Podcast Summary: Good Guys - "Mazel, Moses with Jonah Platt"

Episode Details

• Title: Mazel, Moses with Jonah Platt
• Hosts: Josh Peck and Ben Simon
• Guest: Jonah Platt
• Release Date: April 10, 2025
• Description: Hosted by actor & writer Josh Peck and entrepreneur & social media icon Ben Soffer, "Good Guys" delves into a variety of topics with humor and heart. This episode features Jonah Platt as they explore Jewish traditions, family dynamics, and personal anecdotes.

Introduction to Jewish Traditions and Camp Ramah

[00:22 - 02:04]

The episode opens with the hosts, Josh Peck and Ben Simon, welcoming Jonah Platt. They kick off the conversation by reminiscing about their shared experiences at Camp Ramah, the quintessential Conservative Jewish sleepaway camp prevalent across the United States and Canada.

Josh Peck:
"It's the quintessential conservative Jewish camp. They hoodwinked us. It's 90 minutes from Manhattan. They called it the Berkshires."
[01:02]

Jonah reveals that he attended Camp Ramah but did not participate in the Ramah Seminar in Israel, a summer program that Josh and Ben did attend.

Jonah Platt:
"I actually didn't go, but I was only one of my siblings who didn't get to go on seminar. I know. I still regret it."
[02:04]

Ben Platt Anecdote and Family Talents

[02:09 - 05:28]

The conversation shifts to Josh's wife mistaking Ben Platt for someone else who came out as gay during Ramah Seminar, highlighting the commonality of the name Ben within these camps.

Ben Simon praises the Platt family's talent, hinting at Jonah's brother Ben Platt's burgeoning success without Josh having foreseen it during their camp days.

Ben Simon:
"Was he in the kugel line at lunch? And you were like, that kid's headed for the stars."
[03:11]

Jonah discusses his family's strong musical background, with all siblings engaged in singing and musical theater, influenced by their parents' love for the craft.

Jonah Platt:
"My parents... raised us all on musical theater. We're all singers, and we all did musical theater growing up."
[04:02]

Health and Lifestyle Discussions: Ozempic and Mounjaro

[05:13 - 06:27]

The hosts and Jonah delve into discussions about weight loss medications Ozempic and Mounjaro. Josh shares his positive experience with Ozempic, leading to a significant weight loss of 60 pounds, and his transition to Mounjaro.

Josh Peck:
"I was down 60 pounds post Ozempic, so it's certainly in your blood."
[05:13]

Jonah mentions accessing Ozempic in Mexican pharmacies, noting the availability and cost-effectiveness compared to the U.S.

Jonah Platt:
"There are refrigerators full of Ozempic that anybody could come."
[06:00]

Passover Traditions and Seders

[11:10 - 32:24]

The core of the episode revolves around Passover (Pesach) traditions, exploring both the historical and contemporary practices associated with the holiday.

Historical Overview of Passover

The hosts and Jonah discuss the origin story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt, touching upon the ten plagues and the significance of matzah.

Ben Simon:
"It's the story where Pharaoh enslaves the Jews, Moses becomes the leader, and the ten plagues lead to the Exodus."
[12:30]

They humorously critique elements of the biblical narrative, including the plausibility of certain events like Moses being carried in a wicker basket on the Nile.

Josh Peck:
"It's a bit of a stretch" regarding the survival of animals during Noah's Ark.
[18:48]

Contemporary Passover Practices

The discussion transitions to modern Passover seders, highlighting variations in duration based on family dynamics and levels of religious observance.

Jonah Platt:
"My family seders have always had so many children... somewhere between two and three hours."
[27:15]

They share personal anecdotes about seder lengths, reclining traditions, wine progression, and the hiding of the afikomen—a piece of matzah hidden for children to find.

Josh Peck:
"We can't ever acknowledge that something is good. Like we always have this complex that everything has to be bad."
[21:53]

Symbolism and Cultural Integration

The hosts debate the literal versus allegorical interpretations of Passover stories, agreeing that the traditions serve as moral and cultural reminders rather than strict historical accounts.

Jonah Platt:
"It's about learning morals and lessons."
[17:07]

Additionally, they discuss the integration of Jewish holidays with non-Jewish traditions, such as celebrating Christmas within their families.

Jonah Platt:
"My wife, who converted to Judaism, we do Christmas every year now with her family."
[37:08]

Kosher Practices and Family Dynamics

[36:34 - 51:34]

A significant portion of the episode delves into varying interpretations and practices of keeping kosher within Jewish homes, reflecting on personal experiences and family expectations.

Debate on Kosher Adherence

The hosts engage in a spirited debate about the extent to which one must adhere to kosher laws to authentically identify as Jewish.

Ben Simon:
"If you're not adhering to over 3/4 of it, I don't think you can call yourself kosher."
[45:07]

Jonah shares his journey from strict kosher practices during his upbringing to a more relaxed approach post-bar mitzvah, illustrating the challenges of maintaining tradition while assimilating into broader culture.

Jonah Platt:
"The day I turned 13, I was like, I'm getting cheeseburgers immediately. And I've been completely unkosher ever since."
[47:34]

Josh expresses his internal conflict between wanting to maintain kosher dietary laws and enjoying the flexibility of non-kosher foods, emphasizing a desire for a balanced approach.

Josh Peck:
"To me, what Judaism is, the key pillar, is always trying to do better... I'm mixing milk with meat."
[47:01]

Cultural and Familial Influences

The conversation highlights the influence of family, personal beliefs, and societal expectations on maintaining kosher practices. They discuss the impact of being part of an Orthodox community versus adopting a more liberal stance.

Ben Simon:
"I look up to Gabe and think he's kosher, but I also wish Gabe could have a piece of fish and come out to dinner with me."
[50:48]

Jonah reflects on the importance of allowing individual choice within Jewish dietary laws to prevent alienation and promote personal connection to tradition.

Jonah Platt:
"It's the quintessential assimilated Jew... assimilation is very important and a key issue today."
[51:03]

Listener Interaction and Community Engagement

[41:25 - 51:34]

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts introduce segments where listeners can engage with them, sharing personal stories or seeking advice on various topics related to Jewish life and traditions.

Speak Pipe Segment

The hosts attempt to respond to a listener's question about raising children with kosher dietary practices in an interfaith household. They discuss the complexities of balancing tradition with modern life and personal beliefs.

Listener Question:
"How do you handle raising children with non-kosher meat in a traditionally kosher household?"

Josh Peck:
"I hope BH when my son comes... this won't be a problem until he's eating solid foods."
[42:30]

Ben Simon:
"It's in four months... years down the road."
[42:47]

The segment highlights differing perspectives on maintaining kosher practices and the importance of creating a supportive and understanding environment for religious observance.

Closing Thoughts and Final Remarks

[51:34 - End]

In the concluding segments, the hosts introduce "Woody and Nuts," a segment dedicated to sharing their pet peeves and frustrations with various trivial annoyances. This light-hearted portion serves to wind down the episode with humor.

Josh Peck:
"Chopped Junior—what are you, nuts?"
[52:22]

Ben Simon:
"What are you, nuts?"
[52:34]

Jonah promotes his own podcast, "Being Jewish with Jonah Platt," emphasizing its focus on exploring contemporary Jewish identity and fostering inclusive conversations.

Jonah Platt:
"Our podcast explores the diverse spectrum of contemporary Jewish identity."
[54:12]

The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating their appreciation for Jonah's participation and encouraging listeners to engage with their content across various platforms.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Josh Peck [01:02]:
  "It's the quintessential conservative Jewish camp. They hoodwinked us. It's 90 minutes from Manhattan. They called it the Berkshires."

• Ben Simon [03:11]:
  "Was he in the kugel line at lunch? And you were like, that kid's headed for the stars."

• Jonah Platt [17:07]:
  "It's about learning morals and lessons."

• Josh Peck [21:53]:
  "We can't ever acknowledge that something is good. Like we always have this complex that everything has to be bad."

• Ben Simon [45:07]:
  "If you're not adhering to over 3/4 of it, I don't think you can call yourself kosher."

• Jonah Platt [47:34]:
  "The day I turned 13, I was like, I'm getting cheeseburgers immediately. And I've been completely unkosher ever since."

Conclusion

In this episode of "Good Guys," Josh Peck, Ben Simon, and guest Jonah Platt navigate through a rich tapestry of Jewish traditions, personal struggles with religious practices, and the balance between maintaining cultural identity and assimilating into broader society. Through humor and honest dialogue, they offer listeners an engaging exploration of faith, family, and the ever-evolving nature of cultural observance.