Good Guys Podcast

Episode: "Jews for Jesus"

Release Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Josh and Ben riff on everything from religion and pop culture to snacks, social media, and moral dilemmas. The title, "Jews for Jesus," is only the jumping-off point for a freewheeling, humorous conversation about fringe religious movements, celebrity sex appeal, American versus global fame, ethical friendships, parental anxieties in the age of social media, and, as always, an abundance of tangents, bits, and personal stories. Listeners are treated to the classic Good Guys blend of jokes, heartfelt moments, and candid takes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jews for Jesus & Religious Humor

[00:26–01:55]

• Both hosts joke about their experiences with different religions, especially Mormons and Christianity.
• The "Jews for Jesus" movement is touched on with curiosity and skepticism.
  • "Everybody that I've ever heard is Jews for Jesus is a little nuts. Like, there's something going on." – Ben [01:38]
  • They acknowledge the fringe nature of the movement and riff on the term "fringe" (“Fringe is a fantastic material.”)

2. Advertising the Unadvertisable: Comedy Bits

[03:17–07:09]

• Josh and Ben play a hypothetical game: make hard-to-market products appealing (e.g., uranium, magic mushrooms).
• This sparks a riff on food marketing and product innovation, like bottling pasta water.
  • "Bottled pasta water, okay? It's starchy, it's cheap, it's fantastic." – Ben [07:17]

3. The Power of Celebrity Appeal

[08:25–10:48]

• Extended debate over Jeremy Allen White's attractiveness and "the total package" status.
• Josh recounts personal encounters: "Every interaction with Jeremy, he couldn't have been nicer, which is just so annoying because he's so talented, too." [09:48]
• Glenn Powell and the phenomenon of actors who become universal crushes.

4. Global Fame vs. American Fame

[14:27–17:53]

• Ben hypothetically offers Josh the chance to become Bollywood's top star—would he move to India?
  • "If you got...Josh, you are going to be the number one, number one actor in Bollywood..." – Ben [14:33]
• Discussion about international stardom, social media followings, and how U.S.-centric fame doesn’t always translate globally.
• Kim Kardashian as the ultimate global icon.

5. Politics & Local Frustrations (New York Mayor Race)

[18:03–20:49]

• Brief, tongue-in-cheek reactions to the hypothetical results of the New York mayoral election.
• Ben expresses city pride regardless of the outcome: "I'm going to love my city no matter what." [18:54]
• Satirical "choose your own adventure" congratulatory messages for various political figures.

6. Celebrity Fashion, Relationships, and Double Standards

[21:34–25:13]

• Commentary on Sydney Sweeney's bold fashion and how they'd respond if their own wives dressed similarly.
  • "Whatever she wants to wear, whenever, like, I am not—If anything, it's the opposite...No, I absolutely do not care at all." – Ben [23:21]
• Open dialogue about respecting partner autonomy and body positivity, with consult from co-host Olivia.

7. Moral Dilemmas in Friendships

[46:54–51:57]

• Listener asks advice about distancing from a friend dating a married man.
  • "It is okay to grow apart from friends if you no longer can sort of see yourself in that friend." – Ben [47:25]
  • Both urge empathy and nuance but agree you don't need to co-sign bad behavior.
  • "Don't be righteous about it...there could be a moment where you're like, wow, this was not in my character, but hey, shit happened." – Josh [50:00]
• Importance of honest self-reflection and resisting hypocrisy.

8. Parenting & Social Media Anxiety

[38:07–42:39]

• Listener asks how the hosts will handle their children discovering their past "wild" years online.
  • "I'm literally...going to try to keep my kids off of a phone till they're 16." – Josh [40:31]
• Debate about when to introduce kids to phones/social media; anxiety about tech addiction.
  • "We are addicted. We're addicted to our phones. It's really, really bad." – Ben [41:43]

9. Classic Bits & "What Are You, Nuts?" Segment

[52:44–57:24]

• Ben’s "What Are You, Nuts?" moment: Accidentally shipping candy to a friend's house due to old address data.
• Josh’s “positive” What Are You, Nuts?: Realizing the Black Eyed Peas’ "I Gotta Feeling" includes “mazel tov”—and how pop music strategically includes cultural shoutouts.
• Riff on writing a bar mitzvah-style anthem for other nationalities.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Everybody that I've ever heard is Jews for Jesus is a little nuts. Like, there's something going on." – Ben [01:38]
• "Bottled pasta water, okay? It's starchy, it's cheap, it's fantastic." – Ben [07:17]
• "Their lives seem cool... they're always driving Bugattis... Is there a chic involved? Hey, probably. But you know what? They're having fun. Old school fun." – Josh, on international celebrities [16:09]
• "We are addicted. We're addicted to our phones. It's really, really bad." – Ben [41:43]
• "It is okay to grow apart from friends if you no longer can sort of see yourself in that friend." – Ben [47:25]
• "Don't be righteous about it...there could be a moment where you're like, wow, this was not in my character, but hey, shit happened." – Josh [50:00]
• "Fill up my cup. Mazel tov." – Black Eyed Peas shoutout, relished by Josh [56:09]
• "We need to write a song...maybe it's for India." – Ben [57:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:26–01:55] — Jews for Jesus and religious humor
• [03:17–07:09] — Hard-to-market products, food marketing riffs
• [08:25–10:48] — Jeremy Allen White, sex appeal & celebrity charisma
• [14:27–17:53] — Global vs. American fame, Bollywood hypotheticals
• [18:03–20:49] — NYC mayoral politics, playful city pride
• [21:34–25:13] — Celebrity fashion, relationships, & double standards
• [38:07–42:39] — Parenting in the digital age
• [46:54–51:57] — The ethics of friendship & dealing with friends' choices
• [52:44–57:24] — "What Are You, Nuts?" moments

Episode Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, improvisational banter; heavy on humor and Jewish cultural in-jokes
• Candid, conversational, occasionally subversive but rooted in real-world concerns
• Touches of sincerity in discussing parenting, relationships, and personal growth

Summary Takeaway

This episode exemplifies the Good Guys’ signature mix of cultural commentary, authentic friendship, and sharp comedy. Religious curiosities, pop culture, and personal anecdotes are used as jumping-off points for honest, hilarious, and sometimes poignant conversations that are both relatable and entertaining for listeners new and old.