Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Ben and Ashley I almost famous podcast
with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
It's almost famous podcast. We're here today.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
I'm going to break down exactly what we did in
French Lick, Indiana. But today I have three incredible people,
incredible friends, and we just spent a couple of days
playing golf together. Now, golf is not a topic that
listeners love to listen about.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
None of us are pros.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Nobody really cares about how good Dean is compared to me.
But I do want to talk with Joe, Zach and
Dean who are on this trip to French Lick. Now,
a little bit of background I mentioned a few weeks ago.
For years of my life, I bet it's been ten
years of my life. I've always dreamed of bringing my
(00:50):
friends together into one place to hang out with no
other expectation other than to be together. And the reason
for this is I feel lucky. I don't think every
already gets this opportunity. I feel lucky that I have
a lot of friends from all different stages of life
that I just really like, and a lot of them
I haven't seen in a while. And it gets harder
(01:10):
and harder to get together as we get older. Family,
star work starts, people move across the country. So I
invited forty two people to French Lick. Two people couldn't
make it. Forty dig come, including three of my favorites
from The Bachelor time in my life, as I mentioned, Zach, Joe,
(01:32):
and Dean, who are with us today.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Welcome guys, Hi, thank thanks for having me, Thanks for having us.
Speaker 5 (01:37):
Ben.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Of course I'm going to start. We're all so awkward.
It's just like media.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Hi, thank you for being here. Now I want to start.
I think I'm going to start with Dean on this one. Dean,
the Bachelor obviously has a huge impact in your life
because of it leading you to your amazing wife, obviously
kind of leading us into friendship. So that's a big
(02:07):
plus for you and me. But am I wrong to
say that you don't exactly desire to still be integrated
in that world as much as some.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
You're saying me personally?
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Yeah, you personally, I mean, I just I guess.
Speaker 6 (02:24):
That's that's probably true. They're it's just I'm not really Yeah,
that's true.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
That's true. I'll just go with that. I'm just gonna
go with that's being true. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Okay, So a trip pops up with with friends, but
people from The Bachelor, So Joey was there, Wells was there.
Then the three of us in addition to that, what like,
what kind of things do you still say yes to?
And do you say and yeah, that's not gonna be
my speed. This is you know, this is not a
group I want to associate with anymore.
Speaker 6 (02:54):
Well, it's not even it's it's not that, it's just
you know, I love you so much. I would move
mountains for you if I was physically capable of doing it.
So when you invited me on the golf trip.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
I was thrilled to be. I don't know that you
have forty two invites and forty yeses.
Speaker 6 (03:09):
Is that is an incredible success rate with getting people
to come out to Indiana.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
I think he should be really proud of that.
Speaker 6 (03:16):
But no, I mean, obviously, you know, I think I
would jump at any chance I could get to play
golf with you and Joe and I met Zach for
the first time and that was a great experience too,
so and we kind of talked a little bit about
what you're asking right now, because you know, Zach's removed
himself a little bit. It's not like unconsciously removing myself
by the way. I love the show and what it's
(03:37):
given me, and I will do what I am able
to for them. It's just I don't really get has
to anymore. No one really cares about me, so you know,
it's kind of it's kind of that situation. But no,
this the Bachelor stuff, like you know, with you and Wells,
Zach and Joe and Joey. I think that was kind
(03:57):
of our Bachelor group that was there, all guys that
I love and I you know, I like most of
the people that I've met from the show anyway, So
if you did a full Bachelor, it's like forty people
from the Bachelor's style trip golf trip. I don't know
if I still say yes to it, because I could
hang out with you guys and play golf, but I'd
be a little less excited about it.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
I guess.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Well, I tried to do that a few years ago
with Almost Famous, and I had like four people show up, So.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Actually, you know, you know what I do think.
Speaker 6 (04:25):
I remember getting the like a loose invite for that,
and I was like, ah, I'm.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
Probably not going to go to that.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Yeah, I'm probably not going to make it.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
You know I'm with you, though, I think the whole
purpose of me bringing you guys on today. I got
to meet Zach at an event we did with the
Solheim Cup and the LPGA last year, really for the
first time, and Joe and I have crossed pass and
I just have always enjoyed being around Joe. We've gone
(04:56):
on a few iHeart trips back in the day together.
But then you know, you picked up the clubs Joe
what two years ago and started playing full time a
year ago?
Speaker 2 (05:05):
A year ago.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Yeah, And I remember talking with Zach and him just
telling me that you you love this game, like this
has been something that you've invested a lot of time, effort,
money into over the last year. And so I was
pumped to play with you because it's really fun to
see somebody invest so much into a game that I've
loved for so long and still don't get much better at.
Speaker 7 (05:29):
Yeah. I become addicted to things that I'm really bad at,
and like I'm really bad at golf. So I'm like, Okay,
well I'm gonna give this a few years and see
if I could actually get better. But it's and like
every golfer says, it's like that one shot that keeps
you coming back where you're like, oh damn, like I'm
(05:50):
I'm good at this game, like I'm good at golf,
and then you go up and then you go back
out there and you can't hit. But I think it's
also one of those things where I'm getting older, I'm married,
I'm really just kind of like the going out part
of my life is basically over. So it's like, what
what else is there to do? And it's you know,
you go to the gym, you run what, you try
(06:11):
to make money to the best of your abilities, and
it was just it's just like a social event that
I can now do, like all my friends golf, and
I've seen you guys post about golf a lot, so
you know, I'm like, oh man, feeling left out. I
want to get involved in this. So yeah, and I
love it. I'm addicted and I got Oberg to when
the US Open. We'll see how that goes.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Joe's really that's a loser, Yeah for sure. No, I
love that all of us are probably.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
I mean, it's on my iPad right here, like I
got it up right now, there's no chance of missing it.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Jaws impressed.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
I mean again then we're not going to talk about
golf in detail this whole time. But I was impressed
with your game, Uh, not just impressed, like very very
just kind of in awe of somebody picking up golf
clubs a year and being able to get it around
a golf course is not an easy thing for anybody.
And and so the whole time I was when I
(07:08):
got to play with you, was watching being like this
guy you have, you're never gonna stop playing this game
because all of a sudden it's gonna switch and you're
you're never going to be able to get away from it.
You're like very close to having way too much fun
doing it.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I'm right there.
Speaker 7 (07:25):
I'm right there.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I'm so close.
Speaker 6 (07:26):
I was telling Joe and Zach as well that they're
going to kind of been like the most fun spot
of golf in my opinion, where you know, like you've
been for instance, as like a I don't know, if
you're five handicaps something around there, you have to work
really really hard to shave a stroke off your handicap.
Zach and Joe only have to go out and play
golf right like consistently, and they're going to shave fifteen
(07:47):
strokes off their handicap. You know, Yeah, that's a really
fun time. I feel like for that for that to be, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
I don't get better now, Like I haven't gotten better.
I only get worse. And I don't like that's not
joking because you kind of each the pinnacle of your
game and then there's no way but backwards. And to
get from like a five to a two takes something
that like I haven't yet found no matter how much
time I put into it.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Yeah, it just doesn't exist, Zach.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
You know, I I gave these gifts, these Pennon They're
they're called penn and AS's headcovers, and I it's it's
a really cool brand. If if you ever are needing
like a Father's Day gift or a brother in law
gift or whatever for somebody that golfs, I would recommend
pennen Aces. Just check them out. They do these all
(08:36):
these unique head covers. I bet they have two hundred
different unique headcovers that they design and they throw out
there on their website. And so for the for the guys,
I thought it would be fun to go through and
buy a headcover that reminded me of each person I
got Dan one because I think he's a traveler. I
think he has this like just spirit h that is
(09:01):
needs to be in the wild.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Okay, I was gonna say I didn't. I wouldn't think
you would remember what you got me.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Do you remember, Yeah, I got you a leopard?
Speaker 4 (09:09):
You got me a leopard? Good memory? Do you remember
everyone's that you got?
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (09:13):
These like I spent probably a week picking out these
gifts for each person, going through the website, kind of
thinking about what reminds me of each person. I got
Joe one that was the Ninja turtles because there's a
I wanted to get him something Italian and I was
hoping there's like a pasta dish, but there wasn't. And
so I was like, Ninja turtles are gonna work.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Yeah, he goes, he goes, he goes.
Speaker 7 (09:33):
I got you Ninja turtles. They're Italian.
Speaker 8 (09:35):
I said, Summer is the season of love. Some are loving.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
Here we come.
Speaker 9 (09:49):
If you're old enough to remember, some are loving, you're
old enough to find and I do Part two. Listen
each week as our host make it their goal to
find you the next true love of your life.
Speaker 8 (10:00):
Any Garth, Jana Kramer.
Speaker 9 (10:01):
Alexia Napola, Cheryl Burke, Jen Fessler, Kelly Ben Simone, Amy Robock,
and TJ. Holmes are dedicated to helping you fall in
love again. It's time to make it hot Hot Hut
this summer.
Speaker 7 (10:14):
Listen to I Do Part two on the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Zach's one, and I think all of us can attest
to this. He's doing great things in this world, and
he is changing the world through the work that he does.
And so it's just been fun to kind of witness
and be around you, Zach, as you are so busy
in leading this incredible organization and also running all the time.
(10:47):
And so I guess my question for you is, in
the midst of a very busy life with a lot
of responsibilities, why do you say yes to a trip
with like this? And then why is golf kind of
your escape outside of like running a marathon and leading
people through recovery and all the other things you do.
Speaker 10 (11:08):
Yeah, no, thanks Ben for having me.
Speaker 5 (11:10):
Just to be clear, Ben gave me an Abraham Lincoln headcover.
Speaker 10 (11:15):
I can basically never cheat in golf again. I see that.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
It's like I'm screwed, Like there's no there's no like
I'm gonna take a six year it's like put the
belt down. But no, I mean like, look for me,
golf is just a vehicle to the hang right, Like
That's that's why I do any of these things, is
to hopefully see old friends and make some new ones.
And it was awesome to spend Dean is just like
(11:39):
good energy, so it was good to kind of hang
with him for a minute. And obviously me and Joe
spent a lot of time here in the city, and
you know, it just it just leads some more opportunity.
I mean, like Wells and I were out playing last weekend.
So I just feel like in this day and age,
to be able to go out there. Like I really
put the phone down for those couple of days in
French Lick, like I wasn't checking. I was pres and
(12:01):
you know, the game probably wasn't where like I wanted.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
It to be.
Speaker 10 (12:04):
But That's not what I'm gonna remember about the trip.
Speaker 5 (12:06):
It's it's that and my almost hole in one, which
I'm still losing sleepover.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Yeah, so Zach had a moment where a group was
of our friends were playing in front of him. It
was kind of a blind part three where you couldn't
see the green. He gits an incredible shot.
Speaker 5 (12:23):
Well, first of all, we're playing a five ball and
I'm the worst golfer in the group, right. So it's Dean,
Joey Wells and Wells's buddy from Ole Miss and the
four guys hit and we're playing a friendly match and Joey,
who's on my team, basically says like we shouldn't we shouldn't.
Speaker 10 (12:40):
Have dropped the hammer, like we already lost this hole.
And I turned him.
Speaker 5 (12:43):
I said, like, I still got a shoot, bro, I
still gotta go.
Speaker 10 (12:47):
Like that is not the energy we need right now, and.
Speaker 5 (12:50):
So I throw it up on the hill and it's
like trickling, you can go, Ben, But.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
It was no.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
It was trickling towards the cup. Everybody starts cheering. That's
up on the green watching, so you think it went
the hole.
Speaker 10 (13:01):
Wells and I got halfway to the green. We were Mike.
Speaker 5 (13:04):
I was like, I was like leap braveheart style, charging
the green with my potter in the air. And then
halfway there, I see someone go like this and I'm like,
what just happened?
Speaker 10 (13:15):
I hit a hole?
Speaker 5 (13:16):
And I thought, you know, so it was very embarrassing,
and but that's why you show up and whatever.
Speaker 10 (13:21):
It'll keep me back. Yeah, that trip.
Speaker 6 (13:24):
I had a lot of great memories on that trip,
but that moment was the thing I'll probably remember the
most as well.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
You like, just just the other group.
Speaker 6 (13:33):
Cheering and then you and well sprinting ahead with your
hands in the air like clubs all over the place,
and then all of a sudden they give you that
it didn't.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Go in sign I was.
Speaker 6 (13:42):
I felt for you in that moment, because there's nothing
worse that thinking you got it and then halfway up
realizing that it didn't go in.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
I think they felt I think they felt for Zech too.
They felt really bad about about leading him on the
as we we kind of close up here. Uh, let's
iving a little bit to the Bachelor world, obviously, Dean.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
I think you said it perfectly.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
I have nothing against the bat I would love to
go back and do anything to a certain degree that
they want, because I do have a lot of respect
for the show. It did so many great things for
me personally. It led me to great friendships and great people,
and I've met a lot of people on the show
that I do like. I think there is it feels
like at this age of my life though, And I
(14:25):
don't know if this is good or bad. If you
don't golf, it's hard for me to hang out with
you too often because it's something it's when I have
free time or a day off, It's typically where I
want to be is on a golf course. And so
I do think the people in this bachelor world, it
wasn't a do I like you or not kind of invite,
(14:46):
it's do you golf?
Speaker 2 (14:48):
And then do I like you? But mostly do you golf?
Speaker 3 (14:53):
I think my question for all whoever wants to answer
it is what about this game?
Speaker 2 (14:59):
And and what is it?
Speaker 3 (15:00):
I guess what does it feel like to be a
part of something that has no expectations on her?
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Right?
Speaker 3 (15:06):
There isn't this expectation of we got a post on
social media. We this golf trip has to blow up
so that you know, we get more famous from it
or get some attention from it. It's just really, like
Zach said, a hang, what does that feel like in
this world surrounded by bachelor people? Because I think that's unique.
(15:27):
I think it's unique to be in an environment where
there's no expectations and we're just hanging out as friends.
Speaker 7 (15:34):
I yeah, I think it's great. It's like I don't
see Dean and he's the first thing he does is
pick up his phone and take a selfie of being him,
you know, like we just don't we don't do that.
And I think, like it's just it's it feels like
I'm just hanging out with my friends back home, because
it's kind of the same. So its just it feels
it's relaxing and you could actually be like Zach said,
(15:57):
you can put your phone down and be in the moment.
And I feel like when you are around not to
talk about anybody, but when you do anything that's related events,
usually posting is some part of that deal. So and
like I'm not the greatest at posting on social media anyways.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
So yeah, I mean I just really enjoy it.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Yeah, I mean same for me.
Speaker 6 (16:18):
I feel like one of the reasons that Ben you
and I became such good friends, and same with with
Wells is when I was living in La Wells and
I could play a lot of golf together and then
you know, whenever we see each other, it's all come
to Denver and we'll play Bear Creek, which you know,
I love that course obviously, so it's nice kind of
like you guys have already touched on all these points,
but like I.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Agree with what you said earlier.
Speaker 6 (16:40):
You know, my all my main friends in life now
are people that I play golf with, and a lot
of my best friends from when I was younger I
don't see as often because if we're not especially like
in the summer, you know, if we're not golfing, it's
kind of it's not like it's hard to find something
to do, but that's just like what I would prefer
to do in my spare time. So it's great to
be able to use golf as a vehicle to foster
(17:02):
friendships and meet new people. Like I met a lot
of your friends in Indiana for the first time and
they're all amazing as well. And you know, to see
Zach and Joe and be able to play golf with
them competitively too. You know, it's fun to be able
to compete in your thirties for something and gamble a little.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Bit, you know, five bucks a hole, whatever it might be.
Speaker 6 (17:21):
It doesn't have to be a lot, but as long
as there's something at stake, it always makes it a
little more interesting and more exciting and kind of, like
you said, you know, we're gonna be playing this game
for the rest of our lives, and it's good to
be able to play it with people that you like and.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
Just Y's fun.
Speaker 5 (17:34):
Man.
Speaker 10 (17:34):
It was a testament to you.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
I mean, like you made it very clear from the
outset that this was not there was no obligation to
do anything like if we wanted to share some things,
that would be cool, because I think there was some
help that we kind of got from some of the
people you were playing a trip with, so we all
I think we all did our part in that, which
is like it was respectful and it wasn't over the
(17:55):
top and wake Tean like, I mean, like, I'm very
grateful for the opportunity to have been on the show
and meet new people. And that's really kind of like
what life is all about. And I think like whenever
I walk into a group, like I have a choice
to hopefully or an opportunity to hopefully meet some people
that I can get along with and hang with.
Speaker 10 (18:15):
And that's what I found in this world, just like
any other world.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
It was fun for me selfishly, it was great because
my dad was there, my father in law was there,
high school buddies, middle school buddies' college friends. It's just
cool to see everybody hanging out and at night. We
obviously hit up the casino. A little shout to french Lick.
Not a place that I think many will when it
came up on like the list of where we could
(18:39):
go for a golf trip. I don't think french Lick
is necessarily popping off. I would say this, and I
have no obligation to say this. I thought the three
courses we played were absolutely incredible for a golf trip.
I thought the accommodations were awesome. And then there's a
casino right there on property that we spent the evenings at,
and if you gamble or not, we had TV's going,
(19:01):
the playoffs, NBA Playoffs were on. We're all hanging out together.
I think it's the perfect spot to do what I
was hoping to do, which is just to get people
to spend time together for a few days without you know,
any distractions, to put the phones away, to get to
catch up, to get to play a little golf competitively.
(19:23):
I am a massive fan of it. It's the only thing
I do today really with a group of people that
I can get competitive against them on And I'll be honest,
if you add Joey and Wells into this and then
three of you, there's probably like, there's very few people
I would want to beat on a golf course more
than the five of you, like I want to. I
(19:43):
want to come out on top against everybody, but especially
you five because I just think it means a little
more to me.
Speaker 7 (19:54):
Yeah, well, wait till next next year, because I'm still
gonna be rolling in with a high handicap on my swings.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
My swing's getting better. About the worst.
Speaker 7 (20:04):
The worst part about me is there is a part
of me that is like, maybe you could go pro,
like every.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Time I have every night. I think all of us
have that thought. And it's a it's a.
Speaker 7 (20:16):
Serious issue because I could barely hit the ball.
Speaker 5 (20:20):
Not not if you living, not if you keep living.
I mean, I've been sitting out of twelve for ten years.
You can't practice. You go to Chelsea Piers. It's it's
two dollars a swing.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
It's crazy.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
The uh golf trip uh dot Ai also helped us
plan that. I want to give a shout out to them.
French Lick Indiana one hundred percent recommend for any golf trip,
you will not have a bad time. Do you guys agree?
Did it live up to expectations? This again, you have
no obligation to say it did.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Loved it. I had a great time.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Yeah, I thought it was great.
Speaker 6 (20:52):
The courses were amazing, a lot more challenging than I
think that I'm used to, at least here in Colorado.
You know, they're they're longer than the course of in Colorado,
and the ball doesn't fly quite as far because it's
set six hundred feet elevation. So it's it was really
interesting to play out there. And that's kind of the
tricky thing playing with you guys is you guys all
hit the ball so far and I don't really hit
(21:13):
it very far. So I'm hitting driver three wood into
a par four while Wells is hitting a driver for
eight iron, you know. So that part was a little challenging.
But the courses were great. It's it's it's way more
fun to to play a challenging course like that, in
my opinion, than to play like a course that's overly easy.
So the golf was amazing. The casino was great. It
(21:33):
was cool to see Joe in his element, and and
and thriving in the casino and the Pacers, games Man,
the pace with you guys, that.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
Was amazing as well. So yeah, top to bottom as
good as it possibly could have been.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
Great.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
It was a great place, guys. I'm so thankful that
you said yes to it. You're you're good people, You're
good friends to many more years of this. We got
to come up with a name. I'm open to do
names because I don't think we're gonna be able to
do this in Indiana forever, even though I'd love to.
But we got to come up with a good name
(22:07):
for this trip because it's a way for us still
to get together. Dean, Zach, Joe. Any last closing words
for anybody listening when it comes to friendships in the
Bachelor world or golf trips.
Speaker 6 (22:24):
No, No, I'm really grateful to know you, Ben, because
that helps me get to hang out with these guys
more often. It's really cool to see you with your
forty friends that you invite to a trip like that,
because everyone was amazing, and that's a testament to you
and the people that you are able to get around you.
I think that was an amazing experience, and I'm excited
(22:45):
for more. I hope we can do this or something
like this once a year or more. You know, every
time I see you in Wells go on like one
of these program trips, I always get very very jealous
on the inside, and I make sure to express it
outwardly as well. But yeah, it was great, and I
hope we got to do it a million times again.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
I will say, when you say that you're jealous, I
would be jealous too, Like I get it, like I
feel for you. I don't know what to do about it.
There's like I have no control, but I get it
and I feel it. And if I was on the
outside of that and there I am on some of
those things like the American Century, I'm always jealous. I
don't even watch anymore because I just get mad. I'm
(23:24):
not mad at the people there. I just get sad
that I'm not there in Tahoe. So maybe we can
create our own little Tahoe and you all will have the.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Invite every year.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
We'll just we'll do it on our own, because if
people don't invite you to something, you just got to
create it. And I'm with you. The courses that we
played were very challenging.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
Dean.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
My dad told me yesterday. I talked to him and
he goes.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
I think you're trying to completely annihilate any confidence I
ever had on the golf course because of French lick.
And then we played Congressional this week together. He said,
this is getting to be really frustrating for me, and
I said, hey, just makes you better, Dad, Just keep grinding.
You know what, There's room for improvement even in your sixties. Gentlemen,
(24:08):
you're the best. I appreciate you. Thanks for coming on.
Speaker 4 (24:10):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
This has been the Almost Famous podcast. We'll be back
very soon. Until next time, I've been Ben.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Follow the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcasts on
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