The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - The Golden Age with Cindy Cullers PART 2

Episode Date: December 11, 2025

Ben and Ashley’s hang with Cindy Cullers from Mel Owens’ season of The Golden Bachelor continues! We ask Cindy the burning questions and find out what would have happened if she had been given a “promise ring” from Mel after receiving his final rose. And… could we see Cindy on Paradise? Or as our next Bachelorette??See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product. With every sip, you get a little something different. Visit Gentleman's Cut Bourbon.com or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky.

For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit Gentleman'scuturban.com. Please enjoy responsibly. Hey, everybody, it's Chuck and Josh from the Stuff You Should Know podcast, and it's that time of year again when we knuckle down to do our annual holiday episodes. We collected our best past classic holiday episodes and compiled them into a 12 Days of Christmas toys playlist that the whole family can enjoy. That's right.

Maybe you missed it the first time we detailed the history of Beanie Babies, Monopoly, or Yo-Yo's, and a whole lot more. So listen to the 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Have you ever listened to those true crime shows and found yourself with more questions than answers? Who catfishes a city? Is it even safe to snort human remains? Is that the plot of footloos? I'm comedian Rory Scoville, and I'm here to tell you, Josh Dean and I have a new podcast that celebrates the amazing creativity of the world's dumbest criminals. It's called Crimeless, a true crime comedy podcast. Listen on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This is the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcast with IHartRadio. We are back. So let's dive back in. There was a lot of confusion, I think, here between Ashley and myself on Mel. You know, you just have a picture of me. Like, that guy is very handsome. him. And he was kind, very kind to the contestants. But I don't quite understand how you could feel anything for him because watching it. And this isn't, I don't want this. You are speaking for me.

Oh, I don't want this to sound like a bashing of Mel because I don't know Mel. And that's part of the reason. And we've said this many times before. That's part of the reason why I'm so confused on how anybody fell for him because we don't know him. And I just watched. him on my TVs for three months. And any conversation we had, it did feel like you were the, like, you or some of the other ladies were the ones talking. And he wasn't really like giving anything to it. Was, was that just the unfortunate nature of how he came across in our TVs or looking

back? Was he giving more, like, was he actually giving anything to these conversations? I guess what I'm saying all in is it felt like it was flat. And as a result, I don't know how anybody got to know him enough to feel anything for him. That's very fair after watching the episodes back. I will say that I personally was giving Mel grace because he had to manage a whole bunch of women. And I didn't expect him to engage with me early on. And so I just said that's just part of what's happening.

He's got too many women to manage. but when it got down to hometowns in particular and definitely the exotic date and he still was an observer and not a participant, that's when it shifted for me because this is when you have to lean in or get out. And also for me too, like if I had just leaned out of it, we had a lot of women who just weren't leaning in too,

it goes both ways. But I was definitely leaning in And Mel continued to be, continue to be an observer. I will say that a lot of his personality, you don't really see, you know, here's my condo, there's a door right there. And on my hometowns, the producers were in the hallway and they were going to take some be real of us walking to the elevator, you know, hand in hand. And they left us inside, we're fully miced, and they were all outside getting set up. And they said, we'll yell to you to come out. And Mel immediately locks all the dead bolts and flips the lock on it.

And we start, you know, kissing. It's very flirty and very fun and, you know, very personal. And, you know, you don't see that. And I don't know whether the moments that Mel had were edited or not usable. It's unfortunate because I think there's more to, I think he's a very curious man. He's very intellectual. I can give you another example. If you want more.

Yeah. Like on our tailgate, what you see of my conversation with Mel is, do you like me as much as I like you? It's super flirty and super sweet, but you didn't hear the 20 or 30 minutes before then how we talked about tailgates never made any sense to us growing up. He was always, he was in the stadium. I was in the stadium. We're warming up for the games.

Of course, now we've been to tailgate, so they make more sense. um the bracelets that he wore in the show everybody made fun of like how his bracelets grew those were from a friend of us who has tailgates in michigan uh before the michigan games and so instead of doing wristbands he would issue those bracelets and um just that back story and then at the end he's like what else do you want to know about me and that's when they captured do you like me as much as I like you. So there's a lot that goes into the conversations that leads to that. There is another one.

I'm going to give you one more. It's after, oh my gosh, this was after the pool party, right? And I'm noticing how hypersexualized his behavior was. I was concerned about Nicole, of course. It's not something that I would do start so openly kissing in front of everybody. It wasn't just Nicole that worried us. It was like my man would not allow access to himself. So that was also in play.

And so my roommates, who I was very close to, we helped each other pick each other's outfits. And we were early on. So I still had a plethora of gowns left to pick from. And I picked a gown that was just strapless. It had a big tie, hot pink, but it didn't show any curves, no cleavage. It's like eyes up here. buddy and I wanted to see what my interaction was with Mel when he didn't get that

hubba hubba feeling with me right and we did we had a lovely conversation about his boys about his ex-wife's wedding and that's when I asked him about you know do you read any books what do you like to read and we had that conversation about books so you don't see the lead up to the books you just hear the the books conversation that's my fault I should have put it on Mike I guess but I didn't know what I was doing. Yeah, well, and I think, too, part of that you just mentioned it. Like, I would have just loved for him to talk about how about his ex-wife's wedding. Like, we didn't hear any of that backstory to him.

Well, I think that was out of privacy for her. And I think that's fair. And I've said that. I think that's fair. But I think part of that is, as a result, it just felt like we had this guy placed on our TV screens for us to get to know, yet we couldn't get to know him because there were so many boundaries to even infiltrate who he is as a human, what he actually likes, what he believes in, what, you know, what happened in his divorce.

So I think it was a mixture of things. I don't, I've never thought he was a bad man. I just think it was a bad environment for somebody like him to be in as the lead. Can I ask you a question? How much of that do you feel is generation? I think there's a hesitancy. I think it's generational, you know, like knowing my father or my father-in-law, right? They would be very similar to Mel on that show. They would be nervous, closed off, not knowing how to navigate, you know, the environment. I also think a little bit of it is Cindy, is his lack of experience, and that's not his fault. It is coming from the show. then going into the lead position. I think that helps because you know what's needed,

what should be said, what things you're good about saying and not saying, you know, I know we're going to ask you in a bit, so you don't answer it now, but like if you became our next golden bachelorette, which we sure hope happens, you're going to be a lot more skilled,

know it or not, because of your time on that show, then you would have been if you just came out of nowhere and were the lead. You'd just be better at it. You would talk better. You would sit, you would communicate easier, you'd be less nervous, those type of things. Yeah, I agree.

I think that even looking at how he handled hometowns from this season, you know, going into it, if he had been a participant in Joan's season, for example, he would have understood the magnitude of meeting someone's family in a different way and may have gotten out of the observer into the participant role. Yes. I like the way that you put it. observer versus participant. I also loved your self-worth through this entire thing.

Some of the lines that you said, I know someone will pick me, I hope it's you. Or I don't think I need to convince a man to love me. I just loved hearing you stand up for yourself and love yourself throughout the entire thing. And one of the things that I think was very frustrating. as a viewer, I mean, to a certain degree, the Bachelor always has to stay a little more hush-hush

as to, like, what his decisions are going to be down the road. He was very focused on you going to the fantasy suite. Ultimately, this was something that you decided not to do because you just felt like it wasn't there or it wasn't coming fast enough, just, you know, the status of your relationship. Thanks for the clarification, Ashley. Yeah, yeah.

So what do you think he was wanting to get across to you in the fantasy suite that it would have been that big of a deal? Or, in my opinion, I think he just was, like, shocked that you were kind of leaving him and his ego needed you to stay along so that he could kind of make the decision to dump you. I don't think he was going to, I don't think he was going to dump me. And I know there's a narrative out there that it was always peg. And I've got some examples there to share with you. but you know here's what male was very uh his ego was bruised i won't say he's hurt because i think his ego was definitely bruised and you could tell that by how he behaved it after the final rose yeah he came out and be pretty harsh if you look my cheek that cheek was sitting on the

corner of the couch i was scooting as far away from him as i could because he was just very aggressive with me that was inappropriate for any reason. But I understand his analogy I should stay to the end. But here's the alternative. I didn't want to get to the point where he offered me the Fantasy Suite and then I declined it. Maybe that would have made for better TV. But I was being a little bit more compassionate for that man for kind of telling him where

I was before he laid that out on the line. But there was no way you were going to put me in a compromising. permit position to go to the fantasy suite to hear what yeah what exactly was he going to tell me if he if he couldn't string together a sentence with more than four or five words about anything i'm not sure i have much faith in what he could possibly have told me the fantasy suite and there's a lot at stake listen i'm a i'm a mother uh eventually i'm going to be a grandmother i'm a friend i'm a sister I'm a daughter. Going to the fantasy suite, even if nothing happens,

you're going to have to answer to that the rest of your life. And I don't take that lightly. And I was just at a point where I knew he was not the man for me. I just couldn't stand how he kept saying, you quit before it was over. I was like, what? No, she was over. Her journey, she ended it, okay?

That was the ending position. didn't quit. We're playing a different game. Yeah, you laid everything out there for him. I mean, and how it ends, Cindy, I'm interested now. I mean, obviously he does end up with Peg. But he didn't, you know, propose the Peg. He gave her a promise ring. Just let's play the role play and say you were there at the end and he offers you that promise ring with all the conversations you had had leading up to that. Would you have accepted? it? What a joke. No, I mean, I think Carol said it best. She got a promise ring when she was 14. I was heading off into my daughter's wedding. I'm witnessing. My beloved become betrothed

to a man who stood up and committed for her. And I've said it several times before. I'm going to say it again because I believe this is one of the biggest principles that we need to teach each other. there's a big difference between people who want to share time with you. Why wouldn't they? We're fabulous, right? We're fun to be around. I do a lot of great stuff. And everybody would love to share time with me.

But there's a difference between someone who will share time with me and somebody who will commit to me. And knowing the difference is going to save you a ton of heartache and a ton of confusion, years of it. And I put myself in a position where I've let people just take my time. nothing wrong with that I have another bucket for people that I date that I just do fun things with. If I'm looking for a relationship, you are not going to give this woman a promise ring. You are full of wisdom. Also, if you had gone to the fantasy suite, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

And you had gone to that ceremony space for the proposal. Would it have been a promise ring that he gave you? Would it have been an engagement ring? Or would he have left you there? if you play out this scenario in your head. Like, are you asking if I had a choice? No. What do you think it would? How would have it played out if you did decide? I don't think Mel has any intention on being married.

No, no. And, you know, I made, and when I said to him that I would move to California, it's a little easy because my daughter lives there. And I don't have anybody who lives here in Austin. But, you know, he hasn't made, he hadn't thought about what his life would be like to change in any way to make room and just like I would not have made it to that island I think I would have been paddling

swimming snorkelings I would I would find a way to get off that island to run from from Mel as an option for my future which is another great example on how did this happen right he and again I don't want we've done it over and over but you know he says the things the interview pre-show and you're like okay this feels like this isn't a fit right and then they had to have known these producers are not dumb they're they're they're intelligent people

that he didn't want to end up in a in a marriage at the end of this like why was this the choice they made and that's still confusing to me at this point but it doesn't change the fact that you were great and you did you know put your stake in the sand and say this is who I this is what I stand for. This is what I'm going to do and not do. And ultimately, it did end up with you leaving. But our producer and Ashley and myself are convinced, Cindy, that you're not going to be single for long,

that they're going to be people, they probably already are. They've probably been this way for years searching after you. Are you out there actively dating? Has there been dates since the show? I guess is where I'll stop first. And then that's going to lead me into. to, well, what's next? I have been entertaining the idea of dating.

I've had a couple dates. I also believe that this is, being single is a precious season, too. And God has me here. I'm here for a reason. I was at church on Sunday, and there was a gentleman next to me who was kind of man spreading. And I'm like, hey, stranger over here, scoot that leg over. And like he was talking to his,

family just kind of in an outdoor voice we were at church and I remember thinking these are the annoying things about being in a relationship that I don't have to deal with and there is a blessing about being single and having these choices that I have and I don't know that we need to spend our life fervently seeking a relationship I think my man is fervently going to look for me and I hope he's building a big life and not spending all of his energy looking for me, and nor will I spend all my energy looking for him, I believe it. It will happen if it's meant to. If not, I mean, I live a great life.

I've got a great family, great friends, and no, I just feel very grateful. I mean, your follow-up question. Yeah, if obviously this year, Paradise invited Golden's Down, but then you also have this thing that we don't know if it's going to exist or not, as we mentioned, the Golden Bachelorette. Would you say yes to both of those if those are provided and those opportunities came in front of you? Or did you say no to both or yes to one, no to the other? I've had a blast with everything I've done with this season.

Everybody has been fantastic. I have had such a blast. And I started this year, 2025, with a motto, just to say yes, right? And I had found myself in previous years, and there's some more wisdom for you, this mommy wisdom. They call me Mama Colors for a reason, because I give too much advice. But I started putting things off. Like, hey, do you want to join us in Belize this year? We're taking a family trip. Well, it's kind of a bad time for me. Maybe next year. Hey, do you want to go? Well, I don't know. This weekend's not good. What about next? I was putting off.

some fun things. And in January, I just made an agreement with the universe and God to say yes. And that's kind of where I am. It's like to the most fun things. This golden bachelor was a blast. We met such great friends and had such a great experience. So I'm just going to continue to say yes. And there's opportunities that are brought to me. There would be a reason for them. And I'm just going to continue to say yes to the universe for what that holds. I love that. I've I've done that in phases of my life as well. It is. Don't do it anymore.

Just say yes, man. Just big bold yes. Capital. Okay, friends, real talk. You are worth the weight. We've all been there, giving our energy to connections that didn't honor ours, and watching friends do the same. And honestly, we all deserve better.

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Please enjoy responsibly. Hey, everybody, it's Chuck and Josh from the Stuff You Should Know podcast, and it's that time of year again when we knuckle down to do our annual holiday episodes. We collect at our best past classic holiday episodes and compiled them into a 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist that the whole family can enjoy. That's right. Maybe you missed it the first time we detailed the history of Beanie Babies, Monopoly, or Yo-Yo's, and a whole lot more. So listen to the 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Have you ever listened to those true crime shows and found yourself with more questions than answers? And what is this? How is that not a story we all know? What's this? Where is that? Why is it wet? Boy, do we have a show for you. From Smartless Media, Campside Media, and Big Money Players, comes Crimeless.

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Did you feel that he ended up with the right person that, like, Peg is better suited for him? Or do you feel like she was the more, the choice that perhaps put less pressure on him? I want Mel to be extraordinarily happy. I do. I think that he will end up a different person in a relationship with Peg than he would with me. And I think he could find happiness with both. But I think that this is kind of more. of what he's looking for more like oh it doesn't matter let's just you know get to know each other

and um and uh so i think this is this probably ended up exactly the way it needed to i know it did for me this ended up exactly the way it needed to okay that's my final question for you is you sit there today you know you're still in the midst of it it is fun you're getting to know some of the past women from the show and they're amazing and uh are you happy you'd did it, I guess is my question. Capital, yes. Absolutely. Absolutely.

This was such a fabulous experience. I'm happy I did it for a lot of reasons, for all those that you mentioned, for the people that I've met along the way, including today, you guys are awesome. What, you know, amazing souls and spirits I've been able to meet along the way. I had a great time in the mansion, although I'm really excited about their renovations. We sure need them. But not just that. I learned more about myself going through here, going through this process.

My kids learned about me. My friends, I think, see me differently. There's just blessings that pop out all the time that are unexpected. And it's been great. We've loved getting to know you more through this interview. You've lived up and beyond as to what we thought you were based on TV. You're so sweet. Thank you so much.

Yeah. And goodness gracious, Cindy. I really hope your story on our TVs is not done, but I also hope you find somebody or they find you outside of that show. That's my hope. It's a pleasure having you here. And we appreciate you. We respect you.

And thank you for being who you are. This has been the Almost Famous Podcast. And I've been Ben. I've been, Ashley. And I've been grateful. Oh, let's go. That's a first. Look at her.

Follow the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcasts on IHartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. I know he has a reputation, but it's going to catch up to him. Gabe Ortiz is a cop. His brother Larry, a mystery Gabe didn't want to solve until it was too late. He was the head of this gang.

You're going to push that line for the cause? Took us under his wing and showed us the game, as they call it. When Larry's killed, Gabe must untangle the dangerous past, one that could destroy everything he thought he knew. Listen to the Brothers Ortiz on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different

is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product with every sip you get a little something different. Visit Gentleman'scuturban.com or your nearest total wines or Bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky. For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit gentlemen'scutturbin.com. Please enjoy responsibly.

Hey, everybody, it's Chuck and Josh from the Stuff You Should Know podcast, and it's that time of year again when we knuckle down to do our annual holiday episodes. We collected our best past classic holiday episodes and compiled them into a 12 days of Christmas toys playlist that the whole family can enjoy. That's right. Maybe you missed it the first time we detailed the history of Beanie Babies, Monopoly, yo-yo's, and a whole lot more. So listen to the 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Have you ever listened to those true crime shows and found yourself with more questions than answers? Who catfishes a city? Is it even safe to snort human remains? Is that the plot of Footloose? I'm comedian Rory Scoville,

and I'm here to tell you, Josh Dean and I have a new podcast that celebrates the amazing creativity of the world's dumbest criminals. called Crimless, a true crime comedy podcast. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, Dr. Jesse Mills here. I'm the director of the men's clinic at UCLA, and I want to tell you about my new podcast

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This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.