Good Guys Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Jesse Metcalfe Stole Josh's Girlfriend
Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer
Guest: Jesse Metcalfe
Release Date: March 12, 2026
Podcast Network: Dear Media

Episode Overview

This lively and candid episode features hosts Josh Peck and Ben Soffer discussing food, relationships, and skincare, before welcoming actor Jesse Metcalfe. The hosts navigate topics like food ordering dynamics in relationships, the neuroses of shared dinners, and gendered expectations at home. They segue into a charming, self-deprecating story about Josh, Jesse, and an ex-girlfriend, setting up a funny and heartfelt reunion with Metcalfe. The conversation highlights Metcalfe’s career, experiences with fame and media scrutiny, and his new gender-neutral skincare line, Neutral. The episode closes with the popular “What Are You, Nuts?” segment on quirky food news and life gripes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dining & Relationship Dynamics (00:00–08:43)

• Ordering for the Table: Ben rails against people unilaterally ordering for the table and describes himself as a food savant who only orders for others when requested.
  • “It's actually like my number one pet peeve. When somebody sits and tries to order for the table when I didn't want them to. I hate it. It's like demeaning. And insulting. I hate it.” (Ben, 01:50)
• Decision Fatigue & Gender Stereotypes: Josh discusses “decision fatigue” and how this affects meal choices with his wife, humorously referencing their different approaches.
  • “I really don't want to decide. I regularly have decision fatigue... When my perfect little wife is very, very hungry, it's time to order. ... I don't care. ... But that don't sit right. She don't like that.” (Josh, 04:49)
• Cultural & Generational Food Safety: The hosts reminisce about childhood kitchen lessons, like defrosting chicken and managing kitchen hygiene, poking fun at modern “hazmat” kitchen protocols.

Guest Segment: Jesse Metcalfe (11:31–34:30)

Jesse’s Career Highlights & Industry Real Talk

• Being Recost as the Iconic Gardener in Desperate Housewives
  • “There was a... another gardener... They had filmed the pilot and I was lucky enough to go in for that recast and book that role. ... I didn't really think the show at the time was going to hit as big as it did.” (Jesse, 13:28–14:11)
• Physical Expectations in Hollywood
  • “I was working out, constantly watching everything that I ate. Luckily, I was 25 years old, so it was a lot easier ... Maybe even the best shape of my life now.” (Jesse, 15:29)
  • He candidly shares about using “a little TRT and peptides” and how such supplements are commonplace in the industry. (16:04–16:09)
• Pop Culture Persona & Tabloid Scrutiny
  • Jesse opens up about how the mid-2000s tabloid culture shaped—and sometimes distorted—celebrity images.
  • “There was a lot of stuff getting thrown around there... certainly detrimental to my career... I think people are a little bit more sensitive, little bit more empathetic [now].” (Jesse, 22:52)

The “Stolen Girlfriend” Story

• Josh’s Longstanding Grudge (Shared with Humor)
  • Josh recounts discovering Jesse Metcalfe leaving a club with his ex-girlfriend via Perez Hilton shortly after their breakup:
    • “So about three weeks after we break up... I go on Perez Hilton, and there's my girlfriend leaving some fancy Hollywood hotspot with you, Jesse.” (Josh, 20:21)
    • Jesse expresses surprise and mock guilt but is given a heartfelt pass.
  • Years later, Josh and Jesse bump into each other again—awkwardly but amicably—on a plane years later: “Your nemesis.” (Josh’s wife’s text, 21:26)
  • “You were lovely to my son. ... when we first met officially, so thank you.” (Josh, 21:42)

Skincare, Authenticity & Business

• Neutral: Jesse’s Gender-Neutral Skincare Line
  • Jesse describes the philosophy and science (“collagen boosting,” “Matrixyl 3000”), pushing back against fads and unnecessary complexity in skincare:
    • “I wanted to create something that was simple—four step routine... just super simple that husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends could share.” (Jesse, 33:46)
    • Hosts joke about Ben’s lack of skincare and brainstorm the tagline:
      • “Neutral or nothing.” (Ben, 33:16)
• Authenticity in Media:
  • Jesse and the hosts discuss how fans crave authenticity after years of tabloid exaggeration and image management:
    • “The public is starving for authenticity...” (Jesse, 30:14)
    • “I also have an inner narrative and story that I tell myself and it's not particularly positive at times.” (Jesse, 31:04)

Food News & “What Are You, Nuts?” Segment (39:50–46:54)

• Best & Worst New Food Items
  • Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding PB&J (Best Bite)
  • Reese’s x HiSmile peanut butter cup toothpaste (Worst Bite):
    • “What are we, dogs?” (Ben, 41:05)
• Dental Hygiene Real Talk
  • Discussion about fluoride, fads, and cavity uptick, backed by Josh’s dentist anecdotes.
    • “Dr. Hooper, what am I, some kind of asshole? Every day [I use fluoride]. ... 5x amount of cavities since this whole removing fluoride from your toothpaste thing has become popular.” (Josh, 41:52)
    • “Zero. Not one fucking cavity, okay?” (Ben, 43:03)
• Social Gripes:
  • Ben’s: People who say they're “not a dessert person.”
    • “What are you, nuts? Of course you're a dessert person... if you're actually not a dessert person, we just have nothing in common.” (Ben, 44:07)
  • Josh’s: People mythologizing celebrities’ “toughness” online.
    • “People like to always write under... any video of him [Shia LaBeouf]. They go, 'Don't mess with Shia. He about that life.' ... No, he's not. Nah, he's Shia LaBeouf. He's a guy from Transformers and Even Stevens.” (Josh, 46:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It actually feels demeaning. And insulting. I hate it.” (Ben on unsolicited food ordering – 01:50)
• “You were lovely to my wife. ... There’s no air to be cleared.” (Josh to Jesse – 21:42)
• “I wanted to create something that was simple... a four-step routine.” (Jesse on Neutral – 33:46)
• “What are we, dogs?” (Ben on PB cup toothpaste – 41:05)
• “What are you, nuts? Of course you're a dessert person.” (Ben – 44:07)
• “People are starving for authenticity.” (Jesse – 30:14)
• "I've definitely played a lot of roles that have given me a certain persona… but I definitely look to shed that persona... in my 40s here at 47 years old.” (Jesse – 21:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–08:43 – Banter: Food ordering pet peeves, household dining habits, generational quirks about food safety.
• 11:31–34:30 – Guest Jesse Metcalfe: Career, Desperate Housewives, body image, nutrition, the famed “stolen girlfriend” story, and skincare.
• 39:50–46:54 – Weird Food News: Magnolia Bakery x PB&J; Reese’s Toothpaste. “What Are You, Nuts?”: Dessert people, Shia LaBeouf meme commentary.
• 46:54–End – 5-star review reading & wrap-up (skip—housekeeping).

The Tone & Language

Casual, humorous, and self-aware; the hosts complement each other with Ben’s fast-talking food obsession and Josh’s self-deprecating warmth. Jesse Metcalfe is earnest, candid about his experiences, and game for jokes at his own expense. The show mixes industry insider tales with authentic, relatable reflections on fame, wellness, and modern living.

For New Listeners

This episode captures the “Good Guys” blend of sharp banter, pop culture commentary, and unexpected emotional honesty. You'll enjoy celebrity nostalgia, real talk about public image, playful product plugging, and stories that are both cringey and cathartic. And yes—actual skincare recs from Jesse Metcalfe.