Good Guys Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: We're Running for Office
Date: August 21, 2025
Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer
Podcast: Good Guys (Dear Media)

Main Theme / Purpose

In this humor-filled episode, Josh and Ben riff on the concept of running for political office—specifically, Ben's hypothetical run for mayor of New York. Their conversation kicks off with political satire, then veers into everyday gripes and delights, from the woes of government services and the realities of free groceries to hors d'oeuvres rankings and personal stories. The episode's primary through-line is the hilarious (and sometimes poignant) observation of life, social customs, health hacks, and parenting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Would Ben Run for Mayor? (00:24–04:32)

• Ben jokes about running for NY mayor as an independent, campaigning on free food.
• They debate whether “free groceries” is a viable or even fair policy.
• Ben (03:11): "You can't give me free groceries without the quality of my groceries, the availability of my groceries and potentially the ingredients...becoming completely compromised."
• They agree government-run consumer services often disappoint compared to private ones (DMV example), and Ben prefers individual charity over government programs for free food.

2. Politicians, Berets, and New York Characters (05:06–06:14)

• Gentle roasting of former and would-be NY mayors (Eric Adams, Curtis Sliwa).
• Extended inside joke about Curtis Sliwa's iconic beret.
• Josh (05:51): "You think he wears that beret during, like a romantic interlude?"

3. What Makes Local Politics Appealing? (06:14–08:16)

• The guys see more appeal in being mayor of a small town (perks like a regular table at restaurants) versus urban political headaches.
• Laugh about the ribbon-cutting duties of big city mayors and how physically demanding (and pointless) that might get.

4. Small Bites & Party Hors D’Oeuvres (08:21–12:14)

• Josh laments the concept of “small bites” at parties—wants "big bites and leave me alone."
• Hors d’oeuvres rankings: pig in a blanket, spring roll with Thai chili, tuna tartare cones, mini fried chicken & waffles (too much for standing!), chicken fingers with creme fraiche.
• Ben (10:48): "I love you get a chicken finger with a little creme fraiche with a dollop of fabulous. Oh, how easy is that?"

5. Jewish Rituals & Life Milestones (12:14–15:07)

• Josh shares memories from bar mitzvahs and the "Aaliyah" honor.
• Comedic rant about being prepared when called to read or participate in rituals.
• Josh (13:46): "It was my first role, my bar mitzvah. I'm in it to win it. This is why I'm a great lover. I want the Oscar in everything I do."

6. Sponsor Breaks & Family Catch-ups (17:13–22:03)

• Updates on their children (“Shy,” “Meyer,” “Ruby/Booby”).
• Extended, playful riff on pet nicknames and the social risk/reward of odd names.

7. AI Modeling in Fashion Campaigns (22:05–23:43)

• News: Guess uses an AI model that looks like a Kate Upton/Margot Robbie hybrid.
• Concern over using celebrity likenesses as "prompts" for AI images without compensation.
• Ben (23:02): "If you can give a person as a prompt, Josh, they should get paid."

8. Bizarre News: Florida’s Triple-Husband (23:43–26:05)

• The story of a Florida man with three concurrent marriages.
• Jokes about how someone could get away with it, especially with "green eyes."
• Prison “hotness” and the perks of viral mugshots are discussed.

9. Biohacking, Health Optimization, and Cold Plunges (26:37–30:59)

• Josh discusses attending an event with biohacker Ben Greenfield at a health spa—"infrared saunas, cold plunges, the works."
• The duo compares notes on cold plunging, different temperature benefits, and the challenges of tight ice baths.
• Advice: leaving the spa "cold" post-plunge for ongoing metabolic benefits.

10. Adulthood, Advil Habits & Eastern Medicine (31:02–34:19)

• Feeling old: Josh rewards himself with Advil.
• Their “sick cocktails” (Mucinex, DayQuil, and more), the power of Placebo & Eastern medicine, and Ben’s fictional “Longevity Institute.”
• Josh (32:25): "You're giving me hajjida." (in response to Ben's 'Hajj to Norway' comedy bit)

11. Supplements: Red Yeast Rice & The Supplementation Debate (39:22–44:16)

• Josh shares insights from a TikTok doctor: red yeast rice, while "natural," is unpredictable and pricier than pharmacy statins.
• Ben’s skepticism of pills and preference for “natural” remedies; they joke about his turmeric-induced itchiness and the lack of real regulation in supplements.
• Ben (43:23): "Too many people. I mentioned me on a commercial. Did turmeric make you itchy? Join me and a thousand others as we sue McCormick."

12. Listener Q&A (SpeakPipe) (44:19–49:24)

• Rebecca—Not Jewish, but used Jewish phrases at a wedding. Ben assures her it's absolutely endearing:
  Ben (45:05): "Even attempting to be a part of it is amazing...Baruch Hashem to you, Rebecca."
• Anonymous—A TikTok influencer records her son on the subway without consent, then accuses her of being a "Karen":
  • Both hosts agree: filming other people’s kids is unacceptable, “influencer” is too often a hollow title.
  • Ben (47:19): "Anybody can go viral on TikTok...anyone can get 80,000 followers."
  • Josh notes that legality doesn’t equal decency: “by street justice, outta here.”

13. What Are You Nuts? Moment of the Week (49:26–51:29)

• Josh’s gripe: Doctor didn’t glove up before checking his son’s mouth reflexes. “What are you nuts? What are we not gonna glove up for this?”
• Ben’s gripe: Doctors worrying needlessly about C-section babies’ head shapes. “Keep it to yourself.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben, on the myth of “free groceries”:
  “You can't give me free groceries without the quality of my groceries, the availability of my groceries, and potentially the ingredients...becoming completely compromised.” (03:11)

• Josh, about beret-wearing politicians:
  “I'll never vote for anybody in a beret, Eric.” (05:06)

• Ben, on influencer misbehavior:
  "Anybody can go viral on TikTok...anyone can get 80,000 followers." (47:19)

• Ben, affirming a non-Jewish listener using 'Baruch Hashem':
  “Even attempting to be a part of it is amazing...Baruch Hashem to you, Rebecca.” (45:05)

• Josh, hors d’oeuvres priorities:
  “How about a big bite and leave me alone?” (08:21)

• Ben, on supplements:
  "I took too much turmeric and I became itchy." (43:20)

• Josh, on growing up:
  "The other day, in my head, I thought, I'm gonna treat myself with an Advil." (31:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ben’s Mayoral Aspirations & Politics Riff: 00:24–04:32
• NY Mayoral Personalities (Eric Adams, Curtis Sliwa): 05:06–06:14
• Small-Town Mayorship & Ribbon-Cutting: 06:14–08:16
• Party Foods & Hors D’Oeuvres Countdown: 08:21–12:14
• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs & Aaliyah Stories: 12:14–15:07
• Ads, Family Updates & Baby Nicknames: 17:13–22:03
• AI in Fashion / Celebrity Likeness: 22:05–23:43
• Triple-Marriage News / Green-Eyed Men: 23:43–26:26
• Health Optimization, Cold Plunges: 26:37–30:59
• Advil & Eastern Medicine: 31:02–34:19
• Supplement Discourse (Red Yeast Rice, Turmeric): 39:22–44:16
• Listener Questions (SpeakPipe): 44:19–49:24
• What Are You Nuts? Weekly Gripe: 49:26–51:29

Recurring Tone & Highlights

• The discussion is equal parts comedic banter, pop culture reference, and genuine wisdom.
• The “What are you nuts?” motif provides both branding and punchline throughout.
• Listeners are treated to playful Yiddishisms and cultural perspective.
• Both hosts blend personal stories with pop culture and audience engagement, making the episode broad in appeal but anchored in their New York/Jewish sensibility.

For those who missed it:
This episode is a classic "Good Guys" tapestry: sharp comedic takes, relatable gripes, and well-meaning, heartfelt energy—a conversation about running for office that becomes a joyful, multifaceted sendup of life’s little obstacles.