It's Ben a Week

Ben McDonnell
  • 4.9 (146)
  • 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. 3d ago ·  Video

    The Secret Has Finally Ben Revealed

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, the secret is FINALLY out: Ben is officially joining the cast of The Traitors: New Blood, premiering September 17th on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock!   After months of keeping one of the biggest secrets of his life, Ben can finally talk about traveling to Scotland, entering the castle, and becoming one of 22 contestants on the first U.S. civilian season of the hit competition series. As a longtime fan of The Traitors, Ben breaks down how the game works, explains Faithfuls, Traitors, murders, banishments and the infamous Round Table, and shares what it feels like to go from binge-watching the show at home to actually becoming part of it.   Ben also reflects on the journey that brought him here. Just months before filming, he recorded an episode about rejection and wondering when his next “yes” would finally come. Now, after one of the most mentally, physically and emotionally challenging experiences of his life, Ben opens up about feeling like years of hard work may finally be leading to his moment.   Then AJ joins Been There, Done That to reveal what it was like keeping Ben’s secret, convincing everyone he was away filming a Christmas movie, and holding down the ranch while Ben disappeared to Scotland. They also talk about discovering The Traitors together, why AJ thinks he’d make an incredible Traitor, and what they’re most excited—and nervous—to see when the finished episodes finally air.   The game has already been played. The secrets have been kept. Now it’s finally time to watch it all unfold. In this episode: Ben officially announces The Traitors: New Blood  How The Traitors actually worksGoing from superfan to contestant  Filming in Scotland and experiencing the game firsthandWhy Ben decided to say yes to reality televisionLooking back at rejection before getting one enormous “yes”  Why this experience feels like a major turning pointWhat Ben can—and definitely cannot—reveal before the premiereAJ’s elaborate Christmas-movie cover story  Whether AJ would make a better Faithful or TraitorThe nerves of waiting to see how everything was editedWhat listeners can expect from It’s Ben A Week throughout the season  🎧 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

    The Secret Has Finally Ben Revealed

  2. Aug 11 ·  Video

    Nothing Has Ever Ben This Toxic (ft. Sydnee Carter)

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben is joined by fellow barrel racer and friend Sydnee Carter for an episode dedicated to exes, cheating, red flags, and one breakup story that quickly turns into something straight out of a true-crime documentary.   Ben kicks things off by revisiting some of his worst relationships—from discovering a boyfriend cheating through messages on a forgotten laptop and confronting him outside a hotel room, to catching another boyfriend swiping on Tinder while they were sitting together in first class on the way to Mexico. Through it all, Ben reflects on the strange intuition that told him something was wrong before he ever had proof.   Then Sydney shares a breakup story that takes the episode in an entirely different direction. After ending an on-again, off-again relationship, her ex’s behavior began escalating—from showing up unexpectedly and contacting friends and family to appearing at places she was dating someone new. Then Sydney’s neighbor spotted a man dressed entirely in black running across her property. Police searched Sydney’s home and discovered a hidden camera in her bedroom. Then Sydney found another. And another.   What followed was a years-long ordeal involving police investigations, fingerprints, protective orders, another arrest, probation, allegations of similar behavior involving another woman, and ultimately a shocking prison sentence.   Ben and Sydney unpack how relationships can change after a breakup, why people ignore obvious warning signs, the importance of trusting your intuition, and the unsettling reality that sometimes you don’t fully know how someone will react until a relationship ends. This episode starts with bad-boyfriend stories and somehow ends in a courtroom. Buckle up. In this episode: Ben’s history of being cheated on  The gut feeling that told Ben something wasn’t right  Confronting an ex outside a hotel after watching his messages in real time  Catching a boyfriend using Tinder on the way to Mexico  Sydney’s toxic on-again, off-again relationship  When her ex’s behavior began escalating after their breakup  Discovering three hidden cameras inside her home  The police investigation and protective order that followed  Why trusting your gut—and paying attention to red flags—matters  🎧 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

    Nothing Has Ever Ben This Toxic (ft. Sydnee Carter)

  3. Aug 4 ·  Video

    Ben Dropping the Beat (ft. Remington Runyan)

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben sits down with 18-year-old DJ and producer Remington Runyan to talk about discovering a passion for music, performing at iconic venues, and chasing a dream that’s only just beginning.   Ben first met Remington years ago through family friends, but after watching him unexpectedly take over the DJ booth at Nikki Beach in St. Barths, he knew there was something special happening. Remington shares how a DJ controller he barely touched for two years became the start of a new obsession after the California wildfires forced his family to evacuate. With the help of friends, countless hours of practice, and a growing love for house music, he quickly found himself playing parties, beach clubs, and even one of the most iconic venues in the Caribbean.   The two also discuss: how DJs read a crowdwhy song selection is more important than people realizethe truth about pre-recorded DJ setsproducing original musicCoachella dreamsand what it feels like to perform for hundreds of people.Whether you’re an aspiring artist or simply curious about the world of electronic music, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a creative career from the ground up. Stay connected with Remington: 🌐 Website: www.remingtonrunyan.com 📸 Instagram: @remingtonrunyan 🎧 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

    Ben Dropping the Beat (ft. Remington Runyan)

  4. Jul 28 ·  Video

    Ben Living Every Day (ft. Diane Love)

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben sits down with his dear friend Diane Love for one of the most heartfelt conversations of the season. The two first met in Cabo San Lucas over poolside cocktails and an unforgettable Beyoncé dance party. But behind Diane’s infectious energy is a story of unimaginable loss, resilience, and choosing joy every single day.   Diane shares the story of her son Wyatt, who was diagnosed as a child with the rare genetic disease Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Doctors warned he might not live past the age of 10, but Wyatt defied expectations—traveling the world, competing in gymnastics, attending college, and embracing life with remarkable courage.   Then, at just 22 years old, Wyatt’s life was tragically cut short in a Lyft accident after a newly approved driver became lost on the way home. Diane opens up about the heartbreaking night she lost her son, the years-long legal battle that followed, and why she now encourages every rideshare passenger to check their driver’s experience before getting into the car.   Ben and Diane also discuss: trusting your intuitiongrieving differentlyfinding humor after unimaginable lossfaith and healingliving fully despite uncertaintyand why every day deserves to be celebrated.Despite experiencing profound heartbreak, Diane continues to inspire others through advocacy, fundraising for ALD research, and her commitment to choosing joy every day. This episode is emotional, inspiring, and a powerful reminder that life is fragile—and worth living to its fullest. For more information on ALD and to help check out www.cureald.org 🎧 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

    Ben Living Every Day (ft. Diane Love)

  5. Jul 21 ·  Video

    Explosive Diarrhea Has Ben Going Around

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben tackles one of life’s greatest inconveniences: grocery shopping. What starts as frustration over a parasite outbreak linked to lettuce quickly turns into a full-blown breakdown of everything that’s wrong with the modern grocery store experience.   From fluorescent lighting and mysteriously rearranged aisles to self-checkout machines that never work, wandering shopping carts, awkward parking lot conversations, and the ongoing debate over who actually returns their cart, Ben hilariously dissects every step of the weekly grocery run.   Along the way, he shares his thoughts on: the lettuce parasite outbreakwhy grocery stores feel like casinosself-checkout becoming a part-time jobshopping cart etiquettepeople who block entire aislesgrocery store fashion choicesand why running into acquaintances is somehow the worst part of the entire experience.If you’ve ever found yourself arguing with a self-checkout machine or silently judging someone who abandoned their shopping cart, this episode is for you. 🎧 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

    Explosive Diarrhea Has Ben Going Around

  6. Jul 14 ·  Video

    Ben Through Nine Lives (ft. Dr. Sally Everett)

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben is joined by one of his favorite people—and the veterinarian responsible for saving more of his animals than he can count—Dr. Sally Everett from the Granbury Animal Clinic.   The two look back on the unbelievable story that started their friendship after Ben and AJ’s tiny barn cat, Chrissy, suffered a life-threatening medical emergency that left her intestines literally hanging out. Against all odds, Sally saved her life, and the rest is history.   From there, the stories only get crazier. Ben and Sally revisit Phil the pig’s complicated surgery, custom diapers for a cat, late-night emergency vet visits, Christmas concerts, Mariah Carey, Pete’s Piano Bar, party buses, inside jokes, and the unforgettable nights that turned a veterinarian into one of their closest friends.   Later, AJ joins the aftershow to share even more behind-the-scenes stories, including the clinic appreciation party that lasted until 2 a.m., Hendrix’s dental surgery, and why Sally has officially become part of the family.   This episode is hilarious, heartfelt, and full of stories that prove life is always more entertaining when animals—and good friends—are involved. In this episode: How Sally saved Chrissy the barn cat’s life  The emergency surgery that started a lifelong friendship  Phil the pig’s surprisingly complicated surgery  The custom diapers made for a tiny bobtail cat  Emergency vet visits and life with dozens of animals  Mariah Carey concerts and the quest for better seats  Pete’s Piano Bar, bottle service, and unforgettable nights out  Hendrix’s dental surgery and why dog teeth matter  The funniest and strangest moments from life at a veterinary clinic  🎧 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

    Ben Through Nine Lives (ft. Dr. Sally Everett)

  7. Jul 7 ·  Video

    Red, White & Ben 🇺🇸

    This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben kicks off the episode by honoring a dear friend of the podcast, Heidi, whose courage, humor, and zest for life left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her. Ben reflects on her battle with cancer, the importance of living life fully, and why she’ll always be remembered.   Then… the chaos begins. What was supposed to be a relaxing Fourth of July pool party quickly turned into one of the most expensive weekends Ben has ever had. Between a broken pool robot, a massive hornet nest, a snapped sprinkler line, an exploding air conditioner, a mysteriously green swimming pool, a draining koi pond, and a horse trailer that nearly caught fire, it truly became a weekend to remember.   Along the way, Ben also shares his completely unfiltered opinions on: why Thanksgiving is overratedBlack Friday shoppingfireworkshot dogsowning a homeand why he’d happily trade it all for condo living.Later, AJ joins the aftershow to recap the Fourth of July weekend, celebrate Heidi’s life, debate homeownership, and call Ben out for his online shopping habits. This episode is heartfelt, hilarious, chaotic, and proof that when it rains… it pours. In this episode: Remembering Heidi and the legacy she leaves behind  Why Fourth of July isn’t Ben’s favorite holiday  The truth about Black Friday shopping  Why fireworks aren’t as exciting anymore  A Fourth of July weekend filled with expensive home disasters  The mystery of the green swimming pool  Why homeownership sometimes feels like a full-time job  AJ’s thoughts on ranch life, maintenance, and online shopping  🎧 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

    Red, White & Ben 🇺🇸

  8. Jun 30 ·  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

    Deja Ben (ft. Sherry Harris)
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4.9
out of 5
146 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
    87
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 It's Ben a Week
  • Show Website
    It's Ben a Week

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