Good Guys Podcast – “The Carrie Bradshaw of Istanbul”
Date: September 8, 2025
Hosts: Josh Peck and Ben Soffer
Network: Dear Media
Episode Overview
This episode is classic Good Guys: Ben and Josh riff on everything from childhood quirks and family hoarding, to the international phenomenon of Turkish hair transplants and pickpocketing, plus healthy doses of relationship and wedding advice for listeners. They keep the banter quick, funny, and relatable, mixing real-life confessions with cultural observations, all while fielding listener voicemails seeking wisdom and a signature “What Are You, Nuts?” rant.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Aging Icons, Compliment Etiquette, and Hair Stories (00:26–02:43)
- Josh teases Ben by introducing him as "Jennifer Lopez’s caregiver," leading to a riff on how to compliment women respectfully.
- Quote: “Can we say that women look tight without it being inappropriate? She looks tight.” — Ben (00:43)
- The duo reminisce about the persisting popularity of orange sodas (Crush, Sunkist, Fanta), segueing into their own “graphic tee” adolescence and confessions of shirt-chewing childhood habits.
- Ben discusses bending shirt collars out of compulsion—possibly an OCD tic passed on to the next generation.
2. Family Hoarding, Parental Collections, and Old-School Keepsakes (05:08–11:08)
- Ben’s parents are described as “Hoarder Lite,” stashing belongings in friends’ garages, leading to jokes about sentimental but unnecessary keepsakes.
- Quote: “I have an ottoman that is to die for, and I cannot bear giving it away.” — Josh (05:46)
- The hosts recall traditional gifts such as engraved Tiffany cups and bronze baby shoes.
- Josh’s mother’s eccentricities include DoorDash orders from Costco for bulk fruit and a Van Gogh-style commissioned painting of Josh (dubbed “Joshi Starry Night”).
3. Elderly and Online Scams, Data Privacy, and Two-Factor Fatigue (11:29–14:20)
- The dangers of scammers targeting older parents are highlighted, with personal stories of scam calls and texts.
- Andy Cohen’s experience with cell phone forwarding scams is discussed as a warning to listeners.
- Quote: “These scammers, Josh, and they're targeting the elderly... it's sick.” — Ben (11:35)
- The conversation pivots into frustrations with ever-increasing two- or three-factor authentication steps and Apple’s new location-aware password resets.
4. Ben’s Hair Loss Journey – Ozempic, Minoxidil, and the Lure of Turkey (17:07–21:56)
- Ben candidly shares about hair thinning, its possible connection to Ozempic and rapid weight loss, and his experience using Nutrafol and minoxidil.
- Quote: “I took minoxidil for two years and the top of my head looked identical. So I'm ready to get a hair transplant.” — Ben (18:27)
- Before booking surgery, Ben’s dermatologist suggests simply upping his minoxidil dosage—result: significant improvement in 45 days.
- Discussion of the booming Turkish cosmetic surgery market (especially for hair transplants), risks while traveling in Istanbul, and anecdotes of pickpocketing.
- Quote: “You know what the great comedian Dan Soder calls hair transplants? Hair tits. That’s what it is for a man.” — Josh (20:32)
5. Plastic Surgery, “Carrie Bradshaw of Istanbul,” and Elective Procedures (23:08–26:57)
- Ben and Josh riff on cosmetic procedures done internationally, referencing a viral trend of nose jobs in Turkey and the freedom to recover anonymously abroad (“Carrie Bradshaw of Istanbul”).
- They fantasize about the elective surgeries they’d choose: Ben pines for improved shoulder mobility; Josh wants his love handles snipped (“snatched from behind”).
- Quote: “Within the next 10…I’ll say 10 years, the breast surgery that Terry doesn’t think can be done will get done. You don’t think AI is just in robotics, they’re just going to figure it out?” — Ben (25:02)
6. Listener Questions & Relationship Advice (31:21–48:31)
A. Wedding Dilemma: Dad’s New Girlfriend (31:37–35:42)
- A listener asks for advice: her future father-in-law wants to bring his new girlfriend to a wedding less than a year after the divorce, which would deeply upset the ex-wife.
- Ben’s take: New girlfriend should not be invited; it’s too soon and will disrupt family harmony.
- Quote: “Under six months, you just don’t know. Then she’s in pictures forever…so much awkwardness.” — Ben (32:42)
- Josh: Prioritize the happiness of the ex-wife and the couple getting married—“He was married to this woman for X amount of time…don’t make your ex uncomfortable, and don’t make your kid uncomfortable.” (34:53)
B. Britney Spears-Style Theme Song (36:01–38:25)
- Listener Katie thrills the hosts (and audience) with a hilarious, nasally Britney Spears rendition of the Good Guys theme song.
- Quote: “That was a little Britney and a little Devora with a deviated septum…” — Ben (37:05)
- Ben and Josh joke about extending their theme song with rapper features from Ludacris, hologram Biggie, and Pitbull impressions.
C. The Commitment-Phobic Boyfriend (39:04–48:31)
- Rachel, dating a man for 6–7 months, can't get him to call her “girlfriend”; she senses he’s using the excuse of “missing out on his 20s” (he’s 31).
- Olivia offers: Rachel’s feelings are valid; ultimatum is tricky when someone has commitment issues, but clarity is needed.
- Ben suggests a “reverse-ultimatum”: Rachel should step back and say she needs space, shifting the power dynamic.
- Quote: “He now has all the power. You need to drastically shift the power dynamic and say, look, I think we need to take a break…I need a week to think about this.” — Ben (42:25)
- Josh reframes: Don’t do it just for the result, but to honor your own boundaries, and let the chips fall—sometimes, tough clarity now avoids greater heartache later.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Hair Loss and Doses:
“Minoxidil. 5 milligrams, 45 days. That’s it. That’s all it took. In addition to Nutrafol. … Before you get fucking surgery, just make sure that you’ve exhausted all of your other options.” – Ben (19:41) -
On Parental Hoarding:
“They have, like, 10 friends that are holding, like, a random sofa, or… You’re never gonna reupholster it.” – Ben (05:14) -
On Wedding Family Dynamics:
“Don’t make your ex uncomfortable, and by the way, don’t make your kid uncomfortable, because as happy as they are for you, it’s about being there for your kid. And the way to do that is by being there for their mom.” – Josh (34:53) -
On Relationship Red Flags:
“After seven months, I think that makes you a dirtbag. You’re stringing her along… Find a more flirtatious, easygoing, with the wind girl. That’s not this girl.” – Ben (47:16)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:43 — Shirt-chewing tics, parental hoarding, and collections
- 09:34 — Josh’s Van Gogh-style portrait and his mom’s quirks
- 11:29 — Elderly scam calls and data security anxiety
- 17:07 — Ben’s hair loss, minoxidil journey, and Turkey’s appeal for hair transplants
- 21:49 — Istanbul travel hazards, pickpocket stories, “Carrie Bradshaw of Istanbul”
- 23:46 — Elective cosmetic surgeries and technological hopes
- 31:37 — Wedding etiquette: new partners post-divorce
- 36:01 — Britney Spears-style theme song by listener Katie
- 39:04 — “Should I give an ultimatum?”: Commitment-phobe boyfriend dilemma
- 48:31 — “What Are You, Nuts?” rant: the dreaded diner orange slice and Jewish prayer books at Rikers
Final Segment: What Are You, Nuts? Rants (48:33–52:10)
- Ben’s Rant: Diner breakfast garnishes (“loose romaine leaf & orange slice”) are useless: "What are you, nuts?"
- Josh’s Rant: The irony of Jewish prayer books at Rikers Island; the anxiety of Jewish mothers inflating their children’s minor accomplishments.
Tone & Style
The conversation is loose, self-deprecating, punchy, and sometimes veers into heartfelt territory. Listener interactions are treated with real empathy and seasoned with humor, while Josh and Ben’s banter remains the centerpiece: quick-witted, neurotic, and always relatable.
For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is a buffet of nostalgia, modern anxieties, and hilarious cultural commentary—all delivered in the signature Good Guys style.