Good Guys – "Scaling Taipei with Kanye and Baldoni"

Podcast: Good Guys (Dear Media)
Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer
Date: January 29, 2026

Episode Overview

In this highly topical and energetic episode, hosts Josh Peck and Ben Soffer dive into recent headlines, from Kanye West’s controversial apology to a daring building climb in Taipei, legal drama with Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, and a harrowing family tragedy involving the Reiner family. Joined by legal expert Lamor Mojdehi Azad ("Lawyer Lamour"), the Good Guys unpack forgiveness, the spectacle of public lawsuits, and the media’s role in celebrity culture—all with their signature mix of humor, sincerity, and pointed cultural critique.

Key Discussion Topics & Insights

1. Kanye West's Recent Apology and Forgiveness

Timestamps: 00:48–07:15

• The hosts open with cautious banter about Kanye West’s apology letter, refusing at first to address it ("I'm not talking about Kanye, no matter what you say." – Josh [00:48]), but are quickly drawn into discussing the public and strategic nature of celebrity apologies, especially when tied to new business ventures.
• Ben offers a critical perspective, questioning the genuineness:

  "It does seem like he loves to come around and say a really nice, written, heartfelt apology, and then all of a sudden, drop merch... They should make a case study about the fact that Kanye was able to monetize the swastika. That's unmonetizable." – Ben [01:17]

• They explore forgiveness in Jewish and Christian traditions, touching on Yom Kippur and the encouragement to back up apologies with actions.
• Josh adds a 12-step perspective:

  "Saying sorry is easy, but... Can you make a financial amends?... What can I offer you to make an actual physical or tangible amends to you?" [05:40]

• The ongoing tension of separating art from artist is explored with humor and honesty as Ben admits he never stopped listening to Kanye’s music, but questions the timing and authenticity of the apology.
• Josh shares personal recovery insights, expressing hope for redemption but skepticism about pattern behavior.

2. Spectacle & Danger: Alex Honnold’s Free Climb in Taipei

Timestamps: 10:17-12:23, 13:59–22:00, 51:17–53:25

• Ben recounts the nerve-wracking experience of watching Alex Honnold free-climb Taipei 101, emphasizing the sheer danger and his own visceral response:

  "I had jelly in my legs. I felt like I was going to throw up at every single moment." – Ben [10:56]

• Josh, who knows Honnold, explains the climber’s mindset and track record, contextualizing the Taipei climb as “nothing” compared to Yosemite’s El Capitan:

  "For a Michael Jordan character like him, it... seems easy. But nothing like that's easy." – Josh [20:33]

• Legal expert Lamour joins in, highlighting the behind-the-scenes risk management, insurance, and the unique appeal of “rope-less” climbing for audiences:

  "There are...safety protocols in place that we just can’t see... There has to be something." – Lamour [17:37]

• They debate risk, safety, spectacle, and the economics of such stunts:

  "Netflix. What are you nuts? The guy just risked his life. You need to at least give him a million bucks." – Ben [51:59]

3. ICE and Legal Questions of Accountability

Timestamps: 21:27–25:26

• A sobering segment centers on alleged abuses by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Minnesota.
• Lamour expresses doubt about meaningful investigations and highlights the problem of immunity for agents:

  "If you want to murder someone, join ICE, go to their house, pretend it's about something else. Honestly, that's really what’s going on." – Lamour [22:51]

• Ben and Josh react with outrage to the idea of unchecked power, pressing for independent investigations and accountability.

4. Hollywood Lawsuits: Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift

Timestamps: 29:01–39:58

• Lamour breaks down the latest court events, including the unsealing of text messages between stars like Taylor Swift and Blake Lively.
• The hosts discuss the public’s appetite for lawsuit drama and the reputational risks of litigating in the public eye:

  "If you sue 99% of the time, you're a loser... Settle it somewhere else. You don't need national media attention." – Ben [31:42]

• Lamour explains the legal process of discovery and how digital forensics reveal hidden or suspicious activity.
• Public shaming and the social media smear cycle are debated—the consensus is that public lawsuits often backfire for all involved:

  "The craziest part is they seem to still be going to trial in March." – Lamour [31:19]

• Josh offers a more strategic, private approach for handling disputes, but Lamour points out the role of ego and the deliberate decision celebrities make to litigate publicly:

  "If you're looking to...have the media attention help you and then be upset when you look like a loser...that’s what happened." – Ben [35:22]

5. The Reiner Family Tragedy: Legal and Moral Complexity

Timestamps: 42:04–50:10

• They discuss the harrowing case where Nick Reiner, son of Rob Reiner, is on trial for the murder of his parents, exploring legal concepts like the insanity defense and “slayer statutes.”
• Lamour lays out the family dynamics, defense strategies, and tragic moral dilemmas:

  "Did you, even for one day where you were funding the defense for your brother who killed both of your parents... It’s just really worst case scenario." – Lamour [43:54]

• They analyze the difference between prison and locked psychiatric care, concluding neither will benefit the family and that more public transparency simply compounds the trauma.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Kanye’s Apology:

  "If this is the last thing that he does, if he apologizes… all I want to do is play Graduation at my next party." – Ben [04:08]

• On Forgiveness:

  "We're definitely conditioned to forgive. We like to see you back these things up… And then we'll keep trying with you, right?" – Ben [02:20]

• On Public Lawsuits:

  "If you sue 99% of the time, you’re a loser. …Just like, settle it somewhere else. You don't need national media attention." – Ben [31:42]

• On Celebrity Image:

  "When you have the money to be petty and you're down to be petty, it will never stop." – Josh [35:46]

• On Alex Honnold’s Climb:

  "No one would watch it [if he was secured]. …So they have to make it entertaining." – Lamour [19:49]

• On ICE and Accountability:

  "We’re really shit out of luck with all of this, and it’s really disgusting. …At this point, honestly, in my opinion, if you want to murder someone, join ICE." – Lamour [22:51]

• On Legal Practice:

  "You could always bring a civil lawsuit for wrongful death... But in this case… they want this horror story to end, and it's never going to end." – Lamour [47:56]

Timestamped Highlights

• 00:48-07:15: Kanye’s apology dissected; forgiveness in Judaism and 12-step programs.
• 10:17-12:23, 13:59-22:00: Reactions to Alex Honnold’s Taipei climb; insurance/legal risk; spectacle vs. safety.
• 21:27–25:26: ICE abuses, legal immunity, and the call for third-party accountability.
• 29:01–39:58: Legal deep-dive on the Justin Baldoni/Blake Lively lawsuit; celebrity privacy and public shaming.
• 42:04–50:10: The Reiner family tragedy and the intersection of mental illness, law, and public trauma.
• 51:17–53:25: "What Are You, Nuts?" – light-hearted gripes, including Alex Honnold’s Netflix compensation and loud car exhausts.

Guest Spotlight

Lamor Mojdehi Azad (“Lawyer Lamour”)

• California attorney, court TV and pop culture legal commentator, known for demystifying legal cases for the public.

Tone and Style

The episode is a dynamic blend of comic relief and thoughtful cultural critique. Josh and Ben effortlessly pivot between irreverence and gravity, embracing the chaos of modern celebrity and media culture while never losing their sense of empathy or humor.

For Listeners

If you missed this episode, expect a rollercoaster of hot takes on major news, inside-Hollywood gossip, hard truths about legal and moral accountability, and honest discussions on forgiveness, addiction, and the bizarre world of internet spectacle.

Memorable, hilarious, and at times deeply insightful—this episode is a quintessential listen for fans of the Good Guys.