Bachelor Happy Hour | “2025: The Iconic Highs and Lessons Learned”
Golden Hour Episode
Date: December 30, 2025
Hosts: Kathy & Susan
Overview: Reflecting on an Epic Year and Looking Forward
In this special year-end “Golden Hour” episode of Bachelor Happy Hour, hosts Kathy and Susan reflect on 2025, celebrating their personal and professional milestones, favorite moments from the podcast, and unexpected life lessons. With playful banter and heartfelt honesty, they discuss everything from New Year’s plans to communication tips, hopes for Bachelor Nation couples, and what they want to deliver for listeners in 2026. This episode is a warm, friendly, and often witty review of a remarkable year—both for the hosts and their beloved audience.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. New Year’s Eve Traditions & Travel Plans
- Susan: Spending New Year’s in St. Martin, with more travel to California and meeting friends in February (03:40).
- Kathy: Prefers a quiet evening at home, sharing nostalgia about her late husband and their New Year’s rituals (04:17).
- Memorable moment: “When my husband was alive, I loved New Year’s Eve… It was quiet. It wasn’t, you know, we didn’t get out on the road. We’re all crazies.” – Kathy (04:17)
2. 2025 Reflections: Achievements, Surprises, and Lessons
Word of the Year:
- Susan: Epic – Awarded “Wedding Officiant of the Year” and met new people (05:33)
- “I was awarded an award for being an officiant of the year…” – Susan (05:33)
- Kathy: Engaged (not in the romantic sense)—being open to new experiences, especially Bachelor in Paradise (06:04)
- “I said yes to many opportunities… being on Paradise… it was a time where I could really just be me.” – Kathy (06:13, 06:47)
Unexpectedly Important Moments
- Susan: The nomination for her officiant award, which grew in significance over time (08:04)
- Kathy: Emphasizes surprises and gratitude: “Lots of things were better than I anticipated… Another word I could use is grateful.” (08:14)
3. Support Systems & Unexpected Challenges
- Who Showed Up?
- Susan immediately credits Kathy as her constant support. (09:03)
- Unexpected Challenges:
- Kathy and Susan: Participating in a surprise ABC pajama party segment, leading to funny mishaps like Kathy falling into bushes (09:29)
4. Surviving the Holidays & Simple Pleasures
- December as a Survival Test: Both remark on the chaos of December’s social calendar (10:15).
- “December should be renamed December.” – Susan (10:21)
- Rediscovering Simple Pleasures:
- Kathy: Card and board games with family—a lost art. Teaching her granddaughter checkers, even with a fever! (10:41)
- Susan: Golf—valued for the uninterrupted time and focus (11:35)
- “Simple pleasure only because I’m out all day and I don’t receive phone calls.” – Susan (11:45)
5. Gifts, White Elephants & Celebrating with Friends
- Kathy: Shares a golf party gift exchange story (16:16)
- Susan: Buys $50 worth of lottery tickets for a white elephant (16:54)
- “If you win anything more than $1,000, I get half.” – Kathy (17:16)
6. Lessons in Communication and Personal Growth
- Susan: Realized the lack of communication can be especially harmful—even for self-identified communicators (17:37).
- “When one says they’re communicators and they’re not… This is not communication. You need to talk.” – Susan (17:49)
- Kathy: Admits to being an “interrupter” and vows to listen more in 2026 (18:02)
- “Listening more is as important a part of communication as speaking your mind.” – Kathy (18:02)
- Giving Advice: Sometimes people just need to vent, not receive solutions (19:58)
7. Being Authentic: When Did You Feel Most Yourself?
- Susan: Feels like herself every day (20:25)
- Kathy: “Paradise was a month of Kathy being herself on steroids.” (20:34)
8. Podcast Reflections: Highlights, Responsibilities, and Audience Impact
- One Word for the Podcast?
- Both choose “Fulfilling.” (22:02)
- Favorite Episodes & Memorable Guests
- Both hosts have trouble picking favorites, but cherish episodes that respond to heartfelt listener questions (22:29)
- Airport encounters with fans who credit them for helping change their lives (24:03)
- “People come up and they say we've changed their lives… That is the most fulfilling.” – Kathy (24:03)
- Behind the Scenes: The show’s apparent ease belies serious preparation and teamwork (26:09).
9. Looking Ahead: Predictions & Podcast Wishes for 2026
- Bachelor Nation Forecasts:
- Kathy & Susan: Expect engagements and weddings—Taylor as the new Bachelorette, predictions for Kelsey & Joey, Charity & Daughton, plus new relationships and “bachelor babies” (27:54–29:10)
- Podcast Goals:
- More guest updates, explore what past cast members are doing, and respond to fans’ suggestions (29:22–30:37)
- Ongoing interest in expanding the community aspect, hearing untold stories, and possible new series ideas (31:46)
- Lighthearted suggestion: “We would be perfect for [a Golden Girls-style show].” – Susan (32:15)
10. Listener Connection: The Heart of Their Work
- Desired Impact: Want listeners to laugh, feel their time is well spent, and find moments of joy (40:26)
- “If we could just make someone laugh and enjoy the day a little bit…” – Kathy (40:43)
- Recalling More Favorite Guests and Moments: Hakeem, Ali Jo, Mark Anderson, Leslie, Jill, Joe & Sam, Jared Freed, and emotional or funny stories from past episodes (37:43–42:08)
- Fun Predictions and Hopes For Romance: Engagements and blossoming relationships among cast and guests (39:01–41:16)
- Age & Resolutions: Poking fun at age as “just a number,” New Year’s resolutions, and the seasonal gym rush (43:03–44:02)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I loved [Bachelor in] Paradise… It was just a month to really be myself.” – Kathy (06:47)
- “If you win anything more than $1,000, I get half.” – Kathy to Susan about lottery ticket gifts (17:16)
- “When one says they’re communicators and they’re not… This is not communication.” – Susan (17:49)
- “Listening more is as important a part of communication as speaking your mind.” – Kathy (18:02)
- “Fulfilling.” – Both hosts on what the podcast means to them (22:02)
- “People come up… and say we've changed their lives, and that is the most fulfilling.” – Kathy (24:03)
- “We would be perfect for [Golden Girls].” – Susan (32:15)
- “If we could just make someone laugh and enjoy the day a little bit…” – Kathy (40:43)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------| | 03:15 | Welcome & New Year’s plans | | 05:25 | 2025 in one word & key achievements | | 07:26 | Highlights and surprises of the year | | 09:03 | Support systems and unexpected moments | | 10:15 | Surviving the holiday season | | 10:41 | Rediscovered simple pleasures | | 13:00 | White elephant gift exchanges | | 17:37 | Lessons in communication | | 18:56 | Becoming a better friend or partner | | 20:25 | Moments of authenticity | | 22:02 | Podcast in one word: “Fulfilling” | | 24:03 | Impact of podcast on listeners | | 26:09 | Behind the scenes of podcasting | | 27:54 | Bachelor Nation predictions for 2026 | | 29:22 | Podcast goals & audience interaction | | 31:46 | Interest in Golden Girls-style show | | 40:26 | Hopes for listener takeaway in 2026 | | 41:56 | Playful banter on age and New Year’s resolutions |
Closing Thoughts
- Kathy and Susan wrap up by wishing their audience a happy and healthy New Year, expressing gratitude, and encouraging continued engagement and suggestions from listeners (44:22–44:50).
- “Happy New Year, Healthy New Year, and we’re gonna be here for you.” – Susan (44:22)
- Signature sign-off: “See you next year!” – Kathy (44:35)
For Bachelor Nation fans and podcast newcomers alike, this episode sparkles with warmth, humor, and genuine insight into the highs, lows, and everyday joys of friendship, community, and shared journeys.