2025: The Iconic Highs and Lessons Learned | Golden Hour

Summary

Bachelor Happy Hour | “2025: The Iconic Highs and Lessons Learned”

Golden Hour Episode
Date: December 30, 2025
Hosts: Kathy & Susan

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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).

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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 |

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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)

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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.

Transcript

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[Susan]

Welcome back to Bachelor Happy Hours Golden Hour. Kathy and I are so excited to be back and we want to thank you for joining us.

[Kathy]

Oh, boy. Today, Susan, first of all, happy almost end of this year. Glad to see it go. But we're going to be doing a little 2025 reflection as we get for New Year's and I don't know what your plans are, but I'm about to ask you, so if you don't have any, make them up real quick. What are you doing for New Year's?

[Susan]

I'm going to continue traveling, that's for sure.

[Kathy]

Are you traveling?

[Susan]

Yes, actually, I will be in St. Martin and then in February, I'm flying St. Martin to California. And then you and I are going to join our friends, our Italian friends in California in February.

[Kathy]

So. So we can round your year out by lots of travel and especially for New year's Eve in St. Martin. Now, don't you want to ask me?

[Commercial Announcer]

Please?

[Susan]

I think you're coming with some of mine for New Year's.

[Kathy]

No. What am I doing for New Year's?

[Susan]

New Year's. What are you doing? Nothing. What? I guessed crickets. It's quiet.

[Kathy]

It's quiet. I'm going to, though. I just have to tell you, when my husband was alive, I loved New Year's Eve because now, see, I can get through without crying. He would open a really nice bottle of champagne and we would grill steaks. And I loved it. It was quiet. It wasn't, you know, we didn't get out on the road. We're all crazies. Yeah, crazies were. So now I do similar. I sit home and open a bottle of wine.

[Susan]

Okay. Do you watch it on tv? I love watching the ball drop in New York. No. Oh, I love all the.

[Kathy]

No, I can't say never. Sometimes I watch Ryan. Sometimes I do. I watch. Absolutely. I do sometimes watch it. But, Kathy, I wouldn't be in your time.

[Susan]

You and I might be hosting that one day. I think big.

[Kathy]

Okay. If you and I are hosting New Year's Eve in Times Square, I will be there. That I'll guarantee.

[Susan]

Okay.

[Kathy]

But I. I don't know. All right, so let's get started here. We've got a few questions. We're going to Talk about sort of our 2025. We're going to reflect back on the year and let me start, I'll answer. I'll ask the first question. We'll go from there. Okay.

[Susan]

Yes. Let's do it.

[Kathy]

All right. What word best describes 2025 for you and why?

[Susan]

The word is epic. It was an amazing year, met tons of new people. I, I was awarded an award for being an officiant of the year from.

[Kathy]

Yay, Susan, congrats.

[Susan]

Yes.

[Kathy]

It's been for all of you who don't know Susan, just recently. Oh, just a week or so ago, a couple weeks now, won an award for wedding officiant of the year. So we're all our hats are off to you. Congrats. It's really.

[Susan]

Thank you. Thank you. How about you, Kath?

[Kathy]

My word for the year is engaged. I thought I'd get a rise out of you. Not as in ring on my hand, engaged.

[Susan]

No, I got you.

[Kathy]

But engaged, I, you know, I said yes to many opportunities that came my way. I think for me, honestly, the biggest thing for me, and it's one of the other questions we're going to talk about, but let's mix it up and talk about it now. For me, one of the biggest, probably the biggest times, biggest point of reference for me in 2025 was being on paradise and, you know, and you probably can guess why. Do you want to hazard a guess or not?

[Susan]

Go ahead. Because it allowed me another experience.

[Kathy]

Well, it was, of course, all that and of course, working to getting to work with all the wonderful people and like you said, meeting so many fabulous people this year. But for me, being on Paradise, I didn't realize it till I got away and have really had time to reflect on it. It was a time where I could really just be me. I'm a fixer. I love children. I love young adults. I love being there for people. And I had a month of it where young people cared what I had to say and they liked spending time with me. It was just to me, yes, it was a month vacation, but it was just a month to really be myself. I loved it. What about you? What's the best thing for you in 2025?

[Susan]

I just said it. That was one of the major highlights, getting the award, accepting that award in Las Vegas at the Bellagio. And you know, I love playing dress up and all the people's opinions about my dresses, I love, I want to thank everybody for doing that. And then at the last minute, a designer sent me two dresses.

[Kathy]

Where's mine? By the way, when you get back with her escrow, mine is, I didn't get one.

[Susan]

She'd be happy to take care of you. All right. Another one says Kathy. What's one moment from this year you didn't realize would matter so much at the time?

[Kathy]

Well. So you're going to give me your answer. What's your answer?

[Susan]

I'm going to go with the same. I didn't think it would matter so much when I was nominated earlier this year. And it did really matter. It turned out to be something spectacular.

[Kathy]

Yeah. Yeah. You know, I think that's the lesson. We keep learning lessons. But I think for me, 2025 has shown me that we think we know what's going to happen. We think we know where we're going to be. It never seems to be that way. It's either. In my case. In my case, lots of surprises and lots of things that were better, you know, than I anticipated they would be. Better meaning more fun meeting lots of people, having incredible opportunities. You know, Another word I could use is grateful because I am so grateful. I'm not big on resolutions like.

[Susan]

Yes.

[Kathy]

You know, I try to be my best person every day.

[Susan]

Right.

[Kathy]

Okay. Who showed up for you in an unexpected way? I want to know. It better be me who showed up.

[Susan]

It's always you, Kathy.

[Kathy]

Thank you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Always.

[Susan]

Kathy's always there for me. But I. I have one that. What did 2025 ask of you that you weren't expecting?

[Kathy]

Well, you are.

[Susan]

We did this together.

[Kathy]

Oh, give me a hint. Give me more.

[Susan]

We were on abc. Pajama party.

[Kathy]

Oh. Oh. Can you know that actually is. I. That is actually a good answer because it was unexpected. Unexpected and so much fun. Even me falling in the bushes backwards.

[Susan]

Which no one see. I wish that was on film. I so wish it was on film.

[Kathy]

That was one of my. That was one of my episodes season.

[Susan]

Yeah. Being on Mel season was a surprise and we weren't expecting it.

[Kathy]

Yeah.

[Susan]

Is there something that you're proud of surviving this year, Kath?

[Kathy]

You know, I think like anyone, you know, you and I are human. We're, I think, just surviving. I survive. It's a strong word.

[Susan]

I mean, I know what mine is. It's the month of December.

[Kathy]

I gotta say, I have not been home one. I don't think maybe two nights this month. So I'm waiting. It's. This is survival of the fittest.

[Susan]

December should be renamed December.

[Kathy]

It is funny, but I have to tell you one of the things I was going to ask you, and since you know, you seem to know all the answers. I have an answer for this one. What is a simple pleasure that you rediscovered in 2025? Can I tell you what mine is? Because you're going to laugh.

[Susan]

Yes.

[Kathy]

So my son in law, Johnny, loves to play cards. I love to play cards. My husband hated games. Hated to play cards. I love them. My poor 7 year old granddaughter, I'm teaching her to play every last night I taught her how to play checkers. I swear the child has 102 fever and I'm saying, okay, Lynley, we're learning how to play checkers. She looked at me like, you know, and she learned. She's good. But I. The simple pleasures of spending family time. I know it sounds so. You know, people say it all the time. Spenny, you know, I'm so grateful for my family, but we went to the beach. You remember? I took my kids down to the beach and we played card games and board games at night. And that is like a lost art. It is a lost family time. And for me, that. That playing card, spending time with our kids around the table, you know, cheating at cards and not getting caught, it was so much fun. What about you?

[Susan]

I love games. I do. And the simple pleasure of playing golf that I got to rediscover this year.

[Kathy]

I'm sorry, not even golf. Wait, you said simple pleasure.

[Susan]

It's a simple pleasure only because I'm out all day and I don't receive phone calls because I turn it off. Just concentrate on the game.

[Kathy]

If you think golf is simple, it's gotta be.

[Susan]

Kathy. I suck at it, but who cares? I enjoy doing it.

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[Kathy]

Last week I went to our like final golf. I think I've played twice this year, but I went for the Christmas party and they do this like round robin gifts and I always give a nice gift because I don't want somebody's throwing away gift from last year. Right. So I like this year I gave a lovely box of scented soaps and a beautiful hand painted dish towel. Like things I wanted. So I bought it for somebody else. This year I lucked out. I got. Now it wasn't a dozen, but I got two sleeves of golf balls.

[Susan]

Oh, nice.

[Kathy]

New.

[Susan]

New. Not even you very nice. That was good. I went out and got my gift last night and I. I'm sorry, you.

[Kathy]

Went out and got your own peanuts.

[Susan]

And $50 worth of lottery tickets.

[Kathy]

Wait, that's not a white elephant.

[Susan]

Why it has to be for him.

[Kathy]

Or her, I don't know. I'm stuck on the $50.

[Susan]

That was our limit.

[Kathy]

Oh hell yeah.

[Susan]

I want to come for this particular one. I'm involved in a few of them actually.

[Kathy]

Listen, if you win, if the person.

[Susan]

Wins, you gotta have to share.

[Kathy]

That's right. The disclaimer goes. If you win anything more than $1,000, I get half. Okay, what. Let me ask you what did. Because we talk about communication so much and what it means to communicate Effectively, what did 2025 teach you about communication?

[Susan]

So for me, I always know that how important. Communication. That's what we stand for. But what it did teach me, the lack of communication could be detrimental.

[Kathy]

Oh, that sounds very heavy.

[Susan]

It is. Okay, well, when one says that they're communicators and they're not, and how do you make them realize that they're not? This is not communication. You need to talk.

[Kathy]

You know, Well, I think I was just going to say to you, some people communicate differently. And that's if 2025 taught me anything. As everyone knows or about to find out, I'm. I'm an interrupter. It's one of my resolutions that I never make that I'm making that I will interrupt less in 2025. Sorry, 2026. Which means I've got a few hours here to keep it. But I think that you know, for me, listening more is important, a part of communication as speaking your mind. But to your point, if you're listening more, the other person has to be able to speak his or her mind in a way that you under, that you know, that we understand. And I think that that is something that. I mean it. I just wish every year we got older, communication got easier, but it doesn't seem to.

[Susan]

No, it doesn't. It doesn't. I don't know what's one way you became a better partner or friend this year.

[Kathy]

Well, you're gonna take issue with this. I was hoping you wouldn't ask me this question, why, but. Because you're not gonna let me.

[Susan]

Because you're trying not to interrupt, you're trying not to tell me how to run my life.

[Kathy]

That's what I wrote for you, was exactly what I wrote, that I'm trying to listen more and give less advice unless someone's paying me for it, which you're not. But we could, we could change that rule too. Susan. I am, I, because I, I think sometimes, you know, I read some really good stuff on the Internet. You know, some, some, some of these people that have made careers out of writing books and writing spiritual and, you know, self help stuff on the Internet, Mel Robbins comes to mind. I mean, she's amazing. But one of the things that I am learning is that sometimes people just want you to listen.

[Susan]

They don't want your, your advice, they.

[Kathy]

Don'T want your advice. They want nothing. They just want to listen. And I'm a fixer, as we all know. I, that's why I love paradise so much. You know, when, when Bailey came to me and said, you know, such and such happened, I was like, sweetie, this is, you know, here's. Thank you, Kathy. I mean, it was so easy. She, you know, they asked me, I told them it was great, but a lot of times, especially as people get older, no, they just want a venture. So that's. How did you become.

[Susan]

How about the one that says, when did you feel most like yourself this year? I answer that every day.

[Kathy]

Every day.

[Susan]

Every day I feel like myself. Who else could I be?

[Kathy]

I pretty much, I mean, I, I, my answer would be paradise, because I just felt like that was a month of Kathy being herself on steroids. But, but I do, I, you and I are very similar that way. We are pretty much ourselves, I think. Do you think most people reflect on, I mean, besides most people getting hammered on New Year's Eve, do you think people reflect a lot on all year Long.

[Susan]

I do it now, like the Christmas season. The last two weeks.

[Kathy]

That's why you're baking while you're eating up the rest of your Christmas cookies.

[Susan]

No, I gotta start baking. God, tomorrow. I'm late. I was away a lot this month, so take that back. Sorry. So it's trying not to eat all the cookies that I baked.

[Kathy]

You know what? Give them away, Susan. It's the end of the year. Give them away.

[Susan]

I mean, it's the last day. Kathy.

[Kathy]

You know what? I cannot believe it's 2026. About to be. That means I gotta stop interrupting. So, wait, you're not making a resolution then, right?

[Susan]

Well, I don't really make resolutions, but I have things in my mind that I want to try to do better.

[Kathy]

Yeah, at.

[Susan]

Yeah, if you will.

[Kathy]

We all do. That's good. We're still trying to be better. All right, well, let's ask about our podcast, because, you know, we're coming up on. Can you believe two years? It's insane.

[Susan]

I love.

[Kathy]

I love it, too. How would you describe this podcast in one word?

[Susan]

Fulfilling.

[Kathy]

I had the same word.

[Susan]

Did you?

[Kathy]

I cannot. Okay, that's creepy. That's really. I mean, now my hair's getting as dark as yours. Now we're thinking the same. No, I did. Because I love doing it. We've talked about this. We love it. Hearing the people's. Our listeners, questions, their advice. Do you have a favorite episode?

[Susan]

You know what? I tried to think about that. There's so many different ones. Some that were so fun, but the ones that really connect with me is when we read those questions. And I feel for these people making their choices of whatever it was. Some of them are really emotional, and that stays with me, you know, But I don't know that I actually have a favorite.

[Kathy]

Yeah, I. I kind of feel the same way. I. I love it.

[Susan]

We do a lot of them, Kathy.

[Kathy]

Yeah, I know. I love it when you and I just jaw with each other. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I love it when we have guests because I love that we get to know more about them. They get to know about us. But I think the most surprising thing to me in general about this podcast, because really, this is just you and I. I mean, it feels. It's just you and I having a conversation. Right. But obviously, the hope is millions of people are downloading and listening, hopefully. But what I've realized is. And it's another cliche, words matter. Our words matter. People are genuinely asking. And that's. That is shocking on. On the one hand, but also There's a lot of responsibility. That along with that, to the, to the extent that people are really asking our opinion who are really hurting, you know, how can I make my life better? You two seem to have such a good friendship. I'm so lonely. How do. There's a lot of responsibility that goes into trying to answer with knowing that we're not therapists and we're not doctors and we, you know, we're not life. Just anything.

[Susan]

Life experience.

[Kathy]

Life experience. And so I feel a responsibility to really try to help people. And you and I've talked about this. When we're out together. How many especially it always happens in airports when we're together. People come up and they say we've changed their lives and that is the most fulfilling. That's why I wrote fulfilling.

[Susan]

Because remember the one time we almost cried.

[Kathy]

Yeah. People up insane how their lives are better. They've gotten up off the sofa. You know, I just. I love that.

[Susan]

So, okay, what did you learn about yourself as a host this year?

[Kathy]

Well, I think that's for me is what I just answered. That my words matter. That it's not just up here jawing, saying the first thing that comes to my mind, but trying to be really thoughtful about how I answer. What about you for me?

[Susan]

I really do have patience. I didn't think I had any. I think I have patience with.

[Kathy]

With what?

[Susan]

People with patience with. With our podcast.

[Kathy]

Oh, interesting. Okay, that's interesting.

[Susan]

So was there a conversation we had that stuck with you longer than you expected? I think that one goes back to yes. When we read things that are sad or we feel very heartfelt. You know, can I tell you the.

[Kathy]

One I. I'm, I'm. I'm throwing another question here. What is the biggest. What is the most disappointing conversation or call in or letter we've had? I got that answer. The guy from wherever he was, whatever state who said he really wanted to meet me. And I said never called and he never called. So thanks a lot, but glad, Glad we're wiping that one out of 2025. Wait, listen.

[Susan]

That listeners might not realize that goes into making this show.

[Kathy]

What do you think?

[Susan]

I say how it affects us, for one, listening to people, how we affect others, giving our advice.

[Kathy]

Yeah.

[Susan]

And our research and what we have to do to prepare for the show.

[Kathy]

Yeah. I think a lot of people think we just show up and start talking. And that's the goal, obviously, to make it look like it's just an easy conversation. But, you know, we try to research and know what we're talking about before we get on there.

[Susan]

And you know what else, Kathy, like we say all the time, keep your questions coming. If there's something that our listeners want to know about or want to hear about, let us know what that topic is and we will be on it. That's what we're here for.

[Kathy]

Yeah. And one thing I want to say which, you know, this is these are recorded. Sometimes they're recorded the day that you listen to them. Sometimes they're recorded a weekend. It just depends on our schedule. But. But we have producers. We have people who help make us look good. They help us with topics and guests. So, you know, if you think this is the Catholic show.

[Susan]

Yes.

[Kathy]

It's not. We have a lot of people in the background helping us. So always, you know, hats off to them. All right, Susan.

[Susan]

Yes.

[Kathy]

We have to predict what's going to happen in 2026. I mean, I want to talk about. I don't know if we can.

[Susan]

The cruise, Bachelor nation vacation.

[Kathy]

We're definitely doing that in November. I can't believe, you know, I used to think that was so far away. It's not really that far away. I wonder if we can talk because Taylor's is the go. Is the new Bachelorette and she. So do you predict she gets engaged?

[Susan]

I would think so.

[Kathy]

I think she will.

[Susan]

Yeah, I think so.

[Kathy]

I think she will. And I'm so envious that she got to do that. But I bet, you know, she's. She's had a colorful life, but I'm.

[Susan]

Excited for her season.

[Kathy]

I cannot wait to watch her show. I think it's gonna be one of the best Bachelor shows.

[Susan]

But.

[Kathy]

All right, so we. But we don't know that much about yet because, you know, it's not on yet. But here's some other predictions I have. I think Kelsey, didn't they say they were getting married in 2026? No, they're. I think so. No. 2027.

[Susan]

I remember them saying a date. I remember.

[Kathy]

Not a date. I think they said. Anyway, I'm predicting Kelsey and Joey will either get married in 2026 or they will announce a date. I think Charity and Daughton, same thing. They're either gonna get married.

[Susan]

I think they get married in 2016.

[Kathy]

I don't know.

[Susan]

The ones that shared. I believe.

[Kathy]

I'm just saying I think we're gonna have some great bachelor.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Kathy]

Weddings. I think we're gonna have some bachelor babies being born. Not by you and me, but I think some of those are coming. I don't know. I Think.

[Susan]

And some couples getting together from Bachelor that weren't the lead or the chosen one, you know, Others.

[Kathy]

Yeah, we got a few of those coming, too, I think. Yeah, we might have to get some of those on our show. All right, what do you. What do you want to bring more of into this show next year, our show.

[Susan]

More of. More of exciting things. Something.

[Kathy]

Because we're not talking about sex toys. We're not.

[Susan]

Oh, God. Sex toys? No. Fashion. I don't know. I'm up for anything.

[Kathy]

Yeah.

[Susan]

I want to know what our fans want, and if they give me a thing, we're gonna run with it.

[Kathy]

Yeah. I would like to know. I. Again, I think people who are golden. There's only so many topics in the world, but I think I would like to have as many guests as we've had. I'd like to. I would like to know how they're doing. I would like to know how some of the people from Bachelor Nation that have sort of disappeared, they've gone on with their lives. I want to know what they're doing.

[Susan]

What they're doing now.

[Kathy]

Yeah.

[Susan]

I mean, sometimes people that have been on the shows, as, you know, Kathy, that's what they did. They were on the show, and that was it. Other people have been on many, and like us, we're still in their face. People complain about it sometimes, like, why are you back? Because people enjoy this smile. Okay. They enjoy our banter. They enjoy hearing what we have to say.

[Kathy]

But I agree. But I also think. I think some people would be really interested. And I'm struggling to come up with names right now because I didn't plan for that. But, like, some of the people that were on the show, most people. Let me back up. Most people who come on the Bachelor or the Bachelorette, they. They're on tv, they do this dating thing. They put their lives out there, and then most everybody goes back to their life. They might change the career. I think more and more, you're seeing a lot more influencers coming out of this, because that's the way of the world. That's what's happening with social media, et cetera. But I. I gotta be honest. I. I can't even give a name, really. I'm interested in any Bachelor Nation person who. I spent the time watching their seasons. I was. You know, I wanted to know what they were doing. I was so wrapped up in their life on the show. And now where are they? What are they doing? Did they get married? Did they have kids? What job did they do? It's Like, I'm a voyeur. I just want to know what goes on in these people's lives or.

[Susan]

Kathy, aren't we excited and we're hopeful that maybe they come up with a new series with you and I. Susan, you. She's fans would love that. Cabbie.

[Kathy]

Relentless. Okay, so can you just. We've got about two minutes here. Susan, give me your pilot. What's the pilot look like for this show? Tell me.

[Susan]

You Golden Girls out in wild. No, just living life. Like what it's like. You remember the old show, the Golden Girls?

[Kathy]

I still watch it on reruns in the middle right when I can't sleep every.

[Susan]

I think we would be perfect for that.

[Kathy]

You know, I think people would be one of the things I think our audience would like to know. When you and I are out together, people come up and they're always so surprised that we're together. Like, oh, you two really are friends. I said, yeah, I hate her sometimes I want to kill her worse, like sisters. But yes, we are. And people are shocked that you and I travel, that we see each other, that we're friends quite a few times a year. Absolutely. Well. And then the other question they always ask us is, did you. How many takes did you, you know, to do those videos? Like we do our coffee talks and stuff? I love our coffee talks.

[Susan]

Gosh, please. It's just roll. That's us.

[Kathy]

I think we should do coffee talks here in 2026 and just see what I mean. Just see what.

[Susan]

And we really will have coffee. Some of our coffee talks as they noticed there was no coffee.

[Kathy]

Wait a minute. If we do coffee talks in the afternoon, can it be wine talk? Kathy W H I N e Kathy W H I N e Drinking W I N E.

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[Susan]

Can you recall a favorite episode that we recorded this year?

[Kathy]

Gosh, I have one.

[Susan]

Oh, I have two. One of my favorites. Who was it that came on? Kathy. And we did nothing but laugh.

[Kathy]

Hakeem.

[Susan]

Well, always Hakeem. Yes. Some were too serious. Some were fun. We had a couple on.

[Kathy]

Oh, see, I. You, you are better than I. Because in the moment, I will tell you, in the moment, I. That's why I feel so fulfilled doing this. In the moment, I am loving. It doesn't matter who I'm interviewing. I love interviewing that person. To me, it's like a puzzle. I like seeing. It's not to air their dirty laundry. I just like, wait, am I going to get a little tidbit here that, you know, they haven't admitted up till now? Like, I like the. I like the challenge of doing that. But I don't know. I. I don't have a favorite.

[Susan]

I gotta go way back. Like when Jordan and Keith. Remember we did those.

[Kathy]

Charles L. Yeah, that. I mean, it was fun getting their takes on.

[Susan]

It was Ali Joe.

[Kathy]

Oh, Ali Joe. I love her, too. I don't know. I don't have a favorite. By the way, speaking of Ali Joe and predictions.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Kathy]

Ali Jo is dating. I don't know if you know the story, but they were supposed to be on paradise together and they weren't. Yada, yada. They left within 24 hours of each other, but they were coming to meet each other. Well, they're now dating. Seriously dating. And we talk, we text all the time. I believe that someone's going to get a ring on her hand this year.

[Susan]

Nice.

[Kathy]

I do.

[Susan]

There's a lot that came out from Paradise. A lot of relationships.

[Kathy]

Rub it in, Susan. Just rub it in.

[Susan]

Kathy. It wasn't for Golden. You know, you're just mommy there. It was good.

[Kathy]

I was a good mommy. Yeah. But no, there were a lot of relationships. And I just, I mean, and you and I have talked about this Bachelor is a great story. It's a great structure, but it does work. I. I mean, I. So my. I hope for 2026, starting with Frankie Taylor, Frankie Paul, starting with her. I hope that she finds the love of her life. I'm telling you, I sit there so envious. I so wish it were me. I so wish that.

[Susan]

That we were 40 years younger and just.

[Kathy]

No, no, no, no. I don't want to be. I love the age I am. I just wish that I had a guy that loved me and was going to put a ring on my end in 2026.

[Susan]

Yeah, right, right.

[Kathy]

I don't know.

[Susan]

Do you have. How do you hope listeners feel when they tune in next year? What do you think? How would you want them to feel?

[Kathy]

That's so easy for me. I want them to laugh. I want them to feel like it was time well spent, whether they're driving in the car, out walking or sitting, knitting or baking cakes.

[Susan]

You know, whatever the hell were these two to this week that we bring.

[Kathy]

Because, you know, there's a lot of sadness in the world. There's a lot of troubles in the world. If we could just make someone laugh and enjoy the day a little bit. Wait, I have to say, one other guy, one other episode I loved. It just came to me. Jared Freed, speaking about. I would be a cougar for him. I think he.

[Susan]

You guys would be great together to bounce off.

[Kathy]

I love him. I don't think he's ever going to settle down. He says he is. I said when? When you're in a wheelchair.

[Susan]

I know. He keeps saying he wants to. How about. Remember Mark Anderson? We thought he was going to be the next goal.

[Kathy]

Other prediction? Yeah, you think? I bet he gets engaged.

[Susan]

Yeah. Yeah, I totally think that.

[Kathy]

Oh, now that would be interesting. If he gets engaged.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Kathy]

To Barbara. What about Joey and Kelsey? Would they have a double wedding? Oh, that bachelor.

[Susan]

And we've had Leslie. Our little Leslie.

[Kathy]

Our little sweet Leslie, who I adore. I don't know. I just. All of them. I liked when we had Jill on because, you know, she's from. Jill is funny. I had fun with her. Yeah, she's cool, but she's. She's one of these people. You don't know what box you're gonna get when you open it up. With Jill, like, she'll never know. Yeah, she can be very funny. She can be. She's an interesting person.

[Susan]

And Joe and Sam. I had such a crush.

[Kathy]

No, no, I just told you. That's gonna be a ring. That's. You can't have a crush on. Somebody's gonna engage. Susan.

[Susan]

He's so cute. They're both so cute. In my Hakeem, always.

[Kathy]

You know what Can I tell you the worst podcast we had in 2025. I don't. Or I think it was Hakeem. For me. I could have been. I could have been out picking daisies on the side of the highway. I mean, you two were carrying on like there was no tomorrow. I was like, seriously, do I even need to be here?

[Susan]

Like, this happens with us. I don't know why. It just absolutely does happen.

[Kathy]

Fun.

[Susan]

And we did Gary and his new significant other.

[Kathy]

Can you say her name?

[Susan]

Beyonce.

[Kathy]

Can you say her name?

[Susan]

Say it your way. I say it mine.

[Kathy]

Okay, I'm gonna start calling you Susie, then. It's Lana. Like lantana.

[Susan]

She's adorable, though. I can't wait to see what happens there.

[Kathy]

She's too young, though.

[Susan]

She's not. Age is the number. All my listeners. Is age just a number or.

[Kathy]

Yeah, we're gonna do a podcast on that. Because I've given that a lot of thought. Susan in 2026, speaking of it just being a number. We are going to do.

[Susan]

I promise. 69 in 2026.

[Kathy]

Yeah. And guess what's after 69?

[Susan]

I don't want to know.

[Kathy]

Then you're gonna do the same.

[Susan]

I can't count that high.

[Kathy]

You know what? I gotta be honest with you. Just like I have to before we wrap up here, just like 20. You know, the change of the year to me never matters. Like, it's another year. Time is just. And time is a number. Age is a number, all those things. That's why I never make resolutions. Because, you know, it's like working out. How many people say, I'm gonna wait. I'm gonna start exercising.

[Susan]

I know. I said every day.

[Kathy]

I'm gonna get the gym in January. And you know what? Speaking of, I go to the gym, as, you know, two or three times a week. I hate the gym in January because all. And they all fall off. By February, the place is back to normal again. Thank God. Anyway, that's my psa. Get to the gym now. Don't wait till January.

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[Susan]

I'm always the girl that gives something up for Lent. Not New Year's resolution.

[Kathy]

Yeah, well, listen, it is New Year's. It is. We're about to be there. I want to wish everyone Happy New Year to you, Susan. I wish you a year of happiness, love, prosperity, and good health. And the same to all of our.

[Susan]

Listeners, every one of you. Happy New Year, Healthy New Year, and we're gonna be here for you.

[Kathy]

Yeah. And we will see. You see, as I love to say to people on the Last day of 2025, see you next year.

[Susan]

Next year.

[Kathy]

All right, well, thanks so much for listening today. Be sure to follow Bachelor Happy Hour because we have new episodes coming out every week and you don't want to miss one. That should be your New year's resolution in 2026. Listeners, do not miss one of Kathy.

[Susan]

And Susan's podcast and give us your thoughts on what you want to talk about because we're here for it. Listen to Bachelor Happy Hours golden hour on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to your podcast. We'll see you next year.

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[Kathy]

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[Kathy]

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[Susan]

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