The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Bristowe's Bros

Episode Date: June 16, 2020

Mike Johnson speaks for the first time about the announcement of Matt James as the first Black Bachelor. He shares his honest thoughts about being passed over as The Bachelor yet again and what he thinks this decision means for the franchise. Relive Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season on The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons Ever and talk to some of her superstars.  We hang with Ben Zorn, Chris “Cupcake” Strandburg and a guy very close to the podcast… Jared Haibon. We have an update on Clare Crawley’s season and we break down her reaction to Matt James as the next Bachelor.Get Tickets for Ben & Ashley's Virtual Live Podcast Here! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your... free iHeart radio app search emergency intercom and listen now hi i'm jonica lopez and in the new season of the over comfort podcast i'm even more honest more vulnerable and more real than ever am i ready to enter this new part of my life like am i ready to be in a relationship am i ready to have kids and to really just devote myself and my time join me for conversations about healing and growth all from one of my favorite spaces the kitchen listen to the new season of the overcombered podcast on the iHeart

app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Let's start with a quick puzzle. The answer is Ken Jennings' appearance on The Puzzler with A.J. Jacobs. The question is, what is the most entertaining listening experience in podcast land? Jeopardy-truthers believe in... I guess they would be conspiracy theorists. That's right. To give you the answers and you still blew it.

The Puzzler. Listen. on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Super Secret Bestie Club podcast season four is here. And we're locked in. That means more juicy chisement. Terrible love advice. Evil spells to cast on your ex. No, no, no, we're not doing that this season.

Oh, well, this season we're leveling up. Each episode will feature a special bestie, and you're not going to want to miss it. My name is Curley. And I'm Maya. Get in here. Listen to the Super Secret Festi Club on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

podcast. What would you do if one bad decision forced you to choose between a maximum security prison or the most brutal boot camp designed to be hell on earth? Unfortunately for Mark Lombardo, this was the choice he faced. He said, you are a number,

a New York State number, and we own you. Listen to shock incarceration on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast. or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcasts with IHartRadio. Wow. Oh, wow. It's another week of the Almost Famous Podcast, and I am lucky enough to be talking with my wonderful co-host, Ashley, I Canetti. Hi, Ben.

Hey, Ashley. How are you? I am lucky. and blessed to be talking to my co-host, Ben Higgins. This week is a big week for us. We have a lot of really exciting things to talk about. And so we just need to dive into it right away. First off, Ashley, I know you and I are both thrilled with this idea because we had just kind of gotten in the rhythm of being able to meet the people who have listened to this podcast for years in person.

And then obviously with the shutdown, we haven't been able to continue that rhythm. And so we found a way to make it work. So here, here's a deal. We announced it last week. We'll talk about it again this week. We have the almost famous live, yes, live podcast coming to you, June 22nd, 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific time. Ashley, tell everybody about it.

So you guys, it's basically like a cocktail party. before you get to watch Ben's season re-air on ABC. For nine, Ben's going to need some drinks, too. He'll be having his whiskey during this live digital podcast. So for $9, you can join us. Jess will be on a couple of the girls from Ben's season. And Mike Johnson, who is appearing on our podcast today, we'll also be back next week and um you know ladies we might be doing something like a special

meet and greet with him and with us so if you if you pay a little extra you might have a personal meet and greet with mike johnson and who knows what can happen in a little alone time that's right yeah so for a little extra money so the nine dollars get you into the live podcast then the meet and greet will be a little extra more but i tell you what it's going to be worth it because Mike Johnson is going to have a lot to talk about. He's never been one to shy away from saying how he feels, which he'll be on the podcast here in just a bit today to talk about everything going on in Bachelor Nation. But I think on the live meet and greet, I could see him sharing a lot more details, obviously meeting all of you beautiful people out there who are fans of

this podcast. And as Ashley just said, I'm actually really excited because for the first time, in a long time. Some for the first time since the show, some of the women from my season are going to be joining us as well just to hang out, to talk, to laugh, and to reminisce on everything that happened during our season of The Bachelor. So again, that's June 22nd from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. The link to the tickets, I'll read it out loud here, but we'll also be posting about it. It's c.y.a.com live slash channel slash almost famous. Again, we'll be posting about this and saying it a couple times throughout the podcast, but we're super pumped to see you all, especially celebrating a night that will be

nerve-wracking for me to say the least. Ashley, before we get in the hot topics for the week, let's take a quick break. When we come back, we are going to be talking all of Bachelor news, and we have a lot of it along with the new announcement of The Bachelor. Also, Claire Crawley season of The Bachelorette is still happening. So let's take a break. And we come back. It's an almost famous podcast. Hi, my name is Enya Yumanzoor. 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 Super Secret Bestie Club podcast season four is here. And we're locked in. That means more juicy cheesement. Terrible love advice. Evil spells to cast on your ex. No, no, no, no. We're not doing that this season. Oh.

Well, this season we're leveling up. Each episode will feature a special Bestie and you're not going to want to miss it. Get in here! Today we have a very special guest with us. Our new super secret bestie is The Deva of the People. The Deva of the People. I'm just like text your ex. My theory is that if you need to figure out that the stove is hot,

go and touch it. Go and figure it out for yourself. Okay. That's us. That's us. My name is Curley. And I'm Maya. In each episode, we'll talk about love, friendship,

heartbreak, men, and of course, our favorite secrets. Listen to the Super Secret Bestie Club as a part of the Marco Tura podcast network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Imagine that you're on an airplane and all of a sudden you hear this. Attention passengers. The pilot is having an emergency and we need someone, anyone, to land this plane. Think you could do it? It turns out that nearly 50% of men think that they could land the plane with the help of air traffic control. And they're saying like, okay, pull this. Do this, pull that, turn this. It's just...

I can do it my eyes close. I'm Mani. I'm Noah. This is Devin. And on our new show, no such thing. We get to the bottom of questions like these. Join us as we talk to the leading expert on overconfidence. Those who lack expertise lack the expertise they need to recognize that they lack expertise.

And then, as we try the whole thing out for real. Wait, what? Oh, that's the run right. I'm looking at this thing. Listen to No Such Thing on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Our IHeart Radio Music Festival, presented by Capital One, is coming back to Las Vegas. September 19th and 20th. On your feet.

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Get your tickets today. AXS.com. Hola, it's Honey German, and my podcast, Grasias Come Again, is back. This season we're going even deeper into the world of music and entertainment with raw and honest conversations with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities.

You didn't have to audition? No, I didn't audition. I haven't auditioned in, like, over 25 years. Oh, wow. That's a real G-talk right there. Oh, yeah. We've got some of the biggest actors, musicians, content creators, and culture shifters sharing their real stories of failure and success.

You were destined to be a start. We talk all about what's viral and trending with a little bit of chisement, a lot of laughs, and those amazing vibras you've come to expect. And of course, we'll explore deeper topics dealing with identity, struggles, and all the issues affecting our Latin community. You feel like you get a little whitewash because you have to do. the code switching. I won't say white watch

because at the end of the day, you know, I'm me. But the whole pretending and cold, you know, it takes a toll on you. Listen to the new season of Grasas Come Again as part of my Cultura podcast network

on the IHartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. First topic of the week, Bachelor at Claire Carly didn't get a heads up about Matt James being named the Bachelor.

Ashley, I have my thoughts, but I want to hear yours first. This is according to Us magazine. So this isn't Claire saying it directly to Us Magazine. It does definitely sound salacious like she thinks she's supposed to be in the loop on all Bachelor decisions when you read the headline. But when you go into it, it says a source says that Claire didn't know this was going to happen. Um, there's nothing salacious about this. It's a simple statement. She didn't know. It and they announced, and she found out the way that everybody else found out through the Good Morning America announcement. yeah you know the headline reads as it's true right she didn't know not that she should have known

not that she's saying she's mad that she didn't know but she found out through good morning america i do think that if i was clear and i'm sure claire is a better person than i i would be a little i would imagine there's this like dang like typically the bachelor no matter what the circumstances isn't announced before the bachelorette season has even started and it's like you get your one moment to be the lead and there's already another lead waiting like typically you at least get till after the final rose but claire's not even going to get that but she's probably a better person than i that's just how i would feel i know what you're saying uh to use a phrase from tiara perhaps she feels like perhaps she could feel like this is taking her sparkle away a little bit but on the brighter

side she doesn't have to worry about any of her guys um being there starting a campaign to be bachelor you know none of her guys are going to become bachelor yeah well and i honestly that i mean do you view that i view it as a positive for her i view it as a positive for her for sure because the guys know going into it is, hey, I'm here for Claire. And Claire only. Now, there's obviously other things that can happen in Paradise and all this. But at least your first intention, there's going to be this know who's going to be the next lead in that house. And I think that's wonderful for her. It sets her up. And talking about setting up the process and doing it well, Ari Lyndeike Jr. has made headlines this week saying the bachelor process barely works. That according to E. Online.

He's married with a kid. So I think what he's saying here is that it doesn't work often for a lot of people. And it was really interesting. Jared and I were doing an interview about a week ago. And he said that he doesn't think the process was right for him, which is super ironic, but also explains why it took us, you know, four years to get married from the time that we met. Yeah. Yeah.

So, I mean, like, it's not for everyone. you have to be comfortable with moving really fast and getting engaged and getting serious before seeing somebody in their own element. Ari says, I think initially being the bachelor, you trust the process because you're like, this has worked. For me,

it worked in the past because I had such strong feelings towards someone in such a short amount of time. He said, it's such a difficult, I hate to call a process, but it's a difficult show. And that's probably why you find a lot of people don't make it. It's because it's just so taxing emotionally. It's just like it's not natural to have two people that you have at the end

and then have one person break up with the other person to get engaged to the other person an hour later. It's just so weird. No wonder why it barely works. I feel that. I get that. I agree with him on that. It's tough. It's not shocking that it doesn't work every time.

But I think the caveat to all of that is it works sometimes. And when it does, it's beautiful. and then we get to be a part of it and to be honest i'm actually shocked about how many times it has worked i mean yeah and and the cool part is like actually my grandma follows arie and lauren's story like all the time because she saw it play out now i don't know she was an rie fan when it was airing i don't know that side but at least that she's a fan of their love story now because it has been so public and we do feel so involved and so when it doesn't work it's sad because we're a part of that when it does work we get to celebrate with it and it seems to be working more now than ever

because i think we have an understanding of what it like everybody that goes into it knows what they're getting into um you know obviously we just had the recent breakup of colton and cassie that is one of the first major breakups from bachelor nation in a long time Yeah. In a long time. Well, speaking of a couple that's together, Becca Kufrin speaks out about Garrett's controversial police support. That's according to EOnline as well. Right.

So if you guys remember last week, we were talking to Becca Martinez about this post and her strong feelings about it. We also said that we reached out to Garrett to see if he wanted to come on the podcast. We don't have him on this week. Nick was actually supposed to have both he and Becca on last week. Nick announced, I believe, today that after a phone call with Garrett, they planned out the whole podcast. It sounded good. But then about 15 minutes after the conversation, Garrett texted him saying he actually wasn't

comfortable coming on yet. He didn't feel like he was ready or prepared enough to speak. And he still wanted time to educate himself. It's, uh, and Garrett recently just had an Instagram post. I mean, he's, you know, he's. He's in a position where I do think we all need to take a step back and become educated, right? But I've also learned recently from a little show I do on Sunday nights called Hope Still Wins that one of the best way to be educated is to have conversation, to listen, to understand. And so I think, I don't want to speak for Garrett, but I imagine right now he's doing a lot of that.

and maybe Nick's podcast he didn't feel was he was ready for it as you said but Beckett is supporting him and you know what call call it what you will it's it's not when you get into a relationship with a partner you need to have them support you now they don't always need to agree with you they don't always need to say hey you have it always right but I do appreciate it when in the most difficult times your partner can stand by your side and say, hey, we're working through this at home. We're working through this together. I think we all need to take a step back and realize that that is a good thing.

That Becca is in a relationship with Garrett. That is a good thing that she is supporting him, even if she's not agreeing with him. Right. And Becca was really open about all of this on her podcast last week and how difficult it was. And when the podcast was released, she even felt like she didn't do a good enough job. But her takeaway here is, she says, Garrett is my fiance and I love him.

And to his core, I believe that he's a good person. I don't align with, and I don't agree with his social post. I don't think that he meant it in a malicious way. I do think it was tone deaf. And I do think it was the wrong time and message and sentiment. Yeah. So Becca Gouffrin and Garrett still together. Becca is supporting Garrett.

So, Ashley, into some really big news. Before we bring Mike Johnson on, we got to just announce. It's the almost a new podcast. Come on. This according to People magazine, Matt James is the new bachelor. Well, you guys, it is according to everyone now. And this is not the first announcement, but he is a new bachelor. And it's the first time Ben and I will be talking about this.

I was, of course, super happy to see this. big move in bachelor nation there was a petition out last week did we talk about the petition last week we did yep okay so there's a petition out last week about getting the first for next season's bachelor to be the first black lead and i think it was asking for 85,000 signatures ben and i signed and uh i guess a couple days later like the day that they hit the 85 000 it was like bachelor was like let's announce it let's make the move And they announced Matt James, who is Tyler Cameron's best friend, by the way, guys, on Good Morning America. It was interesting.

I thought it was very, very interesting that a lot of the press headlines made it seem like most Bachelor nations should have known who Matt James was. I think 75% probably didn't know who he was, right? I mean, yeah, because unless you followed Tyler, you wouldn't have known who Matt was. Yeah. And in the grand scheme of things, say they get 7 million viewers a week and 2 million people follow Tyler and 1 million people follow Tyler closely enough to really understand their relationship. There's a lot of people probably scratching their heads. Who is this guy? He's very handsome. He's well spoken, but I don't know who he is. He was casted for Claire's season and then Claire and Matt had a little, I mean, I think it was a pretty small tiff. but Claire wasn't thrilled that Matt was doing cameo and kind of made a Twitter post announcement. At that point in time, I think we all realized that Matt going on Claire's season probably wasn't going to work out well for either of them.

So it makes sense now that he is just moving on to be The Bachelor. There's a lot of things to discuss here. A lot of things I want to hear and understand about Matt James being named the next Bachelor. in addition to all that is like where is mike johnson going to fill the role i mean i think that's the biggest question that a lot of bachelor fans had is okay why are you guys picking some a black guy that we don't know uh why didn't you pick mike johnson who was so beloved and such a front runner for what became peter season of the bachelor so we had to have mike here to give his thoughts on all of this let's bring him on let's invite him mike welcome back to the

Almost Famous Podcast. Thank you, Ben. Thank you, Ashley, for having me back. It was good. Of course. All right, Mike. Tell us your honest feelings. How did it feel hearing that Matt James was going to be the first black bachelor on,

was it Thursday morning? Thursday, Friday. I think I found out Friday. Yeah, one of those days. Matt is a good, too. That's how I felt. I felt he is a single man that's looking for love, just like I am. and you'll be a great bachelor.

He'll be a great lead. Walk us through your emotions. I was just talking about, you know, Claire being a better person than I am, you know, I remember the days leading up to the announcement of The Bachelor, and I knew there was other people in that conversation. And I was anxious because I kind of set my life up to be the next Bachelor because that's what was said to me. but I knew there was other people still in the running. I personally would have been a little bit pretty disappointed or just like disheartened if I wasn't announced. True.

That's how one would feel you would think. But quite honestly, this isn't the first time that I felt rejection in this form. So you learn to, I mean, you build up a callish, right? I was, I'm planning on moving here in a few months anyway. So I was, my life has been planned and my mom taught me the serenity prayer and I can't focus on things I cannot control, you know. And so therefore, honestly, it is what it is. They picked a great guy and for like 30 minutes, I was but hurt.

But after that, it's, you move on with life. You know, there's nothing that no one can do to make me feel less than. I know I'm an amazing human being an amazing person, so therefore I'm not going to let a few executive producers that didn't choose me twice make me feel any type of way. Mike, did you talk to producers recently about possibly becoming The Bachelor? I wasn't given an offer. So you didn't have any discussions recently? I haven't had any recent discussions. Why do you think that is?

I mean, what? but we obviously were hoping for something like this to happen this year yeah why do you think it is that two years in a row now you have felt rejection man

honestly if I knew I would tell you I truly if I knew I would tell you I was just on the phone my grandma earlier and she asked me the same question I just really genuinely don't know. I feel that for over a year since I've been in Bachelor nation family, I've shown my character day in and day out, and I don't feel that nothing that I show is not

conducive of what a bachelor would be, you know, and so I'm, I have no idea. How did you feel about, so you've met Matt, you've met Matt? Yeah. And you think that he's great bachelor material. Why would they choose him who's a good bachelor? who's never, who the fans aren't connected to over you? Good question, Ashley. Like, again, if I knew, I would tell you. I, like, this has nothing to do with Matt, right?

He's a, he's genuinely a great individual. Why they choose Matt, someone who isn't as known in the light over myself or other cast members that, you know, have built a reputation in the light of the Bachelor Nation, I have no earthly idea. No idea. I know that Matt was cast to be on Claire season, but that's, that's all I really in. Has anybody reached out to you since the announcement from the show? Yes. Yes. What that conversation look like?

That conversation was fresh, right? That conversation took place on Friday. I was golfing Friday, so I was already, like, moving on my life, literally. I don't blame you, man. Yeah, when I say it, I really mean it. I was already golfing. moving on my life, you know, I'm a single man. I want to wipe you, right? But that conversation was raw honesty on my part, as always. And I was just appreciative that someone reached out.

Rachel talked this week about her feelings when Matt was announced. And it wasn't just happiness. A lot of her was holding back because she was saying that, she feels like this was just like the bachelor producers checking a box and being like, okay, we've added diversity. We've given them their first black lead. Now they can just stop, you know, or asking for more change, right? How did you feel? Did you agree with her sentiments? I do. I do. I think that I'm confused like all about the nation. What happened to Claire, right? I feel like it's supposed to be, isn't there a certain way that this?

stuff gets announced, you know, even if it was me, I would still say what I think Matt said, which was when I'm on the on Claire's season, like it just the way they rolled it out seemed off. We were talking about the beginning of the podcast. I said, hey, I don't, I don't know how this usually happens, but I know we still have Claire's season to go. I would be, I would, you know, typically you at least get through your season and it's after the final rose and your 15 minutes of fame is done and you stand up there at the end and you say hey thank you all for your time of watching me now it's on to and they bring out somebody else and it's now it feels i mean what do you think mike like do you think this whole series clear season will have this like

constant look to the future now i hope it doesn't i hope it doesn't either uh every time that i've spoken i've always mentioned claire because i on friday the attention should have be on Claire. It's her season. It's, she's the current bachelorette. And I just feel like the way I did it is kind of, is going to make it come out to be that way, man. I mean, it's not fair to her. I love what you said on your Instagram about her. You were like, Claire, baby girl, we still are so excited about watching you. It was so sweet. And I'm going to end this on my behalf. I don't know if Ben has any more questions with a silly question. A lot of fans have noticed some back and forth between you and Claire on social media,

perhaps a little flirtation. Would we ever be able to get to see the beloved Mike Johnson join Claire's season? I don't know. Well, look, it could be a possibility. Let's start that petition now, if you're down. You guys would make a hot couple. That's a, I mean, that's just giggles, Mike.

That's all we got out of that one is giggles. That means there's something. There's something there. When I giggle, when I giggle, I know I don't want to say what I'm feeling. I said she's a cutie. All right. Fair enough. But, Mike, I do think you've handled this.

I guess I don't know why I'm the one to say this. But I do think you've handled this better than most, especially right away coming out and saying, you know, don't feel bad for me. You are moving forward. but I do I think I mean I think when you can I know it's not now all a bachelor nation is wondering why not you and if you were to have any

assumptions speculation anything that you would understand why not you whenever you understand will you share it with us I think we're just all kind of like what's going on here yeah I

literally just boys you and I on a back patio talk you know, one else around. I wish I knew the answer to that. I truly do. I can speculate like anyone else. I'm not seeing nobody. I'm in great shape.

I think I'm a decent looking guy. I know that I was one of America's fan favorites. I mean, I'm professionally in a good place. I'm financially free. I live by myself. I mean, I don't know. I really don't know. What are the next steps in your life besides possibly going on Claire season?

There's a look. I'm going to make that happen. You know, when I set my mind to something, it often happens. Anyway, okay, so you have a book coming out and you're moving. Where are you moving? Tell us about all this. I'm thinking about moving to Austin, you know, because, yeah, it's a great city. I'm always at the airport when COVID's not going on.

So I'm right there by the airport. That would be awesome as well. But yes, I have a book coming out. When I was on Hannah Brown season of Bachelorette, I opened up a little bit about a miscarriage that me and my ex had. And, you know, we talked about it on your guys' podcast, which I thank you so much. I still get DMs about it.

And at the time, I was flooded with people telling me their stories. And quite honestly, I was responding back to everyone, or not every single individual, but I was responding to so many people that it just continued to flow out of me. And I wrote up, I call it a guide in a journal to self-love and to how to obtain that. I mean, the book is, like I say, it's soft enough to open, open you in, bring you in, and strong enough to hold your tears, and it's powerful enough to change your life. And so that's literally my aim with this book. come out. When has it come out this fall? This fall. I look forward to it. Well, we also have something to look forward to with you, man. We're not saying goodbye to you, and I don't think anybody will be.

Next week in celebration of, I mean, the monumental occasion that my season of The Bachelor with some of the best women of all time, it's re-airing on ABC. And I'm just throwing. about it. It's the cool. It's just the best thing for a relationship. But anyways, because it's airing, we have nothing to stop. We can't stop it. You're kind enough to come join Ashley and I on our almost famous live podcast. In addition to that, we're going to be selling some tickets, as we mentioned earlier, to do a little meet and greet with the three of us. Mike, what are you hoping to get out of this meeting greet? Maybe some love? I want all the love. I want to feel all of love. I hope so, man.

Well, we're super pumped for it. Again, anybody out there listening, continue to tune in. We'll share the link and the information to not only the live podcast, but also in addition to that, how you can get access to the meet and greet with Mike Johnson. And then, I mean, I guess Ashley and I will be there, but you really are there to meet Mike Johnson. Yeah, we're definitely making you the headliner right now because you have far more of a draw. Yeah, that's right. Mike, are you pumped for that? Are you pumped to meet these fans?

I can't wait. I'm so excited for that, man. It'll be so fun, too. That's just what I hate about COVID right now, because I want to get out there and meet everyone. So this is going to be a great thing for us, all three of us to be on. Ashley, you are definitely a headliner.

Oh, thank you. Yeah, I'm just there for the good time. Yeah, but we're all, like, tied up and married, you know? And it's way more fun to meet single people from Bachelor Nation, because if you're single, you want to meet the singles, you know? I don't hopefully not for long, you know. I'm tired of being single forever. I got a gray hair.

Did you say you have great hair? Gray hair. Oh, I was going to say, you do have great hair, and I like your hair at this length, if that's weird for me to say. The quarantine cut is great for you. Quarantine cut is great. Thank you.

I appreciate it. Unbelievable. Hey, anybody out there listening, make sure you tune in later on. Mike, we appreciate you, man. Thanks for sharing with us. I know this is, I mean, hey, friend to friend here um i know this last week had to not be easy would not be the word it's just a little

disheartening and uh and again you just handled it better than than i ever would and you just handled it in a way that uplifted claire and matt um and so thanks for representing bachelor nation well it helps us all out so thank you yeah yeah it really was a beautiful instagram post it made me smile I appreciate that. I think Martin of the King said it best. Judge a man when he's in controversy and the way that he acts afterwards is how you should see him. And so I really appreciate that, Ben.

Hey, no problem, Mike. Hey, we'll talk to you next week. We'll see you next week. Looking forward to it, buddy. Anything, anywhere anybody can check you out. Make sure that go get the book. Mike Johnson's book will be coming out this fall. Also following on Instagram.

And we'll be seeing you next week, bud. Thanks. Love you, man. Bye. See you, buddy. If you're looking for tickets or the meet and greet tickets, make sure you go to C-Y-A.com. Live slash channel slash almost famous. Hi, my name is Enya Yumanzoor. 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 Super Secret Festi Club podcast Season 4 is here. And we're locked in. That means more juicy cheesement. Terrible love advice.

Evil spells to cast on your ex. No, no, no, no. We're not doing that this season. Oh. Well, this season we're leveling up. Each episode will feature a special bestie and you're not going to want to miss it. Get in here. Today we have a very special guest with us. Our new super secret bestie is the diva of the people. The diva of the people. I'm just like text your ex. My theory is that if you need to figure out that the stove is hot, go and touch it. Go and figure it out for yourself. Okay. That's us. That's us. My name is Curley. And I'm mine. In each episode, we'll talk about love, friendship, heart breaks, men, and, of course, our favorite secrets. Listen to the Super Secret Bestie Club as a part of the My Cultura podcast network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Imagine that you're on an airplane and all of a sudden you hear this. Attention passengers. The pilot is having an emergency and we need someone, anyone, to land this plane. Think you could do it? It turns out that nearly 50% of men think that they could land the plane with the help of air traffic control. And they're saying like, okay, pull this, until this. Do this, pull that, turn this. It's just, I can do it my eyes close.

I'm Manny. I'm Noah. This is Devin. And on our new show, no such thing. We get to the bottom of questions like these. Join us as we talk to the leading expert on overconfidence. Those who lack expertise lack the expertise they need to recognize. so they lack expertise.

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so, like, it's not, like... What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club. I know it sounds like the start of a bad joke, but that really was my reality nine years ago. I just normally do straight stand-up, but this is a bit different. On stage stood a comedian

with a story that no one expected to hear. The 22nd of July 2015, a 23-year-old man had killed his family. And then he came to my house. So what do you get? get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club. A new podcast called Wisecrack, where stand-up comedy and murder takes center stage. Available now.

Listen to Wisecrack on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. So we heard from Mike. Now there are a ton of quotes out there from... Bachelor Nation responding to the news of Matt. And I do want to say that, like, I said that Matt was a random choice. I just mean he was far more of a random choice than, than Mike, who has been a fan favorite in the past. You know what I mean?

Like, Matt does seem like such a nice guy. And I got so stoked about him being The Bachelor after seeing Hannah's response. How, did you see Hannah's response on Instagram, Ben? Yeah, definitely. She was, was a cute. Yeah, it was really awesome. And I mean, we've watched, you and I have been able to watch my, or Matt, and from a distance, a lot of people have. And he is, he has that, like, charisma that is, is just like, it feels fun to be around.

And so I'm excited to watch that displayed on TV because it's been a while, including myself, where we've had somebody that even from a distance is so charismatic to you. Just like, I want to know that person. Right. And seeing Hannah's reaction made me think of kind of like the time that Nick was announced. It's like when that like older brother figure is announced as the bachelor and you know that they deserve it so much. And you know that they're like such a good person and you just want to see them like find their happily ever after. So seeing I like kind of just, I don't know, you could just trust that somebody is so good and decent. after seeing their friends react in such a giddy way.

And I mean, this is a huge announcement for The Bachelor. I mean, I know that we can criticize timing. We can say, wow, this feels like a knee-jerk reaction. Like, that's not my place to say any of that, you know. But what I will say is this is a big announcement for The Bachelor. And so you know if they're going to make this announcement when they did, then they're going to make sure that he is like an outstanding. human like they this is a big deal for them and so we can get excited about the fact that now we have

a bachelorette season to look forward to but also a really exciting bachelor season with a extremely rootable lead yeah i'm really excited to get to know him that's what's kind of fun and it's you know it's also going to be fun is seeing somebody who hasn't been through the process before has no idea what to expect be thrown into the position of the lead i'm kind of scared for him. That sounds awful. I feel scared for him, too. All right, let's read some quotes. This is exactly what Hannah Brown said.

If you guys didn't see her Instagram story, she says, what the heck? Matt James is the bachelor. I literally just woke up and I could not be more excited. You all should be freaking excited because he's like the best human being in the entire world. Go ahead. Get started making your number one Matt James fan t-shirts printed because I'm definitely going to be wearing one. This is amazing. I'm so proud of you, Matt James.

What the crap? That's a great quote. That was really fun. Wells said this exclamation point, great move, Bachelor, ABC, but I also kind of want to see Claire and Matt get into a fight night one about his cameo account. Sean Lowe said, awesome. Looking forward to seeing a season without a recycled Bachelor, too. Kayla Quinn then, from our season of Bachelor, yeah, of our season of The Bachelor react and said after 40 seasons of The Bachelor, today's news is a momentous step forward as Matt James was just announced as the first Black Bachelor. It makes me feel so proud to be a part of this Bachelor family that listens and stands up for representation. Lily just heard the news and want to shout it out from the rooftops. I want to applaud not only Bachelor ABC for taking action, but also the hard work from B.

Bachelor diversity for getting 85,000 signatures that advocates for change. As a daughter of biracial parents, watching cross-cultural, diverse love unfold, feels deeply personal and inclusive. I have heard wonderful things about this handsome man of faith who is generous and kind. That is from Kayla Quinn. And I touched on Rachel's response earlier saying that, you know, basically she was hoping that she hopes that this is not just a new jerk reaction to the movement. So we're going to roll the clip that Rachel posted on her Instagram story. To be very clear, and I can't believe I actually have to explain myself on this,

I am happy that Matt James is The Bachelor and I congratulated him and I wish him the very best and support him on this new journey, this new venture for him. But at the same time, I also don't want the people, the 85,000 plus people who signed the petition to forget what else it is that you're fighting for. That's the only thing I'm pointing out. But I also do stand by the fact that I don't like how they rolled him out. I feel like it takes away from who he is with the timing of the announcement. I don't think that's fair for Matt James and I don't think that does him justice as to what he represents as a black man and what he can bring to this role. Now, that's all the quotes we have surrounding Matt James. Ashley and I want to be clear. We are jacked about

Matt James being named the next bachelor. We think it's going to be awesome. But again, in the words of Mike Johnson, we haven't forgotten about you, Claire Baby. So we're excited for Claire's season. Still no update on when and how filming will happen, but it will happen. At least that is the most recent updates from the Bachelor franchise. Hey, we have a really exciting rest of the podcast for you. We are going to start interviewing some of the fan favorites from Caitlin Bristow's season. of The Bachelorette, which is airing Monday night on ABC.

So stay with us. We'll be back, but let's take one break. When we come back, we'll have Ben Zorn from Caitlin's season of The Bachelorette. Hi, my name is Enya Yumanzoor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crime. 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. The Super Secret Festi Club podcast season four is here.

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

Today, we have a very special guest with us. Our new super secret bestie is The diva of the people. The diva of the people. I'm just like text your ex. My theory is that if you need to figure out that the stove is hot, go and touch it. Go and figure it out for yourself. Okay. That's us.

Where is the heck? That's us. My name is Curley And I'm Maya In each episode We'll talk about love, friendship Heartbreaks, men And of course

Our Favorite Secrets Listen to the Super Secret Bestie Club As a part of the My Cultura podcast network Available on the IHeart Radio app Apple Podcast Or wherever you get your podcast Imagine that you're on an airplane

And all of a sudden you hear this Attention Passengers The pilot is having an emergency And we need someone anyone to land this plane. Think you could do it? It turns out that nearly 50% of men think that they could land the plane

with the help of air traffic control. And they're saying like, okay, pull this. Do this, pull that, turn this. It's just... I can do my ice close. I'm Mani. I'm Noah. This is Devin. And on our new show, no such thing. We get to the bottom of questions like these. Join us as we talk

to the leading expert on overconfidence. Those who lack expertise lack the expertise they need to recognize that they lack expertise. And then, as we try the whole thing out for real, wait, what? Oh, that's the run right. I'm looking at this thing.

Listen to no such thing on the I-Heart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hola, it's HoneyGerman, and my podcast, Grazacus Come Again, is back. This season, we're going even deeper into the world of music and entertainment with raw and honest conversations with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities.

You didn't have to audition? No, I didn't audition. I haven't audition in, like, over 25 years. Oh, wow. That's a real G-talk right there. Oh, yeah. We've got some of the biggest actors, musicians, content creators, and culture shifters,

sharing their real stories of failure and success. You were destined to be a start. We talk all about what's viral and trending with a little bit of chisement, a lot of laughs, and those amazing vivas. as you've come to expect. And of course, we'll explore deeper topics

dealing with identity, struggles, and all the issues affecting our Latin community. You feel like you get a little whitewash because you have to do the code switching? I won't say whitewash because at the end of the day, you know, I'm me. Yeah?

But the whole pretending and code, you know, it takes a toll on you. Listen to the new season of Grasasasas Come Again as part of my Cultura podcast network on the IHartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. A foot washed up, a shoe with some bones,

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Right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime. A small lab in Texas is cracking the code on DNA. Using new scientific tools, they're finding clues in evidence so tiny you might just miss it. never thought he was going to get caught. And I just looked at my computer screen. I was just like,

gotcha. On America's Crime Lab, we'll learn about victims and survivors. And you'll meet the team behind the scenes at Authrum, the Houston Lab that takes on the most hopeless cases to finally solve the unsolvable. Listen to America's Crime Lab on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, guys, and now it's time to discuss me watching my husband make out with my friend. I keep saying this, because this is a huge joke. Like, how weird is it? It's so weird.

But it didn't make me feel like it didn't have any pings of jealousy or anything like that. Not at all? Okay, fine. There's one time. And that was during their first kiss. And it looked really good. It was a really good first kiss. And I go, Jared, why don't you put your hand on my face?

face like you know like caressed like the whole cheek jawline area and he goes i used to do that with you go thanks wow two and a half years in that was the only time i felt like really jealous it seems like jared was such more of a reserved guy back then i never when i watch it his um politeness and how much of a gentleman he is really shows through which is still of course true to this day, but I think of him as so much more like passionate and a little bit more outspoken than he came across on Caitlin's season. You can tell that he was not out of his shell yet. Yeah, he wasn't. I mean, and it's also why I think Jared and I got along so well during that season is, you know, he and I both were kind of fish out of water. These other guys seem to kind

to kind of like catch on pretty fast, including some of the guys that we'll be interviewing today. But for Jared and I, there was many times where Jared and I would sit back in the back and just be like, I don't know what to do right now. Like, I don't know how I fit into this. I'm sure Jared will tell you the story when he comes on a little bit later in the podcast, but he always remembers this time where you and him were in a sauna for like an hour. And it was the first, like, you weren't miced up and you were top four. And you just couldn't believe how far two guys like you got in this competition.

I'm like, oh, yeah, two real, two real bad guys. to look at or to have a conversation with you guys just totally downplay ourselves, which is totally ridiculous. I remember that. Yeah, I can't wait to talk to Jared about that. That is one of my favorite behind the scenes moments that Jared and I literally sat in a steam room for an hour just talking life. Well, Ashley, after watching Caitlin's season back, what do you think about these reruns and the three-hour edited versions? Are you into it? Do you like it? I don't know. I feel like I like them because it's fun for me as somebody who is on the show to get nostalgic to see my friends just to see like where all these relationships got their roots but I also feel

like you don't like get to like sink into it it's good for taking a trip down memory lane but I don't know that it would be interesting for people who um had never seen these seasons like you're not going to get attached to characters but if you want to look back and be like oh my god i remember that i remember that it's so fun then they're great but if you want to like watch a season and feel emotionally invested just go on hbo max or amazon iTunes and watch the whole thing yeah you know the i i'm glad they're doing it i'm glad this is something they've invested into to put this content out here during this time where it's so difficult to have new content but it is something the bachelor world's wanted for a while i mean i have heard many

times like i've gotten emails and messages can they start replaying seasons you know the edited version i think you can watch a whole season in three hours i do watch kately's season back and it's it's hard for me to watch because this is why actually kately was such an amazing bachelor app and there were so many amazing people on that season at least i'm biased to it because I think there was so many great guys. And there was so much drama and so many storylines that aren't able to be showed and shown that made this season so much more unique than really any season I've ever seen. Like there were things that were wildly dramatic in the house.

There were storylines that were really, really like monumental for us as contestants that were never even shown on the big season because there wasn't enough time. So then you cut that down to three hours, and it feels like can this short edited version do Caitlin Bristow justice? And I don't think it can because it was so good so often. It was just the best, probably the best season I've ever watched. But, you know, I'm also a little biased because I know more of you guys. There's more friends in that season and Crystal season than I have, you know, many other season and you know i'm too invested to really give it a neutral rating but you know it was

one of the shining moments that they did show what's that it was your sex ed class oh geez it's always been one of your favorite scenes i know so good it's so funny that was yeah there's so much to that we'll talk about that here just a little bit actually we promised it so let's start bringing on these contestants. We've got Ben Zorn from Caitlin Bristow's season of The Bachelorette. Welcome to the podcast Ben. What's up, guys? Well, you were the man on Caitlin's season that sent my husband to the emergency room. I know, I know. Let's talk about that boxing date. Jared's very proud still that he, like, got up to the finals and he was boxing you, somebody who has a lot of size on him. What did you do?

Like, did you knock him in the head? Was that? Was that? Oh, my gosh. With the rules? This was like the first day, pretty much the first or second day that we all met each other. So just getting in the ring with everybody was, was wild. I mean, I never thought that I'd be in the ring with, with Jared and all that stuff.

I mean, usually we're in different weight classes. So the fact that we were in there together was kind of funny. But I feel terrible because, I mean, like I said, I just met Jared at that point. And like, his only concussion. I don't want to fight this guy. I like this guy. But, no, it was fun. It was a lot of fun.

I remember that day. I also got knocked out pretty good on that day, too. I remember that. By Jared, actually. Took a nice right hook to the chin. Ben, what's your feelings leading up to this week, knowing that Caitlin's season was going to air? Honestly, I was excited, man. this was a point in my life that I look back very fondly of.

You know, it was very memorable for me. I made so many great friends from the show. And so looking back, you know, it's going to be kind of cool to, it was kind of cool to see everything and see everything unfold again. Did your fiancé feel weird that, like, America was going to watch you be romantic with another girl? She was a little weird at first, but then, I mean, she saw the season. so it's not like it was anything new that she was seeing um i think in the beginning she was a little uncomfortable but now she knows katelyn they're good friends uh and so it ended up being totally

fine she was uh she was fine with it so funny did you guys get is was your wedding affected by covid oh yeah we were supposed to get married on july 25th and now um we're actually end up pushing the next year we don't have a date set yet but um but we're gonna we're gonna end up pushing the next year. Oh, I'm so sorry. That sucks. Yeah. I know there's a lot of people that have been affected by it and we're just one of the many. Well, we, you know, as we saw, we didn't get to see a lot of you on Caitlin's recap show. And we've talked to you a couple times since then and especially at our live podcast in San Francisco. You are engaged. You were supposed to be married here in the next month and a half. You're not doing that. True. But one thing we, uh,

we miss in the recap show is just how much of a connection you and katelyn had and then you really chose uh you know you haven't participated in too much bachelor-esque stuff since then yeah if you can look back on this time going back you know four and a half years ago what what were the feelings like entering into this night one because i kind of felt like the night one i kind of felt like i was going into night one as katelyn's season was about to air again yeah no I agree. I mean, going to night one, I was nervous. I was sweating bullets. I didn't really know what to expect at that point. I hadn't really seen too many seasons of it. But it was definitely something that I was just excited to see what happened, you know. I was just excited to go for it. And, you know, they didn't really show too much of my connection with Caitlin. But it's one of those things where it's you feel like your connection with the main lead. You have a certain way that you feel about that. that person and she doesn't really tell you how she feels. And so I felt like we had a good connection. I felt like everything was great at the point when I got set home, which I was a little

bummed about. But looking back on it, again, you can definitely tell that she had a song connections with some of the other guys, you being one of them. But it was definitely, it's definitely something I look back on fondly. And I just had a blast with everybody, including Caitlin. What shook me watching it back way more than it did when it originally aired was the fact that there was two bachelorets. It's just so misogynistic. It's so crazy that that we were all, I know that some people weren't okay with it, but I just feel like there would be outrage that happened today just five years later. Yeah. Who did you guys vote?

But that being said, who did you guys vote for? I voted for for Caitlin I had a I think I've talked about this before on your guys' show but I had a great connection with Brit right off the bat we had a great conversation

but I just felt like there was more depth to Caitlin and I was excited to learn more about Caitlin so that was intriguing to me Ben you voted for Caitlin too I did I went into it actually very interested in Brit. I really thought that she was going to be it.

And after like 10 minutes, which is wild with each of them, I was just more and more convinced that Caitlin was going to be somebody who I would be able to get to know easier. I felt like our conversation flowed. I felt like she was funny. I felt like she was kind of a, for lack of a better term, like one of the producers before the night one was like hey in this process one of the beautiful things is you can take risks like you can date somebody that you typically wouldn't date

and katelyn was that for me and i'm really glad that happened i think britt would have been amazing but i did vote for katelyn based on just that 10 minute first conversation that we had yeah i agree i mean that's kind of all you have to go off at that point you really are going off a 10 minute conversation trying to figure out who you want to date katelyn asked me the other day I said, Ben, what was the most awkward memory from her season on the bats? I know mine. Mine was my entrance. I literally said two words. Like, I couldn't even speak. I said, nice to meet you. And bye. And I mean, that's how, I mean, that's exactly how it went down. What was your most awkward memory?

I think my entrance was probably just as bad as yours. I don't remember. I remember walking in the door and being like, all right, well, I'm getting sent home. fool myself um for me it was um that's awkward probably rapping on stage i think i battled i rap battled tanner on stage in new york city and i was i don't think i've ever felt more like a fish out of water in my life i can't imagine tanner rapping and i don't think they showed it this time around either oh bad bummer probably for the best definitely for the best well Hey, Ben, you're the man. I appreciate you coming on here. Ashley and I have always been big fans of years.

We wish you the best with your upcoming wedding. I know it's not a deal. But thanks for taking some time and joining us here today to talk to us and everybody out there listening. Of course, man. Thanks for having me. Love you guys. And I'll be seeing you guys at the wedding when we're schedule. That's right, buddy.

We'll see you then. See ya. See you guys. Up next, we have somebody who is charming, lovable. he and kately just had some amazing moments some really passionate kisses uh it's it's it's it's our one and only ashley's husband jared jared come on that almost famous podcast oh hi how how was everybody doing hello well when you we were waiting for you to get on we were talking about how crazy it was that brit and kately were two bacheloretts together and i'm thinking

about how normal rejection on the show feels which is like one handsome man or one beautiful woman who you've developed feelings for is rejecting you in front of the nation but with britt she had a vote of like 30 men who voted against her like that is far more heartbreaking and it's going to affect your self-esteem way more can you believe can you believe that we did this oh you're asking me to comment on that damn all right uh i mean not all 30 guys voted against her from reading the room it was probably 6040 Caitlin and also it was stupid you have two uh incredible women you know both beautiful smart both like out of almost all of our leagues and like we're supposed to vote on the girl that we want to date it was the stupidest thing

i've ever had to endure which i guess says you know that i'm very lucky in life but it was just it was ridiculous. This was before Bachelor in Paradise was like a thing. Like this wasn't, going on Bachelor in Paradise wasn't like a coveted position. I'm wondering if it was more so leading up to that, whether Britt would just be like, or Caitlin would have just be like, no,

no, no, I don't want to battle. I'll just go on Bachelor in Paradise. No, you always want to be the Bachelorette. If producers were like, hey, you have a 50-50 shot of being Bachelorette, you take it. I mean, it's just, they shouldn't have had two girls be a Bachelorette. It hasn't aged well. I think the show would agree with that.

And that's all I got to say. Who did you vote for Jared? Oh, you know who I voted for you. By the way, nice shirt. Do you just get off the golf course? He voted for Britt as he's, yeah, as you stayed in the episode. He looks like he just golfed. I'm jealous.

What was I saying? Oh, Brit. Yeah, I voted for Brit. Well, listen, like I said, it was just like. Talk about what you said on my Instagram today. It was just, like I said, I mean, you're voting for two incredible women. And then I would talk to Caitlin and she was awesome. And I would talk to Britt and she was awesome.

And it was just like I walked into the room. And then the reason I voted for Britt was because before the show started, I felt like I would have more of a connection with Britt. And then ironically, when I met them both, I had more of a connection with Caitlin. So like that night, I was going back and forth. And I was like, well, I guess I'll go with my initial reaction, which was stupid. Because I went off my reaction before I met them in person. Britt was also so your type stereotypically.

Like that was your safe spot, your comfortable zone. Yeah, that's a fair statement. Jared, let's flash through this season, which was Caitlin's season. We had talked about it early on. We hinted at it. We brought it up on the podcast before, but one of my favorite memories from our time of The Bachelorette was you and I were the final four. The other two men were away.

You and I had access to a steam room. We also knew that cameras and audio equipment could not make it into the steam. room. So we went in there to have a conversation, one of the first real conversations we could have in a long time. We sat in this room for no less than an hour, talking about how wild, absolutely wild, this last few months have been. Our listeners out there probably wondering, like, what did this mean to you, Jared, to be in a steam room for an hour with me? What was like? Well, I think you and I bonded in that moment because both you and I were on the same page from the very beginning, which was what the hell is going on and what are we doing right now and what's

about to happen? And then, you know, as you guys know, you're always miced up. You're always on camera. Even when, you know, a lot of things don't get aired, but you're still on camera 24-7. And so this was the first time where Ben and I really were not miced up, not on camera and just able to actually talk about things we were afraid to say on camera, which was, okay, what's going on or like because you know you're always like oh no i'm i'm ready and i'm fully invested and while you are and ben and i were it was also at the same point like are we ready are is this are we good to go are we making the wrong decision this is happening so fast um and so that was like the first time you and i were able to just like really say that and feel comfortable saying that

it was like therapy plus you know for all the listeners out there i got to see ben in his boxer's sweat. I'm sure that was a very nice image for a lot of women out there. It was a good time. That was one of my favorite moments. It really was mine too. No, it was. And you're right. I remember looking at you being like, hey, I think I'm ready to get engaged, but. Yeah. Am I crazy? Like, we were like, do you know Caitlin's been a name? Because I don't. Oh, I do remember that. Oh, that actually is sad. Jared, I've always appreciated the way you've handled humor and humility. It wasn't able to be shown on the recap show, but as much as it should have been. But when it came to Caitlin, do you feel like your connection with her was a lot, because

she's always made us laugh. Do you feel like it was a lot of the laughing back and forth, kind of more humorous connection? Yeah. Oh, absolutely. And thank you for saying that, bro. You know, I feel the exact same way towards you. Ben, you're someone I've definitely looked up to since the day I met you but going to Caitlin yeah our connection was definitely more uh well there was romance it was a romantic relationship it was far more based in friendship because we would just laugh constantly and I remember before the rose ceremony uh where I got sent home uh the cocktail party was canceled that night and I remember before the cocktail party got canceled I was like I really need to talk to Caitlin because every time we hang out we never talk about the future or like marriage or

kids. We're always just present in the moment and laughing, which is a good sign, but also I'm not sure how I feel about it. Like, I feel like I need to be like, hey, is this something that's going to last? So I agree with you. It was definitely rooted in friendship. And I do wish that I could quote dumb and dumber with him like Caitlin did. It's my, it's my fallback. It's like the only, it's my fault. It's the only like major flow in our relationship. You don't get my humor and it makes me sad like i quote billy madison i quote happy gilmore dumb and dumber anchorman and ashore's like what the hell are you talking about i pick up on anchorman quotes yeah you get my anchorman quotes sometimes it's pretty good yeah i mean i don't watch boy movies i'm sorry it's okay

jared we asked ashley this earlier if it was awkward for her to be married and watch her husband make out with her friend i want to ask you the same question Is it awkward for you to watch yourself make out with your friend now? It was kind of awkward to watch everybody make out with each other, you know? Because, like, I saw you make out with her, and I'm like, it's like, it's like watching your friends make out. You know how, like, sometimes you're at a party and your two friends that you've been friends with for years, like drunkenly make out? And you're like, oh, that's just weird to see visually. And it was the same thing here, because we've been through so much history now.

like watching myself with Caitlin, you with Caitlin. Even like, it wasn't that weird with Nick, I guess. But like Cupcake and like I guess we didn't see Tanner. I wonder if Tanner kissed her at all. I don't think he did. They did. He did. He said they never aired it.

But it was definitely like worse watching myself kiss Caitlin with Ashley because she. Because you put your hand on her cheek and you don't do that to me anymore. I do sometimes, not as much as I used to, but, you know, it's, you know, we're married for almost a year. Oh, God, we've married for a year. I'll just say, I'll put the hand there. Please, you know that I like that. Listen, what if Chris Solz's season was airing, you had to watch my sloppy kisses with him? Would that make you feel weird?

You'd just laugh, I think. It would definitely make me cringe. Yeah, I don't think. Wasn't you, like, wasn't your thing with kissing Chris, like you swallowed his mouth or something like? Yes, Jared. I don't know. They weren't the most attractive cases, but I really got it down pat with you in paradise. Those were nice. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Those weren't awkward at all. So I redeemed myself. I give myself a lot of credit for that one. Well, Jared, I love you. Ashley obviously loves you. It was really fun to watch you back and to see you shine once again. Thanks for coming on here. Thanks for catching us up on everything going on in your life. But once again, man, it was. I watched this season. I watched this season back. I've been looking at pictures today just of the season to reminisce on it all.

And it's incredible the people that you meet through this experience along the way. And it made me have a sense of joy about the show that I've always felt, but it's turned more into like a memory for me. But it reminiscing on this made me smile because of the pictures of you and I and our friendship. So I appreciate you, buddy, and thanks for coming on here. Dude, of course, yeah. The feeling is absolutely mutual. Mutual, love you, buddy. Like, it's cool for quickly.

That was the coolest part. Yeah, just like when you think back where it all started and now, like, Ben, you're someone that spoke at mine and Ashley's wedding. And obviously, you know, Nick, who would have thought Nick would have been at the wedding and delivered a speech during our ceremony? I'm like, good God. So it's pretty incredible. Love you, too, buddy.

Love you. Love you, my wife. I love you, my husband. Thanks, Jared. One of our friends, he was also at Ashley and Jared's wedding, one of my favorite people from Caitlin Bristow's season and one of Ashley's favorite people as well. And also, I think one of Caitlin's favorite. It's Chris, Dr. Chris Stranberg, welcome to the Almost Famous podcast. Great to be here.

Chris, I need to come in and visit you because I think I need to envisaline. Ashley, your teeth are perfect, but sure. That's a conversation for a number. other time. One of the most disappointing things about this Bachelor greatest seasons ever episode was that they didn't show you crying kind of hysterically on a cliff. I can't believe it. It was the best TV ever made. I'm on a cliff. Tears of sadness, a puddle of disappointment underneath my face, and they didn't show it. So weird. And you had to watch Caitlin take off in that helicopter.

yes and you're stranded there on that cliff i was stranded there on the cliff so stranded because they were filming it they actually had a second helicopter but i couldn't take either helicopter home so i just watched my hopes and dreams fly away wait this is a funny thing though because people don't understand this about the show and it's a question we get asked a lot so it is true kately did fly away on a helicopter it probably took her a good hour to get back to the hotel you had to then drive how long does the drive take so I drove in the back of a small van and it took three and a half hours Chris you know that's the exact thing that happened to me in the badlands I watched Chris leave and I was like you know once I recovered from the dumping I go okay so where's our helicopter right they're like oh no the van is yours and it was a three hour drive back yours was even more desolate than mine actually at least you got to see the beauty that was Ireland right it was gorgeous it's always one of the it's like uh it is one of the sad parts is it really is

like a really sad moment and then like reality hits you and you go crap like i could be eight hours from any type of civilization or any airport and the lead who just dumped me is flying high through the sky and we'll be back in no time for dinner chris we do remember this crying scene and just because we didn't get to see a lot of you on the recap, didn't mean that you didn't have a big part in this season. You were in shambles, friend, about this breakup. How long did that last after, like, how long did your feelings for Caitlin linger?

I was in shambles. I would say that the feelings for Caitlin lingered about two weeks. And then I got back and I was like, you know what? the winner's going to be. And that's the right match at the moment. Kaelin and I were just friends. When you're wrapped up in the bachelorette world, every, you know, all the emotions are riding high, but you're also isolated. And so this becomes your one central focus. When you get back to reality, you're like, wait a minute. I'm okay. I'm alright. You made a grand introduction, though, with the cupcake car that really will be in bachelor montages.

for the rest of the show's broadcast, whenever that may be, right? Talk to us. A lasting impression. Talk to us about how the idea I came about to have you be in the cupcake car. Well, my whole thing was, how are people going to find me interesting on this show? I'm a dentist. And to me, that's something that most people kind of drag going to the dentist. And he's probably some guy who's pretty nerdy.

which is true, but I needed to stand out. So what better than to think of a bad, like, dental pun? So I decided to do something, quote, very sweet for Caitlin and at the time, Brit, which was to roll up in a cupcake. And I thought that that was going to be the end of it. But then, of course, Tanner decided to start calling me a cupcake and then it stuck all the way to five years later. I know.

Cupcake Chris. Because, like, we know that you don't like being called Cupcake, and yet it's what I call you. It's okay. I understand I'm blessed and grateful that I got to be a part of the experience. I got to meet the perfect Ben and I have friends. So if that's my name, then so be it. Man, it is wild to look back on this.

We've been talking to Ben Zorn and Jared and then myself kind of about this season. And I asked Jared the same question. Is it weird looking back now after the recap? is aired and seeing the pictures that have kind of surfaced from the contestants what are your emotions like looking back on this time in your life it was i mean it's some serious nostalgia i mean that was a time when we all took a break from our phones and from reality and we were just present and we were up against this adventure we had no idea what it would amount to you know Instagram was not really a part of the show until, you know, probably actually season and then

our season were the first kind of era. So really, it was just a special time. We made friends. We got to go on this crazy adventure. And for me, it was all positive. I mean, I didn't partake in much of the drama. Then I don't think you really did either. So you probably just had an all positive experience in the filming. So Chris, you know, didn't end up with Caitlin, became really good friends with Caitlin, cleaned Caitlin's teeth many a times, but now has found another love in his life. And you've been with her for almost two years now, huh? Yeah, coming up on two years. Becca and I've been dating for a year and a half, almost two years. So it's been great. She's a wonderful person, really just a positive, kind part. And, you know, it's with opening my dental

practice. It's been kind of like tough working a lot, but she's always been very supportive and I'm very grateful for her. Well, Chris, we're happy for you, man. It's always good to see that smiling facie years. Still, in my opinion, the best looking man to ever come through the Bachelor franchise. Dr. Chris Stranberg, thank you for joining us on the Almost Famous podcast. We look forward to talking to you soon. Bye, Chris. Love you guys. Take care. Love you. That's funny that you say that, Ben, because I feel like Cupcake is definitely the person that Jared holds as, like, the standard of good looking in the franchise. He's so good looking.

He's like, that guy is really good looking? But like, is he better looking than Cupcake? And then it's always a debate. He's such a good looking dude. Well, Ashley, this has been nothing but fun for me to see friends and to reminisce with friends. It's always great to celebrate really awesome people. And this week, we are celebrating Caitlin Bristow because I think she is a terrific human, a terrific bachelorette. And we can't leave this podcast without saying congratulations to Caitlin because at the end of this episode, we find out that Caitlin Bristow is getting her dream.

I mean, it really has been her dream. And she's built, she's made for it to be on Dance with the Stars. She's totally made for it. I am so excited. How fun was it to watch her reaction? It's incredible. sweet Jason was responding as well he just knows it's her dream and yeah I'm super stoked it's it's a huge deal she's going to do great I mean she is a professional dancer she's going to win yeah it's going to be awesome good for

kately four and a half five years later kately bristow is still at the top and uh we have nothing uh we just want to celebrate that here so hey oh to kately bristow this week great men on her season they're just terrific friendships that were built. But with that, this has been the almost famous podcast, and I've been Ben. And I've been, Ashley. We'll be back doing a live podcast with you guys next week. Hope to see you there. All the love.

Bye all. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcasts on IHart Radio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency. Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD, oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeart

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