two last time we were together. Tell us what goes on on that thread, what you've experienced recently with that thread. And just, like, I just think it's the coolest thing that you have this support system where three of those women sat there beside you on stage and said, no matter what, we're friends of yours. Yeah. No, it is truly, it is such a sisterhood. I think the Bachelor family in general, but to be a part of this amazing legacy of women who truly have just changed the game in so many

ways each on their own season to just welcome us with open arms. Gabby and I, we are in the group chat and they all are just so loving. And I think each of them can provide a different outlook and a different viewpoint no matter what you're going through. So to have everyone, you know, in the beginning when you're happy and supporting you and then at the end, women who have been through the same situation or something similar, it's really nice to have all of them there. And I had Caitlin, Michelle, and Becca there as well during my ending and to have them behind me and to be able to see them and look at them as it's all happening. It was, it was really nice. Yeah, I think it's, I think it's so cool. What is some of the advice that you've received personally from them here in the last two weeks? Yeah, I think everyone

has really been through just so much in their own different ways and to really be able to lean on them and rely on them in a time where I was so confused and just worried about things that were going to happen once it was all over to just have their advice on how to move forward and how to continue to grow from this experience. It's just been really awesome to have them all. That's super incredible. It's something to also celebrate. And talk shit. Yeah. Yeah. We'll include that too. Supportive, but also talking to. I'm sure. I've been able to know most of them in the last few years. I'm sure there's some weird stuff being set on that thread that should never go public.

But they're all great. And big personalities. You have a lot of big personalities all together. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly and now I'm seriously suspicious. Oh, wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the OK story time podcast.

So we'll find out soon. This person writes, My boyfriend has 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. Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate.

Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor, and they're the same age. And it's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet. So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his person? professor or not. To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor. And I'm Drew

Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD, ADHD, and want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. The U.S. Open is here. And on my podcast, Good Game with Sarah Spain,

I'm breaking down the players from rising stars to legends chasing history. The predictions will we see a first time winner and the pressure. Billy Jean King says pressure is a privilege, you know. Plus, the stories and events off the court and, of course, the honey deuses, the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open.

The U.S. Open has gotten to be a very, very fancy, wonderfully experiential sporting event. I mean, listen, the whole aim is to be accessible and inclusive for all tennis fans, whether you play tennis or not. Tennis is full of compelling stories of late. Have you heard about Icon Venus Williams' recent wildcard bids or the young Canadian Victoria Mboko making a name for herself? How about Naomi Osaka getting back to form?

To hear this and more, listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain, an IHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Culture eats strategy for breakfast.

I would love for you to share your breakdown on pivoting. We feel sometimes like we're leaving a part of us behind when we enter a new space, but we're just building. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us, I was joined by Volisha Butterfield, media founder, political strategist, and tech powerhouse for a powerful conversation on storytelling, impact, and the intersections of culture and leadership. I am a free black woman who worked really hard to be able to say that.

I'd love for you to break down. Why was so important for you to do, see you can't win as something you didn't create. From the Obama White House to Google to the Grammys, Malicia's journey is a masterclass in shifting culture and using your voice to spark change. A very fake, capital-driven environment and society will have a lot of people tell half-truths. I'm telling you, I'm on the energy committee. Like, if the energy is not right, we're not doing it, whatever that it is. Listen to Culture raises us on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just like great shoes, great books take you places.

Through unforgettable love stories and into conversations with characters you'll never forget. I think any good romance, it gives me this feeling of, like, butterflies. I'm Danielle Robeye, and this is bookmarked by Reese's Book Club, the new podcast from Hello Sunshine and IHeart Podcasts, where we dive into the stories that shape us, on the page, and off. Each week, I'm joined by authors, celebs, book talk stars, and more for conversations that will make you laugh, cry, and add way too many books to your TBR pile.

Listen to bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts are wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Books is the official audio book and ebook home for Reese's Book Club. Visit apple.co forward slash Reese Apple Books to find out more. A couple last things about you before we talk about Gabby. Yes. You know, I told you when we sat down, I said, hey, I don't want to ask anything that everybody else has asked about.

You said, everybody's asking about Avan. And I was like, okay. I'm going to ask one question about it. What do you want to say about Avin? What in the world happened, I guess, that night? And what exists today? Yeah, no, it was obviously a very big surprise for me. I think for everyone, not something that I thought was going to happen.

I was able to talk to him after as well. I think the Avin situation kind of put Tino in a bit of an awkward position as well. Sure did. But I do want to reiterate that no one, like, wanted that. to be a bullying situation or a situation where one person is being put down. And it was not Avin's intention for any of that to happen as well. But he has just been someone that's always been so supportive of me even throughout the season. He's just someone I always look to in hard times.

So to have him kind of in a really hard time, it was nice to see him and catch up with him after. Yeah. You know, I think that's one thing. I'm not one to blame the show for everything. I just don't think it's necessarily always appropriate because I don't think it's always true but that was a situation

that put you in a really weird space you know the criticism kind of came when I was looking at it was like how could Rachel do this I was like well I don't think she did you know like what was she supposed to say sorry even no and I was also trying to get off the stage

as soon as I could I mean I think everyone saw that on my face so yeah it was just very much an awkward situation. And looking back, I really don't want anyone to feel like they were being bullied or put in a bad place. Like you said, that's like the one thing I really do want to get across it. That was never my intention or Evans. Yeah. Well, it definitely got the reaction from the public. It was definitely awkward to watch, which typically is good television. But it was not your decision is what we can say. Yeah. It was not your decision. All right. Okay, so on to Zach. Zach is

the next bachelor. Yes. As soon as you're done with your season, I know how this goes. They announce the next person and off and running, they are. Yes. So what can we expect, do you think, was Zach being the next bachelor? Oh, I'm so excited for Zach. He truly, he's such a good guy.

I know he's going to do amazing. And I just am looking forward to finally watching a season and not participating. So, yeah, good luck to him. It's definitely, as we know, really hard being in the position of being a lead. And hopefully he can just follow his heart. and continue to be true to himself throughout it. Yeah, the biggest criticism he's getting right now is the same one I got.

You're boring. I hate that one. Like, you don't really know him. Yeah. It was my biggest criticism. Is he boring? And will he have a boring season? I don't think so.

Zach is really a huge goofball. He has the dad jokes. And I think people are going to be able to see a lot more of his personality. With this season, of course, having two bachelorets, I feel like there is, you know, less time. There's two stories happening. So people didn't really get to see a lot of anyone as much as they normally do. So I'm looking forward to people being able to see him and his personality. One of my wife's closest friends is on this season. Okay. Her name's Bailey. She was there on night one. Oh, I didn't see him. Yeah. So she came out.

She was the one that said, hi, you know, in the morning, daily think of Bailey. And then he messed up. and he's like, more than Baylon, when they asked for names. It's nerve-wracking. The first time you're on that stage, I remember when I first got to AFR, just shaking and being on that stage. So I get, night one as hard as it is with an audience, you can give it a little grace. It's not easy. But I'm very excited to watch Bailey. She's a very sweet girl who is very excited about the opportunity, who we've been able to talk to. And so I'm going to be tuning in, not only to see Zach. And look out for Bailey. And look out for Bailey. She's, uh, I think she has some potential excited to see her.

To be there a while. Um, we're all celebrating Bailey. Okay. Uh, now on to Gabby. Gabby, uh, is with Eric. I'm assuming still four days later. She is. Yeah. Okay. Good. Good. That's, uh, that's great. What do we see in their relationship behind the scenes that maybe we haven't been able to see on television, uh, with the two of them? Yeah. I think Gabby, along with me, I mean, we truly are just in that space right now where we're still really getting to know, you know, well, at the time I was, the man I picked and I'm excited to see, you know, their future moving forward. I think they, you know, of course, have their struggles and conversations as well. But, um, yeah, excited to see

what's to come for Gabby and Eric. I, uh, I'm excited to sit down with them. There's a lot to talk about. Obviously, Eric's, um, Eric's story through the end of the season wasn't easy either. There was controversy. Um, with the blackface. There's controversy with those texts. What do you think they did to navigate those together, those really tough conversation. And we didn't get to see all that. I wish we would have on the finale. I think it was important, really important to bring those stuff up. We didn't see it. And I'm not going to put you in the place to ask why we didn't, because I don't think you have the answers to why that wasn't shown or talked about. But how do you think they navigated the difficulties in a way that brought them to the finale, happy and healthy

as a couple. Yeah, I mean, obviously, I can't speak on, you know, the show or why certain things got cut, but I can speak on Gabby. And I do know that she was really walking into AFR wanting to have that discussion and wanting to bring that to light because I think a lot of times things do get pushed under the rug. And she is more than aware of, you know, the fact that she does want this to have attention. And we do need to talk about it because it is something that continues to happen. And when it continues to happen. You do have to continue to learn and have those hard conversations. And I think Eric and Gabby put in a lot of work on their relationship, continuing to do so and learn and really have to talk to each other and teach each other and keep that open line of communication. As for the

text messages, I do know that he told her as soon as he could. So it was something that was brought to light to the public, whereas Gabby kind of has had so much time to process that and talk with him about it. So yeah, two very different situations. Yeah, it's difficult for sure that they both didn't really get to have as much light as they should have. Yeah. And it's a relationship. I guess if you can make it through these hard conversations, these weird times, I would have to believe it makes you stronger. Yeah. Which is good and something we want for them. Definitely. All right. Final question for you. here. It's an easy one.

Rachel, you are moving on. Yes. Moving forward. Yes. Hopefully this weekend, you get some time to sleep. You get some peace and quiet. You get some love. You get some great conversation. You have a few drinks.

You hang out. Definitely a couple drinks. You deserve it. What can we, I guess the best way to phrase this would be, what are you looking forward to now with this next chapter of your life? no longer being on the show as the Bachelorette, leaving this behind you, stepping forward.

If we could put our stake in the ground and say, tonight is the night that you move forward in a healthy and happy way. Yeah. What does that look like for you? I think, again, I'm so grateful for everything that I have gained through this franchise, being able to be The Bachelorette.

I've learned so much about myself. And I'm so excited to continue to take these lessons that I learned watching myself back. making myself into a better person. Hopefully, you know, looking forward to dating in the future. I'm very excited to go back to flying. Took a little bit of a break from that to go film the show. But, yeah, I'm just really excited to move on

and be able to start doing the things I want to do. Rachel, thanks for sitting with us tonight. Thanks for having me, Ben. Have a blast this weekend. Enjoy it. And it means a lot that you came out here. Thank you for having me. Follow the Ben and Ashley I

Almost Famous Podcasts on IHartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor And I'm Drew Phillips And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes We're not the podcast for you But if you have unmedicated ADHD

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No chemo, no radiation, none of that. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us podcast, I sat down with Warren Campbell, Grammy-winning producer, pastor, and music executive to talk about the beats, the business, and the legacy behind some of the biggest names in gospel, R&B, and hip-hop. Professionally, I started at Death World Records. From Mary Mary to Jennifer Hudson, we get into the soul of the music and the purpose that drives it. Listen to Culture raises us on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Just like great shoes, great books take you places. Through unforgettable love stories and into conversations with characters you'll never forget. I think any good romance, it gives me this feeling of like butterflies. I'm Danielle Robe, and this is bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. The new podcast from Hello Sunshine. and IHeart Podcast, where we dive into the stories that shape us on the page and off. Each week, I'm joined by authors, celebs, book talk stars, and more for conversations that will make you laugh, cry, and add way too many books to your TBR pile.

Listen to bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Books is the official audio book and ebook home for Reese's Book Club. Visit apple.co forward slash reese Apple Books to find out more. Why are TSA rules so confusing? You got a hood of you. I'm take it all. I'm Manny.

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