It's Ben a Week

Ben McDonnell
  • 4.9 (145)
  • Comedy Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

"It’s Ben a Week" is an unfiltered, bold, and hilariously unpredictable podcast where Texas grit meets Hollywood wit. Hosted by actor and barrel racer Ben McDonnell, it’s your weekly escape into outrageous stories, candid conversations, and unapologetic humor.

  1. Deja Ben (ft. Sherry Harris)

    18h ago ·  Video

    Deja Ben (ft. Sherry Harris)

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben welcomes back fan-favorite guest Sherry Harris for one of their most unpredictable conversations yet. What starts as a debate about Texas drivers quickly spirals into a hilarious and surprisingly deep discussion about déjà vu, wildlife, near-death experiences, fear of dying, AI, prison, Pride Month, and everything in between.   Ben and Sherry swap stories about living in small-town Texas, dodging turkeys, porcupines, snakes, tarantulas, and other unexpected wildlife before diving into bigger questions about life, aging, time, and what might happen after we die.   Later, AJ joins Ben for the aftershow to talk about his brand-new perm, spray tans before vacation, hair insecurities, why Sherry is one of their favorite guests, and the importance of self-confidence. The conversation wraps with a thoughtful discussion about Pride Month, identity, religion, and why acceptance matters.   This episode is funny, philosophical, chaotic, and proof that the best conversations are often the ones with no agenda. In this episode: Why Texans still don’t know how to use a yield lane  Growing pains as Granbury continues to grow  Turkeys, porcupines, snakes, tarantulas, and Texas wildlife  Déjà vu, dreams, and theories about the brain  Near-death experiences and the fear of dying  AI, deepfakes, and fears about the future  AJ’s new perm and vacation prep  Self-confidence, identity, and finding comfort in who you are  A candid conversation about Pride Month and acceptance  🎧 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

    55 min
  2. Ben Microneedled & Over-Served (ft. Laura)

    Jun 23 ·  Video

    Ben Microneedled & Over-Served (ft. Laura)

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben is joined by one of his closest friends, Laura, for a conversation that quickly goes off the rails — and that’s before the cocktails really kick in. After opening the episode with a rant about people who keep their phones on Do Not Disturb, and addressing a decades-old rumor from his Minnesota barrel racing days, Ben welcomes Laura back to the podcast for a hilarious, completely unfiltered catch-up. Together, Ben and Laura dive into: Why people having their phones on Do Not Disturb drives Ben absolutely insaneA barrel racing rumor that somehow refuses to dieBeing a “gold star gay” and why strangers remain fascinated by Ben’s love lifeBen’s latest skincare obsession: microneedling and salmon sperm treatmentsThe beauty procedures people will try in the name of looking youngerFriendship, aging, and the ridiculous things we convince ourselves to spend money onFamily stories that somehow get more unbelievable every yearHorse life, ranch life, and growing up in MinnesotaPop culture, random observations, and several conversations that should probably have stayed off-micWhy some friendships are built entirely on making each other laughAs always, the conversation bounces between heartfelt, ridiculous, and completely inappropriate with very little warning. Pour yourself a drink and join Ben and Laura for one of the most relaxed and funniest episodes of Season 2 so far. 🎧 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

    39 min
  3. It’s Ben a Minute

    Jun 16 ·  Video

    It’s Ben a Minute

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben is finally back after more than a month away from the podcast—and a LOT has happened.   After weeks of pre-recorded episodes, Ben returns to share what life has been like while working on exciting new projects, filming a movie in Palm Springs, and navigating opportunities he can’t quite talk about yet. While some details have to remain under wraps for now, Ben reflects on how quickly life can change when things don’t go according to plan.   From losing out on a lead role to landing opportunities that ended up being an even better fit, Ben opens up about rejection, redirection, trusting the process, and why sometimes the things that don’t work out are exactly what lead you where you’re supposed to be.   Later, AJ joins the podcast to discuss surviving a month alone on the ranch with 70+ animals, battling koi pond disasters, debating whether their miniature cow is overweight, and diving headfirst into the world of artificial intelligence.   The two also discuss: filming a gay cowboy movie while playing the straight cowboyairport frustrations and airline baggage dramaAI becoming AJ’s newest obsessionMachine Gun Kelly and Demi Lovato concertslife on the ranch without Benwhy everything happens for a reasonand what might be next for both of themThis episode is funny, reflective, hopeful, and a reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunities come after the biggest disappointments.   🎧 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

    39 min
  4. We've Ben Out Loud & Laughing (ft. Bryan & Jon)

    Jun 9 ·  Video

    We've Ben Out Loud & Laughing (ft. Bryan & Jon)

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben is joined once again by fan favorites Bryan and Jon from the Out Loud & Laughing podcast for another chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation.   The trio dives into everything from growing up as theater kids and making homemade movies before TikTok existed, to navigating Hollywood as gay entertainers and learning how to turn creativity into a career.   Ben opens up about moving to Los Angeles at 18, getting humbled by the entertainment industry, turning down advertising job offers to pursue acting, and why podcasting gave him a level of creative control he never found in traditional acting jobs.   They also discuss: being gay in Hollywoodauditioning for straight vs. gay rolesbuilding a successful podcastchildhood obsession with The Sims and Rollercoaster TycoonDisney adultsbathhousesDolly Parton anxietyBroadway crushesand why humor matters more than almost anything elseThe episode wraps with a chaotic round of “This or That,” featuring questions about boxers vs. briefs, pitching vs. catching, baths vs. showers, and whether Ben would rather be remembered for his humor or his heart.   This episode is nostalgic, unfiltered, gay, hilarious, and a reminder that sometimes the best conversations happen when friends are just talking shit. In this episode: Growing up making homemade movies before social media  Ben’s journey from Minnesota to Hollywood  Turning down advertising jobs to become an actor  The reality of being a working actor in Hollywood  Podcasting vs. acting and creative control  Being openly gay in entertainment  The Sims, Rollercoaster Tycoon, and Disney adult culture  Satan’s a*****e weather in Texas and Florida  A chaotic “This or That” game about sex, Broadway, and baths  Follow Out Loud & Laughing: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outloudandlaughing/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-loud-laughing/id1791165133 🎧 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

    25 min
  5. Ben's Birthday Episode

    Jun 2 ·  Video

    Ben's Birthday Episode

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben celebrates his birthday, Pride Month, and something he’s never officially done before… coming out. In this deeply personal solo episode, Ben officially shares publicly that he’s gay and opens up about the journey it took to get there. From growing up in a small town, being bullied in high school, and struggling with self-acceptance, to finally learning how to fully love himself, this is one of the most vulnerable episodes yet. Ben talks about the importance of Pride Month, why LGBTQ+ visibility still matters, and the pressure so many people feel to hide who they are. He also opens up about family dynamics, internalized fear, dating closeted men, and the process of finally becoming comfortable enough to live authentically. The episode also features the return of AJ for a hilarious and heartfelt aftershow conversation about coming out stories, relationships, pool party chaos, Fireball disasters, and why gay people truly do throw the best parties. This episode is funny, emotional, chaotic, honest, and a reminder that everyone deserves to be loved exactly as they are. In this episode: Ben officially comes out publicly for the first time  Why Pride Month still matters  Growing up gay in a small town  Bullying, self-acceptance, and learning to love himself  Family struggles and fear around coming out  The reality of dating closeted men  AJ shares his own coming out story  Wild birthday pool party stories and Fireball chaos  Why everyone deserves to live authentically  🎧 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

    29 min
  6. Ben Leaving Everything Behind (ft. Ruby)

    May 26 ·  Video

    Ben Leaving Everything Behind (ft. Ruby)

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben is joined by his longtime friend Ruby for a chaotic, emotional, and unexpectedly inspiring conversation about moving across the world, starting over, heartbreak, and learning to embrace discomfort.   After spending the last two years living in London, Ruby is officially back in Texas — fresh off a breakup, a cross-country move, and a completely uncertain future. The two reflect on how much has changed since they first recorded a “practice episode” together years ago that never aired.   Ben and Ruby dive into: moving to new cities without knowing anyoneleaving behind horses, careers, relationships, and comfort zonesthe emotional reality of living abroadbreakups that ultimately changed their lives for the betterwhy travel changes your entire perspective on lifeand how sometimes the scariest decisions become the most rewarding onesThey also spiral into hilarious conversations about: the new “rat virus” panicconspiracy theoriespandemic flashbackseconomy flight traumaAustralians vs. AmericansFacebook pub crawls in Londonpirate ship party boats in Turkeyand why Texans treated COVID VERY differently than Los Angeles.  The episode also explores the pressure people feel to stay in their hometowns, fear of failure, and why taking risks can completely reshape your life. This episode is funny, honest, emotional, chaotic, and a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is book the flight and figure the rest out later. 🎧 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

    51 min
  7. The Most Personal Thing I’ve Ever Ben Part Of

    May 19 ·  Video

    The Most Personal Thing I’ve Ever Ben Part Of

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben does something completely different. For the first time ever, Ben is sharing the audio/video from "I",  a documentary he created nearly 10 years ago while living in Los Angeles. The film premiered at the Twin Cities Film Festival with three sold out screenings and became one of the most meaningful projects he’s ever worked on.   The documentary explores identity, trauma, addiction, grief, self-love, religion, sexuality, mental health, and survival through deeply personal interviews with people from all different walks of life. The unique concept behind the project? Throughout the interviews, viewers only see the subjects’ eyes — highlighting raw emotion, vulnerability, and humanity before finally revealing the full person behind each story.   This emotional and powerful episode features stories about: addiction and recoverysuicide and griefbeing transgenderdrag and identitylosing childrenbody image strugglesfamily abandonmentreligion and faithsurviving traumaself acceptanceresilience and healingBen also reflects on creating the documentary while living in LA, why the project mattered so much to him, and how revisiting it 10 years later still impacts him today.   If you are listening on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube, you can now watch the full documentary thanks to new video podcast support.   This episode is emotional, inspiring, heartbreaking, hopeful, and a reminder that every single person is carrying a story you may never fully see on the surface. In this episode: Ben shares his documentary I for the first time on the podcast  The emotional concept behind filming only people’s eyes  Stories of addiction, overdose, and recovery  Conversations about being transgender and drag identity  Losing children, suicide, grief, and resilience  Body image struggles and self acceptance  Why trauma can sometimes lead to purpose and healing  The message that everyone deserves compassion and understanding  This episode contains discussions of suicide, addiction, overdose, grief, mental health struggles, and trauma that may be difficult for some listeners. Please listen with care and prioritize your well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the U.S. and Canada, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7. 🎧 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

    31 min
  8. She's Ben Kidnapped While Pregnant (ft. Jen Kirk)

    May 12 ·  Video

    She's Ben Kidnapped While Pregnant (ft. Jen Kirk)

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben sits down with his friend Jen Kirk for an emotional and eye-opening Mother’s Day episode unlike any other. At just 16 years old, Jen became pregnant and made the heartbreaking decision to place her son up for adoption. But this isn’t just a story about adoption — it’s a story about survival, sacrifice, family, trauma, and what motherhood can really look like.   Jen opens up about navigating an open adoption in the late 1980s, choosing her son’s adoptive parents herself, and the emotional reality of watching him grow up from a distance through letters and photographs.   The conversation takes a shocking turn when Jen reveals that during her pregnancy, she was allegedly hidden away in a remote cabin after her stepmother attempted to take the baby for herself — leading to a terrifying situation involving private investigators, police, and a dramatic rescue coordinated by her mother.   Ben and Jen also discuss: the emotional side of adoption that nobody talks aboutabortion, choice, and societal judgmentreconnecting with her son 25 years laterblended families and healingthe lifelong emotional impact of adoptionwhy there’s little support for birth mothersand how everything eventually came full circleNow, nearly 40 years later, Jen has a close relationship with her biological son, his children, and his adoptive family — proving that families can take many different forms.   This episode is emotional, shocking, heartbreaking, healing, and a powerful reminder that motherhood is never one-size-fits-all. 🎧 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

    57 min
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4.9
out of 5
145 Ratings

About

"It’s Ben a Week" is an unfiltered, bold, and hilariously unpredictable podcast where Texas grit meets Hollywood wit. Hosted by actor and barrel racer Ben McDonnell, it’s your weekly escape into outrageous stories, candid conversations, and unapologetic humor.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben McDonnell
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 It's Ben a Week
  • Show Website
    It's Ben a Week

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