The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Almost Famous OG: The Ex-Files with Meredith Phillips

Episode Date: October 5, 2024

We’re putting our Bachelor Nation OG Bob Guiney in the hot seat, when we reunite him with a former flame! Bachelorette #2 Meredith Phillips is here and ready to re-live some moments from her season, and get us caught up on her life! She confronts Bob face to face and asks him WHY she was the 3rd person to be sent home on his season, and we have some conflicting memories to sort out.  Plus, Meredith reveals a MAJOR secret about the proposal from her season!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Listen to Culture Raises us on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your 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... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness,

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I can't expect what to do Now if the rule was the same Go off on me I deserve it you know lock him up listen to no such thing on the iHeart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcast no such thing this is the almost famous podcast with iheart radio trista welcome let's welcome everyone back to almost famous the o gs we are coming at you live and in technicolor today i'm very excited yes good morning hello good morning to you good morning to you i'm very excited

I know. I'm excited. I think that we talked about this, but it's been a trend lately to have some exes of bobs on the show. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. I forgot about that. We did. Yeah, we literally have, we've just been lighting up the scoreboard with all my exes lately. We've got to start digging through the Bachelor annals and start bringing out some of Trista's skeletons in the closet from the back of the day. Nah, that's okay. I know. We recently had on my ex-wife, Rebecca Buttig. And then we've had on Estella, Garnier for my season. We've had on Kelly Joe Caharski. And now, today, we're going to interview Meredith Phillips. And Meredith was the fourth runner-up on my season of The Bachelor and later went on to become the Bachelorette in her own right. And we've tried to set up this interview a couple times now and we're hopeful that life is busy works out today yeah you know very busy very busy for

everyone absolutely but yeah not us not us tea dog team money and I are always available always yeah I mean you know five-year-olds three-year-olds 16 year olds and 14-year-olds are those the ages of our respective children very close 15 and 17 I was thinking about that the other day I almost have an 18-year-old son. Like in July next year, I will have an eight, like a full-fledged adult. I will have an adult. Yeah, yeah. We'll have a third adult in our house.

So when is Max's birthday? July why? July 26. Okay. Same as Chris Harrison. Oh, that's right. I knew that was a special day. Yeah.

So, you know, yet another thing that you have in tune with Chris Harrison there. Yeah, I was thinking because my son, Blake, is July 1st. So I was wondering, you know, where that birthday was. But gosh, I do. I remember like it was yesterday when you, when you guys had Max. Aw, me too. Yeah. I remember, well, I remember it for a myriad of reasons.

One, it's like all of a sudden you start taking stock of your own life and you're like, what am I doing wrong exactly? You know, I'm sitting here flying solo at the time, I'm sure. But you found your, you found a place. I did. It just took me a little more time than some. That's all. That's okay. That's okay. A little more time. But we made it. We know, we're done with a fiddly fucking around at the Gold Rush era. Yeah. Bob was just talking before we started the show. That really makes me solid old when I throw in the fiddly F.

Yeah, because you do have to throw in the arms. And, you know. Tarnation. Like you're a cowboy. Ryan just went to North Dakota. And he was saying that it is like, all it's like super old school like a black and white like cowboy movie film you know and all these cars and everyone's wearing cowboy hats and probably walking around like this yeah like gold rush era yeah i think it's pretty crazy when you visit you know some of those places like montana's like that you go to montana and it is just absolutely crazy you know i mean it's all like and i want to i want to

to spend more time in those places myself personally, but to know further ado or too much further ado, what do I say to without any further ado? Without any further ado. Yes, without any further ado. Let's bring in our guest, my ex-girlfriend from The Bachelor, Season 4, and also, what Bachelorette was she? She was right after you, right? So we got to bring her on then. Let's bring her on. Let's bring on Meredith Phillips on the Bachelorette or the The Almost Famous. I'm like, we are not on the Bachelorette anymore, dude. No, we are not. So let's bring her in.

I'm very excited to get to talk to her. I haven't seen her in many, many, many years. Welcome to the show whenever we can bring her in. Hi, Meredith. Hi. It's a very long day here in the Northwest. So it's raining and I thought that, you know, I know. I know, but that's a normal fall day in the Pacific Northwest.

I was in Seattle for quite a few years. I loved it. Yeah, I mean, the fall leaves and everything is so pretty. That's awesome. I love that. I love fall. I am just, I'm on a, on track to go visit my family back in the Midwest, and I cannot wait to see the fall leaves.

If it is, how is it in Michigan? Yeah, it's, it's very fall, all the fall. colors are full in bloom. Are you back in Michigan? I am. Yeah. I moved back in 2019 right before COVID. I'm so happy that I did because I got to spend time with my dad before he passed away and my kids got to meet him. And so that was pretty awesome. But Meredith, welcome to the show. How's your family? How's everyone doing? Well, I lost both my parents within a two-year period. Oh, my gosh. Very, very hard. Oh, that's brutal

Brutal My dad died of a heart attack In his sleep In his sleep? Yeah, he didn't know I mean, obviously I mean, he didn't know That's a blessing

I contend that's a blessing Right I guess that my mom said to me That she laid with him for a little bit Before she called the ambulance Aw That's sweet I'm so sorry.

And then my brother and my mom didn't tell me because I'm so emotional a lot of the time until a couple days later. Oh, my gosh. I was living in LA at the time. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. And then my mom had just, you know, not to put it lightly, but cancer. Yeah.

You know, so. Cancer sucks. that's what got my dad too yeah where are you now meredith you're in um i'm in northwest okay got it we came back from the south um i moved to the carolinas which lordy i mean i feel for them right now yeah they're going through it right now i'm not i got out of it but it's you know i knew it was come in and I work for hospitals so it's oh you do you're not in um weren't you a chef you're not a chef hospitals oh no kidding oh that's awesome yeah wow my name on my shirt and everything that's awesome that's amazing yeah I've been doing are you like do you actually

work in the hospital or is this like a remote where you just set things up or I have a base here in the Northwest and then I travel to other hospitals that need me awesome so it's it works for me do people recognize you from the show when I first got to the hospital that is my base yes they googled me because it's a bigger hospital yeah the tinier ones they're like we don't care you know they're not they're not going to look for me you know but how about you guys i mean bob i didn't know you had two kids yeah i got a five-year-old and a three-year-old both boys wow well yeah yeah they are they are animals i mean it's a feral community over here it's like man

but it's fun yeah my wife she uh We've been together actually eight years this November, and she, she's an amazing mom, you know. I mean, I'm, you know, I'm always kind of going all over the place, and she has it on lockdown, you know, which is needed. So it's a yin and yang kind of thing. Very much, yeah, very much. She gets all the heavy lifting, and I get all the light, fun stuff, it seems. Yeah. But, and that doesn't seem like a fair distribution of stuff.

I love that Trista. And then Trista, we were just talking. Trista's going to have, she has a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old. That's crazy, Trista. I know. I was just saying that I cannot believe he's going to be 18 in July. Like, I will have an adult, you know, by definition. In my house as, you know, in addition to me and Ryan.

But then he's got to go away after 18. Yeah. He's got to fly away after 18. I know. I have so many friends going through that right now. Have you guys heard of the term soil the nest? No. They have heard that term.

Yeah. So before kids leave for college, supposedly there's this like phenomenon where kids actually become like pretty rude to their parents and they like, you know, act like, you know, douchebags or whatever you want to say because they're trying to like soil the nest so it's easier for them to leave like subconsciously I think I was the same way now that you're talking oh 100% I was yeah right yes I wasn't I was like I loved my nest that was all about my nest oh okay good well that gives me hope that he won't want to soil the nest and he'll he'll want to be just perfectly lovely to his mom.

I think, I think Canyon, I think my wife soils a nest every time I leave town for a work trip. Because she's not like, she's not like the one that's like, you know, oh my God, call me. I'm going to miss you so bad. She's always like, get out, you know, take your bag. I'll see you on the day. She's soiling her nest, so to speak. Yeah.

Yeah. I don't know if that applies to adult relationships. I have a feeling that maybe she feels like there are three. children in her house. And so getting rid of one of them, you stole my joke. I swear to you, I was going to say that earlier when you were going to go, when you were like, you know, we're going to have three adults in the house with Max, Ryan and myself. And I was like, man, if your kid was here, we'd still just have two. But I understand. I understand where you're going with that. Well, I do have to say something. Trista, if it weren't for you actually marrying Ryan,

I don't think that this series would have gone on. Oh, I agree. I agree 100%. You know, I mean, I appreciate, I mean, I love the fact that you are still together. And, you know, it wouldn't have been a series at all. I mean, it's funny because people have said that over the years. And it's not like we planned it or. No, of course not.

Because we had any intention of, like, keeping the show afloat. And who knows if that's truly, you know. you know, played a part, but that's very sweet of you, thank you. Well, no, it's the truth. It's not sweet. It's the truth. I agree with Meredith, because you can only do that formula so many times. And if it doesn't work, then it's like, then it's like every other, you know, dating show out there.

Instead, you guys, you guys found love, like real love. And it gave everyone enough. I think it, like, proved the concept enough. Yeah. Exactly. I agree with Meredith on that for sure. Yeah. did you watch the show Meredith before you applied or tell us your application story like did you get nominated or apply or how did that it's interesting because I was living in LA and modeling at the time and I was living with my roommate that I decided to you know bring her from Portland to LA and she was a talent agent and she signed me up without me knowing oh I have to

I had zero clue that she signed me up. Yeah. So I got surprised by a friend of mine at her house that said, okay, you're going to be on The Bachelorette or The Bachelor. And I'm like, what? Yeah. What? With cameras and everything around.

I'm like, okay, I mean, I can do it. You're so funny. You're similar to Ryan. I feel like I've always said that he can't say no. And so that's why he ended up on the show because a friend nominated him and a bunch of other guys that she was friends with. And they picked him and he couldn't say no.

So are you the same? Like you just, you're like, okay, fine. Yes. In that scenario, working. in the industry that I'm working in now, I am finding a way to say no personally.

You know, body-wise, I'm getting older, I just turned 51. It doesn't work the same. Yeah, right? No, it doesn't. 51, you're just a baby, Meredith. Oh, Bob, how old are you? I'm 53. I'm the oldest

person on this call right now. What? I'm the elder statesman. Yes. You know what, Meredith? I actually remember that because our origin story was very similar because I didn't submit myself to be on the show either. And I got kind of, I thought it was a joke. And Trist has heard the story a million times,

but Lacey Pemberton was the casting director who was calling me. And I thought it was a joke, you know, because her name was Lacey from The Bachelor. And I didn't submit my own information. So I'm like, oh, okay, Lacey, I bet's your real name. You know, I thought it was really funny. Right. And then finally, she's just like, okay, I got guys begging to be on this show to meet Trista,

and you don't seem to understand what's at stake here. So I'm going to fly you out because I can't get you off my mind because you're like being funny about it. And then I just sort of, you know, that, of course, I did meet Trista. And, you know, she fell in love, but I told her not enough, not, Trista, there's not enough of me to go around. Wait, that's not how it went. You too. I mean, I love y'all's, like, correlation with each other. I mean, it's never going to stop, you know?

I mean, I love it. I know. It's crazy. My name is Ed. Everyone say, hello, Ed. Hello, Ed. I'm from a very rural background myself. My dad is a farmer, and my mom is a cousin. So, like, it's not, like...

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This is Devin. And on our new show, No Such Thing, we get to the bottom of questions like these. Join us as we talk to the leading expert on overconfidence. Those who lack expertise lack the expertise they need to recognize that they lack expertise. And then, as we try the whole thing out for real. Wait, what? Oh, that's the run right. I'm looking at this thing.

See? Listen to No Such Thing on the. iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, my name is Enya Humanzor. 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 Intercoms the podcast for you. you open your free iHeart radio app search emergency intercom and listen now you know it's funny though it trista it trista i think will she'll tell you but i remember ryan and i were like bunk bedmates like our bunks were right next to each other yeah yeah weird and i would come back to the room man and he would be you know working on poetry and i'd be working on my 17th vodka soda

No, it was just one of those things, man. I was like, God, I love him. I love him for her and I love her. And it was like, but I mean, of course, you know, you're competitive and you're in this thing and you don't want to do a kick to the curb. And you want to find out if you have a love connection too, especially when it's Trista, you know. Well, I know. Yeah, it's pretty awesome. Pretty awesome.

Yeah. So let me ask you this. Why, Bob, was I the fourth one to be let go? Oh, there is God. I know in my mind why. Well, there's a few things to be honest. But I'm going to let you speak first. You know, I think part of me was, you know, you're so like in those moments,

you're so kind of like pulled in a million directions, right? I mean, you know after having done the show, it's such a different experience when you're handing out the flowers as opposed to the one who's waiting for a flower, you know. And I mean, I think that's what really kind of galvanized mine and Trista's friendship, too, was after I had been on her season and I knew, I was like, I love this person. Like, we get along so great. You know, and then I go on to be the bachelor guy and I now understood the burden of going through that, you know, and you don't, no one's done anything wrong. And you're just trying to, like, put it all together and be like, I don't know. feel a connection here. I don't feel, I don't know what I'm feeling. Um, but part of it for me, too, uh, if you remember on, I'm sure you remember. I'm sorry to even say that, but your grandmother

passed away during our season. Yeah. And it, um, it kind of, it kind of rocked my world a little bit. I won't lie. I was like, I need to go home. And Castle that they go. It was amazing. Yes. Well, well, and our date, that date was actually really kind of hysterical, uh, when you think about it. We go on this date and Merritt's a total trooper. She's like, no, I really want to be here. And my grandma would want me to continue and stuff. So we go on this date and Meredith, jump in

if I'm, I never want the facts to get in a way of a good story. So I may have manipulated some of this in my head. But we go to Seal Beat. Yeah. We get on horseback, right? And we're trotting down the beach. We're galloping along in the beach. And I do remember.

And I look over. How do you gallop? Like this. Well, I'm like this because I'm holding the reins. I'm like, yeah. And I'm like, yeah. And I'm like, It's supposed to be this way. Yeah, but I'm like, I'm cowboys. I'm like, I'm like a badass rider in my mind. Again, don't let the facts get in the way of the real story here. Right.

I hadn't rid of a horse since Boy Scout camp and like, you know. Are you sure? Yeah, I know. No one would have guessed the way I was commanded that thing. But as you're going down the beach, and here's the story that I remember in my head. I remember looking over at Meredith and she looks all lovely and her hair is flowing in the wind and everything. But I can tell she's got like a, her eyes are watering. You know, maybe like a little itchy throat.

She's like, I'm like, you okay? And she's like, I don't know. I might be mildly allergic to horses. This is how I remember this. I have my mic on and I know I'm miced and I'm like, you guys got to be kidding me. I think Meredith might be having like some type of allergies or something. So we pull up to this sand castle that I have to make Meredith think

that I came out there earlier and constructed this thing out of sand. That is true. Yeah, I'm like, I made us the sandcastle, which I totally did not. And I think I told you at the time, like I had nothing to do it. And we go inside, and now I pull out of the sand under a piece of wood, a steaming, like, crawfish broil style. And this is what we're supposed to have on our plates, which is like all this shellfish. Right. And Meredith goes, I am like deathly allergic to shellfish.

Am I right on this? Am I, do you're like, I'm allergic to shellfish? No, I'm not. Oh, my God. Well, all I remember is like yelling at the producers in my, like, I step outside of the thing. I'm like, guys, she's allergic to shellfish. What I remember is the horse ride and then us just talking about everything. I don't remember the shellfish story at all.

Are you allergic to shellfish? No. Okay. Do you like shellfish? Trista is allergic to shellfish. I'm allergic to shellfish. I hate shellfish. I don't like seafood.

Why don't you like seafood? Well, you never had Meredith's a chef. I guess she can make something. It's the texture. She can't change the texture. Well, if it's cooked correctly, it's pretty awesome. It doesn't matter. Like the chewiness, I just, and the smell of fish.

What about like a light, flaky, Chilean seabass? That was like, no chewiness. I mean, I'll have a little bit, like, salmon or I know I've had seabass, whatever. I'll have a little bit of it. Catfish, I've tried to. I don't. I'm not a seafood girl. I just

So each is on You know I don't know Yeah Yeah that's true I mean I don't order it every day But

So you remember A totally different story Meredith than Bob does And not see you No Still horses Horses and Sandcastles Are accurate

Yeah I do remember Candles in there Ooh I remember Jeth Garbone Was there Um

Was Jason on your Season 2 Meredith Yeah Yes Okay Yes. Yes, sir. So I remember just feeling kind of odd because, like, my friend just lived right up the street. Oh, wow. That's cool. You know, the scene or, you know, whatever you want to call it, but it is a scene with you. And my grandmother just died. And the way they did it, I think, with the phone call. And it was my. my first date with you and all the girls decided that it was going to be me and then the phone rang and I was getting ready and then I got the news and I had to kind of hide all of emotion and I don't think that was correct I don't know if they do that anymore but you know it wasn't fair to you and it wasn't fair to me do you because I feel like

lately on the seasons, if something like that has happened, I actually, as a viewer, love that it's like being discussed because it's like a real life conversation, right? None of us can avoid death, right? And so do you, when you look back at that, do you feel like you wish you would have been more like in tune with your emotions instead of saying, you know what, I need to be like present on this date and not think about the fact that I just lost my grandmother and I'm really sad. Do you know what I mean? I do know what you mean and you know I spoke with my mom and my brother was on the same line and they're like you're there um just do what you need you know what you need

to do and yeah I said you know I want to come home and you're like it's not it's not for you to come home and we'll deal with this when you do come home and that is how I process that and yeah of course you know it's yeah and that's not wrong that it was like yeah okay when I'm told to do something yeah I'll stay and yeah it actually helped me out to not forget but just for a little bit Yeah, totally. I will say it was, it was hard for me on my end, not nearly as hard as it was for you. Bob, did they tell you prior?

Yeah, they told me, and that's why I don't know if you remember this part either, but I asked if we could talk for a little bit before we went on this date, and you came out to the limo, we had the big limo thing, and I was like, Yeah, I remember. If you want to go home, I think that's totally okay because I think I would go home right now. Well, I remember because the cameras weren't on and they were pissing. off about that because we actually talk, right? I had

my makeup bag in there and so they were mad that we actually had a conversation without them filming. Yeah, but I didn't want, like I felt like it was just such a violation. You know, I was like, she needs a minute and not with me guys. Like, she hardly even knows me. Like, this is

not fair to her. And then, yeah. And then they were, you were like, you know, oh man, I was so annoyed by that. And then when they asked, you know, And then I wanted you to be able to see your family, too. And they were like, you know, well, because I said, I go, I go, what happens if, because I was like trying to weigh out what to do, quite honestly.

I was like, like, what happens if, like, does she get to go home and see her family? If I don't give her a rose? And they're like, nope, she'll be on, she'll be sequestered. And I'm like, and if I give her a rose, does she get to see her family? Like, yeah. Now, I was going to give you a rose anyway, quite honestly. But I was also at that point where I was kind of like, because. Thanks.

I won't give her a flower if she gets to go home sooner. Because I wanted you to get to go home, you know? And then I got to meet your family, and it was a sensitive time for everyone, of course, and that was tough. And I really, you know, I really love, I remember your brother, and I remember your mom and dad being such lovely people. And, you know, I remember being in your house in Portland. But there again, the thing I remembered, you know, the most was our first stop on that date was to the cemetery. Yeah. And I remember thinking, this is just not.

right she should be here with her family not with me like i remember i was so i was struggling man i was struggling with the whole thing well yeah i was too and you know when the producers ask you know what do you want to do what do you want to do and you know i haven't seen my family for so long yeah that's maybe what i want to do and it was probably incorrect but you know at least had people around me been helping me out. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I remember it well. I remember thinking to myself

like, gosh, she should be here not with me and a camera crew. Like it should be her and her family, you know? Yeah. It was tough. That was tough because I didn't know I didn't know the right thing to say, you know? And normally I'm pretty good in those moments that, you know, but in that one I was just like, I don't even know what to say.

You probably should have said something funny. Which I think I did. I'm sure to try. Or at least fart or something. Yeah, never. That just doesn't happen. I don't even think I'm capable of that. Oh, yeah, no.

I'm sure you're not. No. Let's get Jess on the phone. Yeah. She'll be like, oh, my God. Don't get my kids on the phone. They're the ones that'll tell the truth. Yeah, exactly.

So after a bachelor, then you get asked to be a bachelorette. And what were your initial thoughts on that? And did you need a lot of convincing? Well, this is kind of a long but short story. Kelly Joe was actually originally to be the bachelor's. Oh, right. We talked to her about that. Did he be a spot?

Yeah, yeah. And then she, I was living in L.A. and she met somebody and she was like no I mean I'm not going to do it yeah I guess I was the second choice so you know I mean it made I mean Kelly Joe is awesome I mean I mean she's awesome a bundle of energy and yeah she's an entrepreneur and levered to that but I remember being on the phone with her in LA when it happened with her mom her mom's awesome too yeah and I said are you sure that you don't want to take this yeah in the job so to speak and she's like no she's like you take it and then I asked my family and they're like why not you know

And I almost said no, because I'd rather just remain, you know, a model and, you know, work for hospitals. But, yeah. Do you, because obviously you didn't end up with Ian. No, that's another. No, I know. but do you um do you look back on that and have any regrets um I do you have some regrets um you know when Ian came out of that limo the last one I mean that was on purpose let's be honest that was on purpose because you You know, they say I fixed this tie, but I just knew right then.

So it was like, oh, great, I have two and a half, and like maybe a month and a half, because I guess my show was like the fastest that they shot. So I didn't really have a lot of time to consider anyone else. Like I don't know how, How long did you guys?

That was how long I was that? Mine was six weeks. Really? Yeah. Yeah. Cool. Okay. That's just how it was back then.

But that's what it was back then. Now it's like, you know, that's why I think now the casting's so different. Because if you don't have three months to go to the Netherlands or Thailand, you're not. Right. You know what I mean? Okay. First of all, let's talk about that. We don't have to talk about the money-wise.

and what we got paid because obviously that's not okay but I didn't so there you go yeah so but it's just it's transpired into something that I don't really

want to watch anymore oh you don't watch it at all I don't I don't have TV oh interesting I would not survive without television

let me just put that on record considering the fact that I was on the phone with my internet provider and my cable provider right before this call going my TV's not working right honestly I was just watching max play hockey on my television because we have the YouTube app or whatever on there and I can get you know put it up on my screen and watch him kind of like he's right there skating in my living room yeah yeah My name is Ed. Everyone say, hello Ed.

I'm from a very rural background myself. My dad is a farmer, and my mom is a cousin. So, like, it's not like... What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? I know it sounds like the start of a bad joke, but that really was my reality nine years ago. I just normally do straight stand-up, but this is a bit different. On stage stood a comedian with a story that no one expected to hear.

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We just welcomed one of my favorite people and an incomparable soccer icon, Megan Rapino, to the show. And we had a blast. We talked about her recent 40th birthday celebrations, co-hosting a podcast with her fiancé Sue Bird, watching former teammates retire and more. Never a dull moment with Pino. Take a listen. What do you miss the most about being a pro athlete? The final. The final.

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So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Have you ever wished for a change but weren't sure how to make it? Maybe you felt stuck in a job, a place, or even a relationship. I'm Emily Tish Sussman, and on she pivots, I dive into the inspiring pivots of women who have taken big leaps in their lives and careers. I'm Gretchen Whitmer, Jody Sweeten.

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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 IHeart Radio app. Search emergency intercom and listen now. Imagine that you're on an airplane and all of a sudden you hear this. Attention passengers. The pilot is having an emergency and we need someone, anyone to land this plane. Think you could do it? It turns out that nearly 50% of men think that they could land the plane with the help of air traffic control.

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And then, as we try the whole thing out for real. Wait, what? Oh, that's the run right. I'm looking at this thing. See? Listen to No Such Thing on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you use. get your podcasts. How's Ryan?

He's good. He's feeling good and he's happy to not be commuting two hours to work, which was what he was doing before. We just moved to Denver. Yeah. So he's good. He's good. So going back, I feel like we got, we got hygiene for some reason.

I don't know. But do you have any regrets? about the show and Bachelorette or Bachelor or Life After? I do have some regrets from the Bachelorette, meaning that I was kind of told what to do instead of me doing what I really wanted to do. Got it. and, you know, being, you know, picking out, like, the rings and all that

and lied to you about how much they cost and... What do you mean? What do you mean they lied to you about how much they cost? Yeah. I mean, I was, I picked out three rings. So you, okay, you picked out three rings because I don't know if I... Did you get that? I don't know if I picked out rings.

Oh, yes, I did. I went to Harry once. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I did. I got a choice. I was going to say, I thought they would make the girls, like, choose like three or four rings they liked, and then the guys would basically have those to choose from, right? Right, exactly.

Yeah, yeah. And so, I mean, I picked out the one that I liked. Uh-huh. I regret. I know I don't really want to say this, I guess, but I'm going to. one of the producers said if you don't give her

this ring just do it for me that's all I'm going to say about that what meaning like if you don't want to propose just do it anyway type of thing

yeah oh like basically you're saying like they were give her the ring yeah yeah is that what he told you

afterwards the producer did yeah yeah oh the producer actually told you that he said that yeah yeah so that was kind of disappointing i mean it was kind of like a want like yeah so you're engaged at this point and you hear from the producer that he told ian to propose or else essentially correct i'm sure if that was me I would be like, wait, what? I had no idea, like, if they gave him a bunch of alcohol, probably. I mean...

The producer or Ian? They gave Ian a bunch of alcohol because he didn't seem right. I mean, he didn't seem right to me. I mean, I had nothing to drink, so I'm just waiting there, you know, who's going to come through, and I'm waiting for him, and he's drunk as a skun. and he gets down on one knee. Well, actually, if you remember, he actually stood instead of got down on one knee.

Okay. Proposed. And the producer was like, you have to get down. Yeah, yeah. And he's like, I mean, he's Brazilian. I don't know. I mean. Coaching romance, right?

Right. Have you had any contact with him after your breakup? I think he's back in Brazil, but no. No. They haven't. I don't think for some reason he doesn't want any correlation with the show. Yeah. So probably that's great.

Some people are like that after their experience on the show. I mean, Alice Michelle's like that, right? I mean, the original Bachelor, he's never wanted anything to do with it. Yeah, Charlie, Charlie Maher, who is from Trista's season. Yeah. Yeah. He and I became really good buddies. Share a birthday. Like every year, like, oh, it's up five, eight, you know, because it's May 8. But yeah, he has no connection to it all. Well, he did for a little while after. Remember, he went to work for extra. Yeah, he did. And some people are like that. They just want to return back to normal life. Totally understand that. Like, it's all good. I mean, it's kind of a different beast these days with Bachelor Nation. And, you know, just how if you're on the show, you are affiliated. And it's kind of hard to break. away, but I totally understand that. Yeah.

I never had, I mean, a bad experience, but it was still new. I mean, we all went through, I mean, the newness of it, you know? Yeah. I think the producers were learning as much about it at that time as we were. You know what I mean? Yeah. Because, I mean, I talk to him now. Like, I still, you know, randomly keep in touch with Carbon every now and then.

Yeah. Michael Charles. Yeah. Yeah. Their experiences were so new then, too. Like they were, and I mean, I don't think they always feel so good about stuff they had to do as producers sometimes when it would really resonate. Yeah, we had fun then. I think it got dark years later.

Yeah. Yeah. I will say they do still have fun. So I've been on a couple of the recent shows and I love the producers now too. I mean, obviously I have a very strong bond with the producers back in our day. but they do still have so much fun. I just love the energy of the people behind the scenes. All the crew, you know, the producers, the director, Ken Fuchs and, you know, for the live shows and stuff.

But I do still love the energy. So I will say that they do so. I have to say, I mean, nothing was produced. I mean, everything was as it is, reality. when it was reality TV. So I don't know if, you know, the bachelor or a bachelorette now a day, if it's, are you supposed to say something that you're not? Or, you know?

I think you just, like, honestly, I feel like they probably prompt people still. I know they do, you know, because they have interview questions and stuff that they ask you. in your ITMs and but they do I think I still believe because I've been on set for the last few shows that um there are like dates where they take you and then it's like they're just there as like a fly on the wall right and I I there are people who still believe that it's scripted and I still will defend the fact that it's not it's not definitely no yeah no yeah it wasn't for us I mean, it wasn't on my emeritus season. It wasn't from Trista, my season either.

So, yeah, I can say, you know, from having gone from the Bachelorette to the Bachelor, that I was never told what to say. No. You know, I was told, but I was, I was told about situations, right? Like, I was told on the first night, like, hey, these three girls are kind of mad at this girl. Here's what we're thinking. Oh, you did. I don't think they get involved.

I asked for it. I was like, if you want me to go up there and grab somebody, I need to know why. Like, what are you guys doing? Amazing. You know what I mean? So they would say. They'd be like, well, these three girls seem to not like this girl. So we want you to come up and ask this girl for a moment.

You know, like the moment might have been not scripted, but the moment might have been arranged to a certain degree. But I understood why. I got it. But, you know, I mean, you're asked to do, you know, the bio, all the paperwork, right, before you're accepted to be this person in reality TV. Do you remember filling all that stuff out and doing, you know, psychological work and all that so it's a play like okay well we're going to have her to

she's not going to like that one but this one's probably going to get together with this one and then you know i mean it is an orchestra yeah i mean you have to know the people who are coming on the show i think the psychological testing and all of that is really important because it is important yeah you need to know and honestly I loved doing it because I'm like I want to I want to know about myself like well me the results yeah I like doing it too exactly you know yeah it was fun for me yeah I would love for you just tell everyone how life is now like are you are you happy that you were on the show and um like what were the good good parts of being on the show and what you've taken away to this day. I am definitely happy that I was on the show for that many years and that I chose to actually accept and be on it and be a part of this family.

I don't have any negativity toward these series at all. Good. Not at all. Good, I'm glad. that's good you know my experience your experience i can't say for others but it was really really good and it was learning experience i think for all of us um because it's so early in yeah as far as my job-wise it's great i love working for hospitals i love what i do and I actually would just like to meet somebody finally.

Yeah, that was my next question. So you're still single? Yeah. Yeah. Are you actively dating? Like, are you on apps or anything like that? I am not on apps. I'm constantly working, but I would like to meet somebody.

That's for sure. Yeah. You know, I just. Well, hey, anyone listening out there who has somebody in the Northwest, who is around their 50s. And I was going to say, give Meredith a DM, but you're not on Instagram or any social, are you? I do have Instagram.

Oh, you do have Instagram. Okay. Well, I learned something new today. So, yeah, give Meredith a DM. We're going to set you up on the show. I'm going to play Matchmaker. Okay, trust that. It's your job now to find me a suitor.

Oh, yes. I'm going to play Matchmaker. Uh-huh. Well, you know, okay, so this podcast is basically we are kind of little sidekicks or what do you call it when there's a show that takes a different path, like has a different cast. What do you call it? Panx. Yeah. Spin-off.

That's the word. Thank you, Maddie. So it's like a spin-off. So Ashley and Ben have. this podcast, the almost famous podcast. And we came on Bob and I to talk to the OGs. So, um, yeah, I'm, I, we're part of this bigger, um, almost famous podcast world. And we are super grateful. So if I, if I don't hear from people, it's not because people are not reaching out. It's because I just don't, I, it's somebody else's podcast. Do you know what I mean?

I understand. Um, um, but yeah no I love it what is your Instagram handle let's put it up here just in case um let's look oh she doesn't know it no I don't know it I'm always at work so so you're on it a lot I take it's chef Marity chef Marity chef ah see there we go chef Marity that's my real name not I changed it to Meredith, but that's my real name. Wait, what? Tell me,

wait, your real name is Meridi. Meridae. Yeah. M-E-R-E-D-Y. Mm-hmm. Oh my gosh, I never knew that. Yeah, a lot of people don't. That's so crazy.

So you changed it right before the show? No, I changed it when I was 16 because I thought it sounded more official. you know Meredith sounds a little bit more like adultature yeah do you call yourself

meridino no Meredith yeah okay I was like did you go back to it I might at some point

I don't know I mean hey whatever whatever my friends here in the northwest they just call me Marity or mayor and

yeah Of course, of course, yeah. I love that. I actually might come. I'm going to call you Meridina. I'm changing your contact information. Yeah, you do. Meridae.

I love it. Well, it was so great to catch up again, reconnect. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with Bob and I. I know if he says, good Bob. I'm sorry, he got disconnected. No, that's a new problem. It was good to talk to you. Thank you so much.

It was nice to catch up. Hopefully we can do it again. Of course. Amazing. Thanks, Meredith. All right. Thank you. Let's start with a quick puzzle.

The answer is Ken Jennings' appearance on The Puzzler with A.J. Jacobs. The question is, what is the most entertaining listening experience in podcast land? Jeopardy Truthers believe in. they would be conspiracy theorists. That's right. They gave you the answers, and you still blew it. The Puzzler. Listen on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The U.S. Open is here. And on my podcast, Good Game with Sarah Spain. I'm breaking down the players, the predictions, the pressure. And, of course, the honey deuses, the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open. The U.S. Open has gotten to be a very wonderfully experiential sporting event. To hear this and more, listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain and IHart Women's Sports Production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment

on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports Network. I was diagnosed with cancer on Friday and cancer free the next Friday. 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 big 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. Why are TSA rules so confusing? You got a hood of you. I 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. I deserve it. You know, lock him up. Listen to No Such Thing on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

No such thing. 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. 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 IHeart Radio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. This is an IHeart podcast.