The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Mercedes Meets Her Date!

Episode Date: December 14, 2025

DeAnna is stepping in to interrogate Mercedes blind date before they meet for the first time on the pod!Will there be chemistry? Will they find each other attractive? Will they end the night with a first kiss?!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast, Guaranteed Human. I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product. With every sip, you get a little something different. Visit Gentleman's Cut Bourbon.com or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky. For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit

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Okay, guys, it's one of your famously available gals. Deanna here and I am jumping in to take over this episode. We are at Jingle Ball and we're getting ready to send my girl Mercedes out on a date with a single eligible man. And he's here. He is here. We've been talking about him all day. But before I'm allowed to introduce Mercedes to him, Ben has tasked me with getting to know him a little bit better. So, Bryce, welcome to the podcast. Thank you for having me. I'm pumped to be here. I have had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Mercedes. So we were running through all of our what-ifs. And then we're in the car. We're talking about what it might be like. She's a little nervous. Are you nervous? I'm not nervous.

no. I think it's just going to be a fun experience and meeting new people is always a good time. So I don't know. I'm not nervous at all. Okay. Yeah. Well, that's confidence is attractive. I think so. I mean, do you have a type? This is, it's a, it's kind of like an, a blanket statement, but I just like beauty, right? It doesn't really matter what they look like or, you know, what race, ethnicity, nothing is just like if they walk into the room and all the eyes are on them, that's just kind of who I gravitate towards. So just like beauty in any form. And I know that's kind of subjective because beauty's in the eye of the beholder. But yeah, just, just beauty. Great. So you typically date 20-something's blonde, fake boobs in Los Angeles.

I don't think that's my type of beauty, to be honest. Okay. So give it to me. Run it down. Give me something specific. Have you had girlfriends before? Yeah. Yeah. I've always been kind of like a relationship guy. I'm kind of a monogamous guy. The longest I've been single is right now, which I forced myself to be single for like a last year and a half, almost two years, just because I needed to... You forced yourself. You had to beat them off with a stick? Yeah, I mean, I had to beat myself off with a stick, no pun intended.

But I just, I get into these relationships where it starts really fast up front. And then I'm like, oh, of course the love bombing that we're both doing to each other is warranted because we're both awesome. But then I get into the relationship and then within like six months to a year, a couple years, you start seeing that maybe what was portrayed or sold to me were. wasn't exactly who they were. So I've kind of been in a cycle, and it's been very clear, a very clear cycle. So I've taken the year and a half, almost two years now, I'll just say two years of being single and just focusing on myself, growth, therapy. Like, oh, God, I was, I was literally going to ask if you've seen a psychiatrist, so I'm so glad to hear you tell us that. Yeah, definitely. That's been like, I mean, my breakup has, have been always kind of gnarly, too, because one of my exes

reached out a couple years after we broke up and she told me why she kind of had a crash out and she was like the relationship was the best relationship I'd ever been in so when you walked away from it it was like the whole world collapsing she was trying to hold on right um and so I think that that's been the trend and so I do give a lot to my relationships I'm a big giver in every type of way like if I see potential I want to foster that and like grow that and just make my partner the best person they can be. But I kind of lose myself within that. So this last two years being single has been me focusing on me for kind of the first time ever. And it's been the most transformational two years in my entire life, like nine day. I love to hear that because I think

that I'm a little bit older, much wiser. I didn't hear you say anything complimentary to me, Bryce. Oh, you're beautiful. Yeah. You're beautiful. You're something you speak very well. But I'm not here dating you. Older and wiser. I'm glad to hear you say that because you are still in such a place in your life. You're still trying to figure out who you are. There is a part of you that you're born with that's in your soul. That's who you are. But through relationships, through friendships, through experience, you will learn who you are and what it is that you want. But I'm also here to tell you that it changes to. You're only 30, you said? Yeah. That stuff changes as well. It's going to change in five years, 10 years, another four years after that. Right.

it evolves. And the important part of relationships is that you can find someone that can evolve with you. Exactly. Okay, so let's run through some basic things. I don't know a lot about you. No one would give me information because I'm friends with Mercedes. I'm her girl. And so I think they knew that I was going to be giving her a heads up. So they kept everything from me. Okay. I like that. Okay. You're 30. Come here blind. Yeah, I'm 30. Okay. And your last relationship was a year and a half ago, you said. Like, it was June of almost two years ago. So I guess we're past two years now, a little bit. Yeah. Okay, what's the biggest thing you learned about yourself in the last two years? Oh, man, like so much. I think the biggest thing is I carry a really

magnifying light. Like any room I walk into, people are gravitated to that. And I like that because then I can give just like just the best opportunity and like, I don't know, just best vibes. I hate that word, but like just make sure everyone feels great. Like that's my biggest thing is like I know who I am in that way. And I think I kind of had never realized that in the years and prior. Because I, there was a moment in time where I was very unsure of myself. And now I would say the biggest thing is I'm fully confident in who I am. I love myself and not a way that's like psychotic or cocky or anything. You know the egotistical part of you? Yeah. No, I try not to have ego, which I'm very mindful of that. But yeah, I just, I think I've felt.

in love with who I am at a very core level. My faith is a huge part of that as well. So I've really grown in my faith in the last couple of years as well. And getting back to just having the relationship, like a personal relationship of God, which has been super helpful. But yeah, I don't know. It's been awesome. What's your longest relationship? Three years. Three years. Okay. All right. So I do know that you're a mortgage broker and a DJ. Yeah. So is that important? to note in my list of things I run down for my girl. So I'm not a DJ yet, I would say. I bought like a DJ deck maybe like two months ago and I've been practicing. So you are a connoisseur of music. Yeah, I'm a, I'm a partner in a music label as well. So I run a pretty successful music label. I do the mortgage stuff on the side. Whenever my old clients need something, I still help them out. And yeah, so music is kind of like the full time thing from an executive standpoint at this point, which is great. And then I, you know, have that passion. part of me where it's like I still want to make music as much as I'm like helping these artists

build their careers and get them off the ground and or you know working with artists that they're already big and trying to shape their brand to something that leaves like a legacy um wait do you sing also yeah are you about to serenade our girl right now she can be ours yeah as long as I can just creep around and hang out all night long yeah I mean you're more than welcome to hang out with us of course but no I'm not going to be singing tonight unless I'm singing to the music with the acts I think I'll do that if I know the songs, but she likes music. She's into music.

Okay. She likes music. We can rock and roll with that then. That's my whole life. What are you looking for now? If you took some time off of dating and you've been single for the two years to work on yourself, to learn more about yourself, your career is taking off, what is it that you're looking for now? A woman, like a, like a woman. That would go without saying, Bryce. You've got to give me some details. Can you see me pulling here?

Strong, powerful, knows what she wants. has a good head on our shoulders, is super motivated, has her own life, and we can do our own lives together. Like, that's the biggest thing. Like, I know it's very cliche, but power couple is really what I need.

A lot of my, not a lot, all of my exes have kind of been, they've been always obviously beautiful and smart and stunning, but they always lacked the one thing of like they just didn't know who they were. And so I would come in and like kind of direct them in that way. And that's a big reason why I think I ended all the relationships

was it was just like, this isn't like a relationship. Every relationship felt like I was a therapist at the end of it, in some type of way. And so I'm not doing that anymore. And I need someone who's passionate about something, like just doing something to the highest extent of her ability. And it was like chasing after something and knows what she wants. And, you know, I don't want to be a therapist anymore. Okay, let me put it a little bit more plainly for you.

Okay. Do you want marriage and children? Yeah. Totally. That's in your goals. Yeah, 100%. Like, is that your five-year plan or that's your 10-year plan, Bryce? We're being really honest here because I do know that you live in L.A.

And men in L.A., you guys are a whole thing. The good thing is I'm from Kansas. So I got that Midwest, like Midwest thing. My parents are still together. They have the most beautiful relationship I've ever seen. So I grew up with that, which is why I don't stay in relationships too long. if I know it's not what my parents have, right? Because I know it's real.

I know what my parents have is real, and so I'm not settling anymore. So it could be five years, it could be 10 years, it could be three years, it could be one year. I don't know. I mean, I don't really have. When it feels right, you'll know. Yeah, if it's the right person,

I feel like I will know at that point in time. Are you an only child? No, I'm the oldest. I have a little brother. So a little brother. A little brother. Okay. Two is better than one.

Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Uh-huh. So I'm wondering, do their opinion, really matter? My sibling or my parents? All of them, your family, your core. My brother's opinion doesn't matter.

I love him. Not to dish you, bro. You're not listening. Yeah, I'm not dishing him, but his opinion is very different in all aspects of life. So I love him, but we're just very different people. He's engaged, so he's got it figured out, I guess. Do you like his fiance? She's so out of his, okay, Austin, if you're listening, I love you.

She's so out of his league, like, in every way, and it's awesome to see how much they love each other. it's it's so that's the other thing is like I know that relationships like that exist because my brother has it and my parents have it so it's like why would I settle for anything less than what my family has my parents opinion matters a lot it's so funny because every time I would bring a girlfriend back home they'd always be so nice to her but then as soon as we left they'd call me like what are you doing yeah this is clearly not you're like no she's she is and they're like no she's not and then I break up with them a couple months later and I'm like you guys are right So that's another thing, too. I've learned over the last few years is, like, listen to the people that love you the most because they're going to give you the best wisdom. It's a fine line, though, you love and respect your mama or are you a mommy's boy? No, I'm not a mommy's boy, but I will say my mom is a son's mom. She's obsessed with us in the best way.

She's super Italian, so she's just so fun. I love my mom. I would not say my mama's boy. Just because she's a lot to handle. So, like, you know, there's a little distance there. And they live across the country. They live in Florida now. So I don't see them other than, you know, a couple times of year.

Those are called healthy boundaries. Yeah, totally agree. But I love my mom. Love my dad. My dad is like work hard and my mom is play hard. And I feel like I'm like a perfect combination of both of them. So, yeah, they're great. Okay.

Have you figured out at this point what your love language is? What yours is and what is yours to give? Yeah, so physical touch is my number one to receive. Why is that every man wants physical touch? Let's, I mean, let's just dive there for a second. Why is it that every man says, oh, my love language is physical touch. We get it. You guys like to have sex.

Yeah, so that's what I was going to say. It's not even the sex part to me. I can just sit there and if my girl is just playing with my hair or like just doing the tickles on my arm, I even told one of my girlfriends, I was like, this is best. than sex to me. I was like just this moment of like just being touched and there's not even any sexualness going on. That's better than sex sometimes, obviously. But physical touch is great. I love words of affirmation because for ever since I was a kid for years, I struggled with like confidence. I got bullied really bad when I moved from Seattle to Kansas because I don't

know. It just was a whole thing. And so, like, people, like, my friends know that, like, my best friend's always like, you know, it's not like they have to, but there's just, we go out of our way to make sure we all feel that we're appreciated. And when my woman does that too, it goes like a long way. And when you're in a relationship, how do you best care for a woman that you're with? Acts of service and words of affirmation, I'd say. Telling them they're awesome all the time, how beautiful they are, how great they are. And then doing whatever they need whenever. Do the bowls go on the top rack of the dishwasher or the bottom?

Oh, that's a great question. It's a very important one. I put the bulls on the bottom, cups go on the top. And then sometimes if there's not enough room on the bottom, I'll put some bowls on the top. If there's not a ton of cups there, it's about just making things work where they fit, you know? Do you rinse before you put them in? Yeah, of course. You can just put gunky bowls in the dishwasher.

Your dishwasher will get clogged and then your dishwasher will break. You're in luck tonight. I think I'm going to let you meet Mercedes. That was the question that all bared pressure on and you have passed that one. Fantastic. One of the last most important questions that I have for you is how tall are you? I'm like 6-1, but I'm wearing these boots. So I'm like 6-4, 6-5 probably with these. It's the perfect height level for all of us here tonight. Fantastic. It's perfect.

Yeah. I didn't know how tall she was. I was like, let me wear my boots that have like four inches on them. She is tall and she is stunning. I don't think you expect anything less. I'm really glad that they didn't let you Google her tonight either because this will be, it's a shame our cameras aren't here tonight because I might have to turn my phone on. And this is like, I love, love, I love relationships.

I've also had far too much therapy, Bryce. No wonder I'm single. But this is one of my favorite situations where two people who have never met each other, you guys have been, and I don't know what you think this is. It is a podcast. We are doing a job, but she also very much wants to find someone that she clicks with and has a relationship with. That is true and it is important to her, but it's also a podcast.

That's awesome. And just like you have been on reality TV, we have as well. So there is this, there is this air where you come in and you think, oh, someone's only coming here to either, right? Right. For the cameras. Yeah, yeah, yeah. fame seekers, right?

Or to further their career a little bit, that's always there. But she is a little nervous because at the end of the day, what she truly wants is to meet someone who she likes and someone that she can date. So she's a little nervous, but she's super stoked because this is her first date on the podcast. Really? She hasn't been on one yet. Wow. I feel, what if, one and done?

Like, what if? What if? Listen, we want doers, not sayers. Yeah. So what if it is one and done? I'm down. You're going to let us follow you for the rest of the time that we produce this whole season. That'd be kind of fun.

It'd be kind of fun. That would be fun. Am I allowed to ask questions about her? Yeah, I think that's all right. Okay, cool. Do you know what reality show she was on? I know nothing. You know nothing.

I just told the producers I didn't want to know anything. I just want to come in here blind and just, you know nothing. All right. Let's get judgy on you first. Which reality show were you on? Because this could say a lot about you, Bryce. Not her. I'm going to say a ton about me.

I was on this show called F-Boy Island. And I, okay, so the premise. This says more about you. Do you know about this show or no? I do know. You have a producer from my show who started that show. Who? Alon?

Yes. Oh, I love him. That's my boy. I was on a show called The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Nice. And so it was Mercedes. Amazing. Okay, great.

We know Elon very well. Do you know Bill as well? Yeah. Oh, those are my boys. Anyways, so as you know. I text Elon right now. he's going to say wonderful things about you. Yeah.

I hope. He so follows me on Instagram, so I think I'm good. Instagram's all the matter. And I see Bill at the gym sometimes and there's always love. Oh, you work out. Good to know. I definitely work out. Do you like to eat?

I love to. I'm Italian, so I love to eat. But, okay, so on the show, for people that don't know, like half the guys come in as self-proclaimed F boys and half come in as self-proclaimed nice guys. What do you think I can? came in us. I think that you came in as a nice guy. You're correct. I think you are a nice guy. Correct. I did come in as a nice guy, but it was funny when I was talking to Alon before the

show, I was like, hey, man, all the guys in the previous seasons that were nice guys are kind of pushovers in a way. And I was like, I'm not a so, yeah, like, so, you know, I stand on my own two feet and I don't get pushed around. A lot of the nice guys did in the other season. So I was like, look, man, like, I'm going to come in. I'm a nice guy of women. I treat women with utmost respect. Like, I, you know, I really, I was raised right in that way. I saw my dad treat my mom like a queen every single day. So I was like, that's what's in me to do, just through osmosis. But I'm not a pushover. So I was like, hey, let's make some shake in the house with the guys. Like, I'm down to run plays. And like, they didn't really show too much

on my season just because it was on a different network. And they wanted it to be like really family friendly, I guess, this network. that it was on. I wish our season would have been on HBO because we had some moments and I was like puppeteering the guys because me and the producers were kind of in lockstep doing fun stuff behind the scenes. So I had a good time, but then, yeah, just didn't work out. It wasn't your time. We each have our own path. It wasn't your time. And maybe it's tonight. So I'll tell you what, Mercedes is wearing these really beautiful heels. So I'm not going to make her stand outside for that much longer. Why don't you, I'll tell you three things about her. Because

what I really would like is for you guys to meet each other without knowing a whole lot about each other. Love it. Okay, you can ask me three things. Three things. Okay. What is she passionate about? Ask me something else. That's a good question for her tonight as you get to know her on your first date. Yeah, true. Okay. You can ask me the surface level questions. Okay, you want to go super surface level? Because you can ask her the deep shit. You know her sign? What's her sign? You don't know that either? No. What? That's the most surface level. She has brown hair. Okay. She's tall and gorgeous.

Amazing. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Is that going to be an issue for you? Why is she in Nashville? That's where she lives. Well, why? Well, you can ask her that. I told you, I'm giving you the surface level things.

Okay, okay, got you. She lives in Nashville. She is interested in a change and a move. Understood. Okay. I think now that you kind of put it in my head that, I think I just want to get all these answers from her, honestly. I think that would be really great.

Let's just do that. What if you guys are viving so hard? Are you going to kiss her tonight? Yeah. Yeah, you're down. down for a first kiss? Of course. You didn't hesitate.

Why not? Okay. Yeah. If the moment is there and it feels right. You got to do it. Like you have to commit. If you're going to go in for it, you have to commit. It's got to be great.

Okay. Okay. Easy. Make sure I'm nearby so I can see. Okay. I'll be like, hey. Not to make it too weird, but like slightly awkward. We're going to do this.

Oh, D. We're ready for you. Okay, because I asked her the same question in the car. And she was like, I don't know. Should I kiss on the first day? that girl, I'm 44. I have two kids. You should absolutely, if you're feeling it, you should kiss on the first date. If the vibe is there and you guys like each other and the conversation is great, I think you should. Why wouldn't you? What if you don't get

to see each other for again after this? Well, that's the thing. She goes back to Nashville or is she here for a while? I guess I'll ask her that, yeah. Is that going to be an issue for you? I mean, I travel all the time. I have artists in Nashville, so it's like, I'm there. Okay. Yeah. If it does go well, will you ask for her phone? number at the end. I'm going to ask for a phone number right after we leave this room. Don't make it weird, Bryce. Why? If we, okay, if the conversation is weird in the room, I'll be like, never mind. But if the conversation is good in the room, I'll be like, look, like, let's just get

the phone number part over with. Let's get the, let's get the stats. Yeah, because what if we get lost at this massive music festival? I'm like, I got to call my girl. You're not going to get lost. We all stay together. We're a tight-knit group. Okay, gosh. We're going to keep you close. Okay. Does Bryce get to ride with us? Oh, this is fantastic. You're in for a real treat. Yeah. You know no one and Mercedes knows everyone. Oh, so I love that dynamic. You were asking about the wingman. She's got about 30 of them here tonight.

I will say this. Because I'm such a out there type of person, my core people I hang out with is a very small circle. That's normal. That's normal. That's good. Yeah, like I got like three men in my life that are like my only people that I really like hang with.

But yeah, outside and about, I'm nice everybody. but like I'm I kind of have a photographic memory for faces so I might recognize people and be like do we know each other or what's the love? Have you ever watched The Bachelor? Um, it was my mom and I was guilty pleasure when I was like a child. So well, okay. So what was that five years ago? Would you say you were 30? Yeah. No like like when I was like 12, 15. Okay. Those days. Um, so I think you'll recognize Mercedes? No. She's my age, right? Or no. How old is she? She's close to your age. She's a little bit younger than you. Then no, I wouldn't. I wouldn't know her. Listen, I think this is the perfect time to bring in Mercedes. I'm really excited that I'm here to witness this. I'm like your third wheel tonight.

I can't wait. That's great. All right, let's bring her in. Okay, cool. It's 5.23 p.m. One of your kids is asking for a snack. Another is building a fort out of your clean laundry. And you're staring at a half-empty fridge and thinking, what are we even going to eat tonight?

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Listen to the Brothers Ortiz on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, Dr. Jesse Mills here. I'm the director of the men's clinic at UCLA Health, and I want to tell you about my new podcast called The Mailroom. And I'm Jordan, the show's producer. And like a lot of guys, I haven't been to the doctor in many years. I'll be asking the questions we probably should be asking, but aren't. Because guys usually don't go to the doctor unless a piece of their face is hanging off or they've broken a bone.

Depends which bone. Well, that's true. Every week, we're breaking down the unique world of men's health, from testosterone and fitness to diets and fertility, and things that. that happened in the bedroom. You mean sleep? Yeah, something like that, Jordan. We'll talk science without the jargon and get you real answers to the stuff you actually wonder about.

It's going to be fun, whether you're 27, 97, or somewhere in between. Men's Health is about more than six packs and supplements. It's about energy, confidence, and connection. We don't just want you to live longer. We want you to live better. So check out the mailroom on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. Oh my god, what's up? Can I get up or do I have to sit here? Okay. I'm Bryce. Hi, I'm Mercedes. Nice to meet you as well. Oh, thank you. I didn't tell Bryce a whole lot about you.

Okay. And I know he knows you don't know a lot about him either. Because I thought some of those questions should be taken place tonight on your first date. But let's just start with like, I love it. You guys are dressed the same tonight. You don't know anything about each other. You don't know each other. And you're both wearing silk. Are you nervous? No. No. Are you nervous? Do you get nervous? No, not like a little, but not like. I'll make sure that you're not nervous. Okay. Honestly, as soon as we leave the room, you're not going to have any news. That's the goal. Yeah. No, I think tonight will be really fun. I'm excited. Have you been to jingle ball before? Never. Me either. Hey, never really. First date, first jingle bell. Yeah. It's going to be fun. And we're matching. I know. Look at us. It's like we called each other before, and I'm like, hey, where this. We did something good tonight, you guys.

We have done something good. Okay. Lock in. I'm locked in. I didn't get into the nitty gritty with him because I wanted to save it for you to experience. But I'm just wondering right now, like, I'd love to know your initial thoughts of each other. Just like rattle off, quick, quick shots, your initial impression. I'll go first.

Okay. Well, she's clearly stunning. Thank you. Totally my type. Yeah, I like your laugh. Oh, thank you. Yeah, your smile's great. 10 out of 10, we're good.

10 out of 10, Mercedes. Yeah, very attractive, obviously, but first. But also I can just tell your energy is great. I feel like you can talk to anyone, which I love, because I don't know, good conversation's good, obviously. And, yeah, I feel like we're going to have a really good time tonight. We sure are. Yeah. Yeah.

Don't you want to know what reality show he was on? Yeah, I do, actually. They told me that earlier. What show? So there's this show, right, called F Boy Island. No. You were on that? I was.

Wait, I have a couple of friends who were on that. Well, not really my friend, but Casey. You know Casey? Casey. He's engaged, too. He was previous season. Okay. And then there's another guy, too, but I forget his name.

He was on Katie's season. Yeah. Oh. Wait, I've never watched it. So you, like, dated Katie? No. There was another. Wait, okay.

I technically didn't date any of them. But run down the concept of the show like you broke it down for me. Okay. So, have you ever seen it? No. Okay, so there's like half the guys come in as self-proclaimed boys. Was that you? Well, let me get through the whole thing first.

No, no, no. We haven't got there yet. And then the other half come in as self-proclaimed nice guys. Don't tell her which one you were. I made her guess. So you can guess too. What do you think I came in this? Well, I'm going to feel bad.

I say, I don't know. Just say, no, you can't hurt my feelings. There's nothing you can say that can hurt my feelings. Okay, Foy. No. You were the good one? I was the good one. I love that.

Good job. And you were in the, she was on the bachelor? Bachelor. Okay. Do you know Alon and Bill? No. Or were they done? They were done on her season.

Gotcha. So the creators or executive producers of the Bachelor years ago started this show. Okay. So we're kind of in the same family. I'm like the dumb stepchild, I guess. No. But it was super fun. And one of the things I told her about it was when I was talking to Alon about it, I was like in the previous seasons,

the nice guys tend to just be kind of pushovers. And I was like, I'm not that way. So I'll come in and be a nice guy to the girls, but I'm down to like wreak havoc in the house with the guys. And so we had some fun. But yeah, it was cool. Okay. Nice. Well, that's fun. I wasn't expecting

F.Y Island. I wasn't expecting it either, but it was okay. I actually pegged him for a nice guy. But in my defense, I got to talk to him. I got to talk to him a little bit before, so I kind of could hear his answers. So I pegged him for a nice guy. When I started talking about the family and my parents and everything, she was like, this guy's not that boy. He's got some solid things about him. He's got, he's in for a relationship.

He's been single for a couple of years. Same. On purpose, yeah. Yeah. Do you have anything that you would like to know about him before we go tonight? Um, I don't think so. I think we should just like make it like easy and natural as possible and like. Organic is great.

Yes. I love organic. Yeah. I do know one thing about it. that I want to talk about. What? So she said you live in Nashville. Yeah.

I live in L.A. Yeah. What's going on? Why are you in Nashville? Are you from there? No. So my grandparents live there. That's why I moved there.

And I don't know. I'm from Iowa. Like I grew up on a farm. I'm from Kansas. In Iowa. Oh, no way. So you're Midwest. Midwest.

Let's go. This is perfect. Like the whole name's art. So Nashville just like gave me the like Midwest kind of vibe. Everyone's super nice. Yeah. And I just. in love. I've been there six years.

Are you over it? Yeah. Yeah. That's typically what I hear from my people in Nashville is like five to six years. They're like, let's do something else. Okay, because I know something about you. You're like in music too, right? So do you go to Nashville a lot? Yeah, so I'm a partner in the music label. So music exec. A little different from an aspiring DJ. Right. Yeah. It was so funny. She came in and she was like, you're a DJ and like, no.

That's a bit of me. Sorry, you're working the wedding this Saturday. It's something, I bought my first, like, DJ deck like two months ago just to, like, have fun of it. I love house music and I love, like, my happy place is meconos. So if that tells you anything about me, but, yeah, but I just love music. So I was like, let me just dive into that world and it's been fun. But no, I'm a music executive. I have artists and the label's doing great, so I'm very proud of it. Yeah, that's awesome.

Yeah, so we got people out in Nashville. My partner in the company is actually one of the biggest songwriters. producers from Nashville. His name's Andrew Merrick. Oh, yeah. I actually have heard of them, I think. Yeah, maybe. Yeah, he's big time.

But, yeah, he stepped away from that stuff, and now we created the company together. Wait, that's so cool. It's been very fun. I love that. Yeah. That's awesome. You like music? I love music.

Okay. Are you like a country music girl or what? I love, like, R&B. Oh, thank you. Yeah. I've got a little country, too. I grew up on 90s country. Oh, I did not.

Our boys. Tim, Kenny. Yes. You know, the good guy. Are you a country girl? I'm from Georgia, bro. Oh, of course. Okay, there you go.

Yeah. Yeah. So I definitely love country, but, like, my Spotify rap was, like, all, like, Siza. We're on the same page. I was literally just going to be like, hey, so Spotify rap just dropped. Like, what was your tough? Olivia Dean. Everybody is obsessed with our.

No, I actually am like, I told my best friend is a Swifty, and I'm not a Swifty, but she is. And I was like, no, I feel like Olivia Dean is my Taylor Swift. Like, I'm genuinely obsessed with her and her. music just like speaks to me so I love her and then it was like Drake's is a um who else was it I don't remember the other ones don't matter I guess cool I don't remember the other two but I can rock with that do you typically date older guys yeah yeah yeah am I technically older technically you are older okay mentally you're right on her level okay fun awesome I try to keep that child like spirit you know yeah no I feel like everyone I've dated

the last like four years have been like probably at least two years older than me so and how old are you not that matters okay great yeah i'll be 28 in march so cool yeah it's 523 p.m one of your kids is asking for a snack another is building a fort out of your clean laundry and you're staring at a half empty fridge and thinking what are we even going to eat tonight or you could just tell fresh it. With over 80 recipes to choose from every week, including kid-friendly ones, even for picky eaters, you'll get fresh ingredients and easy step-by-step recipes delivered right to your door. No, last-minute grocery runs. No, what do we even have, fridge staring? And the best part, you're in total control. Skip a week, pause any time, pick what works for you. It's

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I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes gentlemen's cut different is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product With every sip, you get a little something different. Visit gentlemen's cut bourbon.com or your nearest total wines or bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky. For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit

gentlemen's cut bourbon.com. Please enjoy responsibly. Have you ever listened to those true crime shows and found yourself with more questions than answers? And what is this? How is that not a story we all know? What's this? Where is that?

Why is it wet? Boy, do we have a show for you? From smartless media, Campside Media, and Big Money Players comes crimeless. Join me, Josh Dean, investigative journalists. And me, Roy Scoval, comedian,

as we celebrate the amazing creativity of the world's dumbest criminals. We'll look into some of the silliest ways folks have broken the laws. Honestly, it feels more like a high-level prank than a crime. Who catfishes a city? And meets some,

memorable anti-heroes. There are thousands of angry, horny monkeys. Clap if you think she's a witch. And it freaks you out. He has x-rayed vision. How could I not follow him? Honestly, I got to follow him. He can see right through me.

Listen to Crimless on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Dad had the strong belief that the devil was attacking us. Two brothers. One devout household. Two radically different. pass, Gabe Ortiz became one of the highest-ranking law enforcement officers in Texas. 32 years, total law enforcement experience.

But his brother Larry, he stayed behind and built an entirely different legacy. He was the head of this gang, and nobody was going to tell him what to do. You're going to push that line for the calls. Took us under his wing and showed us the game, as they call it. When Larry is murdered, Gabe is forced to confront the past he tried to leave behind and uncover secrets he never saw coming. Dad had a whole other life that we never knew about. Like, my mom started screaming my dad's name, and I just heard one gunshot.

The Brothers Ortiz is a gripping true story about faith, family, and how two lives can drift so far apart and collide in the most devastating way. Listen to the Brothers Ortiz on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, Dr. Jesse Mills here. I'm the director of the men's clinic at UCLA. Health. And I want to tell you about my new podcast called The Mailroom. And I'm Jordan, the show's producer. And like a lot of guys, I haven't been to the doctor in many years. I'll be asking the questions we probably should be asking, but aren't. Because guys usually don't go to the

doctor unless a piece of their face is hanging off or they've broken a bone. Depends which bone. Well, that's true. Every week, we're breaking down the unique world of men's health, from testosterone and fitness to diets and fertility and things that happen in the bedroom. sleep? Yeah, something like that, Jordan. We'll talk science without the jargon and get you real answers to the stuff you actually wonder about. It's going to be fun, whether you're 27, 97, or somewhere in between. Men's Health is about more than six packs and supplements. It's about energy, confidence, and connection. We don't just want you to live longer. We want you to live better. So check out the mailroom on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

favorite shows. What's your son? Guess. You need to take a guess. Are you, like, big into science? So there's, like, certain European countries that still teach astrology like, like, a science. And so my mom is Italian, and she grew up on all that. So I learned all of it, like, from, like, a real perspective, not from, like, the L.A. thing.

There's a part of me that wants to say Leo, but I don't think that's right. Pisces? No. Aries. Really? Mm-hmm. no i would not expect that i guess i got to see you out in the real world no everyone always says that they're like you don't act like an aries yeah so i don't know i don't know what that means

i've not really into like the sign thing but maybe maybe you're rising yeah that's what you present to people it's a thing so my rising is sagittarius so people are like this dude's an f boy for sure i have a lot of fad and aries are a match it's a lot of fire i'm iris and always says that sad is my match and perfect my moon is Okay. There we go. I'll have to look at my co-star to let you know what my... Yeah. We'll see if we're... We'll see for compatible. Yeah. I'll get your number after this and we can do the co-star thing in the Spurner. Have you ever heard of the podcast, Bryce, the one that we're on?

No. I haven't heard of anything. Famously available? I've heard of it now. And you've never listened to an episode. You haven't heard... I'm going in here raw dogging. Like, I don't know anything. That's the best way to do it. Yeah. I didn't want to know anything. Yeah. Okay. No, no, I haven't listened that. I asked so many times for your Instagram, I'm like, can I just see like what?

And they're like, nope, nope, no. I like that. I know. It's kind of nice, though, because like, I feel like dating now, like you basically figure out who the person is before you even meet them. So you have like these, you know, thoughts in your head. Yeah, for sure. So.

Yeah, I feel like my Instagram does a kind of, you've seen my Instagram, right? Or no. I didn't know. They, I told you. They wouldn't tell me anything either because they were afraid I would tell her things. Oh, that's right. Yeah. So I came in here raw dogging it too.

We're all raw dog in there. Yeah, I feel like my Instagram is a good representation of me. So I would hope. I try not to be a douchebag on there. Sometimes I am. Do either of you have any expectations for tonight? Have fun. Yeah.

That's what I said earlier too. I was like, just have fun, get to know him, see where the night takes us. I already asked him if he was going to try to kiss you. What did you say? No, what do you think I said? I think he said no. What if he tries to kiss you, Mercedes? I want to kiss you right now.

Because you're good. I don't know. I'm doing all the wrong things. She's like, he's in that point, but he doesn't want to kiss me tonight. What if he tries to kiss you? I mean, we'd have to see how the vibe is, but I'd be down. I don't know. Right now, I feel like we're, like, viving.

We're good. I think you're viving. Yeah. I think the chemistry is palpable. Yeah, I think so. I think it's good. She also has pretty teeth and amount. But I'm not kissing her teeth.

No, but don't you think teeth are very important? Teeth is very important. I would agree. I mean, if she had busted teeth, you might not want to hang out with her. If she had busted teeth, I don't think she would be here. You can smile with your mouth closed. That's true, yeah. You did a bachelor people smile with their mouth close a lot?

I don't know. I have a big ass mouth. I always smile with my teeth, but she was a pretty mouth. So I did ask him. I'm, yeah, I almost is something crazy. I was going to be a ball in there tonight. I was like, whoa, wait a second. One of my favorite things.

Did you have braces or no? No. You're just perfect? Yep. Okay. Oh, I know, no braces. We might have to lead with it. He said, you're just perfect.

I know. I love that. Yeah. That's my favorite compliment is like, oh, you have great teeth. And like, how long did you have braces? Like, I didn't have braces. You didn't have braces either?

No. Dang, look at us. I would have to say it's something that I look at right off the bat. I look at someone's mouth and their teeth. It's very important. to me. Me too. It's hard to get past teeth. You can get past a lot of things. Teeth and when their eyeballs are too close together because now I know they're psychotic. Eyeballs too close together. That's your third time talking about that today.

Yours are. Eastern, you're okay. Eastern your eyes are great, man. They're perfectly spaced. And both of you, they're so symmetrical. Your faces are so beautiful. I can see the future now. Your children are going to be beautiful. Mom's going to love you. My mom will love you, actually. Really? Are you closing your mom? Yeah. We talked about this little bit. She was like, are you a mama's boy? I'm like, no, I'm not a mama's boy, but my mom is like a son's mom.

Like, she loves our, she loves me and my brother so much. Yeah. She's great. Super Italian, like, psycho in the best way. Like, I told her, I was like, my dad is work hard and my mom is play hard. I feel like I'm like the perfect combination of both. I love that. Do they live here?

No, they moved from Kansas to Florida like three years ago. Okay. They wanted to go retire where it was not Kansas. Feel that. Yeah. I don't want to do that. I have a. Are your parents in Iowa still?

Yeah. Really? Mm-hmm. On a farm? Yeah. So you're like boots, riding cow, riding cows, and I'm just running cowboys. Running Cowboys. Oh, my gosh.

She could also answer that. Yeah. Well, she's in Nashville, so I already know the answer. But so when you go back for the holidays, you go there? Yeah. Okay. So I have two younger brothers. I have a 12-year-old brother.

No, actually, just turned 13. And then a four-year-old brother. Oh, nice. And you're the oldest? Mm-hmm. Yeah. I love it. I know.

I'm 27, 27, 13, and 4. And your parents are still together? Yeah. Wow. I know. I love that. That's so rare. Yeah.

I know, right? Yeah. Yeah. It's awesome. I have seen the evolution of this relationship in the last 15 minutes. You know, because when they first came in, they weren't quite looking at each other, but looking at each other. They weren't quite making eye contact, but like they're also checking each other out. And now.

you're perfectly holding eye contact with each other. I like this. I like this. I don't know if I am creepy or if I should be really honored that the two of you are allowing me to come along tonight. Yeah, no, it's as creepy as you want. I'm having a great time.

Me too. And we're going to make sure that everyone has a great time. Yes. Okay. I'm so excited for this. Yeah. Thanks for letting me be a third wheel. Like, this is so great.

Yeah. Yeah, I'm excited. Okay, good. Do you guys know each other? other pretty well or like, are you guys like homies or what's the vibe? I told poor Bryce that you have about 30 wing women tonight. Yes, I do. Fantastic. She does. Yeah. I have a lot of people with me tonight. Yeah. Okay. But you say, you're very personal. You'll, you'll mix them good. No, for sure. Yeah. I'm not, I'm not nervous. So you've met two of them. That means 28 more to impress.

Wait, who else did you meet? You and you. Oh, oh. I thought you meant. I thought you meant wing women. Okay. Yeah. No, just just you two so far. I mean, you're kind of your own wing woman tonight, too. True. That is true. Yeah, no, I'm excited. There's 28 other women or there's guys as well? I tend to exaggerate, Bryce.

I either go real big or real small, so you just never know. Yeah. I can't imagine. Me with 30 women would be insane. Listen, it's not as insane as you think. Me with 30 men is a lot of fun. Yeah? Oh, my God, that sounded terrible.

That's not what I meant. We know, we know. That's not what I'm... No, we get it. It's fine. Everything is fine. It's not filthy. That's not.

Awesome. Thank you. Yeah. Thanks. No problem. I'm really doing well. Look at me. Yeah.

You're doing great. I have friends for you. I can already, there's already a couple guys in my head. Thank you. Are they coming tonight? I'm looking to find someone. I'm the only one allowed to come tonight from my people, I think.

Well, I guess we're better. You have to do another episode. It sounds like we do. I did have one question before we head out to Jingle Ball. I want to know Mercedes. How many more days you're in Los Angeles? What if you're, you guys this you smash it out of the park you can't wait to see each other again stop it

i'm sorry you said i'm being clean i'm a mom what if tonight could not go better and you guys genuinely like each other are you in los angeles still tomorrow no i leave it 7 a.m i guess you better you better really really do good tonight bryce yeah you got a lot riding on it before so when do you i mean it's a holiday so i guess like that's fun but how often are you in L.A. Probably like once a month, maybe. Okay. I can work with that.

I'm in Nashville like a couple times a month. Hey, that's a couple times a month? Yeah, I've already there. That's great. I feel like distance is not hard if you like see each other a couple times. No, plane ticket is like 500 bucks. It's fun. You can't put a dime on quality and look at the two of you.

Yeah. I'm super excited. Thank you so much for letting at least me be a part of this. And for coming out and joining us and going to Jingleball. I hope you're stoked. Appreciate that. All right. Kiss.

Kiss now. I will. Take your phone out. I will do it right now. Can you say? I'm not the one who you need to ask permission for, sir. Because I am going to say yes. All right, you guys, this has gone smashingly.

I think the two of you are hitting it off. I see the sparks. They're coming. I am going to go and let Ben know that this is really. really going well. And we should probably go to Jingle Ball. Let's go. Let's go.

I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product. With every sip, you get a little something different. Visit Gentleman's Cut Bourbon.com or your nearest total wines or Bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentlemen's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky. For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit Gentleman'scuturban.com.

Please enjoy responsibly. Hey there, Dr. Jesse Mills here. I'm the director of the men's clinic at UCLA, and I want to tell you about my new podcast called The Mail Room. And I'm Jordan, the show's producer. And like most guys, I haven't been to the doctor in way too long. I'll be asking the questions we probably should be asking, but aren't. Every week, we're breaking down the world of men's health.

from testosterone and fitness to diets and fertility. We'll talk science without the jargon and get your real answers to the stuff you actually wonder about. So check out the mailroom on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. What up, y'all? It's your boy, Kevin on stage. I want to tell you about my new podcast called Not My Best Moment,

where I talk to artists, athletes, entertainers, creators, friends, people I admire who have had massive success about their massive failures. What did they mess up on? What is their heartbreak? And what did they learn from me? I got judged, oh, horribly. The judges were like, you're trash. I don't know how you got on the show.

Check out Not My Best Moment with me, kept on stage on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, everybody. It's Chuck and Josh from the Stuff You Should Know podcast, and it's that time of year again when we knuckle down to do our annual holiday episodes. We collected our best past classic holiday episodes

and compiled them into a 12, 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist that the whole family can enjoy. That's right. Maybe you missed it the first time we detailed the history of Beanie Babies, Monopoly, or Yo-Yo's, and a whole lot more. So listen to the 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Have you ever listened to those true crime shows and found yourself with more questions than answers? Who catfish is a city? Is it even safe to snort human remains?

Is that the plot of footloose? I'm comedian Rory Scoville, and I'm here to tell you, Josh Dean and I have a new podcast that celebrates the amazing creativity of the world's dumbest criminals. It's called Crimeless, a true crime comedy podcast. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.