May 5, 2023 • 38 mins
Trista Sutter is going back to The Bachelorette Season 5, and hanging out with winner Ed Swiderski!
Ed spills everything about his experience on the show, how things ended up with Bachelorette Jillian Harris, and why he may have done Bachelor Pad for the “wrong reasons”.
Plus, find out WHY Ed disappeared from The Bachelorette while filming!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Almost Famous podcast with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Hi everybody, welcome to the Almost Famous OG podcast. This
is Trista and I am Solow Today. Bob Guiney, my
co host, who makes me laugh every week or every
other week or every other month or whatever schedule for on.
(00:25):
Bob is on a plane right now. I was just
texting with him. He is going to Louisville for his
annual visit to the Kentucky Derby. So wishing I was
there with him, although no, not really, because I'm in
Utah for a dance competition with Blakesley and it's like
the thrill of my life. Seeing my daughter dance is
(00:48):
just one of my very happy places. And the competition
here is crazy town. I just posted a story on
Instagram and told people that it is. It's it's like
where everyone that you see, the pros that are on
Dancing with the Stars they are they come from here,
(01:08):
well most of them from a studio called Center Stage,
and so the competition here is really really incredible to watch.
It's just like being at a show. So I'm excited
to be in Utah. I wish that Bob was here
with me, but that's okay. Ive got this interview. I'm
excited to talk to Ed Swaderski. I believe that's how
(01:31):
you pronounced this last name. We've met before and haven't
talked in a long time, so I'm excited to catch up.
But he was on Jillian Harris' season, so Hannah, can
you bring him in please? And thank you? Hello?
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Ed?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Hey, how are things going. It's been a while, I
know years. I haven't seen you in lifetimes ago, I mean.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Right, I feel like it was uh quite at your No,
we didn't go to your wedding. Were we were at
Jason Mesnick's wedding? Right? Yes? Yes?
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Okay? And then also did I come when you were
on Bachelor Pad? Was I a judge that season? Oh?
Speaker 1 (02:15):
You know what? Did you? Okay? So I tried to
erase that from my mind.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Right, I'm sure. So Bachelor Pad I came and judged
a circusla thing in Vegas where people were climbing walls.
That was.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
That was the one I think before my season, okay.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
And then I judged a dance competition at the end
of one season. I think it was dance. No, that
was it was at the Bachelor Mansion. Were you on
ten Lee season? Yes, okay, then that.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Was the sea I thought.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Okay, right, it wasn't it like a leg? Did you
have to do it?
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Pretty pretty intoxicated the entire time, So, like you know,
Elvis Presley could have been there and I wouldn't have
remembered it.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Oh my gosh, you were Okay, So is that like
a thing? Is this something that you've come to terms with?
Are you? Are you?
Speaker 1 (03:20):
I mean, look, it was it is? It is what
it was. You know, it was vacation for me, you know,
and okay, yes, the producers didn't know it, but I
was there. I was there for vacation.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
And so you didn't talk about that, like you when
you would go do interviews and we're talking I'm talking
Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad. When you would go do interviews,
was your was your stick? Was your line that you
were there for love? But were you really just there
for vacation? Is that what you're telling me?
Speaker 1 (03:55):
I mean I was sort of there for but like
how much fun can you have with a bunch of dudes,
you know, in a barn? Right? Like it depends on
what I A Yeah, true, it's true nowadays. But I
was there for you know, for kind of have fun.
And I didn't really I didn't really know much about
(04:17):
the show at the time. I mean, I knew the concept,
I just I didn't I wasn't like a regular watcher,
so I didn't really know what what I was in for.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
So why did you apply for the show? Like going
back to very beginning, had you you had never seen
it before? And did you get nominated or something?
Speaker 1 (04:37):
You know what? I O Believer And I was walking
down the street in Chicago, and you know, they have
these guys on the streets that do recruiting. They've got
their clipboards, and I was outside for me, I was
at a meeting when I was outside on the phone
on a call, and this dude walks up to me
with a clipboard, you know. And I had a suit on,
so I probably looked like I was legit, you know,
(04:59):
and and yeah, yeah, yeah, And you know, I worked
for a big software company at the time, so I
kind of looked at him, like, you know, what do
you want to dude, I'm on the phone, and he
was like, I'm I'm recruiting for for a TV show
on ABC, you know my mind. I'm like, uh, I'm like, well,
is it for the bold and the beautiful, because I
don't think I I don't think I want any part
(05:21):
of it, dude.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Not it. And then he convinced you.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Well, it was over the course of a few months.
I wasn't I wasn't really into it, and I didn't
I didn't really know much about Jillian until you know,
I looked her up and the first thing that came
up was, you know, a bunch of YouTube videos with
with her just melting down, you know, with Jason, and
I'm like, oh, yeah, this is chick. Looks like a nutcase,
(05:46):
you know. So I I that wasn't the reason why
I was. I was hesitant, but I just I think
over the course of a couple of months, you know,
I had my job right, and I knew that I
really should be away for that long. Ultimately, I had
consensus with my boss that, you know, that I could
do it, and I pulled it off. I didn't make
(06:07):
the decision until like the day before I left, actually,
But yeah, I don't know if they were just like
light on guys in Chicago, because they kept bugging me,
you know, and I'm like, there's a million people here
you could probably be chasing out for this so.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Well, they clearly saw something in you, because so did Jillian,
and she ended up you know, you guys ended up
getting engaged. But tell me remind everyone about what happened
like mid season with you.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Oh yeah, I left, Oh yeah, yeah, oh yeah. That's
the thing about it, like that I was just like
a normal dude, you know, and I just yeah, I
was still working, you know, I was able to continue
working and kind of dating while I was on a
dating show.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
And so you know, you were working while you were
on the show, like when you were in La.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah, they this was you know, this was like the
one of the first reasons where I think they allowed
people that because that was one of the terms that
I agreed on when I did the show. I'm like, look,
I can't gone for like three months. You know. I
got to have access to my my laptop, my phone,
you know, and and but it was very scarce, you know,
(07:16):
periodically I could check stuff, and when I did get
on it, I was just so overwhelmed with with chunk.
You know, I'm like, I can't keep doing this. But
halfway through the season, you know, it was I think
it was a blend of just like me feeling feeling
like I was neglecting obviously neglecting some some some key
(07:38):
stuff at work and not. I don't know, I just
wasn't like feeling the environment with all these these guys
and a lot of them and I'm not going to
disparage any of them, but they just I couldn't like,
I couldn't see eye to eye with a lot of
the guys. There were a few guys that were great,
but I was just I was just kind of a
normal dude. I didn't really want to be and in
(08:01):
entertainment like that was never my thing. I just thought
it would be cool to experience it, you know. And
so so I just said, look like, I can't be
here and I I gotta leave, you know, And I
ended up going home. You know, it turns out that
like work, I probably could have been gone for two
more months. You know. It was you know, it was
(08:22):
like an overreaction that you know, you just get kind
of anxiety, right and and yeah, so I was at
home for a couple of weeks. Producers were kept in
touch with me, and they finally just said, look like,
do you have any you know, any aspiration to come
back and and be on the show. Because we think
that Jillian really likes you, and and we absolutely, like
(08:42):
I felt like we had the best chemistry, you know,
like we were just kind of both grounded people. I guess,
you know, we we both you know, just we had
we had the best fit, I think. And I just said, look, yeah,
and I did have ex girlfriends that you know, were
reaching out to me because they knew that I was
on the show, and of course, like I talked to them,
but I didn't have anything at home that I was
(09:04):
really missing, and so I decided to to you know,
take a chance and go back. And you know, everybody
was cool with with work and everything.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
So yeah, So it's funny because I am, you know,
as you know, obviously one of the first, if not
the first, you are, so well yeah, yes, but so
well I wasn't the first bachelor. Oh well I was
the first bachelorette, but not the first show anyway. So
(09:34):
so when someone says like, uh, you know, well I
had girlfriends and I was talking to girlfriends, I'm like,
but is that cool? Like to me, obviously things have changed.
You're in a very happy marriage, and I want to
talk about that soon. At least I assume you're in
a happy marriage and your dad and you know, life
has changed and life has evolved, and I truly believe
(09:54):
that everything happens for a reason, and you're you're meant
to be where you are now. But like to me,
I'm like, you know, the kind of well they call
me the fairy Godmother. So if someone is like, well,
isn't there for the right reasons or wasn't there for
the right reasons or you know, had girlfriends on the side,
I'm kind of like, naughty you, So did you? Did you? Really?
(10:19):
You had girlfriends? And when you went back to Chicago
were you talking to people or were you just there for.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Work in your mid twenties? Like how do you find
girlfriend living in downtown Chicago? Mean? Yeah, yeah, we dated constantly, right,
nobody that I was talking to would I consider like
an actual girlfriend?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Like we weren't, Yeah, got it? You had people you
were talking to?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yes, yeah, you know, And so I was certainly there.
I wouldn't have gone there if I knew that there
wasn't really a chance, you know, with with it with
a real relationship.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
When I got there, though, I realized that, like the
amount of time it's nearly impossible to formally form a
relationship there in that window, right, like, and we learned.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Probably almost impossible, yes.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Twenty five percent of each other while we're there. Afterward,
you know, the next year or two years and we
were together, that's when you learn about you know, moving
in and in like you know, life hits you and
then you.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Learn anything else, right, Yeah, of course, So how did
that all happen? Obviously you and Julian did it work out?
She's happily married, well, happily in a relationship you're I
(11:36):
assume happily married. When you guys were together, what all
happened there? Have you talked to her? You know, I
know that how long did it? How long did it last?
Speaker 1 (11:48):
And what together?
Speaker 2 (11:49):
What do you feel like happened at the end we
were there?
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Let's see, So we were together for for a good
two years after the show.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
That's significant in batchel her Land.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Yeah. Yeah, I mean we had a lot of tabloid
crap too that that sucked, but we you know, we
got through it. And she moved to Chicago right away,
you know, and and we would go up to to
Vancouver and and you know, we want to visit her
family way up in northern think uh northern yeah, yeah,
near Colonna and even even Peace River way up there.
(12:25):
So it's like parallel to Alaska.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Yeah, amazing.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Yeah. So I mean we we got through all like
the media stuff, you know, and and but it was
just like I think that the day to day life
stuff that really like, like I said, getting to know
the the rest of the spectrum of that person. And yeah,
Julian's great. It was just you know, we just weren't
and I was kind of still in like a not
get serious mode too in my life, and I still
(12:50):
liked working a lot, and so but she moved here
and like, you know, we we had a blast when
she lived here. Like we we did all kinds of
fun stuff. We we you know, like I said, traveled
up to Canada a lot, and went and visited my
family a lot. We had a real real relationship. Yeah,
and I think it just over time, you just you know,
(13:12):
like any relationship, you just figure out that probably not
the best. I think the media sensationalized like our separation,
but it wasn't really that it wasn't that exciting like
it was you know, it was like you know, Ed's
cheating or whatever. And but that that wasn't the case.
I mean, there were many many embellished stories that like
(13:35):
you just and you know this more than anybody, I'm
sure that, like you can't control a story once it's
out there, like it's completely out of your hands, and
if you try to defend something, it looks even worse.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Yeah, yeaheah.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
So I got a really quick you know, one O
one on how to handle the media, and I just said,
look like we're not going to play along with this,
like we're breaking up. You know, I'm sorry, it's not
one fun. But and then we still kept in touch
for years, you know after Yeah, yeah, it wasn't until
like when I really started dating my wife for real,
(14:09):
you know, and and I just obviously we we we
didn't keep in touch more. And then she was in
her Yeah of course.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
So tell me about your your your wife, your daughter,
how life is now.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
It's awesome, I am. I moved to the burbs, uh, doing.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
A lot of home in Chicago still, right, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
A lot of mulch lately. That's super, super exciting. So yeah,
I mean we were let's see s our eighth year
anniversary coming up here in Happy anniversary, early Thanks it's
going to be in July. Excited for that. My daughter
is going to be three and uh a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Do you have a picture of her where? Yeah, I
want to see. Her name is Olive. I think that
is so cute.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Dancing beauty doing some wild dancing here.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Oh my gosh. That brings me back like I used
to so when I had Max was probably that age
and Blakesley, my daughter, would be like nursing. So I
would lay in my bed, turn on the television to
so you think you could dance or Dancing with the
Stars and or maybe not, Yeah, Dancing with the Stars
because I had been on it first season went before
(15:39):
they were born. So I would just I would put
it on the television and he would just dance along
to the TV. Oh that brings back such happy memory.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
Yeah, your little little buggers are they're getting up there?
Speaker 2 (15:51):
They're not so little. Yeah. Max is five ten and
I know, yeah he's six to two, but he's way
taller than me. Now he's going to be a sophomore
in high school next year and Blakesley will be a freshman.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Yeah, it's crazy Colorado. Yeah, we are, we are, We're
We're actually moving though. I just told everyone last week
the last or the last podcast, we are moving to Denver.
Ryan is a Denver firefighter now. He worked for Vail
for seventeen years and he's been working for Denver for
(16:28):
like three and he's been commuting two hours back and
forth whenever he worked. So we thought it was time
to make the change. We're going to be closer to family.
We're excited for their new school and the opportunities for everybody.
So anyway, that's what we are. But yeah, I love
hearing and I hear your wife is Is she a
(16:49):
co host or an anchor or whatever for Good Day Chicago?
Speaker 1 (16:53):
She was for four or five years. Now she does
the evening she's an evening anchor for the Local.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Local amazing for for ABC Local thought, okay, got it.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Yeah, she's been with them for like twelve years or
something like that.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
That is awesome. I love it. I did. I I
co hosted Good Day Live and Good Day La a Bunch,
and I just always loved the vibe there. I assume
Good Day Chicago was kind of similar.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Very similar. Yeah, yeah, she liked it too, but you know,
the evening spots are a little more sought after, and like, yeah,
if you're if you're really into the industry, you know,
like that these are it's a it's a great stepping stone.
But she's really into like she wants to be a
you know, an evening acre possibly even at a network.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Oh amazing. Would you stay in Chicago or would you
guys consider leaving?
Speaker 1 (17:51):
I don't know, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
You know what I mean, is your family there, they're
in Michigan, Okay.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Yeah, and her family's Illinois, so we want to stay
in the area for sure. But yeah, for now, we're
pretty happy with everything.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
That is awesome. And how did you guys meet because
obviously you both have a little public I pieces there.
Did you guys meet through like an event or blind date?
Or how'd you meet?
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Evehn? Cornier than that? Trista, I was like at home
on the couch one day. It was like a holiday
or something, and I put on the local news and
I saw this girl doing the news and I'm like,
because you know, you get to know a lot of
the local media people and like the events, charity stuff,
and and I didn't recognize her, like, oh is this
(18:43):
you know? And so I reached out to her I
actually tweeted her and did, yes.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Yes, that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
Well, I figured, like why not, you know, I mean
totally I didn't think she'd respond.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Well, you did go on a reality show on National
to le Vision, so it kind of is in the
category ballpark is yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
And so yeah, and I think she was gonna respond
to me, and I think I like started stalking her,
like on Instagram. I was like, hey, it's I'm over here,
over here, and I don't know why she agreed to
go to so she did the morning news and so
like her happy hour is like lunchtime. Right, She's done, right,
(19:28):
so she's like, let's let's go to lunch, like lunch,
like what is this a business? Business meetings? But then
you know, I realized, like, okay, so she's like pounding
wine at our lunch and I'm like, wow, this chick
is she's getting after it. But it was it was
actually like okay for a first date. But you know,
(19:48):
we decided to go another day. We did an actual
evening dinner.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Okay, got it. She could stay up.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Yeah, she could stay up, and we had a lot
more fun and but you know, it was pretty typical,
I mean, other than like the tweeting thing. Our relationship
was pretty standard.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
You know, Yeah, I got it, that's it. I love it. No,
So so you guys met through that and you actually
are you in marketing now?
Speaker 1 (20:15):
I do enterprise sales for a big, big software company.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Oh, you're still in software sales. Okay, got it. Yeah,
Because I was going to say I thought you were
in marketing, and I was going to say you moved
from software sales went through the show. I didn't know
if like the show had any any impact on the change.
But if you're still in the same.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Player, you're right. Actually, so I mean I kind of
really yeah, I've kind of gone back and forth. I
mean I put it in the same category of sales
and marketing. Like I don't do marketing. I sold marketing tools.
So okay, yeah, so similar. But but I did, like,
we wrote this book about Pinterest a while back, and
I think like we did. Did we do an event
(21:01):
at at in Chicago at Rocket or something?
Speaker 2 (21:04):
Oh my gosh, yes, that is the last time I
saw you. It was for shop the shop drop drop
off drop off?
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Was that what it called one of those like cycle clothing?
Speaker 2 (21:17):
You're right, it was me and Molly Mesnik and which
is so crazy because Julian was on Jason season with
Molly and Molly and I were hanging out with you
in Chicago.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
It was it's so weird.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
That is so crazy. But yes, you're right, Oh my gosh, okay.
And so you were working with with Rocket, like you
helped them with market or something. I was.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
I launched my book and we hosted we hosted a
party at Rocket and and uh and so I, you know,
Billy just preash out for a couple of other events
and uh, that's that's where we intersected. But but yeah,
I mean, I I've always kind of been in technology sale,
so it even got it for my entire career. Really,
(22:05):
I never got into like any like regular media stuff
where I was like paid, you know, just uh huh.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
Well I don't think it was. It wasn't really a
thing back then. Yeah, you know, I mean, I know,
I did a lot of like spokesperson the things. You know,
I was a spokesperson. They call it actually a spokesperson.
And now I feel like the term has changed to influencer.
Even if you're doing a satellite media tour or you're
just posting stuff on social I feel like it has
(22:34):
definitely evolved, but but I don't. It wasn't as big
of a thing back then. It wasn't, I mean because
social media wasn't as relevant or pertinent or you know, popular,
and and I wanted to see if you uh, you know,
(22:54):
at that event, obviously we were getting recognized, but do
you get recognized still? And I know that was a
long time ago. I mean that had to be ten years.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Ago that it was like it was like twelve I think.
Or yeah when we saw each other. Yeah, no, no,
nowhere near, you know. And like I don't try to
be right either, Like there is a lot I just
I don't. I don't want it, you know. Yeah, I
mean it's fun every once in a while. But like
my my wife gets way more you know, way more
(23:24):
notoriety than you know, for years, Like she's she's she's
more recognizable than I am. I think if someone's like
a hardcore fan, they might you know, or like if
we're out and it's all you'd probably know this. But
anywhere there's alcohol in alve people get a little braver
with you know, approaching you and so.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Or travel, yes, yes, right, if you're ever in an airport,
I feel like being in an airport yeah, yeah, or
being in Texas, Texas.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
The epicenter of the Bachelor. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
I swear if I'm in Texas, I'm like, I will
get recognized.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
It's so true.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Yeah, And you don't miss the show at all, Like
you don't miss being on television. You'd rather your wife
do it.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Yeah, because I feel like I'm getting old, and like,
I just I like being a dad, like I like you.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (24:24):
I just like I just like being a normal dude,
you know. And even like, it was definitely fun and
I wish everyone could experience it because it's such a
cool thing to see, right how TV works kind of
see all the bs behind the behind the scenes and
how everything happens in reality TV is different from like
real TV but like a real production but in real TV,
(24:46):
like you know, like like real produced.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
I totally yeah, I hear you.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
But it's just, uh, it's cool kind of see all
the inner workings right of how it comes together. And
I agree the world even.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
Like you guys, I went to Seattle.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
That was it. You guys didn't go anywhere.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
No, I went to Seattle.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
What in the world, Why would you?
Speaker 2 (25:10):
I know, seriously, they owe me some trips Seattle and
uh Cabo and New York and Vale, you know for
my hometown. But yeah, I always joke my fantasy suites
were in Seattle. Was Good's amazing. I love Seattle for
(25:32):
all those in Seattle. I love Seattle. It was great.
It was a wonderful place. But you know, would I
have treated the Maldives for Seattle? Yes, yes, I.
Speaker 1 (25:41):
Would have taken that one.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Uh yeah, yeah, No, I'm not bitter. I'm not bitter.
You can't tell you bitter? Can you traveled? Where did
you guys go on your season?
Speaker 1 (25:54):
We went to We went all over. We started out
in Vancouver, which whistler I think. We went up to also.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
Right and which was cool.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
I've never been there before. I would consider that definitely international.
And then we went to uh Spain. We went to
uh Hawaii. You know, never been to Spain? Why is
my favorite place on Earth? So I was like, oh, love, it.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Was it your favorite place on Earth because you went there?
It was your favorite place on Earth before that?
Speaker 1 (26:30):
It was my favorite place on Earth after I went there.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Oh okay, okay, I just didn't have you been with
your wife, like, does she know this is your favorite
place on earth because of the Bachelorette and does she is?
Speaker 1 (26:41):
She like, okay, but here's the thing, Like, we've discovered
so many other places, international places to you that I
would say that are very close. But when it really
comes down to it, like why, it's just amazing, Like
it's you know, it's it's ours.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Yeah, but I feel like my husband would be like,
because I did go to Hawaii for the Bachelor, and
I feel like he would be like, well, this is
where you were with Alex, So I don't want to go,
you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (27:09):
That's right. I didn't realize they did that with you
that I didn't know that you were pulled from.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
I was from the first season.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
So you okay, so you traveled on a Bachelor, Well
just Towa. That was well. I would definitely be pissed
that if I were you, Like, what happened to the
budget here?
Speaker 2 (27:28):
There was not one.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
It's interested. We don't know if this is going to work.
So we're going to Cleveland, Ohio.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
Yeah you're excited? Yeah, I mean any place. Honestly, I
feel like I'd love traveling, even if it's all over
the United States. I don't care like wherever it is.
I love to travel, but you know, it would have
been nice to go to Spain. So it's all good.
(27:55):
It's all good, it's all good. I would take my
relationship with my husband for almost twenty years in December
over a trip to the Maldives. It's fine, my life,
so it's all good.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Yeah, you guys are you guys are like the best family.
Oh I had fun at Messick's wedding. We were at
the pool with your kids. Oh, everybody was just so fun.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Remember yeah, was that was where Sarah Bryce and Charlie
O'Connell there was that the wedding?
Speaker 1 (28:27):
Or yeah, that is the actor guy right.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Yes, Jerry, he's Jerry's brother brother.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Yes, yes, he was there and I don't know why
why was he?
Speaker 2 (28:38):
Why was he?
Speaker 1 (28:40):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (28:41):
Oh why was Jerry? No, Charlie was there because he
was a bachelor.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Okay, yeah, yeah that's what. Yeah. I didn't follow no, sorry, yes,
but prior to it, right, I didn't follow it, so
I didn't really know.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
Have you watched since No? I'm like, no, does your
wife watch a wife.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
Watches a kid? I think she's a couple of seasons behind.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Did she watch it when you were on.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
She didn't and she hasn't.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
And she hasn't and she won't.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
I don't think she doesn't want to. It's just that
we're just busy and likes to go back through like
archives of old I mean, yes, she's married to me,
but there's nothing there that she was probably probably get
excited over, you know.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Yeah, no, I get that. I just didn't know if
there was any curiosity. I feel like that is a
that is probably a majority of how people feel if
they met their significant other after the show. Obviously after
the show, if they met their significant other and their
significant other did not watch before, then they probably will
never won't want you to feel like that's like, that's normal.
(29:46):
But I wonder how much curiosity is there, you know,
if you want to call it up, if you can
even I don't even know if you can access it.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
I think they may have sent us like DVDs, like
I have some archive of it.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Oh you have DVDs because I have VHS tapes.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Oh do you really? Yeah? Well, well I was in
low deaf too, so.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
Oh way low deaf was me. I'm kind of like
glad for that because high definition scares me. Now, yes, yeah,
so all my wrinkles, yes, all my pores. I mean
you're seeing everything. Thank goodness for low definition.
Speaker 1 (30:24):
Seriously.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Okay, so future plans. Are you guys planning on expanding
your family?
Speaker 1 (30:32):
We'd like to I mean, yeah, my wife is she
just turned forty forty one actually.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
Now, oh she's a spring chicken.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Yeah. Yeah, but like we had a hard time with
our first pregnancy. Just got it all kinds of I
U I y up the wise uh huh literally, but
like giving giving your shots, you know, every day, and
it's just like it's really hard on her. Yeah, and
(31:03):
so we would love to you. It's just like we
really want to go through that part of it. I
would love to have like, you know, two more kids probably,
but really.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
You just don't know.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
I would like to have one more just so she
as sibling, you know, because yes, that's how I felt.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
I actually had a really hard pregnancy or a difficult
time getting pregnant as well, and we did iuis, but
not we started the IVF process and never had to
go through it because I ended up getting pregnant. But
what I will say is for the second and you're
(31:42):
you know, your daughter's three, so maybe this can still happen.
But we had a really hard time with Max, and
then after I stopped nursing, I got pregnant with Blakesley
like that, like it's pretty easy. Yeah, So you just
never know. And you know, you hear all these stories
about how people want a child, like are actively trying,
(32:04):
going to doctors, whatever, and the stress and the anxiety
around it not happening can take over for the natural
ability of your body to create, you know. And so
I feel like so many you hear these stories of
people who go on to like adopt and then they
get pregnant or right exactly. So you know, I feel
(32:28):
like probably a lot of it has to not in
your case specifically unnecessarily, but yeah, you just never know.
So who knows. I would love that for you. I
just I love that my kids were close when they
were younger, not so much right now, just because they
have totally different things.
Speaker 1 (32:48):
So they're three years apart, though they're.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
Twenty months apart, okay, but three years is I mean.
I know people who have like big chunks of time
in between the kids, and it's a great thing, you know.
I think there's pros and cons for everything, you know,
So you just never know. You just got to keep
trying if that's what you want. And I'm sure Olive
would love a sibling.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
She would. She loves being around kids. I mean it's
weird because like we'll go to the playground and I
feel bad because I think these kids, you know, that
have gone through the pandemic, like they're just not conditioned
for like hanging out with other kids. And somehow she
she's very extroverted though, so she'll like walk up to the
kids and they look at her like she has three heads.
(33:32):
You know. Oh, I know, I feel bad. I'm like, oh,
you know she could. You can tell that she's kind
of sad because she's like, why don't don't they want
to play with me? And I'm like, I don't know,
it's nothing, that's no.
Speaker 2 (33:45):
I love that she's extroverted and can do that because
my kids were not that way and I always wished
for that. That's great encourage that for sure. Yeah, okay,
I have to tell you. I was texting Bob. You know,
Bob is my we co host this together, right, yeah,
Bob Guinea. So I was texting him to see if
(34:09):
he was going to be here, and he said that
you guys, maybe share a birthday.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
May May eighth, Uh not.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
When's your birthday?
Speaker 1 (34:20):
July twentieth birthday?
Speaker 2 (34:23):
So he is wrong, not that birthday. I might have
multiple No, I don't know. Anyway, he was like, yeah,
I believe he and I share a birthday, and he
put although he's much younger and I and I said,
(34:43):
isn't everyone.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
I love like you two are my hands down, Like
I mean, you're the most thank you notable. But I
ran into him at the Kentucky Derby.
Speaker 2 (34:55):
I know, I'm very jealous. I love the Derby and
he goes every You're like, this is his thing, so
he shouldn't be here. But I was like, yay, I
gotta laugh out of Bob Guinea, even if it was
on a text.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
So he's down there now, he is.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
He was on a plane to Louisville when I texted him,
and that's where.
Speaker 1 (35:13):
I ran into him last, like three years old.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Okay, did you always used to go to Jerby?
Speaker 1 (35:18):
No, first time going. And in fact, he was like
on the red carpet for some event, and I was
like getting chased down by the security trying to get
into like a red carpet party. And I'm like, Bob,
get me.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
In, let me in please.
Speaker 1 (35:34):
He's like, look at me, like, who are you?
Speaker 2 (35:36):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (35:37):
I mean, he's we've never met, we never met in
person before that, but we knew God communicated, you know,
and yeah, but he was like, I can't do it, dude,
You're not cool enough.
Speaker 2 (35:47):
You're not cool enough. Oh, I'm totally going to tell him.
You totally let ed down. He didn't even want to
talk to you, so and you weren't on today. Well, well,
thank you so much for the chat. And I'm so
happy for your happiness and your relationship and your fatherhood.
(36:11):
I love girl. Dad's so fun.
Speaker 1 (36:15):
She's the love of my life.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Oh that's the sweetest.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
Tell tell Ryan and the kids that I. Uh, I
wish him well too. I haven't seen him in a
long time. Tell me, I said, I thank you.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
Was Actually Ryan wasn't with me in Chicag Have you
ever met Ryan because he wasn't on Bachelor Pad? Maybe not?
Speaker 1 (36:38):
Didn't he go to the wedding?
Speaker 2 (36:42):
The wedding, Yes, you are right, he was.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
That's how I know he was tall, because.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
You're right, got it? Yes, that was such a fun wedding. Uh. Yes,
Well anyway, I thank you so much. I enjoyed our
chat and I'm so happy you're happy, Piness. Thanks for
coming on and allowing us to, you know, reflect back
to the days of old, the days old.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
All right, We'll take care and good to see you too.
Speaker 2 (37:11):
Okay, thanks bye, ed bye, Thanks for listening. Everybody. This
is Trista and I. I just love this opportunity to
be able to talk to people who were part of
my past, part of my Bachelor Nation family. I love
all y'all. And if you guys would like for me
to me and Bob sorry he's not here today, if
(37:34):
you like, would like for us to bring anybody onto
the show, if you're missing someone, if you'd love to
hear what's going on in the life of someone who
was on the show a favorite of yours from back
in the OG days, We would love to hear from you.
You can go to the almost famous Instagram account and
send them a message, or you can DM me as
(37:57):
well or Bob. Feel free to do that. Uh, feel
free to let us know if you'd like for us
to do anything in particular on this podcast, because we
love doing it and yeah, we'd love your input. So
have a great day and thanks for listening.
This is the Almost Famous podcast with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Hi everybody, welcome to the Almost Famous OG podcast. This
is Trista and I am Solow Today. Bob Guiney, my
co host, who makes me laugh every week or every
other week or every other month or whatever schedule for on.
(00:25):
Bob is on a plane right now. I was just
texting with him. He is going to Louisville for his
annual visit to the Kentucky Derby. So wishing I was
there with him, although no, not really, because I'm in
Utah for a dance competition with Blakesley and it's like
the thrill of my life. Seeing my daughter dance is
(00:48):
just one of my very happy places. And the competition
here is crazy town. I just posted a story on
Instagram and told people that it is. It's it's like
where everyone that you see, the pros that are on
Dancing with the Stars they are they come from here,
(01:08):
well most of them from a studio called Center Stage,
and so the competition here is really really incredible to watch.
It's just like being at a show. So I'm excited
to be in Utah. I wish that Bob was here
with me, but that's okay. Ive got this interview. I'm
excited to talk to Ed Swaderski. I believe that's how
(01:31):
you pronounced this last name. We've met before and haven't
talked in a long time, so I'm excited to catch up.
But he was on Jillian Harris' season, so Hannah, can
you bring him in please? And thank you? Hello?
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Ed?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Hey, how are things going. It's been a while, I
know years. I haven't seen you in lifetimes ago, I mean.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Right, I feel like it was uh quite at your No,
we didn't go to your wedding. Were we were at
Jason Mesnick's wedding? Right? Yes? Yes?
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Okay? And then also did I come when you were
on Bachelor Pad? Was I a judge that season? Oh?
Speaker 1 (02:15):
You know what? Did you? Okay? So I tried to
erase that from my mind.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Right, I'm sure. So Bachelor Pad I came and judged
a circusla thing in Vegas where people were climbing walls.
That was.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
That was the one I think before my season, okay.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
And then I judged a dance competition at the end
of one season. I think it was dance. No, that
was it was at the Bachelor Mansion. Were you on
ten Lee season? Yes, okay, then that.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Was the sea I thought.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Okay, right, it wasn't it like a leg? Did you
have to do it?
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Pretty pretty intoxicated the entire time, So, like you know,
Elvis Presley could have been there and I wouldn't have
remembered it.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Oh my gosh, you were Okay, So is that like
a thing? Is this something that you've come to terms with?
Are you? Are you?
Speaker 1 (03:20):
I mean, look, it was it is? It is what
it was. You know, it was vacation for me, you know,
and okay, yes, the producers didn't know it, but I
was there. I was there for vacation.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
And so you didn't talk about that, like you when
you would go do interviews and we're talking I'm talking
Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad. When you would go do interviews,
was your was your stick? Was your line that you
were there for love? But were you really just there
for vacation? Is that what you're telling me?
Speaker 1 (03:55):
I mean I was sort of there for but like
how much fun can you have with a bunch of dudes,
you know, in a barn? Right? Like it depends on
what I A Yeah, true, it's true nowadays. But I
was there for you know, for kind of have fun.
And I didn't really I didn't really know much about
(04:17):
the show at the time. I mean, I knew the concept,
I just I didn't I wasn't like a regular watcher,
so I didn't really know what what I was in for.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
So why did you apply for the show? Like going
back to very beginning, had you you had never seen
it before? And did you get nominated or something?
Speaker 1 (04:37):
You know what? I O Believer And I was walking
down the street in Chicago, and you know, they have
these guys on the streets that do recruiting. They've got
their clipboards, and I was outside for me, I was
at a meeting when I was outside on the phone
on a call, and this dude walks up to me
with a clipboard, you know. And I had a suit on,
so I probably looked like I was legit, you know,
(04:59):
and and yeah, yeah, yeah, And you know, I worked
for a big software company at the time, so I
kind of looked at him, like, you know, what do
you want to dude, I'm on the phone, and he
was like, I'm I'm recruiting for for a TV show
on ABC, you know my mind. I'm like, uh, I'm like, well,
is it for the bold and the beautiful, because I
don't think I I don't think I want any part
(05:21):
of it, dude.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Not it. And then he convinced you.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Well, it was over the course of a few months.
I wasn't I wasn't really into it, and I didn't
I didn't really know much about Jillian until you know,
I looked her up and the first thing that came
up was, you know, a bunch of YouTube videos with
with her just melting down, you know, with Jason, and
I'm like, oh, yeah, this is chick. Looks like a nutcase,
(05:46):
you know. So I I that wasn't the reason why
I was. I was hesitant, but I just I think
over the course of a couple of months, you know,
I had my job right, and I knew that I
really should be away for that long. Ultimately, I had
consensus with my boss that, you know, that I could
do it, and I pulled it off. I didn't make
(06:07):
the decision until like the day before I left, actually,
But yeah, I don't know if they were just like
light on guys in Chicago, because they kept bugging me,
you know, and I'm like, there's a million people here
you could probably be chasing out for this so.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Well, they clearly saw something in you, because so did Jillian,
and she ended up you know, you guys ended up
getting engaged. But tell me remind everyone about what happened
like mid season with you.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Oh yeah, I left, Oh yeah, yeah, oh yeah. That's
the thing about it, like that I was just like
a normal dude, you know, and I just yeah, I
was still working, you know, I was able to continue
working and kind of dating while I was on a
dating show.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
And so you know, you were working while you were
on the show, like when you were in La.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah, they this was you know, this was like the
one of the first reasons where I think they allowed
people that because that was one of the terms that
I agreed on when I did the show. I'm like, look,
I can't gone for like three months. You know. I
got to have access to my my laptop, my phone,
you know, and and but it was very scarce, you know,
(07:16):
periodically I could check stuff, and when I did get
on it, I was just so overwhelmed with with chunk.
You know, I'm like, I can't keep doing this. But
halfway through the season, you know, it was I think
it was a blend of just like me feeling feeling
like I was neglecting obviously neglecting some some some key
(07:38):
stuff at work and not. I don't know, I just
wasn't like feeling the environment with all these these guys
and a lot of them and I'm not going to
disparage any of them, but they just I couldn't like,
I couldn't see eye to eye with a lot of
the guys. There were a few guys that were great,
but I was just I was just kind of a
normal dude. I didn't really want to be and in
(08:01):
entertainment like that was never my thing. I just thought
it would be cool to experience it, you know. And
so so I just said, look like, I can't be
here and I I gotta leave, you know, And I
ended up going home. You know, it turns out that
like work, I probably could have been gone for two
more months. You know. It was you know, it was
(08:22):
like an overreaction that you know, you just get kind
of anxiety, right and and yeah, so I was at
home for a couple of weeks. Producers were kept in
touch with me, and they finally just said, look like,
do you have any you know, any aspiration to come
back and and be on the show. Because we think
that Jillian really likes you, and and we absolutely, like
(08:42):
I felt like we had the best chemistry, you know,
like we were just kind of both grounded people. I guess,
you know, we we both you know, just we had
we had the best fit, I think. And I just said, look, yeah,
and I did have ex girlfriends that you know, were
reaching out to me because they knew that I was
on the show, and of course, like I talked to them,
but I didn't have anything at home that I was
(09:04):
really missing, and so I decided to to you know,
take a chance and go back. And you know, everybody
was cool with with work and everything.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
So yeah, So it's funny because I am, you know,
as you know, obviously one of the first, if not
the first, you are, so well yeah, yes, but so
well I wasn't the first bachelor. Oh well I was
the first bachelorette, but not the first show anyway. So
(09:34):
so when someone says like, uh, you know, well I
had girlfriends and I was talking to girlfriends, I'm like,
but is that cool? Like to me, obviously things have changed.
You're in a very happy marriage, and I want to
talk about that soon. At least I assume you're in
a happy marriage and your dad and you know, life
has changed and life has evolved, and I truly believe
(09:54):
that everything happens for a reason, and you're you're meant
to be where you are now. But like to me,
I'm like, you know, the kind of well they call
me the fairy Godmother. So if someone is like, well,
isn't there for the right reasons or wasn't there for
the right reasons or you know, had girlfriends on the side,
I'm kind of like, naughty you, So did you? Did you? Really?
(10:19):
You had girlfriends? And when you went back to Chicago
were you talking to people or were you just there for.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Work in your mid twenties? Like how do you find
girlfriend living in downtown Chicago? Mean? Yeah, yeah, we dated constantly, right,
nobody that I was talking to would I consider like
an actual girlfriend?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Like we weren't, Yeah, got it? You had people you
were talking to?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yes, yeah, you know, And so I was certainly there.
I wouldn't have gone there if I knew that there
wasn't really a chance, you know, with with it with
a real relationship.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
When I got there, though, I realized that, like the
amount of time it's nearly impossible to formally form a
relationship there in that window, right, like, and we learned.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Probably almost impossible, yes.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Twenty five percent of each other while we're there. Afterward,
you know, the next year or two years and we
were together, that's when you learn about you know, moving
in and in like you know, life hits you and
then you.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Learn anything else, right, Yeah, of course, So how did
that all happen? Obviously you and Julian did it work out?
She's happily married, well, happily in a relationship you're I
(11:36):
assume happily married. When you guys were together, what all
happened there? Have you talked to her? You know, I
know that how long did it? How long did it last?
Speaker 1 (11:48):
And what together?
Speaker 2 (11:49):
What do you feel like happened at the end we
were there?
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Let's see, So we were together for for a good
two years after the show.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
That's significant in batchel her Land.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Yeah. Yeah, I mean we had a lot of tabloid
crap too that that sucked, but we you know, we
got through it. And she moved to Chicago right away,
you know, and and we would go up to to
Vancouver and and you know, we want to visit her
family way up in northern think uh northern yeah, yeah,
near Colonna and even even Peace River way up there.
(12:25):
So it's like parallel to Alaska.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Yeah, amazing.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Yeah. So I mean we we got through all like
the media stuff, you know, and and but it was
just like I think that the day to day life
stuff that really like, like I said, getting to know
the the rest of the spectrum of that person. And yeah,
Julian's great. It was just you know, we just weren't
and I was kind of still in like a not
get serious mode too in my life, and I still
(12:50):
liked working a lot, and so but she moved here
and like, you know, we we had a blast when
she lived here. Like we we did all kinds of
fun stuff. We we you know, like I said, traveled
up to Canada a lot, and went and visited my
family a lot. We had a real real relationship. Yeah,
and I think it just over time, you just you know,
(13:12):
like any relationship, you just figure out that probably not
the best. I think the media sensationalized like our separation,
but it wasn't really that it wasn't that exciting like
it was you know, it was like you know, Ed's
cheating or whatever. And but that that wasn't the case.
I mean, there were many many embellished stories that like
(13:35):
you just and you know this more than anybody, I'm
sure that, like you can't control a story once it's
out there, like it's completely out of your hands, and
if you try to defend something, it looks even worse.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Yeah, yeaheah.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
So I got a really quick you know, one O
one on how to handle the media, and I just said,
look like we're not going to play along with this,
like we're breaking up. You know, I'm sorry, it's not
one fun. But and then we still kept in touch
for years, you know after Yeah, yeah, it wasn't until
like when I really started dating my wife for real,
(14:09):
you know, and and I just obviously we we we
didn't keep in touch more. And then she was in
her Yeah of course.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
So tell me about your your your wife, your daughter,
how life is now.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
It's awesome, I am. I moved to the burbs, uh, doing.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
A lot of home in Chicago still, right, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
A lot of mulch lately. That's super, super exciting. So yeah,
I mean we were let's see s our eighth year
anniversary coming up here in Happy anniversary, early Thanks it's
going to be in July. Excited for that. My daughter
is going to be three and uh a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Do you have a picture of her where? Yeah, I
want to see. Her name is Olive. I think that
is so cute.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Dancing beauty doing some wild dancing here.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Oh my gosh. That brings me back like I used
to so when I had Max was probably that age
and Blakesley, my daughter, would be like nursing. So I
would lay in my bed, turn on the television to
so you think you could dance or Dancing with the
Stars and or maybe not, Yeah, Dancing with the Stars
because I had been on it first season went before
(15:39):
they were born. So I would just I would put
it on the television and he would just dance along
to the TV. Oh that brings back such happy memory.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
Yeah, your little little buggers are they're getting up there?
Speaker 2 (15:51):
They're not so little. Yeah. Max is five ten and
I know, yeah he's six to two, but he's way
taller than me. Now he's going to be a sophomore
in high school next year and Blakesley will be a freshman.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Yeah, it's crazy Colorado. Yeah, we are, we are, We're
We're actually moving though. I just told everyone last week
the last or the last podcast, we are moving to Denver.
Ryan is a Denver firefighter now. He worked for Vail
for seventeen years and he's been working for Denver for
(16:28):
like three and he's been commuting two hours back and
forth whenever he worked. So we thought it was time
to make the change. We're going to be closer to family.
We're excited for their new school and the opportunities for everybody.
So anyway, that's what we are. But yeah, I love
hearing and I hear your wife is Is she a
(16:49):
co host or an anchor or whatever for Good Day Chicago?
Speaker 1 (16:53):
She was for four or five years. Now she does
the evening she's an evening anchor for the Local.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Local amazing for for ABC Local thought, okay, got it.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Yeah, she's been with them for like twelve years or
something like that.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
That is awesome. I love it. I did. I I
co hosted Good Day Live and Good Day La a Bunch,
and I just always loved the vibe there. I assume
Good Day Chicago was kind of similar.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Very similar. Yeah, yeah, she liked it too, but you know,
the evening spots are a little more sought after, and like, yeah,
if you're if you're really into the industry, you know,
like that these are it's a it's a great stepping stone.
But she's really into like she wants to be a
you know, an evening acre possibly even at a network.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Oh amazing. Would you stay in Chicago or would you
guys consider leaving?
Speaker 1 (17:51):
I don't know, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
You know what I mean, is your family there, they're
in Michigan, Okay.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Yeah, and her family's Illinois, so we want to stay
in the area for sure. But yeah, for now, we're
pretty happy with everything.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
That is awesome. And how did you guys meet because
obviously you both have a little public I pieces there.
Did you guys meet through like an event or blind date?
Or how'd you meet?
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Evehn? Cornier than that? Trista, I was like at home
on the couch one day. It was like a holiday
or something, and I put on the local news and
I saw this girl doing the news and I'm like,
because you know, you get to know a lot of
the local media people and like the events, charity stuff,
and and I didn't recognize her, like, oh is this
(18:43):
you know? And so I reached out to her I
actually tweeted her and did, yes.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Yes, that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
Well, I figured, like why not, you know, I mean
totally I didn't think she'd respond.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Well, you did go on a reality show on National
to le Vision, so it kind of is in the
category ballpark is yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
And so yeah, and I think she was gonna respond
to me, and I think I like started stalking her,
like on Instagram. I was like, hey, it's I'm over here,
over here, and I don't know why she agreed to
go to so she did the morning news and so
like her happy hour is like lunchtime. Right, She's done, right,
(19:28):
so she's like, let's let's go to lunch, like lunch,
like what is this a business? Business meetings? But then
you know, I realized, like, okay, so she's like pounding
wine at our lunch and I'm like, wow, this chick
is she's getting after it. But it was it was
actually like okay for a first date. But you know,
(19:48):
we decided to go another day. We did an actual
evening dinner.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Okay, got it. She could stay up.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Yeah, she could stay up, and we had a lot
more fun and but you know, it was pretty typical,
I mean, other than like the tweeting thing. Our relationship
was pretty standard.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
You know, Yeah, I got it, that's it. I love it. No,
So so you guys met through that and you actually
are you in marketing now?
Speaker 1 (20:15):
I do enterprise sales for a big, big software company.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Oh, you're still in software sales. Okay, got it. Yeah,
Because I was going to say I thought you were
in marketing, and I was going to say you moved
from software sales went through the show. I didn't know
if like the show had any any impact on the change.
But if you're still in the same.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Player, you're right. Actually, so I mean I kind of
really yeah, I've kind of gone back and forth. I
mean I put it in the same category of sales
and marketing. Like I don't do marketing. I sold marketing tools.
So okay, yeah, so similar. But but I did, like,
we wrote this book about Pinterest a while back, and
I think like we did. Did we do an event
(21:01):
at at in Chicago at Rocket or something?
Speaker 2 (21:04):
Oh my gosh, yes, that is the last time I
saw you. It was for shop the shop drop drop
off drop off?
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Was that what it called one of those like cycle clothing?
Speaker 2 (21:17):
You're right, it was me and Molly Mesnik and which
is so crazy because Julian was on Jason season with
Molly and Molly and I were hanging out with you
in Chicago.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
It was it's so weird.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
That is so crazy. But yes, you're right, Oh my gosh, okay.
And so you were working with with Rocket, like you
helped them with market or something. I was.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
I launched my book and we hosted we hosted a
party at Rocket and and uh and so I, you know,
Billy just preash out for a couple of other events
and uh, that's that's where we intersected. But but yeah,
I mean, I I've always kind of been in technology sale,
so it even got it for my entire career. Really,
(22:05):
I never got into like any like regular media stuff
where I was like paid, you know, just uh huh.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
Well I don't think it was. It wasn't really a
thing back then. Yeah, you know, I mean, I know,
I did a lot of like spokesperson the things. You know,
I was a spokesperson. They call it actually a spokesperson.
And now I feel like the term has changed to influencer.
Even if you're doing a satellite media tour or you're
just posting stuff on social I feel like it has
(22:34):
definitely evolved, but but I don't. It wasn't as big
of a thing back then. It wasn't, I mean because
social media wasn't as relevant or pertinent or you know, popular,
and and I wanted to see if you uh, you know,
(22:54):
at that event, obviously we were getting recognized, but do
you get recognized still? And I know that was a
long time ago. I mean that had to be ten years.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Ago that it was like it was like twelve I think.
Or yeah when we saw each other. Yeah, no, no,
nowhere near, you know. And like I don't try to
be right either, Like there is a lot I just
I don't. I don't want it, you know. Yeah, I
mean it's fun every once in a while. But like
my my wife gets way more you know, way more
(23:24):
notoriety than you know, for years, Like she's she's she's
more recognizable than I am. I think if someone's like
a hardcore fan, they might you know, or like if
we're out and it's all you'd probably know this. But
anywhere there's alcohol in alve people get a little braver
with you know, approaching you and so.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Or travel, yes, yes, right, if you're ever in an airport,
I feel like being in an airport yeah, yeah, or
being in Texas, Texas.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
The epicenter of the Bachelor. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
I swear if I'm in Texas, I'm like, I will
get recognized.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
It's so true.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Yeah, And you don't miss the show at all, Like
you don't miss being on television. You'd rather your wife
do it.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Yeah, because I feel like I'm getting old, and like,
I just I like being a dad, like I like you.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (24:24):
I just like I just like being a normal dude,
you know. And even like, it was definitely fun and
I wish everyone could experience it because it's such a
cool thing to see, right how TV works kind of
see all the bs behind the behind the scenes and
how everything happens in reality TV is different from like
real TV but like a real production but in real TV,
(24:46):
like you know, like like real produced.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
I totally yeah, I hear you.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
But it's just, uh, it's cool kind of see all
the inner workings right of how it comes together. And
I agree the world even.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
Like you guys, I went to Seattle.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
That was it. You guys didn't go anywhere.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
No, I went to Seattle.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
What in the world, Why would you?
Speaker 2 (25:10):
I know, seriously, they owe me some trips Seattle and
uh Cabo and New York and Vale, you know for
my hometown. But yeah, I always joke my fantasy suites
were in Seattle. Was Good's amazing. I love Seattle for
(25:32):
all those in Seattle. I love Seattle. It was great.
It was a wonderful place. But you know, would I
have treated the Maldives for Seattle? Yes, yes, I.
Speaker 1 (25:41):
Would have taken that one.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Uh yeah, yeah, No, I'm not bitter. I'm not bitter.
You can't tell you bitter? Can you traveled? Where did
you guys go on your season?
Speaker 1 (25:54):
We went to We went all over. We started out
in Vancouver, which whistler I think. We went up to also.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
Right and which was cool.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
I've never been there before. I would consider that definitely international.
And then we went to uh Spain. We went to
uh Hawaii. You know, never been to Spain? Why is
my favorite place on Earth? So I was like, oh, love, it.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Was it your favorite place on Earth because you went there?
It was your favorite place on Earth before that?
Speaker 1 (26:30):
It was my favorite place on Earth after I went there.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Oh okay, okay, I just didn't have you been with
your wife, like, does she know this is your favorite
place on earth because of the Bachelorette and does she is?
Speaker 1 (26:41):
She like, okay, but here's the thing, Like, we've discovered
so many other places, international places to you that I
would say that are very close. But when it really
comes down to it, like why, it's just amazing, Like
it's you know, it's it's ours.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Yeah, but I feel like my husband would be like,
because I did go to Hawaii for the Bachelor, and
I feel like he would be like, well, this is
where you were with Alex, So I don't want to go,
you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (27:09):
That's right. I didn't realize they did that with you
that I didn't know that you were pulled from.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
I was from the first season.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
So you okay, so you traveled on a Bachelor, Well
just Towa. That was well. I would definitely be pissed
that if I were you, Like, what happened to the
budget here?
Speaker 2 (27:28):
There was not one.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
It's interested. We don't know if this is going to work.
So we're going to Cleveland, Ohio.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
Yeah you're excited? Yeah, I mean any place. Honestly, I
feel like I'd love traveling, even if it's all over
the United States. I don't care like wherever it is.
I love to travel, but you know, it would have
been nice to go to Spain. So it's all good.
(27:55):
It's all good, it's all good. I would take my
relationship with my husband for almost twenty years in December
over a trip to the Maldives. It's fine, my life,
so it's all good.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Yeah, you guys are you guys are like the best family.
Oh I had fun at Messick's wedding. We were at
the pool with your kids. Oh, everybody was just so fun.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Remember yeah, was that was where Sarah Bryce and Charlie
O'Connell there was that the wedding?
Speaker 1 (28:27):
Or yeah, that is the actor guy right.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Yes, Jerry, he's Jerry's brother brother.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Yes, yes, he was there and I don't know why
why was he?
Speaker 2 (28:38):
Why was he?
Speaker 1 (28:40):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (28:41):
Oh why was Jerry? No, Charlie was there because he
was a bachelor.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Okay, yeah, yeah that's what. Yeah. I didn't follow no, sorry, yes,
but prior to it, right, I didn't follow it, so
I didn't really know.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
Have you watched since No? I'm like, no, does your
wife watch a wife.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
Watches a kid? I think she's a couple of seasons behind.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Did she watch it when you were on.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
She didn't and she hasn't.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
And she hasn't and she won't.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
I don't think she doesn't want to. It's just that
we're just busy and likes to go back through like
archives of old I mean, yes, she's married to me,
but there's nothing there that she was probably probably get
excited over, you know.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Yeah, no, I get that. I just didn't know if
there was any curiosity. I feel like that is a
that is probably a majority of how people feel if
they met their significant other after the show. Obviously after
the show, if they met their significant other and their
significant other did not watch before, then they probably will
never won't want you to feel like that's like, that's normal.
(29:46):
But I wonder how much curiosity is there, you know,
if you want to call it up, if you can
even I don't even know if you can access it.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
I think they may have sent us like DVDs, like
I have some archive of it.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Oh you have DVDs because I have VHS tapes.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Oh do you really? Yeah? Well, well I was in
low deaf too, so.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
Oh way low deaf was me. I'm kind of like
glad for that because high definition scares me. Now, yes, yeah,
so all my wrinkles, yes, all my pores. I mean
you're seeing everything. Thank goodness for low definition.
Speaker 1 (30:24):
Seriously.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Okay, so future plans. Are you guys planning on expanding
your family?
Speaker 1 (30:32):
We'd like to I mean, yeah, my wife is she
just turned forty forty one actually.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
Now, oh she's a spring chicken.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Yeah. Yeah, but like we had a hard time with
our first pregnancy. Just got it all kinds of I
U I y up the wise uh huh literally, but
like giving giving your shots, you know, every day, and
it's just like it's really hard on her. Yeah, and
(31:03):
so we would love to you. It's just like we
really want to go through that part of it. I
would love to have like, you know, two more kids probably,
but really.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
You just don't know.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
I would like to have one more just so she
as sibling, you know, because yes, that's how I felt.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
I actually had a really hard pregnancy or a difficult
time getting pregnant as well, and we did iuis, but
not we started the IVF process and never had to
go through it because I ended up getting pregnant. But
what I will say is for the second and you're
(31:42):
you know, your daughter's three, so maybe this can still happen.
But we had a really hard time with Max, and
then after I stopped nursing, I got pregnant with Blakesley
like that, like it's pretty easy. Yeah, So you just
never know. And you know, you hear all these stories
about how people want a child, like are actively trying,
(32:04):
going to doctors, whatever, and the stress and the anxiety
around it not happening can take over for the natural
ability of your body to create, you know. And so
I feel like so many you hear these stories of
people who go on to like adopt and then they
get pregnant or right exactly. So you know, I feel
(32:28):
like probably a lot of it has to not in
your case specifically unnecessarily, but yeah, you just never know.
So who knows. I would love that for you. I
just I love that my kids were close when they
were younger, not so much right now, just because they
have totally different things.
Speaker 1 (32:48):
So they're three years apart, though they're.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
Twenty months apart, okay, but three years is I mean.
I know people who have like big chunks of time
in between the kids, and it's a great thing, you know.
I think there's pros and cons for everything, you know,
So you just never know. You just got to keep
trying if that's what you want. And I'm sure Olive
would love a sibling.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
She would. She loves being around kids. I mean it's
weird because like we'll go to the playground and I
feel bad because I think these kids, you know, that
have gone through the pandemic, like they're just not conditioned
for like hanging out with other kids. And somehow she
she's very extroverted though, so she'll like walk up to the
kids and they look at her like she has three heads.
(33:32):
You know. Oh, I know, I feel bad. I'm like, oh,
you know she could. You can tell that she's kind
of sad because she's like, why don't don't they want
to play with me? And I'm like, I don't know,
it's nothing, that's no.
Speaker 2 (33:45):
I love that she's extroverted and can do that because
my kids were not that way and I always wished
for that. That's great encourage that for sure. Yeah, okay,
I have to tell you. I was texting Bob. You know,
Bob is my we co host this together, right, yeah,
Bob Guinea. So I was texting him to see if
(34:09):
he was going to be here, and he said that
you guys, maybe share a birthday.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
May May eighth, Uh not.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
When's your birthday?
Speaker 1 (34:20):
July twentieth birthday?
Speaker 2 (34:23):
So he is wrong, not that birthday. I might have
multiple No, I don't know. Anyway, he was like, yeah,
I believe he and I share a birthday, and he
put although he's much younger and I and I said,
(34:43):
isn't everyone.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
I love like you two are my hands down, Like
I mean, you're the most thank you notable. But I
ran into him at the Kentucky Derby.
Speaker 2 (34:55):
I know, I'm very jealous. I love the Derby and
he goes every You're like, this is his thing, so
he shouldn't be here. But I was like, yay, I
gotta laugh out of Bob Guinea, even if it was
on a text.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
So he's down there now, he is.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
He was on a plane to Louisville when I texted him,
and that's where.
Speaker 1 (35:13):
I ran into him last, like three years old.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Okay, did you always used to go to Jerby?
Speaker 1 (35:18):
No, first time going. And in fact, he was like
on the red carpet for some event, and I was
like getting chased down by the security trying to get
into like a red carpet party. And I'm like, Bob,
get me.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
In, let me in please.
Speaker 1 (35:34):
He's like, look at me, like, who are you?
Speaker 2 (35:36):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (35:37):
I mean, he's we've never met, we never met in
person before that, but we knew God communicated, you know,
and yeah, but he was like, I can't do it, dude,
You're not cool enough.
Speaker 2 (35:47):
You're not cool enough. Oh, I'm totally going to tell him.
You totally let ed down. He didn't even want to
talk to you, so and you weren't on today. Well, well,
thank you so much for the chat. And I'm so
happy for your happiness and your relationship and your fatherhood.
(36:11):
I love girl. Dad's so fun.
Speaker 1 (36:15):
She's the love of my life.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Oh that's the sweetest.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
Tell tell Ryan and the kids that I. Uh, I
wish him well too. I haven't seen him in a
long time. Tell me, I said, I thank you.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
Was Actually Ryan wasn't with me in Chicag Have you
ever met Ryan because he wasn't on Bachelor Pad? Maybe not?
Speaker 1 (36:38):
Didn't he go to the wedding?
Speaker 2 (36:42):
The wedding, Yes, you are right, he was.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
That's how I know he was tall, because.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
You're right, got it? Yes, that was such a fun wedding. Uh. Yes,
Well anyway, I thank you so much. I enjoyed our
chat and I'm so happy you're happy, Piness. Thanks for
coming on and allowing us to, you know, reflect back
to the days of old, the days old.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
All right, We'll take care and good to see you too.
Speaker 2 (37:11):
Okay, thanks bye, ed bye, Thanks for listening. Everybody. This
is Trista and I. I just love this opportunity to
be able to talk to people who were part of
my past, part of my Bachelor Nation family. I love
all y'all. And if you guys would like for me
to me and Bob sorry he's not here today, if
(37:34):
you like, would like for us to bring anybody onto
the show, if you're missing someone, if you'd love to
hear what's going on in the life of someone who
was on the show a favorite of yours from back
in the OG days, We would love to hear from you.
You can go to the almost famous Instagram account and
send them a message, or you can DM me as
(37:57):
well or Bob. Feel free to do that. Uh, feel
free to let us know if you'd like for us
to do anything in particular on this podcast, because we
love doing it and yeah, we'd love your input. So
have a great day and thanks for listening.
Hosts And Creators
Ben Higgins
Ashley Iaconetti
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