Podcast Summary: Good Guys – "Shoutout Gen Z, I Guess?" (May 12, 2025)
In the episode titled "Shoutout Gen Z, I Guess?", hosts Josh Peck and Ben Soffer delve into a variety of topics ranging from personal anecdotes and charitable initiatives to spirituality, automotive humor, parenting challenges, and listener interactions. The conversation is infused with their characteristic humor and candid discussions, making it both engaging and insightful for listeners.
1. Personal Anecdotes and Weight Loss Journey
Duration: [00:36] - [01:35]
Ben kicks off the episode by sharing a personal milestone in his weight loss journey. He humorously discusses achieving a weight where he feels comfortable being clean-shaven again, highlighting the social perceptions tied to his appearance.
- Ben Soffer: "When I'm over 254 and I'm clean shaven, I look like a lesbian" ([00:36]).
Josh playfully teases Ben about his appearance, maintaining the light-hearted banter that sets the tone for the episode.
- Josh Peck: "But I hate to break it to you, you still, you look like you're into women." ([01:16]).
2. Charitable Initiatives: Feeding the Homeless
Duration: [01:43] - [07:39]
The conversation shifts to charity, with Josh sharing his experiences volunteering with "Feed the Streets," an organization dedicated to assisting homeless individuals in downtown LA by distributing donuts, coffee, water, and fruit.
- Josh Peck: "I go to do feed the streets and on skid row in downtown LA and we go give out donuts and coffee and waters and fruit to the wonderful people living down there..." ([01:43]).
Ben expresses enthusiasm for brainstorming charitable ideas, proposing the creation of a modern soup kitchen that offers a variety of flavorful options to cater to diverse dietary preferences among the homeless population.
- Ben Soffer: "This is the future of giving back." ([04:27]).
They emphasize the importance of providing choices, arguing that even homeless individuals have dietary preferences that deserve respect and consideration.
- Ben Soffer: "Giving homeless people options is a lovely idea, and I feel like it doesn't happen enough." ([05:49]).
Highlight Quote:
- Ben Soffer: "You get to pick from a beautiful board of options. You want a Tuscan white bean. You want a Mexican chicken, a pasta pozole." ([04:27]).
3. Spirituality and Religion
Duration: [13:19] - [18:08]
Josh recounts a recent conversation with comedian George Janko about spirituality and faith. He reflects on how his access to spirituality was nurtured through sobriety and aligns with universal religious truths such as forgiveness and integrity.
- Josh Peck: "My access to spirituality came through sobriety, but it's... forgiveness and surrender and acceptance and acts of service..." ([13:02]).
Ben and guest Sarah Foster join the discussion, exploring the nuances between being deeply religious and merely following routine practices. They critique the notion of unsolicited religious preaching, advocating instead for authentic, action-based expressions of faith.
- Sarah Foster: "I think that... there are different ways to get to the end result." ([16:08]).
Highlight Quote:
- Ben Soffer: "It's the antithesis, in my opinion, of a truly religious person." ([16:08]).
4. Golf Improvements and Practice
Duration: [18:08] - [21:06]
Ben shares his recent achievements in golf, attributing his improved performance to dedicated practice sessions and lessons from his instructor, Tyler.
- Ben Soffer: "I've gotten a bunch of lessons that certainly helped..." ([19:15]).
He humorously contrasts his approach with typical casual players, emphasizing the importance of structured practice in honing his skills.
- Ben Soffer: "I'm actively practicing. So then when I go out and I play, I just dedicate an hour to hitting 200 golf balls..." ([19:15]).
5. Automotive Humor and Car Buying Insights
Duration: [26:04] - [32:49]
The duo transitions to discussing their quest for a new family-friendly vehicle, focusing on the Genesis brand. They humorously debate car aesthetics, practicality, and reliability, poking fun at automotive jargon and dealership experiences.
- Ben Soffer: "We're looking for a car that is good for having a nice baby in the backseat. Safety is important." ([21:06]).
They introduce their favorite auto broker, Natick, highlighting his unconventional methods and the incredible deals he secures for them, albeit with comedic exaggerations about the condition of the vehicles.
- Josh Peck: "He's genetically looking for the car for me. He's calling a bunch of dealerships. He's gonna give me a great deal." ([28:25]).
Highlight Quote:
- Ben Soffer: "Nalts are the solution... I'm telling you, bro Nautic. Got the deals if you're living in the San Fernando Valley." ([28:25]).
6. Parenting in Public: Managing Toddlers at Restaurants
Duration: [32:26] - [36:19]
Josh shares a frustrating experience involving a toddler's behavior in a restaurant, sparking a discussion on parental responsibilities and social expectations. They debate the balance between accommodating young children and maintaining decorum in public spaces.
- Josh Peck: "If you are going to elect to eat out, you need to have a system in place where... it can't happen." ([34:29]).
Ben agrees, emphasizing that while toddlers should be allowed some freedom, boundaries are essential to ensure a pleasant dining experience for all patrons.
- Ben Soffer: "This is bizarre behavior on the mother's part as well." ([33:38]).
Highlight Quote:
- Josh Peck: "You can't mess with a kid's nap time, especially at that age. Shy's two and a half. He'll be three before you know it." ([46:08]).
7. Fast Casual Indian Food Market Opportunity
Duration: [35:36] - [37:01]
Josh and Ben brainstorm the idea of introducing a fast-casual Indian restaurant concept that mirrors the success of brands like Chipotle. They propose a "naan" sandwich shop offering customizable fillings wrapped in naan bread, aiming to fill a perceived gap in the market for quick, flavorful Indian cuisine.
- Ben Soffer: "It's just called naan. And it all goes on a naan." ([35:48]).
They express enthusiasm for Indian cuisine's versatility and appeal, particularly its adaptability to vegetarian diets without compromising on flavor.
- Josh Peck: "We should make that a series." ([35:04]).
8. Sexual Performance Insights from an OnlyFans Model
Duration: [37:01] - [39:15]
The hosts discuss an article featuring Arabella Mia, a 27-year-old OnlyFans model who candidly shares her experiences and advice on sexual performance. She critiques the tendency of some men to focus solely on penetration, advocating for better communication and mutual satisfaction.
- Arabella Mia (as discussed by Josh): "Women are known to fake their orgasms in bed because men can't seem to get the job done." ([37:00]).
Ben and Josh humorously react to her insights, with Ben commending Mia's directness and Josh expressing admiration for her candidness.
Highlight Quote:
- Josh Peck: "They're in the mood for Banh mi. Why not something fun and different..." ([05:49]).
9. Listener Questions: Social Media and Divorce
Duration: [41:27] - [43:45]
The hosts address a listener's dilemma regarding social media behavior during a divorce. The question revolves around whether to delete photos of a spouse and how to manage online presence post-divorce.
- Listener: "Do I just get rid of it? Do I play it cool? Do I slowly start deleting them?" ([41:27]).
Ben advises that if the spouse has already deleted the photos en masse, it's appropriate for the listener to do the same to avoid appearing as if they are holding on to the past.
- Ben Soffer: "You delete all the pictures." ([42:48]).
Josh adds that maintaining social media integrity post-divorce is important for personal growth and future relationships.
10. Listener Questions: Wedding Scheduling with a Toddler
Duration: [43:45] - [47:07]
Emily seeks advice on a wedding schedule that requires her one-year-old son to be present without proper breaks or a designated nap time, raising concerns about practicality and the well-being of the child.
- Emily: "My one year old son is supposed to be at the venue without a nap or any place to really get out his energy..." ([43:52]).
Josh and Ben concur that the demands are unreasonable, emphasizing that the child's needs should take precedence over rigid scheduling.
- Josh Peck: "You have to do what's right for that kid and everyone should understand that. Period." ([46:27]).
11. Listener Questions: Coping with Pet Loss
Duration: [47:12] - [50:23]
Haley reaches out for advice on grieving the loss of a beloved dog and inquiring about the appropriate time to adopt a new pet to aid in the healing process.
- Haley: "How long did you wait before getting Romeo after you lost Theo?" ([47:12]).
Ben suggests adopting a new dog promptly to help heal, though his approach is delivered with their trademark humor.
- Ben Soffer: "Get a new dog immediately... it's an awful feeling." ([48:03]).
Josh reinforces the idea, underscoring the emotional benefits of companionship during grief.
12. "What Are You Nuts?" Moments: Observing Humanity's Quirks
Duration: [50:23] - [54:30]
In their signature segment, the hosts share recent encounters that left them bewildered by people's actions. Ben recounts a threat he received while walking with his smoothie and encountering a potential aggressor with a machete.
- Ben Soffer: "All I have to say is, what are you nuts?" ([50:23]).
Josh shares a humorous story about a dinner mishap where his children's food wasn't served, leading to an awkward dining experience.
- Josh Peck: "The worst thing you can do is bring out everyone but the kids' food." ([53:06]).
They conclude the segment with mutual agreement on the absurdity of the situations encountered, maintaining their playful rapport.
Highlight Quote:
- Ben Soffer: "What are you nuts?" ([50:23]).
Conclusion
The episode "Shoutout Gen Z, I Guess?" showcases Josh Peck and Ben Soffer's dynamic interplay as they navigate a breadth of topics with humor and sincerity. From personal stories and charitable initiatives to deep dives into spirituality and candid listener advice, the hosts create a relatable and entertaining narrative that resonates with a diverse audience.
Closing Remark: Josh and Ben wrap up by encouraging listeners to rate the podcast highly and stay connected through various platforms, maintaining their engaging presence in the media landscape.
Notable Quotes:
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Ben Soffer: "You get to pick from a beautiful board of options. You want a Tuscan white bean. You want a Mexican chicken, a pasta pozole." ([04:27]).
-
Josh Peck: "You can't mess with a kid's nap time, especially at that age. Shy's two and a half. He'll be three before you know it." ([46:08]).
-
Ben Soffer: "What are you nuts?" ([50:23]).