Bachelor Happy Hour — “Sam McKinney & Alli Jo Go the Distance” (December 22, 2025)
Hosts: Joe Amabile & Serena Pitt
Guests: Sam McKinney & Alli Jo
Duration: ~43 minutes
Main Theme:
The episode explores the behind-the-scenes story of Sam McKinney and Alli Jo—a unique Bachelor Nation couple whose romantic timing on “Bachelor in Paradise” didn’t line up, but who still found their way to each other in real life. The conversation covers their journey from almost meeting on the beach, to navigating reality TV, starting a long-distance relationship, and what’s next for them outside of the show.
Episode Overview
In this lively, authentic, and candid episode, hosts Joe and Serena welcome Sam McKinney and Alli Jo on together as a couple for the first time. The duo shares how they missed each other on “Bachelor in Paradise,” what it was like having expectations dashed, how they still found connection, and their honest advice for long-distance relationships. Additional highlights include Sam’s new home-renovation show, lots of playful banter, and genuine insight into relationships sparked—and forged—by reality TV.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Missed Connections on Paradise
[03:35 – 07:26]
- Last time Sam was on the podcast was right before “Bachelor in Paradise.”
- Both Sam and Alli Jo had chatted before the show, sharing DMs and friendly advice.
- Ali Jo: “Ladies, don’t be afraid to message somebody first.” (04:57)
- They were both hoping to see each other on the beach, but didn’t know for sure if the other was cast.
“All I wanted to do was kind of give her the heads up of, hey, what could happen. Hopefully it doesn’t happen. Thank gosh, it didn’t happen with her. But for me, whenever I went out to Paradise, she was the only name that I dropped.” — Sam (06:03)
- Sam was set on Alli Jo and was disappointed to learn she wasn’t there. He tried to pivot, talking to Jess instead, whose kindness helped “take some nerves away” (08:44).
2. The Reality of Bachelor in Paradise Experience
[09:20 – 10:17]
- Joe and Sam give practical advice: don’t set your expectations on meeting any one person at Paradise—production always throws curveballs.
- Sam found it difficult to have his “game plan shot to hell” when Alli Jo didn’t appear.
“You can never figure out what the Bachelor production is going to do because they’re already five steps ahead of you.” — Sam (09:53)
- Serena reflects on how you’re always fighting for control of your experience—but “simultaneously having no control at all.” (10:17)
3. Alli Jo’s Entrance and Disappointment
[16:20 – 18:48]
- Alli Jo recaps her jet-ski entrance (“finally, this is my moment”). She felt confident but was let down to discover Sam had just been sent home.
- Despite disappointment, she tried to make the most of Paradise (“everything happens for a reason”).
- Her stint lasted 36 hours, and she admits to being “so disappointed and frustrated,” though “the shrimp tacos were good.” (18:31, playful)
4. How the Relationship Really Started
[19:20 – 25:45]
- Post-Paradise, Alli Jo reached out to Sam: “Hey, heard you were here a couple hours ago.”
- They started texting, then FaceTiming, building a connection based not just on their shared Bachelor experience but other interests.
- Both were cautious about their first in-person meeting (in Florida), but it clicked.
“Something that, like, was always on my mind is that I don’t want a relationship… to be about the Bachelor. Like, there needs to be something else.” — Alli Jo (23:26)
- Sam reflects: “She’s just the easiest person, really, to talk to… whatever I saw is what I was going to get. And I liked everything that I saw and continue to see.” (24:14–25:45)
5. Long-Distance Romance & Family Integration
[25:45 – 37:10]
- Their first meeting turned into “the longest first date,” as Sam extended his flight, and, as Alli Jo recalls, “the rest was history.”
- Official “boyfriend / girlfriend” happened after their third hangout—by then, “that could have been like, the 15th date by then.” (33:34)
- Meeting each other’s families became an early test: “I need my family’s approval and he’s the same way.” (34:22)
- The couple shares their candid plans for the future, emphasizing intentional communication, regular visits “every other weekend,” and practical thoughts on cohabitation.
“It’s just being intentional with… all your conversations. …It’s one of those things, it’s really not as bad whenever the person means as much to you as what Alli Jo means to me.” — Sam (37:10)
6. What’s Next? Future Plans and Hometown Details
[34:41 – 36:46]
- Alli Jo is in Fort Lauderdale, Sam in South Carolina. They discuss ending Alli Jo’s lease, moving in together, and eventually establishing themselves in Florida.
- Both agree that the proximity (short flights) makes long-distance manageable.
7. Sam’s New Bachelor Home Renovation Show
[38:26 – 42:27]
- Sam is announced as cast on the Bachelor Home Reno spin-off, a welcome change from dating TV.
- He expresses relief and enthusiasm: “It was neat because that’s definitely, obviously more of my wheelhouse… definitely the most enjoyable time I’ve had being a part of a show.” (38:44 & 40:19)
- Sam says it was fun to see Noah Erb on set.
- Alli Jo shares her supportive take, encouraging Sam to join (“this is literally what you do for a living”).
- Sam describes his career as a residential contractor, expressing confidence his skills would serve him well in the competition.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Reaching Out First
- “Ladies, don’t be afraid to message somebody first.” — Alli Jo (04:57)
On Bachelor in Paradise Curveballs
- “You can never figure out what the Bachelor production is going to do because they’re already five steps ahead of you.” — Sam (09:53)
The Shrimp Tacos Silver Lining
- “The 36 hours I was there was cool. They had really good shrimp tacos.” — Alli Jo (18:31)
First Date Anxiety
- “It’s in the back of my brain…if she asks me where I’m staying, I am so fucked.” — Sam (21:03)
Wanting Real Connection
- “There needs to be something else, because…in previous relationships, [shared interests] become all they talk about. So right off the jump, we had so much to talk about.” — Alli Jo (23:26)
On Family Endorsement
- “If I’m dating somebody, I need my family’s approval and he’s the same way.” — Alli Jo (34:22)
The Long-Distance Mindset
- “It’s just being intentional with…all your conversations.” — Sam (37:10)
On Reality Show Surprises
- “Anytime I get a phone call from California, I’m like, oh, gosh…” — Sam (38:44)
Alli Jo’s Perspective on Opportunity
- “You need to do this. This is such a great opportunity. …You never know what opportunities are going to come from it.” — Alli Jo (40:35)
Important Timestamps
- 03:40 – The couple’s pre-Paradise interactions
- 06:03 – Sam reflects on focusing on Alli Jo
- 07:26 – Sam’s experience when Alli Jo wasn’t on the beach
- 16:33 – Alli Jo’s jet ski entrance and letdown
- 19:20 – First text message after the show
- 21:03 – The first meeting and ‘where are you staying?’ dilemma
- 23:26 – Their relationship beyond Bachelor Nation
- 33:34 – Becoming official as a couple
- 34:22 – Meeting each other’s families as a test
- 35:20 – Future living arrangements discussed
- 37:10 – How they manage long-distance
- 38:44 – Sam’s Bachelor Home Reno show casting
- 40:35 – Alli Jo supports Sam’s new venture
- 41:22 – Sam describes his contracting background
Episode Tone & Takeaways
The mood throughout is playful, honest, and undeniably “Bachelor-style” — full of good-natured teasing (especially from Serena and Joe), but also authentic about the difficulties of reality TV and cultivating a relationship in the real world.
Listeners come away with:
- A detailed, relatable look at how a reality TV romance can work out post-filming—even with bad onscreen luck.
- Insights into managing long-distance relationships intentionally
- A preview of the new Bachelor Home Reno spin-off
- Useful perspective for any future Paradise contestant (and relatable laughs for fans).
Final Thought:
Despite missing each other “on the beach,” Sam and Alli Jo’s story is about perseverance, adaptability, and finding something real—on and off camera.