Good Guys - "How NOT To Ruin Valentine's Day"
Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer | Dear Media
Release Date: February 19, 2026
EPISODE OVERVIEW
This lively episode of Good Guys circles around the minefields, expectations, and occasionally hilarious disasters of Valentine's Day, as experienced by Josh and Ben and their families. Blending personal stories, relationship advice, pop culture, and signature self-deprecating banter, the hosts share “how NOT to ruin Valentine’s Day” — and, by extension, offer some broader wisdom on relationships, social norms, and rolling with life's unpredictabilities.
Along the way, the duo riff on everything from overpriced flowers and dinner reservations gone wrong, to sports (NBA All Star weekend, Winter Olympics), to the tricky role of parenthood and even their latest TV obsessions.
VALENTINE'S DAY: FAILS AND "POWER MOVES"
[02:11 – 11:35]
Josh's Anti-Valentine's Day Strategy
- Josh makes it clear he’s not a fan of the Valentine’s Day hype:
“Valentine's Day is for suckers.” — Josh [02:11]
- Instead of a fancy night out, he took his son Max to Costco to get floral arrangements for the women in their lives, avoiding the rush and cost of the actual day.
- The flowers were presented as “from the Peck bros, we love you,” and Paige woke up to hers on Saturday — a practical, family-focused gesture.
Ben's Costly Floral Fiasco
- Ben warns listeners: “Never, ever, ever don’t get your wife flowers. Just because she says she doesn’t want anything doesn’t mean she doesn’t want flowers.” [06:45]
- Despite Claudia’s “don’t get me anything” comment, Ben is reminded by seeing a bouquet at his sister-in-law’s that flowers are still expected.
- He ends up panic-ordering seven dozen roses for over $500 via a one-hour delivery service, and feigns surprise to keep the magic alive.
- Claudia investigates the flower delivery’s origins (“Such a Jewish wife move to then do the forensics on how it got there.” — Josh [06:51]); Ben is forced into covert maneuvers with her phone due to his “Shabbat-lite” observance.
The Dinner Disaster
- Ben, after splurging on flowers, attempts to bribe his way into a busy (unnamed) restaurant on Valentine’s weekend (“I push him 40.” — Ben [07:25]); the $40 tip proves insufficient.
- After a long wait and slow service (“We don’t see [the waitress] for another 30 minutes.” — Ben [08:34]), they leave for ice cream—and end up happier for it.
“We looked at each other, we're like, that was perfect.” — Ben [09:04]
RELATIONSHIP & FRIENDSHIP DYNAMICS
[11:35 – 14:56]
- Josh emphasizes the importance of shared low-stakes understanding in relationships:
“If this goes to pot — nbd, no big deal.” — Josh [11:51]
- He tells a story of going to a “Jordan party” during NBA All Star weekend with a friend, and how they both agreed it wouldn’t be a big deal if they bailed—removing pressure or potential disappointment.
SPORTS & POP CULTURE ROUNDUP
[14:56 – 26:10]
Winter Olympics, NBA All-Star Weekend, and Jewish Athletes
- Ben and Josh discuss their favorite Winter Olympic events:
- Ben: snowboarding, half pipe, figure skating, curling.
“I love curling. It's kind of like bocce ball but on ice.” — Ben [16:18]
- Josh: Men’s hockey, shout-outs to Jewish athletes like A.J. Edelman (Israeli bobsled team, “Shul Runnings”), and Israeli basketball player Deni Avdija.
“I want to see someone jump over a Hyundai, you know?” — Josh, about dunk contests [19:38] “If you say anything nice and encouraging towards Jews, I'm gonna feel good.” — Ben [18:51]
- Ben: snowboarding, half pipe, figure skating, curling.
The Decline of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest
- Ben laments how top-tier stars like LeBron James don’t compete anymore, blaming this for the contest’s loss of excitement:
“It used to be that the best players showed up... now they're too good for it.” [19:55]
- Discussion on risks of players getting injured at public events and debates about whether NHL players should compete in the Olympics during the season.
Film & TV Tangent
- Rave review of The Rock’s performance in The Smashing Machine:
“I think The Rock should win the Academy Award for best actor. He was brilliant. It was heartbreaking.” — Josh [25:33]
- Ben initially confuses “Smashing Machine” for a food competition show, drawing the usual laughter.
PARENTHOOD & HOSPITAL STORIES
[30:27 – 36:11]
- Josh narrates a scary night when his youngest developed croup, and his decision to take him to the hospital for precaution and peace of mind.
- Humorous observations about the “VIP” status of sick babies in urgent care:
“I'm walking through there, I'm looking at people with broken legs. I'm like, this is sick. Babies here.” — Josh [32:36]
- Emotional support and the kindness of hospital staff.
- Side story about a nurse asking for a photo at 3am, raising (jokingly) HIPAA concerns.
TV OBSESSIONS: THE PIT
[34:00 – 40:44]
- The hosts recap their favorite show, “the pit”—an intense, emotional hospital drama.
- Ben recounts a particularly disgusting but memorable scene involving an “impacted bowel,” which leads to uproarious disgust and laughter.
- Discussion about Louis, a beloved character suffering from alcoholism, whose tragic backstory and death prompt real emotion:
“It was just my anniversary on Sunday of 18 years... and [they] did a masterful job of, in my opinion, portraying alcoholism in that way.” — Josh [36:11]
- Ben debates which TV characters he hates (“I can't stand Dr. Santos... She’s so fucking annoying.” [37:51]), with Josh advising patience for future redemption arcs.
ROTATING SEGMENTS: LISTENER CALL-INS & MORON MAIL
[45:30 – 54:00]
Speak Pipes: What NOT to Send In
- The hosts play and critique examples of lackluster listener submissions (“moron mail”), hoping to clarify what makes for a compelling call-in.
- Example: A listener’s question about Gen Z slang leaves Josh and Ben less than wowed; they riff on words like “deadass” and “bruh.”
- Dating app frustrations, and a listener’s question about Josh’s role in “Thirteen the Musical,” are gently roasted.
- Advice: “Make stuff up. Make it up. I'll never know, I won't know.” — Ben [52:11]
- Ben reads a pitch from Joe Exotic’s (Tiger King) “team,” and they joke about potentially interviewing him from jail.
"WHAT ARE YOU, NUTS?" – WEEKLY GRIPES
[55:27 – 57:53]
- Ben: Receives free “Skittles Fuego” in a Gopuff order, describes them as a “soft, gummy Skittles that tasted like it was dumped in Sriracha.”
“What are you, nuts? I didn’t eat it.” — Ben [56:57]
- Josh: Tells a story from his Equinox gym where a trainer offers a workout “created for athletes… and the physically disabled.”
“Are you nuts? You could have left out the second part, Jack.” — Josh [57:46]
NOTABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS
- “Valentine’s Day is for suckers.” — Josh [02:11]
- “Never, ever, ever don’t get your wife flowers.” — Ben [06:45]
- “We looked at each other, we're like, that was perfect.” — Ben (post-ice-cream) [09:04]
- “If this goes to pot — nbd, no big deal.” — Josh [11:51]
- “It’s why I love… watching Steph Curry in the three point contest — there’s an aura. Prime time.” — Ben [23:04]
- “Are you nuts? You could have left out the second part, Jack.” — Josh [57:46]
TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS
- Valentine’s Day Hot Takes & Fails: 02:11 – 11:35
- Relationship/Friendship Dynamics & Low Stakes: 11:35 – 14:56
- Winter Olympics & NBA Weekend Chat: 14:56 – 21:03+
- Movie/TV: The Rock in 'Smashing Machine', The Pit: 24:40 – 40:44
- Hospital/Croup Story: 30:27 – 36:11
- Fan Mail & Call-In Riffs: 45:30 – 54:00
- "What Are You, Nuts?" Gripes: 55:27 – 57:53
OVERALL TONE
The episode is fast-paced, self-aware, friendly, and irreverent, with the hosts continually poking fun at themselves and the world's expectations — whether those are for Valentine’s Day, sports fandom, or podcast segments. There’s warmth and genuine camaraderie throughout, punctuated by quick-witted asides and honest moments about parenthood, marriage, and addiction.
Best for fans of candid relationship banter, pop culture recaps, and “good guy” life advice with plenty of laughs.