LA PLATICA – "Live Long and Skip the Wiener"

Host: Sebastian Robles & Josh Leyva
Date: January 5, 2026

Overview:

This first episode of 2026 finds Sebas and Josh catching up after the holiday break, reflecting on personal growth, and setting intentions for the new year with their classic blend of humor, vulnerability, and insightful discussion. Major themes include embracing change, the value of their podcast community, health and longevity, friendship, and what it means to be intentional with one’s circle and goals. Notably, the episode includes an emotional farewell to longtime videographer/editor Matt (“Benaki”), conversations about being present, and a long, comedic yet reflective debate on the existential trade-offs of eating hot dogs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. Welcoming 2026 and Reflecting on Growth

• The episode kicks off with the crew hyped for the new year, playfully riffing on trivia (how many weeks in a year?), setting an intentionally light and celebratory tone.
• Sebas: “Congratulations to the whole world. For us, for making it, you know, to the next year.” (04:40)

2. Team Changes: Saying Goodbye to Matt aka "Benaki"

• The biggest emotional moment is the heartfelt farewell for Matt, their videographer/editor of nearly two years.
• Matt talks about learning from the La Platica crew, wanting to pursue bigger creative dreams (specifically film), and leaving his “safe gig” for the challenge of freelance.
• Matt: “You guys have given me that safety net for two years… But now it’s going back to more of the hustle… and that’s kind of when I want to feel that again.” (14:41)
• Hosts reassure him with love, pride, and encouragement, joking about “stepdaddy” energy and promising to welcome him back anytime.
• Josh: “As you know, this has been my baby… You were the first person that I ever took a chance on and you exceeded my expectations.” (17:34)
• Audience is encouraged to leave Matt notes in the comments.

3. New Year, New Goals & Routines

• Josh and Sebas discuss leaving Christmas decorations up well into January, debating whether that’s lazy or simply “keeping the cozy vibe.”
• The group shares health resolutions—less drinking, more working out, financial discipline, and the ever-relatable struggle for balance.
• Sebas: “If you want to do something every day to make you live an extra 30 seconds, that adds up.” (40:31)

4. Family, Legacy, and Life Milestones

• Josh vulnerably shares his desire to start a family, candid about the challenges and timing pressures.
  • “I want to start maybe, like, having a family... I’ve been trying for years and my... don’t work. No. So this is the year that you’re really...” (26:06)
• Sebas relates, reflecting on aging, parenthood, and what it means to want children “at the right age.”
• Thoughtful context on parent-child relationships and intergenerational wisdom.

5. Health, Longevity & Processed Foods

• Extended comedic debate about the health impact of hot dogs:

  • “You can’t eat hot dogs because apparently freaking wieners cut your life... Don’t eat those wieners. That’s the message.” (40:37)
  • Studies claim every hot dog eaten shortens your life by 36 minutes.
  • They joke about choosing “selective moments” for enjoying wieners, referencing everything from Dodger Dogs to ceviche.

• The conversation shifts to systemic issues:

  • "What breaks my heart is that this food right here is the easiest food to access... It’s the cheapest, it’s the most convenient." (46:38)
  • Debates on processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and the financial and cultural barriers to healthier choices.

6. Living Optimally, Modern Medicine & The Future

• The hosts muse about the future of medicine, human longevity, Elon Musk’s Neuralink, and whether humans could live to 150 with new technologies.
  • “I genuinely think that... anyone listening right now can just live for another five to seven years, we’re gonna, like, create some advanced scientific medication that’s gonna allow us to live to like 150.” (31:02)
• Light conspiracy theory banter and references to TV shows like "Pluribus,” plus musing on the potential arrival of cybernetic upgrades.

7. The Importance of Presence, Relationships, & Intentionality

• Both hosts reflect on being more present—with friends, family, and themselves—and appreciating milestones without letting life “rush by.”
  • “Life moves so fast… I don’t process and take a moment to just be, wow, that was really cool.” (49:02)
• There is a deep dive into the value of meaningful conversations with family and friends, and how these build deeper connections.
• Sebas: “I have spoken more words to you than probably anybody in my life by being this consistent with La Platica.” (53:23)

8. Trimming the Fat: Your Circle Sets Your Standards

• Josh shares a guiding quote for the year:
  • “Your circle sets your standards.” (53:40)
• Both discuss growing more intentional with their time and relationships, and the self-work needed to “become the person you want to be surrounded by.”

9. Manifestation & Divine Challenges

• The episode closes with a discussion about how challenges are opportunities to practice the traits we wish for—a la “Bruce Almighty”:
  • “When people pray for things like patience or courage, God provides opportunities to develop those traits. Not instant fixes…” (57:43)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Saying Goodbye

  • Matt: “I just know this is something I have to do... I know there’s some stuff I’m destined for, if that makes any sense. I know there’s like a movie in me for sure.” (13:11)
  • Josh: “For you to say, I just want to switch things up… I’d rather have that than someone being here for like 10 years and then I’m like, hey bro, you know, you don’t, you know there’s more to this.” (15:55)

• On Family

  • Josh: “I want to start maybe, like, having a family... I want that, so if God will... I would love that. I’m getting to the age where I want it now kinda thing.” (26:02–26:33)

• On Longevity & Health

  • Josh: “You can’t eat hot dogs because apparently freaking wieners cut your life… Don’t eat those wieners.” (40:37)
  • Sebas: “There’s no single most unhealthy food.” (45:15)
  • Jess (producer): “Processed meat… sugar-sweetened beverages… Anything high in sodium nitrates can be linked to cancer and heart disease.” (46:17)

• On Presence & Mindfulness

  • Sebas: “I don’t process and take a moment to just be, wow, that was really cool… I just want to be like, wow, this was an incredible thing I got to experience.” (49:02)
  • “I have spoken more words to you than probably anybody in my life by being this consistent with La Platica.” (53:23)

• On Relationships

  • Josh: “Your circle sets your standards.” (53:40)
  • “Who you surround yourself really matters, bro. It might be one of the most important things.” (54:26)

• On Manifestation

  • Jess: “When people pray for things like patience or courage, God provides opportunities to develop those traits… Not instant fixes.” (57:43)

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:15 | First episode of 2026; New year celebrations and jokes | | 06:23-08:40 | Team changes, Benaki's (Matt's) absence explained with humor | | 12:16-19:05 | Matt’s (Benaki’s) heartfelt farewell, discussion on personal growth | | 19:49-23:01 | Holiday decor debate, family traditions, “Reyes Magos” discussion | | 24:15-29:53 | New Year’s resolutions, health, financial goals, and starting family | | 31:02-36:35 | Life expectancy, modern medicine, and the possibility of living to 150| | 40:01-44:47 | Hot dog debate, processed foods, and health trade-offs | | 46:46-48:26 | Processed foods, societal barriers to healthy eating | | 49:01-53:23 | Importance of presence, gratitude for the journey | | 53:40-56:01 | “Your circle sets your standards” and being intentional with friends | | 57:43-58:03 | Bruce Almighty quote and manifestation |

Memorable Moments with Exact Quotes

• “Every guest is a privilege. Do we want to go there?” — (01:17, Josh)
• “Benaki no stocky.” — (07:31, Sebas, joking about team changes)
• “Sometimes when I just feel down, I just love to have a wiener.” — (44:49, Josh)
• “I want to be more, like, not necessarily present. Present, yes...I don’t process and take a moment to just be, wow, that was really cool.” — (49:01, Sebas)
• “Your circle sets your standards.” — (53:40, Josh)
• “When people pray for things like patience or courage, God provides opportunities to develop those traits. Not instant fixes.” — (57:43, Jess quoting "Bruce Almighty")

Tone

The signature La Platica blend: Equal parts irreverent, candid, comedic, and emotionally honest. The group gently teases each other but lands frequently on meaningful, motivational themes about growth, friendship, and self-reflection.

Final Thoughts

A perfect “reset” episode: brimming with humor and banter but grounded in deep connection and real talk about what it means to live well and choose your people wisely. The hosts’ emotional openness and friendly roasting set the template for another year of classic La Platica – and leave listeners feeling like part of the family.