Bachelor Happy Hour | Golden Hour

Episode: Nothing Is Better Than Something
Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Kathy & Susan

Episode Overview

In this episode of the official “Bachelor Nation” podcast’s “Golden Hour,” hosts Kathy and Susan tackle a topic close to many hearts: why women stay in unsatisfying or “terrible” relationships, the shifts in expectations across generations, and how self-esteem and confidence play essential roles in dating decisions. With their signature witty rapport, the pair candidly dissect listener-submitted dilemmas—from awkward breakups to friend drama and “revenge” antics—underscoring lessons about self-worth and personal boundaries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. Catching Up and Ice-Breaker Stories

[03:29–06:25]

• The episode opens with light banter about winter weather and Kathy’s celebrity moment in Palm Springs, where she accidentally skipped out on a restaurant check after staff fawned over her.
  • Kathy: “They’re sending over free appetizers, free dessert, asking for pictures... We get to the car, and I said, ‘Well, thank you so much for dinner’. And he goes, ‘You didn’t pay. I didn’t pay’. We were dying laughing the whole way.” (05:38)

II. Why Do Women Put Up with “Terrible” Male Partners?

[06:25–13:03]

• Generational Shifts:

  • “Women put up with a lot…as we age, we put up with less. Not just with men—with anybody, really.” (Susan, 06:47–07:08)
  • Discussion about parental roles in previous generations versus today; more equitable splits in household labor and expectations.
  • Susan shares her son’s example of doing his own laundry, noting progress in gender roles.

• Confidence and Fear of Loneliness:

  • Kathy argues, “I think women put up with terrible male partners in relationships because they’re afraid that’s all they can get. They don’t have the confidence.” (08:48–09:09)
  • Both note that many women feel “something is better than nothing,” accepting subpar treatment out of fear of being alone.

• What Defines a “Terrible” Partner?

  • Ranges from disrespect to lack of contribution in daily life, to outright abuse—though both agree abuse is utterly intolerable.
  • Kathy describes a past scenario: a man earning much more than his partner but expecting her to split expenses equally. She calls that a “terrible” partner.

• Modern Dating and Self-Respect:

  • Kathy: “I would rather be alone than have a terrible partner.” (09:23)
  • Susan: “A man that is not polite or is rude to anybody…that’s just—I would never tolerate it.” (12:12)

III. Listener Questions: “Fan Mail”

[17:42–32:04]

1. Dilemma: Should I have told my friend to dump her boyfriend?

[17:49–24:15]

• Listener’s best friend finds her boyfriend using ChatGPT to search “how to break up with your long-term girlfriend”—yet stays with him.
• Listener (Anonymous) told her to dump him; now friend is “icing” her out.
• Susan is baffled: “What is wrong with that girl that she’s not gonna bring it up?” (19:27)
• Kathy reflects on the hard lesson: “I don’t give you my opinion unless you ask…In 2026 I’m going to go, ‘Oh, that really sucks.’ …But I’m not going to say to you, ‘dump his ass.’ Old Kathy would have.” (20:14–20:49)
• BOTH agree the friend is staying because “something is better than nothing,” circling back to the main theme.
• Advice: Apologize for giving unsolicited advice and offer support. Accept that the friend isn’t ready to act.
  • “Tell her you love her, you’re her friend, and you’re here to listen.” (Susan, 23:27)

2. Breakup Revenge: Clothes on Fire

[24:16–32:04]

• Listener breaks up with boyfriend after discovering continued cheating; after helping him with legal trouble (including bail and lawyering), she burns his clothes in a fountain, cancels his lawyer, and tells his parents.
• Kathy and Susan split on their verdicts:
  • Kathy: “Grow up. You went so far over the cliff, Anonymous, that you’re going to be hang-gliding for 20 hours to get to ground.” (30:02)
  • Susan: “I think it’s funny…A woman scorned, man. Don’t cheat on me, asshole. After all the things I did for you…Bravo.” (29:19–29:21)
• Debate whether “breakup revenge” is ever justified.
  • Kathy: “Breakup revenge should not even be a thing.”
  • Susan (humorously): “I definitely would’ve coaxed that text that was coming in, said, ‘Come now, sweetheart.’ And we’d both be sitting there when he walked in.”

IV. Rapid Fire Advice: Relationship Scenarios

[36:59–48:06]

A series of mini-advice prompts—all centering around personal boundaries, modern dating behaviors, and respecting oneself:

• Screenshots of Friends on Phone:
  • Kathy: “If you see on [your partner’s] phone a bunch of pictures of some other girl…that’s a little weird.” (38:19)
• Venmoing an Ex for Coffee:
  • Kathy: “Lose the guy.”
  • Susan: “It’s weird. Just offload him.”
• Partner Doesn’t Believe in Relationship Labels after 6 Months:
  • “If you don’t want a label, don’t put a label on it. I don’t care.” (Kathy, 40:00)
• Liking Old Bikini Pics at 2am:
  • Kathy: “Why are you checking his phone? You don’t trust him.” (40:30)
• Hidden Folders with “Receipts”:
  • Both: “Get off his phone and dump him to the curb.” (42:36)
• Introduced as “My Friend” After Dating:
  • Susan: “Well, they are friends… I’ve said that and I’ve been called on it too.” (43:26)
• Partner Claims Privacy But Posts Everything Else:
  • “There’s a reason they’re hiding you.” (Kathy, 44:22)
• Deleting Texts as You Walk In:
  • Susan: “No, they’re not deleted. They’re there for 30 days. Go look.” (45:15)
  • Kathy: “If your partner is cheating, you’ll find out…Not everything is cheating.” (45:24)
• Partner Follows 300+ “Thirst Traps,” Never Compliments Partner:
  • Kathy: “Show him the door.” (47:05)
  • Susan: “Maybe that’s just what turns him on. But if he’s never complimenting you, there’s a bigger issue.”
• Moving in without Ever Arguing:
  • Kathy: “Move in. You’re going to have your first argument very soon.” (48:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “As we age, we put up with less.” — Susan (07:05)
• “I think women put up with terrible male partners… because they’re afraid that’s all they can get.” — Kathy (09:09)
• “I would rather be alone than have a terrible partner.” — Kathy (09:23)
• “Tell her you love her, you’re her friend, and you’re here to listen.” — Susan, on friendship advice (23:27)
• “Grow up. You went so far over the cliff, Anonymous, that you’re going to be hang-gliding for 20 hours to get to ground.” — Kathy (30:02)
• “A woman scorned, man. Don’t cheat on me, asshole.” — Susan (29:21)
• “These women do not trust themselves. They don’t have enough self-confidence… They post bail, get lawyers, try to fix things… Women need to stop being fixers.” — Kathy (48:30)
• “You are worth more. If you believe you’re worth more, you have to take action.” — Kathy (49:05–49:10)
• “I’m now depressed because I’m never going to have a date ever again.” — Kathy, laughing at her high standards (49:19)

Tone & Closing Thoughts

• The conversation is candid and energetic, laced with humor but grounded in practical, hard-earned wisdom.
• Kathy often takes a tough-love, “you deserve better” stance while Susan offers a blend of pragmatism and supportive zaniness (especially on the breakup revenge story).
• Emphasis throughout is on self-respect, self-sufficiency, and breaking the habit of accepting less than one deserves.
• Listeners are encouraged to send in their own stories and recognize that, on this show, there’s room for more than one perspective—even if it leads to spirited disagreement.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Icebreaker & Palm Springs Story: [03:29–06:25]
• Main Topic—Why Do Women Put Up with “Terrible” Partners?: [06:25–13:03]
• Listener Dilemmas:
  • ChatGPT Breakup Scenario: [17:49–24:15]
  • Burning Clothes Revenge: [24:16–32:04]
• Rapid Fire Advice: [36:59–48:06]
• Summation & Self-Esteem Message: [48:27–49:25]

For listeners:
If you’re grappling with relationship red flags, friend drama, or your own self-worth, there’s honest solidarity (and plenty of laughs) to be found in this Golden Hour. As Kathy says: “Take responsibility for yourself and your own happiness—and don’t deny yourself.”