The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Bachelorette Mindset (The Golden Bachelorette Week Six)

Episode Date: October 24, 2024

Ben and Ashley are here to recap this week’s episode of The Golden Bachelorette… and Joan might not be ready for what’s about to happen. Ashley reveals which guy has the “vibe” that we’re looking for in this show, but Ben is afraid he’ll agree to something that’s too much for what he’s looking for. And Ashley explains why we’re hearing “Bachelorette language” when looking at the next episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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We are here breaking down hometowns of Jones season of the Golden Bachelorette. Ashley, I want to start with this statement. I love your big dramatic statements. Isn't that like what you do in radio? Isn't like the, isn't that? Yes. Am I a professional? Well, you have a great job because I truly get excited.

Pascal's my favorite. Me too. And that takes nothing away from the other guys that exist within this process. I don't know if it's a recency bias because we got to interview her, his daughter. And if you haven't listened to that, please go back to the almost famous thread and listen to the interview with his daughter.

It is awesome. She gives us great insight into who he is as a person, which we see a little bit of on the show. But I think she gives us even more details and insight during the interview. But I wasn't, I'll be honest, I wasn't convinced with Pascal. I didn't dislike him.

I just didn't, I thought he was a character more than he was a compatible match. after our interview with her I walked out of that interview and I told Jess this I said I think he actually is exactly what somebody could be looked

like Joan especially is looking for in this next golden chapter and it showed up during this episode so you weren't here for Nancy's interview last week when we recapped and she brought that point up about how like he's just totally different and he's kind of like a sex in the city character

like if it were to happen in like the new rendition of sex in the city where it's like you're looking for somebody that's not your husband who's passed away somebody just to like live a whole different chapter of life and he fits that mold perfectly and I just saw a lot to him during this episode because like we have the emotion with his son and then like he is so suave and I know that he's always been very handsome but in the like it, you know, don't make me feel weird like when I say, when we talked about Mark, but like I saw Pascal as very sexy in this episode. Yeah, I can see that. I get that. A couple comments as we move into breaking this down. Some overarching themes that came up. I don't want this to come off as any type of criticism towards Joan.

Because I think Joan has been fantastic. I think they're going to have a really hard time finding a golden bachelorette. that has navigated this process like Joan. I do think they will find other golden bacheloretts who will benefit from this process, that will find love in this process, that will have a different personality type, and so they'll be different guys that they're interested in.

I think they'll be fine. Joan has been fantastic. I think this is the second episode, though, and I'd love to talk to Joan about this. I have no clue how to relate with this because I obviously haven't been through it. I think this is the second episode that I asked myself,

Is Joan really ready? No. I don't know if she is. I don't think she is. And it really has been recent. The only reason I feel like I can say that is because of her comments to Mark on I don't think we're in the same place. So my comparison to that, which, you know, if she felt that way, great. But now I'm watching it and I'm personally thinking I don't see a difference between where Mark was at and where he, like, and how he was feeling.

and where now Joan is at, especially during this episode, because it's consistently compared to the past, which, again, isn't a criticism. I just don't know if she's ready. I want to bring up Pascal again. Okay. I think with Pascal, she's going to have a relationship where it's not comparable to what she had with her husband,

which I think is what she needs, because if it's anything close to her husband, then, like, through the rest of her life, it's going to be like, oh, but he did that. Oh, and he did that. So I think it's like nice to kind of like break away and to have her have like two separate like not lives, but you know what I mean. Also when Pascal said we are moved, we're like in the same place. Like we're both not really feeling like we need to rush this.

Like he was like I, she's like, I know that I'm like kind of being slow. And he's like, well, I know that I'm kind of being slow. But I think that we're like on the same trajectory. That was I was like, yeah. Perfect. Another reason to like Pascal. And for some reason, she interprets it later in the episode as like a warning sign. And I'm like, no, no, no, girl, realize that that's kind of where you're at too. I think you're saying, yes, you're putting it into better language than I could. I didn't know what I was exactly feeling. It's not that I don't think Joan is ready

for this experience. It's not that I don't think Joan is going to benefit from the process. It's not that I don't think Joan was the right choice for the golden bachelorette. All those things I think are 100% the right decision by her to say yes to it, by the show to bring her on, all those things. My point is not that she's not ready to have an incredible next chapter. I don't think she's ready to enter into something that feels like a marriage or feels like that extreme commitment. I think Pascal offers this, hey, you and I are exclusive. You and I are moving towards whatever we want in this next chapter of love.

I love you. I care about you. I want to have adventures with you. I want to experience the world with you. But this isn't going to look like what it did before for you. And I think that, if I was. sitting down with Joan at this point in the season after watching the journey so far, that would be what I would tell her is I think this dude offers a lot of the things you want

where Chalk, Chalk wants to marry this woman, which is amazing and so fun to see that he's so head over heels for her. But I think it's going to feel like a little bit of a like I can't catch my breath. This is a lot really soon. Exactly. And I think right now, especially with the persuasion of the producers. The chalk vibe is what we were traditionally looking for on this show, but I'm just not sure that that's what she really needs. I think she might be like two in Bachelorette mindset. You're right because, yes, that's interesting that you say that.

Because you see the Bachelorette language come up now for the next episode. I'm going to leave here with nobody. And it's like, if you do, is that big a deal, Joan? Like, you have a great life. You're thriving. Like if none of these guys are for you, Gary said it, right? Trista kind of said it. Like if none of these guys are for you, this is different.

You know, this is a whole different thing. You know you're worthy of love. You know you can give love. You know you having a family that is like so in love with you. You have grandkids, like you're fine. Love exists in your world. Yeah. If you leave here with nobody, if that is the best decision for you, that's okay.

What I'm concerned about, what I would be as a viewer and as a huge, Joan fan. What I am most concerned about at this point is that she is going to say yes to something that is going to feel like too much as soon as the public starts knowing about it, right? Yeah. Another thing about Chalk just because he does feel like a lot. He's not, I don't like, I don't want to use the expression, but maybe I will. It's a kind of like love bombing. He's coming on really strong, mostly in last week's episode when they were bowling. Now, he was like saying certain things like, what side of the bed do you sleep on? I talked about this with Nancy. Now, that kind of like, I got any messages on Instagram that was like, yeah, Chuck is giving me the

ick. And it's just because I think it's just like a little bit too much. And I don't want her to have that like I'm being smothered with love feeling when she's done with this because I just don't think that she's in the right place for that. Can I bring up a thought that I don't know to be true? And I want you to argue with me about it. And I want our listeners to argue with me about it if they don't agree with it. Is there a level? You know, as we get older, we in a lot of ways kind of get younger, right?

And you need more people taking care of you again, right? You need support. You're looking for love. you're looking to be around like friends and community and as you get older you kind of yes you've matured in so many ways and you have life experience to lean on but you kind of go back to your younger years and in the same you know sentiment I wonder if chalk for example because he has fallen in love and now been out of love and kind of taking a break in between and he's not in that kind of dating have that dating muscle that love muscle you know that you experience as you're

kind of exploring other people and you're trying to figure out what you're looking for as a partner he has no chill yeah no exactly like that he's like overly excited he doesn't know how to um to walk through this solely because like he said and i think it's sweet he doesn't give me the ick i do think it's sweet i think he looks at joan and says you are everything i've ever dreamed of I want to give you the world. I want to spend my world with you. I want to do all the things, which is sweet. I just don't know if that's what Joan wants.

She thinks that she wants it, though, right now. Yes. I think she thinks that she wants it. But like I said, if I sat down with her and had a heart to heart, it would be, Joan, do you really want that? Like, do you want that? Or do you just want a lot of fun? Yeah, do you want fun and companionship?

Yeah. I don't know. I can't speak for Joan there. I know. This is as a viewer, my perspective as we sit here after hometowns and after seeing some great, you know, dates go on. Let's start with kind of like lightly them breaking down each date. We start this episode with Guy.

Guy's family's involved. I'm sorry. I can't get over the fact that this guy is still here. This guy is still here. And he's at the end of the episode still here. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Well, wait a minute, Sam, maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime 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. A foot washed up a shoe with some bones in it. They had no idea who it was.

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That means more juicy cheesement. Terrible love advice. Evil spells to cast on your ex. No, no, no, no, we're not doing that this season. Oh, well, this season, we're leveling up. Each episode will feature a special bestie, and you're not going to want to miss it. Get in here! Today, we have a very special guest with us.

Our new super secret bestie is the diva of the people. The diva of the people. I'm just like, text your ex. My theory is that if you need to figure out that the stove is hot, go and touch it. Go and figure it out for yourself. Okay. That's us. Where is the heck?

That's us. My name is Curley. And I'm Maya. In each episode, we'll talk about love, friendship, heart breaks, men, and, of course, our favorite secrets. Listen to the Super Secret Bestie Club as a part of the Michael Tura podcast network available on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness, the way it has echoed and reverberated throughout your life, impacting your very legacy.

Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro, and these are just a few of the profound and powerful stories I'll be mining on our 12th season of Family Secrets. With over 37 million downloads, we continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. I can't wait to share 10 powerful new episodes with you, stories of tangled up identities, concealed truths, and the way in which family secrets almost always need to be told. I hope you'll join me and my extraordinary guests for this new season of Family Secrets. Listen to Family Secrets Season 12 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcasts. Hola, it's Honey German, and my podcast, Grasas 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 star. 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 coat You know, it takes a toll on you Listen to the new season of Grasasas Come Again As part of My Cultura podcast network on the IHartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Interesting kind of perspective is, you know, this,

I looked into it last night. It's not a secret at this point that, you know, he has had complaints. There was a temporary restraining order that was filed or asked to be filed against him. The details of this are a little. murky. It's hard to really understand kind of where this fell out. But it was with his ex-wife, okay? Oh, it was with the ex-wife. Interesting. The interesting part of this is his kids were there,

which I'm assuming the mother is his ex-wife, and they were very supportive of their father. So I don't know, like, I don't know the details of this whole thing. It's hard to understand online, even. I'm not a legal expert, but she obviously sees something in him. And here's my point. How could she not? He picked her up on a boat and went across Lake Tahoe. You and I've spent time on Lake Tahoe together. That place is beautiful. Yeah.

Like you want to feel like you're going to live the dream. I know. Like that date was set up out of all the dates to, it felt like it was set up to be the date. The date that makes everything makes sense. But obviously you have this shadow over it right now with the past. you know, coming out. Yeah, I couldn't, I couldn't watch him the same. Exactly.

That's a good point. You can't watch it the same. And I'm not sure that like much of the audience knows about this one. This one has definitely been more under the radar than Gil. And of course, further, further, further under the radar than Devin. Devin. Where's Devin at these days? I know.

I was thinking of like, Devon like five minutes before we started this. I was like, wow, talk about just like disappearing, which is a good thing. there I was so I was kind of like looking into it a little bit too deeply perhaps but like the family does allude to him going through some rough times like we're glad you're seeing you're getting over the tough times that's all I was like so maybe you think he had some behavioral issues after that divorce but yeah I just can't I can't watch him without knowing that there was some sort of altercation with a former lover and now me learning that it was his wife. And like there's just something behind that calm. So I like kind of freaked out because he's so calm that I'm like there's something hiding behind that. It's hard to watch it the same way. I have one more thing to say because beyond me feeling not that, I mean, me feeling weird because there's some legal thing.

I also just do not feel it between the two of them. And I've never seen somebody get this far where I feel no connection. Yeah, it feels like they haven't quite taken the step. Like the Pascals of the world, even though I did view him as a character for a bit, at least there's been moments where you're like, she's into it. Like, she's having fun with this. Obviously, Chalk and her have had some really great moments. I would say Jordan here would also be one nice that I haven't felt it.

Yeah, yeah. It kind of feels like he's just a great choice and he was a nice, fun guy to be around. He's a good guy, yeah. But I'm with you. I think the two at the top are Pascal and Chalk here when it comes to the connection that exists. Iheart just did confirm that it is a yes. It was with his ex-wife, and so we were not speaking out of turn there. It was late when I was looking at this online.

And I just want to make sure that I read things the right way because oftentimes I don't. Okay, the next date that we see on this show is with Pascal, correct? Correct. And it was the standout date. For you? For me, he takes her to the salon. You can just feel the energy is so positive and comfortable. And you are getting a taste of the life that she would have.

You are getting a taste of the life that she would have with him. And it is posh, lux, and just exactly what I'd want in my 60s. She's getting her hand rubbed with champagne. He's taking her around his fancy vehicle. That is his bachelor pad because, you know, sometimes they show the homes or different people's homes. They confirm that that's his home. I don't know. It seems like a nice life.

Good looking family. Good looking family. he's just so suave he feels manly in this episode which is a little bit different than what he's felt like remember how we asked his daughter last week if he felt like if she felt like her dad was metro in this way he actually feels very masculine he's not he doesn't seem like the kind of guy that's you know putting his pinky finger up when he's drinking here he feels like he is a leading man with a big personality. Yeah, with a big personality, big charisma and everybody around him likes to be around him. Yeah. It's interesting. I saw a Golden Bachelor during this episode because of just his energy level and his excitement. I don't, you know, obviously know how this ends. I have not been spoiled. I'm still, you know, it's hard for me to believe that it's not chalk at the end. Yeah. Just based on how everything's led up to this point. However, you're right.

He was, this was a fun date. It was a fun vibe. And can you imagine, again, going into, you know, this world, she travels into Chicago to see her, you know, husband, boyfriend, whatever they end up being at the end. And she stops into the salon and has all the girl chat with, you know, 30 women. And she has some champagne. And then they go out to a fancy dinner.

And then the next day they jump on a flight to Paris. Like that feels like the life they could live. yeah it sounds fun it sounds exciting i think he also and i'd say you see it in his eyes you see it in emotion this episode i do think he deeply cares about joan i don't know where that leads to and i do think he's hesitant to to take too many steps because as he said he's been hurt deeply before but i do think he really cares about joan and i think it's a care that is different than most, where it's just like, I like this woman. I think I can have fun with this woman.

She's, you know, she compliments me in so many ways. And I also think that there is a level two where I think Jones a big personality, but I think it's been hard for her to show that too much during this season because I think it has been an internal struggle for most of it for her, where she hasn't just been able to take a deep breath and be like, what am, you know, let me just have fun with this. I think a lot of it is reminding her of the past, and that's tough. For sure. And I will say I felt a little bit concerned just seeing his lifestyle, like him in his

element, that, like, perhaps he is a little bit of a playboy. I don't think he is. I think his kids would, I mean, weak, I think his daughter would have told this. Like, obviously we met Natalie, but his son was so sweet. Yeah. His son is the, like, I grew up with every Chicago, like a ton of, of Chicago people. His son is every Chicago human. Yeah. Like they

they are that human. What you just saw there is a Chicago guy. I'm sure he had a lot of fun why his dad was gone. I'm sure it was the best few months of his life to open up the bachelor pad to his friends and you know, co-workers. His son was very sweet. The moment between the two of them was awesome.

So awesome. Just any moment where a dad can look at a son and be like I'm proud of you. It's just such a cool thing. I don't think he is a playboy I think you can get that vibe from him I do think his daughter would have told us or she wouldn't have been so invested into signing him up why would you want to sign your dad up yeah if you knew he was just out there living his life in Chicago dating every you know person that existed yeah he probably has that past which is like why it comes across like very naturally for him in that role, but like he just doesn't want it for the future.

He's probably just tired of it. I mean, because that does get tiring. I was going to say, and let's not forget these people in their 60s. Yeah. Like at some point, you're like, I'm exhausted. I mean, like, I'm too tired. One lady's fine. Yeah, that's, I'm good for now.

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. My name is Ed. Everyone say hello, Ed. 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. The 22nd of July 2015, a 23-year-old man had killed his family. And then he came to my house. So what do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? A new podcast called Wisecrack, where stand-up comedy. Comedy, and murder, take center stage. Available now.

Listen to Wisecrack on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A foot washed up a shoe with some bones in it. They had no idea who it was. Most everything was burned up pretty good from the fire that not a whole lot was salvageable. These are the coldest of cold cases, but everything is about to change. Every case that is a cold case that has DNA right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime. A small lab in Texas is cracking the code on DNA.

Using new scientific tools, they're finding clues in evidence so tiny you might just miss it. He never thought he was going to get caught, and I just looked at my computer screen. I was just like, ah, got you. On America's Crime Lab, we'll learn about victims and survivors, and you'll meet the team behind the scenes at Othrum,

the Houston Lab that takes on the most hopeless cases to finally solve the unsolvable. Listen to America's Crime Lab on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hola, it's HoneyGerman, and my podcast, Grasias 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 auditioned. 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 cold, you know, it takes a toll on you.

Listen to the new season of Grasasas Come Again as part of My Cultura Podcast Network on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. The Super Secret Festi Club podcast season four is here. And we're locked in. That means more juicy chisement. Terrible love advice. Evil spells to cast on your ex.

No, no, no, no. We're not doing that this season. Oh. Well, this season, we're leveling up. Each episode will feature a special bestie, and you're not going to want to miss it. Get in here! Today, we have a very special guest with us. Our new super secret bestie is the diva of the people.

The diva of the people. I'm just like, text your ex. My theory is that if you need to figure out that the stove is hot, go and touch it. Go and figure it out for yourself. Okay. That's us. My name is Curley. And I'm Maya.

In each episode, we'll talk about love, friendship, heart breaks, men, and, of course, our favorite secrets. Listen to the Super Secret Bestie Club as a part of the Michael Tura podcast network available on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. the next day that we see Jordan still in Chicago Chicago's looking beautiful it is a ton of fun it's a great city if you haven't been how nice for everybody to be able to do two days in Chicago hang out for almost a full week in Chicago what a dream what a great time of year to be there it was awesome now Jordan has been the one out of all four of these guys that I was like hey he seems great this isn't going to work.

No. There is nothing here. Well, I feel very tied between him and guy. I just feel like the two of them just both like, was like, let's just X them out. Yeah. Jordan's family is super sweet. Not a ton to come from this date for me outside of his family being very sweet. His family also being very clear that their dad is not, is not somebody who expresses

himself, especially romantically, very easily. or often. And I think we've seen that this season. I think that's been very clear. He's never said I'm like in love with somebody since the mom. It's been 10 years. And I just, I actually just don't think that he felt it with her.

I think that he was like, this is a really pretty nice lady and I like hanging out with her. And if she wants to like hang out more, sounds good to me. But I just, because he didn't even seem that disappointed when he got eliminated. Yeah, I think he saw the writing on the,

the wall. I think he also has been around the house for long enough to know that there's the chocks of the world who are very invested. And he's like, I'm not close to being there. In fact, I haven't really told her I like her yet. We've had one date. Like, I'm good here. And I'm not ready to make these big leaps and bounds. But I think it was a great choice for the top four because he's a good guy who's fun to be around. they enjoyed each other's company and I think Joan was like if it's anybody here at this point

this dude feels like one that I'd like to hang out with for another day it's a good date let me just say that I feel like the time frame with Golden

really kicks in at hometowns because it's a couple weeks shorter filming it's weird to be bringing these guys home after such little time with them I feel like do you

I do I mean I honestly would argue that hometowns could be early in the season on every season I almost feel like we okay all right well just because I think it's so valuable it's so important they're fun they're unique and you get a picture of each other's lives and I think for me at least hometowns have always been a place where you've learned so much more in such a short amount of time about that human that I would argue hometowns if it was logistically possible could exist within the first couple like first month of the show just so you can be like yeah you know what I don't really like that family freaks me out you know maybe you're right because when I when Jared and I were just off the first paradise and I kind of formed a hometown

date for us and like a whole bunch of other people from the show but Jared came and slept over and my parents' house with about eight other people from that season of paradise and I really made it feel intentionally but nobody would know that like a hometown and that's when his opinion of me like totally flipped you're a sneaky little you know I made sure that Jared's flight was the one of the last flights that would go out so that he could watch football with my family you are wild and And it works. You are wild. Always up to something.

Yeah, so that would be my point is I don't think this is weird. I don't find it weird. I think family can meet the person you're dating, especially within this environment fairly quickly. I've always found it a fun date. And Chalk's date, though, kind of like their relationship, was the heaviest of them all. it was heavy in the sense that like at times I was having a hard time watching it because I was I was thinking if they don't end up together and goodness gracious now I hope they do this is a very intimate day and moment that all of these humans will have in their memory forever I want them together now because of the celebration that they had I thought it was beautiful.

beautiful. Don't get me wrong. It was just heavy and the others were not heavy. And heavy for obvious reasons, right? He just lost his mom. That makes sense. Like there's no, this isn't a bad thing. It just felt like to me, if Joan was not telling the producers, this is the guy. Yeah. Then this would have never happened this way because there's no way they would have had her pick up dirt and bury this tree in memory of his late mother if she was going to break his heart like the next week. You're so, so right. Good point. She's definitely saying things behind the scenes.

The most touching moment for me during this was when he was talking to Kathy's dad. So Kathy is Chuck's, um, his girlfriend, fiancee who passed away. And it says something about him that he's kept such in touch with her. father that he feels like a family member like that it just because like in a way it's kind of it's definitely not weird but it's interesting well it's because she passed um but to have like an inlaw there would just not be typical but i like it i like it a lot i like it a lot i mean i would i would think And I think you'd agree with this, Ashley. But if something were to happen to me, which Jessica's still home, she hasn't gone to work yet, she can hear me say this.

She's already crying, I bet. If something were to happen to me, my hope and my prayer would be that my parents would stay a part of her life. Right, right. No matter what chapter she moves on to next. One, because there's grandkids. Yeah, of course, when there's grandkids. Yeah. But in this case, he doesn't have grandkids with Kathy.

Yeah. Yeah, good point. But my hope would be that, you know, she would keep them involved because it would mean a lot to them. It just means a lot to me to have that piece of knowing that, you know, my parents are still connected to a family, to a community of some kind, that they can still feel love and have these moments together. I think it says a lot about chalk. And I have nothing but good things to say about this, dude, because even when he talks to her, he's intentional. he is caring. He is considerate. I think what I don't, I want to be clear. Everything we said earlier about the Pascal Chalk comparison is not saying that Chalk is not the right guy for her, nor is he a

bad guy at any level. It's just saying, I think Chalk wants to marry this woman and, and is she ready for this. I don't know if she's ready for that. For the intensity. Yeah, 100%. We really like Chalk. I really like this guy. I really like the relationship that he has. with this guy. And I love that he said, we're ready for you to be family if you want that. Yes. It's sweet. And that was, that's the point of this date to me was, it was so sweet the whole time. All those other dates, though, we're fairly lighthearted. We're fairly just like, come check out my family, come see where I live, come celebrate the salon. This, this felt like one of those days that as a married couple, you know, you or your partner are hurting and the other

partner has to step up and do this. The side of this, though, that I would be shocked by, I don't know if Joan knew that they were going to have this much, like, kind of they were going to do this celebration during the date. I think this probably got thrown on her. And if I was Joan, this would have been one of the moments that you get in the car with the producers the way back and you guys, and you're like, never again. You should have told me that this was going to happen. You should have prep me for this. You should have worn me, and maybe they did.

I don't know. But I know in my experience, there's moments where they throw you into and all of a sudden you're like, I have to step up in a way that I was not expecting to have to step up today. I'm not against doing it. It's not something, you know, foreign to me. However, it would have been nice if you would have given me a little bit of a heads up that, hey, or the whole family, like 40 people are going to be here.

Yeah. And I'm going to be, you know, they're going to be celebrating his late mother. I don't think that conversation happened because I think she wanted to be part of it. I think she was ready for this because you can see how much differently she feels with him than the others through their physical connection. You were talking about how we didn't think that she was getting, you know, real physical with any of these guys. she did on those goodbye kisses with him.

They were making out. Which is a marker of if you're into somebody or not. Yes. The other side of this and Ashley, I could be just wrong. It felt like when she talked to the family, Chalk's family, he was the only one that she was like,

I am head over heels for this guy. All the others, she was like, I'm worried that maybe he's not as into me as I am, you know, and all these things. there was always these concerns. Yeah. But it felt like with chalk, she sat down and was like, I am head over heels for this guy. Yeah.

It felt like she was trying to tell them during the hometown, hey, this is going to be the two of us at the end. Are you ready for that? Mm-hmm. So, Joan, there you go. The two paths that you have are either fun and light or this. This. This.

This is going to be great too. Which is great, too. If you're ready for it, it's going to be great. great. And I think he's going to treat you really well. That's this week's episode of the Golden Bachelorette. Obviously, Jordan does go home, as we mentioned earlier, and the rest of them are flying off to Tahiti for the final few episodes of this amazing season that I think has been incredible. I am intrigued. I'm excited. And so until next week, I've been Ben. I've been Ashley. See ya.

Follow the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcast on IHeart Radio or subscribe wherever you listen to 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 Kenspiracy 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. Smokey the Bears. Then you know why Smokey tells you when he sees you passing through. Remember, please be careful. It's the least that you can do. It's what you decide.

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I'm Simone Boyce, host of the Brightside podcast, and on this week's episode, I'm talking to Olympian, World Cup champion, and podcast host, Ashlyn Harris. My worth is not wrapped up in how many things I've won. Because what I came to realize is I valued winning so much that once it was over, I got the blues, and I was like, this is it.

For me, it's the pursuit of greatness. It's the journey. It's the people. It's the failures. It's the heartache. Listen to The Bright Side on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 taking big leaps in their lives and careers. I'm Gretchen Wittmer, Jody Sweetie. Monica Patton, Elaine Welteroff. Learn how to get comfortable pivoting because your life is going to be full of them. Listen to these women and more on She Pivotts. Now on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Culture eats strategy for breakfast, right?

On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us, I was joined by Belisha 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. From the Obama White House to Google to the Grammys, Valicia's journey is a masterclass in shifting culture and using your voice to spark change. Listen to Culture raises us on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast.