Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour

Episode: "Menopause, Microtrends, and Technology’s Grip on Us"
Air Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Susan & Kathy (special “Golden Hour” edition)

Episode Overview

This episode of Bachelor Happy Hour’s “Golden Hour” takes a lively, candid look at some of the hottest—and most relatable—topics for women in their sixties (and beyond): How technology is reshaping relationships and childhood, what’s real vs. fleeting in the world of fashion (“microtrends”), the truths and myths of menopause, and deep reflections on dating, marriage, and self-care. Susan and Kathy trade honest stories, playful banter, and open up about changing values, social media, and the things they’re officially leaving behind or bringing more of in 2026.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Fast Pace of Time & Aging

• The hosts compare the speed of time as you age, and poke fun at their upcoming birthdays.
• Notable moment:
  • Susan: “It races to my birthday and then it slows. It’s the big one coming, Kathy. The 69. That is huge.” (03:51)
  • Kathy: “We’re going to be in Europe somewhere, I hope. Filming something.” (04:21)

2. Why Is Dating So Hard Right Now? (04:44–06:13)

• Susan’s view:
  “They’re swiping left, they’re swiping right, and everybody thinks there’s something better.” (04:51)
  She admits to falling into the swipe culture herself when she was on dating apps, always looking for something better.
• Both reflect on the endless choices technology provides, and how it’s replaced traditional setups and in-person meetings.
  • Kathy: “People just don’t have or make the time as much, I think right now, to date.” (06:02)

3. Technology: The Paradigm Shift (06:13–10:23)

• Effects on Kids:
  Technology defines kids’ friendships and play—most connect online for everything.
  • Kathy: “Once we introduce technology, there’s no going back. There is a paradigm shift between what childhood was like for us and what childhood is like for kids now.” (07:49)
  • Kids rarely play outside; parents struggle to manage their children’s tech use and exposure.
• Social Media Pressure:
  Susan and Kathy discuss the curated nature of social media and its negative impacts, such as bullying and unrealistic life comparisons.
  • Kathy: “Only the good moments, right? … Kids look and they think they have a terrible life because they’re seeing these imaginary lives out there.” (09:39)

4. The Obsession with Skincare & Anti-Aging in Young Girls (10:23–12:58)

• Susan’s advice: Focus on teaching basic self-care (clean skin, sun protection), but laments how marketing targets very young girls.
  • Susan: “My granddaughter Bella, who was 13 years old, had a specific eye cream that she wanted for Christmas. I said, really?” (12:06)
• Kathy’s concern:
  “If a kid’s saying...my skin, look, it’s getting old, I need plastic surgery...kids go online… the marketing genius is unbelievable. But I don’t like that kids obsess over that. I really don’t.” (11:16, 12:21)

5. Microtrends vs. Timeless Style (13:18–16:11)

• Kathy shares her staples (navy blazer, cashmere sweater, trench coats): “They’re timeless.”
• Susan names microtrends as short-lived items like extreme crop tops or specific shoe styles.
• Both agree that women should wear what feels good, regardless of trends.
  • Kathy: “A micro trend is something that literally is in and goes.” (14:50)

Aging, Body Image, and Fashion Choices

• They recall an event where Susan wore leather hot pants—and the mixed reactions this drew.
  • Kathy: “For me, it’s about comfort… It has nothing to do with age.” (21:10)

6. Menopause—What No One Talks About (22:20–26:36)

• Women aren’t prepared: Both say there’s not enough discussion or preparation for menopause’s realities.
  • Kathy: “It’s like, you know that cliff is coming...and they don’t know what to do because nobody prepared them.” (23:11)
• Effects go beyond hot flashes, including emotional shifts and libido.
  • Susan: “It happens to your brain as well...there are things you can do… hormone replacement, but the way you think is not the way you used to think.” (24:10)
• Myth-busting: Not every woman has the same symptoms; some have none.
  • Kathy: “Menopause looks different for everybody…the more research you do…the better off you'll be.” (26:05)

7. Questions to Ask Before Marriage (26:37–32:07)

• Real-life example: Kathy shares advice for a friend's daughter debating commitment to her high school sweetheart.
  • Kathy: “There's no right or wrong answer…I would not advise anyone to date the same guy from 18 and marry him. But...sometimes God gives you what you need when you're really young.” (27:23)
• Important conversations before moving in: finances, children, career, division of labor.
• Susan: “Can you live with A, B and C that he does, or can he live with you and what you do? … The key—what you just said, the compromise part, because there is no perfect anybody.” (29:55, 30:48)
• On partnership vs. marriage: Both accept partnerships, especially without children, but Kathy feels if kids are involved, marriage is ideal.

8. Things Women Shouldn’t Tolerate in Relationships (35:43–38:13)

• Respect is non-negotiable:
  Susan: “I’m tired of seeing women put up with the way their spouse…talk to them.” (36:07)
• Diminishing dreams:
  Kathy: “I hate when I hear a woman say, ‘I gave up my dreams because my husband wanted this…’ Women give up their dreams sometimes too easily.” (36:43)
• They plan a future episode to further unpack this topic.

9. 2026 “Ins & Outs” List (38:14–51:31)

• A playful segment where the hosts share new year’s resolutions—what they intend to do more (‘ins’) and less (‘outs’) of, personally and in life.

Some ‘Ins’:

• More one-on-one dates on The Bachelor franchise (39:00)
• Self-care—including regular power walking (39:10)
• Writing and journaling (40:01)
• Speaking personal truth (41:00)
• In-person podcast interviews (41:37)
• Irish goodbyes at social events—leaving without long farewells (42:14)
• Trying new restaurants and writing reviews (43:08)
• Reading more physical books, not just on Kindle (43:33)
• Spending quality time with family and friends (44:32)

Some ‘Outs’:

• Telling others how to live their lives—let them live their drama (45:32)
• Worrying about hair and appearance (46:01)
• Overusing words like “tea” and “like” (46:08)
• Impulse online shopping (47:04)
• Taking online criticism personally (47:04)
• Overpriced coffee and tipping where service wasn’t performed (47:13)
• Vegan/fake leather (“It’s plastic; leather is leather.” – Susan, 48:04)
• Less than 8 hours of sleep, people-pleasing, trying to do it all, uncomfortable shoes (48:11, 50:32)
• Spending too much time on social media—intentional, in-the-moment living (49:38)
• Rompers, especially because bathroom breaks are difficult (“You can’t pee in them. It’s too hard.“ – Kathy, 50:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There is a paradigm shift between what childhood was like for us and what childhood is like for kids now.” — Kathy (07:49)
• “Why do you think dating is so hard for everyone right now?” — Kathy (04:45)
• “They’re swiping left, they’re swiping right, and everybody thinks there’s something better.” — Susan (04:51)
• “Only the good moments, right?...Kids look and think they have a terrible life because they’re seeing these imaginary lives.” — Kathy (09:39)
• “I don’t like that kids obsess over that [anti-aging]. I really don’t.” — Kathy (12:21)
• “Classic...timeless. …A good navy blue blazer with gold buttons.” — Kathy (14:01)
• “For me, it’s about comfort… It has nothing to do with age.” — Kathy, on fashion choices (21:10)
• “It’s like, you know that cliff [menopause] is coming...and they don’t know what to do because nobody prepared them.” — Kathy (23:11)
• “You have to ask yourself: Am I better off with this person? Does he enrich my life or not?” — Kathy (30:53)
• “I’m tired of seeing women put up with the way their spouse…talk to them.” — Susan (36:07)
• “Women give up their dreams sometimes too easily.” — Kathy (36:43)
• “If they want to live drama, let them live the drama. I’m going to get out my box of popcorn and just watch…” — Kathy, on her new ‘out’ for the year (45:32)
• “Vegan leather. Okay? What are you gonna do, kill animals?...It’s plastic. Leather is leather.” — Susan (47:58–48:11)
• “Short rompers…are out for me because should I decide to wear a short romper...You can’t pee in them. It’s too hard.” — Kathy (50:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:55 – Show starts, Susan & Kathy banter
• 04:45 – Why is dating so hard?
• 06:13 – Technology’s effects on relationships, parenting, and childhood
• 10:23 – Young girls’ skincare/anti-aging obsession debate
• 13:18 – Microtrends vs. timeless style, and fashion at any age
• 22:20 – Unspoken realities and myths of menopause
• 26:37 – Questions before marriage/cohabitation; the importance of life conversations
• 35:43 – What women shouldn't tolerate in relationships
• 38:14 – “Ins & Outs for 2026” begins (playful, personal resolutions)
• 45:30 – ‘Outs’ for 2026
• 51:31 – Friendship as the ultimate ‘in’

Episode Tone

• Candid and playful, with plenty of back-and-forth teasing and humor.
• Supportive—hosts share personal stories and advice meant to empower listeners.
• Relatable—topics are everyday concerns for women at midlife and beyond, delivered with warmth and wit.
• Encouraging—the hosts advocate for self-care, boundaries, and honoring one’s truth, while inviting listeners to join in the conversation.

For Listeners:

You don’t need to be a diehard Bachelor fan to appreciate the insights in this episode—a must-listen for anyone navigating the changing tides of aging, relationships, fashion, and digital life. Expect a frank, heartfelt, and often funny discussion that’ll leave you feeling seen.

Send your stories, ins & outs, and questions to bachernation.com/goldenhour to join the conversation!