April 29, 2019 • 53 mins
Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay is making some big moves in her life, so Ben and Ashley check in with her to get caught up on everything. We find out how things are going after her move to Miami with Bryan, and we get the latest on their wedding planning!
We get an update from former Bachelor Andrew Firestone, and Ben and Ashley discuss the new “surveillance van” that is set for Night 1 of The Bachelorette.
Plus, we find out first hand if the statistics are true about contestants gaining weight whole on the show, and we address the rumors of Bobby Bones being the next Bachelor.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Benn and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast
with IR Radio. I went to Canada this last week.
Um I did a little um Niagara Falls trip, met
up with some people when I was up there. Uh
you know, I had thought when I was up there,
why not bring in as many people as possible in
the Niagara area for dinner because I was going up
(00:20):
there alone. I think like a hundred seventy people showed up. Wait,
you said, I don't have anyone to have dinner with.
Do you want to come and meet me? Well, not
meet me, just like come have dinner. Guess what people
showed up? I bet a hundred and sixty five. Those
people avid Almost Famous fans. I mean we had so
(00:43):
many cool compliments, so many people saying thank you for
sharing your life, thank you for walking with us for
two years. Thanks were talking about the Bachelor. It was
a really encouraging trip because people are listening. So hey,
everybody in Niagara Falls, thank you so much. Listening Almost
Famous podcast. I got a ton of questions about Ashley Kennettie.
One of those was just how is Ashley doing? And
(01:06):
I need to ask the same question, Ashley, how are
you doing? I'm good that's not what I want conversation.
We got three minutes we talked about it. But I
think like I don't really respond well to general questions
like how are you doing? Like I need you to
ask me specifically what you want to know, um, because
usually if there's something I want you to know, I'm
(01:28):
open to sharing it, Like I will have no probablem
just being like, hey Ben, guess what happened this week? Okay?
Two questions that came up in Niagara that I think
I want to ask you directly. Thank so you gonna
talk about him? Um. But before I asked those questions,
I gotta let you all know that the podcast today
is maybe the best of the off season so far.
We have Rachel Lindsay that we're gonna call up talk
(01:49):
to her about life and all of her mini projects.
One of my favorite people in the world. Then Andrew Firestone,
a former Bachelor and just great dude. Actually, two questions
before we call up Rachel lindsay, as you begin to
get married or as you're already engaged, do you feel
an odd disconnect now from your obsession with male like
(02:10):
stars pop stars? Like does it get awkward? Is it weird?
Do you still feel see do you foresee yourself being
a boy band, pop star, movie star fan into you know,
through your marriage because here and then I'm going to
leave to you because the fans like it, right, they
enjoy it, and I wanted the same thing. It was
a good question. Oh, that's a great question. It's a
love and passion of mine that I'm never going to
(02:32):
give up just because of Jared and which is which
is great because m Jared doesn't Jared likes boy bands too. Um,
We're going to Lance Pass's birthday party this week, which
is very exciting, and we are Jared will talk about
the Battary Boys for at length and then the only
(02:53):
thing he doesn't really like get is Jonas Brollers, which
is fine because he says that he's not threatened by
the Jonas Brollers. Plus they're all married, you know, Joe
is engaged. Yeah, that's good, you know, because it does
get a little weird. Ash I will say this and
like past relationships of mine, people have like celebrity crushes
in this world not completely uncommon for them too. Then
(03:14):
get together. Well, that's that's why Jared doesn't like it.
There's a couple of people who he says, are too
attainable for me to really like get that. Yeah, you'll
get annoyed at them, not donus though, because you know,
I mean, it's cute and fun and it's fun and
relationships to have those. I do think now for you, Um,
I mean, I know you're a faithful person and Jared
(03:35):
is your guy, so I'm not that that comes from
nothing there, but there is that little bit of like
jealousy and a hint of hey, this isn't healthy for
you to talk about this dude like this because we're
gonna be with him at the birthday party this weekend. Um,
next thing is, and then we'll call up Rachel lindsay,
as you prepare for your wedding, Um, how are you
personally handling it? Do you feel like your identity is
(03:55):
attached or do you feel like with everything you have
going on in your career and also investing into your
relationship with Jared and planning a wedding, are you able
to know yourself right now? Or are you just kind
of trying to get this stuff done? Like how are
you physically, mentally, emotionally healthy? And the Ashley I Connettie
that we all know in love I think I'm just fine.
(04:17):
I would say when I'm planning is like a hard
time job. But we have a wedding planner. He takes
all the stress away. It's really it's not like a
huge thing. I was talking to a friend who didn't
have a wedding planner and she goes, you are my
only friend who has a wedding planner, and it's just
amazing to see the lack of stress your wedding is
creating for you in comparison what my experience was awesome. Well,
(04:39):
I we wondered that, I wondered that there were good questions,
and I have to admits something. I was talking to
two of the biggest almost famous fans and I started
to tear up a bit and they saw it. And
it was at the end of the night, and I
was exhausted, but but I really did because they told
me how happy they were for you and Jared, and
I thought back, this is a moment that hit me
(05:00):
was I thought back the moment I first met Jared.
He was standing in a driveway introducing himself to Caitlin
and Britt and he took off his shirt and he
had a supermin shirt on and he was the nerd
in the house, and I would tell him that today, um,
and he walked in and he made me feel like
I had a friend in the house right away, like
I could tell that that Jared and I had a
very similar wavelength. And then for the last two years, actually,
(05:20):
I've gotten to see year progression in relationships in life
through tears and triumphs and shows and all that. And
now today and I got really emotion because I think
for two years, I think these have been the most
and from a distance, probably the most transformative two years
in your life. And I've gotten to like sit and
watch those and witness that, and then our listeners have
also got to sit and watch those and like be
(05:45):
engaged and entertained by your transformation. And it's been a
beautiful one. So yeah, that was really cool for me
to talk about. I have more to say about that,
but we don't have time. So hey, we don't we
don't have time. Let's talk about it next week as
let's talk about your transformation into um, the person you
are today. Uh. And part of that has to do
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(07:35):
for details. We uh. One of our favorite segments on
the off season is catching up with past contestants some
of their some of our favorites, some of your favorites.
Rachel Lindsay is definitely one of our favorites. Rachel, welcome
back to the Almost Famous podcast. Thanks for having me
that guys. Good to talk to you. Good to talk
(07:57):
to you. Hey, Rachel, where did you move to? Because
I saw that you were moving out of Dallas on
your Instagram, but I couldn't figure out where you moved to.
I'm in Miami, Yes, I did it. I didn't so Miami,
which wasn't the easiest decision for me to make, but
(08:18):
it's what's best for our relationship right now. So um,
I mean, I can't complain. But right here on the water,
it's beautiful, the weather is always perfect, it's hot. But
I'm from Texas, so I'm used to that, and uh, yeah,
it's a new thing for Brian and I. Has it
been best for your relationship? Yeah, just because where we
are right now, because I'm not practicing law full time,
(08:39):
which is why we were in Dallas. Bryan wants to
set up a practice here in Miami and he's working
on that. So it just makes sense because I traveled
so much, there's just really no reason for us to
be in Dallas. Career Live, you know, Rachel, have a
question for you before you get started. You're doing a
lot of projects, You're You're very busy right now. We've
got a lot to catch up with you on UM.
(09:00):
I was working out of a gym in Denver this
week and somebody came up to me and I want
your advice on how to answer this question because you
and I just did a project together a few months
ago on the Ringer UM and we've got to know
each other just really through the Ringer and lip sync battle,
and uh, those are two of my favorite things I've
done really post Bachelor. But anyways, here's the question I
(09:23):
was asked me. Hey, Ben, you know Rachel Lindsay. Is
she as much of a boss, as fierce and as
confident as what she shows on television, and Rachel, I
obviously think those things about you, those are characteristics that
I would use to describe you as a person. But
I was a loss for how to answer her because
I felt like, no matter what I was going to
(09:43):
respond with, it wasn't either gonna do you justice or
it was gonna make you sound like you were too confident,
too much of a boss, too much of a leader. So, Rachel,
if somebody would ask me that question you were staying there,
how would you want me to answer that? First of all,
shout out to the lady and Jim who asked you that.
That's like such a compliment, And I love that you
(10:04):
were at a loss how to answer the questions. But
I mean, I I definitely feel like I work hard.
I'm like you. I'm like, I don't want to sound
like I've to do my own horn, but I feel
like I work hard, and I feel like I you know,
I try to go into everything I do with with
a lot of confidence. And when I do go speak
(10:25):
to different colleges and universities, I always encourage people do
the same thing because I don't feel confident all day
every day. But I like to give the persona persona
that I always am, because I feel like that's contagious
and I feel like if you if you give that out,
then then you can also be that. And so I
did like to think of myself as a boss without
(10:46):
sounding conceited. But UM, yeah, so there you go. That's
how you need to answer the question next time somebody
asked you, hey, you know what? You know what? When
I think of Rachel, I do think of a boss,
But I don't think she's conceded. I think she's fierce
and competitive and that she will try to always do
what's right and inspire others in the process. That's how
(11:07):
to explain Rachel Lindsay favor. Rachel, you've moved Miami. Now,
Brian setting of a practice? Are you wedding planning? We
are wedding planning, and I am trying to do the
least amount of wedding planning as possible. I feel like
Ashley will get me when I say that. I know
the both hired wedding planners and we've talked about this,
(11:29):
so I want it to utilize them as much as possible. Um,
things are starting to pick up now. The closer we're
getting to it. I mean we haven't even sent out
invitations with the work. Have you sent out save the dates? No? No? Okay, Um,
well I think you're I think you're You're just around
the part of the year where for you where you'd
be like, Okay, it's probably time we get those out now.
(11:52):
But it's not as I want people to not be
able to come because you're like nine be a little
the targeted number, and so I'm like, oh, if I
just keep waiting a bit, It's like we want you
to be there so badly, but we just can't. I mean,
we understand that you just can't fit it into your schedule. Hey, um,
(12:15):
Ben just asked me if wedding planning is at all
affecting affecting like my heart and soul. But I said
that my wedding planner is preventing that. Do you agree? Yeah? Yeah, yeah,
my wedding affecting much? What does he give me by
affecting heart and soul? That's not what I said and
always been always you know, makes it like really much?
(12:37):
I said, No, I said, hey, during wedding planning, do
you all feel like it takes away from your identity?
Like do you feel like you're so much of a
then get things checked off the box, planning, processing, inviting people,
probably hurting people's feelings, those things that it has taken
away from, like you a little bit. Oh no, no, no no, no, no, okay.
So actually I feel like we'll fill me on this
(12:58):
when I say this. I'm not a romcom person, but
you know the movie Bride Wars, remember when she's like
the wedding planners explaining things and they're saying, I feel
like it brings couples closer together or it separates them.
I feel like it's brought us closer together, like I
don't feel like it's affecting us in that way. We're
both really excited to make this thing official and too,
(13:22):
I'm ready to take his last name, like we always
like play to each other. I can't believe I'm about
to call your husband. I can't believe I'm about to
call you lives like. It's just it's a very exciting
time for us, and so that eliminates the stress of everything.
You know, I wanted to talk to you about the
guest list and it being like, uh, you having to
deal with the Bachelor guest list? How many people do
(13:45):
you think you're going to offend along the way question Wait, wait,
which one bachelorette or wedding? Um, no, with the wedding,
how many bachelor family members do you think you're going
to offend by not having them on your very small
guests because you want only a hundred people? Are right?
A hundred and fifty goal? I think I could. I
(14:08):
could settle for like one seventy five um max or confirmed. No, No,
that's how much the venue will hold. Yeah, I think
we're going to have to do some things to try
to um extend that, to try to open it up
(14:28):
some more. I just feel like people are going to come,
even though I'm trying to make the list smaller. But
I do think that I'm going to hurt some feelings.
But this is how I feel. Everybody has been affiliated
with the wedding in some form or fashionating. It hasn't
been your own. You know this is difficult. If you
love me, if you really are my friend or family,
(14:49):
you know whatever, you will love me at the end
of the day and you will understand it. That's how
I feel. I would never stop being friends someone because
they couldn't invite me to their wedding. That's you know.
I was. I just to officiated a wedding, uh two
weeks ago from my cousin. It was a beautiful wedding
and such a great couple. Is fun because I got
to kind of talk with him up until the wedding day.
And and one of the things that you, really, as
(15:12):
an officient are supposed to say at the beginning is
for those who are able to be in this room
and those who are not, who love and support this couple,
this day is about them, please wrap your arms around
them as they move into the future. And I do
think that it's very true if I was able to
be there and not, we have a responsibility as friends
and family and as people to support because here's one thing, Rachel,
(15:34):
and actually that I've realized here, especially recently in my
life with some of my friends, what marriage is not easy.
It wasn't supposed to be. It's very difficult. And I
feel like as an outsider to these things, and you
please tell me here and if you agree to disagree,
my only job is to support and not try to
cause more division because relationships are hard. Yeah, relationships are
(16:01):
really hard, but so beautiful at the same time. And
I I never believed people when they talked about the
list and the guest lists, and it's the hardest thing
you'll have to do. And it really is the hardest thing,
because as as easy as I'm answering that question that
you guys asked me about, like oh, if you're my friend,
just will be my friend, it's still hard. And you
(16:22):
don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. And you understand that
people want to be there to celebrate you in their
day but in your day, but you can't. It just
doesn't work that way. I I always thought I was like, oh,
everybody who I have in my life will be at
my wedding, you know, absolutely, And you're like a hundred,
You're like maximum hodern You're like, yeah, I don't have
(16:43):
a people in my life. Then you start like counting
it all up and then like adding plus ones with
people who have, you know, like a serious relationship or spouses,
and you're like, Okay, holy moly, this is definitely the
hardest part of it. And then you're trying to juggle
the feelings of of friends that are definitely coming to
your wedding and their relationships with people that could be
(17:06):
possible guests. You don't want to make an awkward You
don't want to make there to be any awkwardness in
the room on your day, no tension, attention free room,
the well you'll you'll prop you probably won't even be
around to see any of that. At least I wouldn't
hope that that's how the day goes for you, where
you wouldn't be affiliated with any trauma if there it
(17:27):
would be any any mishaps like that's like, it's not
for you. It's also the wedding planner's job to eliminate that. Hey, Rachel,
a moment of realness. We know you don't hold back.
It's something we love and appreciate about you before we
let you go here. Two last questions one uh and
and let's just let's do this for our listeners. What
(17:49):
has been the hardest part in your relationship with Brian
since your time on The Bachelorrette as you move into
your wedding. Sorry you're gonna want to say that again.
It's the pouch is barking, Hi, carber umark is barking
at our folks. What has been the hardest part in
(18:11):
your relationship with Brian since the bachelorette leading up to
this wedding day. What is something that maybe you expected
or didn't expect it's been a hurdle or something you've
had to work through or that you are working through
for all the listeners out there, Um, I've kind of
answered the question a little bit, but I guess I
feel like it's changed since it's almost been two years
(18:31):
since we've been together. Initially, I would just say it
was the pressure from from the outside about our relationship
and then having their own opinions of who they thought
you were, and that was a lot. And you're so
you're so new and you're you're flash and trying to
show your family it's real and your friends it's real.
But then everyone's wanting to believe everything they read or
(18:52):
whatever they saw on the show. So once we stuck
together and walk through that, it really was like nothing
else is going to be as hard as this was
because it was so much, But I guess little things
would be. I had never lived with another guy before,
so I learned a lot about myself. I thought I
was like so cool, calm, collected when it comes to things,
(19:16):
and I am so type a overchel. We all know
your type A. But but in my professional life I
knew that, but not at home because nobody had ever
invaded my space. And so I've really had to work
on the way that I am in the way that
I communicate when it comes to that, and then just
like bringing bringing our lives together in that sense, that's
(19:38):
that's going to struggle for me. Hey, Rachel, Um, anything
you want to tell our listeners about before let you go?
Any cool projects, anything you want to promote, talk about
share that our listeners can get on board with. Oh,
I have two things I really want to tell you
guys about. They that are around the corner. We're just
working things that was legal that I'm very excited about,
So stay tuned. But in the mean time, I have
(20:01):
my radio show that's called g t L. Not to
be confused with Jim tan Logre. It's the last names
of all my co or my co hosts on my
radio show, which comes on every Saturday from twelve or
four pm Eastern on est Radio Serious Sex Same Channel
eight and e s p Span app. Very cool and
um yeah, that's all I can say right now other
(20:23):
than planning a wedding. We've moved. That is the hardest
thing I've done is moved halfway across the country. I
did not realize that would be but we've accomplished that.
And yeah, that's all I can talk about for now.
That's going on. All right, Well, thank you Rachel. You
are always just so awesome to talk about. I really
feel like you add good, good content to every podcast
(20:47):
you're on of ours. Thank you. Well, you know I
say the things people won't exactly what. She's a real one, Hey, Rachel,
thanks a lot. Thank us guys. Later on the podcast,
we're going to discuss a topic that has been blown
up the airwaves. Super confusing, really shocking Bobby Bones as
(21:09):
the Bachelor. Hey, but before we get to that, let's
talk about Blue Apron. Spring into Deliciousness. With help from
Blue Apron, your secret to easy meal planning. Blue Apron
makes it easy to choose from a variety of recipes,
including vegetarian meals and an entire menu of wholesome meals
offered in partnership with weight Rogers Reimagined. The hardest part
(21:31):
of meal prep is deciding what to cook with Blue Apron,
That's where the fund comes in. Blue Apron helps make
making cooking at home a sustainable part of your weekly routine.
Because of my hectic schedule, I felt like I had
no other choice gonna go and to eat more than
I should. Blue Aprons Menu is carefully designed and tested
by our test kitchen chefs. Blue Apron Chefs designed recipes
(21:54):
including amazing specialty sauces and premium ingredients blends that would
otherwise be diff called expensive, or time consuming to source
or make. This weekend, I was only home. I went
from Niagara Falls back to Denver, then to l A
this morning. And I tell you one thing. When I'm
doing that, I don't want to go to the grocery store.
(22:14):
You get this, Mark and Ashley, you don't want to
go to the grocery store because you leave for a week,
You're never gonna eat at all. It's gonna sit in
your fridge and then you're gonna feel like you've wasted food.
It's not fun, it's frustrating. And for me, as I'm
on the goal of time, like if I look at
my schedule, it's like in Denver three days, gone from
Denver a week and you know at that time of
stuff and it really isn't And from the bottom of
(22:35):
my heart, it's helpful to have a meal plan delivered
to my door so I can freeze one that I
night eating. I love prasing blue Apron exactly, or like
I did last night for the Game of Thrones. I
invited a bunch of friends over to watch it, and
I just threw a bunch of blue Apron and made
it all up and we all eat blue Apron. It
(22:56):
was awesome. It worked out really well, and it made
me look like an incredible half. My favorite meal and
make is sear chicken and goat cheese mashed potatoes. It
also has fig butter glazed carrots. That's bomb. To start
making delicious, braggworthy meals at home without the hassle, try
Blue Apron. Check out this week's menu and get a
sixty off when you visit blue Apron dot com slash
(23:18):
almost famous. That's a blue Apron dot com slash almost famous. Hey,
ash blue Apron. It's a better way to cook. That
was good. I wonder in twenty years, hopefully this podcast
is still going. But let's say it's not. Okay. I
wonder if I'm gonna be at home and all of
a sudden, I'm gonna have like a reaction be like
(23:40):
blue Apron a better way to cook, or like backslash
almost famous. Like I just feel like they're so ingrained
into my my head now that I'll never get out
of it. When you're fifty years old and it'll still
be going through your head. I think you're right, they
might still be. Hey, I don't think you're ever gonna
hear blue Apron without thinking. If Blue Apron it's also
still run, then I hope it is. There's some hot
(24:03):
topics in Bachelor Nation. Actually, yes, Ben, what do you
like talking about? First? Um, let's say true. It says
Bachelor and Bachelor condestants often gain weight on the show.
There's no gym, and there's a lot of sitting around,
and a lot of Bachelor contestants put on a few
pounds during filming. I put on four during Crystal season,
so it's four pounds in three weeks. So in my case,
(24:26):
this is true. What about you, I mean we knew
you had a tape worm. Yeah, I mean I was
gonna say we've talked about any times I lost twenty
five pounds, but that's just because I couldn't keep anything
in my body. I mean literally, I we've said it
before in the podcast, but I was like, it's a
funny story and people still are shocked by it that
we literally canceled a cocktail party because I was so
(24:48):
sick in the bedroom that I couldn't have a student.
I'd start sweating and so I'd throw a suit on,
go out and pass out some roses. Run back there,
stripped back down, like do what I had to do,
go back out into the living. It was a brutal time.
Life pounds later, I was still on the show. But
it is true. But most people are like me, And
there's an we're talking about this because there's an article
(25:08):
floating around the internet about it, and uh yeah, Basically,
you look forward to your next meal, you know, on
off days, on days or not on a date, there's
not much to look forward to other than your next meal.
And damn are those meals big things are great. All
you can eat next on the agenda, Joe and Kendall
have moved in together in It's a big deal. Yeah,
(25:31):
I didn't know they weren't living together. Honestly, well, they
coul kind of have been, because she went on tour
with Dancing with the Stars with him, and she was
like sleeping on a bunk on the tour bus. So
like they've been pretty much living together, but they haven't
signed a lease together until now. Okay, so they're doing well. Yeah,
I feel like these have we had any Bachelor in
Paradise couples break up since this last season? Kevin Astrid,
(25:56):
Joe and Kendall, Jordan and Jenna, Chris and Crystal. That's
those are the four and the only one Jordan's and
Jenna Jna. How crazy? Hey, um, as we have for
Caroline to get done with the Apple store. Uh, one
of my buddies is calling today. This is a true
friend of mine. Uh. He might be one of the
(26:18):
most interesting men in the world. He has an amazingly
beautiful family. I think we can all agree to that.
It's so cute, it's so awesome. This guy radiates. Have
you ever met Andrew Firestone? Actually I haven't, but we had.
We did have him on the podcast about six months ago,
and he was great. Just like he's like a Bob Guinea.
(26:39):
He just kind of radiates. Joy. Um, Andrew, thanks for
coming back. Well, you know, I've missed you since our
airport encounter in Nashville, and so it was good too. Uh,
it's good to death. They're in in Terminal three in Nashville.
We actually, Andrew, I was in Nashville's airport. I was
just getting gouty done see in Jazz. It was one
(26:59):
of my is my second visit to see her in
her family. I'm walking through the airport. I'm probably skipping,
I would imagine. So I'm so excited, so joy filled,
and out of a Mexican restaurant. Um comes Andrew Firestone,
wrapping me up with a big old hug. And he's
one of the odds of two bachelors are just going
to run into each other and listen. And and so
(27:20):
this girl, probably I don't know, Andrew, like fifteen years old,
comes up and shows can I get a picture with
both of you? Oh? That's awesome. Made that made my day.
I figured she was in a hand me the camera
and make it you and I was gonna purposely put
it blurry. But thank yes for having for having me on.
I hope, I hope you guys are doing well. We're
(27:41):
doing fantastic, um, and thank you for coming on the podcast. Andrew.
One of my my favorite things about you is you
are a family man through and through and you have
a beautiful family. Uh as actually I was saying, we
were just looking at here, Um what has may And
this is gonna be a little bit outside the backstor realm.
What makes up your kind of ethos as a family? Like,
(28:02):
what is your do you have a strategy as a father? Uh?
What kind of things do you want to like invest into?
What makes your family click? Yeah, survive in advance with
three three children ten, eight and five years old, and uh,
you know it's uh, it is a total adventure every
single day. And you know, the funnest part about being
(28:24):
a dad, I think is just kind of watching these
little people turn into their own human beings with their
own personalities and loves and likes and dislikes and uh
and you kind of get to be on the front
row watching this happen, and you know, you do your
best to try and influence or or be part of,
you know, you know, directing them, but really, you know,
(28:45):
you're just a spectator. And it's an amazing, amazing adventure.
I feel like everybody thought Andrew Firestone must just be
working in the family business, Firestone Tires. Everybody knew you
for that, but actually you told us last time that
you've been working in the hotel business and you actually
have a new hotel in St. Luci Bispo. This it's
opening this weekend. Tell us about that. Yeah, yeah, So,
(29:07):
you know, one of the tough things about being a
Firestone is obviously the name is name is so big
and famous for all these things, you know, whether it's
tires or my brothers built an amazing beer business and
my father built an amazing wine business. So trying to
go and cut my own swaths and and and kind
of create my own path was something that I really
wanted to do and not kind of living and living
(29:28):
a shadow of that somebody else has done. So um,
I in in college, I actually started off in hospitality
and working a front desk of a hotel and cleaning
rooms and folding into all sorts of things. And you know,
twenty years later, and actually was about eighteen years later,
I have built built our first hotel and and now
this is our number fives that that we're opening in
(29:49):
San Louis Obispo. So I'm really excited to finally go
from you know, from the planning stages to construction to
finally getting it open. So really really excited and just
to get real for a second, if you don't mind,
if you don't want to answer, you to um, you
obviously do. I mean, the Firestone name does obviously carry
a lot of weight. A lot of people know it.
(30:10):
You probably get asked about it all the time, and
it has become one of your I mean, it is
your identity, is your last name. But and you come
from a great family, um, and one that a lot
of things have been offered to you. And I always
like to stick by the saying, you know, when much
as given, uh much as expected, or you could say
vice versa. There's a lot of responsibility to those who
have given much. How has your upbringing and then how
(30:32):
you want to raise your kids because they're listeners out there,
a lot of moms, a lot of dads, UM, and
a lot of kids. How how have you helped kind
of facilitate the fact that they're never going to expect
anything because I've met your family and they don't. But
they're gonna work for things, and they're gonna be appreciative
for all that they're given. Coming from a family that
you know, you do have a lot. So it's it's
it's it's kind of a weird dichotomy because of course,
(30:55):
you know, I've been blessed to have the advantage of
an amazing education and you know parents that were hard
working and were successful, so there was you know, there
were certainly opportunities there. So it's both an opportunity, but
then it's also you know, at what point do you
set the bar? Is it? You know, can you set
the bar too high for yourself? And not? You know,
I mean, am I ever going to recreate firestone tires? No,
(31:17):
it's not going to happen. But you know what is
it is my own expectations for success and how do
I how do I measure that? And I think that's
one of the tough things for kids today is that
there are so many measurables out there because social media
of of you know, people always throwing up these images
of their life and what they're doing and what they're
traveling to and all of a sudden, I mean even
(31:38):
I can see my kids at a young age where
they're getting impacted and seeing this stuff and saying, Okay,
what is what should be their their measurement of their
own success and and whether it's in sports or in
school or whatever that they do as a parent, I
think you're always trying to go and create a reasonable
expectation where if they if they don't reach it, it's
(31:59):
not a fair in yere. But if they achieve it,
it's a success. And it's it's a tough balancing act.
And uh and and so you know, for me, you know,
I I went through the same thing. And you know
with the you know, when I was on The Bachelor,
you know, of course everybody made a big deal about
the fact that I was a Firestone. And it was
around the same time, believe it or not, when Joe
Millionaire came out and here they had Eric seriously and
(32:22):
there was this character that was a fake millionaire and
it turns out that it wasn't true. And then here
it comes to Andrew Firestone. You know, what is the
expectation there? So it kind of for me, you know,
I had to kind of recalibrate and say, wait, wait,
this is and this is you know People magazine or
US magazine, you know, and this is you know, this
is the story that they're telling. You know, this isn't mine.
You know, this is necessarily my reality. So um and
(32:43):
even now as my children are are growing up and
and you know, my son and my daughter is there.
You know, they're they're noticing Firestone tires and they're putting
those things together. They you know, my brother's beer eight
oh five or Firestone Walker Burrowing Company. It's a really
big beer company until they see their name on that,
and it's kind of thing. You know, that's your name
and that's you know, your history. But you know that's
(33:04):
you know, you gotta you gotta work for whatever it
is that you that you do, whether your expectation is
to be that, you know, a general manager of a
grocery store, or it's going to be president United States,
whatever that is. You know, there are they're all kinds
of ways to be successful, and you cannot you know,
measure yourself against someone else and what their impression is.
Do you believe that you work cast as a bachelor
(33:25):
because your name in your background? I think that I
hope it was because of my you know, my looking like.
I think I think that there's I think it was
that that certainly had a lot to do with it.
Of course, I mean there's there's kind of a built
in storyline there. I think that people probably thought was interesting. Um,
(33:45):
but you know, again, you know, if if I would
have just showed up and smiled for you know, for
eight weeks or ten weeks, whatever it was, and I
had no personality or didn't you know, didn't you know,
participate and be part of that kind of that whole
journey as we like to call, I think that it
wouldn't have been the experience that I had. So um, yeah,
but I do definitely think that there's that's part of it.
(34:06):
I think having a having a story, and there was
a big part of it. Before we let you go,
we know that you're not just a businessman. You also
hold a specific charity very close to your heart. It's
the Gwendoline Strong Foundation. And why is it so important
to you? Well, so here they take a step back.
My my eight year old daughter has been I loved
(34:29):
music since she was about four years I saw this
man this real quick fan. I just gotta pause. I
watch this and this is so sweet, so continue, but
I I do you know where you're going with this?
And it is awesome? Yeah. Mysel my daughter, uh, you know,
fall in love with to our first Taylor Swift concert
when she was like five with and just absolutely loved
singing and performing and she's really lucky to go to
(34:52):
to a great public elementary school that has a very
inclusive program and they have kids with all sorts of
levels of abilities and disabilit these in class and and um,
and she has befriended, uh you know a number of
kids that have different abilities. And she wrote a song
called where We Belong and she ordered alongside her music teacher,
(35:12):
a local group here called Musicology here in Santa Barbara
and her teacher, Earland and her put together a song
and they recorded it and like you know, did the
whole thing. We produced it and it's all about inclusion
and you know, saying that every everybody has a place
to be and even though it may not, you know,
they may have different different ways they express themselves in
(35:33):
different physical abilities, everybody has a place where they belonged,
which is the song where they Belong. And that ended
up striking a chord with another friend of ours, Victorian
Bill Strong, who had a daughter named uh Gwendoline who
passed away of spinal muscular atrophy s m A as
it's called, and her legacy lives on in this G
(35:54):
SFU Foundation, the Guendlan Strong Foundation, and what the Strong
family are doing now. They're building, um all, an inclusive
playground where kids of all different abilities are going to
be able to play together. You know there it's going
to be you know, this kind of groundbreaking. I think
wave a place for kids with abilities or disabilities to
you know, to play together. It's even playing ground. And
(36:17):
so my my daughter Ums has kind of teamed up
with the Gwendoline Strong Foundation to help raise money and
awareness for this playground that's uh, that's going to be
hopefully built very very soon here in Santa Barbara. So
she uh, she recorded the song and it's it's on
iTunes and its like just I mean literally I bust
out in tears every time I hear it because the
(36:39):
words are powerful and the where you know, where it's
coming from, this little a little eight year old person
that lives in my house that is my daughter. It
just blows me away. And uh and I take, let
me tell you, I take, you know, very little credit
for for the sort of the young girl that she's become.
She's got a great school, great friends, great teachers, and
uh and and it's just opened her heart in the
(36:59):
way that's she expresses, you know, her feelings about that
is pretty awesome. Um. But when you hear it, man,
you should be a proud dad. UM. And that comes
from me. Look, you know it really does. You're a
good man, your great father. UM. Please tell your beautiful
wife hello and from almost all of us at the
Almost Famous podcast, wrap your your daughter and the other
(37:21):
kids up tonight and just say you're doing all right.
Thanks a lot, Andrew appreciate it. Thank you, guys. We'll
see up to stay alist both soon and it check
out as a little uh song on iTunes called Where
We Belonged. Thanks buddy, Thank you guys. Andrew Firestone is
always gonna be one of my favorites. His family is
incredibly special. I know we talked a lot about his
(37:41):
daughter today, but the rest of the family is wonderful
as well. Please make sure to check out everything Andrew
just talked about. That family is doing amazing. Thanks. Speaking
of amazing, we got a sponsor article dot Com. You've
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now we're gonna go to some hot topics when we
(39:30):
talked about earlier, one that's shocked the airways, one that
is surprising to me and I cannot wait to get
my good friend, actually Connette's opinion on it. We've seen
this man on Dance with the Stars, We've heard about
him from Nashville Country, We've known that top uh Tanya
on from the Scribbing In with Becca and Tanya podcast.
Um absolutely loved this man and could he be the
(39:51):
next Bachelor? Would Bobby Bones be the next Bachelor? And
why would be the next Batchelor? Actually, what do you think? Obviously,
Bobby Bones has a relationship with ABC now Dancing with
the Stars season winner, and he's now mentoring American Idol contestants,
which is you know now an ABC. Well, a couple
of days ago, Bobby posted an Instagram and the captain
(40:14):
was promo shoot at ABC network and then just a rose.
So it got people buzzing talking about whether Bobby Bones
could possibly be the next Bachelor. Of course, it's way
too early for a decision on that to be made,
But I guess people are just trying to speculate what
these shots could be for. Here Ben, you can see
this as against a green screen, and he's got a
rose in his mouth. I think, Um, I mean, obviously,
(40:37):
I don't think he's he's the Bachelor. In order, I
think he should be the Bachelor. We should keep it
style than it is right now. You know some about
a fan favorite from the past season, but uh, I
don't know. Maybe he has an appearance on hand in season. No,
We've seen it before. I think it happens every year.
I think Ryan Seacrest and Chris Harrison did one last
year for American Idol where we saw like a joint
commercial promoting the Bachelorette because the larious I'm sure that's
(41:00):
what he's doing. Have you ever seen a more strategic
move on ABC's part to slowly work Bobby Bones into
the system of the ABC machine by saying he's a
mentor on American Idol. Mean, Ryan Seacrest carries that show, right,
he is. He's the main host. He has been since
the beginning. It's like the Chris Harrison of the Bachelor,
like you have to have him, but Ryan gets busier
and busier times get you know, tough. Are you trying
(41:22):
to say that, Like, I'm not saying that. I'm not
saying that. I don't think that's the path. I think
what ABC is testing is is their market for Bobby
Bones to take over something else, another big show, something
music American that could be. I mean, we've seen Bobby
worked in now for a while. They're pushing him, and
he's obviously popular with the people. He's he's really charismatic. Uh.
(41:45):
He was terrific on dancing starts because he was a
terrible dancer and he's still one because of his personality
and his engagement with the fans. Um, it's very obvious
what ABC is doing. I would like to hear if
our listeners. It seems like the fan feedback well isn't
super positive at least this is what the articles referring to.
They think they did some searching on Reddit and people
didn't like it. But again, what does Reddit really like? UM,
(42:08):
So maybe we can have our listeners experience. Our listeners
can go and email us at Ashley and Ben Ben
and Ashley at I heeart media dot com and let
us know what you think about Bobby Bones being a
possible bachelor, and not only that, which which um, famous
man would you like to see as the bachelor? I
(42:32):
know it's going to be. It's always a country artist, right,
that would work? Like what's his name? Who? Does everybody
love the tall guy? His dog? Yes? Bredge, Yes, Brett Eldredge.
That's it. But I actually think like a lot of
America would be on board with him. I think so too.
People love him like a ton, They love him a
(42:53):
ton of him. Do you think at all? Um? It
has to do with taking pictures with his dog. Yes,
it has a lot to do with the dog. I'm
gonna post a picture with a dog tomorrow and see
what it does. Maybe tonight, show you tonight and see
how it does. I have to say that my pictures,
my dogs don't do exceptionally well. But a man with
the dog, girls will here. Let me show you a picture.
(43:16):
I'm gonna post it tonight, um and everybody out there listening. Uh,
you don't have to go like it, that's that's what. No, No,
you do have to go on like you think that picture,
Oh my god, that is not only just like that's
a great picture and then there's a dog involved and
the dog has blue eyes. Yes, that's going up, that's
(43:37):
going up. Um. I just found it on my phoneos
from this weekend. I went skiing up in a rapho
base and they're still snow in Colorado, by the way,
which is wild. Hey with that, Ashley Ben, one more
Bachelors top we're gonna talk about and then let's talk
about what is coming up in Batchel their nation. Ari
and Lauren celebrated their baby shower. Here's a question I
have for it, though, because a baby showers a baby shower,
(43:59):
we don't talk about it. I'm sorry, guys. Is it
a thing? And Market Easton feel free to chime in here?
Is it a thing for men to be invited to
baby showers? Because I feel like, quite honestly, I never
want to be invited to one. Ever, I don't I
think it's not traditional for a man to be invited.
I think like as time goes on, guys are making
more and more appearances, and I think it's kind of
(44:19):
like during the last half an hour baby shower, the
dad might show up, which is fine. I like to
think of baby showers and bridle showers. It's just for girls,
I think. So I was invited to one of them,
the family one I was invited to, and the friends
one I was not invited to. Oh I didn't know that.
There's now too, I say. I. I say, I'm all
(44:39):
for having multiple. They sound like a good time, but
a good time that I don't want to be at. Well,
you know, there's a very fun game where they put
mushed up chocolate in a diaper and you have to
smell it and figure out what chocolate bar it was.
It's really fun that I'm down that sounds like something
you can swipe it and lick it. Yeah, you guys
are something really good. Eight and then then we're gonna
(45:01):
get that here. I did an event um a couple
of weeks ago with Capital one, and I was wearing
a hoodie and I get a comment or text from
Easton and says, oh my gosh, I want that hoodie.
And I was like, you're you're being funny, right He was,
no, No No, I really would like that that hoodie. And
so I got him one. I didn't bring it, but
but he has one. So he's he's a card holder.
He's a carrier um Capital one, Capital one to the
(45:23):
Jennifer Gardner card hilarious. Just the Eastern the Eastern magic
continues to two years, just compel me into who he
is as a person. Death with Eastern and Mark one
be amazing. I would love that that would be something great. Hey,
everybody out there listening. I mean, the off season has
flown by uh for US times, the shortest off season
(45:45):
of all time, though I'm sure it was still a
couple of weeks. We're not wrapping it up right now.
Next week we have the Bachelor at reunion. Who's watching
next week? Who was watchings for the that is that
is on next week? Ashley? I mean, you don't even
know about it, but I know you're a big fan
(46:06):
of all these bachelorettes. Are you gonna be watching? Yes,
I'm so excited. It's gonna be on ABC. We're super
pumped for Here on the podcast, we're gonna be breaking
down talking about it. The ABC is don a great job.
That Bachelor has done great jobs that kind of um
releasing small little bits from the episode in that show.
It's gonna be incredible. It's gonna be fun to see
some of these familiar faces again, and then the week
(46:27):
after that, the Beast is back. I feels so bad.
I don't want to call her the beast. I'm done
with the hand. I'm done with it. Jared does it
all the time, had a beast and I'm like, okay, no,
I'm just like Tanna. Now. Can no, let's color this
on this podcast. Can we set a standard. It's Hannah
the Beautiful. That's that's the reaction I needed. Um, Hannah
(46:50):
the Beautiful is back on ABC. Is Our Bachelorette. The
Almost Famous podcast has endorsed Hannah b since the beginning.
I actually want to say and again, actually Connettie has
endorsed Hannah By as a bachelor. Just for the sake
of everybody out there listening in to a reminder, can
you give us like a thirty second little just speech
(47:11):
on why you believe? Give us a monologue, E stand
up tall and proud and speak from your heart on
why you think Hannah By is gonna be the next
best bachelorette. I just feel like Hannah is the girl
that's not so polished, that is super relatable. She's that
girl who never like had all the guy I feel
(47:33):
like guys didn't come and stay easy for her like
so many girls experience out there. She was like kind
of the Taylor Swift, like she maybe like get the
guy for a while, but like could she have him stick?
She felt like she's so awesome and she's such a
girl's girl. But I feel like we just haven't. I
don't know, then I'm not the monologue. Here's the thing.
(47:56):
What actually I've talked about the phone with your text
off and on. Is Hannah By is going to be
the most relatable, relatable? I can't, can't most authentic, most genuine.
Well we're gonna see in Hanna By this year is
the bachelorette? Is Hannah By is going to invest into dating?
You know why I don't like saying that stuff because
I don't want to say that pass bachelorettes haven't been
relatable or that they haven't been authentic. They have, They've
(48:17):
just been more polished. And I think there's like a
lot of girls out there who are a little bit
more awkward. It's just like a little bit less smooth,
a little bit more quirky, and they haven't necessarily been
represented on this Here's the best part of it, Hannaby
to me, when we saw her announced as the bachelorette.
She flopped miserably. I mean it was. It was a
miserable It was cute, but it's a miserable flop. So
(48:40):
the initial reaction, which most of the time is humans,
is incorrect. Our initial reaction, as fans were, Oh, no,
this is gonna be brutal. Then give it a couple
of days, give it a week, give it a month, whatever,
and we're gonna be saying, just like we did with Colton, Oh,
this is gonna be really good. Hey, you guys saw
the preview. You know the preview was magical. From Miss Alabama,
(49:03):
USA to Hannah by Hannah, the Beautiful Hannah is ready
to shed her perfect paget persona and keep it real.
She begins her new quest to find her forever love
on the momentous fifteenth season of The Bachelor at premiering
Monday May thirteenth on ABC. An episode one, Hannah returns
to find her soul mate from an impressive stands for
(49:24):
the fifteen season. The first episode, by the way, an
impressive impressive group of thirty hopeful bachelors who are willing
to jump the fins and bring Hannah's angels Demi Burnett
and Katie Morton from the twenty third season of The
Bachelor are keeping an eye out on the men from
the surveillance van. Part by the Batchelor mentioned this is
a new thing this year. I don't like it. I'm
(49:45):
gonna I'm gonna fight you and say I do not
like the surveillance fan. I feel like it's it's there
is a level of prestige tonight one, and it almost
feels like the the exclusive party and the only people
invited in, or the Bachelor at the Bachelor and the contestants.
It feels like bringing other people into raylans Can. Then
I'm thinking that they're just getting more reactions from the
guys in the limo. No no, no no. Demi Burton
(50:06):
Burnett and Katie Morton are going to be sitting in
a band watching and responding to who the men are. Oh,
I don't know if I like that. I don't like
it either. For the first time in Bachelor history of
this we happening. We'll have to wait and see. We've
been proven wrong many times, but let's just say the
almost famous podcast is going to start out by saying
we don't love this idea. Please email us and tell
us if you love though, because how many times have
we said, just here on this podcast that we are
(50:27):
tired of night one being the same. They're gonna mix
it up, but in Ashley I hurt me dot com.
Please emails and let us know your responses. At the
end of the night, twenty two Lucky Batchels remained to
toast the Bachelor that with hearts overflowing romantic ventures yet
to come. I'm telling you team, this year's Bacherette is
going to be one to remember. Tune in check it
out on May Hey daw. Season almost over, and here
(50:49):
is my last little ben bitches. What happened to X
body spray? Why don't we use anything? Somebody bring it back?
Bring it back. I mean we could load up a
car full of ax body spray with four dudes all
smell just as good as we possibly could, and walk
out for under five bucks. Easton, you're an ex body
spray sprayer. I'm not an ex body spray sprayer. No.
(51:12):
I can see your eyes. You are you. I love it.
Nothing turned me on more in high school than a
guy wearing ax, and it brings me back the nostalgia
of it. I'm going to buy Jared a bottle. Yeah good,
and that's when your home your hormones are their peak. Yeah,
(51:32):
get fired up, fired up. That's I'm just mad about
because I saw him the story of their day and
I realized, as a thirty old man, I can't wear um. Hey,
thank you so much to those for listening. Please. Emails
have been and actually I heard me. Come next, we're
gonna do a few more emails. We have a really
special email. We're gonna read about a sixty six year
old women woman who has a boyfriend, they don't live together,
(51:52):
and she's nervous to poop in front of him. Will
that bring you back? I don't know a great topic,
but these emails, your thoughts, your questions, your concerns, and
everything you love. We want to give a quick thank
you to Hers. Get ten dollars off your first month
of anti aging formula from Hers while supplies last, and
Blue Apron. Blue Apron gets sixty dollars off when you
(52:14):
visit blue Apron dot com slash almost famous. And then
there's Article dot com. Get fifty dollars off your first
purchase of one hundred dollars or more when you visit
article dot com slash almost famous. Hey, we love you,
we thank you. We also want to thank shake Shack
for providing the lunch today. Listen up burger lover. Shake
Shack is a modern day roadside burger stand known for
it's all natural angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, and flat
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top vienna beefs dogs, No hormones are antibiotics, ever spun,
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and so much more. Bottom line, they have a game
of Thrones, Shake the Dragon last Shake available through. There
are two hundred shake Shacks worldwide, and shake check is
my favorite restaurant in the world. Hey, Gaming Her Owns
(53:00):
was an amazing episode. I wish we could talk more
about it, but I don't want to ruin it that
you just can't talk about it without spoilers, so hey,
just check it out. My buddy. One last story before
we close out here. My buddy comes over last night.
I cook dinner for everybody from Blue Apron. He has
never watched a show in his life, but he's like, Hey,
I want to just spend some time with friends. All
the friends are getting together. When to come watch it?
He watches the first ten minutes goes, oh, this is
show I'd like to get into. Obviously, we know how
(53:22):
the show ins. I said, dude, you just ruined seven
seasons or whatever seasons of Game of Thrones by coming tonight.
But hey, anyways, you still check it out. I stopped
watching when klosy and drug while he died. That was
season one. Hey, ash I love you dearly. It's good
to see you. Wishing the best to you and Jared.
With that, I've been been, I've been Ashley later. Okaya.
(53:44):
Follow the Benn and Ashley I Almost Famous podcasts on
I Heart Radio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
This is the Benn and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast
with IR Radio. I went to Canada this last week.
Um I did a little um Niagara Falls trip, met
up with some people when I was up there. Uh
you know, I had thought when I was up there,
why not bring in as many people as possible in
the Niagara area for dinner because I was going up
(00:20):
there alone. I think like a hundred seventy people showed up. Wait,
you said, I don't have anyone to have dinner with.
Do you want to come and meet me? Well, not
meet me, just like come have dinner. Guess what people
showed up? I bet a hundred and sixty five. Those
people avid Almost Famous fans. I mean we had so
(00:43):
many cool compliments, so many people saying thank you for
sharing your life, thank you for walking with us for
two years. Thanks were talking about the Bachelor. It was
a really encouraging trip because people are listening. So hey,
everybody in Niagara Falls, thank you so much. Listening Almost
Famous podcast. I got a ton of questions about Ashley Kennettie.
One of those was just how is Ashley doing? And
(01:06):
I need to ask the same question, Ashley, how are
you doing? I'm good that's not what I want conversation.
We got three minutes we talked about it. But I
think like I don't really respond well to general questions
like how are you doing? Like I need you to
ask me specifically what you want to know, um, because
usually if there's something I want you to know, I'm
(01:28):
open to sharing it, Like I will have no probablem
just being like, hey Ben, guess what happened this week? Okay?
Two questions that came up in Niagara that I think
I want to ask you directly. Thank so you gonna
talk about him? Um. But before I asked those questions,
I gotta let you all know that the podcast today
is maybe the best of the off season so far.
We have Rachel Lindsay that we're gonna call up talk
(01:49):
to her about life and all of her mini projects.
One of my favorite people in the world. Then Andrew Firestone,
a former Bachelor and just great dude. Actually, two questions
before we call up Rachel lindsay, as you begin to
get married or as you're already engaged, do you feel
an odd disconnect now from your obsession with male like
(02:10):
stars pop stars? Like does it get awkward? Is it weird?
Do you still feel see do you foresee yourself being
a boy band, pop star, movie star fan into you know,
through your marriage because here and then I'm going to
leave to you because the fans like it, right, they
enjoy it, and I wanted the same thing. It was
a good question. Oh, that's a great question. It's a
love and passion of mine that I'm never going to
(02:32):
give up just because of Jared and which is which
is great because m Jared doesn't Jared likes boy bands too. Um,
We're going to Lance Pass's birthday party this week, which
is very exciting, and we are Jared will talk about
the Battary Boys for at length and then the only
(02:53):
thing he doesn't really like get is Jonas Brollers, which
is fine because he says that he's not threatened by
the Jonas Brollers. Plus they're all married, you know, Joe
is engaged. Yeah, that's good, you know, because it does
get a little weird. Ash I will say this and
like past relationships of mine, people have like celebrity crushes
in this world not completely uncommon for them too. Then
(03:14):
get together. Well, that's that's why Jared doesn't like it.
There's a couple of people who he says, are too
attainable for me to really like get that. Yeah, you'll
get annoyed at them, not donus though, because you know,
I mean, it's cute and fun and it's fun and
relationships to have those. I do think now for you, Um,
I mean, I know you're a faithful person and Jared
(03:35):
is your guy, so I'm not that that comes from
nothing there, but there is that little bit of like
jealousy and a hint of hey, this isn't healthy for
you to talk about this dude like this because we're
gonna be with him at the birthday party this weekend. Um,
next thing is, and then we'll call up Rachel lindsay,
as you prepare for your wedding, Um, how are you
personally handling it? Do you feel like your identity is
(03:55):
attached or do you feel like with everything you have
going on in your career and also investing into your
relationship with Jared and planning a wedding, are you able
to know yourself right now? Or are you just kind
of trying to get this stuff done? Like how are
you physically, mentally, emotionally healthy? And the Ashley I Connettie
that we all know in love I think I'm just fine.
(04:17):
I would say when I'm planning is like a hard
time job. But we have a wedding planner. He takes
all the stress away. It's really it's not like a
huge thing. I was talking to a friend who didn't
have a wedding planner and she goes, you are my
only friend who has a wedding planner, and it's just
amazing to see the lack of stress your wedding is
creating for you in comparison what my experience was awesome. Well,
(04:39):
I we wondered that, I wondered that there were good questions,
and I have to admits something. I was talking to
two of the biggest almost famous fans and I started
to tear up a bit and they saw it. And
it was at the end of the night, and I
was exhausted, but but I really did because they told
me how happy they were for you and Jared, and
I thought back, this is a moment that hit me
(05:00):
was I thought back the moment I first met Jared.
He was standing in a driveway introducing himself to Caitlin
and Britt and he took off his shirt and he
had a supermin shirt on and he was the nerd
in the house, and I would tell him that today, um,
and he walked in and he made me feel like
I had a friend in the house right away, like
I could tell that that Jared and I had a
very similar wavelength. And then for the last two years, actually,
(05:20):
I've gotten to see year progression in relationships in life
through tears and triumphs and shows and all that. And
now today and I got really emotion because I think
for two years, I think these have been the most
and from a distance, probably the most transformative two years
in your life. And I've gotten to like sit and
watch those and witness that, and then our listeners have
also got to sit and watch those and like be
(05:45):
engaged and entertained by your transformation. And it's been a
beautiful one. So yeah, that was really cool for me
to talk about. I have more to say about that,
but we don't have time. So hey, we don't we
don't have time. Let's talk about it next week as
let's talk about your transformation into um, the person you
are today. Uh. And part of that has to do
with one of our friends on the podcast, to Hers, Ashley,
(06:07):
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(07:12):
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(07:35):
for details. We uh. One of our favorite segments on
the off season is catching up with past contestants some
of their some of our favorites, some of your favorites.
Rachel Lindsay is definitely one of our favorites. Rachel, welcome
back to the Almost Famous podcast. Thanks for having me
that guys. Good to talk to you. Good to talk
(07:57):
to you. Hey, Rachel, where did you move to? Because
I saw that you were moving out of Dallas on
your Instagram, but I couldn't figure out where you moved to.
I'm in Miami, Yes, I did it. I didn't so Miami,
which wasn't the easiest decision for me to make, but
(08:18):
it's what's best for our relationship right now. So um,
I mean, I can't complain. But right here on the water,
it's beautiful, the weather is always perfect, it's hot. But
I'm from Texas, so I'm used to that, and uh, yeah,
it's a new thing for Brian and I. Has it
been best for your relationship? Yeah, just because where we
are right now, because I'm not practicing law full time,
(08:39):
which is why we were in Dallas. Bryan wants to
set up a practice here in Miami and he's working
on that. So it just makes sense because I traveled
so much, there's just really no reason for us to
be in Dallas. Career Live, you know, Rachel, have a
question for you before you get started. You're doing a
lot of projects, You're You're very busy right now. We've
got a lot to catch up with you on UM.
(09:00):
I was working out of a gym in Denver this
week and somebody came up to me and I want
your advice on how to answer this question because you
and I just did a project together a few months
ago on the Ringer UM and we've got to know
each other just really through the Ringer and lip sync battle,
and uh, those are two of my favorite things I've
done really post Bachelor. But anyways, here's the question I
(09:23):
was asked me. Hey, Ben, you know Rachel Lindsay. Is
she as much of a boss, as fierce and as
confident as what she shows on television, and Rachel, I
obviously think those things about you, those are characteristics that
I would use to describe you as a person. But
I was a loss for how to answer her because
I felt like, no matter what I was going to
(09:43):
respond with, it wasn't either gonna do you justice or
it was gonna make you sound like you were too confident,
too much of a boss, too much of a leader. So, Rachel,
if somebody would ask me that question you were staying there,
how would you want me to answer that? First of all,
shout out to the lady and Jim who asked you that.
That's like such a compliment, And I love that you
(10:04):
were at a loss how to answer the questions. But
I mean, I I definitely feel like I work hard.
I'm like you. I'm like, I don't want to sound
like I've to do my own horn, but I feel
like I work hard, and I feel like I you know,
I try to go into everything I do with with
a lot of confidence. And when I do go speak
(10:25):
to different colleges and universities, I always encourage people do
the same thing because I don't feel confident all day
every day. But I like to give the persona persona
that I always am, because I feel like that's contagious
and I feel like if you if you give that out,
then then you can also be that. And so I
did like to think of myself as a boss without
(10:46):
sounding conceited. But UM, yeah, so there you go. That's
how you need to answer the question next time somebody
asked you, hey, you know what? You know what? When
I think of Rachel, I do think of a boss,
But I don't think she's conceded. I think she's fierce
and competitive and that she will try to always do
what's right and inspire others in the process. That's how
(11:07):
to explain Rachel Lindsay favor. Rachel, you've moved Miami. Now,
Brian setting of a practice? Are you wedding planning? We
are wedding planning, and I am trying to do the
least amount of wedding planning as possible. I feel like
Ashley will get me when I say that. I know
the both hired wedding planners and we've talked about this,
(11:29):
so I want it to utilize them as much as possible. Um,
things are starting to pick up now. The closer we're
getting to it. I mean we haven't even sent out
invitations with the work. Have you sent out save the dates? No? No? Okay, Um,
well I think you're I think you're You're just around
the part of the year where for you where you'd
be like, Okay, it's probably time we get those out now.
(11:52):
But it's not as I want people to not be
able to come because you're like nine be a little
the targeted number, and so I'm like, oh, if I
just keep waiting a bit, It's like we want you
to be there so badly, but we just can't. I mean,
we understand that you just can't fit it into your schedule. Hey, um,
(12:15):
Ben just asked me if wedding planning is at all
affecting affecting like my heart and soul. But I said
that my wedding planner is preventing that. Do you agree? Yeah? Yeah, yeah,
my wedding affecting much? What does he give me by
affecting heart and soul? That's not what I said and
always been always you know, makes it like really much?
(12:37):
I said, No, I said, hey, during wedding planning, do
you all feel like it takes away from your identity?
Like do you feel like you're so much of a
then get things checked off the box, planning, processing, inviting people,
probably hurting people's feelings, those things that it has taken
away from, like you a little bit. Oh no, no, no no, no, no, okay.
So actually I feel like we'll fill me on this
(12:58):
when I say this. I'm not a romcom person, but
you know the movie Bride Wars, remember when she's like
the wedding planners explaining things and they're saying, I feel
like it brings couples closer together or it separates them.
I feel like it's brought us closer together, like I
don't feel like it's affecting us in that way. We're
both really excited to make this thing official and too,
(13:22):
I'm ready to take his last name, like we always
like play to each other. I can't believe I'm about
to call your husband. I can't believe I'm about to
call you lives like. It's just it's a very exciting
time for us, and so that eliminates the stress of everything.
You know, I wanted to talk to you about the
guest list and it being like, uh, you having to
deal with the Bachelor guest list? How many people do
(13:45):
you think you're going to offend along the way question Wait, wait,
which one bachelorette or wedding? Um, no, with the wedding,
how many bachelor family members do you think you're going
to offend by not having them on your very small
guests because you want only a hundred people? Are right?
A hundred and fifty goal? I think I could. I
(14:08):
could settle for like one seventy five um max or confirmed. No, No,
that's how much the venue will hold. Yeah, I think
we're going to have to do some things to try
to um extend that, to try to open it up
(14:28):
some more. I just feel like people are going to come,
even though I'm trying to make the list smaller. But
I do think that I'm going to hurt some feelings.
But this is how I feel. Everybody has been affiliated
with the wedding in some form or fashionating. It hasn't
been your own. You know this is difficult. If you
love me, if you really are my friend or family,
(14:49):
you know whatever, you will love me at the end
of the day and you will understand it. That's how
I feel. I would never stop being friends someone because
they couldn't invite me to their wedding. That's you know.
I was. I just to officiated a wedding, uh two
weeks ago from my cousin. It was a beautiful wedding
and such a great couple. Is fun because I got
to kind of talk with him up until the wedding day.
And and one of the things that you, really, as
(15:12):
an officient are supposed to say at the beginning is
for those who are able to be in this room
and those who are not, who love and support this couple,
this day is about them, please wrap your arms around
them as they move into the future. And I do
think that it's very true if I was able to
be there and not, we have a responsibility as friends
and family and as people to support because here's one thing, Rachel,
(15:34):
and actually that I've realized here, especially recently in my
life with some of my friends, what marriage is not easy.
It wasn't supposed to be. It's very difficult. And I
feel like as an outsider to these things, and you
please tell me here and if you agree to disagree,
my only job is to support and not try to
cause more division because relationships are hard. Yeah, relationships are
(16:01):
really hard, but so beautiful at the same time. And
I I never believed people when they talked about the
list and the guest lists, and it's the hardest thing
you'll have to do. And it really is the hardest thing,
because as as easy as I'm answering that question that
you guys asked me about, like oh, if you're my friend,
just will be my friend, it's still hard. And you
(16:22):
don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. And you understand that
people want to be there to celebrate you in their
day but in your day, but you can't. It just
doesn't work that way. I I always thought I was like, oh,
everybody who I have in my life will be at
my wedding, you know, absolutely, And you're like a hundred,
You're like maximum hodern You're like, yeah, I don't have
(16:43):
a people in my life. Then you start like counting
it all up and then like adding plus ones with
people who have, you know, like a serious relationship or spouses,
and you're like, Okay, holy moly, this is definitely the
hardest part of it. And then you're trying to juggle
the feelings of of friends that are definitely coming to
your wedding and their relationships with people that could be
(17:06):
possible guests. You don't want to make an awkward You
don't want to make there to be any awkwardness in
the room on your day, no tension, attention free room,
the well you'll you'll prop you probably won't even be
around to see any of that. At least I wouldn't
hope that that's how the day goes for you, where
you wouldn't be affiliated with any trauma if there it
(17:27):
would be any any mishaps like that's like, it's not
for you. It's also the wedding planner's job to eliminate that. Hey, Rachel,
a moment of realness. We know you don't hold back.
It's something we love and appreciate about you before we
let you go here. Two last questions one uh and
and let's just let's do this for our listeners. What
(17:49):
has been the hardest part in your relationship with Brian
since your time on The Bachelorrette as you move into
your wedding. Sorry you're gonna want to say that again.
It's the pouch is barking, Hi, carber umark is barking
at our folks. What has been the hardest part in
(18:11):
your relationship with Brian since the bachelorette leading up to
this wedding day. What is something that maybe you expected
or didn't expect it's been a hurdle or something you've
had to work through or that you are working through
for all the listeners out there, Um, I've kind of
answered the question a little bit, but I guess I
feel like it's changed since it's almost been two years
(18:31):
since we've been together. Initially, I would just say it
was the pressure from from the outside about our relationship
and then having their own opinions of who they thought
you were, and that was a lot. And you're so
you're so new and you're you're flash and trying to
show your family it's real and your friends it's real.
But then everyone's wanting to believe everything they read or
(18:52):
whatever they saw on the show. So once we stuck
together and walk through that, it really was like nothing
else is going to be as hard as this was
because it was so much, But I guess little things
would be. I had never lived with another guy before,
so I learned a lot about myself. I thought I
was like so cool, calm, collected when it comes to things,
(19:16):
and I am so type a overchel. We all know
your type A. But but in my professional life I
knew that, but not at home because nobody had ever
invaded my space. And so I've really had to work
on the way that I am in the way that
I communicate when it comes to that, and then just
like bringing bringing our lives together in that sense, that's
(19:38):
that's going to struggle for me. Hey, Rachel, Um, anything
you want to tell our listeners about before let you go?
Any cool projects, anything you want to promote, talk about
share that our listeners can get on board with. Oh,
I have two things I really want to tell you
guys about. They that are around the corner. We're just
working things that was legal that I'm very excited about,
So stay tuned. But in the mean time, I have
(20:01):
my radio show that's called g t L. Not to
be confused with Jim tan Logre. It's the last names
of all my co or my co hosts on my
radio show, which comes on every Saturday from twelve or
four pm Eastern on est Radio Serious Sex Same Channel
eight and e s p Span app. Very cool and
um yeah, that's all I can say right now other
(20:23):
than planning a wedding. We've moved. That is the hardest
thing I've done is moved halfway across the country. I
did not realize that would be but we've accomplished that.
And yeah, that's all I can talk about for now.
That's going on. All right, Well, thank you Rachel. You
are always just so awesome to talk about. I really
feel like you add good, good content to every podcast
(20:47):
you're on of ours. Thank you. Well, you know I
say the things people won't exactly what. She's a real one, Hey, Rachel,
thanks a lot. Thank us guys. Later on the podcast,
we're going to discuss a topic that has been blown
up the airwaves. Super confusing, really shocking Bobby Bones as
(21:09):
the Bachelor. Hey, but before we get to that, let's
talk about Blue Apron. Spring into Deliciousness. With help from
Blue Apron, your secret to easy meal planning. Blue Apron
makes it easy to choose from a variety of recipes,
including vegetarian meals and an entire menu of wholesome meals
offered in partnership with weight Rogers Reimagined. The hardest part
(21:31):
of meal prep is deciding what to cook with Blue Apron,
That's where the fund comes in. Blue Apron helps make
making cooking at home a sustainable part of your weekly routine.
Because of my hectic schedule, I felt like I had
no other choice gonna go and to eat more than
I should. Blue Aprons Menu is carefully designed and tested
by our test kitchen chefs. Blue Apron Chefs designed recipes
(21:54):
including amazing specialty sauces and premium ingredients blends that would
otherwise be diff called expensive, or time consuming to source
or make. This weekend, I was only home. I went
from Niagara Falls back to Denver, then to l A
this morning. And I tell you one thing. When I'm
doing that, I don't want to go to the grocery store.
(22:14):
You get this, Mark and Ashley, you don't want to
go to the grocery store because you leave for a week,
You're never gonna eat at all. It's gonna sit in
your fridge and then you're gonna feel like you've wasted food.
It's not fun, it's frustrating. And for me, as I'm
on the goal of time, like if I look at
my schedule, it's like in Denver three days, gone from
Denver a week and you know at that time of
stuff and it really isn't And from the bottom of
(22:35):
my heart, it's helpful to have a meal plan delivered
to my door so I can freeze one that I
night eating. I love prasing blue Apron exactly, or like
I did last night for the Game of Thrones. I
invited a bunch of friends over to watch it, and
I just threw a bunch of blue Apron and made
it all up and we all eat blue Apron. It
(22:56):
was awesome. It worked out really well, and it made
me look like an incredible half. My favorite meal and
make is sear chicken and goat cheese mashed potatoes. It
also has fig butter glazed carrots. That's bomb. To start
making delicious, braggworthy meals at home without the hassle, try
Blue Apron. Check out this week's menu and get a
sixty off when you visit blue Apron dot com slash
(23:18):
almost famous. That's a blue Apron dot com slash almost famous. Hey,
ash blue Apron. It's a better way to cook. That
was good. I wonder in twenty years, hopefully this podcast
is still going. But let's say it's not. Okay. I
wonder if I'm gonna be at home and all of
a sudden, I'm gonna have like a reaction be like
(23:40):
blue Apron a better way to cook, or like backslash
almost famous. Like I just feel like they're so ingrained
into my my head now that I'll never get out
of it. When you're fifty years old and it'll still
be going through your head. I think you're right, they
might still be. Hey, I don't think you're ever gonna
hear blue Apron without thinking. If Blue Apron it's also
still run, then I hope it is. There's some hot
(24:03):
topics in Bachelor Nation. Actually, yes, Ben, what do you
like talking about? First? Um, let's say true. It says
Bachelor and Bachelor condestants often gain weight on the show.
There's no gym, and there's a lot of sitting around,
and a lot of Bachelor contestants put on a few
pounds during filming. I put on four during Crystal season,
so it's four pounds in three weeks. So in my case,
(24:26):
this is true. What about you, I mean we knew
you had a tape worm. Yeah, I mean I was
gonna say we've talked about any times I lost twenty
five pounds, but that's just because I couldn't keep anything
in my body. I mean literally, I we've said it
before in the podcast, but I was like, it's a
funny story and people still are shocked by it that
we literally canceled a cocktail party because I was so
(24:48):
sick in the bedroom that I couldn't have a student.
I'd start sweating and so I'd throw a suit on,
go out and pass out some roses. Run back there,
stripped back down, like do what I had to do,
go back out into the living. It was a brutal time.
Life pounds later, I was still on the show. But
it is true. But most people are like me, And
there's an we're talking about this because there's an article
(25:08):
floating around the internet about it, and uh yeah, Basically,
you look forward to your next meal, you know, on
off days, on days or not on a date, there's
not much to look forward to other than your next meal.
And damn are those meals big things are great. All
you can eat next on the agenda, Joe and Kendall
have moved in together in It's a big deal. Yeah,
(25:31):
I didn't know they weren't living together. Honestly, well, they
coul kind of have been, because she went on tour
with Dancing with the Stars with him, and she was
like sleeping on a bunk on the tour bus. So
like they've been pretty much living together, but they haven't
signed a lease together until now. Okay, so they're doing well. Yeah,
I feel like these have we had any Bachelor in
Paradise couples break up since this last season? Kevin Astrid,
(25:56):
Joe and Kendall, Jordan and Jenna, Chris and Crystal. That's
those are the four and the only one Jordan's and
Jenna Jna. How crazy? Hey, um, as we have for
Caroline to get done with the Apple store. Uh, one
of my buddies is calling today. This is a true
friend of mine. Uh. He might be one of the
(26:18):
most interesting men in the world. He has an amazingly
beautiful family. I think we can all agree to that.
It's so cute, it's so awesome. This guy radiates. Have
you ever met Andrew Firestone? Actually I haven't, but we had.
We did have him on the podcast about six months ago,
and he was great. Just like he's like a Bob Guinea.
(26:39):
He just kind of radiates. Joy. Um, Andrew, thanks for
coming back. Well, you know, I've missed you since our
airport encounter in Nashville, and so it was good too. Uh,
it's good to death. They're in in Terminal three in Nashville.
We actually, Andrew, I was in Nashville's airport. I was
just getting gouty done see in Jazz. It was one
(26:59):
of my is my second visit to see her in
her family. I'm walking through the airport. I'm probably skipping,
I would imagine. So I'm so excited, so joy filled,
and out of a Mexican restaurant. Um comes Andrew Firestone,
wrapping me up with a big old hug. And he's
one of the odds of two bachelors are just going
to run into each other and listen. And and so
(27:20):
this girl, probably I don't know, Andrew, like fifteen years old,
comes up and shows can I get a picture with
both of you? Oh? That's awesome. Made that made my day.
I figured she was in a hand me the camera
and make it you and I was gonna purposely put
it blurry. But thank yes for having for having me on.
I hope, I hope you guys are doing well. We're
(27:41):
doing fantastic, um, and thank you for coming on the podcast. Andrew.
One of my my favorite things about you is you
are a family man through and through and you have
a beautiful family. Uh as actually I was saying, we
were just looking at here, Um what has may And
this is gonna be a little bit outside the backstor realm.
What makes up your kind of ethos as a family? Like,
(28:02):
what is your do you have a strategy as a father? Uh?
What kind of things do you want to like invest into?
What makes your family click? Yeah, survive in advance with
three three children ten, eight and five years old, and uh,
you know it's uh, it is a total adventure every
single day. And you know, the funnest part about being
(28:24):
a dad, I think is just kind of watching these
little people turn into their own human beings with their
own personalities and loves and likes and dislikes and uh
and you kind of get to be on the front
row watching this happen, and you know, you do your
best to try and influence or or be part of,
you know, you know, directing them, but really, you know,
(28:45):
you're just a spectator. And it's an amazing, amazing adventure.
I feel like everybody thought Andrew Firestone must just be
working in the family business, Firestone Tires. Everybody knew you
for that, but actually you told us last time that
you've been working in the hotel business and you actually
have a new hotel in St. Luci Bispo. This it's
opening this weekend. Tell us about that. Yeah, yeah, So,
(29:07):
you know, one of the tough things about being a
Firestone is obviously the name is name is so big
and famous for all these things, you know, whether it's
tires or my brothers built an amazing beer business and
my father built an amazing wine business. So trying to
go and cut my own swaths and and and kind
of create my own path was something that I really
wanted to do and not kind of living and living
(29:28):
a shadow of that somebody else has done. So um,
I in in college, I actually started off in hospitality
and working a front desk of a hotel and cleaning
rooms and folding into all sorts of things. And you know,
twenty years later, and actually was about eighteen years later,
I have built built our first hotel and and now
this is our number fives that that we're opening in
(29:49):
San Louis Obispo. So I'm really excited to finally go
from you know, from the planning stages to construction to
finally getting it open. So really really excited and just
to get real for a second, if you don't mind,
if you don't want to answer, you to um, you
obviously do. I mean, the Firestone name does obviously carry
a lot of weight. A lot of people know it.
(30:10):
You probably get asked about it all the time, and
it has become one of your I mean, it is
your identity, is your last name. But and you come
from a great family, um, and one that a lot
of things have been offered to you. And I always
like to stick by the saying, you know, when much
as given, uh much as expected, or you could say
vice versa. There's a lot of responsibility to those who
have given much. How has your upbringing and then how
(30:32):
you want to raise your kids because they're listeners out there,
a lot of moms, a lot of dads, UM, and
a lot of kids. How how have you helped kind
of facilitate the fact that they're never going to expect
anything because I've met your family and they don't. But
they're gonna work for things, and they're gonna be appreciative
for all that they're given. Coming from a family that
you know, you do have a lot. So it's it's
it's it's kind of a weird dichotomy because of course,
(30:55):
you know, I've been blessed to have the advantage of
an amazing education and you know parents that were hard
working and were successful, so there was you know, there
were certainly opportunities there. So it's both an opportunity, but
then it's also you know, at what point do you
set the bar? Is it? You know, can you set
the bar too high for yourself? And not? You know,
I mean, am I ever going to recreate firestone tires? No,
(31:17):
it's not going to happen. But you know what is
it is my own expectations for success and how do
I how do I measure that? And I think that's
one of the tough things for kids today is that
there are so many measurables out there because social media
of of you know, people always throwing up these images
of their life and what they're doing and what they're
traveling to and all of a sudden, I mean even
(31:38):
I can see my kids at a young age where
they're getting impacted and seeing this stuff and saying, Okay,
what is what should be their their measurement of their
own success and and whether it's in sports or in
school or whatever that they do as a parent, I
think you're always trying to go and create a reasonable
expectation where if they if they don't reach it, it's
(31:59):
not a fair in yere. But if they achieve it,
it's a success. And it's it's a tough balancing act.
And uh and and so you know, for me, you know,
I I went through the same thing. And you know
with the you know, when I was on The Bachelor,
you know, of course everybody made a big deal about
the fact that I was a Firestone. And it was
around the same time, believe it or not, when Joe
Millionaire came out and here they had Eric seriously and
(32:22):
there was this character that was a fake millionaire and
it turns out that it wasn't true. And then here
it comes to Andrew Firestone. You know, what is the
expectation there? So it kind of for me, you know,
I had to kind of recalibrate and say, wait, wait,
this is and this is you know People magazine or
US magazine, you know, and this is you know, this
is the story that they're telling. You know, this isn't mine.
You know, this is necessarily my reality. So um and
(32:43):
even now as my children are are growing up and
and you know, my son and my daughter is there.
You know, they're they're noticing Firestone tires and they're putting
those things together. They you know, my brother's beer eight
oh five or Firestone Walker Burrowing Company. It's a really
big beer company until they see their name on that,
and it's kind of thing. You know, that's your name
and that's you know, your history. But you know that's
(33:04):
you know, you gotta you gotta work for whatever it
is that you that you do, whether your expectation is
to be that, you know, a general manager of a
grocery store, or it's going to be president United States,
whatever that is. You know, there are they're all kinds
of ways to be successful, and you cannot you know,
measure yourself against someone else and what their impression is.
Do you believe that you work cast as a bachelor
(33:25):
because your name in your background? I think that I
hope it was because of my you know, my looking like.
I think I think that there's I think it was
that that certainly had a lot to do with it.
Of course, I mean there's there's kind of a built
in storyline there. I think that people probably thought was interesting. Um,
(33:45):
but you know, again, you know, if if I would
have just showed up and smiled for you know, for
eight weeks or ten weeks, whatever it was, and I
had no personality or didn't you know, didn't you know,
participate and be part of that kind of that whole
journey as we like to call, I think that it
wouldn't have been the experience that I had. So um, yeah,
but I do definitely think that there's that's part of it.
(34:06):
I think having a having a story, and there was
a big part of it. Before we let you go,
we know that you're not just a businessman. You also
hold a specific charity very close to your heart. It's
the Gwendoline Strong Foundation. And why is it so important
to you? Well, so here they take a step back.
My my eight year old daughter has been I loved
(34:29):
music since she was about four years I saw this
man this real quick fan. I just gotta pause. I
watch this and this is so sweet, so continue, but
I I do you know where you're going with this?
And it is awesome? Yeah. Mysel my daughter, uh, you know,
fall in love with to our first Taylor Swift concert
when she was like five with and just absolutely loved
singing and performing and she's really lucky to go to
(34:52):
to a great public elementary school that has a very
inclusive program and they have kids with all sorts of
levels of abilities and disabilit these in class and and um,
and she has befriended, uh you know a number of
kids that have different abilities. And she wrote a song
called where We Belong and she ordered alongside her music teacher,
(35:12):
a local group here called Musicology here in Santa Barbara
and her teacher, Earland and her put together a song
and they recorded it and like you know, did the
whole thing. We produced it and it's all about inclusion
and you know, saying that every everybody has a place
to be and even though it may not, you know,
they may have different different ways they express themselves in
(35:33):
different physical abilities, everybody has a place where they belonged,
which is the song where they Belong. And that ended
up striking a chord with another friend of ours, Victorian
Bill Strong, who had a daughter named uh Gwendoline who
passed away of spinal muscular atrophy s m A as
it's called, and her legacy lives on in this G
(35:54):
SFU Foundation, the Guendlan Strong Foundation, and what the Strong
family are doing now. They're building, um all, an inclusive
playground where kids of all different abilities are going to
be able to play together. You know there it's going
to be you know, this kind of groundbreaking. I think
wave a place for kids with abilities or disabilities to
you know, to play together. It's even playing ground. And
(36:17):
so my my daughter Ums has kind of teamed up
with the Gwendoline Strong Foundation to help raise money and
awareness for this playground that's uh, that's going to be
hopefully built very very soon here in Santa Barbara. So
she uh, she recorded the song and it's it's on
iTunes and its like just I mean literally I bust
out in tears every time I hear it because the
(36:39):
words are powerful and the where you know, where it's
coming from, this little a little eight year old person
that lives in my house that is my daughter. It
just blows me away. And uh and I take, let
me tell you, I take, you know, very little credit
for for the sort of the young girl that she's become.
She's got a great school, great friends, great teachers, and
uh and and it's just opened her heart in the
(36:59):
way that's she expresses, you know, her feelings about that
is pretty awesome. Um. But when you hear it, man,
you should be a proud dad. UM. And that comes
from me. Look, you know it really does. You're a
good man, your great father. UM. Please tell your beautiful
wife hello and from almost all of us at the
Almost Famous podcast, wrap your your daughter and the other
(37:21):
kids up tonight and just say you're doing all right.
Thanks a lot, Andrew appreciate it. Thank you, guys. We'll
see up to stay alist both soon and it check
out as a little uh song on iTunes called Where
We Belonged. Thanks buddy, Thank you guys. Andrew Firestone is
always gonna be one of my favorites. His family is
incredibly special. I know we talked a lot about his
(37:41):
daughter today, but the rest of the family is wonderful
as well. Please make sure to check out everything Andrew
just talked about. That family is doing amazing. Thanks. Speaking
of amazing, we got a sponsor article dot Com. You've
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now we're gonna go to some hot topics when we
(39:30):
talked about earlier, one that's shocked the airways, one that
is surprising to me and I cannot wait to get
my good friend, actually Connette's opinion on it. We've seen
this man on Dance with the Stars, We've heard about
him from Nashville Country, We've known that top uh Tanya
on from the Scribbing In with Becca and Tanya podcast.
Um absolutely loved this man and could he be the
(39:51):
next Bachelor? Would Bobby Bones be the next Bachelor? And
why would be the next Batchelor? Actually, what do you think? Obviously,
Bobby Bones has a relationship with ABC now Dancing with
the Stars season winner, and he's now mentoring American Idol contestants,
which is you know now an ABC. Well, a couple
of days ago, Bobby posted an Instagram and the captain
(40:14):
was promo shoot at ABC network and then just a rose.
So it got people buzzing talking about whether Bobby Bones
could possibly be the next Bachelor. Of course, it's way
too early for a decision on that to be made,
But I guess people are just trying to speculate what
these shots could be for. Here Ben, you can see
this as against a green screen, and he's got a
rose in his mouth. I think, Um, I mean, obviously,
(40:37):
I don't think he's he's the Bachelor. In order, I
think he should be the Bachelor. We should keep it
style than it is right now. You know some about
a fan favorite from the past season, but uh, I
don't know. Maybe he has an appearance on hand in season. No,
We've seen it before. I think it happens every year.
I think Ryan Seacrest and Chris Harrison did one last
year for American Idol where we saw like a joint
commercial promoting the Bachelorette because the larious I'm sure that's
(41:00):
what he's doing. Have you ever seen a more strategic
move on ABC's part to slowly work Bobby Bones into
the system of the ABC machine by saying he's a
mentor on American Idol. Mean, Ryan Seacrest carries that show, right,
he is. He's the main host. He has been since
the beginning. It's like the Chris Harrison of the Bachelor,
like you have to have him, but Ryan gets busier
and busier times get you know, tough. Are you trying
(41:22):
to say that, Like, I'm not saying that. I'm not
saying that. I don't think that's the path. I think
what ABC is testing is is their market for Bobby
Bones to take over something else, another big show, something
music American that could be. I mean, we've seen Bobby
worked in now for a while. They're pushing him, and
he's obviously popular with the people. He's he's really charismatic. Uh.
(41:45):
He was terrific on dancing starts because he was a
terrible dancer and he's still one because of his personality
and his engagement with the fans. Um, it's very obvious
what ABC is doing. I would like to hear if
our listeners. It seems like the fan feedback well isn't
super positive at least this is what the articles referring to.
They think they did some searching on Reddit and people
didn't like it. But again, what does Reddit really like? UM,
(42:08):
So maybe we can have our listeners experience. Our listeners
can go and email us at Ashley and Ben Ben
and Ashley at I heeart media dot com and let
us know what you think about Bobby Bones being a
possible bachelor, and not only that, which which um, famous
man would you like to see as the bachelor? I
(42:32):
know it's going to be. It's always a country artist, right,
that would work? Like what's his name? Who? Does everybody
love the tall guy? His dog? Yes? Bredge, Yes, Brett Eldredge.
That's it. But I actually think like a lot of
America would be on board with him. I think so too.
People love him like a ton, They love him a
(42:53):
ton of him. Do you think at all? Um? It
has to do with taking pictures with his dog. Yes,
it has a lot to do with the dog. I'm
gonna post a picture with a dog tomorrow and see
what it does. Maybe tonight, show you tonight and see
how it does. I have to say that my pictures,
my dogs don't do exceptionally well. But a man with
the dog, girls will here. Let me show you a picture.
(43:16):
I'm gonna post it tonight, um and everybody out there listening. Uh,
you don't have to go like it, that's that's what. No, No,
you do have to go on like you think that picture,
Oh my god, that is not only just like that's
a great picture and then there's a dog involved and
the dog has blue eyes. Yes, that's going up, that's
(43:37):
going up. Um. I just found it on my phoneos
from this weekend. I went skiing up in a rapho
base and they're still snow in Colorado, by the way,
which is wild. Hey with that, Ashley Ben, one more
Bachelors top we're gonna talk about and then let's talk
about what is coming up in Batchel their nation. Ari
and Lauren celebrated their baby shower. Here's a question I
have for it, though, because a baby showers a baby shower,
(43:59):
we don't talk about it. I'm sorry, guys. Is it
a thing? And Market Easton feel free to chime in here?
Is it a thing for men to be invited to
baby showers? Because I feel like, quite honestly, I never
want to be invited to one. Ever, I don't I
think it's not traditional for a man to be invited.
I think like as time goes on, guys are making
more and more appearances, and I think it's kind of
(44:19):
like during the last half an hour baby shower, the
dad might show up, which is fine. I like to
think of baby showers and bridle showers. It's just for girls,
I think. So I was invited to one of them,
the family one I was invited to, and the friends
one I was not invited to. Oh I didn't know that.
There's now too, I say. I. I say, I'm all
(44:39):
for having multiple. They sound like a good time, but
a good time that I don't want to be at. Well,
you know, there's a very fun game where they put
mushed up chocolate in a diaper and you have to
smell it and figure out what chocolate bar it was.
It's really fun that I'm down that sounds like something
you can swipe it and lick it. Yeah, you guys
are something really good. Eight and then then we're gonna
(45:01):
get that here. I did an event um a couple
of weeks ago with Capital one, and I was wearing
a hoodie and I get a comment or text from
Easton and says, oh my gosh, I want that hoodie.
And I was like, you're you're being funny, right He was,
no, No No, I really would like that that hoodie. And
so I got him one. I didn't bring it, but
but he has one. So he's he's a card holder.
He's a carrier um Capital one, Capital one to the
(45:23):
Jennifer Gardner card hilarious. Just the Eastern the Eastern magic
continues to two years, just compel me into who he
is as a person. Death with Eastern and Mark one
be amazing. I would love that that would be something great. Hey,
everybody out there listening. I mean, the off season has
flown by uh for US times, the shortest off season
(45:45):
of all time, though I'm sure it was still a
couple of weeks. We're not wrapping it up right now.
Next week we have the Bachelor at reunion. Who's watching
next week? Who was watchings for the that is that
is on next week? Ashley? I mean, you don't even
know about it, but I know you're a big fan
(46:06):
of all these bachelorettes. Are you gonna be watching? Yes,
I'm so excited. It's gonna be on ABC. We're super
pumped for Here on the podcast, we're gonna be breaking
down talking about it. The ABC is don a great job.
That Bachelor has done great jobs that kind of um
releasing small little bits from the episode in that show.
It's gonna be incredible. It's gonna be fun to see
some of these familiar faces again, and then the week
(46:27):
after that, the Beast is back. I feels so bad.
I don't want to call her the beast. I'm done
with the hand. I'm done with it. Jared does it
all the time, had a beast and I'm like, okay, no,
I'm just like Tanna. Now. Can no, let's color this
on this podcast. Can we set a standard. It's Hannah
the Beautiful. That's that's the reaction I needed. Um, Hannah
(46:50):
the Beautiful is back on ABC. Is Our Bachelorette. The
Almost Famous podcast has endorsed Hannah b since the beginning.
I actually want to say and again, actually Connettie has
endorsed Hannah By as a bachelor. Just for the sake
of everybody out there listening in to a reminder, can
you give us like a thirty second little just speech
(47:11):
on why you believe? Give us a monologue, E stand
up tall and proud and speak from your heart on
why you think Hannah By is gonna be the next
best bachelorette. I just feel like Hannah is the girl
that's not so polished, that is super relatable. She's that
girl who never like had all the guy I feel
(47:33):
like guys didn't come and stay easy for her like
so many girls experience out there. She was like kind
of the Taylor Swift, like she maybe like get the
guy for a while, but like could she have him stick?
She felt like she's so awesome and she's such a
girl's girl. But I feel like we just haven't. I
don't know, then I'm not the monologue. Here's the thing.
(47:56):
What actually I've talked about the phone with your text
off and on. Is Hannah By is going to be
the most relatable, relatable? I can't, can't most authentic, most genuine.
Well we're gonna see in Hanna By this year is
the bachelorette? Is Hannah By is going to invest into dating?
You know why I don't like saying that stuff because
I don't want to say that pass bachelorettes haven't been
relatable or that they haven't been authentic. They have, They've
(48:17):
just been more polished. And I think there's like a
lot of girls out there who are a little bit
more awkward. It's just like a little bit less smooth,
a little bit more quirky, and they haven't necessarily been
represented on this Here's the best part of it, Hannaby
to me, when we saw her announced as the bachelorette.
She flopped miserably. I mean it was. It was a
miserable It was cute, but it's a miserable flop. So
(48:40):
the initial reaction, which most of the time is humans,
is incorrect. Our initial reaction, as fans were, Oh, no,
this is gonna be brutal. Then give it a couple
of days, give it a week, give it a month, whatever,
and we're gonna be saying, just like we did with Colton, Oh,
this is gonna be really good. Hey, you guys saw
the preview. You know the preview was magical. From Miss Alabama,
(49:03):
USA to Hannah by Hannah, the Beautiful Hannah is ready
to shed her perfect paget persona and keep it real.
She begins her new quest to find her forever love
on the momentous fifteenth season of The Bachelor at premiering
Monday May thirteenth on ABC. An episode one, Hannah returns
to find her soul mate from an impressive stands for
(49:24):
the fifteen season. The first episode, by the way, an
impressive impressive group of thirty hopeful bachelors who are willing
to jump the fins and bring Hannah's angels Demi Burnett
and Katie Morton from the twenty third season of The
Bachelor are keeping an eye out on the men from
the surveillance van. Part by the Batchelor mentioned this is
a new thing this year. I don't like it. I'm
(49:45):
gonna I'm gonna fight you and say I do not
like the surveillance fan. I feel like it's it's there
is a level of prestige tonight one, and it almost
feels like the the exclusive party and the only people
invited in, or the Bachelor at the Bachelor and the contestants.
It feels like bringing other people into raylans Can. Then
I'm thinking that they're just getting more reactions from the
guys in the limo. No no, no no. Demi Burton
(50:06):
Burnett and Katie Morton are going to be sitting in
a band watching and responding to who the men are. Oh,
I don't know if I like that. I don't like
it either. For the first time in Bachelor history of
this we happening. We'll have to wait and see. We've
been proven wrong many times, but let's just say the
almost famous podcast is going to start out by saying
we don't love this idea. Please email us and tell
us if you love though, because how many times have
we said, just here on this podcast that we are
(50:27):
tired of night one being the same. They're gonna mix
it up, but in Ashley I hurt me dot com.
Please emails and let us know your responses. At the
end of the night, twenty two Lucky Batchels remained to
toast the Bachelor that with hearts overflowing romantic ventures yet
to come. I'm telling you team, this year's Bacherette is
going to be one to remember. Tune in check it
out on May Hey daw. Season almost over, and here
(50:49):
is my last little ben bitches. What happened to X
body spray? Why don't we use anything? Somebody bring it back?
Bring it back. I mean we could load up a
car full of ax body spray with four dudes all
smell just as good as we possibly could, and walk
out for under five bucks. Easton, you're an ex body
spray sprayer. I'm not an ex body spray sprayer. No.
(51:12):
I can see your eyes. You are you. I love it.
Nothing turned me on more in high school than a
guy wearing ax, and it brings me back the nostalgia
of it. I'm going to buy Jared a bottle. Yeah good,
and that's when your home your hormones are their peak. Yeah,
(51:32):
get fired up, fired up. That's I'm just mad about
because I saw him the story of their day and
I realized, as a thirty old man, I can't wear um. Hey,
thank you so much to those for listening. Please. Emails
have been and actually I heard me. Come next, we're
gonna do a few more emails. We have a really
special email. We're gonna read about a sixty six year
old women woman who has a boyfriend, they don't live together,
(51:52):
and she's nervous to poop in front of him. Will
that bring you back? I don't know a great topic,
but these emails, your thoughts, your questions, your concerns, and
everything you love. We want to give a quick thank
you to Hers. Get ten dollars off your first month
of anti aging formula from Hers while supplies last, and
Blue Apron. Blue Apron gets sixty dollars off when you
(52:14):
visit blue Apron dot com slash almost famous. And then
there's Article dot com. Get fifty dollars off your first
purchase of one hundred dollars or more when you visit
article dot com slash almost famous. Hey, we love you,
we thank you. We also want to thank shake Shack
for providing the lunch today. Listen up burger lover. Shake
Shack is a modern day roadside burger stand known for
it's all natural angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, and flat
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top vienna beefs dogs, No hormones are antibiotics, ever spun,
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of Thrones, Shake the Dragon last Shake available through. There
are two hundred shake Shacks worldwide, and shake check is
my favorite restaurant in the world. Hey, Gaming Her Owns
(53:00):
was an amazing episode. I wish we could talk more
about it, but I don't want to ruin it that
you just can't talk about it without spoilers, so hey,
just check it out. My buddy. One last story before
we close out here. My buddy comes over last night.
I cook dinner for everybody from Blue Apron. He has
never watched a show in his life, but he's like, Hey,
I want to just spend some time with friends. All
the friends are getting together. When to come watch it?
He watches the first ten minutes goes, oh, this is
show I'd like to get into. Obviously, we know how
(53:22):
the show ins. I said, dude, you just ruined seven
seasons or whatever seasons of Game of Thrones by coming tonight.
But hey, anyways, you still check it out. I stopped
watching when klosy and drug while he died. That was
season one. Hey, ash I love you dearly. It's good
to see you. Wishing the best to you and Jared.
With that, I've been been, I've been Ashley later. Okaya.
(53:44):
Follow the Benn and Ashley I Almost Famous podcasts on
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Hosts And Creators
Ben Higgins
Ashley Iaconetti
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