1 00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:04,440 Speaker 1: This is Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous in Depth. 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:08,600 Speaker 1: This is a very special episode for Almost Famous because 3 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:14,040 Speaker 1: we have uh if not one of the top five 4 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:17,800 Speaker 1: biggest fan favorites, I would say in the last ten 5 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: years from The Bachelor. Michael A is joining us right 6 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:26,440 Speaker 1: now for an in depth Finally, yeah, way way too kind. 7 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:28,639 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me on, guys, I've been looking forward 8 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:31,160 Speaker 1: to this. I know that Ben likes to, you know, um, 9 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:34,239 Speaker 1: start at the very beginning of childhood and then lead up, 10 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: But like, can we just off the top say that 11 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:45,159 Speaker 1: biggest miss out as being the Bachelor? We never missed 12 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:48,519 Speaker 1: so hard that not having Michael A b The Bachelor. 13 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 1: And that's all I'll say right now, but we will 14 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: ask you about that later. But let's start with childhood. 15 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: Let's start with childhood. Tell us about it. Your siblings, 16 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 1: your parents were there together. How long have you've been married. Yeah, 17 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: I grew up in Akron, Ohio. And I've got an 18 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 1: older sister, brand and a younger brother, Alex. My sisters 19 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 1: two years older than me. So she'll be forty this year. 20 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: So I'm I'm gonna be thirty eight, and my younger brother, 21 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:22,400 Speaker 1: Alex is thirty and he's actually getting married in September 22 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: this year, so I'm a best man in his wedding, 23 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:29,320 Speaker 1: planning his bachelor party. We're gonna do a little bit 24 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: of Nashville and uh, you know, have a good time. 25 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 1: And um, you know, parents are still together. It's kind 26 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:39,119 Speaker 1: of nice, you know, being in a single parent now. 27 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 1: It's it's great having family around. Um it's as you'll 28 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 1: soon find out, Ashley, it takes a village and you 29 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 1: need all this support in the world and you question 30 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 1: yourself constantly, and so it's good to have like people 31 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: been there and they can bounce ideas off of. My 32 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: in laws live here in Rhode Island a half an 33 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: hour away, but I still need my mom to come 34 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 1: on Wednesday. It's just coming up soon, because yeah, I 35 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: get it. Um my in laws actually are from Detroit 36 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: and they recently bought a condo and Akron, so they're 37 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 1: they're now two blocks down the road from us now. 38 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 1: And you know, it's it's nice having just I guess, 39 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,800 Speaker 1: feeling insulated and having tons of support around us, because 40 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: you know, I just want to make sure James has 41 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:33,359 Speaker 1: taken care of So I mean I'm assuming then, as 42 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 1: is what you said, You're very close to your family, 43 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 1: and obviously the switch into going on the Bachelorette was 44 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: probably wild for everyone. How did your family react? So 45 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 1: this whole thing came out of like left field. Um. 46 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: I never applied to be on The Bachelor. I was 47 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 1: never nominated. UM some of the cast getting casting producers 48 00:02:57,639 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: found me on Instagram, which at the time, I think 49 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 1: I uh about four hundred followers and it was mainly 50 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 1: just pictures of my son on there. So it was 51 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 1: this random walked in. The Bachelor was one of Laura's 52 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: favorite shows, and I didn't watch it religiously until I think, 53 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: like maybe one Pablos season was the one that kind 54 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:21,919 Speaker 1: of sucked me in because she was watching it a lot, 55 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 1: and so that was a season to be sucked. Yeah, 56 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: it was. It was a wild one. I actually loved 57 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 1: it just because it was. It was crazy, and I 58 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 1: don't know, I don't know when when Laura passed away. 59 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: It was one of those things where you're constantly looking 60 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 1: for signs, you know, you you're trying to find a 61 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 1: way to stay connected with her, and when something this 62 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: obvious came forward, I couldn't help. But you know, I 63 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 1: think that maybe she had something to do with this. 64 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:57,800 Speaker 1: Maybe she wanted to see me just embarrass myself on 65 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 1: a national TV and VID some you know, some blackmail 66 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 1: for James down the road. So then how did they 67 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: find you? Did they ever tell you why? How they 68 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 1: came across your profile? Yeah? One of the UH casting directors, Lindsay, 69 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 1: actually her husband was creating an app for nonprofits and 70 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 1: because of that, she found me through L four, a 71 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 1: nonprofit that I started for for Laura. So it was 72 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 1: like one thing kind of led to another, and then 73 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, here I am, it's it's wild 74 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:39,159 Speaker 1: And I actually said no to it twice because I 75 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:42,160 Speaker 1: just didn't know if this was the route I wanted 76 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 1: to go. It was never really in the plan. But then, 77 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 1: you know, two thousand and nineteen I lost the Laura, 78 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: very devastating year. And then two thousand and twenty, just 79 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: as I'm starting to get momentum, you know, starting to 80 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 1: you know, understand what this new kind of wor looks like, 81 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:04,360 Speaker 1: when COVID happened, and it was like such a lonely 82 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 1: back and forth like this two years sandwich together, that 83 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:12,839 Speaker 1: it felt like a perfect time to take risk, you 84 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: know it, I have to ask you the question because 85 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 1: you and I have been able to talk on the 86 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 1: phone about a lot of different things. UH, And you've 87 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 1: got a lot of wisdom, UH. And every time we 88 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 1: talk always go away going. Your perspective on things is 89 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:30,920 Speaker 1: thought through and good and accurate. Obviously you just mentioned 90 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 1: that two thousand nineteen was really hard year you move 91 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: into this happens UH for you as you thought through, 92 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: why did you feel like you're ready to give this 93 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:44,280 Speaker 1: a shot? I mean you said no twice, but at 94 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: some point you said yes because you were there. Why 95 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 1: did why did this show? Then at that point you 96 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:52,480 Speaker 1: felt like, no, I want to give this a try. 97 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 1: I don't. I that's a good question. I think for me, 98 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 1: the what if scenario is are those types of things 99 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,599 Speaker 1: actually haunt me? Like I would much rather make a 100 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: mistake then be too scared to make a decision. I 101 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 1: always say that I go you have to eliminate as 102 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:19,840 Speaker 1: many what ifs in your life as possible. Yes, And 103 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 1: And to be honest, I wasn't sure. I mean I 104 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:27,279 Speaker 1: think anybody that chooses to go onto this show, if 105 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 1: you are not scared in second guessing it, you're really 106 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: not thinking it through. And it was one of those 107 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:40,200 Speaker 1: things where I wanted to make sure that, you know, 108 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 1: not only that I could be away from James for 109 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:46,280 Speaker 1: that amount of time and because you don't know how 110 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: long you're gonna go, how long it's gonna last, whatever, um, 111 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 1: but I wanted to make sure that I was even 112 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 1: at a place where I could open up my heart 113 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 1: to somebody else and give them a fair shot, because 114 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:02,360 Speaker 1: you know, people should and be treated as a means 115 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 1: to an end or a way to climb or do 116 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 1: anything like that. And you know, some sometimes that's the case, right, 117 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: I mean, that's the whole you know, are you here 118 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 1: for the right reasons? And I wanted to make sure 119 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 1: that if I, if I felt something for Katie night one, 120 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 1: then I was going to stay. If not, I mean, 121 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: you could talk to her. I think the second time 122 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 1: I spoke to her, I said, look, if you are 123 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:31,920 Speaker 1: not feeling this at all, let me know, Because one, 124 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 1: I don't want to get invested in this to later 125 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: have my heartbroken into you know, there's this is her journey, like, 126 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 1: it's it's her opportunity to go find somebody. So I 127 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 1: didn't want to get in the way of that. Well, 128 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 1: before we get further into relationship with Katie. Can we 129 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 1: talk about Laura for a little while, and how you 130 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:53,760 Speaker 1: guys met. I know you met in college, but like 131 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 1: I want to know, like the scene painted the rom 132 00:07:56,160 --> 00:08:00,280 Speaker 1: com picture, Yeah right, I mean it. Actually he is 133 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: a little bit of a Roum Tom scenario. So I 134 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 1: was a freshman at Loyola in Chicago and Laura was 135 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 1: a senior in high school. Grew up in Detroit, and 136 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 1: she was on a college visit. And I had some 137 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 1: friends from Detroit that I met my freshman year and 138 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 1: some of my friends said, you know this girl, Laura is. 139 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 1: She's from my hometown. She's coming to visit. She's amazing. 140 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 1: Like I think you guys would hit it off. So 141 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:32,319 Speaker 1: I had like my tractor beams like set on her 142 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:35,200 Speaker 1: because I this is Facebook didn't even exist yet. I 143 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 1: saw like some polaroids and that's how old. That's al 144 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 1: this is right, And I remember seeing her for the 145 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: first time and it was just like one of those 146 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: like faces and smiles and auras that you know, you 147 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 1: knew you could you wanted to wake up to for 148 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 1: the rest of your life. And yeah, I mean this 149 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:02,720 Speaker 1: is this is two thousand and too. So she ended 150 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 1: up like going to Loyala the next year, and you know, 151 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 1: we were nervous to actually start dating each other because 152 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:13,679 Speaker 1: there was so much like built up and everything, and 153 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 1: like we were intimidated by one another. Than after like 154 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 1: the first month of hanging out, like she totally asked 155 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:25,200 Speaker 1: me out, and and then after that we were together 156 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:30,839 Speaker 1: for sixteen years. So just a crazy story. She you know, 157 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:36,560 Speaker 1: it was such a unbelievable human being. Um, she was smart, 158 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 1: she could she could hold down a board room but 159 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: also make guys blush. She was very like crass and 160 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 1: and you know, ladylike at the same time, she was 161 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: very very funny, optimistic. Um. We we just grew together 162 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 1: and it was just this really amazing thing that you 163 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 1: know it I never once wondered if grass is greener 164 00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:05,360 Speaker 1: on the other side, Like it just it just felt 165 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:09,200 Speaker 1: right and we you know, we we filled in each 166 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 1: other's weaknesses and grew together. And after Loyola, she actually 167 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:18,440 Speaker 1: got her MBA at Notre Dame and she was the 168 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 1: second woman in Notre Dame's history to be president of 169 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 1: their NBA school. And you know, just just a really 170 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 1: good person that went out of her way for so 171 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 1: many other people. Um, you know, had a lot of purpose. 172 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,000 Speaker 1: You know, she she always led a life of purpose 173 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: which inspired me on a daily basis, and one of 174 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 1: those types of people where I remember this like being 175 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 1: just extremely proud when I walked in the room with her, 176 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:54,319 Speaker 1: because like I knew one percent that everyone was looking 177 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:56,679 Speaker 1: at her, and I was like, and she's next to me. 178 00:10:56,800 --> 00:11:00,840 Speaker 1: So it was just kind of the proud moment relationship 179 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: that we always had a lot of respect for each other. 180 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:11,680 Speaker 1: It's a I wonder too for you. You've always spoken 181 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 1: with just such admiration and joy about your relationship, about 182 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 1: the impact she's made on you. Has it had all 183 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:24,560 Speaker 1: gotten hard to talk about it so much because obviously 184 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 1: you never expected the show to happen, and you never 185 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:30,319 Speaker 1: expected so many people to be genuinely curious and interested 186 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:32,319 Speaker 1: to hear from you on what you've learned and taken 187 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 1: from that relationship. Has that at all ever been hard 188 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:39,199 Speaker 1: or has always been done um with joy from you? Yeah, 189 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 1: That's it's a really good question. I Mean, one thing 190 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:48,239 Speaker 1: I'm really happy about is that people know who she is. Um. 191 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: I I never really thought about legacy and things like 192 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:57,960 Speaker 1: that and death until it actually came into our lives 193 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 1: and now that people know who she was. It was 194 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:05,760 Speaker 1: something I promised her and that that that was part 195 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:08,320 Speaker 1: of like my risk analysis when I was going on 196 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:11,960 Speaker 1: this show, I was like, worst comes to worst, Like 197 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 1: if I don't feel anything, if I get a bad edit, 198 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 1: things fault, like you know that everything crumbles. People will 199 00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 1: like know her name and that that did. That was 200 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 1: a part of you know why I rolled the Daddies 201 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: And it is it's always difficult talking about it, but 202 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 1: over time, and I think you'd probably hear this from 203 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 1: other people that have, you know, lost somebody. In dealing 204 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:45,640 Speaker 1: with grieving, is that you learn to interpret that pain 205 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:50,320 Speaker 1: as just love. You know, it's it. It takes a 206 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:55,680 Speaker 1: different form. I don't need reminders ever of what is lost. 207 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 1: Talking about it or not talking about it, it still feels, 208 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,440 Speaker 1: you know the same. But yeah, it's it's always going 209 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:06,840 Speaker 1: to be raw. And I don't think those wounds need 210 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:10,839 Speaker 1: to heal per se. I don't think that whole needs 211 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 1: to be filled or can be replaced. They they walk 212 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:18,120 Speaker 1: with you, there are part of you, and you know 213 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:24,520 Speaker 1: that's that's good enough, That's okay, that's a I mean, 214 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:26,840 Speaker 1: it speaks a lot to you. But it also speaks 215 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 1: a lot to her, you know just what you just said, 216 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 1: like you don't know if those wounds need to be healed, 217 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 1: And we would have to sit here and say I agree, 218 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:36,719 Speaker 1: like it always should be raw and hard, but like 219 00:13:37,160 --> 00:13:40,720 Speaker 1: her name is known. And obviously with the organization that 220 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:44,320 Speaker 1: you started out for um with your time on the show, 221 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:46,079 Speaker 1: that you did not get a bet ed it you 222 00:13:46,160 --> 00:13:48,000 Speaker 1: got a very good at it or or you're just 223 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:52,000 Speaker 1: a good dude and they showed you well. Um, you know, 224 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:56,199 Speaker 1: the legacy and the impact has lived on, and I 225 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: would argue it has been a really beautiful thing for 226 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 1: a lot of people. And probably I mean, my God, 227 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: have to ask like, have you had a lot of 228 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:04,559 Speaker 1: people reaching out to you post shows saying they can 229 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:06,559 Speaker 1: relate or they need to hear it, or they need 230 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:08,720 Speaker 1: to hear from you because they just felt alone and 231 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: their loss and their grief. Yeah. One of my favorite 232 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 1: things that I've taken away from this is it's opened 233 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 1: up this channel to be able to connect with people. 234 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,400 Speaker 1: There are a lot of people who are alone, there 235 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: are a lot of people that are lost, There's there's 236 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 1: a lot of I don't know, pain and struggle and 237 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: mental like illness out there and people need to be 238 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 1: able to feel like they are seen or heard or 239 00:14:38,960 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 1: have an outlet somebody that or something that they can 240 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:48,000 Speaker 1: connect with. And you know, I'm not their savior or anything, 241 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 1: but I do. I get a lot of these messages 242 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 1: and I gotta say they are heartbreaking, and they take 243 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 1: a toll on me too, because I want to be 244 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 1: able to reply to all of the I don't want 245 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 1: to have them feel like they wrote this very intimate 246 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 1: and personal confession or testimonial and it just got grouped 247 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:14,320 Speaker 1: in with everything else because it's not the same. But 248 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 1: I have been able to hear a lot from you know, 249 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 1: widowers and cancer patients and survivors and caregivers, like all 250 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 1: these single parents out there that are trying to find 251 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 1: the strengthen them to date again. And that dynamic of 252 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 1: raising a child where you all of your attention goes 253 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 1: to that child, but but still never forgetting that you're 254 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 1: a person too and that you need to pursue happiness. 255 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 1: And for a lot of parents out there, there is 256 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 1: that guilt that when you do something for yourself when 257 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 1: you have a child that you know you feel you 258 00:15:58,280 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 1: feel guilty about it because it takes away from your 259 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:04,200 Speaker 1: time together, but it's it's an investment in in yourself, 260 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 1: in in some self care. This is like, I don't 261 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: know how I'm just gonna say, Um, do you feel 262 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: like you'll ever love someone like that again? Or do 263 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: you feel like she'll always be your greatest love? And 264 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 1: whoever comes next? If you are, if you are fortunate 265 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 1: to have like a love that is comparable enough to 266 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: like get married and all that again, do you feel 267 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: like that person will kind of be second? Yeah? I 268 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 1: think I mean the question you're asking has a lot 269 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: to do with my ability to make sure that whatever 270 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: started next, whatever new relationship is on the horizon, that 271 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: that's unique and it's treated as such and there isn't 272 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: that comparison. But on the flip side, and that they're 273 00:16:56,400 --> 00:17:00,440 Speaker 1: also has to be confidence on whoever I'm with next, 274 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 1: that I'm still gonna find ways of honoring Laura and 275 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:09,359 Speaker 1: preserving her legacy and ensuring that her son knows her 276 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:12,399 Speaker 1: name and knows what she was about. That that person 277 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:16,880 Speaker 1: has to be strong and has to know that that's 278 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 1: part of the package. And so I don't think it's 279 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 1: that I don't think it's that complicated. I think we 280 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:29,640 Speaker 1: overthink the majority of relationships. I mean, most people want 281 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 1: the same thing, you know, it's just they have different 282 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:36,520 Speaker 1: ways of thinking that they I don't know, ways in 283 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:39,720 Speaker 1: which they go about getting it. But you know, the 284 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 1: next person will feel loved. I mean, if I'm lucky 285 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:47,359 Speaker 1: enough to have a second love like Laura's my God, 286 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:52,199 Speaker 1: like I'm a very lucky human being. Um, but I 287 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: think you know, I can't answer that until that person 288 00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:00,840 Speaker 1: comes into my life, until I feel it all over again. 289 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:03,040 Speaker 1: But I'm hoping so. And I think once once I 290 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 1: had once, you've had something that great, like I mean 291 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 1: both of you guys, would you know you know, Jared, 292 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 1: and just like once you have felt that you can't 293 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:18,120 Speaker 1: help a want it back. Mhm, you can't. And your 294 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:22,280 Speaker 1: spot on And it's also never gonna happen unless you 295 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:24,840 Speaker 1: take some risks and you take some weird makes some 296 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:27,119 Speaker 1: you know, you put yourself back out there and you 297 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:29,639 Speaker 1: try to take that next best step. And and Michael, 298 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:31,879 Speaker 1: you've done that over the last few years. You've been 299 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:34,320 Speaker 1: a gift to the Bachelor world. You've been a gift 300 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:37,159 Speaker 1: too many that have watched it and haven't watched it. 301 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 1: We're gonna take a break here when we come back 302 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:43,639 Speaker 1: from to dive in two. Because I believe personally that 303 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 1: you're a great dude. Um, I would be shocked if 304 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 1: there's anyone that has watched this show that doesn't believe 305 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 1: you're a great dude. We got to talk about why 306 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: this great dude isn't on our television more often. We'll 307 00:18:56,000 --> 00:19:08,920 Speaker 1: be back with the almost famous podcast. All right, Michael, 308 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: So you just answered my question about your next love. 309 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:17,000 Speaker 1: So I gotta know, when did you know that Katie 310 00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:21,320 Speaker 1: was not that person and that's when you decided that 311 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:26,919 Speaker 1: you had to go leave early? Yeah, I would say 312 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 1: I would say I didn't decide that on the show. 313 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 1: We don't confuse me further because now I'm wondering, why 314 00:19:40,359 --> 00:19:42,680 Speaker 1: would you let yourself go so far as you get 315 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:46,840 Speaker 1: to top four and then you leave when you'd already 316 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:49,399 Speaker 1: sort of like, I don't know what the right word is, 317 00:19:49,440 --> 00:19:53,680 Speaker 1: but I'm gonna say wasted the time away from James 318 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:58,160 Speaker 1: in that case, right, Well, a couple couple of things there. 319 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 1: I mean, what, as you guys know, just from being 320 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:05,400 Speaker 1: on the show, what you see is different than as 321 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:08,760 Speaker 1: a viewer, different than what's going on behind the scenes. 322 00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:13,040 Speaker 1: And it made it almost look as though there was 323 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:16,760 Speaker 1: one phone call from James and that was and that 324 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 1: was it. And this had been building up. I mean 325 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:23,920 Speaker 1: we were quarantined for you know, two weeks, and then 326 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:27,480 Speaker 1: this was building up. And I mean I had received 327 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:33,880 Speaker 1: calls from James multiple times that week and I could 328 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:39,560 Speaker 1: start to feel this progression. And if James was just 329 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:44,639 Speaker 1: missing me, I would have stayed. But it was how 330 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 1: he said, maybe I don't want to see him anymore 331 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 1: where you know it started. That's a different kind of 332 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:57,439 Speaker 1: scenario because he started to feel like he was the 333 00:20:57,480 --> 00:21:01,240 Speaker 1: reason why I was gone. M hm. And it wasn't 334 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 1: just distance and things like that, but that's a that's 335 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:11,200 Speaker 1: a change in psychology, and especially when you know our 336 00:21:11,240 --> 00:21:14,639 Speaker 1: family has been through a lot of trauma and a 337 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:18,800 Speaker 1: lot of things like that. I'm just very protective over that. 338 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:23,040 Speaker 1: So I would have totally stayed. And Katie, Katie knows 339 00:21:23,080 --> 00:21:28,239 Speaker 1: that she doesn't question that. Um, but I had to go. 340 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:30,680 Speaker 1: And I think any parent would have done the same 341 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:33,919 Speaker 1: exact thing. I mean, what is it what does it 342 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 1: look like if I stay? I mean, I just told 343 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:40,520 Speaker 1: you how guilty parents feel for even going on dates 344 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:43,000 Speaker 1: and taking their time away. But when a kid is 345 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:46,560 Speaker 1: asking you to come home, Um, you answer that call 346 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:48,320 Speaker 1: and I would do it. I would do it again. 347 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:55,119 Speaker 1: And I think, you know, post show, I think things 348 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:59,080 Speaker 1: worked out the way that they were supposed to. Um, 349 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 1: I'm glad that she's pursuing other relationships. He and I 350 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:06,080 Speaker 1: are still friends. I think when you go through this 351 00:22:06,320 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 1: entire process, you you form a bond that you can't 352 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 1: form or fabricate in another scenario. So, Um, she's a 353 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:20,240 Speaker 1: she's a she's a great person and I'll always be 354 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:25,640 Speaker 1: rooting for it. It Uh, it's one of those moments. 355 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:27,960 Speaker 1: I remember when Ashley I talked about him, like we said, 356 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:31,520 Speaker 1: like the show meets reality and like a big wet, 357 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:35,280 Speaker 1: sloppy kiss and it's like really hard to watch. You know, 358 00:22:35,320 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 1: you don't want to watch two people having a big 359 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:39,160 Speaker 1: old sloppy kiss. It's like, No, this is a moment 360 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:43,199 Speaker 1: that like far exceeds anything like we should be watching. 361 00:22:43,240 --> 00:22:45,120 Speaker 1: And I think you made the best decision by saying 362 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:48,199 Speaker 1: no as a dad and you go, Um, was that 363 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:50,960 Speaker 1: a hard decision for you? Though? Like? Did it? Did it? Was? It? 364 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:53,080 Speaker 1: Was it all at all difficult? Or were you pretty 365 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:55,720 Speaker 1: confident when you said now it's this is the best thing, 366 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:58,479 Speaker 1: and when you left you felt good about it. It 367 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:03,400 Speaker 1: was it was really hard decision. Um. There was part 368 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:10,000 Speaker 1: of me that I was thinking, you know, if if 369 00:23:10,040 --> 00:23:14,320 Speaker 1: she's feeling as strong about me as I am for her, 370 00:23:15,119 --> 00:23:19,120 Speaker 1: then you know, we could maybe pursue a relationship outside 371 00:23:19,119 --> 00:23:22,200 Speaker 1: of the show, like afterwards or I was running through 372 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:25,600 Speaker 1: these scenarios like, no way she's gonna get married to 373 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:29,879 Speaker 1: somebody else that she's feeling this way for me like or, 374 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:31,960 Speaker 1: And I didn't want to ask her to leave either, 375 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:34,760 Speaker 1: because that's not fair to any of the guys on 376 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:38,760 Speaker 1: the show. That's that's not what she signed up for. UM. 377 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:42,200 Speaker 1: I often I often do here, like you know, I 378 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 1: like you left and you wasted all of those weeks 379 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:51,600 Speaker 1: before and I don't. I'm sorry that I used that word. 380 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 1: I know it's it's it's it's used all the time. 381 00:23:56,400 --> 00:24:00,960 Speaker 1: I think in other scenarios. It probably makes sense. For me, 382 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:04,760 Speaker 1: it was. It was a great opportunity for me to 383 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 1: focus in on my own relationships, like my own mental health, 384 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:12,359 Speaker 1: addressed things, talk about things, UM, and there was a 385 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:16,240 Speaker 1: lot of growth there that I felt, UM that I 386 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:19,400 Speaker 1: think otherwise in the real world I would have probably 387 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:23,000 Speaker 1: filled with distractions and work and you know all of 388 00:24:23,040 --> 00:24:25,400 Speaker 1: these other things that ran away from it. This kind 389 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:29,600 Speaker 1: of made me face it head on. Yes, so obviously 390 00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:31,840 Speaker 1: this is your first big moment back in the dating 391 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:33,439 Speaker 1: Where does spit you out? Like if you were to 392 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:37,520 Speaker 1: describe yourself today as a man, the things you've learned 393 00:24:37,520 --> 00:24:40,359 Speaker 1: from the show, the place that you sit right now, 394 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:45,480 Speaker 1: how would you describe yourself? Um? What is as a 395 00:24:45,480 --> 00:24:48,800 Speaker 1: as a partner? Like in as a human? You said, 396 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:51,760 Speaker 1: there's a lot of are we gonna are we gonna 397 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:56,600 Speaker 1: finding my life on this thing? I wouldn't be against it. 398 00:24:56,680 --> 00:25:01,360 Speaker 1: We're never on this show. I mean I would say 399 00:25:01,720 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 1: for me, I am I'm extremely loyal. Um, you know, 400 00:25:08,680 --> 00:25:15,240 Speaker 1: I'm I'm somebody that when I'm with like something, a 401 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 1: partner or someone like that, I'm a hundred percent with them. 402 00:25:18,560 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 1: I mean I've never I've never even kissed another girl 403 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:27,040 Speaker 1: while i was dating somebody else. I've never cheated, like, 404 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:29,000 Speaker 1: I've only said I love you once and I was 405 00:25:29,040 --> 00:25:35,879 Speaker 1: to Laura. Um, that's I take these things seriously. I 406 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:38,600 Speaker 1: just was so happy that you didn't say I love 407 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:41,800 Speaker 1: you to Katie. And I'm gonna use the word again, 408 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:48,920 Speaker 1: waste that on somebody that wasn't committed to you yet? Yeah? Yeah, 409 00:25:49,040 --> 00:25:56,080 Speaker 1: I you know, I'm I protected. I think there's I don't. 410 00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:58,720 Speaker 1: I don't. I think people rush into that too quickly 411 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:03,040 Speaker 1: because it's even better when you wait and it's earned 412 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:08,440 Speaker 1: and you know you can feel that progress and means more. Um. 413 00:26:08,520 --> 00:26:11,199 Speaker 1: And so I don't know, I kind of hold on 414 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:13,960 Speaker 1: to that and and it's just I don't. I don't 415 00:26:13,960 --> 00:26:16,640 Speaker 1: know why I'm that way. I'm just that way. Did 416 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:19,360 Speaker 1: you think that Katie was gonna chase after you and 417 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 1: go and show up to your door in Ohio? Because 418 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:27,960 Speaker 1: I didn't. It wasn't. You know, when you get off 419 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:30,080 Speaker 1: the show, you're like, oh my god, what was real? 420 00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:36,359 Speaker 1: What was it? Like? What's happening? And I know how 421 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:40,800 Speaker 1: it felt when I was there, and so I couldn't help. 422 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:44,919 Speaker 1: But when you're running through all these scenarios, wonder you 423 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:46,520 Speaker 1: know our film crew is gonna end up on my 424 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:50,080 Speaker 1: front door? Like is it gonna happen? And I that 425 00:26:50,160 --> 00:26:54,920 Speaker 1: did cross my mind. Um. But then again, when you're 426 00:26:54,920 --> 00:26:59,240 Speaker 1: watching everything over you see the relationship she's having with 427 00:26:59,320 --> 00:27:03,320 Speaker 1: other people, you understand that there are other strong relationships 428 00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:07,439 Speaker 1: in the house. Um, you know that idea started to 429 00:27:07,480 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 1: fade away, but yeah, it was. It was there for 430 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:13,880 Speaker 1: a little bit. I would have expected it. I thought, 431 00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:17,000 Speaker 1: for sure, we're getting a Michael a reunion. Well, I 432 00:27:17,160 --> 00:27:20,400 Speaker 1: definitely thought that they send cameras to your door just 433 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:24,120 Speaker 1: to like, like to have that just in case. Yeah, 434 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:26,119 Speaker 1: I mean, what were you well, I mean it feels 435 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:29,280 Speaker 1: like so long ago. What were your guys just take 436 00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:34,520 Speaker 1: on the season and everything like that. I mean, you 437 00:27:34,560 --> 00:27:37,000 Speaker 1: guys do a lot of these recaps. Is it in 438 00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:42,560 Speaker 1: line other seasons or do have some I guess unique 439 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:47,680 Speaker 1: elements to it that before. Yeah, I have to say 440 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:51,600 Speaker 1: that I have not felt and I'm not just like say, 441 00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:54,800 Speaker 1: blowing smoke because you're our guest. It has been a 442 00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:58,600 Speaker 1: long time since I felt like as connected to somebody 443 00:27:58,640 --> 00:28:02,160 Speaker 1: on the show, like rooting for them, like really wanting 444 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:05,479 Speaker 1: them to end up happy than like than you, Like 445 00:28:06,040 --> 00:28:11,439 Speaker 1: we rooted for you, and like you popped off the 446 00:28:11,520 --> 00:28:13,960 Speaker 1: screen Like I could be on my phone and like 447 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:16,240 Speaker 1: not really paying that much attention during an episode, but 448 00:28:16,280 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 1: when you came on screen, I was like, oh, I'm 449 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:24,159 Speaker 1: invested to me. You were the special part of the season. 450 00:28:26,359 --> 00:28:30,560 Speaker 1: So sweet. I mean, I was the guys on the show. 451 00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:34,640 Speaker 1: I don't know if this is I mean I've only 452 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:39,720 Speaker 1: been on one season. Extremely strong character, like almost all 453 00:28:40,040 --> 00:28:44,520 Speaker 1: of the guys that come with just an amazing background 454 00:28:44,880 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 1: no bs. I mean most like I can't even think 455 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:52,920 Speaker 1: of one guy that doesn't have some serious um like 456 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:56,800 Speaker 1: value and and everything. And they were able to you know, 457 00:28:56,880 --> 00:28:59,400 Speaker 1: support me as I was going through my own thing 458 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:02,480 Speaker 1: and listen me without judgment and kind of create that 459 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:06,520 Speaker 1: safe place where you know, we could have these you know, 460 00:29:06,680 --> 00:29:10,920 Speaker 1: deep conversations. And they all came with their own baggage. 461 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:14,000 Speaker 1: I mean, we all do. That's that's what makes people great. 462 00:29:15,720 --> 00:29:17,440 Speaker 1: I think that would be the thing that we took 463 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:19,320 Speaker 1: away from that season as a whole, was that, you know, 464 00:29:19,360 --> 00:29:22,360 Speaker 1: there's some great guys on that season. I mean, you 465 00:29:22,440 --> 00:29:27,240 Speaker 1: definitely sit out amongst a season full of really great guys. 466 00:29:27,240 --> 00:29:29,200 Speaker 1: It was a weird season, right because this guy shows 467 00:29:29,280 --> 00:29:32,480 Speaker 1: up four weeks in if if you know, and then 468 00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:34,720 Speaker 1: they're together and then they break up and she starts 469 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:37,120 Speaker 1: dating another dude that was let go weeks before that. 470 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:40,640 Speaker 1: So like the season itself was weird. But Michael, Uh, 471 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:43,400 Speaker 1: there was some guys that released out and typically we 472 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:46,680 Speaker 1: do see these uh, these people on our on our 473 00:29:46,680 --> 00:29:51,280 Speaker 1: televisions again, so, UM, I know Bachelor Nation, who listens 474 00:29:51,280 --> 00:29:53,600 Speaker 1: to this is gonna be wondering. Um. So we got 475 00:29:53,720 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 1: to ask it, Michael, if they ever came to the 476 00:29:55,880 --> 00:29:59,480 Speaker 1: next Bachelor, we all think here that you should have 477 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 1: been the bat or. Um. You know, we don't know 478 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:05,080 Speaker 1: what happened in between times and how you're not the 479 00:30:05,080 --> 00:30:07,640 Speaker 1: bachelor right now, but if they ever did come to 480 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:09,080 Speaker 1: you again and say, hey, would you be the bachelor? 481 00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:12,760 Speaker 1: Would you consider it? Um? And and did they reach 482 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:16,520 Speaker 1: out and you just already up said now. You know, 483 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:21,240 Speaker 1: there were a lot of conversations about it once I 484 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:24,640 Speaker 1: got back and I was I was approached, and there 485 00:30:24,680 --> 00:30:28,280 Speaker 1: were you know, there was some back and forth and 486 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:33,280 Speaker 1: you know, I mean it's difficult because filming happens so 487 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:39,360 Speaker 1: quickly afterwards, and I was kind of in this emotional 488 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:43,640 Speaker 1: space where you know, I was upset about you know, 489 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:47,000 Speaker 1: having to leave Katie. I was also a little bit 490 00:30:47,400 --> 00:30:49,280 Speaker 1: I mean there was things I had to fix that 491 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:53,960 Speaker 1: home too. I mean, it was difficult for you know, 492 00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 1: Laura's family to watch me be intimate with somebody else TV. 493 00:30:59,080 --> 00:31:04,920 Speaker 1: And it was difficult. Um, to have people talking about 494 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:10,640 Speaker 1: Laura as it she's a reality show, you know, contest 495 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:15,200 Speaker 1: bringing that pain to surface. So you know, I was 496 00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:19,360 Speaker 1: very sensitive to some of those things and it was 497 00:31:19,960 --> 00:31:23,560 Speaker 1: scary at the idea of possibly jumping back in. And 498 00:31:24,160 --> 00:31:27,600 Speaker 1: I mean, I do have to say it is it 499 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:33,520 Speaker 1: is concerning how you know the lead is judged and 500 00:31:33,560 --> 00:31:37,880 Speaker 1: perceived and you know, torn to pieces like what's going 501 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:41,440 Speaker 1: on with Clayton right now? He is he is an 502 00:31:41,440 --> 00:31:44,200 Speaker 1: amazing guy. I mean, I've I've spoken with him a 503 00:31:44,280 --> 00:31:48,920 Speaker 1: bunch and I don't know, it's it's I don't know 504 00:31:48,960 --> 00:31:51,520 Speaker 1: if I wanted my family to be you know, put 505 00:31:51,560 --> 00:31:55,080 Speaker 1: through that. But at the same time, I do believe 506 00:31:55,120 --> 00:31:58,560 Speaker 1: in the process. I mean, I do believe it. It 507 00:31:58,680 --> 00:32:02,880 Speaker 1: can actually work. If you it two people who open 508 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:06,920 Speaker 1: up and are willing to be honest and real, then 509 00:32:07,800 --> 00:32:12,120 Speaker 1: cameras don't matter. Nothing else matters. It's just two people. 510 00:32:12,200 --> 00:32:15,080 Speaker 1: It's no different than anything else. So if they were 511 00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:18,120 Speaker 1: to give you more time in between, like say they 512 00:32:18,400 --> 00:32:22,080 Speaker 1: said you're not going to be the Bachelor, you were 513 00:32:22,120 --> 00:32:24,960 Speaker 1: not going to film until the winter, you know, because 514 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:26,880 Speaker 1: they filmed in September, But say that they weren't going 515 00:32:26,920 --> 00:32:31,040 Speaker 1: to start filming until March. Would you have been more 516 00:32:31,080 --> 00:32:34,560 Speaker 1: interested in it or would you have like been an 517 00:32:34,560 --> 00:32:38,920 Speaker 1: easier get for them? I think I think it would 518 00:32:38,960 --> 00:32:45,160 Speaker 1: have been easier, but I'd still have my my doubts. Um. 519 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:47,920 Speaker 1: I mean, you gotta you gotta think too when you 520 00:32:47,960 --> 00:32:52,040 Speaker 1: have a five year old son, Like I don't make 521 00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:56,440 Speaker 1: these decisions. I'm not necessarily just making for myself. I mean, 522 00:32:56,480 --> 00:32:59,360 Speaker 1: if I was single, I wouldn't think twice about it, 523 00:32:59,480 --> 00:33:02,760 Speaker 1: and I didn't have anybody relying on me. Um, I 524 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:06,720 Speaker 1: would jump back in. I I don't know. I guess 525 00:33:06,760 --> 00:33:11,440 Speaker 1: I really haven't thought about it much. I think it's 526 00:33:11,640 --> 00:33:16,680 Speaker 1: a little bit off the table, um, you know right now. Um. 527 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:20,840 Speaker 1: So I'm happy with everything that I've been able to 528 00:33:20,840 --> 00:33:24,400 Speaker 1: to experience on the show, and if it ends at 529 00:33:24,440 --> 00:33:28,480 Speaker 1: just that, then I am completely okay with it. I've 530 00:33:28,480 --> 00:33:30,280 Speaker 1: got an idea for you, Michael. What if there was 531 00:33:30,320 --> 00:33:33,520 Speaker 1: a show that was created that was like anywhere from 532 00:33:33,560 --> 00:33:38,600 Speaker 1: three to four weeks long. Um, you know, it's pretty flexible, 533 00:33:38,720 --> 00:33:40,640 Speaker 1: so you can bring some people down to hang out 534 00:33:40,680 --> 00:33:43,960 Speaker 1: if you want. It's in a nice location, there's a 535 00:33:43,960 --> 00:33:46,200 Speaker 1: bunch of singles. You can kind of stay for as 536 00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:56,640 Speaker 1: long as you want. Ye, there's a beach. Uh, yeah, 537 00:33:56,920 --> 00:33:59,960 Speaker 1: you know it's someplace similar to Paradise. Would you can 538 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:04,280 Speaker 1: cosider it? You know? I think I think I I 539 00:34:04,840 --> 00:34:09,200 Speaker 1: think I would. I think that's something I would consider. Um. 540 00:34:09,239 --> 00:34:13,080 Speaker 1: I feel like there's it's a little bit more I 541 00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:16,920 Speaker 1: don't know, casual, more fun, a little bit more friendly. Um. 542 00:34:16,960 --> 00:34:20,800 Speaker 1: I mean there's more options obviously which you know, datings 543 00:34:20,800 --> 00:34:24,839 Speaker 1: and numbers game so you know, I think I think 544 00:34:24,920 --> 00:34:28,480 Speaker 1: that's really helpful. And yeah, I don't, I don't, I 545 00:34:28,520 --> 00:34:32,360 Speaker 1: don't know. I mean, I really haven't been approached about Paradise. 546 00:34:32,440 --> 00:34:35,960 Speaker 1: So again, until something is you know, brought to me 547 00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:40,279 Speaker 1: than than I know. Well, it's February, so um, I 548 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:43,279 Speaker 1: think you'll be hearing from them within the month, if 549 00:34:43,320 --> 00:34:46,719 Speaker 1: you if if they're going within the same timeline that 550 00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:53,040 Speaker 1: I had. Um, and just back to the Bachelor possibility, 551 00:34:53,080 --> 00:34:57,400 Speaker 1: if they had told you back when they were initially 552 00:34:57,440 --> 00:34:59,840 Speaker 1: in talks with you, if they had said, a will 553 00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:02,960 Speaker 1: shoot in Ohio and you can have James with you 554 00:35:03,040 --> 00:35:05,840 Speaker 1: throughout the experience, would that have been a game changer 555 00:35:05,880 --> 00:35:08,720 Speaker 1: for you? Because that's what Emily Maynard the only other 556 00:35:08,760 --> 00:35:12,600 Speaker 1: person who she wasn't technically married, but like a widow 557 00:35:13,239 --> 00:35:17,520 Speaker 1: had she had that opportunity that I mean that that 558 00:35:17,640 --> 00:35:22,640 Speaker 1: changes everything. I mean, and I don't know, I mean 559 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:27,600 Speaker 1: production and in the show. I think if they wanted 560 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:32,520 Speaker 1: me to you know, pursue the lead, Um, I would 561 00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:35,520 Speaker 1: definitely need to have James close fight. I wouldn't want 562 00:35:35,560 --> 00:35:41,240 Speaker 1: to replicate the mistake or the results that I had gotten. 563 00:35:41,920 --> 00:35:44,920 Speaker 1: You know, on Katie's season, I'd want to have him close. 564 00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:47,560 Speaker 1: I'd want like a tutor there. He's going to be 565 00:35:47,600 --> 00:35:50,600 Speaker 1: in kindergarten and you know you got to stay on 566 00:35:50,640 --> 00:35:55,440 Speaker 1: top of that. Uh. And so yeah, it's a season 567 00:35:55,480 --> 00:35:58,560 Speaker 1: with me is is it's got it's got some more 568 00:35:58,640 --> 00:36:04,759 Speaker 1: logistical shoes then with with other you know, contestants or 569 00:36:04,840 --> 00:36:08,400 Speaker 1: possible leads. Um. But I mean, if if that's it 570 00:36:08,400 --> 00:36:10,600 Speaker 1: all depends, is that the kind of season that they want. 571 00:36:10,840 --> 00:36:14,320 Speaker 1: You know, mine is very Mine is different, Like I 572 00:36:14,560 --> 00:36:17,479 Speaker 1: don't know, there's there's just going to be it's gonna 573 00:36:17,520 --> 00:36:20,480 Speaker 1: have a different vibe. I mean, they'll be deep conversations, 574 00:36:20,520 --> 00:36:25,120 Speaker 1: they'll be all of that like life experienced stuff. And um, 575 00:36:25,160 --> 00:36:27,279 Speaker 1: you know, I mean you saw how much I made 576 00:36:27,280 --> 00:36:32,120 Speaker 1: people cry. People want to cry every day? If we 577 00:36:32,200 --> 00:36:36,279 Speaker 1: want to feel something watching this show. Yeah, I mean 578 00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:39,439 Speaker 1: if that's if that's what they want, then um yeah, 579 00:36:39,480 --> 00:36:42,399 Speaker 1: I mean I I definitely entertain it. But I don't know. 580 00:36:42,920 --> 00:36:46,680 Speaker 1: I don't know. This whole thing is is crazy. And 581 00:36:46,760 --> 00:36:50,959 Speaker 1: you know, I asked myself to you know, if I'm 582 00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:55,759 Speaker 1: looking for you know, my person, do do I need 583 00:36:55,800 --> 00:36:57,759 Speaker 1: to find them on this show? Do I need to 584 00:36:57,800 --> 00:37:02,120 Speaker 1: find them on the franchise you know, or or whatever? 585 00:37:02,160 --> 00:37:04,839 Speaker 1: And you know, I don't. I don't know. It's I'm 586 00:37:04,880 --> 00:37:08,759 Speaker 1: not dating anybody. There's so much I don't know. I 587 00:37:08,800 --> 00:37:13,520 Speaker 1: don't know. I'm I'm babbling. Yeah, well, it's the kind 588 00:37:13,520 --> 00:37:15,520 Speaker 1: of season they need, Michael, it is. I'll say it 589 00:37:15,640 --> 00:37:18,960 Speaker 1: right now, if any Bachelor producers listening, Uh, if it's 590 00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:21,080 Speaker 1: not Michael, then you just need a season where we 591 00:37:21,160 --> 00:37:23,759 Speaker 1: feel deeply again. It's the thing that's gonna bring to 592 00:37:23,760 --> 00:37:28,320 Speaker 1: the show all back around, I believe. Um. Michael Ashley 593 00:37:28,680 --> 00:37:32,319 Speaker 1: ends every in Depth with a really fun segment um 594 00:37:32,360 --> 00:37:35,080 Speaker 1: where she hasked the guests a bunch of random questions. 595 00:37:35,200 --> 00:37:38,000 Speaker 1: You answer them. But before we get to that, UM, 596 00:37:38,040 --> 00:37:41,520 Speaker 1: I was just thinking, as you were talking, how cool 597 00:37:41,520 --> 00:37:43,400 Speaker 1: would it be if they had you as a bachelor. 598 00:37:43,840 --> 00:37:45,560 Speaker 1: They got all the women together in l A at 599 00:37:45,560 --> 00:37:50,160 Speaker 1: the mansion. You're not there, Jesse Palmer walks in and says, ladies, 600 00:37:50,520 --> 00:37:59,680 Speaker 1: your head into Akron, Ohio. How awesome that. I think 601 00:37:59,719 --> 00:38:03,640 Speaker 1: if you really want to test, you know, the women's resolved, 602 00:38:03,960 --> 00:38:07,120 Speaker 1: you know, you bring them to Akron, Ohio in the wintertime, 603 00:38:07,560 --> 00:38:12,640 Speaker 1: you'll figure out. Right. Yeah, I think it's great. It's exactly. 604 00:38:12,719 --> 00:38:16,040 Speaker 1: I think a season like that would probably have the 605 00:38:16,080 --> 00:38:23,080 Speaker 1: most self eliminations of all it's so good. Well, anyways, 606 00:38:23,080 --> 00:38:24,880 Speaker 1: the real question that in this before we get to 607 00:38:24,880 --> 00:38:28,000 Speaker 1: Ashley segment, Uh, Michael, what is next for you? Where 608 00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:29,719 Speaker 1: are you at in life? What are you focusing on 609 00:38:30,160 --> 00:38:32,839 Speaker 1: this year and the years to come? Uh? Just give 610 00:38:32,880 --> 00:38:36,759 Speaker 1: our listeners a little update and where you're at. Yeah, thanks, Um, 611 00:38:36,800 --> 00:38:40,640 Speaker 1: you know, I'm I'm I'm still working still. I mean, 612 00:38:40,719 --> 00:38:44,480 Speaker 1: I I own a company where we do uh, you know, distribution. 613 00:38:44,600 --> 00:38:47,959 Speaker 1: That business is going well, it's completely unrelated to the show. 614 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:50,480 Speaker 1: It's not like because you're on this show all of 615 00:38:50,520 --> 00:38:54,600 Speaker 1: a sudden, business is just thriving no matter what people think. Like, 616 00:38:54,640 --> 00:38:59,000 Speaker 1: it's still crazy hard work. I'm working on a new 617 00:38:59,080 --> 00:39:05,080 Speaker 1: startup that I'm excited about we're looking at clinical trials. UM. 618 00:39:05,080 --> 00:39:08,360 Speaker 1: It was a it was a therapeutic Laura and I developed. 619 00:39:08,840 --> 00:39:12,160 Speaker 1: UM there's a side effect to chemotherapy called hand foot syndrome, 620 00:39:12,200 --> 00:39:15,200 Speaker 1: and it's really really grew some a lot of people 621 00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:19,799 Speaker 1: experience it. In fact, the top five chemotherapies that are 622 00:39:19,840 --> 00:39:24,719 Speaker 1: administered create the side effect in about of its population. 623 00:39:24,800 --> 00:39:28,880 Speaker 1: So there's a there's a lot of discontinuation because of 624 00:39:28,920 --> 00:39:32,879 Speaker 1: adverse events and that, and I mean that's not good 625 00:39:32,920 --> 00:39:35,360 Speaker 1: for anybody, because you've got to finish your course of therapy. 626 00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:38,319 Speaker 1: And you know, when Laura got it really really bad, 627 00:39:38,400 --> 00:39:41,040 Speaker 1: James was seven months old and she couldn't hold James 628 00:39:41,120 --> 00:39:44,359 Speaker 1: or anything like that, and so out of necessity, her 629 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:47,120 Speaker 1: and I just started tinkering with some stuff and put 630 00:39:47,160 --> 00:39:51,719 Speaker 1: something together and it worked extremely well for Laura. It's 631 00:39:51,800 --> 00:39:54,719 Speaker 1: just UM, it's like a topical agent that you put 632 00:39:54,760 --> 00:39:56,919 Speaker 1: on your hands and feet and it releaves the pain, 633 00:39:57,040 --> 00:40:00,400 Speaker 1: helps the skin heal all of that. And you know, 634 00:40:00,440 --> 00:40:04,200 Speaker 1: we filed for a patent. We're looking at clinical trials. 635 00:40:04,719 --> 00:40:09,200 Speaker 1: So the company is called Saint James Therapeutics, and we 636 00:40:09,320 --> 00:40:13,479 Speaker 1: named it St. James because, uh, you know, seven months 637 00:40:13,520 --> 00:40:19,200 Speaker 1: after James was born. He actually stopped taking milk from 638 00:40:19,200 --> 00:40:22,400 Speaker 1: one side of the breast for Laura, and it was 639 00:40:22,480 --> 00:40:26,359 Speaker 1: really really odd because this guy was a chuggar. I mean, 640 00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:30,040 Speaker 1: he took down everything. And we went to O. B 641 00:40:30,200 --> 00:40:34,719 Speaker 1: g y N and the O B g N dismissed 642 00:40:34,719 --> 00:40:37,640 Speaker 1: it as a plug milk duck, which you know is common. 643 00:40:37,680 --> 00:40:41,239 Speaker 1: I mean, it happens. But it wasn't enough for us 644 00:40:41,280 --> 00:40:44,280 Speaker 1: to be convinced, and so we went to a hospital 645 00:40:45,000 --> 00:40:49,880 Speaker 1: Mami Graham biopsy and then quickly there was a cancer diagnosis. 646 00:40:49,920 --> 00:40:54,480 Speaker 1: So we attribute the fact that James identified it as 647 00:40:54,520 --> 00:40:58,440 Speaker 1: allowing us to have our best shot at beating cancer 648 00:40:58,480 --> 00:41:02,319 Speaker 1: and gave us essentially more time together. Oh I didn't 649 00:41:02,320 --> 00:41:06,520 Speaker 1: know that side of the story. Wow, Yeah, so James. Yeah. 650 00:41:06,520 --> 00:41:08,640 Speaker 1: So it's St. James Therapeutic, and the goal will be 651 00:41:08,760 --> 00:41:13,920 Speaker 1: to try to bring this topical agent to market and 652 00:41:14,239 --> 00:41:19,360 Speaker 1: try to find ways of you know, easing cancer patients journey. 653 00:41:19,400 --> 00:41:23,000 Speaker 1: We're not going to be heavy into you know, major 654 00:41:23,760 --> 00:41:27,160 Speaker 1: you know, you know, biologics and all of this, but 655 00:41:27,239 --> 00:41:31,320 Speaker 1: we're looking at very niche areas in which we can 656 00:41:31,400 --> 00:41:36,520 Speaker 1: improve their lives and make the cancer journey easier. Because 657 00:41:36,560 --> 00:41:39,600 Speaker 1: it's it's a real challenge and it effects too many. 658 00:41:39,640 --> 00:41:43,160 Speaker 1: Well that's awesome. Um, that's just like another reason that 659 00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:44,920 Speaker 1: maybe it was just destined for you to be on 660 00:41:44,960 --> 00:41:48,120 Speaker 1: the show, to have a platform to do that, to 661 00:41:48,440 --> 00:41:51,399 Speaker 1: you know, get it to go further. Yeah, I think 662 00:41:51,400 --> 00:41:54,200 Speaker 1: there could be some really amazing things. And you know, 663 00:41:54,239 --> 00:41:58,160 Speaker 1: the goal really is to make sure that as you know, 664 00:41:58,200 --> 00:42:01,600 Speaker 1: as we're developing this, that it's access possible to people 665 00:42:01,680 --> 00:42:05,560 Speaker 1: and it's not going to be expensive, and you know, 666 00:42:05,680 --> 00:42:08,759 Speaker 1: trying to be able to deliver it once you know 667 00:42:08,800 --> 00:42:11,560 Speaker 1: the results are in or anything like that, Um, at 668 00:42:11,600 --> 00:42:16,240 Speaker 1: an affordable price, because you shouldn't have to go broke 669 00:42:16,360 --> 00:42:20,560 Speaker 1: because you're sick. M Well, thanks Manum, we're gonna take 670 00:42:20,560 --> 00:42:22,080 Speaker 1: a break. When we come back, we're gonna close this 671 00:42:22,160 --> 00:42:25,960 Speaker 1: podcast out Michael with a really fund segment. Actually does 672 00:42:26,000 --> 00:42:28,840 Speaker 1: a incredible job at this. It always makes me giggle. 673 00:42:29,120 --> 00:42:33,239 Speaker 1: We'll be back with rapid Fire rounds with Ashley and 674 00:42:33,320 --> 00:42:47,799 Speaker 1: Michael after this break, all right, yeah, rapid firetime. All right. 675 00:42:48,000 --> 00:42:51,759 Speaker 1: So you made headlines a couple of months ago by 676 00:42:51,840 --> 00:42:55,160 Speaker 1: having an outing with Amanda Clutes, and we know that 677 00:42:55,160 --> 00:42:59,720 Speaker 1: you guys are supposedly just friends. So my first rapid 678 00:42:59,719 --> 00:43:05,360 Speaker 1: fire cushion is are you really just friends? Yes, we 679 00:43:05,440 --> 00:43:10,080 Speaker 1: are just friends. Uh. And Amanda actually reached out to 680 00:43:10,160 --> 00:43:12,440 Speaker 1: me when she saw me on the show, and I 681 00:43:12,480 --> 00:43:17,279 Speaker 1: had really no idea that she was from Akron. So 682 00:43:17,320 --> 00:43:20,719 Speaker 1: she's she's from she's from my hometown and everything's so, 683 00:43:21,520 --> 00:43:24,480 Speaker 1: you know, obviously we have a lot of similarities, unfortunately 684 00:43:24,520 --> 00:43:29,279 Speaker 1: with being you know, widowed and everything that's happened. But 685 00:43:29,560 --> 00:43:32,680 Speaker 1: we've it's been amazing to be able to you know, 686 00:43:33,719 --> 00:43:38,239 Speaker 1: discuss openly and honestly about our own experience and you know, 687 00:43:38,440 --> 00:43:42,080 Speaker 1: dating again and raising kids and you know, our hometown 688 00:43:42,239 --> 00:43:45,719 Speaker 1: and she's an amazing human being. Um. But for all 689 00:43:45,760 --> 00:43:48,759 Speaker 1: the people that are speculating, we are just friends and 690 00:43:48,840 --> 00:43:55,279 Speaker 1: she is amazing. So and you bonded over fried food? Yeah, 691 00:43:55,400 --> 00:43:58,560 Speaker 1: well what's your favorite fried food? Oh well, this is 692 00:43:58,640 --> 00:44:01,719 Speaker 1: kind of funny because you know, you would think, I mean, 693 00:44:01,719 --> 00:44:06,839 Speaker 1: Amanda is a significant star, right, but an Akron people 694 00:44:06,880 --> 00:44:10,640 Speaker 1: don't give a ship like we We we tried to 695 00:44:10,680 --> 00:44:15,040 Speaker 1: go to this um like nice place and they're like, 696 00:44:15,680 --> 00:44:17,640 Speaker 1: there's no room for you guys, Like, get on out 697 00:44:17,640 --> 00:44:19,279 Speaker 1: of here. So we got turned down by like two 698 00:44:19,360 --> 00:44:21,000 Speaker 1: places and we're like all right, let's go to the 699 00:44:21,040 --> 00:44:23,200 Speaker 1: spot and get some bright food. And we were gonna 700 00:44:23,200 --> 00:44:27,719 Speaker 1: go to a red robin, you know, let's just get 701 00:44:27,760 --> 00:44:31,040 Speaker 1: at it. Um. But it's like a good old Midwest 702 00:44:31,080 --> 00:44:35,560 Speaker 1: BOYD does go to the franchise restaurant. That's right, that's right. 703 00:44:35,680 --> 00:44:39,520 Speaker 1: I mean, my god, but but yeah, no, I mean 704 00:44:39,560 --> 00:44:41,879 Speaker 1: we had a great time, threw back some dreams, got 705 00:44:41,880 --> 00:44:44,759 Speaker 1: to catch up. I got to meet her parents, and 706 00:44:44,800 --> 00:44:49,440 Speaker 1: her sister met Elvis, who's the man like, they're just 707 00:44:49,640 --> 00:44:53,400 Speaker 1: they're good, good people. That's awesome. We're happy that you 708 00:44:53,400 --> 00:44:55,799 Speaker 1: guys have that connect well, not that you have the 709 00:44:55,880 --> 00:44:58,200 Speaker 1: connection that you do, but that you guys are able 710 00:44:58,280 --> 00:45:01,920 Speaker 1: to you know what I mean, you're you know, I 711 00:45:01,960 --> 00:45:06,960 Speaker 1: wouldn't even have thought about that. Dropped some self guilt 712 00:45:07,040 --> 00:45:13,840 Speaker 1: on yourself. Okay, who is your celebrity crash? We always 713 00:45:13,840 --> 00:45:16,279 Speaker 1: love this question because that way I'm able to deduct 714 00:45:16,360 --> 00:45:20,520 Speaker 1: who you might be into in paradise. I would I 715 00:45:20,600 --> 00:45:24,640 Speaker 1: actually have two. I love when people actually have an answer. Yeah, 716 00:45:24,760 --> 00:45:32,680 Speaker 1: I'd say Natalie Portman and Genemone already good good, um, 717 00:45:33,120 --> 00:45:36,040 Speaker 1: good crushes. You've got a type. You've got a type? 718 00:45:36,080 --> 00:45:43,799 Speaker 1: Man m hm, he likests, Yeah, I mean that's that's 719 00:45:43,920 --> 00:45:47,200 Speaker 1: historically the case, but I mean you have to think too. 720 00:45:47,719 --> 00:45:52,120 Speaker 1: Also with the same girl for sixteen years, so yeah, yeah, 721 00:45:52,719 --> 00:45:55,239 Speaker 1: all right, um, and then what's your favorite fast food 722 00:45:55,320 --> 00:45:59,479 Speaker 1: chain now that we brought up franchises, and what's your order? 723 00:46:01,040 --> 00:46:04,160 Speaker 1: I have some of my friends say I have a 724 00:46:04,160 --> 00:46:11,440 Speaker 1: serial killer orders, so it's so basic. I love like 725 00:46:11,600 --> 00:46:16,960 Speaker 1: three hard tacos supremes, which is you know they have it. 726 00:46:16,960 --> 00:46:19,560 Speaker 1: It's just delicious. And then I do like a nacho 727 00:46:19,680 --> 00:46:25,040 Speaker 1: which just like the chips and the weird cheese cub. Yeah. 728 00:46:25,080 --> 00:46:28,040 Speaker 1: I don't think that's that crazy. Well, people always get 729 00:46:28,120 --> 00:46:34,400 Speaker 1: like the extravagant you know, like chlopas and tacos within tacos, 730 00:46:34,440 --> 00:46:36,680 Speaker 1: and it's like, just give me a taco man. You 731 00:46:36,719 --> 00:46:39,759 Speaker 1: know hot. I need hot and fire sauce both at 732 00:46:39,800 --> 00:46:43,400 Speaker 1: the same time. All right, Well, Michael, it's been a 733 00:46:43,400 --> 00:46:46,080 Speaker 1: pleasure for having you. I would wish I could do 734 00:46:46,120 --> 00:46:48,080 Speaker 1: more rapid Fire and that we could talk more about 735 00:46:48,160 --> 00:46:51,680 Speaker 1: we have got to wrap. Um, hopefully we we'll see 736 00:46:51,719 --> 00:46:55,239 Speaker 1: you on our screen soon. I would really like guys 737 00:46:55,360 --> 00:46:59,040 Speaker 1: big time. Yeah, thanks for coming on, dude. It's always 738 00:46:59,040 --> 00:47:01,960 Speaker 1: a pleasure. And Michael follow our lead here. You're a 739 00:47:02,000 --> 00:47:05,080 Speaker 1: smart guy, you know a lot. I believe you're gonna 740 00:47:05,080 --> 00:47:07,560 Speaker 1: do this perfectly. With that, this has been an in 741 00:47:07,640 --> 00:47:12,520 Speaker 1: depth episode with one of all of our favorites, Michael. Ah. 742 00:47:12,760 --> 00:47:15,239 Speaker 1: Thank you for Michael for coming on. And with that, 743 00:47:15,320 --> 00:47:24,000 Speaker 1: I've been been, I've been Ashley and I've been Michael. Yeah, yes, alright, 744 00:47:24,120 --> 00:47:29,200 Speaker 1: see Michael, Thank you, see you guys. Thanks dude. Follow 745 00:47:29,280 --> 00:47:31,920 Speaker 1: the Benn and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast on I 746 00:47:32,080 --> 00:47:35,120 Speaker 1: Heart Radio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.