LA, We love ya.

Summary

Good Guys Podcast Summary

Title: LA, We Love Ya
Host/Authors: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer
Release Date: January 16, 2025

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1. Fires Ravage Los Angeles

The episode opens with Josh Peck and Ben Soffer addressing the devastating fires that have recently struck Los Angeles. Both hosts express their deep concern and sorrow for the affected communities.

• Josh Peck [01:08]: “It's my city. We love it. It will survive. We will stand tall again. But it's a total tragedy what's going on.”
• Ben Soffer [01:58]: “People of Los Angeles, I am so sorry. Not that I can do anything. I'm sorry, though. It's awful. What I'm seeing is awful, terrible, terrible.”

They discuss the unprecedented scale of the fires, comparing the acreage burned in LA to the entirety of Manhattan, underscoring the sheer magnitude of the disaster.

• Ben Soffer [03:31]: “I saw a comparison that showed that the amount of acreage burned was equivalent to all of Manhattan.”

2. Infrastructure Struggles and Hydrant Issues

Josh and Ben delve into the logistical challenges faced by firefighters, particularly focusing on the allegations that fire hydrants lacked adequate water supply due to reservoir management aimed at environmental conservation.

• Ben Soffer [04:15]: “I did hear that these reservoirs, for environmental reasons, were drained. I read that you had reservoirs and there was something going on where if we didn't drain these reservoirs, it was impacting some wildlife.”
• Josh Peck [05:39]: “All 114 city water supply tanks were fully stocked pre fire. A 15-hour surge at 4 times normal demand reduced water pressure.”

The hosts debate the validity of claims regarding water shortages, with Josh highlighting information that counters the notion of hydrant failures being due to reservoir mismanagement.

3. Insurance Woes Amidst Disaster

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the fallout in the insurance sector, specifically how State Farm canceled numerous policies in fire-affected areas, leaving many residents uninsured.

• Ben Soffer [07:09]: “The budget is 830 million... They still had 813 million to prepare for this over the last eight months. So, whether it's her, whether it's... something here is amiss.”
• Olivia [09:12]: “70% of State Farm insurance holders in that area had their insurance canceled in July of 2024.”

Josh emphasizes the dire consequences for homeowners who suddenly find themselves without insurance coverage, exacerbating the tragedy.

4. Personal Stories and Community Support

Josh shares a personal anecdote about a friend who considered staying with him during a nearby fire scare, highlighting the importance of community and support during crises.

• Josh Peck [14:33]: “Imagine the goodwill that I've amassed with this guy for doing nothing. Zip. The best kind of favor.”
• Ben Soffer [15:18]: “Nothing better. Nothing truly. Nothing better.”

5. New York City's Own Challenges

Shifting focus to New York, the hosts discuss issues like the recent stabbing spree on the subway, the implementation of the congestion tax, and the overall congestion woes plaguing the city.

• Ben Soffer [17:25]: “They're scanning your E-Z Pass and sending you a $9 toll to go from 60th street to 61st Street.”
• Josh Peck [21:02]: “If you spend $9 a day extra wouldn't affect me whatsoever. It's a terrible inconvenience that I will complain about.”

They critique the effectiveness of the congestion tax, questioning whether it genuinely alleviates traffic or merely adds financial strain on commuters, especially those already burdened by high living costs.

6. Listener Interaction: Advice on Parenthood

A listener sends in a heartfelt message seeking advice on when to start a family, considering factors like age and housing.

• Listener [43:24]: "We're both 35 years old... We're just trying to figure out when the best time to do it."
• Ben Soffer [44:24]: “If you're even debating it... lady, freeze your eggs. Just in case you are dilly dallying.”
• Josh Peck [45:00]: “It sounds like she just wants to try the old fashioned way... do it now, do it yesterday.”

The hosts encourage taking proactive steps toward parenthood, emphasizing that there's no perfect time and that waiting could complicate the process.

7. Gripes and Gripe Campaigns: "What Are You Nuts?"

In their signature segment, Josh and Ben air various pet peeves, blending humor with genuine frustrations.

• Savory Donuts:

  • Josh Peck [47:27]: “Basil eggs Benedict donut is what are you nuts? It's not necessary.”
  • Ben Soffer [47:51]: “That's vile. I'm sorry. Especially if you're serving a savory donut now.”

• State Farm Policies and Karen Bass:

  • Ben Soffer [07:28]: “But yeah, State Farm canceled all you need to cancel.”
  • Josh Peck [10:27]: “Who's getting canceled? Karen Bass. You know where she was during all of this.”
  • Ben Soffer [10:43]: “I am literally revoking de Blasio and Karen Bass citizenship.”

• Starbucks Straws:

  • Ben Soffer [48:30]: “What are you nuts? Release the straws. What do you think I'm going to do? Take 15 of them?”
  • Josh Peck [49:17]: “It's pretty spectacular.”

These exchanges showcase the hosts' playful banter while addressing issues that resonate with their audience.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Josh Peck [01:08]: “No days off. We have our priorities right.”
• Ben Soffer [04:48]: “There has to be a hierarchy. There have.”
• Josh Peck [15:53]: “Chinos. Chinos. Chinos.”
• Ben Soffer [22:19]: “You need to buy an ambulance. But think about how much you get.”
• Josh Peck [35:03]: “He's ultra lean and he's a squeak. He's a small frame boy.”
• Ben Soffer [36:15]: “I have a lot of shoulder hair. I have back hair. I have belly hair.”

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Conclusion

Josh Peck and Ben Soffer navigate through pressing issues affecting Los Angeles and New York with a blend of earnest discussion and comedic relief. From natural disasters and infrastructure challenges to personal stories and light-hearted gripes, the "Good Guys" deliver a comprehensive look at contemporary urban struggles, all while maintaining their trademark humor and camaraderie.

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For more insights and discussions, tune in to the "Good Guys" podcast every Monday and Thursday.

Transcript

[Josh]

The following podcast is a dear media production. Two Jews, both big and tall. No subject too small for the good guys. A mother's dream Premium podcast team. Make it your weekly routine. It's a good guys.

[Ben]

And if you don't give us five stars.

[Josh]

What are you nuts?

[Ben]

What are you nuts? Yeah, we're the good guys.

[Josh]

They're not the great guys. We're just the good of good of the good guys. Benjamin, how the hell are you?

[Ben]

Better than you. Holy smokes. Literally smokes.

[Josh]

Literally. It's a play on words.

[Ben]

Everybody should know that. The fires are raging, and Josh and Olivia both made it to the studio because we have our priorities right. No days off.

[Josh]

We have our priorities right. Because I was so beaten up as a child, as a child actor and not allowed to have a childhood or have a bad day where the entertainment business basically told me, go, go, go, go, go. No sick day for you, little boy. I'd be like, I'm 13, Nev. Strep throat. They're like, we'll get you a vitamin injection. Action.

[Ben]

I was literally talking to Claudia. I was like, we should cancel. Like, it's cool. Like, we're not, like, so behind at all. Like, honestly, we're ahead. We're great. Like, we could have, but we didn't. And that's just, like. Because the morons mean everything to us. This is topical. We gotta say what's on our mind. And before we say everything that's on our mind, I would like to start on a more serious note, which is, like, people of Los Angeles, I am so sorry. Not that I can do anything. I'm sorry, though. It's awful. What I'm seeing is awful, Terrible, terrible. Like, I joke all the time. New York, la. New York, la. LA is an amazing place that has experienced such unbelievable devastation. And I'm so sorry. I would tell you to move here, but, like, we're literally lighting people on fire on the subways for fun. So I wouldn't move here either. We figure out somewhere else to move. Yeah. So my heart is.

[Josh]

It's my city. We love it. It will survive. We will stand tall again. But it's a total tragedy what's going on. Unbelievable devastation. Do what you can. I know everyone is hurting and going through their own challenge, but any little extra. If you can donate to some of the charities that have been listed, I'll list a bunch on my Instagram. I work with a. With a charity called feed the streets la. Currently, they're making 600 breakfast burritos to bring to the first responders and firefighters and whatnot. And my only question is, if you're a firefighter and you don't like chorizo, you're going to seem like you're. You're unappreciative.

[Ben]

I've had that before. And, like, honestly, like, I kind of get it, but, like, firefighters are totally different from homeless people, but you'll see that all the time. Like, you'll hand a homeless person a tuna sandwich. I don't eat tuna. Are you hungry? Are you hungry or not? Whatever. Continue.

[Josh]

Not hungry enough. But, yeah, no, it's awful. And, you know, Olivia and I are able to show up today because thankfully, our homes weren't affected. But this is one of those rare things when there's like, there have been disasters in the past, these events, and it's usually like a friend of a friend was affected. I think everyone in LA is directly connected to someone who probably lost their home. Like, this is how close it's come to all of us. So.

[Ben]

Yeah, can you just walk me through, like, I've seen these videos. You literally just drove, I would assume through a lot of it. Like, what is it? What does it feel like? What does it look like? Like, it's. It's just gone, right? It's gone.

[Josh]

Yeah. I mean, Olivia, feel free to weigh in, but it's a. A town is gone, right? The Pacific Palisades are gone, Altadena are gone. So in New York, I was trying to think of the equivalent to it, but, yeah, it's like the Lower east side being gone, like a major part of the city.

[Ben]

I literally saw. I saw a comparison that showed that the amount of acreage burned was equivalent to all of Manhattan.

[Josh]

Right.

[Ben]

All of Manhattan. So again, you say the impact is losing the Lower east side. The actual impact, I think, is losing the whole island. It's crazy.

[Josh]

It is.

[Ben]

And they didn't have any fucking water in the hydrants. What do you mean? Sugar now.

[Josh]

So. And we can talk about this, because I don't. I have read a lot of debunking that. That's not true at all.

[Ben]

So. So did I. I read. I promise I didn't take anything as face value. I went deeper because I saw a lot of crazy shit. A lot of crazy shit. But what I did hear, which is true, is that these reservoirs, for environmental reasons, were drained. I read that you had reservoirs and there was something going on where if we didn't drain these reservoirs, it was impacting some wildlife, some fish, and there were some.

[Josh]

What are we talking about pike, cod, are we talking about sea bass?

[Ben]

I think we're talking about all of the delicious fish that we would like to eat. I don't know the specifics of the exact type of fish.

[Josh]

Are we talking about spicy tunas? Are we talking about some crispy salmon bites?

[Ben]

Eventually, eventually they turn to salmon. Are they coming upstream? No, they're gone. They're burned? Actually, no, they're fine. But apparently they drained these reservoirs to take care of the fish and then there was nothing to stop the spread of it was just so unbelievably dry. And I had heard that a lot of the fire hydrants, not all of them, that's a blanket statement, but a lot of the fire hydrants due to various altitude levels were unable to get water was what I read.

[Josh]

So this is what I read. But again, I don't know the answer. But someone wrote after millions of views spreading lies about the Palisades firefighters lacking water because of regulation. The boring truth of late is one, reservoirs and water tanks were at normal levels and completely full before the fire. All 114 city water supply tanks were fully stocked pre fire. A 15 hour surge at 4 times normal demand reduced water pressure, high demand at lower elevations slowed refilling tanks at higher elevations. This unprecedented fire was fueled by eight months of no rain and 85 mile per hour winds. Water is being brought in continuously. But I'll say this, and I don't, that's also could be unsubstantiated, right? Because we're all trying to get the best facts from what we think is factual.

[Ben]

All I know, Josh, is the same way that I feel about New York. You pay taxes. That would make most listeners of this podcast fucking choke. Sure fucking choke. And we don't have a surplus of water. Just figure it out. You're living. I get it. I totally get it. You're living. Your entire state is on the ocean. I get it.

[Josh]

I know, it's beautiful.

[Ben]

Figure it out. Just figure it out. You been a Big Sur, just figure it out. Like I don't. I get it. If that's true, if what I'm saying is true, it doesn't matter.

[Josh]

We're probably.

[Ben]

Figure it out. You have so much money. You have so much money. You have so much money. I even read an. It was originally, it wasn't unsubstantiated, it was a fact that apparently Karen Bass, who will go into the new de Blasio, apparently she cut the firefighters thing, the budget by 17 million and it was.

[Josh]

They didn't Cut the firefighters and then gave way more to the cops.

[Ben]

But what I also did, what I read separately. What I read separately, though, was the budget is 830 million, which is why it's important to show them both. It's not like when I first read that, oh, she cut it by 17 million. I thought the whole budget was like, 30 million. I was like, oh, this motherfucker. But then you find out that it was 830 million. They still had 813 million to prepare for this over the last eight months. So whether it's her, whether it's. I'm not blaming the firefighters. I would never do that. They're literally the bravest, best heroes, whoever plans for them. Something here is amiss. I'm sorry if. You know, to your point that it's eight months, if that guy, whoever's. Girl, guy, whoever's tweet that was. Knew. Eight months. So fucking dry. You have so much money to figure it out. I don't know. Yeah, figure it out and what you're left with is. It was one of my. What do you. Nutsies? Because you have these influencers. My second home is gone. Like, people's fucking first homes are gone. Idiots. Like, you're fine. My. My second home. My. My friends. Your friends are fine. They're rich. Okay. Like, this is real life. Like, those plans. I'm sure you saw State Farm and cut me off, because I'm rambling, but State Farm removed whatever it was, like 100 plans or 80 plans or something. Did you see this?

[Josh]

No.

[Ben]

For fire protection. There was, like, something going on in insurance where, because it was so dry, they invalidated a ton of plans. And I promise you those plans weren't on $50 million homes. Those are on people who lost their houses and can't rebuild.

[Josh]

What were you saying, Olivia?

[Olivia]

A statistic that I saw was in some of the areas affected in the Palisades fire. I believe it was 70% of State Farm, like, insurance holders in that area had their insurance canceled in July of 2024. So, yeah, I. I was. Actually, I moved out of my area a few nights ago just to try to, you know, be as safe as possible, but was staying with a friend in Venice who works in insurance, and he said it had to do with the housing market at the time and how expensive it was to insure. But, yeah, about 70% of that area that was covered by State Farm canceled.

[Josh]

Well, let's just say that the saving grace in all this is that Olivia didn't ask to stay with me. You know, listen, I got two kids. I got enough going on.

[Ben]

Olivia.

[Josh]

No, I would also. I would have had a guest room for you, Olivia and Ethan. Let me tell you whatever you need, dear.

[Ben]

Thank you.

[Josh]

My.

[Ben]

And we're throwing around the State Farm name. I just want to let everybody know. We love State Farm. We love.

[Josh]

First of all, shout out and triple shout out to State Farm. You cancel all you need to cancel.

[Ben]

Babe, they canceled all those policies so they could pay us X. X, X, X.

[Josh]

Hit the red. But. Oh, that's good.

[Ben]

Oh, that's good.

[Josh]

This is good. This is the one that gets clipped. And this is. This is the one that sinks us, Ben. We can't be those fatsos cackling over these people.

[Ben]

Who's getting canceled? Karen Bass. You know where she was, Josh.

[Josh]

What?

[Ben]

You know where she was during all of this. Did you read?

[Josh]

Are you gonna go on one of your tirades?

[Ben]

She was.

[Josh]

She was gonna go.

[Ben]

Inauguration of the president of Ghana. Are you nuts?

[Josh]

Why you gotta be like that? Have you not been to Ghana in January? It's gorgeous.

[Ben]

Does she have in Ghana? What business does the mayor of LA have in Ghana?

[Josh]

Listen, Karen Bass is a woman of the world. She's spreading good Angelino cheer to every wonderful, you know, country.

[Ben]

I am literally revoking de Blasio and Karen Bass citizenship. I don't know where I'm sending them, but they're gone. It's enough.

[Josh]

Oh, Karen. Ken, it's not. Look, the truth is. And this is sort of what. And to your point, I agree. Two years ago, we had unheard of amounts of rain. So much so that we had incredible growth. And it was so green in these areas that are usually sort of like dead barren areas. But then of course, over the last 18 months, those beautiful lush areas that were overly nourished with all this beautiful rain died creating brush, creating that when a perfect storm force majeure act of God, when you have 90 mile per hour winds and the potential for a fire, and then you have all of this fuel in this dry brush. It was a terrible recipe. And yes, it seems as though there should have been people more forward thinking, doing controlled burns, clearing the brush, figuring out proactive ways to sort of protect against this for sure.

[Ben]

And you hit the nail on the head and just putting people's lives. I am Mr. Environment, Ben. Okay? Seriously, I am. I don't like this idiocy. Like, I don't like the plastic straws just because I don't think they make a big enough impact. I think that plastic is a huge problem. But if anybody wants to save an animal, I'm animal, Ben. I just want everybody to know I'm animal, Ben. That said, the people of LA needed to be put ahead of the environment with an imminent threat. If there was a true imminent threat, as you said, that because of all of this flourished greenery that then turned to brush. They knew that there was a possibility because I had heard about this. This was a big. It was a big political debate that if you were to do anything about the brush, I believe it was a bit. It was. It was iffy in the, in the climate world. It wasn't. It wasn't something that you should do for the climate. But now you have. Yeah, it just. There has to be a hierarchy. There have. Like, in some situations, it's a no bueno.

[Josh]

And I. And let me tell you, did I have the best luck last night? Best luck? Best luck. We had a family we love, wonderful family. A writer who I worked with in Vancouver, and his daughter and my son are the same age, so we really bonded there. And they happen to live near the Hollywood Hills. And so last night there was a Hollywood Hills fire that sort of sparked up and slowly but surely south of the. Of the hills, starting at Sunset Boulevard and then eventually Santa Monica Boulevard, there would have been evacuations, and luckily they were able to get the fire under control. But until that point, my friend, call me, he said, listen, I know this is crazy, but you live south of all the fires. If we get evacuated, can we potentially stay at your house tonight? I said, say less, my friend call this. Listen, this is command center. You know what I said my home. You know how much liquid death I have in the pantry? I got water for days. Well, I'll wrap you up in aluminum. Aluminum foil. It'll be like an emergency blanket. You know what I mean? You're going to sleep on the floor in the living room, but it'll be, you know, you'll have a roof.

[Ben]

You're going to sleep outside in the flames. Sure you can come.

[Josh]

Yes. And don't think you're getting a puff off my albuterol, because we're in the apocalypse. I need to save. So anyway, he's like, wouldn't it be cool if my family and I came and stayed over the night? I was like, yeah, of course, dude. This is crazy. And so we're talking for another hour or two, and he's like, thank you so much, and my wife thanks you and blah, blah, blah. And I'm like, please, this is. Come on, Saint Saint Josh. And. And then he goes, it looks like it's going to be okay. I don't think we're going to have to go. They seem to have it under control. And I was like, can you imagine the goodwill that I've amassed with this guy for doing nothing. Zip. The best kind of favor.

[Ben]

Nothing better. Nothing truly. Nothing better.

[Josh]

What a roll of the dice.

[Ben]

Not being taken up on it. You won. Good for you. That is fantastic.

[Claudia]

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[Ben]

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[Ben]

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[Ben]

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[Claudia]

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[Josh]

Code goodguys so how's it going in New York with no devastating fires?

[Ben]

New York is still weird. Like, there was a crazy. I don't know if you saw this guy, like, went on a stabbing spree on the subway last week.

[Josh]

Yes.

[Ben]

He pulled the emergency brake and just started stabbing people. So I don't know. And another person, there was a woman sleeping, litter on fire on the train.

[Josh]

Right.

[Ben]

And then the congestion tax finally kicked in.

[Josh]

So let's talk. Let's talk congestion tax. Because me, as a New Yorker.

[Ben]

Yeah.

[Josh]

As someone who I grew up in New York, it is so absurdly congested. And now I'm seeing these photos as a result of the congestion tax, and it's looking nice and moving. It looks like the boulevards are open. So you tell me, explain to the audience. This is. This is a Ben ace in the hole.

[Ben]

So before I get to what. Or I'll start with what you just said.

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Ben]

It's unfair to compare traffic patterns when the city is frozen. It is 18 degrees outside. Nobody wants to leave their house. I think that when we. And we will only really see when weather gets warmer. Is this congestion? Is the footage that you're seeing a result of cold weather or is this congestion tax really working? Regardless, the congestion tax doesn't bother me. It doesn't bother me.

[Josh]

And what is it then?

[Ben]

Okay, 61st street across Manhattan. Okay. Right in the middle of Manhattan from all the way east to all the way west, they installed $500 million worth of cameras. I think it was 15 years ago. And they decided, oh, we did this. We need to use it because we spent all this money. Let's put in a congestion tax. The congestion tax started last week. And what they're doing is they are scanning your E Z pass. And by the way, you need a credit card to have an E Z pass. And if you don't have an E Z pass, they just scan your license and send you a bill and it's more money. Okay? So hurting the less wealthy even more. But they're scanning your easy pass and they're hitting you with a $9 toll to go from 60th street to 61st Street. Now, what I was saying is this doesn't impact me necessarily because if I spend. I spend $9 a day, I have spending problems. Okay? Spending $9 a day extra wouldn't affect me whatsoever. It's a terrible inconvenience that I will complain about. It's not right. Okay. If you live anywhere near the congestion tax, area you should be exempt.

[Josh]

But it's not six years. It's basically, you can e above 60th street and above, or 60th and below, but if you cross that line as though you're commuting uptown to downtown, then you pay nine bucks.

[Ben]

Correct. Sorry if I didn't explain that properly. If you cross 60th Street. Right. Get hit with a $9 toll.

[Josh]

Yes.

[Ben]

The only people who are exempt are ambulances, which makes sense. I need to buy an ambulance. But think about how much you get.

[Josh]

The first Lexus ambulance.

[Ben]

I have to call it. Sell off. Get the ambulance just like it's so comfortable. Josh, we're gonna see in six months that there's like a. Just a big scam of all these cheap Jews that are piling into a hatzala to go over 60th street line to avoid paying $9.

[Josh]

It has satellite radio and oxygen tanks. I love it. It has leather and morphing.

[Ben]

But these Uber drivers, Josh, these commuter. Commuters, these taxi drivers, like, they already. They're fucked. The taxi drivers in particular. Like, you're still looking at guys that. Guys and girls that spent a million dollars on a medallion, and now the medallion is worthless, right? And they live in a story, and they're coming into the city and their margins are so tight, and you're. You're hitting them for nine bucks after they've already paid $16 to come in from New Jersey. So to get from New Jersey into Manhattan proper right now costs you $27 a day.

[Josh]

It's awful. And. But it's $9 for, like, once you pay it for that day, then you've paid it. Right. It's not continuous. Got it.

[Ben]

No, no, it's one time. That said, I don't know how much it costs if you don't have an easy pass, but they say it's more.

[Josh]

Got it. No, no, I. I'm sure of that.

[Ben]

And an easy pass. What I. Because I went down this rabbit hole. You know who owns Easy Pass?

[Josh]

Tell me.

[Ben]

The state.

[Josh]

Well, that would make sense. You said it like it was China.

[Ben]

I. I thought it was a private company. I always. I didn't realize that these easy passes, like. Sorry, what? My bad.

[Josh]

You know, easy pass from Totally.

[Ben]

No, it's Karen Bass.

[Josh]

These are the best passes. No, but. Okay, so let me throw this out to you. Has the city of New York outgrown motor vehicles?

[Ben]

I don't know. It's a good question. I think that the reason the city is so congested now is because we have so Mismanaged public transportation. The bus lanes eat up 50% of the streets we have. We like LA, pay such exorbitant taxes and spend literally all of it on these traffic cops that I'm sorry are fucking brain dead. They're just sitting there on their phone doing nothing. Nothing. I've never been in an area where there's a traffic cop and anything good is happening. No, it's automatic traffic. We just mismanage traffic. We mismanage these bus lanes. Then on top of the bus lanes we want people to bike. So we add the bike lanes and then there's one lane for cars to travel. And of course there's going to be traffic. But people, we can't hear that. The subways currently aren't as safe as they should be with people being lit on fire and stabbed and then also be asked not to take cars. It's just what do you do?

[Josh]

Yeah, I mean I think like they always talk about the city of Chicago was built to where all the garbage is taken underground and that's why they don't have the crazy rap problem that New York has. And it's just New York was built improperly or at least it was appropriate when it was fucking New Amsterdam in 1900. But now it's just there's too many damn people. It's not sustainable. It would be interesting if it became like the first city where if it's not a delivery truck or some sort of ride share cars aren't allowed.

[Ben]

It would be interesting for sure. It would be.

[Josh]

I understand why I can't but just saying. Can you imagine if you were the Give us your top three immediate Day one Implementing strategies Mayor Safer Go clean the streets.

[Ben]

Clean all of them. There is a layer of filth on everything. I literally hop on TikTok and I watch pressure washers. These people are cleaning rugs from 1840.

[Josh]

Oh, I love it.

[Ben]

Clean the streets, make it look clean. Do you know how much better you'd feel if you walked around the city and everything wasn't just covered in a layer of soot? Every single building, all of it. Ok.

[Josh]

Psychiatrists should be required before they give out an SSRI or Prozac to say, have you watched a power washing video?

[Ben]

They're amazing, right? I love them.

[Josh]

They're so relaxing.

[Ben]

They're so relaxing. I literally watched. It was a small circular rug that I guess had been. I don't know how it grew grass on it. Did you see this one?

[Josh]

No.

[Ben]

It was hairy. It was hairy. They removed the grass and it was A pink rug. Pressure washed. Pressure washed. Power washed, scrubbed. The solution, all this stuff was gorgeous. Okay, so we're power washing the city, Josh. Okay, next, we are contributing a significant amount of money into botanicals, flowers. We only see it in these really affluent areas up and down Park Avenue, Central Park. We're all, all paying the same fucking taxes, ok? New York City taxes are really high and every part of the city deserves to look beautiful. That's it. I want beautiful flowers.

[Josh]

Jacaranders.

[Ben]

Yes. And then the last one. These are not in order. There are so many things I would change, okay? But we absolutely must create some law and order here. We've lost the plot. It's gone, it's gone. And it seems to just sway like that. We were probably too harsh at one point. We're too lenient now. Duane Read, which is our local, you guys have cvs. They're all going to go out of business. Looting is at an all time high. Like everything. You cannot, you cannot get just a razor or a bar of soap or it's all behind lock and key because looting is so bad. And what happens, Josh, when somebody comes in to loot, they watch them and they leave. So you can't do anything about it. And if you can't do anything about it and people know that, then they're going to keep doing it and keep doing it and keep doing it. So we should, some type of law.

[Josh]

And order, we should make legislation that allows for security guards at drugstores to put hands on these fucking thieves and then get them all hopped up on Winstrel cycles, testosterone replacement therapy, get them aggro. I'm telling you, a couple of these people get thrown through the gummy candy aisle, it's gonna, it's over. I'm telling you on thief, Reddit, they're all gonna stop.

[Ben]

Good. I'm in. I'm in. You run for mayor of la, I'll run for mayor of New York.

[Josh]

I love it. Can you imagine that Dickhead Jim bro is in aisle seven going like, try.

[Ben]

It, try it, try it.

[Josh]

Like I'm telling you, bro, chest, knees just popping out, you know, ingrown hairs.

[Ben]

Honestly, I mean, we need it. We need it. Josh, what would you change in la? And then we'll leave politics in the rear view. We'll leave it. Even though I've so greatly enjoyed this conversation, there's nothing more fun than local goings on. Hopefully you guys like it too. But I could complain about this shit all fucking day. And the truth is, I'm sure Running a city is really, really, really, really hard.

[Josh]

It's amazing, especially with what you're wearing, that you're in a three quarter zip sweater and white shoes. Because I feel like I'm getting a preview of Ben for the rest of his life. Like, you look like. You look like Ben. This is me at the country club being like, they call this a club sandwich.

[Ben]

Yes.

[Josh]

This is no club I want to be a member of.

[Ben]

No. I'll be complaining until the day I die. I hope. I hope that means I've lived a life of curiosity. Josh, always striving for more. Also, I'm wearing my no Bull sweatpants. I hope they're still a sponsor shout out.

[Josh]

No bull. No bull. Fantastic.

[Ben]

No, these. These sweats. These sweats are amazing. I love them. Love them. Where is your mic flag? Olivia, where's the mic flag?

[Olivia]

We haven't gotten them in yet, I don't think. I haven't seen any kind of package come through yet.

[Ben]

It's. There it is.

[Olivia]

It said it was delivered.

[Ben]

Definitely. Mine was delivered, like four times. Yeah, I know.

[Olivia]

It was delivered a while ago. I haven't seen anything come through here.

[Ben]

All right, I'll check the mail room again. It's fine.

[Josh]

Should we get to some stories?

[Ben]

Please. Even though. Even though we've only spoken about stories, but, yes, fun ones.

[Josh]

Well, Craig Conover said he and Paige desorbo were going to get married weeks before shocking split. The Sewing Down south founder, 35, opened up about the pair's future just weeks before DeSorbo revealed they've been split. They split after three years of dating. We're playing the long game. It would be easy to go for instant gratification, but the foundation that we're building is so that we die together one day, not just make it fun. We know we're going to get married one day, and when it happens, it'll be a lot of fun. But whenever that is, who knows? He went on. Well. Yeah. So we should say that you. Basically, people thought that you had leaked that they were getting married a couple episodes ago, which you weren't.

[Ben]

I just am dumb. Like, this is the way that I speak. Like, when I. When anybody is dating, I'm like, oh, your wife. Oh, your husband. I just say that that's what. It's how I speak.

[Josh]

Sure.

[Ben]

So, no, I meant nothing by it, but the Internet grabbed it. I went viral on TikTok, which was pretty exciting. Yeah. So sorry. And then once they broke up, all the videos are like, ben lied to us and it's like, no, you created this narrative in your brain. Ben did nothing, said nothing the whole time. And. Yeah. So, yeah, too bad. Shout out Paige and Craig. Love, love them.

[Josh]

Good peeps.

[Ben]

Sorry to see great peeps. Things happen and. And things happen, and hopefully they find the people right for them.

[Josh]

Nothing like rebuilding at 35. Next story. Oh, this is. This is upsetting. Every cigarette you smoke takes 19.5 minutes off your life. New studies. What? Yeah. This is not good. This is not good.

[Ben]

No, I need to hear it. I need to hear it.

[Josh]

No, I mean, that's pretty much it.

[Ben]

You know, Every cigarette takes 19 minutes off your life.

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Ben]

Oh.

[Josh]

But it determined that women lose 22 minutes and men lose 17 minutes. Whoa. Yet again, we win.

[Ben]

I just. How much of it is genetics, Josh? Like, we all know, and maybe it's just outliers. We all know that grandma that's 98 years old that's been smoking cigarettes every single day of her life and dies peacefully. You know, like, and maybe those are just outliers. I just, like, I always think to myself, like, if I smoked cigarettes, like, really smoked, not just, like, jokingly smoked. Like, I, like, I don't smoke cigarettes. Just so everybody knows. I love the idea of cigarettes. I'm not cool enough to really smoke them, but I'll have a cigarette now. I haven't had one in probably since we were together, whenever that shoot was. But, like, once a year, let's say. But if I were to be addicted and smoke cigarettes, I would die. Because I know that me, myself, I, I, I just. I feel like my genetics wouldn't hold up against the big C, God forbid. But, like, I feel like some people are just built differently. It's the same reason why I can't eat a piece of bread and not bloat, but some people can eat bread all day long and stay shredded. Like, I just think that some of us are gifted anatomically and some aren't.

[Josh]

Thoughts as part of the gifted anatomical group by my morbid obese genetics and flat feet. No, I agree. I think it's. Look, what they're not factoring in is how many minutes do you gain of life by feeling cool as hell. Maybe it just negates because smoking is cool.

[Ben]

Smoking is cool, man. It's cool. It's really, really, really cool. I was in Florida over the break, and I look to my right, this guy, he's just smoking cigarettes in his car. Imagine caring so little that you are smoking in the front seat of your car.

[Josh]

Oh, my God.

[Ben]

I just know that guy.

[Josh]

Cool as hell. There is nothing like smoking in the front seat of a Mitsubishi Diamante and just knowing that, like, the next six hours of your life, you're gonna be looking for cocaine and looking for fun experiences.

[Ben]

Fun and not giving a shit. Yes. You come up to him, you're like, hey, bro, you're gonna lose 19 minutes off your life from that cigarette. He's like, watch me, right? Watch me. Okay? Watch me. We can do whatever we want, Josh. We got Karen Bass hanging out in fucking. Where was it, Ghana? What are you gonna.

[Josh]

Oh, my. Oh, my God. This is.

[Ben]

I can't wait to add Karen Bass to my arsenal. I can't believe I'm just being exposed to her. And her name is Karen.

[Josh]

I know.

[Ben]

Oh, she's done. This woman is done. She's gonna be on my dartboard. You come into my house, I have a dartboard. De Blasio and Bass. Ooh, that sounds like a law firm.

[Josh]

Debassio.

[Ben]

Shit.

[Josh]

Well, the other, the. The other big, big thing is influencer David Dobrik reveals RIP Bonnie transformation after two year YouTube hiatus. He's back. Dobrik's back and ripped.

[Ben]

I couldn't even believe my eyes. I saw him. I was like, is this AI?

[Josh]

It's too much.

[Ben]

And then I saw him post like some 75 day challenge with a workout app. So maybe it's like a part of something or maybe like he's just so smart, like that way. Like, maybe he got shredded and then brought on a partner or something. But, like, when was the last time you spoke to him?

[Josh]

I'm in the video. I'm in his new vlog, reacting to his body.

[Ben]

Oh, my God.

[Josh]

Just for a second.

[Ben]

That's fun. And what, what was it like seeing his body for the first time in person? Yeah.

[Josh]

Weird, because he was like, I need you to close your eyes. And then I'm going to do 10 push ups and then open your eyes. And so all I hear is 10 pushups and then him out of breath, taking his shirt off, which usually my eyes are open when a dude's doing that around me.

[Ben]

And he's just like, so insanely cut.

[Josh]

Yes. He's ultra lean and he's a squeak. He's a small kid to begin with. He's not short, but he's just like a small frame boy. Like, he revealed in his video that at his biggest weight, he was 181 pounds. I'm like, yeah, right.

[Ben]

Got it, got it. Okay. So his highest was 181.

[Josh]

Yeah, he's probably 155 right now, or 160. Like, he's just so damn lean. But he looks great.

[Ben]

I mean, his skin looked dolphin esque. Like, did he also go through, like, full body? Shaving, toning, tanning? Like, he looked like a. He looked like a professional athlete. Like, spray tan.

[Josh]

You got a spray tan?

[Ben]

Yeah, that's it. Like, if I get that cut, I still look like polish. Like, I'm so. My shoulders are so hairy. Like, I'm dis. I'm disgusting. He's just not. He's just a hairless cat.

[Josh]

I don't. Yeah, he might not be the hairiest guy. I mean, I've got like. I'm weird because I, like, have like some chest hair and stuff, but like, I don't have the shoulder hair or like the upper arm hair. Like, but, you know, I don't think he has any. Oh, you have a little shoulder hair.

[Ben]

I have a lot of shoulder hair. I have back hair. I have belly hair. I have nipple hair.

[Josh]

I don't have belly hair.

[Ben]

I do. See?

[Josh]

Oh, that is cute.

[Ben]

Yeah, it's nice.

[Josh]

I love it.

[Ben]

Speaking of which, just because I look down at my belly button. Don't forget to clean your belly button, folks. One day you might wake up and it might smell like shit. So hydrogen peroxide.

[Josh]

We're going to take a quick commercial break while I go shoot myself. Well, that's cool.

[Ben]

I have such great belly button hygiene, you have no idea.

[Josh]

Oh, dude, speaking of throwing up, I have to tell you one of the greatest stories ever, which is a story of a best friend of mine, Len. Not Len. This is not a friend. You know. So he told me this the other day and it was incredible. So my friend was dating a girl. It was, you know, whatever they, they dated for. They went on a couple dates, had a couple canoodle sessions. He realized that, you know, he wasn't in the place to be in a relationship. They weren't right for each other. They moved on. No problem. You know, this is your 30s. So she kind of had a thing for him and was, you know, not totally happy with the fact that they weren't going to see each other anymore. So one night she shows up at his work and he's playing music at some club. And she shows up and she's like, I need to talk to you. And he's like, oh, fuck. And she goes, we should talk at your apartment. And he goes, well, can we just talk right now? And she's like, no, no, we should talk at your Apartment. He goes, oh, God. So they get to his apartment, and she says, I'm six days late, and I. I don't feel good. And I have all the signs and symptoms, and I'm. I'm. I know what it feels like to be pregnant, and I'm pregnant. And he goes, oh, oh. And then she says, but don't worry. It's okay. Like, I'm just gonna raise the kid. You don't have to be a part of it, and, you know, I'll just move back to my hometown with the kid, and you can be in our lives or not. And I said, so what did you say? He goes, bro, I walked into my kitchen and proceeded to projectile vomit.

[Ben]

Into my kitchen sink. Oh, my God.

[Josh]

Can you imagine having no such Olivia?

[Ben]

That is. That is really, really Tonight. That's really fucking tough. Oh, my God. Actually, it's funny. I just read a stat that people aren't using condoms anymore. What's up with that?

[Josh]

Was that from the COVID of no Shit weekly?

[Ben]

Totally. I'm 150. Those kids aren't wearing condoms.

[Josh]

It's nuts. But I think it's because we're. I think because people aren't as afraid of hiv.

[Ben]

Oh, also, I'm sorry. So now that I know how. Not difficult, but, like, getting pregnant is not. Is not an easy thing. You have to time it, right?

[Josh]

It depends.

[Ben]

Oh, okay, so tell me how. Because, like, she. It sounds like she set him up because why are they fucking when she's ovulating with no condom?

[Josh]

First of all, a million reasons why. I think that, by the way, she wasn't. So days later. She wasn't. Yes.

[Ben]

Oh, she wasn't pregnant?

[Josh]

No. It feels like it was just an excuse to see him. Wow.

[Ben]

Oh, so she's truly nuts, this girl.

[Josh]

Yeah. Not.

[Ben]

Wow.

[Josh]

Not great. And we'll end it here just because I will have to play this for my friend and see if he's okay with us. With us talking about it even though we were.

[Ben]

He doesn't know. I don't even know who it is. Fine. It's probably.

[Josh]

Who is it?

[Ben]

John Stamos.

[Josh]

Oh, God forbid. He's a happily married man, that Stamos. If this was 10 years ago, you never know.

[Ben]

But headline clip it.

[Josh]

Yeah, you never know, dude. Like, that's the thing about getting pregnant is that either it's really easy or really hard.

[Ben]

I guess so I just like. Oh, man. All right, well, thank God they're not pregnant. Good on your friend. Oh, my.

[Josh]

Like, here, can we role play for a Second, Olivia, if you're comfortable, will you just. I'll be my friend and you just say, like, I just want to let you know, like, I'm six days late. Okay. Okay. Okay. So what did you want to tell me, Olivia?

[Olivia]

So I just wanted to let you know that I am six days late and I am pretty sure I'm pregnant.

[Josh]

Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so happy.

[Ben]

And that is why, folks, you have to watch on YouTube. Also, because this gorgeous new theme song that you're hearing every morning. Thank you.

[Josh]

Great work, Josh.

[Ben]

Yeah. Olivia, you were amazing. This gorgeous new theme song that you're hearing every morning on audio, if you haven't checked it out, there's a wonderful slideshow of me and Josh. Looks like we're in the 80s.

[Josh]

Yes, we're in a nice couple. Who was the photographer who took those photos?

[Ben]

Your friend Robert Liberatore.

[Josh]

Shout out King Robert Libertoria. And shout out the great Jasmine who works here at Dear Media, who put together that beautiful, beautiful opening theme visual. She killed it. She's the best. Thank you.

[Ben]

And. And shout out Super Chris.

[Josh]

Super Chris.

[Ben]

Producer. Producer to the stars. Okay. Producer to the stars.

[Josh]

I love them stars being us, baby. Us.

[Ben]

Wow. Have you read the comments? It's literally I'm watching this YouTube just to listen to the fucking theme song, Jo.

[Josh]

It's pretty spectac. Which is short for spectacular, in case you were wondering.

[Ben]

It's sick.

[Josh]

Should we get to one speak pipe really quick or good high. Let's do or.

[Ben]

Dear morons, the definitely not good high moron mail. I still don't even know what good.

[Josh]

High means because we're the good guys and it's a good H. If you listen to this podcast, you're a fucking idiot, bro. There's no way Bateman and Sean Hayes is giving you this level of ha. You think Will Arnett is this funny?

[Ben]

No, it's unbelievable. We're unbelievable.

[Josh]

I mean, what the fuck? Go listen to Joe Rogan talk about conspiracies. Boring. All right, this one's from. I don't know. Oh. If you want to leave us a message, go to speakpipe.com goodguys and we'll possibly play something. Okay, where is. Where did it go? Where'd it go? All right, this first one is from. I don't know.

[Listener]

Hey, Josh and Ben, I just wanted to ask some advice. So, Josh, I know you have kids already, and Ben, you're about to be a dad. Congratulations. I just wanted to ask kind of a two parter number One, when did you decide to have kids? And why did you decide that time was the right time? And two, I'm just trying to figure out the best time for my husband and I, for context. We've been together six years. We got married last summer, and we've been talking about it more and more. We feel like it's the right time. We're also both 35 years old, and 35 is considered being an old mom, which sounds awful just because it doesn't seem that old, but it is when it comes to being a mother. So I just wanted to know what your advice would be. We're also living in an apartment and would like to buy a house at the end of the month, at the end of the year. So we're just trying to figure out when the best time to do it. Do we wait till we buy the house? Do we just try to conceive? Because we never know how that's going to go anyway, God willing that it happens right away. So, yeah, any advice would be great. Love you guys.

[Josh]

Do it. Have the kid already.

[Ben]

I agree. And if you're even debating it, I mean this with all due respect, and if, Olivia, this is not an appropriate comment, tell me and we will cut it out. But, lady, freeze your eggs. Like, just in case you are dilly dallying. Once you're in your mid-30s, late-30s, if you haven't started trying, I would like you to have the best chance of getting pregnant. And the longer you wait, the harder it's gonna be. And again, this is a male talking on a woman trying to get pregnant. So if this is inappropriate, we will cut it out. But I would like to see you get pregnant. And it feels like it's certainly time.

[Josh]

But I will say, knowing from close, people in my life who have frozen their eggs, first of all, it's very expensive and it's a shunda for someone to go through with the shots and it induces hormones and it is really a journey to go through a wonderful one, if that's what you want. But it sounds like she just wants to try the old fashioned way, which I would say do it now, do it yesterday, because there really is no perfect time. But luckily, time sort of makes a decision for you as you get to your mid-30s, late-30s. It's like, just do it already because it's very tiring. It's better when you have more energy.

[Ben]

You see, it's so interesting. I had no idea the process of freezing eggs. I assumed you just go in there with a Spoon, scoop out an egg, throw it in the fridge.

[Josh]

No, they have to induce. They have to basically make you produce more eggs and then they like go in and take the follicles and. Isn't that a fun word? Follicles.

[Ben]

It is. I love, I love that word. Follicle. Follicle. Follicle. Yeah, it's fantastic. But yeah, start fucking like get. Get the show on the road. Get the show on the road.

[Josh]

Like it's so fun.

[Ben]

It's enough.

[Josh]

It's so fun making them.

[Ben]

And by the way, you're dating Josh for 6 years starting at 29. Guys see I don't. Again, this is going to be sexist. I'm going to blame him for being non committal. But like what took you so long? Ok. And yes, now that you're married, if you would like to have children, have children. Don't wait for the house, don't wait for this, don't wait for that. Just try and you'll figure it out.

[Josh]

And honestly, with one kid we lived in a two bedroom apartment till my son was three and a half and then we moved into a house when we had our second kid.

[Ben]

My parents lived in a studio apartment with me and I slept in their bedroom. You figure it out. Like you just. You figure it out.

[Josh]

Yeah, you do. Should we get to our woody nuts? Should.

[Ben]

Even though I feel like this whole episode which is what made it so great. Great there were so many what do you nuts is Karen frickin Bass, you lunatic. But yeah, Josh, you go.

[Josh]

So I love, you know me are what do you nuts is our gripes with people, places and things both big and small, whatever sticking in your craw. I love donuts. I'm the donut king of LA and I have my spots. The other day I was going with my kids to Sidecar Donuts Delicious donut spot. They like basically make them fresh every hour but they also will do a savory offering. And all I have to say is a basil eggs Benedict donut is what are you nuts? It's not necessary. We don't need it. Stick to an old fashioned or a jelly filled. We don't need basil egg Benedict donuts. What are you nuts?

[Ben]

That's vile. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Especially if you're serving a savory donut now. I'm trying to think about it. Sure, maybe there's a time and place, but not at a donut shop where they also serve sweets.

[Josh]

Totally.

[Ben]

No, no good.

[Josh]

Don't I know it.

[Ben]

I'm out on that? No. Good. I have two. My first. I'm just going to reiterate again that Karen Bass being at the inauguration of the president of Ghana is. What? Are you nuts? Are you nuts? Are you nuts? Second is every single time that I went to get my morning Starbucks in Florida, I needed to go up. I did mobile order, Josh, ok? Mobile order, it's fantastic. My coffee's waiting there for me. They keep their straws behind lock and key. You have to request a straw, but they always have the straws ready to give it to you. But the whole point of me mobile ordering is in. My coffee is ready to go and they're nowhere near the mobile order area. They're back there with the. They're making the coffees, they're doing all these things. So it takes me an extra at least three minutes to get my straw. What are you nuts? Release the straws. What do you think I'm going to do? Take 15 of them? No, I'm taking one. It's the same one that I'm taking. If you're making it convenient for me with the mobile ordering, then make it convenient with the straws as well. And just on top of that, I want to remind you, tip your baristas. Starbucks is hell. These people are working so fast, nobody ever thinks to tip a barista at a mobile order. And I'm telling you, I've been tipping my barista or baristo. What do you call a male barista?

[Josh]

Bro.

[Ben]

Ok, I've been tipping my bro and the relationship between me and him, it's never been better. My coffee is perfect and you're doing the right thing. Tip your baristas, baristos, tip your burritos.

[Josh]

Thank you, Ben. Take us home.

[Ben]

Folks, this episode was literally a 15 stars. If you don't give us five stars, you are absolutely nuts. Okay, get out of here. Share with a friend. Okay, listen to us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts, watch us on Josh's YouTube. You'll see that beautiful collection. It's almost like bar mitzvah in the 90s. They should put time of your life instead of our jingle to that beautiful montage that Jasmine made. It's fantastic. Fantastic. Instagram, TikTok. Consume us. Watch us. Share us with a friend. Mondays and Thursdays, folks, we will see you next time.

[Josh]

And please support our sponsors by using our code. It really helps the podcast and it helps the people that support our show.

[Ben]

Yes. Amen to that.

[Josh]

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.