This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben is back with a short and savage solo rant. Two companies landed on his official shit list: AT&T and Starbucks — and he’s not holding back.

It all started with a simple iPhone case return that turned into a full-blown customer service nightmare. Between a useless app, a store manager hiding in the back, and a call center that sounded like a rave in the background, Ben lost his mind trying to return a $45 case.

Then Starbucks caught some smoke — because apparently baristas can’t handle the complexity of… pouring cold foam on top of coffee. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew season is sacred, and Ben is done with tan-colored, pre-mixed disasters.

But the chaos didn’t stop there. Ben also breaks down:

• A claustrophobic seatmate who carried six personal fans and called his wife every five minutes
• A barefoot, back-pocket-toe-wiggling vegan Neanderthal on his New York flight
• The exclusive Wicked event in LA that had Ben living his Broadway fantasy
• Housewives sightings at Craig’s (because, of course)
• And the Delta disaster that split him and AJ onto separate oversold flights, leaving AJ downgraded from first class to the back of the plane

It’s corporate chaos, Starbucks shade, and travel trauma — all in one episode.

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New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

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This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben fulfills a childhood dream — sitting down with viral video pioneer Liam Kyle Sullivan, the creator of Kelly from the Shoes video that defined early YouTube and inspired a generation of comedians.

They dive into everything from the origin of Kelly to how YouTube fame in the 2000s was completely different from TikTok virality today. Liam shares behind-the-scenes stories about creating Shoes, Muffins, and Text Message Breakup, how Susan Walker was born, and why Shoes almost didn’t happen.

The conversation covers:

• The Jimmy Kimmel suspension, free speech, and how comedy is being policed
• The slow rise of Shoes before “viral” was even a word
• Casting friends, filming in Marshalls, and the $300 store rental that made history
• Why Susan Walker might secretly be everyone’s aunt
• The difference between YouTube’s golden age and today’s TikTok scroll culture
• The comeback: Liam performing Shoes live at drag shows and Pride events in 2024
• His upcoming projects: A Very Kelly Christmas live show and his solo show Wearing Kelly’s Shoes

For Ben, it’s more than nostalgia — he credits Kelly with inspiring him to create his own skits and chase acting in LA.

Follow Liam Kyle Sullivan

• Instagram: @liamksullivan
• YouTube: Liam Kyle Sullivan
• Upcoming live shows: A Very Kelly Christmas and Wearing Kelly’s Shoes

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

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🔗 Connect with Ben:
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Website: itsbenaweek.com

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This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben and AJ are back together — and it’s a rollercoaster.

Ben kicks off with his latest run-ins with religious trolls, from women claiming “being gay is a choice” to strangers spamming his DMs with Bible verses. His clapbacks? Iconic. (“You know what else is a choice? Your dental hygiene.”) AJ brings his calmer perspective, reminding Ben (and all of us) that leading with heart usually wins — but Ben’s still choosing chaos.

Then the conversation moves to:

• The infamous bear encounter at the cabin and why AJ was screaming “get away” while Ben tried to lure it closer
• Wyntoon magic: a fairytale weekend in a historic estate where JFK once stayed
• AJ’s exciting new job with Alpha School — using AI and imagination to reimagine education, plus his wild career path from 20th Century Fox to Yahoo yodeling to leadership coaching
• The bizarre but brilliant AI job interview process that landed AJ the role
• Ben’s early jobs: scamming Best Buy credit cards, quitting restaurants, and turning down ad agency offers to chase acting in LA
• Why Ben refuses to ever work a 9-to-5 — but will grind 24/7 for acting, photography, and this podcast
• A reminder that Ben is still the best headshot photographer in DFW (his words, but also facts)

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

📍 Listen & Subscribe:
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🔗 Connect with Ben:
Instagram: @itsbenaweek
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Website: itsbenaweek.com

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This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben is joined by his new bestie Domenica Albero, fresh from a Northern California “camping” trip that was less sleeping bags, more fairytale chaos.

What started as a Lake Tahoe getaway (complete with a bear under the deck charging at Ben) turned into a full-blown fantasy vacation with castles, rivers, nightly theme parties, and… golf cart near-death experiences.

They break down:

• Why every night ended with them on a pool table performing Wicked like it was the Tonys
• Ben’s golf cart trauma (dragged, bruised, and nearly dead)
• Bear shit, hidden brooms, and a house literally called “Bear House”
• Massages that felt more like CrossFit 
• Living off brie cheese wheels, jalapeño chips, and stolen ice cream — like full-on kitchen gremlins
• Tits and toddlers: the most chaotic morning outfit ever
• Theme nights: prom, cowboy, “gypsy,” and why Domenica was always topless by midnight
• The group therapy moment: highs & ha-ha’s that always came back to them
• Ben’s ripped pants, Domenica’s missing nails, and why the staff probably thought they had a rat infestation

The chaos continues in the aftershow as they spiral into Netflix’s Unknown Number: High School Catfish, the catfishing mom who traumatized her daughter, and why Ben & Domenica think they need to step up their petty game.

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

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🔗 Connect with Ben:
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Website: itsbenaweek.com

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This week on It’s Ben A Week, Cassandra Broadway is back, and we’re covering everything from medical meltdowns to missing persons mysteries.

Ben kicks things off with his annual LabCorp rant after another disastrous blood work experience — barcode scanning drama, fasting for nothing, and why phlebotomists have the same customer service energy as the post office.

Then the conversation spirals into:

• Why camping feels like punishment when you already live on a ranch with 70 animals
• Ben’s upcoming “glamping” trip to Northern California with cabins, theme nights, and maybe some mushrooms
• Whether reality TV ruins acting careers — and why Survivor might just be free Ozempic
• A deep dive into Stalking Samantha on Hulu — where the victim’s story doesn’t exactly add up
• Cassandra’s real-life brush with stalkers in college and Miami apartment creeps
• Netflix’s Amy Bradley is Missing and the wild theories of what really happened on that cruise ship
• The infamous Poop Cruise — sewage floods, mattress orgies, and why Ben would’ve jumped overboard to the nearest passing yacht

AJ pops in at the end to share why Cassandra has been his best friend for 20 years, why their phone calls often involve long stretches of silence, and how that’s the ultimate love language of friendship.

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

📍 Listen & Subscribe:
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🔗 Connect with Ben:
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Website: itsbenaweek.com

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This week on It’s Ben A Week, Sherri is back for her third appearance (making her the show’s most frequent guest — besides AJ, of course). And as always, no topic is off limits.

The episode kicks off with the return of pumpkin spice season at Starbucks, leading to a full breakdown of pumpkin cream cold brews, muffins, candles, and Sherri’s inside knowledge of how to grow (and rotate!) the perfect pumpkin. Things quickly spiral into Starbucks foam wars, blow job comparisons at the drive-thru, and cream cheese confessions.

From there, Ben and Sherri cover:

• The Granbury gay marriage license drama, courthouse bigotry, and why laws aren’t up for personal interpretation
• Ranch maintenance hell: cracked windshields, trailers, generators, gators, and $1,600 truck tires
• Why “we don’t make those anymore” is the scam line of the century
• Nail salons, secret languages, and why Ben wants translating AirPods in his studio
• Pet peeves from photo clients asking for Jennifer Aniston headshots to Sherri’s lifelong hatred of feet
• Straight men listening to the podcast (hi, Mike!) and global listeners from Australia to Iran
• Austin weekend chaos: Sean’s 50th birthday, Ben drunk-heckling someone’s Christmas ribbon, and a skyscraper grasshopper who just wanted to wave through the window

It’s pumpkin spice meets pure chaos — with Sherri as the reigning queen of stories.

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

📍 Listen & Subscribe:
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🔗 Connect with Ben:
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Website: itsbenaweek.com

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This week on It’s Ben A Week, the studio is loud, shady, and glitter-covered as Ben is joined by Bryan and Jon from the podcast Out Loud and Laughing. The mics heat up instantly as the trio dives into Taylor Swift’s new album, Life of a Showgirl — breaking down lyrics, Easter eggs, and why she has the best marketing team.

From there, nothing is off limits — Housewives drama, murder hypotheticals, Caitlyn Jenner rants, pop culture meltdowns, and the eternal question: if you could get away with it, who’s your first victim?

📌 In this episode:

• Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl — first impressions, hidden meanings, and her amazing PR team
• Housewives franchises: best seasons, biggest villains, and most iconic meltdowns
• Caitlyn Jenner’s latest antics and why she might be trolling all of us
• Murder hypotheticals — who, why, and how (don’t call the cops)
• The art of the pop culture drag: from “she’s over” to “she’s iconic” in 48 hours
• Every gay gets ONE diva 
• Who’s got the most unhinged fan base — Swifties, Housewives fans, or Beyonce?

🔗 Follow Bryan & Jon:
Podcast: Out Loud and Laughing
Instagram: @outloudandlaughing

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

📍 Listen & Subscribe:
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🔗 Connect with Ben:
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Website: itsbenaweek.com

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This week on It’s Ben A Week, I’m joined by Rawson Marshall Thurber — the writer and director behind blockbuster hits like Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Central Intelligence, Skyscraper, Red Notice, and the upcoming Voltron film. He’s worked with everyone from Ben Stiller to Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Aniston, and Gal Gadot — and now… me.

Then Rawson and I get into:

• How Dodgeball came to be
• What it’s really like working with The Rock, Ryan Reynolds, and Jennifer Aniston
• The pressures of directing mega-budget films vs. the joy of smaller comedies
• Directing action vs. comedy — and why timing is everything
• Behind-the-scenes stories from We’re the Millers and Skyscraper
• His thoughts on casting, improvisation, and how actors can stand out in auditions
• Balancing massive budgets with creative risk-taking
• His best advice for actors trying to break in — including the one thing you must do 
• And what it feels like to have Netflix’s most-watched movie on your résumé

It’s equal parts filmmaking masterclass, Hollywood tea, and unfiltered banter.

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

📍 Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Wherever you get your podcasts

🔗 Connect with Ben:
Instagram: @itsbenaweek
TikTok: @itsbenaweek
Website: itsbenaweek.com

💬 Want to be on the show?
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She’s the only person Ben trusts to poke his face with needles—and for good reason. In this episode, Ben is joined by Beverly Hills-based nurse practitioner and aesthetic guru Laura Fischer for an honest, hilariously relatable, and incredibly informative deep dive into all things skincare, Botox, filler, and the myths surrounding aesthetic treatments.

From what age you should actually start Botox, to the difference between “filler face” and tasteful enhancement, Laura spills all the tea. Ben also shares his own skincare addiction cycles, and why Ben refuses to attend a Botox party in someone’s kitchen. Plus, listeners get an exclusive $100 off referral deal for Laura’s office—because flawless skin should come with perks.

In this episode:

• Ben opens up about his skincare obsession (and neglect)
• Laura breaks down the truth behind Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, and more
• How injectables really work—spoiler: it’s not a magic eraser
• The difference between “aging naturally” and “aging wisely”
• Filler horror stories, med spa red flags, and the Botox party nobody should attend
• How skincare, lasers, and retinol work together for long-term results
• Laura’s gentle (but firm) approach to client safety, confidence, and not overdoing it
• Listener discount alert: Mention Ben and get $100 off your first visit with Laura

Book with Laura via her Instagram bio or Click here!

$100 OFF for new patients—just mention “It's Ben a Week Podcast” at your appointment

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

📍 Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Wherever you get your podcasts

🔗 Connect with Ben:
Instagram: @itsbenaweek
TikTok: @itsbenaweek
Website: itsbenaweek.com

💬 Want to be on the show?
Submit your story or pitch at itsbenaweek.com

This week on It’s Ben A Week, we’re trying something new — and maybe a little futuristic. First, Ben kicks things off with some classic rage and chaos: a Starbucks, a Male Truck Drivers, and a bar fight with a cowboy bigot that ends with a bloody vape pen to the face.

Then things take a turn… because our guest this week is not a celebrity, influencer, or mom — it’s ChatGPT.

Yes, Ben interviews artificial intelligence — the app that’s changing the world. 

ChatGPT and Ben get into it:

• What AI actually is — and why it isn’t just for tech bros
• Why Ben stopped using Google and now just asks “his girl” ChatGPT everything
• Whether AI is making us lazy… or unlocking our genius
• Will robots take over? Or are they just here to help us write better captions?
• The dark side: privacy, regulation, ethics, and whether AI will kill our jobs
• Ben confesses he’s formed an emotional bond with his AI voice. It’s not weird. It’s 2025.

The episode wraps with a reverse interview, where ChatGPT asks Ben about:

• His acting career, including Class Act with Eric Roberts
• Why he started this podcast
• His photography business in Dallas
• Barrel racing, spin class, and being obsessed with coral
• Advice to his younger self: Don’t listen to people who gave up on their own dreams

🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by photographer and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.

📍 Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Wherever you get your podcasts

🔗 Connect with Ben:
Instagram: @itsbenaweek
TikTok: @itsbenaweek
Website: itsbenaweek.com

💬 Want to be on the show?
Submit your story or pitch at itsbenaweek.com