Good Guys — Episode: "Gentiles Be Wildin'"
Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer
Release Date: January 8, 2026
Podcast Network: Dear Media
Episode Overview
In this lively and comedic episode, Josh and Ben dive into the chaos of the post-holiday season, reflect on parenting and family routines, discuss holiday traditions (Jewish and "Gentile" alike), unpack New Year's resolutions, and riff on pop culture moments like the Critics Choice Awards. The hosts blend their signature Jewish humor with relatable stories about family life, anxiety, consumer culture, and embracing risk. In addition, they touch on the evolution of children’s names, childhood memories, and tackle their “What are you, nuts?” segment with fresh stories.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Post-Holiday Chaos & "Topical 2026"
- Timestamp 00:26–02:21
- Josh and Ben marvel at finally recording a “topical” episode released on the same day it was taped.
- They riff on how the extended calendar of Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's left everyone in a state of confusion.
- Quote:
"What am I going to do? Start New Year's resolutions on a Thursday night? No, no. You enjoy your weekend." — Ben (00:49)
- Quote:
- Josh laments the extended period without childcare, jokingly wishing for a shorter break.
2. Beard Talk: Vanity, OCD, and Spousal Fashion Advice
- Timestamp 02:21–05:13
- Josh discusses growing a beard during the holidays and frames it as a rebellion against his usual vanity and OCD tendencies relating to cleanliness and discomfort with makeup.
- Ben jokes about his own patchy beard and relates to the “itchiness” factor that leads him to shave.
- Quote:
“If your wife tells you you look handsome, you keep—whatever that is. That is a huge win.” — Ben (05:13)
3. Family News and Baby Names
- Timestamp 06:06–10:19
- The hosts congratulate friends Taylor Strecker and Taylor Donahue on their new baby, Bo.
- Extended musings on baby name trends—Jewish, biblical, and old-school hipster names.
- Anecdotes about friends and family renaming their children, and Josh musing over the challenge of choosing the perfect name.
- Quote:
“The name—it’s their name. Do you think anybody ever looks at their kid and is like, 'You're really not an Ashley'? ...Buyer’s remorse, 100%.” — Ben (08:07)
4. Christmas with the Pecks & Gentile Holiday Traditions
- Timestamp 14:41–21:26
- Ben asks Josh for a breakdown of the Christmas experience in a Jewish household, introducing the titular theme “Gentiles Be Wildin’.”
- Josh walks listeners through the stress of “elf on the shelf,” likening it to “an auditor for the IRS” sent by Santa to spy on families:
- Quote:
“So, elf is like…basically, the elf is like an auditor for the IRS, right?... You’ve got a mole in your house. You’ve got a rat.” — Josh (18:15-19:10)
- Quote:
- Both reminisce about receiving Hanukkah presents, especially Hess trucks and kids’ scooters, and discuss the evolution of childhood “status symbols” (e.g., Razor scooters).
5. Nostalgia, Childhood, and Status Symbols
- Timestamp 21:31–23:32
- Ben recalls his obsession with Razor scooters and the feeling of envy and belonging they inspired as a child.
- The hosts bond over the role gifts played in their childhood.
6. Podcast, Guests, and Listener Feedback
- Timestamp 23:47–24:53
- Ben shares feedback from his parents about recent podcast guests, including Mel Robbins—“My mom’s a huge fan. Loves Mel.”
- Both express gratitude for their growing podcast and guest list.
7. Parenting Holidays: Florida vs. New York & Reliving Childhood
- Timestamp 30:26–32:30
- Ben gives an update on his holiday break in Florida: the virtues of warm December weather, skipping skiing trips, and enjoying quality time with his family, especially with young son, Ruby.
- Ben’s insight: being a parent means continually reliving “firsts” through your children.
8. Ultimate Florida New Year’s House Party
- Timestamp 32:30–34:05
- Ben describes an ultra-bougie Florida house party—caviar served on nuggets, valet parking, a hookah station—defining what a “traditional 30s Florida house party” looks like today.
- Quote:
“It was the best house party I've been to in quite some time. Caviar, McDonald's nuggets in case you wanted to put some caviar on top...” — Ben (33:06)
9. New Year’s Resolutions: Caffeine, Supplements & Aims
- Timestamp 34:05–41:08
- Ben’s resolutions: less caffeine (“I was having 560mg of caffeine all at once before I ate anything”), and less reliance on TikTok trends and supplements.
- Josh’s thoughts: skepticism about the supplement industry, advocating for physical movement as a remedy for excess energy and anxiety.
- Explores the concept of manageable “aims” rather than concrete “goals” to avoid disappointment.
- Quote:
“I really believe that we wake up every morning with a surplus of energy…most of us have all this excess energy…and I think we're all oxes and you need to attach yourself to a plow every day.” — Josh (39:04)
10. Digital Hygiene & Evening Routines
- Timestamp 41:40–43:59
- Ben’s additional resolution: replace evening TikTok scrolling with more relaxing habits like walking or watching TV (Planet Earth).
- Discussion on the pitfalls of endless scrolling and the diminished dopamine of TV vs. social feeds.
11. Sleep and Kids’ Schedules
- Timestamp 42:58–44:16
- Updates on each host’s children and their changing sleep patterns.
12. Embracing Risk in 2026
- Timestamp 44:30–51:56
- Josh’s 2026 “aim”: “Fail big”—he wants to attempt something creatively ambitious, accept potential failure, and break out of his comfort zone.
- Ben cautions about not “manifesting a loss,” encourages Josh to take risks without getting attached to the outcome.
- Quote:
“The only trap can be holding on to the good…if I want to go out here and try a little something, I should. The time is now.” — Josh (48:31) - Discussion about investing in passion projects versus business—spending for joy, not just returns.
13. Pop Culture Roundup: Critics Choice Awards & Film Talk
- Timestamp 52:07–56:57
- Brief commentary on the Critics Choice Awards, Timothée Chalamet’s apparent big night with Kylie Jenner, and musings about new films like “Marty Supreme.”
- In-depth discussion of biopic trends, mentioning films about Bob Dylan and Springsteen, and a comparison to “Ray” (Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles).
- Hilarious tangent on Ray Charles’s unique method for determining women’s attractiveness—by their wrists.
14. "What are You, Nuts?!" Gripes of the Week
- Timestamp 57:38–61:12
- Ben’s Gripe: At a holiday lunch, mistakes a large woman in a red shirt for Mrs. Claus—awkwardness ensues.
- Quote:
“He goes up to Mrs. Claus. It is just a regular large woman in a red shirt. Complete ‘what are you, nuts?’” — Ben (57:50)
- Quote:
- Josh’s Gripe: Shares a miscommunication at the gym involving a trainer’s recommendation for Costco tuna poke—awkwardly referencing “the tuna” in the gym leads to an uncomfortable misunderstanding, unintentionally making it sound like innuendo.
- Quote:
"She looked at me like she had forgotten the conversation and she thought I was making some weird euphemism for her vagina." — Josh (60:19)
- Quote:
- Ben shares a genuine warning: don’t overdo the affordable tuna, “mercury poisoning” is real.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Maybe I'm supposed to be a prophet.” — Josh, reflecting on his beard growth (03:11)
- “Kids…they had nothing new to offer by December 28th.” — Josh (01:56)
- “I thought I was Luke Combs. I wasn't Luke Combs. I was leukemia.” — Ben, on his failed pandemic beard (02:58)
- “If your wife tells you you look handsome, you keep—whatever that is.” — Ben (05:13)
- “These names are a little, like—I know who you voted for.” — Josh, on hipster baby names like Penny and Poppy (09:20)
- “So, elf is like…basically, the elf is like an auditor for the IRS, right? …You’ve got a mole in your house.” — Josh (18:15-19:10)
- “It’s always like a Hasidic rabbi. I don’t need him there 24/7.” — Ben, on "Mensch on a Bench" (19:10)
- “If it was a real mensch on a bench, it would be under the floorboards—you know, it would be World War II coated.” — Josh (19:42)
- “Caviar, McDonald's nuggets in case you wanted to put some caviar on top of it—they thought of everything, Josh.” — Ben (33:06)
- “I was having 560mg of caffeine all at once before I ate anything.” — Ben (38:11)
- “We have this surplus of energy and I think we’re all oxes—you need to attach yourself to a plow.” — Josh (39:04)
- “My goal this year is to fail big…I play everything close to the vest.” — Josh (44:35)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:26 – Topical new approach & holiday fatigue
- 02:21 – Beards, vanity, marriage
- 06:06 – Baby news & names
- 14:41 – Christmas recap, Elf on a Shelf
- 21:31 – Razor scooter nostalgia
- 30:26 – Ben's Florida holiday recap
- 32:30 – Florida party of the year
- 34:05 – New Year's resolutions (caffeine, supplements)
- 39:04 – Physical activity as mental aid
- 41:40 – Less TikTok at night
- 44:30 – Embracing risk: "Fail big"
- 52:07 – Critics Choice Awards & movie talk
- 57:38 – "What are you, nuts?!" segment
Tone and Style
- Witty and self-deprecating, blending Jewish humor with contemporary observational comedy
- Casual, conversational, and “insider”—hosts often riff and drop sharp asides
- Honest and relatable—especially about modern parenting, personal goals, and anxieties
- Occasional playful crassness, with affectionate jokes at their own expense
For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In
This episode is a quintessential blend of the Good Guys' humor, warmth, and social commentary. It’s a whirlwind tour through the chaos of modern parenting, the quirks of Jewish and gentile holiday traditions, and sincere reflections on self-improvement and risk in the new year. Whether kvetching about children outgrowing holiday magic, debating the ethics of elf-based surveillance, or musing about the right way to fail in life, Josh and Ben strike a uniquely engaging tone—both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Interested in Jewish parenting, self-help, and modern culture, spiced with plenty of banter? This episode sums up why Josh Peck and Ben Soffer have found their stride as the “Good Guys” of podcasting.