Good Guys: "Marriage Confessions and The Dugout Dad Diaries"

Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer
Date: March 16, 2026
Podcast Network: Dear Media

Episode Overview

In this candid and comedic episode, Josh and Ben dive deep into marriage dynamics, modern masculinity, fatherhood, the pains and joys of Little League, and the curiosities of polyamorous trends and pop culture. From vulnerable revelations about avoiding fun for fear of spousal judgment to hilarious tales from the Dugout Dad, the pair maintain their signature warmth and wit—sprinkled with relatable anxieties, nostalgia, and a good dose of self-deprecation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Guilt of Enjoying "Me Time" as Married Men

• Discussion: Ben confesses (00:08) to downplaying his enjoyment of solo activities (like golfing) to avoid upsetting his wife, Claudia. Josh deeply relates, framing it as a universal experience among married men.
• Quote:
  Ben: "I always have to throw in a little negative just so that she doesn't think I had too much fun." (00:18)
  Josh: "It's all our wives fault...I'm straight up scared of my wife." (01:25)
• Insight: Both hosts recognize this as a mix of codependency, residual relationship baggage, and maybe even a touch of toxic masculinity ("I'm desperate to get as much Ruby time as I can" – 03:31).

2. The Realities of Work Trips and Spousal Dynamics

• Discussion:
  Josh describes the grind of business travel as a dad (Courtyard Marriott instead of Mad Men, $350 Little League kits, protein bars for dinner—03:31). Returning home often means "punishment" or a sense of deficit.
• Quote:
  Josh: "Can we just go back to baseline? Do we have to be at a deficit?" (05:10)
  Ben: "I think that actually is my fault. Maybe it was her fault at one point, but today that's my problem." (06:59)
• Insight: Both take ownership, resolving to stop apologizing for brief escapes or necessary work commitments.

3. Award Shows & The Respect Deficit for Comedians

• Discussion:
  After a sidebar about the SAG-AFTRA (Actors Awards) and Kristen Bell’s cringey opening number (08:00), the hosts analyze why comedic actors are rarely celebrated by critics.
• Quote:
  Josh: "Award shows should be like the World Cup. Do them every four years." (09:14)
  Ben: "Comedians never get respect...Billy Madison shaped my youth, but in the eyes of the critics, not a funny movie." (18:45)
• Memorable Moment: Ben admits to never watching "Uncut Gems," sparking an intervention from Josh (20:18 — "How have you not fucking seen Uncut Gems? That’s crazy!").

4. Polyamory: A Trend in Top States

• Discussion:
  Weird news brings forth a story that New York is one of the top five polyamorous states (24:51). The hosts muse about differing cultural attitudes, especially contrasted between straight and LGBTQ communities, and why it becomes news when it's not gay men.
• Quote:
  Josh: "What, I got to have another woman mad at me because I went to golf for a minute?" (26:05)
  Ben: "It wouldn't be news unless it was straight people doing this." (25:45)
• Memorable Exchange: Hypothetical on having a wife and a girlfriend at home together (26:33), with both reacting with mock support.

5. Fatherhood Funnies: Dugout Dad Diaries

• Discussion:
  Josh schools Ben in the chaos and comedy of coaching Little League (39:43). The "Dugout Dad" must manage not only children’s expectations and tempers but also hands-off parents.
• Quote:
  Josh: "What am I going to do with that?" (43:23, after a kid throws his glove/hat in frustration)
• Insight: The importance of using sports not for grooming future pros, but for teaching kids about teamwork, respect, and resilience.
  Josh: "Statistically, none of these kids will ever play in the majors...but you can help make your kid a great person." (44:56)

6. Moving, Nostalgia & Guilt

• Discussion:
  After months in Florida, Ben feels guilty enjoying his new lifestyle (47:32). He and Josh reflect on the way New Yorkers are trained to believe it's the best place on Earth, and how admitting other places are nice feels like a betrayal.
• Quote:
  Ben: "I feel very guilty saying it's awesome...I think we just do it as New Yorkers, where we can't possibly admit anywhere can also be great." (49:57)

7. Homes and Olfactory Memories

• Discussion:
  The pair riff on how every house carries a unique scent—one you can’t notice in your own home (35:41). This sparks a thread on nostalgia and growing up.
• Quote:
  Josh: "Even if it's a nice smell, every home, like, the only house that doesn't have a smell is my house, because I live in it." (35:46)

8. Miscellaneous:

• Product Loyalty: Ben refuses to shop online—he never returns items (38:27).
• Sports Allegiance: Josh refuses to wear a Texas Rangers cap, even though it would fit his son's Little League team (50:59).
• Fathead Dorm Décor: Ben confesses to having a life-sized Dwight Howard fathead on his childhood ceiling (51:23).
• Celebrity Encounters: Classic Josh moment with a valet enthusiastically recalling "Drake & Josh" to his face (52:58).
  Josh: "You remember that shit? I was like, yeah, I was there. It sort of defined my life 25 years." (53:12)
• Restaurant Etiquette: Ben explores the awkwardness of a waitress alerting him to an incoming phone call during dinner (53:45).

Notable Quotes

• On Marriage Guilt:
  "I'm straight up scared of my wife." – Josh (01:25)
• On Award Shows:
  "Award shows should be like the World Cup. Do them every four years." – Josh (09:14)
• On Parenting Through Sports:
  "You can help make your kid a great person." – Josh (44:56)
• On Nostalgia:
  "I don't know when it happens when you realize that your parents also have a smell that's different now from your smell." – Ben (36:16)
• On New Yorker Mentality:
  "We can't possibly admit that anywhere can also be great. It's us or nothing." – Ben (49:57)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening Confessions (The 'Fun Short' Dilemma): 00:08–03:24
• Work Travel & Relationship Dynamics: 03:25–07:18
• Actor Awards & Kristen Bell’s Musical Mishap: 07:18–15:38
• The Oscars, Comedians & Respect in Hollywood: 17:04–22:43
• Weird News (Polyamory): 24:00–27:24
• Earth Vibrations Schumann Resonance: 27:24–28:44
• Dugout Dad Diaries: 39:43–46:34
• NYC vs Florida: Moving, Guilt, & Happiness: 47:04–50:59
• Fathead Confession: 51:23–52:09
• "What Are You Nuts?" Segment: 52:58–55:48

Tone & Style

• Honest, self-deprecating, warm, and always ready to poke fun—at themselves, each other, societal norms, or parenting fails.
• Strong chemistry: Josh is slightly more sentimental and dryly witty; Ben is excitable, a touch neurotic, and eager to please.
• The banter is quick, irreverent, and entirely relatable, particularly for anyone negotiating modern adulthood and parenthood.

Memorable Moments

• The "fun short" admission, dissecting why married men can't admit to enjoying themselves (00:18).
• Intervention over Ben never seeing "Uncut Gems" despite being adamant about Sandler’s genius (20:18).
• Josh’s deadpan response to a disrespectful Little Leaguer—setting boundaries with the next generation (43:23).
• Chris Farley-esque nostalgia moment about "every house has a smell" (36:16).

Recap

This episode is an open therapy session for modern men and parents—funny, raw, practical. Whether you’re trying to balance marriage, work, and golf, or manage the chaos of a Little League dugout, Good Guys delivers sharp, memorable lines and genuine wisdom with a comedic spin.

Five stars, and what are you, nuts if you don’t subscribe?