The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - The Switch

Episode Date: April 5, 2022

It’s the off-season, so anything goes! Jared joins Ben and Ashley for a candid and honest look at what life is REALLY like for new parents. Is Paradise canceled??? Ben and Ashley discuss the rumors that our favorite part of the franchise might not return.  And we take another look at the timelines of Katie Thurston and her relationships with Blake and John… was there any overlap??See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, luckily, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend's been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone.

Hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Pretty Private with Ebeney, the podcast where silence is broken and stories are set free. I'm Ebeney, and every Tuesday I'll be sharing all new anonymous stories that would challenge your perceptions and give you new insight on the people around you. Every Tuesday, make sure you listen to Pretty Private from the Black Effect Podcast Network, Tune in on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Hi, my name is Enya Yumanzoor. And I'm Drew Phillips.

And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeartRadio app.

Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. Why are TSA rules so confusing? You got a hood of you. I'll take it all! I'm Mani. I'm Noah. This is Devin. And we're best friends and journalists with a new podcast called No Such Thing, where we get to the bottom of questions like that.

Why are you screaming? I can't expect what to do. Now, if the rule was the same, go off on me. I deserve it. You know, lock him up. Listen to No Such Thing on the Ironstein. Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. No such thing.

I'm Dr. Joy Heart and Bradford, host of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast. I know how overwhelming it can feel if flying makes you anxious. In session 418 of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast, Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett and I discuss flight anxiety. What is not a norm is to allow it to prevent you from doing the things that you want to do, the things that you want to do. the things that she were meant to do. Listen to therapy for black girls on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcast with IHart Radio. Welcome to the Almost Famous Podcast.

We're back. It's the offseason. And we cannot be more excited to be joining you all today to talk about a ridiculous, absolute ridiculous amount of Bachelor headline. Stuff is happening in Bachelor Nation. and it is exciting. But first off, we're going to check in with, well, I would say one of, if not, the best mothers, I know. Ashley, Ikenetti. You've never seen me in action, Ben.

I see you on this podcast in action. No, you're juggling a baby and a podcast mic and feeding all at the same time. It's impressive. Do you see his legs? Can you hear on behind me? Yeah, that's pretty great. Ashley, how are you holding up? Give us an update.

I know it's the off season, so we have some time here to catch up with you. Tell us where your life is at. Ben, I wish that my life sounded interesting right now. I am the ultimate mom, and I'm like, I now give my mom and, like, all of their, like, stay-at-home moms so much credit. Yeah. Because running a house and a baby and taking care of a baby is so not easy.

Plus, you know, I have other things like I have my podcast and we have social media work and all that. and there's just like no time in the day i remember my mom like still to this day like whenever we're home she's always like there's not enough time in the day oh i'm always doing something on this house it never stops and now it's like i quote my mom to her now i'm like seriously mom like it never stops there's always something i should be doing even before we had a baby i was like you know whenever i'd sit on the couch and be watching a show like there's that little voice in the back of your head saying you should be doing this you got to do this you got to catch up on that but all of it seems like you know it's not very urgent stuff you're like

yeah should be being productive i hate that i hate that we feel like we always should be being productive in some sense but now as a mom and now having a house instead of an apartment but mostly because of being a mom there's always something to do yeah i can't get even through like you'd think like oh you know like a lot of time to sit on the couch not even really because like I don't know if my focus is on something other than him like even if my eyes are on my phone or on the TV he doesn't like it you can tell he's like give me all your attention look at my eyes when you're giving me a bottle it's so funny I don't know where the time goes every day and then I think like okay um you spend half an hour

hour every three hours giving him a bottle so that's a whole that's a huge chunk of hours that you know that are that you used to have that you don't have now and I'm so not complaining like I love it and this is like I can stare at his face all day long you're not complaining but it's so crazy what just like how it changes your life completely Jared's here he's walking up the stairs he just came home from work Jared's working all the time because you know we have the new business hey Jared he washes his hands before he touches the baby every time good for him i mean that's great right but like also like jared the we don't need to do that the uh so he's been working you've been at home

you're trying to catch up now i've been saving this question it's a very it's not like a revolutionary question but i've been saving it for the moment that um felt necessary so you're you're you're into this mom thing now like you're you're gonna always be learning it's always gonna feel probably crazy and like you don't know what you're doing but like you're in it now what is something that was unexpected or that you didn't understand about being a mom that you've learned now since your mom day started um i think well because this is like an episode just of headlines and jared just walk into the room from work and i blessedly get to have him today um here at home at five o'clock that's amazing i'd love for him to come and do like this segment together yeah

Yeah. So as you just mentioned, Jared is walking up the stairs. He's washing his hands before he holds your baby because he cares so much. And now that he's with us, and it is a gift as we've learned that he is home at 5 o'clock from work, able to spend time with the family. It's a big deal that he's here with you. I think it would be awesome. We've all kind of been waiting and saving the questions for this moment. But if you guys could just talk a little bit about what you've learned as parents so far, some of the things that are. are shocking and surprising to you, too. Some of the things that maybe you feel like, well, I'm better at this than I even knew I was. Just spend some time if you don't mind walking through what being a parent is like to this day. First of all, hi, Ben. How are you, buddy?

Hey, Stead. Oh, yeah, I got to talk. First of all, Ashley, why are your hands filthy? Well, I got a blessed moment before where he was asleep in his car seat for like an hour and a half. So I spray painted the chairs. Oh, nicely done. So, all right.

So the question at hand, what have we learned as parents? Well, what's surprising? I think that what's surprising is one, everything does come natural like everybody says it will. Yeah, I mean, it's just like anything in life. You just adapt and learn how to do it. It's like, okay, here's a kid, so just keep it alive. I was just saying that the biggest change for me is definitely the time suck. Like, I mean, just giving him bottles is like a total of three hours a day.

Yeah, I'd also say just. You also, you're not here for all the bottles. I'm not here for all the bottles. I would say just the emotional exhaustion of it all. Really? Yeah, I'm always tired. But maybe that's some other shop all the time. That's because you're at the shop all the time.

I would, it's, yeah, man, it's great. It's just, your life isn't about you anymore. Like, it sucks. It just, it's great, but it sucks at the same time because it's like, I just, you know, I can't go to the gym anymore as much as I want to. as I want to or I just don't go to the gym anymore. And then, you know, so I don't feel my physically best, which doesn't make me feel my mentally best.

But I do love Dawson more than anything. He's definitely worth it. But then, you know, like, bro, golf is just, I've been golfing a long time. So that's out the window as of right now. But also I would say that has a lot to do with Audrey's because I'm there so much. 1,000% all of our stress comes from the fact that we decided to do three things at once. Yeah, so it's going to settle down. House, baby, and business, okay?

So there are like three full-time jobs that we took on all in the same month, the same season, the season of the year. And you see, like, he's just making noises. He's entertained right now. He's very entertained. He's on the bed. He's just, uh-oh. I'll go grab him a second. I would say also another surprising, not surprising.

I think a lot of the things I expected, if I'm being honest. I know it's an overwhelming answer, but, you know, I expected a full madly in love with him. I am. I expected to be in awe of every little moment I am. Literally everything. I'm just like, look at him. Look at him. Yeah, everything he does. As long as he's not crying, it's like, holy shit, look at him. Yeah, he's awesome. He's the best. You know, I'm excited for him to grow up. I'm excited to him. Listen, I'm going to be his parent. I'm not, there's a difference between being a parent and a friend. I'm not one of those people that believes that, like, I want to be my son's friend. I want to be my son's father. But, you know, I want to play catch with them.

and I want to, you know, show him the things that I love. And it's cool. Like, even something as stupid I was feeding him this morning, a Mission Impossible is on. And I'm like, bro, you're going to watch every Tom Cruise movie. And you're going to love it. Oh, my God. My favorite moment with him, unfortunately, Jared wasn't here for it.

But last week, he was, he was, like, being a little, okay, yeah, I just told him. He was being, like, a little fussy. And we were really realizing that he loves being out. Like, he's super social. Whenever he's out, like out to dinner, out at Audrey's, he is in his happiest state. Like, he likes to see a lot of things around him and like to hear different sounds. So I was like, you've got to, we've got to turn you on to music already. So I started playing the greatest showman soundtrack for him, amongst others of my favorites.

And we're not just talking boy bands. We're talking about, like, lots of other, like, classic great, timeless music. And he was kicking and moving his arms and his arms and his. His legs and his eyes were getting wide and everything as we were listening to The Greatest Showman Soundtrack. And it was so cool to see his reaction to some of my favorite music. Well, you guys have also, like you mentioned, you've done a lot in a short period of time. You, as to repeat, you got a house. You started a business.

Which we may move out of. That's because we want to make things even more difficult for us. actually well this is this is the thing our house is actually we very much like our house but it's 35 minutes from audries and we thought that wouldn't be that bad of a commute i'm just going to babble here this is like a therapy session with ben um yeah we didn't think that was going to be that bad of a commute for jared but it is because he at least has the kind of job there as the owner that he could bounce back and forth when during busy hours and slow hours you know he could be home but he can't exactly bounce when the commute is 35 minutes he's

not going to go back and forth twice a day and then with dawson he wants to be as home as much as possible and like i need more help so we're even looking for another house right now which is insane because i'm going to have to do what i've just done move in and settle and make a make it home all over again but in the long run we do think it's going to be helpful for us and like good for our mental health and our whole family health. I get it. No, and that makes sense. And, you know, a lot of people, when you have a baby,

a lot of people don't add the things that you guys have on, but you have added a lot on. There is something I'm really intrigued to talk to you both about because Ashley, we spoke about it before Doss was even born. And I haven't got to talk to Jared about it. But, you know, in 33, a lot of my friends are having their first children or second children or they're thinking about having kids. are trying at this stage.

There is an anxiety element, right? Even just having a baby in your house and worrying about your baby now and worrying about the baby sleeping. And then also the worry about the work and then the worry about a new home or work in general. How are you two doing when it comes to your anxiety levels and your mental health and how you're functioning both as humans? Oh, I mean, we're fully depressed, but.

I was going to say, how honest is you going to be? here. And that's fair. No, and it's fair to talk about because I think, just be honest, because there is, I mean, I get to hear, right, when you're, when you're friends with people or there's people listening who have been through this, maybe you're not depressed. Maybe you're like, hey, this is super easy on us. And like, we're just thriving.

And that's okay too. But be honest about where you guys are at. The way I center myself is, listen, we're tired, we're exhausted. Like we were saying before, you know, everything that we do. know is really Dawson first, trying to prioritize how he's doing. I know I try to help Ashley that in any way I can. But so it's exhausting and there's a lot of things to complain about having said that the way I center myself is, I mean, all you have to do is look around the world. No, no, no, no. I was going to say, all I've do is look around the world and realize, holy crap, you know, what am I

complaining about? I'm breathing right now. And that's what I really center myself. So like as exhaust as I am and times when I get really down and just sad, all I do is think about why am I, like one day I'm going to die and I'm not going to be able to hold my son or I'm not going to be able to breathe or have a sip of coffee or just look outside. He's grabbing the mic. And so that's one, you know, those are the moments

where I really just kind of center myself and realize, okay, Jared, relax. You're not the center of the universe. There's a lot of people stressed out. There's a lot of people in worse scenarios than yourself. So just relax, breathe. Because you get to breathe. You know, not everybody gets to do that.

Not everybody gets to live to 33. You know, it's a blessing. And so hopefully we live for a very long time. And so that's how I think. Mine is very similar as well. It's like Jared and I have this horrible fear, this dooming fear that will happen one day of our parents dying. Of course. And then like our siblings, we don't even think about our siblings because, you know, they're our age.

Lois. Oh, God. Lois, all those things. So I think about sometimes, we're just like, you know, that day is not today. And we have everybody happy, healthy, and safe. And, like, I can't be luckier. Has these existential questions became heightened now since Dawson's born? Do you find yourselves kind of asking and worrying and thinking about these big life things now?

Yeah. Oh, my God. When we first had him, when we were living at my parents for those couple weeks. Yeah. I was crying all the time being like not in a baby blues way you know not in a postpartum way or anything like that

because it was like happy tears but I was like you can't get better than this somebody's gonna die soon like you can't just you can't live a life like this perfect just because like when he's born and you're like oh my God I love him I can't believe how much I love him

yeah I think about those things too I was on a flight by myself I forget when I was probably on the oh you went you went back here for like three days. Oh my God, we were afraid that he was going to die on a plane. Well, I think about this. I think about it differently now because now if I, you know, something tragic happened

I wasn't here, it's weird to think that, you know, Dawson would grow up without a father. You know, and the same thing with mom, Jesus, with Ashley. I mean, obviously I think of it in my terms because I don't want to think of anything bad happening in Ashley. But like, it's weird to think like, yeah, bro, you, you know, so me and my friends unfortunately have had to grow up without their dad for multitude of reasons

whether it's, you know, he's not with the family anymore or unfortunately he passed in an early age and to think like that would happen to, that's the weird mind-blowing, like to think that like I would die and then he would grow up and then he would be the kid now to be like, yeah, my dad died when I was, you know, a baby.

Yeah. He's like, Jesus. I worry about Jared in the car driving back and forth. I'm like, do we need to get you a bigger safer car now? All right, let's talk about Disney or something, bro. Well, and it's just interesting to see the switch. You know, all this is touching about the switch once Dawson was born, where your minds went, where your hearts went, where your, you know, your heart was opened up, your anxiety and your fear increased, and your responsibilities increased at the same time, yet you're sitting there smiling at your beautiful boy and enjoying every second of it. And it's weird, right?

If I was to describe, hey, you're going to think more about the fragility of life. you're going to be more tired than you've ever been before. You're going to have more responsibilities than you know what to do with. And on top of all that, it's going to feel like you're learning every day something new. Hey, does this sound fun to you? If you didn't add in that you had a baby, you'd be like, no, that sounds awful. But you had a baby. And for some beautiful, miraculous reason, you're like, and it's all worth it.

And it makes my life better. And I cry because I can't imagine it being any more perfect than this moment. Yeah. It's weird when we think of ourselves as certainly I don't think of myself as indestructible, but you always, I don't know, if you guys feel the same way, but you... I worry about other people. I don't worry about myself. That's what I mean. Like, I feel like I, you know, I don't know, I always think of ways of surviving things. The point is, it's so much different with him because he's just so fragile. I'm like, we're just, we're just, we. think about it like if I trip he's in my arms like he doesn't even know how to turn over if he fell like it's just good I every time we walk down the stairs yeah it's a thing you know every step I take

it's like this could be it yeah it's so weird to think about how vulnerable he is yeah Jesus man like your life is literally in our hands isn't that crazy bro yeah it's and then one day's gonna grow up and be like I hate you dad because he's gonna say that because all kids says I've never said that's my parents before. Ben, did you ever say that? I said it once. Yeah, I did. I said it to my dad once and yeah, I still remember the moment. I didn't mean it. I was angry and I, it still sucks that I ever said to the day because it's the opposite of anything I've ever felt or felt the time or feel now. But yes, you do. You're a teenager and they, it's usually because they catch you doing something you shouldn't do and you're feeling super guilty about it and you've

lied to them and gotten out of it. And then they like ask you one more time and you're like, hey, I hate you. Stop asking me these questions. And they're like, well, that hurts really bad. I know. To this day, I remember being in like first or second grade. And I was going through this phase where it's like, I didn't want to be taking care of anyone that wasn't a girl.

Like I wanted all my teachers to be girls. I wanted like every, you know, every babysitter had to be a girl. And so they're going to leave me home with my grandpa and my grandma. But I guess I didn't want to, I don't know what it was about grandpa. And I go, no, don't leave me home alone with. Grandpa, he's mean. It's like, what? He was the nicest, never mean ever, but like, I was, I called Grandpa Mean. And now to this day, I still think if he had overheard that, I just can't, I can't deal with that guilt. Yeah, but then you fast forward yourself into their

shoes. Now we're all adults. If a kid said that, you'd be like, we would laugh about it. You know, so I guess as a kid, you feel a lot more guilty about it than as an adult. Hey. But still. Well, it's really great to catch up with you too. And it's good to get, and what you're accomplishing and how you're changing as humans. It's great to see it. And I think from all of us, we appreciate you all giving us the update. And we will continue to keep updates as your family grows and as Dawson grows.

And as you too continue to navigate this wildly fun journey that is parenthood. You're doing it well. Thanks, Ben. Our next thing is trying to make him smile. So he smiles in his sleep, most of the time probably because he's farting. But now I'm trying to like make him smile because I can see it. Like, I could see his, it's on the verge.

It's on the verge. I can see his facial recognition. I could see, like, he's opening his mouth. He's enjoying it. Yes, he's a pooh-pooh. I don't know what that means, but I say it a lot to him. But he seems to enjoy it. Yeah. That's what he said to Lois beforehand.

Yeah, now, dude, Lois, I can just see it in her face. We feel so bad about Lois. So bad. She actually gets plenty of attention, but it's just, I think it's her looking at the love that he gets that makes her sad. Yeah, it used to be here. No. All right. Okay.

But wait. more thing that I wanted to mention because I said this on Instagram and I had somebody respond. I don't remember who it was but it was also a bachelor mom so the only time that I've been more tired

because he's really good sleeper. We don't get like solid like you know eight hours straight through. We get breaks and stuff but we get probably more than the average parents I think he's been pretty good and he has been pretty good from the start but the time in my life where I was way more tired than this

was definitely filming The Bachelor. That's because we would go to bed at two in the morning and they'd wake you up at 7. Exactly. So if you could survive that and then be on camera, you can get through it a lot. You can get through a lot?

Well, I have something that's going to make Dawson smile. You think that's snotty of me to say? No, no, no, not at all. If you can get through the Bachelor, you can get through anything. Yeah, I mean, it's the same as torture, right? Yeah. I do have something that's going to make Dustin smile. It's going to be Bachelor headlines,

and they're going to come up right after the break. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Oh, wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes,

my boyfriend has been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now, he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate. Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor and they're the same age.

It's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet. So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his professor or not? To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. The U.S. Open is here. Podcasts. Good Game with Sarah Spain. I'm breaking down the players from rising stars to legends chasing history. The predictions will we see a first time winner and the pressure? Billy Jean King says pressure is a privilege, you know. Plus, the stories and events off the court and of course the honey deuses, the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open.

The U.S. Open has gotten to be a very fancy, wonderfully experiential sporting event. I mean, listen, the whole aim is to be accessible and inclusive for all. All tennis fans, whether you play tennis or not? Tennis is full of compelling stories of late. Have you heard about Icon Venus Williams' recent wild card bids? Or the young Canadian, Victoria Mboko, making a name for herself? How about Naomi Osaka getting back to form? To hear this and more, listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain, an Iheart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Culture eats strategy for breakfast. I would love for you to share your breakdown on pivoting. We feel sometimes like we're leaving a part of us behind when we enter a new space, but we're just building. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us, I was joined by Volisha Butterfield, Media Founder, Political Strategist, and Tech Powerhouse for a powerful conversation on storytelling, impact, and the intersections of culture and leadership. I am a free black woman who worked really hard. hard to be able to say that.

I'd love for you to break down. Why was so important for you to do C? You can't win as something you didn't create. From the Obama White House to Google to the Grammys, Belicia's journey is a masterclass in shifting culture and using your voice to spark change. A very fake, capital-driven environment and society will have a lot of people tell half-truths. I'm telling you, I'm on the energy committee. Like, if the energy is not right, we're not doing it, whatever that it is.

Listen to Culture Raises us on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble.

Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free iHeartRadio app, search emergency.com, and listen now. Imagine that you're on an airplane, and all of a sudden, you hear this. Attention passengers. The pilot is having an emergency, and we need someone, anyone, to land this plane. Think you could do it? It turns out that nearly 50% of men think that they could land the plane with the help of air traffic control. And they're saying, like, okay, pull this, until this. Pull that. Turn this. It's just...

I can do my icecloth. I'm Mani. I'm Noah. This is Devin. And on our new show, No Such Thing, we get to the bottom of questions like these. Join us as we talk to the leading expert on overconfidence. Those who lack expertise lack the expertise they need

to recognize that they lack expertise. And then, as we try the whole thing out for real. Wait, what? Oh, that's the run right. I'm looking at this thing. See? Listen to No Such Thing on the IHeart Radio app. Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Moving on from Bachelor Headlines, or geez, moving on from Jared and Ashley and Dawson, we're going to go into Bachelor Headlines, and there's a lot of them the day, and there's some that we really got to celebrate, and this first one falls into that category. Former Bachelorette, Andy Dorfman, is engaged to boyfriend Blaine Hart. The quote is, I finally found love. Yay for Andy. I'm excited. I'm also curious because they met or, okay, so they rekindled their relationship in Italy.

And I want to know rekindled or she says the she, yeah, rekindled last summer in Italy. So I got to know, rekindled from when, from what? Was this a fling that turned into a relationship at some point later down the road? Or was this an ex-boyfriend? who turned into a now current boyfriend and fiance? I don't know, but we have to get Andy on here and ask her about it. She brings up Italy because that's where she's thinking about doing the wedding. She says that she's not interested at all at planning a wedding.

She says she wants to take the groom's job, basically doing nothing during this wedding planning process. She says it'll be like a small thing whenever it does happen. But as far as the engagement goes, happened this week. It was very exciting. He told her, let's go to dinner. And before, do you want to, like, just get some, you want to have some cocktails on the beach during sunset? She says it's something that they do a lot. So it wasn't, like, out of the ordinary or whatnot.

And she's, like, looking at the water. And before she knows it, she turns around and he's down on one knee. She says she doesn't really remember anything except for, like, crying and hugging him. And then they, instead of going to the restaurant, he goes, We're going to spend the night at Hotel Bel Air. And then he said, well, let's go home first, pack a bag. And then when she opened the door, all of their family, they're both their families. And then closest friends were there to surprise her.

Her niece and nephew came running up. She said it was so cute. And he also, they picked out the jewelry. They picked out the ring actually together, which is interesting. because why was it really a surprise? It couldn't have been a surprise if they were picking out jewelry. Another thing we have to ask her,

they used the same jeweler as her parents did 40 years ago. That's amazing. That's such a great story and great for Andy. I wonder, Ashley, if you remember right, maybe two years ago,

we had a headline where Andy Dorfman had posted a picture with a guy's legs on the beach. Remember that? Oh my God, is that him? I wonder if it is him. We got to ask her. We got to get her on. But I'm just wondering back in the day there was that like Bennett, you know, was Bennett Jordan. It was maybe him. And he was like, no, he's playing all coy about it. And it wasn't him at all. I wonder if it was this guy. And that they maybe like took a time, some time apart and then got back together. I don't know. Those are all speculation. And we need to bring around the two things up. Yes, let's read down these questions. I'm very, very interested in Andy Dorfman's love life.

So I won't forget it. Hey, we mentioned it last week, Ashley. We kind of argued back and forth. If we thought Bachelor in Paradise would happen, we wondered if it was going to happen. People were starting to speculate that it wasn't going to happen. But we now have some more info for you because we promised you we would. So here's the headline, Bachelor in Paradise, 2022.

Everything we know. this according to Mary Claire. Yeah, so I had mentioned last week that like the timing was weird. I was like, why don't they just start filming Bachelor in Paradise in May and then we get that season? Why do another bachelor, why do this Bachelorette season now when we already have Michelle's Bachelorette season to pick men from? And then we have, of course, this past Bachelor season to pick women from. And then you said, I don't know, am I get canceled?

Well, that was a speculation, especially Bachelorette. Back in October, when reality, Steve mentioned that because of the ratings, he was thinking that it might get canceled. But this does not seem to be the truth of the matter because right now it looks like producers are making calls to Bachelor alum, seeing if they're interested in being in the upcoming season. We just don't really know when it'll air. It'll probably be airing later than usual, like maybe October time after the Bachelorette airs. And I just find that that's going to be maybe a little bit weird feeling because Paradise is such a summer show, but who knows? I guess we'll just experiment a bit. It's going to be interesting to see.

I mean, I think a lot of people are intrigued. You know, Paradise might have low ratings, but the people that watch it really engage in it. And there's a difference between now, I think, on television where people just watch a show and it gets great ratings or people reacting. and taking action on the show. And I think Paradise gets a lot of social media attention. People love talking about it, writing articles on it. I would still, I mean, last week I said, hey, I don't know if it's going to happen.

As I spent more time this week thinking about it, I'd be shocked if it didn't happen because it is such a involved show and people love watching it. It's very loyal following. Yeah, it's definitely like if you're talking impressions versus engagement, it gets a ton of engagement if we were like talking in social media terms

and I can I can say that I personally know that some of these girls are getting calls or producers so they're in the casting process well that's exciting for so many now we do have some very interesting headlines that I didn't think

we'd be talking about this week but we they came up they were given to us and I think they're interesting to talk about Katie Thursday and John Hersey reflect. This is the headline on Blake Moyne's reaction to their romance. Twelve Days of Messy backlash that Katie received is also involved in this article. And they also touch on, do they feel pressure to get engaged? All of this is according to us weekly.

But again, here's the things that we're going to talk about as Ashley breaks it down. Katie Thurston and John Hersey's relationship, also Blake Moyne's reaction to the romance. The 12 Days of Messy, if you remember Katie did just a while back and kind of the backlash that she got for that and do they feel pressure to get engaged okay so let's start with do they feel pressure to get engaged uh she says that because the bachelor process is so fast people just like expect it to come but it's not anything that they feel pressure to to to go into right now they're in the normal world she said not on a dating show so after a few months that's just not what they're thinking of right now and they're very much mentally living in the quote

normal world um as far as blake goes john said that they're kind of disappointed in the way that the Blake stuff has gone down because he's been like relatively open about how things unfolded on podcasts and he said that there was no overlap in the relationships and that he actually hung out with Blake for like 12 to 18 hours they say um when Katie and Blake were together and John was with another girl. And they had a lot of fun together. They did an escape room. He said they hung out all day.

So it was disappointing when he heard Blake on all these podcasts saying things like, oh, I wasn't putting, Katie wasn't putting effort into a relationship. That's why it was failing and falling apart. And then he goes, well, at John says, as Katie's good friend at the time, I saw how much effort she was putting into that relationship and how much she was trying to make it work

and it wasn't just one-sided and he said that was really upsetting to see so then the other reason that Katie in the whole 12 days of messy thing let me start that fresh game so then the 12 days of messy thing why Katie and John went public so quickly they said that once

they explored their connection a little bit and they knew that was going to be something that was going to be long term they didn't want to have to sneak around they didn't want to like they didn't want people to like see them in public and then like wonder like come up with their own agenda or narrative they just wanted to be out there and open with what was going on and I guess that was smart because if they did hide it more then there would probably be even additional speculation that there was some overlap in the relationships you know obviously both sides I think have been you know open since the breakup and these breakups are messy I mean, they are, they're already in the public light. They're already talked about. People are being asked about it.

I mean, I can't, you know, be on either person's side here because here's the truth of it. Blake has his own things going on now. So if he goes on a podcast, he's going to be asked about Katie. Like, I know from personal experience, if you like it or not, you're going to be asked about whoever it is that you're with from the show. That's a thing. And it's going to happen for years to come. and you're going to find like a few things to say and a lot of things not to say

to give like some type of fair response and truthful response without you know maybe throwing the other person on the bus now katy and john they're dating like you expect them to hide it not to be out there about no like you should they should be out there they should have fun they should be exploring this thing i just think uh it's one of the interesting things that happen in this world is people's feelings are legitimately really hurt because there are still emotions at play and there's still history at play and that's something for all of us who realize as we watch these things unfold is these are still humans trying to figure out how to find love. It's not easy. So, you know, but they're talking about it. And that's something that

we're going to talk about here. They talk about it. We're going to talk about it. Well, speaking of talking about it, Tasha Adams confirms ABC gave her and Caitlin Bristow a heads up about Jesse Palmer hosting The Bachelorette. This according to us weekly as well. She said Caitlin and I both had a phone call weeks prior saying that they were going to go move forward with Jesse so it wasn't really a surprise when it was announced on the finale that he would also be hosting The Bachelorette. She says, I'm very happy for him. I feel like he's been so sweet and kind to me. So I wish everybody that takes that position the very best and I'm excited to see the new season. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly and now I'm seriously suspicious. Well, wait a minute, Sam, maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit.

Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend has been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now, he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate. Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor, and they're the same age.

And it's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet. So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his professor or not? To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

The U.S. Open is here. And on my podcast, Good Game with Sarah Spain, I'm breaking down the players from rising stars to legends chasing history. The predictions will we see a first time winner and the pressure? Billy Jean King says pressure is a privilege, you know. Plus, the stories and events off the court and, of course, the honey deuses, the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open. The U.S. Open has gotten to be a very fancy, wonderfully experiential sporting event.

I mean, listen, the whole aim is to be accessible and inclusive for all tennis fans, whether you play tennis or not. Tennis is full of compelling stories of late. Have you heard about Icon Venus Williams' recent wildcard bids or the young Canadian Victoria Mboko making a name for herself. How about Naomi Osaka getting back to form? To hear this and more, listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain, an Iheart women's sports production in partnership with deep blue sports and entertainment

on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Culture eats strategy for breakfast. I would love for you to share your breakdown on pivoting. We feel sometimes like we're leaving a part of us. behind when we enter a new space, but we're just building. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us, I was joined by Volusia Butterfield, media founder, political strategist, and tech powerhouse for a powerful conversation on storytelling, impact, and the intersections of culture and leadership.

I am a free black woman who worked really hard to be able to say that. I'd love for you to break down why was so important for you to do C. You can't win as something you didn't create. From the Obama White house to Google to the Grammysia's journey is a masterclass in shifting culture and using your voice to spark change a very fake capital-driven environment and society will have a lot of people tell half-truths i'm telling you i'm on the energy committee like if the energy is not right we're not doing it whatever that it is listen to culture raises us on the iHeart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts hi my name is enya umanzor and i'm drew phillips and we run a podcast called emergency intercom

If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes we're not the podcast for you but if you have unmedicated ADHD Oh my god perfect and want to hear people with mental illness Psycho babble

Yes yes Then emergency intercoms the podcast for you Open your free IHeartRadio app Search emergency intercom and listen now Imagine that you're on an airplane And all of a sudden you hear this Attention Passengers Because the pilot is having an emergency, and we need someone, anyone, to land this plane.

Think you could do it? It turns out that nearly 50% of men think that they could land the plane with the help of air traffic control. And they're saying like, okay, pull this, until this. Turn this. It's just... I can do my eyes close. I'm Mani. I'm Noah.

This is Devon. And on our new show, no such thing. We get to the bottom of questions like these. Join us as we talk to the leading expert on overconfidence. Those who lack expertise lack the expertise they need to recognize that they lack expertise. And then as we try the whole thing out for real. Wait, what? Oh, that's the run right.

I'm looking at this thing. Listen to no such thing on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. is also speaking about how she felt triggered by the Bachelorette having two leads for season 19. It's an interesting comment. I'm excited to hear about the article, Ashley, because obviously I was on that season. I told you last week, I do think it's going to be interesting to say the least on how they do this two Bachelorette thing. I don't know how it works out and how it works out well without just adding more messiness and more drama to the situation. But I also will say it'll probably make very interesting and fun television.

But it's interesting to hear Caitlin's response. So Ashley, why is she saying this? Well, it makes me feel kind of guilty now for being excited about the two bachelorette's. Because back during Caitlin's original, you know, well, not original season, I guess that was Chris's, but her bachelor's season with you, I felt like it was going to be her and Brit the entire time. And I was excited to see how they were going to navigate that, how guys were going to date one and that there's going to be dates with another.

and blah, blah, blah, but then it ended up being eliminating Bachelorette, which is, like, the most hurtful thing. And we all, like, are not really down for the way that that unfolded. But I thought with there being two the entire time, like, it's going to be with Gabby and Rachel, this could be fun. But then Caitlin says this, and I'm like, oh, darn it, she totally has a point. So she says, oh, my gosh, can a woman have her own season? First, it was her season.

She was like, it was Claire, and then she was gone. So then it had to be Tasia, two and one season. And then there was Katie back to back with Michelle's season. And now we have two bachelorette again. Can it just be, you know, one bachelorette? She was, I just want somebody to have their own season, and I just don't want them to be pitted against each other. I don't know how the format is going to work.

I don't know what their little system is going to be like. but I know how two bachelorets felt with her. And it felt like being pitted against each other for men to decide. She also said, we could all get weird on what's acceptable and what's not acceptable in Bachelorette because, you know, that's a real gray area. But I wish I was there for this because I know how it feels. And yeah, that's so true. I do like Jesse as a host.

But in the case of there being two bachelorettes, it would have been appropriate for Tasia and Caitlin to be host, especially Caitlin. But yeah, Tasha was also part of a two Bachelorette season. So when I think about it like that, it's kind of confusing why they wouldn't just stick with Jesse for The Bachelor and the Girls for The Bachelorette. It is confusing and it is interesting to hear Caitlin's take because she obviously has been there and she knows. And it's interesting to hear this take also because Caitlin was the one that walked away being the Bachelorette. during that season.

So if she still felt like that was odd to remove Britt from that season, I can't imagine how she feels to either share a season or how Britt maybe feels about this whole situation. I'm sure Britt's fine. She seems very happy. But I do think it's odd. I also believe, Ashley, just my prediction, is that because of the backlash. Now, I'm sure the Bachelorette and the Bachelor franchise knows they're going to get

backlash because of two bachelorette's like that's not beyond them they're very they're very like aware that this is not going to just sit easy with everybody i have a feeling we're going to see a double bachelor season probably following this oh smart smart man you're probably right which will be very very odd and i here's here's what i think actually i'm all for that um tell me what you think i'm all for it because yeah it's i mean Caitlin's right like There's been a lot of double bachelorette's here coming up. I just hope this isn't a trend. Like, I think it takes away from the show a lot.

I mean, you know, we want to watch the leads journey, if it's a bachelor or a bachelor. I hope we don't start having like two or three or whatever bachelors and bacheloretts every season. It just feels like it would be hard to, like, get emotionally invested into. Yeah, I don't have much to elaborate on that except for, like, I hope so too. Yeah. Because while this is cool for one season, maybe even two with The Bachelor, I don't want it to be the norm. I don't either.

It's less romantic, but great TV. It is less romantic. That's what I think. But we'll watch it, and we'll see how it goes. It's just going to be intriguing for this next season. Well, speaking of the norm, this has been the norm, well, since we were on the show. But Jesse Palmer thinks on-set psychologist, he came out and said this, are very necessary. Now, this was a part of our show when we were doing it, Ashley.

So why is he speaking about this now? It seems like, well, mental health is being talked about more than even when we were on the show. And I also feel like fans have just been asking a lot about it. I think that because mental health is talked about more now, people have been asking the question. Like, is this time in which people are like got the spotlight on them? and it's highly emotional like is there somebody to guide them is there just producers to talk to

or is there somebody who can really help them if they are mentally struggling and yeah Ben and I have talked about it multiple times but now Jesse's saying this he goes psychologists are always there

in the moment talking to The Bachelor and the Bachelor and the contestants to keep everyone as mentally healthy as possible ABC has has made mental health care a massive priority because it seems like some of Bachelor Nation, the alum themselves have complained about mental health after the show and the show's lack of resources.

So I think what Jesse's trying to say is that there's always somebody there during filming and then then he also says that they're always trying to take steps to benefit their cast members

I can just speak on experience I didn't really need like a lot of help during the aftermath of the show I actually handled the online criticism

relatively well being that I did have some episodes where I got a lot of hate but I would just vent a lot to family and friends

but on the show I definitely used a psychologist a lot in paradise I love talking to her and it made me feel so much better to vent to somebody who didn't have like any sort of agenda but it's not

and they're always there watching supposedly they're like always in like the back room making sure like everything is like really really okay what was your experience with the psychologist. They switched psychologists during Bachelor Winter Games

and I didn't feel as connected or close to that one so I didn't really talk nor did I think I needed it as much then and same with The Bachelor like they checked I checked you know you check in with them multiple times throughout the process

especially depending on how long you're there for but I didn't really use it as a resource like as somebody to really confide him until Paradise. You know I I struggled I still do I can get pretty down. And so I didn't use the bachelor's psychologist.

I hired my own. Oh, you did? Did you bring them? No, no. This was after. During the show, during the show and the filming of the show, I didn't speak to the psychologist. I think they had to do a check-in once, but it was just a check-in. Honestly, Ashley, I felt like I recognized that I was so kind of confused.

and my mind was so emotional and I was so over my head like on like I there was no prep for for me to be the bachelor that I just kind of recognized hey like I'm not good um and so as soon as I got home then I started to you know access some resources pastoral counseling um personal like more secular counseling like really started to dive into that because I knew I knew I was going and need it. And I have a feeling that my friends, I can't remember, probably had encouraged me to do that. But yeah, I mean, I think it's important to have. I think it's a great resource. I just don't remember ever using them. So I don't remember being around. Really? Yeah. I don't remember being. Maybe as the lead, you're so busy that it's just not

front of mind. Maybe you just don't even think about it. So, but it's, that's sad. I loved the psychiatrists. Well, that's great. I loved her. I would just so, I'd vent to her. I really felt like she understood me. It was also my only time, like, doing therapy at all. If you want to call it therapy, it was, like, 45 minutes, like, in the bungalow. Well, it's a great note for any future contestants is to access that resource because it is there, and it is available, and it is a safe space in a place that doesn't typically have very safe spaces. It is a safe space for just letting some things out.

think it's very great to use. Okay, transitioning a little bit. You were talking about a little bit about Paradise there. Blake Moynes, we just talked about a second ago, says he would never say never to Bachelor in Paradise after Katie Thurston split. The quote is, can't wait to get on that beach. Uh-oh. Okay, well, he's being sarcastic. He was doing something, you know, an Instagram Q&A, and somebody said, are you going to do Paradise? And like, when are we going to see you on our TV screens again and he was like duh paradise count it down can't wait to get on that beach get back into it and i think that that would be like you know most people would think yeah blake's totally going to make an appearance he made an appearance on katy season and ended up winning the thing so

uh seems natural that he would give it a shot in paradise but he says probably not never say never but not unless it was a great opportunity for something but i'd like to not what do you mean a great opportunity for something it's a great opportunity for love like yeah come on blake open that heart up again buddy it's worth it uh i think you'd be great on the beach i think people would be very very interested um in his story well final headline of today is about ashley hubert and j p rosenbaum um we talked about them uh having a divorce uh just a few years ago well ashley is now opening up about her boyfriend. Seems like it's getting more serious.

Seems like it is out there in the public now. This according to us weekly, Ashley, I can Eddie tell us about it? I was surprised to know that she had a boyfriend, so she hasn't really shared it on social media, which is why I didn't really know. She has been with him for almost a year now, but she says that the first four or five months

she was in denial about the relationship, which is why she feels like it probably went so fast, like how like she blinked and it's been a year. She says that she's probably not going to get married again one day. She says marriage complicates things. I'd rather just love someone and choose to be with them. She ended up introducing him to her kids, which are four, I mean four,

which are seven and five, about nine months into the relationship, so relatively recently. And for some reason, she doesn't know how it happened. but they both thought that he was their babysitter. And they said he was the best babysitter ever. Hey, I mean, that's some brownie points right there, right?

Ashley introduces them and they think it's a babysitter and they love the babysitter. I mean, that works. Well, she said it's one of my friends. So she didn't say this is my boyfriend. Yeah, yeah. Well, that is the big update. I actually saw that on the new, like on one of the websites. see y'all who are some of the day or Google was Ashley was talking about her boyfriend.

So it's out there in public now and we'll continue to follow that story as it continues to progress. Well, that's all the headlines we have for you day. It's a lot of headlines. A lot going on in Bachelor Nation. We talked about engagements to past romance to Bachelor in Paradise to the mental health initiatives that the show is trying to implement. It's a lot to going on in Bachelor Nation. and we'll continue to bring it to right here on the Almost Famous Podcast. But until next time, I've been Ben.

I've been Ashley. Bye, y'all. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcasts on IHartRadio, or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, luckily, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast,

so we'll find out soon. This person writes, boyfriend's been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Pretty Private with Ebeney, the podcast where silence is broken and stories are set free.

I'm Ebeney, and every Tuesday I'll be sharing all new anonymous stories that would challenge your perceptions and give you new insight on the people around you. Every Tuesday, make sure you listen to Pretty Private from the Black Effect Podcast Network. Tune in on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Why are TSA rules so confusing? You got a hood of you. I'll take it off. I'm Manny. I'm Noah. This is Devin.

And we're best friends in journalism. journalists with a new podcast called No Such Thing, where we get to the bottom of questions like that. Why are you screaming? I can't expect what to do. Now, if the rule was the same, go off on me. I deserve it. You know, lock him up. Listen to No Such Thing on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. No such thing. Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD...

Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. Betrayal Weekly is back for season two with brand new stories. The detective comes driving up fast.

and just like screeches right in the parking lot. I swear I'm not crazy, but I think he poisoned me. I feel trapped, my breathing changes. I realize, wow, like he is not a mentor. He's pretty much a monster. But these aren't just stories of destruction. They're stories of survival. I'm going to tell my story, and I'm going to hold my head up.

Listen to Betrayal Weekly on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast.