Good Guys Podcast – Episode Summary

Podcast: Good Guys
Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer
Episode: Our First Live Caller!
Date: October 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively episode marks a new milestone for the "Good Guys" podcast as Josh and Ben introduce their very first live caller segment. With the signature banter, irreverent warmth, and relatable stories listeners have come to expect, the hosts dive into topics including fatherhood, birthday celebrations, live sports experiences, medical oddities, environmental anxieties, and listener advice. The episode oscillates between hilarious riffs and genuinely heartfelt moments, creating an engaging space for both laughs and meaningful conversations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Birthday Celebrations & LA Plans

• Josh’s son, Shy, is turning three. The birthday party's being hosted at Arena House (a cool LA event space), featuring a “bubbleologist” and a bounce house.
• Ben expresses excitement about bringing his son, Ruby, to LA, and the duo makes plans for shared meals, hikes, and outings during Ben’s visit.
  • Notable: Playful riff about confusing “Megan the Bubbleologist” with “Megan Thee Stallion” (02:02).

2. The Allure of Courtside Sporting Events (05:05–09:13)

• The hosts debate whether the privilege of sitting courtside at NBA games ever gets old, using anecdotes like Ben’s tight squeeze next to Michael J. Fox.
  • Quote (Ben, 06:03): “Michael was just like, can you move your fat leg? And I’m like, no… It’s there.”
• Discussion about the unique excitement of different live sports, from basketball to LAFC soccer.
• The joy of being close enough to observe players, coaches, and even referees (Josh, 09:16):
  "The greatest thing about being that close is hearing the players talk…It’s as much about managing the refs at this level."

3. Banking, ATMs, and Everyday Annoyances (14:18–16:24)

• The hosts lament ATM fees and share banking stories, poking fun at North American banking oddities and branches in LA and NY.

4. New Segment: Live Call-In with Teresa (20:35–29:11)

Meet Teresa (23:06)

• Teresa from Nashville phones in for fatherly advice as a first-time mom. Her problem: her devoted husband is too afraid to be left alone with their baby, worried about being unable to soothe him if he cries.
  • Advice & Insights:
    • Ben suggests practice runs, emphasizing it's okay for babies to cry if they're otherwise safe.
      • “He needs to also learn how to soothe…even if his baby is crying for an hour while you’re not there, nothing’s going to happen.” (Ben, 25:44)
    • Josh suggests the root is often confidence and tradition:
      • “She’s cued to his small volume changes…It terrifies me. For any dad, we’re such problem solvers that we’re like, ‘quickest, boom—done, outta here.’” (Josh, 26:13)
    • Both encourage Teresa to gently but firmly nudge her husband toward overcoming his fear.
• Segment Tone: Supportive, encouraging, with a blend of comedic reassurance for new parents.

5. Call-In Policies & Aspirations (29:29–31:10)

• The hosts joke about wanting juicier stories, from larceny to grand scandals ("We need you to raise the stakes…commit a crime!").
• Playful caution against topics that might bring the wrath of Scientology:
  • "If you want to escape Scientology…don’t call us, because they'll get our IP." (Ben, 30:57)

6. Medical & Historical Oddities (35:00–39:28)

• Olivia shares medieval cures: dog fat for joint pain, dried dog feces for wounds, and rooster testicles for fertility. Disgust is universal and entertaining.
  • “We killed a dog, took their fat and rubbed it in our ears.” (Ben, 38:36)
  • “Rooster testicles were prescribed to boost fertility…SHOUT OUT having a good day? How about not?” (Ben, 39:09)
• Josh recounts witnessing a Heimlich maneuver at a soccer game—both dramatic and embarrassing.

7. Modern Worries: Microplastics & Sodas (41:34–48:20)

• Discussion of a study linking diet soda and metabolic liver problems. Ben brings up microplastics, alarming listeners with the claim people ingest a credit card’s worth of plastic weekly.
  • “I was literally looking in my house. Like, I can’t give up plastic.” (Ben, 44:54)
  • Olivia helps clarify facts about the studies.
• Philosophy emerges: these problems feel so vast and entrenched that individuals can’t meaningfully avoid them (“It’s too inconvenient…I can’t do it.” — Ben, 47:48).

8. Moron Mail: Courthouse Weddings & Identity (52:51–62:49)

• Voicemail 1: Shelby asks about the merits of courthouse weddings on a tight budget.
  • Both Josh and Ben fully support courthouse weddings and simple, personalized celebrations.
    • “A big, opulent wedding is truly…only if you have a desire to throw money away.” (Josh, 54:21)
    • “If it’s good for the state, it’s good for me.” (Ben, 54:17)
• Voicemail 2: Samantha Young seeks advice about staying in a draining high-earning job vs. becoming a stay-at-home mom/yoga instructor after her husband’s raise.
  • Hosts encourage her to align her work-life balance with her genuine desires, not parental or partner expectations.
    • “Do what’s right for you. We can’t make this decision for you.” (Ben, 59:48)
    • “If the only limiting factor is…you grew up one way…it would feel hard…I’d say lean in because you can go back.” (Josh, 62:17)

9. Cheating in Europe: Listener Story (62:55–65:04)

• Question about whether to inform a woman about her Italian boyfriend’s infidelity.
  • Ben: “She definitely did the girlfriend a favor. But the girlfriend probably knew—he’s an Italian Stallion.”
  • Josh jokes about American girls on European vacations.

10. What Are You Nuts? (65:04–end)

• Ben’s “What Are You Nuts?”: Apple customer service AI has become “way too empathetic,” writing elaborate, obviously fake, personalized stories when handling address change requests.

  • “The empathy, the fake empathy…Just stop it. Are you nuts?” (Ben, 66:01)

• Josh’s “What Are You Nuts?”: The irony of “Atheists United” sponsoring a stretch of freeway—"Sounds like a church. What are you nuts?" (67:28)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• “What are you nuts?” — recurring episode catchphrase
• “Meals are what I look like. Maybe a movie. We could catch a film. I would love to go to a concert…” — Ben (04:40), describing his ideal way to hang in LA.
• “Hot dudes are not generous lovers. It’s betas like me and Ben.” — Josh (08:44)
• "Sometimes you need a superhero. We are not those guys." — Josh (30:51)
• “We thought that rubbing dried dog shit in an open wound was going to heal it. Walk me through that, Josh. Walk me through that.” — Ben (38:41)
• “The big issue with microplastics is they’re endocrine disruptors...they’re unavoidable and they mess with you…” — Josh (46:55)
• "If the only limiting factor is... you grew up one way... I'd say lean in because you can go back." — Josh (62:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Shy's Birthday & Party Talk: 00:38–03:53
• LA Plans & Ben’s Visit: 03:53–05:05
• Courtside Sports & Celebrities: 05:05–09:13
• Banking, ATM Stories: 14:18–16:24
• First Live Caller, Teresa: 20:35–29:11
• Raising the Stakes for Call-Ins: 29:29–31:10
• Medical Oddities & Heimlich Anecdotes: 35:00–39:28
• Plastic Anxiety Segment: 41:34–48:20
• Courthouse Wedding Advice: 52:51–55:50
• Working Mom Identity Dilemma: 56:25–62:49
• Cheating in Italy Story: 62:55–65:04
• 'What Are You Nuts?' Rant: 65:04–67:57

Tone & Takeaways

• Humorous & Honest: The hosts maintain an easy, witty dynamic, blending silly observations with sincere, practical advice.
• Listener-Centered: Live call-ins and voicemails allow for real community interaction, with the hosts treating each dilemma with both humor and empathy.
• Relatable Themes: Topics like parenting doubts, work-life balance, environmental guilt, and relationships ground the show in everyday life.

Recommended for:

• Fans of authentic, comedic takes on real-life problems
• Listeners needing parenting solidarity, practical advice, or relationship perspective
• Anyone who enjoys the intersection of irreverence and sincerity in pop culture podcasts

Catchphrase to leave you with:
"If you don't give us five stars, what are you, nuts?"