After Reality with Courtney Robertson

Papa Robertson is back, and this week we're talking about something that's been on my mind lately: What makes you feel alive?From big adventures and having things to look forward to, to the little everyday moments that bring us joy, we're diving into what it really means to feel alive.I also asked you to share what makes you feel alive, and your responses did not disappoint. I read as many of your messages as I could, and some of your stories really touched us. It's a reminder that we're all looking for a little more joy, connection, and excitement in our lives.Of course, no episode with Papa Robertson would be complete without a little life advice, some laughs, and a few unexpected turns.And speaking of unexpected turns... Would I ever consider being The Bachelorette? It's a question I've been getting a lot lately, and we're finally talking about it. Let's just say Papa has some thoughts!Life is full of changes, new chapters, and second chances. Sometimes all it takes is having something to look forward to.Thank you for being here, for sharing your stories, and for reminding me of all the beautiful reasons to feel alive. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share After Reality with a friend!@rickrobertsun Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m back with a candid life update after a few very chaotic weeks. Between moving into a new home, getting my kids settled, dealing with sickness running through the house, and navigating an increasingly difficult divorce, it’s been a lot.I share where things stand with my living situation, the legal challenges I’m facing, and what it’s been like trying to rebuild my life while protecting my peace and my children.As hard as this chapter has been, I also feel something I haven’t felt in a long time: FREE! I’m finally starting to feel healthy again, excited about what’s ahead, and more like myself. This episode is about the messiness of starting over, learning what deserves my energy, and finding little reasons to look forward to life again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing a raw and very real update on my ongoing divorce following my ex’s infidelity. I open up about the emotional and legal nightmare of separating from someone who still wants control, the manipulation and narcissistic behavior I’ve experienced, and what it’s been like trying to create a safe, independent home for my children and me.I also talk about the incredible people helping me survive this brutal chapter—including my dad, my closest friends, and even my ex’s ex-girlfriend—and share the shows bringing me a little joy and giving me a much-needed escape from reality.Through all of it, I’m staying focused on protecting my children, continuing my podcast, and slowly rebuilding my life. And stay tuned until the very end—you’ll get to hear his true colors in an accidental message he sent me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of I Didn’t Come Here to Get a Divorce, I sit down with my friend Stefanie Parker, podcast host of She’s All Bach (@shesallbach), to continue unpacking the painful reality of filing for divorce after discovering my husband had been living a double life.This episode is raw, emotional, and at times even darkly funny, because honestly… what else can you do when the truth keeps getting worse? I open up about the grief, the shock, the anger, and the clarity that comes when you finally stop crying over someone who shattered your trust.Stefanie and I talk about serial infidelity, manipulation, narcissistic behavior, the emotional toll of betrayal, and what it feels like to connect with other women who were also pulled into the chaos. I also share where I am now as I try to protect my children, reclaim my strength, and move toward a new chapter of co-parenting, healing, and maybe even writing the next book...This is not the story I wanted, but it is the truth I’m finally ready to tell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of After Reality, I’m joined by Joshua Fields Millburn, creator of Netflix’s hit documentary The Minimalists: Less Is Now, for a conversation about clutter, consumer culture, and what it really means to live with less.As a mom of three, the clutter can feel endless — toys, baby gear, school papers, sentimental items, and all the “just in case” things we keep tucked away. Joshua breaks down minimalism in a way that feels practical and realistic, not extreme, and explains how letting go of physical clutter can create more time, peace, clarity, and freedom.We talk about his personal journey from corporate success and constant consumerism to a more intentional life, the emotional weight of clearing out his late mother’s belongings, and why our memories live in us — not in our things.Joshua also shares helpful tools like the “20/20 rule” for letting go of just-in-case items, the “seasonality rule” for deciding what still serves you, and how boundaries around stuff can lead to a calmer home and a more meaningful life.This conversation is about emotional clutter, identity clutter, money stress, motherhood, grief, and redefining the new American dream — not as more stuff, but as more freedom, meaning, and room for what actually matters.@joshuafieldsmillburn@theminimalistsvery very simplehttps://www.theminimalists.com/vvs/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m kicking off the brand-new After Reality Flashback series with Kalon McMahon, one of the most unforgettable villains from Emily Maynard’s season of The Bachelorette. He also reveals the truth behind his iconic helicopter entrance — what was real, what was production, and how that over-the-top arrival put a target on his back from night one.As two former Bachelor Nation villains from the old-school era, Kalon and I go all the way back — before TikTok, podcasts, Instagram statements, influencer careers, and contestants having any real way to tell their side of the story.Kalon looks back on the moments that defined his time on reality TV, from the helicopter entrance and “sorry not sorry” to the infamous “baggage” scene that followed him for years. We unpack how that moment really played out behind the scenes, what viewers didn’t see, and what filming was actually like when the edit was everything.We also get into producer pressure, house dynamics, villain edits, Bachelor fashion, who Kalon was hoping the Bachelorette would be — spoiler alert, it was me — dating after the show, how Bachelor Pad changed the audience’s perception of him, the very first season of Bachelor in Paradise, and where life has taken him since, including Texas, pickleball, and married life with his wife Emily.Juicy, nostalgic, and full of show truths, this is a candid look back at a completely different era of Bachelor Nation — when the fashion was questionable, the storylines were ruthless, and one sound bite could follow you forever.@kalonmcm@hadleighs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m back with a quick summer update before diving into Netflix’s The Crash and the Mackenzie Shirilla case that has completely taken over my algorithm.After watching multiple documentaries, I went down the TikTok rabbit hole of Shyann Topping — Mackenzie’s ex-girlfriend from prison — and her viral storytelling about what life is really like for women behind bars. Let’s just say, Kim Kardashian is not coming to save you.Then I’m getting into the Perfect Match finale — the drama, the strategy, the couples, and who actually felt real by the end. I also play a clip from Nick Viall’s podcast that ties into the conversation.I wrap with a few Bachelor Nation headlines, including the latest on Clayton Echard vs. Laura Owens — and whether she’s really going to accept a plea deal that could mean just two months in jail. A little true crime, a little reality TV chaos, and a lot to unpack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of After Reality, I’m coming off a very glamorous Mother’s Day — and by glamorous, I mean I did absolutely nothing. I sat in silence, recharged, binge-watched an intense Peacock crime drama, and then immediately needed to cleanse my nervous system with Farmer Wants a Wife. Honestly, my kind of holiday.I’m also sharing more about the beautiful response to my Mother’s Day episode with my 98-year-old Grandma Angie, and why it made me want to open up about something much more personal: the disappearance of my Aunt Elaine Robertson, who went missing in Mount Rainier National Park in the 1970s.Then we get into the mess. Taylor Frankie Paul’s never-ending battle continues, and I’m breaking down the latest back-and-forth with Mikayla Matthews, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives fallout, the questions around loyalty, boundaries, and whether Taylor is unraveling in real time. And yes — will she go live again?I’m also talking about what feels missing from ABC’s summer reality lineup, plus Kaitlyn Bristowe and Jenn Tran joining the new reality show Reality Retreat.And because this episode somehow has even more range, I’m getting into Spencer Pratt’s mayoral debate moment. I used to run in the same circles as Spencer, and I’m sharing why I’m not surprised he showed up fired up, sharp, and ready to talk fire safety, law enforcement, homelessness, and the future of Los Angeles.It’s Mother’s Day, family secrets, Mormon Wives drama, Bachelor Nation news, politics, and a little reality TV chaos — exactly how we like it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m joined by Nick Pellecchia, the winner of Netflix’s Million Dollar Secret, for a behind-the-scenes look at how he pulled off the win.Nick opens up about his strategy, how he identified the secret millionaire, and what was going through his mind when he made the bold box swap in the finale that secured him the grand prize. We also talk about the casting process, his transition from finance into reality TV, and what it was really like trying to complete secret agendas while filming at the château.Of course, we get into his flirtations on the show, his chemistry with Umeko Peterson, and what fans can expect from his upcoming appearance on Perfect Match Season 4. And yes — I ask the million-dollar questions: has he actually been paid yet, and what does he plan to do with the money?Nick also shares how emotional intelligence, staying calm under pressure, and reading the room helped him navigate one of Netflix’s most fascinating social strategy games.@nickypill Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m catching up with former Bachelor producer Alanna Noel after she went completely radio silent for the last year.She opens up about stepping away, what she was dealing with behind the scenes, and what it’s been like finding her way back.Then we get straight into Bachelor Nation — where the franchise stands, what’s shifting behind the curtain, and the headlines surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul.We also get into the dynamic between Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia, and how much of what we saw was real versus situational.I ask about former producer Julie LaPlaca’s upcoming book, The Love Producer: My Unscripted Journey from a Reality TV Career to My Own Happily Ever After, and what it actually takes to tell that story — NDAs, unspoken rules, and what may still be off limits.We get into the realities of production — uncredited ideas, shaping storylines, and how much is mapped out before filming even begins. And yes… Alanna shuts down the rumor about producer bonuses.It’s candid, direct, and full of the kind of behind-the-scenes insight Bachelor fans don’t usually hear.@lannanoel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of After Reality, I sit down with Chris Lancaster to talk about his experience being in the running to become the next Bachelor. He opens up about the intense casting process—from background checks and psychological evaluations to even being asked by producers to cut his hair to fit the show’s aesthetic.But just as things were gaining momentum, everything shifted. The network pivoted to The Bachelorette with Taylor Frankie Paul, and Chris shares how producers then encouraged him to join her season as a contestant instead.He was told that going on her season could eventually lead to him becoming the Bachelor—but ultimately, he chose to walk away. For Chris, it came down to authenticity and wanting something real.We talk about what that decision meant for him, how the experience pushed him to grow, and why it helped clarify what he’s truly looking for in a committed relationship—outside of reality TV.He also shares advice for anyone considering the process, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded, trusting your instincts, and protecting your heart in an industry that can be incredibly high-pressure@_chrislancaster_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of After Reality, I’m joined by Chad Kultgen, from Game of Roses, to break down my recent experience on Bachelor Mansion Takeover. Chad reveals his behind-the-scenes role as my “secret strategist,” helping me craft specific speeches and moments during filming to capture producer attention and maximize screen time. We also get into the controversial casting of Taylor Frankie Paul, with Chad sharing his thoughts on where the franchise stands today — why it may be lacking clear creative direction after recent production shakeups, and weighing in on where we go from here casting-wise, including whether we’ll ever actually see Taylor Frankie Paul’s season come to life.Chad and I dive into the real mechanics of reality TV and why your relationship with producers can matter even more than the actual rules of the game.And of course, we go a little deeper. We talk about Chad’s interest in metaphysics, his experiences with lucid dreaming, and even his one-of-a-kind political podcast featuring his parents, The Necessary Conversation.@bachelorclues @gameofrosespod @thenecessaryconversationpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on After Reality, I’m sitting down with the incredibly talented builder and TV personality, Mitch Oaks—also known as Mitch the Maker!We recently filmed Bachelor Mansion Takeover together, and let me just say… this man does not mess around when it comes to bringing big ideas to life. From swinging hammers to creating jaw-dropping transformations, Mitch is the real deal—and he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite in the HGTV world.In this episode, we get into his backstory—how he got started, what it really takes to make it in the building world, and what it’s like filming for HGTV versus reality TV. We also talk about the pressure of seeing your work on screen, whether he actually watches himself back, and yes… we get into his relationship status. From craftsmanship to camera time, this episode is all about what happens when creativity meets reality TV—and trust me, you’re going to love getting to know Mitch beyond the [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.