The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - S8 E7 Catching Up with Blake Hortsmann and Annaliese Puccini

Episode Date: October 29, 2018

Blake Hortsmann checks in with Ben and Ashley, and has a secret on how you can go on a real date with him! And he finally clears up all the rumors circulating about him dating a member of Bachelor Nation.   Then we hear from Annaliese, and she opens up about the difficult few weeks she’s had, and how she recovered from being broken up with on national TV. And, we hear about her reality TV experience before the Bachelor.  Plus, the subject of “Who the Heck are You” might be related to Ben! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the Ben and Ashley I almost famous podcast with IHartRadio. Welcome, Ashley, the studio. Thank you, Ben. Welcome to the studio. How do I sound? You sound great. Yeah. I'm so glad you're here.

It's always nice when I'm here. I feel like you've been here a lot lately. Yeah, it's, LA's become a second home. I was actually asked by my buddy the other day when I was going to move out here. I might say, well, that time was about three years ago. And I think at this point it's a little late. That's like Jared. Jared wishes he were to move out three years ago.

That's a question I've had about Jared So when Jared moved, I remember talking about this On the podcast, it was a big deal for him He wanted to stay in Providence Oh, yeah How is he liking L.A. now? He doesn't like L.A. at all And all the sports happening right now

Is making him hate it even more. Oh, yeah, he's a Boston fan. He couldn't have rooted against the Dodgers any harder. He was going to root against them either way But then, of course, with the Red Sox playing, it was even more like, he wanted the Red Sox to win

just as much as he wanted the Dodgers to lose. Like, that's how much he hates L.A. He likes to pretend like he doesn't. And then, like, he'll be like, uh, no, L.A.'s fine. I'll be like, you hate L.A. And then he'll be like, no, it's fine. He's like, the weather's nice. I'm like, you can't find one thing you like other than the weather.

And then you complain about that half the time because it's not cold enough for the fall. You don't feel the holidays and all that. So we just have a five-year plan. We say that we're going to be here at least part-time, like have a place here for five years. And then at like 35 for me, then we'll probably move to Rhode Island. You think?

I do love Rhode Island. It's so nice. It's so cozy. It's like the perfect little East Coast, you know, on the water feel. It's very romantic, actually. You and Jared are living together, correct? Yes. That's amazing.

But Jared also, like, he wanted to move to L.A. He thinks he should have moved to L.A. three years ago because of the opportunity because he feels like he's kind of delayed on it. compared to me but he also loves his little comfort zone like Jared defines the person who you know that that that I'm being very inarticulate but you know that diagram that says like the magic happens out here and then there's like a picture of your comfort zone and the magic never happens in your comfort zone he loves being in his comfort zone and I'm like Jared like one of the things that he loves about me the most is that I push him to get out of it yeah and it's what I can imagine

that that's a big that is so we haven't talked about this in a while when you first announced your engagement um people were thrilled obviously about it and you get a lot of attention immediately do you feel like that attention is calming down do you feel like it's now kind of settling out where you guys and kind of grasp what this relationship's going to look like are you guys just getting hounded everywhere no it's gotten a lot calmer especially the past month I feel like this weekend was my first weekend here in l.a where we could actually hang out on the couch and we had nothing to do like I was like is there anything you can do on the computer like I almost felt lost yeah because there was actually no job for me to do on Saturday I was like I have nine hours to do nothing that's

incredible it's kind of awesome but then I also kind of freak out the same time because what we do is so fleeting whenever I have a moment to breathe it kind of freaks me out I'm like oh no is this moment of breath going to last too long that's interesting yeah right there's a good statement is that moment of breath going to last too long are you ready for it to go away no not yet but i think in five years yes so that's why we say in five years i think i'll be over like my intention always was you know i went to i got my master's in broadcasting because this is what i wanted to do but i think come 35 it'll be out of my system and i want to just concentrate on being a mom yeah isn't it crazy i think this this whole thing i mean we were just talking to easton

i was talking to him a little bit ago he's just starting to watch my season of the bachelor uh he's never watched before his very first comment was your hair was different back then um that's a good son I've gotten older, Easton. But, you know, it's so crazy to look back on that season of life. And I almost for me, feel like I don't remember it. I think if I were to watch my season again, it would almost feel like I'm not watching myself. But you, you know, almost famous has done great.

And I think this has legs. I think we'll be around for a long time. Oh, me too. But I also think that all the other stuff, the ancillary stuff, the stuff that kind of comes on the side are getting invited, like, that's going to go away. Yeah. And I've almost thought to the. the point where I don't know if I'm ready but I feel like I am like I'm I'm tired I'm for

the first time this weekend I looked at my buddy I said I'm really tired like and not just like I need to sleep for 24 hours it's like this this this needs to come to an end that was kind of me at the end of August I felt really burnt out because I was doing like five bachelor recaps all week and I felt like every time like everything was done it would just restart again the next day like all the sudden there was another influx of it but I think I want to do something in this capacity, in this broadcast capacity, like, for a long time beyond five years, but I feel like I'd like to, like, switch gears to it not being my focus in five years. Well, you've done great, Ash.

Yeah. You've done awesome. And almost famous will be around for a long time. You had a weekend, sit on your couch, do nothing, hang out, and relax. I wonder if you were smart enough or on top of things enough to check out Audible. Audible includes an unmatched selection of audiobooks, original audio shows, news, comedy, and more from the leading audiobook publishers, broadcasters, entertainers,

magazine newspaper publishers, and business information providers. Listening is a better way to binge content you love while doing things you love. Audible has the largest selection of audiobooks on the planet, which lets you fill your time with more stories like everybody always by one of our past guests, Bob Goff. A man, I love and admire.

Audible helps you listen to more books by letting you switch seamlessly between devices. Pick up exactly where you left off, whether it's your phone, your car, a tablet, or Amazon Echo. You get through tons of books while doing anything. Here's the crazy part. Ash, I have a buddy who, one of my best friends in the world named Corey, big reader, huge reader, listens to his book. So when he says, hey, what are you reading right now? I always ask him, what is he listening to.

But he is one of the most educated, brilliant, in touch people I know. and it's because he dives in the books on he dies in the audio books I guess I should say plus your books are yours to keep with Audible you can go back and relisten anytime even if you cancel your membership go to audible.com backslash bachelor pod or text BatchelorPod to 500 to get started introducing Audible's originals a new member benefit Audible members now get two Audible originals and one audiobook every month that's audible.com backslash bachelor pod or text bachelor pod to 500 500 to get started I'm a big reader you are oh yeah I've been reading I've been reading a lot of books on on like hope and and like deep

stories I really have appreciated kind of hearing how people have lived their lives there's real quick Bob Goff has this story that I've really started to dig into on his concept of not being alone do you know this this is crazy everybody in the room This is the wildest stat before we bring Blake on. We have Blake Hortzman a day, Annalise and Kelly Joe Higgins. We have an awesome lineup for the offseason. That loneliness has now, from a study from Harvard,

proven to be as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. What? You are 32% more likely to suffer from heart disease when you associate yourself with the feeling of loneliness. I know this stat, but important. loneliness is different than spending time alone right no 100% and define loneliness you know what also makes people feel lonely you millennial influencers what the instagram social media it's really rough on people the largest companies in the world today are built on trying to connect us yet for some reason in this

digital age we still feel a lack of connection anyways i uh we spoke this weekend at a retreat um i i shared and I was kind of doing my research because my topic was on loneliness and I found all this stuff out and I was like, wow, I could smoke 15 cigarettes a day and just be as healthy as if I was lonely. Anyways, hey, Blake Hortzman's on the podcast. Blake is America's heartthrob.

He is loved, he's admired. He was, let's just say runner up to The Bachelor. Blake Hortzman, are you out there? Hey there. Hi, Blake. How are you guys? Hi there. Good, how are you?

So Ben just did this thing called like Win a Date with Ben. where he's going to bring someone into the studio to do the podcast with him tomorrow, and he's going to go shopping with them, and he's going to go to dinner with them. And it went for many, many thousands of dollars. $4,500 you raised for me. I wasn't sure if we wanted to say the number.

Yeah. That's wild. Blake, do you think you're worth $4,500? I don't know. I've been to a $45,000. I'm worth at least $5,000. Yeah, hey, to get started, we brought Blake on because we, have an idea. As we mentioned last week on the podcast, we are trying to raise some money for

Humanity Hope United. We're trying to raise money to buy the Grand Farm, which will supply 20-plus people with jobs in rural Honduras. I was giving two tickets to Jingle Ball in Los Angeles. I cannot go. I cannot make it. So I called up one of my good buddies, Blake Hortzman, who people want to see and be around a lot more than they want to see and be around me. I love that. So here's what we're going to do. We're going to win a date with Blake Hortzman, just like it was one a date with me. You're going to stay at the Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey, where Blake is staying as well.

Just don't go knocking on his door. That's weird and creepy. You're going to go to Kiss FM's Jingle Ball in Los Angeles. Meet one of the performing artist, Sean Mendez, Cardi B, Calvin Harris, Camila Cabello, Duolipa. Dua Lepa. Dua Lepa, Alessia, Kara, Bibi Rexa, and more. It's going to be awesome.

You're going to spend some quality time with Blake. run around L.A., get wild, and stay at the Ritzkulton, Marina del Rey, one of my favorite hotels in the world. It's beautiful. So if you're interested and having a date with Blake Hortsman,

Amy, where do they go? If only.com. If only.com. And if you search Blake, it'll come up. Search Blake Horsman. But I want to know what kind of date like is. Well, that's what I was going to say. Blake, what do you have to offer?

Like, I mean, this person is going to come from somewhere around the country. They're going to want to spend time with you. Why? Should they want to go on a date with you? Benny, you ask me to self-describe myself right now. That's amazing. One thing I do know Blake has, and I'm not going to speak for him, Blake thinking from here,

but he can dance. I was just about to say that. I was like, so I hope they're ready to dance. They bring their dancing shoes to the jingle ball with me if they want to win a date with me because I would be dancing a lot. I like that. I saw a video of you tipping, like, Caitlin Bristow, During, like, a formal, I don't know what you call it, was like the Fox Trot or something?

Yeah, so, yeah, that was for her podcast, yeah. So I'm a big swing dancing guy. I love the string dance. So put a girl, spin a girl, spin a girl, put her between my legs, put her in the air, just acrobatics, that kind of thing. Hey, this is a PG podcast. Like, the girl who's going to be bidding on you, basically, she's going to want to know that you're single. So can you confirm that? because she definitely doesn't want to go on a date

if she doesn't think there's any chance of a romantic connection. Let's be real. Yes, that's a great point. Yes, I can confirm I am single right now. So it will, yes. So my date, you know, I am single. We'll say that. We'll just say that. Okay, great. Well, can we address... What's with all those rumors? Can we address the rumors

about Christina Shulman? Because I heard them like a month ago and they're still circling. Yeah, I mean, we talked, we chatted. We did hang out a couple times. She's amazing. She's great. You know, and we get along really well. But right now, you know, I, we're just, you know, we are hanging out, but it's nothing serious right now.

It's a weird point in my life. And our, you know, our life, and me and Ben have talked about this, you know, dating publicly now is pretty hard, you know. And so that's something that is new to me, obviously, and having a hard time with. But right now, no, we are not boyfriend. There's the answer to the rumors, because I hear it a lot, too. And then there's a little while I had I was dating Brandy Cyrus,

and I also heard I was dating Tia. Dude, slow down, man. Yeah, it's a little hard. You hung out with Christina's ex-Deen all weekend long. Is there any weird tension? We are, no, no, there's zero tension. I'm actually hanging out now. I'm here in Buffalo right now with Jason and Dean right now.

Do you guys go to the Buffalo game? Oh, it's tonight, isn't it? Tonight, yes. We are actually getting ready to tailgate now. I was hanging out with the entire Tardic family all weekend and the Buffalo boys. So it's been an interesting week. Did you eat wings? I did. They took me.

We're going to someplace tonight to eat wings, but I can't remember what the name of war, but the hype is real. The hype is real. The wings here are incredible. I'm not going to have really good. Do you like to dip in ranch or blue cheese because apparently in Buffalo, they only do blue cheese,

and I'm not okay with that. I'm not either. I'll be honest. I'm a ranch guy. I have a weird random question. Blake. Would you go on Paradise? I go back and forth

When I first got up a show When I first got up a show I was like Well not first off show When I first found out I wasn't going to be the bachelor You know I obviously got upset a lot And yeah At first I was like for sure absolutely

You know if I was giving up to it I was single I was giving the opportunity And the timing was right and all that You know I would definitely consider it And now I'm going back and forth You know I just It scares me to think you know Put myself back out there on television

again, you know, and now I almost am scared that I know too much, you know, and I'm scared that it would be hard for me to not be worried about editing. And, like, I'm so happy that I went into the bachelor's right, like, blind and didn't know what to expect, didn't know what I was getting myself into. So I'm so happy I did that. And now I feel like I do know what I'd be getting myself into if I went into paradise. So it kind of scares me a little bit. Ashley, I want to hear from you, though.

Yeah, I was going to say. The idea of knowing too much, right? I was going to say. I think you know what you know. You know you're taking a risk. But again, I still, Blake, I don't know if for me to say this, I still stick to there is, I've never watched this season where anything's happened completely different than what it happened on the show. So editing to me never was like is a fear because I know people are going to be portrayed pretty accurate to who they were and how they were as a person. Ashley, how do you respond to knowing too much?

Was that hard for you? You'd been, I mean, you'd done Paradise over and over and over again. Over and over. I did over once. Oh, she did over and over and over again. Over, I knew too much starting my third season, so I'm pretty sure you're safe to go do it one more time. One more time? Okay.

I'm going to remember you said that as well, but we'll go three times. And the only time where I thought it was totally different than what actually went down was that third time, too. Really? And honestly, I think a lot of it will do, too. When I watch Golden Season, if there's, you know, some girl, I think that I think that I, I'd really get along with, making a critical connection with. I think, you know, that there'd be something there.

I definitely would give Garrett's shot, but if I kind of watch this season, and I'm like, you know, I don't really see anybody that I think matched me. And I don't know if I do it or not. Are you going to watch Colton season? Yeah. Yeah, oh, yeah.

I'm definitely going to watch Golden Season. Are you going to be jealous the whole time? I don't know jealous is the right word, but I mean, actually a little bit because all these incredible places I've heard they thought you, so I'm a little jealous of that. And they went to Denver. They were in Denver.

Yes, they were. they were definitely a different Blake question for you since coming off the show you've been on this wild ride you thought you might be the bachelor you weren't you were single for a while and like you said

you've started to tip your toe back in the dating world what has been the best part for you about this new season of life the question I was going to ask it's the worst part

I just haven't been asked the best part I'm not trying to get dirt on you Blake just trying to talk here no no no I would say honestly it's probably the friendship that I've made after. I mean, whether it be with Chase,

whether it would be with you guys, you know, the people that I've met, everybody has been so incredibly nice and so incredibly welcoming. And it's just like, it's crazy how, you know, the experience that we go through together, it really, you know, brings us together and bonds us because there's not, you know,

it's such a unique experience and nobody else can really relate to, and so we can relate to little to each other. And so that's probably the one thing, like the way coming out of this is not, The opportunity is, everything's great. Like, these cool chips are awesome, but it comes down in a relationship that I build after, for sure, absolutely. I would agree.

Yeah, they're lasting friendships. I have one last story before we let you go. I know that you have a game to get to and tables to jump off of or whatever that. Jump through. Jump through. Make sure you tell Dean and Jason that the almost famous podcast said hello to you. So the other day, Ashley, listen this. I'm sitting in the gym, 24-hour fitness on 38th Street in Denver, Colorado.

Oh, wow. Way to tell people where you work? out yeah well come on it yeah um i'm i'm doing some shoulder presses and i mean i'm feeling good like i'm and i're not just a little bit amount of weight like i'm lifting a lot of weight actually um very impressed myself i get a tap on my shoulder guess who it is it's blake blake wants up the same gym i do and i had no clue that's weird and so then i just started watching him right because blake's just a very in shape man and he he commented at one point i need to work on my traps and so i was like well how is he working on his traps you know i'm

gets very sensitive about that so he he showed me his ab workout blake i've been taking that ball that you show me putting it between my legs and lifting it up then catching it above my head and dipping backwards i'm starting to see the v oh yeah are those the sex lines the the track yeah that's what does that he told me he i said blake if you could give me one piece of advice for working out like one exercise is you look at my body and you're like ben you need help he's like well here's a thing man take this ball put it between your legs and lift it up over your head and you'll start to see the V. And so what I took that is he's saying my core needs a little help, but I'm telling you, I've been doing it every day consistently because I want to be like Blake, and I'm looking good. That's so awesome. At least this week I'm looking good. I just can't believe you guys just told Bachelor Nation where they can go find both of you on a regular basis. I mean, if you really want to go to the 24 hour fitness on 38th Street in Denver, Colorado and hunt for me, I'm there about once every two weeks. So this will be a lot of fun. And I'm not going to be a lot of fun. Jared goes a 24 hour fitness. Yeah, it's the best place. It's all over. Hey, wait. I have one more question. Are you going to go meet Rob Gronkowski tonight?

Yes, I think that is a plan. So I think I need to go send Jared on the plane right now. Yeah, you should actually. We should have a blast. Crap. We're with a couple past fans, too. It's going to be a fun day, I think. I'm a little scared, to be honest.

So I've heard how crazy this Bill's mafia is. I'm a little scared, to be honest. Yeah. I'm interested, Blake. Tell Jason he's being rude for not inviting Jared to this. Yes. I will let him know. Okay.

And me, make sure he knows that he's rude for not inviting me to this, too. make sure he's weird in general, okay? Make sure he feels really small this afternoon walking into this game. Okay, I'll be sure to see that. All right, bye. Okay, sounds good, thanks guys. Thank you. Ben, have you ever ordered from Thrive?

I have, yeah. Showed up real fast. It's the best. It's healthy. Like, almost everything I think is organic. It's non-GMO and it is specific towards, like, whatever your weird diet is. Like, I don't necessarily have a weird diet, but if I wanted to be vegan or gluten, free or paleo like they have specific item lists for people who are on those diets it's super easy to

navigate the site too like i wanted to get you guys some presents so i went on thrive the other night and picked out things that i thought you would love and i knew ashley likes chocolate and i knew jared does too i actually chocolate theme okay so i got you the justin's milk chocolate peanut butter cups and i happen to know everybody's favorite so that's one of jared's yeah and then ben i ordered for you and it's all like organic so you don't have to worry about it you know it's good so I ordered for you

I thought maybe on your flight you could have the the Annie's snack mix so it has like the little cheddar things a little pretzels little crackers and then I ordered you crackers and then I got selfish and ordered my niece a little lunch

backpack you guys they have everything you can order toys you don't have to worry about kids putting stuff in their mouth like I was like losing my mind over this website and then I got you a lot of stuff over there

and then I got you a little lufa sponge for the shower? So you could have nice skin? Because he's so into his skin. Yeah, I need a lufit too. Multiple reasons, but yes. That's what's about Thrive. It's not just food.

It's also baby products, beauty things. Things around the house. They have cleaning supplies that are non-toxic, that aren't going to give your house that chemical smell. That's one of the things that I always order from them. They have the best pasta sauce. And you think it would be like crazy expensive. It's not.

That's the thing about it. It's not. It's less than other places. It's actually always 25 to 50% below traditional retail prices. It's basically the response to Whole Foods, but it's online, and it's so much cheaper than Whole Foods. I can't even step foot into Whole Foods without spending, like, $20 just to walk in, you know? I got boxes full of stuff for under $80. It's nuts.

My favorite thing, I have to say, my absolute favorite item on Thrive Market is granola bar, these kind granola bars. It tastes like almond joys. They are, it's the almond and chocolate kind bar, and I'm addicted for life. All packaging boxes and inserts are made from recycled paper. Everything's recyclable. There's 100% zero waste. I just, I just watch this documentary on waste, and now I'm really, really trying to be like my most eco-friendly because it freaked me out. And I thought no way would it be here in time for Monday?

It's here. So great. So again, Thrive Market prices are already 50%. off do not go to Whole Foods anymore because they have everything you're going to need on Thrive Market and it's going to be up to 50% off now they're giving you an actual extra 25% off your order and a free 30 J trial because you listen to the almost famous podcast go to thrivemarket.com slash almost famous to get an extra 25% off your first order in a free 30 day trial. Seriously you guys you're going to your life is going to be changed with what's your link how do you do

what do I do about how do I get a discount you go to thrive market.com slash almost famous you're going to get the discount the 25% off and then you're going to get three a free 30 days and just don't forget that that 25% discount is on top of the 50% you're basically already saving by going to thrive market instead of yeah this thing's heaven this is my new thing I'm not even kidding it's so good actually that brings up I just kind of skip through that as I was talking about thrive market did you know if we were talking about I had a speech impediment I was held back yes we have talked about that we have talked about that I feel like I have a speech impediment every day of my life yeah I really did it was my ours and and so sometimes it's coming back a

little bit I don't know what it is I'm getting lazy I need to go back to a little like speech therapy I really do I've noticed even this weekend when I spoke at this retreat it was a two day full retreat where 25 people spent time in winter park both part of the generous and Humanian Hope team and I was doing some of like I was just talking a lot and by the end of the weekend I was just tripping over my words. Interesting. I feel like I trip over my words all the time. It's one of my biggest insecurities,

especially since I have to talk on a mic so often. Yeah. That if I'm not talking just perfectly, I'm like, oh, there's something wrong with your brain. I feel like I have a weird brain connection, but I feel like there's no connection between my left and my right brain. What does that mean?

You know how like there's the right creative brain and then there's like the left analytical brain? I feel like there's no connection between them. Like you just feel like a little disconnect right now? I always feel this disconnect. Yeah, I get it. I mean, I... Do you get it, though?

No, I do. I get it. I mean, I come 100% get it. I just, I'm tired, I think. I think that's my excuse. I really am tired. Hey, I want to go back to some of this stuff we talked about earlier on loneliness. Okay, yeah, me too.

I want to hear your thoughts on this. Okay, so here's some of the stats. For anybody out there that's feeling lonely, last week, we were able to talk to Ashley Spivey about a topic that is incredibly important to speak on. We've got great feedback. Everybody really liked that podcast. I think our emails and our listeners have responded well. I think Ashley feels loved and supported, which is really one of the most important things here

is that anybody that has been a victim of sexual assault feels love and supported and not alone. So let's move into the loneliness category. Okay, so the New York Times came out with an article called How Social Isolation is Killing us. This article kind of sparked my interest to dig a little deeper and talk about this amongst the group. this weekend since the 1980s listen to that the percentage of american adults who say they're lonely has doubled from 20 percent to 40 percent so this is just people saying they feel in their heart that that sense of loneliness they feel alone and as i mentioned earlier that isolation that loneliness feeling when you do feel that you're at 29 percent to 32 percent more likely to suffer from heart

disease. So what this told me and what my topic was, obviously, for the retreat was, I don't care if you believe in a God, or you believe in a creator or not. Just as humans, no matter what, if we just biologically as humans, we are not meant to be alone. Because our bodies, right? Our bodies don't respond to alone. This. We are tribal. We are meant to be together and connected. And I wonder for anybody out there listening is if maybe last week listened to the podcast with Ashley Spivey and her saying, you know, she was she was, she was. she was hurting she didn't know who to talk to you know she couldn't even hardly talk to her mom that that feeling of aloneness whenever anybody out there is feeling alone it has to if 40% of americans

claim to totally well there's a big difference between you know feeling lonely and having people around you because you can have a lot of people around you but you still feel lonely so that's what what's the difference to you i think it's a connection i feel like if you feel like people are understanding and connecting with you you won't feel lonely but if you're in a room and you feel like you're not really expressing yourself and you're not being your true self around them, then you're probably feeling lonely. Here's how we tie back into the show or just kind of the world we're living with social media and this podcast or whatever.

I think people enjoy watching The Bachelor and Bachelorette because the characters on the show are living a real life. They're being themselves. They're being their most vulnerable. They're most vulnerable. So I think as people watch it, they can say, wow, these people who are on TV who are supposed to have it all together don't. And as a result, I can relate.

and I feel a little less alone when I watch a show because I can live vicariously through these figures or these characters and go, oh yeah, I feel that too. I'm hurting too. I've been hurt in past relationships. I've lacked love. I've lacked connection. I'm desiring a partner.

Whatever that is, you know, that long list that we see kind of season over season, I wonder, and I want to hear your thoughts, if that's the reason why The Bachelor has consistently stayed so prevalent in pop culture because people go, I care for it because it's my two hours or now like 30 hours, each week I can watch to where I no longer feel alone. I think you have a point there.

I would have never thought of it like that, but you're right because it just strips us of all of like the filters that we normally put on ourselves, you know, normally the, you know, the producers and like the whole show concept itself just kind of strips you and makes you the most vulnerable possible that people are seeing these people who are expressing the same concerns as they do, but don't always feel as,

comfortable expressing them and then they therefore connect to yeah the characters of the scene on the show i will tell you this ashley um i think you just said it perfect and i think this next season with colton from what i know is going to be a season where a lot of people watch and they start to connect with the characters maybe more than they ever have i agree maybe he really allows himself to get there and i think we're going to see him grow as a person um i'd like to think that i try to do it of in my most authentic genuine like most vulnerable way i don't know if i did or not he totally did i don't know but i know he is i really know he's going to yeah i i know this show is going to break him i know it's going to break him but i also think we're going to see

him built back up all in this you know 13 episodes just gonna be crazy so too he's down to his top four now which is crazy you get four years ago i think i was eliminated on crystal's season like the 23rd of october it's crazy how much how many girls are eliminated from like that 23rd to the 29th. Yeah. That's just like the killing point. Yeah, you're done. Yeah, it goes from the girls who you thought were cute and the fun to be around to like the four that you think could be marriage material. Yeah, the four that dressed the best. Ashley, speaking of dressing the best, tell us about Latot, before we bring one of our favorite reoccurring guest, Annalise. Latote is an amazing company. They can, they have clothes that can fit you better than any other

retailers. They take the stress out of getting dressed. They get the right styles. And in the right sizes, deliver to you to your door, and when you're done, you just send it back. Latote takes your measurements and ratings and learns not just about your size, but the nuances about how you want your clothes to fit. Women actually return 40 to 70% of the clothing that they buy, and Latotc created their own universal sizing system

to fit you across all brands. That means that Latot measures pieces by brand with their fit and their seamstress teams. They're going to match to your universal and, specific sizing. Okay. So basically that means that if you are a small at gap, but a medium at Banana Republic, they're going to figure out, they're going to like order stuff based on that information right there. You're going to rent pieces that fit and then you're going to send them back to them when you're done and you're going to repeat the whole process so you're not

being an outfit repeater. You know, we never want to, you know, us girls, we never want to wear an outfit more than two or three times and let's to helps you not do that with the tote you can rent unlimited fashion you can wear return and discover new fashion that fits you so so so well so go to letot.com that is l-et-o-t-o-t-com to get started enter promo code almost famous at checkout to get 20% off your first month again that is l-et-o-o-tete dot com and enter our code almost famous latote dot com to get clothes that fit and you can return them and not be an outfit repeater. It's pretty awesome. Hey, Annalise.

Hi. How you doing? I know it's been a really rough month for you. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I was so sad. Thank you. Yeah. I just feel like it's been one thing after another, but I'm trying to do my best just to like, you know, keep living and I don't know. Do what he would want me to do. But it's been, it's been an emotional roller coaster, I believe, for the last couple months, yeah. You've been through a lot. Yeah. Yeah.

It's been kind of crazy. I feel like the breakup happened. Two weeks later, it aired, so I relived it. It was like a month of just like of the breakup. And then two weeks after the breakup aired, then that was when I got the phone call and my dad was in the hospital or was being rushed to the hospital. And then I spent 10 days, like living there. It felt like like spending night there and, you know.

And then after. those 10 days of being in the hospital. He just couldn't fight anymore because there were so many complications. And then he passed away. So then I feel like July, August, September, October has not been great to me and ready for some good stuff. What are you, kind of how are you handling it? How are you dealing?

We just got done talking right before you came on about kind of some of the things that are some of the most hard, you know, burdens that we carry in life. How are you moving on in this season? Um, you know, I think for me, I've a really, I'm a pretty positive person, I would say, for the most part. I'm like a very optimistic person. So even when it's when I'm in kind of like a depression or like things aren't going great, like I try my best to always be like, okay, what's the silver lining? Like what am I going to grow, you know, from with all of this? And and I know like we all go through these downs in life, but then that always makes. stuff up so much better. And so I know they're coming. You know, it's like, it can't always be, not everything is going to be terrible forever. It's going to get better. So I think it's just kind of surrounding myself with really positive people. And then, like, I'm getting back into therapy. So that's been really helpful as well. So I think just like doing as much for yourself

so that you're, you're not just like wallowing in it and depressed. And, you know, you're actually getting out of bed and like going and doing things and being around people who are making you feel like it's worth um it's it's worth doing doing things and like I'm allowed to be happy you know like even though I've gone through a breakup recently and I'm grieving like I think that's one thing that's sort of difficult with for me with social media right now especially is but I feel like I'm like not allowed to be happy right now and I'm like it's been good days and it's been really bad days but but I think that's one of the things too is to like allow yourself to like still be happy and like go out and do things and have fun once in a while because it's important to kind

of get out of that rut of being like really sad and like take your mind off things that's a what you just said there is it's really wise I'm kind of sitting here meditating on it because um you know these hard times these difficult seasons often lead to something um really beautiful and the in the tough you know the really the tough times that we we don't want to live in and be in kind of open our eyes to something grand where does that perspective for you come from like how how have you been able to get that into your head and start living that because I think a lot of people out there listening is will probably be going you know I've lost the loved one that you know I've been there I've felt lonely at times how have you been able to kind of refocus and

say no this is going to lead to something really good I think the hardest thing oh man the hardest thing for me has been to think about like the things that I'm not going to get tune is right with my dad and not the stuff that like I'm trying really hard to I think it's important not to not to know necessarily go there but to appreciate the stuff that we we did have together in the time that we did have together and so I think that has been that's been a challenge but that's also been something that has um giving me some perspective on it in in in just reflecting on like all the good times that we had and not thinking about, like, what is being missed out on.

And, I mean, honestly, like, grieving a death is a lot like a breakup, but it's a lot like, you know, when friends part ways, there's, I mean, obviously there's a more final chapter, and it's, this is my father, so it's like somebody very close to me, but, um, who's been in my entire life. But, you know, it's, it is important to think about what you had together and not think about all of the things in the future and be sad about that. Does that make sense? It makes complete sense.

Yeah, I mean, I think you're just, you know, I think you're speaking to a lot of people right now who listen to this podcast and have felt this and just never, never been able to audibly say it or they haven't maybe listened to anybody else, kind of walk through it with them. So thank you for talking to us about it. I know this is not easy. I know it's not something that you want to continue to relive every second of every day, but the point that you're doing is you're increasing his value.

you by talking about it. So thank you for sharing. It's been very strange too just because like death is a difficult thing no matter what. But my dad and I had a very complex, complicated relationship too. So I have very mixed emotions, just even not about his death, but about like my emotion. It was a confusing time. When I went into the hospital, my stepmom was the one that called me and I hadn't seen her spoken to her in like 10, 12 years.

I have no idea how long it had been. My dad and I didn't speak at one point for seven years, and we were like kind of on amending, rebuilding our relationship position. So it was like, you know, there's so much more to everything in life. You know what I mean? So it's just been kind of a little bit of a confusing couple months. But I think, yeah, there's a lot of growth that can happen from going through these really, really huge life-changing moment.

So I'm looking forward to those moments where I look back and you're like, wow, that was not really, really terrible time, but look at where I am now, you know? Would there be anything you would share with the listeners who have been through this or just listening for a piece of advice? Is there any lessons learned already that you'd want to speak to them? I don't know. I can't think of anything like really maybe poignant, but I will say, so we already had my dad's memorial and I was considering not speaking at it because I was like it's just going to be too emotional for me and I, um, I, a couple days before I said, you know what, like put me in the program. If I can, I can, if I can't, I'll have somebody else read what I wrote.

But I would say maybe try to do whatever you think you need to do for you and like even, and be really honest with all. it too because even so I ended up speaking and I cried through the entire thing and um but I was like I was I kind of said what I needed to say and got it you know it's like it was my opportunity to to share my relationship with my dad and um and those little things like I know that I would have probably really regretted it if I didn't speak and so whatever that is for you it might not be that per se but like for me just pushing yourself even in those moments where you're like, I can't get out of bed and all I'm doing is crying and I can't even imagine like, you know, whatever it may be, like push yourself to maybe do those things

just because you might regret it later on in life if you don't, you know, maybe like little things like that, like just push yourself because it also like when you do push yourself it forces you to step out of that comfort zone and then that's some like really beautiful things happen, whatever it may be again. Like mine was, that's just the example that I'm giving but yeah you uh you mentioned here and i know um we're going to dig in ashley has a lot to dig in here you mentioned that you know death is very similar to breakups you've been through a breakup um on bachelor in paradise we saw that play out uh ashley was very upset about this breakup this was one that she she had her heart invested into how are you doing from that um i mean i'm good now

i think it's enough time has passed and i actually feel like with everything that happened with my dad. It was good. Some of my best friends actually reached out to Camille the day after, I think, he was admitted into the hospital. And so he and I were corresponding a little bit on texting during that time. And it was very eye-opening to me to realize, like, I think before that, I still was very, I would say, hopeful for, like, the future.

Like, I know that Camille and I could never look for frightening. Hold on. Hold on. Okay, wait. I'm literally writing in my notes right now that he was such a jerk to you, like the worst thing really a human could do to somebody else's. That I would think that you would be so over him.

You'd be like, I don't even have a breakup morning period because he was such a jerk that I just want him to be slandered by everyone. I have no interest in corresponding with him ever, ever again. I don't even feel sad because he's such a jerk. I told you, Ashley, was feeling this for you. No, and I completely hear what you're saying.

It's easier said than done. To remind everyone, he broke up with you on TV. Yeah, I know. He broke up with me on national television, and it was like, when I watched me last, that's actually when the breakup really stung, because I think I was so numb when it happened, the first time around. I didn't even really realize

how bad it was. And then when I watched it again, I was like, oh, my God. And that was actually that there was like two weeks after it aired. In that period, I was like, I don't want anything to do with him. And he was texting me like every day, like, please, you need to talk. And I was like, I just can't right now. Like, I need space.

But that's what I was going to say that with my dad, my friends reached up just to let him know, like, what was going on. And during that time, that was kind of for me when it was like, okay, this is never going to happen because he wasn't there for me the way, like, even as a friend, like, I felt like he just didn't know how to be there. And, like, when you're going through difficult times, you want somebody who can really be there for you. I don't think you should have wanted him to be there for you.

No, I mean, and I didn't. That was the thing. I think in those moments, like, when he was checking or whatever, I was just like, I'm, I sort of was feeling like, I'm done. I think I needed, like, a final straw with him, and that was sort of it. Okay. I know. I should have, my final straw stood at them when he broke up with me on national television. But, yeah, I wish I could have. You asked him, you said, swear on your mother's life that you will not break up with me during this reunion show. And he did. Well, I'm scared for his mom now.

Yeah. I mean, I was so blindsided. In a million years, I would not have thought that that was going to happen just because of the conversations that we had leading up to it. And I wasn't saying it because I thought he was going to. to break up with me. Like, I didn't say, Fred of me, you're not going to.

It was just kind of like a jokey thing, you know. Really? Because that's just interesting. I'm like, you're not going to propose to me. So, like, what are the other big things that could happen? I'm like, please don't break up with me.

He's like, I would never do that. I still remember his back. So you're saying that you were blindsided because that was a joke? Because, like, I'm sure the audience was thinking, like, oh, they were on the verge of a breakup and she was worried about it.

But no? Oh, no. No. Oh, no. I didn't say it. I was like, I'm afraid that we're going to break up, so I'm like, please don't break up with me. No, I said it kind of, when I said it to him, it was like, hey, please don't break up with me. Like, let's not do that on the national television.

You know, it's like, definitely was a little bit lighter. It wasn't like I said, concern. We had had some rocky points. Like, I mean, I was going to break up with him a couple weeks prior to that because I was just not getting enough from him. But then the last couple weeks right before the reunion, we were actually, like, really. doing pretty good. And so I was, like, just excited about it. Well, now that you reconnected with him in some sense after the breakup, I want to know

what Camille said was his reasoning behind breaking up with you on TV. Honestly, I think he's still, I think he's just a confused person. And I think he just has a lot to figure out still in life. And just don't think he's really ready for a relationship. And so I don't think he said. to me many times after the breakup. He's like, I don't want to break up with you. I just, I don't even know, like, how that happened.

Like, I don't know why I did it. And I'm like, well, you did it and you're not trying to get me back. So, you know. But I think, like, once he actually said it, he was kind of like, oh, maybe I'm okay with being single. I don't know. I have no idea. We had many conversations about it trying to get some clarity and trying to get some closure.

And I just don't think, I think the closure itself is, like, is really just, like, watching that final, the reunion episode and watching the breakup for me, because that's when I'm like, oh, okay, that was pretty bad. Annalise, I think you've been on the podcast now three times. Every time I feel like there's something, you know, major happening in your life. I hope this next season of life is one of just majorly great things. And before you go, because I know you've got a busy life ahead of you here, Ashley has one last question, but I want to personally just say, Annalise, thanks for coming back on the podcast, especially during a season that is probably not, I would assume, I'm going to speak for you, tell me if I'm wrong. It's not the easiest to talk publicly. So thanks for coming on and hanging out with us. Thank you so much. Annalise, I don't know where I saw this, but I saw a picture of you, a millionaire matchmaker from like 2011, and you had brown hair, and it was crazy. Yeah. Tell us about that.

moved to L.A. and I was like recently out of my first year to make a shop. And I can't remember how it happened. I was like just out and about and somebody was like, hey, do you want to do this? And I went with a bunch of girlfriends. Like, we just thought it would be fun.

And and then I was like in my 20s. I definitely died my hair every couple months. It was like a new hair color. You look good with brown hair. Both ways. What was that? You look good both ways. Thank you. I've had red hair as well, and I love changing it up, but now I'm like,

it's just easier and it's cheaper to be with my natural hair color, so that's where I'm at now. You're a natural blonde and you go brunette? Yeah. Wow, that's awesome. Yeah, so it was fun. I mean, it was fun. It was like a, it feels like many, many, many moons ago. But it was, it's funny about it was like, kind of came full circle. still looking for me as well wherever I can find it it's funny that people are always like don't find love on TV like go on the dating sites or like get set up I'm like what do you think

I've been doing for the last 20 years of my life like yeah of course it's like I've gone on every dating site I've gone you know I've been set up I've done all the all the ways to meet meet men so why not on TV well and that was my thought then that's my thought now you are such a readable character and we really hope I can't wait to see you with a ring on your one day. I'm going to be so, so happy. All righty. We'll talk to you soon. We always do. Thank you for coming on and being, you know, as honest as you were today. I know it was not an easy thing to talk about. I feel like my brain is still a little fried, to be honest. I'm not like even my,

it's hard for me to make sense and still, but thank you for at least letting me try. Oh, you did you did a great job. All right. Bye. All right. Bye. Thanks, guys. Thank you. She doesn't have a ring on her finger. I know one thing we can get her. A fab-fit fun box. Yes, man. Fat Fit Fun is a seasonal subscription box with full-sized beauty, fitness, fashion, and lifestyle products. I don't know if it would replace a ring in Annalisa's life. I'm going to be honest.

Probably won't, but it is going to be a nice quarterly treat for her. Yeah, it's like a little piece of medicine. It retails for $49.99, but always has a value over $200. You hear me right. It retails for $49,99, but always has a value of over $200. The fall box is available now. So sign up now before they sell out. You will not want to miss this box.

Ashley, what's your favorites in this year's box? Hmm, what was my favorite? There was an awesome exfoliant, which I always find the greatest exfolients and sunscreens in there. There was a very cozy scar from my editor's box. It was more of like a cozy thing. I love the free people eye mask because not only does it block out all lights, but it also has this gel insert where you can,

you could put it in there and then deep off your eyes while you're sleeping huge for me yeah so there's like a there's always incredible things I discover something new that I will continue to buy

for like the foreseeable future every quarter when my FabFit Funbox comes along this season there's stuff from Dr. Brandt and Juice Beauty as well as beauty blender and tarts

you can check out fabfitfund.com and use the code Almost Famous and save $10 off your first box, making only $3999. Again, that's FabfitFund.com and use the code Almost Famous and treat yourself. Ashley, this is one of the biggest weeks of the year. Everybody in studio is super excited to ask you. We're getting emails and callers. Ashley, are you and Jared dressing up as a couple?

Yes, it's so exciting. You guys, it's my first couple's costume of all of life. Where's the button at? We need that button. it's my first Halloween with a significant other and the Jasmine costume that I've literally wore I think for 50% of my Halloween's like 15 Halloween's no I have I've got this custom Jasmine costume which I'm sure I talked about it last year too I got it when I was 22 and I swear I've worn it every other year since I get to wear it this year with an Aladdin and I'm so excited I

ordered his costume. It came a couple days ago. We got a magic carpet and he has a lamp and my sister is going to dress up as red Jasmine, the one that is like under Jafar's spell. And her boyfriend's going to be Jafar. And our best friend's going to be the genie

and we need to get a little boo costume for my dog. Oh my gosh. Yeah, we're going to be a whole Aladdin clan. Where are you going to go? I don't know what? This is what's so crazy. Jared and I are invited to like dinners and parties all the time and they're, you know, and usually you're you're like, ah, I guess we'll go.

I guess we'll go, right? But I never get invited to a Halloween party. Yeah, same. Really? I, you know what? I have not dressed up in a Halloween costume. Honestly, probably way before college. No way.

Oh, yeah. Jared, too. I don't think Jared has, like, dressed up since he was 12. I haven't dressed. Yeah, and I didn't go trick-treating as a kid. My favorite was passing out the candy. I'd never like to dress up. I don't know why.

Really? My last, like, official outfit that I remember really wanting to be was Elvis. I, you could really pull that. See, I can do, if you could watch, I can do the lip thing a little bit. You're very good at that. Thank you. And we all know that you can do the hip moves too. So that was what I wanted.

Healthy. But I just don't dress up anymore. And nobody comes to my house for trick or treating. Nobody comes to ours either. And that's all Jared and I wanted to do this year. We're like, okay, so if we're not invited to a Halloween party, then at least can we, I even tweeted. I said, can I come to somebody's suburban house and pass out candy dressed up as Jasmine and Aladdin? Yeah.

I don't know why. But it's not in one. here's my strategy too this is where this really gets upsetting for me my very first year living in my house i went out to the store and i was like i want to be the cool neighbor like i want to be known for something you know i'm 24 years old living in a neighborhood of a bunch of 30 and 40 years like i need to prove myself worthy of being in that neighborhood so i went out to the store and i bought king-sized candy bars like a lot of king-sized candy bars i wanted to impress the people i had a great turnout right i was selling it obviously walk on the street hey take a candy bar thinking next year

it's going to be wild nobody showed up I still have the candy in my drawer from last Halloween I'm not going to serve it parents out there can come to my house it's safe but I still have the candy

I did not I probably got four trick or treaters four and they were like high school kids like the ones that you don't want to pass out candy too it's just weird you're just being odd I did that once I actually think I graduated college

I think when I was 23 I trick or treated and it was like a joke so I went with all of my college friends and we were all like 22 23 we went trick-or-treating with masks on and then they'd be like where do you go to school and we'd be like langley I like peed my pants laughing so hard going house to house yeah back in the day we're weird we're just weird people are weird yeah but we're we're in it together like Jared is just like you where he doesn't dress up and I just don't understand

he's like I can't believe you're spending $60 on my Aladdin costume I'm like I cannot believe that you think that I'm not going to spend $60 on your Aladdin costume I hope I hope he looks as good as he typically does. Jared is going to be one good-looking Aladdin. If you're out there dressing up, please email us at Ben and Ashley at iHeartMedia.com. Make sure you write in what you're dressing up as and who you're going with for Halloween.

And then I have a question. As a 29-year-old male, what is my role, like, what do I do on Halloween? Pass out candy, right? I can't like dress up and go to like a party. No, of course. If you're invited to a Halloween party, like this will happen for our age?

Yes. I just don't want me friends. Do not look at the internet? Wells and Sarah Highland dressed up as Taco Bell and they're like everywhere. Yeah, pictures are everywhere. Yeah, but they're like celebrities and stuff. Hey, you have Joshua Albers.

He got married this weekend. Jared and I wanted to go to the wedding, but it would have been our third straight wedding. And we were just like, we can't fly to a third straight wedding. Yeah, I wanted to go too. I had this retreat and I couldn't make it. I was sad. I haven't seen Josh a long time.

He was a good buddy in mine. He really is. Here's my question. We've got to bring Josh on at some point. I want everybody's opinion out there. So he's now married. So I looked at his Instagram today. I was actually looking at his wedding pictures when I was on the flight. Or just the ones that they've posted and people have tagged him. He still has in his profile, Bachelor at Season

11. Is it time to take that down once you get married? Thoughts? Good question. Or do you keep it up there? I was like, hey, at one point in my life I was on the show. I don't think there's an issue either way. It's whatever you decide. Yeah. I just thought. I thought, hey, stood out

to me. Bachelor at Season 11, you're married now. Maybe maybe you change that to like married anyways hey we are bringing on one of our favorite segments it's been consistent it's two years in the making it's two years in the running

the who the heck are you segment with Kelly Joe Higgins Kelly Joe Higgins who the heck are you well I'm me gosh you're the one that called me for crying out loud. Kelly,

we have the same last name. We could be cousins. Yeah, I wonder. That's what I was going to get to here. We're going to talk about family and grandparents and aun and uncles and see if we can make a connection. Kelly, Joe, we do a segment on this podcast called Who the Heck Are You from people that have been on the show from years past.

Please give our audience a little rundown of how they would know you, where they could watch your season, and what happened on your season. well if they have a VHS tape they'll be able to play back our old grizzled season I was one of the finalists on Bob Denny's season and yes years ago I was a fierce 23 year old and I feel like I'm like a bachelor grandma compared to you guys right now but on our season I was the finalist so he's a fierce 23 year old and I feel like I'm like a bachelor grandma compared to you guys right now but on our season I was the finalist so he's the one that gave me the however in the end. No. Yes, and he chose Estella, beautiful Estella, and I became a part of the Bachelor alum, but you know what?

We weren't even an HD for crying out loud, so I, we're old. Your name is Kelly, when you watch Bob Guinea season, we had to go back and pull up some tape. Kelly Joe Kerr-Hart How in the world did you say you made a name? It's phonetic. It's Kuharski. Kuharski.

And then one of our listeners, as a big fan of yours, she wrote us an email and said, hey, could you bring in Kelly Joe Higgins to the podcast to hear what she's doing in life? So you have a fan base that still lasts today. Congrats. Oh, that's fun. I'll tell her thank you.

Oh, she's probably listening, I'm assuming. But I guess there is no relation between your husband, who is a hockey player, Matthew Higgins, to Ben, Ben Higgins right here. No relation? No relation. Probably not. I don't think so. It is a common last name, I suppose.

Although they do kind of look alike. It's a little bit strange. I'm going to look them up right now. What's his name? Matthew Higgins. Who does he play for? Does he still play? Well, he is retired now, so he played for the Montreal Canadiens back in the day and then

played in Europe for nine professional seasons and that's when I met him actually right after we did the show actually I met him before the show and he was signing his first contract in Europe and I knew that I was

ready to go and that signed with the Bachelor franchise and I told him listen let's just see what happens and back then we had the friends move into the house and they asked me He asked me if I, you know, had met anybody before the show or if I had dated anybody seriously. And I said, well, there's a potential hattie-patati that I might figure out if Bob gives me the boot.

And that's what we did. Oh, so this has been going on for a while. Yeah, we're looking at a picture of your husband now. No offense to Bob Guinea, but he's definitely cuter than Bob. I think, yeah, I think I definitely, I don't know, I think he's pretty darn cute. so that's interesting that you guys were kind of talking before the show because I remember the bachelor producers were like after you go on the bachelor the guy in your life if there is a guy in your life is either totally going to come around or it wasn't meant to be and they're

just like there's something about the bachelor of course seeing your girl in the bachelor is going to make the guy be probably jealous and be like oh my gosh I what am I missing out on I'm losing this girl, and now she's like off doing big things in their life. That's absolutely hilarious that you think that, because my husband is totally the opposite. Really? You know, face deep in his hockey profession, and over in Europe, and, of course, they caught wind somehow that he and I had met before he started his career with this German hockey team, and then I went on the show. And I think I was an us weekly or something like that. And one of the teammates brought to Us Weekly to him, and he's like, look, there she is.

And then I think somebody got one of the episodes from the American Air Force Network, which is way back before all of the Internet. Gosh, I'm aging myself. This is crazy. Anyway, so he was able to watch, I think, the hometown date, and the hockey team was just razzing him. And then I think he was kind of put up to it after they knew that the show was done. He called me just out of nowhere. and just said, how are you, what's going on?

And then that's kind of how we rekindled. We never really chatted much after because I knew, I mean, I put myself all in because I was excited about doing The Bachelor, and he was starting a career in Europe. So who would have thought that we would ever meet up again? So do you think, was there ever a talk about you being the Bachelorette? Yes, there was. Yep. And I think just with demographics as well as Meredith Phillips was the Bachelorette after ours.

So I think it came down to, and I don't remember the legality behind all of it, but it was between her and I, and she was a little bit older, I think, way more, you know, I think just ready to have a commitment. And I was 23, and I didn't want my face kind of with a split down us weekly. So, of course, I was looking for love and I was ready. But I think the viewers were ready for someone to, something to stick on. the show, too. These guys are too young to remember Meredith.

But what happened, too, is when she was on with Bob, remember her grandma died? Yes. And she, like, won the hearts of America because her grandma died. And she stayed or she left or something happened, and I just have this memory. And I feel like that's why they made her The Bachelorette. Do you remember that? I don't know. She's awesome.

I'm not saying that, but it was like, that was like the, she made this big impact on the audience because of that. So that was to me why then she became The Bachelorette. It was like, oh, God, I help the girl that, you know what I mean? That was how I remember it. Yeah, I don't remember. I mean, they never told me the full story, but I just said, hey, listen, if you want me to a bachelor's out, I'll do it. But then it all works out.

God has his amazing way in a past, and I've just pumped that my journey went towards where I am now, which is with my husband, and now I have two kids. Well, that's kind of what I want to talk about now. your journey took you to marrying your husband changing your last name and now we're cousins let's figure out how I mean I I want to I would love to be related to your husband that guy he's he he's a stud um but how I think so how is here's a really important question I'll set of everything else I'll say the bachelor bachelor bachelor's app is here's what I really wanted to get to know how has the Higgins last name worked for you well

Well, it puts a big smile on my face that I'm able to be his wife. So if that helps you at all, go for it. Will you just tell my future wife that, please? That when you get the Higgins' last name, it puts a big smile on your face? Yes, you just have her phone meet. All right. Thank you. I need that.

I got your back. I got your back. I need the support. Before we let you go, a couple questions. You were back in a day, like you said, I wasn't going to bring this up. But you allowed me to. Okay. you were on the show a while back

and it was before really internet and social media and all that became popular what kind of feedback did you get like if you go back in that time of life did you feel like a celebrity did you feel like people were watching you did you feel the criticisms and the celebration and the praise or was it kind of just kind of more quiet well first of all I'm so thankful

social media wasn't fierce when I was on because I think it would have been way worse but I think at that time ABC had a blog or something and I think after the second show aired I went on just to because I was interested to see what people were saying and it was terrible because it was Kelly Joe I was getting called Kelly Ho because I was the first one that kissed Bob and I just was like oh I'm never going on this again I can't even imagine what you guys go through on a daily basis just with social and just the haters out there which is absolutely ridiculous because all it is is taking a chance on the what if, which I love the show for that because you never know what'll come of it, right? Look at you guys. They're doing an awesome podcast and you're on different shows now. It's amazing. So I'm thankful at that time we didn't have social media and all the spin-off either because I have a feeling that I probably would have done back from Paradise. Oh, yeah, you would. And my life was different. Yeah, definitely.

Yes. I mean, I auditioned. I submitted my audition with an old dial-up that, you know, remember the old noise that it made? Yes. Yes. That's how I submitted it. And, I mean, going back to that, I feel famous, no, because, but people did know us. I mean, I was in Chicago at the time, and we were going out. And I remember being able to get in a bar because I was on the show. And I think I threw out the first pitch at one of the Cubs games, which I thought was a good thing. That's cool. Don't, don't, no, no, no, no, no. Yeah, I've done it.

But Kelly, Kelly, Joe, I like you. But don't say you think. I know you think. It's a small deal. That is a really big honor. That is a privilege, one that we don't just throw out there. You threw the pitch out of the game. Okay, thank you.

I actually threw a strike. So I do remember. Right? I did not. I dirted it. That's awesome. I got so nervous. Go you. That's so cool. Hey, Kelly, Joe, before we let you go, I know you've got some big things happening. You are a skincare consultant for Rodana Fields. Tell our listeners what you're up to today, how they can support you. And if they want to see you, talk to you, hear from you again. How can they do that? Well, they could obviously find me on the Instagram. I'm at, like the Facebook. Yeah, like that's basically. You can search me at Kelly Joe Higgins. As you said, I am in skincare. I'm also in business development. So if you're an entrepreneur and looking to start something, you can look me up. It's pretty easy. And then finally, just if people want to ask me any questions, again, just message me because I'm an open book, as you guys can hear. And I wouldn't have gone on a reality show years ago if I still wasn't that same person. So there you have it. Hey, Kelly Joe, thank you so much for coming on the podcast. It's good to get to know you.

You are no longer a who the heck are you. You are loved, be loved. Come on any time. Thanks, Kelly. Yeah, thanks, guys. I want to find out if I'm related to Kelly Joe. I have a way that you could probably narrow the search down. Yep, 23 and me.

You guys, you know that last week I talked about how I realized I was only 14% Italian and pretty shocked with my 23 and me result. and now it's time for you and Ben to do it. 23 Me is named after the 23 pairs of chromosomes in your DNA. Their service provides you with over 75 genetic reports about your health, like lactose intolerance and sleep movement traits, and your eye color or your hair curl. And all you have to do is spit into the tube provided and mail it back to the lab. Everyone has a DNA story.

It's time for you to find out yours. Now they have a new podcast called Spit, a new podcast, from IHeart Radio with 23 and me. And the podcast discusses how science and DNA plays a role in society in our lives and how your DNA story can be experienced today and a whole lot more. The host sits down with the biggest stars and influencers of our time, including Emmy winning Darren Chris from the assassination of Johnny Versace and singer Mike Posner. You know what's kind of cool about Darren Chris?

I think his brother too did it. So they kind of analyzed. My sister and I both did it too. Yeah. So I think. And then I think they're both. both on the podcast so they like figure out the what's going on because they're siblings just like you and your sister so it makes it really really I got my results and now my sister and I

thought we could share them but then when we came back with all like the other things like the breast cancer gene and like Alzheimer's gene and all that stuff so my dad wants us to both separately do them because those things will show up differently oh interesting yeah yeah so join them and subscribe to the spit podcast learn more about the DNA found in our spit and understand who we really are genetically and how we are connected to the world around us listen to full episodes now on the iHeart radio app or wherever you listen to podcasts so pretty crazy i you gotta do it you haven't done it no well you should be on the spit podcast because you're a lot of spit because remember remember what my sister really struggle

i'm salivating look at look at a youtube video of pizza whatever your favorite food yeah i saw pizza coming to the i know i did too where's that from i'm salivating round table round table One of our favorite piece of placement. Hey, to close up the podcast, we have an email from one of our favorite fans. She is a longtime listener named Rebecca. It says, hi, Ben. Huge fan of you and Ashley and the almost famous podcast. My best friend Casey and I have been listeners since the beginning.

That's a long time ago. I mean, that's like, how long has this been? Year and a half-ish. Yeah, I mean, geez, I was a lot younger than. As Easton would say, my hair looked different. that it's casey's birthday tomorrow and it would mean the world to her if you would wish her a happy birthday she's the kind of friend who always loves caring for other people and i want her to feel extra cared for and loved on her birthday thank you we love you Casey happy birthday to you you can sing

it because we don't have to pay for it happy birthday to you happy birthday dear Casey, happy birthday to you. Hey, is the happy birthday song that old that we don't have to pay for the rights? It's one of those songs that, you know, what is that called, Mark? There's like songs. Public domain.

Yeah. So anyone, but that's because it's so old. I think 2016 it became public domain. Yeah, I think there's some lullabies we can sing too. Well, figure those out. We'd love to do a singing segment of the podcast. I think all of our listeners are going to respond in huge ways after hearing that. Yeah, I've got a good voice.

I feel like I'm not done talking to you yet I just like having a playful regular conversation You know what I mean? Like I just want to talk about regular things with you sometimes Because that's what's so fun You haven't seen a star is born yet I haven't seen a star is born Come on now

I've seen it twice now I don't want to see it I don't need that everybody needs it Because it makes you feel so many things You guys I don't need the sadness No I just cry too much the way it is I love a good work of art that moves me

that does yes a good work of art that moves you I'm into that I guess I could get behind it I just I have to be prepared to be moved yeah I just can't just be moved all of a sudden it just it could really when I get moved I mean I'm moved for a long time you are my sister was drained for the entire day she's like yeah that's why

we don't want to go actually that seems awful you guys it's fine if you do it on a day where you're not going to do anything for the rest of the day go see like a 5 o'clock movie you could go home be sad and then you're going to sleep and then you're going to wake up the next morning. You're going to want to listen to the soundtrack. Then for some reason, there's a weird crack in it

because no matter how sad you were, you're going to want to see it again after 24 hours. Yeah, my sister said the exact same thing happened. She was like, we left the movie theater and she said, I cannot believe you just, you saw that twice. And I go, wait 24 hours and you're going to think differently. 24 hours later, she's like, I want to see it again. I saw Halloween, Ben.

Yeah, us too. Yeah, that was good. Did you like Halloween? Yeah. I get scared easy. Oh, I don't. Yeah, I don't love it. I just, I get nervous.

What a curmudgeon you are. I know. It's just rough right now. I'm just emotional. I don't get scared easily and all I want to do is see a movie that scares the crap out of me. And I can't come up with one. Why shouldn't we dig into why Ben is emotional? No, we skip it.

Do you want, really? Is there something? Some help for that? No. Because I'm doing brain training. Are you really? Yeah. I'm rewiring my brain.

Oh, are you going to a different therapist or something? I mean, I just watch a lot of videos, read a lot of articles, and it takes work, but it's all worth it, Ben, so you could retrain your brain, too. I don't know if that seems really, really intense. I don't know if I'm there yet. I mean, I'm just saying it's working. It's not. I'm not cured by any means, but it's working. There's improvement, but it's slow.

It's all about training your brain to think positive thoughts and good thoughts. And when you go to the negative place, you just switch it back. You want to know why I don't want to go see a Star is born? Why? I was just looking through my list. I knew I was mad about something and why I don't go to movies anymore. Last time I went to a movie, I'm sitting in this movie. I'm getting ready to emotionally prepare myself for this show.

For Halloween. Yeah, for Halloween. More than ever, I think this is a sign that I'm getting old because it never used to bother me. I know that whatever is ticking inside of me is happening at a, at a faster rate than ever. There is two high school kids sitting two rows in front of me, three seats to the left. I can hear everything they're saying,

and they refuse to stop talking during the movie. And then they want to comment to each other during the movie. Like, so when something funny happens, oh, wasn't that one good? You remember that one time? Was that during Halloween, though? No, different. Because all kids do is talk during horror movies.

It's absolutely the most frustrating experience because I paid a ridiculous amount of money these days to be in that movie. I only paid to that movie. for the experience. And my experience is not going to be ruined, but you're immature, young, communication between whatever you're happening

where you listen and laugh at each other and poke your buddy to the side to make him giggle a little louder during a really scary part of the movie because that makes me jump even higher because it makes it more real. I don't want to go to movies anymore. I will sit on my couch

and enjoy it on my own. Just like most things in life these days, that's why I'm getting old. You need eye pick in your life. Do they have that? No, I pick is amazing, but also, okay, so IPIC is a movie theater around here where your seat completely reclines, you have a blankie, like no joke, they give you a blanket and a pillow.

Do they wash it before? Yeah, I don't check that. They do. Amy would definitely check that out. That's like an Amy thing. And then they give you wine and food and they come and deliver it to your seat. And the seats are spread out. It's more expensive, but you couldn't hear what someone else is saying next to you.

Like one time, I'm not going to lie, I actually brought my laptop in there. and did work while watching the movie. And, like, no one cared to the people around you, though. No, no one cared. That's why you need your brain rewired. Yeah, that's just weird. That's just nothing okay about that. You paid to be in a movie.

Why would you pay to be in a movie and work on your computer sitting in your living room? Well, no, because it was a new movie. It was a Liam Mason train movie. But you can multitask. You multitask well. I don't. I'm one way go. Which actually next week, let's talk about that a little bit because I think a lot of women struggle

with understanding that men only can do one thing at a time. And we don't get it, and so it totally befuddles us because we're like, I don't understand why he can't text me back. Well, he can text you back because he's busy. But when we're busy, we can text you and iron and talk on the phone and type emails and watch TV. I don't know why I ironed so much, but yeah. Yeah, I get it. Well, let's talk about that next week. Wait, hold on.

I have so much more to say. Like, I don't like going, I can't watch movies at home because I'll fall asleep. I will fall asleep and I'm never invested because there's either my phone or my computer or like I can go like, wear a face mask and then go wash it off and then I can go get a snack and like no in the theater I am fully concentrated on the film then when I go to I pick I also have the same problem because I want to fall asleep because I have a glass of wine and a blankie and I'm reclined so I really can't go to I pick either um and then I'll tell you why Halloween was scary to me because it was a very similar situation to you and and by the way I'm glad that you just did

a bend bitches by accident did you realize that that wasn't by accident I look at it. Okay. Well, in Halloween, Jared and I went to go see it in Puerto Rico when we're in Puerto Rico, because Jared, like, literally. That's a good way to spend your time when you're on vacation in another country. That's what everybody said to us, but it was our fourth night, and this man is so obsessed with the Halloween series in all movies in general, and like all Halloween movies in general, that we had to see it because he was like, if I don't see Halloween tonight, then I'm not going to see it until Monday, and I can't wait that long. So we went to see Halloween in Puerto Rico, and there was this kid behind us. Okay, he wasn't a kid.

He was in his 20s, probably. And these seats are weird. It was an older theater. So they leaned back really far. Like, you know, they leaned back because they were just like flimsy. So this kid behind us, he gets, we think came with two other friends, but he never interacted with his two other friends next to him. And they just wouldn't shut up.

So that was annoying. But then he gets up to go to the bathroom or something, comes back. And then he's leaning right by my head. Like, he's leaning down in his seat. Mm-hmm. And his head, his chin is literally four inches from my ear. No. We were scared crapless because we were watching Halloween a slash movie.

And he's breathing down my neck. And I'm thinking that he's going to literally take a knife out and stabbing. No, seriously, that's why it was scary. And then I keep looking back at him and he's either got his chin right by me, or he put his coat up all the way to his eyes, like covering his nose. That would be me, though. But no, he wasn't scared. He was like cold or something, and he was just being eerie.

The dude was being so creepy that we had to move seats 10 minutes left in the movie. So I don't go to movies. People are creepy, especially Halloween. You haven't been to a movie in a while. If you're out there, you want to go to a movie. I mean, I'm sure there's one nearest to you. Halloween, recommend it? Not really.

No, okay. What? Oh, my God. I didn't see it. Oh, I don't know. Jared is like also ruins me because he's such a, oh, I thought you did see it. No. Oh, I thought you said you did. Oh, no, no, no.

Oh, my God. Can we please go now? Okay, fine. I just want to say that Jared ruins all movies for me because he watches it like a critic. So he finds all the flaws in the storyline. So he's like, that part, they brought it up for a second and all of a sudden it wasn't the storyline anymore. So he like, all these loose ads. Is he talking about how they brought up?

that she's not related to Mike Myers. Well, there was one thing. They did that intentionally, and you can tell Jared this. No, we know it was intentional. We know it was intentional. Because they were making that a sequel to number one and erasing all the other sequels. Do you remember when in that movie,

the psychologist goes bad for a second? And then he was only bad for like two seconds before he dies. Spoiler alert. Then he was like, what was the point of all that? I don't know to get rid of him. Yeah, I don't know. You can't overthink it. I know, exactly.

Well, tell Jared that. Hey, not to get political last weekend. I spoke at Politicon. It is a conference colliding entertainment and politics all in one. It was one of the wildest experiences in my life. A lot of very passionate people out there on both sides of the parties. My biggest takeaway from the whole thing, get out there and vote. One week from tomorrow. One week from tomorrow. Get out and vote. If you're listening now, it is important. It is a responsibility. And to end this podcast, because one of the themes is, uh kind of combating i would say loneliness right we talked about it from the very beginning here's a quote doc from dr tang this relates directly with voting knowing you're valued and a contributing member of society is incredibly reaffirming and reaffirming yourself is one way to relieve yourself from feeling lonely so get out and vote be a contributing member of society we appreciate you thank you to audible good audible dot com slash bachelor pod or text bachelor pod to get 500

audible.com go to audible.com slash bachelor pod or text bachelor pod to 500 500 to get started. Thrivemarket. Go to thrive market.com backslize almost famous to get an extra 25% off your first order plus 30 day free trial. Ashley's favorite, La Tote. Enter promo code almost famous at checkout to get 20% off your first month. Fabfit fun. Use coupon code almost famous for $10.00.

off your first box at www. www. Fabfitfund.com and finally 23 and me, new podcast, spit. Listen to full episodes now on IHeart Radio, or wherever you listen to podcast. You really made that full circle

with the whole quote there. Good job. That's literary. Hey, Ash, that's our jobs. Bring it full circle. But seriously, get out and vote. We appreciate you. Thank you for this an almost famous podcast. Ashley, keep being you. With that, I've been Ben. I've been Ashley.

Peace. Love. And hope. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcast on IHartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.