The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Never Have I Ever (Real Housewives of Rhode Island S1 E1)

Episode Date: April 3, 2026

Ashley is now a Real Housewife!! But while Ashley is stirring up drama (and possibly shedding tears), her sister Lauren Iaconetti is here with Ben to recap every episode of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island season 1!Lauren has some behind the scenes secrets and intel only a sister can provide! Plus, Lauren reveals which cast member her sister was anxious to meet, and what sexy foreshadowing she thinks will play out more this season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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while sharing insights from the smartest minds in marketing. Coming up this seasonal Math and Magic, CEO of Liquid Death Mike Cesario. People think that creative ideas are like these light bulb moments that happen when you're in the shower. It's really like a stone,

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I got that wrong. But hey, no one's perfect. We're pretty close, though. Listen to the Nick, Dick, and Paul show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcast with Iheart Radio. We are back on the almost famous podcast. And the time has finally come. Ashley is a real housewife of Rhode Island.

and who better. We teased it. We talked about it. We vetted hundreds of co-hosts for these episodes specifically. We found the most talented, the most in touch, the one willing to share. Ashley's sister, Lauren, like Nettie. Hello, everyone. I know her best.

So who else? How many times today do the two of you talk? Ooh. Well, probably FaceTime four times. times a day, which is crazy. I mean, and then the text in between, it's a lot. I mean, Hunter is very patient. Jared is very patient because, like, we'll just have each other on FaceTime no matter

what we're doing, you know. So we talk a lot. I know everything. I cannot think of a better person to this with. I can't get away from the Iconettys, and I honestly don't want to. Okay, so we've talked about. Why you're qualified to co-host this show because of your relationship with one of the housewives, your sister, Ashley. What is your knowledge of the Housewives franchise leading up to Real Housewives Rhode Island?

Well, I watched the OG New York. No one can beat Ramona, Sonia, Luanne. Like, no one can beat them, okay? So much that they like recasted New York and it was a total failure. failure because nothing's going to be as interesting. And then I watched a little bit of Beverly Hills. And that was, you know, it's fine. It's okay.

Yeah. Never watched Jersey, but this seems to be kind of comparable. Rhode Island seems to be comparable to New Jersey with the accents and the look kind of. And I know everyone's saying the cast of Real Housewives of Rhode Island, they all look exactly the same. But I can say confidently after watching the first episode like three times in a row, I can tell them apart now. You can tell them apart.

Yeah. It's wild to me. Watch, I have a lot of thoughts in this first episode, quite honestly. They, they all do act similar.

I've been to Rhode Island so many times. Yeah. And I haven't ran into these type of Rhode Island. I know. I know they're OG Rhode Islanders. Like,

the accent is so hard to believe that it is real. Like, how can you say Cracker like that? And be like, that is correct English, you know? The Cracker,

like, you just know that's wrong. So, I mean, I think I've met some of these, like, OG Rhode Islanders through Jared, like, some of his, like, cousins and stuff. Like, they are kind of like this, like rough around the edges, like, not very quiet people. It is very Jersey-like. Okay. So we've covered your background in Housewives. We've covered that you are Ashley's sister.

Did you know anyone from this cast coming into the season? I only met Rosie. She's one of Ashley's closest. friends down. They're like friends, right? Like actual friends, not fake friends. They're real friends. They love, as they said in the show, they love like teeny bopper stuff. But Rosie is like

a friend that she made later in life that is the kind of person that you need like no energy for, no social battery for. And that's why I love Rosie so much is because she comes over to Ash's house. They'll sit on the couch and they'll watch movies. They'll play with Dawson and Hayden and she just chills. So she'll chill

all day. So I really appreciate that. And I'm glad that Ashley has like a true friend in Rhode Island that she can just like do anything with. So that's a true friendship. They're all actually friends, but she's, Rosie's the only one that I've ever really met. Ashley obviously has not been able to give us too many details because by the time she committed going on the show, filming had pretty much just started. And so we haven't gotten the behind the scenes. Do you remember when Ashley was asked to consider being a housewife?

Yeah. I mean, kind of honestly, kind of vaguely. because she gets like calls all the time to like go on shows and stuff. She's a big deal. She's a pretty big deal. And I know first off want to say like how proud I am of actually because she's, she's made like so much. I know she's like a housewife.

Like it's just a housewife. But like she's made so much out of her like five week stint on like Bachelor and then just on and on and it's like because she just never stops. And she's always hustling and she works really, really hard even though people will claim and she doesn't have a job. She works very, very, very hard. But she got a call and they said, we're going to do housewives Rhode Island. And I was like, that's a very weird stage to do housewives on. But okay. So I was like,

you should definitely do it because it's huge. Like, I'm a hairstylist and I have a lot of clients that watch real housewives and they'll talk to me about it so much over and over and over. And it's such a big deal. And there's Bravo con. And I'm like, you have, you have to do this. And then she was concerned, obviously, because people really dig into your personal life. and, you know, not all relationships last and people get in huge fights and they dig things up from your past and, you know, things you shouldn't be worried about and things that have happened with past housewives. But I'm like, you've already put everything out there. You've already, you already show 99% of your life. So like, let's just say yes and, you know, keep this thing going.

So I told her a little bit of the rundown too because she never watched housewives either. She watched a little bit in New York, but never really watched it before. So I gave her like the rundown of what it was going to be like. And if we're honest, I mean, Ashley's such a great character for this show. She's a great person to have on your television screen. She steps up to the plate. But Ashley doesn't have like skeletons that can necessarily even be like pulled out. So true. So true.

Like what are they going to find out about Ashley? I know. I know. She got like a bee in history or something. Like like there's, yeah, there's nothing to pull out there. But yeah, she is like a very sweet girl. She has no skeletons, which is also why I was like, are you even going to be good at this housewife thing?

Because you kind of have to be cut throat. So it was very funny to after filming to hear the call. Okay, so what was a drama today? And like, what did you say? And I mean, you guys, I can't give too much away. But she has great reactions to drama that isn't directly affecting her is basically her role here. Yeah, I mean, so far, we're going to dive into episode one now. So far.

And Ashley, I'm trying to think back in the goodness, 11 years I've known her. Crazy. It's crazy. It's crazy. You know, I've been around so many weird situations with Ashley. She isn't verbally mean, or I can't remember her being. But her eyes and facial expressions say it all, which if they can capture that, will tell a story. But I don't know if it's going to necessarily get her in trouble.

trouble on this show because it feels like these women really are more interested in what's said and not said like what really what's said not even what's not said right yeah yeah she she can't hide her emotions at all we know that she like definitely rolls her eyes at things and then also in the interviews um after the fact she says some more like candid things so she may roll her eyes in the moment or like cringe and then you'll get her real thoughts in the interviews so I'm looking forward to that. I have no idea what she says in those. But yeah,

this first episode is basically all about Kelsey and how she has two boyfriends and her one boyfriend has two girlfriends or something. And if we're getting into all of that, I don't understand why Kelsey would be at all bothered by someone inquiring about her relationship. Like, that's what you do. You say, how are you and how is it like your relationship?

And she's like, don't ask about it. I'm like, if it wasn't taboo, then you would be okay with us asking, you know? So obviously something is weird about it, you know? It's the storyline that felt like when they found out about it, or maybe they did beforehand. The show said this is a home run. And again, we're in Rhode Island.

This is Real Housewives, Rhode Island. It starts the episode saying that it's a small state with the biggest attitude. The intro kind of goes through each character. I'm just going to go through them by name because you're going to have to watch this show to understand who we're talking about and what we're talking about

and everybody listening has watched a show. We have Alicia, Liz, Rosie, Joe Ellen, Rula, Kelsey, Ashley, Liz.

And Liz. That's the final, Liz is the final kind of character. And then they run through all these people's homes and kind of their personal lives. We really don't meet Rula in episode one. It says in the intro that she's a boss,

Yeah, she comes in the next episode, and she is the most interesting storyline in this whole season. And if you guys watch episode one, you have to go to episode two. Like, if you're not interested in episode one, you have to go to episode two because that's when Rula comes in and there is so much drama. And it's kind of one of the juicy things I've seen on Housewives. So stick around. There's a reason she's kind of, I mean, like every other reality show, you save your biggest character for later on. We meet Alicia first. Alicia is, she's a fiancé Billy.

They own a bunch of restaurants in Rhode Island. In fact, I don't think I've been to any of those. I haven't either, actually. But their restaurant tours, yeah, they're going to be crazy busy, along with Audrey's. Good for them and good for generous because they do buy generous coffee. Thanks to Ashley and Jared for being the bestest of friends. And Ali, okay, here. Here's where we're going to have to tie the dots, and you're going to have to help me keep track of this off.

I would love to. Alicia has known Liz since she was a kid. Yes. So we meet Liz next. Liz has a gorgeous house on the water. Walks her cat on a leash. Yes. Very, like, fun opening.

So does my mom, when she had a cat. She was also a cat walker. No shame, just a lot of confusion, no matter what there. Liz is married to Gary. Now, Gary has three daughters from a previous relationship. They own some cannabis shops around Rhode Island. He's actually known as the Cannabis King. This gets only weird to me.

Okay, so again, Alicia knows Liz. Yeah. When, like, it just kind of passed over that they're related. Like, why was that added? I don't know why that was added. I have no idea. It wasn't a storyline. It was just said, like, hey, we're, like, you want to be called Daddy?

Which really made it weird for me. Yeah, I didn't like that. I didn't like that at all. It didn't come back around. maybe it will come back around and I don't know why I would. Unless like really closely related. Like a really interesting tidbit that they needed to add that didn't add anything to the show. Okay. So Liz and Alicia are friends. Liz and Kelsey are friends, which is where we're introduced to Kelsey.

Kelsey lives a very luxurious lifestyle. Her house is huge. As you mentioned, Kelsey is the biggest kind of storyline from this episode. Kelsey's boyfriend comes from one of the most prominent families in the state of Rhode Island. Interesting tidbit. I've tried a deep dive on who her boyfriend actually is. It's very hard to find out. Yeah, I actually have never seen a picture of him, but I also haven't tried that hard. So I will come back and I will have a picture of him or a little more information to make him not so elusive. But biggest drama, but honestly, like, I'm sorry Kelsey, but like she gives us the least personality too here.

I feel bad saying it, but like, I don't know who she is, and I don't know if any of the cast really does. I think that's kind of why she's depressed, honestly, because she's been with this guy for 10 years and 10 years. And like, she hasn't explored anything else. And I think maybe she's lost herself a little bit, which is why she does not want to talk about it. But yes, Kelsey is a great source of drama. Very beautiful. Stunning. Stunningly beautiful.

They met when she was 19. Now, she spent 10 years living this luxurious lifestyle. And if you need to stay at home, want to stay at home, she calls it a leisure, like a leisure luxury lifestyle. That's great with me. However, here's my concern immediately. And it could just be like my old man like dad mentality coming out. Love it. Is you're just dating this dude.

Yeah. And he. You have openly said he has, he's like gone for months with this other person in Miami, meaning there is no contractual ties to when you break up, if you break up, that you will have anything to your name. So you've lived this really beautiful, big, luxurious lifestyle for 10 years since you're 19. It's all you know. And this guy isn't willing to commit to you or promise you that you will be supported long term.

That's where I would say, hey, it's probably. to get a job. Like, you know, you're, you're really putting all the cards on the table. This dude is not going to say goodbye to you at some point. And it sounds like after 10 years, if I was her father, I'd say, hey, make him commit. 100%. And he was never going to commit. Like, I think he's made that clear to her.

He was never going to commit. But it would have been amazing to have this game plan. First of all, get all the gifts and jewelry you can because you don't have to give those back. So that would have been smart. Hopefully she did that. Secondly, hone a skill while you're living in this mansion. Maybe she did do that. And we just...

And obviously save all this money because you're not paying rent or a mortgage or anything for the past 11, 10 years. So I don't think she's going to... Yeah, I don't think she's going to see... Light at the end of the tunnel. I'm like she's going to marry this man. I think she should start dating other people.

It sounds like she already has because there was, they were alluding to her having another boyfriend with the gifts and stuff. So I'm happy that she's at least dating other people. So we'll see what happens there. This is the underlying storyline really through the episode as people begin to ask Kelsey about her relationship. And it's a very sensitive subject.

And we know it's sensitive from her lunch with Liz. She gets emotional talking about it. That, you know, she's kind of figuring things out and maybe is very fragile right now. And she is feeling. that, hey, I just turned 30. I want maybe a more committed relationship. Maybe there is dreams I had.

And I'm seeing those kind of like come push up against my timeline here. So it does feel very sensitive throughout the whole episode. We also get to meet Joe Ellen. Joe Ellen is also a huge character in the first episode. She's married to Gary. They met in high school. She's kind of scary to me. And she says that she's scary.

Yeah. So before there was ever filming about how. housewives. The one person through the grapevine that everyone warned Ashley about was Joe Ellen. So she was, Ash was very nervous to meet Joe Allen. And then when it was time to meet, she was like, she's actually like kind of lovely. And as you can see, she is very nice and warm to you,

but she can flip a switch. I think she is one of the most interesting characters. I think that Liz and Joellen are very, very interesting characters. I also think that Joellen is also gorgeous. And I think she looks like Topanga for her boymates world. with very dark hair. Do you see it? Good poll. I do see that. Yeah. That's a good poll. Thanks. Especially with her like middle school picture they showed her high school picture.

Yes. And another thing that they mentioned was that her sister was dating Gary, right? And then Gary. Yeah. Yeah. Dating Gary in high school. And then she swooped in and took him as a freshman. They kind of like tried to make that dramatic. Yeah. And I'm thinking that is not a dramatic story. I think that it probably happens a lot with sisters. I will say that Ashley and I are Eskimo sisters in some areas, which is kind of weird to some people, kind of not weird. But it's like if you're in the same friend group, it is kind of bound to happen.

But yeah, they'll probably make a juicier if Joelle's sister comes in and starts talking about it. And she still has weird feelings about it. That could be an interesting storyline. After, I mean, she's got to be what in her like 40s at least after. Who knows? She could have loved Gary. That would be good, actually. That really makes things up.

That feels like what I'm watching when I'm watching the housewise is like waiting for those moments where all of a sudden like there's a twist. I'm like, goodness, what is going on? And I have a twist I need to talk to you about a bit here. Alicia and Rosie know each other. Alicia feels like a common thread through this kind of show being friends with so many. As you mentioned, Ashley and Rosie are friends as well. But Alicia and Rosie go on a walking date. they hang out together because they say it's just a good time.

Like they have a lot of fun. They do look like they're good friends. It's a very much of a like housewives date. What are those things they're walking in? I don't know. I would say like moon boots or something. I don't know what they are. It's like supposed to be good for the booty or something?

Maybe. I don't know. It's like a, but everything has to be pink with Rosie. That's the common thread. Everything will be pink. her Jeep is pink. Her moon boots are pink.

She really went all out in the outfits too. Like she really did it up. She did. She looks great. Alicia, yeah, Alicia and Rosie were talking about how scared they were to see Joellen at the picnic. Because Rosie brought a $6 bottle of wine to her party,

her like hangout party. Do you think $6 bottle of wine is too cheap to give someone? Yes. I know it is. I'm like, Rosie, I'll defend you to the end of time, but not with a $6 bottle of wine. It's so bad. Yeah. I mean, like, I would drink a $6 bottle of wine between my wife and I.

Yeah. Like, we would have that our own home. That's fine. But if you're bringing it as like a party favor or a gift for hosting you, it's kind of like, huh. Now, if somebody did that to me, a friend did that to me. I do think I'd, like, joke with him, but I don't, like, this. Be mad. Yeah.

I hope, and this is my concern. Maybe I'm just sensitive. I have never watched the Housewives. I'm watching this season, and I'm excited to watch it because I love Ashley so much. And Jared, I got to see so much of Jared, and he's such a handsome man.

But in the first episode of the Housewives of Rhode Island, it felt like they were trying to make drama out of very minor issues. That's all Housewives is. Oh, is it? Like, that's consistent. Yeah, I'm sorry to break you. There's, it's not a lot of drama.

Maybe once they get much, much bigger and they get more famous, like the Beverly Hills Housewives, like there's like really big drama. Like people are robbing their homes and people are like, you know, getting huge divorces. But now everything is very tame. So they have to make drama out of $6 bottles of wine, you know. Oh, okay. Well, I didn't know. I was expecting like the polygamy storyline to kind of like filter through the every couple. And I was like, whoa, this is crazy.

What are they going to find out about Ashley and Jared? I know. But after Secret Labs and Mormon Wives, I don't know if you watch that or not. But like the polygamy swinger thing is honestly very boring to me at this point. Like, I need something juicier than that. That's how reality-

Telvian is going. I don't know. Polygamy to me and like swingers is like, you know, as it sounds about it. It's like, okay, I'm both couples, like both sides of the relationship. They're both agreeing to it. But if someone's getting cheated on someone else by someone else, which is coming on episode two,

I find that to be way more juicy. Yeah, because there's like, it's not consensual, like not two sides. No, it's almost like a secret. And so the secrets are the ones that draw on the drama. Like, hey, we've agreed to this thing to you is kind of boring. Yeah, just like Joe Welland. Yeah. They said that she was a swinger.

Is she? I don't know. That's what they said. they haven't like addressed it really. Even if she is, okay. So to like all these consenting adults are saying, okay, it's fine with me. Not juicy. It's not like a huge storyline.

It is still a little bit shocking. And are they, is like Rhode Island known for this? Like is this a very big swingers like state? It's not a big state. Everybody knows each other. Yeah. You know, this is my theory. I feel like they always talk about how close-knit Rhode Island is and how everyone grew up.

with each other. And I feel like a lot of people maybe met their spouse in high school, kind of like Joe Ellen, and then they get a little bored. They get a little rusty, and then they start swinging maybe. So that's kind of my theory.

But yeah. I mean, I guess it could still be interesting. It would be interesting if they started swinging with someone else in the cast. Yeah. They can make that happen. Is that a housewives type of thing?

We can make it. I'd say, I like say we could make it as in we're on it. We're not. far. We're not far away. So this is a podcast about video games. Kind of. It's also about friendship. 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. 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 IHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Lori Siegel and I'm mostly human. I go beyond the headlines with the people building our future. This week, an interview with one of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

I think society is going to decide that creators of AI products bear a tremendous amount of responsibility to products we put out in the world. From power to parenthood. Kids, teenagers, I think they won't need a lot of guardrails around AI. This is such a powerful and such a new thing. From addiction to acceleration. The world we live in is a competitive world, and I don't think that's going to stop,

even if you did a lot of redistribution. We have a deep desire to excel and be competitive and gain status and be useful to others. And it's a multiplayer game. What does the man who has extraordinary influence over our lives have to say about the weight of that responsibility? Find out I'm mostly human. My highest order bit is to not destroy the world with AI.

Listen to Mostly Human on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. You know Roll Doll, the writer who thought up Willie Wonka, Matilda, and the BFG. But did you know he was also a spy? Was this before he wrote his stories? It must have been. Our new podcast series, The Secret World of Roll Doll,

is a wild journey through the hidden chapters of his extraordinary, controversial life. His job was literally to seduce the wives of powerful Americans. What? And he was really good at it. You probably won't believe it either. Okay, I don't think that's true. I'm telling you. I was a spy.

Did you know Dahl got cozy with the Roosevelt's? Played poker with Harry Truman and had a long affair with a congresswoman. And then he took his talents to Hollywood where he worked alongside Walt Disney and Alfred Hitchcock before writing a hit James Bond film. How did this secret agent wind up as the most successful children's author ever?

And what darkness from his covert past seeped into the stories we read as kids. The true story is stranger than anything he ever wrote. Listen to the secret world Roll Dahl on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Why hasn't a woman formally participated in a Formula One race weekend in over a decade? Think about how many skills they have to develop at such a young age. What can we learn from all of the new F1 romance novels suddenly popping up every year?

He still smelled of podium champagne and expensive friction. And how did a 2023 event called Wagageddon change the paddock forever? That day is just seared into my memory. I'm culture writer and F1 expert Lily Herman, and these are just a few of the questions I'm tackling on No Grip, a Formula One Culture podcast that dives into the under-explored pockets of the sport. In each episode, a different guest and I will go deeper into the wacky mishaps, scandals and sagas, both on the track and far away from it

that have made F1 a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to No Grip on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. So the big first meetup of this season happens at Rosie's picnic. Joellen is there, Alicia is there, Ashley is there, and obviously Rosie is there. This is where we're introduced to your lovely sister. Ashley, they talk about her being married to the wonderful Jared, who is a Rhode Island native. And I'll be honest, he is nothing like anybody else we've met on this show yet. is very much a down-the-earth guy who works his butt off. We know so much about Ashley and

Jared at this point because, well, this is her show. The wild part to me, and this is, the picnic is fine. There's like some contentiousness and like people are arguing back and forth about some of the things we talked about, especially Jo Ellen and Rosie and Joellen, one thing I respect about her, no matter if she's scary or not, she's going to tell you what she said and where she stands. I have yet, and I appreciate that about somebody. Maybe I don't like that behavior. It feels a little bit bullish, but at least if you're like, hey, Joellen, were you talking

about me? To Rosie, she says, yes, I was. Here's the wildest part. I've already texted Ashley about this, and I don't, I didn't get the response I needed out of her. They play never have I ever. And Ashley gets to start the game and she goes hard, really hard, like right away. Yes.

Why was that her first question and why was that on her mind? Ashley has never like never have I ever okay we would be at parties growing up and everything and never have I ever she was she would always bow out of she's like I'm not doing it because she hasn't done anything okay and it's embarrassing and she was embarrassed by it so she's never played this before and I guess she was thinking like literally like she could have said I've never done a drug in my entire life she could have said a whole lot of things she's never done I don't know why it went there but she called me the second she saw this episode she goes the only thing I'm really worried is why the hell did I say

I've never done butt stuff it's like well at least if our parents are watching they're really proud of you for not doing butt stuff okay I don't know but I don't know why she said that what did she say to you when you asked her I think she's I could read I mean it's not like

she just like I don't know I'm an idiot I think she said she wanted to win the game and so she she she thought that would she thought that would be her differentiator but looks at four of I guess that makes sense.

Yeah, I mean, she could have done a lot of things. But obviously, based on Rosie's response saying that she will do it with skinny weeners, which is repulsive, she got her out. It did feel like Ashley hit like a, she did hit a home run with that question. Yeah. But knowing Ashley, I was just like, whoa, like you started, you went 100 miles an hour right away. Yeah. usually when Ashley's on any kind of show or any honestly this podcast like if I have like I go la la la I close my ears my eyes I'm like I'm so ready to cringe out listening her and watching her on shows and stuff I didn't cringe that hard watching housewives and I am so happy about that the only it was only slightly cringy when she's fit the butt stuff so yeah I mean honestly respect like good for Ashley she's trying to win a game yeah she takes everything so literally I mean it's

unreal. It's so good. Her facial expressions during this picnic are fantastic. It says it all. I think you would know, but I mean, I'm assuming this is one of the first time she's met all these other women and all like right away, they start kind of bickering back and forth and saying things to each other. Is Ashley like comfortable in those moments? Does that make her uncomfortable? I mean, it definitely makes her uncomfortable. She never gets in, like we were really like sweep everything under the rug sort of situation. Like we never confront anyone of her feeling a certain type of way, which is very millennial of us. We're like, no worries. It's fine. But it's, she has to get into the mix when it comes to the housewives, you know? So I do know that she does eventually like stick up for

herself and, you know, yells at a couple of the other ladies eventually down the line. But this was her first meeting. So she was kind of just like watching the back and forth. I'm sure it was uncomfortable, but I'm sure she also is happy that it wasn't directed towards her. And I do remember watching or after they filmed that scene, she was like, it was so sunny and I wanted to put my sunglasses on so bad if you could see her squinting. But all she had in that moment was her facial expressions because she wasn't involved in the conversation at all. She's like, I had to keep my sunglasses off. So I could at least offer that. She's smart. She also comes from the world to the bachelor. We're never allowed to wear sunglasses. Yeah. So I'm sure.

sure she had that in mind at the time too. She finally does switch the sunglasses. It's good for her because I was starting to feel her pain when it came to the squinting. Yes. We then get a good taste of Ashley and Jared at Audrey's kind of following this up. And at this point, we see Ashley and Jared conversing about life. I do know Jared works really hard. And Audrey's is something that he's very proud of and he should be. It's a wonderful space. And if you're ever coming through that area of the country, make sure you stop at Audrey's because they do a great job and the hospitality is fantastic. It's delicious too. This is where we see Ashley cry for the first time, though. It only took to 20 seconds, maybe. But I understand, I understand why she was crying. I mean, I haven't seen Ashley

cry in a long time. It used to be very common, obviously. She cries and, you know, gets emotion. and it's really been we've paused that, you know, in our life here on the Almost Famous podcast. Yeah. Did she use a cry on this podcast? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. We have some great footage. We have some great footage.

We have some great footage for crying. Yeah, all the time. Okay, okay. That was pre-Jarid, probably. Yeah. Do you feel like she's less emotional at this point? Oh, yeah. Definitely.

She doesn't cry a lot at all anymore. That's why I was kind of shocked to see the episode when she, like, cried. I was like, oh, I haven't seen it in a long time. Sometimes it's when she's super frustrated, yes, but it's not like out of sadness. It's just like frustration. Yeah. I mean, we used to be out of like kind of everything, right? It was kind of her stick.

Not that it was like fake ever. It's very much a thing. But I do feel like since Jared and since the boys, that element of her life, it doesn't exist as much. And so I wonder what it is, because. we see it in a few we see it in a few like lead ups in the preview what is it about the cameras

that bring out the tears? That is so true it is the cameras I guess I think emotions are heightened she it's definitely crying out of frustration a lot like maybe she just can't articulate the way she's feeling and so then just comes out as tears and especially with a group

of women like this trying to get a word in is tough and obviously like filming is exhausting like they're really long days so you're you're tired you're overly emotional and then you just you just cry it's a perfect recipe for crying um so i'm assuming i'm assuming it's a her not being able to express the way she's feeling that's always how how it's been you know immediate tears and that's why jared's like why get you talk without crying it's like i just can't get the words out of my mouth and if i could then i wouldn't cry but this is how

it comes out. And I think a lot of people can relate to that. Do you cry a lot? No, I don't. You're like hard-hearted? I don't know. It just doesn't come to my eyeballs. Like, it just doesn't, the water doesn't come out. I cry a lot like the, like the two weeks after giving birth. Yeah. And then I just, I dried up. Can't do it anymore. Yeah. Again, it's, uh, I cannot say enough how just like proud I am of Ashley. Mm-hmm. She is. herself in the best and biggest of ways. She's such an asset to this show. I'm so glad she said yes to it because having Ashley on our screens is a gift.

And she looks so pretty during this episode. Like, just looks beautiful. And that's never like a question, I guess. That's not like a shock. But it's just a note for everybody as they watch it. I think they're going to be like, goodness, like Ashley looks beautiful. she is actually like peaking and continuing to peak like anyone who's scared of their like 30s late 30s like she literally is more beautiful every single day and like her body is slamming she's got two kids she looks so good so proud of her and also if we in the show she I want to say how Ashley she is she brought munchkins from Dunkin Donuts to a party to a housewives party like so adorable no one would ever do that because you would bring you know a nice bottle champagne or something. which is like everyone loves munchkins i'm like that's actually i love it speaking of food and gifts

the final scene of the first episode happens at jo ellen's fourth of july party uh she rents a house uh for this party and it's a big deal in july in july fourth in rhode island is a big deal i think it's a big deal throughout the country uh honestly yeah it's a big deal in indiana it's a big deal in colorado i mean it's a it's a it's a national holiday yeah celebrate this but she rented a house for this big party and all the girls are invited. Rosie says, hey, I feel most comfortable driving with Ashley and Jared to this party because I'm a little nervous about stepping into another environment where I might get ripped on again.

So this is a podcast about video games. Kind of. It's also about friendship. 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. 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. I'm Lori Siegel, and I'm mostly human. I go beyond the headlines with the people building our future. This week, an interview with one of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. I think society is going to decide that creators of AI products bear a tremendous amount of responsibility to products we put out in the world. From power to parenthood. Kids, teenagers, I think they won't need a lot of guardrails around AI. This is such a powerful and such a new thing.

From addiction to acceleration. The world we live in is a competitive world. And I don't think that's going to stop. Even if you did a lot of redistribution, you know, we have a deep desire to. excel and be competitive and gain status and be useful to others. And it's a multiplayer game. What does the man who has extraordinary influence over our lives have to say about the weight of that responsibility?

Find out I'm mostly human. My highest order bit is to not destroy the world with AI. Listen to Mostly Human on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. You know, Roald Dahl, the writer who thought up Willie Wonka, Matilda, and the BFG. But did you know he was also a spy? Was this before he wrote his stories? It must have been.

Our new podcast series, The Secret World of Roll Doll, is a wild journey through the hidden chapters of his extraordinary, controversial life. His job was literally to seduce the wives of powerful Americans. What?

And he was really good at it. You probably won't believe it either. Okay, I don't think that's true. I'm telling you. I was a spy. Did you know Doll got cozy with the Roosevelt's? Played poker with Harry Truman and had a long affair with a congresswoman.

And then he took his talents to Hollywood, where he worked alongside Walt Disney and Alfred Hitchcock, before writing a hit James Bond film. How did this secret agent wind up as the most successful children's author ever? And what darkness from his covert past seeped into the stories we read as kids. The true story is stranger than anything he ever wrote. Listen to the secret world of Roll Dahl

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Why hasn't a woman formally participated in a Formula One race weekend in over a decade? Think about how many skills they have to develop at such a young age? What can we learn from all of the new F1 romance novels suddenly popping up every year? He still smelled of podium champagne and expensive friction. And how did a 2023 event called Wag A Geddon change the paddock forever? That day is just seared into my memory. I'm culture writer and F1 expert Lily Herman,

and these are just a few of the questions I'm tackling on No Grip, a Formula One culture podcast that dives into the under-explored pockets of the sport. In each episode, a different guest and I will go deeper into the wacky mishap, scandals, and sagas, both on the track and far away from it, that have made F1 a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to No Grip on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Lauren, you don't have to give us to behind the scenes, but maybe just give you just your opinion. I think what is intriguing to me is most of these people, if not all, are in relationships.

I know if my wife was walking into a scenario where she felt like she was going to get ripped apart, I would be very much on edge and very much in protective mode. How during housewives do you navigate these elements with a partner? Yeah. I feel like you have to kind of take a step. back as a partner because like you do know your wife signed up to be ridiculed in and being fight with being in a fight with women but I also think that you're a much better man than other men I think that like oh that's girl drama go have your girl your girl fights and your cat

catty fights and stuff I really think so I think Jared would be very uncomfortable and very protective yeah I'm trying to imagine if someone was yelling at Ashley would Jared come over and be like what's going on ladies sort of situation yeah Yeah, I think that Jared also was a very good man too. It's tough. But also having a girlfriend, like walking in with Ashley to that party is kind of like more comforting almost than having your husband there. I don't know. It feels kind of like the women coming together.

I would feel really comfortable with my best friend there. Knowing that she can like kind of kind of just like I can lean on her and then she can almost clap back at the woman who's yelling at me too. Because I don't know if a man honestly could. So I understand coming together at parties Like the couples going together to the party Do you think it's a surprise to Rosie That she is kind of the center of confrontation right now? I think so

I don't think she's that like polarizing I don't think she's asking any crazy questions I don't I don't know Maybe there's other things behind the scenes that I don't know about But if it's just because she asked about Kelsey's relationship, this doesn't warrant the kind of like ridicule she's getting. No. I don't know.

I don't. Jealousy, who knows? Although everyone is stunning. I don't know what they'd be jealous about, you know. Liz and Dolores show up together. Dolores is from the New Jersey Housewives. Also, she has a podcast on our network as well with Wells Adams, breaking down the traitors. Dolores is fantastic and a big character, and I know that people love her.

Liz and Dolores do look very similar and the reason they do is not only because maybe they kind of always look similar but they also have the same surgeon. And I love that they admit that. Okay. Because I was like, how are these not twins? I mean, they definitely have similar vibes too.

But I love that they admitted to it. And what I've noticed a lot about this season is like everyone's admitting they have Botox, they have filler, they're on weight loss drugs, you know, so all the things. And it's not a secret anymore. And that is amazing. It's amazing because it opens up a level of vulnerability. Instead of us asking the

questions and assuming, we're like, all right, you know, you've told us. Another thing we find out during this picnic, this was like kind of shocking to me. Kelsey says she's known Joellen since back when Joelan worked at a tanning salon. At that time, Kelsey shares that Joellen hooked up with the owner and his wife, and Joellen's the freaky one in the group, which again goes back to Ashley winning the game of never have I ever there was a thousand options

she could have chosen but she went hard in the paint right at the beginning and she was going to win every game of never have I ever with this group of ladies for all time I guess in this part of this episode

I'm a little bit confused at what we're trying to accomplish like are these ladies at this point just like nervous and getting everything out there in the table to create storylines or are these

going to be underlying themes throughout the rest of this season. You know the Housewives franchise. How does this work? Yeah, I think they all want to appear to be the most interesting. And so they're going to say like all the crazy shit they've ever done, aka swinging butt stuff, all the stuff. And then I think it will come back around. I mean, I don't know for sure,

but the fact that they keep alluding to Joellen being so freaky, there's going to be something. So I'm excited to see what it is. but Joellen's definitely going to be doing something. So that's, yeah, that's like foreshadowing for the rest of the season. It has to be. It's setting it up for a story to continue on. Because why would we need to know that she hooked up with an owner of a tanning salon back in the day, right?

That was my question. Okay. And his wife. Yeah. And his wife. Yeah. Well, there you go. Rosie and Ashley arrive at the party at this point.

In the midst of this, we're getting some drama happening where Joe Allen is telling Kelsey. that Rosie was making comments about her relationship at the picnic. Kelsey is, again, upset about comments being made about her relationship. From my standpoint, her relationship is polarizing. It is, I am curious about it. You have to know if you're going to sign up for a show that one of the most interesting parts of your life when it comes to being in relationship with somebody who's not around all the time and everybody knows he's not around all the time is going to get brought up.

but it's a very sensitive subject to Kelsey. It really is. You can't be surprised when you show up to a Fourth of July party and the man who you are with and whose house you are living in doesn't come with you. They're going to say, what's his name, you know, for every single holiday. And she's been dealing with this for 10 years. So she can't have been crying. She can't cry every time someone asks her about that.

That's why I'm just like, how is this dramatic to say, how is your partner, you know? Yeah. I do forget, though, who did bring it up? I mean, I don't remember it being... Oh, who brought it up? So I think Joelne was like, oh, I was just with Kelsey. And then... She's struggling.

I think she did say that. Like, she's not, oh, you know, she's not doing great because of her relationship. Yes, so Joelon did. She brought it up. If she really didn't want to talk about it or didn't think that Kelsey wanted it brought up, she could have just been like, she's good. No, we're all in Real Housewives. you're going to say she's not doing well

and then Rose is going to say why? Or are the whole table is going to say, why isn't she doing well? Why wouldn't you not ask that question? So, and then so on and so forth. If you and I were sitting around, hanging out talking and I was like, how's Ashley doing?

You're like, oh, you know, she's not doing great because of her relationship. And I just sat there and quiet and stared at you. Yeah. That'd be very weird. My immediate question would be, what do you mean by that? Yeah, exactly.

Tell me a little bit more. if you're willing and able. And so it's obviously hinting at bringing up a story that you want people to ask questions about or that you're opening up the door for people to ask questions about. But I do think it's a weird decision to go right up to Kelsey and say, hey, Rosie was asking these things and saying these things about your relationship at the picnic

to kind of start the fire burning, even though you're the one that has the gasoline. Yeah, so true. So true. that's why I hope people like stick around and keep watching because like it isn't that much drama but the person creating the drama is like kind of Joe Ellen if that's why I'm like I hope that people can see past like kind of like the curated drama and just wait for like the real drama because you know Joe Allen was just trying to start up just to start up for the show kind of

but the real drama is yet to come oh the real drama this is the first episode of real housewives of Rhode Island. Lauren, you're going to be around with us for the entirety of this season and maybe seasons to come. Yeah. Which is very exciting and very fun for me.

Yes. We do see a preview for the rest of the season. The woman go on a road trip. Ashley says, does a little cheers and says, sorry, or cheers to not being sorry and moving on. Yes. There's a masquerade party

and it looks like they stuck Ashley in like a full blown mask. Yes. She was so pissed that. day because she was like my makeup has never looked better and they put me in a full blow mask like why they're also like taking away her superpower which is her reactions to things so i don't know how that night went but that sucks for her uh we do get to meet rula um at some point throughout this season and um ashley and jared are a big focus of the preview um mostly talking about like

their life and that adri's is not making a lot of money just Just hold your horses, Ashley and Jared. You just went on Real Housewives and brought it to a whole new demo. I know. Audre's will be hiring shortly. I was going to say, they're going to be doing fine. And Ashley, we do see Ashley crying on a boat, which is perfect. I love that part.

Is it Ashley that tells her, tell somebody, I forget they're sitting there, and she says, the girl's like, I'm crying, and my makeup. looks so good today. And Ashley, it's always the day your makeup looks the best. Yeah, that was Rosie. Oh, I love it. Love them together.

What a sweet comment by Ashley. I know. Just the best. Lauren, I know you know a lot about the season ahead. But if we can close up with your general thoughts on the first episode

and like, if you're honestly excited for the rest of the season. Yeah. It's so funny because like why do you want like if you're already stressed out and you want to wind down at the end of the night why are you watching women yell at each other but I was fully enthralled and it wasn't just because she's my sister for this for this um episode and then the episodes to come I'm just actually like

think it could be one of the best housewives and I really hope that I know everyone's so mad because Miami's canceled and everyone loves real housewives of Miami but this is taking its place and I think it's going to really hold up to Miami. So stick around. I think it's amazing. And it's really, I know everyone's saying that everyone looks alike and you can't tell them apart, but you will get them down with the first episode, I promise. Yeah. No, I think if I can do it, anybody else can do it.

If I can follow who's who, we're fine. Yes. Now, Lauren, we do a thing here on the Almost Famous Podcast. I know you're an avid listener to our other show. so you know exactly what to do. But we will be here for the rest of the season of the Real Housewives of Rhode Island starring the one and only Ashley Iconetti.

And Ashley cannot be joining us, obviously for obvious reasons during the breakdown of each episode. But we do have the next best thing in her sister, Lauren, giving us all the scoop, all the details, all the opinions and everything that we need out of an Iconetti being on the almost famous podcast.

But until next time, I've been Ben. And I've been Lauren. Is that correct? You did so good. Okay, good. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcasts on IHartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. I'm Lori Siegel and this is mostly human, a tech podcast through a human lens. This week, an interview with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

I think society is going to decide that creators of AI products bear a tremendous amount of responsibility to the products we put out in the world. an in-depth conversation with a man who's shaping our future. My highest order bit is to not destroy the world with AI. Listen to mostly human on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. On the Sino Show podcast, each episode invites you into a raw, unfiltered conversations about recovery, resilience, and redemption. On a recent episode, I sit down with actor,

cultural icon, Danny Trail to talk about addiction, transformation and the power of second chances. The entire season two is now available to bench, featuring powerful conversation with the guests like Tiffany Addish, Johnny Knoxville, and more. I'm an alcoholic. Without this truth, I'm going to die. Listen to the Cino's show on the IHare Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. On paper, the three hosts of the Nick Dick & Poll show are geniuses.

We can explain how AI works, data centers, but there are certain things that we don't necessarily understand. Better version of Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes. Yes. Which, by the way, wasn't Taylor Swift, who said that for the first time. I actually, I thought it was. I got that wrong. But hey, no one's perfect. We're pretty close, though.

Listen to the Nick, Dick, and Paul show on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of IHeartMedia. And I'm kicking off a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Magic, stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. Math and Magic takes you behind the scenes of the biggest businesses and industries while sharing insights from the smartest minds in marketing. Coming up this seasonal math and magic, CEO of Liquid Death, Mike Cesario. People think that creative ideas are like these light bulb moments that happen when you're in the shower. It's really like a stone sculpture. You're constantly just chipping away and refining.

Take to Interactive CEO, Strauss Selnick, and our own chief business officer, Lisa Coffey. Listen to Math and Magic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.