As a special holiday bonus episode of In My Hometown- Local Voices, Jamie sits down one-on-one with Laura Merlo, a local yoga studio owner who has built more than a business — she’s built a community.

They talk about entrepreneurship, wellness, and listening to your body.

A calming, thoughtful conversation to listen to while walking, traveling, or taking a quiet moment for yourself.

In this holiday bonus episode of In My Hometown: Local Voices, Jamie sits down one-on-one with Julia Fording, a licensed therapist who made the courageous decision pursue her true passion.

They talk about overcoming self-doubt, trusting your inner voice, healing through life transitions, and why it’s never too late to choose a path that feels aligned.

A thoughtful, grounding conversation for anyone reflecting, resetting, or looking inward during the holidays.

Jordan Heller is back in the studio — and this time, he’s bringing his girlfriend, Emily Rooney!   They just celebrated their one year anniversary, and their happiness is undeniable. Pascal and Jamie sit down with Jordan and Emily to talk how they met, what their relationship looks like in reality, and how they navigate their 22-year age gap. Pascal — naturally — has a lot of questions (and thoughts).

Jordan also weighs in on The Golden Bachelor finale...

This episode really delivers — with honesty, humor, and Pascal being… well, Pascal.

What if the strongest, fittest, most confident version of you is still ahead? 

In this Golden Era conversation of In My Hometown, Jamie and Pascal are joined by Jodi Harrison Bauer - fitness competitor, trainer, entrepreneur, and host of the podcast Fearlessly Authentic - for an empowering and inspiring conversation about reinvention, strength and aging boldly. 

They explore how Jodi transformed her life in her 40s and 50s, why building physical strength leads to emotional resilience, and what it means to embrace your next chapter with purpose and power. This is an honest, energizing look at evolving at any age and finding the courage to become more of who you are.

In this episode:
✨ Reinventing yourself in midlife and beyond
✨ Why fitness fuels confidence, purpose, and resilience
✨ The mindset shift that helped Jodi overcome fear
✨ Building strength — physically and emotionally
✨ How to age boldly, powerfully, and authentically
✨ What it really takes to evolve into your next chapter

If you’re ready to get stronger, braver, and more confident in your Golden Era, this episode will light you up.

👇 COMMENT BELOW:
What are YOU reinventing in this season of your life?
🔔New episodes every Thursday. Subscribe on YouTube + follow on Instagram @inmyhometownpod.

Ever wondered what's really happening with plastic surgery, aging, Botox, filler, and the procedures celebs swear by? In this episode of In My Hometown, Jamie and Pascal sit down with Board-Certified and One of Chicago's Top Plastic Surgeons Dr. Michael Lee — host of the podcast I’d Love to Know — for an honest, smart, and surprisingly hilarious conversation about aging, appearance, and what actually works.

We cover everything:
• The truth about aging and how it affects your appearance
• Real talk on trends: Botox, fillers, facelifts, lasers & more
• Celebrity procedures — what’s real, what’s overhyped
• The biggest DOs and DON’Ts Dr. Lee wants everyone to know
• How to think about procedures in your 40s, 50s, 60s+
• And yes… a deep dive on breast augmentation (Pascal had QUESTIONS 😅)

Dr. Lee breaks it all down with clarity, humor, and a ton of practical insight — whether you’ve considered a tweakment, are curious about trends, or just want to age confidently and naturally.

🎧 About Dr. Michael Lee:
He’s a board-certified plastic surgeon, educator, and the host of I’d Love to Know, a podcast focused on aging and how it impacts the way we look and feel. The podcast explores ways to not only improve your appearance, but also your health and mind.

🎙️ About Us:
In My Hometown with Jamie Stein & Pascal brings conversations about aging, relationships, pop culture, beauty, Golden Bachelor insights, and everything happening in your “Golden Era.”

👉 Subscribe for more episodes, expert guests & unfiltered conversations.
👉 Drop a comment if you want Dr. Lee back — or if you have a question for him!

We’re back for Part 2 — and this one goes deeper.

Jamie and Pascal return for an unfiltered breakdown of the Golden Bachelor Finale and After the Final Rose, because one recap wasn't enough. 

We unpack:

• Peg’s calm confidence and why it hit differently

• Cindy’s emotional breaking point and what Mel wasn’t giving

• Pascal’s behind-the-scenes stories from the ATFR taping

• The “newly committed” moment everyone is debating

• The biggest surprises, awkward beats, and real relationship takeaways

• Your comments, theories, and hot takes — featured and discussed

t’s honest, lively, and full of the moments we couldn’t fit into Part 1.

And yes… this finale says a lot about dating, communication, and choosing clarity in your Golden Era.

New episodes every Thursday.

Join the conversation and be part of this growing, smart, hilarious community.

We’re diving into every twist of The Golden Bachelor Finale — from Cindy’s emotional decision to leave before the Fantasy Suite to Mel's proposing a "commitment" to Peg. 

Relationship therapist and author Jaime Bronstein (“MAN*ifesting”) joins us to break down the communication gaps, emotional patterns, and real relationship dynamics that played out both on screen and behind the scenes. Plus, Pascal shares what he saw at the final rose taping and even gets a little live relationship coaching himself

We Discuss:
-Cindy’s decision to skip the Fantasy Suite in Antigua and end her journey
-Her need for reassurance — and why Mel couldn’t give her the engagement clarity she wanted
-Mel choosing Peg and what makes their connection feel compatible
-The vibes from the Golden Bachelor Finale taping that Pascal attended
-Real relationship patterns we see in dating over 50
-Pascal's love life and some relationship coaching 😂
-Communication, reassurance, emotional safety, attachment styles & more

This is one of our deepest, funniest, and most revealing conversations yet — mixing Golden Bachelor drama with real, actionable relationship insight. 

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Jaime Bronstein is a licensed relationship therapist and bestselling author of MAN*ifesting, known for her expert advice on love, dating, and emotional connection.

IF YOU LOVE GOLDEN BACHELOR + REAL TALK ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS…

Hit SUBSCRIBE for more weekly recaps, hot takes, and conversations about dating, divorce, sex, friendships, and finding love in your golden era.

The Golden Bachelor Fantasy Suites in Antigua brought MAJOR drama:
✅ Peg & Mel: romantic, natural chemistry, overnight glow
❌ Cindy & Mel: tense dinner, hard questions, zero clarity

Jamie and Pascal break it all down — including why Peg feels like the front-runner and whether Cindy deserves more answers.

They also react to Gerry Turner’s memoir about his 3-month marriage to Theresa Nist and divorce fallout.  Bonus: Pascal’s Golden #MansionMen reunion in Chicago!  Pascal found love with these buddies.

❤️ Enjoying our Golden Bachelor recaps?
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💬 Comment: Are you surprised about the turn of events? Will Cindy get her time with Mel in the Fantasy Suite? Who do you want to see next on the Podcast?
📩 Share with a fellow Bachelor Nation fan!

#GoldenBachelor #FantasySuites #Antigua #Peg #Cindy #Mel #GerryTurner #TheresaNist #RealityTV #BachelorNation

The Women Tell All gave us everything we expected — tears, truth, and more than a few cringe moments.

Pascal and Jamie talk Nicole’s tearful plea to Mel, Cheryl wondering what she could have done differently, Debbie questioning whether her being unmarried cost her the rose -- and that “I’m dating America” line from Nicole that had everyone talking. 

Then Jackie Pilossoph, founder of Divorced Girl Smiling — a trusted community for people navigating divorce, joins the conversation. Jackie shares why “grey divorce” (divorce after 50) is on the rise even as overall divorce rates decline, and debunks the biggest myths about starting over — including the idea that you won’t find love again.

💛 Watch, listen, and join the conversation about second chances, self-worth, and what it really means to “go golden.”  

The Golden Bachelor is just the jumping off point for real conversations about what it means to be in your "golden or going golden era" and how to live your best life.  Pascal and Jamie welcome a rotating group of guests each week including friends of Bachelor Nation and experts on dating, divorce, sex, wellness, finance, and more. Don't miss these unfiltered and fun conversations.  It's He Said, She Said golden style. See you there!! 

#GoldenBachelor #InMyHometownPodcast #DivorcedGirlSmiling #GoingGolden #BachelorNation #Pascal #GoldenBachelorette #Dating #DatingLaterInLife #divorce

The Golden Bachelor Season 2 with Mel Owens continues with Hometown Dates for Peggy, Debbie and Cindy.  Hosts Jamie Stein and Pascal unpack the most revealing week yet - with returning special guest, Jordan Heller. Mel met the families of Peggy, Debbie and Cindy, but even hometown warmth couldn’t melt his cool exterior.

Both Cindy’s and Peggy’s daughters voiced doubts, saying they couldn’t get a read on Mel’s feelings for their moms — and they’re not alone. Mel seems reluctant to even share he might see himself with any of the ladies.  There's guarded and then there's guarded.  

He sent Debbie home and now Peggy and Cindy remain but we’re all wondering: Is Mel truly ready to open up? 

Pascal offers his signature hot takes, Jamie dives into the emotional undercurrents, and Jordan shares his perspective.  And, don't miss the part where Pascal and Jamie disagree on what desperation looks like. 

🎧 In My Hometown brings you The Golden Bachelor Recap series — equal parts humor, heart, and real-world insight for anyone navigating their “going golden or golden era” of love.

💛 Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify so you don’t miss next week’s recap and more!