Zack Wickham Part 1: Jasmine Goode, ‘The Valley,’ and More | Happy Hour

Summary

Bachelor Happy Hour Podcast Summary

Episode: “Zack Wickham Part 1: Jasmine Goode, ‘The Valley,’ and More”
Date: June 30, 2026
Hosts: Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Zach Wickham
Timestamp Range: 03:48–51:04

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Episode Overview

This episode features a lively conversation between host Rachel Lindsay and her longtime friend, reality TV personality Zach Wickham. The discussion spans Zach’s background, his ties to Bravo’s The Valley, his reality TV journey, friendships (especially with Brittany and Kristen), memorable roommate stories, reality TV drama, and his evolving relationship with partner Benji–plus a hilarious, insider look at reality television and the Bravo universe. The episode is a candid, entertaining blend of industry insight, friendship banter, and unfiltered storytelling.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rachel & Zach's Friendship and Podcast Origins

• Setting the Scene:

  • The episode kicks off with Rachel expressing excitement at finally having Zach Wickham on Bachelor Happy Hour, noting their instant connection since the day they met by Brittany’s pool.

    “The moment we met, it felt like there were lightning bolts connecting our heads.” – Rachel (06:59)

• Behind the Scenes Banter:

  • Both joke about how their personalities might be “too powerful” for one podcast, reflecting their chemistry.
  • Zach shares how their conversation about podcasting together started almost immediately after meeting.

2. Zach Wickham’s Journey: From Kentucky to L.A. and Reality TV

• Roots & Relocations:

  • Zach, originally from Louisville, Kentucky (“very liberal, 1.3 million people, no accent”), explains that people get confused about his friendship with Brittany because of their different Southern accents.

    “We don’t really have an accent there. The second you go outside, it’s a different world.” – Zach (08:09)

  • His move to LA was influenced by a corporate job’s remote option and Brittany’s quick move there after meeting Jax.

• Multiple Careers & Degrees:

  • “People are shocked I have my bachelor’s in communications and a master’s in business. Like, 'Why are you dancing on tables?'” – Zach (09:24)
  • Zach credits being “multifaceted” for surviving the job market and reality TV.

• First TV Appearances:

  • He describes his initial reality show experiences, from background appearances on Vanderpump Rules (starting around season six) to a lesser-known stint on E!’s Dating No Filter.

    “I think I start being on Vanderpump season six … But I had done a show called Dating No Filter… I did that because I was like, hey, why not? And then was so wasted the entire time...” – Zach (11:47–12:27)

3. The Valley: Creation, Name Controversy, and Zach’s Perspective

• The "Valley" Name:

  • Zach admits he "really didn't want it to be called 'The Valley'" due to negative connotations from Clueless (“It's where you go to die!”), but network timing forced the name to stick.

    “If you're a millennial and you don’t live in L.A., the only thing we have [for ‘the Valley’] is what we heard in Clueless, which is it’s not the coolest place. It’s where you basically go to die.” – Zach (14:07)

• Living Outside the Valley:

  • Zach insists that, while he films on The Valley, he and others don’t actually live there. He prefers West Hollywood despite the housing cost.

• Joining the Cast:

  • Zach’s approach is pragmatic:

    “Who wouldn’t say yes to getting to hang out with their friends? Why not get paid to hang out with them on camera?” – Zach (21:11)
    “If you're not a people person, don't do reality TV. If you don’t have a hard exterior shell, don't do reality TV.” – Zach (21:29)

• Transition from Supporting Role to Star:

  • Zach explains the jump from “Vanderpump adjacent” party-goer to being in the spotlight, facing tougher on-camera conversations with real-life friends.

4. Reality TV, Drama, and Real Friendships

• Tough Conversations & Authenticity:

  • Rachel and Zach contrast shows like The Bachelor with friend-group-based reality TV, where long-standing relationships are on the line.

    “When it’s your real friends, sometimes you don’t want to have those conversations on camera… but you have to.” – Zach (25:10)

• Friendships with Brittany, Kristen, and Jasmine:

  • Rachel probes Zach’s friendship changes through four years of casting, filming, and off-camera events.
  • Zach shares “we are still family” despite fights and the chaos of show business.
  • On Jasmine Goode (Bachelor alum): Zach details how they met via a mutual connection, became roommates, and developed a tight, enduring friendship.

    “She moved in the next month. We lived two years together, including part of COVID.” – Zach (27:26)

• Roommate Drama & The Monster Fridge Saga:

  • Rachel asks about the now-famous “monster fridge,” taken by Zach’s ex-roommate.

    “The fact he kind of forced my hand with it was… dirty because he knew how much I loved that fridge.” – Zach (29:16)

  • Fans offered to buy Zach a new monster fridge on eBay; energy drink brands like Celsius have since reached out.

5. Position on Group Drama & This Season’s Shift

• Conflict Roles:
  • Rachel and Zach discuss his evolution from “center of the drama” to more of a peacekeeper this season.
  • Zach attributes his role shift to balancing between friends in conflict, especially Kristen and Luke, and his Libra/Scorpio astrological tendencies.

    “I’m trying to be neutral… sometimes my opinions lie with, there isn’t a right side.” – Zach (40:07)

  • Rachel teases him for his “superhero” role:

    “With Jax Taylor, you were defeating evil. So, like, were you the drama?” – Rachel (38:23)
    “Thank you. I wasn’t the drama. I was the drama. You were the superhero in that situation.” – Zach/Rachel (38:33)

6. Relationship Spotlight: Zach & Benji

• How They Met:

  • Zach and Benji met on Grindr (“which is a love story, coming out of Grindr is so rare” – Rachel (44:10)).
  • The show opted to call it a “dating app.” Zach would totally let Grindr sponsor his wedding.

• COVID Love Story:

  • After meeting shortly before lockdown, Zach caught COVID at the Season 1 finale; while sick, he and Benji FaceTimed every night, falling asleep together.

• Long Distance Realities:

  • Benji lives in Canada, making it a challenging (“Buy locally!” – Zach (47:37)), but worthwhile long-distance relationship.

    “Don’t fall in love long distance. But when the person is worth it, you just figure it out and take it day by day.” – Zach (47:37)

• Balance & Future Plans:

  • Benji is the perfect complement: “Similar in ways you need, opposite in ways you need... That’s what brings balance.” – Zach (49:02)
  • Ongoing discussions about marriage and kids. Zach emphasizes the importance of honest dialogue in relationships.

    “Having those conversations is hard... take the time, get on the right page.” – Zach (51:10)

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Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On TV Hyperbole & Social Media:

  “Last season I tried to teach America and the world hyperbole, but I don’t feel like they really understand that. Millennials get it.” – Zach (04:41)

• Roommate Revelations:

  “He didn’t steal the monster fridge because, technically, he paid me back, but the way he forced my hand was dirty.” – Zach (29:16)
  “This is the best marketing Monster’s had in years, and they don’t even know it.” – Rachel (29:45)

• On Reality TV Survival:

  “If you’re trying to hide something, also don’t do reality TV. Because it will come out.” – Zach (22:17)

• Peacekeeper vs. Drama:

  “Watching you being the peacekeeper in this situation right now is crazy!” – Rachel (40:07)
  “I’m a Libra... but I’m the last day of Libra, so I’m a Scorpio. So I have those tendencies where I can get fired up.” – Zach (40:38)

• On His Relationship:

  “The thing about Benji is, he could handle my humor. [He] gives it back to me and has the same references.” – Zach (48:21)
  “We’re having the conversation [about marriage and kids], and that’s huge.” – Zach (50:09)

• Playlist-End Banter:

  • When Rachel asks if everyone is still “family,” Zach jokes about needing a drink before answering, teasing the question for Part 2.

    “Is this a drinker answer? Because I’ll just drink.” – Zach (37:38)

  • Zach jokes about manifesting sponsorships, “I would love a Grindr wedding.” (44:53)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Rachel & Zach’s friendship and podcast plans: 06:49–07:18
• Background, moving to LA, meeting Brittany: 07:41–10:54
• First TV experiences (Vanderpump, Dating No Filter): 11:47–13:05
• Joining The Valley, show naming controversy: 14:07–15:41
• Why Zach did reality TV / surviving the drama: 21:11–22:17
• Friendship with Jasmine Goode: 26:22–27:26
• Monster fridge saga & brand outreach: 29:16–29:59
• Balancing friend drama and shifting roles: 38:16–40:13
• Benji relationship story & long-distance challenges: 44:09–47:37
• Conversations about marriage & family: 50:06–51:04

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode is fast-paced and filled with banter, inside jokes, and honesty—mirroring the personalities of reality TV stars who “say it like it is.” The language is breezy, candid, and irreverent. Listeners get both behind-the-scenes reality TV revelations and sweet moments about friendship and finding love.

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In Summary

This is a must-listen for fans of Bravo, Bachelor Nation, or anyone curious about the reality TV ecosystem—offering rare candidness on friendships under public scrutiny, the quirks of group-based reality TV, and the reality of balancing relationships (on- and off-camera). Zach Wickham’s wit and openness, paired with Rachel Lindsay’s warm curiosity, make this a standout, entertaining conversation.

Transcript

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[Zach Wickham]

Oh, I love that.

[Rachel Lindsay]

This is. Well, before I got banned on Hinge. I saw Rachel Lindsay's husband before I knew they were getting a divorce. Okay, we'll do it. We'll do a proper intro.

[Zach Wickham]

Well, I was like, we can do a little bit of, like, banter and then. Yeah, then do the proper.

[Rachel Lindsay]

This is my first headline. And I actually was so scared because my manager sent me the headline, and he goes, what is this? And I was like, oh, no.

[Zach Wickham]

Do you remember you were with me the day after or two days after this came out, and you were like, it's over.

[Rachel Lindsay]

No, but I thought I was, like, so scared because I was like, I was joking. But then everyone took it so literal.

[Zach Wickham]

I'm like, so literal. Listen, I have that same problem.

[Rachel Lindsay]

And also, like, the definition of terrorism is evoking fear. And he evoked fear in me when I saw him, saw him, and I said, how dare you?

[Podcast Advertiser/Host]

How.

[Rachel Lindsay]

How dare you?

[Zach Wickham]

It's kind of funny because last season I tried to teach America and the world hyperbole, but I don't feel like they really understand that. But, like, millennials get it. Like, I don't know. We're just. We just talk in hyperbole all the time. We're just very, I don't know, forward. Whereas, like, I Don't know. Maybe Gen Z is just, like, too soft for that.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I just feel like, no offense, Gen Z, I love you, but every single thing I say is, like, a bit like most.

[Zach Wickham]

This is called drinking. Please start.

[Rachel Lindsay]

No, now we're going to get canceled by Gen Z.

[Zach Wickham]

That's fine. You know what? Cheers to that. That's actually. I'll wear that as a badge of honor.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Oh, I love how we're still mixing it. Oh, do you want to know something crazy, too? I got what was an email or an email or I got an email or a message weeks and weeks and weeks after this came out of them being like, how wrong that was, I did it. I'm like, okay, Brian.

[Zach Wickham]

From him.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I don't know.

[Dietz and Watson Advertiser]

Not him.

[Rachel Lindsay]

It was like an. Obviously, like an account that had no. For what it's worth, her producer offered her a raise because of it. I was so scared, though, when it happened.

[Zach Wickham]

Listen, you know what I've found throughout my, you know, short time in reality. Not even short, actually, it's kind of long.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I was gonna say you're going on season four.

[Zach Wickham]

Yeah. And then also. Well, technically, we haven't been picked up, but our ratings are good, so I feel like we're fine. But I always find that no matter what it is you do, you can always bounce back. It just depends on if you really didn't feel that way or you changed or whatever. Some people just never change, but yet they still get jobs. So, I mean, here we are.

[Rachel Lindsay]

But thank God some don't have jobs.

[Zach Wickham]

Karma.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Oh, my God. Okay, well, we have so much to talk about, but we're gonna do a normal intro. Okay. Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Bachelor Happy Hour. I'm Rachel, and today is such an exciting episode for me. Cause I have my friend Zach Wickham on, and we have been talking about doing this forever. Like, at least since last summer.

[Zach Wickham]

Well, not only that, from the moment we met. Do you remember where I was?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Like, I remember where we were sitting when we said, we need to do a podcast together.

[Zach Wickham]

Right next on Brittany's Pool.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yes. And we literally, the moment we met, it felt like there was, like lightning bolts that connected our heads. And we're like, we are so similar.

[Zach Wickham]

So similar in all aspects of life. Literally on all aspects of life. I was like, I don't know if we could do a podcast because it'd be too powerful. You know what I mean?

[Rachel Lindsay]

That really was so. Bringing this dream to fruition is so incredible. And we have so many much to talk about.

[Zach Wickham]

I'm so ready to get into it.

[Rachel Lindsay]

But before we get into it, let's talk to our viewers. You are obviously on the Valley. You came in because you know Brittany. So let's talk about your background a little. You're from Kentucky. You guys went to college together.

[Zach Wickham]

It's so funny because I thought. I guess because, you know, I know how we met and everything that I thought it was explained well enough on the show, but people still wonder how I'm connected with Britney or. Oh, wait, you guys knew each other from Kentucky because I don't have an accent and she has, let's just say, a much bigger accent.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I've never actually thought about that.

[Zach Wickham]

So I'm from Louisville, which is a very large city. It's the largest city in Louisville. I mean, in Louisville. Jesus. In Kentucky. You know, it's a metro. Like, it's very liberal. It's very, you know, 1.3 million people in the metro. So it's like, it's. It's a big place. So we don't really have an accent there. But the second you go outside that little county line, that. That goes by the wayside. And so Brittany's about an hour and a half from me, and we met in college because I didn't go to the same college. Her best friend, where she was going to college met me at a club, and then we started dating, and then that's how I met her. And then we all were friends, and then we broke up, and then her and I remained friends and then eventually phased that person out because they were, I would say.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So she picked you over the ex.

[Zach Wickham]

Oh, 100%.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Thank God for it. And I think everyone in the Bravo world is thanking God for it. So you know Brittany. Okay, so let's talk about how we know. No. And that's how we know each other. But let's talk about how we got here, because what brought you to la and then I wanna get into some of your fun jobs.

[Zach Wickham]

I feel like, you know what's so funny? Cause people are always like, what does he do? Like, what is his job? Honestly, I've had every job under the sun. I also. People, when they find out that not only do I have my bachelor's in communications, but I also have my master's in business. They're like, but I just saw you dancing on that table last weekend. What do you mean you have your master's in business? And I'm like, I can do both.

[Rachel Lindsay]

He has a master's and he's still on the table. And we ho on Santa Monica Boulevard.

[Zach Wickham]

I mean, you have to be multifaceted in to survive in this job market. Um, but yeah. And so I. When I was getting my master's, I was working a corporate job. They actually were like, hey, if you want to move, you can work full time from home. And I was like, this is. And this was pre Covid. So this was not a thing that normally happened. I'm like, this is a great opportunity. So I was deciding between New York and la, and I was gonna take a visit while I was getting my mba. And then Brittany all of a sudden met Jax. And then three months after they met, she was moving to la. And so she tells me this and I'm like, great. Built in friend in la. I'll come visit, visit. Or I visited. Had the best time. Met Sheena. Of course it was Sheena. First met Sheena, had a blast with her and just felt so welcome. And I was like, great by New York. I'm going to la. So that's kind of how I love New York, though, too. I love New York too.

[Rachel Lindsay]

But I feel like you're very. Your personality just fits right into where you live.

[Zach Wickham]

I've always been told, even in Louisville, that, like, I have west coast vibes, but I feel like I'm an east coast boy. Always. Like, New York, I feel like, embodies me.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Like, when you're a silver fox, you and Benji can get like, a brownstone.

[Zach Wickham]

I will never be a silver fox. I will dye this till the day I die.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I feel like you would look so good as a.

[Zach Wickham]

Like. No. It's funny that people say I have a wig because I'm like, if my hair ever started falling out, I would have a wig and you'd never know that it was falling out.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Wait, because that was when that first started happening. I want to get into everything when this all first started happening. Because it is so crazy that I feel like I knew you before the Valley was even. Like, it hadn't aired.

[Zach Wickham]

No. Oh, it wasn't even a thought.

[Rachel Lindsay]

It wasn't even a thought yet. So was the first time you were on reality tv, Britney's Wedding, or were you on before in Vanderpump?

[Zach Wickham]

I don't. So I was on, I think. I think because I didn't even know. It's fans that have sent me, like, the little clips of, like, oh, you're on this episode, or whatever. I think I start being on Vanderpump season six, maybe a little bit of season five, I don't know. But definitely season six. Through eight. Those were the main seasons. You'll see me a lot in the background. But I had done a show called Dating no Filter. It's kind of like the Bachelor. They reached out to me via DM on Instagram.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I worked on this because I feel like I didn't even know this. Why have you never told me this?

[Zach Wickham]

Because I don't like to talk about it.

[Rachel Lindsay]

You have never told me that.

[Zach Wickham]

Yeah, so if nobody knows it was a show, I don't even. I think after Covid, it kind of, like, fizzled out because they couldn't. Covid kind of ruined it. But it was a huge show on E. Called Dating no Filter, where you just go on a date with someone that is supposed to be your complete, compatible person. And I think they took everything I liked and knew about me and did the exact opposite. I met this guy, but, yeah, I definitely. I did that because I was like, hey, why not? And then was so wasted the entire. I feel like it's like your bachelor. Bachelorette experience. It's like, let's just drink through this. It'll be fine.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Well, you know, people don't know that we have a drink limit for everyone's.

[Zach Wickham]

Well, now you do.

[Rachel Lindsay]

We actually do have a. We've always had a drink limit, but you would not know that from me and Genevieve's stories. And we were actually just talking about the drinking limit at dinner the other day, and I was like, I actually kind of like it. Cause on Netflix, there was no limit. And I was like, that's just like. It was scary because it was like. I don't know. Like, I know when to stop, but it's like when you're drinking all day and you're not like, eating that much, it can kind of, like, blur the lines. But you guys have drink tokens.

[Zach Wickham]

We have drink tickets. Yeah, but. But, you know, there. There's ways around everything in life, and I'm not gonna, you know, tell my secrets on here, but, you know, we're supposed to keep to limits or whatever. But you know what? I feel like if you know your limit. Actually, I don't think that's true for most people.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Truly. Truly. I don't know what it is about being in front of the camera. It just all goes out the window. But okay, let's talk about the Valley, because I remember when that started happening. What made you say yes to doing it? Because you also don't live in the Valley.

[Zach Wickham]

And I really didn't want. Okay, this is gonna get me in trouble. But I don't care. I really didn't want it to be called the Valley because the connotation. Please, audience, let's do a poll under one of these social posts. What is your connotation of the Valley? If you're a millennial and right now, like, and you don't live in Los Angeles? The only thing we have is what we heard in Clueless, which is it's not the coolest place. It's far away. It's where you basically go to die.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Every time I see that circus clown gas station, I think about Clueless in the Valley.

[Zach Wickham]

Exactly. And so that's the only reference I had. And then I was like, wait, you're gonna. But it was like our placeholder name. I don't know if I'm. Whatever, it doesn't matter. It's like our place. It's fine. It's our placeholder name. So they were always, like, technically going to change it. And I think the problem was it just sped up so fast they didn't have time to, I don't know, have one brainstorming meeting over it. So then we end up with the name the Valley, which is, number one again, connotations people previously have. And then number two, you're kind of limiting yourself to, like, being in the Valley. But I think, as Jesse, me, Michelle have made very clear, we do not want to live in the Valley. We will live in West Hollywood. It's fine. I don't care if I have to live in my apartment and can't afford a house. Like, I'm still in civilization.

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[Rachel Lindsay]

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[Podcast Advertiser/Host]

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[Rachel Lindsay]

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[Podcast Advertiser/Host]

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[Rachel Lindsay]

It's developed with dermatologists and is fragrance free paraben free and won't clog your pores.

[Podcast Advertiser/Host]

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[Rachel Lindsay]

I've tried out Facetune and it's so fun to see what I look like with different hairstyles and different lighting. I definitely recommend it. Before you make a big change, you can even try out different makeup looks. Download Facetune free on the App Store or Google Play. If you are looking for a cute new pair of sandals for summer, you have to check out Reef. I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of flip flops for the summer and I absolutely found them. It is so hard to find a pair that's comfortable and cute, but Reef truly has it all. They've been doing this forever. It's kind of their thing. And not just one style or look. They really cover every moment and every outfit. Classic flip flops, comfy styles, chunkier platforms, easy slides. Whatever your vibe is, they have your wardrobe set for everything on the agenda. I've worn them to the beach, to brunch, running errands, even on days when I don't feel like trying but still want to look cute. That is the sweet spot. They're super comfortable, they look great, and you'll feel effortlessly put together. No overthinking, just the perfect pairs that do it all. You don't have your go to sandals for summer yet. Reef has so many styles to choose from. Explore the full collection on reef.com and get 15% off your first purchase. To be fair, I love the Valley and I move to the Valley and I convinced Genevieve. So I thought once Joan went, you would go.

[Zach Wickham]

You stole Genevieve from me in West Hol. Let's call it what it was. You stole her from me. One day, out of the blue, she's like, oh, I'm moving to the Valley. Guess what? Since that day, getting her to hang out has been really hard. So, Genevieve, if you're hearing this, which I know you will eventually, I'm mad at you for moving. But I've told you this to your face too.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Okay, wait. I respect it, okay? But I really feel like the Valley, you are just such a good addition to it because I think there is, like, a fun aspect to your life and, you know, everyone else is kind of settled down in the Valley. What made you say yes to this concept? Like, what was sold to you?

[Zach Wickham]

Oh, yeah, that was the question. Sorry. What made me say yes is like, who wouldn't say yes to getting to hang out with their friends? I'm already hanging out with these people off camera or like, without A camera. Why not get paid to hang out with them on camera? Also, I'm fighting with the people I don't like off camera. Why don't I just fight with them on camera too? You know what I mean? So let's get a paycheck for just living my life. Like, who wouldn't say yes to that? And also I've always said if you are not a people person, don't do reality tv. If you don't have a very hard exterior shell where you can understand the intricacies of social media and know that that is not real, do not do reality tv. I'm a very unique person that I can separate it and not take things too personally. It still gets to me a little bit, but like, I can pretty much separate it. So for me, I'm already living my life fully and authentically and I'm not trying to hide anything. If you're trying to hide something also, don't do reality tv.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So true.

[Zach Wickham]

Because it will come out.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yeah, well, especially your version of reality tv. It's so different from the version I've lived because it's your life that people are watching and commentating on. What was that like going from being a viewer or I guess a close friend of Britney to being like a star. Like you're a reality TV star. You are.

[Zach Wickham]

Thank you. I appreciate that. It's kind of funny. Like thinking back on the days when I was. We used to call ourselves Vanderpump adjacent.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So we were like, is it the Vanderpump friend of?

[Zach Wickham]

Well, no, because friends of were actually on the show. So like I was never featured. I was just like, like I maybe had a nameplate here and there or like I was in the wedding. So it was like Britney's long term friend or what, you know, whatever they wanted to put under it. But other than that, like I was not a friend of on the show where I had like a, like a role or a, a lane to be in. I was just always at all the parties because these are our friends. And so there was like a group of friends of everybody that was at all the parties but weren't on the show. But you'll see in like most episodes. So we were like the adjacent. So being a part of that and experiencing it through that lens vastly different than being the focal point and having to have like tough conversations on camera or you know, just all the things that go with being the focus of the camera instead of just like, oh, I get a drink in the background and like have fun and Be the tallest person at every event always and the best looking.

[Rachel Lindsay]

But what was going in the thing you were most nervous about? Because I think people, especially maybe some of the Bachelor listeners, don't understand that this was your real life. Like, you had real life drama and friendships going into the show. So what were you nervous about?

[Zach Wickham]

I think the thing that I was nervous about was that you never know what's gonna happen. Like having sometimes I maybe put off. In real life, you can put off tough conversations with your friends. You can maybe confront them in a certain way. But when you're on reality tv, you just kind of have to speed up that process and you have to do it on camera where it looks like you're maybe throwing that person under the bus or confronting that person for no reason. But really you would do this in real life and you have to adhere to that on the camera as well. The one thing that I will say the difference, like, again, doing a Bachelor, Bachelorette, like a one time thing versus this is your real friend group. Put me in a. I need to be on a competition show because I will, I will do anything. Like, I will fight with anybody. Does not matter. I'll still do it with my friends, but it is a lot harder.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Oh, it's.

[Zach Wickham]

Yes, it is different. And when you are with your friends, sometimes you don't want to have those conversations.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So I could. What you do. Like, we always talk about there's a picture of me and Genevieve on the Bachelor where she's like standing up pointing and arguing with someone and I'm literally hiding and I have my hand over my head because I'm so scared to, like, be in that confrontation. But you have to face that head on with people that you love and that you know.

[Zach Wickham]

Yeah. And I think it's like, I also would hope that, like, I'd always seen Brittany and Kristen and I always knew they were the same, but all the other people, all of our other friends had never done it. So it's like, oh, are they going to be different on camera? Are they going to like, are they going to let it go to their head? For me, I feel like I've never changed. Anybody that wants to say I've changed, I'm sorry, I have not.

[Rachel Lindsay]

You are the same on and off camera.

[Zach Wickham]

Every single one of my friends back home is like, I don't know what, Especially season one. They were like, I don't know why people think you're being extra or you're faking or whatever. That's literally you from womb to now,

[Rachel Lindsay]

truly, what has it been like for everyone listening? We have a Bachelor Nation alum on the Valley, Jasmine. You have gotten so close with her. What was that like, getting to know Jasmine?

[Zach Wickham]

What's crazy is when Jasmine and I met, she had just done Bachelor in Paradise and had just gotten off of that. And I think that's when she moved to la. And she moved to la. The craziest part was she moved in with a girl that was brothers with someone in my class from high school.

[Rachel Lindsay]

You guys were meant to be friends.

[Zach Wickham]

Meant to be friends. And that was best friends with Lala.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Okay. So very connected to the group.

[Zach Wickham]

Very connected from day one. And this was nine years ago that she moved here. I moved to LA 10 years ago. And then from that, like, we had met at like some social events throughout the first, I would say like year and a half, two years. Then she needed a roommate. And we just happened to be talking at this party, it was actually at Stassi's party. And I was like, oh, my God, like, my roommate's moving out. I don't know why. She's like, oh, my God, I need an apartment. And I was like, wait, do you want to come see it and live together? And then next month she lived with me. And then we. We lived two years together.

[Rachel Lindsay]

And through part of COVID That is so crazy. And you've had a crazy kind of roommate history. We just saw on the Valley, your crazy roommate moving out. I don't know if I can say that, but I feel like knowing what happened in real life, it was beyond what the viewers even got to see because it was just like kind of a funny clip. And we're talking about the monster fridge. Rest in peace. Monster fridge. But you were going through it last season.

[Zach Wickham]

I was. And you know, I think what I don't like to say is what you didn't see, because I love to hear

[Rachel Lindsay]

what you don't see.

[Zach Wickham]

But you do see everything. But like, you just maybe get a distilled version. But the longer version was I was finally living and can afford the apartment on my own and my roommate's moving out. And I had given him plenty of time. I had. This had been long time coming. He was already. Not really. He wasn't even living there, basically, but was paying rent kind of like a storage, honestly. And he knew it was coming and then just made the ending so difficult. And like, I had given him back his previous month's rent just as a nicety to be like, here, I paid this. I need you out by this date, like, we've already talked about it, but whatever, I don't care. And then there was, like, several things he did on the way out where it was just like, you don't get to see it on the show because it's not really a part of what we're, you know, what we're filming. And he's not on the show, so it doesn't really matter. But it was like, I was definitely going through a lot getting that situation taken care of. And he basically. He didn't steal the monster fridge because I. He did pay me the half that he had paid into it during COVID But the fact he kind of forced my hand with it was. It was dirty because he knew how much I loved that fridge.

[Rachel Lindsay]

No, that was your thing.

[Zach Wickham]

It's my thing. But I will say not spoiler alert.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I would say demonstration.

[Zach Wickham]

A company might not monster because they didn't. Kristen reached out to them. Never responded to her. I have had fans also. I had, like, fans reach out to me and be like, here's a listing on ebay. I will buy this for you. And I was like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Like the. I love the gesture. Thank you so much, but please do not spend your money to buy me a fridge.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Like, this is the best marketing that Monsters had in years, and they don't even know it.

[Zach Wickham]

I feel like they don't even realize

[Rachel Lindsay]

that maybe they don't have, like, social media.

[Zach Wickham]

Well, at least not. They don't have someone that's, like, good with socials because another company.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Are you gonna get a Red Bull fridge?

[Zach Wickham]

Should I. Well, I should just say it, because Celsius reached out to me, and that's like. That's Pinnacle. Well, so, like, if we did. If we did the hierarchy of things, it's Celsius, then Aulani.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Couldn't agree more.

[Zach Wickham]

Then Rockstar, then everything else is, like, lower. But the thing is, like, I had done a confessional, like, joking around about the. The fridge, and then I was like, hey, Celsius, call me. But it got cut. And then they. Out of all the brands that could have reached out, you manifested, I believe,

[Rachel Lindsay]

that you are a good manifestor.

[Zach Wickham]

Thank you.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Okay, so let's talk about what has your relationship been like with Brittany or with Kristen now filming the show as it was before. How's it changed?

[Zach Wickham]

I think, you know, well, the thing is, we started. Was it three years ago, I guess, or four?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Four.

[Zach Wickham]

Four. Because it was four years. Yeah. So four years ago when we started coming up doing everything in four years, a lot has changed. Like in the beginning of the show, like before it was even fully pitched or whatever, I was. Kristen was in a space where she wanted to have a baby but didn't want to have do the la la thing. Whereas, like, she's like, I'm gonna do it without a man or whatever. And I was like, well, do you want my sperm? And then I'll just be like, kind, like as involved as you want me, like a little on the side. Because I mean, that's like ideal situation idea. Truly the only thing I was like, in the contract, you'll have to allow the baby to see my parents. Like, my parents have to be technically the grandparents because they're probably gonna like, not love it more than me, but like, want to be involved more than me. But that was like our like originally and then Luke came in. So there's been so many. There's so much time in four years.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Every friendship, divorce, you gotten into a relationship. There's been so much happening on and off screen.

[Zach Wickham]

But I think the thing that matters the most is we are still family. And nothing like at first, you know, season one. Kristen and I got into it and I've never been in a fight with Kristen in my life. And then all of a sudden I was like, what is going on? And I didn't know if it was the show. I didn't know if it was like, you know, her. I didn't know what was going on. But then we all like kind of settled down and we're like, okay, we figured it out. But, you know, through it all, even with, like, fights and with whatever, it's like we're family at the end of the day and at the beginning of the day and in between, we might fight a couple times.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Is everyone family though?

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[Rachel Lindsay]

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[Rachel Lindsay]

I love CeraVe. My dermatologist recommended it to me years ago and it works incredible on my skin. I love that the AM facial moisturizing lotion has SPF in it so I don't have to add an extra step to my routine.

[Podcast Advertiser/Host]

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[Rachel Lindsay]

It's developed with dermatologists and is fragrance free, paraben free and won't clog your pores.

[Podcast Advertiser/Host]

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[Dietz and Watson Advertiser]

Find yours I just received my order from Dietz and Watson. I am so excited. I got chicken sausages and flavored cheddar cheeses. You know I'm from New England and I know a genuine New York State cheddar when I see it. They are infused with real ingredients, iconic flavors and a smooth, creamy finish. I think my favorite favorite one was the Champagne cheddar. It just is delicious. And the chicken sausage. They never have antibiotics, no nitrates are added, they're gluten free and they have bold, authentic recipes. Dietz and Watson has been handcrafting premium meats and artisan cheeses for over 85 years. They're family owned and operated and they've never cut corners. Ever. They're transparent about what goes into their food and what doesn't and they know good taste. Good doesn't need a long list of ingredients. Dietz and Watson is simply made. It's as simple as that. Visit dietzwatson.com the right way to learn more about the deets difference Can I

[Podcast Advertiser/Host]

come clean about something? I am definitely not someone who likes doing laundry. I mean from loading the washer to actually washing the clothes to then separating to folding and then actually having to put them up. Yeah, I don't think there is anyone who does with Arm and Hammer Deep Clean. Whether you put your stinky gym clothes in with your delicates, forgot a load of clothes in the washer for a few days, or haven't washed your jeans in far too long. You're not alone. Luckily, Arm and Hammer Deep Clean is here to help. You can finally avoid Laundry Guild and get the results you want without overthinking it. Arm and Hammer Deep Clean is the powerful shortcut that forgives your own shortcuts. Even if you forget a load, Deep Clean is strong enough to handle it. It's made for real life stinking stains. Because it's just laundry, you shouldn't stress over it. And now you don't have to. From the number one liquid detergent brand that tackles more loads than any other. Come clean with Arm and Hammer Deep Clean One claim based on total wash loads sold. Summer is basically here, which means it's time to decide if you want to go blonde, maybe become a redhead or chop your hair short. But before you encounter a hair disaster, try it out in Facetune first and see what it looks like before committing to the change. It's a lifesaver. Facetune lets you try color, length or style on virtually any photo. It even works on reels and TikToks so you can see how you'd look as a blonde before you reach for the hair dye or hit that salon chair.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I've tried out Facetune and it's so fun to see what I look like with different hairstyles and different lighting. I definitely recommend it. Before you make a big change. You can even try out different makeup looks. Facetune can also smooth skin, vanish flyaway hairs and fix whatever your photo needs. It will make your pictures and videos flawless, so even if the lighting is not on your side, Facetune has you covered. Download Facetune free on the App Store or Google Play. If you are looking for a cute new pair of sandals for summer, you have to check out Reef. I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of flip flops for the summer and I absolutely found them. It is so hard to find a pair that's comfortable and cute, but Reef truly has it all. They've been doing this forever. It's kind of their thing and not just one style or look. They really cover every moment in every outfit. Classic flip flops, comfy styles, chunkier platforms, easy slides. Whatever your vibe is, they have your wardrobe set for everything on the agenda. I've worn them to the beach, to brunch, running errands, even on days when I don't feel like trying but still want to look cute. And that is the sweet spot. They're super comfortable, they look great and you'll feel effortlessly put together. No overthinking, just the perfect pairs that do it all. If you don't have your go to sandals for summer yet, Reef has so many styles to choose from. Explore the full collection on reef.com and get 15% off your first purchase.

[Zach Wickham]

Is this a is this a drinker answer? Because I'll just drink.

[Rachel Lindsay]

How is it?

[Zach Wickham]

Wait, where's the bottle?

[Rachel Lindsay]

No, literally. I feel like this is going to

[Zach Wickham]

be happy two hours.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Just take your time guys. We are in no rush. This has been.

[Zach Wickham]

This is a two part episode. You guys didn't know this.

[Rachel Lindsay]

This has been a crazy season because I feel like you have Been kind of the center of the drama in previous seasons, but you're kind of, like, taking the back seat a little bit on this one. Is that actually how it was, or do you feel like this was like, an easier season for you? Like, relationships wise with the people you might not get along with?

[Zach Wickham]

Because. Right. Because it was more like in the forefront and like. Well, and technically, like, I had done

[Rachel Lindsay]

something bad, but you do bad things. It's like, to. Well, I'm trying to think of the right way to say this. Like, with Jack Taylor, you were defeating evil. So, like, were you the drama?

[Zach Wickham]

Thank you. I wasn't the drama.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I was the drama. You were the superhero in that situation.

[Zach Wickham]

Give me my. Where's my cape? Is there a cape here?

[Rachel Lindsay]

The mask? Yeah, super, like, smoothie.

[Zach Wickham]

I mean, we can't actually. No, actually, if I have a black one. These eyes.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Facts. It's facts.

[Zach Wickham]

So get me a mask. I'm ready. Yeah. I mean, I do feel like there for myself. Maybe there was. It was in a different capacity because it was more of, like, me with Kristen and Luke, specifically, they were going through something where, like, Luke could not see what was going on, which is hard to watch. It's so hard to watch. But Kristin couldn't understand what was going on. And as someone who was trying to be neutral because, like, you can't. You're trying not to take sides because that never helps. And to watch it back also was really hard because I see myself just trying to figure out how to get them on the same page. And I think sometimes it's just time and whatever. But, yeah, my positioning this season kind of was. I became the person that's in. Not in between, but, like, helping them.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Which is crazy to watch you in that position in a way because I feel like you always, like, have such a. You're on one side or the other. But watching this season, it feels like some of your castmates are more like it's one side or the other and there is no line in between. Did you feel like that's how it was filming?

[Zach Wickham]

What's crazy is I didn't really, like,

[Rachel Lindsay]

even on that train. Like, I was like, Zach, being the peacekeeper in this situation right now is crazy.

[Zach Wickham]

You know what? It is crazy. I will give you that. It is crazy. I think the problem with me is that I am a Libra and I hate bringing up horse clubs.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Not like Tom Schwartz, too. Not the two Libras on the season.

[Zach Wickham]

Me, Tom, Jason, and Dani are all Libras. This makes so many and we're born within five days of each other.

[Rachel Lindsay]

No, because that's too much emotional flip flopping for one show. We need to even this out with some fire signs.

[Zach Wickham]

Well, the thing is, so I'm the last day of Libra, so I'm a Scorpio. So I have those tendencies where I can get fired up.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I don't see you as a Scorpio at all.

[Zach Wickham]

I know, but in beds.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I was gonna say maybe in bed.

[Zach Wickham]

You're like, but I've never been there. You're like, but I've never been there.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I haven't been there, but we've heard the story.

[Zach Wickham]

You're like, but I don't wanna. You're like, do I say this?

[Rachel Lindsay]

No, but that's a lot. So. Okay.

[Zach Wickham]

Don't make me cry. Okay.

[Rachel Lindsay]

You and Tom Schwartz, in a way being the peacekeepers this season.

[Zach Wickham]

Well, see, you know what's crazy also,

[Rachel Lindsay]

he's always been the middleman, though.

[Zach Wickham]

Well, and I told him this has been my relationship with Tom since day one. I'm like, I swear to God, if you don't trigger something like you. I was like, do you feel that way? No. So say it. Like I will be the person that will literally have like a. Well, gun. Violence is bad. Don't have guns. So like a knife to his back being like, come on, have an opinion. He's getting a little bit better. I think he finally has found his voice more. But he's just such like a mellow guy. I don't feel like I'm mellow. I'm not mellow. So I do have opinions, but sometimes my opinions lie with. There isn't. Like with like Luke and Kristen at the beginning, not in the end, but like at the beginning I'm like, I'm trying to figure it out. So I'm trying to not take both sides, but just be neutral. And sometimes I feel like that's the right way forward with the train and Janet situation. Also, what maybe people don't realize is that because I guess you don't see our order when we sit down. I sat down first, had put my stuff down, had pulled things out on my tray. Benji's next to me. Things pulled out. Then she sat directly next to me. I did not see that coming. Janet's one. She'll throw you. You know what? I will give Janet this. She will throw you for a loop. And you'll be like, hmm.

[Rachel Lindsay]

My favorite thing about Janet is that she causes chaos. And then she just comes, let's just all get along. You Sat down there. Like, she knows in a way what she's doing, right?

[Zach Wickham]

So it's like. It's like. I mean, I'll give it to her. I'm like, okay, you knew what you were doing. But also, here's my thing. She also then started saying, like, here's my uterus. What can I do for you?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Because I need to ask. Are you. Well, for those who don't know. Well, we'll talk about Benji in a second. But you guys have talked about wanting children. Is that something that you would consider in the future? Using Janet's services to bring a child into this world?

[Zach Wickham]

I am petty enough where I would call her out and be like, you offer, I want that uterus. And. But you know what? She's petty enough. She'd say yes. So I don't want to end up in that petty situation, that petty cycle. So I'm going to break the petty cycle before that happens and say, I will be using an alternative uterus that I will find anywhere else. Oh, no, maybe not like, on the streets, maybe, you know, whatever. But, like. Well, no, on the streets anywhere.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Can we do, like, a uterus party? Like, Lala did, Like, picking the person and all their qualities.

[Zach Wickham]

Oh, my God. I'm totally down for that.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I would love to see what qualities you and Benji would pick for a future mother.

[Zach Wickham]

It's kind of crazy because you have. So he's. For those of you who don't, like,

[Rachel Lindsay]

should we get into Benji a little?

[Zach Wickham]

Benji's five sisters.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Sorry, we're, like, jumping around. Okay, so Benji.

[Zach Wickham]

No, we can.

[Rachel Lindsay]

No, we don't have to go in order. But before we talk about your baby with Benji. So Zach is in a relationship with Benji, who we love. How did you guys meet?

[Zach Wickham]

We met on Grindr.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I love. That's a love story. Coming out of Grindr is so rare.

[Zach Wickham]

It happens to me all the time, actually.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Well, okay, maybe.

[Zach Wickham]

Maybe not in LA, though, LA. It has never been the case. But he's not from la, so, like, you know what I mean? But yeah, we met on Grindr, which is funny because on the show they had us say dating app instead of Grindr. I don't know why, but, like, I don't know. I was very confused by that. They were like, just say. Just say just in case. So I said, dating app. And then the Internet kept saying, like, bitch, just tell us it's Grindr. We know it's Grindr. And I was like, I'm. I want you to know, like, I have no problem with people Knowing it's Grinder.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Grinder should sponsor your wedding.

[Zach Wickham]

I would. I'm not gonna lie. I would love a Grindr wedding.

[Rachel Lindsay]

I think that would be so fun.

[Zach Wickham]

It would be so fun. And also, like, Grindr's been doing some stuff with Madonna right now, so it's so funny. So Madonna has a new album coming out, and her two main things are absolute vodka and Grindr. And so she changed. Now, this is my favorite new fact about Grindr. So one day, without telling Grindr users that they were gonna change the. You know, the Grindr noise, right?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Yes. Yeah.

[Zach Wickham]

You know, anytime anyone hears that, they know, like, that's Grindr. You're on Grindr. You got on. So all of a sudden, people that had had the. The. The tone turned off when they logged in, it's. It was Madonna's voice, and it said, hello, Grindr. And so all these people that had previously had it turned off, they didn't think about, like, when they were changing it. So then it was like, hello, Grindr in Madonna's voice.

[Rachel Lindsay]

That's kind out of nowhere.

[Zach Wickham]

It was hysterical. So then all these people were like, what was that?

[Rachel Lindsay]

Oh, my God. They should have just had Madonna be like, hi, gay.

[Zach Wickham]

Right? Like, you know what I mean? Instead of high grinding.

[Rachel Lindsay]

That is amazing.

[Zach Wickham]

It was so good. It was so. It's the best marketing.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So Grindr needs to obviously support and monetarily support this wedding. But you guys have been in a relationship for how long now?

[Zach Wickham]

We ended up, like, we were all tested for Covid before Season one finale, but someone. Not every guest was. Someone had it. It was like, 2022, 2020. So, like, it's not like you had to test before every event. This wasn't a mass time. But someone at the season one finale had. Covid gave it to half of the people there. So I got Covid, and I was out of the. I was, like, down for the count. But we had met, like, the week before, and then we just started. He stayed with me for, like, two days.

[Rachel Lindsay]

You guys quarantined together?

[Zach Wickham]

And then. Well, no, he had gone back, and then he wasn't starting his new job yet. So we basically just FaceTimed for, like, a week and a half straight. And we'd, like, fall asleep on FaceTime together and, like, just watch shows and be like, okay, 1, 2, 3, NSync shows, and then watch shows together. And that's kind of how we started. But it wasn't like we started. He was just a hookup. I was like, bye.

[Rachel Lindsay]

And now you guys Are in love.

[Zach Wickham]

And now we're in love. He'll say that we've only been dating for like a year. I'll say two and a half.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Well, okay. So Benji lives in Canada. What is that, like dating long distance?

[Zach Wickham]

Don't fall in love long distance. It's not fun. It's hard. It's like, try to fall in love locally if you can. If this is like a local, like, buy locally. Okay. Buy locally. It's very hard. But also when the person is worth doesn't matter. You just figure it out and you take it day by day. And I think that's the thing that is so great with Bingi. I don't have to worry because we talk it out and we know what we want. So we're moving forward together and just taking it day by day to get to that next step. Yeah, whatever the next step is.

[Rachel Lindsay]

What is it about Benji that you were like, he's the one that he

[Zach Wickham]

could handle my humor. It's my humor. And, like, that he could also, like, he could give it back to me and kind of had some of the same references that I had.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Okay.

[Zach Wickham]

That's very important because I get bored very easily.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So if you can't entertain you.

[Zach Wickham]

Yeah, if you can't entertain me or at least, like, you know, be at my level of, like, understanding when I say high hyperbolic things that, like, you're not gonna take it seriously and then, you know, call lawyers or whatever.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Oh, my gosh. Okay. But Benji, I feel like, also is so opposite to you in the perfect way.

[Zach Wickham]

In the perfect way.

[Rachel Lindsay]

In the perfect way you guys balance each other.

[Zach Wickham]

But see, that's the thing is he's similar in the ways that you need that similarity, but opposite in the ways that you really need someone to be opposite of you in certain ways. And I think that's what brings balance to our relationship and is actually a godsend because having to like, I was one of triplets. Well, I mean, they died in utero. Long story. Doesn't matter. My. My mom's fine. Don't send her flowers. But we talk about, like, how I ate my twins or whatever. My parents did not know what they were gonna do if they had triplets. They prepared or whatever. I can only. Im seeing the way I grew up and how my parents had to deal with me. I could not imagine them having any more of me, let alone if I was dating someone that was like me. It would be absolute chaos.

[Rachel Lindsay]

It would be chaos. And you guys, like, compliment each other so well. And I feel like you agree on like the values of things you want out of life because you guys want to get married and you want to have children. When did that conversation wait?

[Zach Wickham]

We're still having that conversation. It's okay.

[Rachel Lindsay]

So let's talk about that. Okay, where is the conversation at now?

[Zach Wickham]

The conversation is at we're having the conversation.

[Rachel Lindsay]

And that's huge.

[Zach Wickham]

That's huge.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Especially for you.

[Zach Wickham]

Yeah. And I think that's, you know, but I wish more people, I hope that we inspire people to have the conversations and not think that, you know, if you don't want kids, you shouldn't have to have them. And that's okay. But I think having those conversations is hard for especially, I would say especially straight couples, but even gay couples. Like, there's not a blueprint for it. And most of the time, most of your upbringing, society will tell you you want kids. And so for the few people that don't feel that way or are conflicted, you know, take the time, get on the right page, get on the right path or decide if that isn't the way and then you have to figure it out from there.

[Rachel Lindsay]

Okay, you guys, that's all for part one. Make sure you stay tuned for part two. Dropping tomorrow. Bye.

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