Ben Facing the Holidays After Loss (ft. Blain)

This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben opens the episode by recapping the unbelievable viral rise of Jeff the Possum, whose video has now hit nearly 3 million views across TikTok and Instagram. Ben shares the wild influx of new followers, the hate comments from people wanting “more Jeff, less podcast,” and the unexpected chaos of going viral over a porch possum instead of the content he actually produces.

But quickly, the episode shifts into something much deeper.
 Ben welcomes one of his close friends, Blaine, for a vulnerable and emotional conversation about navigating the holidays after unimaginable loss.

Just five months ago, Blaine’s husband Danny — a beloved member of Ben and AJ’s friend group — passed away from spindle cell liposarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Blaine opens up about:

• The first symptoms and misdiagnoses
• The roller coaster from false hope to final goodbye
• What it was like caring for Danny through hospital visits
• The moment Danny cried in the Paris catacombs, not knowing his tumor had already begun
• The shock of how quickly everything changed
• The grief that comes in waves — especially during the holidays

Ben and Blaine share stories of Danny at his best:
 Trips, parties, speeches on boats, Coachella memories, Cristal bottles, face masks, and the way Danny balanced out all of the “difficult gays” in the friend group.

Together they explore:

• How grief rewires your entire world
• Why holidays feel heavier after loss
• The loneliness of going to bed without your person
• Trying to move forward without feeling like you’re leaving someone behind
• How to support someone grieving — and what not to do
• The guilt, the “firsts,” and the pressure to pretend you’re okay
• The importance of talking about the person you lost
• Reframing the holidays and building a “corrective experience”

Blaine also shares unexpectedly touching and humorous moments — like accidentally calling Danny’s mom from Danny’s number, or the headstone being placed just days before recording.

This episode is raw, heartfelt, honest, and full of love.
 It’s for anyone struggling during the holiday season, anyone going through grief, or anyone who has ever had to rebuild their life after losing a partner.

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by actor, photographer, and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

📍 Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Wherever you get your podcasts

🔗 Connect with Ben:
Instagram: @itsbenaweek
TikTok: @itsbenaweek
Website: itsbenaweek.com

💬 Want to be on the show?
Submit your story or pitch at itsbenaweek.com