In My Hometown

Jamie Stein

The conversations we’re actually having. Asking the questions we’re all thinking. In My Hometown with Jamie Stein is about life, health, culture and everything we’re talking about after 40. Former reporter and comms executive Jamie Stein sits down with experts, fascinating people and friends for candid conversations about the things that matter right now — from health and family to relationships, empty nests, reinvention, second acts and the stories everyone is talking about. With curiosity, candor and a sense of fun, Jamie gets into the topics on our minds— and isn’t afraid to take the conversation somewhere unexpected. New episodes every week. 

  1. Aug 11

    The College Health Risks Parents Aren’t Talking About | Dr. Jill, The College Doc

    You worry about your kid’s grades, their roommate, whether they’ll make friends and if they’ll call home. But what should you really be worried about?  Dr. Jill Grimes — aka The College Doc and author of The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook — joins Jamie and Pascal for a revealing conversation about the things parents should be thinking about before their kids leave home — including some you may never have considered. Why should every college student have Narcan? What should your kid know about drinking and blackouts? Safe sex and STIs? Mental health and homesickness? What belongs in a dorm medicine kit? And when something does go wrong, will they know what to do when you’re not there? From the risks parents tend to focus on to the ones that may actually matter more, Dr. Jill gets real about college health and safety today — and the conversations worth having before move-in day. Whether you’re sending your first kid to college or your last, this is one conversation every college parent should hear. In My Hometown with Jamie & Pascal — real conversations about life, love and everything we’re talking about after 50. CHAPTERS 0:00 Sending your kid to college? Start here.  2:42 The "2 a.m. Plan": Essential safety agreements  4:22 Understanding "Blackout Culture" & legal risks  7:05 Real talk about sex and STIs on campus  14:50 Protecting fertility: Why testing matters  16:05 The truth about birth control timing & IUDs  22:21 Building the ultimate dorm medical kit 24:51 Narcan: No Cap (How to save a life) 30:00 Dorm room hacks: From rehydration to hygiene  35:10 Understanding medication mix-ups (Tylenol & Pseudoephedrine)  37:05 Homesickness vs. Mental Health: Red flags for parents  42:15 Adulting 101: Insurance cards & talking to doctors  46:10 The biggest mistakes parents make before drop-off

  2. Aug 4

    Joan Vassos: The First (and Only) Golden Bachelorette on Love, Midlife & Family

    Millions of viewers watched Joan Vassos make history as the first—and so far only—Golden Bachelorette. But the experience didn’t just change her love life—it changed her life. In this episode of In My Hometown, Joan joins Jamie Stein and Pascal for a candid conversation about finding love later in life, family, grief, resilience, and what it’s really been like since the cameras stopped rolling. Joan reflects on her journey from widow and mother to becoming the first Golden Bachelorette, how the experience has shaped her life today, and where things stand with Chock. She also reunites with Pascal for a heartfelt conversation, sharing thoughts they never had the chance to express after their time together on the show. Whether you’re a longtime Bachelor Nation fan or simply navigating your own next chapter, this episode is an honest conversation about embracing change, finding joy again, and believing it’s never too late for a fresh start. In this episode: • Making history as the first—and only—Golden Bachelorette • How the experience changed Joan’s life • Life today with Chock • Love, family, grief, and new beginnings • Joan and Pascal’s candid reunion • What’s next for Joan CHAPTERS 0:00 - Introduction: America's First Golden Bachelorette  0:45 - Joan's Life Before Reality TV: From Shy Programmer to Public Eye  1:35 - The Two Glasses of Wine Story: How Joan Ended Up on The Bachelor  4:28 - Reflecting on the "Purity" of Initial Seasons  6:04 - Joan's One-on-One Date with Gerry & The "Bachelor Bubble"  9:19 - Life After Leaving the Mansion & Staying in Touch with Fellow Contestants  11:34 - Becoming the Lead: The Pressure of the Franchise  13:54 - Night One: First Impressions and the Jordan Incident  17:02 - The Final Four: Immediate Connections and Memorable Entrances  20:09 - Why the Lead is Just One Part of the Show  21:35 - Analyzing Other Seasons: Authenticity and Vulnerability on Camera  24:29 - The Future of the Franchise: Competition and Social Media Influence  31:13 - Purity vs. The Influencer Era 34:25 - Pascal's Unsaid Truths: Why He Really Left 36:27 - Joan's Take: Flexibility, Family, and Second Homes 39:28 - Life with Chock: The Reality of Long-Distance Love  42:04 - Navigating Expectations: Engagement vs. Commitment  44:01 - The Leap of Faith: Getting to Know Chock After the Show  48:20 - Advice for Women: Gratitude, Exhaustion, and Finding Joy  51:56 - Moving Forward: Loving More Than One Person

  3. Jul 28

    The Secret Family Just 6 Miles Away Part 2 | Mike Zimmerman Returns

    After Part 1, one thing became clear: the conversation wasn’t over. The response to Mike Zimmerman’s story was unlike anything we’d seen. Audience questions challenged assumptions, explored the emotional impact of his discovery, and made us realize there was much more to discuss. So we invited Mike back. In Part 2, author Mike Zimmerman returns to answer the questions our audience couldn’t stop asking after sharing the remarkable true story behind his memoir, Suburban Bigamy: 6 Miles Between Truth & Deceit. Why didn’t he confront his father sooner? How did one man successfully maintain two families just six miles apart for decades? What happened when the two families finally crossed paths? And if Mike had never uncovered the truth before his father’s death, would he have ever found peace? This conversation goes beyond the shocking revelation. It’s about family, identity, forgiveness, resilience, and what happens when everything you thought you knew about your past suddenly changes. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, we recommend starting there first. In My Hometown, hosted by Jamie Stein and Pascal, features weekly conversations about life, love, relationships, health, culture, and everything we’re talking about after 40.

  4. Jul 14

    Is Modern Dating Broken? Here’s What Actually Works with Bela Gandhi

    Modern dating can feel more complicated than ever—but does it have to be? Relationship expert and Smart Dating Academy founder Bela Gandhi doesn't think so!  She joins Jamie Stein and Pascal to talk about what really works when it comes to finding love after 40. From dating apps and first dates to unrealistic expectations, attraction, and relationship-ready partners, Bela shares practical advice for navigating today’s dating world with more confidence and less frustration. Plus, Bela puts Pascal’s dating truths to the test, weighing in on where she agrees—and where she thinks he might have it wrong. Whether you’re divorced, widowed, newly single, or simply wondering if lasting love is still possible, this episode is full of practical advice, surprising insights, and plenty of laughs. In this episode: Why dating feels harder than everThe biggest mistakes people make when looking for loveDating apps vs. meeting people in real lifeGreen flags, red flags, and deal breakers

  5. Jul 7

    Nancy Guthrie Case Update & Inside NewsNation’s Missing Persons Series with Marni Hughes

    The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has captured national attention. But for NewsNation anchor Marni Hughes, her case is part of a much bigger mission: shining a light on missing persons cases that too often fly under the radar. Marni joins Jamie and Pascal to share the latest developments in the Nancy Guthrie case and take us inside NewsNation’s “Missing” series. She opens up about why this work has become so important to her, the cases and families that have stayed with her, and what she has learned from sitting across from people living with unimaginable uncertainty. Can media attention actually help bring someone home? Why do some missing persons cases become national stories while others struggle to be seen? And what happens when the headlines fade but families are still searching? It’s a powerful conversation—and a reminder of the persistence, hope, and difference we can make by keeping these stories alive. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Meeting Marni Hughes  00:35 - Nancy Guthrie Case: The Latest Updates  02:54 - The Ransom Note Controversy & FBI Retraction  05:54 - $1 Million Reward & The Guthrie Family Power  08:02 - Behind the Scenes: Reporting from Arizona  09:32 - Targeted? The Role of Notoriety & TMZ  13:35 - Amy Hilyard: The Oakland Coffee Shop Owner Case  17:15 - The Reality of Adult Disappearances & Mental Health  19:43 - Ally Lowitzer: A 16-Year Mystery Revisited  22:51 - The Scale of Missing Persons in the USA  23:51 - Success Stories: How NewsNation Found a Trafficked Teen  26:06 - International Cases: Jimmy Gracey in Barcelona  28:08 - Danger Abroad & The "Invincibility" of Youth  31:26 - James Weston Higginbotham: The Search in Japan  34:10 - The Toll of Reporting on Tragedy  36:52 - Expert Advice: What to do if a Loved One Goes Missing  37:56 - Inside Crime Con: The True Crime Community  40:48 - Cold Cases vs. Active Investigations  42:19 - The Future of DNA & Genetic Genealogy  45:51 - The Legacy of Gabby Petito & The Missing Series  47:04 - Outro: Final Thoughts with Marni Hughes

  6. Jun 30

    Reality Steve on Bachelor Nation, Taylor Frankie Paul & Reality TV’s Biggest Stories

    For nearly two decades, Reality Steve (Steve Carbone) has been one of reality TV’s most influential insiders, breaking stories, sharing spoilers, and changing the way fans follow their favorite shows. In this episode of In My Hometown, Jamie Stein and Pascal sit down with Reality Steve for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of reality television. They discuss Bachelor Nation, Taylor Frankie Paul’s new dating series, Love Island, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and where reality TV is headed next. They also explore the future of The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and The Golden Bachelor, why networks may be overlooking the powerful 50+ audience, and how the reality TV landscape has evolved over the past two decades. Whether you’re a longtime Bachelor Nation fan or simply love behind-the-scenes stories from the world of reality television, this conversation offers an insider’s perspective on the biggest shows, the biggest headlines, and what viewers can expect next. In this episode: Reality Steve’s journey from blogger to reality TV insiderThe future of The Bachelor franchiseIs The Bachelorette really coming back?Taylor Frankie Paul’s new reality dating showWhy the 50+ audience is reality TV’s biggest missed opportunityLove Island, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and today’s hottest reality TV trendsBehind-the-scenes stories from nearly 20 years covering reality televisionIn My Hometown is hosted by Jamie Stein and Pascal and features honest, unfiltered conversations about reality TV, relationships, life after 50, reinvention, and the stories shaping today’s culture.

  7. Jun 25

    Pascal Is in the Hot Seat: Dating After 50, Relationships & French Standards

    What do men really think about dating after 50? In this special episode, Jamie Stein puts co-host Pascal in the hot seat for an unfiltered conversation about love, relationships, attraction, confidence, and his infamous “French standards.”  Drawing from questions submitted by our community—and a few of Jamie’s own—Pascal shares his candid opinions on first impressions, chemistry, red flags, modern dating, and the controversial belief that men gain power with age while women lose it in the dating world. Whether you agree with him or completely disagree, you’ll get a deeper look at the man behind the fan-favorite persona from The Golden Bachelorette and plenty to debate along the way. This episode is funny, honest, occasionally provocative, and exactly the kind of conversation that makes In My Hometown what it is. If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and review—it helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you real conversations about life, love, and what’s next after 50.

  8. Jun 17

    The Secret to Finding Love After 50 Isn’t What You Think with Kimmy Seltzer

    What if the thing preventing you from attracting the love—and the life—you want isn’t timing, luck, or even chemistry? What if it’s confidence? In this episode, Jamie and Pascal sit down with dating strategist, confidence expert, matchmaker, and host of The Charisma Quotient podcast, Kimmy Seltzer, for a conversation about dating, attraction, confidence, and finding love after 50. Kimmy shares her belief that confidence isn’t just an inside job—it also works from the outside in. From the way we present ourselves to the energy we bring into a room, she explains how confidence and charisma can influence the relationships we attract and the opportunities we create. Together, they discuss dating after divorce, starting over in midlife, the challenges many accomplished women face in today’s dating world, and practical ways to become more magnetic, approachable, and authentic. Whether you’re looking for love, rebuilding your confidence, or simply curious about the connection between attraction and self-image, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it really takes to create meaningful connection. In This Episode: Why finding love after 50 can feel so difficultConfidence, attraction, and the “charisma quotient”The concept of outside-in confidenceDating after divorce and major life transitionsWhy great women often struggle in datingHow to become more approachable and authenticPractical tips for attracting the relationships you wantIf you’ve ever wondered whether confidence—not chemistry—might be the missing piece, this conversation is for you.

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4.9
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

The conversations we’re actually having. Asking the questions we’re all thinking. In My Hometown with Jamie Stein is about life, health, culture and everything we’re talking about after 40. Former reporter and comms executive Jamie Stein sits down with experts, fascinating people and friends for candid conversations about the things that matter right now — from health and family to relationships, empty nests, reinvention, second acts and the stories everyone is talking about. With curiosity, candor and a sense of fun, Jamie gets into the topics on our minds— and isn’t afraid to take the conversation somewhere unexpected. New episodes every week. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jamie Stein
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 In My Hometown
  • Show Website
    In My Hometown