Podcast Summary: Good Guys (Dear Media) Episode: "Guys Gone Vegan" (December 11, 2025)

Overview

In this episode of Good Guys, hosts Josh Peck and Ben Soffer explore the idea of going vegan, discuss food trends and health obsessions, and share their thoughts on modern life—from skyrocketing food prices to AI relationships. Their trademark banter yields honest laughs and fresh perspectives on hot topics like protein fads, fasting, group dynamics, and more. Several listener questions spark thoughtful (and hilarious) conversations about friendship drama, confidence, and the best and worst fan encounters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nostalgia & Food Inflation (00:32–06:49)

• Josh and Ben reminisce about classic New York eats like falafel from Mamouns and Chinese lunch specials, shocked at how prices have soared ($2.50 falafel now $12.50).
• Quote: “It was just $2.50, and now it’s $12.50. It’s insane.” — Ben (01:17)
• Chat about mall food court sampling, Panda Express, and why small bites ("just a bite" restaurants) could be the next food trend.

2. Protein Obsession & Food Trends (06:49–15:35)

• Ben recounts getting mercury poisoning from eating excessive sushi during his keto phase.
  • Quote: “I was eating an incredible amount of raw tuna… but I lost 60 pounds.” — Ben (07:13)
• Discussion about how society is "obsessed with protein," leading to everything from protein water to protein popcorn.
  • “Somebody found out people were obsessed with protein, and now protein is in everything, it’s everywhere.” — Ben (14:00)

3. Veganism: Can They Do It? (13:17–19:17)

• Josh considers going vegan in January, citing health, heart benefits, and influencer inspiration.
  • “I think there’s a world in which Vegan Josh is just a happy, debloated king.” — Josh (15:35)
• Ben expresses skepticism, worried a vegan diet would devolve into excessive carb consumption for him, and shares how carbs make him sleepy.
• The pair map out a hypothetical vegan/gluten-free day, praising options like chia puddings and hearty salads.

4. Health, Heartburn & Personal Diets (19:17–21:46)

• The hosts discuss how weight and certain foods (like tuna or acidic items) can trigger heartburn.
• Josh references biohacker Brian Johnson and the potential heart-health benefits of vegan diets, noting there’s always debate and individual variation.

5. Fasting: The Next Challenge? (21:46–29:29)

• Ben tells of an Uber driver who completed a 5-day fast, experiencing “mental clarity beyond belief.”
• Josh suggests they attempt a 24 to 72-hour fast together, possibly involving their spouses and even making it a wellness retreat.
  • “I’d love to try a three-day fast. They say when you fast, your body starts to eat away the cancerous…” — Ben (22:58)
  • “Why do we gotta do three? Let’s start with 24 hours.” — Josh (23:48)

6. Recapping NYC Adventures & Professional Life (29:29–34:37)

• They swap stories from their time at Live Method (a wellness/cold-plunge facility in NYC) and late-night burger cravings at JG Melon.
• Share their fun experience hosting an Amazon Live shopping segment.

7. AI: Relationships & Therapy Debate (36:45–43:57)

• News story: Japanese woman marries an AI creation named Klaus using ChatGPT in a VR ceremony.
  • “Respect? No, no respect. We’ve gone too far." — Ben (37:41)
• Discussion on AI as a substitute for human interaction, including the use of AI in therapy and career counseling.
  • Josh sees value in AI’s clinical, data-driven advice: “I feel like I’m getting what I want, a pragmatic, unemotional view.”
  • Ben believes AI therapy could be a useful, lower-cost first step.

8. Listener Moron Mail & Advice (46:50–54:02)

• Friendship Drama: A listener asks how to handle a friend who demoted a pregnant maid of honor from her bridal party.
  • “You shouldn’t have to be friends with such a narcissist.” — Ben (48:51)
• Eyebrow Insecurity: Listener wonders if guys care about dark eyebrows on blondes.
  • “We definitely notice when your eyebrows don’t match your hair color. That’s not saying that it’s not beautiful.” — Ben (54:02)
• Fan Encounters: The hosts recount their best and worst interactions, favoring sincerity and disdaining the “it’s not even for me” approach.

9. “What Are You Nuts?” Grievances (58:04–59:45)

• Josh rants about hot, smelly food on planes—no-go!
• Ben rails against flight attendants yelling over the PA and waking sleeping babies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If we could give people 30 seconds of this show, they’d be hooked for life.” — Ben (05:49)
• “Chicken that tastes too much like chicken, you send it back!” — Josh (08:29)
• “If machine gun kelly can do it, you can do it. And that’s no shade on machine gun kelly.” — Ben (36:19)
• “Respect? No, no respect. We’ve gone too far.” — Ben (37:41)
• “You shouldn’t have to be friends with such a narcissist… it’s so icky and nasty, you shouldn’t be friends with this person, one thousand percent.” — Ben (48:51)

Important Timestamps

• 00:32 – NYC nostalgia; food inflation stories
• 06:49 – Small plates, food bites, mercury poisoning from too much sushi
• 13:17 – Josh contemplates going vegan; beginning vegan/health chat
• 15:35 – Protein obsession & societal food trends
• 19:17 – Heartburn and food triggers
• 21:46 – Fasting discussion: Uber driver’s 5-day fast and mental clarity
• 29:29 – Live Method wellness, JG Melon burger, Amazon Live recap
• 36:45 – AI relationships & therapy capabilities
• 46:50 – Listener Moron Mail (Friendship drama, beauty standards, fan encounters)
• 58:04 – “What Are You Nuts?” segment: pet peeves about airplanes

Tone & Delivery

• Banter-heavy, quick-witted, and self-deprecating.
• Frequent use of Jewish-tinged humor, bold asides, and loving mockery of one another, exemplified by moments like “chiseled jaw… perfect guy striking Jewish stallion” (09:05).
• Sincere advice combines honesty, pragmatism, and plenty of one-liners.

For New Listeners: Why This Episode is Worthwhile

If you haven’t tuned in, this episode blends genuine curiosity about health, food, and modern technology—in classic Josh & Ben fashion—with hilarious takes on everyday absurdities and heart-on-sleeve moments. Whether you’re interested in going vegan, rethinking relationships with technology, or need a pep talk about friendship, there’s something here to make you laugh, think, and maybe resolve to skip the hot McDonald’s on your next flight.

Listen on Mondays and Thursdays for more from the Good Guys. And remember: they’re not the great guys—just the good guys.