The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - April Showers with April Kirkwood Part 1

Episode Date: December 5, 2023

Ben is hanging out with April Kirkwood from The Golden Bachelor, live from the Bachelor Mansion!She spills everything about life behind the scenes of the season, from parties in the bunk beds to staying up til 4 AM with the other contestants.Plus, we find out what's next for April now that the show is over!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.

Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your... free iHeart radio app search emergency intercom and listen now what would you do if one bad decision forced you to choose between a maximum security prison or the most brutal boot camp designed to be hell on earth unfortunately for mark lombardo this was the choice he faced he said you are a number a new york state number and we own you listen to shock incarceration on the i heart radio app Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Every case that is a cold case that has DNA. Right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime. On the new podcast, America's Crime Lab, every case has a story to tell. And the DNA holds the truth. He never thought he was going to get caught. And I just looked at my computer screen. I was just like, ah, gotcha.

This technology is already solving so many cases. Listen to America's Crime Lab on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I just normally do straight stand-up, but this is a bit different. What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? Answer, a new podcast called Wisecrack, where a comedian finds himself at the center of a chilling true crime story. Does anyone know what show they've come to see? It's a story. It's about the scariest night of my life.

This is Wisecrack, available now. Listen to Wisecrack on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcasts with IHeart Radio. It's almost famous podcast. We're here with April. April sat down and she said, let's make this quick. Why do you want to make this quick? Well, it's getting late, and I have to catch a flight tomorrow.

So, and I've been interviewing all night, so I'm ready. And I'm fired up. So I'm all warmed up for you. So you're going to get the best of me. Yeah, I might be your last interview. Exactly. How does it feel to be being interviewed all night and to be so busy at 1040? Actually, when I did have a radio show with Cumulus, I did work till midnight every night.

I did the drive five home. So I would start at five and end up. Of course, we'd go home a little bit early, pre-tape some of the endings, and I'd be home in bed by 1130. But, yeah, I like it. I'm cool. I'm down. Well, we're here at the Bachelor Mansion. Yes, we are.

Feel good to be back? Yeah, bittersweet. I had a great time here. It was very healing. It was an experience that for me, I got to go back and pay. pick up things I had missed as a younger person. I mean, it was really healing. It's been a theme tonight, April, where people have came in and said a few different ways. You're the first one that say healing. One person said they felt less alone. Another said they kind of found their tribe or

their people when they walked in the house. Why do you use the word healing? Well, I'm a therapist, so I'm always looking at areas that I still need work on. I mean, We're human beings, and this is a lifetime process. And so I don't think that healing is ever finished. So when I came in, we got to stay in these bunk beds. I'll give you an example. I had never had the opportunity to go away to college. I went to a local college.

My mother had mental health issues. I never got to be a freshman in college. So when I got here, and I was up there with those girls, and we were rowdy and I was crazy and they took those mics off us. I just went, I'd had so much fun and it was like I was given an opportunity to go back and catch up

and there was other things that I had realized that it was time to let go of Ralph, my significant other that I had been with for 20 years that he had passed away that Gary, that interaction with Gary gave me the opportunity to realize that it was time for me to move on.

Women, issues that I thought I struggled with alone. I realized that it was a universal kind of feeling that I was going through in many aspects of my life. Also, I saw people getting triggered a lot. And what really helped me is to know everybody, even at our age, has issues. nobody's ever completely healed. I mean, be afraid if someone says they don't need a counselor and they got it together,

they're bad shit crazy. Run the other way because we are all constantly learning and struggling and catching things. And it's like peeling a lemon, you know, just keep, you know, you keep peeling it and peeling it until you get to the center. Well, this is obviously something that you aren't unfamiliar with. this isn't something that you knew just because you walked into the mansion you've known this obviously for for a long time when you come across people you're like hey we're all working on something we're all trying to figure it out so you come into the mansion you meet all these women they're all beautiful what's your first kind of then reaction to once you kind of got

comfortable with them like what you were learning from being around all of them well first of all I've always had issues with women because I've always, first of all, I was raised as an only child, so I really never had siblings. I had a brother eight years younger than myself. But so I really never had to share or really get along with a lot of women. Second of all, it was always very spoiled and loved and pampered and I always had everything. So girls always picked on me. I got beat up. I had lots of, you know, bullying. They would put fish in my locker. They would throw stones at me.

I was feature twirl or I was Miss Ohio and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. So I have fear and trepidation of women. I much rather work with men. Women scare the shit out of me because they're vicious. They can be vicious. Let's put it that way. So when I came here, I really didn't know what to think. And I had seen some of the episodes of the younger Bachelor shows.

And I saw those young girls going at each other like, you know, little coyotes, baby coyotes. And I was pleasantly surprised at how nice everybody was and how I did really make some friends. So that was another aspect of me going, hmm, there are nice girls. Oh, girls will like me. Oh, if I put myself out there, good things can happen. relationships with women. So I really didn't know what to expect. I was leery of being here in a house with women.

And then when you, I mean, for the most part, it sounds like most of these women are very kind. They're very, very, very nice. They only got nasty after the show was over. That was enlightening to me. And that could, so you can imagine the few things we touched already, how much internally was going on within each of us whether they consciously know it or not. I'm a little bit more conscious of it

because of my career. But I was watching all of it. Yeah. So you mentioned something earlier. You were in a blast when you went up to like the bunk rooms. Right? Something that is not a secret.

But pretty much most of the people that stay in this house, men or women when they're a contestant, you're living in a bunk. And at the start, you're definitely having somebody on the top. You're definitely having somebody at the bottom. It's kind of spread out all over.

Who was the wildest? Like, okay, give us a picture of what this mansion look like. I was the wildest. Okay, you're the wildest. I was the wildest. I called the ladies that took care of us outside that would make sure we didn't go anywhere. I called them my RA.

And when I got that mic off and then I would, I hate to say this, I would imitate Gary all night. I had those women cracking up. And I'm dancing on the lake in Indiana, in the mud, and I'm doing the dance. And, you know, and I just had so much freaking fun. It was a blast. And then I got, as people got, you know, didn't get the rose and they had to leave. I took my bed and I pushed it against the others' beds.

And we had a big California bed across the whole room. Yeah, we put roses all over them and when we got a rose. So I really got to be silly and funny. Yeah. And I just loved it. And I like, but I like to be silly and funny anyhow. If I can make you laugh or somebody laugh every day, then to me it's a good day. Oh, that's great.

So then cameras come off. They leave. Mike's come off. This place just gets even more fun than it is, even when the cameras are out. In our room. Everybody else went to bed. What room were you in? We were upstairs in that top room.

It was the big room with the nice bathroom, but I guess the other ladies complained about us. At this point, I was just happy I was here, having the experience. Girls are being nice to me. This is a pretty cool place. The producers treat you like your gods. I mean, they really treat you wonderful. I mean, they can't be any nicer. I mean, so I was having the time of my life, but, you know, I guess other people didn't appreciate us being.

up till 4 a.m. I love it. It is. It's literally a sorority in attorney house every season. Nothing changes. Even at our age, nothing changes. You throw everybody in one house, let them have this common interest in competing for romance and good things happen. Aren't you glad to hear that this will not change when you get older? No. I'm so happy. 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

It's Honey German, and my podcast, Grasasas Come Again, is back. This season, we're going even deeper into the world of music and entertainment with raw and honest conversations with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities. You didn't have to audition? No, I didn't audition.

I haven't audition in, like, over 25 years. Oh, wow. That's a real G-talk right there. Oh, yeah. We've got some of the biggest actors, musicians, content creators, and culture shifters sharing their real stories of failure and success. You were destined to be a start.

We talk all about what's viral and trending with a little bit of chisement, a lot of laughs, and those amazing Vibras you've come to expect. And, of course, we'll explore deeper topics dealing with identity, struggles, and all the issues affecting our Latin community. You feel like you get a little whitewash because you have to do the code switching?

I won't say whitewash because at the end of the day, you know, I'm me. But the whole pretending and code, you know, it takes a toll on you. Listen to the new. season of Grasas Has Come Again as part of my Cultura podcast network on the IHartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Janica Lopez

and in the new season of the Overcomfit podcast, I'm taking you on an exciting journey of self-reflection. Am I ready to enter this new part of my life? Like, am I ready to be in a relationship? Am I ready to have kids and to really just devote myself and my time? I wanted to be successful on

my own, not just because of who my mom is. Like, I felt like I needed to be better or work twice as hard as she did. Join me for conversations about healing and growth. Life is freaking hard. And growth doesn't happen in comfort. It happened in motion, even when you're hurting. All from one of my favorite spaces, The Kitchen.

Honestly, these are going to come out so freaking amazing. Be a part of my new chapter and listen to the new season of the Overcomfit podcast as part of the MyCultura podcast network on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, sis, what if I could promise you you never had to listen to a condescending finance, bro, tell you how to manage your money again. Welcome to Brown Ambition. This is the hard part when you pay down those credit cards.

If you haven't gotten to the bottom of why you were racking up credit or turning to credit cards, you may just recreate the same problem a year from now. When you do feel like you are bleeding from these high interest rates, I would start shopping for a debt consolidation loan, starting with your low. local credit union, shopping around online, looking for some online lenders because they tend to have fewer fees and be more affordable. Listen, I am not here to judge. It is so expensive in these streets. I 100% can see how in just a few months you can have this much credit card debt when it weighs on you. It's really easy to just like stick your head in the sand. It's nice and dark in the

sand. Even if it's scary, it's not going to go away just because you're avoiding it. And in fact, it may get even worse. For more judgment-free money advice, listen to Brown Ambition. on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Well, I have one, really one final question for you, April. So, obviously, the show's over. Yes, it is. What does life look like now for you?

What are you excited about? Oh, God. Okay, right now, after seeing the show tonight, I'm rethinking again the real reason I went I came to the Bachelor was to find love and when I saw the connection

with Gary and Teresa and I saw the love that they did seem to have and all of that happening I was deeply moved and impressed that the Bachelor did work I mean they did seem to find their person

so I kind of am I'm going to revisit if I should try to date because I'm not dating. Right now I work part-time. I work at a drug addiction center. I do the groups. Also, I'm still doing a few things for The Bachelor. And I do a lot of social media now. I'm hired someone to help me and I'm kicking ass.

And I'm just, I am rethinking everything. thing. Okay. Honestly, rethinking. Yeah. Sitting back and seeing where this goes. I once got wise advice from somebody used to work on the show. They said, use this to enhance the life you already had, not change your life completely.

Yeah. And that's what I think I'm doing. I think I have audition on Tuesday for a podcast through them. And, but I also know that people can turn on a dime. They could change their mind in a minute. So I'm staying grounded in what I have. I have a beautiful home. I have a beautiful house.

I'm in Florida. A nice little job. I got a nice gig going on. But I am going to pursue. I'm going to take dance class. Well, I was a dancer in my whole life, but I'm going to go back and do that. And falling in love, I don't know how you guys do it. Like the swipe left and right and shit and asking people out on, you know, texting.

It's luck. Yeah, I don't like it. It's stupid. I want to hear your voice. I mean, you're not using any of your sentences. You're using a finger. It's all physical. I want to hear, you know, I want to look in your eyes.

I want to hear that voice. I want to, you know, manipulate me. Come on. You know, be nice. Not, oh, baby, or send me some stupid hearts. How long does it take you to send a heart? Like, you can do 150 women in two minutes. Come on.

Do I look stupid? You need your own show, April. Yeah, I mean, like, come on, guys. Your addition's here. And girls, don't sleep with everybody right away. No wonder they don't want to marry you. Why should they? Well, God Almighty.

I mean, women ruined it for themselves. How a little class. This is your show. Your show is going to be one that I would like to listen to. I believe we could learn. We can laugh with you. And we can be surprised with you and buy you, which would be something.

Yeah, and love yourself too. And I will say this for anyone who is listening. You are perfect just the way you are. You are human. You have done nothing wrong. No matter what has happened in your life, I really believe it was meant to happen for you to gain more insight about your truth and live your truth as long as it doesn't harm anybody.

And no matter what, and yes, we will harm people. But it's your intention. People, you will be judged inside of your heart, inside of your own head by, I didn't intend for that to happen. There's a difference in being vicious and an intention. You know, I have no intention to harm anyone. Well, one of the beautiful parts about the Golden Bachelor is I believe a lot of people are going to benefit from the stories of the women, Gary's story, the love that came from it. I think it's going to be a really, it has been, at least from my experience, A lot of people have benefited from this airing on television.

Mm-hmm. I agree. So I'm excited for years ago. Yeah, I think we're breaking the glass ceiling. I think there's women and men sitting alone, wondering, is there anything left for them? And yes, there is something. Even if it's just to love yourself and to be happy and to try new things, whatever it is. It doesn't even have to be dating.

It could just be living better, living larger. Don't lean in Fall in Oh that's worth ending on God bless Don't lean in Don't lean in baby You fall in

What's the worst that can happen You've already been hurt before Well I've got a wife It's 11 o'clock a night I'm about to not lean in I'm about to fall in Is that good? Yes it is

Yes it is You can use anything I have I'm here to share This has been another episode Of The Almost Famous podcast We have April here It's 11 o'clock at night. We were getting ready to go home.

Thank you for joining us. Thank you for giving us your time. It means a lot to us that you came tonight, that you're here, that you came on the show. You've been a blast to watch and now to talk to tonight. Thank you so much. Time is the only non-replaceable thing that we have. We can never replace time. It's the only resource that we don't get back.

Exactly. So with that, the bell is. This has been the almost famous podcast, and I've been Ben. We'll talk to you next time. 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... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with... 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. I just normally do straight stand-up, but this is a bit different. What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? Answer, a new podcast called Wisecrack, where a comedian finds himself

at the center of a chilling true crime story. Does anyone know what show they've come to see? It's a story. It's about the scariest night of my life. This is Wisecrack, available now. Listen to Wisecrack on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every case that is a cold case that has DNA. Right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime.

On the new podcast, America's Crime Lab, every case has a story to tell. And the DNA holds the truth. He never thought he was going to get caught. And I just looked at my computer screen. And I was just like, ah, gotcha. This technology is already solving so many cases. Listen to America's Crime Lab on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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. I guess they would be conspiracy theorists. That's right. To give you the answers, and you still blew it. The Puzzler. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This is an IHeart podcast.