Podcast Summary: Good Guys – Episode: "Get Your A To Ghana!"**

Release Date: January 20, 2025
Hosts: Josh Peck (actor & writer) and Ben Soffer (entrepreneur & social media icon)

1. Jewish Traditions Around Pregnancy and Parenthood

Discussion Highlights:
Josh Peck and Ben Soffer delve into Jewish superstitions and traditions related to pregnancy, emphasizing the emotional complexities associated with awaiting a new baby.

• Josh Peck (00:32): "Every time I bring up your beautiful baby to be, you're always hitting it with this. Baruch hashem... praise God."

• Ben Soffer (00:52): "We are just realists... having a baby is what women do is positively incredible. And it's scary and dangerous and a lot on the body."

Key Insights:
The hosts discuss the balance between optimism and anxiety surrounding childbirth, noting historical contexts where high infant mortality rates influenced Jewish customs like delaying nursery preparations until after the baby's birth.

2. Gender Reveal Practices and Cultural Expectations

Discussion Highlights:
The conversation shifts to the topic of gender reveals, with Josh sharing his personal approach and societal perceptions.

• Josh Peck (04:54): "What do you think about... we didn't find out about our kids' gender. We don't find... and it's so damn fun."

• Ben Soffer (05:22): "It's beautiful... one week focused on... no, it's almost like Botox for the inside."

Key Insights:
Josh and Ben explore the challenges of keeping a baby's gender a surprise, the pressures of modern expectations, and the balance between tradition and personal preference in revealing gender.

3. Celebrity Anecdotes and Personal Boundaries

Discussion Highlights:
The hosts share thoughts on celebrity stories and discuss personal boundaries, particularly in relation to unsolicited surgical procedures.

• Josh Peck (07:43): Discusses Brooke Shields' experience with unauthorized surgical additions during her labia reduction surgery.

• Ben Soffer (08:22): "That's really fucked up... Did you consider cutting that part out?"

Key Insights:
The conversation highlights the importance of consent in medical procedures and the ethical responsibilities of surgeons, drawing attention to how celebrities navigate personal choices in the public eye.

4. Culinary Preferences and Personal Anecdotes

Discussion Highlights:
Josh shares his favorite turkey sandwich recipe, emphasizing simplicity and flavor balance, while Ben adds his personal touches.

• Josh Peck (13:53): Describes his turkey sandwich: "Sliced super thin... cheddar cheese... yellow mustard... light dusting of mayonnaise."

• Ben Soffer (14:48): "What you just described is perfect... yellow mustard and mayo combination is top tier."

Key Insights:
This segment underscores the hosts' appreciation for straightforward, well-crafted dishes and the joy of sharing personal culinary favorites.

5. Parenting and Family Life

Discussion Highlights:
Josh and Ben discuss their experiences as fathers, highlighting the humorous and challenging aspects of parenting.

• Josh Peck (17:14): "I have a free farting policy with my boys... we get a good laugh."

• Ben Soffer (18:15): "Claudia and I live in a pro toot household... tooting is hilarious."

Key Insights:
The hosts embrace the candid and often messy reality of family life, emphasizing the importance of humor and openness in parenting.

6. Addressing Personal Growth and Ethical Living

Discussion Highlights:
Josh reflects on personal choices that have contributed to a stable and ethical life.

• Josh Peck (19:02): Lists four principles: "I don't cheat on my wife, I don't do drugs, I don't drink, and I don't shill crypto."

• Ben Soffer (19:21): "You're only as sick as your secrets... live an honest and open life."

Key Insights:
This segment highlights the significance of integrity and transparency in personal relationships and overall well-being.

7. Navigating Social Relationships and Friendships

Discussion Highlights:
A listener named Camilla seeks advice on managing her boyfriend's frequent guys' nights and solo trips, leading to an in-depth discussion on maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships.

• Camilla's Concern (39:12): Frequent guys' nights and upcoming trip to Europe with friends, feeling excluded.

• Josh Peck (40:40): "It's important to have a healthy separation... their friends are their friends, mine are mine."

• Ben Soffer (45:38): Emphasizes the need for personal spaces within relationships.

Key Insights:
Josh and Ben advocate for a balanced approach to social interactions, encouraging couples to respect individual friendships while fostering shared experiences to strengthen the relationship.

8. Reflections on Pop Culture and Personal Interests

Discussion Highlights:
The hosts share their impressions of Nikki Glaser's Golden Globes performance and discuss the impact of Avicii's legacy on their lives.

• Nikki Glaser's Performance (25:32): Praised for her humor and preparation, with notable jokes cut from the final monologue.

• Avicii Tribute (33:01): Ben expresses admiration for Avicii's talent and sadness over his untimely passing.

Key Insights:
Through these discussions, the hosts explore the intersection of personal taste, public performances, and the enduring influence of artists in shaping cultural and personal identities.

9. Lighthearted Banter and Audience Interaction

Discussion Highlights:
Josh and Ben engage in humorous exchanges, responding to audience submissions and sharing amusing anecdotes about everyday mishaps.

• Ben Soffer on Contacts (59:30): Shares a personal story about accidentally wearing double contacts.

• Josh Peck on Delivery Robots (57:59): Critiques the trend of delivery robots being attacked by people for fun.

Key Insights:
These relatable and funny moments provide a glimpse into the hosts' personalities, fostering a connection with the audience through shared experiences and humor.

10. Closing Thoughts and Final Advice

Discussion Highlights:
In the concluding segments, Josh and Ben offer final pieces of advice to listeners, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and integrity in personal actions.

• Josh Peck (57:07): Encourages setting boundaries in social settings to maintain genuine connections.

• Ben Soffer (60:23): Advises against careless mistakes, like wearing double contacts, highlighting the need for attentiveness in daily life.

Key Insights:
The episode wraps up with heartfelt reminders about the value of honesty, self-awareness, and the joy of embracing one's true self amidst the complexities of modern life.

Notable Quotes:

• Josh Peck (00:32): "Every time I bring up your beautiful baby to be, you're always hitting it with this. Baruch hashem... praise God."

• Ben Soffer (05:22): "It's beautiful... one week focused on... no, it's almost like Botox for the inside."

• Josh Peck (19:02): "I don't cheat on my wife, I don't do drugs, I don't drink, and I don't shill crypto."

• Ben Soffer (45:38): "Because you can't establish real friendships in a non-authentic way."

• Josh Peck (54:07): "We'll do a remote episode from Chuck E. Cheese."

Conclusion:
In "Get Your A** To Ghana!", Josh Peck and Ben Soffer navigate a wide array of topics, blending humor with insightful discussions on traditions, relationships, personal growth, and pop culture. Their candid conversations provide listeners with both entertainment and meaningful reflections on modern life, all while maintaining the engaging and relatable dynamic that defines the Good Guys podcast.