I’ve Never Ben One of the Boys
This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben is opening up about something deeply personal—and explaining the emotional moment millions of viewers watched unfold on The Traitors: New Blood. During a recent episode, Ben became emotional while talking about how, for the first time in his life, he genuinely felt like he was “one of the boys.” He also shared that fellow cast member Joe reminded him of the father figure he always wished he’d had. But what viewers didn’t see was the lifetime of experiences that made those moments so meaningful. In this deeply personal solo episode, Ben reflects on growing up gay, struggling to feel accepted by other boys, and navigating complicated relationships with the men in his life. He opens up about his biological father, who passed away from pancreatic cancer before Ben ever had the opportunity to come out to him. It wasn’t until his father’s funeral that Ben learned something he would carry with him for years: his father had always known he was gay and loved him regardless. Ben also shares the painful reality of growing up with a stepfather who rejected his sexuality, including a terrifying confrontation when he was 18 years old that ended with Ben being threatened with weapons, forced to leave home, and calling the police. For years, those experiences shaped how Ben approached relationships, vulnerability, and his place among other men. So when he found himself surrounded by a group of men on The Traitors who genuinely embraced him, encouraged him, and made him feel included, something unexpected happened. He cried. Not because he was sad, but because he finally experienced a kind of acceptance he hadn’t realized he’d been missing. Ben also reflects on how appearing on national television has changed his life, the overwhelming support he’s received, the challenges of keeping his Traitors experience under wraps, and why he’s excited for the next chapter of the podcast. This episode is about much more than reality television. It’s about growing up, finding your people, making peace with your past, and realizing that sometimes the moments that change us most are the ones we never see coming. In this episode: Why Ben became emotional on The Traitors: New Blood The real meaning behind finally feeling like “one of the boys” Growing up gay and feeling different from other boys Why Ben gravitated toward female friendships The challenges of navigating male friendships Ben’s relationship with his biological father Learning after his father’s death that he had always been accepted Growing up with an emotionally abusive stepfather The terrifying night Ben was threatened and forced to leave home How childhood experiences can influence adult relationships Why Joe became such an important father figure during filming Finding unexpected acceptance among the men on The Traitors Why Ben describes his emotional moment as healing The support he’s received from viewers Why humor has always been one of Ben’s coping mechanisms What’s next for It’s Ben A Week Content Note: This episode includes discussions of homophobia, emotional abuse, family rejection, threats involving weapons, and childhood trauma. If you’ve ever felt different, excluded, or like you didn’t belong, this conversation is a reminder that your past doesn’t have to determine your future. Sometimes finding your people happens when you least expect it. See You Next Tuesday! 🎧 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
- Transcript
