It's Ben a Week

This week on It’s Ben A Week , it’s my birthday… and I’m officially coming out — right here on the podcast. Surprise! I’m gay. 🌈 (Okay, not that shocking) I’m turning 33 , and this episode is a full reflection on self-love , Pride Month , and the journey of getting comfortable in your own skin. I talk about growing up closeted, internalized shame, high school bullies, my terrifying coming-out mom...

This week on It’s Ben A Week , I’m saving dogs, dodging kids at the gym, raging about kettlebells, and reflecting on Katy Perry’s outer space comeback tour. Oh — and I shot a gun for the first time. No big deal. Then I’m joined by a brand new friend — yoga instructor, tarot reader, and all-around badass Gabrielle , who shares her incredible story of surviving emergency brain surgery at 14 , losing...

This week on It’s Ben A Week , things go off the rails fast — literally. I try to rescue a squirrel stuck in my truck tire and end up driving the wheels off my dually . Then I recap my stressful (and slightly unhinged) car buying journey and why I chose the new Audi Q6 over a Tesla. Spoiler: I just can’t give Elon my money. Then AJ’s best friend of 20 years — and my instant bestie — Cassandra join...

This week on It’s Ben A Week , we’re honoring Mother’s Day — but not in the Hallmark card way. This is an episode about real moms , real loss , real love , and the unthinkable strength it takes to show up when life knocks you flat. First up: I talk with my incredible friend Victoria , who shares the story of losing her newborn daughter Eden — and how grief became the most powerful fuel for her gro...

In this episode of It’s Ben a Week , I’m joined by my longtime bestie Elise Hansen to break down the chaos of Stagecoach and Coachella—two festivals that are as different as acid and whiskey. But first, we recap one of the wildest nights of our lives: AJ manifested his dream (again) and ended up singing on stage with the one and only Patti LaBelle. And yes, there's video. In this episode we d...

This week on It’s Ben A Week , I’m exposing one of my worst enemies: hangover anxiety —or as I like to call it, Ben-xiety. Why is it that after a fun night of drinking, I wake up convinced that everyone hates me and I'm about to get canceled by my friend group? I break down why vodka is my toxic best friend, why I'm a world-class drunk texter, and why hangovers on vacation just hit diffe...

This week on It's Ben A Week , I try to make sense of Easter... and somehow end up ranting about Braille drive-thru menus, espresso mispronunciations, and whether Jesus just Houdini’d himself out of that tomb. I also give you an inside look at my week—from dealing with Starbucks stick-figure family vans, to accidentally draining our ranch's entire propane tank for one 10-minute swim. The...

From beauty guru to jungle-dwelling death doula—this week’s guest has lived . Ben reconnects with his longtime friend Eleven (aka Lynette), a former YouTube star turned psychedelic guide, spiritual teacher, and self-described shapeshifter. They dive into everything from ayahuasca trips, queer identity, and death work to what it really means to evolve, let go, and embrace change. And yes, there’s t...

This week, Ben sits down with comedy royalty — the one and only Caroline Rhea . You probably know her best as Aunt Hilda from Sabrina the Teenage Witch , but today she’s trading her spellbook for stories, jokes, and a whole lot of heart. This episode is equal parts stand-up set , therapy session , and fun — and yes, Caroline can still get recognized just by laughing.  In this episode: We record li...

This week on It’s Ben a Week , I’m joined by the insanely talented Trisha LaFache —actress, writer, director, lawyer, coach, podcaster and all-around legend—who’s taking us behind the scenes of her career, from television to her unforgettable role in Jury Duty . We get into the absolute madness of Hollywood, the weirdest audition stories, and what it really takes to survive in this business. Trish...

In this episode of It’s Ben a Week , we’re diving into the most unhinged small-town stories ever —ghosts, UFOs, secret sex clubs, and, somehow, a sweet potato that no one saw coming. Ben is joined by Sherry, a friend and small-town insider, as they break down: Ben’s latest medical nightmare and why his elbow is still trying to kill him A haunted house so terrifying, the entire family had to flee T...

In this episode of It’s Ben a Week , I’m recapping my insane Caribbean yacht trip , from the luxury and debauchery to the near medical emergency that almost had me airlifted off the boat. We cover: The over-the-top yacht experience —how the crew packs your bags better than you do How a tiny scratch turned into a full-blown arm infection that nearly ruined the trip The moment I realized my elbow wa...

In this episode of It’s Ben a Week , we are diving into the messy world of cheating, red flags, and relationship disasters. From personal experiences to jaw-dropping betrayals, this episode is packed with drama, scandal, and a few hard truths. We cover: The ultimate cheating scandal that left Ben’s friend blindsided How to spot red flags early and why ignoring them never ends well Social media and...

This week, I’m going solo—no guests, just me, my unfiltered thoughts, and a whole lot to say. We’re talking about the most reckless dog owners (yeah, the ones who throw their dogs in the back of trucks like cargo—what the actual hell?), the chaos of running a podcast, and my ongoing koi pond nightmare. Spoiler: it’s still leaking. I also dive into imposter syndrome, podcast stats that blew my mind...

In this episode of It’s Ben a Week , AJ and I take you on a chaotic, scandalous, and very White Lotus-esque trip to Cabo San Lucas. What was supposed to be a relaxing getaway quickly turned into a week of sex, drugs, blood, and an unexpected airport shakedown. We dive into: Getting detained at customs and scammed out of $500 over podcast equipment The steam room situation that had us questioning e...

In this episode of It's Ben a Week , Morgan and I share a week full of unexpected scams and everyday chaos that will have you shaking your head in disbelief. We dive into: • The absurdity of discovering that gas prices differ wildly from station to station—and the sheer lack of self-awareness behind it all. • A chaotic dental visit turned scam, featuring outrageous bills, endless appointments...

This week on It’s Ben a Week , I sit down with Carlo Amato , the viral, no-BS wedding planner that has social media obsessed —and even caught the attention of Rihanna . We talk about his rise to internet fame , the wedding trends that need to die immediately , and the groomzillas who are officially worse than bridezillas. We also dive into:  The epidemic of people lacking self-awareness  My gas st...

This week on It’s Ben a Week , we’re diving into a raw, unfiltered conversation about religion, faith, and the Bible with my longtime friend, Lee Hanssen , a pastor and man of faith. We get into: My personal (and chaotic) experience at Catholic school—including why I was kindly asked to leave The questions about faith and the Bible that have always confused me The complicated relationship between...

Margaret Josephs Spills the Tea on Sobriety, Success & Soirée!   This week on It’s Ben a Week , I sit down with the fabulous Margaret Josephs to talk all things sobriety, success, and Soirée —her brand-new non-alcoholic beverage that’s redefining the party scene.  We dive into: • Her decision to embrace a dry lifestyle • The inspiration behind Soirée and why she’s shaking up the industry • The...

Wrong Ubers, Surprise Haircuts, and a Courtroom Showdown—Oh My!   In this episode of It’s Ben a Week , we dive headfirst into pure chaos —the kind that only happens when you least expect it. From fighting a court ticket to a mystery haircut by a total stranger (yes, that happened), this one is packed with WTF moments . We’re breaking down: • The drama of taking a ticket to court (spoiler: it’s a m...

From Wildfires to Workouts—Let’s Talk About It!   In this episode of It’s Ben a Week , we start with a moment of reflection on the LA fires and the importance of compassion and community during tough times. Then, we shift gears and hit the gym with my personal trainer, Brandon , where things get… chaotic.  We’re breaking down: • The real truth about training with me (Brandon has thoughts ) • The g...

In this debut episode, I’m joined by my partner, AJ, as we spill the tea on our crazy love story —from meeting in the big city to moving in together and, somehow, ending up on a Texas ranch with 70 animals (yes, really). 🐴🐷🐓 We’re diving into: ✔️ How we met and knew it was meant to be  ✔️ Adjusting from city life to ranch chaos  ✔️ The funniest (and most unexpected) moments along the way If you...

Welcome to It’s Ben a Week ! In this quick teaser, Ben McDonnell gives you a taste of what’s to come—wild stories, unfiltered laughs, and bold conversations that’ll keep you coming back for more. Saddle up, y’all—it’s about to get real! 🎧 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 profess...