The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Lovers and Friends with Noah Erb

Episode Date: April 9, 2026

He first joined Bachelor Nation as a contestant on Tayshia Adams’ season, but Noah Erb hammered and nailed his way into our hearts as the winner of Bachelor Mansion Takeover! Noah shares the details on our favorite love story: his bromance with Dean Bell. We hear how their friendship blossomed and what happened to turn a friendly competition into a heated rivalry. Plus, Noah reveals what Bachelor Mansion improvements we almost saw in the background of the Taylor Frankie Paul season!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. On the Serving Pancakes podcast, conversations about volleyball go beyond the court. Today we have a little best friend compatibility test. Okay. How long have we been best friends? This is the day we met. As the League One volleyball season heads towards its final stretch, there's no better time to tune in. You'll hear unfiltered analysis, behind-the-scenes stories,

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host of the On Purpose podcast. My latest episode is with Noah Kahn, the singer-songwriter behind the multi-platinum global hit, Stick Season, and one of the biggest voices in music today. Talking about the mental illness stuff, it used to be this thing that I was ashamed of. Getting to

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Share each day with me each night, each morning. Listen to Nora Jones is playing along on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. In 2023, Bachelor star Clayton Eckerd was accused of fathering twins, but the pregnancy appeared to be a hoax. You doctored this particular test twice, Ms. Sond's, correct? I doctored the test once. It took an army of internet detectives to uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing. Greg Gillespie and Michael Mancini.

My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trapped. Laura, Scottsdale Police. As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcast with IHart Radio. We were back on the Almost Famous Podcast with a Bachelor Nation family member, a fan face.

favorite. He was on Tasia's season. I actually, be honest, I didn't know that. And on Bachelor and Paradise season seven, he's the winner of H.E.T.V.'s Bachelor Mansion takeover. It's Noah. Noah, welcome. I mean, obviously I knew you were on the show. I did not remember you being on Tasia's season. Yeah, he's so sees it with Paradise. Remember he was like all up in what's his name's grill, the Harvard guy? I feel like the Harvard guy was in his grill. Benet. Hello. Noah. Thanks for joining us. Ben, Ben, I don't blame me for not remembering. I know you're good buddies with Dean and you'd rather have Dean on here than me. So, you know, the last few years of me hopping on with Tasha and Claire, it's like, it's okay that that's a paint memory. That doesn't, as long as you can remember me to win HGTV, that's what I'd like to position myself now is I won. The winner. Yeah.

No, I really love Dean. I would love to have seen him win, but there is a level of, you know, I don't know if Dean could have won. He has such a self-deprecating way of being, of living life that, like, I don't think he could have won and actually accepted it. Dean knew for a fact he wasn't going to win. It was just, can he get me out too? It's like, Dave, one of us is going to win. It's more likely to be me because you're like, you know, they're bleeping every other word. You don't even want to win.

Be honest. You're just here to have fun and golf a little bit. It's a good way to start. The skill was there. That's what was fun about the show is anybody could have won. It's like there are so many moving pieces and we can get into that. It was anybody's game. We're going to get into that because it truly was anyone's game.

I mean, Dean was eliminated with like a coding challenge, okay? Which I think was a little unfair, but I will say that because he won the first challenge, which was like a coding challenge as well, kind of negated each other. What was up with your rivalry? friendly rivalry for sure was it a joke from the beginning did you guys have a previous relationship like I mean no you know friendship

heated rivalry right here you ever heard of lovers and friends you ever seen that song yeah no so Dean and I don't know what his answer would be we didn't plan anything we knew each other just from being in L.A.

golfing together but we weren't super tight and we both were kind of like all right we're similar people were on this show. Nobody knows what this show is. But let's just agree that you and I will have fun. Let's just be stepbrothers for as long as we can and have fun with it and make sure we get each other to the end. Then it's like all gloves are off. That was like our agreement. That's why, you know, Dean trying to get me out early was like, dude, that was such a waste of a shot. We're supposed to do this later. And then him to go out on the mountain, I couldn't even be the one to

get him out. It was like, all right, we wanted a duel. We wanted, you. We wanted, you Me and Dean, maybe naked on the mountain, fighting it out, you know, just whatever happens. That would have been awesome. Made the best man win. That would have got viewers. That's what we wanted. That's what the people wanted. But I blame Dean for screwing it up, dude.

He buckled under pressure. Mr. No Backbone. Because one thing about Dean that I think all of us here could attest to is Dean is brilliant. He's a very smart man. And he has a great memory. And he's very good at math. Like, he has a really, like, mathematical brain. It was really surprising to me how he did buckle there.

I'll say this, Noah, when Dean got back from the show, he missed a guy's golf trip to go on this show. Oh, dude, it was ruining him. Just so you know, that might have gotten him off the show. He was like, dude, because I'm like, I'm down to get to episode four. He's like, me too, dude. I got a golf, a bro's golf trip that I'm missing. And like, if I play my cards right, I could get both. Yeah.

And once he made it past like, forget the $100,000 or two. He was like, all right, I already missed the golf trip. Now I'm here, so let's do it. Yeah, it was a big deal for him to miss it. We gave him a lot of crap. But when he got back, he had told me right away, he goes, I said, hey, how was it? Like, did you get along with anybody? He goes, I really got along with Noah.

Noah was great. I love Noah. And then he kind of insinuated that you guys were friends throughout. But I did watch the first few episodes, and I texted him. I said, hey, is this thing real? Because there was a moment where it felt like knowing Dean, he actually got like his sniffing. He hated me, right? It felt like it.

Yeah, that's what I felt. No, I was getting. I was, when I journaled, I put that, I'm like, does Dean hate me? Because we're saying one thing. But then when, you know, in reality, Dean's kind of acting like he hates me. But my buddies were texting me the same thing because me and Dean, never cracked. Even with the showrunners, the EPs, they're like, hey, what's going on here? Like, they're trying to use it as fuel. We're like, we don't know what's going on, but we're not,

we're not cracking. Yeah, the joke got so serious. Yeah, we don't know at this point. Yeah, neither of us know if we like each other or not. We were really, we're confused for an episode. Yeah, I was because he told me how much he, like, loved being around you. And then I watch it. And I'm like, Dean, I, the, the thing is, though, there's moments in my friends. friendship with Dean that I think he hates me. So I guess it's just the way sometimes he feels. Sometimes Dean hates himself. Yeah.

So it's like that's true. No, no, I can't carry that weight. Well, no, you did end up winning. But let's talk about the show. We haven't been able to break it down yet. We watched every episode through. Going into it, you just maybe mentioned it. You didn't know what this show was, right?

I mean, you had no idea other than you have a skill set, come on this show, remodel the Bachelor Mansion. Is that about as much as you knew? I mean, that's pretty much it. I had gotten a call from, like, you know, the powers that be like, hey, this is the last minute show that we're wanting to do. Here's kind of the premise you down. I'm like, okay, the premise is remodeling the Bachelor Mansion and there might be a tiny bit of like some sort of games, like, you know, some sort of back and forth competition. But no, I didn't know. I just knew like I've been doing this for a while, you know, the home remodel space and DCing and stuff like that. So I'm like, I have a leg up.

I would love to see what the show actually is. If it's just me, you know, building stuff, me and Dean doing DIY off, then that's great. But I don't think they knew, truth be told. I don't think the show knew until, you know, midway, you know, once we were in it, then it was like, okay, we kind of, we made something here. Everybody that they selected, all the cast, they were down, you know, once, they got past the fact that this is HGTV, it doesn't seem fear. You know, a lot of the, a lot of the girls kind of had that impression. Once we got past all that, everyone was just down to play ball.

And I am still convinced it was just rolling the dice every day. Like, we had no idea. Yeah. But it was fun. It kept it fun. I loved seeing you guys interact. I love seeing some of my favorites on TV again. And I love seeing the before and afters.

What we had an issue with with the show, and you probably did too, is that the eliminations were based on, it was just different every week, there was no consistency. Was that annoying as cast to just kind of like, not have a score system? Did it feel unfair?

That was very annoying because you saw the first challenge. That's the first time I've shown up in front of a camera in three years. Dean's on his like 15th show. He's done all this spinoffs. You know, it's like he's comfortable. So for me, I'm like, am I about to get eliminated the first day from something that I just couldn't, I couldn't add math, okay?

Sue me. It was just not my greatest showing. There were tons of events like that where I almost got out again later. And it was like, these sure have to do with skill, but it didn't even seem like the same comparison. It was like, you almost had to focus more on those because you could be gone. But you don't want to win them either because then you have to, you have the power to send someone home or whatever. So it's like, it was a completely different part of the show that

even was harder. We all hated it because nobody was good at these. Okay, yeah, people were good. I wasn't good at these challenges. I just didn't know. I wouldn't have been. It was, it would have made, I think if they do it again in whatever capacity, it would have helped the viewership if we knew why somebody was going home. But it was all like opinion based, especially when it came to the actual judging. It was we like this and we don't like this, but there was things that they liked that I didn't like. You know, there was just a thousand different opinions getting thrown around. The other side of this that I think you could speak into, and I think I know the answer, but I would love for you to elaborate on it was you did a lot of work. Like,

the show didn't necessarily show you all working every day to remodel the man. It was like very cut. It, you know, it showed the ideas, some of the builds, and then it went to the judging. But you were grinding every day, right? Like, your hands were in it. That's the part that I think is the hard. That was the hardest part of the show. Is those timelines we talked about, like, oh, yeah, you have two days to finish.

Everyone's like, oh, cool, they got a crew of 30 people coming in, and we just, like, kind of fake work. That wasn't the case. We talked about it. The guys talked about it because Sam's a builder and Dean does DIY for Kalen. Right. We were doing, every day was about a 14-hour day. You'd wake up, you wouldn't go to bed or you wouldn't get back, you know, to eat dinner and stuff until at least 12 hours was up.

And, you know, six hours of that is show stuff, but the other eight hours, let's call it six hours, you know, was a full-time job. Like that's what the guys decided. We knew the girls had a lot of help. Because they're not able to do all the stuff manually that we can do unless they have background. So it was like me and the boys were like, okay, we have one or two contractors and they have six. Let's just treat it like a job, grind, go crazy. And you don't get that much on TV.

So I wish it was shown more because we actually were doing the work. But it was a full-time job that I wasn't getting paid for. You know, you hope you're going to get paid at the end because it's $100,000. But it was long days. It was just as hard to me of going. in the hospital. I'm like, in the hospital, I didn't have to talk to cameras and deal with drama after this is like, you're expected to work all day, but then you have to still do the show part or just you're going to go home. It's like, okay, great. It was a grind. They did kind of

have to, we just had to agree, all right, we're just going to build as much every day that we can. Like, I'm actually doing tile. Dean is actually building his little furniture. Sam's actually doing the bunk bed. You know, Brandon's actually painting. It's, It's like, we just worked. We're like, it's not going to hurt us. You know, if there's cameras on us, that's better than us just doing our own thing. And it's not even getting credited. So they highlighted that, but you can't highlight it too much because the girls are at a disadvantage.

Yeah, sure. They don't have the background. Yeah, I wish I would have seen more of that behind the scenes, just you guys grinding because I'm sure that we want the outtakes. Yeah, definitely. Don't you always want every outtake from every season you do? The pool episode was our biggest letdown. That was the boys' shining moments. of the three musketeers.

It was really good. They call us on. We didn't show up till two on set. We got to drink a little beer, play put putt, Marco Polo. I led a yoga class. We talked trash. It was such a fun two days. And then none of it really went, and you're like, okay, that kind of sucks.

We want the outtakes. We want to see all the stuff that was missed. The HGTV just wasn't comfortable putting it in. That's fair. But it's an HGTV show, you know? know what I want to see the truth behind? The girl's drama tell us about the fact that like Joan and Jill and Courtney and Alicia, like they didn't get along. And Tammy. That's the part. Tammy went home. So you didn't even get to see that Tammy and all of them hated each other.

The girls' drama, we didn't know. We thought they were catty. We thought like they're kind of mean. And like, we're all joking around. You know, me and Dean try to get each other out and talk trash the whole day. But then, you know, we're hugging each other and drinking a beer. And we're like, good day, buddy. Love you. Good night. The girls actually hate each other.

We're like, this is, there's two different things going on here because I didn't know that until I thought it'd be funny to like do Noah's Angels. And I'm like, I'm kind of protected because if I lose, they're going to send home Joan and Alicia. Because Jill hates them. And the boys are not going to send me home. But if I win, I didn't realize that as I'm trying to help plan all this, the girls are actually like just trash talking each other blatantly. And then like saying they didn't, hoping they didn't get filmed. And it was like very catty and nonstop actually. The real reality show that didn't air.

Well, that's the thing is I'm like, I know all these girls like they're fine to my face. They're all nice. Nobody had like I knew they all wanted to send me home. but that wasn't, I didn't take that personal. It's like nobody was mean to me, except for Alicia. But like, why is it so, you know, why is this going on? Like, if you guys are so image conscious, which a lot, everybody is, it's like, this doesn't look good and this isn't even, like the producers aren't doing this.

This is you guys just not liking each other. Yeah, wow. It's kind of the, I mean, it's why this show works because no matter what you do and what the format is if you get the right people in a house together, they're going to fight. Eating well shouldn't be complicated, but somehow it turns into recipes, prep, clean up, and half your Sunday gone. Factors solves all that. These are fresh, ready-to-eat meals designed by dieticians, delivered to your door and ready in just minutes. No prep, no cleanup, no excuses. And it's not just about convenience. You're getting real food, balanced nutrition, and zero artificial stuff.

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Definitely. And chaos? Unavoidably. Welcome to It's Dangerous to Go Alone. A podcast where we talk games, culture, nostalgia, and immediately go off topic. There is no gatekeeping. There is no skill check. If you win a game on Easy Mode, we support you.

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Okay. How long have we been best friends for? This is the day we met. As the League One volleyball season heads towards its final stretch, there's no better time to tune in. We really are like yin and yang, vodka and tequila. You'll hear unfiltered analysis, behind the scenes stories and conversations with leaders making an impact across the sport. Today we have Logan Ledneckie. I feel like our fan base in general is very connected. Just like a comforting feeling getting to play at home. Whether you're following the final push of love season or just love the game, serving pancakes brings you closer to the action and the people

shaping the future of volleyball. Jordan Thompson had that microphone. Oh, God forbid we make mistakes or cuss at our coach like when time or two times. Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search serving pancakes and listen now. This has been serving pancakes and we'll catch you on the flip side. Okay. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I-heart women's sports. Hey, I'm Nora Jones, and I love playing music with people so much that my podcast called Playing Along is back. I sit down with musicians from all musical styles to play songs together in an intimate setting. Every episode's a little different, but it all involves music and conversation with some of my favorite musicians. Over the past two seasons, I've had special guests like Dave

Grohl, Leveh, Mavis Staples, Remy Wolf, Jeff Tweedy, really too many to name. And this season, I've sat down with Alessia Cara, Sarah McLaughlin, John Legend, and more. Check out my new episode with Josh Grobin. You related to the Phantom at that point. Yeah, I was definitely the Phantom in that. That's so funny. Share each day with me each night, each morning. Say you love me

You know I... So come hang out with us in the studio and listen to playing along on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It needs to be noted, Noah. You were at a disadvantage coming into this because you had never been to the Bachelor Mansion, right?

Before this show? No. Once I started realizing, okay, there's more to this than just can I be a good DIY and designer guy. Yeah. We got to think about the show. We got to think about like the sauna we turned so the windows would face so they could get cameras. There was all those elements that they were looking for in judging. And like I had no idea. I don't know anything about the. I haven't seen the mansion in years, you know, whatnot on TV. And I never was there myself. So it's like it was a disadvantage, but it helps me honestly because I had clear eyes. I just I looked at it as a design and what I can improve. and not like, these are all the pieces I need because I didn't know all those pieces. I was like, it needs to look good. I think we can agree with that. Yeah.

I would have been like, no, you can't touch that. It's sentimental. Yeah, that's a good point. There were, you know, people that were like that. And like, it was so big for the sentimental. You know, I signed my name on everything. Everything I did, all the bunk beds, we engraved their names. We tried to put like a permanent. I'm sure they ripped it all out.

But, you know, there was a lot of nostalgia for everybody that had been there. I didn't have the nostalgia. I was just like, this is so sick. When are you going to come to the Bachelor Mansion and be able to rip this thing up and, like, make it how you want it? So different kind of nostalgia for me, but everybody was really nostalgic throughout the whole thing. It was like, you know, we all hated each other, but we all come from the same. We're all from Bachelor. So it's like nobody, you know, we're all just happy that we're here being a part of this.

It's actually, that was kind of a cool part of the show. It truly is a family. Dean definitely had the most, like, heartfelt feelings towards the mansion, didn't he? Dean. Are you being sarcastic? Yes, he could have cared less. He doesn't care about that stuff. I was going to say, yeah, not at all.

I'm convinced Dean was playing a game with himself because he kept winning all these challenges and, like, somehow didn't go home, you know, a little cockroach is always there. I'm convinced he was sabotaging. Like, I think he just died laughing. Like, he at night plays Xbox and talk to his buddies and think about it. Because he, like, did crazy things intentionally. The blue ceiling, the merle. That was because he had the immunity.

So, of course, he painted it blue. That's what I'm saying is he hated the mansion, but he, like, intentionally was like, let's just see what I can get away with. I'm convinced that was going through his mind. He's a truster. He's one of a kind. Noah, in addition to kind of the throwback of you being in the mansion. Which, wait, first off, he was in the COVID era in a hotel, which is why he wasn't there.

Yeah, locked down. That was the first COVID button that was. Yeah, and Tasha was your bachelorette, who was also a judge on this show. Was it awkward at all for you to have Tasia judging your work after you have at some point in your life tried to pursue her? No, not really. Honestly, it wasn't. I did think it was funny because she was leaning into it. She like was intentionally trying to get me nervous or like, you know, she ripped me a new one anything I did. And they didn't show this in the show because there are judges. But anytime she spoke, I'd like flash my wedding ring and say something. And if she said like, you know, if there was some, like you said, it was preference. A lot of their judging was preference. You know, if you're going to say something based off your preference, I'm going to say something based off of mine as well. And I'm glad this didn't air because I probably looked like a douche.

But you're going to stay here on the almost-a-s podcast for us. No, I'm saying there was just as much back and forth coming back at Tasha than there was her, me. And towards the end, I honestly think she was great. She was really nice. Like, I've been married now and I've been in Oklahoma for two years. I haven't seen her in five. It wasn't like this crazy revelation for me. But it was kind of funny because if I was in no drama,

everyone was leaving me alone, you could bank on Tasia to run her mouth a little bit. I'm like, oh, okay, I got to, you know, we're still in this, but I'm not just doing Tasha now. So it was fun. It was just a fun little element, honestly. I think the show did a good job with everybody they had on it. Yeah, they did.

All the cast. No, just talking to you right now, it just makes me happy. that you have one of the Bachelor happy ever afters. You know, you have a Bachelor marriage. And I'm just like, you know what? There's so many great bachelor couples and personalities. I love it.

How did it happen? That's what I want to know. But it is awesome. You know, it's like, and we, it's great. That's why Dean and I do think got along. I can't believe I'm talking about Dean so much. Yeah, think about Dean, too. That's why we got along is because both of us had our little stint on TV.

We didn't work out on paris. Then we got back together in real life. Yeah. And stayed together. And now it's been years. And it's like, oh, we are kind of like a success couple from the fact that I showed up six years ago as a 25 year old with a mustache during COVID ICU nursing. So it's like we've come a long way. You'd come a long way.

You used to be a nurse. He is a nurse. He is a nurse. That a boy, then. Well, yeah, once a nurse, always a nurse. It's like the Marines, apparently. No, I haven't since I've been back in Oklahoma. That was kind of like, I really, I did travel nursing for about eight years.

Yeah. And I was trying to do something else because I was honestly a little burned out from it. And that's where like the remodel DIY stuff picked up. And so I kind of, I haven't been in the ICU in a couple of years now. I know, because that's what I think of you. I think about you flipping your house, which looks so great. It's just a different, that's what I'm saying. So much has changed in the last five years for me that it's like just this show was

unexpected, very, you know, we were doing this anyways. It was like, we got to go on, I got to go on a show for something I was doing anyways. So it was like, I'm just kind of rolling with it. I don't miss the ICU outside of like that calling factor. Yeah. But there's so much more with being in the hospital now that I'm like, this is such a great change of pace for me that I can do something else that I love. And I can still always go back to nursing. I still have my license and stuff. Great. Um, well, let's do a couple of quick, on the show as we lead up to talking about obviously the prize, which allegedly is more than what I made being the Bachelor. That's a good little just fact to have in there.

Allegedly. HGTV is not as cheap. I don't know what's happening in my life. I'm continually confused. What was your favorite renovation project during the competition? My favorite is going to be the mixer room when I went back and did it because it was it was just there's so much to do. And we only had 24 hours and I had one contractor. So it was like that was the most overwhelming I'd been because I had to figure out the design, fix all Dean's design mistakes.

And it was just so many pieces into one short time period that I was actually stressed. I was on like my second can of Zinn, my 10th coffee. I was just fully locked in. Who got you Zins while you're there? That's a hookup. Well, he was still able to live life. Brother, you need to look at all the boys' pockets during these shows. There's always an out.

I might have had two different flavors in each pocket on this show. It was all we had to lock in. Yeah, good for you guys. No, I think that was the most like accomplished. but my favorite was when me and the guys did that same room, but screwed it up just because we were having so much fun. We built everything. It was just a great time.

Yours is my favorite element with the marble background backdrop. It was gorgeous. Oh, the credenza. So nice. And thank you for in your redo, focusing on Jones, whatever you want to call that, because Joan is so wonderful.

I love her. But that was far, There was far too many textures. Holy moly. It was either get rid of Courtney's fireplace, which goes all the way to the ceiling. And I have 24 hours. And it is, there's potential for it to look like a vibe.

Nate loved it. I liked it. I like the fireplace. But next to Jones, it was like, and Alicia's king tile. It like broke your brain. So I'm so glad that I would never do this in real life, but I'm so glad I covered this really expensive marble

with plywood instead. it. Great call. I was thinking about that too. It was like you have like the most gorgeous material that just doesn't work there and now you're putting really I was there when we put it in two days before and I'm like oh this hurts me because I know how much money we're wasting on this. Like what am I doing putting plywood over? But I'm so glad I did. It looked great. I mean that that brings up a question though. Obviously it was very expensive marble and it is covered up. is this stuff we got Ashley and myself got to see

the first episode of Taylor Frankie Paul season and honestly I don't remember the mansion much but oh thanks Ben we weren't watching it we weren't watching it through the eyes that we would never be able to watch it again we thought that this was just the beginning of the season

you just wanted to get the key you wanted to look at people's faces yeah no they uh so we got to do they did a big press event before the show and we got to go back into the mansion to see what they kept and didn't. And it's funny the stuff they kept because that was part of the guy's strategy was, dude, if we can get away with doing stuff that's permanent, I mean, there's less likelihood that one, they're not going to be able to take it down.

And two, if it looks good, they're not going to write us off for it. Now we build around what we did that's permanent. So like my arches in the bar, I wanted them to be full arches, not just that little cardboard cut out that they said in that time those were nice full arches it looked way better than it did on the show and like joan and jones in the rose room jones pink the candle room they did yeah they roam and clayed over all that tile got rid of Courtney's art and put like the OG candle that art installation there the metal one that's like classic i guess yeah so they did make changes like that, but honestly, it was for the better. It's like, it did look better. There was a lot more

that stayed than I thought, though. I kind of thought we just got our own show, and then they're like, yeah, good job, guys. And then we go back and nothing's the same, but it all pretty much looked. Would it love to see it on Taylor Frankie's season. I was really looking forward to that, but I got to see it enough. What about the kitchen? Because the kitchen was such a different change. It brightened it up so much with those cabinets in the countertops. Do they keep that? That kitchen was like there, that was the Hail Mary. There's nothing that changed with the kitchen. They were actually doing all their food prep in there, during the press event.

That kitchen was too expensive, it's too classy to change it. And the fact that we got to redo the mixer room, so it actually kind of looks, like if it was still the green paint, Alicia's wall up, the kitchen wouldn't look nearly as good. But we got to do the room, I got to do that room before, so it actually kind of blends. I'm not saying I'm the reason they kept it. But it did blend a little bit better. And the kitchen was all the same. It's the nicest kitchen I've ever been in.

I mean, it's... Really? It's very nice. Well, maybe not ever, but it is definitely the nice I've ever worked on. Yeah, sure. Eating well shouldn't be complicated. But somehow it turns into recipes, prep, cleanup, and half your Sunday gone. Factor solves all that.

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There is no skill check. If you win a game on easy mode, we support you. If you've never touched a controller, honestly, same energy for some of us. It's fun, it's chaotic, it's friendship with a loose gaming theme. And somehow we keep getting away with it. You should listen. Stream it's dangerous to go alone on the free Iheart radio app. Or wherever you get your podcasts.

On the Serving Pancakes podcast, conversations about volleyball go beyond the court. Today we have a little best friend compatibility test. Okay, how long have we been best friends for? This is the day we met. As the League One volleyball season heads towards its final stretch, there's no better time to tune in. We really are like yin and yang, vodka and tequila. You'll hear unfiltered analysis, behind-the-scenes stories and conversations with leaders making an impact across the sport. Today we have Logan Ledmecky.

I feel like our fan base in general is very connected. Just like a comforting feeling getting to play at home. Whether you're following the final push of love season or just love the game, serving pancakes brings you closer to the action and the people shaping the future of volleyball. Jordan Thompson had that microphone. Oh, God forbid we make mistakes or cuss at our coach. Like when time or two times. Open your free IHeart Radio app. Search Serving Pancakes and listen now.

This has been serving pancakes and we'll catch you on the flip side. Okay. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Hey, I'm Nora Jones and I love playing music with people so much that my podcast called Playing Along is back. I sit down with musicians from all musical styles to play songs together in an intimate setting. Every episode's a little different, but it all involves music and conversation with some of my favorite musicians. Over the past two seasons, I've had special guests

like Dave Grohl, Leveh, Mavis Staples, Remy Wolf, Jeff Tweedy, really too many to name. And this season, I've sat down with Alessia Kara, Sarah McLaughlin, John Legend, and more. Check out my new episode with Josh Grobin. You related to the Phantom at that point. Yeah, I was definitely the Phantom in that. That's so funny. Share each day with me each night, each morning. Say you love me. You know I... So come hang out with us in the studio and listen to Playing Along on the Iheart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We want to talk about your mom. We're so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. How did you... How was that going through that? process knowing that back home your mom wanted you to be there and then you just had such a heavy heart through it all yeah it's it's always tough to talk about this stuff because I know for me you

know how it is when you go on TV and you've got your own show it's like people get to watch what you've already gone through so it's like on TV it's like oh somebody sees you having heartbreak or marital problems or whatever it's like oh that was in real life eight months ago Yeah. So to kind of live it all back, it reminded me like, oh, shoot, that was actually such a hard time for me. Because I was battling between, like, do I let anyone in on this? Yeah. Because I just, I really didn't want that to be like a TV thing and like a TV moment.

And it's like, we're talking about my mom potentially dying. Like, I don't care about a TV show. So it was a really hard battle because I was trying to talk to everyone back home and say, like, hey, what's actually going on? You know, then I see the CT results. I'm like, what's going on back home? Like, I'm trying to focus on this. And then I learned about it.

And it's like, okay, I just need to start calling them. So I started talking to my mom and dad. And they have different answers. Obviously, my mom's very positive, like nothing to worry about, you know, and all these things. And my dad's saying, like, yeah, it's an ongoing. It's escalating quicker. It's fine right now.

And she's surrounded by, you know, 10 of her kids and 20 nephews or grandkids. So it's like, if anything changes, the show was like, we'll fly you red eye right away. But I was like, you know, she wants me to stay. Now this is cool because I actually have a reason. Like, now I have nothing to lose, you know, at this point. So I can do the best I can.

I don't want to let them down by leaving. Also letting myself down by, you know, going home. And so it's, it was really hard. I did let people in. I was going to ask about Sam. I talked to Courtney, actually. We were at the hotel. And I slowly kind of let, you know, the executive producers in so they could run their show.

And I just don't screw the show and do all these things. But it was very hard for me. It was, I'd get home. You know, we'd get done working. And then I'm like trying to think about it. And then trying to decide like, okay, what am I going to do with this? Because this is like my, this is my dream right now of being on the show. but you don't really prepare for the worst news your life.

So it's like it was just hard because I was equally so ecstatic and equally so heavy that I didn't want to have to figure all that out behind a camera lens. But I kind of chose. It kind of made it easier, I think, after talking to some people. And I've had the, you know, I have seen a lot of death and I have seen a lot of life as well being in the hospital. where I kind of, after talking to the EPs and stuff, was like, we could use this as an opportunity to help people that might be in this situation. Either way, I'm going to be hurt.

Like, if I go home now, I'm hurt. If I stay and I can potentially help someone that their mom might be dying or whatever the situation, then that's a win. Like, I kind of have to almost. So I don't know, I worked through it all and just decided, and I'm so glad I did decide to stay and do what I did because the coming back and talking to my mom and being like, hey, you know, I won.

And I'm like, yeah, go, you know, I was trying to help her buy little things that she thought would help and just make her comfortable and everything. And it's like, it was such a relief and a huge, a bigger win than had anything else happened. Being able to come home and celebrate it just with her and be like, yeah, I decided I was going to do this for you. And I did. I love you, you know, blah, blah, blah. And I got to take care of her. And it was really a beautiful moment. But, yeah, thinking back to that month was, that was, I mean, it was one of my hardest months and my best month, too.

That's why it's just a weird, it was a weird time for me. But I do truly believe it all worked out how it should have. I don't think there's anything I could have done to save my mom. And I just, I'm grateful with how graceful they were. You know, they didn't have to include any of that stuff. And my dad got to watch it. And a lot of family and friends that know, her. It's like kind of a nod to her. So it was really beautiful. Honestly, I was happier about that

than the win at the end, just because it was like, it tied the whole thing together. And it, to me, it was like, oh, it was worth it. All the, you know, maybe I cried a little bit by myself in the hotel and how, you know, you're working through those emotions while on a TV show. That was all worth it, you know, so that, all in all, very happy with how it turned out, very hard. But being able to see the reaction and like after the fact you know she she had uh passed in october so i was there for you know a month and a half with her and stuff but after the fact everybody was positive about the whole thing and it tied into it because they got to see how i interacted with her and how happy she was that i stayed and everything so it it was full circle moment it was really beautiful i think i think that

was one of the things that i wanted to bring clarity to was that you did get to tell her that you one. Yeah, I got, I, uh, I actually stole the briefcase that had all the fake money in it. I put it on the plane. Um, I took a couple like tiles from the mansion, some OG tiles, some pieces of wood, like random things. And I, you know, showed up and was like, here's, you know, here's what all that was for. And she was still healthy and happy and, or healthy enough, you know, she was deteriorating fast, but there was nothing mentally to slow down what that momentum was. So it was like, Yeah, I did it. So let's just make sure you're happy and comfortable and surrounded by love.

So it was huge. Yeah, not being able to tell her. That was, when I said those words in that interview, I don't know if my mom will be able to watch this. That was like, I've never, no such finality to me. I've never thought about that phrase because I'm actively shooting something that's going to air not that long away. So to say that and kind of carry that into going home, it's like, I need to make sure every minute that I'm here is the most I can get out of this minute. So it kind of just added to that. It helped, you know, the time back be even better.

Did you talk to Dean about that? Because he had lost his mom. I talked to Dean. Dean and I, so the guys, I don't know if I can say this. We didn't sleep at the mansion. Yeah, no, I think you can say that. I think you, yeah. I was just on a podcast last night, and everyone was trying to convince me we did sleep at the mansion.

I almost went with it for a second because I wasn't sure. No, Dean and I did get to talk. So I'm not trying to air out people's laundry. Sam had, it just happenstance that Sam's dad was going through something well, same show. And I knew my mom was going something, but I didn't open up about it. And Dean opened up about kind of his family, his dad, and his mom. And it's like, that's the thing is I was worried about letting people in because I didn't want, like, I don't want, I just don't like that attention to be honest. But everyone that was there was like, dude, this is a struggle.

I'm either going through or I have gone through or it's like, so we were all able to open up. I think the bonding at the hotel that everybody had just made the show that much better. And it's like, I felt like, okay, cool. I never felt like I was alone in the first place. but now that I was able to let go of some of this and people actually related more than I thought, this is good. And, you know, all the other cast, you know, they were crying telling me about their stuff. It's like, I mean, this is just a beautiful moment. It sounds cheesy.

It sounds kind of weird, but it just, you know, this is the perfect moment for everyone just to live real life on a camera or not. I mean, I just, I'm sitting here. I'm like, yeah, it's interesting when you go on a show like this with so many big characters, big personalities. But yet, you know, the very familiar saying everybody's going through something rings true even in those moments. And I think that was one of the lessons I took away from being on The Bachelorette was when I was in that room, I felt so intimidated by all these other guys sitting in there. And then a few weeks in, it's like this like calming happens where you're like, wait, all these people are very human too. and they're all dealing with stuff also. And from a TV side, you don't see it always because it's not always shown.

But it actually is really beautiful when you sit in it. And you're like, these are humans who are trying to make it through just like I am. We're all the same in some level. We've all got our different, you know, like guards up and how we, you know, I laugh stuff off. That's my go-to. But everyone has real life. You know, that's what I think the show did well. obviously we're not going to just trauma dump the whole show and we're not going to make it a very emotional show but everyone you got to see real life struggle real life victory whatever that's why i think the show was good

it was like an ogy reality tv it was like kind of raw to where there wasn't a whole lot of extra production and i mean yeah you said it you said it everyone else is going through real life stuff and i think that's why i was glad i didn't speak up to like make an announcement to everyone like hey this is what i'm going through I didn't want that because then after the fact the people that either weren't nice to me or were, it doesn't matter. It's like everyone can realize, okay, that was just a show. I was still the best I could, good to you. And like I ran my mouth, but nothing's personal. So it's like, yeah, it's good to know everyone's human.

You know, that seems like a funny thing for us all to celebrate. But it's like I'm, the last thing I wanted to do was suck air bawling my eyes out, you know, talking about. my mom dying on TV. That's not something I would enjoy to do. But it just seemed like an opportunity, and I'm glad, you know, I'm glad it kind of aired how it did. And I hope people take away,

everyone takes away different things. That's what I think is cool. Your nod is like, yeah, everyone has real life stuff. You know, I've had friends texting me, like, yeah, my mom's also, I've been, she's been dying for the last two years. And it's like, that's a win to me. If anyone can take whatever they want from the show,

that's such a win, you know. Yeah, you're helping people feel less alone. Well, it definitely was a moment that I think so many of us just took a deep breath and sat back and said, wow, there's a lot happening here. But yet you won, and I want to congratulate you for winning this whole thing. You went $100,000. Noah, I don't know if you can speak to this at all. But my first question is, do you actually get $100,000? And then the second is, what are you going to do with it? Dude, I'm just waiting for them to tell me. I get like installments for the next five years for $2,000. Yeah. No, I haven't gotten paid. The thing with this money is, so my parents, when I was like, hey, I'm going to win this thing. I was like, mom, dad, you can buy a bunch of stuff, you know, for in relation to the health thing. And it's like, I was already kind of spending some of the money I never had.

and now Abby and I are like, okay, I am going to get paid this year. That's actually allegedly, often really cool, you know. So it's like, we want to just use it to wrap up all of the projects that we were in the middle of and trying to do before we start a family. It's like one more year of grinding, use the money towards helping build our family, get a little, let's just jump right to a kid room, you know. It's like we're trying to use the money to plan for the next stage. which would be, you know, a family and things like that.

So it's like, no, I don't have any money. I'm not even sure if it's ever going to come because I shop this in September. Noah, are you checking back in? I know. I would love it. You know, I would love it. I'm not after taxes, it's going to be half as much, but I will gladly accept it all. Yeah.

Okay, wait. How's your brother doing? Because your brother, we know from Jen season, right? Oh, yeah. I was going to say which brother? Then I remember you don't know. You're twin. Devin.

He's good. He's good. He actually called me yesterday. It's so funny. So he commented on my post. I made an Instagram post. That was like, you know, ball my eyes out. My final post about the show.

Then let's move on, you know, make a good finale post. He commented something like, glad you somebody helped with the herb name on TV or something. Somebody had to do it. There was something like that. So he's funny because he's just finished his second. He's in fighter pilot training. Yeah. And, you know, he's next year will be F-16s.

He's past two. So he's so removed from the whole season and Jen's season and everything like that to where he's like watching me go on another show. And I'm like, just trying to convince him, dude, just stay off TV. You know, what? Both twins don't need to be on TV. This is what you do best. This is what you want to do.

Let's stick with it. But everyone's doing well. And you actually get paid doing his job. That's the thing. I'm like, dude, you can trust me, it is cool going on and winning an HGTV show. Dude, you're flying F-16 jets. It's cooler than what I'm doing. Trust me.

Noah, congratulations, though. A huge deal. Great work. Job well done. The winner of the Bachelor Mansion Renovation Takeover experience on HGTV. Noah, or coming to us. live at the almost famous podcast. I hope you get paid.

I hope you all celebrate. Best of luck as you do plan for the future. It's, as Ashley and I tell anybody that's looking into the next season of life, it is something so special. You're going to love it. But yeah,

having $100,000 would definitely help. Let me tell you. There is, you know what? And also, I will say one of the secrets to being a parent, Ashley, I don't know if you can agree with this,

is having a little DIY experience. is very helpful also because there are things happening in my house on a daily basis that, like, in a sense, destroy what, you know, is around me. And that is a little girl. Yeah, a chip out of a cabinet, if it's a crayon on the wall. Currently, she had a blast with Greek yogurt this morning, and there's just Greek yogurt across all of the walls in my house somehow. So, Noah, a lot of your skill sets are going to come into play.

as you start this next chapter. Well, thank you. This was, I think, my favorite accolade. This is my favorite thing I've done on TV by far. And it's great because... Not finding my wife. Yeah, well, okay, sorry. Well, about Abby.

Abby and I are leaning into what we are doing and what we love to do, and she's designed, and it's all great. But the truth is, I only know DIY so I can not spend so much money when we have kids that tear the house up. I'm just forward thinking. That's smart. so wonderful.

Like, come, if I ever buy a house that needs some remodeling, I would love to have to come do some work. I should just hire the whole HGTV bachelor crew. But everybody gets one room. We're not splitting rooms. No, don't do that. We learned what can happen when three people try one room. Let's just be a little be.

Hopefully, Abby and I are in a place when we can do that. That's the goal. I'm like, let's lean into this. If it doesn't work, you'll see me back in the hospital. No shade. You know, just my dream didn't work. and we'll try something else. But I'm loving where I'm at.

I think the win was such a like carry it with steam, full circle moment for me. I'm just super grateful, honestly. Yeah, celebrate it, buddy. Hey, this has been Noah, the winner of the Bachelor Mansion Takeover. Thanks for joining us. Thank you.

Thanks, guys. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcast on IHart Radio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. On the Serving Pancakes podcast, conversations about volleyball go beyond the court. Today we have a little best friend compatibility test. Okay, how long have we been best friends?

Since the day we met. As the League 1 volleyball season heads towards its final stretch, there's no better time to tune in. You'll hear unfiltered analysis, behind-the-scenes stories and conversations with leaders making an impact across the sport. Whether you're following the final push of love season or just love the game, serving pancakes brings you closer to the action and the people shaping the future of volleyball. Open your free IHeart radio app, search serving pancakes, and listen now. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Hey, I'm Jay Shetty, host of the On Purpose podcast. My latest episode is with Noah Kahn,

the singer-songwriter behind the multi-platinum global hit stick season and one of the biggest voices in music today. Talking about the mental illness stuff, it used to be this thing that I was ashamed of. Getting to talk about this is not common for me. Right now, I need it more than ever. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the IHart Radio app. Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, it's Nora Jones, and my podcast playing along is back with more of my favorite musicians. Check out my newest episode with Josh Grobin. You related to The Phantom at that point. Yeah, I was definitely the Phantom in that. That's so funny. Share each day with me each night, each morning. Listen to Nora Jones is playing along

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. In 2023, Bachelor star Clayton Eckerd was accused of fathering twins, but the pregnancy appeared to be a hoax. You doctored this particular test twice, Ms. Sondland's, correct? I doctored the test ones. It took an army of internet detectives

to uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing. Gregalespian and Michael Ranini. My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is love trapped. Laura. Scottsdale Police.

As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.