Rachel Lindsay Returns to ‘Happy Hour’ — Part 1

Summary

Bachelor Happy Hour: Rachel Lindsay Returns to 'Happy Hour' — Part 1

Release Date: March 3, 2026
Hosts: Charity Lawson & Rachel Recchia
Guest: Rachel Lindsay

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Episode Overview

This lively episode marks Rachel Lindsay’s much-anticipated return to "Bachelor Happy Hour," joining hosts Charity Lawson and Rachel Recchia for a candid and revealing conversation. The trio reflects on Lindsay's foundational role in the podcast, analyzes the franchise's current direction with a new, unconventional Bachelorette (Taylor), and delves deeply into the struggles—personal, professional, and societal—faced by leads both on and off camera. Rachel also speaks candidly about her own journey, the pressures of being the first Black Bachelorette, and the dissolution of her widely publicized marriage.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Rachel’s Return and Legacy

• Podcast Homecoming: Rachel Lindsay reflects warmly on returning to the podcast she helped launch and witnessing its growth under the current hosts.
  • Quote: “It actually really is. I mean, people are gonna doubt that when I say that... it's been five years.” (03:44, Rachel Lindsay)
  • She jokes about almost wanting to "come back permanently," but also admits she quickly took it back. (03:53)
• Podcast Beginnings: Both Rachel and the hosts discuss the vulnerability and learning curve that came with their first podcast experiences.
  • “Podcasting is the most freeing thing that you can do. I always thought: just TV, that's it. Now I'm like: podcasting, that's where it's at.” (05:02, Rachel Lindsay)

The New Bachelorette: Taylor

• New Direction for the Franchise: Much of the conversation centers on the casting of Taylor as Bachelorette, someone who hasn't been through the show as a contestant—a radical departure from tradition.
  • “It just feels like we’re turning over a new leaf... with who’s the new lead and everything.” (06:41, Rachel Lindsay)
• Business vs. Audience Needs: Rachel argues the decision “makes all the sense in the world” for business reasons, even if it might alienate longtime viewers. (07:20)
• Taylor’s Potential Struggles: The group predicts Taylor will face unique challenges due to her lack of franchise experience and the deep scrutiny typical of Bachelor Nation fans.
  • “She will struggle, which is why I think it's cool that we were able to talk to her... This is a totally different world. It’s one thing to be yourself in your city with your friends... This is a totally different beast.” (08:21, Rachel Lindsay)
  • Rachel looks forward to the “dramatics of her trying to figure it out in a new way.” (09:32)
• Audience Dynamics: There’s acknowledgment of a possible split in the fanbase: veteran viewers want traditional romance and happy endings, while new viewers might relate more to Taylor’s “messier” and realistic narrative.
  • “The show has to step into 2026 and get out of that antiquated view of what the most eligible woman is supposed to be.” (12:00, Rachel Lindsay)
  • “Most women come in with a past of having hard relationships... I think that's actually kind of cool.” (12:46, Rachel Lindsay)

Expectations, Social Media, and Authenticity

• Navigating Reputation and Fame: Rachel and the hosts discuss the challenge for modern contestants: balancing genuine connection with awareness that the show is a pathway to a social media career.
  • “If a guy’s coming on for fame... If that's your intention, sure, you can find love. But I don't want that guy.” (22:19, Rachel Lindsay)
  • Charity notes the Bachelor franchise is less honest than others about contestants’ desires for both love and a social media platform. (23:18)
• Men as Content Creators: The cast expresses concern that Taylor’s suitors may be attracted more to potential online fame than to genuine partnership.
  • “Taylor, don’t date a content creator. I think you need somebody who doesn’t.” (24:39, Rachel Lindsay)
  • Rachel and the hosts humorously discuss the over-the-top production value on male contestants’ social media, reflecting broader shifts in how people “present” themselves compared to earlier years. (26:00–28:58)

Who Can Handle the Lead’s Success?

• Relationships After the Show: The conversation turns to the persistent power imbalance and friction when female leads achieve greater fame or success than their chosen partners.
  • “What I underestimated was that behind the scenes, he wanted that as well. He thought that my... success would trickle down to him.” (31:22, Rachel Lindsay)
  • “There is a difference between a person and a partner in a relationship. I am rooting for Taylor to find a partner.” (33:53, Rachel Lindsay)
• Career Red Flags: Rachel discusses, from her own experience, the red flag of a partner quitting their career post-show in pursuit of Bachelor-related fame. (35:01–35:10)

The Reality After the Cameras

• The Real Relationship Test: The hosts emphasize that true relationship challenges only emerge after the post-show frenzy ends.
  • “For me... we weren't living a real life. It really starts when you're waking up, going to your job, you're living a more normal life.” (42:08, Rachel Lindsay)
  • “When I really stepped away and we didn’t have the Bachelor, it was kind of like that was so much of our relationship.” (43:46, Rachel Lindsay)
• Having ‘Real’ Conversations: Rachel recalls how she used fantasy suite time to have important practical discussions (“politics, finance…”), and questions if Taylor will do the same.
  • “I think there'll be conversations about parenthood. But yeah… I don’t think politics are as important.” (44:44, Rachel Lindsay)
  • “For her, maybe it’s religion, maybe it’s... parenthood, moving to her city…” (45:33, Rachel Lindsay)
• Unpacking Settling and Societal Pressure: Rachel candidly explores the feelings that pushed her to choose and stay with a partner, partly out of societal expectation, and not wanting to “fail” in the public eye.
  • “Maybe he's not as ambitious as he advertised himself to be... But I felt like he was a good person... I don't want to go back out there again. And I just kind of settled and accepted some things.” (48:04, Rachel Lindsay)
  • “The bigger thing was people are going to say, 'She can't be loved.' And that's sad; men don't necessarily do that.” (53:31, Rachel Lindsay)

Divorce, Resentment, & Lessons Learned

• Divorce Details: Rachel discusses the highly publicized and personally painful dissolution of her marriage; her ex filed for divorce without directly telling her, and she learned specifics via the media.
  • “I read about my divorce in Page Six. I read about the details. I had no idea what he had filed for or anything…” (55:38, Rachel Lindsay)
  • “He didn’t serve me with papers. He texted me about it.” (56:33, Rachel Lindsay)
• Resentment Dynamics: Both Rachel and her former partner harbored resentment, but neither communicated these feelings until they became inescapable.
  • “He wasn't talking to me about what he was resenting me for, but it definitely was there because all of that came out with the way our divorce went down.” (55:38, Rachel Lindsay)
• Responsibility and Moving Forward: Rachel accepts responsibility for settling and shares her commitment to writing openly about her experience—so that other women can reflect on societal and self-imposed pressures when it comes to love and relationships.
  • “All that to say I kept falling back on: he’s a good person... I was lying to myself a little bit. But yes, I felt pressure that I was letting people down, but I also did not want to fail.” (53:31, Rachel Lindsay)
  • “It’s just part of the patriarchy and what it tells us our role are as women in society... I felt like at that age I needed to have them.” (54:55, Rachel Lindsay)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On podcasting’s freedom:
  “Podcasting is the most freeing thing you can do... that's where it's at.”
  – Rachel Lindsay (05:02)

• On the new Bachelorette, Taylor:
  “She will struggle, but I’m kind of into the struggle... that just adds a new element to the show.”
  – Rachel Lindsay (09:32)

• On social media motivations:
  “Taylor, don’t date a content creator. I think you need somebody who doesn’t.”
  – Rachel Lindsay (24:39)

• On modern dating in the Bachelor era:
  “Everyone lives in their phone. They live for the content. If you’re not recording it, did it happen?”
  – Rachel Lindsay (28:58)

• On relationship reality post-show:
  “The relationship really starts when the bubble bursts... It really starts when you're waking up in the morning and going to your job, living a more normal life.”
  – Rachel Lindsay (42:08)

• On settling and societal pressure:
  “I just kind of settled and accepted some things... I felt pressure that I was letting people down, but I also did not want to fail.”
  – Rachel Lindsay (48:04; 53:31)

• On public breakup and divorce:
  “I read about my divorce in Page Six... I was learning about it like everybody else was. I didn’t know how he filed, what he was requesting. My first response, though, I had to tell my family. Nobody knew.”
  – Rachel Lindsay (55:38)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Rachel Lindsay’s return & podcast legacy: [03:44–05:12]
• Taylor as the new Bachelorette & franchise evolution: [06:10–13:49]
• Audience reactions and expectations: [12:00–14:57]
• Social media & contestant motivations: [22:19–28:58]
• Relationship dynamics & advice for leads: [30:23–35:33]
• "Real relationship" after the show: [42:08–44:13]
• Societal pressure, settling, and divorce: [48:04–56:33]

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Overall Tone

The episode is warm, candid, and reflective, featuring equal parts humor, solidarity, and real talk. Rachel Lindsay is unfiltered but compassionate, willing to share personal setbacks so others can learn. The conversation is supportive yet incisive, breaking down the realities of public relationships, changing franchise attitudes, and what it really takes—on and off camera—to pursue lasting love.

Listen to Part 2 for more behind-the-scenes revelations and lessons from Rachel Lindsay.

Transcript

[Rachel Lindsay]

This is an iHeart podcast.

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[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

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[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

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[Charity]

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[Rachel's Co-host]

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[Rachel's Co-host]

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Bachelor Happy Hour.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

I'm Rachel.

[Charity]

And I'm Charity. And today we have a very, very special guest, and back for the very first time since she hosted this podcast herself. Please welcome the one and only Rachel Lindsay. Hi, Rachel.

[Rachel Lindsay]

It's so nice to be back. It actually really is. I mean, that people are gonna doubt that when I say that it's been five years and five years, and you

[Rachel's Co-host]

said that you wanted to come back permanently off camera.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I said. I said being around you guys back here makes me. Almost makes me want to come back. And then I took it back as soon as I saw.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Immediately, I couldn't.

[Charity]

Listen, we would love to have

[Rachel Lindsay]

you guys. I miss working with everyone, and, like, we were talking off mic how you guys have just, like, really come up. I'm so excited for the two of you. When you guys were announced, I was like, this is so much fun. The Bachelorettes are hosting again. New studio, new look. You saw how we were doing it.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Just the folding.

[Rachel Lindsay]

We were thugging it out.

[Charity]

Yeah.

[Rachel Lindsay]

But I love what you guys are doing here, so I'm really excited for y'.

[Marine Glow Advertiser]

All.

[Rachel's Co-host]

No, but obviously everyone is so excited anytime we get to have you back in any capacity. But this is actually crazy because you started this podcast.

[Rachel Lindsay]

We did.

[Rachel's Co-host]

And we've had over 700 episodes.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Really?

[Rachel's Co-host]

Oh, my gosh.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah. I guess 2019. That was my first time ever podcasting.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Was it?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

This is, like, I feel like our. Well, at least my first, like, official time podcasting.

[Rachel Lindsay]

And. Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

So hard to get used to. But we're excited.

[Rachel Lindsay]

You're gonna love it. Podcasting is the most freeing thing that you can do. I always thought, just tv, that's it. Now I'm, like, podcasting. That's. That's where it's at.

[Charity]

I mean, you're. You're a natural. Like, an absolute natural at what you do.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So are you guys, truly. Thank you. But we're getting there. It started here, though. It started here. Just FYI.

[Rachel's Co-host]

It started here. And we're happy to continue your legacy.

[Marine Glow Advertiser]

Oh.

[Rachel's Co-host]

But we also got a little bit more of you recently.

[Rachel Lindsay]

You did?

[Rachel's Co-host]

At the Bachelorette reunion.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Shocker.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

Shocker.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I think Katie just cried when she saw you. She.

[Rachel Lindsay]

She definitely did. I didn't know that.

[Charity]

Yes.

[Rachel's Co-host]

We were all so happy, but so, like, surprised to see you back.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Yeah.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Nobody knew. Exception showed up that day, except for Katie behind the scenes.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Okay.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Katie behind the scenes. New producer Katie knew. I just. Yeah, I didn't. I was, like, texting a couple of girls, and I was like, I don't know. I don't know. It was very last minute, but I am so glad that I came. And I think that even when it was announced once, like, everyone's been posting that we did this, it's like, Rachel.

[Charity]

No, literally, what happened?

[Rachel's Co-host]

They said, big Rachel's in the building.

[Rachel Lindsay]

You know what, guys? It feels like a new day. Like, if I was going to come back, like, I almost came back for you, Charity. I almost came back.

[Charity]

Listen, I would have loved that, but don't tease her.

[Rachel Lindsay]

But I messaged you, but I messaged Sherry, and I was like, I'm not going to come back, but here's my number. You know, text me if you need anything. But I almost did for Charity, and I wasn't ready, but this seemed like the perfect time. It just feels like we're turning over a new leaf just with who's the new lead and everything. And so I just was like, come on, Rachel, this is it.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Yeah. I was gonna ask, when was the last time you reached out to a lead before their season? Was it Charity?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah. It hasn't been you.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Yeah. Wow.

[Charity]

That's crazy.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I feel

[Charity]

2023.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah. For sure.

[Matt Rogers or Bowen Yang (Las Culturistas)]

Yeah.

[Charity]

She's like, yeah, that sounds about right.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I feel like ultimately, like, turning over a new leaf. I completely agree. This has been such a polarizing decision, and I know that you've talked about that kind of on higher learning, that this is kind of a move that the franchise needed to make.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I think. So.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Do you still feel that way?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah, for business reasons. It makes all the sits in the world because some people, like, of course. I put up a post about it, and I think People were like, is she kidd? Is she not? And I'm like, this makes sense. It makes all the sense in the world. I think it's a great decision. You know, I don't watch. I haven't watched the show in five years. Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Who was the last season you watched?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Who was before Katie? So Matt's season. Matt James season is the last, which makes sense. Matt James season was the last one that I watched, but with Taylor coming in, it's like, it just makes all the sense in the world. Like, I'm excited. I watched Secret Wives of Mormon Lies. I still love reality tv, and I. I kind of hope. I actually don't know. I take that back. I don't know if they should continue in this way.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I'm so curious your thoughts. Like, she's never been in the position as a contestant to be a lead. That's so hard when you don't know what they're going through.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

What are your thoughts on that?

[Rachel Lindsay]

I think Charity, I think I saw somewhere because, like, Bachelor stuff still is in my algorithm, and I think I saw you talking about maybe her struggling because she's never been in the system before. And I was thinking, like, yeah, I agree with that. I think I like the system of picking someone from before because the audience kind of knows their story and they fall in love with them. But the audience. Maybe this audience doesn't, but there is an audience that knows Taylor, so I think that people can sympathize with her and understand it. Now, for Taylor, to your point that you made, I think she will struggle, which is why I think it's cool that we were able to talk to her, so hopefully give her some sort of guidance. But I think she's a little bit. She's gonna be a little bit behind because this is a totally different world. Like, it's one thing to be yourself in your city with your friends, with your. I was gonna say religion, but I don't think she's really tapped in like that. But just like, that's like, your world. This is a totally different world. It's a totally different beast. And you guys know, like, even when you're a contestant, once you become. It's a completely different thing.

[Charity]

So it's day and night.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I think she'll struggle, but I'm kind of into the struggle. I want that. The dramatics of her trying to figure it out in a new way, and I think that'll be new for the audience, too, because she won't know the system. So that's it's. Gonna be tough for her, and I kind of want to see her work it out. Not like I'm rooting against her, but I just think that that just adds a new element to the show.

[Charity]

No, for sure. I think it's gonna, like, provide, like you said, an entertainment value that, not to say any of the other former bachelorettes haven't provided. I mean, I kind of compare her a little bit to probably closest to Caitlin. Like, Caitlin Bristow. Like. Yeah, a little bit of her mannerisms there. But honestly, I really do feel like Taylor is kind of in a. A league of her own, if that's, like, fair to say.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah, no, that does.

[Charity]

She is.

[Rachel Lindsay]

It makes total sense now. Do I think she's gonna, like, am I watching the show? Because I'm expecting her to, like, get engaged and get married? No, no. I think that she'll fall for someone. I think it'll be entertaining. I like that she says what's on her mind. I think that she's a little rebellious. I'm into that. I. Yeah, I. But I'm not expecting her to get married. I'm not watching for that.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I wanted to ask, like, just going off of what we experience as a lead, and I think even you, especially America, puts you in a position where you have to be, like, beyond perfect.

[Charity]

Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

And what you are expected to live up to is almost impossible to reach. She's coming in, and she already has all these, you know, I guess, issues that society has a problem with.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

But how do you feel like, the way they treated us compared to the way now she's coming in and it feels like everyone's kind of fine with it.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I mean, she's coming in as a hot mess. I've said it. And I, like, that's. I think she would own that. I think she would own that. Right. Like, it's messy and it's. It's. She gets it. I'm not. I'm not trying to be messy in saying that, but there is a lot that she comes in with. You know, it's. Do I need to run it down? I mean, we get it, right? Yeah, there's. I think it's good. You know, I think to your point, what you're saying, the reason I wanted to even write a book is because I am not a perfect person. I don't have it all together. We're not normally walking around in beaded, jeweled dresses that weigh 15 plus pounds. We don't have our hair and makeup done every day. You know, we aren't going on these, living these perfect lives, going on these perfect dates. And I think that we, the show has to step into 2026 and kind of get out of that antiquated view of what the most eligible woman is supposed to be. Cause that's kind of how in America is supposed to be. So I like that Taylor's coming in. I don't know if I find her relatable, but I think that just who she is and, and like some of her background is a little bit messier and the word's not relatable. I'm struggling to find what the word is. But I just like the change. I like the change. But I do think as a pushback, the audience that typically consumes the Bachelor. Cause I think you're gonna get a lot of new people from, you know, social media, from Secret Lives of Mormon wives that are gonna come in. And I think that's exciting for the show. Cause I'm interested in see what the dialogue and the discourse is gonna be. But I think old viewers will hold her to a certain standard. They will put expectations on her of what a bachelorette's gonna be. And I think that's gonna be hard for her. So I still think she's gonna go through what people held, the standard that people held us to. And I think the new viewers, like that might be some of the conversation that's going on are going to say no. But this is who Taylor is. And most women come in with a past of having hard relationships and not being able to let go of that boyfriend. Like, I think that's actually kind of cool. When I talked about that, I'. A there were guys that I couldn't shake, that I couldn't let go, that I kept running back to, that is relatable. So the fact that we know that from her past and her story I think will be interesting to watch as well.

[Charity]

So, yeah, I think like going off what you were saying, I feel like in terms of the older audience or the long term audience of the Bachelor franchise itself, they are going to be the audience that is, I guess, expecting this love story. Right. And when you look at Taylor and all that she's bringing and coming in with, we're not certain if that's going to like play out 100%. So like in a traditional aspect, that is what these long time, long term viewers are wanting and watching this show for. But the new viewers are going to be, you know, like Rachel said, probably relatable to what she has going on in her life. And I Think that's going to be like just a constant battle and like you said, the dialog of like her season itself and it may either lose the viewers that are long term of the show or like you said, hold holding Taylor accountable for that. I don't know how it's going to play out. I am very curious too, but I think there is some essence of that that I feel like could be a little complicated in terms of like, you know, what, what the viewers are expecting that are long term viewers of this show.

[Rachel Lindsay]

And I want to clarify something. When I say do I think that she's going to fall, like get married and get engaged? I'm not saying that from Taylor's point of view.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Right.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I think the casting has a really, really has a hard job of finding a guy who's ready to step into Taylor's world. I guess that's more what I mean. So I want to say this in defense of Taylor. I think Taylor loves being in love. She's one of those people like she really wants to find somebody and to be loved. And do I think that the reality TV is the way to do it? No. Maybe I'm jaded, but I think that, you know, do I think that maybe she needs some time and some space? Sure. But I genuinely think Taylor wants to be in love now. Finding a guy who's ready to step in and be a parent to. She have three children.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

Yes.

[Rachel Lindsay]

To be a parent to three children, to step into maybe another reality show to move to Utah. Cause she said that she doesn't want to do that. I don't think she is going to find that guy. That's more of what I mean of do I think it's gonna come. It's not her, it's the guy.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I completely agree. And I know you've been a little bit critical of casting in the past as we all have been. Have you seen the cast for this season?

[Rachel Lindsay]

I've.

[Charity]

It's.

[Rachel Lindsay]

It's popped up and I've scrolled. I'm not into. I'm gonna watch your season, but I'm just not into the. Let me look at the guys. Let me see what they like. Read their resume, their age, their career.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I was gonna say something along those lines too because I think it's hard with casting. They already are gonna find these men where this show is attractive to them because they want, you know, a social media career.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

With Taylor, I feel like it's basically a guarantee if you end up with her.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

So what kind of men is that

[Rachel Lindsay]

gonna attract, that's gonna be tough and that's a risk that she's taking by coming on the show. So I just, it's, it's just really, it's gonna be really hard for her to be able to navigate that and try to find out. She won't know until she experiences them in the real world.

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[Podcast Announcer (Beyond the Script)]

at a pharmacy counter and the pharmacist asks do you have any questions? And suddenly your mind goes blank? That's exactly why you need to listen to beyond the Script from CVS Pharmacy and I Heart media. Hosted by Dr. Jake Goodman, this podcast brings you real conversations with CVS pharmacists, the health experts you see most answering the questions you wish you'd asked, like which medications might not mix well, what vaccines you should consider before a big trip. And even those questions you are too embarrassed to say out loud. Each episode busts myths, decodes health trends, and gives you practical, trustworthy advice straight from the people behind the counter. No white coats, no lectures. Just real talk, real answers and maybe a few laughs. Listen to beyond the script on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Dietz & Watson Advertiser]

Hey, did you know Dietz Watson has been family owned for over 85 years? To us, that means it's more than a business, it's personal. We make our premium meats and cheeses the right way, even if it's slower or inconvenient or hard because that's how you get the highest quality. If it's not good enough for our family, it's not good enough for yours. And while others cut corners, we keep raising the bar. So if you see the Dietz and Watson name, you'll know every slice has my family's seal of approval. Dietz and Watson. It's a family thing since 1939 Bachelor Nation brace yourself.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

HGTV is bringing 12 former Bachelorette and Bachelor contestants back to the iconic mansion to give it the makeover it deserves. They're swapping out their evening gowns and tuxedos for power tools and paint brushes. And they'll be competing to renovate the mansion room by room with real design and build expertise. These Bachelor Nation alumni bring their own aesthetics, opinions and history to this competition. Exes are reunited, secrets are spilled and old grudges remain as teams are created, alliances are tested, and renovation is only half the battle. Hosted by Bachelor's own Jesse Palmer, this glow up could get ugly. Whose designs will come up roses and win the hearts of the judges? Taisha Adams and Tyler Cameron. Don't miss the all new Bachelor Mansion takeover, Mondays at 8 on HGTV.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Okay, honest question. Are you someone who does your taxes the minute you can or someone who waits until the absolute last possible second?

[Rachel's Co-host]

Wow, calling me out already. But yes, last possible second every year.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Same. Which is why I'm very into anything that makes tax season easier.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Enter Intuit TurboTax with TurboTax Expert full

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

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[Rachel's Co-host]

And you won't be left wondering what's going on because you get real time updates throughout the process. So you're always in the loop.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

All you do is upload your documents to the app and then go live

[Rachel's Co-host]

your life like you can be listening to this podcast, grabbing coffee, or pretending you're being productive.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Meanwhile, a dedicated turbo tax expert is checking every deduction and credit to help help you get the best possible outcome.

[Rachel's Co-host]

And if a question comes up, you get unlimited expert help, even nights and weekends during tax season at no extra cost.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

So instead of overthinking it, let a

[Rachel's Co-host]

turbo tax expert handle it for you.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Visit turbotax.com to get started.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Real time updates are available on the iOS mobile app. So I guess like going along with that, it's obviously 2026. Is it possible to come on a show and be open to finding love and getting engaged, but also still wanting to have a social Media career.

[Rachel Lindsay]

If. Is it possible? Sure. If you're coming on the show for a social media career. If I'm the Bachelorette, you're not the guy that I want.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Hello.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So is it possible, like, to find love? Sure. And I think that you can be surprised. I was surprised when I was the Bachelorette. I came on thinking I wasn't going to find anyone. I came on thinking I wasn't gonna fall in love. I didn't come on for. For social media. I came on because I wanted. You know, I've spoken about this. I wanted young girls who watch the show who look like me to know that they can be desired and loved too. That was my main purpose. And then I was surprised to find love that was real for me. But if a guy's coming on for fame, because that. Is that not what a social media following is? That's fame. If that's your intention, sure, you can find love. You can be beautifully surprised. But that's. I don't want that guy.

[Charity]

I think two things can exist. And like Rachel said, yeah, sure, you can come on the show hoping to find love, but also wanting a career out of this. But I think the thing with. And especially within the Bachelor franchise, I feel like other shows are a lot more honest about that. I feel like here it's this, like, taboo rule of, like, oh, if you are honest about I want a social media following or I want. It's like, no, no, no, don't say that. You can't say that. You're not here for the right reason. So there is kind of this like. Like, conversation surrounding that. But also, I think people aren't as honest about it. It's like, you never hear anyone say, yeah, I want to find love. But I also, like, nobody has ever been honest about that. And I like not to say that it's a bad thing. But I think, like, if we were to be more. I don't know, if the conversation was more accepting about it like other shows, then it would be less of this thing that we were, like, always, like, kind of tiptoeing around, if that makes sense.

[Rachel Lindsay]

How would you guys feel if you. If you were on the show and a guy comes up to you and says that to you? Like, yeah, like, I want to be

[Charity]

a content creator for me and things that I want in this life. No, like, that is just not what I'm looking for. But, like, for someone like Taylor, I mean, that is her life. So perhaps she might be like, I need someone who's going to be able to make content with me all day, every day, you know? Yeah.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Taylor, don't date a content creator. Like, I think you need somebody who doesn't. I mean, the fact that her ex is now leading dad talk.

[Charity]

Hello, let's talk about it.

[Rachel Lindsay]

It's. It's not even like a red flag. It's like a wave. It's like, I don't even know what to call. It's. It's like, don't date a content creator. I think. And also, like, isn't that kind of boring? That's. What do you want? Like, date somebody who has a totally different career.

[Charity]

Yeah.

[Rachel Lindsay]

You know, that you could dive into their world and, you know, then they can appreciate what you do. I just. But you bring up such a good point. That is tough. I would not be able to separate. How do I know then you're not just using me for this opportunity? How do I know that you just don't want to get to a certain point. So then you can be on paradise or be the next lead. That's. It's so hard with this system that is the Bachelor, to be able to separate the two for sure.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

Sure.

[Rachel Lindsay]

It might be refreshing. I actually think the audience would probably accept it because it would be a first time thing if someone said, well, I'm here because I'm trying to. I was a content creator before. I'm trying to build my following, but I also want to fall in love, you know? But do we think we're getting that this season? I don't know. I didn't look at the careers. Is one of them a content creator?

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

So.

[Matt Rogers or Bowen Yang (Las Culturistas)]

So no.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Charity]

I don't think any of them are,

[Rachel Lindsay]

but they have been very active.

[Rachel's Co-host]

One of them is for sure a content creator.

[Rachel Lindsay]

How about this job description?

[Rachel's Co-host]

I'll say this. I went through. We just did the cast bios and I was going through the Instagrams and several have blue check marks already.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Can't you pay for that, though?

[Rachel's Co-host]

Exactly.

[Charity]

You sure can.

[Rachel's Co-host]

So what direction are you going? There's content being created. A lot of content. Some good.

[Charity]

But no, it's full on production.

[Matt Rogers or Bowen Yang (Las Culturistas)]

I don't.

[Charity]

That's what I'm saying. Have you not seen them, Rachel? Because it's like I have never seen anything like this in. I mean, I've only been in this franchise. Like, I mean, they're pages.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I feel like we need to get the phone and scroll through a couple.

[Charity]

Right. So the cast got announced and so as soon as they got announced, they are dropping videos. I mean, I think they all like, did the same trend, but I'm telling you, like, full on production value of, like, transitions, like, backdrop. I'm like, what is going on here? But, like, hey, this is, again, a new age.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I guess they definitely all own ring lights.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Like, that's we can guarantee.

[Charity]

And tripods, like, a whole setup.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I'm gonna show my age because I'm

[Rachel's Co-host]

gonna take it back.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So it's been almost. It's been 10 years since I was on the Bachelor. So 2016, I was on the Bachelor. Cause I'm gonna say something about Yalls generation of bachelorettes, of bachelorettes. So then 2017, you know, I'm the Bachelorette. When I was a contestant, I didn't come with a makeup bag. The makeup I had. I had a friend help me before get makeup. I didn't know how to do my makeup. I didn't have lash extensions. I didn't truly. I had vaseline, mascara, maybe some press powder. Some of the. There was no skincare routine. I learned that from some of the girls. Fast forward to you guys coming on. This is how. The way you're talking about these guys, this is how we talked about y'. All. We were like, look at them. They know how to do their makeup. They know how to contour. They know how to, like, look at. Their pictures are perfect for social media. So it's kind of a sign of the times. So I'm actually gonna defend the men here, because is that not how they do social media in 2026? We were looking at y' all like, well, that's, I guess, how everyone knows how to do their makeup. They know their lighting. They know their angles. We didn't know that we looked stale compared. Go to our cast pictures.

[Charity]

But, yeah, that's what I'm saying. It's not true. Because it was.

[Rachel's Co-host]

And bachelor lighting, I will say it's so, like, glowy and like candlelight. Like, even in an interview, I. I think they put a filter. They have to on us. Because I'm like, I had no makeup on. I'm like, wait, I look good. There has to be something on that

[Rachel Lindsay]

they put on us now. They did for you guys. Yes. Guys, go back and look at some of this. Go back and look at our social medias is more of what I'm saying. You guys looked picture perfect on your social media pages. So if these guys are doing the latest trend, that's kind of on point. That's kind of.

[Rachel's Co-host]

That's true.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So I can't get mad at it, because these days, everyone lives in Their phone, they live for the content. If you're not recording it, if you're not taking a picture, did it happen? So I'm curious because how the conversations will be, because I Look, you know, 10 years later, everyone's living in their phone. They're talking like they talk on social media. Is that the conversation that I'm gonna be getting from these men with Taylor? Is it gonna be like, idk, you know, I don't know. Whatever the kids say, I just. I don't know. I'm very curious, as will there be, like, this in depth, beautiful conversation that we're having? Because we're just in a new era where people talk like they're texting.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

Truly.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I'm curious.

[Charity]

I feel like we talked a little bit about that, Rachel. Did we not? When we were, like, kind of going over the cast bios, I was, like,

[Rachel's Co-host]

kind of ripping them apart.

[Charity]

Yeah, a little bit. But I am.

[Rachel's Co-host]

When we went through the cast bios,

[Rachel Lindsay]

so it's not good. Some are good.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Some are fathers.

[Charity]

Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

It's an older cast, I would say everyone above the age of 28, which is, like, new.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Above the age of 28.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Youngest is 28.

[Charity]

Yeah.

[Rachel Lindsay]

How many fathers?

[Charity]

There's like four. Like three or four. Okay, three.

[Rachel's Co-host]

And some fathers with multiple children.

[Charity]

Like, kids. Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

They're giving her a very wide variety. Wise men with, like, there's engineers. I mean, and there was a paralympian. We have some, like, impressive content creators. Cowboys, actual, like, job description. But I'm curious your thoughts. I think when you're the lead and you leave with someone, we've experienced this. It is so hard for the men to allow us to have that moment, to be the bachelorette, to have the success that comes after. I feel like it's almost guaranteed that Taylor's gonna have so much more success after this.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

What type of guy do you think she needs to end up with that would actually stand by her when that all happens? Because I know it didn't happen for me. He, like, couldn't handle it.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah. So who did you have?

[Rachel's Co-host]

It doesn't matter. We don't say his name.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Okay. Okay. Sorry. I genuinely don't know. That's the way we like it. Sorry. I don't know this man. He could walk in right now. Sorry to this man.

[Charity]

Sorry to this man.

[Rachel Lindsay]

That's so funny.

[Charity]

I have no idea.

[Rachel's Co-host]

No, literally, I just have no idea. But they struggle so hard watching us.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I have a different perspective because I'm so curious.

[Charity]

Because I need to hear.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Well, I Thought I was with a guy who did not care. It was kind of his brand. It was something that we bragged about. It was like, oh, he lets Rachel be Rachel and he loves it and he supports it, you know, and she's got this big personality and he's way more chill. And I wanted to pick a guy who kind of let me be big and take up a lot of space and was okay with that and was secure in himself. That's why I like that. You know, my ex was older, that he had a career. So I really was like, I found that guy and that's what I would want for Taylor. No, what I underestimated was that behind the scenes, he wanted that as well.

[Charity]

For sure.

[Rachel Lindsay]

He thought that my. What I was doing would trickle down to him, that he could latch onto that and then that would he in turn would be the same way. What will be interesting for Taylor is Taylor does content and she brings her life into it. For me, when I came off the show, I didn't want to do anything that was couple related. I didn't do. It was very rare that you saw couple content reels. Wasn't a thing back then, but I just didn't do that. I didn't make content with my ex. And I think that's something that he was expecting and that that would, you know, in turn be beneficial to him. And it wasn't. And as our relationship progressed, I realized that that was not who he was. You know what? You know when they say you're meeting somebody's representative? I was meeting his representative. For Taylor, it. I would encourage her to find the guy who wants her to be that separately, which is why I don't think a content creator is great. If she brings him into her life and into her content, great. But I. She needs a guy who is solid in who he is, has his own life, has his own career, and hopefully that's he's truly okay with that and okay with her. Like, he doesn't want to be famous. He really just wants to find a person, a partner who fits his life. He wants a partner. Yep, there is. I learned the hard way there's a difference between a person and a partner in a relationship. I am rooting for Taylor to find a partner. So she. That's the type of guy she needs.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

Is it possible.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Long way of saying that.

[Rachel's Co-host]

To find it on the Bachelor.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah. I mean, don't you guys think that you came in for the. For genuine reasons?

[Charity]

1,000%.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah. I mean, you went on somebody else's Season at a time. And you were genuine about really connecting and finding someone. So it's absolutely possible. I think women do it. Are more genuine than the men are usually for sure. But because with men, they're competitive. So I think part of being in the house with other men, it's about the competition. So it's absolutely possible. I hate to be cheesy. It's just about finding the right reasons. But Taylor's gotta find the guy who is solid in what he's doing. Now, see, I should have known very quickly because what did I say? I picked a guy who had a career, who was older, who was solid in his life. My ex quit his job one week after the show was over. It was there. It was in front of me.

[Charity]

Yeah.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So. And never did that again. Never went back to that.

[Rachel's Co-host]

He never went back to the career he originally came in with.

[Rachel Lindsay]

He opened up a business in that field, but it took years for it to happen, and it wasn't the same as what he was doing before. So I think if Taylor finds a guy who's solid in what they're doing and then they quit it immediately, if they're quitting it to move to Utah and, you know, establish whatever it is there, if they're a doctor or lawyer or whatever, I don't know, but that's a. That would be a red flag.

[Charity]

Yeah, yeah. I'm like, referencing when we did the Bachelorette reunion and like, you know, how we kind of broke off into groups and, you know, some words that I feel like were shared with Taylor at that moment was exactly what you said. I remember, like, me and Jojo, Joan, Trista and dez, we were all basically trying to find, I guess, similarities that all of our, like, guys kind of shared, which were, like, more reserved. They were very secure and solid in themselves. They didn't feel like, you know, whatever we were doing was, like a threat to, you know, who they were. And that was such a long and lengthy conversation that I really hope Taylor, like, took in and digested and really, like, tried to, like, I guess, put into what makes sense in her life. Because it's exactly what you're saying. It's like when she meets these guys. Granted, yes, the guy should be there for the right reasons, but ultimately there is, like, a level of responsibility that's going to be on Taylor for her to be able to, like, decipher and, you know, discern between whatever traits these guys are presenting or asking these right questions that aren't just surface level questions to these guys, to really get down of like based off of how much they're showing you. Granted, on air. And as we know, life really begins once the cameras stop rolling. Really, that's like the true test of it all. But I think there's like, you know, it really is 50 50. Like Taylor also has a role to play in this of how much is she going to be willing to kind of step out of her comfortability of what she's already used to versus, like what she needs. And I that's like, for a lot of bachelorettes, it's very hard to do.

[Marine Glow Advertiser]

Like many of you, I spend a lot of my day on my laptop, on my cell phone, and even sometimes watching tv. You know, it's really difficult to avoid blue light, but we all can do more to protect ourselves from its effects. Blue light damage doesn't just happen to your eyes. It impacts your skin too. Nature Sunshine Marine Glow is the only collagen product clinically proven to protect against BL light while supporting both skin and eye health. You know, when I received this product, I was a little skeptical, but almost immediately my skin felt softer. I love the smell. So if you're skeptical about using beauty supplements, try one that actually has clinical proof behind it. Marine Glow defends against digital aging, shielding skin from blue light damage caused by screens. It also promotes hydrated radiant skin, which reduces fine lines, boosts elasticity and supports hydration. Marine Glow protects eye health. The clinically studied ingredients safeguard vision from screen related stress. Protect your eyes and skin against harmful blue light effects. With Marine Glow get 20% off your first order and free shipping by using checkout code. Happy [e-mail] that's that's happy houratureaturesunshine.com ever

[Podcast Announcer (Beyond the Script)]

been at a pharmacy counter and the pharmacist asks, do you have any questions? And suddenly your mind goes blank? That's exactly why you need to listen to beyond the script from CVS Pharmacy and iHeartMedia. Hosted by Dr. Jake Goodman, this podcast brings you real conversations with CVS pharmacists, the health experts you see most answering the questions you wish you'd asked, like which medications might not mix well, what vaccines you should consider before a big trip, and even those questions you are too embarrassed to say out loud. Each episode busts myths, decodes health trends, and gives you practical, trustworthy advice straight from the people behind the counter. No white coats, no lectures. Just real talk, real answers, and maybe a few laughs. Listen to beyond the script on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Dietz & Watson Advertiser]

Hey, did you know Dietzon Watson has been family owned for over 85 years? To us, that means it's more than a business, it's personal. We make our premium meats and cheeses the right way, even if it's slower or inconvenient or hard, because that's how you get the highest quality. If it's not good enough for our family, it's not good enough for yours. And while others cut corners, we keep raising the bar. So if you see the Dietz Watson name, you'll know every slice has my family's seal of approval. Dietz Watson. It's a family thing since 1939.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

Bachelor Nation brace yourself. HGTV is bringing 12 former Bachelorette and Bachelor contestants back to the iconic mansion to give it the makeover it deserves. They're swapping out their evening gowns and tuxedos for power tools and paintbrushes. And they'll be competing to renovate the mansion room by room. With real design and build expertise, these Bachelor Nation alumni bring their own aesthetics, opinions and history to this competition. Exes are reunited, secrets are spilled and old grudges remain as teams are created, alliances are tested, and renovation is only half the battle. Hosted by Bachelor's own Jesse Palmer, this glow up could get ugly. Whose designs will come up roses and win the hearts of the judges, Taisha Adams and Tyler Cameron. Don't miss the all new Bachelor Mansion takeover, Mondays at 8 on HGTV.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Okay, honest question. Are you someone who does your taxes the minute you can or someone who waits until the absolute last possible second?

[Rachel's Co-host]

Wow, calling me out already. But yes, last possible second every year.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Same. Which is why I'm very into anything that makes tax season easier.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Enter into it TurboTax Tax.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

With TurboTax Expert full service, you get matched with a real tax expert who does your taxes for you, start to finish.

[Rachel's Co-host]

And you won't be left wondering what's going on because you get real time updates throughout the process. So you're always in the loop.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

All you do is upload your documents to the app and then go live

[Rachel's Co-host]

your life like you can be, listening to this podcast, grabbing coffee, or pretending you're being productive.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Meanwhile, a dedicated TurboTax expert is checking every deduction and credit to help you get the best possible outcome.

[Rachel's Co-host]

And if a question comes up, you get get unlimited expert help, even nights and weekends during tax season at no extra cost.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

So instead of overthinking it, let a

[Rachel's Co-host]

TurboTax expert handle it for you.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Visit TurboTax.com to get started.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Real time updates are available on the iOS mobile app.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Can I be honest, though? And I. Yeah, see, it's possible. She just listed off all the people that are still in successful, including yourself, except successful, healthy relationships for the right reasons. I have to be honest, though, I used to say, too, it really. The relationship starts when the cameras go off. The relationship really starts when the bubble bursts. Right. Because you're still in. You're still popular. You're still in the honeymoon phase. For me, longer, because I was the first black Bachelorette, I thought, okay, we're moving to the same city. There are no cameras. We didn't move to LA like so many people at my time were doing. We're in Dallas. We're living a normal life. But we weren't. There were so many events, there were trips that we were going on. It wasn't a real life. So it really starts when you're waking up in the morning and you're going to your job or you're, you know, like, you're living a more normal life. So I think. I think that's something that we have. The conversation we have to have now with Taylor, it's different. She's a reality TV star. Her normal life is the cameras picking back up. So it's even harder for her. But that is. It's really. When you step out of the cloud, you know, like, everything starts to be normal. There aren't people following your every move. They aren't people like, you're living, like, how many years are you? You're probably there now. You're probably.

[Charity]

Yeah, we're. Yeah, we're two years out, about to be three in April, so it's like, it's very much died down.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah. Like, it really is just about you and not the show. Because I realized our conversations were about the Bachelor and what was going on. And I was podcasting and it was still so such a big piece. I feel like when I really stepped away and we didn't have the Bachelor, it was kind of like that was so much of our relationship. That was so much of it. So that's really, when you get down to it. Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Yeah, that is. Well, just to share, like, something that I really struggled with, like leaving just. I only had two happy couples before we broke up, but we could not have a conversation that wasn't revolving around the Bachelor. But I know that you famously, in your fantasy suite, were having really difficult conversations. I thought so you inspired me when I went into mine. Okay, we need to talk about politics. We need to talk about finance. Do you think that's something that she's gonna do?

[Rachel Lindsay]

No.

[Charity]

Sorry, are you like. Actually,

[Rachel Lindsay]

I think there'll be conversations about parenthood. You know, I think there's gonna be conversations about moving to Utah maybe. But yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Nothing further.

[Charity]

No, and Rachel's not wrong.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I'm like, rachel, I thought about you in my fantasy. Sweet. No, literally, I'm like, literally, I did.

[Charity]

I'm doing everything that I need to do.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Rachel Lindsay said as this is this going into that week, I thought it did.

[Rachel Lindsay]

And you could only do so much. Right. Like, I really did ask those questions. I hope Taylor does. I don't think. I think there will be serious conversations, but I don't think that it's like, what's important to you, Right? I give. Exactly. I don't think politics are as important. I don't think that's a deal breaker

[Charity]

for her for sure.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So, you know, for her, maybe it's religion, maybe it's definitely gonna be parenthood. It's definitely gonna be about moving to her city. But I'm glad you did. Cause you can only do so much. Right? Like, I definitely ask questions about politics, but maybe I didn't ask as in depth, you know, Like I wasn't like. Didn't ask what you're registered. I didn't ask. And I just like, it just. There was like some values and morals and I didn't ask how you vote. I didn't ask like different things like that. But yeah, that was something that was important to me. Maybe I should have said like, how well versed are you on politics?

[Charity]

Yeah, that, that's.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I asked Journey.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Did you? I'm glad I did.

[Charity]

Oh, I did. 100%. Hello.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Yeah, especially the time we came in, I'm like, we need to know there's some important things we have to go over here.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah, Yeah, I just think I said, are you a Republican?

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Yeah.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Okay. Like, I think that was like the, like as I was going down my list, like it was just for em.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Like that.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Yeah.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Also like the times were different. It was 2017. I think it's. You have to have different conversations now. Like, things have changed so much. But yeah, I was like, credit scores and you know, I think I would have asked. This is so saying a lot like this. I think so petty right now. I'm working on a book, you guys, but I think I would have said things like, you know, how are you with money? How do you manage money? You know what? I didn't ask, do you want to be famous. I didn't ask those type of questions. How do you see this relationship? You know, with. With the fame that will come with this? You know, do you think that, you know, like, do you want to capitalize on that? I didn't ask those type of questions. Is it important to you that we monetize our relationship? Like, we. We were different when it came to that kind of stuff. Like, I w. I didn't think about that because that wasn't important to me. I just was kind of like, oh, the things you're not supposed to talk about. But I wish I would have gone even more in depth. So, you know, to future bachelorettes, maybe those are qu. Questions that you should ask, like, how do you want to move to a different seat? Like, what's. What's important to you? Why? Like, maybe do. Are you a content creator? You know, maybe you couldn't say that. Is social media important to you? I just wish I would have thought of it in that way.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Yeah, I want to ask, too. When you had left your season and started seeing these signs in Ryan, what was it that ultimately made you, like, look over them?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Oh, I'm gonna write about this.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Anything you can share?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Oh, no, no, no. It's a great question. Because I was 32 when I was. I turned 32 during my season of the Bachelorette. I had a birthday when we were filming, and I was at a place in my life where, like, I grew up in a pragmatic, religious family. I'm from the south. So I. I was in a culture where a lot of my friends were married. They were having k. Career first. I do not regret that by any means, but I was, like, ready to get married and settle down, and I wanted somebody who kind of mirrored that. And I felt. Even though. So post the Bachelorette, like, it's like, why everybody talks about, oh, the Brian, the Peter of it all. I didn't pick. Despite popular belief, I didn't pick him because he wanted to. Like, there were other reasons, but that was a factor. I was always going to pick somebody who also wanted to. Was ready for marriage. That is a factor. It wasn't the only reason, but I would. I felt a lot of societal pressure that I needed to be married. Maybe I put some of it on myself. I felt that just with what society tells you as a woman, and I was ready to have kids. And so it was kind of like, okay, Rachel, what are you willing to accept? Maybe he's not as ambitious as he had advertised himself to be. Maybe he. You Know, a little bit more into the fame of the Bachelor and the attention that comes with that than you are. But I felt like he was a good person. I felt like he had good values. I liked the family that he was, like, into his family, and so that was important to me, and I thought, I can get past, you know, if I'm gonna be the breadwinner. Like, that wasn't important to me, that I needed somebody to make more money than me. I just was kind of like, okay, he seems like a good person. I don't want to start over. I don't want to go back out there again. And I just kind of settled and accepted some things. They weren't. The flags at that time, the time we got married weren't as big for me to say, I don't need to marry this person. That. That kind of came after. Once we married and moved to la, it got worse. It got worse, it got bigger. But, yeah, if I didn't put that pressure on myself, I probably would not have gotten married. I just, like, felt like I needed to make it happen. I didn't want to fail. That was the other thing I felt. A lot of people were like, can she be loved? She puts her career above everything. Work is so important to her. And I didn't want people to say, here she is again. She can't be loved, or it's not important to her. So that was another thing that I put on me. I listened to a lot of that.

[Rachel's Co-host]

They did paint you, even in your exit interview, as that.

[Rachel Lindsay]

That.

[Rachel's Co-host]

As someone who. She just can't find it. She has everything. Then they present you with this opportunity. You chose the person who you thought would be the one at the end that would stand next to you, and then it falls through.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So, yeah, it.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I feel that, because that's how I felt when mine failed. It's like they just created this entire show around me.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah.

[Rachel's Co-host]

And now I'm gonna end it over something so small. I. I get. I get how you feel.

[Charity]

Did you. Because I know you're mentioning, like, a lot of, like. Like, oh, okay, you were. You know, your upbringing and a lot of your friends were getting married. A lot of those factors. But was there anything like that was super specific to the show itself of, like, oh, I'm the first black Bachelorette. I, you know, found my person on this show. Like, I have to go through with this. Like, was that, like, a really immense pressure for you to be like, I need to make this work?

[Rachel Lindsay]

I think it wasn't being the first Black Bachelorette. But, yeah, that it was the. How public our relationship was that I felt the pressure to see it through. It was kind of like, I don't know if this is just within women. It's like, I don't want to quit. I've put so much into this, and I'm typically private in my relationships, and I put so much into this, and I've put so much into it in such a public way. And. Well, no, maybe it was being the first black bachelorette because I would get so many messages that were like, thank you for saying you ripped up your list and, you know, you just went for it. You know, thank you for, you know, you know, stepping outside of your box. I look at you and I'm so happy that your relationship is so successful, and you give me hope. I got a lot of that. And yeah, I felt like I was letting people down, and I just was like, I'm a fixer, right? So I was like, I can fix it. It'll be better. I can encourage him in some of the ways that I think that, you know, that I. That were advertised to me. Like, I was like, you know, like, they'll be better. Like, we can work through this. We're a partnership. We're a team. You know, I did that in the relationship before I was in. I was in a long term relationship before I came on the show. And I kind of knew it was over, but I still was like, not that I knew this was over before marriage, but I just was just like, we'll work on it. I'll fix it. I'll fix it because he's a good guy. I always fell back on he's a good guy. He is not a good guy. I just want to be honest. I do not think that now. And that could have changed with the dynamic of our relationship.

[Marine Glow Advertiser]

The.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

The.

[Rachel Lindsay]

The show, the fame, the desire for certain things. I think that there were a lot of underlying feelings that maybe turned him into maybe, maybe. I don't know. My therapist says it was always there, but I keep saying it maybe turned him into something. It brought something out. But I All that to say I kept falling back on. He's a good person. He's a good person. Why do I need to go back out there if I found somebody who was good? The other stuff might be a little superficial. I was lying to myself a little bit. But, yes, I felt pressure that I was letting people down, but I also did not want to fail. I think the bigger thing was people are going to say, she can't be loved. And that's sad, though men don't necessarily do that. Have you ever heard any of the bachelors say that? It's like, kind of the. I don't want to say curse of a woman, but I'm reading this book about the patriarchy, so I say this a lot, but it's called Erased. It's great. I've been reading it for a while, but I think it's just a part of the patriarchy and what it tells us our roles are as women in society. And I still felt held by those standards. I was 34 when I got married, so 32. Coming off the show, it's like, there's certain things I wanted for myself, and I felt like at that age, I needed to have them. Could I have them with this person? At the time, I felt like, yes, so I can look past some of the other things to get some of the other desires that I want in life. And, you know, that's sad. I don't live that way now. But I want to write about it because I feel like a lot of us do. We still do. We don't want to, but we still feel that pressure.

[Rachel's Co-host]

I mean, you have done. I mean, so much before the franchise. You came in, been so successful, and you have just completely launched, I feel like, into a different league. And we all love you and support you, but do you think there was a point that he started to, like, resent you a little bit for all your success?

[Rachel Lindsay]

A hundred percent, I think.

[Charity]

Were there ever conversations he, like, brought up to you? Like, was that something he just, like, kept to himself? Obviously, that's what resentment is, but did you guys ever talk about that?

[Rachel Lindsay]

No, But I think I had resentment, too. I had my own resentment for different reasons. Not think I know. No, I had resentment, too. And like you said, you keep it quiet. So I wasn't talking about what I was resenting him for. Just, like, I don't think he was not. I don't think I always say. I don't think I know he wasn't talking to me about what he was resenting me for, but it definitely was there because all of that came out with the way our divorce went down. It didn't have to be that way by any means when I was. Because I read about my divorce in Page Six. I read about the details. I had no idea what he had filed for or anything, what he was requesting the interview. He texted me right before. He texted me right before, like, we had said. We had said two days before. We both. I was like, I want a divorce. He was like, yeah, me too. He had said it. We'd said it. So I was like, cool, we're on the same page. This is gonna be amicable.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

And then he went to page Six,

[Rachel Lindsay]

and then he says, no, no, he says he didn't. But he texts me and said, hey, I just filed. And then.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Because he wanted to beat you to

[Rachel Lindsay]

it for sure, and he said, hey, I just. I didn't even have an attorney. Like, I truly was like, oh, it's gonna be amicable. It's gonna be so great. We're like, we both are. We both want this. Like, that's, like, the best thing, you know, that you could hope for if you're getting a divorce. That it's. It's a mutual thing if it comes to that. But, yeah, I didn't. He didn't serve me with papers. He texted me about it. So I was like, oh, my God, this is gonna hit the media. And then, boom, it hit. And so I was learning about it like everybody else was. I didn't know how. What he had filed it under. I didn't know what he was requesting. I didn't know. I didn't know any of that. But my first response, though, and I don't want to give too much detail, because I'm right about it, my first response. I had to tell my family. Nobody knew. I hadn't said anything yet. You didn't tell your family I said anything yet? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I didn't. Nobody knew. Nobody knew. Except for.

[Rachel's Co-host]

This is the only person.

[Rachel Lindsay]

The only person who knew. Okay, There are two people who knew after we had had the conversation, because it was late at night. It was New Year's Eve. That's not a secret. So New Year's Day, it's a holiday. The only people who knew that we were getting a divorce was my wealth management guy, who's a friend, and Justin Sylvester, who we left. Those are the only people I had said at the moment. Cause I was just kind of, like. It was, like, surreal, but I kind of was on a high because it's like, for the first time in a long time, I know exactly what I'm doing in my relationship, and we're on the same page. So all that to say the way that the divorce was handled lets me know that there was a lot of resentment. And I was getting information from somebody where I learned that there was a lot of resentment about the way our relationship progressed. But again, it was both. For different reasons, but we both had it.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Did you find out through the article about the spousal support? That's where you found out?

[Charity]

You're kidding.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah, I found out because I wouldn't serve with papers. It was just a text message and he was still living with me and you know, we.

[Charity]

Oh my God.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So yeah, that morning we had a conversation and then he left for work and then I got a text message like 30 minutes later.

[Rachel's Co-host]

So he couldn't even tell you in person.

[Charity]

Like, literally you were just with. Literally just with him.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Wow.

[Rachel Lindsay]

And it was like kind of like a sad. It was like a quick conversation because I wasn't being emotional yet about it because it was. I kind of just like went in overdrive. It was like, okay, so I gotta. I'm gonna have to do this. I'm gonna have to do this. I'm gonna have to do this. And I was just kind of like, like it was like a to do list in my, my mind. And yeah, so it, I, We. It was kind of like that morning. It was like, I think. You think I don't care because I haven't shown any emotion. And we kind of. It was like really brief, but like he kind of said something, I said something. And then he left and sent a text message that said like, hey, I just filed. And I was like, wait, what? I go, what?

[Charity]

Wow.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Wow.

[Rachel Lindsay]

That was. And that was it. So yeah.

[Podcast Host (TurboTax Segment)]

Wow.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I didn't even stay home that night. I like went to car. I went to car. He was out of town because the wedding, the bachelor, the golden bachelor wedding was going on at that time. But yeah, he filed my case. Filing is number one for 2024 00001.

[Podcast Host (Bachelor Mansion Segment)]

Number one.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Number one.

[Rachel's Co-host]

Okay, you guys, there is so much more to get into with Rachel, so make sure you listen tomorrow for part two.

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[Rachel Lindsay]

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[Rachel Lindsay]

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[Rachel Lindsay]

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[Rachel Lindsay]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.