Podcast Summary: Good Guys – "Our 2025 Predictions!"

Episode Information:

• Title: Our 2025 Predictions!
• Host: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer
• Release Date: January 9, 2025

Introduction

In the premiere episode of the year, hosts Josh Peck and Ben Soffer dive into a mix of personal anecdotes, health discussions, pop culture commentary, and their bold predictions for 2025. The episode is lively, filled with humor, and showcases the dynamic chemistry between Josh, an actor and writer, and Ben, an entrepreneur and social media personality.

Health and Wellness: Caviar Mishap and Supplements (00:55 - 08:33)

The episode kicks off with Josh sharing a personal story about writing the podcast's new theme song, highlighting his dedication:

Josh (00:32): "Josh literally wrote it. I want you guys to know he was up all night, every night, writing by hand."

Ben transitions into discussing a New Year's Eve mishap involving excessive caviar consumption:

Ben (06:02): "I bought five of them, six of them. OK. I bring them home... From 12:30 in the morning until 2:30, your boy is just throwing up."

Josh and Ben humorously debate whether their sickness was due to caviar or other factors, touching upon the interaction between high-fat diets and medications like Ozempic:

Josh (07:53): "It's because it was so like, the 1 Kryptonite for Ozempic is high, high fat, right?"

They conclude with a light-hearted acknowledgement of their own health journeys and the importance of balanced nutrition.

Ad Breaks: Sponsored Segments Skipped

While the transcript includes several ad segments promoting products like Nutrafol and Element, these are omitted from the summary to focus on the core content as per the instructions.

Personal Anecdotes: Helping a Stranger and Public Behavior (04:11 - 05:54)

Josh recounts an encounter with a genuinely blind individual at the airport:

Josh (04:11): "He can see light. I've heard he can see light and dark. I mean, what are we talking about?"

Their conversation humorously explores societal perceptions of disabilities and appropriate public interactions, blending empathy with their trademark banter.

Pop Culture Commentary: TV Shows and Celebrity Gossip (17:09 - 19:54)

Josh and Ben delve into TV show favorites and celebrity happenings:

• Curb Your Enthusiasm: Ben references an episode involving Larry and a hooker, praising the show's humor.

• Sex and the City: Josh and Ben discuss rewatching the iconic series, with Ben critiquing Sarah Jessica Parker's character:

  Ben (18:09): "Except there. I'm sorry. Like, Sarah Jessica Parker is insufferable. Like, she's the one."

• Blake Lively Scandal: A significant portion is dedicated to discussing the smear campaign against Blake Lively, with Ben explaining how Justin Baldoni allegedly orchestrated negative publicity:

  Ben (33:19): "He paid publicists to put together a smear campaign against her. And that's why all of this stuff came out."

Their exchange highlights the challenges celebrities face with public relations and media portrayal.

Political and Economic Predictions for 2025 (26:08 - 43:09)

The core of the episode revolves around the hosts' predictions and opinions on political and economic issues:

• Healthcare System: Both Josh and Ben express frustration over the U.S. healthcare system's inefficiencies, citing its low global ranking despite high GDP:

  Ben (36:06): "We are 46th in healthcare. That's bananas."

• Mortgage Rates and Housing Market: They discuss the soaring mortgage rates and the housing affordability crisis, attributing some issues to corporate entities like BlackRock:

  Josh (37:58): "I think it's because the system is gamed and BlackRock is buying up all the houses."

• Billionaire Influence: The conversation shifts to the disproportionate influence of billionaires, particularly Elon Musk, and the barriers they create for the middle and lower classes:

  Ben (41:23): "They're so rich. They're so rich."

• Pharmaceutical Advertising: Josh criticizes the effectiveness and motives behind pharmaceutical ads, suggesting they primarily benefit pharmaceutical companies rather than consumers:

  Ben (28:21): "There's no way. I was watching the other day, Josh. I was watching CNBC."

• Optimism for the Future: Despite the challenges, Ben maintains an optimistic outlook for America:

  Ben (35:21): "I am optimistic to my core..."

Woody Nuts: Gripes and Pet Peeves (43:29 - 45:58)

In their weekly segment, "Woody Nuts," Josh and Ben share their pet peeves:

• Public Decency: Josh describes an uncomfortable encounter at Equinox with a naked individual in the locker room:

  Josh (43:32): "He was bending over. He was at the water fountain... What's your priorities?"

• Supplement Overdose: Ben humorously warns about the dangers of overconsumption while sharing his experience with magnesium overdose:

  Ben (44:49): "I overdosed myself on magnesium... I had to go up and. I could have just had 250 milligrams."

The segment combines relatable frustrations with their signature humor, providing a lighter counterbalance to the heavier topics discussed earlier.

Conclusion and Listener Engagement (25:03 - 26:10)

As the episode wraps up, Josh and Ben encourage listener interaction by proposing a community-driven approach to selecting future shows to watch and discuss. They invite listeners to vote via YouTube comments, emphasizing audience participation:

Josh (24:31): "Let the people decide. Do not lead them anymore."

They also hint at making predictions for the year and checking back on these predictions in future episodes, adding an element of continuity and anticipation for their audience.

Final Thoughts

"Our 2025 Predictions!" offers a blend of humor, personal stories, and insightful discussions on pressing societal issues. Josh and Ben's candid conversations about health, celebrity culture, and systemic economic challenges provide listeners with both entertainment and food for thought. Their approachable demeanor and engaging banter make complex topics accessible, ensuring the podcast remains both informative and enjoyable.

Notable Quotes:

• Josh (00:32): "Josh literally wrote it. I want you guys to know he was up all night, every night, writing by hand."
• Ben (06:02): "I bought five of them, six of them... and then my boy is just throwing up."
• Ben (33:19): "He paid publicists to put together a smear campaign against her."
• Ben (36:06): "We are 46th in healthcare. That's bananas."
• Ben (44:49): "I overdosed myself on magnesium... I could have just had 250 milligrams."

Timestamped Quotes Reference:

• Key quotes are highlighted with their respective timestamps to provide context and reference to specific segments within the episode.

Recommendation

For fans of candid, humorous discussions intertwined with substantive topics, "Good Guys" continues to deliver engaging content. This episode sets the tone for the year, promising a blend of entertainment and meaningful conversation.