Podcast Title: Good Guys
Episode: Big Daddy's Day Out
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Hosts: Josh Peck and Ben Soffer

1. Fashion and Personal Style

The episode kicks off with Josh and Ben delving into their fashion choices, particularly focusing on pants and eyewear. Josh discusses his preference for a specific pair of tapered pants from a Canadian company, highlighting both style and functionality. He humorously notes, “[00:35] Josh: ...these pants are for grownups, okay? These pants come with taxes and with foot problems, but you know what? They're worth it.” Ben enthusiastically supports Josh’s choice, praising the versatility and aesthetic of the pants, “[01:02] Ben: You're looking gorgeous, Josh. Worth it. We love the tapered look. We love the Canadian pant. We love it all.”

The conversation shifts to eyewear, where Ben describes his Theory pants and James Purse long sleeve tee while lamenting his temporary return to glasses due to running out of contact lenses. Josh offers a light-hearted jab, “[02:07] Josh: I hate myself, but I really like you in glasses,” to which Ben elaborates on his preference for contacts over glasses. He appreciates the aesthetic and practical benefits, “[02:22] Ben: I prefer just to wear contacts. I also generally like the way that I look better without glasses.”

2. Cleanliness and Bathroom Etiquette

A significant portion of the discussion centers around bathroom cleanliness and personal rituals for maintaining hygiene. Josh introduces the topic by questioning, “[04:56] Josh: I have a question about pooping,” leading to an in-depth conversation about leaving toilets pristine. Ben shares his stringent habits, “[07:25] Ben: You're leaving the stripe, huh? … [07:09] Josh: It’s crazy,” emphasizing his commitment to cleanliness by avoiding any streaks or residues in public restrooms.

The hosts debate the extent of their cleanliness rituals, with Ben admitting his meticulousness: “[07:46] Josh: … I got things, I got rituals. … [08:07] Ben: … I am cleaning the top of the seat …” Josh contrasts this with his own less rigorous approach, asserting his responsibility without overcomplicating the process: “[08:40] Josh: Never in my life. And I don't use seat protectors either. Cause it's called being a grown up and accepting responsibility.”

They humorously explore the challenges of maintaining these standards in various settings, including their in-laws' homes and public venues, highlighting the balance between personal hygiene and practicality.

3. Parenting and Family Life

Josh and Ben transition into discussing their parenting experiences, particularly focusing on redesigning their children’s bedrooms. Josh narrates the emotional moment of transitioning his son’s room, “[24:02] Josh: … I realized Sunday night when I was putting him to bed in his new bed … that that was the last night we got to play that game.” This leads to a heartfelt conversation about letting go of old routines and embracing new ones, with Ben offering reassurance and humor, “[25:35] Ben: That’s very cute, though. You’ll develop a new ritual.”

Josh reflects on the bittersweet nature of parenting, sharing a touching anecdote about nightly rituals with his son, “… we were gonna redo the rooms and whatnot. And slowly things were arriving. … that was the last night we got to play that game.” Ben supports this sentiment by acknowledging the emotional journey of fatherhood, “[27:35] Ben: So profound. That’s a …”

The dialogue underscores the emotional depth and joys of raising children, balancing nostalgia with excitement for new beginnings.

4. Celebrities and Media Critique

The hosts address recent media news, particularly focusing on celebrity relationships and controversial coverage. Josh brings up Paige Desorbo’s stance on her ex, Craig Conover’s new relationship, “[36:29] Josh: Paige isn’t fazed by Craig dating …” Ben echoes supportive sentiments, “[37:23] Ben: Good as he should. Find your love …”

A significant portion of this segment critiques media portrayal, especially concerning Kanye West. Josh expresses frustration over The New York Post’s coverage, “[15:10] Ben: … Shout out Our friends at Nutrafol … [15:37] Ben: … I'm sick. …” He condemns the platforming of Kanye West's controversial symbols, stating, “[15:37] Ben: … Stop posting him …” Josh adds, “[15:59] Josh: … a guy who’s mentally ill … pure hate … You should be ashamed …”

This segment highlights the hosts' stance on responsible media coverage and their disdain for sensationalism, emphasizing the importance of ethical journalism.

5. Crime and Public Safety in New York City

Josh and Ben delve into the state of crime in New York City, analyzing recent statistics and their implications. Josh presents the data, “[37:35] Ben: …” noting a 35% decrease in murders and a 23% reduction in shootings compared to the previous year. He questions whether these improvements are sufficient, “[38:24] Ben: No. Because crime is too high …” Josh advocates for a more optimistic outlook, “[38:44] Ben: … the city slightly better …” culminating in a brief acknowledgment of progress, “[39:04] Ben: Look, Eric Adams has been exonerated …”

The discussion reflects a nuanced perspective, acknowledging improvements while expressing concerns over persistent high crime rates. The hosts debate the effectiveness of current measures and the perception of safety in the city.

6. Public Transportation Issues

A critical analysis of New York City's subway system forms the crux of this segment. Josh emphasizes the dire state of subway cleanliness and maintenance, “[44:15] Josh: It’s insane …” while Ben agrees, “[44:49] Ben: No way in …” They explore the financial aspects, discussing MTA funding and expenditures, “[44:35] Ben: … $600 million a month …” and the inefficiency in allocating resources, “[45:21] Josh: … What did you do? …”

Comparisons are drawn to countries like Japan, where cultural norms contribute to cleaner and more respectful use of public transportation, “[46:55] Josh: … How do Japanese subway stations remain so clean …” Ben attributes the lack of improvement to managerial neglect and misallocated funds, “[46:55] Ben: … it could be that … you don’t know where your city taxes really went …”

This segment underscores the hosts' frustration with the current state of public transportation, advocating for better management and cultural shifts to improve the experience.

7. Personal Announcements and Interactions

In a light-hearted exchange, Ben shares his upcoming birthday plans and expresses gratitude for Josh’s gift of Air Force One sneakers. Josh recounts the thought process behind the gift, “[21:13] Josh: How good is it to know …” leading to playful banter about shoe maintenance, “[21:42] Ben: Bless you …” The conversation then shifts to Ben’s plans for a spa weekend to celebrate his birthday, showcasing their camaraderie and mutual support, “[20:13] Josh: I know you have a big birthday tomorrow …”

The hosts also discuss their children's involvement in the household renovations, highlighting the collaborative nature of their family lives, “[34:08] Ben: Beautiful …” and the influence of their families in supporting these efforts, “[35:20] Ben: Frickin. Did she film this transformation …”

8. "What Are You Nuts?" Moments

The recurring segment "What Are You Nuts?" features the hosts sharing their pet peeves and frustrations. Ben criticizes the simplistic nature of modern children's books that achieve bestseller status despite having minimal content, “[50:23] Josh: … my book, happy people are annoying did not make the New York Times bestseller list …” Josh humorously laments his own book's performance, “[50:52] Ben: What are you, nuts …” This segment serves as a platform for the hosts to vent their minor grievances, blending humor with candid opinions.

9. Promotions and Advertisements

Throughout the episode, Josh and Ben incorporate promotional segments for various brands and services, including Nutrafol, Booking.com, Storyworth, Robot Folks, Discover, and Philadelphia Cream Cheese. These advertisements are seamlessly integrated into the conversation, often delivered with the hosts' signature humor. For example, during the Nutrafol ad, Ben mentions, “[36:24] Josh: … Big Daddy’s Day Out … [36:28] Ben: … What kind of bunk beds …”

Additionally, they engage in humorous tangents related to the ads, such as discussing the practicality of booking services or the versatility of cream cheese in recipes, maintaining listener engagement while fulfilling promotional obligations.

10. Reflections and Closing Thoughts

As the episode nears its conclusion, Josh and Ben reflect on their personal lives and the broader societal issues discussed. They emphasize the importance of adapting to change, whether in parenting rituals or navigating public spaces. Josh shares a reflective story about a parenting clip he watched, “[26:12] Josh: … what it is to have a child …” finding resonance in the stages of parenthood and the inevitable changes that come with it.

Ben adds a supportive tone, “[27:35] Ben: So profound …” reinforcing the value of growth and adaptation in both personal and public spheres. The hosts wrap up the episode with light-hearted comments and teasing about future collaborations, maintaining their engaging and personable dynamic.

Notable Quotes:

• On Tapered Pants: “[00:35] Josh: ...these pants are for grownups, okay? These pants come with taxes and with foot problems, but you know what? They're worth it.”

• On Cleanliness Rituals: “[07:25] Ben: You're leaving the stripe, huh? …”

• On Parenting Changes: “[24:02] Josh: … that was the last night we got to play that game.”

• On Media Coverage of Kanye West: “[15:37] Ben: … Stop posting him …”

• On Subway System Issues: “[44:15] Josh: It’s insane …”

• On Children's Books Critique: “[50:23] Josh: … my book, happy people are annoying did not make the New York Times bestseller list …”

Conclusion

In "Big Daddy's Day Out," Josh Peck and Ben Soffer navigate a landscape of personal anecdotes, societal critiques, and playful banter, all while maintaining their characteristic humor and relatability. From discussing the minutiae of fashion choices and bathroom etiquette to tackling broader issues like public transportation and media responsibility, the hosts provide listeners with an engaging and multifaceted conversation. Their candid reflections on parenting and personal growth add depth to the episode, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking for newcomers and regular listeners alike.