Podcast Summary: Good Guys – "How Benny Got His Groove Back"

Release Date: February 13, 2025
Hosts: Josh Peck (Actor & Writer) and Ben Soffer (Entrepreneur & Social Media Icon)

1. Ben's Creatine Journey and Health Concerns

The episode kicks off with Ben Soffer sharing his recent experiences with creatine supplementation. On the fourth day of dosing, Ben notices unexpected side effects, prompting a humorous yet insightful discussion about the risks and benefits of creatine use.

Ben on Creatine Side Effects:

"I'm dosing, baby. I'm dosing. Day four. Day four." [00:39]
"...I just said that I couldn't straighten my arm. Like, it hurts a little bit to go like this, you know, like just a little bit." [02:43]

Ben recounts his initial boost in energy and false confidence at the gym, leading to muscle soreness and stiffness the following day. This prompts concerns about rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo), a serious condition involving muscle breakdown.

Discussing Rhabdomyolysis:

"Rhabdomyosis is first of all. Symptoms include dark reddish urine... muscle aches and weakness." [03:31]
"I need nothing from you motherfuckers." [03:31]

Josh attempts to clarify the severity of rhabdo, emphasizing its potential fatal consequences if unchecked.

Josh Clarifies Rhabdo:

"...it can affect your heart. Like, you're literally like, you can go into total heart shut down." [04:12]

Despite Josh's warnings, Ben remains skeptical about his susceptibility to such a severe condition, attributing his issues more to frequent flying and dehydration rather than creatine use alone.

2. Pregnancy Updates

Transitioning from health discussions, Josh and Ben update listeners on their personal lives, focusing on pregnancy developments.

Ben on His Pregnancy:

"First trimester kicked her in the ass. Like, really? It was rough, but she's been good." [14:39]

Josh shares insights into his wife’s third trimester struggles, highlighting the common fatigue and physical discomforts associated with late-stage pregnancy.

Josh on Third Trimester:

"We're the luckiest boys in the world... This is her third time... she's just been feeling kind of blah." [14:04]

3. Social Media Influencer Fitness Standards

The conversation shifts to the pressures of maintaining an ideal physique on social media. Josh critiques Mark Wahlberg's Instagram presence, highlighting the unrealistic body standards often perpetuated by celebrities.

Josh on Mark Wahlberg's Instagram:

"His page on Instagram is so homoerotic. He is constantly showing off his body and in very little clothing." [15:36]
"If you tell me I can have Mark Wahlberg's rhomboids, I'm fucking in Avi." [16:55]

Ben and Josh discuss the use of supplements and possibly hormone therapies that contribute to the exaggerated physiques seen online, advocating for transparency to combat false narratives about natural fitness achievements.

Ben on Fitness Enhancements:

"...these people are clearly optimizing with certain things that they’re not endogenous, they’re made by man and entered into the body to optimize their fitness." [19:48]

4. Josh's Passport Adventure

Josh narrates a frantic late-night mission to obtain photocopies of passports for his children's upcoming trip, showcasing his humorous take on modern-day challenges.

Josh on Passport Fiasco:

"It's 11 o'clock at night and this is when... I gotta make these copies." [21:24]
"I gotta get this printed. So I go to another pharmacy. They have no printing options. So now it's midnight and I'm driving home and I'm like, crap, what am I going to do?" [24:25]

The ordeal concludes successfully after a last-minute trip to a hotel business center, albeit with a comical twist involving a skeptical front desk attendant.

Josh on Final Resolution:

"...the passport mission was successful. I woke up this morning, I tell my wife this... but she was like, you could have done that on your phone." [26:37]

5. Speak Pipe: Listener Questions on Generosity

In the "Speak Pipe" segment, Josh and Ben address listener inquiries, starting with a question about the ethics of paying for strangers' groceries.

Listener Question:

"People give me a hard time for paying for other people in a grocery store that are in front of me or in back of me..." [38:31]

Josh and Ben's Insights:

Ben: "If somebody tried to pay for my groceries, I would be incredibly offended because I don't need you to pay for my groceries." [39:07]
Josh: "If someone is in the position to beg like you, it will be a net positive." [40:48]

They discuss the balance between helping others and respecting personal boundaries, emphasizing thoughtful generosity.

6. Speak Pipe: Listener Questions on Jewish Identity

Addressing another listener query, Josh and Ben delve into the complexities of Jewish heritage, particularly for individuals with mixed parentage.

Listener Question:

"Can I call myself a Jew? My father is Jewish, but my mother is not." [43:30]

Josh and Ben's Discussion:

Ben: "Technically, you're not Jewish. That said, I would want you. We want you. You're here." [44:24]
Josh: "But would you say that... if they were raised Jewish, they don't have to convert then?" [44:30]

They explore differing perspectives within Jewish communities, particularly between Orthodox and Reform Judaism, and the implications for personal identity and future relationships.

7. Gym Etiquette Discussion

The hosts tackle gym etiquette, focusing on the appropriateness of filming workouts and respecting fellow gym-goers' space.

Listener Question:

"Quick gym etiquette question... someone said they're going to record themselves in the background." [41:02]

Josh and Ben's Advice:

Ben: "You can't just film when people are there. That's not right." [42:31]
Josh: "Sexiest thing... it's better that way." [43:15]

They advocate for minimizing disruptions, suggesting off-peak hours for filming and being considerate of others' workout environments.

8. Miscellaneous Anecdotes and Humor

Throughout the episode, Josh and Ben weave in humorous stories and observations, adding levity to their discussions.

High-End Items in Public:

Ben: "Who brings a $9,000 Chanel bag onto a subway? Like, there are things. I get it..." [49:31]

Childhood Breastfeeding Story:

Ben: "My grandfather Isadore, who then decided to go by William, breastfed until he was seven." [51:24]
Josh: "To each their own, Josh." [52:02]

These light-hearted exchanges highlight the hosts' chemistry and ability to balance serious topics with humor.

9. Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with a call to action for listeners to rate the podcast and engage with the hosts on various platforms.

"If you don't give us five stars, what are you, nuts? This has been unbelievable." [52:02]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ben on Creatine Side Effects:
  "I'm dosing, baby. I'm dosing. Day four. Day four." [00:39]

• Josh on Rhabdo Clarification:
  "...it can affect your heart. Like, you're literally like, you can go into total heart shut down." [04:12]

• Ben on Pregnancy:
  "First trimester kicked her in the ass. Like, really? It was rough, but she's been good." [14:39]

• Josh on Mark Wahlberg's Instagram:
  "His page on Instagram is so homoerotic. He is constantly showing off his body and in very little clothing." [15:36]

• Ben on Gym Filming Etiquette:
  "You can't just film when people are there. That's not right." [42:31]

• Josh on High-End Chanel Bag in Subway:
  "Who brings a $9,000 Chanel bag onto a subway? Like, there are things. I get it..." [49:31]

Conclusion

In "How Benny Got His Groove Back," Josh Peck and Ben Soffer navigate a blend of personal anecdotes, listener interactions, and candid discussions on health, identity, and social norms. Their dynamic interplay, enriched with humor and honesty, offers listeners both entertainment and insightful perspectives on contemporary issues.