The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Bachelorette Revisit with Trista Sutter, Deanna Pappas & Caroline Lunny

Episode Date: May 7, 2019

 Ben has a very special co-host this week… his girlfriend Jess! The Bachelorette Special was her first real exposure to Ben’s life on the show, and we find out what it’s been like for her to watch Ben in that setting. In honor of the Bachelorette reunion, we talk to the very first Bachelorette, Trista Sutter. She fills us in on her life after the show, and offers some advice to Hannah B before her season kicks off. And we catch up with Deanna Pappas, and we hear if she kept in touch with Brad Womack! Then, Caroline Lunny from Arie’s season checks in with us about her experience on Bachelor Australia, and she opens up about her struggle with anxiety and depression.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, luckily, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend's 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.

Hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast and 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, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. Why are TSA rules so confusing? You got a hood of you. I'm take it all.

I'm Manny. 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. iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. No such thing. I'm Dr. Joy Hardin-Bradford, host of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast. I know how overwhelming it can feel if flying makes you anxious. In session 418 of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast, Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett and I discuss flight anxiety.

What is not normal is to allow it to prevent you from doing the things that you want to do. the things that she were meant to do. Listen to therapy for black girls on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Betrayal Weekly is back for season two with brand new stories. The detective comes driving up fast and just like screeches right in the parking lot. I swear I'm not crazy, but I think he poisoned me. I feel trapped. My breathing changes. I realize, wow, like he is not a mentor. He's pretty much a monster.

But these aren't just stories of destruction. They're stories of survival. I'm going to tell my story and I'm going to hold my head up. Listen to Betrayal Weekly on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcast with IHeart Radio. Oh, man, what a week. I'm pumped for this week. I love Ashley to death, but there is a woman in my life that I am.

so excited to share with you all, all of you. Jessica Clark. Hi, Jessica. Hey, Benjamin. My girlfriend is co-hosting the podcast with me today because she watched one of her first full episodes of The Bachelor or Bachelor, and I guess to say last night. She was a part of watching the reunion show. So she thought it would be a great idea to come on and co-host with me. I thought it was a great idea. I heart thought it was a great idea, and Ashley needed to take the week off. So Jessica is on the podcast today. But to get her warmed up, Jessica, do you feel a little nervous? I was sweating earlier, but it's kind of stopped now. We'll start sweating again.

To get her warmed up a little bit, we're going to stick Jessica in the hot seat. And for the sake of privacy, and because I think she might get a little nervous around me, I'm going to step away and let Amy, our producer, step in and throw Jessica in the hot seat, Jessica. You are a doll. I cannot wait to do this podcast with you. It's going to be a blast, but I'm going to step away. Good luck. Amy, take it away.

So, Jess, hi. Hey. So I'll let you and Ben have a lot of fun later in the show with Trista and Deanna Poppice. Is it Deanna or Deanna? Deanna. Deanna Poppice. Deanna. So they'll be here.

But first. Now, Ben called it for privacy. I think it's more to protect him from not having to be the one to ask you these questions, but I will. So first, we'll start with the easy. Okay. Did you never watch? I'll use you into it. Did you never watch the show before?

Well, I had watched it. I'd watched episodes here or there. I think last time I was on, I might have mentioned. Like, I mean, when you're in college and you have friends on Monday nights that are like, come and watch the bachelor with me, it's kind of a fun, like, girls' night. but I'd never been like, I'm going to watch every single one, you know, one of those die hard, get on a tour bus kind of fans. And had you watched any of Ben's season? So I hadn't.

I actually, I think I might have watched like part of one episode, but it didn't really register, you know, like I wasn't super invested in it. Right. Right. Yeah. Because my mom watched the show too. How did it feel just sort of moments ago watching Ben on the show and seeing clips. of Ben with Jojo and seeing clips of Ben with Lauren and saying, I love you to both of them, because that was kind of what they highlighted about your boyfriend, Ben. What does that feel like?

Yeah, I think I actually wasn't expecting to, like, have the reaction that I did. I watched the episode of my roommate and she looked at me and she was like, you don't like this very much, do you? And I was like, no, I'm like, I'm surprised by like how much my stomach dropped watching that. And I think a lot of it just had to do like, I mean, especially. especially as a girl and coming into this world and right when I first started dating Ben, all of my friends that had watched his season were like he had the most attractive girls ever on his season. Like that is crazy. That was nice of them to say. Not at all. Right. But like right off the bat, I'm like, oh my gosh. Like he actually did because then with Instagram and social

media, you can see all these girls that my boyfriend has dated before on TV. And so already you're kind of playing that comparison game in your head. And I think even if you're not dating someone that's been on a television show, you will easily scroll through Instagram and compare yourself and be like, how in the heck am I supposed to be like these girls that I see on here that looks so wonderful and perfect? I think that's right. It's human nature. I mean, I think people could be married for 15 years and then they go to the high school

reunion and they're like, oh, my husband dated the prom queen and they get all. jiggly wiggly about it so i don't i don't think it's that abnormal that you felt that way so what and ben was not with you when you watched it right no he wasn't so what did you feel seeing it and and how are you feeling you know now like a few hours later um i i mean i didn't feel good watching it my stomach dropped to my toes um that makes me feel sort of bad no because it's part of it. I mean, I probably should have known. I think I wasn't expecting for it to be on the episode either. But, like, it was a little bit more jarring, too, because you weren't prepared. Yeah. Like, I didn't even know that Ben was going to be on it last night because it was, like,

for The Bachelorette. And then I didn't really put together when they were doing, like, the first part of it. And he was, I guess, the first and I'm guessing the only person to tell two people that he loved them. And so even just in that context, too, you're kind of like, like, whoa. Well, right. Then you see these two really cute girls that he's kissing and saying, I love you too. I mean, I can't feel great no matter how strong you are, how solid your relationship is.

It just feels, it's not that it feels necessarily terrible. It just is a bit jarring and, ugh. Yeah, like no one wants to see their boyfriend doing that, even if it was a couple of years ago, you know, the exes are the exes and you don't. don't, you don't want to even really hear your boyfriend talking about their ex-girlfriends. And so then watching them on TV telling them that they love them, that's something that you have never been prepared for and you hope that you would never see. I can't even imagine.

And then I think the hard thing for you, and I'm glad it's you and I talking, and I think people will probably be interested, is that Ben will always be known as having been engaged to Lauren. No matter what you do, no matter whether you like it or not, eat. Every magazine article, every blog that's written about him always says, and even if it says Ben is so happy with his wonderful girlfriend, Jessica Clark, and she's the most beautiful person alive, he was formally engaged to Lauren Bushnell. And it just will always be there. So how do you sort of deal with that? I think the biggest thing for me is focusing on like what's true today.

I read a book and it was kind of about just relationships in general and how. when you are thinking about your relationship, whether it's a friendship or romantic or whatever it is, you have to wake up in the morning and be like, what is true about this relationship today? And so I'll wake up in the morning. And if there's been a headline or if one of my friends has sent me some article about Lauren or whatever it might be. Now, do they do that? Sorry to interrupt, but wait. Oh, no. They should not do that. Let's send an email blast to your friends right now. Don't do that. Why are you doing that? Let's not do that.

well i'm not very good at keeping up with everything so i mean i have like five aunts plus my mom plus my friends they're just looking out for me i know i get they're not trying to do the wrong thing but it's still kind of like a dagger no matter what you do you're like ouch but i like this book okay keep going yeah so it's kind of and i think all girls struggle with identity and comparison as i said earlier but waking up in the morning and being like okay today i am the one that's dating ben I know how Ben feels about me right now at this moment, and that's all that should really matter to me. And whenever I kind of start to get carried away or I go down an Instagram hole or whatever

it is, like, that's kind of a question that will ground me again is, well, what's true at this moment right now with my relationship with Ben? I think that's great advice. I think going down what we call the Instagram hole is bad, bad, bad, bad. Oh my gosh, Jess, I have so been there. we all have to just say to ourselves, stop, stop doing this because suddenly you're looking at your boyfriend, sisters, ex-boyfriends, trainers, cousins, kids, graduation. And you're like, why am I here?

Why am I doing this? Step away from the phone. So it is. It really is. I think especially because I'm not, I've never been like an, I mean, if you look at my Instagram page, like, it's. me and my friends, and I'm not used to posting and having however many people following and I'll look at it. And then a lot of these girls that I'll look at are used to that. And their

Instagram's just like so put together. And I'm like, wow, I am a disaster. You're not. Just in general. You need to step away from the phone and also not read the comments. But speaking of, this is the one we've been building up to. So now I'm, I heard, but I might have heard it not quite right but so correct me i heard you met lauren bushnell oh i i've never met her we were in the same workout class but we didn't i don't know if she like knew who i was obviously i know who she is but it kind of worked out where like in the workout class you're not really like you don't go around and introduce yourself to everybody so there was never like a moment where i was like i should have said hey or anything like that obviously if we had like made eye contact or there was a moment for me to

have said hi i i would have been encouraged me to since we live in the same city you know you ever see her obviously say hey and i would like to i yeah she's super nice and i think the good thing for both of you is you're both really happy so i think yes it would it would be fine but i can imagine being in that workout class and like what your body probably did you know that i call it like that adrenaline rush where like your whole body feels like, what is coursing through my veins right now? I don't know if that happened to you. I think it was another moment kind of like seeing Ben tell them that he loved them on TV where it's like I just wasn't expecting it at that time.

Like it was a different class than I normally go to because I had been house sitting and all this stuff. And so I was already a little thrown off. And then I just wasn't, I didn't go there that day thinking I was going to, you know, see my boyfriend's ex-fiance. I think it's probably better too because it's a man. I imagine if you knew, then you would just have that anxiety build up to it. It's like, all right, just rip it off like a Band-Aid.

You've seen each other. You live in a small town together. You're going to see each other. And it's okay. And I think you go back to that book where you're reminding yourself, in this moment, everything's fine for me. I'm happy. And I should stay present.

And the past led him to you. Mm-hmm. Exactly. And that's what me and Ben always talk about about the Bachelor and the fact that he was engaged and even I've talked to his parents about it is he wouldn't be the person that he is now if he hadn't gone through that. And I don't think he would be such a wonderful boyfriend to me if he hadn't ever gone through that. And so I'm thankful for his experiences. And even if it was painful or hard or all, I mean, it was all of those things. But it's made him the man that he is now

and that I get to date. And absolutely. And I think the timing, because, you know, obviously I know been very well. And I think the timing was exactly what it was supposed to be where he really had that time to heal and be in the right place and be ready. I think, look, we can just talk about it because why not? So I know Lauren gave an interview the other day and she's very happy and I've met her boyfriend many times and he is really, really cool and nice. So she's happy and you guys are happy and it's all working out how it's supposed to. But she had given an interview something to the effect of, and I'm paraphrasing.

She didn't know love, true, true love, or whatever word she used. Easton, will you pull up the article until Chris? And I think that sort of had that same feeling to anybody reading it, and I'm sure that's probably the article that your aunt sent or your friend or whoever was your cousin. And I think that at first it's hard to read, because even when I read it, I was like,

ouch, that could be hard for Ben. I think the exact quote was, Chris has her whole heart. But when I come at it from her perspective, I also understand what she was saying. Because maybe that wasn't right for her 100%. And you can't fault her. It doesn't mean she didn't love him

and he didn't love her. But this is different what she has now. And same for you guys. Yeah, absolutely. And I think that really, interesting question that comes with that is, you know, is there just one person for everybody? And there might not be one person, but there's got to be a best person. And so maybe this is just like her best person. And that's so wonderful to have found. I think what going back to this book,

which I need to get a copy of this book, there's also a best person for right now. And some people's right now could be 80 years. And some people's right now can be five years. And some people's right now can be five years or one year or whatever it is for their journey and I hate to use the word journey like we're on the bachelor but I do think that and we learn things and I almost think if she would have said yeah Ben had my whole heart and now Chris does we all would have been like that's so weird so we have to accept what she's saying and respect it and almost for you it's like maybe you're a little glad that Ben didn't have her whole heart because maybe he gets to have yours.

Yeah. I mean, that's the hope, right? Exactly. All right. Well, I feel like I've tortured you enough. No. We'll let Ben come back on. And we'll talk to Trista, the OG Bachelorette.

Hey, Ben. Will you tell us about ZipRecruiter? Hey, of course I can tell you about ZipRecruiter. And I'm really happy to be back. I have zero idea what you guys talked about. Amy, I hope you were kind, and Jessica, I have zero doubt that you were as sweet as ever. You know, the craziest part, really, about this show is that as you do move on into the future relationships and to future connections, you have to watch back sometimes what your partner did. And it's something that I know is not easy, but it is kind of, I mean, for lack of a better term, like the baggage that I bring to just.

bestinized relationship and she's accepted me for it and she and she owns it with me and that's I think what the best partners do speaking of good partners it's now time for me to tell you about one of our favorite partners zip recruiter hiring used to be super hard I would know as a business owner it's not easy multiple job sites stacks of resumes a confusing review process but today hiring can be easy and you only have to go to one place to get it done ziprecruiter dot com backslash then. ZipRecruiter sends your jobs to over 100 of the web's leading job boards, but they don't stop there. With their powerful matching technology, ZipRecruiter scans thousands of resumes to find people with the right experience and invites them to apply to your job. As applications come in,

ZipRecruiter analyzes each one in spotlights the top candidates so you never have to miss a great match. Let me tell you, as again, as a business owner, the people you hire is the key to your success. It's not about you as a leader. It's not about just one person, about the team that you're building around you to make great things happen. ZipRecruiter is so effective that four out of five employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate through the site within their first day. That's insane. Seriously insane. School's almost out and it can be hard to find a job. I struggled with this out of college. I was unemployed for eight months. Don't tell anybody. And right now, Jessica, you didn't hear that.

I didn't know that. And right now, our listeners can try ZipRecruiter for free at ZipRecruiter.com backslash bin. That's ZipRecruiter.com backslash B-E-N. Ziprecruiter.com backslash bin. Here it goes. ZipRecruiter, the smartest way to hire. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Oh, wait a minute, Sam.

Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week. on the OK Story Time podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend has been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now, he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy?

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

Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD, ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people. people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now.

The U.S. Open is here. And on my podcast, Good Game with Sarah Spain, I'm breaking down the players from rising stars to legends chasing history. The predictions will we see a first time winner and the pressure? Billy Jean King says pressure is a privilege, you know. Plus, the stories and events off the court

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

How about Naomi Osaka getting back to form? To hear this and more, Listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain, an Iheart women's sports production in partnership with deep blue sports and entertainment on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. I don't write songs. God write songs. I take dictation. I didn't even know you've been a pastor for over 10 years. I think culture is any space that you live in that develops you. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us podcast, I sat down with Warren Campbell, Grammy winning producer, pastor,

and music executive to talk about the beats, the business, and the legacy behind some of the biggest names in gospel, R&B, and hip-hop. This is like watching Michael Jackson talk about Thurley before it happened. Was there a particular moment where you realize just how instrumental music culture was to shaping all of our global ecosystem? I was eight years old, and the Motown 25 special came on, and all the great Motown artists, Marvin, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Diana Ross. 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. Hi, I'm Kurt Brown-Oller. And I am Scotty Landis, and we host Bananas, the Weird News Podcasts with wonderful guests like Whitney Cummings.

And tackle the truly tough questions. Why is cool mom an insult, but mom is fine? No. I always say, Kurt's a fun dad. Fun dad and cool mom. That's cool for me. We also dig into important life stuff. Like, why our last names would make the worst hyphen ever?

My last name is Cummings. I have sympathy for nobody. Yeah, mine's brown-oller, but with an H. So it looks like brown-whaler. Okay, that's, okay, yours might be worse. We can never get married. Yeah. Listen to this episode with Whitney Cummings and check out new episodes of bananas

every Tuesday on the exactly right network. Listen to bananas on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast. or wherever you get your podcasts. Up next on the Almost Famous podcast, Jessica is going to do her very first interview ever with Bachelor Nations. I'm going to say favorite bachelorette just because everybody loves her up and on the board from production to a former cast member. She's been incredible to me. Trista Sutter is on the line.

Trista, welcome back to the Homelessness Podcast. Thanks, Ben. That was very sweet of you. Sorry, and I have a cold, so just bear with me. I was going to say, Trista, I was like, you know, right when I heard your voice, I was like either you're not very excited to talk to Jessica and I or there's something going on besides the scenes.

No, I definitely have something going on. I wanted to still talk to you guys. So thank you so much for having me. I am super excited, especially because Jessica's here. That's so cool. Yay. I know I'm so excited, too. The, you know, so I had the, Trista, I want to warn you, sometimes it's almost in this podcast.

We have to pick up and record wherever we're at in the world because exciting things are happening. And so as you mentioned at the beginning of the podcast, I am sitting in the Indianapolis airport right now. So if you hear some background noise or if a flight is announced, just know that's why there's some noise. And Jessica's in studio in Nashville. So we're a part, but we're doing this together for the first time. And Trista, I couldn't be more excited to have you as our first guest. Let's jump right into it here. Trista, everybody knows you.

If anybody listens to this podcast and they don't know who Trista Sutter is, I don't know why you're listening. But just to give everybody a little background, Trista was the first ever bachelor act. She gave her final rose to Ryan Sutter, and then, as we saw on the reunion show, Trista and Ryan's wedding was the very first televised wedding on ABC. It was called The Bachelorette, Tristan Ryan's Wedding, and they have now been married for 15 years. Trista, I know you get asked all the time. I know some of these questions are just going to be ones that you've been asked before, but before I let Jessica kind of jump in and get to know you a little bit better, I've known you for a while. And one of the things I've always loved about you, and I mean this in the best way, and I want you to try to decipher what I'm saying, is when I first met you, it was intimidating me because you're obviously Trista Sutter. And Ryan, I met you at breakfast.

We've talked about that before, but you haven't let this show change you. You're welcoming. You're warm. You're somebody that I could tell that this is not your identity. How have you done that so well? I mean, did you intend to make me cry? I think you're just on a lot of meds for being sick, so it's a little emotional. Right.

I'm getting ready to post an Instagram post that people can see, you know, after. And it's really about how when I got the call for this reunion special, I kind of felt like you feel when you get asked to the dance or whatever, you know, you're like, whoa, I'm being included, you know, how cool is this? I get to be like with this great group. And because that's not like where I go to, I live in a little bit of insecurity a lot of the time. And it's strange, I know, to hear that because, yes, I was the first Bachelorette. And yes, I should be included in the Bachelorette reunion special. I still to this day just feel this great honor and privilege to be part of it because I am still in my

mind, like the Midwestern girl who was born in Indy and, you know, raised in St. Louis and and why me? Like, why do I deserve this? Like, why do I get to be part of something so special? And I just am so thankful. I'm so grateful that, you know, I'm included in this group of women who are incredible like they have gone on to do such great things and and I feel like a like a giddy school girl like when I think of them I'm totally I totally fan girl like I didn't take that many pictures behind the scenes because I didn't want to be that like old dinosaur who is like following people around like a puppy dog trying to get their picture because I'm such a fan you know what I mean like I I love being part of this crazy family that we call Bachelor Nation and

And, you know, like meeting people like you, I've heard that before from people that I, people are intimidated by me for whatever reason. And in a way, it kind of breaks my heart because I don't want people to be intimidated by me. I don't bite, obviously. And, you know, I try to be as loving and kind as possible. That's not always the case. But, you know, I hate that people are intimidated by me because if they saw what I'm thinking on the other side, like when we met, I was the one that was intimidated of you, Ben, like, you were the guy, you were going to be the bachelor, or you were, like, the hot shot on whichever, uh, whoever Caitlin season, you know, like, I, I was the insecure old person. Like, I think of myself as the old girl. Like, yeah, people call me the OG, but OG to me means old gal. So, like, I, I, I have that insecurity and I, I feel like that intimidation. So, like, to hear it.

coming from you, it just thank you for that. I know I rambled, but I just feel so grateful to be part of all of this and even talking to you guys today. It's like just continuing the love. So anyway. Well, you definitely shouldn't feel any of that. Last night when I was watching the Bachelor reunion, my roommate, whenever you came on screen, my roommate was like, whoa, she's hot. I was like, yeah, she is. Thank you. That's amazing. See, Trista, you still got it.

So here's the question then. With all that you just said, and I know that comes from a real place, right? And Jess, just to give you a little background, Jessica's been a fan of the show for a while, but she hasn't been like a diehard, right? She doesn't watch the show as much as a lot, and so she's missed some seasons along the way. And you've said a couple of things in that last statement that I want to dig into a bit. But it felt like watching the reunion back, which I love. watching, by the way. I thought it was a really well-done reunion, which a lot of times,

you know, The Bachelor doesn't do these great. This one was a terrific one. It did feel like you had a lot of fan girls in the room. Did it feel like it when you're in the mansion together? Yeah, but like I said, like that insecurity in my head, those demons in my head, like just they downplay it and they're like, they tell me, oh, they're just faking it or they, you know, Like they're making this up just to just to make me feel better in a way. But I will say, you know, like I connected completely with Rachel who, you know, she kept saying great things like I'm just so intrigued by Trista or whatever. And we really connected. I had met a lot of the girls, a lot of the more recent girls like Rachel and Becca and Jojo.

and it was it was just so it's so like crazy to be part of something where I'm meeting people like I've always said this about Ryan too I never would have met Ryan had it not done for the show I mean he lived in Colorado I was all over the place living at Miami in the time and I we never would have met and the same thing goes with all of the girls that I have met through Bachelorette even people who weren't the lead like Ashley or you know so many people who weren't the lead too and I I just feel so grateful to to be able to call them friends you know anyone boys girls you include it then you know everybody I'm sure you feel the same way but um you know when I when I hear people fan girling towards me those demons come out and I just try to I try to live in the moment and and accept it graciously but I also in the back of my mind I'm like, whatever, you don't deserve this. Do you know what I'm saying? Like, it's hard for me to take that in, but I am so appreciative of it.

What was really interesting watching it was how y'all just kept talking about not very many people, like understand what you've been through. And I think the more I've talked to Ben, the more I've learned, this experience is so wild. And so that was really cool to watch. But one of the things that I was wondering is what was something that we didn't see on TV when y'all all got together. Was there anything like funny that you talked about or you all realized you had in common or something like that?

Well, one behind-the-scenes thing, and that's kind of my Instagram post too, is posting some behind-the-scenes pictures and video. But my daughter was able to be there. So I was actually on spring break with Blake'sley, my daughter, at the time. Like when I got the call and I looked at my calendar, it just so happened.

And oddly enough, and I don't know if Bachelor producers, because they knew that I was going on spring break because of some things. We had been talking about, tickets to shows and stuff. And they knew I was going to be there. I can't imagine that they planned it all around me, but it just so happened that we ended up being in Los Angeles at the exact same time. So the producers let me bring Blakely, and she was backstage with me. and she like she idolizes Caitlin she loves Caitlin she's met a bunch of the girls and she got to meet all of them so the fact that I got to include her in this in this even though she's not shown on air the fact that I got to include her and it was really special that's the uh your daughter

is how old at this point she's 10 she's 10 I mean is it and And I have a couple listener emails that I want to make sure to get to. But I really am interested, what is it like for her now to start, like, conceptualizing the fact that her mom is a big deal, her dad is a big deal, like, that you were on TV, you met in TV, and then she shows up to the mansion. Like, has it started to think in a little bit that, like, you got this whole thing started? And, like, she should be really excited for you and proud of you. you know what she she's starting to get it for sure i mean obviously since they were babies max and blakesley people come up to us um not on a daily basis by any means but if we're traveling or something and we're in an airport um at the grocery store and there's you know tourists come

in to hang out on the slopes of veil um they they'll ask us you know oh can we get a picture are we I'm a huge fan of The Bachelor or the Bachelorette. So they've heard those words, Bachelor and Bachelorette, pretty much all their lives or their lives. And they definitely are getting it. It's difficult because we want them to know their story, of course. It's their story just as much as it's mine and Ryan's. But we also don't want their ego to be blown up.

You know, like they're now showing the first season of The Bachelor, they're the first season of The Bachelorette and our wedding on an app called Tooby, T UBI. And so people can tune in now, including my children and their friends, you know, if they go on the Toobie app, which I will try to avoid at all costs for as long as possible. But, you know, they will be able to watch the show, whereas I feel like back in the day, Ryan and I, because, I mean, please, we watch it on VHS tapes on a VCR, let's be real. So we thought that once the show was over, it was over. You know, we wouldn't be reliving it.

And now that it's available, we're kind of reliving it. And having to think about the fact that our children will be watching this, whether it's with us on the couch where I kind of want to, like, sit down with them and explain, kind of go through the show and what was happening, whatever. And maybe skip the parts about me, kiss another guys. You know, that's a little awkward watching your mom kiss another boy, before she was married to your dad, a little awkward. But I also know, I live in the real world, and I know that I'm sure they'll be on their

computers or their iPads and snickering under the covers with their friends at what their mom and dad are doing, you know. So we live in the real world. We know that it's going to be part of their lives. We just want to keep them grounded as much as possible and not let it go to their head. It has to be a little weird. I wonder that oftentimes, and before Trista, you actually came on, Jessica was talking a lot about how it was watching, you know, even the reunion and seeing me with other women and how that felt because she didn't watch my season. And so I imagine, even though it's different because Jessica, can I have a romantic relationship, your kids are going to feel very similar, right?

Some confusing, like, thoughts, it's going to be weird, it's going to feel awkward. But at the end of the day, we live in the real world and we know, you know, where life is now. and what matters now. Right. You know, Trista, and obviously, you know, over and over again, you get asked about your family, and you get asked about your relationship with Ryan, and those things are such incredible examples of what we're all hoping for in Bachelor Nation. But I'm going to ask you for a second to kind of step into the hosting seat with Jessica

and I, because I want to dive into this reunion a little bit. What a unique experience for all of you, but one of our listeners sent us an email, Tristan, I'm hoping you can help us with it. It's from Carolyn. It says Meredith and Jen. I've been a Bachelor fan since the beginning. I'm super excited for the Bachelor at Reunion Show, but why don't they address at all

why Meredith and Jen are left out? Will they? Everyone keeps posting the reunion picture and in so many comments, people ask, but they don't answer it. Can Bob Denny or Andrew or Trista get them to come? I hope they do. Now, obviously, we don't see them on the reunion.

Can you give us any insight to why they weren't there? What I have been told, and I don't know, I don't know what really happened because I wasn't involved in booking them or whatever, obviously. And I've lost touch with them. I mean, I used to be friends with them. We used to talk and we used to go to like the different, like the after the final row ceremonies and whatever. So I've definitely had a relationship with them back then, but have lost. touch. And I just think that it was a scheduling conflict. I just don't think they could be there. And it's, I mean, it's hard, as you know, it's difficult to get any people together for anything.

Everyone has their own lives that they're going through, their own schedules, their own companies, their own businesses, their own families, you know, all of that. And it's really difficult to get anyone together. So the fact that they got, I think it's third, of us together is a miracle. Super impressive. Super impressive. Yeah. So I honestly think it was just a scheduling conflict.

That makes sense. I wondered, obviously, it was kind of, you know, in all honestly, just that I was, I saw last night, you know, there had been 15 seasons, or Hannah B is the 15th Bachelorette. And I was like, but there's only, what, 12 of you there. And I, it didn't hit me if I look back through. Yeah. So it's pretty shocking. Jessica, I know that you've had a lot to process after watching the reunion.

Is there anything that kind of stood out to you watching this back that you'd want to pick Trista's mind about? Actually, I think the biggest question I had for Trista was more like the wedding on TV. Because I feel like there've been a lot of bachelorette's or not a lot, but more bachelorets. But your wedding was the very first one. And whenever I was watching last night and they showed y'all's kiss and it was, y'all had like the cutest kiss ever at your wedding. First of all, I hadn't seen that before. But what was it like to be married on TV?

Was that kind of weird or were you just used to your relationship or what? You know what? Our relationship had started on television with cameras following us. So yes, it is a very strange thing to think about in the real world. But for us, it wasn't necessarily abnormal. because that's how we met. That's how our relationship started is with, you know, a crew following us around. It's crazy, but it's the truth.

So, I mean, for me, I was the kind of girls who dreamt about my wedding since I was little. And to have people like Mindy Weiss and Mark Skarden and Badgeline Mishka, sorry, Badgeline Mishka, and to Corey, and all of these, like, really well-known wedding experts to be working with us. And then to have, I can't even remember how many flowers there were. There was, like, 20,000 flowers or something like that. And I wore, I had diamonds on my shoes. Like, it was not what I at all envisioned.

I was living the fairy tale for my wedding. That is for sure. And I wanted my family to be part of that fairy tale. So, you know, there were some ups and downs, and it wasn't always roses and unicorns. But it was a beautiful day. They actually, the production, did a really great job of hiding the cameras so that the guests didn't feel like it was an intrusion. they did a really good job with that. So we were able to, you know, take over an entire resort in Palm Springs.

It's now there at Carleton, but it was Ranch and Mirage back from the day. And we took over the whole thing. And it was just a weekend full of family and friends. It was my favorite weekend. I mean, I had Brad Paisley singing a song that Ryan wrote me as a poem. Like, that's not normal. Like, I don't get that that is. my life.

No, that sounds like an absolute dream. Yeah, it was. Wow. Oh, my gosh. That sounds so cool. Well, I also, one other question I had was just if you had any advice for Hannah as she enters into this role now since, I mean, you did it first and obviously you did it well since you're still married to who you picked. So did you have any advice for her? you know what i've obviously been asked this a lot over the years um and it's hard for me because

i feel like if the people are where they are then they probably have a really good support system and a good head on their shoulders and they'll be able to uh hopefully quote unquote succeed in their relationships but um for me it's just all about really enjoying the moment because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, also getting as much sleep as possible, and being grateful for the path that they're on, for being given the opportunity to be the Bachelorette, be the bachelor, you know, anyone who is the lead, that's pretty much the advice I give. Oh, and then just kind of after it's over, take it all in and do the award shows and do all the things, you know, all the fun things. But try to get away from it as much as possible and try to focus on your relationship and try to prioritize it because that has been what has allowed Ryan and I to stay married, I feel like, for 15 years so far is because we kind of got away from it all. And we, not disappeared, but we came to Vail to live a more quiet life and really focus on each other. So I just feel like if there's any way that people can do that, it might look different in different relationships.

It will look different in different relationships. But for us, that really helped. So those would be the little pieces of advice I'd give. I would listen to Trista Sutter give me advice on anything at any point. Trista. We're going to let you go. I really appreciate you being our first guest of the podcast today. Also, thank you for being Bachelor Nation's first bachelorette. There's a thousand more things I would love to talk to you about, and I'm sure we'll have to bring you back on to do that. But for now, Trista, continue to be amazing. Thanks for being a great guide for all of us,

and please, please, don't be a stranger to the podcast. Thanks, guys. Thank you so much for having. It was nice to meet you, Jessica. Nice to meet you. That's love. See, Trista. Okay, bye. Cheers. Bye.

My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. 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 to the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

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

psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom. is the podcast for you. Open your free iHeartRadio app, search emergency intercom, and listen now. The U.S. Open is here, and on my podcast, Good Game with Sarah Spain,

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

The U.S. Open has gotten to be a very fancy, wonderfully experiential sporting event. I mean, listen, the whole aim is to be accessible and inclusive for all tennis fans, whether you play tennis or not. Tennis is full of compelling stories of late. Have you heard about icon Venus Williams' recent wildcard bids or the young Canadian Victoria Mboko making a name for herself? How about Naomi Osaka getting back to form? To hear this and more, listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain, an IHeart Women's Sports Production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. I don't write songs. God write songs. I take dictation. I didn't even know you've been a pastor for over 10 years. I think culture is any space that you live in that develops you. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us podcast, I sat down with Warren Campbell, Grammy-winning producer, pastor, and music executive to talk about the beats, the business, and the legacy behind some of the biggest names in gospel, R&B, and hip-hop.

This is like watching Michael Jackson talk about Thurley before it happened. Was there a particular moment where you realize just how instrumental music culture was to shaping all of our global ecosystem? I was eight years old, and the Motown 25 special came on. And all the great Motown artists, Marvin, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Diana Raw. 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.

Hi, I'm Kurt Brown-Oller. And I am Scotty Landis, and we host Bananas, the Weird News Podcasts with wonderful guests like Whitney Cummings. And tackle the truly tough questions. Why is cool mom an insult, but mom is fine? No. I always say, Kurt, it's a fun dad. Fun dad and cool mom. That's cool for me.

We also dig into important life stuff, like why our last names would make the worst hyphen ever. My last name is Cummings. I have sympathy for nobody. Yeah, mine's brown-oiler, but with an H. So it looks like brown-holler. Okay, that's, okay, yours might be worse. We can never get married. Yeah.

Listen to this episode with Whitney Cummings and check out new episodes of bananas every Tuesday on the exactly right network. Listen to bananas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. At next on the podcast, Jessica, we've got another one of Bachelor Nation's favorites, Gianna Pappas, Stagliano. I mean, this podcast is full of amazing women today. Not only do I get to do this podcast with Jessica, which is a dream of mine, actually you are missed, but Jessica, you are terrific. We've had Trista on the podcast, and up next is a

another one of our favorites. Deanna Stagliano, she was season four of The Bachelorette. How do we know you, Deanna? Oh, my gosh. You know me probably from the Bachelor, before the Bachelorette, because I was the girl that everyone thought Brad Wormack was going to choose, and then he decided not to choose anyone. I know Jessica has a lot of questions lined up,

because after watching the reunion, she was a big fan of yours. after kind of hearing your story, she was super intrigued. But before I let Jessica lose, I want to just dig in a little bit here to a couple of these things. So why did everybody think, first off, Brad Wilmack was going to choose you? I think because he told everyone he was going to choose me. That would make sense.

Including myself. I mean, that would be a good setup for the confusion, you know. And what happened? And especially like me, like the camera shut off. And Brad, he never said, hey, I'm going to pick you, but he said everything but, like, I'm going to ditch you in the end. You know what I'm saying? Like, they let me stay the night with Brad before the finale taped, and I'll never forget

this because I was so confused. Like, I spent the night with him off camera, no one around. So it's not like somebody was like, hey, Brad, you got to pretend a like her. Like, we just chilled at his house and watched TV and hung out, and it was like totally normal. And I was like, all right, cool, this could work. And then I'll never forget that day. He walked me out to the car, and he was like, okay. I'll see you tomorrow and I said oh don't remind me and he kissed me and he said don't worry

it's going to be a good day now then I don't know about you but that would not leave me to believe he was not going to choose me uh I mean I've made some really bad decisions or like really like harmful unwise decisions during this thing but I never the one thing I did to do is say you're definitely going to get chosen yeah that would feel like and then yeah hey don't worry tomorrow's going to be a good day because there's so much stress around And I imagine it was such a confusing deal. Yes. So, you know what, that, like, haunted me forever.

And I've never gotten a clear answer out of Brad. We stayed in touch for a really long time and we stayed friends for a really long time, even up until, like, the day Stephen and I got married. And I finally was like, you have to stop texting me and calling me, like, let it go. But I just, I never got a clear answer as to what exactly happened or what made him flip switch, you know. But I took that into The Bachelorette thinking, I'm never going to do that to someone. Like, I realize there's an aspect of this show that you have to lead people on, which just sucks, you know, it's just awful.

And that is so beyond me and my character. But I literally the whole time was like, I'm not going to do what Brad did to me. I am not going to allow someone to feel that kind of pain and confusion. Like, it really messed me up for quite a while. I would imagine. I would definitely imagine. Okay, before I send this over to Jessica, I have one last question now. And I'm sorry because I know that you're married to an amazing person.

And Stephen, you guys are happy. you have children but I have to ask one brag question you saw him do the show twice two questions of that then do you think it was it weird for you to watch him do it twice or was it weird to see him back in the world again and then the second is do you think today he still deals with that being a piece of his identity

the bachelor that has done it twice you know if you do it once like for me the bachelor is a huge piece of my story and I appreciate it and I know it's been great for me but it is not my identity. It is not the thing that defines me. Do you think Brad's had to deal with that? So I think, okay, so two questions here, right? So the first one, what was the first one?

I know I forgot. Was it weird to watch him back on TV? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, so I'll tell you, it wasn't weird to watch him back on TV because at that point I was already engaged to Stephen, so I really could care less. But you know the parts that were weird was that, Emily, who he chose, who I adore, who I, like, love, love, love her, she and I could not look

more physically different from one another. You know what I'm saying? So to think, like, I was the girl that he liked and now he's choosing something completely the opposite. Like, sometimes I wonder, does Brad know who he is or what he wants in a partner, you know? And then the other part that I found really weird is that I cannot tell you how many times in private conversations that Brad was like, I will never, ever live this down. I will never do it again.

I cannot wait to, like, high-tail it and run as far from The Bachelor as I possibly can. So I was blown away when I found out he was doing the show again, so much that they brought myself and Jenny, the other young lady that he didn't choose at the time. They brought us into film, but they called us about a week ahead of time and said, hey, okay, this is a secret, Brad,

but we need to bring you guys in for a special. And I was like, wow, hung up the phone, texted Brad. And I was like, what the F are you doing? And so that, like, that blew me away because he just made, such a stink about how he could not, like, he could not, like, erase this from his past fast enough. Like, he was, like, it was just awful. Like, I don't ever want to do this again, blah, blah, blah.

So I was, that was a part where I was, like, shocked to see that he was doing The Bachelor again. Now, you know, I don't know, maybe they paid him a lot of money. Maybe he had a bar he needed to promote, you know, everybody has their own things. I don't really know. Or maybe he was only ready. I have no clue. But I was really blown away by that.

And so the other part is that I think we all run with that, that the bachelor. or The Bachelorette is a part of her past, and people will always know us from that. Like, I will always be known as that little hillbilly girl from Noon in Georgia who became the Bachelorette. And half the people from my, like, childhood, did not even know my name was Biana. They only knew me as Dedey, and they were like, who's Fiona? Like, what is this? You know, so I think it's the same thing as for Brad is that it will always be a part of his past. And hopefully he finds some joy and peace in that now.

But also, I feel like, you know, he's a cool man, and he comes from a great family. bars, he's a businessman. Like, I don't imagine when he's sitting down to take a business meeting, they're like, oh, you're Brad from a bachelor, so we'll do it. I imagine they're like, you're Brad, the successful bar owner who lives in Austin, Texas. You know, I bet you there's probably a part of him. It's like, okay, this is a part of my past, but I guarantee he doesn't ever lead with that. Yeah, you know, it's so interesting to kind of hear those.

And Brad's always been an interesting person to me just because he did choose to do it twice, and he doesn't seem like the guy that would do that. So, hey, let's skip over to you now. Jessica, you're a big fan watching the reunion back. Dive deep. Dive in. Oh, my gosh. You guys have seen it?

Jessica, you saw it? Yes, I watched it. That's so fun. Well, I watched the reunion. Did they show my little kids? That's all I care about. It was so cute. They show your kids and your cute little family.

And I know you're great. I was dying because Austin kept looking at the camera guy going, oh, I farted. I'm like, dude, please, for two seconds. They didn't show that. but I wish they did because that would have been really cute. But what was really interesting to me is that you didn't meet your husband on the show, but the show kind of led you to meeting your husband. Can you, like, get into that a little bit more?

I'm from Tennessee. I feel like so comfortable right now with your southern accent. You're from Nashville, right? I'm from Nashville. You're from Georgia. I love it. I'm from Georgia, but I lived in Nashville for five years. I bartended on Broadway for five years throughout.

college no way wait in what part of Georgia are you from you I would like you which is about 20 minutes south of the city of Atlanta so I am pretty close to Auburn but I am not an Auburn fan let's just be clear my grandparents still live in Dunwoody and I'm from Marietta technically that's so fun yeah north of where I was born um anyways yes so you didn't meet your husband on the show but the show helped you meet him yeah so okay so I had never seen the show before I was on it and then after my season aired the very first season of the show that I ever watched was Jillian Harris's season I had never really seen it play from beginning to end and so I watched the show and I saw Michael on the show and I watched it all the way until hometown and you know

it was so funny I saw that he was an identical twin but I had just come off like Brad season and the doing my old season I was like I cannot with another set of twins I I can't even go there. But I saw Michael, and I was like, he's so fun. He's funny. He's, like, charismatic. And then when they showed his family on the hometown date, I was like, oh, my God, I love them. And I don't even know them.

So I was, like, fan-girling so hard because I knew I needed to be a part of the Stagliano. So I guess, like, in hindsight, looking back at it all, it was kind of creepy. But then it also made me see, I mean, for me, I mean, I'm a Christian. So, like, to look back on joy in the Lord's plan that that's where I was meant to be. But, yeah, I just, like, loved Michael. his family and so I really wanted to meet Michael and I was like oh my gosh maybe we could date and no it's so funny is Michael felt the same way he wanted to meet me and he wanted to date me but we met they were in town filming their mental all for Jillian Harris this season and we met

at a bar I was hanging out with Jason and Molly it's so weird how this bachelor family is so incestual what don't you think Ben it's kind of like a weird incestual but awesome family so anyway I met Michael and probably like three minutes after talking to Michael. I was like, holy crap, this is never going to work. He is like way too much for me. And he is dating a friend of mine at the time for several years. And so probably like six months into their relationship. He was like, hey, you know what, you're pretty cool. I've got this brother who looks a lot like me. And I think you guys might hit it off. And I was like, yeah, awesome. Twin, super hot, really smart. Yeah, I'll take him. That sounds great. And within like

a week of knowing Stephen and dating him, I was like, I wasn't in love yet, but it does feel weird because it was like on the bachelor timeline, but I was just like, this dude's awesome. Like, I will not be okay if he is not in my life, like forever. You know, and I realize for someone who is not in love or hasn't, you know, met their person or whatever that is, like that sounds so stupid, but it's not. I just knew. I didn't love him yet, but I just knew, like, I was not going to be okay if I didn't

spend the rest of my life with him. Like, I would never be okay. I would never be good enough. And he's just awesome. He's just like good, solid man. and he's funny and he's you know really great and you got the last name stagliano which is awesome that's a great last name from like a brown no way i had to get like a powerful last name no you need to be a stagliano that's right that's right uh addison and austin cannot figure out how to say

the last name they're like it's staganano and i'm like well close i love that the uh um the the the question I have now, and Jessica and I've been able to talk about a little bit here over our relationship, you know, you go from being the bachelor or the bachelor, and everybody knows you as the single person on the pursuit of love, and if it works or it doesn't work for you, everybody is interested in your story, your relation, your romantic story. And then you meet Stephen, and everything kind of speeds up, right? You didn't, you didn't really sit, I don't know how I was to say this, but you didn't sit in the singleness very long and experience, you know, the attention. that you get from that and you didn't get to go go kind of explore the world after the show and you're kind of heartbroken but you're figuring out and everybody knows you and loves you and all that stuff you met step and and my buddy said this best when I met Jess because I called him up his name's Corey is a good friend of mine and I want to hear if you relate and what you think of this he goes I said Corey I met this girl she's incredible like she's she's somebody I want to invest my life into but it's scary for me because my identity has been being single like

I'm known for being single. I'm the victim of heartbreak. And all these people know that. And he said, Ben, like, the crazy part is, like, this next chapter of life for you is going to be different. Like, it might not be as exciting. It might not be as sporadic. But I can guarantee you if she is the one, it's going to be a lot more fulfilling. And so, you know, just with that open into, like, that is so much more feeling.

I want to hear what you think of that because you jumped right into it. Well, I mean, kind of, you know, the way you know there's been better than anyone is that when things play out in the press or on television, stuff might have happened several months ago. So when, like, Jesse and I broke up, God bless me, what was I thinking? Goodness gracious. When he broke up, that played out kind of delayed. So, like, we already knew that our relationship, or at least I did. Maybe he was blindsided. I'm not really sure, but there's no way he thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with me for sure.

We, like, hated each other. when that was going down when we were breaking up like we had been unhappy for several months it was just a matter of pulling the plug and I think with Jesse if the plug was pulled it was the only dollar signs he was going to lose that on you know but for me like that was the rest of my life and I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life with someone like that when we broke up and it all played out in the media I was over it by that point so it kind of looked like I moved on pretty quickly but I didn't really I was single for over a year over a year and a half and I dated and some people who were like nobody you know which was

great for me because it made me feel normal again and then some people you know that have some sort of like claim to like whatever TV or whatever but I do feel like your situation is a little different from mine because there was no social media when I was on the show so I didn't have like pop around following me around and seeing who I was dating so there's a blessing in that because I could go out and do whatever I want or I could go on a date to get a smash as I want or whatever it was and no one was following me around and taking pictures and posting all over Instagram. I didn't have to live through that. So I feel like that's where our stories are a little bit different because I don't feel the pressure of all of that. I got to live my life and I got to travel the world

and I got to do four tours to Iraq and Afghanistan to visit the troops and I got to do a ton of things but I feel like all of that prepared me to meet Stephen because when I did, your friend is right. It is a different kind of story. Like maybe there's not that excitement of being single, but you know what? There's the excitement of, like, finding someone, and there's nothing better than that. Like, I didn't have to be anybody that I wasn't with Stephen. He appreciated me for who I was. He didn't treat me like I was the Bachelorette.

It's funny because our first date, he was, like, really nervous because he was like, I don't know, do I pick her up in a helicopter? Like, I don't have any money for a limo. You know, like, he was like, where do I take her to Chili's or do I have to spend my whole paycheck on this other restaurant? I don't stop that girl. I don't care about things like that. I don't care what kind of car he drives.

I don't care about where he takes me to dinner. Like, I wanted to find quality in a person. And I wanted to be loved, you know. And I think at the end of day, that's something that we as humans crave. We want to be loved. And so I just loved that about Stephen, that he was normal. He did not pretend to be someone that he wasn't. He was, you know, a school teacher who didn't make a lot of money and he didn't pretend to not be that person.

He was a man who loved the Lord. He didn't pretend to not be that person. And he loved me for who I was. I didn't have to be anything different. I didn't have to act any different. I didn't have to act like I was this girl who was on this television show, and now here I am, struggling to make in meet bartending in Hollywood while I go on auditions day to day.

Like, it was just, oh, my life was a mess. So I feel like I understand what you all saying, but it was, to me, exciting in a different way because I found peace in knowing who I was. And I feel like, you know, the older I have gotten and become, and in my marriage and having kids and becoming a mother, I am more secure in my soul. and as myself and as a person than I ever was at 26 walking into the Bachelor

Mansion. It was one of the questions that they asked us when we filmed, and I'm pretty sure they probably asked all of the women, but I remember standing there, and, you know, the producer, she said, why are you different this time around walking into the house? And I said, when I walked into here 10 years ago, almost 11 years ago, I was naive and I was young, and I was desperate to be loved and I don't care who did that. And I said, and I walk in here today, and I'm a confident woman. I know who I am and I am proud of who I am and I am proud of where I am

and I am proud of my children and the life that I have created for myself and you know what it's interesting to walk back into the house the second time around and not need it I needed it when I was 26 and I didn't need I don't need it now you know what I'm saying it's kind of it's kind of a weird emotion to describe so I think that you will find that too with with Jess you know like it's so nice to be like with someone who is normal you know and gosh just Hey, and we'll keep it exciting. We will keep exciting.

And, yes, I would say Jess is normal most of the time. Yeah, she's like most of the time. Let's be honest. Well, so what are you doing now? I know that you just filmed this reunion and you've got your cute little kiddos and your husband. But what do you do? Do you have any free time? or is that most of your time?

I do not have a lot of free time. I do not have a lot of free time. I feel like as a place that I'm in right now, I wear like 27 hats, but I'm super happy doing it. But most of the time on the inside, it feels like pure chaos to me. I am a mom.

I like love being home with my kids and being able to like love them. And I have a real job that I work. And then on the side, I have created this web series with a very good friend of mine called moms and cars. And I don't know if you guys,

I just, I can't remember how old you are, but like back in the day, we watched TGIF, like, Friday night, you know, and did you ever see the show step by step? Yes, I have seen that show. Okay, so Christine Lakin played Al on step by step, and we became friends 10 years ago on my first tour to Iraq. I was, like, a huge fan of hers, and I did not know this, but she was a huge fan of mine. She's been obsessed with The Bachelor from day one, and so the second we sat down on the plane, we're on this, like, we're on this, like, C-17, and we're in, like, Kevlar's, and we've got all this body gear on. and we're going over, like, in the middle of Baghdad. And she's like, all right, so listen, I, like, love The Bachelorette. And I have about 10 questions that I need to ask you.

And it was, like, love at first time for the two of us. So she is a mom, and she has two kids, and we have been friends ever since. And we just started doing this funny thing on social media a couple years ago where we just, like, did weird mom stuff in our car, like, because you don't get a whole lot of time. And so we would just, like, sit in our car and read books or play on our phone or eat pizza without our kids begging for a slice, you know? And we just started putting it on social media.

And I was kind of like, you know, this might be a pretty funny show. We should, we should run with it. And she was like, yeah, cool, I'll do it. And so we have this web series called Moms and Cars, and we just do the dumb stuff that mom's doing their car to find peace and quiet away from their family and get a little bit of alone time. So we've had a lot of fun doing it. That is so funny.

Yes, in the car. And most recently, Allie, said a Towsky, was in the car. And we planned a fantasy suite for Christine and her husband in the trunk of her very small SUV. and so I cannot wait to put that out there because it's funny. But it just is, I have found so much joy in parenthood and being a mom. And I think that there is, you know, a lot of really awesome things about being a parent. But I also feel like I'm really real about it, too.

How do people watch that web series? They can find everything on Instagram. We are at Moms and Cars. Oh, cool. This is Amy, by the way. Yeah. We didn't want people to have to go to Facebook to find a video or to YouTube. We wanted everybody to be able to come to one platform and find everything.

So we put all of our full-linked videos on Instagram TV. And then just some of the dumb stuff that Christine and I do, we just put it right on our feed, you know, and it can be anything from like taking a nap in the car to, like, binge eating our kids' Halloween candy, you know. But we just wanted everything to live in one space so that people weren't hunting around trying to find it, so they can find it all on Instagram at Moms and Cars. And it's just a lot of fun. It's a lot of fun. But I feel like there is the real part about being a parent.

It's exhausting and it is tiring. And you are pouring into these children all day long, they need it and at the end of the day you're wiped man like there's no there's no like glorious bit of that that is like always super fun the the best thing I love in life right now and I think there's a huge market for and I just think it's really needed is authentic genuine entertainment and diana it's not like that's exactly what it is we'll make sure to check it out hey uh we have to get going and I know you do as well because you are a mom and you've got a lot of things going on Jenna, I would love to have you back on the podcast soon to talk about all these little things that you're doing.

And also, I would love it. Don't you guys film in L.A.? Yes, we do. All right. Well, I'm in Los Angeles. Let me come in and sit in with you guys. Please do. We would love that.

I would love that, too. I can at least, like, put some makeup on and get dressed for the day. I would feel really good about myself. Anything else. We're pretty strong with ath leisure around here, so it's fun. Gianna, thanks a lot. Appreciate you. Hey, thank you.

so much, Ben. I'm super happy for you and Jess. Thanks a lot, guys. Thank you. Bye. Bye. So I've got a really good eating plan when it comes to, you know, getting tighter for my wedding. But for a while there, I wasn't really sure how to fit in working out because when you have like an hour, just like chill on the couch, you don't want to be like, okay, I should go drive to the gym or I should go book that class. No. So then I found open fit, which takes the complexity of losing weight out, and it gets you fit in a brand new simple streaming service that they have. It allows you to work out from the comfort of your living room in as little as 10 minutes a day. Open fit classes are led by some of the most effective and engaging trainers in the world.

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free again that is just text almost famous to 30 30 30 30. Caroline Hello it's Amy Ben and Ashley's producer and praise a lot of Ben, how are you? So Ben just jumped on a plane. And so... Because he can't do time zones. Because he can't do time zones. He thought his flight was later, but it's right now. And Ashley's off this week. So you're really talking to me and Ben's girlfriend, Jessica Clark. Hey, Caroline. All right. So it's a really exciting because we have none of our hosts here. But we're just making it work. And you can call me back later if you need me to, but I'm totally happy to hang out and talk to you back. No. We want to. We want to do it now. And so I'll just say that Caroline's one of my favorites because Caroline is a salty gal.

And I love a salty gal who's not afraid to say what she thinks and pop off when it's necessary. And even though maybe some Instagram commenters might not love it, deep down inside, we're all saying, yeah, I pretty much think exactly what she's saying. So can you explain for people listening who might not remember? explain what your bachelor season was and then how you ended up on Bachelor in Paradise Australia. Okay, so I don't, first of all, I don't know whether to be offended

but also I kind of like nod in my head and like, yeah, okay, with the salty things. I'm like, I don't, I was like, oh, salty, I don't know if that's how I would say, but I think a compliment. And I am salty and I have to deal with a lot of people saying I hate you, but then I think that's okay. because well the thing for me is is like I just am who I am and I'm going to say whatever I'm

and sometimes I say too much and sometimes I'm I just like I just don't know how to filter it like I can't keep it all straight like I just I just say whatever I'm thinking and some people hate me for it and some people think I'm like obnoxious and extra but they're right and I am I love that I'm too old but how y'all young kids use the word extra. So does extra mean, like, what does it mean? I'm just, like, I'm just a very, like, excited over-the-top person sometimes. And, like, I just kind of, like, yeah, I don't know how to, like, real it in.

Just what? Jess is young, too. What does extra mean for old people listening? I think, like, over the time. have over the top so yeah on Saturday I posted like a video on my Instagram story of this and it just said extra on it because my friend had on oversized heart shaped sunglasses with her designer bag and she was like lip syncing in the car and like literally just over the top like have never seen something like that doesn't even have to be like designer or whatever

it's just that you are just doing the moment you just say you're all kind of of extra right now? Would that, would that work if I said it? You're all kinds of extra right now. Hang on. I'm not, I'm urban dictionarying it. Let me see. Yeah, I think it would just like depend. Like, what do you, what are you doing? That's extra, you know? So, urban dictionary says, over the top, excessive, dramatic behavior way too much. There you go. Way too much. Yep. I like it. Okay. So then go back to it. How do we know you, and then how did you get to Australia?

So you know me from Ari's season of the Bachelor, but you probably don't know me from there because I was not there very long. I didn't really care for Ari, and like you kind of get in there, and you're hoping that you're going to have this great connection with a person. And it takes a while for you to actually spend time with that person and get to know them, And I got to a point where I'm like, yeah, like, this isn't, this isn't going to be, like, my guy. Like, this isn't him. And then I went home, but I think I'm better known for being, honestly, like, a gal pal, like, Becca

and Tia's, like, friend, honestly. I feel like I kind of knew you from the women tell all. I feel like you sort of stood out maybe at the women tell all. Well, yeah. So everyone thinks I was the most extra at that. And I was. But the thing with that is that Ari had spoken. over my friend and everyone was like oh my gosh like you do not need to like say that or do that

and I'm like if your girlfriend gets over by a guy and you know about it and like the public didn't know like and they wouldn't know what had happened because like a lot happens actually like in real life behind closed doors and off camera that like people don't see and I knew and I had seen it and so for me when the producers gave me like the producer like the producer literally were like one of my producers came in my room and she goes we're going to let you say something to Ari and I'm like oh yeah like at that moment like if you want to like confront the bad guy and have that like you know why moment like you're going to go for it and I went for it and it is what it is so see that doesn't sound extra to me that sounds just like being a loyal

friend like any of my friends would do that too if I if a guy had mistreated me yeah absolutely So I don't really care either that people want to call me extra, but like, I honestly, it's not that it was scripted, but I had a script of what, like, I was allowed to say. Like, because I wanted to say, I wanted to call him out, but I wasn't allowed to obviously say too much and spoil the ending. So, like, I had planned what I was going to say to him the whole time. Like, you know what I mean? Like, so I knew what was going to be said. So, and then I also got the flu. in the middle of the tell-all.

So, like, I looked like I was crying. I just was high as it flu. It's a little known fact that there was a tell-all. I can't remember for who where Chris Harrison had to keep going back to his dressing room and throwing up. He was so sick. Oh, really? Yeah, and they had to keep taking breaks.

He was so sick, had, like, the worst flu, but fought through it, but had to keep, like, going back. Oh, that's awesome. Okay, I'm learning. There's a lot of, like, vomiting that happens on this show. I'm not 100% that he actually like fully vomited but I know he was very, very ill and I'll ask him if he actually did vomit.

Okay, well, like Ben had a tapeworm. Yeah, that's the, Joe last night. Wait, how she vomited. Yes, Ben had a tapeworm his entire season. Jess can explain more, but yeah, he was like ill the whole season. Yeah, so whenever we were in Honduras, he was like, because he got his tapeworm in Honduras whenever he swam in the water. and so we went to wherever

like we thought that he had gotten it from and everyone was like who's going to jump in but no one did and Ben was in a bubble the entire time you guys were there because he was traumatized it's actually funny you say that because I think it was either Becca or Tia they joked the whole time

that they thought they had a tapeworm I think it was Becca but like the whole time like we were on The Bachelor she was just like oh my tapeworm and I just was like wait do you actually have one though Like, I think Ben had a stomach ache his entire season, basically. Yeah.

It's emotionally exhausting, and I was only there for a month. So, like, the people who are there the whole time and actually are, like, really in the thick of it. I don't know how you do it because you are running on minimal sleep. Like, you get, if you're lucky, like, four hours of sleep a night, like, and I need more. Wait, what? That would not work for me. Nope. Yeah. So like you come home really late from your dates and then they make you do interviews and then they kind of, I feel like they want you to be tired and they want you to be like super cranky and irritable because that's where they get the good shit from you because your guard is down and you're tired and like you'll just say all the bitchy things and you're, I just feel like it's like they're really good at creating this environment where you are just like, I don't care. I don't know. I'm tired and I want to sleep. Yeah, no wonder people act a little, for lack of a better word, nuts, because they don't have any sleep.

Well, I think that they do it on purpose because they know the fatuary gets us to be, like, nuts. Like, I think that they know how to, like, play on our human necessities and all that crap and just use it against us. But, uh, so yeah. So anyway, how'd you end up in Australia? Yeah. This is wild. All right. And you didn't even know they had The Bachelor in Australia? Neither did I.

And then, so I went on The Bachelor in Paradise, U.S., and I didn't like it just because, again, lack of sleep, Mexico was hot as balls. Like, it's so hot. There's no air conditioning. There's no fans. There's, like, it's just too much is happening. Like, I would take, like, a cold shower, like, every day. Like, I just kept the water on ice cold, and it still wasn't enough to cool you down. And then I obviously came into Paradise and I was really awkward and I didn't know what I was doing.

And I just was like, it was a very, really, I want to say embarrassing, but like, it is what it is. Like, I just didn't, I wasn't cool when I walked into Paradise. I had zero game. I don't remember that. Who did you date there? Did you go on any dates? I went on a date with Benmo John. Oh, he's actually the night.

We just met him. he is so nice guy like nice apologize yeah but the thing is is like he like wasn't my person and um yeah and the thing is is I knew it and then

um oh so then he went on a date with Jubilee and Jubilee actually um is from Fort Lauderdale where I live now and she had like gone on a date date with like or something along those lines with my ex-boyfriend who, like, was, like, the guy that, like, I really loved. Oh, no.

You know, you have some exes, and you're like, no, whatever. So she, like, dated him, like, right after him and I broke up. Oh, yeah, yeah. And the girl's, like, my top bunk in Paradise. Like, what are the odds that my two worlds are going to collide like this in this very small, strange little way like that? Like, I don't really know how that happens, but it does. The universe is telling you something.

I'm just not sure what. I'm not sure either, but like it was just like this thing in there. I'm like, uh, cool. Like, yeah, this is so fun. Like, of all the things, like, she's my top bunk in paradise. So did that turn? Did that get ugly? It didn't because I didn't want to make it a thing.

Like, um, I respect my ex like too much. Like he, my ex is a hockey player. And so like I didn't want to put his name out there. I didn't want to have him be like, I didn't want there to, I didn't know what drama could go down. And she maybe didn't know you. So it wasn't like, no, she, no, she knew. No, she knew exactly who I was.

Yeah. And she, she, like, thought that there was some weird, like, overlap with us or something. And I just said, like, no, no, no. We were, we were broken up. Like, yeah. So, yep. And I just was like, I just want to go home. Like, yeah.

That one was not for me. So I was like, you know what? paradise is not in the cards for me that's not something i would ever do again unless that there was someone on there who i was like oh my god like i really like this person and i want to shoot my shot or unless it was in australia but so then the Aussie lady reaches out to me and all of my old rules are out the window because have you ever seen the hemsworth brothers like they are like my like Liam hemisworth is like in my top five like he's probably like when someone when someone says like what's your dream man

I'm I'm I'm along the lines of Liam Hemsworth so I mean are there these are these there's going to be a paradise with a million Liam Hemsworth like I'm in and of course I get all the way there and I end up with the American so like whatever that's hilarious wait so do they usually have Americans in Australia or is this like a new thing they're trying out so they had Grant, who was an American, and actually, I think Jared, like Ashley and Jared, you know what I mean, like Jared. But he did it last year, right? Right. He did it last year. He's very much engaged, as you guys know, this year. So we have an email from Stephanie, and she says, I was wondering if you guys have been watching BIP Australia.

So this is how we learned about this. And if you saw that Alex from Rachel's season and Caroline from Ari's season have seemed to make a connection. Please discuss. So we're bringing this right to you, Stephanie. So Caroline, discuss. And who's Alex? All right. So Alex Bordecause is, or some people call him Russian Alex.

He was on Rachel's season of the bachelor's. He's really good buddies with Dean. Yes. Yeah, he is. And like Peter and someone else. I forget, but yeah. He's dark hair for people that are getting their memories refreshed and can't Google quickly enough.

He has dark hair and he is super tight with team. He has like, as the Ozzy's call it, he's like a rig or like he's got like a rig or something. I don't know the whole Aussie terms. I'm still feeling like a dumb American, but like basically he is all of the things that are a rig. I don't know. He, like his body is insane.

And I feel like that's what most people know him as is like the gorgeous. chiseled demigod so yeah so what can you tell us what's happening and what can you tell us um so i mean paradise happened and i get all the way to paradise and i took um the thing that's crazy about bachelor in paradise australia is they have like they had their old bachelor on the show and i really like the way that they kind of the people that they bring in the way that they do it and then the fact that they have like imports come in but they're they had a bachelor who was on bachelor in paradise and his like girl that he chose and like was engaged to or whatever they were like they both were in paradise imagine that like that's literally

like having Vanessa Grimaldi and Nick Vile like go to paradise together whoa like wild like so there was that whole drama and stuff so I took that guy on a date turned out he um was already like coupled up with somebody else so that was super fun and uh Well, let's cut to the chase. Can you tell us if you and Alex are still talking? So Alex and I, we didn't go into like the commitment ceremony that they have. We just chose to leave Paradise together like early. Like it didn't feel natural for us to have a commitment ceremony. And then like a week later, he came down to Florida and, you know, we dated a little bit.

You know, I took him on a one-on-one date and finally because he'd never been on one. so I, like, I called my, like, producer, and I was, like, help me make a cute, cheek date card, and I took him snorkeling, and the poor guy, like, got, he got seasick, and he threw up over the boat now. You're throwing up. Again, with the vomiting. It's the reoccurring thing. All just a bunch of things.

Now, that, this was off camera? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. But, like, I made a date card in real life. You know, to make it to kind of go along with a scene. of us stupid bachelor's stuff. And then now what? So we dated for a little while and then he like came back to Massachusetts and like met my family and like had my birthday and like New Year's in Boston with me and my family. And then so like I struggle with really bad depression and anxiety and it

got really bad there for a little while and um it got to a point where like I just like really need to like work on myself and um you know what I mean like sometimes like you're like I'm not in a place in a relationship and I just was like having all this anxiety and he like said to me one day on the phone he's like yeah like you know I don't really know uh he's like do you see this like turning into like a real relationship and I honestly like it was like it kind of caught me off guard to come at me with that like it was very direct he's a very very direct with the Russian in him he's very direct he's like yeah like I just like don't know if I see it's like turning into a real relationship I'm like oh my god like me neither and I had this

like weight, like, lifted off my chest. Well, how interesting. This is the opposite of what a lot of women feel, but it's good for you. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I think, like, so many times women, we, like, we really, like, want relationships to work, and we, like, push at it, push out and, like, really try and try and try to make something work, but at the end of the day, it's, like, sometimes, like, and on paper, like, everything, like, he's a great guy, like, super awesome.

But, um, it's sometimes it's just, it's. It's not all the way there, and I have nothing but, like, love and respect and everything for Alex, but, like, he's not my person. And we realized that, and it was really weird because we had this conversation where we realized that it wasn't going to move forward and be something, like, super, like, serious. And it's, like, it gets, it's weird because you have this moment where you're like, now what? and we just kept talking to each other and we kept seeing each other and kept hanging out and, like, he even came to Florida

like after the fact. Wow. And it's just, it's weird. It's like a weird thing. So would you say you're friends now or do you feel like maybe oh, totally. The timing you never know.

No, no, no, we're just friends. Okay. And like, you all just like, it sounds like you just appreciate each other as people and you want to keep each other in y'all's lives but it doesn't have to be romantic and quickly before you go when you acknowledge this did it help the anxiety yeah yeah like the thing is is like sometimes like yeah you just need to like you know i think there's so much pressure i don't know if it's just me myself

whatever but like especially as like a woman in her late 20s like oh you like have to like find somebody like my sister's engaged and like everyone's like oh like your time will come don't worry and i'm like, excuse me, shut up. And I'm like, I know, like, I know my time will come. But, like, I think there's something so important and powerful about remembering that, like, it's okay to, like, take some time for yourself and to be alone. Like, you don't always need to be in a relationship. Like, like, I can call Alex, like, if I'm having, like, anxiety tech or if I, like,

need someone to talk to and, like, he'll be there. But, like, as a friend. And, like, he's just, like, he's just, like, an awesome person. And then sometimes, like, it's okay just to, like, respect people and for, like, the chapter that they were in your book. But it's okay that they're not the whole thing. Yeah. No, I think what you're saying is so true. And I think you don't have to put every relationship in, like, a category or a box that people create.

It can be something that's totally unique or different. And if he helps with your anxiety or it even helps you lower the anxiety to say, I'm not ready for this. I can't do this. yeah i think that's totally really um great and it's so it's so wild because i think like who i am like i'm just like oh like let me like work at this like it'll like things will get better and you keep pushing it something and then he brought it up to me like yeah like i just like don't know if i see it's like turning into relationship and i can't even begin to tell you like the weight that was lifted and it's so wild to be like that's okay like you don't have to have

every relationship be your husband like it doesn't doesn't have to be that way. And then also every breakup doesn't need to be ugly. And I think that that's so important for us all to remember and just like having like a healthy relationship where you respect and appreciate what it was in your life. Well, it's like your body and your subconscious knew something that hadn't gotten to your brain yet. Like your brain was kind of like, oh, I think I need this relationship and I want this to work. And I'm going to try and make this work. But your body was giving you all this anxiety and stress and whatever to say, hey, maybe not. Or maybe Maybe not right now.

It's so funny because, like, I tweeted something, and I was like, hey, guys, like, sorry. Like, I need a minute. Like, I'm, like, I was really absent for social media for a bit. And I'm like, I need a minute. Like, I'm going through a thing. And all the people who, like, had, like, caught on to Alex and I mean, I was like, oh, my God, he dumped her. And, like, they're like, I'm like, I can see you guys tweeting and writing about this shit.

But, like, all right. But, and I'm like, it's so funny how people just assume certain tweets have to do with, like, Bachelor of Life or about a boyfriend or about dating. and I'm like, not everything has to be about, like, The Bachelor or about dating. It's like, the thing that I was going through was that I suffer with extreme anxiety. And it's like, for me, sometimes, like, I'm just happy if I, like, literally get up and brush my teeth that day. Like, you know what I mean? You're not alone, Caroline.

That's something I want you to know, like, and this interview took a turn because we thought I was going to go in a different direction, but like, which is a good thing. You're not alone. And I think if you kind of have that moment where you just say. say, I might not have the perfect boyfriend or the perfect job or the perfect this or the perfect that. But I feel okay right now. And, you know, that is really important. And I think people listening can relate to it. And I don't mean to jump on a side topic. But if people want to reach out to Ben and Ashley about this, we would love to hear from you. And their email is, what is their email? Easton, Ben and Ashley at iHeartRadio.com. Ben and Ashley at iHeartRadio.com. Because it is a

really important thing. And I think, you know, good for you to acknowledge anxiety. and all that. It's been the best. That's honestly been one of the best things for me has been talking about it and not because I'm being extra or like I want attention. But like the thing is when I talk about it, it like helps me like heal a little bit. And also it feel like I feel like whenever I talk about it, it gives like I've been given this gift of like a cool like I have a platform here and I'm able to talk about this.

And when I hear, like, people like Selena Gomez, like, talk about her anxiety and the things that she went through, it made me feel like I wasn't alone. So if I can, like, talk about it and be that voice and, like, use my platform to maybe, like, make one person feel better, like, I just feel like that was, like, the reason that God gave me, like, this. I think so, too. Talking about it takes the power away from it, which I think is really powerful, you know, when you. talk about it, it lessens it. So keep talking about it. And we would love to have you back to talk about it more. I had no idea. Yeah. It's been a... Something else really quick I want to talk about. So if people want to watch Bachelor in Paradise, there's a huge thing that happens on the show with one of the guys. He

was super, super possessive. And I just, again, like to use this platform and voice to kind of shed some light on some things. And this is Bachelor in Paradise, Australia. Australia, yeah. So from episode, like, I think it's like episode like six, seven, eight, maybe even like nine and something along those lines, there's this guy Avon who is like obsessed with my friend Teneal. And Teneal is like a 10.

I get it like she's, like I get wanting to be obsessed with her. She's a smoke show. But yeah, he presented some really, really unhealthy. possessive behavior and I think it's really important for women and men to go and watch the way that he handle himself in the way that he acted because we oftentimes don't realize how bad something is in the moment because you're like oh but like they're a good guy like they don't mean it like that but they present all these terrible toxic masculinity kind of behaviors and we get trapped in a really really unhealthy relationship so just

Do you know how people in the States can watch B-I-P Australia? So there's, like, a bunch of, like, illegal, like, ways to watch it here, but... Allegedly, she didn't say that. We don't condone that. We don't condone that. No, but so there's something that I found... It is really hard to watch here, but so South Hemip TV, so S-O-U-T-H-E-M-I-T-V-com was the best way for me to have everybody watch it. that's how I shared it with my followers.

Okay, that's great. I think it pops up on my like smart TV sometimes that there is a way to watch it. Because I think when Sophie Monk was The Bachelorette, we were able to watch it here. So we'll kind of do some Googling to figure out how to watch it too. Yeah, sorry, I wish I had, like, it was like really hard. I don't even know how to watch my own show. Like, this is weird. No, people are figuring it out because we're getting a lot of emails about you.

So hang in there and we really appreciate you sharing your story. Sorry, it was like super, super fanatic, but I just, yeah, so that's the deal. Like, Alex and I posted about our little parting of ways, but, like, him and I are, we still, like, send each other memes and, like, you know, we're fine, like, and, you know, nothing but love and respect for each other, and that's that. Well, Caroline, thanks for sharing your story, and we'll be in touch and talk again soon. Yeah, thank you, Caroline. All right, thank you for talking.

Have a good one. Okay. you too they're kicking jess out of the studio so now it'll be just me so jess go and then i'll say goodbye to everybody you're the best all right thanks for being so open with everybody too jess you're the no of course of course and one week from today one week from today bachelorette and jess is going to have to watch every episode oh yeah maybe i'll start my own recap show hey don't compete with us we don't just kidding okay deal talk to you soon i'll see you soon see you yeah okay bye So, Easton.

Hey, Amy. We have no Ben. We have no Ashley. We have no Jess. We have no bachelor celebrities of any kind. I think you and I are pretty big bachelor celebrities at this point, though. I've been Amy. And I've been Easton.

And I've been Ben. Hey, it's been here. I just called back into the podcast because I listened back to the segment with Amy and Jessica. And I just want to reiterate how proud I am of my girl. friend Jess and also from the almost famous podcast and all the listeners out there and Amy and Easton and Mark and myself and Tori and you know and everybody works on the podcast and Ashley Jessica thank you this is a weird world and we've talked about it many times and I think today's podcast really did highlight how odd it is when you date somebody post-batchel or bachelor

it's not easy but I want to believe it builds a character and a strength and the relationship that will last a long time. So, Jessica, thank you. Thank you for answering the hard questions. Thank you for being open and honest and vulnerable with our listeners. That's why they listen and that's why they want to be a part of this. Jessica, I want to bring you back on soon. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you. Also, thank you to Amy for filling in as I jumped on a fight back to Denver. And as mentioned before, this week was the start of the next Bachelorette season. It's going to be a massive season. I'm so pumped for Hannah B. This is going to be something the season to remember.

Also, I want to tease a little conversation we'll have next week. The last three days of my life, and I'm still recovering, so I'm not ready to talk about it yet. I've been in a play in the musical Greece back in Marion, Indiana, with a foundation called CSA. It was for my cousin's senior year. I have so many stories, so many crazy experiences in the last three days that I cannot wait to tell you all about. Make sure you tune in next week to break down Hannah's first episode. And my time as Vince Fontaine. Yeah, Vince Fontaine on Greece.

Anyways, hey, I'm out of here. Like I said, I've been Ben. And thanks to listen and once again to Almost Famous Podcast. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcasts on IHartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly and now I'm seriously suspicious. Wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, luckily, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon.

This person writes, my boyfriend's 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. Hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast 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, psycho babble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you.

Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. Why are TSA rules so confusing? You got a hood of you. I'll take it all! I'm Manny. 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.

I'm Dr. Joy Harden-Bradford, host of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast. I know how overwhelming it can feel if flying makes you anxious. In session 418 of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast, Dr. Angela Nealbarnett and I discuss flight anxiety. What is not a norm is to allow it to prevent you from doing the things that you want to do, the things that you were meant to do. Listen to Therapy for Black Girls on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Betrayal Weekly is back for season two with brand new stories. The detective comes driving up fast and just like screeches right in the parking lot.

I swear I'm not crazy, but I think he poisoned me. I feel trapped. My breathing changes. I realize, wow, like he is not a mentor. He's pretty much a monster. But these aren't just stories of destruction. They're stories of survival. I'm going to tell my story and I'm going to hold my head up.

Listen to Betrayal Weekly on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast.