Good Guys Podcast: "The TRUTH About Nepo Babies"

Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer
Date: September 29, 2025
Podcast: Good Guys (Dear Media)

Overview

In this lively episode, Josh and Ben go deep on the topic of "nepo babies"—children of famous or successful parents who follow in their footsteps—and whether their privilege is a problem or a legitimate dream. Much of the conversation is spurred by the recent Charlie Sheen documentary, prompting a wider exploration of nepotism in Hollywood, family privilege in general, and how it can be both a leg up and a burden. Along the way, they riff on everything from New York private school hierarchies, holiday song-writing, parenthood, addiction, and pizza obsessions. The tone is irreverent, candid, and full of their trademark banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Banter & Personal Stories (00:01–12:33)

• Hats, Hair, and Headaches

  • Ben and Josh open with a comedic riff about hats and head shapes, with Ben lamenting that no hats fit his "egg-ish" head and pitching a business around custom-fit hats. Josh shares his struggles with "North African, Howard Stern-type" thick, unruly hair, sharing the lengths (literally) he goes to for manageability.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Josh: "I have great hair because I have a lot of it, but it's very coarse. It's very North African. It's very thick. ... She put her hand in my hair and went, wow, it's like a dog." (04:08)
  • Ben proposes a custom hat business; Josh: "I'm down to clown." (03:18)
  • Lively banter about 40th birthdays, evolving hair, and the midlife urge to grow hair out one more time.

• Anecdotes From School Days

  • They recall Jewish private school soccer games, the kids at Friends Seminary, and comically losing to the "deaf school" team. Ben jokes, "Jews can't even beat the deaf in soccer." (08:00)

New York Private School Hierarchy (12:33–15:15)

• Private Schools & Stereotypes

  • Josh and Ben discuss NYC's private school pecking order. Friends Seminary is pegged as a "super-enlightened, crunchy, bullshit artist" institution, while Dwight is "dumb white guys getting high together." Dalton, Horace Mann, and others fill out the spectrum.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Josh: "Friends Seminary to me were rich, rich kids whose parents were parading as... super enlightened bullshit artists." (12:44)

• Performing Arts High School

  • Josh describes NYC's performing arts school hierarchy and the difference between elite conservatories and his own "ratchet" school that was open to all backgrounds if you had talent. Noted alumni and the realities of less-glamorous success and opportunity.

Holiday Songwriting & Jewish Christmas Music (15:15–21:41)

• Christmas Album Brainstorm

  • The duo jokes about blending Hanukkah and Christmas in a parody song, "Oy Vey, It's Christmas", and writing a mixed-holiday album.
  • Josh: "Famously, almost exclusively, Jews have written all the great Christmas music." (19:16)
  • They list classic Christmas songs authored by Jewish songwriters.
  • Ben: "And last but not least, Oy vey. It's Christmas by Josh Peck and Ben Sofer. I'm telling you, Josh, it is a hit." (20:19)

• They riff on possibly launching a Patreon for exclusive wild content, and perhaps debuting their holiday single there.

Nepo Babies and Privilege: The Charlie Sheen Discussion (28:26–35:47)

Charlie Sheen Documentary & Nepo Baby Debate (28:26–39:44)

• Charlie Sheen’s Legacy & Nepotism

  • Ben admits he only knew Sheen from "Two and a Half Men" and didn’t realize the full extent of Sheen's family legacy (Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez).
  • Notable Quote:
    • Ben: "I'm fascinated by the fact that nobody's ever called [Charlie Sheen] a nepo baby... he's the definition of a nepo baby." (29:16)

• Privilege and Accountability

  • Both hosts agree that nepotism isn't inherently bad if balanced with talent and humility. The true issue is when privileged kids ignore their head start.
  • Josh: "You understand you were born on third base, like totally." (31:53)
  • Ben advocates that privilege should be acknowledged and celebrated rather than villainized, provided it's paid forward and recognized.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • Ben: "Privilege should be celebrated. You should a thousand percent be aware that you're privileged. But then it should be celebrated." (32:55)

• Parenting, Morality, & Responsibility

  • Discussion on whether kids of privilege owe something to society and the influence of parenting versus economic circumstance.
  • Ben: “Teaching your kids morals has nothing to do with how much money you have.” (34:42)
  • Josh: “Your cover charge for your great life... is giving back.” (34:10)

Charlie Sheen: Addiction, Family Support & Opportunity (39:44–47:52)

• Addiction & Talent

  • The hosts marvel at how Sheen's talent and resilience repeatedly landed him top opportunities even after public meltdowns.
  • Ben: “Maybe it's just talent... how does this keep happening to this guy?” (36:59)
  • Josh: “If he wasn't so damn talented... people were like, God, you're undeniable, even through this B.S.” (36:59)

• Family Loyalty

  • Ben admires the Sheen/Eastvez family for their loyalty and support through Charlie's many troubles:
    • “The last thing that I'll say about it is that his family is so unbelievably amazing... They will never stop loving me until I. I'm dead. And it was just very powerful because you don't always see that.” (46:22)
  • Josh shares a story from recovery:
    • “He would get in the car and he would say two things. He'd say, turn off the radio and listen to God.” (47:32)

Listener Questions & Advice (48:14–56:17)

Speak Pipe #1: Responding to “Are You Pregnant?” (48:14–51:18)

• Listener "Anonymous" seeks advice on witty ways to reply when asked if she’s pregnant (when she is not).
  • Ben: “People need to shut the upper and you absolutely never, ever, ever, ever, ever congratulate a woman on being pregnant unless you know that she's pregnant. Like that is just like 101.” (49:12)
  • Josh and Ben role-play scenarios and ultimately endorse her "No, I'm just fat" response for its honesty and power.

Speak Pipe #2: Secret Pizza Addiction (51:29–54:36)

• Listener Ryan confesses habitually sneaking pizza, even after dinners with his girlfriend, asking for guidance.
  • Both hosts laugh and support honesty in relationships.
  • Ben: "Just tell her that you are eating pizza. It's not a big deal. And you sound skinny. Okay?” (52:28)
  • Josh: “He should go date pregnant girl. They'll go for pizza together.” (52:17)
  • They joke about "pizza blackout" and compare the compulsion to addiction humorously.

Quick Hits & Funny Bits

• Ozempic, Allergies, and Fat Jokes (54:36–56:17)
  • Josh details a mild allergic reaction to micro-dosing weight loss medication, pondering if it's a sign from above.
  • The hosts imagine an after-school special called “Fighting Inflammation.”

What Are You, Nuts? Moments (56:30–58:52)

• Josh: Annoyed by people who bring outside toys to the park—"There's shit at the park. Leave your shit at home!" (56:30)
• Ben: Rants about supplement containers hiding the scoop at the bottom—“Tape the spoon to the top of the jar. This must change.” (57:34)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "I'm down to clown." — Josh Peck (03:18)
• "Jews can't even beat the deaf in soccer." — Ben Soffer (08:00)
• "Friends Seminary to me were rich, rich kids whose parents were parading as... super enlightened bullshit artists." — Josh Peck (12:44)
• "Privilege should be celebrated. You should a thousand percent be aware that you're privileged. But then it should be celebrated." — Ben Soffer (32:55)
• "You understand you were born on third base." — Josh Peck (31:53)
• "Just tell her that you are eating pizza. It's not a big deal. And you sound skinny.” — Ben Soffer (52:28)
• “Turn off the radio and listen to God.” — Old-timer from Josh’s recovery story (47:32)

Segment Timestamps

• 0:01–12:33 — Banter, hats, hair, Clydesdales, and NYC school memories
• 12:33–15:15 — New York private & performing arts schools
• 15:15–21:41 — Christmas music, Jewish songwriters, and children's programming ideas
• 28:26–39:44 — Charlie Sheen doc, nepotism, privilege, and family business
• 39:44–47:52 — Addiction, family loyalty, and powerful recovery stories
• 48:14–51:18 — Speak Pipe: Pregnancy question comebacks
• 51:29–54:36 — Speak Pipe: Secret pizza addiction
• 56:30–58:52 — What Are You, Nuts? rants

Episode Takeaways

• Nepotism is nuanced: It's not bad if combined with gratitude, accountability, and talent. The problem is entitlement, not opportunity.
• Privilege should be acknowledged, not villainized: If you benefit from your family's hard work, acknowledge it and give back.
• Support is vital: Charlie Sheen's story underlines how family and second chances (sometimes third, fourth, and fifth) can make a difference.
• Be honest, be human: Whether answering intrusive questions or confessing small vices, honesty (with a little humor) goes a long way.

If you want the full irreverent, honest, and comedic take on nepotism, privilege, and New York nostalgia—plus some actual advice—listen to this episode.