Good Guys Podcast - Episode Summary

Podcast: Good Guys (Dear Media)
Episode: Howard Stern FIRED?!
Date: September 1, 2025
Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer

Episode Overview

This lively episode finds Josh and Ben reflecting on their recent live podcast performance at the US Open, dissecting the nature of podcasting vs. traditional media, and discussing the changing landscape of broadcasting through the lens of Howard Stern's rumored firing. The episode is packed with banter about New York travel woes, hotel habits, uncomfortable fan encounters, and advice for listeners on relationship dilemmas and personal hygiene—delivered with the hosts’ signature humor and candor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Crushing It at the US Open (00:42–02:36)

• Ben beams with pride over their pioneering live podcast at the US Open, despite the challenges of a noisy, crowded location right next to an airport.

  • Notable quote:
    "We were the works of art on your way from checking in, getting your ticket checked at the US Open, to going into Arthur Ashe Stadium…" – Ben (01:32)

• The hosts joke about the potential for live shows and the unique, unfiltered energy they bring compared to typical podcast events.

2. COVID Talk—Fatigue and Frustration (03:33–06:22)

• Lighthearted complaints about lingering COVID-era medical intake questions.
  • Notable quote:
    "Just say you want a sick day, all right? You don't have to throw around this word anymore. We all have PTSD from this thing." – Josh (03:33)
• Ben expresses skepticism toward endless boosters; Josh tries to keep the debate nuanced.

3. Travel Tales and Hotel Philosophy (07:49–14:54)

• Josh humorously recounts a flight mishap: a cabin panel falling down and a flight attendant using duct tape—normally reserved for restraining passengers—to patch it up.
  • Notable quote:
    "She goes, no, it's for restraining people. I said, sick. Oh, my God, my fantasy." – Josh (08:47)
• Josh’s deep affection for commuter hotels, particularly the Residence Inn, emphasizing the merits of a kitchenette and free continental breakfast.

4. Reflections on New York City Logistics (10:04–12:47)

• Both hosts bemoan NYC’s broken infrastructure and excessive late-night traffic.
• Sidebar joke: Only 33-year-olds should run new tech companies, not cities.

5. US Open Fashion & Event Culture (17:49–20:42)

• Discussion of the diverse fashion at the event—from athletic attire to high-end designer wear.
• Ben outlines the stratification by ticket type, time of day, and sponsor suite access.
  • Notable quote:
    "If Rolex is inviting you into their suite, even if it's during the day, you're probably going to dress nicely because it's Rolex…" – Ben (18:35)
• Commentary on the surreal "scenery" of early match days, likened to preseason sports.

6. Fan Encounters & Celebrity Interactions (23:50–29:59)

• Josh shares a funny story about a fan who hasn't seen his acting work but is a big podcast listener, highlighting generational and cultural divides in media consumption.
• Both hosts gripe about people who downplay celebrity status when asking for photos or details.
  • Notable quote:
    "They love before they give you a compliment to clarify that they don't know who the fuck you are." – Ben (24:48)
• Discussion on how podcasting's reach and status challenge traditional notions of fame.

7. The Howard Stern/Colbert Debate: Changing Media Economics (32:55–40:18)

• Main segment on rumors of Howard Stern’s firing and Colbert’s contract not being renewed.
• The hosts assert that media decisions today are "all about money, not ideology."
  • Notable quote:
    "If Alex Cooper is making more money than Howard Stern and Alex Cooper is being paid less money... then the smart thing for Sirius XM today would be to pay Alex Cooper and not pay Howard Stern." – Ben (34:22)
• OBSERVATION: Late night TV and legacy radio have lost cultural power in a world awash with on-demand content and podcasts.
• Discussion of A-listers embracing podcasts ("Matthew McConaughey went on Two Bears One Cave"), and the democratization of celebrity access.
• Speculation: Would podcasts like "Good Guys" be the new late night format—just with a live band?

8. Listener Questions (Speak Pipe, 41:10–47:54)

a. Chewing Tobacco & Relationships (41:32–44:39)

• Listener Kate seeks advice: her blue-collar boyfriend refuses to give up chewing tobacco despite her dental hygiene career.
  • Ben: Questions the compatibility, given her profession.
  • Josh: Suggests there are healthier alternatives now; chewing is a dealbreaker unless he's a pro baseball player.

b. Skid Marks & Marital Bliss (44:47–47:54)

• Anonymous asks: Is it normal for men to get stains on underwear from "farting," or should she be concerned?
  • Both hosts: Very candid response.
    • Ben: "You have yourself a poor wiping ass picker for a husband." (45:58)
    • Josh: Advocates for adult wipes, notes limits of partner-to-partner hygiene policing.

9. What Are Ya Nuts? (Woody & Nuts Moments) (49:55–53:21)

• Ben’s tale: Grocery store customer blaring music and dancing, a blend of admiration and annoyance.
  • Notable quote:
    "She was so happy. She made me happy. I was dancing with her." – Ben (51:07)
• Josh’s airport gripe:
  • A woman FaceTiming in the snack aisle, holding up the checkout line, debating the existence of "blackberry gummies."
    • Notable quote:
      "You have to move quadrants, you're only allowed 20 seconds in a quadrant of the store." – Josh (51:39)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 01:32 | Ben | "We were the works of art. On your way from checking in… to perhaps watch some mixed doubles… or maybe you were just there for the chicken nuggets."| | 03:33 | Josh | "Just say you want a sick day, all right? You don't have to throw around this [Covid] word anymore." | | 08:47 | Josh | "She goes, no, it's for restraining people. I said, sick. Oh, my God, my fantasy." | | 18:35 | Ben | "If Rolex is inviting you into their suite, even if it's during the day, you're probably going to dress nicely…" | | 24:48 | Ben | "They love before they give you a compliment to clarify that they don't know who the fuck you are." | | 34:22 | Ben | "If Alex Cooper is making more money than Howard Stern... the smart thing for Sirius XM today would be to pay Alex Cooper and not pay Howard Stern." | | 45:58 | Ben | "You have yourself a poor wiping ass picker for a husband." | | 51:07 | Ben | "She was so happy. She made me happy. I was dancing with her." |

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 00:42 - 02:36: US Open live podcast debrief (& environment description)
• 03:33 - 06:22: COVID, vaccines, and urgent care venting
• 07:49 - 14:54: Josh’s travel, airline mishaps, and hotel soapbox
• 17:49 - 20:42: US Open fashion and sponsor culture
• 23:50 - 29:59: Fan dynamics, fame, and podcast audience
• 32:55 - 40:18: Howard Stern, late-night TV, and death of the media kingmakers
• 41:10 - 44:39: Speak Pipe: Chewing tobacco & relationship dealbreakers
• 44:47 - 47:54: Speak Pipe: Husband’s skid marks—nature or nurture?
• 49:55 - 53:21: “What are ya nuts?” — Host rants & airport annoyances

Episode Tone and Style

Full of energetic banter, quick wit, and “good guy” rapport, Ben and Josh blend mock-seriousness with genuine insight. The episode thrums with playful ribbing, New York Jewish humor, and candid takes on social dynamics, all while veering between irreverent personal stories and pointed media analysis.

Summary Takeaway

This episode explores the contemporary media landscape—how podcasting is overtaking traditional giants like Stern and Colbert—and brings it home with everyday annoyances and personal stories. Josh and Ben are at their best when riffing off each other about cultural quirks, fan interactions, and listener dilemmas, making the ‘Good Guys’ podcast greater than the sum of its parts: funny, relatable, and surprisingly sharp on the issues that shape media and life in 2025.