Big Boned or Just Fat?

Summary

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?”

Transcript

[Olivia]

The following podcast is a dear media production.

[Josh]

Two Jews, both big and tall. No subject too small for the Good Guys. A mother's dream premium podcast team. Make it your weekly routine. It's a Good Guys.

[Ben]

And if you don't give us five stars.

[Josh]

What are you nuts?

[Ben]

What are you nuts? Yeah, we're the good guys.

[Josh]

They're not the great guys. We're just the good of good of the good guys. Lots of morons. Welcome back to the Good Guys podcast. Do you want to hear another? How about now? Ben? I got another one.

[Ben]

I would love to.

[Josh]

Okay. Having a good day. Studies have shown that your metabolism doesn't slow down as you get older. You're just fatter. How about now?

[Ben]

Wow. I actually feel personally victimized. Like, that's. That said Josh. Imagine having a fast metabolism ever. Couldn't be me. It suds apparently, like. Olivia, do you have a fast metabolism?

[Olivia]

I don't. I think I have a. No, no, no.

[Josh]

I don't know. Pretty good from here.

[Olivia]

No, my weight fluctuates a ton. It fluctuates so much.

[Josh]

You're on the right pod.

[Olivia]

Oh, exactly.

[Josh]

I know.

[Olivia]

I feel so seen here.

[Josh]

You're. You're with us.

[Olivia]

Yes, most certainly.

[Ben]

No, but like, I look at some people, they just eat whatever the hell they want. They're burning those cows. Some obviously have fast metabolisms. Couldn't be me.

[Josh]

I. But here's my pushback because this is what the study said. If you look at the greatest innovation in weight loss in the last ever, right. GLP1s, GLP2s. There's nothing about them that is speeding up people's metabolism. They are only restricting what you eat. And so clearly people are losing not because their metabolism is sped up, but because they're eating less. I think those people with fast metabolisms, if you really followed them all day, they're not eating as much as we are.

[Ben]

I think the only exception would be somebody who's a future athlete. Like, what about that? Like 13 year old AAU incredible basketball player.

[Josh]

But they're. Or you think he just so much energy.

[Ben]

Yeah, maybe. But like I just hear these stories about like how these kids eat. We spoke about it on a recent podcast, how they'll have a. A bowl of pasta for energy. Like, and maybe that's not metabolism, but it's just, well, like wild.

[Josh]

Michael Phelps famously would eat like 2 pounds of chocolate chip pancakes a day and couldn't help being shredded because he was doing 10 hour pool workouts. Like, yeah, yeah, maybe.

[Ben]

Yeah. They must just be Working out a ton. And they're. What they're exerting is more than what they're intaking.

[Olivia]

Yeah. It says here that fast metabolism is a real phenomenon and that your basal metabolic rate is like the way that they measure it. So there are some people that are just born with a predisposition to have a faster or slower one. Your body composition, if you have more muscle mass, it burns more calories than fat.

[Josh]

Sure.

[Olivia]

Also, the size of your internal organs can account for the amount of energy being burned at rest. So if you have like, you know.

[Ben]

Big ass organs, big ass spine, like, I definitely have big organs. I just know it. Like, I must have enormous organs. You think that's what it is? When people say they're big boned, they really just have big organs.

[Josh]

No, you don't have big organs, Ben.

[Ben]

I can't, I can't get thinner. My organs are too big.

[Josh]

It's, it's, it's not the pants. It's my pancreas.

[Olivia]

The last thing is non exercise activity thermogenesis, which means, like, if you fidget or walk or like change your posture a lot because you're moving around, you might burn more calories than somebody who's.

[Ben]

I do that. Okay. That I'm restless.

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Ben]

But I'm restless and that doesn't know. I've been restless my whole life and I've been morbidly obese my whole life. That doesn't track for me. For me, for me.

[Josh]

I. Well, okay, here's Michael Phelps. This was his diet during his training era. Right. This was like at his peak Olympic training. Phelps was widely reported to eat 8,000 to 12,000 calories per day to support five to six hours of swimming, daily weight training and dry land work. A body that burned thousands of calories just staying warm in the pool. That's a big part of it too. Just to continue to keep your body temperature. A typical training day. Breakfast. Three fried egg sandwiches, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, mayo. Oh, onion. Ugh. The. The amount of heartburn. 15 egg omelette, bowl of grits, three slices of French toast, and three pancakes with chocolate chips. 2,000 to 3,000 calories.

[Ben]

Wow.

[Josh]

Okay.

[Ben]

Sounds fucking delicious, but keep going.

[Josh]

Lunch, Large bowl of pasta. I wonder, maybe bow ties. Two big ham and cheese sandwiches on white bread. Energy drink, 1500 to 2000 calories.

[Ben]

Okay.

[Josh]

Dinner. Large plate of pasta. Maybe he goes penne this time. Entire pizza, energy drink, entire pizza, 2,000 plus calories.

[Ben]

I think an entire pie of pizza is, Is that not like 5,000 calories, maybe. What is a doing A small. Maybe a small. Well, you were talking maybe a 12 inch personal.

[Josh]

Sure. Personal.

[Ben]

Sure. Any dessert or. That's where his night ends.

[Josh]

Snacks and fluids, protein shakes, energy drinks, soda. Can't. Deep protein bars would account for 1 to 2000 calories as well. So.

[Ben]

It's funny, I'm now thinking about what you said. It must. I guess it's just all of these people. I. I hear what Olivia's saying, the fast metabolism thing, but it must also be that they're more active. They just must be more active. Otherwise.

[Josh]

Ben, hold on, I gotta.

[Ben]

What? What now? I need to know. I need to know what's going through your head.

[Josh]

Olivia. Olivia knows.

[Ben]

Tell me.

[Josh]

Let me tell you how I'm interpreting your reactions right now. Wait, you mean to tell me. Working out burns calories?

[Ben]

That's what it sounds like you're saying. Okay, okay. No, not what I'm saying. What I am saying is that I think those AAU kids that I thought were maybe just born with fast metabolisms must just be playing a lot more basketball than I realized and are able to eat a bowl of pasta.

[Josh]

Like, if you were like, the mathletes are eating two bowls of pasta and not putting out a pound, then I'd be like, yeah, they. They probably have a fast metabolism.

[Ben]

How much. How many calories, Josh, does the brain burn?

[Josh]

That's a fair point, because people have said that people burn calories during a chess match. Like. Like, that's why Magnus is hot, hot, hot. Let's see. Do you burn calories by thinking deeply or during a chess match or an intense math session? Sesh. I'll say sesh.

[Ben]

Intense math sesh. Yeah. Keep it. Keep it cool.

[Josh]

Yeah. Title session. Okay. It says short answer is yes, but the effect is tiny. Deep thinking does burn calories, just nowhere near enough to matter for weight loss or earning food. Your brain already burns a lot just by existing. Your brain is only about 2% of your body weight, but it uses about 20% of your daily energy at rest. Thinking harder does raise your calorie burn, but just barely. It might raise it 5 to 15% above baseline, which translates to roughly 5 to 30 extra calories per hour. Okay, so you'd have to play chess for, like, five hours to be able to even have a Snickers.

[Ben]

To even. Yeah, I think Snickers 250.

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Ben]

Snickers is very caloric. Very caloric.

[Josh]

Highly.

[Ben]

And so good. Anything better than a. You like a frozen Snickers? Oh, I love a Frozen Snickers.

[Josh]

Okay. If you were just going by the. You're done here. You're going by the bodega. You're just in a it attitude. You're gonna grab something from in front of the register. So.

[Ben]

And I'm not. And I'm not thinking at all how I'm going to feel later. I'm just, like, having a bad day. I need a piece of candy. What am I buying?

[Josh]

Not even about you. Just like, I'm going to. And it's got to be. It can't be. Like, you can't go to the back and get the Gardettos, Bugles, the Lifesavers, gummies. Those are in the back. That's in. Those are in the.

[Ben]

Now we're talking front.

[Josh]

I want Kit Kats, you know, Mounds. I don't know.

[Ben]

What does it say. What does it say about me mentally, that I'm only doing that if I'm having a bad day?

[Josh]

You're a grownup.

[Ben]

We'll decipher that another time.

[Josh]

It's responsible.

[Ben]

I'm getting a Butterfinger.

[Josh]

Oh, you're nuts.

[Ben]

I. Butterfinger, to me, is the holy fucking Grail. Like a Butterfinger, and it stays with you in your teeth for the rest of the day. So you're always reminded that you had it.

[Josh]

Hell, yeah.

[Ben]

It's so delicious. And I think because of the consistency, it doesn't go too quickly. I can have a. I'd love a KitKat because I love wafers. That's a delicious snack.

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Ben]

I could eat a Kit Kat in six seconds.

[Josh]

So true.

[Ben]

I love a Butterfinger. What are you grabbing?

[Josh]

I am probably gonna grab I again. And I think this is a fat so strategy, which is, like, I want it to, like a Snickers. That's three bites.

[Ben]

Correct.

[Josh]

Right. Nuts. Nuts.

[Ben]

Also, I never get. I never get one.

[Josh]

Are you a guy who would eat it, who would just take the wrapper off halfway and then keep it in its little wrapper holder? I'm not. It comes straight out. I'll get my fingers a little chocolatey.

[Ben]

It's funny. I'm 100% a wrapper holder.

[Olivia]

Huh?

[Ben]

I'm not a chocolatey.

[Josh]

You too, Lip?

[Ben]

No.

[Olivia]

Yep.

[Josh]

Wow. Okay. What's that say about me?

[Ben]

I just see you on the corner just licking your finger just from the chocolate.

[Josh]

Sniff and lick. Sniff. That was delicious. Snickers. Have you seen the meme of the kid dancing at the. In the. In the pediatrician's office and just says, hearing my doctor tell my mom that I'm Morbidly obese and artistic.

[Ben]

I haven't seen it. It's hysterical. I morbidly Obesity. Autistic. That's really funny.

[Josh]

I'm late stage. I'm. If I am autistic, I'm a late bloomer because my wife's the first one to tell me. My mother was like, good, Josh. Everyone loves a ticket. I prefer he doesn't hear me when I talk. He likes space, so sue him. Oh, my God.

[Ben]

This episode of the Good Guys podcast is brought to you by our friends at Quo. Folks, let's talk about something every business owner knows too well. Missed calls. Because missing a business business call, that's like watching money fly out the window and straight into your competitor's hands. That's why today's episode is brought to you by Quo, formerly OpenPhone. The Smarter Way to run your business Communications. Folks, Quo is the number one business phone system built for 2025, not 1995. Rated the top choice for consumer satisfaction with over 3,000 reviews on G2. Forget juggling phones or using a landline. Quo works right from an app on your phone or computer. Your whole team can share one number and collaborate on calls and texts. Like a shared inbox. Faster responses means happier customers. And Quo is not just a phone system. It's a smart system built in. AI logs calls, writes summaries, and even sets up next steps. And hey, can't answer the phone. Quo's AI agent can. Qualifying leads, routing calls to the right person, and making sure no customer is ever left hanging. Even after hours. Quo's got your back. It keeps the lights on while you actually sleep. That's why over 90,000 businesses are already running on Quo. From solo operators to growing teams, Quo helps every business stay connected and look professional. So, folks, Quo is offering my listeners 2,0 20% off your first six [e-mail] goodguys that's quo.com goodguys you can even keep your existing number for free. Quo.com goodguys quo no missed calls. No missed customers. This episode of the Good Guys podcast is brought to you by our friends at Ollie. Folks, do you love your dog? Do you really love your dog? Do you? I'm asking you, do you really love your dog? If the answer is yes, then I ask you again. Are you giving your dog kibble? Do you know what's in there? Kibble? Do you have any idea what you're giving your dog? Do you understand that breeds need different types of food? Do you understand that maybe your dog doesn't like eating kibble 247365 and they deserve a better, happier life and more delicious food. I'm sorry for guilting you, but I had to. You have to look at Ollie, okay? You have to. Because wanting the absolute best for my dog, I switched to Ollie. They offer fresh protein packed meals made with real human grade ingredients. And they offer five tasty recipes all slow cooked for top nutrition. They now let's talk about it. First and foremost, food quality. We're talking human grade recipes backed by vet nutritionists and crafted with culinary experts. And dogs absolutely love the taste a better experience. We're talking tailored meal plans to meet your dog's specific needs. Perfectly portioned meals in mess free packaging and comes with a scoop for easy serving and a storage puptainer for zero fridge stink. And one of a kind technology. The Ollie app offers on demand health screenings where you can tap real experts for puppy peace of mind. And it uses data from the Ollie pack to deliver new recipes and products specifically for your dog. Let me tell you, okay, Romeo the pickiest eater. Not picky with Ollie because it's food made for Romeo. It's food made for Romeo. This one size fits all. Kibble. It just didn't work for him. He didn't like it. He didn't eat it. With Ollie, he eats. My God, is he starting to eat. I'm so proud of him. I'm so proud of him. Your dog's well being starts with their food. And that's why Ollie delivers fresh human grade food that your dogs will love. Head to ollie.com goodguys Tell them about your dog and use code goodguys to get 66.0percent off your welcome kit when you subscribe today. Plus they offer a happiness guarantee on the first box, so if you're not completely satisfied, you'll get your money back. That's o l l I e.com goodguys and enter code goodguys to get 60% off your first box.

[Olivia]

Hi y', all, I'm Kinsey and I'm the host of Houseguests podcast. I am a Gen Z. Want to be Martha Stewart meets D. Dolly Parton trying to live in a Nancy Myers movie. We talk all about life, relationships and navigating your 20s. I'd like to say I'm multifaceted. I'm either waking up at 4am in the sauna, tending to my garden or closing out the bars until 2am you just never know what you're gonna get. It's either me at home in my house in Texas, that I spend way too much time in or in the studio with some pretty cool guests. You can follow us at TheHouseGues podcast and listen or watch all new episodes every Thursday, wherever you get your podcast or on YouTube.

[Josh]

Yeah, I would go for, like, a Reese's Pieces. I love that.

[Ben]

Delish. Delish.

[Josh]

I would go for. I like a Kit Kat. I definitely fucks with a Kit Kat. Or I would go with. In New York. They don't really have them out here much. A Baby Ruth. Have you had one of those in a while?

[Ben]

I haven't had it in a while. It was always one of those Halloween candies that I was like, Really? A fucking Baby Ruth. And I'd push it to the side and then I'd eventually eat it. Because in my house, no Halloween candy went uneaten. Even if I didn't like it, I was eating it.

[Josh]

Yes.

[Ben]

It wasn't my favorite. Personally. It's fine. Actually, the worst Halloween candy. Let me know if you agree with this. Was those boxes of the Milk Duds.

[Josh]

Oh, terrible.

[Ben]

Who needs that box? Four loose Milk Duds in a box. I don't need that.

[Josh]

Those stink. There was also the circus peanuts. Historically, no one wanted.

[Ben]

Not for me.

[Josh]

No, not for him.

[Ben]

For me. We've definitely spoken about this before. The best, though, the individual wrapped Twizzlers, because they're different than the regular Twizzlers. It's a different recipe. They're significantly juicier. And I'm a big fan. Big fan.

[Josh]

Are you a Twizzler pull and peel guy? I used to fuck some up.

[Ben]

Oh, yeah. And a real fat move is you don't pull or peel shovel. You eat the rope.

[Josh]

You just.

[Ben]

And like the strawberry flavor. Yeah. It was amazing. Oh, man, I crushed those. Oh, I forgot about Poland peels. Yummy.

[Josh]

So good.

[Ben]

It's really wild thinking about what I would eat. Like, there would be a night I would order this would. This would be like a classic night. I would order in Thai food. I would get a pad Thai. I would get a pad. See you. I would get two orders of spring rolls. I'd get a dumplings, and then I'd probably go to the bodega and get a pull and peel. Nerds wrote. Like, that was a night. Like, it just. And like, I'm not swimming like Phelps. And that's easily 6,000 calories.

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Ben]

Easy.

[Josh]

Is that the, like, looking back, can you think of, like, a very. A sort of a food. A damaging food experience that you would have with your parents? Like, I can think of Ones that I would have with my mom where you look back and go like, oh, we were like getting high together. Like this was over the top of eating. It wasn't just like, oh, we're at a bar mitzvah or something.

[Ben]

Yeah. I was always, my parents were always telling me, ben, you're ordering too much food. Like you're ordering too much food. And I would always say, no, it's fine. And I would eat all of it. But they were, I don't, it's funny, I don't think that they were, I don't think that they were ever damaging. I, I was damaging. But you're for sure.

[Josh]

But they're like. You said your father's was an eater, right?

[Ben]

No. By the way, they were both eaters like a thousand percent. But they, I don't, they didn't really eat. I don't recall them like eating like that in front of me. Like, like I remember my, I wonder when my dad was eating. Like my, my, my food memories of my dad were him drinking Slim Fast shit like Optifast Shakespeare, like not even eating.

[Josh]

I think that has an opposite but similar negative effect probably for sure.

[Ben]

100%. Diet culture was a huge thing in my house. Me too, from day one. Slim fast shakes at 13 years old. Slim Fast bars. I think I tried Optifast, which is like this shake program when I was like 15. Like shake replacements for food always like diet culture for sure. Do you have a specific memory of a meal?

[Josh]

I mean, my mom always would say like I had nothing to do with your eating. It was out of control. But I always said you were handsome to me. And I go, ma, you've had an eating disorder my whole life. I'm like, we went to a fat camp in North Carolina. Like what do you mean? Like, 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. My mom's not going to like this segment. Thank you, mom. I appreciate everything you did for me, but shit happens.

[Ben]

Love you. It's fine.

[Josh]

Love you.

[Ben]

No, it's all good.

[Josh]

It's just, I think it certainly both sides of it. Whether it's super limiting diet culture or it's super indulging. And I would bet you like we mo. It just, it gets modeled like I watch it with my wife and her family and my wife will be the first to attest to my, my sister in law Blake, like that they went through like Awkward, chubby stages. But, like, food has never been an event to my in laws in a good way. They enjoy great food, they eat dessert, but it's just not the we're having lunch, what are we having for dinner type mentality, which I grew up. I don't know if you grew up that way, Ben, but I certainly.

[Ben]

Father. My father's a caterer. Like, food is life. Like, literally, he made a living making and serving food like that. That's it. Like, food is everything. Your next meal is everything. How creative can we be? Like, how. Like, what cuisine? Like, yeah, food was. Was life.

[Josh]

Right?

[Ben]

And I think that even though other people's parents aren't caterers, religion plays a huge role in that too. Like, food is at the epicenter of Jewish culture. Like, everything revolves around food, whether it is a Shabbat dinner or a Rosh Hashanah meal or. I wonder if other religions have food as ingrained in everything.

[Josh]

I think. I don't know. I think culturally, every culture has a major food focus. But I think, and I'm learning. I've been listening to this pot. About how scarcity complexes that are so deeply ingrained in people lead us to overindulge in everything. And I think just the Jewish people in general have, for millennia, has been like, oh, we're leaving again. Oh, they hate us again. Get your shit, let's go. 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, because we don't know.

[Ben]

When we're gonna get it next. Now we live in an indulgent world with food at our fingertips all the time. And. Yeah, that's very interesting and crazy.

[Josh]

What was it like for you, Olivia, growing up?

[Olivia]

Yeah, so I spent a lot of time. My mom was, like, a single mom growing up, and in high school, my mom, my grandma and I all lived together. My grandma grew up, like, during the. She was born, like, during the Great Depression and grew up during World War II in West Virginia. So very much like that. Scarcity complex food always, like, I could never eat enough. You know, she was always worried I was gonna starve. And I'm like, grandma, I'm fine. I've eaten, like, four meals today. Like, what do you want? And it's interesting because, like, they are always so concerned. And it was very much the same of, like, you know, when you're eating lunch, okay, what are we having for dinner? Still very much like that.

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Olivia]

But then there's also like this really, like, negative kind of cheeky self talk. And I think that's what I've picked up more than the eating habits at times. Although I've definitely done that too. But, like, and something I've had to be really conscious about working on, you know, like the way that you kind of relate to yourself and it's like, okay, well, don't like, keep making a joke out of it and have fun and then like hate yourself for it, if that makes sense. You know what I mean?

[Ben]

Totally.

[Olivia]

Yeah. So there have been like, big conversations about that over time. I feel really lucky that, I mean, I have like the best family and my mom and grandma are absolutely amazing. But, like, I just wish that they saw how beautiful they were too sometimes.

[Josh]

Sure.

[Olivia]

And it's like, if you feel that way, then like, okay, let's take steps to try and figure it out, you know, or find new ways how to deal with that sort of feeling and your relationship to food. But yeah, very much food centered all the time.

[Ben]

I think it's also like the government and culture. Like, Josh, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Like, you don't need to be having breakfast, lunch and dinner. We're trained to eat from 7am to the minute you go to sleep. Like, I think that. And it's only started to, at least in my world, that come out over the last, like, couple of years. This idea that if you only ate one meal a day, you're not gonna die.

[Josh]

Far from it.

[Ben]

Quite the. Quite the opposite. You might feel like 100 times better. Like, it's such a strange. It's just so odd. And maybe there just like, wasn't enough research done or my paranoid brain is like, they want to keep us slow. I don't know. But it's. We don't need anywhere near the amount of food that we've been trained we need to eat to survive.

[Josh]

Autophagy.

[Ben]

Heard of it? Yeah.

[Josh]

So burning through fasting negative cells.

[Ben]

Yeah. This episode of the Good Guys podcast is brought to you by our friends at Shopify. Folks. New Year, new moves. The end of the year is the perfect time to lay the foundation for what's next. Whether you're planning new product launches or reviewing yearly numbers to clean up strategies and analyze performance across products, Shopify is your chief of staff, your personal assistant, your costar, helping you plan, launch and grow so you can start 2026 ahead of the game. Whether you're just starting off small with your own merch store or planning your next business expansion, Shopify has you covered. So that you can wow even the pickiest of guests. Now, I want to try something different for this. Okay? Normally I come on and I say, look, start now, start now. There's no time like the present. And that's absolutely true. But I thought, you know what? Why don't we turn this into a little bit of a one person brainstorm? I'm going to pretend like you're all in front of me. And what we're going to do is we're going to think of your next great idea. The first thing that we're going to do, okay, is we're going to throw out the window. I love this. I love this idea that just because somebody else has done something before, you can't do it. Okay? Just because somebody else did your idea, it doesn't mean that you can't do the idea better. I think my favorite modern example of this is Poppy. When. When somebody pitched poppy to their friends, somebody probably got met with, oh, you're really going to launch a soda. Have you ever heard of Coca Cola? Have you ever heard of Pepsi? Have you ever heard of any of these companies? You're going to compete with a soda giant? Well, yeah. You know what they did? They made it better. They made it for the modern times. There are so many examples like that. It's not just soda. How about Spritz Society? Okay, Spritz Society. I pitched the idea. We're going to make another ready to drink cocktail. We're going to make it wine based. So it's a little bit different. But everybody's like, oh, what about White Claw? Oh, what about Truly? What about them? Okay, let's make things better. Let's make things better for now. Poppy, what is it? 3 to 5 grams of sugar? Olipop. Same thing. Less than 5 grams of sugar. These are like 35 calories. Coke is like over a hundred calories and over 35 grams of sugar. You absolutely can go into the same category. It's hard. I'm not saying that it's not hard. They have a lot of money. But don't ever let somebody stop you from coming up with a great idea just because somebody else is doing it. Because maybe you have a way to make it better. I'll give you another example of a company that I absolutely love. It's called Swishables. S W I S H A B L E S Let me tell you, they are putting liquid mouthwash in a stick pack, in a single stick pack sachet, where it's completely portable, no alcohol, biodegradable. Let Me tell you, if anybody came to me is like, oh, I want to start a mouthwash company. What about Listerine? What about Listerine? Let's make it better. Let's make products better. Now it doesn't have to be such an extreme example, okay? But let me tell you, whatever your ideas, you can go on shopify.com goodguys today and get a head start. If it's any kind of direct to consumer business merch, selling drinks, selling mouthwash. Okay, shopify.com goodguys allows you to get a head start this year so that next year we can achieve our dreams. So if you're ready to take the next step in life, whether it's the sweetest merch you've ever seen, your novel you spent years writing, or something in between, go to shopify.com goodguys and make it happen. It doesn't matter where you're at in your entrepreneur journey, you Shopify is there to make your life and selling journey easier. Whether you're just wanting to test an idea out or you're getting serious about launching your own brand, it's never been easier to get started on shopify.com/goodguys Shopify makes selling so easy, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. It's time to stop thinking and start doing. And there's no better way to do that than with Shopify. Use our link shopify.com goodguys now to get started and get serious about building your future. I take it from me, it's time to start taking that idea you've had for a while and put it into action. And with Shopify, you'll have all the tools you need to ensure your idea becomes the best reality can again that shopify.com/goodguys stop saying one day. Start saying today and stop listening to your friends and family. Okay, if you have an idea, go for it. If you have an idea and you ask a million people what their opinions are, they are too nervous to start something themselves. So they are going to put you down and tell you that it's a bad idea. Just start it and try it. I'm not telling you to spend a lot of money. Shopify.com goodguys you can literally take your proof of concept and make it a reality. I hope it's a good idea, but if it's not a good idea, you'll know pretty quickly and then you'll have a better one. Okay, stop saying one day and start saying today. When are we doing our fast, Josh?

[Josh]

Three days I don't know. I'm down to clown. Whenever is clever for me.

[Ben]

Okay, so I'm going to see you on Monday. Do we do it like. No, you shouldn't do it while you're traveling. You won't feel good. You have to do it at home. You have to do with black coffee. You gotta be just. Yeah, it's not possible. I think we need to do it though. I don't know when.

[Josh]

Call it.

[Ben]

I want to do it now. Okay. We're doing it in December. I want to do. I want to do a three day fast.

[Josh]

Call it. I'm down to clown whenever. I just. I. I will have to do it. I also need to do every seven weeks. They say you should take one week off of working out. I'm not really good at doing that. But I'm certainly down to take three days off. So I will cycle it down and start. The problem is it's also going to be really hard. I need to do it while the kids are in school because I can't be with them watching them eat delicious food all day.

[Ben]

So let's do two days and let's do weekdays. Let's start with a 48 hour fast and let's do a like Thursday and Friday.

[Josh]

NPB. No problem, brother. I'll take. I'll take my tirzepatide on Wednesday. My microdose. Maybe I'll take a hero dose.

[Ben]

You should take a full dose.

[Josh]

Did you hear?

[Ben]

Even though I found it does take, I think it takes at least two months for it to really start to affect your hunger. Like I, I only recently I told you that I restarted taking Zepbound and I guess I had gone off it for a while where my body forgot or it just like its resistance went away or whatever. And like a week ago I. Oh my God, I'm so full. Like that feeling came back.

[Josh]

Really.

[Ben]

Which, yeah. Which is not a feeling that I missed. I know it's like a healthy feeling and it's the reason that I'm on it. But it. I don't enjoy getting chipotle and only being able to eat a quarter and needing to throw it out. Otherwise I'll be sick. Like I don't like that feeling. It's the. It's good for me. Like it's. It's what I should be doing. But it's not fun.

[Josh]

It really is. I mean the perfect probably amount of food would be to have a light breakfast and order lunch and eat half of it for lunch and half for dinner.

[Ben]

100%.

[Josh]

Right?

[Ben]

100%. Yeah, yeah. As long as you're getting your electrolytes, some protein.

[Josh]

Like I've heard this whole electrolytes shout out element. But I've heard if you're not working out, you don't need to worry too much about supplementing electrolytes. You're getting plenty of salt from other sources.

[Ben]

So all that again, maybe it's different for different people. And this is not just because Elements a sponsor. This is actually what I do. I. I get incredible dry mouth and I'll drink water and I'll still have dry mouth. And it's until I drink an element that my dry mouth goes away.

[Josh]

I wonder if you're benefiting though, from the magnesium and potassium more. Which, by the way, I think I am. And not just saying this element is delish.

[Ben]

Elements delicious. And it's 100% the best electrolyte out there. It is. I wish they were sold in more stores because I'm walking around the city and I see these stupid liquid IVs and I don't want that shit. I want the good stuff. But they don't sell the good stuff at bodegas, unfortunately, so.

[Josh]

Well, have you heard about Brian Johnson? Who is the guy who wants to live forever. Yes, he is now in a new X post. I'm exploring magic mushrooms as a longevity therapy. Sunday was my first dose. 4.67 grams of dried psilocybin cubensis B plus strain containing 24.98 milligrams of psilocybin. Yeah. And he's saying that it has. There's scientific evidence that it helps longevity, inflammation, neuroplasticity and sexual health. Thoughts?

[Ben]

I mean, let me know, like, if.

[Josh]

That'S a shitload of mushrooms. Five grams.

[Ben]

I don't even then. Yeah, I don't. I've never understood grams as it relates to a volume of a drug.

[Josh]

How much?

[Ben]

Never understand it.

[Josh]

How much mushrooms do you do with Brian Kelly?

[Ben]

A square. A chocolate square.

[Josh]

Like so that's probably, probably.

[Ben]

Probably not a lot.

[Josh]

It's less than a gram.

[Ben]

I've never had. And by the way, for that I'm. I'm in the exact place I need to be. Anything else? I feel like I would. I would have a panic attack.

[Josh]

Honestly. It's probably 5 grams is probably 5 to 8 squares.

[Ben]

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 to you need help. You need help. If you don't feel that anymore, you must stop. You go. Go somewhere and get help.

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Ben]

Yeah. If it turns out that it really does help those things, I'm still out. I don't need it. I don't need it. There are other ways to cure inflammation, Josh. Every day I take turmeric, boss. I'm gonna send you the link. I found it at a farmer's market. This woman pre packs them by hand. The carcumin and the black pepper and the turmeric, let me tell you. Fantastic. That's my. I'm not inflamed at all, Josh. Zero inflammation. Not a drop. None. Zilch. And I get a great sneeze after it.

[Josh]

The best.

[Ben]

The best sneeze. In the morning, I take my turmeric, boss. I get a nice sneeze. My sinuses feel like they're in heaven. I don't need any of that.

[Josh]

Psilocybin sounds very close to bagel, boss.

[Ben]

You want a link to turmeric, boss?

[Josh]

Only if it's made by bagel, boss.

[Ben]

I'll send you a link. You can also empty the capsule and put it in a little bit of ground beef. And then all of a sudden, holy smokes.

[Josh]

Then what?

[Ben]

You make a great gyro. We'll be there.

[Josh]

Well, speaking of natural remedies, did you know tragic turn? Our sons died from taking an all natural supplement you can buy at gas stations. People don't realize it's so addictive and dangerous.

[Ben]

What is it?

[Josh]

Very sad. Very upsetting. Hold on. Oh, yeah.

[Ben]

Rest in peace.

[Josh]

Yeah. This no good. Months before Jordan McKibben collapsed in his bathroom and never woke up. 37 year old prepared smoked salmon and. Ooh, and a homegrown canned peppers. This is a nice spread. Now there's a tragedy. No, I'm kidding. Weeks before he told his mom things were getting serious with the woman.

[Ben]

New York Post. I'm like, why are you talking about the smoked salmon.

[Josh]

Then? On the day of his death, McKibben went to his longtime job at an organic food distributor. When he got home, he mixed a tablespoon of powdered kratom supplement into his lemonade. Marketed as an all natural way to ease pain, anxiety, depression and more, Kratom can appeal to health conscious people like McKibben, who his mother says wouldn't even take ibuprofen. Ibuprofen for arthritis in his hand. But on that Tuesday, a compound in the substance took McKibben's life and sadly, he Passed. Dude, Kratom is bullshit.

[Ben]

I've never even heard of it.

[Josh]

Yeah, it's become very popular as an opioid like replacement. But it's the same. It triggers opioid receptors in your brain. It has the same effects and, and.

[Ben]

You can buy it at a gas station.

[Josh]

Yeah, you can buy it at a head shop. It's all over. It's going to get taken out quickly like, but the government slow to realize.

[Ben]

Holy shit. That's very scary. Very sad story.

[Olivia]

Yeah, it's, it's awful. And they have those, they have like, if you've seen ads anywhere, like any gas station for feel free. It's a mix of like kava root nectar which is like I don't have it seems chill. That's fine, whatever, whatever. It just makes your tongue tingle a bit and then. But Kratom, yeah, it's like it's in the opiate family but it's yeah like marketed. Those little drinks are like marketed as like a feel good alcohol alternative. Kind of like a CBD seltzer almost. But they're these little shots like a five hour energy. And there are people who again they're marketing it towards people who are either probably sober or sober curious too. And yet it's an opioid. So you probably have folks who have been addicted to narcotics or opiates at some point who are trying this as an alcohol replacement in their sobriety and don't fully realize because it wasn't clearly labeled for a long time.

[Josh]

Right.

[Olivia]

There are so many people who have relapsed because of this or become fully. Oh, it's really bad.

[Josh]

Really bad.

[Olivia]

It's really bad. It's a, it's a shame that it's even available for people. It makes me really angry.

[Josh]

No good.

[Ben]

That's, that's fucked up. I also heard, I know that like weed is legal in all these places now there, some states are starting to back out of that like weed is becoming. What was legal is now becoming illegal. Again, not that I'm comparing weed to this. These are two different, completely different things. But, but that too.

[Josh]

That's weird. I remember, I think they're. I don't know if Texas successfully did it, but it's like again, I mean look, weed certainly today is not the weed that our parents were smoking in the 60s. It's super strong and hydroponic and whatnot. But like I think in general like real weed is better than this. Like Delta 8 sold at gas stations of course, which is in quotes federally legal because it's THC free as opposed to, like, real weed, which is still federally a Schedule 1 drug because we have all these, like, weird, archaic rules against hemp, which is a bomb. Ass plant. Want to make a sale? Get hemp.

[Ben]

Yeah, I love hemp. I'm in.

[Josh]

Hot.

[Ben]

Sure, why not?

[Josh]

Build a sale.

[Ben]

You make sales out of hemp?

[Josh]

Yes, I think.

[Ben]

Have you had experience building a lot of sales? Yeah, it sounds great to me.

[Josh]

What am I in? Like, pinta?

[Ben]

At first I was thinking, are you making a sale? Oh, he means a sale like on a boat. I'm in.

[Josh]

That's what I'm saying. On a boat. I'm in the nina, the pinta. What was the third?

[Ben]

Ben and the Santa Maria.

[Josh]

That's it.

[Ben]

Every time I hear that, I think of beans. I think of the pinto bean. Yeah, right.

[Josh]

Delicious bean.

[Ben]

It is. You ever. Do you ever get raw beans or dehydrated beans and hydrate them? Not from me. Give me the can. Really?

[Josh]

You got you getting the. You cracking the Goya can, huh?

[Ben]

I'm okay. Oh, yeah, Big time.

[Josh]

It's closest. He'll go. They'll get to go, y'.

[Ben]

All. Big time. I love that. The frijoles Negros. Fantastic.

[Josh]

It sounded racist.

[Ben]

It wasn't.

[Josh]

Well, the gay sheep wool used to create couture fashion.

[Ben]

Gay sheep wool.

[Josh]

Because homosexuality is part of nature. Designer claims woke couture is coming for our closets. Wool from sheep that prefer same sex partners debuted at a New York fashion show earlier this month. On November 13, a collection of knitwear by Los Angeles based designer Michael Schmidt called I will survive features garments created with wool from the world's first flock of gay sheep in Germany. What? That's what? That's going to be the name.

[Ben]

This is the biggest Woody A nut I've ever heard in my life.

[Josh]

Two gay sheep, Me and you.

[Ben]

Ben, that's not even what's crazy to me. I'm sure that everybody out there. I'm sure all the sheep are gay, right? I'm sure all the sheep, like the. The first. They discovered the gay sheep in Germany. Please. Okay. The first gay sheep in Germany. You're lying. I want pics. I want pics, okay, of one male sheep sucking off the other sheep. And then I'll buy your fucking gay sheep thing. Otherwise I'm not buying it. I don't believe you.

[Josh]

Una ba.

[Ben]

Un salor. I just sounded Mexican.

[Josh]

Unsa baba. Black sheep.

[Ben]

Yeah. Wow, that's a lot to think about.

[Josh]

It's a lot to think about. You know, Great Why not? But I think in the animal kingdom, most animals are just like, yeah, like, they'll take it where they can get it.

[Ben]

For sure. A hole's a hole in the animal kingdom. Okay, A hole's a hole. This episode of the Good Guys podcast is brought to you by our friends at Home Chef. Folks, Ben Savar, celebrity chef, here to tell you that Home Chef is an absolutely fantastic meal delivery service. And let me tell you, if you don't have time, and not even if you don't have time, even if you do have time to go to the grocery store, you're not always going to get fresh veggies. Honestly, I've been having this problem. I will go on an app. I will go into the store, I'll go in. No fresh avocado, no ripe tomatoes, only old tomatoes. Maybe Home Chef. Maybe I should only be using Home Chef. I don't know. But let me tell you, Home Chef is absolutely fantastic because now the days are short and crisp and I find myself craving comforting home cooked meals. So, folks, this holiday season, I've been using Home Chef to channel my inner Gordon Ramsay. That's because Home Chef just teamed up with him to bring his five star stress free recipes straight to your kitchen. Between school nights and busy schedules, it's never been easier to cook like a pro without the pressure. I mean, Gordon Ramsay, Ben Sovereign, celebrity Chef. I don't know who's more famous in the cooking scene, but we'll trust Gordon and we'll trust Home Chef because it's rated number one by users of other meal kits for quality, convenience, value, taste and recipes. Home Chef makes cooking simple, fresh food delivered, easy recipes to follow, and meals that actually taste great. And now, with Gordon Ramsay's exclusive recipes on the Home Chef menu, you can enjoy five star meals without the stress. Let me harp on this again. Fresh food delivered, easy recipes to follow, and meals that actually taste great. That is the Home Chef way. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 55.0percent off and free shipping for your first box. Plus free dessert for life. If you go to home chef.comgoodguys that's H O M E C H E F dot com goodguys for 55.0percent off your first box and free dessert for life. Home chef.com goodguys must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert.

[Olivia]

If you're a smoker or vaper ready to make a change, you really only need one good reason. But with Zyn nicotine pouches, you'll discover many Good reasons. Zynn is America's number one nicotine pouch brand. Plus Zynn offers a robust rewards program. There are lots of options when it comes to nicotine satisfaction, but there's only one Zyn. Check out zyn.com find to find Zynn at a store near you. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Josh]

Okay, well, did you know that beauty influencers are encouraging skincare enthusiasts to save their menstrual blood for bizarre purposes? Forget cramps, cranky moods and a craving for chocolate. 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. The social media driven fad involves applying one's own menstrual blood to the skin, typically the face, for a couple minutes before washing it off. Being that the practice is unregulated and has not yet been extensively tested with clinical research, there are no universal guidelines for how much blood to use or the length of time to leave it on. But they're saying that because menstrual masking. Menstrual masking advocates point out that period blood contains stem cells, cytokines and proteins, all of which they argue can revive the skin and give it that extra glow.

[Ben]

I'm disturbed. I'm disturbed. All right. By the way, to each their own. Hey, to each their own.

[Josh]

You want your face to smell like pennies? That's up to you.

[Ben]

Y.

[Josh]

Oh my God.

[Ben]

Menstrual blood on your face and gay sheep clothing. We live in a weird world, Josh. We live in a weird world. We live in a weird world. These people are freaks.

[Josh]

Should we get to a moron mail?

[Ben]

Moron mail. Moron mail.

[Josh]

If you want to leave it some more on mail, go to speakpipe.com goodguys we'll give you advice. Give us questions, ask for advice. Don't give us your what are you, nuts'? They're not great. Keep it brief. Brevity is oh so key. Let's hear from Barrett.

[Caller]

Hey, good guys. I am in the middle of listening to Josh's book while cleaning my house, and I'm at the part where he's talking about how he's going to AA meetings and his transformation to becoming sober. And while I am listening to this, I am also thinking about my husband and I starting to have kids soon. And this is a topic that we've discussed here and there as we get closer to getting to that point. And I really think and believe that as a partner who is not carrying a child, it should only be fair that while I have to be sober for nine months as I grow a living human, that my partner should be in solidarity and maybe not 100%, but not with the same habits that he currently has, which has been a discussion that we've had multiple times where I want him to cut down. Currently I only drink on the weekends and he tends to drink nearly every day, even if it's just one or two. So my question is, what do you guys think about your partner as men being sober, you guys being sober while your wife is pregnant? And also how do you approach that? And Josh, as somebody who is sober, what is something that I could do to better support him as somebody who does not struggle with moderation or drinking? Love you guys both so much.

[Ben]

You want to start or you want me to start?

[Josh]

Go for it.

[Ben]

I'm coming from somebody who really did not drink during their wife's pregnancy. I think I drank one time at a wedding, which I think is basically what this woman is asking of him. Let me know if you agree with this. Josh, if you have an inclination to drink alone, you probably have a problem. I would think that a social drinker and an alone drinker are two different types of people. And I think that again, maybe this is just like my relationship. Like I, if I'm going to have a drink, it's going to be out at dinner with my wife. I'm not, we were never at home drinkers. It just wasn't part of. Sounds like maybe he's an at home drinker, but if you're not drinking and he's just getting drunk alone, it sounds to me like he should try to drink less regardless of if you're pregnant or not. That's my outsider's opinion.

[Josh]

Yeah, I don't think you need to think about it more deeply than like questioning whether your partner can read the room, which is such an, like, it's such an implicit, important, nuanced quality that cannot be taught. And they either have it or they don't. And you want to be with someone who has it because again, yeah, it doesn't. Like, I think it's whack to tell your partner anything when it comes to like if you're going through something, if they, if they enjoy having a beer on the couch to watch Sunday Night Football or whatever. Like, and they want to do that regularly, like, doesn't pose a problem in my opinion. But I think that if they like need to go out and get shithouse and want you to be there and do it in front of you. Or they're up to all their drunken antics while you can't be. That's clearly not reading the room. You know, like, I just think there's a balance.

[Ben]

Agreed. Yeah. Self awareness is key. Too many people are born without it and those people should die. Yeah.

[Josh]

Fuck em. Next one is from. Ooh. This one is from Anonymous.

[Caller]

Hey. To my favorite Jewish men. I've been recently dating someone and just found out we have different political views. I feel like that was typically fine back in the day, but now with politics being so front and center, I'm wondering what your thoughts are. I'm definitely dating to marry. Do you think that could go long term? Let me know.

[Ben]

It's funny, I just had a conversation with a friend who told me that he went on like two good dates with this girl and she asked him, it came up like political affiliations. He told her that he was a Republican. She said that she was a Democrat. She didn't text him back for like three days. He like wrote to her like, hey, like, like I thought we had like a couple great dates, like, would love to see you again. And she's like, oh, sorry. Like, I swore to myself that I would never date a Republican. And I was just so. He was obviously put off. I thought it was very strange. I think that you'll. You could absolutely find examples like that across both sides where somebody would say, oh, I'd never data liberal or whatever it may be. I don't think it's a problem at all. Unless your house is toxically political. Like life is not politics. Josh and I talk about this all the time where most people are hovering middles and if you're hovering middles, you don't have a problem. Of course, if one person is a right wing conservative and the other is a left wing liberal and you're on over here, then you're going to be on opposite sides of very, very important fundamental things to you and like the way that you perceive society. So if that's the example, I think it would be pretty difficult. But I think that for most, if one's a Republican and one's a Democrat and they're pretty aligned on most things that most people are aligned on, which is just like being a good person. I would hope it wouldn't come in the way, but I don't know.

[Josh]

I think it would be hard. Maybe that's my gut and not that. I mean, obviously there's like Kellyanne Conway and her husband There are famous Republican and Democrat. I think when Schwarzenegger's always been a Republican and obviously Maria Shriver comes from the Kennedys, famously Democrat. But I think I always talk about my wife and I, and I wouldn't even know what you'd classify it now, but I'd always say we're both Democrats, but she's more of a Bernie Democrat. I'm more of an Obama Democrat. Right. I'm more centrist, she's a little more liberal, but it's like we're dealing in the same area. Right. And what's great is we do have productive conversations. Cuz I do pull her more center and then she'll help me to see certain things where I'm just like, yeah, maybe I didn't consider that. But I think if we were like pretty staunchly Democrat Republican, I think it would be, it would be hard to see eye to eye on some fundamental things. That's my instinct.

[Ben]

I just wonder. You used. You said something which is interesting. I do think that one ends up getting pulled. That's definitely true. But I do wonder if a Clinton Democrat, an Obama Democrat and a Mitt Romney Republican would have more in common. I think so. I do think that one ends up getting pulled to the other. But that's what I meant by fighting on the middle line. Like nine, I would say nine out of ten things that a Mitt Romney Republican and a Clinton Democrat, I would say 9 out of 10 things they agree on.

[Josh]

I think what you're saying is no matter where on the spectrum you are, you don't have to be in the exact same spot, but you need to be close and to your point, like if here's the middle line and you're a Dem here and you're a Republican here, then it can work. But if you're too far either way, if I was more of a old school liberal Kennedy Democrat with someone who was like extremely, extremely liberal, that wouldn't work either because we would just be too far apart in the way in which we see things.

[Ben]

Absolutely agreed.

[Josh]

Agreed. All right, last one from. Let's see somebody good. Oh, this one's from Jimmy Baruch Hashem.

[Caller]

Good guys, my name is Jimmy. I'm one of your few male gentile listeners. My wife and I have been married for three years and something I'm trying get a lot better at is instead of thinking that she looks super sexy or hot in an outfit, I want to tell her as well. I think it all the time, but I don't voice it enough. And so I love the holidays because she'd be wearing really cute outfits. Like, she wears her jeans from the Gap, and she got her Blundstone boots and her little Patagonia vest. And I love the holidays because she be looking like a snack every day of the week. So I want to know, Ben and Josh, for your wives, what is, like, your favorite thing that they wear when you're like, do you. Damn, girl, you don't even got to try. You look so good in that outfit. Like, what's your favorite outfit for Paige and Claudia to wear?

[Josh]

I just love.

[Ben]

I love you, Jimmy. I love you, Jimmy.

[Josh]

Right now I'm wearing Blundstones Gap jeans, and I have a Patagonia in my car. So it's good. It's. It's, you know, androgynous.

[Ben]

You're Jimmy's dream woman.

[Josh]

That's.

[Ben]

That's funny. Well, Jimmy, thank you for your wonderful speak pipe. You know, it's funny. 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. That's just a side note. What do I love when Claudia wears. Honestly, just, like, she. She has, like, the most unbelievable hair. I know that's, like, a weird thing to say, but she has, like, the, like, thickest, fullest, most gorgeous hair. And when her hair is, like, fully blown out and done and she's, like, ready for a night out, it's not like, what she's wearing. It's her hair. Like, when she wears her hair down and it's fully blown out, it's just like, wow, you look. I mean, you always look unbelievable. You look particularly sexy. Wow.

[Josh]

Love it. Olivia, what about. What does Ethan wear that really gets you going during the holidays?

[Olivia]

Honest, I love him in any kind of, like, a fitted trouser. And then he's got, like, the nice little, like, dress shoe. They're like a suede, kind of brown dress shoe. And then he's got this one, like, white button up with, like, the. What is it? Tortoiseshell buttons. I think he looks so handsome whenever he wears that. It's so cute. And he's got, like, curly hair kind of that's cut short. So whenever the curls are kind of, you know, popping, they're fresh. And he's got something like that on just a gem. Beautiful.

[Ben]

So cute. Oh, I also love sequins. A sequin dress. Love that.

[Josh]

Mmm. Love. During the winter, Paige wears, like, she's got, like, three staple really cute sweaters. Like, she has, like, a cashmere black one. A beautiful, like, little light, like baby blue and a pink one that are cute, cute, cute, cute, cute. And I really like that. And I think that she. Yeah. In general, like, she wears like whenever we go to New York or she has an occasion to wear something for cold weather. She has like, beautiful, like three quarter length coats that are very chic and just feel like I'm just like, who is this Parisian model I'm with? So I was like, those.

[Ben]

I need a. I need a new pea coat. I went away from the pea coats. Used to love them. I can't even imagine how bad I looked as a 280 pounder wearing a peacoat. And what I thought I looked like in that pea coat. Like, I just have a fat sailor. But like, if, like in my head I'm like j. In my head I'm like James Blunt, like, you know, but I'm getting a triple xl. Allen Edmond Pico. Which ship are you on? Bloomingdale's.

[Josh]

The USS Huge. Should we get to our. What are you nuts?

[Ben]

We absolutely should, Josh.

[Josh]

Our what are you nuts? Moment of the week are gripes with people, places and things both big and tall. Whatever's sticking in your corral. Mine is musicals. I think we've gone past the medium.

[Ben]

The.

[Josh]

The entire thing is what are you not people singing? It's fucking weird, dude. Enough. Musicals are done. It was a cool thing when we had no other forms of entertainment. But we have TikTok now. Let's move on. There's new mediums and formats. This is weird. What are you nuts?

[Ben]

I. I will take it a step further. A musical. A musical movie out. Gone. Not anything new. You could do the oldies, no problem. I'm happy to see songs. I know I don't want to learn. Net new songs via this medium.

[Josh]

Oh, good, it's done.

[Ben]

It's done. My witty announce moment is. I was on the plane last week and I look to my right and there's a bare foot. The person behind me was stretching out their legs and her bare foot, she quickly pulled it back. Her bare foot was on my armrest. And that is just. We were talking earlier about how people who aren't self aware should die. And I'm not saying that I wish death upon her, but it was incredibly alarming and I didn't feel good about it. And I thought it was an incredible. What are you nuts? One last thing that I will leave you with. I saw an amazing advertisement, Josh, the other day. It said, your wife's hot and it's a picture of like a hot, like hot looking woman and it says call your air conditioning company. Isn't that good?

[Josh]

Like it? Love it.

[Ben]

I love. I loved it. I was like, wow, you're a genius. For more genius tips like that, listen to this podcast because this is five stars. Otherwise, what are you, nuts? Listen to us. Wherever you get your podcasts, watch us on YouTube, share our clips, Instagram and TikTok. Josh, by the way, we're about to hit a million followers on TikTok. All right, 100k, but it should be a million. But we're about to hit 100k. Pretty cool Mondays and Thursdays, folks. We will see you next time.

[Olivia]

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.