False Paternity, 14 Felonies, and a Former Bachelor: Stephani Young on Love Trapped

This week, Kate sits down with Stephani Young, the journalist (and longtime Beth!) behind the viral investigative podcast Love Trapped, the year-plus deep dive into the Clayton Echard paternity scandal that turned out to be so much bigger than a Bachelor Nation headline. Kate opens with why a story like this is so culturally tricky to talk about and the tension between believing women and recognizing when the systems built to protect them get weaponized. Then Kate and Stephani get into how the story spans not just Clayton but a years-long pattern involving multiple men that ultimately led to 14 felony indictments. They also discuss Stephani's editorial process, in terms of building the series in parallel with how internet sleuths discovered it in real-time, what got cut, what landed her in legal review, and the moment she became part of the story when Laura's emails started arriving in her inbox too. Listen to Love Trapped first (truly, do not proceed without it), then come back. Enjoy! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! Thank you to AllModern for furnishing Kate's Season 2 Studio! AllModern has the best of modern furniture and decor all in one place. With styles from Scandi and mid-century, to minimalist and maximalist, every design is hand-vetted for quality by their team of experts. Plus they have fast + free shipping! Check out allmodern.com; you'll find Kate's bookshelves here and her new rug here! Give your skin the affordable, luxurious glow up it deserves. Go to Naturium.com/BETHEREINFIVE for 10% off the Glow Getter Bundle today. That's Naturium.com/BETHEREINFIVE. Go to helixsleep.com/bethereinfive for the Memorial Day Sale. It's the Best of Web Sale, May 1-31, 2026 for 27% Off Sitewide. Exclusive for listeners of Be There in Five. For a limited time get 40% off your first order PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive and use code bethereinfive. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVE for an exclusive 20% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here on Be There in Five. 

This week, Kate is joined by Caroline Moss for an episode that was supposed to be about modern pop culture and somehow turned into mostly topics from 1998. They get into the longevity industrial complex and Kate's pitch for an old-age commune, the unhinged Duggar honeymoon prep CD, Lydia and Zach's definition of "naughty," and a Full House deep dive featuring Stephanie's catering arc and Hot Daddy and the Monkey Puppets. Caroline also tells a crazy true story of her fifth grade graduation, where a major celeb showed up in leather pants and every parent in town gaslit their children about it for twenty years. Plus: a potato chip flavor power ranking, the difference between fashion that works in a mirror shot versus in real life, Caroline's full Summer House theory, and more! Enjoy. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Right now, you can save up to $230 on the 12 piece cookware set vs buying the products individually. Plus if you want to include their fan favorite minis duo, you can save up to $350! Visit Carawayhome.com/BTIF10 to take an additional 10% off using code BTIF10 on your next purchase.This deal is exclusive for our listeners, so visit Carawayhome.com/BTIF10 or use code BTIF10 at checkout. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to Quince.com/bethereinfive for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. That's Quince.com/bethereinfive for free shipping and 365-day returns.  Instead of striving for perfect health, aim for supporting foundational health. Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/BETHEREINFIVE. That's Ritual.com/BETHEREINFIVE for 25% off your first month. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVE for an exclusive 20% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here on Be There in Five. Comfort lives here. Join the membership for where you live at JOINBILT.com/bethereinfive. Make sure to use our URL so they know we sent you.

This week, Kate is trying something new by returning to her old form. After taking time off and noticing her comment section brain rot, she's trying to get back to occasional one-pass, no-edits, no-looking-things-up format to practice for a live format of the show coming soon. It's the kind of episode where Reneesme, Billie Eilish, Five Below, and the Epstein files all somehow end up in the same conversation and it almost tracks. Also, some musing about the discomfort of realizing the millennial girlhood pipeline of Limited Too to Abercrombie to Victoria's Secret was built and run by men who turned out to be predators, and the connection between frat bro philanthropy shirts and A&F. Plus, everything's coming up Kate following a streak of good luck that she thinks might have something to do with a haunted candle. Enjoy!    Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! Thank you to AllModern for furnishing Kate's Season 2 Studio! AllModern has the best of modern furniture and decor all in one place. With styles from Scandi and mid-century, to minimalist and maximalist, every design is hand-vetted for quality by their team of experts. Plus they have fast + free shipping! Check out allmodern.com; you'll find Kate's bookshelves here and her new rug here! As an exclusive offer, new listeners can get their choice between chicken breast or top sirloin for a year OR ground beef for life, PLUS $20 off when you go to ButcherBox.com/BETHEREINFIVE. That's right - your choice of chicken breast or top sirloin for a year OR ground beef for life, PLUS $20 off your first box, and free shipping always. That's ButcherBox.com/BETHEREINFIVE. Don't forget to use our link so they know we sent you. Go to helixsleep.com/bethereinfive for their Spring Savings Event April 20-29, 2026 for 20% Off Sitewide. That's helixsleep.com/bethereinfive for 20% Off Sitewide. Soak up unforgettable memories with on-the-go hydration from Liquid I.V. Tear. Pour. Live More. Go to LIQUID-IV.COM and get 20% off your first purchase with code BETHEREINFIVE at checkout. That's 20% off your first purchase with code BETHEREINFIVE at LIQUID-IV.COM. Let this Mother's Day be a reminder that she deserves care, too — discover how Cozy Earth turns everyday routines into moments of softness and ease. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVE for an exclusive 20% off, and if you see a post-purchase survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on Be There in Five. Because home starts with Mom You're going to love Hungryroot as much as I do. For a limited time get 40% off your first order PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive and use code bethereinfive. That's Hungryroot.com/bethereinfivee, code bethereinfive to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.

This week, Kate sits down with Caro Claire Burke, author of the hit debut novel Yesteryear, the trad wife time travel thriller that triggered a publishing bidding war, has already been optioned by Anne Hathaway, and is Good Morning America's April book club pick. They discuss a variety of topics within the book (with spoilers, FYI), including how you write an unreliable narrator whose worldview fundamentally opposes your own, the layers of performance that start with God and end with the algorithm, why Natalie is deserving of sympathy as both a victim and a bad person, the Ballerina Farm and Ruby Franke parallels, Caleb as a vacant vessel, why the twist ending had Kate pacing at 2 AM rethinking her life choices, and how the epilogue reframes everything. They also detour into Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and the Taylor Frankie Paul of it all, plus sleepover discourse against Caro's will, how they both relate to Natalie's experience with being publicly perceived, and Caro's experience selling the book and film rights before the book was even finished. Spoilers throughout. Enjoy! Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! TIMESTAMPS (SPOILERS BELOW): 0:00 Intro, Kate's reaction to Yesteryear 17:30 Interview begins, creating Natalie's voice, writing an unlikable unreliable narrator 22:00 Layers of performance: God, family, social media, the surveillance of being watched your whole life 35:00 Ballerina Farm, Ruby Franke, who Natalie is based on, how much influence trad wives actually have 47:30 Caleb and the manosphere, the breeding contract, selling a trad wife novel when everyone thought Kamala was going to win 55:00 The liberal feminist case for the trad wife, the failure of lean-in feminism, women sharing survival tips 1:01:00 The ending explained: the twist, the psychosis, what's real, and the epilogue 1:21:00 The meta conversation: parasocial relationships, being a public person, deification to dehumanization 1:28:00 Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Taylor Frankie Paul, justice for Whitney, Connor vs. Zach 1:58:00 Anne Hathaway, how book-to-movie deals actually work, and what Caro wants readers to walk away with This Mother's Day, give the gift that shows up every single night. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVEBOGO for an exclusive Buy One, Give One offer running from April 12th to April 18th on sheet sets and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cozy Earth here. For the person who makes everywhere feel like home. For a limited time get 40% off your first order PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive and use code bethereinfive. That's Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive, code bethereinfive to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/bethereinfive for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Go to Quince.com/bethereinfive for free shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com/bethereinfive. Instead of striving for perfect health, aim for supporting foundational health. Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/BETHEREINFIVE. That's Ritual.com/BETHEREINFIVE for 25% off your first month. Way Day is THE sale to shop the best deals in home – we're talking up to 80% OFF with fast and FREE shipping on everything! Head to Wayfair.com April 25th through the 27th to shop Way Day. That'  Wayfair.com. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   KEYWORDS: Yesteryear, Caro Claire Burke, Yesteryear book review, Yesteryear ending explained, Yesteryear spoilers, trad wife novel, Yesteryear book club discussion, ballerina farm, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Anne Hathaway Yesteryear movie, Diabolical Lies podcast, trad wife discourse, BookTok, GMA book club April  

This week, Kate is breaking her hiatus for a special report recorded before Thursday's news that ABC was scrapping TFP's season of The Bachelorette. Ultimately, she decided this episode was still a relevant conversation to have, given that she and her guest (Sam Dalton, LCSW @sam.the.therapistt) talked through the systems and cycles that made this week's fallout unsurprising long before the video leaked. Together, they unpack the rose colored glass ceiling of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where women perform rebellion without ever actually leaving the structures that constrain them. They discuss how ABC and Hulu built a cross-platform content pipeline on top of a woman's unresolved trauma, why the show's premise was always rooted in Taylor's reactivity, the pattern of Dakota's strategic sabotage, what it means when healing requires the opposite of what reality TV rewards, and the uncomfortable question of why so many of us, Kate included, glossed over a 2023 aggravated assault charge that was packaged as the starting point of a redemption arc. Content note: this episode discusses domestic violence, child abuse allegations, and toxic relationship dynamics. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! Stay hydrated with on-the-go hydration from Liquid I.V. Tear. Pour. Live More. Go to LIQUID-IV.COM and get 20% off your first purchase with code BETHEREINFIVE at checkout. That's 20% off your first purchase with code BETHEREINFIVE at LIQUID-IV.COM. Discover how care in every detail transforms simple routines into moments of true comfort and ease. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVE for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here! Experience the craft behind the comfort, and make every day feel intentional. Join the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/bethereinfive. Make sure to use our URL so they know we sent you. Go to helixsleep.com/bethereinfive for the March Madness Sale, 20% off sitewide through March 26. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you!  Caraway's cookware set is a favorite for a reason, it can save you up to $230 versus buying the items individually. Plus, if you visit Carawayhome.com/BTIF you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase.This deal is exclusive for our listeners. Caraway. Non-Toxic kitchenware made modern.

This week, Kate attempts to revive (but then mostly records a new version of) a fan-favorite Patreon from 2021 about the way Taylor Swift pronounces words. We're talking plosives, brain-scratching vowels, and  why certain words sung a certain way make you want to listen again, but with updated takes from Midnights to TTPD to Showgirl. Enjoy! Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! Caraway's cookware set is a favorite for a reason, it can save you up to $230 versus buying the items individually. Plus, if you visit Carawayhome.com/BTIF you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase.This deal is exclusive for our listeners, so visit Carawayhome.com/BTIF or use code BTIF at checkout. Caraway. Non-Toxic kitchenware made modern. Discover how care in every detail transforms simple routines into moments of true comfort and ease. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVE for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here! Experience the craft behind the comfort, and make every day feel intentional. You're going to love Hungryroot as much as I do. For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive and use code bethereinfive. That's Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive, code bethereinfive to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. Right now, go to Quince.com/bethereinfive for free shipping and 365-day returns. That's a full year to wear it and love it. And you will. Now available in Canada, too. Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to Quince.com/bethereinfive for free shipping and 365-day returns.  Instead of striving for perfect health, aim for supporting foundational health. Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/BETHEREINFIVE. That's Ritual.com/BETHEREINFIVE for 25% off your first month. Find furniture, decor, and essentials that fit your unique style and budget. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. That's Wayfair.com. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.

This week, Kate and Caroline Moss revisit the beloved Mama Slay at the Lake episode with a director's cut of our delirious 6 AM conversation about irreverent merch, warm beans, Facebook walls, Maxine culture, and Steve Madden platform loafers, followed by a brand new conversation where we get into pun drift, Disney adults in matching shirts, the grievance merch pipeline, Kate's Hamilton/American Girl mashup, and why lake town signs are the truest window into the suppressed psyche of second home motherhood. JFK Jr. and CBK content will be up later today on Patreon! Enjoy. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! Join the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/bethereinfive - Make sure to use our URL so they know we sent you. Caraway's cookware set is a favorite for a reason, it can save you up to $190 versus buying the items individually. Plus, if you visit Carawayhome.com/BTIF you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase.This deal is exclusive for our listeners, so visit Carawayhome.com/BTIF  or use code BTIF at checkout. Caraway. Non-Toxic kitchenware made modern. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVE for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here! Celebrate everyday love with comfort that makes the little moments count. Go to helixsleep.com/bethereinfive for the President's Day Sale, Feb 2 - 25, which is 27% off sitewide, exclusive for listeners of Be There in Five.  Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to  Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive, code bethereinfive to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. Tear. Pour. Live More. Go to LIQUID-IV.COM and get 20% off your first order with code BETHEREINFIVE at checkout. That's 20% off your first order with code BETHEREINFIVE at LIQUID-IV.COM.

This week, Kate revisits an infamous episode from March 2020 about dips, sauces, and dipping sauces. Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! Right now, Betterwild is offering our listeners up to 40% off your order at Betterwild.com/BETHEREINFIVE. That's Betterwild.com/BETHEREINFIVE for up to 40% off your order.   Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVE for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here! Celebrate everyday love with comfort that makes the little moments count. For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive and use code bethereinfive.  Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/bethereinfive for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Instead of striving for perfect health, aim for supporting foundational health. Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/BETHEREINFIVE.  Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home

The culture that made the Beths say the Beth culture was for them. Mashup ep with 40+ min of new audio.     SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! Whether it's a weekend away, a big night out, or just a much-needed wardrobe refresh – your dream wardrobe is just one click away. Head to REVOLVE.com/BETHEREINFIVE, shop my edit, and take 15% off your first order with code BETHEREINFIVE.  Offer ends February 2nd, so happy shopping! Right now, Baked by Melissa is offering our listeners 20% off your order at Bakedbymelissa.com/BETHEREINFIVE. That's Bakedbymelissa.com/BETHEREINFIVE for 20% off your order. Join the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/BETHEREINFIVE. That's joinbilt.com/BETHEREINFIVE. Make sure to use our URL so they know we sent you. This deal is exclusive for our listeners, so visit Carawayhome.com/BTIF or use code BTIF at checkout. Caraway. Non-Toxic kitchenware made modern. These viral pj's are so good they sold out during the holidays, and now they're back with an exclusive deal only available January 25th- February 8th. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVEBOGO to get these pj's for you and someone you love! Go to helixsleep.com/bethereinfive for The New Year Sale Final Hours, whish is 20% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! Go to Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive and use code bethereinfive to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.

This week, Kate has an announcement that she shares at the beginning of the episode that will then explain the rest of the episode and why its title may sound familiar. Enjoy! Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Right now, Betterwild is offering our listeners up to 40% off your order at betterwild.com/BETHEREINFIVE. That's betterwild.com/BETHEREINFIVE  for up to 40% off your order. Start the New Year off right and give your home the luxury it deserves, and make home the best part of life. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BETHEREINFIVE for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here!  You're going to love Hungryroot as much as I do. For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/bethereinfive and use code bethereinfive.  Rehydrate with better hydration from Liquid I.V. Tear. Pour. Live More. Go to LIQUID-IV.COM and get 20% off your first order with code BETHEREINFIVE at checkout. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Don't wait. Go to quince.com/bethereinfive for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.  Instead of striving for perfect health, aim for supporting foundational health. For a limited time, save 40% on your first month at Ritual.com/BETHEREINFIVE.