The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Connection Unstable with Amy Kaplan

Episode Date: November 5, 2025

Ben is hanging out with Amy Kaplan from the latest season of The Golden Bachelor to find out what the real vibes were like inside the mansion.Amy shares an unaired moment with Mel that would have shown more of her personality and how he was a “trainable” guy. We hear what her influencer daughters think of her time on The Golden Bachelor, and what Amy's dating life has been like since leaving the show!Plus, Amy gives her honest opinion on if Mel will end up with someone from the show for good!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. On the podcast health stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night. I'm Dr. Priyanko Wally, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane de Bolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled, Do I Have Scurvy at 3 a.m? And on our show, we're talking about health in a different way, like our episode where we look at diabetes. In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type two?

Extremely. Listen to Health Stuff on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And she said, Johnny, the kids didn't come home last night. Along the central Texas plains, teens are dying, suicides that don't make sense, strange accidents, and brutal murders. In what seems to be, a plot ripped straight out of Breaking Bad. Drugs, alcohol, trafficking of people, There are people out there that absolutely know what happened. Listen to Paper Ghosts, The Texas Teen Murders, on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Robert Smith, and this is Jacob Goldstein, and we used to host a show called Planet Money. And now we're back making this new podcast called Business History about the best ideas and people and businesses in history.

And some of the worst people, horrible ideas, and destructive companies. in the history of business. First episode, how Southwest Airlines use cheap seats and free whiskey to fight its way into the airline is.

The most Texas story ever. Listen to business history on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Cal Penn, and on my new podcast, here we go again,

we'll take today's trends and headlines and ask, why does history keep repeating itself? Each week, I'm calling up my friends, like Bill Nye, Lily Singh, and Pete Buttigieg, to talk about everything from the,

space race to movie remakes to psychedelics. Put another way, are you high? Look, the world can seem pretty scary right now. But my goal here is for you to listen and feel a little better about the future. Listen and subscribe to Here We Go Again with Cal Penn on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Big Take podcast from Bloomberg News keeps you on top of the biggest stories of the day. My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day. Stories that move markets.

Chair Powell opened the door to this first interest rate cut. Impact politics, change businesses. This is a really stunning development for the AI world and how you think about your bottom line. Listen to the big take from Bloomberg News every weekday afternoon 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. It's the Almost Famous Podcast, and I am back with you today.

I'm excited to get to know one of the ladies a little bit better from this season of the Golden Bachelor. She's corky and funny and sweet, and we didn't see enough of her this season. It's Amy Kaplan. How are you doing? Good morning. Thank you so much for having me. I'm doing great. How are you doing? Very good. Now, I started this out, and I mean it, we didn't see enough of you this season. And were you surprised how quickly you went home? You know, I wasn't that surprised because we didn't really have the connection. And I could not fake that connection.

It just wouldn't have been me. And I didn't feel it. And I did try, but it just wasn't there. So I guess, you know, it was all about really connecting. And it just didn't happen for me. It's okay. You know, and I hear you. So you're saying like, for sure there wouldn't have been a long term.

relationship. But so many people don't have a connection this season, I think. And they, yet, they stuck around because they were able to kind of like hide a little bit. What was the moment that you think, or was there a moment where you and Mel were talking or sitting together and you're like, yeah, this is definitely not going to work. Well, there was a moment, and I am allowed to talk about this, even though it was not aired. There was, it was a very funny moment, at least in my eyes, all the girls were going up to him at the pool party. And I said, Mel, I said, I'm not used to this. It's a little backwards for me. I said, if you're interested in getting to know me, would you please come give me the hug? And he did. He said, I'm very trainable. So that's stuck

in my mind. And the night of the third rose ceremony, I was making a snack for everybody because we were filming late and I was making turkey bacon and you probably don't remember this ad because you were a lot younger than I am but there was an ad it was Began Strips. I remember this.

It was a dog. You remember the dog strips? Okay. So anyway, there was like a little ad where the owner was like holding up the bag and strip for the doggy. So I'm thinking my salon. He says he's trainable.

Amy, like this is a funny moment with the bacon. I said, I said, so the cameramen followed me, he said, who's a good doggy? Now, somebody with, that would have been like on my level with like my quirkiness and my fun personality, he would have been like, or he would have chomped for it or like, you know, just done something really funny. And he looked at me. The cameramen are cracking up. He looks at me, he goes, what is wrong with you? And I'm like, uh-oh, he doesn't get it.

I said, I said, I'm not getting a rose tonight. I mean, Amy, this brings up a good point because I think fans this season have felt like they haven't seen a personality out of Mel. Not that he doesn't have one. Goodness, I'm not saying that. I think everybody does in their own unique way. Right. But they've, at least in what they've shown of Mel, he's flat. So he doesn't have emotion.

He doesn't like show like that ability to like. have a little fun and make fun of himself. Did you see a different side of him in the mansion? Or is what we're seeing really who he is? I am, I'm sure he's a really nice guy. And I said to him, I've never dated a jock before. I'm a New York Jew. I'm fun and vibrant and I'm quirky and I'm warm and I emote.

And I'm full of life. I'm extremely intelligent. Not to say that he's not intelligent. I'm just telling you about me. I just don't think we got each other. Does that make sense? And I'm sure he's a nice guy, but I need somebody that's alive.

Yeah. So I did not connect with him. And you know what? It just wasn't worth it. Like, I could not, do I wish I was on longer? So people got to know me and see if I really could have had a connection with him.

I just didn't. But it's okay. It is okay. My guy will find me. And the cast has been great. For the most part this season, I do think we were missing people like you, you know, like the Susan Knowles and the Cathies and the Nancy, some of those people that were bigger personalities that kind of entertained us

through this season that brought us as viewers into the show. When love was still happening, you were a good commentator on the side, even if you didn't have a connection. We missed you this season. I do believe that. Thank you. Yeah. I mean, I had a great time, but there was a lot, of course,

that was not shown with my personality and also with some of the other women and I do wish that that came out but the thing is that the end of the day the story was a love arc and it was about finding that connection and finding love and why would they the show was not about me

it was about finding love so that's probably why I did not get enough airtime like there were a lot of funny moments I'm very spontaneous Nobody really got to see my personality at all. But it's okay. Now, your daughters both have a following on social media. Yes, they do.

We remember that. What was their reaction when you came home? Obviously, they were probably very excited for you to go on the show and very supportive of this. And then you come home early and you kind of break everything down. What was that dynamic like? Well, they were laughing at me. They're like, mom, men love you. Like, what happened?

I'm like, he just didn't get me. So it's okay. It is okay. You're going to be fine. Did you ever kiss him even? You know what's so funny? And even though like a lot of people thought he was a good looking guy, for me, it's about like a connection.

So I could be extremely attracted to somebody that maybe other people don't find good looking, but it's about like that chemistry and that zing for me. And it's like about, you know, connecting emotionally and physically. and intellectually and spiritually and having like a lot of the similar interests and finding someone with depth and soul and character. Hello. Do you see? You see why I'm single?

So anyway, so what I'm saying is, you know, I couldn't go up. When I came out of the limo, I did give him like, I think a hug. And then Susan had a talk with me and it was funny. And she said, go up there and go, you know, kiss him and see if there's anything. So I gave him a little peck on the lips. And I think that scene was on there. And then all the other ladies started. I said, see, I'm going to actually be like, have my alphanus come out and go and, you know, give you a kiss.

But I didn't really feel that spark with him. And I wasn't about to fake it. I was like, it just wasn't worth it. I mean, I wish I did feel it. It would have been amazing to find love. I mean, anyone, you know, crazy enough to do a reality show to find love, you know, I figured I wanted to give it a chance because I thought it was like a really fun venue and a way that maybe maybe he was my guy and I was willing to give it a chance but it just wasn't and it's okay it is it is it's totally okay you know you aren't there's some I mean goodness I love the

golden show there's some contestants that come off and I'm not concerned for them but they're really wanting to find love but they just don't put themselves out there they they are reserved you know they're kind of waiting for that person to come into their lives I get a sense from you that you're going out there after it. So this show was kind of a launching point for so many when it comes to their next season of love and that next person in their lives. What has your dating life look like maybe before the show

and then since the show aired and you've been, you know, let go? I don't have a problem with men. It's like I said, it's a matter of, I'm like a kid in a candy store. I think I said that somewhere else. It's like, you know, there's a lot of choices. You have to find the, the person, you know, where you really connect with them, he'll find me.

I, my DMs are blowing up. People are like, was that, even if I had a drink with someone years ago, Amy, were you on the Golden Bachelor? We saw you for like a hot seconds. But, you know, people are like, they didn't really get to see my personality on it, but my DMs are blowing up. And is my dating life any different? You know, like, I go out.

I'm very picky. help me you're very picky well what are your daughters like because of their social media following I feel like they're maybe more engaged in your dating life than most is that true they are very engaged in my dating like and they have like they like this one they don't like that one so say if I start dating somebody they meet somebody and they're like mama we don't like this it's in my head and I hear the voices in my head I said Next. This season, you know, we made headlines because Nicole had mentioned on the show that she desired to be a social media influencer following the show.

She had some things that she wanted to promote. Did your daughters have any specific takes? Do you have any specific takes on her saying that? Do you think this is, did you find it off putting or were you like, no, this is great. This is what the show can do for you. All I'm going to say is on my profile, it said, I have a built-in. BS detector, but I was taught if you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all. I'm not saying anything.

Okay, let's phrase the question this way. You know, for some, they do get a following from this show. Do you think that is a fair outcome for somebody that doesn't end up with the lead? Or do you think that should be completely not even a part of the equation and saying yes to it? I think it should be organically. Like if it happens, it happens. Like, you know, my girls already happen to have a following. But I wasn't going on there for that.

They already have their stuff going on. I was going on there because, you know, I'm single. I'm looking for somebody. He, you know, to find love and to find a partner, a marriage, however that looks. And, you know, that's why I was going on there. And if the other stuff happens, that's fabulous. Do you know what I'm saying? But my main focus, my main focus was to go on there because, like I said,

if anybody crazy enough to go on a reality show to find love, you know, hey, maybe this is another, you know, venue. So it was, it was fun. It was, I definitely had a great time. I was just me. And, you know, wherever it lands from here, it's all good. It does, you know what I'm saying? I do know what you're saying.

I mean, I do. I'm not worried about you. You're going to be great. You're sitting in a beautiful home. You got a good family. I have a great family. You know that, right? I love my daughters.

I mean, what kind of mama's crazy? easy enough to follow her two little babies all the way out across country from New York to L.A. The monster-in-law's here. Yeah, yeah. It's good. Hopefully they agreed to that. And you just didn't show up. On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night. Yes, I'm Dr. Priyankawali, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane Dibolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled, Do I have scurvy at 3 a.m?

On health stuff, we're talking about health in a different way. It's not only about what we can do to improve our health, but also what our health says about us and the way we're living. Like our episode where we look at diabetes. In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type 2? Extremely. Or our in-depth analysis of how incredible mangoes,

are. Oh, it's hard to explain to the rest of the world that you, like, your mangoes are fine because mangoes are incredible, but like, you don't even know. You don't know. You don't know. It's going to be a fun ride. So tune in. Listen to health stuff on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. She said, Johnny, the kids didn't come home last night. Along the central Texas planes, teens are dying. Suicides. that don't make sense. Strange accidents and brutal murders.

In what seems to be, a plot ripped straight out of Breaking Bad. Drugs, alcohol, trafficking of people. There are people out there that absolutely know what happened. Listen to paper ghosts, the Texas teen murders, on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Robert Smith. This is Jacob Goldstein. And we used to host a show called Planet.

money. And now we're back making this new podcast called Business History about the best ideas and people and businesses in history. And some of the worst people, horrible ideas and destructive companies in the history of business. Having a genius idea without a need for it is nothing. It's like not having it at all. It's a very simple, elegant lesson. Make something people want. First episode, how Southwest Airlines use cheap seats and free whiskey. to fight its way into the airline business. The most Texas story ever. There's a lot of mavericks in that story.

We're going to have mavericks on the show. We're going to have plenty of robber barons. So many robber barons. And you know what? They're not all bad. And we'll talk about some of the classic great moments of famous business geniuses, along with some of the darker moments

that often get overlooked. Like Thomas Edison and the electric chair. Listen to business history on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get it, your podcast. In the new podcast, Hell in Heaven, two young Americans moved to the Costa Rican jungle to start over. But one will end up dead, the other tried for murder. Not once.

People went wild. Not twice. Stoned. But three times. John and Anne Bender are rich and attractive, and they're devoted to each other. They create a nature reserve and build a spectacular. circular home, high on the top of a hill. But little by little, their dream starts to crumble.

And our couple retreat from reality. They lose it. They actually lose it. They sort of went nuts. Until one night, everything spins out of control. Listen to Hell in Heaven on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here we go. Hey, I'm Cal Penn, and on my new podcast, Here We Go Again, we'll take today's trends and headlines and ask,

why does history keep repeating itself? You may know me as the second hottest actor from the Harold and Kumar movies, but I'm also an author, a White House staffer, and as of like 15 seconds ago, a podcast host. Along the way, I've made some friends who are experts in science, politics, and pop culture. And each week, one of them will be joining me to answer my burning questions. Like, are we heading towards another financial crash like in 08? Is non-monogamy back in style?

And how come there's never a gate ready for your flight when it lands like two minutes early? We've got guests like Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, Lili Singh, and Bill Nye. When you start weaponizing outer space, things can potentially go really wrong. Look, the world can seem pretty scary right now, because it is. but my goal here is for you to listen and feel a little better about the future. Listen and subscribe to Here We Go Again with Cal Penn on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, I don't know the relationship status of your daughters. Are they married? They're both married. Yes. Actually, Ali's married to a twin. Isn't that crazy?

Yes. Yeah. And he's from New York. And Lexi just got married the end of May. And I'm actually sitting in their house because the computer, I'm technically like impaired a little bit with all that. So Lexi has everything, the ear pods, everything set up. The countertop, you know, it's like the right height. You know, we're good to go.

You're looking, yeah, you're looking great. Now, if, okay, let's just play a little game here. Say both daughters are single. I love games. Here we go. Yeah, we're not going to pick one. They come to you and they say, say like at this season of life, they're single, they aren't married, and they say, I really want to meet somebody. I'm going to go on

the bachelor to try to meet somebody after being on the show yourself, after going through all the stuff yourself, would you say go for it? I'd say go for it. Why not? You have one life to live. You might as well. And so you'd recommend it to really anybody at this point. Like even other Goldens that come into your life, friends of yours, you'd say, try it. Yeah, try it. What if you've got to lose? Life is an adventure. You know? You know, maybe you end up meeting the love of your life on TV. You just never know where that person, you know, is. Some people that came on the show for very similar reasons of yours, and I love them and

respect them, Susan and Kathy showed up to the mansion this year. Yes. They are a wild time. No matter where you're out with them, they bring the energy level up. They always help people create memories. Obviously, they had their own schick during their time. Yeah, I love that word stick. Yeah, they did their thing.

did it well. Was there anything from that night with them in the mansion that wasn't shown that you think should have been shown while they were there with you? Okay, I'm trying to recall that night because I was sick. I actually was not feeling well. I had lost my voice the day before. Was there anything not shown? I think they said, what was the most? Oh my God, I can't believe I'm going to say this. Get ready. You got to say it. We've had worse. I guarantee it. No, no, it's nothing bad. So they said, what was my most embarrassing moment? And I said, well, I once farted on my boyfriend and he thought it was precious. He thought it was precious? He thought it was precious. Good for him. Yeah. It was a baby for it. Did they appreciate that? Yeah, we were all laughing.

It was funny. I could see you getting along with them very well. Yes. Yes, totally. obviously amy because of your personality um because of your out you're just like your mindset when it comes to all this um i really think if anything the show will always be a really fun experience for you so it was so much fun it really was and we've seen over the last year paradise coming to play for the goldens uh oh joan's season obviously aired there isn't many single guys from that season really i mean that's why we saw so few come to the beach yeah we're hoping for another batch like golden bachelorette i think they need to try it one more time see if you know they can pick it up a little bit if they called you and said hey and you're

single at the time let's say uh will you go to paradise does that fit you you know paradise might be a little too crazy for me but i definitely would do it zero no no no no no i'm not going to let you say that that's not true i'm bikini ready sweetie It's not too. Okay. What makes you, first off, say it's too crazy for you? Not too crazy, but you know what? I probably would get along with all the young people for sure, because you know what? I, all my daughter's friends, I feel more to their age than some of like the older people, because it's a mindset, you know? Is it too crazy? I don't know. We'll see, I guess. We'll soon find out. I can hardly wait.

It's not too crazy for you. In fact, there was a beautiful thing, and I haven't shared this yet. What? But we did the reunion here at the Almost Famous Podcast for the Paradise this year. We were part of it. And I was in the room with all the contestants that had gone to the beach. And I was talking to Kathy and then the younger people from the season walked in. And she started bawling, crying because she loved them so much.

So I do think that is an element in it. There is a connection with the younger people. and the gardens. And I do think it brings them together. So I think that's wonderful if it happens. It's definitely something I think that is unique where you get to live on a beach in a resort with people of all different ages. Not so bad, right? Not so bad. As long as there's a gym. I'm sure there is. We saw them running on the beach and lifting weights. You can go out there with the guys. I have to. I'm going to be working out with the boys. That's right. That's fine. The young boys. We're coming to the end.

end of Mel's season of the Golden Bachelor. We have Cindy and Peg left. There, obviously, we're going to be watching the finale. You've been around it. You've heard the people talk about it. Who do you think had the better connection to Mel while you were there? And I'm going to double question this with, are you surprised that these two are the final two? You know, I'm not sure. And who's to say who has a connection? You know, I don't know. I know as much as you know. So I guess we'll all find out, right? Okay. You were in the house, though.

I was not in the house that long. Remember. No. No, but okay. When I was on the show, I remember being in the mansion for the first three weeks and right away being like, these are the guys that are like top four, top five. And I'm fairly critical of myself. So I was like, yeah, I'll be going home soon.

So I just want to know I'm like watching to see who has the best connection so that I can watch it back on TV. Here's the thing. The reality of this is, you know, meeting someone in three weeks and it's content, and you don't really have that much time with them. Now, you can have the connection. And like I said, you can have either, maybe you have the physical connection, but you have nothing else. Or maybe you have all kinds of other connection. You don't have the physical. I think it's very hard to tell in real day-to-day life when you get out there.

Do you enjoy that person? Is that the person you can't be with? without? Do you like going to the market with them or going for a car ride, you know, with them? And you also like all the glamorous things and the fun things like, you know, beautiful luxury travel and events and but you're just like hanging with them on like the sofa and snuggling up or cooking together. That, I think, takes a little bit of time for the layers of the onion to peel away and to really get to know the personality. So I think it's kind of hard to to say, will he end up with somebody?

I don't know, because it's in such a short, condensed time. I get it. No, I get it. And we haven't seen those, like, very vulnerable, emotional moments this season, like past seasons, where we're like, oh, my gosh, he's sold out on her and she sold out on him. We've seen moments, but not consistent enough for us to be like he's ready. You know, here's the thing. And I think when people truly have a connection,

And I don't know, because like I said, I wasn't there. I know for me, at least, if I have a connection with someone, it's like I'm a very warm, affectionate person. My hands will be all over them. I'll be mouching. That's like a Jewish word, like nurturing men, like all over. I did not have that with Mel. You know that. And I was not.

And I was myself. I just couldn't get him to open up with me. Do these other two have the connection? I guess we'll see, and we'll see in real life what happens, you know? Yeah, I hope so, though. What do you think? I don't see it yet. I mean, I think I just don't see the love story being unfolded.

Like we are used to or desire or want, and I could go on about why I think that, but I don't really know. They're all guesses for me, and so I don't know yet. But I am excited to see how this ends because I've waited all this. all this time. And if you listen to the show, you've heard this. We did all this time for this moment where there's like a breakthrough, where there's like, oh my gosh, this is how it's always this is it. And I haven't had it yet. And I'm wanting it, honestly. Amy, I really want it. I think the Golden Show needs it. Yeah. Badly. So, Amy, you're great. I hope to see you in paradise. I hope we see more of you. Keep being

yourself. Keep putting yourself out there. You are a joy. And, uh, and, uh, Tell your daughters, thank you for allowing you to be on our screens. Thank you so much. Until next time, this has been the Almost Famous Podcast. We've been talking with Amy from The Golden Bachelor. This has been Ben. Thank you, Ben. Thank you so much for having me.

It was so much fun. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcasts on IHart Radio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night. I'm Dr. Priyanko Wally, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane Dibolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled, Do I Have Scurvy at 3 a.m? And on our show, we're talking about health in a different way, like our episode where we look at diabetes.

In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type 2? Extremely. Listen to health stuff on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Johnny. The kids didn't come home last night. Along the central Texas plains, teens are dying, suicides that don't make sense, strange accidents, and brutal murders. In what seems to be, a plot ripped straight out of Breaking Bad. Drugs, alcohol, trafficking of people. There are people out there

that absolutely know what happened. Listen to paper ghosts, the Texas teen murders on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Robert Smith, and this is Jacob Goldstein, and we used to host a show called Planet Money. And now we're back making this new podcast called Business History about the best ideas and people and businesses in history. And some of the worst people, horrible ideas, and destructive companies in the history of business.

First episode, how Southwest Airlines use cheap seats and free whiskey to fight its way into the airline is. The most Texas story ever. Business History on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Cal Penn, and on my new podcast, here we go again, we'll take today's trends and headlines and ask, why does history keep repeating itself? Each week, I'm calling up my friends like Bill Nye, Lily Singh, and Pete Buttigieg, to talk about everything from the space race to movie remakes to psychedelics. Put another way, are you high?

Look, the world can seem pretty scary right now. But my goal here is for you to listen and feel a little better about the future. Listen and subscribe to Here We Go Again with Cal Penn on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Big Take podcast from Bloomberg News keeps you on top of the biggest stories of the day. My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day. Stories that move markets. Chair Powell opened the door to this first interest rate cut. Impact politics, change businesses.

This is a really stunning development for the AI world and how you think about your bottom line. Listen to the big take from Bloomberg News every weekday afternoon on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast.