Good Guys Podcast: “Big Boned or Just Fat?”

Hosts: Josh Peck, Ben Soffer
Date: December 22, 2025
Producer: Dear Media

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the age-old debate about metabolism, weight, genetics, diet culture, and the nuances of body image—tackled with the classic self-deprecating humor and frank honesty of Josh and Ben. Along the way, they marvel at Michael Phelps’ diet, reminisce about childhood food trauma, dissect weird wellness fads, answer listener questions, and let loose on everything from candy strategies to gay sheep wool.

Main Discussion Themes & Key Points

Is “Big Boned” Real? And What the Hell Is Metabolism Anyway?

• Kicking Off: Josh opens with, “Studies have shown that your metabolism doesn't slow down as you get older. You're just fatter.” (00:40), sparking debate about metabolic rates and fat loss myths.
• Ben’s Reaction: “I actually feel personally victimized. Like, that's... imagine having a fast metabolism ever. Couldn't be me.” (00:49)
• Mythbusting: Josh explains that weight loss drugs like GLP-1s (e.g., Ozempic/Zepbound) don’t speed up metabolism, they restrict appetite—suggesting most “fast metabolism” people actually eat less, or burn more through activity. (01:30)

Michael Phelps & The Athletic Exception

• Ben probes about high-calorie teen athletes and famous eaters: “What about that 13-year-old AAU incredible basketball player?” (02:01)
• Josh details Michael Phelps' Olympic diet:
  • “Phelps was widely reported to eat 8,000 to 12,000 calories per day...” (04:12)
  • Menu highlights: “Three fried egg sandwiches... 15 egg omelette... entire pizza.” (04:51–05:17)

Metabolic Rate, Fidgeting, and “Big Organs”

• Olivia explains basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, and even organ size as factors (03:04): “The size of your internal organs can account for the amount of energy being burned at rest.”
• Ben jokes, “I definitely have big organs. I just know it... I can't get thinner. My organs are too big.” (03:12, 03:32)
• Olivia brings up non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), e.g., fidgeting (03:47), but Ben challenges its real impact: “I've been restless my whole life and I've been morbidly obese my whole life. That doesn't track for me.” (04:03)

Candy, Halloween, and the Psychology of Food

“Fatso Strategy” & Bodega Snacks

• The trio bonds over indulgent snacks—frozen Snickers, Butterfingers, Kit Kat—exploring which candies deliver the most “bang for your buck.”
  • Ben: “Butterfinger, to me, is the holy fucking Grail... and it stays with you in your teeth for the rest of the day.” (09:43)
  • Josh: “I want it to, like—a Snickers, that's three bites.” (10:13)
• Mini-rant about inferior Halloween candies (“Milk Duds... those stink... circus peanuts...”) and Twizzlers nostalgia (17:04–18:13).

Childhood Food Memories & Diet Culture

• Ben shares: “My parents were always telling me, Ben, you're ordering too much food... I was damaging, but you're for sure.” (19:11)
• Josh on family legacy: “We were part of a UCLA study. And by we I mean you. Like I was at Overeaters Anonymous meeting growing up every day...” (20:30)
• Both hosts reflect on conflicting messages: indulgence vs. diet culture, Slim-Fast shakes as kids, and how family food relationships shaped them. (20:04–21:13)
• Olivia adds a generational perspective: her grandmother’s "scarcity complex” from the Great Depression and how it led to constant food focus and anxiety (23:38).

Jewish & Cultural Food Roots

• Ben: “Religion plays a huge role... food is at the epicenter of Jewish culture.” (22:16)
• Josh connects cultural trauma and food hoarding: “The Jewish people in general... this idea that is evolutionarily embedded in us of, like, ooh, we have a bounty. Go for it.” (22:46)

Food Trends, Intermittent Fasting, & Electrolytes

• Ben claims, “We're trained to eat from 7am to the minute you go to sleep... we don't need anywhere near the amount of food...” (25:04)
• Josh mentions autophagy: “Burning through fasting negative cells.” (25:58)
• They plot a joint fast, negotiate timelines, and discuss weight-loss drugs (Zepbound/tirzepatide) and their side effects—loss of hunger, wasting takeout, electrolyte needs (31:10–33:45).

Health Fads & Wellness Quackery

• The crew dives into mushroom microdosing, supplement weirdness (“turmeric, boss”), and the risky accessibility of substances like kratom—sold at gas stations but potentially deadly:
  • Josh: “Kratom is bullshit. It triggers opioid receptors in your brain.” (38:20)
  • Olivia: “Kratom... is in the opiate family but marketed... as a feel good alcohol alternative. But they're these little shots... In reality, it's an opioid.” (39:39)
• Quick digression: the absurdity of “gay sheep” wool and “menstrual masking” (using period blood as a face mask):
  • Ben: “Menstrual blood on your face and gay sheep clothing. We live in a weird world, Josh.” (47:34)

Listener Questions & Advice (Moron Mail)

[Starts: 47:53]

1. Should Men Go Sober in Solidarity During Partner’s Pregnancy?

• Caller: “If I have to be sober for nine months, my partner should be in solidarity.”
• Ben: “If you have an inclination to drink alone, you probably have a problem... it sounds to me like he should try to drink less regardless if you're pregnant or not.” (49:45)
• Josh: “You want to be with someone who can read the room... if they need to go out and get shithouse... while you can't, that’s not reading the room.” (50:44)

2. Can Cross-Party Relationships Thrive?

• Caller: “Just found out [my date and I] have different political views... I'm dating to marry. Do you think this could go long-term?”
• Ben: “Unless your house is toxically political... I don't think it's a problem... most people are hovering middles and if you're hovering middles, you don't have a problem.” (52:21)
• Josh: “If we were staunchly Democrat-Republican, I think it would be hard to see eye to eye on some fundamental things.” (54:01)

3. Complimenting Your Spouse’s Looks

• Caller Jimmy: “I think my wife looks super sexy or hot in an outfit... I want to tell her but don’t voice it enough.”
• Ben: “I, too, always think compliments that I wish I said more. I think that's something that, like, I also would like to work on.” (57:32)
• Josh: “During the winter, Paige has staple really cute sweaters... just feel like I'm with a Parisian model.” (59:06)
• Olivia (on her husband): “Love him in any kind of, like, a fitted trouser... with the white button-up and tortoiseshell buttons. Looks so handsome.” (58:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “Big Organs”:
  Ben (03:12): "I definitely have big organs. I just know it. Like, I must have enormous organs." Josh (03:36): "It's not the pants. It's my pancreas."

• On Family Food Patterns:
  Josh (20:30): “We were part of a UCLA study. And by we I mean you. Like I was at Overeaters Anonymous meeting growing up every day like I was a kid on a Gameboy in the corner.”

• On Food and Scarcity:
  Josh (22:46): “The Jewish people in general... this idea that is evolutionarily embedded in us of, like, ooh, we have a bounty. Go for it. Because we don't know when the next one is coming.”

• On Modern Snack Choices:
  Ben (09:43): “Butterfinger, to me, is the holy fucking Grail... and it stays with you in your teeth for the rest of the day.”

• On Wellness Trends:
  Ben (35:18): “I’ve been with people and I’ve watched them eat a bar of chocolate. I’m like, are you fucking out of your mind? Like, I don’t feel it, bro. I’m like, you need to go... get help.”

• On Weird New Trends:
  Josh (46:16): “Beauty influencers are encouraging skincare enthusiasts to save their menstrual blood for bizarre purposes. Now periods can mean acquiring a crazy glow for your skin. That is if you're willing to participate in the growing DIY skincare trend of menstrual masking.”

  Ben (47:34): "Menstrual blood on your face and gay sheep clothing. We live in a weird world, Josh. We live in a weird world."

What Are Ya Nuts? – Gripes of the Week (60:33)

• Musicals are Dead:
  Josh (60:45): “The entire thing is what are you not—people singing? It's fucking weird, dude. Enough.”

• Public Bare Feet:
  Ben (61:23): “...person behind me was stretching out their legs and her bare foot... was on my armrest... an incredible, what are you nuts?”

• Notable Ad Sighting:
  Ben (62:15): “Saw an ad: ‘Your wife's hot’—call your air conditioning company. Isn’t that good?”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Metabolism & Weight Myths: 00:40–04:00
• Phelps Diet Recap: 04:12–05:55
• Big Organs / Fidgeting as Weight Factors: 03:12–04:12
• Candy Choices & Food Psychology: 08:44–10:25
• Childhood Food Upbringing: 19:00–23:00
• Food & Jewish Culture: 22:16–23:36
• Fasting, GLP-1s, Electrolytes: 25:04–34:11
• Kratom Warning: 37:10–39:45
• “Moron Mail” (Q&A): 47:53–59:49
• Weekly Gripes (“What Are Ya Nuts?”): 60:33–end

Tone & Takeaway

The show is a mix of sharp wit, food nostalgia, serious reflection, and outlandish banter. The hosts use their own lived experiences—navigating diet culture, body shame, family dynamics, and wellness fads—with honesty and openness, laced with unapologetic, Jewish-neurotic humor for a relatable and cathartic listen. Even the silliest diversions (gay sheep wool, menstrual face masks) land as commentary on an increasingly weird and wellness-obsessed world.

For listeners new and old, this episode offers a frank, hilarious look at the intersection of body image, biology, culture, and food—punctuated by honest advice and the perennial reminder: “What are ya nuts?”